To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make arrangements to ensure that the children of political asylum seekers attend pre-school facilities; and what the cost of that would be to public funds. [116535]

Local education authorities already have a legal duty to ensure that all eligible four-year-olds, including children of asylum seekers, are entitled to a free part-time place in any registered pre-school setting. In addition, from April 2000, all local education authorities will receive funding to provide a free early education place to the most needy three-year-old children in their area. It is up to local education authorities to set their own criteria of social need which may include providing places to children of asylum seekers.Local education authorities receive funding from this Department for the provision of pre-school places in the form of a nursery education grant which is £1,130 per child per year for each eligible three and four-year-old child.It is not possible to calculate the overall cost of pre-school education for children of asylum seekers, as separate records are not kept.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provision has been made for the funding of the teachers' threshold pay rise after the first two years. [116528]

Provision for teachers' pay beyond March 2002 falls into the next spending period and will be taken into account along with other factors when deciding future funding levels for education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on funding for schools in respect of post-16 education reforms. [116527]

The £35 million that the Government have identified as the cost to LEAs in 2000–01 of implementing its post-16 curriculum reforms was added to Education Standard Spending (ESS) for that year. It is for local education authorities to decide how much funding to allocate through their individual schools budget to each of their schools to allow them to implement the reforms successfully. In addition, schools will receive £290 million in special grant for 2000–01. Secondary schools will receive between £30,000 and £50,000, depending on their size. This funding will be part of their delegated budgets: those with sixth forms will therefore be able to use it if they wish to supplement funding received through their local authority's allocation formula to implement the post-16 reforms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many teachers have been dismissed under the fast-track provisions. [116091]

Teacher dismissals are not recorded centrally. The National Employers' Organisation for School Teachers have carried out a survey of LEAs in England and Wales on the use of the new capability procedures for teachers which have now been incorporated in most schools. The survey collected responses from 116 LEAs (68 per cent.) for three school terms ending with the spring term 1999 and suggests that for all LEAs over 3,000 teachers had been subject to some form of capability review during the year, with over 600 dismissals under the new procedure. In addition, 194 teachers showed sufficient improvement and a further 439 cases are currently being processed. Work continues on monitoring and reviewing practice in schools and LEAs and the Secretary of State will be issuing further guidance for schools on staff capability after further consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what actions he will take in connection with the Prime Minister's recent internet initiative to forward the interests of disabled people, with particular reference to (a) access to public buildings housing internet terminals, (b) provision of sufficient large screens for those with reading difficulties, (c) availability of computers on a personal basis for rehabilitation and employment advisers and (d) the creation of a website for disabled jobseekers. [115759]

[holding answer 21 March 2000]: We are determined that people with disabilities should benefit fully from the Prime Minister's recent internet initiative, particularly in their working lives.Access to buildings housing internet terminals and the provision of large screen facilities intended for public use is covered by the goods and services provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. The new duties on providers of goods, facilities and services to the public to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people came into force in October last year.Many of the Department's services used by people with disabilities are provided through the Employment Service. Its services are designed to meet the needs of all its clients, including people with disabilities. We believe that wherever possible help for disabled people should be offered as part of programmes used by a wide range of clients.The Modernising Employment Service Programme is developing new ways in which all jobseekers can have improved access to services through information and communications technology. People with disabilities will gain from this programme. For example, the specification for the touch screen kiosk technology to be available in Jobcentres across the country from autumn 2001 has taken account of the needs of clients with visual impairment. The same programme will also make sure computer workstations are available in sufficient numbers to ensure that every member of ES staff will have access whenever they need it.The Employment Service will continue to upgrade the information it provides on services used by jobseekers with disabilities on the Employment Service website. This includes information about the Access to Work programme and other specialist measures, as well as links to the DfEE Disability page at www.disability.gov.uk. The Employment Service plans to make improvements which will make their website even more user friendly.Large screen technologies and other forms of help will continue to be available under the Access to Work programme when needed for employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for further rounds of education action zones. [116082]

