To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what progress has been made in providing increased engineer support to the air manoeuvre brigade; and if he will make a statement; [117489](2) what progress has been made in developing the 24 Airmobile Brigade into a high-capability air manoeuvre formation; and if he will make a statement. [117499]

[holding answer 3 April 2000]: Sixteen Air Assault Brigade formed on 1 September 1999. It already has three infantry battalions and three aviation regiments under command. It is supported by a dedicated artillery regiment although this will not move from Aldershot to Colchester until at least 2003. The Engineer Regiment to support the Brigade will be formed when barrack facilities have been constructed at Woodbridge in 2003.In the interim 9 Parachute Squadron RE and 51 Air Assault Squadron will continue to support the Brigade from their current locations—Aldershot and Ripon respectively. The logistic units which support the Brigade are currently reorganising to their new structure and this should be complete by 2002. The Brigade is also preparing to exploit the potential of the Westland Apache helicopter, the first squadron of which is due to be operational in late 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what progress has been made in the establishment of the sixth close support engineer regiment; and if he will make a statement; [117494](2) what progress has been made in forming two new regular engineer squadrons; and if he will make a statement. [117492]

[holding answer 3 April 2000]: Two new engineer regiments and three new engineer squadrons are to be formed. 26 (Close Support) Engineer Regiment, has started forming and will be operational by October this year. One of its squadrons cannot, however, be formed before 2003, the date on which its accommodation is planned to become available. The Regiment is initially being formed in Horne Barracks, Larkhill, and early next year it will move into modular accommodation in Ludgershall, thereby allowing Horne Barracks to be refurbished for 19 Field Regiment RA. Its long-term location will be Swinton Barracks, Perham Down, but this is not expected to be complete until 2003 at the earliest.23 Engineer Regiment will support 16 Air Assault Brigade and it will form up in its new location in 2003: its two constituent parts are already supporting the Brigade. The Regiment cannot be formed until barrack facilities have been constructed at Woodbridge in 2003. In the interim 9 Parachute Squadron RE and 51 Air Assault Squadron will continue to support the Brigade from their current locations—Aldershot and Ripon respectively.The engineer field support squadron is to be formed in April this year, using Gurkha manpower, and this will be operational by September. The first of the two air support engineer squadrons is currently planned to form up in July 2001, and the second in 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of HMS Ramsey. [117845]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many houses specifically for junior officers in the Royal Navy are planned to be built, at what cost and in what locations, in (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [118063]

During 1999–2000 25 three bedroomed houses were released in a phased handover at Broadwater Park, Ilchester, Yeovil to meet a Royal Navy requirement for junior officers, i.e. Lieutenants and Sub Lieutenants. The accommodation was made available through a Private Finance Initiative (PH) scheme. The annual charge for this type of property, which includes maintenance to an agreed standard, is commercially sensitive information. I am therefore withholding the information under exemption 7a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.During 2000–01 it is planned that a PFI contract for Bristol, Bath, Portsmouth and Shrivenham will be placed. This will provide 70 officers' houses at Seafield Park, Stubbington (including 15 which will be built using Ministry of Defence capital) to meet a joint RN and RAF requirement. The majority are likely to be allocated to RN families. Firm costs are not yet available and are likely to be commercially sensitive. It is expected that construction will be completed during 2001–02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of the PH scheme to build homes for Royal Navy and RAF officers in Stubbington, Hampshire; and if he will make a statement. [118059]

The proposed Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract for Bristol, Bath, Portsmouth and Shrivenham includes the provision of 55 properties at Seafield Park, Fareham (a further 15 properties are to be provided through this contract as a capital build). The PH element will be for a 25 year period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what inquiries the US Government have made of his Department about possible use of (a) Fylingdales, (b) Menwith Hill and (c) other sites in the UK as part of plans for a US national missile defence system. [118316]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 30 March 2000, Official Report, column 209W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in re-roling an armoured regiment into an armoured reconnaissance regiment; and if he will make a statement. [117498]

[holding answer 3 April 2000]: The fourth armoured reconnaissance regiment which will be provided by the Queens Dragoon Guards, currently based in Catterick, will have completed its conversion to its new role by October this year. On current plans, they will move to Bovington in August 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in forming the two new regular signals squadrons; and if he will make a statement. [117491]

[holding answer 3 April 2000]: We are in fact forming four new regular signals squadrons. The first of the two signal squadrons dedicated to support the Logistic Brigades has already formed in Aldershot, earlier than the planned date of 2001, and the second is currently planned to form up in Germany in 2003. The first of two additional air support squadrons is due to form by 2003, with the second being formed when sufficient manpower is available. We expect this to be by 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on introducing the Stabilised Weapon and Reconnaisance Mount into the UK armed services. [117850]

None. The Stabilised Weapon and Reconnaissance Mount is a privately funded venture to develop a stabilised weapon and sensor system. If offered by potential prime contractors as an armament sub-system in proposals to meet the requirements of projects such as the Future Command and Liaison Vehicle, it would be considered in accordance with normal procurement procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the experts responsible for assessing the details of tenders submitted by the consortiums applying for the contract to manage AWE Aldermaston. [118513]

