To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000, what was (a) the number of occasions on which couriers were used to distribute news releases from his Department and (b) the total cost of using couriers to distribute news releases. [113977]

[holding answer 10 March 2000]: As far as I am aware couriers have not been used, by MAFF, to distribute news releases.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the (a) national, (b) regional and (c) local newspapers and media bodies to which his Department sent news releases during the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000. [113989]

[holding answer 10 March 2000]: News releases are made available to all press and media bodies through the Central Office of Information (COI) managed News Distribution Service and the interne, and until recently via the Royal Mail postal service.I will write to the hon. Member with a list of all those we believe have received news releases.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the most recent figures are regarding the average age of farmers and the trend in average age. [113878]

[holding answer 10 March 2000]: The estimated average age of holders on main holdings in the UK for the years 1990 to 1997 are contained in the table.

Year	Estimated average age	Percentage of holders aged 65 and over
1990	53	23
1993	53	23
1995	54	25
1997	53	22

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of the proposed reduction in grant-in-aid to the Environment Agency in support of its fisheries work. [114436]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 27 October 1999, Official Report, column 922W.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received in relation to the proposed cut in grant-in-aid to the Environment Agency in support of its fisheries work. [114435]

I have received representations from a number of individuals and organisations, including some 120 letters from Members of Parliament and over 60 letters from the general public.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the number of job losses resulting from the proposed cut in grant-in-aid to the Environment Agency in support of its fisheries work. [114434]

The planned reduction in grant-in-aid to the Environment Agency to fund its work on salmon and freshwater fisheries in England will come into effect in 2001–02. It will be for the Environment Agency to determine its spending priorities for that year in the light of the fall in grant-in-aid. Until it has done this it is not possible to assess the impact of the reduction.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what maximum percentage of the diet of (a) animals reared for meats, (b) animals kept for dairy produce and (c) poultry may originate from a GM crop or a mixture of GM crops. [113769]

[holding answer 13 March 2000]: There are no specific rules on the proportion of animal diets which are permitted to originate from GM crops.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what progress has been made on the development of a regional fisheries forum for the Irish Sea area; [114706](2) what estimate he has made of the cost of establishing a regional fisheries forum for the Irish Sea area. [114707]

[holding answer 15 March 2000]: Although ideas for the establishment of a Forum for Fisheries in the Irish Sea are not currently being pursued, substantial progress has been made in the context of the Irish Sea Cod Recovery Programme in the involvement of fishermen in fisheries management decisions which affect them. At UK prompting, the European Commission and Council agreed on 17 December last that each stage of the Programme should be developed through a regional consultation group bringing together fishermen, scientists and administrators from the Member States concerned in the Irish Sea cod fishery. This group will also review progress towards meeting the stock recovery objectives of the Programme.This marks an important step forward in strengthening the regional dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he plans to extend bus lanes on congested motorways and trunk roads; what plans he has to introduce priority lanes on motorways and trunk roads for lorries; and if he will make a statement. [112706]

The Government are committed to making the best possible use of existing trunk road systems in tackling problems of traffic congestion. This may, at certain specific locations, involve the provision of designated lanes but I do not envisage their widespread use in the immediate future on the motorway and trunk road network outside urban areas. Where such lanes are appropriate, consideration needs to be given on a case by case basis as to what vehicles, including buses and heavy goods vehicles, may use them and at what times.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when the public were last consulted about proposals to remedy blockages on the A3 near Hindhead; when he plans next to consult the public on this issue; if he will estimate the cost of the current study of the A3 near Hindhead; and if he has consulted the National Trust about the A3 near Hindhead; [114368](2) when the public will next be involved in the problem of the proposals to remedy blockages on A3 near Hindhead problem. [114425]

The public were consulted on options for a road solution at Hindhead, including the proposed tunnel scheme, in 1992. As part of the study now under way the public are being involved on an on-going basis through a comprehensive programme of consultation and communication. This includes setting up local focus groups, a wider reference group, telephone interviews with longer distance travellers and a formal public consultation exercise. The commission for the study was awarded on the basis of a tender price of £188,066. Mr. Peter Griffiths, Director of the National Trust for the South Region, is a member of the study's steering group.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the invitation documents sent to consortiums selected to bid for the two deep-level tube PPP contracts, together with the draft contract for the proposed PPP; and if he will list the members of each consortium which was selected. [114195]

The invitation to tender and PPP draft contract contain commercially confidential material whose release could undermine the public sector's negotiating position and prevent best value from being achieved. London Transport has made an overview of the invitation to tender publicly available and I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.London Underground announced the consortia selected to bid for the two deep-level tube contracts on 7 October 1999. The bidding consortia and their members are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he is expecting PPP bids for the sub-surface London tube lines by 31 March. [114985]

No. London Transport will be inviting bids shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what London tube lines and stations will be closed during the proposed PPP; and if he will make a statement. [114984]

Under the PPP, the private sector will take over responsibility for delivering a massive programme of work on the Tube network, totalling around £8 billion of investment and around £5 billion of maintenance over the next 15 years. This will reduce passenger journey times and make services more reliable, as well as improving the quality of the travelling environment.As now, it will be necessary from time to time to close some parts of the network for limited periods to undertake essential work. Bidders' proposals in this area will be closely examined when London Underground evaluates the PPP bids.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what is his policy on continuing with proposals for the London Underground PPP if none of the bids undertakes best value against the appropriate public sector comparator; [114986]

To test that the London Underground PPP represents value for money, London Underground, with their professional advisers, are developing a rigorous public sector comparator. A paper explaining the principles underlying the comparator will be published shortly. The cash values produced by the comparator will also be released, but only once negotiations with bidders are complete. To publish them any earlier would risk jeopardising the taxpayer's negotiating position.To ensure that the public sector comparator proves a rigorous and fair test, it is to be audited by London Underground's independent, external auditors. In addition, the comparator will be open to detailed scrutiny by the National Audit Office in the usual way.We will not contemplate deals being done if they do not offer best value to the taxpayer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations about the political risks associated with the proposed contracts for the London Underground PPP he has received from potential bidders; and if he will make a statement; [114932](2) what commitment the Government have entered into to underwrite the bidders' costs of bidding for the contracts for the London Underground PPP; how much he estimates this will cost public funds; and if he will make a statement. [114934]