There are currently 73 large education action zones already running or in development and another 42 small education action zones will start in Excellence in Cities areas by September. In addition, as part of the expansion of Excellence in Cities announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 23 March, there are likely to be further small education action zones established next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the Community Action Programme to Combat Discrimination 2000–06. [115621]

The Government fully support the principle of an Action Programme to complement legislative proposals under Article 13 of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which TECs (a) have and (b) have not published audited accounts for the years 1997–98 and 1998–99. [116306]

My Department holds copies of the audited statutory accounts for all 72 TECs in England for these years. Copies have also been placed in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will break down the numbers of people whose level of Access to Work support last year fell into the bands (a) £0 to £1,000, (b) £1,000 to £5,000, (c) £5,001 to £10,000 and (d) more than £10,000. [115519]

The Employment Service does not collect information on Access to Work in the form requested. Access to Work has no upper or lower limit for support and applications fall within all the bands listed, including more than £10,000.In 1998–99, £19.5 million was spent helping 16,000 disabled people in employment. The average cost of support was £1,200.The following table gives a breakdown of the spend and numbers helped through the various elements of Access to Work during 1998–99:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to secure continuity for apprentices at Rover. [116295]

[holding answer 27 March 2000]: Through our contractual arrangements with Birmingham and Solihull Training and Enterprise Council, work is already well underway to ensure that the training programmes of apprentices at Rover continue with minimum disruption.As an interim measure, where necessary, apprentices will continue full time training at local Colleges of Further Education while alternative employer placements are found.The TEC has a wide network of training suppliers and employers in the area and is confident that alternative placements can be found quickly for all apprentices who may be affected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make grant allocations available to debt-free local education authorities in fulfilment of his Department's obligations under the Schools Access Initiative 2000–01. [116495]

The Schools Access Initiative (SAI) is part of the overall schools capital programme and so support is delivered through the usual capital mechanisms, which for local education authorities is by way of credit approvals. It is not possible to introduce a different funding arrangement for the SAI or to make an exception for an individual authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average class sizes were in Essex (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools on (i) 1 May 1997 and (ii) the latest date for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures for the Mid-Essex area. [116028]

[holding answer 27 March 2000]: The information is not available in the form requested. The available information on average class size in maintained primary and secondary schools for January and September is shown in the tables.The latest class size count was carried out in September for infant classes and found further reductions in the percentage of pupils in infant classes of over 30 in the local education authority areas of Essex, Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea. Between September 1998 and September 1999, the percentage of pupils in classes of 31 or more fell from 20 per cent. to 13 per cent. in Essex, 21 per cent. to 10 per cent. in Southend-on-Sea and from 15 per cent. to 11 per cent. in Thurrock. Information for September 1998 and September 1999 was published in separate Statistical First Releases entitled "Infant Class Sizes in England" on 4 March 1999 (99/99) and 21 January (2/2000), respectively. Copies of both releases are available in the Library.The class size count for January 2000 is currently being undertaken and provisional national estimates are expected to be published in a Statistical First Release in April.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on which dates Lord Levy has had meetings with (a) Ministers and (b) senior officials in her Department since 1 May 1997, giving in each case the purpose of the meetings; and if she will make a statement. [113500]

Records of meetings with officials are not held centrally but, to the best of my knowledge, no Minister or senior official in the Cabinet Office 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 Minister for the Cabinet Office if the Inter-Ministerial Group for Older People has met the Advisory Group of the Better Government for Older People Programme. [115753]

The Minister of State, Department of Social Security, my right hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker), who chairs the Inter-Ministerial Group on Older People, is meeting representatives of the Programme's Older People's Advisory Group on 27 March.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on how many occasions since 2 May 1997 news releases were distributed by the Central Office of Information by courier to (a) national, (b) regional and (c) local newspapers and media organisations; and what was the total cost of using couriers for each of the above categories. [115638]

There were no occasions on which couriers were used to distribute news releases from my Department. No cost was involved.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if an appointment has been made to the post of Senior Adviser on Diversity Strategy and Equal Opportunities. [116825]