[holding answer 10 April 2000]: The tenders were assessed by Ministry of Defence staff from the Nuclear Weapons area of the Defence Procurement Agency, the Director Nuclear Policy and the Assistant Chief Scientific Adviser (Nuclear) as well as external advisers on legal and commercial matters. Officials from the independent regulators, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) and the Environment Agency (EA), were also kept fully informed and consulted as necessary throughout the process. I am withholding the names under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information on the grounds that, given their involvement in high security work, they are potentially vulnerable to the attentions of terrorists, foreign agencies and anti-nuclear groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if Rosyth Dockyard and the Forth Estuary are docking places for the military vessels of the UK's NATO allies. [118644]

MOD no longer owns either docking or berthing facilities in Rosyth. If NATO ships wished to dock in the former Naval Dockyard it would be by arrangement with the relevant commercial company. NATO warships regularly visit Leith and NATO Auxiliary vessels occasionally berth at Defence Munitions Crombie.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency for 2000–01. [119122]

The Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency (AFPAA) for the financial year 2000–01. The Targets build upon progress made by the Agency since it formed on 1 April 1997 and are as follows:

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the average number of hours worked per week by full-time House of Commons Doorkeepers when the House is sitting. [118203]

During the first three months of this year Doorkeepers have worked an average of 42½ hours in weeks when the House sat.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make it his policy to charge a market rate on Members' parking facilities; and if he will make a statement. [118103]

The Commission has no plans at present to introduce a market charge on Members' parking facilities. However, the Greater London Authority Act 1999 will allow the Authority or the London Borough of Westminster to introduce a licensing scheme for parking in the Palace of Westminster, under which they may levy a charge on the two Houses. The Commission will consider the matter if and when either authority makes proposals for a licensing scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with her European counterparts concerning the agenda of the EU-Africa Summit. [118048]

As Presidency of the EU, Portugal was responsible for co-ordinating preparations for the EU-Africa Summit. I discussed the Summit with the Portuguese Minister for Development when I met him on 11 January. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development also attended an informal meeting of EU Development Ministers on 28-29 January where discussion focused on the role of Europe in promoting peace, security, democracy and development in Africa.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement concerning her engagements at the time of the EU-Africa Summit in Cairo. [118051]

During the Africa-Europe Summit in Cairo on 3-4 April 2000, I was engaged in Government business. The UK Government were represented by the Foreign Secretary.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on progress made on development at the EU-Africa Summit. [118049]

The Africa-Europe Summit, Cairo 3-4 April 2000, was the first of its kind. African and European Heads of State and Government sat together to discuss key issues of mutual concern, including development issues.The major issues brought to the table were debt, integrating Africa into the world economy, conflict prevention, human rights and democracy, and poverty eradication. Discussions were frank and constructive.Follow-up procedures have been agreed including another summit in Europe in 2003. Meetings of Ministers in between the summits and the establishment of a bi-regional group at the senior official level, to meet regularly, will continue work on the issues discussed. In particular, the bi-regional groups of officials will report to Ministers on Africa's debt and the return of cultural property to its country of origin before the next Summit.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development why she did not attend the EU-Africa summit in Cairo. [118052]

The Foreign Secretary led the UK delegation at the Africa-Europe Summit. He was fully briefed by my Department and supported at senior official level. I did not consider it appropriate or necessary for me to attend the summit. The same view was taken by many of my development Minister colleagues.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what briefing her Department provided for the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs concerning the development aspects of the EU-Africa Summit. [118050]

My Department provided comprehensive briefing on development issues discussed at the Africa-Europe Summit, including regional integration within Africa, transfer of technology, debt, poverty reduction, HIV/AIDS, health and the environment. MID and other Government Departments worked together to prepare briefs on trade, conflict prevention and human rights. In addition, DFID produced and circulated a press briefing on UK Support to Africa for the Summit, covering key aspects of the UK development programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has for changes in the level of aid to Mongolia. [118043]

Most UK aid to Mongolia will continue to be channelled through multilateral agencies. The UK contributes around £5.7 million per year through these channels and this figure is set to rise slightly over the next two to three years.We will also continue to offer opportunities for civil society organisations to obtain funding for poverty-focused work in Mongolia. We will continue support (at a slightly decreased level) for the Small Grants Scheme administered by the British Embassy in Ulaanbaatar.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on current British aid to Mongolia. [118046]

Most UK aid to Mongolia is channelled through multilateral agencies. Britain contributes around £5.7 million each year through these agencies.We also support UK Non Governmental Organisations' work in Mongolia and operate a Small Grants Scheme, administered by our Embassy in Ulaanbaatar, focusing on activities which benefit the poorest.In response to the current severe weather crisis, Britain is also contributing to the purchase of essential humanitarian relief supplies in Mongolia. To date the UK Government have contributed £200,000 to the relief effort.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received from the international community concerning aid to Mongolia. [118044]

My Department has received recent representations from the Government of Mongolia, from the Mongolian Red Cross, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the United Nations and World Vision concerning aid to Mongolia. These representations have related to requests for assistance regarding the current humanitarian situation following Mongolia's recent extreme winter weather conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the drought in the Horn of Africa; and what recent representations she has received from the international community concerning that drought. [118041]

