To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what precise time his Department became aware of the computer virus known as the Love Bug. [122588]

Staff supporting the Home Office's main computer networks were first made aware of this computer virus between 09:00 and 09:30 on 4 May 2000.

Force	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Avon and Somerset	503	536	568	712	770	651	688	759	621	547
Bedfordshire	137	122	167	199	192	189	189	182	186	154
Cambridgeshire	169	173	198	182	245	279	275	303	320	310
Cheshire	219	244	299	274	387	321	274	475	459	407
City of London	60	56	68	85	89	83	77	86	76	64
Cleveland	139	143	177	195	232	212	195	160	164	126
Cumbria	210	193	246	230	248	241	201	189	198	204
Derbyshire	251	275	347	335	423	434	413	428	380	317
Devon and Cornwall	862	913	984	946	1,067	1,142	1,102	1,148	1,024	918
Dorset	218	214	254	563	239	221	254	289	315	305
Durham	149	152	165	203	258	200	187	184	144	159
Dyfed-Powys	189	210	315	260	271	302	314	283	254	237
Essex	445	482	642	759	751	674	608	634	638	544
Gloucestershire	209	206	224	274	315	320	330	297	276	233
Greater Manchester	473	517	530	570	617	768	746	685	598	523
Gwent	95	76	80	101	109	126	136	157	119	113
Hampshire	362	369	529	587	611	598	564	611	698	760
Hertfordshire	203	206	202	247	294	320	315	297	306	238
Humberside	249	273	316	422	446	427	391	340	324	269
Kent	500	501	484	554	587	569	555	589	592	526
Lancashire	432	377	474	539	565	608	531	483	489	449
Leicestershire	327	357	371	379	392	356	360	415	406	316
Lincolnshire	365	356	397	416	383	322	299	271	260	216
Merseyside	296	295	340	367	389	384	333	401	419	458
Metropolitan Police	1,353	1,365	1,435	1,489	1,615	1,550	1,850	1,714	1,282	1,138
Norfolk	269	268	312	346	366	345	319	402	337	336
Northamptonshire	240	218	271	302	330	303	289	316	288	230
Northumbria	538	534	571	512	517	506	471	533	400	342
North Wales	175	199	256	295	298	288	332	341	358	400
North Yorkshire	334	383	387	388	497	381	360	362	358	276
Nottinghamshire	486	470	556	593	551	552	537	620	558	461
South Wales	261	257	352	432	541	477	461	361	366	338
South Yorkshire	316	317	371	412	473	452	381	308	281	246
Staffordshire	566	592	702	733	770	725	702	685	595	468
Suffolk	329	354	373	386	414	409	407	379	397	420
Surrey	174	215	214	251	232	238	260	297	235	224
Sussex	530	495	571	548	512	527	511	472	442	393
Thames Valley	568	532	564	606	623	679	744	656	609	569
Warwickshire	347	361	384	350	350	352	340	381	345	261
West Mercia	542	509	526	611	629	582	613	582	512	515
West Midlands	673	743	843	955	918	818	897	945	889	731
West Yorkshire	568	562	735	613	708	777	709	690	589	559
Wiltshire	269	261	273	322	349	318	233	154	149	189
Total	15,589	15,881	18,073	19,243	20,573	20,026	19,753	19,864	18,256	16,484

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department has brought extradition proceedings against Joe Wilkins. [123047]

It is a long-standing policy in matters of this kind not to comment on whether an extradition request for a particular individual has been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available, the number of special constables in each police force in England and Wales. [122029]

[holding answer 12 May 2000]: The figures for the number of special constables in post in each police force area in England and Wales since 1989 were:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for (a) an extension of stay and (b) asylum, have been received from Kosovan refugees in the United Kingdom in each of the last 12 months; and what proportion of each have been granted. [122732]

[holding answer 18 May 2000]: The information currently available relates to the 4,346 Kosovans who were evacuated to the United Kingdom under the Humanitarian Evacuation Programme. Since March 2000, 190 principal applicants have sought an extension of exceptional leave to enter, 45 have applied for asylum and 70 have applied for both exceptional leave and asylum. These applications are currently under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will make decisions on applications for (a) extensions of leave to remain and (b) asylum, made by Kosovans who went to Scotland on the Humanitarian Evacuation programme and whose exceptional leave to remain expired on 9 May; and if he will make a statement. [123330]

We have set in place special arrangements to identify and deal as quickly as possible with applications from Kosovans who came to the United Kingdom under the Humanitarian Evacuation programme, but we do not identify cases on the basis of where applicants have been living in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial and other assistance is to be given to those Kosovan families returning to Kosovo from Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [123332]