I have today announced the appointment of Mr. Museji Ahmed Takolia to the position of Senior Adviser on Diversity Strategy and Equal Opportunities. Mr. Takolia will take up this important and vital new role within Government on 10 April 2000.Mr. Takolia's role will be key to driving forward the Government's commitment to build a civil service which reflects the diversity of the society which it serves. His responsibility will include driving forward our efforts to increase the diversity of the civil service and to tackle the under-representation of ethnic minorities, particularly at senior levels. He will also be tasked with achieving early progress to demonstrate that faster change is possible, and to increase the level of appointments and secondments at senior levels from under-represented groups.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the family policy responsibilities of each Government Department. [115748]

I have been asked to reply.The family policy responsibilities of each Government Department are as follows:The Home Office hosts the Family Policy Unit, set up in April 1999 to support the Ministerial Group on the Family and to co-ordinate family policy across Government. The Home Office funds ParentLine and joint-funds the National Family and Parenting Institute (with other Departments) and runs a Family Support Grant for the voluntary sector. The Home Office is also responsible for the law on marriage, and for policy on race equality, active communities, youth offending, and the criminal law on domestic violence.The Department of Health has responsibility for children's social and health services. The Department funds a range of voluntary organisations concerned with children's welfare, and leads on the Quality Protects programme, improving the management of children's social services. The Department also has policy responsibility for child protection, adoption and fostering, support for children in need and their families, teenage pregnancy, and the contribution of health professionals to family support.The Department for Education and Employment is responsible for Early Years services, the National Childcare Strategy, the new ConneXions Service for teenagers, and hosts the Sure Start Unit. The Department is also responsible for parenting and relationship education in schools, involving parents in education, policy on children with special educational needs and family support based in schools. The Department also supports families through the New Deal programme, and leads on the promotion of work-life balance for employees.The Lord Chancellor's Department has responsibility for family law and court proceedings, and for marriage and relationship support. The Department funds family mediation through the legal aid budget and funds the work of marriage and relationship support organisations. The Department has policy responsibility for divorce and information meeting pilots, child abduction, private law

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many house repossessions there were in (a) England, (b) Hampshire and (c) each local authority area in Hampshire, for each year from 1979 to date. [116641]

The information is not available in the form requested. However, the table shows the number of warrants of possession executed. The information is available from 1990 onwards and can be provided only on the basis of individual county courts and not by individual local authority.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will announce future arrangements for the Public Trust Office. [116123]

I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Bethnal Green and Bow (Ms King) on 8 February 2000, Official Report, column 132W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to replace the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's Rover class tankers. [116451]

[holding answer 27 March 2000]: We are currently considering options on how best to provide the Replenishment At Sea capability currently provided by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's Rover class tankers, which are due to leave service in 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to fit (a) roll bars or (b) other anti-crash features to the Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD; and if he will make a statement. [116030]

The cab of the Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD meets accepted European Safety Standards (ECE 29) set for roof crush, rear crush and front impact. There is no evidence to suggest that it is an unstable vehicle and there are no plans to fit roll bars to it. As I indicated in my earlier response on 7 March 2000, Official Report, column 648W, a modification programme to bring all MK1 vehicles up to full compliance with the Construction and Use Regulations has begun and will include the fitting of an anti-lock braking system (ABS). No other anti-crash features are planned and the vehicle is considered safe in all regards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 March 2000, Official Report, column 649W, what assessment his Department

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from fishing organisations regarding the impact of the changes to minimum landing sizes for various species of fish; and what assessment he has made of the effect on fish stocks. [116093]

The evidence referred to was given to a Board of Inquiry which investigated a fatal road traffic accident in Bosnia in July 1997. In respect of all the evidence considered by the Inquiry on the braking system fitted to the Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD, recommendations were made to review the driver training procedures for the vehicle, and to introduce an additional check in regard to the pawl lever on the Jacob's Brake—the engine brake system which is complementary to the service braking system. The recommendations have been acted upon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 March 2000, Official Report, column 649W, for what reason the two Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD vehicles were returned to BVD Ashchurch for repair by 6 Transport Squadron during Operation Lodestar in August 1996. [116032]