The United Nations estimate that more than 12 million people face serious food shortages in the Horn of Africa. This is the result of the failure of the rains or very low rainfall in the past three years coupled with ongoing armed conflicts in the region and the presence of large numbers of refugees and displaced persons. The UN launched an appeal for £190 million on 28 January. The UN Secretary General has now appointed Catherine Bertini, Head of the World Food Programme, as his Special Envoy on the drought in the Horn of Africa. She will visit the region 11-19 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has for changes in the level of aid to the Horn of Africa region. [118039]

We have established a planning figure of about £23.35 million for bilateral expenditure in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan in 2000–01 compared to an expected outturn of £13.35 million for 1999–2000. This increase was programmed earlier this year following advance warning of the deteriorating food security situation in the Horn of Africa. The funds are available to support development programmes and emergency interventions. Actual expenditure for individual countries like all other planning figures are likely to vary depending on needs. In addition, the EU and other multilateral organisations to which we provide substantial support will be providing assistance to the region.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to increase the amount of immediate food relief to Ethiopia; and if she will make a statement. [118363]

Since January we have committed some £4.5 million including 16,500 metric tonnes of food to help vulnerable populations in Ethiopia. About £2 million of this has been committed in the last week for food and non-food assistance to help provide relief to vulnerable people in Borana and North Omo. The food is being provided through international non-governmental organisations. We will also contribute 17 per cent. of the 432,000 metric tonnes provided by the EC this year.We are ready to do more as needs emerge.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has made to EU Commissioner Poul Neilson over the suspension of aid to Zimbabwe. [118055]

I have made no direct representations to Mr. Neilson on Zimbabwe. At the General Affairs Council on Monday 10 April the Foreign Secretary, on behalf of the Government, said we could support the initiation of consultations under the Lomé Convention between the European Community and the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries on co-operation with Zimbabwe. My Department and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office remain in close touch with the European Commission in Brussels and in Harare.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with the Zimbabwean Government concerning the future of the bilateral aid budget. [118054]

I have had no recent discussions with the Zimbabwean Government. Our position on development assistance has been made clear in correspondence and through our High Commissioner and development office in Harare.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list recipient organisations and the amounts they have received from (a) British Government sources and (b) EU sources in aid related to infrastructure repair projects in Kosovo since 12 June 1999. [118251]

We have provided £10 million towards the cost of repairing the electricity distribution network. Our aim has been to help the local authorities and where appropriate other donors with the supply of equipment and technical advice on the electrical distribution system throughout Kosovo. We have provided £2 million to the water sector, which has included specific repairs to pumping stations. We have also supplied infrastructure equipment to allow the water companies to carry out essential repairs. In addition we have provided £250,000 for the replacement of 5,000 household water pumps through Action Against Hunger. We have also provided assistance to repair and rehabilitate the Pristina district heating system (£0.1 million).One component of our support to UNMIK has been to provide £700,000 for the rehabilitation of Ishtok prison and £200,000 for the refurbishment of court buildings. Both these projects have been implemented by local contractors. As part of our programme of restarting essential services in Pristina University Hospital, we have provided £3 million to our IEU to carry out extensive repair and rehabilitation of the hospital infrastructure, services and systems.In addition, DFID has committed up to £3 million to a programme of emergency works at Pristina International Airport to enable it to operate 24 hour civilian air operations at ICAO Category One standard. This project is being managed by Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick Ltd. and implemented by a combination of both international and local contractors. We have also funded GOAL with £300,000 to provide emergency winter shelter.Locally our Field Office in Pristina has provided £6 million for 300 Quick Impact Projects which have included community infrastructure repair projects such as schools and health clinics, as well as help to small enterprises. These projects have been implemented by a number of different organisations including the UK military and local NGOs.Figures for EU support could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations his Department has received from (a) general practitioners and (b) health authorities in respect of the disclosure of patient records relative to coal miners' compensation claims for (i) bronchitis and (ii) emphysema/chronic respiratory disease. [118499]

Some GPs and hospitals have been uncertain about releasing miners' medical records because they were not clear about the legal basis on which records are being sought and their own obligations. The Department has been in close consultation with the Department of Health and the BMA to enlist the help of medical record holders to ensure prompt release of records. The Department has agreed with both these bodies a statement on the legal basis for disclosure and the operational arrangements for access and copying, including the payment of appropriate fees to the record holders. On this basis, the NHS Executive has issued guidance to NHS Trusts and Health Authorities, and the BMA has also issued guidance to GPs. Both have stressed the vital part that hospitals and GPs play in assisting the compensation process. I understand that the guidance is already helping to speed up the records collection exercise, and I very much welcome the co-operation which the medical profession is showing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the International Atomic Energy Agency report GOV/1998/30, dated 29 May 1998. [118525]

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) document GOV/1998/30 contains the text of the Protocol additional to the Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the European Atomic Energy Community and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Connection with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.A copy of the protocol was laid before the House on 31 March 1999 as Misc. No.21. Command paper 4282 refers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals to strengthen international nuclear safeguards Her Majesty's Government will put to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty Conference in April. [118497]

