To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much funding was received by the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch in each of the last six years; and if he will make a statement on the resourcing of the Marine Investigation Branch. [116734]

[holding answer 3 April 2000]: The expenditure of the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch for the last six years has been:

Year	£
1994	831,840
1995	866,426
1996–97	913,337
1997–98	1,106,707
1998–99	1,579,266
1999–2000	1,284,218

In 1996 the accounting period changed from the calendar year to the financial year.The Department keeps the funding of the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch under continuous review. The Department is examining alternative funding arrangements that will take account of the increase in the Branch's use of underwater surveys as a method of investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the timetable for the forthcoming review of the statutory registration fee structure for packaging waste compliance schemes. [117949]

Work on the consultation is close to completion and we anticipate issuing it within the next few weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research has been undertaken on the advantages and disadvantages of volume discounting of statutory fees, following the discount in statutory registration fees received by the largest packaging waste compliance scheme. [117950]

The mechanism for calculating registration fees paid by compliance schemes to the Agencies—the scheme fee mechanism—under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations was developed to reflect the costs to the Agencies of the functions which they carry out and was introduced following consultation in 1996. Concerns have been expressed to the Department that the assumptions underlying the scheme fee mechanism are not correct. The Department is therefore proposing to issue a consultation paper in which the advantages and disadvantages of different options will be discussed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations his Department has received on the statutory registration fee structure for packaging waste compliance schemes. [117948]

Following representations from some compliance schemes, the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, my Department is preparing a consultation paper on the mechanism used to calculate the registration fees paid by compliance schemes under the Producer Responsibility Obligation (Packaging Waste) Regulations. The paper is being prepared in consultation with the Agencies and is due to be issued in the next few weeks. The Government are required by law to consult before making any changes to the regime. We will provide all interested parties with an opportunity to comment further on the issues involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the index of local deprivation, indicating the numbers which were (a) in favour of the new proposals, (b) opposed to the new proposals and (c) requested the release of the underlying data used to compile the new index. [117932]

One hundred and twenty-five responses have been received from different areas and different organisations. 89 of these are in favour of the new proposals, 36 are opposed or raise concerns about aspects of the new proposals. 20 areas have requested the release of the underlying data.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make a decision on the planning issues arising from the RAF east camp site, Colindale. [117842]

The Secretary of State's consideration of this case is at an advanced stage and his decision will be issued shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has received the inspector's report on the planning inquiry into the Brent Cross extension scheme; and when he expects to make a decision. [117843]

The Secretary of State received the Inspector's report last December and issued his decision on 6 April. I have sent a copy of the decision letter to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what encouragement his Department is providing for the regeneration of disadvantaged neighbourhoods. [117869]

A framework version of our national strategy for the regeneration of deprived communities will be published shortly, with a final version emerging later in the year. In the meantime, new ideas, new approaches and existing best practice are already being identified with our New Deal for Communities partnerships, one of which is now forming for the Marsh Farm Estate in Luton, and with other regeneration partnerships across the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much was spent on assisting asylum seekers (a) directly and (b) indirectly by local authorities in (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999 to date. [117859]

[holding answer 6 April 2000]: Information concerning local authority direct or indirect expenditure on asylum seekers is not centrally available. Relevant grants paid to local authorities in England by the Department of Health and the Home Office are in the table:

Central Government Asylum Seekers Special Grants to English Local Authorities
£ million
	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000
Adults/Families Grant(DH)1	9.8	68.0	169.9	27.2
Asylum Seekers Support Grant (HO)	—	—	—	3303.9
Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children's (UASC) Grant (DH)	3.0	1.6	20.2	52.2
1 These grants became the responsibility of the Home Office in 1999–2000.
2 Payments in respect of audited accounts for 1998–99.
3 This includes £82 million which has not yet been paid authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on average how many people slept on the streets each night in (a) the UK, (b) England and (c) Scotland in the last year for which figures are available. [118226]

On 15 December 1999 the Government published their latest estimate of the number of people sleeping rough in England. This estimate showed that, as at June 1999, there were 1,633 people sleeping rough on any one night, of which 635 were in Greater London. Copies of the estimate are available from the House Libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from Devon county council concerning the excess spending over standard spending assessment for 2000–01 by the Devon and Cornwall Fire Service; and what response he has made to them. [118504]

Cornwall has its own fire service. Devon has a Combined Fire Authority consisting of representatives from Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. Devon county council's representation on the provisional local government finance settlement for 2000–01 drew attention to the gap between Fire Standard Spending Assessment and the level of spending on the fire service. My officials' reply to the council told them that the Secretary of State would take their comments into consideration before taking his final decisions on the settlement. This he did.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to issue advice to nuclear regulators and operators on the provisions of Euratom Directive 96/29 on radiological protection requiring the calculation of collective doses in respect of practices giving rise to radiation exposures. [117163]

My Department is currently preparing guidance to the Environment Agency on the regulation of radioactive discharges into the environment from nuclear licensed sites. The calculation of collective doses will be one of the issues for consideration during the preparation of that guidance. When the guidance has been completed in draft, it will be issued for public consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects his Department to publish a concordat with the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales. [118741]

I am pleased to say that we have now reached agreement with the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales on the terms of a concordat between us. This has been published today, and copies have been placed in the House Library. The concordat will also be made available in due course on the Department's website.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with London Underground concerning the possible upgrading of the underground stations serving the new Wembley National Stadium. [118419]

Discussions with London Underground are being co-ordinated by the Wembley Task Force as part of their brief to facilitate the regeneration of the stadium area and the wider estate. DETR officials are involved as observers. A scheme to improve Wembley Park station, to serve the new National Stadium, is being prepared by London Underground in close liaison with the Task Force.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with (a) the DCMS, (b) Brent Council, (c) the Wembley Task Force and (d) Wembley National Stadium Ltd. concerning regeneration funding for infrastructure improvement around the new Wembley National Stadium. [118418]

Wembley Task Force has been established at the initiative of English Partnerships to facilitate the regeneration of the Stadium area and the wider estate. Membership of the Task Force includes Brent council and Wembley National Stadium Ltd. Officials from DETR and DCMS are also involved. There is close liaison between all the parties involved. The Task Force is preparing a development framework for the area to guide the regeneration strategy and determine the infrastructure improvements required.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the European Commission about rebates to industries which will pay the Climate Change Levy; and if he will make a statement. [118427]

