To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many marriage counsellors funded (a) partly and (b) wholly by the Government, there were in the UK in (i) 1970, (ii) 1980 and (iii) 1999; and what was the cost. [120660]

In the financial year 1999–2000 the Lord Chancellor's Department spent £3.2 million on marriage and relationship support. Grant-in-aid is given to the central bodies of the main marriage support and research organisations towards expenses incurred in the development of training and support to local services, including the selection, training and supervision of counsellors, and administrative costs.In line with Sir Graham Hart's recommendations in his report on Marriage Support Funding (November 1999), the allocation is being increased to £4 million in 2001–01; £4.5 million in 2002–02; and £5 million in 2002–03. Figures for 1970 and 1980 are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Solicitor-General, pursuant to his oral answer of 13 April 2000, Official Report, column 498, what was the basis of his statement concerning the policy of the organisation Conservatives Against a Federal Europe toward withdrawal from the EU. [119836]

I understand that until recently the CAFÉ website stated that if certain ends were not achieved by negotiations, quite unrealistic in my opinion, the UK must withdraw from the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent to which the site ion exchange extraction and the enhanced altinide removal waste filtration plants servicing the thermal oxide reprocessing plant facility at Sellafield have met their planned operational functions. [119134]

The Environment Agency monitors and assesses the performance of the various effluent treatment plant on the Sellafield site including the site ion exchange extraction plant (SIXEP) and the enhanced actinide removal plant (EARP).During 1998 the Environment Agency report concluded that the Enhanced Actinide Removal Plant (EARP) performed satisfactorily in the removal of plutonium and other actinides from liquid effluent streams. In addition, the report considered that the plant has been reasonably effective for the removal of strontium-90 (Sr-90) and caesium-137 (Cs-137). The Agency considers there is scope for optimising the performance of EARP in line with the best practicable means. The Agency will continue to press for improvements in the effectiveness of EARP in reducing radionuclide discharges.The Agency also judges that the Site Ion Exchange Plant (SIXEP) has continued to operate satisfactorily in 1998 and has achieved high efficiencies for the removal of both Sr-90 and Cs-137 from the fuel storage pond effluents. The Agency notes that BNFL has made progress in the research and development programme for the optimisation of SIXEP.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to phase out stand-by systems on electrical goods. [119288]

The approach which the Government have followed, with other EU countries, is not to prevent the inclusion of stand-by systems in such products. In future, more equipment will communicate automatically with other equipment, users and service providers, and this will involve stand-by systems. Therefore, our approach is to ensure that these features incorporate good energy efficiency technology and do not encourage waste. We have been supporting EU initiatives in this field, which recently led to an agreement with manufacturers to reduce stand-by power consumption of new televisions and video cassette recorders. Further initiatives are in hand to reduce stand-by energy consumption in the fast growing areas of "set-up boxes" and power supply packs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what purposes his Department requires a birth certificate to be furnished by (a) employees, (b) contractors, (c) those applying for employment and contracts and (d) other persons. [120320]

A birth certificate or similar documentary evidence may be required for one or more of the following reasons:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding sources are available to small pockets of deprivation outside the inner cities. [120124]

The Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) is the main source of government funding for tackling the most deprived areas in England, regardless of whether or not they are in inner-city areas, amounting to some £679 million in 1999–2000. However, 20 per cent. of the SRB resources goes to significant pockets of deprivation in areas which are not in the most deprived areas, such as rural areas, market towns, the former coalfield areas and coastal towns.In addition, substantial amounts of European Structural Funds will be available for the period 2000–06 amounting to £1,867 million for Objective 1 areas and £2,370 million for Objective 2 areas. A wide range of Government funding is also available, both as match funding and more generally, and this is set out in the DTI booklet, "Match Funding for European Structural Funds", published in March 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's strategy for waste management. [120089]

The Government published "A Way With Waste", the draft waste strategy for England and Wales, in June 1999. The draft strategy described the need for substantial changes in the way we manage our waste, and the range of actions needed to deliver that change. We will publish the final version shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to encourage the fitting of seat belts on minibuses and coaches; and if he will make a statement. [120261]

Since 1998, all minibuses and coaches used to carry groups of three or more children on organised trips, including home to school transport, have been required to have seat belts fitted. The DETR is currently conducting a public consultation exercise on draft regulations which will require seat belts to be fitted to all new minibuses, coaches and buses which do not carry standing passengers. I understand that many minibus and coach manufacturers are already fitting seat belts as standard equipment to their new vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the Government's policy on the introduction of compulsory wearing of seat belts on minibuses and coaches transporting children; and if he will make a statement. [120262]

All minibuses and coaches carrying children on organised trips must provide a forward facing seat and a lap belt as a minimum. On minibuses with an unladen weight of 2,540 kgs or less, the law already requires that seat belts be worn where fitted.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the results from each local highway authority that were used in the 1998 National Road Maintenance Condition Survey. [120734]

The National Road Maintenance Condition Survey is designed to produce estimates at the national level but not at the individual local authority level. Accordingly information is collected from local highway authorities on the basis that it is for statistical purposes only and will not be published by the DETR in an identifiable form.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the results of the 1999 National Road Maintenance Condition Survey will be published. [120733]

The Report was published on 26 April (this was the publication date announced in "National Statistics Update" on 29 February). Copies of the Report are available in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received on the building of Whitley Way in Hampshire; [120271](2) what estimate his Department has made of the costs of purchasing land to build Whitley Way in Hampshire. [120270]