The current voluntary return programme from the United Kingdom began on 26 July 1999 and will end on 25 June 2000. The Programme is open both to Kosovans who arrived under the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Humanitarian Evacuation Programme and those who arrived independently. It is open to Kosovans in all parts of the United Kingdom.For humanitarian and economic reasons, it was decided to give a relocation grant of 720 Deutchmark (DM) per person (approximately £250), payable on arrival in Kosovo, to all those who chose to go back under the return programme. That grant was increased to 1,300 DM per person (approximately £400) with effect from the flight on 5 May. Arrangements have also been made to transport larger possessions overland to Kosovo. This will enable Kosovans to take back, for example, household goods and building materials, which they have bought or been given, and which they cannot take on an aeroplane.In order to benefit from the grant and the overland transport of goods, Kosovans must register for return by 10 June and leave the United Kingdom on one of the organised voluntary return flights by 25 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether, during the period prior to an appeal being assessed Kosovans residing in East Lothian and Renfrewshire will be allowed to remain in their current local authority rented accommodation; and if he will make a statement; [123331](2) what financial assistance will be made available to Kosovans who wish to appeal against a refusal of extension to exceptional leave to remain; and if he will make a statement. [123329]

We have no plans to set up any special arrangements for support of such cases. Depending on the circumstances of each case, those who appeal against a refusal of further leave will be eligible for support and accommodation in accordance with existing arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the (a) longest prison sentence and (b) largest fine imposed on a person convicted of tobacco smuggling into the UK in the last 12 months. [123046]

I refer to the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 23 May 2000, Official Report, column 403W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) public and (b) private sector accommodation providers have been contracted to provide accommodation for asylum seekers in (i) the North West region, (ii) Pendle, (iii) Burnley, (iv) Rossendale, (v) Blackburn with Darwen and (vi) Hyndburn; and how many units are to be provided in each location. [123032]

The accommodation contracts which have been awarded do not require that property be provided in a specific geographical location. To date, a total of 1,189 bedspaces have been provided in the North West Region by four private sector providers. The bedspaces include 80 in Nelson (Pendle) and a further 88 in Burnley. There are no bedspaces in Blackburn and Darwin. Nor are there any recorded in Rossendale or Hyndburn.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in each of the last five years, how many people were recorded as being detained who had sought asylum at some stage, broken down by stage of application and immigration status; at which institutions these individuals were detained; what was the age range and nationality of those detained; and if he will make a statement. [123163]

The information requested, on numbers of asylum applicants detained in each of the last five years, is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Number of people recorded as being detained1,2 on 30 December 19983 and 4 January 19993 who had sought asylum at some stage, by stage of application and immigration status
Stage of application	Port	Illegal entrants	Subject to deportation action	Total
Awaiting initial decision	125	295	4	424
Awaiting result of appeal	127	42	11	180
Awaiting result of further challenge or documentation for removal4	45	77	15	137
Total	297	414	30	741
1Persons detained solely under the powers contained in Schedule 2 or 3 of the Immigration Act 1971.
2These figures are approximate because of the delay in recording receptions into, and releases from, detention and the large number of persons detained for a short period.
3After entry figures obtained at 4 January 1999. Port figures obtained at 30 December 1998.
4Includes those persons awaiting the result of a further appeal/other challenge or awaiting removal pending documentation.

Number of people recorded as being detained1,2 on 30 December 19983 and 4 January 19993 who had sought asylum at some stage, by nationality
Nationality	Total
Nigeria	82
India	79
Albania	54
Pakistan	50
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia	38
Sri Lanka	38
Romania	35
Algeria	32
China	29
Poland	29
Lithuania	26
Turkey	20
Ghana	18
Ukraine	12
Bangladesh	11
Sierra Leone	10
Kenya	9
Iraq	8
Bulgaria	7
Gambia	7
Somalia	7
Egypt	6
Iran	6
Uganda	6
Afghanistan	5
Ivory Coast	5
Jamaica	4
Palestine	4
Russia	4
Columbia	3
Congo	3
Croatia	3
Czech Republic	3
Latvia	3
Liberia	3
Morocco	3
Angola	2
Cyprus	2
Democratic Republic of Congo	2
Libya	2
South Africa	2
Tanzania	2
Thailand	2
Togo	2
Nationality doubtful	41
Others	22
Total	741

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the British Board of Film Classification's Annual report for 1999 will be published; and if he will make a statement. [124077]

I have today placed in the Library copies of the Annual Report of the British Board of Film Classification for 1999, which gives details of the Board's financial accounts and activities for the year ended 31 December 1999.On 16 May, the High Court dismissed the Board's application for Judicial Review in respect of appeals against their decision not to classify seven sexually explicit videos in the restricted (R) 18 category—which are available only in licensed sex shops to those aged 18 and above. The Board had focused their application for Judicial Review on the consideration which they should give, when classifying videos in the R18 category, to the potential harm to children which may result from their exposure to this material. I am very disappointed with the outcome of this case and have instructed my officials to consider whether any additional steps can be taken to protect children from exposure to these sexually explicit videos. I intend to issue a consultation paper on the matter shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to strengthen immigration legislation to tackle abuse of the United Kingdom's immigration control. [124078]