The Climate Change Levy was one of the subjects discussed in a recent meeting with Commissioner Wallstrom. In addition, my officials have had meetings with the European Commission to discuss the UK's state aids notification in respect of the proposed reduction in the Climate Change Levy for companies which deliver significant environmental benefits under the Climate Change Levy Agreements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to raise the issue of whaling with the Japanese Government at this year's G8 summit in Okinawa. [118361]

We do not believe there is justification for any whaling, other than some subsistence whaling by indigenous people. We would like to see all other forms of whaling ended through a permanent, worldwide ban. We strongly believe that all discussions on whaling should be left to the International Whaling Commission as the primary international body for dealing with the management and conservation of whales, and we firmly support their current moratorium.The Japanese Government are fully aware of these views. Whaling is regularly raised at official and ministerial meetings with them, and the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), wrote to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in December 1999 to protest at Japan's so-called "scientific whaling" and reiterate the UK's position. The Government have no

plans to raise the issue of whaling with them at the G8 summit on 21-23 July. However, as the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin), explained to the House on 21 March 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for South-West Norfolk of 27 January 2000, regarding the number of intensive care beds at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. [117862]

I will let the right hon. Member have a reply shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to announce a designated centre for cancer surgery for the north-west. [116751]

The North West Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive is developing three cancer services networks across Merseyside and Cheshire, Lancashire and South Cumbria and Greater Manchester, comprising cancer centres for oncology and their associated cancer units. This is consistent with the approach that has been adopted by the National Cancer Director and is supported by him.Cancer surgery for common cancers will continue to be carried out in designated local cancer units. Given the complex distribution of surgery for less common and rare cancers within each cancer network, it will not always be appropriate to designate a single hospital within each network for surgery for these cancers. Surgery for the less common and rare cancers in the north-west will be provided in accordance with national guidance, within managed clinical networks which will comprise a cluster of hospitals working with their associated oncology centre. Different hospitals may lead on surgery for specific cancers within this less common and rare group.This approach was acknowledged in the original Calman/Hine report to be necessary in some parts of the country, and is consistent with that already adopted in other parts of the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 27 March 2000, Official Report, column 60W, for what reasons he was unable to act prior to presentation of the Waterhouse Report to Parliament to extend the Consultancy Index to include people named in that report. [116951]

The Waterhouse Report is over 1,000 pages long and names hundreds of individuals with no easy means of identifying specific individuals and the findings made against them. The conclusions of the Tribunal in relation to each of the individuals named had to be considered with great care by the Wales Office, Department of Health and other Government Departments to ensure that appropriate action was taken in the light of these conclusions. It was also important to establish the legal basis on which the Consultancy Index could be specially extended to include the names of people who had not been referred by their employer. We took immediate and determined action on receipt of the Waterhouse Report to achieve these tasks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacant posts there are for doctors; and how many vacant posts there were in each of the last five years. [117211]

	September 1997	March 1998	September 1998	March 1999	September 1999	March 2000
Adult Nursing	54	50	64	56	75	53
Children's Nursing	0	15	0	20	13	10
Mental Health	15	15	18	17	19	26
Learning Disabilities	8	7	10	10	10	17
Midwifery	20	0	20	0	12	22
Total	97	87	112	103	129	128

A total of 106 nurses have entered "Return to Practice" courses since 1998–99.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) babies and (b) school children aged 15 to 17 years have been vaccinated with meningococcal group C conjugate vaccine under the current immunisation programme. [117637]

Information on uptake of the new meningococcal Group C conjugate vaccine in babies and in school children aged 15 to 17 years will not be available till later this year, but anecdotal evidence suggests that between 80 and 95 per cent. of 15 to 17-year-olds have been immunised, with uptake in babies even higher.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide funding within the allocation for the breast screening service for self-referrals for women above the age of 65 years. [117634]

Funding for the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme is included in health authority allocations and is not separately earmarked. The Forrest report, on which the programme is based, assumed that 10 per cent. of screens would be carried out on women who self-refer. In 1998–99, 88,119 women aged 65 and over were screened within the programme, representing 7.2 per cent. of all screens.Women aged 65 and over are offered free three yearly screening on request. Women who have already participated in the programme are informed of this entitlement.

The Department recruitment, retention and vacancies survey showed 530 medical and dental whole-time equivalent vacancies (excluding training grades) in the hospital and community health services sector in England that had lasted three months or more.There has only been one recruitment and vacancy survey carried out and there is no historic information available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have entered student nurse training in Northamptonshire since May 1997. [117607]

The table shows the number of people who have entered nurse training in Northamptonshire since May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) walking sticks, (b) wigs, (c) crutches, (d) zimmer frames and (e) other aids were issued to NHS patients in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and how many, and what percentage, were returned to the NHS following the patients' recovery or death. [117605]

The information requested is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues on monitoring the suitability of disability equipment after it has been issued. [117830]

In 1998 the Department of Health sponsored the Disabled Living Centres Council to produce 'Community Equipment Services…why should we Care?', a guide to good practice in disability equipment services, which was distributed to councils and the NHS. This recommends that there should be effective arrangements to review the suitability of disability equipment after it has been issued. The Department is funding the Council to promote this guidance through conferences and the development of an Internet website.We recognise that review arrangements are often unsatisfactory. Our guidance on Fair Access to Care Services (to be issued for consultation in May) will stress the importance of local authorities reviewing services, including disability equipment to ensure its continued suitability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the pilot scheme in the Manchester, Salford and Trafford Health Action Zone, for provision of the morning-after pill, with the preconditions laid down in Gillick v. West Norfolk and Wisbech area health authority. [118017]

Any young woman, aged under 16, seeking emergency contraception without parental knowledge or consent from one of the pharmacists operating in the pilot must be assessed by the pharmacist in relation to the criteria set out in the Gillick judgment. This covers the young person's understanding, maturity and their best interests including physical and mental health. It is for the pharmacist to use his or her judgment as to whether the criteria are satisfied. If necessary, the pharmacist can seek further advice from a doctor and refer the young person on to specialist contraceptive services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the pilot scheme in the Manchester, Salford and Trafford Health Action Zone; under which pharmacists provide the morning-after pill to girls under 16 years. [118014]

This scheme is being closely monitored by the Project Steering Group, Manchester, Salford and Trafford Health Authorities along with the Health Action Zone. The North West Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive is being kept fully informed of developments.In total there are 16 community pharmacies currently participating in this scheme. Nine are from Manchester and the remaining six are from Salford and Trafford.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health who is responsible for the appointment of the members of the Chief Medical Officer's Expert Working Group on Therapeutic Cloning. [118015]