As the Whitley Way is proposed as a local distributor road it is for the local planning and highway authorities to decide whether it should be built. This Department has therefore made no estimate of the associated costs. The Department has received a small number of representations about this road.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what procedures his Department has laid down to be followed when local authorities intend to introduce traffic into pedestrian areas or town centres; and if he will make a statement. [120386]

Local authorities have powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to regulate traffic on local roads by making traffic regulation orders. These powers can be used to allow traffic into pedestrian areas or town centres. Access can be restricted to certain classes of vehicles and/or times of day. Local authorities are required to follow statutory procedures laid down in "The Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996", which include consultation with interested parties and publication of their proposals in a local newspaper. The Department has also published guidance on introducing pedestrian zones in Local Transport Note 1/87 titled "Getting the Right Balance—Guidance on Vehicle Restriction in Pedestrian Zones".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 19 April 2000, Official Report, columns 489-90W, on the Royal Train, what steps are being taken to increase the non-royal use of the Royal Train. [120615]

Under the arrangements establishing the Royal Travel grant-in-aid in 1997, the Royal Household and the Department decided to consider proposals for alternate use of the Train, when it was in the national interest to do so and as part of the ongoing policy of reducing the cost of official Royal travel. Government Departments were duly advised that the Train, when not being used for official Royal travel, was available for use on a reimbursable basis. To date, the FCO is the only Government Department to have used the Train.Both the Department and the Household have received preliminary inquiries from several organisations about using the Train but none of these has yet put forward any firm proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times the Royal Train was used by (a) Her Majesty the Queen, (b) the Prince of Wales and (c) other members of the Royal Family in the last 12 months. [120616]

In the year ended 31 March 2000, the Royal Train was used (a) eight times by Her Majesty the Queen accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, (b) 14 times by the Prince of Wales, and (c) twice by the Duke of Edinburgh and once by the Princess Royal. All these journeys were in support of official Royal engagements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the national planning guidance regarding the building of houses on flood plains; and if he will make a statement. [120219]

My hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning announced on 13 April 2000, Official Report, columns 249-50W, the publication of a consultation draft of a new Planning Policy Guidance Note 25, "Development and flood risk". This sets out proposals for a strengthening of the existing policy, which seeks to avoid inappropriate development in flood plains or development that increases flood risk. It gives specific guidance on the approach to new housing development. It recognises, however, that there will be occasions when other considerations outweigh flooding issues in favour of development proceeding. In such cases, it emphasises the need for development to be made safe through the adoption of appropriate protection or mitigation measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposals for improvements to the road and rail links to Wembley Stadium and the costings for such improvements. [120634]

The Wembley Task Force is in the process of developing proposals for road and rail improvements to Wembley Stadium, in conjunction with the local authority, rail operators and Wembley National Stadium Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) on 17 April 2000, Official Report, column 317W, on regional development agencies, for what reason the West Midlands regional development agency received no increase in funds. [120500]

The West Midlands Development Agency received an increase in funds of £1.0 million between 1999–2000 and 2000–01. Six of the Agency's seven main budgets have increased, by a total of £12.4 million. The seventh, for Land and Property, has decreased by £11.4 million as a result of year-on-year variation in legally-committed expenditure and in income derived from sales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on pet cremation services of current and proposed waste incineration and animal waste rules. [120605]

Expert consultants reported to my Department on the impact of the proposed waste incineration directive, including for pet crematoria, at the beginning of 1999. The report, "Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment of the Proposed Waste Incineration Directive" (Entec UK Ltd.) is in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultation has taken place with those offering pet cremation services on the implementation of the Waste Incineration Directive Common Position 7/2000. [120606]

As part of the preparation of their report to my Department on the impact of the proposed waste incineration directive, expert consultants at the end of 1998 consulted two pet crematoria direct, including a site visit, and consulted the UK Private Pet Cemetery and Crematoria Association. A copy of the report, "Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment of the Proposed Waste Incineration Directive" by Entec UK Ltd. is in the House Library.We now expect the proposal to be adopted as a Directive in the autumn, subject to the progress of the final stages of negotiation. The deadline for transposition into UK law will be two years after adoption. The proposal is therefore likely to apply to new plant from autumn 2002. Existing plant will not, however, have to comply until 5 years after adoption, ie autumn 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change the role and powers of parish councils. [120625]

Parish councils are an essential part of the structure of local democracy. They will continue to play a key role in the governance of many of our towns and villages. As part of the preparation for our forthcoming Rural White Paper we are looking at ways of strengthening the contribution that parish councils can make.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce his decision on a special gratuity for former Far East prisoners of war or their widows. [120033]

I met with representatives of the Royal British Legion, along with the Prime Minister, on 10 April to discuss this issue. The matter is being given careful consideration; however, no decision has yet been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of Lockheed Martin's safety record in nuclear work undertaken in the United States; and if he will list the identified shortcomings. [116240]

In the assessment process for the AWE contract, bidders were required to provide information to demonstrate their safety record. AWE ML provided full information on its parent companies including Lockheed Martin. This information was assessed not only by the Department but by the independent regulators, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) in the context of AWE' s existing safety regime, and by the Environment Agency (EA). The NII confirmed before the contract was signed that it was satisfied. The EA confirmed its satisfaction on 9 March when it issued revised discharge authorisations for the AWE sites.After the contract was placed on 1 December, there was an incident at the Oak Ridge Y12 facility in Tennessee which resulted in the publicity of a number of alleged shortcomings in Lockheed Martin's safety record in the US. As a result the Secretary of State asked the Chief of Defence Procurement to carry out a further review to ensure that none of the Lockheed Martin nominees to AWE ML was connected with the criticisms made. In addition, the Department consulted with the US Department of Energy concerning Lockheed Martin's safety performance, and both of the UK's regulatory authorities were again consulted about the suitability of Lockheed Martin to act as a shareholder in AWE ML.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the criticality non-compliances recently reported to his Department for which Lockheed Martin was responsible in the USA which his Department deemed significant. [116243]

