To ask the President of the Council what plans she has to set up a unit to co-ordinate contacts between the business sector and Government Departments. [122225]

Following discussions with the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, I have set up a new Business Co-ordination unit within my Department. It will work with the DTI and Treasury to co-ordinate contacts across other Government Departments with the business community.The Government have always been committed to maintaining good channels of communication between themselves and the business community, and this unit will make further contributions to that work.I have been asked to take on this role by the Prime Minister because of my role as cross-Government spokesperson and my experience of leading initiatives which cut across the whole of Whitehall. I will be working closely with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what was the overall level of sickness absence in the Civil Service in 1998. [122148]

The report 'Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service 1998' prepared for my Department by BMI Health Services Ltd. shows that when the same methodology as in previous years was applied the average level of sickness absence was 9.8 days per staff year. This compares with a figure of 10.1 days for 1997. Calculated on the basis of absence per person, the figure for the Civil Service was 8.4 days. The report contains a comprehensive analysis of the 1998 figures.In tandem with the preparation of that report, Departments and agencies have separately been undertaking audits of their monitoring systems as recommended in the July 1998 report 'Managing Attendance in the Public Sector'. In some cases these audits have revealed an element of under recording. The BMI report also contains figures reworked to reflect the audit findings, and these show that the average figure for sickness absence in 1998 was 10.3 days per staff year. These revised figures came too late and in insufficient detail for them to be taken into account in the report's data analysis.My Department is continuing to work with other Departments and agencies as they take forward their plans to reduce sickness absence. Overall the Civil Service has been targeted to reduce sickness absence by 20 per cent. for 2001 and 30 per cent. for 2003 against the 1998 baseline.I have placed copies of the BMI report in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for additional capital expenditure in relation to the handling of asylum claimants in the vicinity of Gatwick Airport. [121509]

The Immigration Service at Gatwick is at present looking at accommodation in the Horley/Crawley area in order to improve its capability in handling asylum and other casework. Dealing with asylum claims is one of the Immigration Service's top priorities. A central unit in the Gatwick area is being considered, but as yet no firm decisions have been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the (a) transgenic pigs and (b) monkeys killed in the last four years died at Huntingdon Life Sciences; and if he will make a statement. [121506]

Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 prevents me from disclosing detailed information of this nature about an individual establishment licensed under the Act. We are examining Section 24 in the context of Freedom of Information changes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many animals broken down by species were allowed into the United Kingdom for use in experiments for each year from 1990 to date; and if he will make a statement. [121507]

The Home Office does not record centrally the number of animals used in scientific procedures broken down according to their source.Since 1995, Table 2 of the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals, published annually in separate volumes for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, has reported the number of scientific procedures carried out using species listed in Schedule 2 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 analysed according to the source of the animals used. Similar statistics were not collected and published before 1995.The numbers of scientific procedures carried out in Great Britain and Northern Ireland using Schedule 2 species acquired direct from sources outside the United Kingdom in each year from 1995 to 1998 were as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of pension payments on police and fire authorities' budgets in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement. [121479]

Under the Central Local Partnership, the Home Office has been working closely with representatives of fire and police authorities to assess resource demands for the next three years. Projections by the services concerned were made by the Local Government Association's Fire Service Expenditure Forecasting Group and the Association of Police Authorities/Association of Chief Police Officers in its report "Policing the Future - Report of the Police Service Expenditure Forecasting Group". Pensions pressures are being taken into account in consideration of Spending Review 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the police in post on an average day in 1999 were available for duty on that day. [121675]

This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were given a community service orders in each of the last five years; how many of such orders were breached in each year; and how many people who breached those orders were benefit claimants. [121525]

Information for the years 1988 to 1998 on the number of persons given a community service order and the number who breach such orders is published in Table 7.26 of the command paper "Criminal statistics, England and Wales, 1998". A copy of this publication is available in the Library.Data on the number of persons breaching an order who are benefit claimants are not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his oral statement of 7 March 2000, Official Report, column 886, on the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No. 2) Bill, on what basis he calculated that the removal of the right to elect trial by jury in either-way cases will produce savings of more than £120 million per year. [121294]

I refer the right hon. and learned Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) on 2 March 2000, Official Report, column 377W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the report of the Chief Inspector of Prisons following the inspection of HMP Lowdham Grange. [121489]

The Chief Inspector published his report on 27 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average waiting period in the last 12 months for which figures are available between charge and commencement of trial in cases of (a) murder and (b) rape; and what were the equivalent figures at 1 May (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [121290]

I have been asked to reply.Overall average waiting times from charge to start of trail for offences dealt with at the Crown Court are not available. Average waiting times are available separately for the period from charge to committal from magistrates courts, and for the period from committal to the Crown Court to start of trial. However the available data for both the magistrates courts and the Crown Court cannot identify murder and rape cases separately from broader offence groupings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if yield data will be published from the GM crop trials designed to monitor environmental impact. [120716]

[holding answer 3 May 2000]: There are no plans to publish yield data as part of the farm scale evaluations of GM crops.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to transfer freight from roads to rail. [120845]

Our policy is to help to establish an integrated, sustainable freight distribution system, both to support economic growth and to bring social and environmental benefits. The Strategic Rail Authority, already operating in shadow form, will have a duty to promote rail freight. In the three years beginning April 1997 we have provided £81 million in grants to move freight from road to rail or inland waterways. We have issued guidance to local authorities to facilitate more use of rail for freight, and our forthcoming 10 year Transport Plan will set out the Government's longer term strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 2 May 2000, Official Report, column 5W, how many journeys on the Royal Train have involved the use of the sleeping accommodation. [121269]