Appointments to the Expert Group on Therapeutic Cloning were made by the Chief Medical Officer in consultation with Sir Robert May, the Chief Scientific Adviser, taking into account the guidance paper "Use of Scientific Advice in Policy Making", and after consultation with the Royal Society and Royal Society of Medicine.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which water companies in the United Kingdom add fluoride to water; what notification his Department has received of the reasons why other companies have refused to add fluoride; and what steps are being taken to overcome obstacles to fluoridation. [118006]

Fluoridated water is currently provided by Anglian Water Services Ltd., Northumbrian Water Ltd., North West Water Ltd., Severn Trent Water Ltd. and South Staffordshire Water plc. No water company has acceded to a request from a health authority to fluoridate its water supply since 1985. We understand that the water companies are reluctant to disregard the views of a minority of people opposed to water fluoridation. The National Health Service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York is undertaking a review into fluoride and health. If it finds that there are significant benefits and no risks we will consider if water companies can be put under an obligation to fluoridate where there is strong local support for doing so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage practising dentists to take part in postgraduate training. [117944]

Dentists practising in the general dental services are already required by their terms of service to take reasonable steps to develop professional knowledge and skills to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of dental science and practice. Principal dentists are entitled to claim postgraduate education allowance for up to two sessions of approved postgraduate activity each year to help meet that requirement. The General Dental Council is to introduce a recertification scheme that will make the continued registration of all dentists dependent upon their regular participation in continuing education. In the first instance, the scheme will be voluntary, but the Council has asked the Department if, in due course, it could be made mandatory by amendment to the Dentists Act 1984. We support the principle of the scheme and will be responding on the detail shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (1) representations he has received from relatives of victims of Dr. Shipman on the rules under which the Laming Inquiry will be held; and if he will make a statement; [117951](2) if relatives of victims giving evidence to the Laming Inquiry will be allowed legal representation. [117952]

[holding answer 6 April 2000]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received representations from a firm of solicitors, Alexander Harris, representing a number of the relatives and friends of the victims of Dr. Shipman.The Inquiry was established under the powers of the Secretary of State as defined in section 2 of the NHS Act 1977. A letter from my right hon. Friend addressed to Lord Laming of Tewin detailing the rules under which the Inquiry is to be conducted has been placed in the Library. It is within the gift of the chairman of the Inquiry to determine whether or not those making representations to the Inquiry are legally represented.It is important that the independent Inquiry offers the relatives of the victims of Harold Shipman, including the relatives of people whose cases may not have been brought to trial, the opportunity to make their views known to the Inquiry. In addition, the Inquiry has now written to the families and friends of all the victims identified by the police, inviting them—within the scope of the Inquiry—to inform the Inquiry of their particular circumstances surrounding the death of their relative or friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the (a) total number of patients waiting for hospital treatment and (b) number of patients waiting 12 months or more for treatment, in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area. [118079]

[holding answer 7 April 2000]: The total number of patients waiting and the number of patients waiting over 12 months for hospital treatment at Mid-Essex Hospital Services National Health Service Trust in February 2000 is:

February 2000	Patients
Total waiting	10,416
Number waiting over 12 months	1,060

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost in the most recent year for which figures are available to the Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority of the employment of its chief executives. [118490]

The information requested is provided in the table:

Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority Authority members remuneration—chief executive 1998–99
	£
Basic salary	76,000
Performance related bonuses	5,000
Pension contributions	6,000
Total remuneration	87,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will assess the report entitled, "Improving Care for Detained Patients from Black and Minority Ethnic Communities", by the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health and University of Central Lancashire. [118416]

We welcome this report, which provides detailed information about the care of black and ethnic minority detained patients and which will help to inform the implementation of the National Service Framework for Mental Health. The report will be given careful consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received on the recommendation of the expert committee set up to review the Mental Health Act 1983 that a statutory right to advocacy be created; [117864](2) what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing a legal right to an advocate for any person subject to compulsion under the Mental Health Act 1983; [117863](3) what research he has commissioned into models of good practice for advocacy schemes following the Review of the Mental Health Act 1983; and if he will make a statement. [117865]

The consultation period on the Green Paper "Reform of the Mental Health Act 1983" ended on 31 March 2000. We have received a large number of responses on a wide range of issues in the Green Paper, including advocacy, which we are currently analysing. We will be undertaking work to determine models of good practice for advocacy in due course and will consider questions of practicality and cost in the light of this work and the responses to the Green Paper consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the cost to the NHS of treating food-related illnesses for each of the last five years for which figures are available. [118296]

[holding answer 7 April 2000]: No specific figures are available on the cost to the National Health Service of treating food-related illnesses. As a result of a study in 1994–95, we have a good estimate of the total number of cases of infectious intestinal disease, but it is not possible to say what proportion of this is foodborne. The figures below, based on the study, suggest that the costs to the NHS in England and Wales of treating illness due to the major food poisoning bacteria Salmonella and Campylobacter alone was:

	£million
1995	22.9
1996	22.6
1997	26.1
1998	29.6
1999	27.8

It needs to be stressed, however, that as these figures are not routinely collected, the information is an estimate based on the most recently available figures, and solely on a study undertaken several years ago.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 3 April 2000, Official Report, column 351W, concerning bed availability, if the 1998–99 figures are the starting point against which any targets he sets for bed numbers will be measured. [118090]

The National Beds Inquiry used 1998–99 data as the basis for projections. No targets have been set. The report of the National Beds Inquiry is out for consultation until 15 May 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been made to ensure nurses are represented on the five project areas to modernise the NHS. [117349]

I announced membership of the modernisation action teams on Tuesday 4 April. Nurses are well represented on all six groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the overseas ministerial visits that have taken place since May 1997, indicating the purpose of each visit. [112770]

[pursuant to her reply, 13 March 2000, c. 62141]: I regret that there was an error in my previous reply.Between May 1997 and March 2000 Department of Health Ministers have made 44 overseas visits in an official capacity as listed. All travel complied with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