Departmental records show that, in total, three Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD vehicles were returned to the UK for repair in 1996. All three vehicles were returned between January and July 1996 for repair following road traffic accidents while operating in Bosnia. It has not been possible to identify any Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD vehicles being returned to the Base Vehicle Depot (BVD) Ashchurch in August 1996.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state (a) the number and percentage of staff in his Department who are over the age of (i) 45 years and (ii) 55 years and (b) the average age of his staff. [115409]

At the end of 1999 the numbers and percentage of staff aged over 45 years and 55 years and the average age of staff in my Department and its Agencies was as follows:

Under the revised EU Technical Conservation Regulation which came into effect on 1 January this year, Minimum Landing Sizes for brill, dab, witch, flounder, turbot and lemon sole were ended. Some fishermen's organisations have asked for their restoration. We are currently considering this with the industry in the UK Fisheries Conservation Group.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning the potential impact of the Waste Incineration Directive upon farmers; and if he will make a statement. [116248]

I have received representations about the implications for farmers of this Directive, for which the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has lead responsibility, from the National Farmers Union, the Countryside Alliance and the National Pig Association.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what harbour grants were granted for each of the last five years broken down by amount and location; when harbour grants were discontinued; and how many schemes were pending at that juncture. [116108]

The table shows awards of national harbour grant made in England over the last five financial years.The Harbour Grant Scheme was closed to new applications in England on 21 May 1999. At the time the scheme closed, there were 10 projects which had been formally approved, plus a further 22 projects where applications had been submitted. All these projects are being considered for payment of grant.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the results of the recent consultation on bass trawling regulations in respect of (a) the number, (b) the percentage of respondents (i) agreeing and (ii) disagreeing with the proposed regulations (c) the number and (d) the percentage of respondents in favour of (i) partial and (ii) complete closure of the offshore fishery for bass. [115774]

[holding answer 27 March 2000]: There were a total of 174 responses to the consultation carried out last autumn about possible restrictions on landing bass from UK commercial vessels. Only 13 respondents (7.5 per cent.) were opposed to the proposals made. A total of 53 respondents (30.5 per cent.) wished to go further than the proposals and called for a complete closure of the fishery. The number of responses calling for a partial closure was not recorded.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to make assistance for early retirement available to farmers under the provisions of the Rural Development Regulation (EC No. 1750/1999). [116222]

[holding answer 27 March 2000]: Neither the England Rural Development Plan nor the Northern Ireland Rural Development Plan include an early retirement scheme for farmers under the provisions of the Rural Development Regulation (EC No 1257/1999). These plans are subject to the approval of the European Commission and to mid-term reviews. Decisions on which measures to use were taken in the light of extensive consultation and an economic appraisal.Implementation of the Rural Development Regulation in Scotland and Wales is a matter for the devolved administrations.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of recent trends in the value of agricultural land. [115949]

The most comprehensive information on the sales of agricultural land is collected by the Valuation Office Agency and is analysed and published by MAFF. The table shows the average price of all agricultural land sold in England from 1993 to 1998.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about his Department's future relations with consumers' organisations following the establishment of the Food Standards Agency.[116826]

The Ministry already has well-developed relations with consumers and their representative organisations which we intend to build on, following separation of the Food Standards Agency on 1 April.The consumer interest in food safety will become the principal responsibility of the Food Standards Agency. The Ministry's aim already states clearly the central role which consumer benefit plays in our work. This will not change, but the Ministry's first Objective will be amended (the word "food" in the former Objective will be replaced by the words "farm produce") to become:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to reduce the number of passports lost by his Department when returning them to their owners; and if he will introduce guidance to ensure they are returned using a registered delivery postal service. [115331]