My right hon. Friend has received no representations about political risk associated with the PPP contract. My officials have, however, received a small number of representations about political and other risk associated with the bidding competition.Under the terms of the Invitation To Tender for the deep Tube infrastructure service contracts, London Underground may make payments to bidders for bid costs:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much has been spent on professional and consultancy fees in respect of the London Underground PPP; and if he will estimate how much will be spent in total by the time of completion of the PPP. [114933]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Thomas) on 21 December 1999, Official Report, column 525W. London Transport will not know the overall requirements or costs for external advice until the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) transaction has been completed, but the Government are working with LT to ensure that we receive the best advice while minimising the overall costs of implementing the PPP.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of how much public funding will be required to support the London Underground PPP; and if he will make a statement; [114980](2) what is his latest estimate for the total funding requirement for the London Underground for the period of the proposed PPP; and how this will be met. [114981]

Under the PPP, we expect to see around £8 billion invested in the Underground over the first 15 years with around a further £5 billion spent on maintenance. It would not be sensible at this stage, before London Underground have received bids, to estimate how this will be funded. However, we have made clear that if it should prove value for money, then Transport for London will receive the appropriate level of central government grant to allow for London Underground's need to make any payments to the PPP contractors.The PPP is about obtaining best value in the way that farebox revenue and any public subsidy is spent. The evidence indicates that the PPP will be better value than the wholly public sector alternatives, even if central government grant continues to be paid.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from potential bidders for the PPP contracts on the London Underground concerning shortfalls against costs of the PPP. [114982]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what cap he will set on increases in fares on the London Underground under the proposed PPP. [114983]

Fares on the London Underground will be a matter for the Mayor. The economic analysis London Underground and their advisers have undertaken for the PPP assumes that fares will do no more than keep pace with inflation once the PPP is in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the number of motor vehicles that were welded together and offered for resale during 1999; and if he will make a statement. [114494]

The information requested is not held centrally by the Department. Our aim is to ensure that all vehicles comply with prescribed roadworthiness standards and that the tools are there to see they are enforced. Through its oversight of the MOT testing regime the Vehicle Inspectorate enforces the relevant roadworthiness requirements. Local authority trading standards officials have powers to deal with unscrupulous traders who offer unroadworthy vehicles for sale. As must be the case, the best advice we can give is for buyers to arrange for an independent technical inspection of a vehicle and to obtain information on its background prior to purchase.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recommendations were made to him by the Marine Accident Investigation Board following the sinking of the Rema. [114525]

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch Report into the sinking of the Belize-registered MV Rema made one recommendation to this Department, addressed to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The Agency is recommended to advocate through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the fitting of hold bilge alarms in all single hold vessels.An identical recommendation was addressed to the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE), therefore the Maritime and Coastguard Agency will be consulting IMMARBE and the United Kingdom marine industry for their views on how this recommendation should be supported and taken forward to the IMO.The other four inspector's recommendations contained in the report are addressed to IMMARBE and propose measures to improve its safety record.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will increase the minimum deposit for the grant of an O licence from £5,000 to £20,000. [114518]

New European Union rules on the level of finances required by holders of international operator licences came into effect in this country for new applications in October 1999. Existing operators have until October 2001 to meet the new requirements. They require an amount equal to or exceeding 9,000 euro for the first or only vehicle authorised under the operator's licence and 5,000 euro for each additional vehicle. This represents a significant increase over the previous financial requirements. Traffic Commissioners assess the level of financial resources required by domestic operators as a proportion of these figures. For standard national licences this is normally some 80 per cent. of the figure set for an international operator's licence and about 50 per cent. for Restricted licences. We are planning to carry out a consultation exercise seeking views on whether these remain appropriate levels of funding for domestic operators.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidelines identifying (a) the correct telephony equipment for use in railway freight yards and (b) suitable training courses for operatives. [114515]

There are no plans to issue guidelines identifying what communication equipment, including telephone equipment, should be used in railway freight yards.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps are being taken to prepare a response to the recommendation in the Twentieth Report of the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 1998–99 (HC 477), about Greater London; [114561](2) what plans he has to include in the preparation of the White Paper on rural issues investment in and support for the management of green and open spaces within conurbations, with special reference to London. [114554]

The Government's Response was published in January 2000 (Cmnd 4550). It identified a number of recommendations to be considered further in the White Paper on urban policy. The White Paper will set out policies and proposals for improving the quality of life in our towns and cities. An important part of this will be our proposals for improving the management of the public realm, including our parks and open spaces.Parks and open spaces are important to the quality of life in all our towns, cities and conurbations. The proposals set out in our Response and being developed in the White Paper are for national application.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what mechanisms exist to ensure that initiatives across London which affect green and open spaces and the public funds invested in them can be co-ordinated. [114560]

A large proportion of the open space surrounding the built up area of London is designated as Green Belt or Metropolitan Open Land. As such it enjoys a high degree of protection from development, through existing national planning guidance and local planning policies. In addition, Strategic Guidance for London Planning Authorities (RPG3) issued in 1996 urges local planning authorities to encourage the maintenance and support of agriculture as a major economic activity in the Green Belt.The new Mayor of London will be required to produce a number of important strategies including a spatial development strategy, a number of environmental strategies and biodiversity action plan. Each of the strategies should be consistent with the others. Together, these strategies will enable the Mayor to devise an holistic approach to the protection and enhancement of green and open spaces of strategic importance in London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what hectarage of green and open space land open to the public is (i) owned and (ii) managed by the (a) Corporation of London, (b) Royal Parks Agency, (c) Lee Valley Regional Park, (d) London boroughs, (e) English Heritage and (f) other agencies. [114558]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much public funding was spent within the boundary of the M25 on (1) management and maintenance and (2) the development, conservation and restoration of public and open spaces, parks, gardens and estates by (a) the Corporation of London, (b) the Royal Parks Agency, (c) the Lee Valley Regional Park, (d) the Heritage Lottery Fund, (e) the London boroughs, (f) English Heritage and (g) other agencies and by way of (i) grants made available via the Government Office for London for Single Regeneration Budget or related green space projects, (ii) ESF Objective 2 grants related to green space enhancement and (iii) grants made by London TECs for country green space development projects in the last 12 months. [114559]

