To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide further details about the additional money for fighting crime, which was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget Statement on 21 March; and if he will make a statement. [116484]

As a result of the funding decisions outlined in the Budget statement, there will be a significant injection of £285 million for tackling crime and the causes of crime. This comprises capital modernisation funding of £185 million for a range of projects and a £100 million fund for modernising policing, of which around £91 million is for England and Wales and £9 million is for Scotland. £14 million of expenditure under the capital modernisation fund has been previously announced in respect of DNA. The rest represents new money.This funding will be used to step up the fight against crime in four key areas. It will speed up the recruitment of new officers; create more opportunities for local partnerships to tackle crime and disorder; provide further scientific and technological support to increase their effectiveness; and will develop and modernise the Criminal Justice System.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what costs relating to the establishment of the Electoral Commission will be met in advance of Royal Assent being given to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill. [116668]

It is in the public interest to ensure that the Commission is functioning at the earliest opportunity. I have made clear my wish that it should be up and running by this November. To meet this tight timetable, some costs such as those relating to the recruitment of the commissioners will necessarily be incurred before Royal Assent.Parliamentary approval to this service will be sought in a main estimate for the Electoral Commission Vote (Class XVIII, C, Vote 1). Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £300,000 will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the basket of race equality performance indicators he has been developing. [116669]

I have today placed in the Library a copy of the document "Race Equality in Public Services—Driving Up Standards and Accounting for Progress". The document sets out performance data in a number of key areas which are of interest to ethnic minority communities, and provides a quantifiable way of demonstrating the Government's progress in promoting race equality.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of (a) rape of men and (b) other sexual assaults on men were reported in the last year for which figures are available; how many such incidents attracted charges; and how many convictions have resulted. [116103]

The numbers of reported incidents and charges are not collected centrally. The number of recorded rapes of men and indecent assaults on men, and the number of defendants proceeded against and offenders convicted of these offences in England and Wales for the year ending September 1999, are as follows:

	Rape of a male	Indecent assault on a male
Number of offences recorded in year ended September 1999	571	3,682
Number of defendants proceeded against in year ended September 19991	107	562
Number of offenders convicted in year ended September 19991	54	438
1 Provisional data

It should be noted that as the recorded crime figures relate to offences, and the numbers proceeded against and convicted relate to offenders, the two types of data cannot be directly compared.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish his draft code of guidance in relation to his Freedom of Information Bill; and if he will make a statement. [116288]

I expect to be able to make available shortly a working draft of the code of practice for which provision is made at clause 44 of the Freedom of Information Bill.Copies of the working draft will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) representations and (b) external legal advice he has received concerning the conformity of current contracts for the installation and operation of probation service information technology systems with public procurement regulations; and if he will make a statement. [116294]

The Home Office discusses the arrangements for the procurement of information technology for probation purposes with interested parties from time to time. It is not our policy to disclose details of legal advice in relation to such commercial arrangements.

Average number of prisoners held two to a cell designed for one
Prison name	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99
Acklington	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Albany	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Altcourse	—	—	—	—	—	198	203
Ashwell	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Askham Grange	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Aylesbury	3	2	0	0	1	0	0
Bedford	105	94	129	132	143	119	150
Belmarsh	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Birmingham	110	474	478	578	634	753	739
Blakenhurst	0		0	0	134	309	360
Blantyre House	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Blundeston	4	0	0	0	2	0	0
Brinsford	35	0	0	0	31	179	153
Bristol	83	131	123	126	81	92	86
Brixton	284	326	292	322	358	361	337
Brockhill	10	4	0	0	0	0	0
Buckley Hall	—	—	0	2	12	9	0
Bullingdon	0	0	0	0	0	0	97
Bullwood Hall	0	0	0	0	0	0	4
Camp Hill	31	10	2	0	27	78	115
Canterbury	78	123	158	161	211	219	219
Cardiff	187	303	311	331	314	422	458
Castington	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Channings Wood	0	0	72	155	211	242	223
Chelmsford	167	239	289	305	143	27	38
Coldingley	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Cookham Wood	0	0	14	13	43	56	77
Dartmoor	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Deerbolt	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Doncaster	—	—	124	228	399	588	626
Dorchester	76	127	142	148	176	161	157
Dover	32	0	0	0	0	0	0
Downview	0	0	0	0	5	24	32
Drake Hall	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
Durham	340	320	375	476	659	573	519
East Sutton Park	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Eastwood Park	0			0	0	6	18

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available, the average number of prisoners in each prison establishment being held two in a cell in a single cell; for what reason the Prison Service does not collect data on the number of prisoners held three in a double cell; and if he will make a statement. [116473]