Minister	Country	Date	Purpose
Minister for Public Health	Netherlands/Luxembourg	3-6 June 1997	Visit to European Union Health Council
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Commons)	Belgium	4-6 June 1997	European Social Services Conference
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Commons)	Austria	16-18 June 1997	Attendance at Council of Europe XVth Conference of Family Ministers and other engagements
Minister for Public Health	Belgium	9 July 1997	To discuss tobacco advertising
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Commons)	Italy	26-28 September 1997	Pontignano conference and relations in Europe, welfare reform and single currency
Minister for Public Health	Italy	26-28 September 1997	Pontignano conference and relations in Europe, welfare reform and single currency
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Commons)	Belgium	23-25 October 1997	Attendance at Young People's Conference on Sexual Health
Minister for Public Health	Belgium	30 October 1997	To meet members of the European Union Parliament
Minister for Public Health	France	24 November 1997	Meeting with French Health Minister
Minister for Public Health	Belgium	3-4 December 1997	European Union Health Council Meeting
Secretary of State	Denmark	26 February-1 March 1998	Visit to World Health Organisation and other engagements

Minister	Country	Date	Purpose
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Lords)	USA	4-7 March 1998	Attendance at External Advisory Panel for Health, Nutrition and Population
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Commons)	Belgium	8-10 March 1998	European Union Health Council meeting
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Commons)	Belgium	24-26 March 1998	European Union Health Council meeting
Secretary of State	Belgium	22 April 1998	Visit to European Parliament to address Health Committee
Minister for Public Health	Belgium	22 April 1998	Visit to European Parliament to address Health Committee
Minister for Public Health	Luxembourg	29-30 April 1998	Meeting of the European Union Health Council
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Lords)	France	11 May 1998	Meeting of the Club of Three sub group
Minister for Public Health	Switzerland	12-13 May 1998	Attendance at World Health Assembly
Secretary of State	Germany	3-4 June 1998	Attendance at Social Services Conference
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Commons)	Sweden	16-17 June 1998	Attendance at presentation of the FINSAM Project and other engagements
Secretary of State	France	22-23 June 1998	Representing Her Majesty's Government at England v Romania World Cup match
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Commons)	Australia	9-20 July 1998	Fact finding mission on mental health issues
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Commons)	Sweden	23-25 September 1998	Keynote speech at 50thanniversary Swedish social services conference
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Commons)	Germany	3-5 October 1998	British Council Seminar

Minister	Country	Date	Purpose
Secretary of State	South Africa	3-18 October 1998	Combined official visit to South Africa to support Department For International Development projects and pursue bilateral health relations
Secretary of State	USA	21-23 October 1998	Attendance at International Symposium on Healthcare and other engagements
Minister for Public Health	Belgium	12 November 1998	Meeting of European Union Health Council
Secretary of State	Barbados	15-18 November 1998	Attendance at Commonwealth Health Ministers Conference
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Commons)	Japan	25-29 November 1998	British Healthcare industry export promotion
Minister for Public Health	France	14-16 January 1999	Meeting with French Ministers for Health and Women and attendance at Franco-British Colloque events
Minister for Public Health	USA	15-19 March 1999	Attendance at International conference on Children and Tobacco
Secretary of State	Denmark	9-11 April 1999	Meeting with senior officials from the European Office of the World Health Organisation
Minister for Public Health	Italy	15 April 1999	Meeting on Working Times Directive and junior doctors hours
Minister for Public Health	Greece	22-23 April 1999	Conference of European Health ministers
Secretary of State	Switzerland	15-18 May 1999	Commonwealth Health ministers meeting and World Health Assembly
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Lords)	Italy	26-27 May 1999	Conference on emergency services and reanimation

Minister	Country	Date	Purpose
Minister for Public Health	Luxembourg	7-8 June 1999	European Union Health Council Meeting
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Commons)	France	17 June 1999	European Social Services Conference
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Lords)	Malaysia	5-9 October 1999	British Healthcare industry export promotion
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State for Health	Turkey	10-11 October 1999	Conference on Diabetes Care and Research in Europe
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State (Commons)	USA	10-12 October 1999	International Initiative Seminar on Building Strong Communications to Support Families
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State for Health	Finland	12-13 October 1999	Representing United Kingdom at European Union Presidency meeting
Parliamentary Under-secretary of State for Health	Belgium	17-18 November 1999	European Union Health Council Meeting

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) RAF officers live in privately-rented accommodation funded by his Department; how much this has cost in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [118060]

It is a condition of service that Service personnel are provided with publicly funded accommodation at or within an appropriate distance from their place of duty. When family and single accommodation is not available, suitable equivalent property is rented from the commercial rental market. Until 1 February 1997, MOD satisfied this requirement in GB through the payment of an allowance to personnel to enable them to find rented accommodation under private arrangements (Excess Rent Allowance for family accommodation and Lodging Allowance for single accommodation). However, with effect from 1 February 1997, MOD established an Accommodation Agency which utilises an MOD contractor to obtain equivalent rented accommodation for Service personnel. This has since superseded the allowance regimes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the improved actuators were fitted to the RAF Chinook fleet; and if he will make a statement. [118099]

All RAF Chinooks had an improved standard of actuator fitted during conversion to HC Mk2.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the US authorities have determined the cause of the incident involving a US Army Chinook helicopter on 11 April 1997; and if he will make a statement. [118064]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave him on 14 July 1999, Official Report, column 230W, which explained that my Department had evaluated an extract from the US Army investigation report into this incident. However the content of the report, and its conclusions are a matter for the US authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of Her Majesty's armed forces are acting as military advisers in South Africa; if their responsibilities include advice to the Government of Zimbabwe; what terms of reference they have; and if he will place relevant items in the Library. [118294]

[holding answer 7 April 2000]: A British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT), currently comprising 16 armed forces personnel, has been providing advice to the South Africans since 1994 on the integration of former statutory and non-statutory forces into the new South African National Defence Force (SANDF). The team helps to validate standards; monitor training; and adjudicate in disputes. Its responsibilities do not include advice to the Government of Zimbabwe. The detail of the terms under which the BMATT operates is subject to a confidential agreement between the UK and South African governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the deployments or campaigns involving British Armed Forces (a) from 1990 to 2000, (b) from 1980 to 1989 and (c) from 1970 to 1979, for which the General Service Medal has been awarded. [118234]

[holding answer 7 April 2000]: The deployments and campaigns involving British Armed Forces for which a clasp to the General Service Medal 1962 has been awarded are as follows:

(a) 1990 to 2000

• Clasp Kuwait for service between 8 March 1991 and 30 September 1991 inclusive.
• Clasp Northern Iraq and Southern Turkey for service between 6 April 1991 and 17 July 1991 inclusive.
• Clasp Air Operations Iraq for service between 16 July 1991 and a date to be agreed.