The Government are firmly committed to ensuring that those who seek to migrate to the United Kingdom but have no grounds for doing so under the Immigration Rules, are prevented from coming here.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the terms of reference are for the Law Commission's review of the law governing prosecution appeals in criminal proceedings. [124079]

The Law Commission published a consultation document on the law of double jeopardy on 12 October 1999 following my request to them of 2 July 1999 as part of the Government's response to the Stephen Lawrence report. The consultation period ended on 31 January 2000 and the Commission is considering the responses received before making its final recommendations to the Government. As the terms of reference intended, the consultation document did refer to prosecution rights of appeal but not in any detail as to how these might be achieved.I have, therefore, today formally asked the Law Commission to undertake a review of the law governing prosecution appeals against judge directed acquittals in criminal proceedings and other adverse rulings by a judge which may lead to the premature ending of the trial. The terms of reference for this review are:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assurances he sought from Mike Tyson that while in the United Kingdom he would refrain

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the current backlog is of cases being dealt with by the Criminal Cases Review Commission; and what the expected timescale is for considering the application in respect of Mr. Nasir Abbas Choudhary made on 5 April. [123504]

I understand that, at the end of April, the Criminal Cases Review Commission had 462 cases under review, and 921 awaiting review. The Commission screens all eligible new applications, in order to identify and review those cases where this will apparently require a total of five working days or fewer. Subject to any special factors that would justify giving them priority, cases that require a more extensive review then await allocation to a caseworker, on the basis of date order of receipt. The Commission hopes to screen Mr. Choudhary's application as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff from his Department were seconded to private sector companies in (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999 to April 2000; and if he will list in each case the companies to which staff were sent, the names and ranks of the staff involved and the duration of the secondment. [123423]

The information is as follows:from public appearances other than his boxing match; what assurances he has received; and if he will make a statement. [123571]

No assurances were either sought from or given by Mr. Tyson, but it was made clear to him that the entry clearance was granted for a three-week visit strictly for the purposes of the boxing match.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date his Department first learned of Mike Tyson's proposed visit to Scotland. [123567]

My Department became aware in March from newspaper reports that Mr. Tyson was intending to make a visit. My hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Baillieston (Mr. Wray) wrote to me on 25 April requesting a meeting to discuss the proposed bout in Scotland. I met with my hon. Friend and his delegation, which included my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mrs. Golding), Lord Brooks of Tremorfa and Stephen Davies, on 3 May.Mr. Tyson's application for entry clearance was submitted to the British Consulate General in New York on Friday 12 May 2000. It was then passed to the Home Office who received it on the morning of Monday 15 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account he took of the possibility of subsequent judicial review when making his decision on whether to admit Mike Tyson to the UK. [123566]

As with all such matters, in making my decision I was concerned to ensure that it was in accordance with the general law and the relevant Immigration Rule. It would be for the courts to decide what grounds existed for judicial review of that decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultations he has had on the impact on police resources of Mike Tyson's proposed visit to the United Kingdom; [123572](2) between which dates his Department carried out its assessment of the financial and commercial impact of a decision to refuse permission for Mike Tyson to enter the United Kingdom; [123569](3) which persons and organisations he consulted about the financial consequences of a decision to refuse permission for Mike Tyson to enter the United Kingdom; [123570](4) what estimate he made of

In reaching my decision, I considered all relevant factors and weighed them against the statutory criteria in the Immigration Rules. In doing so, I recognised the potential economic benefits to the United Kingdom, as well as the policing implications. I also took account of the fact that there would be strength of feeling both for and against this entry into the United Kingdom. There is no statutory requirement for further consultation or assessment, and I was able to reach a decision on the basis of the information before us.I would also refer the hon. Member to the observations of the Minister of State, Home Office, on 23 May 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received about the proposed visit of Mike Tyson to Scotland; how many (a) supported and (b) opposed the visit; and if he will make a statement. [123568]

In support of Mr. Tyson's proposed visit to the United Kingdom, I received representations from Frank Warren on behalf of Sports Network Europe. On 18 May, I was sent a formal notification from the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament of two parliamentary motions opposing the entry of Mike Tyson, but I was in any event well aware of the strong views felt on both sides on this matter, particularly in Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the variation of the contract of employment of Metropolitan Police Security Officers stationed at the House in relation to their compulsory retirement age; what consultations took place prior to the change; and if he will make a statement. [123274]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the contractual age of retirement for all civilian staff remains 60, with any extension of service beyond that age being granted at his discretion. The criteria for extension are set out in the Civil Staff Personnel Manual.In recent years, some extensions have been made, to help with recruitment difficulties. These have now been overcome and, in order to give staff the maximum opportunity to look for fresh employment after they reach 60, they have been given some six months' notice that no extensions will be expected to be granted from this October. The Security Officers' manager discussed this with their Trade Union representatives before they were notified.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is (a) the average national police precept and (b) the Humberside police precept; and how many additional police officers could be employed if the difference between the Humberside and the national average police precept were employed for that purpose. [122798]