Incidents at nuclear facilities in the US are the responsibility of the US regulators and therefore are not routinely reported to the Department. However, as part of the bidding process for the contract to manage and operate AWE, each consortium had to provide information to demonstrate the safety performance of their parent companies, including Lockheed Martin. Furthermore, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) routinely review significant safety events even if they take place outside the UK to see if there are any implications for safety at UK nuclear facilities. The Department also took account of the opinions of the US regulators in assessing the review of policies and procedures at the Oak Ridge Y12 plant carried out by Lockheed Martin.I would like to add that following the incident at the Oak Ridge facility in early December, an amendment was inserted into the new AWE contract by which Lockheed Martin, and its partners in AWE ML, are required to notify MOD of occurrences that might have a bearing on operations at AWE within 48 hours.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he was informed of Lockheed Martin's safety record at the sites it managed for the Department of Energy in the USA. [116241]

As part of its bid for the new contract to manage and operate AWE, the AWE ML consortium provided the Department with evidence on the safety record of each of its parent companies, including Lockheed Martin. Each bidder was required to demonstrate a proven and successful track record with specific relevant experience in, inter alia, licensed nuclear site operations. Lockheed Martin provided this information to the Department on 1 June 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to reconsider the decision to award the Aldermaston and Burghfield contract to AWE Management Ltd. [116245]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Reading, West (Mr. Salter) on 29 March 2000, Official Report, columns 159-60W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) number and (b) percentage of properties in his charge are empty; and what steps are being taken by his Department to reduce the number of such properties. [116917]

[holding answer 3 April 2000]: At 1 April 1999 there were a total of 13,962 unoccupied properties within the Services married quarters estate in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. This represented some 21 per cent. of total stock.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many properties in the United Kingdom earmarked for Army officers, Naval officers, and RAF officers are empty; how many have been empty for more than six months; what the figures are for Hampshire; and if he will make a statement. [118700]

Service Families Accommodation (SFA) is managed on a tri-Service basis and is made available according to entitlement, i.e. by rank and family size. A breakdown by individual Service is not available. At 31 March 2000 there were 2,288 unoccupied officers' SFA in England, Scotland and Wales. Of these, 1,161 have been empty for more than six months. There were 234 unoccupied officers' SFA in Hampshire at 31 March 2000 of which 96 had been empty in excess of six months.Overall, 6,500 properties are planned for disposal during the next two years. Most of the MOD housing stock in England and Wales is owned by Annington Homes and underleased by MOD. Properties identified as having no long-term requirement to the Department are released to that company. Surplus MOD owned properties are sold by Defence Estates.In Northern Ireland 50 officers' quarters were empty at 31 March 2000 of which 12 had been empty for over six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of the UK's participation in the Principal anti-air missile system. [117848]

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 if he will list the (a) trained strength and (b) trained requirement of the UK (i) regular armed forces, (ii) reserve forces and (iii) Territorial Army. [118789]

The latest available figures on a consistent basis across all services are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultation process has been carried out involving staff of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency on its future. [119033]

Following the announcement in 1998 of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), consultation has been an important and regular feature of the process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent consultation he has carried out with private sector defence contractors on the future of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. [119034]

Following the announcement in 1998 of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA), consultation has been an important and regular feature of the process. We have consulted with a wide range of key stakeholders, including private sector defence contractors. This has focused on formal industry bodies such as the National Defence Industry Council (NDIC) and Association of Independent Research and Technology Organisations (AIRTO), although there have been direct representations from individual companies. Last year's consultation exercise on a potential PPP solution produced valuable responses, which have informed the most recent phase of work.The current consultation exercise, which I announced in the House on 17 April 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of shares in New DERA plc he expects the Government to hold (a) on flotation of the new company and (b) as a minimum public holding. [120502]

At this stage of the public private partnership (PPP) process it would be premature to determine the extent of a Government stake in the NewDERA company.It is however the Government's objective that the company would be floated on the Stock Market as soon as its potential is judged to be suitably developed, which could be during 2001.Initially, MOD is likely to retain a significant financial stake in NewDERA to ensure that taxpayers receive full value for their investment. However, retention of this stake would not be a long term position.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans are in place to ensure that information on experiments and the welfare of animals held at DERA will still be accessible when DERA is part-privatised; and if he will make a statement; [120131](2) what plans are in place to ensure that the welfare of animals held at DERA for experiments will be protected when it is part-privatised; and if he will make a statement. [120134]

Animal Welfare within DERA is conducted strictly in accordance with the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 under which the Home Office licenses and oversees all such activity. These regulations, of course, apply to all private sector organisations, and will therefore continue to govern the welfare of any animals in defence research, whether in the public or the private sector.Information held on defence research using animals within MOD will continue to be available as it is at present. However, subject to meeting all the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, access to information on any such research carried out by the new private sector company will be a matter for that organisation to determine.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the use his Department, its agencies and public bodies will make of the powers relating to the authorised obtaining of communications data in Part I, Chapter II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill once the Bill is enacted. [119522]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on 19 April 2000, Official Report, column 509W, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when RAF Staxton Wold was first identified as a radar station suitable for downgrading to remote operation only; [119161](2) when he was first advised that RAF Staxton Wold should be downgraded to remote operation. [119162]