The UK delegation will call for all States which have not yet done so to sign and bring into force safeguards agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in accordance with their obligations under Article III on the Non-Proliferation Treaty.The UK delegation will also call for all States which have not yet done so to negotiate, sign and bring into force as soon as possible a protocol additional to their existing safeguards agreement with the IAEA. These protocols will be based on the Model Protocol agreed by the Board of Governors of the IAEA in 1997. The UK delegation will point to the Additional Protocol signed by the United Kingdom, the IAEA and the European Atomic Energy Community on 22 September 1998, and to the progress of the Nuclear Safeguards Bill

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Task Force he has set up following the BMW decision on Rover will visit the supplier plants to Rover wherever they are in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [118204]

[holding answer 7 April 2000]: The Task Force set up by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is to assess the impact on the supplier chain, and has created a Supplier Chain Sub-Group that is lead by Grahame Broome of SMMT. The sub-group will not undertake an extensive programme of visits but is working with consultants Deloitte Touche to reach as wide a range of suppliers as possible. So far, it has devised and sent out nearly 6,700 questionnaires to businesses in Rover's supplier chain. The questionnaire is also available on an internet site and businesses are being encouraged to e-mail their responses.More than 300 replies have been received so far and are being analysed to inform the Task Force's work on producing proposals that will support component manufacturers, develop their employees, strengthen their competitiveness and assist their efforts to diversify into new sectors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list for each constituency in Shropshire the post office branches, indicating those which serve rural communities, which (a) closed and (b) opened (i) between 1979 to 1997 and (b) since May 1997. [118539]

I understand from the Post Office that as of October 1999, the numbers of post offices in each of the four parliamentary constituencies in Shropshire were as follows:

Post Offices	Numbers
Shropshire North	44
Shrewsbury and Atcham	42
Ludlow	45
The Wrekin	25

The Post Office does not hold historical data by constituency for the numbers of post offices which have closed or opened, nor do they hold details by constituency of rural post offices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the minimum membership of a trade union before it can be registered with the Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employer Associations. [118742]

[holding answer 10 April 2000]: There is no explicit minimum set by statute. The statutory definition of a trade union is given in section 1 of the Treaty Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. The Certification Officer has to be satisfied that an organisation meets this definition before listing it as a trade union.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration he has given under the provisions of the Redundancy Payments Regulations 1965 to advice from the Government Actuaries Department in the case of Robert Fletchers (Greenfield) v. Peter Blakeman. [118892]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has considered whether or not the Melton Medes (Fletchers) Fund meets the requirements of Regulation 3 of the Redundancy Payments Pensions Regulations 1965 and, having had regard to advice from the Government Actuary's Department, is satisfied that it does.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the ECGD funding for contracts relating to Zimbabwe since May 1997. [118750]

[holding answer 11 April 2000]: ECGD provides unconditional repayment guarantees for the provision of export finance made available by commercial banks. Since May 1997, ECGD has guaranteed the following contracts:

£ million
Contracts	Value
Mobile Phone System	15
Refurbishment of Bulawayo Power Station	6
Sawmill	3
Land Rovers	24
Mobile telecommunications equipment	6

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Turner) of 6 April 2000, Official Report, column 534W, on PFR fuels, if he will publish a list of those whom he considers to have an interest and are being consulted. [118809]

The groups of organisations and individuals listed have already been sent copies of the consultation paper on options for managing the fuels from Dounreay's Prototype Fast Reactor (issued 6 April). As the list shows, we recognise that a wide range of people will have an interest in this consultation, particularly in the Dounreay areas. We are interested in all informed responses on the issue; the consultation paper is available on the DTI's web site at: www.dti.gov.uk/energy/pfrfuel and further paper copies can be obtained from the Department of Trade and Industry, Bay 114, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H OET

• Dounreay local MPs and MSPs and Scottish MEPs
• Chairmen and Clerks for the relevant Westminster Select Committees
• Convenors and Clerks for relevant Scottish Parliament Committees
• Regulators and Advisory Bodies
• Local Councils
• Relevant Government Departments and Scottish Executive
• Environmental pressure groups
• Trade Unions represented at the site
• Other local organisations and individuals
• Nuclear industry organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Turner) of 6 April 2000, Official Report, column 534W, on PFR fuels, what criteria are applied to determine who has an interest in the options for managing the prototype fast reactor fuels at Dounreay. [118808]

We recognise that a wide range of people will have an interest in this issue—particularly, but not exclusively, those in the Dounreay area—and the consultation on the options for managing Dounreay's PFR fuels is open to all. A wide range of people have already been sent the consultation paper; the documents are presented on the DTI's website and further paper copies are available from the Department. We are also seeking the views of all relevant advisory bodies on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of repeater stations will be digitalised; and where they will be located. [118615]

The current digital terrestrial television (DTT) transmission plan comprises 81 transmitter sites of which 30 are relay stations. Details of these stations have already been placed on CD-ROM in the Libraries of both Houses. No decisions have been taken as to the number or location of any additional relays to be incorporated into the DTT transmission plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what provisions will be made for television viewers in the non-digitalised catchment areas when the analogue system is phased out. [118616]

Before analogue switch-over takes place, all viewers who currently receive the main free to air channels must be able to receive these channels digitally. We will be looking carefully at all the options for delivering digital services to the home to ensure that this condition is met.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the analogue switch-off will be permitted. [118617]