The average council tax precept (band D) for police authorities in England for 2000–01 is calculated at £69.29. The average for police authorities in Wales for 2000–01 is £79.84.The council tax precept (band D) for Humberside police authority is £60.30.The effect of increasing Humberside's precept to the average for English forces would be subject to the impact of Council Tax Benefit Subsidy Limitation and cannot, therefore, readily be translated into additional officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the European Union Centres for Study and Research which are funded by the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on their (a) purpose, (b) publications and (c) political neutrality, with special reference to contributions from the United Kingdom Government. [120849]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the office of the Commission in London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many copies of "A New Idea for Europe: The Schuman Declaration 1950–2000" have been published by the European Union; for what purpose; and how many will be distributed in the UK. [121496]

"A New Idea for Europe: The Schuman Declaration 1950–2000" was published by the Commission. I therefore refer the hon. Gentleman to the office of the Commission in London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs where responsibility lies for ensuring democratic oversight of the European Security and Defence Identity and ESDP. [121756]

We are committed to parliamentary scrutiny of defence matters. In addition to the work of this House and that of the House of Lords on defence and security matters, Members of this Parliament sit in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the WEU Assembly. Any new defence arrangements within the EU will constitute part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. The European Parliament is consulted about the main aspects and basic choices of the CFSP, all of whose decisions are submitted to the Scrutiny Committees of Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution he made to the 106^th Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 12 and 13 May on war crimes and human rights violation in Chechnya; what response he has made to Recommendation 1456 (2000) of the Parliamentary Assembly; and if he will make a statement. [123295]

Due to pressing parliamentary business, no UK Minister was able to attend the 106' session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 10 and 11 May; the UK was represented by our Ambassador, Mr. Andrew Carter. Mr. Carter was closely involved, on the basis of instructions, in the preparation of the influential statement to the meeting delivered by Portugal on behalf of the European Union and in the drafting of the final communique. The Chairman of the meeting, Mr. Brian Cowen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, has made clear that the formal response to Recommendation 1456 (2000) of the Parliamentary Assembly is to be formulated by the Committee of Ministers before the Parliamentary Assembly next meets, from 26–30 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is his policy to support the bid by South Africa to host the UN Earth Summit 2002. [123432]

UK Ministers have warmly welcomed South Africa's bid to host the UN Earth Summit 2002. The main UK objective at this stage is to ensure that a venue is agreed as soon as possible, so that the real work of preparing the Summit can begin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on measures to clarify the Government's support for British firms trading internationally. [123866]

I am pleased to announce, also on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade, that the Government's support for international trade will in future be delivered under a single brand name.Trade Partners UK will be the new name for the Government's network of support for British companies trading in world markets. Trade partners UK will replace the various promotional brands that have been used in the past and will make services clearer, more effective and easier to access. The aim is to encourage more firms—particularly Small and Medium Enterprisesߞto develop an international dimension to their business. We shall continue to provide support for those that are already successful outside the UK and we shall seek out and help UK firms with the potential to develop new opportunities in overseas markets.The new brand will make the full range and reach of services much clearer to customers through the launch on 31 May 2000 of a new internet based "gateway"—www.tradepartners.gov.uk. The gateway will provide access to services for people on the move, anywhere in the world. By the end of this year, all the basic information available on international markets and business sectors will be available electronically. These new interactive services will play a crucial part in the Government's plan to make the United Kingdom a world leader in the knowledge economy by 2002.Trade Partners UK will also act as a quality standard to show that the services, activities and organisations with which it is associated are endorsed by the Government's international trade development and promotion effort.British Trade International will continue to provide the co-ordination for the services which now fall under the Trade Partners UK brand, working in partnership with Government departments, Devolved Administrations and regional bodies. British Trade International will continue to act as a voice within government for exporters and companies investing overseas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff from his Department were seconded to private sector companies in (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999 to April 2000; and if he will list in each case the companies to which staff were sent, the names and ranks of the staff involved and the duration of the secondment. [123425]

There were (a) 19 staff seconded to the private sector between May 1997 and April 1998, (b) 26 between May 1998 and April 1999 and (c) 27 between May 1999 and April 2000. The organisations involved were China Britain Business Council, Rolls-Royce, British Aerospace, International Committee of the Red Cross, Unilever, Shell, Standard Chartered Bank, Glencree Centre, New Millennium Experience Company, London Chamber of Commerce, BOC, PrincewaterhouseCoopers, BP Amoco, British Invisibles, Institute of Exports, Prince's Trust, Halcrow, AMEC, CBI, Smithkline Beecham International, Open Broadcast Network, Andersen Consulting, Oldham Chamber of Commerce, ICL, London First Centre, Fidelity, Reading University and Lehman Brothers.The terms of each secondment differ. The rank of the officers varied between junior and senior management. The duration of secondments varied from three to thirty eight months. Please see the table.It is not normal practice to name civil servants.