All the Royal Train journeys during the year ended 31 March 2000 involved the use of sleeping accommodation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much was paid to Wisconsin Central to service and operate the Royal Train in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [121257]

No money was paid to Wisconsin Central. However, as set out in the published Annual Report on the Grant-in-aid for Royal Travel by air and rail covering the financial year ended 31 March 1999, £779,000 was paid to English Welsh & Scottish Railway, which is the operator of the Royal Train and a UK subsidiary of Wisconsin Central.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what payments have been (a) made and (b) agreed as part of a management licence to British Waterways for operating the Tees Barrage. [121480]

Under the terms of a Management Agreement signed on 31 March 2000 between British Waterways and the Commission for the New Towns, BW assumed operational responsibility for managing the Tees Barrage, maintaining related facilities and the obligations attached thereto, as if it were the owner. An endowment of £17,696,616 was paid to BW. It is intended that the freehold of the property will be conveyed to BW shortly, together with a formal transfer of the powers and functions in the River Tees Barrage and Crossing Act 1990. It is not expected that any further endowment will be paid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect of the national minimum wage. [120519]

We asked the Low Pay Commission to monitor the introduction of the national minimum wage and to report on their findings. We published their report on 15 February along with our response to it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that all those entitled to the national minimum wage receive it. [120523]

The Inland Revenue is responsible for enforcing the national minimum wage. If any worker believes they are not being paid what they are entitled to under the law they simply have to phone the minimum wage helpline on 0845 6000 678 to make a complaint about underpayment. All complaints, including third party tip-offs, are followed up.The Government recognise that it is vital for workers to be aware of their entitlements under the law. Around £5 million was spent on advertising the minimum wage at the time of its introduction last year. A smaller campaign in the autumn targeted certain ethnic groups where awareness was still relatively low. There will be further paid publicity spanning the periods when the youth rate and main rate are increased on 1 June and 1 October respectively.The Government are working with relevant worker and employer organisations to help improve awareness of the minimum wage. As recommended by the Low Pay Commission, we will update our general guidance and provide specific information for certain groups. The Government are asking the Commission to continue to monitor the national minimum wage and to produce a further report on its introduction by July 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on energy prices in the South-West of his decision to lift the moratorium on new gas-fired power stations. [120520]

I have made no assessment specifically on the South-West, but Government energy policy should lead to a continuing downward pressure in energy prices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of rural and suburban sub-post offices. [120522]

The Government are contributing £480 million toward the cost of equipping the whole national network of post offices with an automated on-line IT platform. This investment in the automation project is substantial and is a clear indication of the Government's commitment to the future of the Post Office network. Nearly 40,000 counter positions in over 18,000 offices will be equipped with the modern computer system. Automation will attract new customers and services to the Post Office, replacing traditional business progressively eroded by changing customer demands and habits, which, in turn, will contribute to strengthening the long-term viability of the network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the Performance and Innovation Unit report into the Post Office network. [120524]

I understand that the Performance and Innovation Unit will report the results of its study of the Post Office counters network to the Prime Minister shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the levels of subsidy that will be required to safeguard the future of post offices in small towns and villages and in rural areas. [120528]

It is too early to assume that subsidy would be the right way forward. The Government's key target is a viable commercial future for the Post Office network. The Government are using the opportunity of the Post Office Bill to propose taking the necessary powers to keep open the option of financial assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the scale and timing of the proposed subsidy to sub-post offices threatened with closure. [120537]

The Government have no plans at present to subsidise the network of post offices, but are using the opportunity of the Post Office Bill to propose taking the necessary powers to provide financial assistance towards ensuring provision of postal and other services at post offices, should that prove necessary at some future stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what means he monitors whether the UK's international competitiveness is adversely affected by the working of IR35. [120525]

We are committed to ensuring a fair tax system. It is clearly unfair that someone using a personal service company and carrying out the job of an employee has been able to enjoy a big tax and NICs advantage over other employees. Avoidance through service companies placed a burden on other tax and NIC payers and damaged the UK's competitiveness.The IR35 proposals enable the use of personal service companies to continue but without the previous unfair scope for avoiding payment of Tax and NICs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to assist manufacturing industry. [120526]

We are assisting manufacturing industry to be competitive by creating the right economic climate and by pursuing policies that help firms to innovate and grow.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the impact on manufacturing industry of the strength of the pound. [120539]

This Government understand the difficulties many manufacturers, particularly those trading with Europe, are facing because of the value of the pound in relation to the euro. However we are determined to take a long-term view—attempts at short-term fixes would ultimately do more harm than good.The latest average of independent forecasts for the UK economy points to manufacturing output rising by 2.2 per cent. this year, in line with the top end of the Treasury's Budget forecast.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect of the current value of the pound on the competitiveness of UK manufacturing industry. [120541]

This Government understand the difficulties which many manufacturers, particularly those trading with Europe, face as a result of the weakness of the euro, but competitiveness depends on a wide range of factors.The platform for economic stability created by this Government, together with the structural measures to promote competition, to encourage enterprise and innovation, and to raise the skills base and investment, provides the best economic environment for improving industrial competitiveness in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's strategy to assist the British shipbuilding industry. [120529]

My Department's strategy is to support and promote the UK shipbuilding industry, and in particular, to assist the industry to improve its competitiveness. In July 1998 my Department established the Shipbuilding Forum whose membership comprises representatives of the shipbuilding and ship repair industry, trade unions, equipment suppliers and customers, both private and public sector. Also involved are the National Training Organisation for the marine sector and relevant Government Departments. The Forum's terms of reference are to consider the current situation of the shipbuilding and ship repair industry and how to improve its competitiveness so as to increase its share of the European market, leading to increased output, profitability and employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of the shipbuilding industry. [120540]