The average number of prisoners held two to a cell designed for one, in each prison establishment since 1992–93, is given in the table. Prisons that are not currently operational are excluded from the analysis.The Prison Service has never collected centrally the number of prisoners held three to a cell designed for two. Prisons provide data on the total overcrowding level and on the numbers held two to a cell designed for one, known as "doubling". Total overcrowding includes those held three to a cell for two and those overcrowded in dormitories and larger cells. Doubling is an appropriate measure of the true impact of overcrowding on individuals.Overcrowding, other than doubling, is not widespread. At the end of February 2000, only nine establishments reported a total overcrowding figure in excess of the numbers doubled.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2000, Official Report, column 561W, on the home detention curfew scheme, what specific offences are defined as (a) other homicide and attempted homicide, (b) other motoring offences and (c) other offences; how many offenders were released having been convicted of each specific offence; and if he will make a statement. [116482]

Further details of the offences defined as other homicide and attempted homicide, other motoring offences and other offences, and the number of prisoners convicted of each type of offence who have been released on home detention curfew are shown in the table.No eligible prisoner can be granted home detention curfew without first passing a risk assessment. The risk assessment addresses the risk to the public and the likelihood of the prisoner re-offending during his time on curfew. The details of the offence in each case will be known to the establishment before a risk assessment and release on home detention curfew can take place. The nature of the current offence, together with previous offending history, are important factors that are taken into account in assessing a prisoner's suitability for the scheme. Prisons have been instructed that prisoners who present a clear and immediate threat to the public must not be released on home detention curfew.

Offence	Number
Other homicide and attempted homicide
Attempted murder	5
Threats to kill	29
Conspiracy, aid and incite murder	1
Death by reckless driving	115
Total	150

Offence	Number
Other motoring offences
Other motoring offences1	1,239
Reckless driving	291
Total	1,530
Other offences
Procuration	4
False imprisonment	22
Bail Act offences	4
Assisting illegal immigrant	49
Minor firearms offences	6
Other indictable offences2	548
Escaping lawful custody	6
Making off without paying	2
Criminal attempts	7
Contempt of court	1
Deportee/detainee	4
Vagrancy Act offences	2
Cruelty etc. to animals	18
Total	673
1 Recorded under this code by individual establishments
2 Other indicatable offences

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2000, Official Report, columns 561-62W, on the home detention curfew scheme, how many offenders who committed further offences while on the scheme committed an offence similar in character to that for which they were originally convicted; if he will provide a breakdown by type of offence of such offenders; and if he will make a statement. [116479]

According to Prison Service records, of the 185 curfewees referred to in the reply I gave on 22 March 2000, Official Report, columns 561-62W, who have been charged with a further offence while subject to home detention curfew, 74 have been charged with an offence similar to that for which they were serving a sentence of imprisonment prior to being released on curfew. The table gives a breakdown of the types of offences committed.One of the factors addressed in the home detention curfew risk assessment is the likelihood of the prisoner re-offending during his time on curfew. If the offender's past history and current circumstances suggest that there is a probability that he will return to offending within the curfew period, release must be refused.An evaluation of the home detention curfew scheme is being carried out by the Research, Development and Statistics Directorate of the Home Office. It will include an analysis of reconviction of curfewees both during and after the curfew period. Results will be published later this year.

Offences committed by curfewees
	Number
Burglary	20
Theft	16
Driving/Motoring offences	12
Assault	9
Drug offences	5
Deception	3
Wounding	3
Robbery	2
Breach of Probation Order	1
Threats to kill	1
False Imprisonment	1
Affray	1
Total	74

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2000, Official report, column 561W, on the home detention curfew scheme, how many offenders charged with a further offence committed while on the scheme have been convicted of such an offence; if he will provide a breakdown by type of offence; and if he will make a statement. [116480]

Information is not held centrally on the convictions of those who have committed offences while subject to home detention curfew.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 March 2000, Official Report, column 561W, on the home detention curfew scheme, for what reason the original offence committed by 1,001 offenders released on the scheme was not recorded; and if he will make a statement. [116481]

The statistics on the original offences committed by prisoners released on home detention curfew are taken from the Prison Service computer database, known as the Inmate Information System, and are based on the data entered by each prison. Where offence data are not completed by the prison, the category "offence not recorded" is used at the centre. At a local level, the details of the offence in each case will be known to the establishment before a risk assessment and release on home detention curfew can take place. In assessing a prisoner's suitability for release on the scheme, the nature of the offence is an important factor to be taken into account.Efforts are made to ensure the completeness and accuracy of all data as far as practicable, but there are inevitable errors of omission and commission. Guidance is being issued to establishments stressing the importance of recording the data on original offences as quickly as possible in every case.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum sentence that may be passed on an offender who is eligible for release on the home detention curfew scheme. [116475]

Under the Criminal Justice Act 1991, as amended by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, no prisoner who has been sentenced to four years or more imprisonment is eligible for release under the home detention curfew scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department further to his answers of 22 March 2000, Official Report, column 557W, on drug testing procedures under Clause 48 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill, (a) if a positive test would in itself be sufficient proof of an offence of unlawful possession of a controlled drug, (b) what specified Class A drugs will be tested for, (c) if he intends to extend the testing procedure to include Class B drugs and (d) how he intends the tests to be used to assist in appropriate sentencing, and if this includes the length of sentence to be passed; and if he will make a statement. [116472]