Staff undertaking a private sector secondment
Rank	Total number of officers	Length of secondments varied between (months)
May 1997–April 1998
Junior management	4	11–24
Middle management	10	5–36
Senior management	5	5–38

	1997–98		1998–99
	Secondments of more than three months	Secondments of less than three months	Secondments of more than three months	Secondments of less than three months
SCS1	0	32	0	41
SCS2	0	0	0	0
Grades 6, 7 and SEO1	1	0	0	0
Grades 6, 7 and SEO2	0	0	0	0
HEO and EO1	14	0	12	0
HEO and EO2	1	0	4	0
Below EO1	2	0	1	0
Below EO2	5	0	5	0
Total	523	2	522	1
1Male
2Female
3One to Shanks and McEwan Southern Waste Services Ltd. and one to the Halifax
4To Aon Risk Services Ltd.
5All to CSL Managed Services Ltd.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many staff from his Department were seconded to private sector companies in (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary Lord Chancellor's Department how many staff from his Department were seconded to private sector companies in (a) May 197 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999 to April 2000; and if he will list in each case the companies to which staff were sent, the names and ranks of the staff involved and the duration of the secondment. [123420]

Figures are available only for the period 1 April to 31 March each year and, for 1997–98 and 1998–99, are given in the table. The only secondments for more than three months were those arising under the terms of a Public Private Partnership with CSL Managed Services for accounting, IT and payroll services. Returns for 1999–2000 have not yet been commissioned but are likely to reflect a significant reduction in numbers now that the seconded staff have either returned to work for the Department or opted to transfer permanently to CSL.to April 2000; and if he will list in each case the companies to which staff were sent, the names and ranks of the staff involved and the duration of the secomdment. [123418]

Staff of the Socttish Office were seconded to private sector organisations for the periods indicated, as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many applications for information she received under the Open Government: Code of Practice on Access to Government Information in the last parliamentary session; and how many were granted. [121861]

I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given by the Home Secretary on 18 May 2000, Official Report, columns 216–17W.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development who is writing the report on the measures needed to implement the Action Programme on Forests to be considered by G8 Foreign Ministers at their meeting prior to the next summit in Okinawa; when the report will be ready; and if she will place a copy in the Library. [123164]

A report on the implementation of the G8 Action Programme on Forests agreed by Foreign Ministers at Birmingham in May 1998 has been produced by forest experts from each G8 country. The report will be considered in the run-up to the Okinawa Summit. I expect it to be released either at the Summit or at the prior meeting of Foreign Ministers. I will place a copy in the Library as soon as it is published.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff from her Department were seconded to private sector companies in (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999 to April 2000; and if she will list in each case the companies to which staff were sent, the names and ranks of the staff involved and the duration of the secondment. [123422]

During all of the periods referred to, there has been one such arrangement in place, i.e. the secondment of Ms Joan Laurance (sub-band A2— equivalent to the former Home Civil Service Grade 7) who has been seconded to the consultancy firm Development In Practice. The secondment began in January 1997 and is expected to terminate in September 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what was the outcome of the Development Council held in Brussels on 18 May; and if she will make a statement. [123440]

In his opening statement at the Council, Development Commissioner Nielson made clear that the past record of EC development efforts was poor and that major improvement was needed if the strategic goal of EC development policy should in future be to combat poverty. He was committed to increasing the proportion of EC aid going to the poorest countries and to the poor in Middle Income Countries, although he said that this was constrained by political priorities and the budget process. Mr. Nielson thought that EC aid should focus on a limited number of areas where it could add most value, and that compatibility with internationally agreed strategies was vital. He said that a focal point would be set up in DG Development to analyse coherence between EC development policy and other EC policies affecting developing countries. Mr. Nielson thought that the planned reform of EC aid management would increase the sense of responsibility within the Commission and improve the quality of programming.I welcomed the focus on poverty, impact and effectiveness in EC aid. I said that ensuring coherent support for development across EC policy was vital and that it had improved since Seattle. I added that closer integration between development policy and the Common Foreign and Security Policy was needed, and that in a globalising world the EU could no longer be concerned only with the near abroad. I emphasised that reform needed to address issues such as the pressure which drove proposals for unjustified levels of EC funding for the Western Balkans. I said that a strategic and regularly updated Action Plan was now needed to implement the reform process.Subsequent annual reports, if they showed significant improvements in line with this plan, would give member states the confidence to reduce their control of individual EC projects. The Presidency concluded that discussion would continue, leading to the adoption by the next Development Council of a joint statement on EC development policy from the Council and the Commission, with the European Parliament involved in the process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will issue the consultation document on the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy in relation to folic acid and the prevention of disease. [120985]

A joint consultation document will be issued shortly by the UK Health Departments and the Food Standards Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with manufacturers of sun protection products, as part of the campaign to prevent skin cancer, on the prices charged for these products. [121520]