The analogue signal will be fully switched to digital when the three tests which the Government have set—relating to availability, affordability and take-up—have been met. Under the availability test, all viewers who can receive analogue television now (99.4 per cent.) must be able to receive the main free-to-air channels digitally; under the take-up test, 95 per cent. of consumers must have a digital receiver in the home; and under the affordability test the switch to digital must be within reach of people on low or fixed incomes. The Government expect the tests to be met between 2006 and 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the cost of developing an athletics facility to host the 2005 World Athletics Championships at Picketts Lock, Enfield. [118116]

[holding answer 10 April 2000]: My Department has made no estimate of such costs. UK Athletics and Sport England have submitted a range of costs for differing proposals for constructing a stadium and are now discussing the optimum solution for the Picketts Lock site.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what proportion of the estimated cost of the development of the national athletics stadium at Picketts Lock he expects to come from public funds; [118417](2) what his policy is on public support for the management and running costs of the national athletics stadium at Picketts Lock; and if he will make a statement. [118421]

[holding answer 10 April 2000]: The extent of public funding or support for any stadium at Picketts Lock has yet to be determined as UK Athletics have yet to develop a detailed proposal for the site.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if it is his policy that all seats at the national athletics stadium at Picketts Lock should have a minimum width of 500 mm and a minimum seating row depth of 760 mm; and if he will make a statement; [118423](2) what his estimate is of the cost of increasing the capacity at the planned national athletics stadium at Picketts Lock to 80,000 in the event of a successful London Olympic bid; [118422](3) if it is his policy that all seats at the national athletics stadium at Picketts Lock should have a 'c' value of at least 60 mm based on a focal point on the outside edge of the outside lane around the bends; and if he will make a statement. [118420]

[holding answer 10 April 2000]: UK Athletics is to be congratulated on securing the 2005 World Athletics Championships for London following its selection of Picketts Lock as its preferred stadium site. UK Athletics is now starting the process of drawing up detailed proposals for developing the site. The design of the stadium, its cost, funding and long term usage are matters for UK Athletics to determine in consultation, as necessary, with Sport England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will make the decision on a permanent work for the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. [118035]

The advisory panel set up under the Chairmanship of Sir John Mortimer to consider the future of the vacant plinth in Trafalgar Square is due to inform me of its recommendations in May, and I intend to publish their report as soon as possible after I have received it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with Sir John Mortimer and his Committee on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. [118034]

I joined Sir John Mortimer and some members of his advisory group at their inaugural meeting in June 1999. I have had no further discussions with the group about the fourth plinth. I recently met Sir John Mortimer informally on 7 April to discuss progress and I expect to be informed of the group's recommendations in May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many lawyers are employed by his Department; and how many were employed in 1995. [117816]

No lawyers are employed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Legal services are provided through an agreement between the Department and the Treasury Solicitor's Department.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the increase in the Working Families Tax Credit on families in Northern Ireland. [117429]

30,722 families in Northern Ireland had been awarded the Working Families Tax Credit by the end of February 2000. In addition, 4,351 families were still on Family Credit at that date. The sum of these two figures is more than 5,000 higher than the number of Northern Ireland families with Family Credit awards current at August 1999.For the United Kingdom as a whole it is expected that families will get £24 per week more on average under the Working Families Tax Credit than under Family Credit. This includes families who would not have qualified for Family Credit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families are receiving Working Families Tax Credit in Northern Ireland; of these how many he estimates are farming families; and what percentage of farming families in Northern Ireland this represents. [116358]

30,722 families in Northern Ireland had been awarded the Working Families Tax Credit by the end of February 2000. Of these, 1,149 were awards to families where the main earner was classified to the Standard Occupation Code "Farmer". It is not known how many families with children in Northern Ireland have a farmer as their main earner.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the differences are between administration targets for the handling of tax credit related claims in respect of (a) working families and (b) disabled people. [118011]

[holding answer 6 April 2000]: The targets adopted by the Tax Credit Office for handling applications for Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit for the period from 1 October 1999 to 31 March 2000 were the ones which the Benefits Agency had agreed for Family Credit and Disability Working Allowance respectively for the period from 1 April to 30 September 1999. The targets were:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will disaggregate by income decile the number of families claiming the child care component of the Working Families Tax Credit; [117502](2) if he will disaggregate by income decile the number of people in receipt of each tax credit since its introduction. [117503]

[holding answer 3 April 2000]: The two tax credits introduced to date are the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) and the Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC). Insufficient data on income are provided by applicants for these tax credits to allocate them between decile groups of income as conventionally defined for such analyses. Also, household survey data available for analysis do not yet cover families receiving the tax credits. So it is not yet possible to provide the requested analysis for recipients of the tax credits.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many customs officers were employed on anti-smuggling activities in each of the past 10 years. [117549]

[holding answer 3 April 2000]: The total number of Customs officers (in terms of staff years) allocated to frontier anti-smuggling work in the last 10 years, and planned for the next three years, is as follows:

Year	Number
2002–03	2,676
2001–02	2,576
2000–01	2,449
1999–2000	2,281
1998–99	2,263
1997–98	2,288
1996–97	2,288
1995–96	2,580
1994–95	2,715
1993–94	2,895
1992–93	2,895
1991–92	3,082
1990–91	3,082

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many lawyers are employed by his Department; and how many were employed in 1995. [117806]