[holding answer 18 April 2000]: I understand that formal consideration of the possibility of remote operation of the radar at RAF Staxton Wold was first given during the Departmental budgetary planning process which culminated in February 1997. This option was not pursued because a wider review of the then UK Air Defence Ground Environment (UKADGE) was started during the Strategic Defence Review.Ministers in this Administration have never been advised that the radar at RAF Staxton Wold should be downgraded to remote operation. My predecessor was, however, advised in July 1998 that it would be possible to draw down the Station to minimum manning. Since the overall review of the UKADGE (now Air Surveillance and Control System—ASACS) was still being carried out at the time, he wished to await the outcome of this work and consider any wider implications before making a decision. I wrote to the hon. Gentleman on 9 August 1999 as soon as I had taken a decision (subject to consultation) on our plans for RAF Staxton Wold.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost so far for United Kingdom operations in (a) Bosnia and (b) Kosovo, since forces entered the region; and if he will make a statement. [119166]

The additional expenditure incurred each year by my Department in Bosnia and Kosovo is as follows:

£ million
Year	Bosnia	Kosovo
1993–94	26.6	0
1994–95	33.9	0
1995–96	91.0	0
1996–97	247.3	0
1997–98	196.5	0
1998–99	147.1	13.9
1999–20001	c.105	c.340
1 Estimate

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what satellite photographs exist of the fatal accident that took place on 7 July 1997 involving a Foden Thompson Carmichael MWD near Mrkonjic Grad. [118431]

[holding answer 17 April 2000]: The Department does not have any satellite photographs of the accident. However, a number of aerial photographs exist and I am arranging for these to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what relocation companies his Department uses when relocating civil servants and armed forces personnel. [119856]

The Department uses Countrywide Mobility (HCR plc) to provide Service personnel with rented family and single accommodation in Great Britain on those occasions when there is a shortage of publicly funded accommodation. The Department uses three relocation companies, Cendant Relocation UK Ltd., Countrywide Mobility (HCR plc) and Morton Fraser Relocation to provide assistance to civil servants who have an entitlement to a move of home at public expense.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the causes of the uncommanded flying control movements that have been reported on Chinook aircraft since 1994; [120103](2) what visual flying rules applied to support helicopters in June 1994. [120102]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what public access conditions have been agreed in relation to the sale of the remembrance garden at Serle's House. [119822]

[holding answer 20 April 2000]: At present, none.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the authorities in the United States which his Department consulted in order to draft paragraph 12 on United Kingdom-United States barter arrangements for plutonium transfers, contained in the report "United Kingdom's Defence Nuclear Programme", published on 14 April. [120253]

The US Department of Energy was consulted on this report prior to publication.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial contribution each NATO and EU country has made to the cost of KFOR. [120087]

My Department does not hold the information requested. The UK's costs are estimated to be £342 million for the financial year 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the rate of staff absences due to sickness for his Department's police for the last three years; and what assessment he has made of the rate relative to that of other public services. [120631]

Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) sickness figures have been collected in hours since 1 April 1997 in order to give a truer measure of lost output. Since then the figures have been:

Per annum
	Average number of sickness hours per officer
1997–98	1113.08
1998–99	114.86
1999–2000	120.85
1 The figures for 1997–98 includes civilian staff. The police and civilian support staff figures were collected separately only from 1 April 1998

The figures for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 are equivalent to 14.4 and 15.1 respectively days absence per officer per year. In 1998–99, the last year for which complete figures are available, the average number of working days lost to sickness per Home Department Police Officer in England and Wales was 11.7. It should be noted, however, that comparisons between forces are problematic owing to differences in methods of counting sick absence.In recognition of the level of sick absence within the MDP, a sickness strategy was put into place early last year aimed at significantly reducing productive hours lost through sickness.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the use his Department, its agencies and public bodies will make of the powers relating to the authorised obtaining of communications data in Part I, Chapter II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill once the Bill is enacted. [119521]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 19 April 2000, Official Report, column 509W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent (i) directly and (ii) indirectly on asylum seekers in (a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997, (d) 1998 and (e) 1999; and what estimate has been made of expenditure in the year 2000. [119488]

The Home Office will be responding to this question on behalf of the Government as a whole, using information that we have provided to them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated repair cost is in respect of damage to the joint RUC/Army base at Annaghmartin, Roselea, County Fermanagh, as a result of the attack on 2 April. [119030]

I have been asked to reply.We estimate that £70,000 is the minimum amount necessary to repair the damaged base.

To ask the Prime Minister when he intends to publish the report on Active Aging. [118008]

The Performance and Innovation Unit's report "Winning the Generation Game" was published on 27 April. Copies of the report have been placed in the Vote Office and the Libraries.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the oral statement by the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 5 April 2000, Official Report, columns 1021–29, concerning advice to Ministers, what impact the statement will have on the availability of information about the Cabinet Joint Consultative Committee, with particular reference to the dates of future meetings; the names of those invited to participate; and the topics to be discussed. [118930]

In the passage referred to, my right hon. Friend was speaking about factual and background information which has been used, or is intended to be used, to provide an informed background to decision-taking. In particular he clarified that further amendments would be made to clause 13 to ensure that there was a significant route for the release of such information.The Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) is a deliberative committee. It does not have a decision-making role within collective Cabinet responsibility.The release of information relating to discussions of the JCC would be subject to the proposed exemption in Clause 34 2(b) (ii) of the Bill, if its disclosure would inhibit the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. It would then have to be considered, under clause 13 of the Bill, whether the public interest in disclosing the information outweighed the public interest in maintaining the exemption.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if it remains his policy that a venue suitable for staging the World Athletics Championships would require a capacity of about 60,000. [114146]