The pricing of sunscreens is a matter for manufacturers to decide and the Government have no direct influence in the price setting process for these items, which are a commercial product. We would encourage manufacturers and retailers to ensure that sunscreens are affordable for all. In May 1998, my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Competition and Consumer Affairs (Mr. Griffiths) wrote to the Perfumery and Toiletries Association pointing out that sunscreens should not be regarded as a fashion product. We recommend the use of sunscreens as a back-up measure to other sun protection measures such as wearing protective clothing and staying in the shade in the midday sun.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate (1) how many additional patients per month could benefit from taxanes for the treatment of breast cancer in the NHS; [122470]

About 35,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and of these between 6,000 and 9,000 will progress to advanced cancer. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence has been asked to review the evidence for the clinical and cost effectiveness of the two taxane drugs (Taxol and Taxotere) in advanced breast cancer, and it would be wrong to pre-empt its advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to monitor safety of childhood vaccinations; and if he will make a statement. [122158]

[holding answer 15 May 2000]: The Post-Licensing Division of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) is responsible for monitoring the safety of all marketed medicines, including vaccines, licensed in the United Kingdom. Prior to licensing, all vaccines are thoroughly tested for safety, efficacy and quality. A manufacturer must demonstrate that the vaccine is safe and effective in preventing disease and that it is manufactured to appropriate standards before a Product Licence is given.Suspected adverse reactions to vaccines, and other medicines, can be reported through the yellow card (YC) scheme by doctors, dentists, coroners, and pharmacists. In addition, vaccine manufacturers must submit details of all reports of suspected adverse drug reactions that are of a serious nature to the MCA. Reports received through the YC scheme and from companies are entered onto a specialised computer system called ADROIT (Adverse Drug Reactions On-line Information Tracking). This system allows rapid processing and detailed analysis of reports. Information collected through this system provides additional information on recognised reactions and can act as an early warning system for the identification of previously unrecognised reactions.The YC scheme is well established and has been shown to be effective in identifying previously unrecognised adverse reactions. It is the key system for nation-wide surveillance in all age groups and can provide signals for very rare adverse events. The number and pattern of reports are regularly reviewed, and appropriate action initiated if there is indication of a problem.Information from the YC scheme, together with information from other sources including published papers, large controlled trials, epidemiological studies, record linkage studies and screening of general practitioners and hospital databases provides comprehensive monitoring of the safety of childhood vaccines.The question of vaccine safety is one that we take very seriously and is of the utmost importance. The benefits and risks of vaccination are always carefully considered and kept under constant review. Serious adverse reactions to vaccines are very rare. Reported suspected adverse reactions are carefully monitored both by the Committee on Safety of Medicines and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, independent expert groups which advise the UK health departments. Information on safety issues is considered in detail by the MCA and the Department and by its independent expert advisers on a regular basis.The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control tests each batch of vaccine for potency, safety and purity before it is issued for use. Only batches that reach the required standard are released for use. No vaccine is issued in the UK unless it passes the highest standards for quality. As a result, the childhood immunisation programme remains the safest way for parents to protect their children against disease.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice parents are given about the side-effects of the Meningitis C vaccine; whether the vaccine carries a risk of brain-damage or death; and whether all risks are made clear before parental consent is requested. [122913]

[holding answer 19 May 2000]: A leaflet for parents—"Meningitis C. Reduce the risk. Your guide to the new meningitis C vaccine"—provides information on the possible side effects of the meningococcal Group C conjugate vaccine. The consent form for the meningococcal Group C immunisation tells parents to "Make sure you have read and understood the leaflet". It goes on to advise "Before you fill in the rest of the form, please make sure you have read this leaflet carefully" and then explicitly draws attention to "the possible side effects of the immunisation (read page 6)". Brain damage and death are not recognised risks.About 26 million copies of the parents' leaflet have been printed and it has been mailed to general practitioners' surgeries, pharmacies and schools for every parent to receive and also made widely available though high street pharmacies and post offices. Copies of the leaflet and the consent form are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress the Government have made in the introduction of compulsory registration of the details of each breast implant and removal operation on a National Breast Implant Registry. [122553]

Registration of each implant and explant operation on the National Breast Implant Registry cannot be compulsory as the entry of information on the registry requires consent of the patient.However a number of actions are being taken to increase compliance with registration. These include promoting awareness of the National Breast Implant Registry; guidance to be issued by the Royal College of Surgeons on clinical practice for breast surgery, and the Care Standards Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of the expert advisory group which will oversee the commissioning and running of the pilot sites for human papilloma virus testing. [122786]

The membership of the expert advisory group on the pilot for human papilloma virus testing has not yet been agreed. Prospective members will be approached shortly and will include representatives from colposcopy, cyto-pathology, virology, primary care, epidemiology and consumer groups. When the membership is finalised, details will be posted on the United Kingdom National Screening Committee's website at http://www.nsc.nhs.uk/

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to publish its report on the use of beta interferon. [122930]

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has been asked to provide authoritative guidance on a range of health topics, of which the appraisal of the drug beta interferon was one. The timetabling of this work is a matter for NICE, although I understand that NICE is intending to disseminate its guidance to the National Health Service during August.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to establish NHS race equality units outside London. [123087]

We have no plans to establish National Health Service race equality units outside London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what schemes he plans to introduce to increase accommodation provision for public health care staff in the south-east of England. [123062]

A national housing co-ordinator for the National Health Service has been appointed from 1 April 2000 with responsibilities for addressing the provision of adequate and affordable residential accommodation for nursing and other key National Health Service personnel.Any shortfalls are currently being identified in the south-east region of the National Health Service as well as other areas of the country to target improvement strategies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of employees providing nursing care in residential and nursing homes who have recognised nursing qualifications. [123079]

The table provides details of the number of nursing staff employed in private nursing homes, hospitals and clinics.