The information requested in respect of the Corporation of London, the Lee Valley Regional Park, the London boroughs and other agencies is currently not available centrally in the form, and for the geographical area requested. I am however able to say that the estimated net current expenditure of the London boroughs and the City of London on managing and maintaining parks and open spaces totals £100,896,000 for 1999–2000.Responsibility for the Royal Parks Agency, Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage falls to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. My right hon. Friend informs me that the information requested in respect of the Heritage Lottery Fund is not currently available for the geographical area requested. The total grant paid to the Royal Parks Agency for 1999–2000 is £26.389 million, which is currently not broken down in the form requested. The English Heritage budget for 1999–2000 for the management and maintenance of properties and land within their care is a total of £3,597,618. The budget for development and conservation projects on English Heritage owned properties for 1999–2000 is £539,500.No grants have been offered to third parties for management of open space, parks, or gardens in the last 12 months by English Heritage. However, London Region has commissioned a management plan to advise on proposals for College Farm at a cost of £15,000, and English Heritage contributed £37,000 to the Thames Landscape Strategy in 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will conduct a review of sections 92 and 122 of the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984, with particular reference to compatibility between those two sections and the personal injuries and damage to vehicles caused by rising bollards. [114795]

We have no plans to conduct such a review. Section 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 places a duty on local traffic authorities to exercise their functions under the Act so as to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic, so far as practicable having regard to certain matters such as amenity and need for access to premises. This includes the exercise of their power under section 92 to place bollards to prevent vehicles from using roads from which they are prohibited. It is the responsibility of individual traffic authorities to ensure that they exercise their road traffic regulation functions in a manner that is compatible with their statutory duty under section 122.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take powers to require utility telecoms companies and local authorities to co-ordinate their work programmes so that disruptive excavations of the highway are minimised; and if he will make a statement. [114996]

Street works undertakers are required under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 to co-operate with highway authorities and one another, and the authorities for their part are required to co-ordinate works in their streets. Section 66 of the 1991 Act provides that undertakers must carry on and complete works with all reasonable dispatch, and a street authority can require an undertaker obstructing the street more extensively or for longer than is reasonable necessary to comply with a restraining notice. Where there is a risk of serious traffic disruption from street works, section 56 enables the street authority to direct the undertaker to carry out work only at certain times, if the disruption can be avoided or reduced by this means.In a further development, the 1998 Integrated Transport White Paper made a commitment to consult on options for an incentive system, with penalties, to minimise disruption to road users, and to encourage improved co-ordination of street works. A consultation was launched last October and my Department is considering the responses to the consultation in order to decide on the best way forward.Finally, Regulations have been made under powers in the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, and came into effect last year, to facilitate and encourage the electronic transfer of information about street works and other works in the highway between utilities such as telecoms companies and highway authorities. This will ensure greater consistency and speed in transferring and registering the information, which in turn will help authorities in their co-ordination role.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to ensure that local authorities meet the Government's accident reduction targets; and if he will make a statement. [114890]

The Government's Road Safety Strategy, "Tomorrow's Roads—Safer for Everyone", included new national casualty reduction targets to be met by 2010. To achieve these targets we must work in partnership with others, including local authorities. The strategy outlines what we expect of local authorities. Within their local transport plan (LTP) authorities must devise a local road safety strategy including local casualty reduction targets in support of the national targets. We are providing authorities with additional resources for implementation.The integrated transport element of capital allocations, which includes road safety schemes, will be £250 million in 2000–01, 20 per cent. higher than in the current year. Authorities will be required to produce annual progress reports setting out performance against the indicators and targets contained within the LTP. Authorities will be asked to look again at LTPs which fail to deliver against their targets and we reserve the right to reduce allocations to poorly performing authorities or introduce the selective ring-fencing of resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many full-time staff worked in the Office of the Rail Regulator at the time that the present Regulator was appointed; how many new appointments have been made since then; how many staff have left since then; how many vacancies exist; how many staff are due to leave within the next six months; and how many staff the Regulator employs. [114917]

[holding answer 16 March 2000]: At the time the present Regulator was appointed—on 5 July 1999—there were 140 full-time staff in the Office of the Rail Regulator, including the staff of the Central and regional Rail Users' Consultative Committees. Since his appointment, there have been 53 appointments—16 of which were new posts. Thirty-three staff have left since the current Regulator was appointed. There are 27 existing vacancies and there are five staff due to leave within the next six months. The Regulator currently employs 160 staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many kilometres of cycle lanes have been built in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and how many are projected to be built in the next five years. [114814]

[holding answer 6 March 2000]: Information about the lengths of cycle lanes provided and projected by local highway authorities is not held centrally. The responsibility for the provision of all cycle facilities, including cycle lanes, rests with individual highway authorities.We are encouraging local highway authorities to respond to the National Cycling Strategy by including local strategies to increase cycling in their local transport plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what investigations the Health and Safety Executive is making into the potential health hazards of telecommunications masts. [115066]

[holding answer 17 March 2000]: The Health and Safety Executive, in common with other Government Departments, is advised on health hazards from radiation emitted from telecommunication masts by the National Radiological Protection Board. The Government's view, based on advice from the NRPB, is that the validated scientific evidence does not suggest that radiofrequency emissions from telecommunication masts present a health hazard if they comply with NRPB guidelines, but that there is a need for more research.HSE is supporting national and international research programmes into the suggested harmful effects of radiofrequency emissions, and will contribute to the review of the UK research programme in the light of the recommendations of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones due in May.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Treasury regarding taxation to discourage multiple property owning. [115125]

[holding answer 16 March 2000]: My Department has regular discussions with the Treasury on a range of issues of mutual interest. Final decisions on taxation are a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to ensure that seat belts are worn by rear-seat passengers. [115537]

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 16 March 2000, Official Report, columns 329–30W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money was allocated to the Home Energy Efficiency Programme for each financial year since 1990–91 to the present for (a) the United Kingdom as a whole, (b) England, (c) Scotland and (d) Wales; and if he will make a statement. [115139]