The Government's policies are to establish the macroeconomic conditions within which the management of individual industries and companies can maximise their output, growth and employment prospects. The Government do not make forecasts for individual industries in the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with oil and gas companies regarding future investment in field development in the North Sea. [120530]

Ministerial colleagues and I regularly meet oil and gas companies. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe chairs the industry/Government forum PILOT which is actively considering ways of encouraging investment in North Sea oil and gas development. In addition, in February, my Department announced an initiative to target areas where there has been no exploration or development for some time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of the Longbridge plant. [120531]

Alchemy's cessation of negotiations with BMW provides a new opportunity for proposals to come forward which offer a viable future for Longbridge and which may provide more jobs than under the Alchemy proposals.This Government's efforts over the next few weeks will be directed towards achieving a successful outcome which will serve the interests of the workers at Longbridge and the wider community in the West Midlands.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress made by the Rover Task Force. [120533]

When I announced the creation of the Rover Task Force on the day following BMW's decision to break up the Rover Group, I asked it to look into the effect that would have on the Longbridge area of Birmingham and on the supplier chain and to make recommendations about what should be done to lessen the impact.The Task Force has 21 members drawn from and representing a wide range of organisations in the West Midlands and produced an interim report published on 26 April. I have asked it to produce a final report at the end of June 2000.In its interim report, the Task Force drew on over 1,000 questionnaires completed and returned to it by supplier chain companies and from the work done by its five sub-groups which have been created to assess the impact both on individuals and businesses. The Task Force has already provided telephone helplines for individuals and suppliers and a website. The report makes a number of additional recommendations about short and medium term actions that should be taken to regenerate the region and action is already being taken to support identified needs.At the outset of the Task Force's work I committed £129 million to assist the people, communities and businesses of the West Midlands affected by BMW's decision. I have already given approval for £12 million worth of support for the West Midlands supplier chain companies from the £129 million. This will help them to draw up fresh Business Plans, find fresh markets, obtain export advice and receive support for retooling and retraining. An additional commitment of £15.5 million, over and above the £129 million, has been made to support individuals. This money is providing help through a Rapid Response Unit at Longbridge offering fast-track access to benefits and training and is tackling re-skilling and re-training for workers from Rover and its supplier chain who will be made redundant or whose jobs will be affected.The Task Force has also been working with regional partners on:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the numbers of jobs which would be lost in (a) Shrewsbury and (b) Shropshire if Rover were to close; and if he will make a statement. [121762]

It is good news that BMW have come to an arrangement with the Phoenix Consortium to purchase Rover—Longbridge. Until more details are available it is too early to comment on the impact on jobs in the Shrewsbury and Shropshire areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he has made in his review of the export credit guarantee scheme. [120532]

The Review of ECGD's Mission and Status, which I announced last July, is proceeding satisfactorily. The public consultation exercise and a number of independent studies into certain aspects of ECGD's operations have provided valuable evidence. These inputs will enable Ministers to determine the right way forward for ECGD, and I expect to announce the outcome of the Mission Review to the House in the next month or so. I expect the Status element of the Review to be completed later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received about the cost to business of regulations controlling business activity since 1997. [120534]

Regulation is one of many issues I discuss as part of my regular contacts with business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the EU and USA concerning the restructuring of the aerospace industry; and if he will make a statement. [120536]

My officials and I maintain regular contact with EU and American Governments involved in the restructuring of the aerospace industry. I attended a meeting of industry ministers from six European countries in Rome last October to discuss the prospects for continued progress on aerospace restructuring.It was a useful opportunity for me to meet colleagues from key European aerospace nations and to have the opportunity for direct dialogue with senior industrialists. Our discussions covered a wide range of issues relevant to the future success of the industry. My objective is that the UK should continue to play a leading role in international restructuring and maintain the global competitiveness of its aerospace sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to ensure small businesses understand the regulations relating to equal opportunities. [120538]

The Small Business Service provides a wealth of information intended to ensure that small businesses understand the regulations relating to equal opportunities.The DTI is also working with DfEE, the three statutory equality commissions, and ACAS on the development of a pilot information and advice service for business to be launched in the Autumn, called Equality Direct, based on business needs. The service will provide authoritative, confidential and coherent information and advice on all aspects of equal opportunities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the role of the Council for Science and Technology. [120542]

The Council for Science and Technology is the Prime Minister's top level advisory body on strategic issues concerning the Government's policies and framework for ensuring that science and technology meet the needs of the United Kingdom. The Council's terms of reference, along with information about its work and advisory reports are available on its website at www.cst.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his Department's support for renewable energy technologies. [120518]

The Government announced in February their target for PES of 10 per cent. electricity from renewables. This is to stimulate the development of renewable energy so that it can provide a continuously growing contribution in the competitive market, as part of our climate change programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 12 April 2000, Official Report, column 153W, on coal miners' compensation, if he will name hospitals that have not been prepared to release miners' medical records. [120352]

Following the issuing of guidance by the NHS Executive and the BMA to Hospital Trusts and GPs respectively, I am advised by Healthcall, the company contracted to obtain the medical records, that there are no hospitals that are not prepared to release medical records. However I am aware that it may take time for hospitals to retrieve records, which in some cases date back many years. My Department is monitoring the position very closely and I will have no hesitation in informing Members of any hospitals in their constituencies where we experience difficulties in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the membership of the working group composed of representatives from the Government, Ofgem and the industry that is examining the issues that surround embedded generation; what is the work programme of the group and its timescale; if he will publish minutes of the group's meetings to date; and if he will make a statement. [120843]

The working group on Embedded Generation Network Issues was set up following the issue of the Department's consultation document 'Electricity Network Management Issues' (URN 99/1237). It is chaired by Dr. Brian Wharmby, technical director of Ofgem and comprises representatives of network operators, generators, suppliers and consumers, the Energy Savings Trust, DETR, DTI and Ofgem. It held its first meeting in March and proposes to complete its work by the end of the year 2000. The group has agreed that its membership, terms of reference and agreed meeting minutes should be published on the DTI website. The pages are available at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/egwg/index.htm

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the (a) grants and (b) grant aid he has promised (i) the car industry and (ii) the coal industry since May 1997; from which budgets they will be drawn; what they are for; and for which he has EU approval. [120856]

[holding answer 5 May 2000]: The information is as follows:

(i) details of projects are published in the Labour Market Trends.