Legal advice to the Treasury is provided by the Treasury Legal Advisers' Team of the Treasury Solicitor's Department. These lawyers are employed by the Treasury Solicitor's Department and then allocated to the Treasury. There were 14 legal advisers allocated to the Treasury on 1 April 1995 and 18 on 1 April 2000. Although allocated to the Treasury, these advisers also provide some advice to other Departments.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what import duty and tax is paid on imported Beta Interferon. [118528]

All drugs and medicines are subject to VAT at 17½, per cent. on importation. This product is free of customs duty at importation.Where imported drugs and medicines are subsequently dispensed to patients on prescription, the zero-rate of VAT applies.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will cut the rate of VAT on low-emissivity glass; and if he will make a statement. [118413]

The Government introduced a reduced rate for the installation of energy saving materials in all homes in the Budget. The reduced rate applies only to the installation of certain materials whose primary purpose is to save energy. Low-emissivity glass increases the energy efficiency of windows, but that feature is incidental to its main purpose.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rate of inflation he used when calculating the increase in petrol duty, and VAT, announced in his recent Budget statement. [118746]

The methodology for calculating the changes in taxes to take account of inflation is set out in Appendix A1 in the Financial Statement and Budget Report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which measures announced in the Budget statement were based on a forecast inflation rate. [118748]

The details of how the tax base is indexed to take account of inflation, and when a forecast is used, is set out in Appendix Al in the Financial Statement and Budget Report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost would be of extending the 80 per cent. discount on the climate change levy to horticulture for the financial year 2000–01. [118584]

As announced in Budget 1999, the Government intend to bring forward legislation in the Finance Bill 2000 to introduce a climate change levy with effect from April 2001. The levy will not be applied in the financial year 2000–01.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the number of (a) men and (b) women in (i) full-time and (ii) part-time work who are aged (1) over 90, (2) 85 to 90, (3) 80 to 85, (4) 75 to 80, (5) 70 to 75 and (6) 65 to 70 years. [118648]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what work has been carried out by the Office for National Statistics to construct a retail prices index reflecting a representative basket of goods and services used by (a) pensioners and (b) recipients of income support; and how such an index would differ from the overall index. [118036]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what New Zealand investment exchanges have been recognised this year as overseas investment exchanges in the UK under sections 37 and 40 of the Financial Services Act 1986. [118941]

The New Zealand Futures and Options Exchange Ltd. (NZFOE) has been granted recognition as an Overseas Investment Exchange as of today, having satisfied the conditions under sections 37 and 40 of the Financial Services Act 1986. NZFOE is therefore able to carry out investment business in the UK.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress his Department has made, pursuant to the Better Government for Older People programme to provide access for older people to computer training and Internet services in (a) Staffordshire and (b) England. [118395]

I have been asked to reply.The Better Government for Older People programme's pilot phase has just come to an end. The 28 local authority-led pilot projects have addressed a very wide range of issues affecting older people, including access to computers and the Internet. A report evaluating the programme and making a number of recommendations for future action is expected to be published in June. The Government hope to respond by the end of the year.Staffordshire is not one of the 28 pilot areas but the report will make recommendations applicable to the whole of the UK. The county council has joined the Better Government for Older People Network, the forum in which the pilot projects' experience is shared and discussed with other local authorities, voluntary organisations and older people and which offers access to a programme of seminars, conferences and support. 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, spoke at a BGOP Network event on New Technology in Public Services on 10 April. ICL sponsors the Network and projects in Bolton, Newcastle, Harrow, Devon, Middlesbrough and Lanarkshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households faced marginal deduction rates from employment of less than 16 hours a week that exceeded (a) 80 per cent., (b) 90 per cent. and (c) 100 per cent. (i) before the 1998 Budget, (ii) before the 1999 Budget, (iii) before the 2000 Budget and (iv) after the 2000 Budget; and if he will make a statement. [118732]

The information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are in receipt of child benefit allowance in the Crosby constituency; and what percentage they constitute of the total population of the constituency. [118686]

The administration of Child Benefit is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in the age bands (a) 18 to 25, (b) 25 to 40, (c) 40 to 55 and (d) 55 to 65 years were in receipt of (i) Disability Allowance, (ii) Invalid Care Allowance, (iii) Carers Allowance, (iv) Incapacity Benefit and (v) other health-related benefit in (A) absolute numbers and (B) as a percentage of the total population of the Crosby constituency in each of the years 1994 to 1999. [118684]

The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people over the age of 65 were in receipt of a benefit other than a state pension in the Crosby constituency in each of the years from 1994 to 1999. [118683]

The administration of benefits is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to reduce processing times for Disability Living Allowance claims. [118519]

The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Peter Mathison, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ensure that pensioners receiving Minimum Income Guarantee do not have deductions made for repayment of loans from the Social Fund; and if he will make a statement. [118335]

Interest-free budgeting loans from the Social Fund, designed to spread the cost of routine lump-sum expenses over a longer period, are available to a wide variety of groups receiving Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. People who take out such loans, including pensioners receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, are choosing to use some of their income to pay them back, by deductions from benefit, in the same way that they organise and manage their income to meet other weekly outgoings. It would not be fair or appropriate to exempt any one group from this straightforward repayment arrangement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners are being targeted as possible qualifiers for the Minimum Income Guarantee in each of the age groups (a) 60 to 65, (b) 65 to 70, (c) 70 to 75, (d) 75 to 80, (e) 80 to 85, (f) 85 to 90 and (g) over 90 years old. [118007]

The information is in the table.Pensioners in the following age bands are being targeted as possible qualifiers for the minimum income guarantee.