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) covers Great Britain only. Northern Ireland has always had its own separate scheme. Until 1999, the scheme had shared administration and delivery costs and no separate allocation for England, Scotland and Wales. During 1999–2000, the scheme was devolved to Scotland with a set budget. The total allocation for each year from 1990–91 is as follows, together with the approximate proportion spent in Scotland and Wales:

Financialyear	Total allocation (£ million)	Of which approximately allocated to Scotland (percentage)	Of which approximately allocated to Wales (percentage)
1990–911	1.5	3-	3-
1991–92	26.1	9	4
1992–93	33.6	8	3
1993–94	41.5	8	4
1994–95	83	8	5
1995–96	107.2	8	5
1996–97	76.1	8	5
1997–98	76.1	8	4
1998–99	76.2	7	6
1999–2000	74.9	2-	5
1 Expenditure in 1990–91 was for three months only.
2 From 1 July 1999, Scotland set up its own separate scheme "Warm Deal". The total amount transferred to Scotland for the whole year (including expenditure during 1 April to 30 June) was £5.9 million. This figure does not include any additional monies allocated by the Scottish Executive to the programme.
3 Not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the housing densities of the housing areas of the proposed Newcastle Great Park planning application now referred to him, using the net site density method set out in Annexe C of the revised Planning Policy Guidance 3. [115285]

The application for Newcastle Great Park, which is currently before the Secretary of State, is for outline planning permission, so the information provided does not enable the net housing density to be calculated in accordance with Annexe C of the revised PPG3 on Housing. To do so, we should require many more details, such as the housing layout and area of open space, that the applicants are legitimately seeking to reserve for later approval if outline permission is granted

	All vacant residential properties at 1 April 1999	Dwellings leased to, or by, the authority at 1 April:
		1999		1998		1997		1996		1995
		To LA	By LA	To LA	By LA	To LA	By LA	To LA	By LA	To LA	By LA
Gateshead	2,608	0	416	0	399	0	372	0	356	0	335
Newcastle upon Tyne	7,905	0	792	0	732	0	701	0	658	0	648
North Tyneside	5,008	0	326	0	314	0	312	0	283	0	273
South Tyneside	2,341	0	386	0	364	0	353	0	339	0	558
Sunderland	4,298	8	426	8	357	8	345	8	301	8	431

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve the provision of public transport in (a) rural areas and (b) West Cumbria; and if he will make a statement. [115144]

Many of the measures within the Integrated Transport White Paper and the Transport Bill currently before Parliament benefit rural areas. We are also

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many vacant residential properties there were in each local authority area in Tyne and Wear on the most recent date for which figures are available; and how many residential properties have been leased in each such local authority area in the last five years. [115283]

The latest information reported by local authorities on Housing Investment Programme returns is as follows:developing a Ten Year Plan for transport to set out a long-term investment programme and a Rural White Paper to set out our objectives for rural areas.The system of Local Transport Plans, which are five year integrated transport strategies prepared by local authorities, are the cornerstone of delivering better transport in local ares. Authorities are specifically required to address the accessibility needs of people in rural areas in their Plans and to recognise the interrelationship between rural and other areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action is being taken permanently to correct the signal failures affecting the Jubilee line. [114820]

This is an operational matter for London Underground. I understand that software improvements are currently being carried out which will improve the reliability of the signalling system on the Jubilee line. The implementation programme for this work is expected to be completed by the end of June. Other improvements in the Stratford area have already been carried out or are in hand and will help to provide a more consistent and regular service. Further, line-wide, signalling-related work is also scheduled to take place throughout the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money the Government have spent on publicity costs in relation to the Greater London Authority and associated bodies. [115513]

In the run-up to the London Referendum between May 1997 and 7 May 1998 the total publicity budget was £1.6 million. There was no publicity budget for publicising the Greater London Authority between the Referendum and Royal Assent for the Greater London Authority Act 1999 in November 1999.The Government are currently running a multi-media information campaign to ensure that Londoners know about the new voting process on 4 May and understand how the Mayor and Assembly will affect their daily lives. The total budget for this campaign is £4.1 million—about 81p per London elector. Approximately £2.9 million will be spent in the current financial year and £1.2 million in 2000–01.In addition, following the recent amendment to the Greater London Authority Act 1999, the Government have agreed to spend £1.7 million on a booklet prepared by the Greater London Returning Officer containing election addresses by Mayoral candidates.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the estimated level of capital investment by National Air Traffic Services for (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02; and how much of that investment will go to the New Scottish Centre in each of these years. [115509]

The 1999 NATS Business Plan estimated capital investments are at the following levels.

	£ million
1999–2000	55.6
2000–01	47.5
2001–02	53.7

NATS are currently developing a long-term investment plan, which will be completed in the next few months.It is not possible to give a precise estimate of the likely expenditure on the New Scottish Centre over the next few years as the contract for construction of the centre building has yet to be let. However the cost of the centre is expected to be of the order of £400 million, and is expected to come into operation in the winter of 2006–07.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the civil airports in the UK, specifying which use National Air Traffic Services to provide air traffic control services. [115508]

The following is a list of the civil airports in the UK. Those which use National Air Traffic to provide air traffic control services are marked with an asterisk (*).

• Aberdeen^*
• Alderney (States of Guernsey)
• Belfast City
• Belfast International^*
• Birmingham International Airport^*
• Blackpool
• Bournemouth International Airport
• Bristol Filton
• Bristol International Airport (Lulsgate)
• Cambridge
• Cardiff International Airport^*
• Carlisle Airport
• Coventry
• Cranfield Airport
• Dundee
• Dunsford Aerodrome
• East Midlands International Airport
• Edinburgh^*
• Exeter
• Glasgow—Prestwick
• Glasgow^*
• Gloucestershire Airport
• Guernsey States Airport
• Hawarden
• Highlands and Islands Airports (includes 10 airports—not all have ATC)
• Humberside International Airport
• Isle of Man (Ronaldsway) Airport
• Jersey
• Leeds Bradford International Airport
• Liverpool
• London—Biggin Hill
• London—Gatwick^*
• London—Heathrow^*
• London—Luton
• London—southend
• London—Stansted^*
• London City^*
• Lydd
• Manchester^*
• Manston—Kent International
• Newcastle International Airport
• North Denes Heliport
• Norwich
• Oxford
• Plymouth City
• Sheffield
• Shoreham
• Southampton
• St. Marys
• Swansea
• Teeside
• Warton
• Woodford Aerodrome