The purpose of drug testing on charge is to identify and monitor drug misusers who may need treatment and to inform any subsequent bail decisions. It is not intended that a positive test will be used to bring a prosecution for unlawful possession. Initially, tests will be made to detect heroin and crack/cocaine which research evidence shows are strongly linked to crimes committed in order to feed a drug habit. The Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill includes provision to extend the range of drugs tested for, including any in Class B, if a similar linkage to commission of crime emerges.The court will have regard to a positive test on sentencing and can make a drug abstinence order or add an abstinence requirement to a community sentence in cases where the criteria is met.A positive test result will not be an aggravating factor for sentencing purposes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the new procedure for appointing local probation boards contained in Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill, indicating how it differs from the present procedure. [116476]

The present procedure is based on the nomination directly to the committee of local magistrates, a member of the judiciary and local authority members. In future, members of probation boards, with the exception of the Lord Chancellor's nominee, will be appointed by the Secretary of State following a process of open, public advertisement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available the average amount of time spent by prisoners on purposeful activity. [116474]

The average amount of time spent per prisoner on purposeful activity in the last 10 years is listed in the table. Data for 1999–00 are for the year to February 2000 and are provisional.

Year	Purposeful hours
1990–91	22.3
1991–92	22.7
1992–93	23.7
1993–94	24.7
1994–95	26.2
1995–96	25.2
1996–97	23.8
1997–98	23.3
1998–99	22.8
1999–2000	23.0

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those local authorities that have set targets for the overall level of road traffic in their area as part of their draft local transport plans, giving the targets set in each case. [114810]

[holding answer 16 March 2000]: Local traffic authorities in England (outside London) submitted interim road traffic reduction reports as part of their provisional local transport plans in July 1999. Due to the provisional nature of the plans, the status and coverage of some targets are uncertain. However, the following authorities submitted plans containing traffic targets for at least part of their area or for some types of traffic.

Authority	Target
Oxfordshire	Halve forecast traffic growth to 2016
Hampshire	Reduce the rate of traffic growth by 50 per cent by 2020
Milton Keynes	Reduce journey to work car trips by 4 per cent. between 1997 and 2011 and car mode share reduction from 77 per cent. to 55 per cent, between 1997 and 2011

Authority	Target
West Berkshire	Newbury and Thatcham area—reduce growth to zero from 1999. Rural area—limit growth to 10 per cent, between 1999 and 2009. Eastern area—reduction in growth forecast of 1-5 per cent. on major corridors and absolute reductions of 1-5 per cent. in residential areas
Reading	Reduce car travel by 5 per cent, in town centre. Reduce traffic levels by 2-5 per cent. in residential areas. Reduce traffic on major corridors by 2-5 per cent. over forecast levels
Isle of Wight	Halve the rate of growth by 2020
East Sussex	Reduce amount of car journeys to education establishments by 20 per cent. by 2005 in Bexhill, Hastings, Eastbourne and other towns. Achieve zero growth on minor rural roads in the Ashdown Forest area
Slough	10 per cent, reduction in current traffic levels by 2005
Surrey	Limit growth to 7 per cent. between 1998–2016
Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch	Reduce rate of traffic growth by 50 per cent. by 2005 and reduce to zero growth by 2010. Reduce car trips to school by 50 per cent.
Dorset	Reduce rate of traffic growth to 50 per cent. of average growth forecast between 1998 and 2005
Gloucestershire	By 2011, average daily traffic volumes to increase by no more than 20 per cent. compared with 1995 levels
Somerset	Limit growth to 10 per cent. by 2011 in Taunton and 25 per cent. by 2011 in Bridgwater and to 13 per cent. by 2011 in Yeovil
Bath and North East Somerset	Bath centre—20 per cent. reduction in 1999 levels by 2005. Rest of Bath—10 per cent. reduction. Other towns stabilise traffic and no targets in rural areas
Bristol	Reduce growth in car traffic by 20 per cent. over the next five years. Thereafter a further 20 per cent. reduction over the next 10 to 15 years
South Gloucestershire	Zero growth in annual average traffic flows by 2005. Annual 2 per cent. reduction in proportion of people commuting by car
Swindon	Slow traffic growth by 35 per cent. (based on low growth assumptions)—29 per cent. increase 1996–2016 compared to do-nothing forecast of 44 per cent.
Plymouth	Maintain traffic at 1999 levels—0 per cent. traffic growth
Torbay	0.5 per cent. growth in traffic across area over all time periods by 2005
West Midlands1	Contain levels of morning peak car trips into the nine LTP centres to their 1995–96 levels up to 2006, and maintain the containment to 2011