(ii) details were contained in my statement to the House on 17 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the procedure for recruiting the Government Chief Scientific Adviser following the retirement of Sir Robert May. [120431]

[holding answer 10 May 2000]: The post of Government Chief Scientific Adviser was advertised in the national press in March 2000. The competition for the post is being conducted according to the rules laid down by the Civil Service Commissioners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to promote e-commerce; and if he will make a statement. [120507]

The Government have put e-commerce at the heart of their vision for building a competitive, modern, knowledge-driven economy, and the DTI plays a leading role in realising this.In September 1999, the Prime Minister launched the report 'E-commerce@its.best.uk' which set out the Government's strategy to make the UK the best place in the world to trade electronically. This strategy is based on:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) Rover franchised dealers and (b) BMW franchised dealers there are in the United Kingdom; and how many people are employed in each. [121592]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 29 March 2000, Official Report, column 196.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussion his Department has held with the retail motor industry representatives since the publication of the Competition Commission report into the sale of new cars. [121593]

Since the publication of the Competition Commission report on the supply of new cars, my Department has had discussions with representatives of a number of industry bodies, including the Retail Motor Industry Federation and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and with representatives of a number of individual companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers he has to (a) amend and (b) withdraw the Block Exemption Regulations relating to the sale of new cars before September 2002. [121594]

The current Block Exemption for motor vehicle distribution and servicing agreements is a European Commission regulation. Member states have no power to amend it. Withdrawal of the benefit of the Block Exemption is one of several possible courses of action which the Competition Commission recommended for consideration. My Department is exploring the complex legal questions associated with these options, and is in close discussions with the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed in the retail, after sales and repair of motor vehicles in the United Kingdom. [121589]

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), at December 1999, 329,913 people were employed in the retail, after sales and repairs of motor vehicles in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses provide services and components to vehicle manufacturers in the United Kingdom; and how many people are employed in these businesses. [121591]

The information is not available in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will refer the BUPA takeover of Community Hospitals Group to the Competition Commission in respect of the implications of vertical integration in the supply of private medical services. [121598]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will decide whether or not to refer this case to the Competition Commission in the light of the independent advice of the Director General of Fair Trading. Each case is considered on its individual merits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to encourage future inward investment into the UK; and if he will make a statement. [120504]

The Department's Invest in Britain Bureau will continue to promote the attractions of the UK for mobile international investment. The UK is the No. 1 location in Europe for inward investment and the Government are determined to ensure that this is maintained in the face of increasing competition from our European partners. We will continue to pursue economic policies which enhance the UK's attractions including developing our skills base, providing flexible labour markets and a stable economy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Competition Act 1998 in respect of local authorities. [121478]

The new systems which prohibit anti-competitive agreements undertakings, and abuse by an undertaking of a dominant position, came into force on 1 March 2000. The prohibitions apply to a local authority if it is acting as an undertaking, that is to say if it is acting in a commercial or economic capacity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the study into options for the storage of decommissioned nuclear submarines; and if he will make a statement. [122119]

My predecessor announced in March 1998 that we would undertake a study into options for the storage of decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines. The initial phase of our study has been completed. We have concluded that while afloat storage would remain a safe option, if suitable alternative venues could be identified, land storage offers the best overall solution in the long term. Further work will now be undertaken to determine which land storage option should be adopted. I expect this further work to take up to three years to complete.The purpose of the next phase will be to determine which land storage solution should be adopted. This work will be taken forward in conjunction with industry, who will be invited to submit their proposals, with a view to entering into a Public/Private arrangement. As part of the process, we will further develop one land storage option, the removal and storage of the intact reactor compartment and the recycling of the remainder of the submarine, as a basis for comparison with industry proposals. We have not identified specific land store sites, but would expect these to emerge from the proposals we receive from industry. No decision will be taken on the most suitable storage option, or on a site, until we have completed the next phase of the study, which will include full and open consultation. As part of this process, environmental impact assessments will be undertaken for each storage option taken forward.We are providing oral briefings to interested parties and the media, and material is also available on the MOD website. In addition, we are inviting written comments as a means of shaping and informing our further work and plan to consult widely during the next phase of the study.Separately, and in parallel, we have received an unsolicited commercial proposal from Babcock Rosyth Defence Limited, the owners of Rosyth Royal Dockyard, to dismantle the reactor compartment of one decommissioned nuclear submarine, HMS Renown, and store the components. This would be an alternative to the traditional nuclear decommissioning work planned to start at Rosyth later this year and would not lead to any overall increase in the radioactive waste already held there. The intermediate level waste from Renown would be held initially in the purpose built facility at Rosyth, but BRDL have been asked to make proposals for its eventual removal.The Babcock proposals will be taken forward in two stages and I have agreed that the first, which will involve feasibility and planning work only, may proceed. There will be no question of moving to the second, implementation, stage of the proposal until and unless we and the relevant regulatory authorities are entirely satisfied. In these circumstances I will make a further announcement.During this second stage, we will work with Babcock to produce an environmental impact assessment, which will involve public consultation. In addition, the company will have to satisfy the nuclear safety and environmental requirements of the independent regulators, including the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency before the dismantling work can begin. The company will be briefing local interest groups and the media tomorrow.In all of the above, safety remains of paramount importance and we will work to the same standards that apply to civil nuclear industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will extend the remit of the technology transfer managers established by the Defence Diversification Agency to cover large firms. [120643]