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the budget was for promoting green transport plans in 1999–2000; and what is the predicted outturn of expenditure for 1999–2000. [115514]

The original budget was for £2 million. The predicted outturn is around £0.5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reasons the Government transferred £500,000 for the green transport plans budget in 1999–2000 to other uses. [115515]

£500,000 was transferred to make the best use of predicted underspend. This is a new programme to promote the take-up of travel plans through guidance and advice to employers and schools. We have decided to wait for the results of a pilot programme of site specific advice before rolling out a more substantial programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the impact his statement of 7 March on housebuilding will have on the Chelmsford Local Authority area; and, as a result of his statement, how many houses will have to be built in Chelmsford, (a) over the next five years and (b) over the next 16 years. [114782]

[pursuant to her answer, 16March 2000, c. 330W]: The Secretary of State's proposed changes to the Regional Planning Guidance for the South East and for the East of England will now be published on 27 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he will publish the housebuilding figures announced on 7 March broken down by county; [114413](2) what balance of brownfield and greenfield development he expects to take place in each of the English regions in the next 15 years as a result of his statement on 7 March; [114412](3) how many new homes will need to be built in West Sussex in

[pursuant to his answers, 13 March 2000, c. 31–32W, 34–35W]: The Secretary of State's proposed changes to the Regional Planning Guidance for the South East and for the East of England will now be published on 27 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent (a) advice he has received and (b) representations he has made in respect of the impact of abolishing poindings and warrant sales on the Government's ability to recover unpaid tax or VAT. [112043]

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: I have not received advice or made representations in respect of the impact of abolishing poindings and warrant sales on the Government's ability to recover unpaid tax or VAT.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the (a) national, (b) regional and (c) local newspapers and media bodies to which his Department sent news releases during the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000. [113983]

[holding answer 10 March 2000]: All media outlets can request press releases. Targeted distribution will rely on the subject and content of the specific press release. The numbers involved in listing these outlets would incur disproportionate costs. Press releases are available electronically to all media outlets via Cable and Wireless. The are also available on the Internet.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland for the period 2 May 1997 to 29 February 2000 what was (a) the number of occasions on which couriers were used to distribute news releases from his Department and (b) the total cost of using couriers to distribute news releases. [113973]

[holding answer 10 March 2000]: All press releases are distributed electronically via Cable and Wireless. Couriers have not been used to distribute press releases.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will list those staff paid for by the Labour Party who are working in No. 10 Downing Street, indicating their function in each case; [112055](2) if the marginal costs which result from the employment of Labour party staff in No. 10 Downing Street are met from public funds. [112056]

[holding answer 28 February 2000]: The information requested is as follows:

• Sally Morgan—Political Secretary
• John Cruddas—Deputy Political Secretary
• Faz Hakim—Assistant Political Secretary
• Michael Stephenson—Assistant Political Secretary
• Plus six secretarial and administrative support staff, four of whom work on a job-share or part-time basis.

As has been the case under successive Administrations, marginal costs associated with the Political Office are met from within the overall budget for No. 10 Downing Street.

To ask the Prime Minister on what occasions, and at what venues, during November and December 1999 his Defence and Foreign Affairs Adviser, Mr. Liddle, made speeches at seminars in (a) the UK and (b) other European countries. [112001]

Seminars attended by Mr. Liddle during this period were informal. On all occasions he made introductory remarks that formed the basis for discussion. He did not speak from a written text.

To ask the Prime Minister when he will answer the question from the hon. Member for Croydon, South tabled on 22 February 2000, concerning Mr. Roger Liddle (ref. 112076). [115370]

I have done so today. The question referred to by the hon. Member bears the reference number 112001 and not 112076.

To ask the Prime Minister how many plenary meetings of the Joint Ministerial Committee on the relationship between Westminster and the devolved Administrations have been held. [114585]

[holding answer 14 March 2000]: The Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) has not met to consider the relationship between Westminster and the devolved administrations. However, the guidance note on "Common Working Arrangements," agreed by the official committee of the JMC, includes guidance on handling relations between the Administrations and Westminster. This note is available in the Library of the House and on the Cabinet Office website (at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk /constitution/2000/devolution/).

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to paragraph 72 of the Ministerial Code and the answer by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, of 13 March 2000, Official Report, column 33W, if it is his policy that Ministers should be willing to provide information on their overseas travel more frequently than once a year. [115207]

[holding answer 17 March 2000]: A detailed list of Cabinet Ministers' visits overseas, and information on spend by all Ministers on travel overseas for the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year. It is reasonable that, in response to a Parliamentary Question seeking information similar to that which is currently being assembled, the hon. Member was informed that he would have to wait for the published list.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to commemorate the date of the 200 Anniversary of the Union with Ireland Act 1800; and if he will make a statement. [114546]

[holding answer 17 March 2000]: None.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will publish the correspondence between the Government and Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank concerning the appointment of peers to the House of Lords; [115423](2) what discussions he has had with opposition parties over the appointment of peers to the House of Lords; [115421]

It is established practice under section 8(c) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose information relating to information, opinions and assessments given in relation to recommendations for honours.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs as of 1 April 1999, which of the executive and advisory non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department (a) were required to publish annual reports, (b) were required to publish annual accounts, (c) were subject to a full audit by the National Audit Office, (d) were under the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Ombudsman or other ombudsmen, (e) had their own complaints procedure, (f) were required to observe the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, (g) possessed a register of Members' interests, (h) allowed the public to inspect a register of Members' interests, (i) were subject to a public right to attend board meetings or committee meetings, (j) were obliged to release reports of meetings, (k) were subject to a public right to inspect agendas of meetings, (l) were subject to a public right to see minutes of meetings, (m) were required to hold public meetings, (n) (i) maintained an internet site and (ii) were developing an internet site and (o) had been subject to a quinquennial review within the last year, including a continuing review. [114166]