Authority	Target
Shropshire	Reduce cars entering Shrewsbury by 5 per cent. by 2005. Outside city centre, limit growth to 1 per cent. or less per annum. Reduce per cent. of children given lifts to school by car by 10 per cent. by 2005. Limit traffic growth on inter-urban routes to 2 per cent, or less per annum until 2005 and 1 per cent. thereafter in the market towns and rural areas
Stoke on Trent	Constrain growth to 10 per cent. between 1999–2011
Telford and Wrekin	To limit traffic growth to 2 per cent. per annum or the rate of growth in population (whichever is lower) by 2005
Warwickshire	Reduce the rate of traffic growth in urban areas by 50 per cent. in peak periods
Worcestershire	To achieve 1991 traffic levels in Worcester City by 2011
Merseyside2	Keep traffic growth below 17 per cent.
Cheshire	Traffic to be restrained in Chester to a 2 per cent. increase on 1994 levels to 2011. In the rest of the County traffic to be restrained to a 16 per cent. increase on 1994 levels up to 2011
Cumbria	Cap growth at 2000 levels by 2005 in Carlisle City Centre. 24 per cent. reduction in existing peak hour traffic entering the Kendal by 2005–06
Lancashire	Traffic flows to and from town centres to be restricted to 1991 levels
Blackburn	Zero growth of peak hour traffic by 2006. Growth in off-peak limited to low NRTF levels from 2000
Halton	Restrain growth to 16 per cent. by 2011
Durham	Restrict traffic to 1999 levels to end of 2004 in Durham City. Reduce traffic growth to 0.33 per cent. per annum to 2004 in the rest of the County
Northumberland	Reduce AADT by 5 per cent. on base network at selected monitoring sites by 2005. No increase in traffic at selected sites by 2005
Darlington	Restrict growth to 4 per cent. between 1999 and 2006 into the Darlington Urban area. Restrict growth to 2 per cent. into Darlington town centre between 1999 and 2006. Restrict and/or reduce traffic growth on 4 key transport corridors by 2006
Middlesborough	Reduce AADT to zero growth in town centre by 2005 and reduce by 2 per cent. by 2010
Hartlepool	Limit traffic growth to 3.5 per cent. between 2000 and 2005
Stockton-on-Tees	5 per cent. reduction of AADT at specific sites. Peak hour traffic flow reduction by 5 per cent. and limit overall growth to 4.5 per cent.
South Yorkshire3	Contain car traffic at 1999 levels
West Yorkshire4	Constrain growth to 7 per cent. in Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield

Authority	Target
North Yorkshire	Maintain traffic in the urban area at 1994 levels in Harrogate, Knarsborough and Ripon. In the Yorkshire Dales, maintain traffic at 1994 levels
York	Maintain inbound morning peak traffic to 1992 levels. Provisional target of 7 per cent. reduction from 1999 to 2003
Kingston-upon-Hull	Reduce car flows by 1 per cent. per annum from present levels. Reduce proportion of car trips from 57 per cent. of total in 1991 to 50 per cent. in 2011
North Lincolnshire	Reduce the average peak hour growth rate of traffic from 2.5 per cent. to 2.2 per cent. by 2005 and to 1.1 per cent. by 2010
Derbyshire	Reduce traffic growth to 1 per cent. below the national average by 2011
Leicester5	Reduce growth to 2011 from 15 per cent. to 7 per cent.
Nottingham	Maintain growth at below 2.5 per cent. per annum by 2000
Nottinghamshire	Limit growth to 8 per cent. up to 2011
Lincolnshire	Reduce forecast peak hour car traffic in Greater Lincoln, Boston, Grantham and Skegness by 10 per cent. over the next five years. Reduce forecast peak hour car traffic in the large market towns of Gainsborough, Louth, Sleeford, Spalding and Stamford over the LTP period
Northamptonshire	Achieve zero growth above 1999 levels on radial routes in peak hours
Bedfordshire	Decrease travel to work by car from 71 per cent. in 1991 to 58 per cent. in 2011 in Bedford, market towns and rural areas
Norfolk	Private car traffic crossing the Norwich inner ring road and outer ring road to be no higher than 1995 levels in 2011. 10 per cent. fall in peak level of private car traffic along to A149 coastal road between 1997 and 2010
Suffolk	Achieve zero growth by 2006 in Ipswich, Bury St. Edmunds and Lowestoft
Peterborough	Maintain growth below NRTF low growth forecast till 2005
1 A joint plan for the Metropolitan area consisting of the following traffic authorities: Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton
2 A joint plan for the Metropolitan area consisting of the following traffic authorities: Liverpool, Knowsley, St. Helens, Sefton and Wirral
3 A joint plan for the Metropolitan area consisting of the following traffic authorities: Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and Doncaster
4 A joint plan for the Metropolitan area consisting of the following traffic authorities: Leeds, Kirklees, Calderdale, Bradford and Wakefield
5 A joint plan with Leicestershire
Note:
NRTF—Department of Transport National Road Traffic Forecasts 1997
AADT—Annual Average Daily Traffic

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many park-and-ride schemes have been introduced by local authorities since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [116074]

The Department does not collect such information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of houses built in London in each of the past four years has been classified as affordable; and what research his Department has undertaken to determine if this proportion meets local demand for such housing. [116084]

The information on affordable houses built is not held centrally. However, the London Research Centre is currently undertaking a research project to assess the extent of housing need in London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the creation of directly elected regional assemblies in England. [116072]