(b) 1980 to 1989

• Clasp Lebanon for service between 7 February 1983 and 9 March 1984 inclusive.
• Clasp Mine Clearance—Gulf of Suez for service between 15 August 1984 and 15 October 1984 inclusive.
• Clasp Gulf for service between 17 November 1986 and 31 October 1988 and for continuing Mine Counter Measures Operations within the Gulf between 1 November 1988 and 28 February 1989 inclusive.

(c) 1970 to 1979

• Clasp Northern Ireland for service between 14 August 1969 and a date to be agreed.
• Clasp Dhofar for service between 1 October 1969 and 30 September 1976 inclusive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will enter into negotiations with Hampshire county council on the purchase of the remembrance garden at Serle's House, Winchester. [118367]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 16 March 2000, Official Report, column 282W, and to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 2 March 2000, Official Report, column 718. I expect to be able to take a final view shortly, once I have been able to consider fully all of the issues involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received concerning funding for a memorial on the Burma Railway for British servicemen who lost their lives whilst prisoners of the Japanese during the Second World War; and if he will make a statement. [117938]

My Department has not received any recent representations on this subject. It has been a long-standing policy of successive Governments that the cost of memorials is not usually met from public funds, but from private donations or public subscriptions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how transport to Saudi Arabia would differ from present arrangements following the purchase of (a) the Antonov 124 and (b) the Boeing C17. [116499]

Currently there are two C-130 and one VC10 resupply flights to Saudi Arabia every week; these flights also serve Kuwait in their schedule. If the Antonov An-124 were employed, it could substitute for the two C-130s, but the VC 10 would have to be maintained for passengers. As the C-17 can also carry passengers, only one C-17 flight per week would be necessary to meet the total requirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how (a) refuelling and (b) diversion arrangements would differ from those which currently apply, in respect of transport to the Falklands, following the purchase of (i) the Antonov 124 and (ii) the Boeing C17. [116498]

The current six Tristar C2 passenger and one Tristar KC1 freighter flights to the Falkland Islands all refuel at Ascension Island and rely on Rio de Janeiro or Montevideo for their diversions. If the Antonov An-124 or the Boeing C-17 were used in place of the Tristar KC 1 freighter, the present refuelling and diversion arrangements would not change.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the targets by type engaged by the Royal Air Force over Iraq in 1999. [117567]

In response to Iraqi threats to coalition aircraft, RAF aircraft took action, in self-defence, against 36 targets in Iraq during 1999. All targets were part of the Iraqi Integrated Air Defence System and included Anti-Aircraft Artillery, Surface-to-Air Missiles and Military Command and Control facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many injunctions are in force to prevent the publication of materials deemed potentially harmful to the national interest; if he will list the publishers against which injunctions are in force; and if he will list the titles, publications and authors so affected. [117260]

There are nine temporary injunctions currently in force which were applied for by the Ministry of Defence against authors or publishers in relation to the disclosure of material harmful to national security or in breach of confidentiality obligations owed to the MOD. I am withholding further information under exemptions 4 and 14 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will summarise the principal arguments he has advanced in response to the submission of British Irish Rights Watch to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression concerning allegations made by Mr. Martin Ingram; and if he will place a copy of his full response in the Library. [117261]

The Government have not seen any submission from British Irish Rights Watch to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, and therefore have not prepared a response.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library (a) the Northern Ireland Sectarian Harassment Policy and Guidelines and (b) Standing Orders of the General Service Battalion of the RIR (i) prohibiting a display of paramilitary insignia and emblems, (ii) on sectarian harassment and procedures and (iii) on improper retention of photographic or other material to which access is granted in the course of official duties. [117265]

I have made arrangements for copies of the text of the documents to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the figures underlying Chart 3, on long-term youth unemployment, in the Treasury paper "The Goal of Full Employment: Employment Opportunities for all Throughout Britain", published in February. [116852]

[holding answer 4 April 2000]: The figures refer to those aged 18-24 claimant unemployed for six months or longer. Since the data are not seasonally adjusted a moving average over one year was taken to smooth out seasonality. Prior to 1995 data are available only quarterly and missing months were estimated by interpolation. The figures for December, being representative of each year, are shown in the table.

Long-term youth unemployment1
Year	Number
1979	114,864
1980	146,645
1981	327,438
1982	453,931
1983	486,239
1984	525,466
1985	527,531
1986	483,810
1987	398,838
1988	283,460
1989	193,960
1990	159,035
1991	238,320
1992	340,254
1993	370,381
1994	323,078

Long-term youth unemployment1
Year	Number
1995	270,308
1996	229,548
1997	146,793
1998	101,263
1999	58,651
1 Those aged 18-24 claimant unemployed for six months or more. Figures refer to the average over the previous 12 months of non-seasonally adjusted data in December for each year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what role he plans for the Financial Services Ombudsman in the regulation of the use of genetic information by the insurance industry. [116567]

The Financial Services Authority has recently consulted on this subject and will decide on its policy shortly.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the number of additional court cases which will be brought in England and Wales (a) in the year to October 2001 and (b) subsequently in each year, as a result of the coming into force of provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998 in October 2000; what the cost to public funds and the amount of court time taken up will be in (i) the High Court, (ii) the Court of Appeal and (iii) the House of Lords; and what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive regarding the operation of human rights legislation in Scotland. [118544]

The Government anticipate that the vast majority of human rights points will be raised in existing cases, rather than new cases, save for applications for leave to move for Judicial Review which may rise from the 300 received in 1998 to 600 per year. We expect a significant number of human rights points to be raised in the months following implementation but it is anticipated that the level of challenges will reduce subsequently as the higher courts determine the basis on which the Act and Convention are to be applied.The Government have made annual provision for the overall costs of implementing the Human Rights Act in the courts—£60 million, including £39 million for legal aid. In addition, £4.5 million has been set aside to ensure that all full and part-time judges, lay magistrates and their legal advisers are trained to deal with Convention points effectively, which should reduce the impact on court time.On an annual basis, the High Court and Court of Appeal estimate that 2,300 to 2,800 extra sitting days would be required as a direct result of Human Rights Act cases, but the need for additional sittings will, in part, be offset by other changes in workload.Officials in my Department have been, and remain, in contact with officials of the Scottish Executive to benefit from an understanding of how their business has been affected by human rights litigation.

To ask the Prime Minister in what form records are kept of persons visiting 10 Downing Street for meetings (a) with him and (b) with officials; and for how long such records have been maintained. [116924]

[holding answer 3 April 2000]: There is no requirement for this information to be kept. Since February 1998 a visitor notification system has been kept for operational purposes of persons visiting 10 Downing Street. I have continued the practice of previous Prime Ministers of keeping an official diary which includes the names of my visitors. This is deposited in due course in the Public Record Office.