All executive and advisory NDPBs sponsored by our Department on 1 April 1999 were required to publish annual reports; to publish annual accounts (where they had significant expenditure of their own); to operate in accordance with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information; and to draw up, and make publicly available on request, a Register of Members' Interests. All NDPBs were also encouraged to hold meetings in public and to release or otherwise make available records of meetings. There was, however, no statutory requirement or obligation for them to do so.Information on audit arrangements for executive NDPBs is set out in Public Bodies 1999. Information on which NDPBs maintain their own website can be accessed from the Cabinet Office quango website (www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/quango).The Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission was subject to a quinquennial review during 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he has taken to encourage the peaceful resolution of the conflict in Northern Uganda; and if he will encourage the Ugandan and Sudanese Governments to enter into negotiations with all the warring parties. [115219]

We welcomed the bilateral agreement signed by Uganda and Sudan last December in Nairobi. Successful implementation will increase stability in the region and help secure the release and return of abducted children. We are encouraging the Governments in both Kampala and Khartoum to honour these commitments.We have consistently urged the Government of Uganda to seek a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Northern Uganda. I welcomed the Government's decision to pass amnesty legislation when I saw President Museveni last October. But this is just one element towards a negotiated settlement which must also involve commitment on all sides to reconciliation and rehabilitation. We continue to encourage the Government of Uganda to open direct dialogue with the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). The Department for International Development is also supporting a number of projects in the North aimed at promoting peace, rehabilitation and development, as well as responding to some humanitarian needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 22 February 2000, Official Report, column 941W, on peat compost, what percentage of the compost used in his Department's estate gardens is peat; when use of peat compost will be phased out on his Department's estates; and if he will make a statement. [115236]

No peat is used on the FCO's estate. There is no information available on what our overseas Posts use, but FCO purchasing guidance states that peat should be avoided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in respect of the Convention on a draft Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, if he will list (a) the participant from each member state or other appointing body, (b) the composition and tasks of its, (i) working groups, (ii) drafting Committee and (iii) Editorial Committee, (c) the dates when these groups and the Plenary of the Convention (1) have met and (2) plan to meet and (d) what (x) oral and (y) written evidence from his Department has been reported by select committees of the House concerning the Convention. [115249]

(a) The current membership of the EU Charter Convention is:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department have made to the Government of Honduras about the murder of Edy Ortega and Francisco Espinoza. [114842]

[holding answer 16 March 2000]: Sadly these two cases are just an example of the abuses suffered by street children in Honduras. The majority of cases happen when a child is detained for a petty crime and tries to flee detention. Our Embassy in Tegucigalpa makes regular representations to the Honduran authorities on these and other issues on human rights abuses.We are also in touch with several Human Rights NGOs working in Honduras and through these we lobby for progress on several cases including Edy Ortega's and Francisco Espinoza's tragic deaths. We continually reiterate our position on the treatment of minors by the authorities.We remain committed to the continued improvement in the overall lot of children throughout Central America, and in particular in their treatment. We are supporting projects throughout the region bilaterally and through the EU and other multilaterals in areas such as constructing community centres and hostels, health, rural development, and training and education which involve the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the (a) job description and (b) person specification for trade attachés appointed to British embassies. [115363]

Each commercial job overseas requires a combination of skills and attributes relevant to the specific post. Since these jobs can differ in certain respects, reflecting the particular requirements of a market, there is no standard job description covering all such posts. As a general guide, duties for a substantive First Secretary Commercial post involve management of our commercial operation and staff; provision and analysis of local market research; local contact building; advising British business visitors; coordinating arrangements for trade missions and other visitors (including ministerial and VIP visits); responsibility for specific market sectors; research and provision of commercial input into economic reporting; and implementation of initiatives agreed with British Trade International headquarters.A typical job specification would highlight the need for the person taking up the post to have effective interpersonal, management and communication skills with knowledge of the business world. A comprehensive training and briefing programme is provided prior to any posting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the trade attachés recruited from the private sector and currently serving in British embassies, with their date of appointment and special areas of expertise in each case. [115364]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the question raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Nottingham, South (Mr. Simpson), on 15 March 2000, Official Report, column 223W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria are used for the appointment of specialist trade attachés to British embassies; and if he will make a statement. [115365]

Decisions on all commercial appointments are made by FCO Selection Boards. Candidates are considered on the basis of their suitability in terms of the competences, skills and experience required for each post.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many suspected war criminals have been apprehended by British forces in Bosnia. [113722]

British SFOR troops have successfully detained nine war crimes suspects indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. They have also been involved in the arrest of a further two suspects with other SFOR forces. A further indictee was shot dead by British SFOR personnel acting in self-defence during a detention operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries have pledged money towards the Millennium Civil Society Forum to be held in May; and if he will make a statement. [114243]

The Millennium Forum has yet to announce details of any financial pledges they have received. In response to a request from the Forum's organisers, the Government have in principle offered funding to help the Forum secure participation by civil society representatives from less developed countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the continued use of Sharia law punishments in Iran; and if he will make a statement. [115498]

Hudud punishments in Iran, though in recent years used less frequently, are allowed under Sharia law. Sharia law forms the basis of the Iranian legal system, as well as the legal systems of some other countries in the region.With our EU partners the UK tabled the United Nations General Assembly resolution on human rights in Iran adopted on 17 December 1999. This resolution calls on Iran to take the necessary steps to end the use of torture, the practice of amputation, stoning and other cruel, inhuman and degrading punishments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the reportable accidents and incidents that occurred at (a) BNFL Chapelcross, (b) BNFL Calderhall, (c) BNFL Springfields and (d) BNFL Capenhurst since 1992–93; and if he will breakdown the figures by (i) fatalities, (ii) major injuries, (iii) other injuries, (iv) dangerous occurrences and (v) disease. [113309]

The tables contain information on accidents and incidents reported to HSE since 1992–93 at specified BNFL premises. Brief details of events occurring at licensed nuclear sites relating to nuclear safety are published in the site Quarterly Reports, which are placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