We are committed to moving to directly elected regional government in England, where there is demand for it expressed in a referendum.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to develop transport links in areas of new housing development in greenfield sites. [116236]

Planning Policy Guidance note 3, "Housing", (PPG3) (see paragraphs 47 and 48) provides that local planning authorities should seek to exploit opportunities to locate larger housing developments around major nodes along good quality public transport corridors (both existing and those with firm proposals for improvement in local transport plans). In addition, authorities should seek to ensure that all housing developments are accessible by a range of non-car modes. Draft PPG13, "Transport", also proposes that major development proposals should be supported by a transport assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many villages with populations of under 3,000 have a speed limit of 30 mph. [116015]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the procedures that must be followed regarding the dumping of radioactive waste in the UK. [115916]

The disposal of radioactive waste is closely regulated under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 by the Environment Agency in England and Wales, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in Scotland and the Environment Heritage Service in Northern Ireland. Any person wishing to dispose of radioactive waste must make an application to the relevant agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish the green paper on radioactive waste management; and what will be its terms of reference. [115532]

My Department aims to publish the consultation paper on the management of radioactive waste in late spring. The contents are still under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many objections he received when he consulted on the location of boundaries for the regional development agencies. [116331]

We received 198 responses to our consultation paper, "Regional Development Agencies—Issues for Discussion", which was published in 1997. Of these responses, there were two objections to the boundaries proposed for the RDAs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date the contract was signed for the growing of a GM crop at Friskney, Lincolnshire. [116448]

My Department was notified by Monsanto of a proposed location of a field for a farm scale evaluation of GM beet near Friskney in Lincolnshire, on 16 March 2000. The contractual arrangements are a matter for Monsanto and the farmer involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what GM crop trials there have been in Herefordshire; and if he will make a statement. [116343]

The Government's farm scale evaluations programme, which I announced on 17 March, is designed to allow independent researchers to see what effect growing and managing GM crops might have on farmland wildlife, compared with non-GM crops. The programme this year will involve up to 80 GM field sites. To date, none of the proposed sites notified to my Department is in Herefordshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) the name of the leaders, (b) the political party of the leader and (c) the annual allowance payable to the leader of each local authority in England. [116460]

This information is not collected by my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what he plans to implement the justification requirements of Euratom Directive 96/29. [115531]

The Health and Safety Commission is in the lead for preparing proposals on behalf of Government for implementing the justification requirements of Euratom Directive 96-29. I await its revised proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to reduce brain injuries among child cyclists. [115739]

The road safety strategy, "Tomorrows Roads—Safer for Everyone", promotes the wearing of cycle helmets. They can provide significant protection against the severity of head injuries. This reinforces the advice contained in the "Highway Code", the "Highway Code for Young Road Users" and the Driving Standards Agency's "Road Code". We also promote their use in our "Cycle Smart" publicity material. Together with the Department of Health, we are supporting the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust project, the aim of which is to promote cycle helmet wearing among children and young people. We are monitoring the wearing rate in Great Britain (currently about 18 per cent.) and will continue to consider the option of compulsory wearing from time to time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many child cyclists have been (a) injured and (b) killed on the roads in each of the past 10 years. [115773]

The information requested is shown in the following table for the most recent 10 years for which data are available.

Child1 cyclist casualties in road accidents: Great Britain 1989–98
Year	Killed	Injured
1989	73	9,254
1990	59	8,661
1991	50	8,132
1992	48	7,677
1993	37	7,349
1994	42	8,033
1995	48	8,085
1996	54	8,163
1997	33	7,866
1998	32	6,898
1 Children aged 0–15

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many breakdown and recovery vehicles exempt from the MOT test (a) are currently operating on (i) motorways and (ii) other roads and (b) were involved in vehicle accidents in the last year for which figures are available. [116133]

Such vehicles are exempt from the MOT test if they are constructed such that they tow vehicles that they are recovering rather than carry them. Although it is not possible to say precisely how many of these there are, a good approximation is the number of vehicles whose body type is recorded as a breakdown truck. Further to these, there will also be a number of other vehicles in the recovery vehicles tax class that are exempt from the MOT test because they are less than one year old. The estimated numbers of those licensed and exempt from the MOT test at the end of 1998 are as follows:

• Breakdown trucks: 10,224
• Other recovery vehicles first registered in 1998: 110
• Total: 10,334

These figures come from the record of licensed vehicles in Great Britain held by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. No details are held about the roads upon which these vehicles operate.Road accident data are available by body type of the vehicles involved. In 1998 there were 104 recorded injury accidents involving breakdown trucks. This figure may be a slight under-estimate as in some accidents details of the vehicle's body type can not be obtained.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what proposals he has to reimburse local authorities in full for current and future rent rebate expenditure; [115387](2) for what reasons the housing revenue subsidy paid to local authorities is less than the rent rebate expenditure borne by local authorities; [115402](3) for what reason local authorities' rent rebate expenditure is not reimbursed on the same basis as expenditure on rent allowances for private sector and association tenants; [115403](4) what funding will be available to ensure that there is no further clawback of local authority rent income by central Government; [115428](5) if the existing gap between rent rebate expenditure and housing subsidy will be funded in full without a corresponding fall in money available for council housing. [115427]