The White Paper, "Defence Diversification: Getting the most out of defence technology", does not restrict the remit of the DDA technology diversification managers to supporting only small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In its first year of operation the DDA has successfully assisted companies of all sizes. However, from an operational perspective the agency has to prioritise allocation of its resources and has tended to concentrate effort on SMEs. These companies, while contributing to UK's wealth and creating jobs, have less resources of their own than larger companies to access and thus benefit from DERA's technology.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many claims for compensation for damage to health by British nuclear test veterans have been made; and how many have been settled. [121613]

My Department has recorded 144 claims for compensation from British Nuclear Test veterans. As there is no evidence of excess illness or mortality among British Nuclear Test veterans as a group which could be linked to their participation in the nuclear tests, no compensation claims from them have been settled. In any event, prior to May 1987, Service personnel were prevented from pursuing claims for compensation from the Ministry of Defence by section 10 of the Crown Proceedings Act 1947. The repeal of section 10 by the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987 was not made retrospective and claims arising from injury or illness caused before the repeal are barred by law.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met ex-British service personnel nuclear test victims to discuss compensation for damage to health; and if he will make a statement. [121614]

There have been no meetings between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and British nuclear test veterans to discuss compensation. There have, however, been extensive exchanges of correspondence relating to compensation between Defence Ministers and the British Nuclear Tests Veterans Association, as well as with Members of Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received about compensation paid by the New Zealand Government for damage to health of servicemen as a result of nuclear tests. [121616]

The New Zealand Government have not, to our knowledge, paid compensation to servicemen who participated in nuclear test programmes. However, we are aware that as a result of a New Zealand Inquiry into the health status of veterans' children, published last year, a programme of assistance to test veterans and their families, funded by their Government, was recommended. Such assistance was to take the form of case management, family counselling and genetic counselling where appropriate.In addition, the New Zealand Government announced on 29 April 2000 the grants of NZ$200,000 (about £60,000) to the New Zealand Nuclear Test Veterans Association, a one-time payment to assist the purposes of the Association, including further research and initiatives which provide support to the veterans and their families.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if UK servicemen serving under UN auspices are given UN pay. [121082]

No. UK Service personnel deployed on UN operations continue to receive UK pay. However, UK Service personnel serving under UN auspices are entitled to UN personal allowances. Personnel serving in formed units received the UN Daily Allowance of $1.26 per day and a Rest and Recreation Allowance of $10.50 per day, for up to seven days leave. Troops serving as UN monitors receive a separate UN allowance of about $120.00 per day for the first 30 days of duty and about $90.00 per day thereafter, because they are responsible for finding their own food and accommodation. These rates are set in US dollars and are paid to UK personnel either in US dollars, pounds sterling or local currency depending on circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many empty Ministry of Defence houses in the United Kingdom are earmarked for (a). officers and (b) other ranks broken down by individual service; and if he will make a statement. [118651]

Service Families Accommodation (SFA) is managed on a tri-Service basis and is provided according to entitlement i.e. rank and family size. A breakdown by individual Service is not therefore available. The figures given are for SFA on mainland UK. As at 5 May 2000, there are 2,092 unoccupied officers' properties, of which 752 are allocated and 216 are undergoing refurbishment. There are also 12,437 unoccupied other ranks' properties, of which 4,007 are allocated and 1,359 are undergoing refurbishment.The majority of empty Service quarters are only temporarily so. There are over 22,000 Service family moves a year and this requires a management margin of empty stock ready for incoming occupants. An on-going modernisation programme and Defence reorganisations also demand that a considerable number of properties are empty while work is completed and further plans are clarified. Come 6,500 surplus properties are planned for disposal during the next two years.As at 2 May 2000, in Northern Ireland, there are 50 unoccupied officers' quarters of which 17 are allocated and three are undergoing refurbishment. There are also 423 other ranks' quarters of which 118 are allocated and 11 are undergoing refurbishment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken by the Ministerial Council of the Western European Union to fill the post of Secretary General of the Western European Union. [120739]

I have been asked to reply.Javier Solana was appointed as Secretary General by the Council of the Western European Union on 25 November 1999. He is also the EU High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy and Secretary General of the Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the number of establishments that will benefit from the £1 single entry charge for museums and galleries. [120613]

Funds have been set aside and will be made available to enable the following currently charging national museums and galleries funded by my Department to introduce an admission charge of £1 from September 2001:

• National Museum of Science and Industry
• Natural History Museum
• Victoria and Albert Museum
• Imperial War Museum (Lambeth Road)
• National Maritime Museum
• Royal Armouries—Museum of Artillery, Fort Nelson.