1. Notifications are made under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 and their predecessors.
Table 1A: Chapelcross
	Fatal	Major injuries	Other injuries	Dangerous occurrence	Diseases
1992–93	0	0	5	1	0
1993–94	0	1	0	0	0
1994–95	0	0	3	0	0
1995–96	0	0	3	3	0
1996	0	0	1	3	1
1997	0	0	2	2	0
1998	0	1	1	1	0
1999	0	1	2	2	0
2000	0	0	0	1	0

Table 1B: Calderhall
	Fatal	Major injuries	Other injuries	Dangerous occurrence	Diseases
1992–93	0	0	7	3	0
1993–94	0	0	4	0	0
1994–95	0	1	9	0	0
1995–96	0	1	6	3	0
1996–97	0	0	2	0	0

Table 1B: Calderhall
	Fatal	Major injuries	Other injuries	Dangerous occurrence	Diseases
1996	0	1	2	0	0
1997	0	0	0	0	1
1998	0	0	0	0	0
1999	0	0	0	1	0
2000	0	0	0	0	0

Table 1C: Capenhurst
	Fatal	Major injuries	Other injuries	Dangerous occurrence	Diseases
1992–93	0	0	4	1	1
1993–94	0	0	12	0	0
1994–95	0	1	5	0	1
1995–96	0	0	4	1	0
1996–97	0	0	0	0	0
1996	0	0	0	0	0
1997	0	0	1	1	0
1998	0	1	2	0	0
1999	0	2	1	0	0
2000	0	0	0	0	0

Table 1D: Springfields
	Fatal	Major injuries	Other injuries	Dangerous occurrence	Diseases
1992–93	0	8	39	3	0
1993–94	0	1	40	1	0
1994–95	0	5	25	2	2
1995–96	0	2	10	0	0
1996–97	0	0	7	1	0
1996	0	1	14	1	1
1997	0	7	5	2	0
1998	0	3	7	8	0
1999	0	2	6	3	0
2000	0	0	2	0	1

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received from the EU Environment Commissioner in respect of the application of the provisions of Article 34 of the Euratom Treaty to Sellafield. [114088]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library copies of communications between his Department's Director General for Energy and the atomic energy counsellor in the British Embassy in Tokyo made since 1 August 1999. [114082]

Communications between the British Embassy in Tokyo and energy policy officials in my Department constitute information whose disclosure would harm the frankness of internal discussion, and as such are exempt under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the cost of his Department's Director General for Energy's visit to Japan on 7–10 February; and under which budget sub-head costs were met. [114085]

The cost of the Director General for Energy and other Department of Trade and Industry officials' visit to Japan on 7–10 February was in the region of £23,000.I understand that these costs are to be met by my Department's Running Cost budget sub-head.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Nolan Rules on public appointments apply to non-executive directors of British Nuclear Fuels; and if he will make a statement. [115067]

I can confirm that all appointments, and re-appointments, of non-executive directors to the Board of BNFL are subject to the Code and Guidance of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much generation of electricity from nuclear sources would have to be increased over current levels to (a) save two million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year and (b) meet all the Government's current carbon dioxide reduction targets. [114819]

The table sets out the required increase in nuclear generation to achieve savings of 2 MtC and 22 MtC. The latter figure represents the additional reduction required, based on existing policies, to achieve the domestic goal of a 20 per cent. reduction in CO₂, by 2010. The provisionally estimated generation from nuclear plants in 1999 was around 88 TWh. This amount of generation is estimated to be saving between about 10 and 21 MtC, depending on the mix of fuels assumed to be displaced.

	Extra nuclear generation required (TWh) if displacing:
CO2 savings required	Coal	Gas
2 MtC	9	21
22 MtC	94	234

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received concerning the' Inspector's report closing the inquiry following the withdrawal of all compulsory purchase orders on the line of pylons from Picton to Shipton by Bellingborough; and if he will make a statement. [114338]

Two written representations have been received following the withdrawal by the National Grid Company plc at the public inquiry on Thursday 2 March 2000 of the National Grid Company plc (Nunthorpe to Newby) Compulsory Purchase Order 1999. That inquiry related to the compulsory purchase of certain rights to underground part of the proposed 400 kV electrical connection between Lackenby, Picton and Shipton at privately owned land between Nunthorpe and Newby. The Secretary of State is now awaiting the Inspector's report on the proceedings, but understands that the company considered it had obtained all the necessary voluntary agreements from the landowners along the route of the proposed compulsory purchase order.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the average number of construction jobs which will be created by each of the gas-fired power stations for which approval has been sought but not yet granted. [114156]

The actual number of construction jobs will vary according to the size of the power station and the stage reached in its construction. From information available to the Department, we estimate that construction of 1 Gigawatt could generate peak employment of around 800 jobs, including an allowance for employment in production of the gas turbines themselves.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will lift the moratorium on the construction of new gas-fired power stations. [114158]

The Government expect to be able to relax the stricter consents policy for new gas-fired power stations as soon as it concludes, on the basis of advice from the Director General of Electricity Supply, that the reform programme has been undertaken and the distortions in the electricity market have been removed. The Government expect the reforms to be substantially complete across the picture before the consents policy is relaxed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on which dates Lord Levy has had meetings with (a) ministers and (b) senior officials in his Department since 1 May 1997, giving in each case the purpose of the meetings; and if he will make a statement. [113502]

[holding answer 7 March 2000]: Records of meetings with officials are not held centrally, but to the best of my knowledge, no Minister or senior official in the Department of Trade and Industry has met Lord Levy since 1 May 1997 in his capacity as the Prime Minister's personal envoy delivering messages in the Middle East.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what is his estimate of the extra electricity requirement to supply the proposed new housing build in the South-East; [114184](2) what is his estimate of the extra electricity transmission lines and their cost, that will be needed by new-build homes in the South-East. [114186]

No such estimate has been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to encourage the building of new power stations in the South East. [114185]

As was made clear in the October 1998 White Paper the Government intend to leave the initiative for proposals for new generation capacity entirely to developers. Power stations are run by private companies which must make market investment decisions, subject to the usual environmental and planning/consent constraints. It is therefore a matter for power station developers to consider where they wish to locate their stations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the value of counterfeit goods seized by trading standards officers in the United Kingdom during 1999. [114991]