Age band	Total count	Male	Female
60–64	398,544	0	398,114
65–69	310,207	120,042	190,165
70–74	304,452	121,907	182,545
75–79	438,302	147,044	291,258
80–84	237,822	206,689	31,133
85–89	358,822	135,299	223,523
90+	158,287	45,001	113,286
Total	2,206,436	775,982	1,430,024

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what financial assistance his Department provides, pursuant to the Better Government for Older People programme for older people who seek access to computer training and Internet services. [118397]

This Department actively supports the Better Government for Older People programme, with many local offices working with the programme to examine ways to improve access to services for older people. While this has included a wide range of initiatives, none has provided access to computer training.We recognise the need to provide quality services for older people and that they have their own needs and preferences as to how these are delivered. This is why we intend to bring together the current services the Department provides for pensions and pensioners into a new organisation. It will provide a unified, modern service for today's pensioners, whether they choose to deal with the Department by telephone, by post, face-to-face or through the Internet.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the recent report published by the Economic and Social Research Council on its global environmental change programme. [116985]

These reports were received by the Department on 5 and 7 April; they are being studied at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many attributable (a) delays of 15 minutes or more and (b) station closures there were on London Underground on each line in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999; what changes there have been since 1997 in the way the figures are compiled; and what impact these changes have had on the figures. [117074]

This is an operational matter for the London Underground who provide the information in the table to the London Regional Passenger Committee on a quarterly basis.

Year	Number
Train delays 15 minute or over
1997	1,711
1998	1,820
1999	2,178
Station closures 15 minutes or over
1997	1,304
1998	746
1999	1,088

These figures need to be considered within the context of an increase in services which contributed to a rise in train kilometres operated in 1999–2000 to an estimated 63.1 million.There have been no changes in the way these figures have been compiled.To provide the figures on a line by line basis would incur disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many new bus shelters have been built in each year since 1992; and how many shelters were upgraded in each year. [117272]

Figures provided by London Transport, who have powers to erect and maintain bus shelters in London, are shown in the table (1996–97 is the first year annual figures are available in the form requested).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the outcome of the Environment Council held in Brussels on 30 March; and if he will make a statement. [117691]

I represented the UK at the Environment Council in Brussels on 30 March 2000. Three sets of Council Conclusions were agreed, and proposals to tackle acidification, and on environmental liability, were debated.Through Council Conclusions, a strategy for addressing threats to the environment from endocrine disrupting chemicals was endorsed, as outlined in a recent Commission Communication. The strategy will involve the establishment of a priority list of substances for evaluation and to prioritise testing. The need for quick and effective risk management measures where preliminary scientific evaluation reveals grounds for concern was also identified.Council Conclusions were also agreed in response to the Commission Communication on a review of the fifth Environment Action Programme. These will assist the Commission in preparing a proposal for the sixth Environment Action Programme, due by the end of this year. The Council called for this to be a strategic document, setting clear priorities for the next 10 years and promoting a range of instruments to break the link between economic growth and environmental pressures. Climate change, waste management, resource use, biodiversity, soil degradation, desertification and reducing the environmental and health risks caused by chemicals and GMOs were identified as priorities for the programme. The need for better analysis of environmental issues and the costs and advantages of measures was also noted as was the need to improve implementation and enforcement of Community environmental legislation.In advance of the Fifth Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in Nairobi next month, Council Conclusions set out the EU position on the main issues on the agenda. Ministers were also updated on the successful conclusion of the negotiations on the Biosafety Protocol in January.

£ million
	1997–981	1998–991	1999–20002	2000–013	2001–023
(a) Cash terms
Housing and other	3,186	3,385	3,726	4,360	4,981
Regeneration (including New Deal for Comunities)	1,405	1,183	1,452	1,542	1,832
Transport	2,940	2,680	3,193	3,599	3,843
London Underground, Rail Franchise Payments4 and CTRL5	2,075	1,751	1,935	1,338	1,225
Total DETR	9,606	8,998	10,307	10,838	11,881
of which:
Current Budget	4,109	4,021	4,581	4,736	4,940
Capital Budget	5,498	4,977	5,726	6,103	6,941

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list his Department's expenditure limits, including any revisions following the Budget, for the years 1997–98 to 2001–02 on a consistent basis in the format of table 8.1 of the report, Modern Public Services for Britain (Cm 4011), in (a) cash terms and (b) current prices. [117500]

[holding answer 3 April 2000]: The table sets out the position on my Department's Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit for the years 1997–98 to 2001–02, including the revisions announced in the Budget and £40 million provided subsequently for London Underground, in (a) cash terms and (b) current (2000–01) prices.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to make public transport in the North East more affordable and accessible to those on low incomes. [117943]