There are two parts to housing subsidy: housing element and rent rebate element. Most authorities show a surplus on their housing element—that is their assumed rental income covers assumed costs. Where there is a surplus on housing element for an authority, we reduce the size of the rent rebate element by an equivalent amount.Other than in those cases where rent rebate subsidy limitation applies, local authorities are fully reimbursed for rent rebate expenditure. The effect of limitation is that if an authority increases its average rent above the limit rent level, it receives additional rental income only from those tenants not receiving rent rebate.This accounting arrangement reflects the different subsidy provisions which apply to different tenures. Local authority rents are generally lower than housing association or private sector rents, so it is not the case that council tenants are treated less favourably than other tenants. We intend to replace the current system with one that is easier to understand and which will avoid offsetting one expenditure stream against another and avoid the present confusion. The necessary legislation will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time permits.We are currently consulting on the detail of our proposals on how to structure and operate a new system for redistributing resources under resource accounting. We have also announced that the proposed major repairs allowance (MRA) will be introduced from April 2001 to meet the cost of keeping housing stock in good condition. We expect that there will be fewer surpluses when the MRA is introduced and that will itself ease concerns about the system.No decisions have yet been taken on the level of funding that will be available. This will form part of the discussions in the forthcoming spending review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total amount of housing revenue account subsidy paid to local authorities in 1998–99. [115399]

The total amount of housing revenue account subsidy paid to local authorities in 1998–99 was £3,371 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the estimated subsidy for the housing revenue account of local authorities for the years (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [115401]

Our forecasts of housing revenue account subsidy are as follows:

£ million
	1Housing revenue account subsidy
1999–2000	3,190
2000–01	3,146
1 Estimated

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department will implement regulations covering changes to disabled drivers' badges and clocks. [116297]

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 10 March 2000, Official Report, columns 834-35W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. McWalter).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish his response to the recommendations of the panels which conducted the public examinations of the draft regional planning guidance notes for East Anglia and the South-East; and if he will make a statement. [116564]

My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has today published for consultation Proposed Changes to the Draft Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) for East Anglia and to the Draft RPG for the South-East.On 7 March my right hon. Friend set out a new approach to planning for housing provision and made a preliminary announcement about housing in the South-East. The Proposed Changes to the draft RPG for East Anglia reflect the principles and priorities set out in that statement. They aim to support economic growth and regeneration, while protecting and enhancing the region's environment. They endorse the housing target proposed by SCEALA (the Standing Conference of East Anglia Local Authorities) of around some 9,600 additional dwellings a year as the starting point for the plan, monitor and manage approach. The Panel recommended that at least 40 per cent. of these new dwellings should be on previously-developed land. We are proposing a 50 per cent. target initially. This takes account of the likely availability of such land in a largely rural region.We endorse SCEALA's view that development should be concentrated in the cities and larger towns. This is consistent with our policies for urban renaissance and the better use of land.Cambridge now has world status as a centre for high-tech, knowledge-based industry. The emphasis must be on enabling the development of these industries while safeguarding the City's special character. However, we share the Panel's concern at the non-sustainable nature of much recent development around Cambridge, associated with increased car dependence and a lack of affordable housing. Building on the Panel's recommendations, we are proposing a sequential approach to development, looking first at the capacity of Cambridge, then possible urban extensions, then a new settlement—always considering brownfield land first.We have accepted the Panel's recommendation for a review of the Cambridge Green Belt as an essential part of the process of finding sustainable locations for development. It should be carried out by the local authorities, with any changes taken forward through the review of development plans.The integration of development and transport is at the core of our approach to regional planning. Our programme of multi-modal transport studies reflects the strategic priorities identified by SCEALA. The Minister responsible for roads announced on 3 February that the A11 Roudham Heath to Attleborough scheme was to be brought forward to start in 2000–01. In further recognition of the strategic priorities we are adding three schemes to the targeted programme of improvements at an estimated cost of £53 million: All Fiveways to Thetford and Attleborough Bypass Improvements, already in preparation, and A47 Thorney Bypass. The All schemes will complete a high-quality route to Norwich, improving access to Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft. Thorney Bypass will bring safety and environmental benefits for the local community, and will remove a bottleneck on a strategic east-west route.On 7 March, my right hon. Friend announced the overall housing numbers for the South-East region and the target for the use of recycled land. The Proposed Changes, published today, set out detailed proposals including a clear spatial strategy for the region.The Proposed Changes recognise the national priority for regenerating the Thames Gateway area, and the need within the region to promote the Priority Areas of Economic Regeneration and to facilitate the continuing economic success of the area to the west of London, while maintaining environmental quality, and of London as a World City. The policies are designed to help achieve an urban renaissance and the improved economic and social viability of the rural areas, while protecting and enhancing the countryside.The Proposed Changes set out priorities for transport investment and study, and include revised parking standards. However, they make clear that more work needs to be done to develop the Regional Transport Strategy to facilitate the economic performance of the region, achieve more sustainable patterns of movement and to combat congestion. The documents include an illustrative distribution of the housing numbers to county areas, a point on which we have specifically sought the views of SERPLAN (the South-East Regional Planning Conference). We consider that there is scope for potential growth areas at Milton Keynes, Ashford and, in the longer term, at Stansted. The potential of these areas will now be the subject of studies with the Regional Planning Bodies, the local authorities concerned and other interested parties.The consultation period on both sets of Proposed Changes will be for 12 weeks, ending on 19 June. Copies of the relevant documents have been placed in the House Library and made available to the two region's MPs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the potential for re-using green glass waste; what recent discussions he has had with the importers of green glass bottles on this subject; and if he will make a statement. [116298]