We believe that the most important factor in reducing the numbers of lost passports is the rapid turnaround of casework and the elimination of backlogs. Over 70 per cent. of all after entry casework is now completed within two weeks and we expect the backlog to be eliminated by the summer. In addition, we are examining our processes with a view to improving the security of passports. We are also examining the costs that would be associated with returning passports by recorded delivery.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the estimated number of illegal immigrants who entered the United Kingdom by hiding in motor vehicles during 1999.[115596]

Information is recorded centrally on the numbers of persons issued with notice of illegal entry as clandestine entrants. This information is collated by the date of issue of notice of illegal entry and does not contain details of the date of entry to the United Kingdom. We have no estimate of the number of persons entering clandestinely whose illegal entry has not yet come to light or of those who claim to have entered illegally, but where a notice of illegal entry has not yet been served. For these reasons, I am unable to provide the information requested.Provisional information indicates that around 16,500 persons were issued with notice of illegal entry as clandestine illegal entrants during 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of the £100 million for modernising policing across the UK referred to in paragraph 5.75 of Budget 2000 (HC 346) will be spent on DNA technology; if this funding is in addition to the £34 million for the DNA database announced in Home Office Press Release 299/99; how the money will be spent; and if he will make a statement; [116256](2) what proportion of the £100 million for modernising policing across the UK referred to in paragraph 5.75 of Budget 2000 (HC 346) will be spent on accelerating recruitment under the Crime Fighting Fund; by how much recruitment will be accelerated; whether this funding is in addition to the funding for 5,000 additional recruits announced in Home Office Press Release 304/99; if this funding means that more than 5,000 recruits will be recruited over the next three years using money from the Crime Fighting Fund; and if he will make a statement; [116258](3) if he will list the capital modernisation projects that have been approved for criminal justice agencies, referred to in Paragraph 5.75 of Budget 2000 (HC 346); [116260](4) how the £100 million for modernising policing across the UK referred to in paragraph 5.75 of Budget 2000 (HC 346) is to be spent; and if he will make a statement; [116255](5) what proportion of the £100 million for modernising policing across the UK referred to in paragraph 5.75 of Budget 2000 (HC 346) will be spent on police radios; whether this funding is in addition to the £50 million of central funding announced for the Public Safety Radio Communications Project in Home Office Press Release 3033/99; and if he will make a statement.[116257]

[holding answers 24 March 2000]: I refer the right hon. Member to the replies I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South (Mr. Cunningham) on 27 March 2000, Official Report, columns 1-3W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders released under the Home Detention Curfew scheme to date were convicted of each category of drug offence. [116661]

Of those prisoners released up to 14 March 2000 under the Home Detention Curfew scheme, 2,931 were convicted of drugs related offences. The numbers of prisoners convicted of each type of drugs offence are shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders released on the Home Detention Curfew scheme have subsequently been (a) charged with and (b) convicted of further offences after completing the scheme; how many such offenders were charged with or convicted of an offence similar in character to the one for which they were originally convicted prior to their release through the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [116533]

Information about offences committed by offenders who have completed a period on the Home Detention Curfew scheme is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those prisons which he has assessed as being free from the use of illegal drugs. [115944]

Figures from the random mandatory drug testing programme provide the best available measure of the levels of drug misuse across establishments, and over time. The table lists the establishments which have consistently produced rates of positive random drug tests of less than 5 per cent, during the last two years:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been identified as heroin users as a result of random drug testing in each of the last five years. [115947]

The table shows the number of samples which have tested positive for opiates under the random mandatory drug testing programme in each of the last four years during which the programme has been running nationally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which retailers have agreed to take part in the asylum seeker support voucher scheme administered by Sodexho Pass. [116590]

A number of the large retail chains have agreed to take part in the asylum seeker support voucher scheme. A considerable number of smaller retailers have also agreed to take part in the scheme. As of 27 March, 4,411 retailers incorporating 10,789 outlets have been signed up to the Sodexho Voucher Scheme.Contractual negotiations are continuing with other retail chains and it would be inappropriate to release any of the names of the chains involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what adjustments he plans to make to his forecast of income and expenditure of the Commission for Racial Equality, published on page 113 of the Executive NDPBs 1999 report (Cm. 4657) to take account of the losses incurred following the collapse of the Global Cultural Diversity Congress. [116526]