For the three years 1998–99 to 2000–01 we are providing £1.3 million a year for additional rural bus services in the North East. In 1998–99 that money provided for 105 new or enhanced services. Further, we have provided £2.3 million for seven projects in the North East as part of the Rural Bus Challenge competitions, which aim to stimulate innovation in rural bus services.The Transport Bill at present before Parliament contains provisions to guarantee that all elderly people will be entitled to at least half-price travel on local buses; we have recently announced that any associated bus pass will be free of charge. These measures will bring benefit to all regions but will be particularly welcome in areas where at present the local authority offer a less generous concessionary fare scheme, or none at all.In addition, we have commissioned research to identify transport measures that could help to reduce social exclusion. The research, which is due to be completed shortly, looks specifically at the needs of people on low incomes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 4 April 2000, Official Report, column 809, on second homes, what is the estimated timescale for making a decision on granting discretionary powers to local authorities to apply full council tax on second homes in certain circumstances. [118189]

Applying full council tax to second homes was one of the proposals made by respondents to our consultation last year on rural issues. We expect to publish our proposals for tackling rural problems in a Rural White Paper in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will declare a moratorium on the siting of telecommunications masts in residential areas until the health and safety implications have been fully explored. [118290]

The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, set up at the instigation of the Government and chaired by Sir William Stewart FRS FRSE, is currently considering the possible health effects of the use of mobile phones, base stations and transmitters and is conducting a comprehensive assessment of existing research. The Group is expected to finalise its report shortly. The Government will consider the Group's recommendations and issue a response.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he can take to increase the number of trains stopping at the Shotton and Hawarden railway stations; and if he will make a statement. [118191]

The Passenger Service Requirements in franchise agreements specify the minimum number of services which must call at particular stations. Train operators may provide additional services where they perceive a demand. Where additional calls at particular stations require additional subsidy this may be provided by local authorities, or through our Rail Passenger Partnership scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with rail operators concerning ways of further facilitating the use of trains by cyclists with particular reference to (a) the removal or reduction of carriage charges for bicycles and (b) improvements in storage; and if he will make a statement. [118100]

The Secretary of State has had no such discussions. The current franchise agreements permit train operators to make a reasonable charge for carrying bicycles although this is a matter for the operators' commercial discretion and a number do not levy any charges. In the current franchise replacement negotiations, we have asked the Franchising Director to promote the use of bicycles by seeking the reasonable provision by train operators of facilities for the carriage of cycles on trains and the storage of cycles at stations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what extra work is being carried out on the Index of Local Deprivation concerning (a) factor analysis, (b) shrinkage and (c) exponential distribution; and if he will make a statement. [118552]

All of the points raised during the consultation on the methodology have been considered and where necessary investigated through further data testing. A detailed response to the consultation, including the points raised on factor analysis, shrinkage and the exponential distribution will be released at the same time as we publish the new Index.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the 1999 rankings of local authority wards by level of deprivation will be released. [118551]

The Index of Local Deprivation will be published within the next few months. At the same time all of the 1999 rankings of wards will be released.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultation his Department is planning to hold with (a) the Local Government Association, (b) special interest groups of metropolitan authorities and (c) the Association of London Government before the publication of the new index of local deprivation. [118555]

The review of the Index of Local Deprivation has been subject to four rounds of consultation lasting 167 days in all. In addition the review has been overseen by a large inter departmental steering committee which included a representative from the Local Government Association. No further rounds of consultation are planned.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will release the new information on the index of local deprivation gathered as a consequence of the recent consultation exercise; and when the summary index on the new proposals will be published. [118553]

The new Index of Local Deprivation will be published within the next few months. A detailed document outlining our response to the consultation will be released at the same time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish the study indexing poverty and prosperity by local authorities, compiled for his Department by Oxford university. [118498]

The Index of Local Deprivation which covers all local authority districts and wards in England will be published within the next few months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response he has made to the request from Devon county council for dispensation to pay for its redundancy and restructuring costs over a period of years. [118503]

Devon county council asked to be allowed to treat these revenue costs as capital expenditure. Such applications are granted only when we conclude, in accordance with published criteria, that the costs could not be met out of available revenue resources. My officials have notified the council that, on the basis of the figures provided in January, the criteria are not satisfied and that consent will not be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the oral statement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston (Ms Hughes), of 21 March 2000, Official Report, column 181WH, what his assessment is of the potential for Hampshire county council to (a) reconsider the designation of land in its current plan and (b) increase further the provision for housing on previously used land. [118549]

I have not made any such assessment.Hampshire county council together with the unitary authorities will, in the light of advice in Planning Policy Guidance Note PPG3 and the emerging Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG), need to review their structure plan and bring forward alterations they consider necessary.Meanwhile, the district and unitary authorities are required to consider PPG3 and the emerging RPG in preparing their local plans in conformity with the newly-adopted structure plan. The structure plan only distributes housing to district level, and apart from the four Major Development Areas, is not prescriptive. The districts, therefore, need to consider how to meet their requirements taking account of the advice in PPG3 on such matters as maximising use of land, avoiding inefficient development, encouraging higher densities and a wider variety of dwellings, thus reducing land take. In bringing forward their local plan proposals they should also take account of our advice to recycle existing buildings and to review all non-housing allocations including industrial and commercial allocations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers he has to alter the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles on single carriage-way trunk roads. [118327]