Final decisions on the introduction of the £1 charge rest with the Trustees of these institutions.I am also considering the extension of these arrangements to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds; the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester; the Museum of London; the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside; and Tate St. Ives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the application of the £1 single entry charge to institutions which offer composite ticketing arrangements which allow entry to more than one institution on the same ticket. [121368]

Calculations of compensation for the introduction of the £1 single entry charge are based on estimates of the total visitor income for the individual institutions concerned, including the estimated proceeds from composite tickets. If trustees of institutions wish to introduce joint ticketing arrangements, that is a matter for their discretion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what (a) public and (b) Lottery funds have been given to the Badminton Association of England in each of the last 10 years. [121103]

Details of Exchequer funding by Sport England to the Badminton Association of England is readily available only for years since 1994–95. These are:

£
Year	Amount
1994–95	240,000
1995–96	240,000
1996–97	247,000
1997–98	286,000
1998–99	268,000
1999–2000	280,000

Lottery funding for the Badminton Association of England's World Class Programme is as follows:

£
Period	Amount
1 September 1997 to 31 August 1998	1,327,155
1 September 1998 to 31 August 1999	1,735,909
1 September 1999 to 31 August 2000	1,955,441

The Badminton Association of England has also received a Lottery award of £3,653,847 for a National Badminton Centre.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what (a) financial and (b) other audits his Department carries out on bodies funded through the Sports Council or by Lottery grants. [121102]

Sport England carries out, on its own and on UK Sport's behalf (until October this year), a rolling programme of management audits of bodies in receipt of Exchequer funding which ensures that such bodies are reviewed at least once every three years. Audits cover corporate governance, accounting and financial management, asset management, financial stability, contracting and procurement, personal issues, grant conditions and current issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from the Wenlock Olympian Society concerning funding for improvements for facilities for athletics; and when he will respond to them. [121356]

I received a letter from the Wenlock Olympian Society on 1 May. I will respond to the letter shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received from the Midland Counties Athletic Association concerning the provision of athletics facilities at Much Wenlock. [121354]

My Department has not received any representations from the Midland Counties Athletic Association.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if it is the policy of the Sports Lottery Council not to grant-aid athletics tracks of less than 400m in length; and if he will make a statement. [121357]

The Council of Sport England's policy in considering applications for lottery funding for athletics tracks is to follow the recommendations of UK Athletics as set out in the "National Athletics Facilities Strategy". The normal requirement is for a 400m track. However, the strategy allows some flexibility and states that where the criteria for the provision of such tracks are not met

every encouragement will be given to lower key training facilities designed to meet local needs for certain disciplines, such as a sprint straights with a bend, pole vault run ups, high jump beds etc.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those (a) civil servants, (b) ministers, (c) special advisers and (d) FCO Think Tank members who have addressed the Friends of Europe since its inception; in what capacity they spoke; at what cost; and if he will deposit the text of the speeches in the Library. [119814]

At the request of the Centre for European Reform, Sir John Kerr, PUS, addressed a Friends of Europe/Centre for European Reform seminar in his official capacity on 14 April at the Belgian Ambassador's Residence in London. The title of the session was 'How much treaty reform does the EU need?' It was at no additional cost. He did not speak from a written text.Mr. Roger Liddle, in his capacity as a special adviser in the Prime Minister's Policy Unit, addressed an audience in Brussels on 24 January. The event was co-hosted by the Friends of Europe and the British Embassy in Belgium. The title of his talk was 'Economic Reform and Social Justice in a modern Europe'. The cost to the British Embassy of the event, including a reception afterwards was £1,690.03. Mr. Liddle did not speak from a written text.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have been made in the composition of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. [122291]

My noble Friend Lord Sewel has replaced my noble Friend Lord Kennet as a member of the delegation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department provides to the Indonesian Government on security sector reform. [121588]

We want to help the new reforming administration in Indonesia strengthen democratic control of the security forces. The attachment of a senior British police officer to our Embassy in Jakarta starting on 1 June, is a first step in our efforts to help bring this about. We are consulting others about appropriate international support for security sector reform in Indonesia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received concerning military attacks on the Nuba population of Sudan. [121582]

I am aware of a number of reports of military action in the Nuba Mountains and have received a number of representations about the bombing of a school in Kaouda in February of this year.We have raised the specific case of the school, and the general issue of aerial bombing, with the Government of Sudan, and an EU Declaration was published on the subject on 5 May.On 18 April, President Bashir announced that he had ordered the cessation of aerial bombings of targets in the South except where there was active fighting under way. We welcome this announcement and look to the Government of Sudan to honour it.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his discussions with the major supermarket chains on the prices paid for the milk they purchase. [119586]

While pricing decisions are a matter for retailers, we know from our contact with them that the supermarkets are aware of the concerns of producers over the low prices they are receiving for their milk.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the services which (a) his Department and (b) the executive agencies responsible to his Department (i) provide online and (ii) expect to be deliverable online by 2002. [119433]

So that the Cabinet Office can publish the spring 2000 report monitoring progress towards delivery of all Government services electronically by 2005, we are currently collecting data which will include our progress on delivering 25 per cent. of Government services electronically by 2002.I do not want to pre-empt that report, but I can say that we currently provide a range of services electronically that includes:

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has visited the Millennium Dome at Greenwich in an official capacity; and what plans he has to do so. [120585]

[holding answer 3 May 2000]: I have not visited the Millennium Dome in a ministerial capacity.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list for the financial year 1998–99 (a) the number and (b) the total value of contracts let by his Department with external consultants and advisers that (i) were put out to competitive tender, (ii) were not put to competitive tender and (iii) were let on a non-commercial basis, stating in each case the names of the individuals or organisations that have carried out the work. [109262]

[holding answer 9 February 2000]: From records held centrally, for the financial year 1998–99 the Ministry let 144 contracts with external consultants and advisers at a total cost of £12,549,663 excluding VAT.Of these contracts

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made with the Quinquennial Review of the Northern Ireland Prison Service. [122224]