[holding answer 14 March 2000]: My right hon. Friend does not have such a policy. UK Athletics have confirmed their key aims as being a stadium of 45,000-50,000 seats with support facilities to stage the World Athletics Championships.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he made of Brent Council's policy in respect of transport infrastructure investment associated with the planned redevelopment of Wembley Stadium at the time that bids were submitted for the new National Stadium project. [119113]

None; bids for the new National Stadium project were submitted and consideration of the bids was entirely a matter for Sport England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 24 March 2000, Official Report, column 708W, on Wembley Stadium, when he expects to receive confirmation from Sport England that they are happy with the appointment process in relation to the contract to build Wembley National Stadium. [119158]

[holding answer 14 April 2000]: Sport England will not be able to confirm that they are happy with the appointment of a contractor under the terms of the Lottery funding agreement until that appointment has been made. I understand that Wembley National Stadium Ltd. is unlikely to appoint the contractor until planning permission has been secured.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues in the DETR about the desirability of new transport infrastructure projects in association with the proposed redevelopment of Wembley Stadium; [119120](2) what advice he has received from the Wembley Task Force about the

[holding answer 17 April 2000]: Neither I nor my right hon. Friend have discussed Wembley issues with DETR colleagues as this is a matter under active consideration by the Wembley Task Force. Given that the new Wembley Stadium is playing a major role in the regeneration of the Wembley Area, the Task Force has assessed the infrastructure requirements needed to support a world-class stadium, in a world-class environment, and is holding discussions with interested parties, including the London borough of Brent and Wembley National Stadium Ltd. to find ways in which a package can be put together to secure a successful development. These discussions are continuing.No recommendations, views or proposals have been submitted by the Task Force to the Department on these infrastructure issues to date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will place in the Library a copy of the Brent Council planning brief referred to in paragraph 13.4 of the Memorandum of Evidence provided by Sport England to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in respect of the Committee's Fourth report of Session 1999–2000 (HC 164). [119117]

[holding answer 17 April 2000]: I am placing a copy of the London Borough of Brent's planning brief in the House Library, today. Copies are also available at www.brent.gov.uk/wembley.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what advice he has received from Sport England on whether transport infrastructure investments were required as a condition of their grant of £120 million towards the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium. [119118]

[holding answer 17 April 2000]: Sport England advises that transport infrastructure requirements were not required as a condition of the Lottery grant to Wembley National Stadium Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when (a) he and (b) officials in his Department were informed of the likely demand by Brent Council for a section 106 agreement for a £30 million transport infrastructure investment in connection with the granting of planning consent for the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium. [119119]

[holding answer 17 April 2000]: The London Borough of Brent has consistently and publicly made clear its concern on transport and other infrastructure issues relating to the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium. DCMS Ministers and officials have been aware that the London Borough of Brent is seeking up to £30 million in a section 106 agreement for more than two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 24 March 2000, Official Report, column 707W, on what date copies of the brief submitted by UK Athletics were placed in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [119042]

[holding answer 14 April 2000]: I apologise to the hon. Member that owing to an oversight within my Department copies of UK Athletics brief were placed in the Library only on 7 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what discussions he has had with the National Lottery concerning proposals for a National Endowment Fund for Sport and the Arts using reserve lottery funds; [119664](2) what discussions he has had with the Lottery Promotion Company Ltd. concerning their proposal for a National Endowment Fund for Sport and the Arts; [119665](3) what discussions has he had with the Lottery Promotion Company Ltd. concerning their proposals for allocation of moneys held in reserve. [119666]

I met Denis Vaughan, Executive Director of the Lottery Promotion Company, on 7 October 1999, to discuss the Lottery Promotion Company's proposals for the use of Lottery funds, including the establishment of a National Endowment for Sport and the Arts. Neither I, nor the Secretary of State, have discussed these proposals with the National Lottery Commission, the National Lottery distributing bodies, or the National Lottery operator, Camelot Group plc.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the English Tourism Council over its (a) inspection charge fees to small hotels and (b) charges made for inclusion in handbooks, directories and other advertising materials. [119719]

I have not discussed this directly, but I am aware the ETC have reviewed their pricing structure to ensure it strikes a fair balance between charges for large and small hotels. The inspection fees and other charges the ETC levies against small hotels for joining their accommodation grading scheme are operational matters for the ETC, which aims to break even and not make a profit. The hotelier receives back some of the fee when the inspector pays for an overnight stay.The ETC's contractors and the other inspecting bodies (the AA and the RAC) now all inspect properties in England to precisely the same standards but each operates an independent inspection operation with its own scale of fees and package of benefits. It is for customers to choose the most appropriate service provider.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent in the United Kingdom on sports provision per capita in 1999. [119724]

In the financial year 1999–2000, exchequer funding for sport in the United Kingdom, channelled through UK Sport and the four home country sports councils, totalled £69,779,000. In addition, Lottery sports funding drawn down by the five distributing bodies was £316,689,340 during this period. Using the 1998 population census, this amounts to per capita expenditure of £6.52 in 1999–2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will set a target date for complete digital television coverage in England; and if he will make a statement. [119759]

The Government believe that it is possible that as early as 2006, and no later than 2010, all those who currently receive the free-to-air channels on analogue television will be able to receive those services digitally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 17 April, Official Report, column 321W, what size of population each (a) full-size and (b) half-size (or 5-a-side) synthetic turf pitches is expected to serve. [119988]

Sport England's initial analysis of gaps in synthetic pitch provision is based on each pitch serving a population of 60,000, within a 20 minute drive time. No work has yet to be carried out, nor is any planned, on the demand for half sized synthetic turf pitches.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will examine the (a) practicability and (b) cost of collecting TV licence fees with the council tax. [119818]