To ask the Prime Minister what was the reason for his Press Officer's attendance at the 27 March Conference in Portsmouth on promoting Europe; and if he will deposit a copy of the Press Officer's speech in the Library. [118023]

No member of staff from my Office attended the Council of Europe Parliamentary and Public Relations Committee visit to Portsmouth from 25-28 March.

To ask the Prime Minister what has been the total cost so far of the Strategic Communications Unit, broken down by (a) salaries, (b) capital equipment and (c) other costs. [108898]

[holding answer 8 February 2000]: Expenditure for the Strategic Communications Unit (SCU) was £77,633 in 1997–98 (during which year the SCU was only functioning for approximately three months) and £716,672 in 1998–99. The budget for 1999–2000 is £839,440. The rise between expenditure in 1998–99 and the budget for 1999–2000 is principally due to the additional costs of the re-design and re-launch of the No. 10 internet site which included the replacement of outdated computer equipment and the creation of two additional established Civil Service posts. Savings have of course been made in other departments as a result of the transfer of work to the SCU and its role in providing consultancy services to departments which are not reflected in these figures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when Mr. M. R. Bacon of Thanet will receive his Winter Fuel Payment. [118216]

We are unable to trace any record for Mr. Bacon without further information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will introduce legislation to treat people who are deported to the UK as being habitually resident in the UK. [118799]

We have today laid regulations that will automatically treat deportees, who may not otherwise be covered, as being habitually resident in the United Kingdom for the purposes of Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action is being taken by his Department to monitor the quality of advice given by SEMA Medical Service doctors about the awarding of Incapacity Benefit on the basis of scrutiny of documents without commissioning a medical examination. [118800]

In February 1999, new guidelines for doctors undertaking scrutiny were produced by SEMA Medical Services and the Department's Chief Medical Adviser.A recent survey by the Department's Medical Policy Group has shown that some Medical Services doctors are not following the scrutiny guidelines which means that some Incapacity Benefit awards may have been made incorrectly.The Benefits Agency has written to SEMA Group's Director of Medical Services to instruct Medical Services to take corrective action immediately to ensure compliance with the medical quality standards specified in the contract.SEMA has also been informed that the Department's Chief Medical Adviser will be carrying out further audits of the scrutiny process, to ensure that advice to award Incapacity Benefit on the basis of scrutiny, without medical examination, is given only where there is sufficient medical evidence already on file to justify it.In addition, the Chief Medical Adviser's Medical Quality Surveillance Group is making arrangements for a joint audit, with Medical Services, of the standard of each individual doctor undertaking scrutiny. This exercise will begin next month.Medical Services, through their own medical quality monitoring procedures, already identified some doctors who are not following the scrutiny guidelines and have instituted remedial training for them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on progress with the pilots for Personal Capacity Assessment. [118242]

The Personal Capability Assessment replaced the All Work Test on 3 April. From that date, and initially only for people in the 12 ONE pilot areas, the examining doctor will produce not only a report on the claimant's incapacity, to inform the decision on benefit entitlement, but also a separate "capability report" with advice on what the person can do despite their medical condition and about assistance, such as workplace adaptations, that may enable them to work. These reports will be used by Personal Advisers to help claimants who want to plan a return to work. The new process is still at a very early stage but some feedback is available from the initial voluntary pilots that began last December, where claimants who wished to participate had a Capability Report prepared. The early indications are that the information in the reports is helpful to claimants and their Personal Advisers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many adults living in poverty are (a) unmarried mothers and (b) divorced women. [117569]

Poverty is a multi-dimensional problem which cannot be defined solely on the basis of a particular level of income. One indicator which may be used, however, is whether the income of the household is below 60 per cent. of median. The following table provides this information for unmarried and divorced women.

Number of unmarried mothers and divorced women living in households below 60 per cent. of median income, 1997–98
Million
	Before housing costs	After housing costs
Unmarried mothers	0.3	0.5
Divorced women with children	0.2	0.3
Divorced women without children	0.1	0.2

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many divorced women without dependent children were in receipt of social security benefits in (a) 1970, (b) 1980 and (c) 1999; and what was the cost of such benefits in each of those years. [117532]

The information is not available.The Department does not routinely collect information on the marital status of benefit recipients.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lawyers are employed by his Department; and how many were employed in 1995. [117808]

The information is not available in the format requested as records are held for two years only. Such information as is available is as follows.As at 1 April 2000, this Department employed 111 Lawyers and in addition has seven Legal Trainees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he plans to use local authority Housing Benefit data in order to identify pensioners who should receive letters as part of his Minimum Income Guarantee take-up campaign. [117871]

As part of the Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) take-up campaign we will be writing to around two million pensioners whom our records suggest are most likely to have underlying entitlement. This targeted group will be pensioners who our pension records suggest have incomes below the MIG level. We will also be using information from other available sources including Housing Benefit data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his oral statement of 27 March 2000, Official Report, column 47, concerning the number of people who will benefit from stakeholder pensions, if he will set out the basis for the figure of five million. [118223]

Our estimate of the target group of five million people for stakeholder pension schemes is based on the number of people earning between around £10,000 and £20,000 who are not in an occupational pension scheme. Some of those initially in this group will have personal pensions and will therefore be unlikely to take up stakeholder pensions when they are first introduced. But the majority are making no personal contributions to a private pension scheme.People outside this target group will also benefit from stakeholder pension schemes. We expect that some people on higher earnings will want to join a stakeholder scheme and our decision to relax the rules linking earnings and pension contributions will mean that, for example, carers, women taking breaks from work, students and children will also be able to contribute.The number of people actually taking out a stakeholder pension scheme will depend on how stakeholder and other pensions are marketed by providers, and on individual choices by savers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims have been allowed for Disability Living Allowance to persons suffering from the toxic effects of the use of organophosphates in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [118400]

This information is not available. Entitlement to Disability Living Allowance is based on the effects of disability on a person's care and mobility needs. The Department does not seek information about what has caused claimants' disabilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the impact on benefit payments in the next financial year of a single minimum wage for all age groups of (a) £4.00 per hour, (b) £4.20 per hour and (c) £4.50 per hour. [108674]

[pursuant to her reply, 8 February 2000, c. 131W]: The information is in the table.