We are in close touch with British Glass and other materials organisations and we are planning a seminar on this issue later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made by the Wembley Task Force towards improving the road and rail links to Wembley Stadium. [114856]

The Wembley Task Force are in close consultation with London Underground Ltd. A scheme to improve the capacity and quality of Wembley Park station is well advanced and will shortly be put to the LUL Board for approval. Parallel discussions are in hand with rail operators on potential enhancements to Wembley Stadium and Wembley Central station.An appraisal of local road improvements necessary to serve the Stadium and the Wembley Estate has been undertaken. Detailed proposals are now being developed in discussion with Wembley National Stadium Ltd. and the Highway Authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish guidance for local authorities on the preparation of full local transport plans. [116684]

I am today issuing "Guidance on Full Local Transport Plans", which contains advice for local authorities on the preparations of their local transport plans for 2001–02 to 2005–06.Local transport plans are at the heart of our new deal for integrated transport, central to giving people improved travel choices, safer roads and better transport services. We are giving authorities more resources and more freedom to produce the best possible plans. We will be spending more than £750 million in the coming financial year, and more than £1 billion the following year. This reflects our commitment to supporting local solutions and initiatives.This summer the Government will publish their 10-year transport plan, a framework for investment over the next decade. Local authorities will play an important role in delivering that plan, and in the guidance issued today we are asking them for additional investment proposals for an integrated transport strategy over the next 10-years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many workers in the construction industry are employed on a PAYE basis; [115051](2) how many workers in the construction industry are self-employed on the basis of holding a C154 registration card. [115052]

I have been asked to reply.Whether an individual is employed or self-employed for tax and national insurance purposes depends upon the terms of the contract under which they are engaged.The Inland Revenue does not have information relating to the numbers of workers in the construction industry who are engaged on an employed or self-employed basis.A CIS4 registration card is no proof of self-employment and therefore there should be no workers in the construction industry who are treated as self-employed purely on that basis. The Inland Revenue, together with the former Contributions Agency published leaflet IR148/CA69 specifically to assist contractors in the industry on tackling the question of the status of their workers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [113503]

[holding answer 7 March 2000]: Lord Levy had an office call with the Secretary of State for Defence on Thursday 28 October 1999.The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) has met Lord Levy on four occasions. On 25 March 1999 Lord Levy made an office call on CDS in the Ministry of Defence for general discussion on the Middle East. During the period 3-7 September 1999, Lord Levy assisted CDS during his representational visit to Israel, and on 20 October 1999 he came to the Ministry of Defence to discuss the Middle East. On 22 February this year, CDS called on Lord Levy at the House of Lords to discuss the Middle East prior to Lord Levy's visits there, and CDS' visit to Bahrain.The Chief of Defence Intelligence had a short informal meeting with Lord Levy on 25 March 1999. At his request, Lord Levy was briefed on the situation in Syria prior to a visit to the area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements he is making to commemorate the 50 anniversary of the Korean War in the United Kingdom. [116459]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for North Dorset (Mr. Walter) on 21 March 2000, Official Report, column 480W. A comprehensive programme of commemorative events is planned over the next three years in the Republic of Korea, involving that country and those whose forces constituted the United Nations Command. As the United Kingdom's participation in the war as a contributor to the United Nations Command in defence of the Republic of Korea, it is appropriate that our commemoration should be as part of that programme, and we will be represented at a number of events at the appropriate level. The Ministry of Defence has no plans for additional commemoration of the anniversary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department issued instructions that Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force cadets must not travel in four-tonne trucks or other military vehicles without seatbelts; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this ruling on (a) cadet training and (b) cadet financing. [116346]