[holding answer 20 April 2000]: We have no such plans. It is not clear what benefits would accrue from collecting the licence fee locally which would outweigh the cost of establishing and running licence fee collection arrangements in each local authority area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what will be the cost of establishing the free television licence scheme for people aged over 75 years; and how much it will cost to administer in the first full year of operation. [119939]

[holding answer 20 April 2000]: We estimate that in 2000–01, the cost of the concession will be £344 million, with an additional £23.4 million in administration costs in the first year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much (a) in total and (b) in addition to currently planned expenditure it would cost in (i) the UK and (ii) Scotland to give free TV licences to households headed by someone aged over 65 years. [119983]

[holding answer 20 April 2000]: The information requested is not immediately available. I will write to the hon. Gentleman as soon as it is available and will place a copy of the letter in the Library. However, the figure will be for the UK in its entirety as no separate figures are kept for Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what purposes his Department requires a birth certificate to be furnished by (a) employees, (b) contractors, (c) those applying for employment and contracts and (d) other persons. [120324]

As one of its pre-recruitment checks, my Department requires new employees to the Civil Service either on permanent or short-term contracts to provide birth certificates or similar documentary evidence for one or more of the following purposes: proof of identity, proof of eligibility under the Civil Service nationality rules and proof of age. Contractors are required to produce them only if there are questions about identity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when locomotives based in the National Railway Museum were last out on the Colne to Preston line. [120326]

The National Railway Museum's locomotive "Green Arrow" hauled a special train over the Preston to Blackburn section of the route on 29 December 1999 en route to Carlisle via Settle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Film Council will announce its strategy. [120792]

The Film Council is today announcing it strategy for the development of film culture and the film industry in the UK. I have arranged for copies of the strategy document to be place in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the minimum wage on summary measures of inequality, with particular reference to the gini coefficient and Atkinson index; by what method the assessment was made; and if he will make a statement. [119826]

The Low Pay Commission looked in depth at the impact of the minimum wage on inequality and income distribution. As it says in its second report

The impact of the national minimum wage on household incomes is complex, being affected by the way that statutory wage increases interact with the tax and benefits systems.

The issues of poverty and inequality are explored extensively in the Commission's Occasional Paper 2, published in June 1999. Overall, it found that the minimum wage, together with other tax and benefit changes, should prove a powerful tool in tackling in-work poverty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employers have been reported by inspectors for paying less than the national minimum wage in (a) Britain, (b) Scotland and (c) the relevant area of record, which includes the constituency of Paisley, South. [120394]

The number of instances of employer non-compliance identified by minimum wage officers for the year ended 31 March 2000 is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department's policy is on (a) advertising and (b) acknowledging company sponsorship on the websites of his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies; which companies (i) have placed advertisements and (ii) are acknowledged as sponsors on those websites; how much revenue has been received for each financial year since 1997 from such advertisements and sponsorship; and if that revenue has been retained within the budget of his Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies. [119542]

[holding answer 19 April 2000]: The Department of Trade and Industry's policy on advertising on websites follows the guidance in the Central IT Unit's "Framework policy and guidelines for the use, management and design of public sector websites" (published last December as part of the e-government strategy). These state:

Government sites are permitted to carry advertising. In designing pages, departments and agencies should ensure that advertisers' branding does not detract from the effectiveness and appearance of their own branding or that of government as a whole. Particular attention should be given to avoiding any implications of endorsement of products or services or of contradiction between government messages and those of contractors.

On sponsorship, the DTI also follows Cabinet Office guidance. The same policy is applied to websites as is applied to other forms of publication. In summary, sponsorship support can be sought where there is going to be a significant net benefit to the Department, at no detriment to the public interest. Any sponsorship arrangements are dealt with in ways that are even-handed and open, and on the basis that they must not conflict with the Department's regulatory and enforcement functions or appear to endorse a particular company, product or service.In applying these policies, a number of DTI sites have been prepared in partnership with private sector organisations in return for acknowledgement of this sponsorship on the site. In a number of cases, sites delivering the objectives of the Department are run and financed by private sector companies which are allowed to enter advertising and sponsorship arrangements with others. Compiling a comprehensive list of companies which have been involved in such arrangements to date would incur disproportionate cost.No direct revenue has been received to date from either advertising or sponsorship.None of the non-departmental public bodies for which the Department is responsible has accepted advertising or acknowledged sponsorship from companies on its website. I have asked the Chief Executives of the Department's agencies to write to the hon. Member separately where they have a substantive reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) post offices and (b) sub-post offices have closed in the Greater London area during the last five years. [119845]

The Post Office tell me that it does not hold historical data by region, including Greater London, for the numbers of post offices which have closed or opened.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 14 April 2000, Official Report, column 288W, if discussions on the purchase of Land Rover from BMW by Ford were commercially confidential. [119843]

I made clear in my earlier reply that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has many contacts with companies including the Ford Motor Company. The issues discussed are often commercially sensitive and the company's requests for confidentiality respected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 18 April 2000, Official Report, column 433W, about new appointments to the Council for Science and Technology, what the gender balance is on the new council and whether the gender balance of the expanded council is in line with Government targets for the representation of women on public bodies; how many women candidates (a) were considered for appointment to the Council and (b) met the criteria for appointment to the council; what steps his Department took to increase the pool of women candidates for appointment to the council; when he will next have an opportunity to improve the gender balance on the council; what steps he is taking in other parts of the scientific advisory system to compensate for the low representation of women on the Council for Science and Technology; and what consultation he has had with the Minister for Women on ways to increase women's participation in his Department's scientific advisory system. [120305]