Estimated savings in 2000–01 on benefit payments of a National Minimum Wage of £4.00, £4.20 and £4.50
£ million
	£4.00	£4.20	£4.50
Income Support/JSA (IB)	-30	-50	-70
Housing Benefit	-50	-70	-100
Council Tax Benefit	-10	-15	-20
Total	-90	-135	-195

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of the Debt Accounting and Management System for Housing Benefit; and when was the installation cancelled. [118208]

Administration of benefits and recovery of overpayments are a matter for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Peter Mathison. He will write to my right hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when the hon. Member for Cunninghame, South will receive a reply to his letter of 8 November 1999 (Reference: C/ST/5638/RB/BHD). [117820]

A reply was sent on 3 December 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have had their state pensions reduced as a result of hospital downrating; and what the total benefit savings were in (i) 1979, (ii) 1984, (iii) 1989, (iv) 1994 and (v) 1999. [117872]

Information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the table.It is estimated that in 1999, the total reduction in benefit as a result of downrating was £60 million (to nearest £10 million). Figures for the earlier years are not available.

The number of people whose state pensions were reduced by hospital downrating on a specific date during each of the requested years
Thousand
Date	All cases
30 November 1979	90
31 March 1984	85
31 March 1989	66
31 March 1994	39
31 March 1999	32

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what publicity he has given to recent changes in the Linking Rules for benefit for disabled people. [118241]

In October 1998 we extended the linking period from eight weeks to 52 weeks for people leaving incapacity benefits to start work or training. Everyone who can gain from the protection is sent details about it. Details about the rule also appear in the appropriate Benefits Agency leaflets and guidance. In addition we have worked with some of the main welfare rights organisations to produce and promote guidance on the rules.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people who became eligible for the basic state pension in December 1999 and January 2000 experienced a delay in obtaining their first pension payment. [118320]

The number of people eligible to receive their basic pensions in December 1999 and January 2000 but who did not receive payment by their first pension pay day is not known and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.It is known, however, that some 37,000 claims were received in December, and 59,000 in January. Most of these people would not be eligible to receive their pension in those months, because Retirement Pension can be claimed up to four months in advance of the date pension is payable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to promote tourism and culture opportunities in the North-east. [117942]

The Northumbria Tourist Board (NTB) will receive £340,687 for tourism projects in the region from the English Tourism Council in 2000–01—an increase of 31 per cent. on the current year. These projects include the development of information and communications technology to improve regional competitiveness and deliver added value for tourism businesses, which will help promote tourism throughout the North-east. The region, in common with all parts of England, also benefits from the promotion work of the British Tourist Authority (BTA), which promotes Britain as a visitor destination in overseas markets. The BTA is receiving £37 million from my Department this year.Tourism and culture in the North-east have also benefited, both directly and indirectly, from the National Lottery (3,083 projects in the region have received awards totalling £334,087,674 according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport's National Lottery Awards Database which uses information supplied by the distributing bodies).We have also established Regional Cultural Consortiums in each of the regions in England to champion the whole spectrum of cultural and creative interests, including tourism. The consortium for the North-east met for the first time in December last year. It is currently preparing a regional cultural strategy which will be seeking to identify the key tourism and cultural opportunities and priorities. Regional Development Agencies are also a key part of Government's commitment to regional development. My Department has sought to ensure, in consultation with One North East, the RDA for the North-east, that the contribution that tourism and culture can make to the regional economy is fully acknowledged in the economic strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the average percentage increase in hotel room rates in Central London between March 1994 and March 2000. [117520]

[holding answer 5 April 2000]: The Government do not research and estimate average hotel room rates. However, I understand the information is available from travel and tourism consultancy firms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect membership of the euro would have on (a) the domestic tourism industry and (b) overseas visitors to the United Kingdom. [117927]

It is difficult to predict trends in visitor numbers and expenditure by tourists one year ahead, and we would be unwise to try to do so for the next decade. We are not able to forecast the possible effects of exchange rates on the tourism industry in or out of the euro zone in this way.We are working hard, however, to ensure that tourism businesses in the UK are fully informed about the euro and the introduction of euro currency. My Department chairs a working group which seeks to raise awareness of the impact of the euro on tourism businesses and to disseminate information to the industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if the Resorts Taskforce will report on (a) health and safety, (b) employment, (c) environmental and (d) other regulations as they affect hotels and guest houses in seaside resorts; [117928](2) if the Resorts Taskforce will report on the effects of the six bed rule on small hotels and bed and breakfast establishments; [117921](3) if the Resorts Taskforce will report on the effects of UK

The Resorts Taskforce has not been set up specifically to consider any of the above points, many of which apply more widely than just to resorts. However, I will draw them to the attention of the Taskforce chairman, Peter Moore, who is a board member of the English Tourism Council (ETC).The Resorts Taskforce was set up by the ETC in response to "Tomorrow's Tourism", which sets out the regeneration of our traditional resorts as one of its 15 key action points. The Taskforce's remit is to suggest ways in which resorts can be repackaged for tourism purposes and to highlight examples of best practice in successful resort regeneration for tourism. In order to produce its report it will consider a range of issues, including the history of resorts, the problems they face now, other matters affecting them and possible solutions based on existing best practice and new ideas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the impact of the value of the pound on the (a) domestic tourism industry and (b) number of overseas visitors to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [117936]

UK residents spent 16 per cent. more and took 19 per cent. more trips within the UK in 1999 compared with 1998, according to the UK Tourism Survey. I am advised by the British Tourist Authority (BTA) that a strong economy and lower unemployment levels are likely to be among the factors which have been encouraging UK residents to take more holidays in Britain as well as abroad.The number of overseas visitors to the UK in 1999 was the second highest on record, according to International Passenger Survey estimates. While sterling appreciated more substantially against the euro than it did against the US dollar, the number of visitors from North America and Western Europe remained about the same as in 1998. The value of sterling is one of many factors that overseas visitors take into account when deciding whether to visit Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects digital radio to reach (a) 90 per cent., (b) 95 per cent. and (c) 100 per cent. of the UK population. [118194]

I understand from the BBC and the Radio Authority estimates, that national BBC services and the commercial services broadcast by Digital One each presently reach over 60 per cent. of the UK population. I also understand from the Radio Authority that Digital One plans to extend its services to over 85 per cent. over the next two years. Digital radio is at an early stage and plans for the further expansion of the national networks have yet to be developed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money has been awarded in National Lottery grants to finance CCTV schemes (a) nationally and (b) in Gloucestershire; and if he will make a statement. [118214]