Number of whole-time equivalent nursing staff in private nursing homes, hospitals and clinics
England
1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997	Number of nursing staff (WTE)	Of which qualified nursing staff (WTE)
All establishments1	136,650	51,230
General and mental nursing homes1	127,280	43,570
Private hospitals and clinics	9,370	7,660
1Includes those in dual registered homes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to ensure high quality of care in residential and nursing homes in the United Kingdom. [123080]

We are reforming the regulatory arrangements for residential care and nursing homes. The Care Standards Bill, which covers England and Wales, will establish a National Care Standards Commission for England to regulate all care homes to national minimum standards to ensure consistency and improve the quality of care and protection for vulnerable people. In Wales, the National Assembly will take on the same regulatory functions as the Commission.In Scotland there will be a Scottish Care Commission regulating services on a broadly similar basis to that in England.The specific arrangements for Northern Ireland will be a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly to decide in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he is evaluating for introducing product liability for GM food. [123389]

[holding answer 23 May 2000]: Manufactured food, which includes all genetically modified food which has been approved to date, is already covered by the product liability provisions of Part 1 of the Consumer Protection Act 1987, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Worsley of 17 November 1999 and 4 April 2000, regarding his constituent Lucy Darwell. [123401]

:I replied to my hon. Friend on 22 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has given the National Health Service on the implications for the NHS of the coming into force of the Human Rights Act 1998. [123255]

We shall shortly be issuing guidance alerting the National Health Service and Social Services to the coming into force of the Human Rights Act on 2 October 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the (a) origin of the reactor, (b) isotopic composition, (c) point of departure, (d) mode of transport and (e) final end-use of the United Kingdom plutonium exported to the United States of America between 1970 and 1988 in (i) the form of fuel elements and (ii) other forms. [119256]

Whenever the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority or BNFL export United Kingdom plutonium under civil arrangements they keep certain records. These records include the total amount of plutonium exported and the United Kingdom owner of the plutonium. They do not include details of the particular reactor in which the plutonium was produced. This reflects the fact that spent fuel from different UK civil reactors and belonging to different owners may be reprocessed at the same time and that the plutonium arising from reprocessing ceases to have a separate reactor-specific identity. Plutonium is attributed to an owner based on an estimate of the fissile content of the irradiated fuel originally supplied, usually on an annual basis. The specific plutonium atoms allocated to an owner are not necessarily the same atoms that the owner originally supplied.All exports of United Kingdom plutonium to the United States under civil arrangements have been subject to relevant bilateral and international arrangements to ensure that the material exported is used exclusively for peaceful, non-explosive purposes. The precise end use to which such exported plutonium has been put is however, a matter for the United States.Information relating to the isotopic composition, point of departure and the mode of transport used for each export is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

	England		Scotland		Wales
Month	Respiratory diseases	VWF	Respiratory diseases	VWF	Respiratory diseases	VWF
January	397	863	44	79	83	152
February	277	672	21	49	98	77
March	282	1,062	9	98	109	163
April	365	520	25	95	61	110
Total	1,321	3,117	99	321	351	502

With regard to VWF, the Department remains on track to have tested all claims registered to date by summer next year, with interim settlement offers following shortly afterwards. The majority of claimants will receive final settlement offers by summer the following year.As for respiratory disease, given the number of claimants—over 104,000 to date—it may take two to three years before all claims are complete. We introduced in March last year a national programme of spirometry, the first state of the Medical Assessment Process, which has seen nearly 50,000 claimants tested, with a further 11,000 invited to make appointments. With nearly 69,000 live claims this means in just over 12 months we have contacted 90 per cent. of claimants.By the end of June we expect that 2,000 claimants will have gone through the second stage of the MAP and by September that the number of second stage medical assessments will be up to 4,000 a month. In order to sustain these levels we will of course require similar numbers of completed form packs from solicitors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the memorandum sent by Rupert Wilcox-Baker of British Nuclear Fuels to Claire Lambert in his Department's Nuclear Industry Directorate, dated 8 March 1996, concerning information about a parliamentary question asked by the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent in respect of plutonium exports to the United States. [120059]

I have placed a copy of the relevant letter in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger have been settled, in each area in (i) January, (ii) February, (iii) March and (iv) April; and when he expects all present claims to be settled. [122817]