I have recently received the Review Team's report on the first stage of the Quinquennial Review. The report, which follows extensive internal and external consultation, analyses the performance of the Northern Ireland Prison Service since it became an Agency in April 1995, including how it is perceived by the various bodies and interests affected by the services that it provides—including its own staff. It also considers the services likely to be needed in future and the organisational options for delivering them.It is clear from the report (a copy of which I am placing in the Library of each House) that the Prison Service has made considerable progress, in uniquely difficult circumstances, over the past five years. The report recommends unequivocally that Agency status should be retained as the most appropriate way of delivering custodial services in Northern Ireland.I have accepted that recommendation and have asked the Review Team to embark on the second stage of the review, examining how the effectiveness and efficiency with which the Prison Service delivers its services and functions can be further improved in the future. The culmination of this final stage of the review will be the publication in the Summer of a new Framework Document for the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the outside remunerated interests of the Chairman of the Parades Commission, Mr. Anthony Holland. [120501]

Up to 30 April 2000 Mr. Holland was the Principal Ombudsman at the Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman Bureau.As from 1 May 2000 he became a part time Ombudsman at the Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman Bureau.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the total cost of producing the bound volumes of the reports of the Northern Ireland Forum; how many copies were produced; and to whom they were provided free of charge. [121255]

150 bound volume sets of the reports of the Northern Ireland Forum were produced at a total cost of £49,000 with copies being sent, free of charge, to each member of the Forum. Copies will also be provided free of charge to libraries and other locations where they will be available for public reference.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce PSA testing to screen for prostate cancer. [119730]

In 1997, the United Kingdom National Screening Committee recommended against introducing population screening for prostate cancer using the prostate-specific antigen test. In the context of a national screening programme, the NSC concluded that the limited accuracy of the test could have led to a positive result for those without the disease. Follow-up procedures could have caused considerable unnecessary harm to healthy individuals.The UK National Screening Committee is now reviewing the evidence in the light of technological improvements. I expect to receive further advice on prostrate cancer screening on the basis of this research from the UK National Screening Committee later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many more dentists Northamptonshire Health Authority needs to overcome its shortage of NHS dentists; [120725](2) how many people telephoned Northamptonshire Health Authority from June to August 1999 about access to NHS dentistry; [120726](3) what action the Government are taking to ensure that all children in Northamptonshire are registered with a dentist. [120728]

Registrations per head of population in Northamptonshire show that 54 per cent. are registered with General Dental Service dentists. This is 6 per cent. higher than the national average. Since December 1998 the number of dentists in the area has increased by six and there are now nearly 171 dentists in the area.Of the 1,130 people who called Northamptonshire Health Authority seeking information on the availability of National Health Service dentists from June to August 1999, none called back unable to get placed with a National Health Service dentist.We recognise that in some parts of the country it remains difficult to access National Health Service dental care. Positive steps have already been taken to address this problem. NHS dentists in the Northamptonshire Health Authority have received £45,000 in Investing in Dentistry grants. This has gone towards establishing brand new practices that have already begun to register additional patients.Northamptonshire also has a second wave Personal Dental Services (PDS) pilot which is specifically targeted at increasing child registration. This is a co-operative approach between community dental service and three practices. It identifies children in need of care through school screening and offers follow up appointments.Discussions will continue with the profession at a local level to improve and modernise the service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what has been the net reduction in the number of administrative jobs as a result of replacing the NHS internal market; [120333](2) how many administrative staff have been made redundant as a result of abolishing the NHS internal market. [120332]

[holding answer 2 May 2000]: The information is not available in the form requested. However, total National Health Service management costs in 1998–99 prices are shown in the table.

Year	£ million
1996–97	1,949
1997–98	1,846
1997–98	11,928
1998–99	1,870
1999–2000	21,816
1 Rebased. The definition of management costs was revised for 1998–99 to capture some management activity previously excluded, mainly related to NHS trusts purchasing private sector support services. To provide a consistent time series, the 1997–98 figure was rebased on the new definition
2 Projected

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what advice his Department has prepared for beekeepers wishing to produce pure honey whose hives are located in the proximity of genetically modified crop plantings; [120695](2) what compensation he pays to beekeepers who are prevented from describing honey produced by their bees as pure, by the proximity of genetically modified crop plantings; [120698](3) how far beehives need to be located away from a genetically modified crop planting to ensure that the honey produced complies with labelling regulations for the use of the description pure. [120697]

There is no existing legislation which defines the use of the word "pure" in food labelling.However in October 1999 officials in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food/Department of Health Joint Food Safety and Standards Group wrote to the British Beekeepers Association and the British Honey Importers and Packers Association advising them that the presence of GM pollen in honey does not effect the labelling of honey. I am placing copies of the letters in the Library.Work carried out by the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, a report of which is also available in the Library, indicates that the amount of genetically modified material in honey that might arise from bees foraging on GM crops is likely to be extremely small.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions in the last five years the Audit Commission has investigated the administration of hospitals, with particular reference to hygiene. [120988]

The Audit Commission has informed us that according to its records neither the Commission nor its appointed auditors have carried out any investigations specifically concerned with hygiene in the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the Audit Commission's report, "Testing Times: A Review of Diabetes Services in England and Wales"; and what actions he proposes to take. [R] [121124]

We welcome this important report. It highlights unacceptable variations in the quality of diabetes services. It is those variations that prompted us to announce last year the development of a National Service Framework for diabetes in England. The National Service Framework will set national standards and define service models to improve the quality of care for people with diabetes.We have sent copies of the Audit Commission report to members of the Expert Reference Group who will advise Ministers on the development of the National Service Framework and it will inform their work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many members of the General Osteopathic Council have been drawn from (a) the General Council of Registered Osteopaths, (b) the College of Osteopaths, (c) the Guild of Osteopaths, (d) the London Counties and Shires Physicians, (e) the SMAE Institute, (f) the British and European Osteopaths Association and (g) the NTOS; how the members of the council were chosen and by whom; and if he will make a statement. [121105]