[holding answer 7 April 2000]: Where Lottery funds are used to fund CCTV, CCTV is usually an element of a larger scheme. It is therefore not possible to identify separately how much Lottery money has been used to finance CCTV except at disproportionate cost.My Department's National Lottery Awards Database shows only one award of £5,000 exclusively for CCTV. This award was not in Gloucestershire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the cost to public funds, in the case of each of the national museums which currently charge adult entry fees, of reducing the entry fee to £1. [118257]

[holding answer 7 April 2000]: The overall cost is currently estimated at £7.1 million in 2001–02. Detailed allocations are subject to discussion with individual institutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he is taking to ensure that communal aerials in social housing are upgraded to enable the tenants to purchase and use digital television and receive an adequate digital signal. [117585]

The installation of domestic television aerials is a matter for those responsible for individual properties. I appreciate that many consumers rely on shared aerial systems, over which they have no direct control. My officials are in touch with the ITC, the BBC, and the digital broadcasters to ensure that this does not present a significant obstacle to those consumers having access to digital television. I understand that many homes with shared aerial systems can obtain satisfactory reception of digital television using their existing receiving equipment. Where upgrades are required, I would encourage tenants or landlords to approach the digital broadcasters, the ITC or the BBC who can advise on how to achieve this in the most cost-effective manner.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received regarding the suitability of the Charleroi Stadium for hosting the England v Germany football international. [117242]

[holding answer 3 April 2000]: My hon. Friend the Minister for Sport has received one representation on this subject, a letter from BBC Production.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with Sport England about the development of a major athletics facility at Picketts Lock. [118115]

The Government have given no financial help or guarantees to UK Athletics to date. However, the Picketts Lock project is still at its very early stages and my officials remain in close contact with UK Athletics and Sport England to offer what non-financial assistance they can in taking forward the project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what undertakings he gave to the International Amateur Athletics Federation about the development of an athletics stadium at Picketts Lock, Enfield, as a suitable venue for the World Athletics Championships 2005; and if he will make a statement. [118119]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State assured the IAAF that the Government would ensure that a suitable London stadium would be ready to stage the World Athletics Championships in 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what undertakings he has received from Sport England on the availability of Lottery funding to finance the proposed athletics facility at Picketts Lock. [118118]

None. Sport England will assess any application for Lottery funds related to any athletics facility at Picketts Lock on its merits. However, Sport England are fully supportive of UK Athletics successful bid for the 2005 championships and have already given UK Athletics an in principle agreement to contribute £15 million towards event costs which was included in UK Athletics outline bid submitted to the IAAF.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many workplace car parking spaces are available at the buildings used and controlled by his Department. [116763]

[holding answer 30 March 2000]: The number of workplace car parking spaces available at buildings used and controlled by my Department is 14. We have prepared a travel plan for all our key buildings in line with the commitment set out in the Transport White Paper and have reviewed the scope for reducing our car parking requirements in that context.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the total payments made to date to each firm of solicitors in Yorkshire involved in the compensation claims for (a) chest disease and (b) vibration white finger. [118197]

Payments to firms in Yorkshire to date are as follows:

(a) Chest diseases
	£
Ashton Morton Slack	60,150
Attey Dibb & Clegg	9,483
Beresfords (incorporating R. A. Swift)	7,005
Burton Green Williamson	1,057
Frank Allen Pennington	2,567
Graysons	1410,387
Hickmotts	7,402
Hopkins	64,544
Irwin Mitchell	23,798,443
John E. Millar & Co.	3,304
Keeble Hawson Moorhouse	44,779
Malcolm C. Foy & Co.	2,511
Nelson & Co.	13,405
Oxley & Coward	7,543
Raleys	362,772
Saffmans	15,788
Simpsons Millar	1,057
The Beaumont Partnership	2,115
Thompsons	56,065
Towells	3656,245
W. Brook & Co.	1,057
1 This includes some £48,000 in respect of trial costs
2 This includes some £3.6 million in respect of trial costs
3 This includes £0.5 million in respect of trial costs

(b) Vibration white finger
	£
Arthur Jackson & Co.	1,896
Ashton Morton Slack	103,204
Atherton & Godfrey	7,796
Attey Dibb & Clegg	219,196
Bell Wright & Dallman	929
Beresfords (incorporating R. A. Swift)	15,803
Burton Green Williamson	1,193
Frank Allen Pennington	80,124
Graysons	114,591
Hickmotts	26,075
Ian Smith & Co.	806
Irwin Mitchell	11,214,381
Jack Thornley & Partners	917

(b) Vibration white finger
	£
John E. Millar & Co.	5,130
Kate Patterson & Co.	5,916
Keeble Hawson Moorhouse	98,969
Kenyon Son & Craddock	705
Mills Kemp & Brown	4,400
Morrish & Co.	11,104
Newman & Bond	976
Noonan & Co.	1,202
Oxley & Coward	223,086
Parker Rhodes	13,154
Peace & Co.	2,459
Raleys	535,649
Rowley Ashworth	2,215
Saffmans	115,575
Taylor Bracewell	831
Towells	99,761
Wake Smith	2,853
Whittles	2,191
1 This includes some £1.1 million in respect of trial costs

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the OECD's Anti-bribery Convention. [118101]

The Government strongly support the OECD Convention on Combating the Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions. We played a leading role in the negotiations of the Convention and were among the first countries to ratify it. We have played a full part in the peer review process associated with the Convention. The Government are not, however, complacent. The Home Office will publish in May the Government's proposals aimed at modernising the existing legislation, with a view to introducing new legislation as soon as possible thereafter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what discussions he has had recently with the Environment Agency over its policy of finding suitable mill sites for the generation of hydropower; [117428](2) what role he plays in providing suitable mill sites for the generation of hydropower in co-operation with the Environment Agency. [117630]

[holding answer 6 April 2000]: Our new policy to encourage the development of renewable energy, including new hydropower installations, was published as "New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for the 21st Century: Conclusions in Response to the Consultation" on 1 February. The Environment Agency was among the bodies consulted in the formulation of our policy.The Government have adopted a new strategic approach to renewable energy from the regional level downwards. We intend that regional sustainable development frameworks will include regional targets for renewable energy provision, based on assessments covering all relevant renewable technologies. In turn, this will assist regional planning bodies in defining broad locations for renewable energy development and setting criteria for site selection. In dealing with applications for new hydropower installations, the Environment Agency will need to balance potential wider environmental benefits against any local interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the trade treaties that have been negotiated and signed on behalf of the United Kingdom by the European Community. [117580]