Information about the value of counterfeit goods seized by trading standards officers is available in a National Counterfeiting Survey compiled by Warwick University, but the latest figures available only cover the period 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999. The replies from 75 per cent. of Trading Standards Departments in England, Wales and Scotland show that during this period goods with an estimated street value of £22,445,580 were seized, this being equivalent to a value of £65,053,217 if they had been genuine goods. These figures are not, though, comprehensive, but it is hoped that better estimates covering the whole of the UK will be available in the future. One initiative that should, among other things, help to deliver an improved understanding of the extent of all intellectual property crime is the new Counterfeiting and Piracy Forum. The Forum will meet for the first time later this month bringing together industry, public sector enforcers, consumers, retailers and Internet service providers with Government. This Forum will be able to explore issues such as better record keeping of criminal activity, greater co-operation and co-ordination of enforcement effort and how to make consumers more knowledgeable about short and long term damage to both themselves and others caused by the purchase of fake goods.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list by region of residence the numbers of (a) claims received in respect of respiratory disease, (b) interim and expedited awards in respect of respiratory disease by (i) number and (ii) value, (c) claims in respect of vibration white finger and (d) interim and general damage awards in respect of vibration white finger by (i) number and (ii) value. [115043]

The information is as follows:

Respiratory Disease
	Interim payments			Expedited payments
Postal region	Total claims	Number of claims	£	Number of claims	£
Anglia	327	46	208,250.00	0	0.00
Midlands	19,545	3,505	6,772,233.51	327	857,385.75
North East	37,895	5,675	10,867,100.00	695	1,753,281.10
North West	6,407	789	1,554,850.00	46	137,667.84
Northern Ireland	11	1	2,000.00	0	0.00
Scotland	8,477	1,377	2,699,550.00	325	799,584.11
South Central	150	13	26,000.00	0	0.00
South East	1,507	265	488,350.00	18	38,037.87
SouthWest	633	41	79,850.00	10	22,243.83
Wales	24,295	3,874	7,384,800.00	330	878,674.05
London	203	20	40,000.00	0	0.00
No postcode	100	8	16,000.00	0	0.00
Total	99,550	15,614	30,102,983.51	1,751	4,486,874.55

Vibration white Finger
	Interim payments			General damages
Postal region	Total claims	Number of claims	£	Number of claims	£
Anglia	168	5	15,572.21	27	150,083.04
Midlands	14,666	1,602	1,672,738.05	1,602	9,074,958.80
North East	30,545	6,065	10,681,785.76	6,065	32,699,739.99
North west	2,529	514	264,456.71	514	1,512,530.00
Northern Ireland	4	0	0.00	0	0.00
Scotland	3,967	1,328	1,610,503.83	1,328	3,392,825.84
South Central	42	8	14,629.37	8	26,094.68
South East	524	73	57,888.35	73	165,014.48
South west	61	9	5,869.37	9	16,503.02
Wales	8,756	2,380	754,584.83	2,380	8,194,798.15
London	39	0	0.00	0	0.00
No postcode	207	173	0.00	173	127,310.00
Total	61,508	12,179	30,102,983.51	1,751	71,037,886.72

To ask the Secretary of state for Trade and Industry how many claims his Department has received in respect of respiratory disease; and in respect of how many claims spirometry has been completed. [115045]

As at 5 March the Department's claim handlers had received in received 98,803 claims. 66,077 of these are from live claimants, of which 44,797 have received spirometry tests, with a further 12,619 invited to make appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims have been made in respect of respiratory disease by (a) the sufferer and (b) widows and dependants where the claimant has died after the date of claim. [115044]

As at 16 March IRISC, the Department's claims handler, had been informed of 4,249 claims where the sufferer has died since their date of claim. Details are not available of the number of widows or dependants who have died after submitting claims.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the locations, dates of opening or proposed dates of opening are of centres for mdical assessment of claims for vibration white finger. [115049]

There are currently 13 centers open for medical assessment of claims for vibration white finger. The location and dates of opening for the centres are as follows:

Location	Dates
Newcastle	9 August 1999
Sheffield	23 August 1999
Mansfield	1 September 1999
Cardiff	8 September 1999
Glasgow	13 September 1999
Edinburgh	6 October 1999
Barnsley	10 November 1999
Wakefield	12 December 1999
Nottingham	7 January 2000
Manchester	10 January 2000
Birmingham	21 February 2000
Stoke	1 March 2000
Swansea	6 March 2000

An additional centre will be opened in London (Victoria) by the end of March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total subsidy for the generation of power from wind turbines in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [114913]

[holding answer 16 March 2000]: The support to wind energy from the Fossil Fuel Levy in England and Wales was:

Year	£ million
1997–98	36.8
1998–99	35.1
1999–2000	16.5
1 estimated

The support to wind energy from the Fossil Fuel Levy in Scotland was:

Year	£ million
1997–	3.9
1998–	5.4
1999–2000	15.7
1 estimated

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when Bruce Crawford MSP will receive a reply to his letter, dated 31 January, to the Minister for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe regarding compensation payments to ex-miners. [115534]

A reply was sent on Friday 3 March 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the hon. Member for Broxbourne will receive a reply to her letters of 21 September, 20 October, 17 November, 14 December, 11 January and 8 February relating to Mr. James Gardiner, a constituent. [113929]

[pursuant to the reply, 14 March 2000, c. 341-42]: The hon. Lady's letters of 21 September and 20 October have been traced. The letter of 7 March arrived on 14 March. The other correspondence does not appear to have been received. I replied to the hon. Lady on 16 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-postmasters there are in the UK; and how many of them are (a) from ethnic minorities and (b) women. [115205]

[holding answer 17 March 2000]: There are at present some 16,000 sub-postmasters. A number of these cover more than one post office.Approximately 40 per cent. of this total are women. The Post Office's estimate is that 12.4 per cent. of sub-postmasters are from ethnic minorities. This estimate derives from data provided on a voluntary basis by sub-postmasters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce measures to allow post offices to sell alcoholic drinks. [115484]

Items such as stationery and greetings cards, which complement postal services, may be sold in post offices by Post Office Counters Ltd. However, where a post office is located alongside a retail outlet, the decision to sell alcoholic drinks rests with the shop owner.