Of the 16 independent members of the Council for Science and Technology, three are women (19 per cent.).Of the 23 candidates considered for appointment to the Council during the most recent round, five were women, two of whom subsequently decided not to pursue their candidacy.In identifying these candidates and making the appointments, my Department complied with the guidance of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. We canvassed widely, both internally among other Government Departments and externally among such organisations as the CBI, IoD, TUC, the CVCP, the Research Councils and the Higher Education Funding Councils. Nominations from existing members of the Council were also sought.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what guidance he has given to (a) Government agencies and (b) Companies House about the hospitality managers may accept from companies with which they are outsourcing contracts. [120190]

The guidance contained within the Department's Procurement Manual which is available to DTI Agencies including Companies House, sets out advice regarding gifts and hospitality in respect of dealings with contractors. A copy of the Manual is in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evaluation he has made of Capita's performance in Companies House, Cardiff. [120212]

Evaluation of Capita's performance is carried out systematically against a range of service levels and targets defined in the contract under which they provide telephone inquiry and search services on behalf of Companies House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what changes have been made in the last three years to the guidelines on end-use assurance required for companies and individuals applying for single individual export licences for strategic goods. [120205]

There have been some amendments made to the guidelines on end-use assurance in the last three years with regard to information requirements for certain chemicals listed in Schedules to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Other changes have been ones of format rather than substance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Export Control Organisation guidelines detailing end-use assurance required for export licence applications apply to open individual export licences for strategic goods. [120203]

The end-use assurance requirements for an open individual export licence are included in the conditions of such a licence. Guidance is provided for compliance with these conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to draw upon the experience of internet companies in providing disabled people with (a) access to and (b) training in, new technologies. [120197]

As a response to the Social Exclusion Unit's 1998 report, the Prime Minister set up a series of high level action teams to devise a new national strategy for neighbourhood renewal. Policy Action Team 15 (PAT15), which was led by DTI, looked at how information and communication technologies (ICTs) can help.PAT15's main task was to improve the access to and uptake of ICTs by the most disadvantaged in society. It carried out an in-depth study of projects already operating in poor neighbourhoods to identify best practice which may be replicable elsewhere. It also commissioned papers to examine how issues associated with disability can be addressed. The consultation process included input from the private sector, particularly through representatives from ICT companies working as PAT members.Their report indicates that public access facilities, the training provided and the content used should take into account the needs of different audiences, including people with disabilities. The recommendations from the report are being taken forward by the DfEE. The final report is available on the PAT15 website (www.PAT15.org.uk).Much work, however, is already under way. £252 million of Capital Modernisation Funding (CMF) has been promised to set up around 700 ICT learning centres within the 2000 most deprived council wards and other areas with special needs, such as isolated rural areas. These centres will be set up from September 2000, to provide hands on learning for people for example with disabilities or from ethnic backgrounds with little or no ICT skills or access to ICT. They will provide a local place for local people and will give people the opportunity to gain ICT skills.The development of this initiative has included input from the private sector through externally commissioned work or through representatives of ICT companies sitting on the project's management board.More details about the initiative can be found on the ICT Learning Centres website on www.dfee.gov.uk/ict-learning-centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what initiatives he will implement to encourage internet businesses to assist in tackling the problems of deprived areas. [120198]

Following the Social Exclusion Unit's (SEU) 1998 report on deprived neighbourhoods, 18 high level action teams were set up to help devise a new national strategy for neighbourhood renewal. Their main conclusions have now been drawn together in a framework document for consultation (available on the SEU's website: www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/seu).The report identifies that business has a crucial role and much to contribute in helping to turn around deprived neighbourhoods. It also points out that businesses need recognition and encouragement to become actively involved in projects which aim, for example, to raise education standards, improve health, tackle crime, and help to build communities in deprived areas. The Government are keen to see an increase in the number and range of businesses, including internet businesses, which are actively engaged in addressing the problems of deprived neighbourhoods. The consultation paper seeks views on what the Government could do to encourage business engagement in the community.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress made on the full environmental impact assessment report for the Ilisu Dam. [120264]

Work is proceeding on the Environmental Impact Assessment Report; however the Report is now not expected to be complete until July 2000 at the earliest. The overall project timetable is similarly delayed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish Government concerning consultations with those directly affected by the Ilisu Dam. [120265]

While I have had no direct contact with the Turkish Government concerning the consultations, I understand that consultations are on-going with those who are affected by the Ilisu Dam and that detailed surveys of the local population are to take place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with Balfour Beatty concerning the provision of export credit for the Ilisu Dam. [120272]

I have had no discussions, although my officials do continue to discuss details of the case with Balfour Beatty and the other interested Export Credit Agencies concerning the provision of export credit for the Ilisu Dam. No decision has been taken regarding the availability of ECGD support for this project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been submitted in each of the years since 1993 to date for (a) regional selective assistance and (b) enterprise grant in each region; and how many have been successful. [120653]

This information is published in the Industrial Development Act 1982, Annual Report, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) women and (b) black people applied to be lay advisers in the last round of appointments for the employment tribunals in England and Wales; and how many of those in (i) and (ii) applied to serve on the Cardiff tribunal. [120374]

In the 1999 exercise to recruit new lay members to the employment tribunals in Great Britain, applications were received from 3,728 women and 336 people who described their ethnic origin as black-African or black-Caribbean. No separate figures are available for England and Wales. There were 85 women and three black-African or black-Caribbean applicants to serve on the Cardiff employment tribunal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) women and (b) black people serve on employment tribunals in England and Wales; and how many serve on Cardiff tribunals. [120373]