[holding answer 8 May 2000]: All members of the current General Osteopathic Council have been appointed by the Privy Council in accordance with our adopted policy on public appointments. Members have been chosen on the basis of individual merit and particularly for their ability to secure and maintain the highest standards of training, clinical practice and professional conduct. Professional members of the General Osteopathic Council do not represent any individual osteopathic body or training institution but act as ambassadors for the whole of the osteopathic profession.Following legal advice, nominations for each professional place on the Council have been sought from all bodies known to have a representative function for osteopaths. For the initial membership selection exercise, these were the bodies identified by the King's Fund

Working Party on Osteopathy (whose report in 1991 provided the basis of the Osteopaths Act 1993) and known still to be in existence. The bodies were:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received regarding additional funding for research into the causes of, and cure for, (a) ME and (b) MS; and if he will make a statement. [121353]

The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the locations of the defibrillators to be placed in public locations in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire. [121292]

Our scheme to provide life-saving heart defibrillators in public places was launched in April 2000. 700 defibrillators will be placed in railway stations, shopping centres, airports and bus stations across the country over the next year. Additional large public areas are currently being identified as potential sites.We do not yet have details of the exact locations of the defibrillators, nor of the implications for Shrewsbury and Atcham or Shropshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital's people management standards document issued to staff. [121291]

Ministers welcome and want to encourage examples of good practice in the National Health Service. The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital's people management standards document, which identifies how staff can expect to be treated by the trust, supports our key priority of improving the working lives of NHS staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to undertake further research into air pollution and asthma. [120159]

[holding answer 9 May 2000]: The prevention and treatment of asthma are high priority topics within the Department's research programmes. The Department's Policy Research Programme has been funding for some years a programme of research on the public health aspects of asthma, aimed at providing a clearer scientific understanding of the causes of asthma and hence how it might be prevented. One of the major strands of research within this programme relates to studies on the effects of outdoor air pollution on patients with asthma. This work is currently funded until the end of the year, but it has been agreed to extend this contract for a further period and consideration is now being given to continuing the programme for a further five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to NHS trust and social services departments on the care to be offered to those suffering from new variant CJD. [121137]

[holding answer 10 May 2000]: Health Service Circular 1999/178 issued to National Health Service trusts, primary care groups, and others in August 1999, among other things drew attention to the resources available to health professionals when dealing with the care of patients suffering from all forms of CJD. The CJD Support Network, in collaboration with the Association of Directors of Social Services, has published good practice guidelines for social services professionals who care for variant CJD patients. In addition, we will shortly be publishing some new guidance intended for healthcare professionals. It will mention the importance of having a named 'key worker' in place after any diagnosis of CJD, whose role will be to co-ordinate all professional care. The National CJD Surveillance Unit, funded directly by the Department, also employs a care co-ordinator, to act as a source of advice and expertise to health care professionals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the average cost of caring for a patient suffering from new variant CJD. [121139]

[holding answer 10 May 2000]: The cost of caring for a patient suffering from variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) varies considerably from case to case, but is generally considered to be in line with the cost of caring for a wide range of other terminally and chronically ill patients.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that general practitioners are aware of the presenting symptoms of new variant CJD. [121138]

[holding answer 10 May 2000]: The initial symptoms of variant CJD can be similar to much more common illnesses, and it is therefore difficult to diagnose the disease in its early stages. General practitioners presented with neurological or psychiatric symptoms in a patient would, however, be expected to refer such patients as necessary in the normal way to appropriate specialists, including neurologists. The National CJD Surveillance Unit, funded directly by the Department, keeps in regular touch with neurologists about CJD issues and has circulated to them details of those symptoms which would suggest that a case should be referred to the Unit for further investigation. In addition, the Unit disseminates information about variant CJD through the medical literature.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many cancer units have a medical oncologist; [121691]

The Calman/Hine report published in 1995 emphasised the importance of the integration of the work of cancer units with a cancer centre. Each cancer unit should have in place arrangements for non-surgical input (medical and clinical oncologists) into services. Local arrangements will depend on cancer site specialisation by the oncologist and the cancer unit, but sufficient time must be available in the cancer unit to guarantee a firm commitment to those local oncology services. Consequently individual clinicians may work in more than one trust.Results from the medical workforce census for England show that at 30 September 1999 there were

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the National Register for Clinical Trials has been established. [121690]

Details of research projects undertaken in the National Health Service are currently made available on the National Research Register, funded by the Department. The NRR has over 50,000 records and is available on CD-ROM and on line. To improve the information on clinical trials, the Department and the NHS are currently working in collaboration with its research partners to develop a national register of all funded clinical trials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many cancer units and cancer centres fully comply with the Calman-Hine cancer guidelines; [121643](2) how many cancer units are related to each cancer centre; [121642](3) how many cancer centres there are in the UK; and if he will list them. [121640]

The Calman/Hine report, "A Policy Framework for Cancer Care Services", recommended that networks of care should be developed encompassing primary care, cancer units and cancer centres. The report provided a broad framework for the development of cancer units and cancer centres, but it did not set explicit standards for their development. Early implementation of the Calman/Hine recommendations reflected the different starting points across the country and allowed an evaluation of services to fit local needs.Regional cancer co-ordinators from six of the eight health regions have identified cancer networks based on geographical patches shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if implant surgery for people with Parkinson's Disease is available throughout the country; and what the waiting times for such surgery are in each health authority area. [120642]

Patients in England with severe Parkinson's disease are usually under the care of neurologists. If, in their neurologist's opinion, neurosurgery may improve their disease then they can refer to specialist neurosurgical centres dealing with Parkinson's disease.There are at least eight centres in England carrying out implant surgery and a further eight at least doing neurosurgery for Parkinson's disease.