None.The forecast of income and expenditure published on page 113 of the Executive Non-Departmental Public Bodies 1999 Report was made by the Commission for Racial Equality.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the total cost to public funds of the Global Cultural Diversity Congress. [116585]

None. Until we have the report of the findings of the liquidator it is not possible to make any meaningful estimate of total costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to visitors from which countries he intends to apply his proposed pilot scheme for bonds. [116524]

No decision has been made yet on where to run the pilot scheme. However, as the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the hon. Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz), announced on 20 March 2000, Official Report, columns 833-36, it will not operate in any of the countries in the Indian Subcontinent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review

I have no plans for such a review. Responsibility for reviewing the arrangements for the financial accountability of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) lies with Her Majesty's Treasury and the Cabinet Office. Each Home Office NDPB has an Accounting Officer who is responsible to the Home Office Departmental Accounting Officer, and operates in accordance with a financial memorandum agreed by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sex offender orders under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 have been made. [116525]

Information on the number of Sex Offender Orders made is currently not held centrally, although we are working on a system to ensure that we receive this information on a regular basis.We are aware of at least 20 sex offender orders having been granted.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the current average processing time is for immigration applications requesting leave to remain indefinitely. [116580]

The time taken to process an application for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom is affected by a number of factors, including the complexity of individual cases. Over 70 per cent, of all after-entry casework, which includes applications for indefinite leave to remain, is now completed within two weeks of receipt. Applications where further inquiries are needed may take considerably longer. However, streamlined procedures have been introduced throughout the Integrated Casework Directorate to speed up the consideration of all applications, and these processes are regularly reviewed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police officers available for ordinary duty on 30 September 1999, broken down by rank, for each police force in England and Wales. [116530]

The information requested is set out in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to implement the rolling electoral register under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 2000; if he will publish regulations relating to the rolling register in draft form; and if he will make a statement. [116657]

My intention is to bring regulations providing for rolling electoral registration into force with effect from 16 February 2001 (when the next electoral register will take effect). I hope that it will be possible to publish the regulations in draft form.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide funding for a research programme to find a less potentially lethal alternative to plastic baton rounds. [107812]

The Government have accepted Recommendation 69 of the Report of the Independent Commission on Policing, that a research programme to find a less potentially lethal alternative to plastic baton rounds should be established. The issue is at present being actively considered and a decision on the way forward is expected in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what statutory provisions prohibit serving police officers swearing a new oath. [110957]

There is no statutory prohibition on police officers swearing new oaths voluntarily. However, to take a new police declaration the attestation which they have already made would have to be set aside by statute.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the expenditure was on discretionary awards by each Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [114650]

Discretionary awards expenditure by Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years was as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Charter for Higher Education for Northern Ireland will be published; and if he will make a statement. [114666]

The Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment has no plans to publish a Higher Education Charter for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Department of Education for Northern Ireland has to promote sporting provision and facilities in the further education sector; and if he will make a statement. [114653]

The Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment has worked with the Further Education Sector to develop guidelines for colleges on a number of health related issues, including physical activities. Further, it has undertaken a mapping exercise on the provision and use of physical education and sports facilities, as part of the Northern Ireland Physical Activity Strategy Action Plan 1999–2002, and as a result has written to the colleges encouraging them to make increased use of such facilities.The Department has also recently nominated a representative to the Northern Ireland Physical Activity Implementation Group (NIPAIG) which will oversee the implementation of the NI Physical Activity Strategy. One of the key activities of the groups is to consider ways in which Further Education and Higher Education students' participation in fitness and sporting activities can be enhanced and how the time allocated to higher education based teacher training in Physical Education might be increased.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications have been made by students from Northern Ireland during the current year to UCAS and CAO/CAS; and if he will make a statement. [114659]