644 women and 51 people who describe their ethnic origin as black-African or black-Caribbean serve on the employment tribunals in England and Wales. 43 women and one black-African/black-Caribbean serve at the Cardiff employment tribunal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will make a decision on whether to allow Export Licence Application QX 96/00 to P. W. Allen and Company in Tewkesbury. [120614]

Export licence application QX 96/00 has been approved, and the licence was issued on 20 April 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the prospects for vertical integration available for the three organisations that replaced Milk Marque. [120327]

Following the voluntary decision by the members of Milk Marque to break up into three independent successors, I asked the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) to monitor the operation of the market this winter, and report his conclusions by Easter.That advice has now been received. The DGFT has advised that Milk Link, Axis and Zenith, the three successors to Milk Marque, have been operating independent arrangements for the marketing and selling of their members' milk this winter.I can announce today that, on the basis that the assurances given last year of independent operation will continue to be observed, I can see no reason why Milk Link, Axis and Zenith should not establish or extend their processing activities if they choose to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the financial accounts for Gordon and Innes Ltd. of Huntly, Aberdeenshire were due for filing; and if they have been received. [120647]

The accounts due to 31 October 1998 for Gordon and Innes Ltd., now registered at 8 West Street, Fochabers, IV32 7DJ, were due to be filed by 30 November 1999, but to date they have not been received.The company has been reminded of its obligations to file its accounts and the consequences if they are not received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with BP Amoco concerning its investment with Talisman Energy and the China National Petroleum Corporation operating in Sudan. [120269]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has not had the opportunity to meet with BP Amoco to discuss their investment with Talisman Energy and the China National Petroleum Corporation operating in Sudan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with (a) Weir Pumps of Glasgow, (b) Allen Power Engineering of Bradford and (c) Angus Fire of Oxfordshire concerning the manufacturing of parts for oil exploration in Sudan. [120268]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has not had the opportunity to meet any of the aforementioned companies to discuss the oil industry in Sudan.My Department, in conjunction with our colleagues at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, have offered, and will continue to offer, full and frank advice to British companies who are interested in the oil industry in Sudan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to protect the names of cities, towns, villages and private houses from being registered as Internet domain names by commercial organisations for trading purposes without permission of the legitimate bearers; and if he will make a statement. [120263]

Domain Names in the UK are managed by Nominet UK, an independent not-for-profit body. The Government are discussing with Nominet the way forward on this issue. Nominet is consulting with the Scottish Parliament on this subject, and will shortly be consulting with other regional bodies. Civic organisations and other non-profit groups who wish to register domain names incorporating place names should be able to do so in the org.uk Second Level Domain. They can do this by contacting an Internet Service Provider or if necessary they can contact Nominet directly at www.nominet.org.uk.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) initiatives relating to and (b) reviews of, the tax system he has launched since May 1997; on what dates each (i) was completed and (ii) is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [118857]

[holding answer 17 April 2000]: The information has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will (a) list and (b) make a statement on the incidence of and death rates from (i) cervical cancer, (ii) breast cancer, (iii) prostate cancer and (iv) testicular cancer in each of the last three years in each health authority. [119728]

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 factors account for the change from the initial estimate of annual forecast revenue receipts from IR35. [120329]

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Ottaway) on 5 April 2000, Official Report, column 494W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the additional amount of tax that will be collected in each of the next three years as a result of the introduction of IR35; and if he will make a statement. [120366]

The estimate of extra tax and National Insurance Contributions generated from the pre-announced measure to tackle avoidance through the use of personal service companies is provided in Table A2.1 of the March 2000 "Financial Statement and Budget Report".

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the development of a database of small businesses who breach IR35 rules. [120365]

We expect intermediaries involved in contracts affected by the legislation to comply with the rules, and the Inland Revenue will provide information and support to enable them to do so. Those who do not will be identified and reviewed by Inland Revenue compliance officers using existing compliance methods.A separate database of intermediaries who breach the rules will not be needed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish details of the methodology used by the Inland Revenue to calculate the increase in tax yield that will result from the proposed changes in tax legislation as it affects offshore mixer companies; [120291](2) if he will publish details of the calculations undertaken by the Inland Revenue to determine the level of tax yield arising from his proposals in the Finance Bill dealing with controlled foreign companies and tax mixing arrangements. [120290]

The expected yield from these changes as set out in Table A.13 of the 2000 "Financial Statement and Budget Report" is based on accepted methodology used by all Governments.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the feasibility of tax mixing onshore. [120288]

The issues concerning a system of onshore pooling were fully discussed in the paper "Double taxation relief for companies" published by the Inland Revenue in March 1999.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which G7 and OECD countries allow tax mixing to take place. [120285]

Just as overall tax systems vary from country to country, so do their respective mechanisms for relieving double taxation. It is not likely that any two countries will have double taxation relief systems that are identical. Direct comparisons are therefore of limited value and can be misleading.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the policy of (a) the Government and (b) the European Commission is on the level of (i) income tax and (ii) corporation tax which should be treated as constituting unfair tax competition. [120359]

General rates of corporation tax and income tax do not constitute unfair tax competition.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 3 April 2000, Official Report, column 340W, on family benefits, how many of those families claiming working families tax credit in each month since its introduction would have been entitled to family credit. [120617]

I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 19 April 2000, Official Report, column 580W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government's policy is on the proposal for VAT to become an EU levied tax. [120356]

In July 1996 the Commission published a programme for creating a common system for EC VAT. The Government see no case for VAT reform along those lines, and such a system could not be agreed without the UK's consent.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to (a) repeal and (b) amend the Industrial Assurance Act 1923. [120211]