Instructions on the carriage of cadets in military vehicles were first issued on 20 March 1998, in response to the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/163). These instructions stated that the use of Troop Carrying Vehicles (TCVs) which were not fitted with passenger restraint was not appropriate for the routine movement of cadets. The use of TCVs for the carriage of cadets was therefore restricted to training areas and their immediate vicinity.The use of military vehicles during training is permitted, but only under a rigorous control regime. This requires Commanding Officers to consider whether it enhances training, whether it might be more appropriate to use civilian vehicles, the nature of the training and the terrain to be covered. This is aimed at ensuring that the proposed training is reasonable and that any risks are controllable.Following the Strategic Defence Review, additional funding of £500,000 per year was allocated to Headquarters Land Command for additional provision for routine travel for Army Cadet Force units and Army sections of the Combined Cadet Force, and additional facilities at detachment level. Of this, £200,000 per year has been allocated to TAVRAs for cadet travel. This is in addition to the usual process through which TAVRAs receive funding, including provision for a cadet travel vote. This additional funding has meant that the impact of the ruling with respect to the requirement for seatbelts in TCVs on Army Cadet Force training and financing has been minimal.Naval Cadet Forces seldom used four-tonne trucks for passenger carrying purposes, and therefore the ruling with respect to the requirement for seatbelts in these vehicles has had no impact either on cadet training or financing. Naval Cadet Forces use either loan vehicles from motor transport pools or hire vehicles, all of which are fitted with seat belts.Air Cadets do not travel in four-tonne trucks at any time. They may occasionally travel in Land Rovers, which are sometimes used at gliding schools. The ruling has had no impact on their training or financing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reply to the letter of 5 July 1999 and the fax of 24 August 1999 from the hon. Member for Easington concerning Mr. A. Jones of Seaham. [114942]

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to correspondence concerning Mr. A. Lanes of Seaham. This has been transferred to the Department of Social Security for reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of upgrading his Department's stock of Paveway II laser guided bombs to have a Global Positioning System/Inertial Measurement Unit capability; what safeguards would be taken to prevent the jamming of such a system; and if he will make a statement. [115750]

We are currently considering lessons learned from Kosovo, including the need to bomb with precision in all weather conditions. However, no decisions have yet been made. Upgrading the Ministry of Defence's stock of Paveway II laser guided bombs to have a Global Positioning System/Inertial Measurement Unit capability is one of the options which are being considered. The disclosure of the estimate of the cost of any such upgrade could disadvantage the MOD in commercial negotiations and I am therefore withholding this information under Exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. If a decision were made to upgrade the weapons, we would consider what safeguards might be put in place to prevent jamming of the system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions, in each of the last six months, RAF aircraft patrolling the (a) northern and (b) southern no-fly zones in Iraq have been fired on; on how many occasions coalition forces have retaliated; and what targets have been destroyed as a result. [115913]

During the six months from October 1999 coalition aircraft have been fired at by surface-to-air missiles or anti-aircraft artillery on over 200 occasions in both the northern and southern no-fly zones. Coalition forces responded in self-defence to these and other threats on some 50 days against almost 90 targets related to the Iraqi air defence network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what land is still owned by his Department in Hong Kong; and if he will make a statement. [116213]

The Ministry of Defence retains ownership of the Cassino Lines Gurkha Cemetery, San Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong, and the Cape Collinson Military Cemetery, Chai Wah, Hong Kong.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the estimated acreage of military land in the UK surplus to requirements on 1 March. [116212]

Land which is declared surplus to defence requirements is disposed of. The Strategic Defence Review set a target of £700 million for estate disposals over the four years to 2001–02 and we are well on track to achieve that figure. Figures for the hectarage of land in disposal are not held centrally but I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by his Department in each of the last three years in procuring new buildings and land. [116457]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the RFAs Olwen and Olna last put to sea. [116453]

RFAs Olwen and Olna were last at sea in July 1999 and November 1999 respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what advice he has issued to the Territorial Army on compliance with the Working Time Directive. [116345]

No specific guidance has been issued to the Territorial Army, although general guidance has been given to the armed forces, much of which is relevant to the Territorial Army. It is our intention to issue further guidance to the reserve forces, in light of the amendments to the Working Time Regulations contained in SI 3372/99, within the next two months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which credit organisations his officials are discussing access to credit by members of HM Forces and their families; and if he will make a statement. [116131]

Service families are occasionally refused credit because credit scoring systems used by some credit lenders do not take account of the mobility expected of Service families. This is a particular problem for Service personnel who have not lived at the same address for three years or who are registered as Service voters. My Service Families Task Force is in discussions on this issue with the British Bankers Association and the Finance Leasing Association. These organisations represent the majority of credit lenders in this country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what barrack accommodation is currently surplus to requirements in Scotland and awaiting disposal; and if he will estimate the potential single accommodation capacity of these barracks. [116224]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many places (a) are currently available and (b) will be available by 2001, in training camps in Scotland for (i) Kirkcudbright, (ii) Barry Budden and (iii) Cultybraggan. [116225]

The number of bed spaces (a) currently available and (b) available in 2001, in training camps in Scotland at (i) Kirkcudbright, (ii) Barry Budden and (iii) Cultybraggan are as follows:

Training camp	2000	2001
Kirkcudbright	0	0
Barry Budden	507	507
Cultybraggan	600	600

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many single accommodation places exist for each of the services in Scotland for (a) officers and (b) other ranks by location; and if he will estimate the total number of service personnel that could be accommodated onshore in Scotland if all available accommodation was utilised. [116226]

The information requested is not held centrally. I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House when this information has been collated.