For entry in 2000, there were 13,539 NI applicants to Higher Education courses through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and 1,242 through the Central Applications Office at their respective closing dates for applications. The closing date for applications to UCAS was 15 December 1999 and 1 February 2000 for applications to CAO. Both UCAS and CAO expect further applications after the closing date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the breakdown is by (a) gender, (b) age and (c) religious background of student enrolments in each further and higher education institution in Northern Ireland for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. [114676]

The information requested has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many applications were made by students from Northern Ireland during each of the last three years to UCAS and CAO/CAS; and if he will make a statement. [114660]

NI applicants to Higher Education courses through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and the Central Applicants Office (CAO) are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the student dropout rates were for each further and higher education college in Northern Ireland in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement. [114678]

This Department does not calculate drop out rates for Higher Education institutions. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has calculated projected non-completion rates for full-time students starting first degree courses in Higher Education institutions in the UK. Currently, values are available for 1996–97 only. The values for the Queen's University of Belfast are 10 per cent., and for the University of Ulster are 17 per cent. It should be noted that differences between institutions, such as subject mix or the qualifications on entry of their students make comparisons between institutions unreliable. For this reason HEFCE has produced benchmarks against which an institution's value can be compared. The benchmarks for the Queen's University of Belfast and the University of Ulster are 12 per cent, and 18 per cent, respectively. The methodology used to calculate values and benchmarks is contained in the HEFCE publication "Performance indicators in higher education 1996–97, 1997–98".Student dropout rates for each further Education College are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research his Department has commissioned or evaluated on gender differences in the participation of Protestants from a manual work background in post-school education in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [114658]

This Department has not commissioned or evaluated any research which has looked specifically at gender differences in the participation of Protestants from a manual work background in post-school education in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Government's current policy on promoting community relations programmes in post-school education in Northern Ireland. [114655]

The Department fully recognises the importance of promoting community relations programmes in post-school education.The Department is setting up a working group together with representatives from the further education sector and the National Union of Students/Unions of Students in Ireland (NUS/USI), to consider how cultural diversity can best be recognised and promoted.The Northern Ireland Universities have affirmed their commitment to promoting a pluralist environment which celebrates diversity across their campuses. They are working closely with the Student Unions in support of their programme for promoting community relations among students.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the PAFT analysis carried out by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland regarding recent changes to student financial support arrangements. [114664]

The PAFT analysis of the student support arrangements introduced from the 1998–99 academic year recognised that the changes would have beneficial effects for some groups of students, but might also have the potential to act as a disincentive for others entering higher education. It concluded that, in general terms, the policy of maintaining parity in student support matters with England and Wales has been, over the long term, to the advantage of Northern Ireland students and that, in value for money terms, it represented an effective use of resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the expenditure was on promoting community relations work in each further and higher education college in Northern Ireland in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement. [114677]

The Department does not hold these details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the (a) number of and (b) expenditure on postgraduate awards in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement, [114652]

The number of, and expenditure on, postgraduate awards in each of the last three years are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans the Government have to make UCAS collect data relating to the religious background of applicants from Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [114654]

My Department has written to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) asking it to include a question about community background on UCAS application forms completed by Northern Ireland-domiciled students. The request is under consideration and a conclusion may not be reached for some months. Pending the outcome I should say there is no question of my Department forcing UCAS to include a question on community background. Such a question would in any event be subject to voluntary response by the student applicant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate his Department has made of the cost of restoring maintenance grants for students in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [114662]

If maintenance grants for Northern Ireland-domiciled students were to be restored, the costs could be in the region of £40 million in a full year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the access fund allocation and take-up rate was for each institution of further and higher education in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [114657]

Access Funds allocation and take-up rates for the last three years are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate his Department has made of the cost of abolishing the system of student tuition fees in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [114661]

If the contribution towards the cost of tuition fees was to be abolished, the cost would be in the region of £15.5 million in a full year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial grant was made available to prisoners who were subject to release under the early release scheme when they were granted parole over Christmas and the New Year. [115378]