In the four months from January the Department had made payments in full or part settlement of claims totalling some £6.7 million to 1,771 respiratory disease claimants and some £30.3 million to 3,940 VWF claimants—broken down as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what permanent derogations have been granted to the National Grid Company; and at what locations. [123434]

Ofgem has issued derogations to the National Grid Company and other system users relating to security standards and the technical rules for connection to the system. Derogations are not permanent as they can be amended or revoked at any time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recommendations of the Organisation Internationale de Metrologie Legale in the last five years have (a) been and (b) not been implemented. [123450]

In the last five years the International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML) has published 31 Recommendations. Of these, 17 deal with measuring instruments which fall within my responsibilities. OIML Recommendations are used as the basis for legislation wherever practicable. The situation on implementation is set out in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money was spent in each of the last five years (a) subscribing to and (b) supporting the UK's committee representatives on the Organisation Internationale de Metrologie Legale. [123451]

The UK pays an annual subscription to the Organisation Internationale de Metrologie Legale (OIML). In the last five years the subscriptions paid have been as follows:

Year	£
1995	35,646
1996	40,293
1997	36,118
1998	33,004
1999	30,371

Support for UK participation in the committees of OIML comes from a number of Government departments and other organisations (including industry associations). It is not therefore possible to quantify the cost of this support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the policy of the Government towards the work of the Organisation Internationale de Metrologie Legale. [123452]

The United Kingdom is one of more than 100 countries participating in the work of the Organisation Internationale de Metrologie Legale (OIML). The Government support the work of this important organisation, which contributes to the removal of barriers to trade by publishing technical recommendations in the form of draft model laws and through its system of OIML certificates. These help manufacturers of measuring instruments to obtain approval for their products in OIML member countries. The UK participates in those areas of OIML's work where we have a specific interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received in response to his proposals relating to regulation of Temp to Perm in the private recruitment industry as contained in his Department's draft regulation of 16 March; what assessment his Department has made of (a) the potential effect of these proposals on the permanent recruitment market and (b) the extent to which the proposals may create a disincentive to recruitment firms to train and develop their temporary workers; and if he will make a statement. [123399]

We have received representations from agencies, workers, unions and employers. There has been general support for the principle that hirers should have the option of a hiring extension of negotiable length, followed by free transfer, as an alternative to a "temp to perm" fee and also that there should be a limit on the period agencies may continue to demand a transfer fee after a hirer has ceased to engage a worker. Some respondents have endorsed our suggested four week limit but others have advocated shorter and longer periods.Employers wishing to recruit permanent staff will generally continue to do so from the outset, because they will wish to attract applicants who are looking for permanent work. This is confirmed by our analysis of independent research showing the level of market segmentation between the permanent and temporary sectors.

Businesses using Business Link
Quarter	Number of employees	England Total	East	East Midlands	London	North West	North East	South East	South West	West Midlands	Yorkshire and Humberside
1999–2000
Q1 April–June	1–9	40,984	3,998	2,762	4,059	7,905	1,839	7,019	4,675	4,890	3,837
	10+	46,399	5,012	3,407	4,416	8,925	2,219	6,785	4,504	6,562	4,569
Q2 July–September	1–9	42,811	3,822	3,078	4,927	7,680	1,954	6,482	5,013	5,826	4,029
	10+	49,802	5,915	4,109	4,502	9,434	2,423	6,881	3,996	8,351	4,191
Q3 October–December	1–9	42,200	4,033	3,104	5,110	7,558	1,654	6,349	4,199	5,650	4,543
	10+	47,955	5,577	3,286	5,899	8,568	2,305	6,821	3,333	7,399	4,767
Q4 January–March	1–9	42,604	4,256	3,627	4,447	7,322	1,845	6,812	3,919	5,710	4,666
	10+	47,916	5,732	3,979	4,273	9,255	2,059	6,869	3,489	7,180	5,080
Average	1–9	42,510	4,027	3,143	4,636	7,616	1,823	6,666	4,452	5,519	4,269
	10+	48,018	5,559	3,695	4,773	9,046	2,252	6,839	3,831	7,373	4,652
1997–98
Q1 April–June	1–9	39,296	8,176	1,693	2,770	9,973	2,126	4,234	3,914	3,748	2,662
	10+	36,693	6,843	2,186	2,121	6,989	1,378	3,942	3,898	6,864	2,472
Q2 July–September	1–9	42,140	7,895	2,036	2,770	8,809	2,352	7,116	4,257	3,692	3,209
	10+	39,243	7,121	2,230	2,599	7,051	2,399	4,954	3,820	6,651	2,418
Q3 October–December	1–9	41,340	5,933	2,124	2,937	9,121	3,313	7,784	3,972	3,189	2,967
	10+	39,659	5,714	2,440	3,372	7,781	3,254	5,201	3,613	5,568	2,716
Q4 January–March	1–9	44,176	6,483	2,264	3,591	10,483	1,686	7,625	4,139	3,960	3,943
	10+	42,876	7,656	2,341	4,075	8,002	2,075	4,797	3,823	6,476	3,631
Average	1–9	41,738	7,122	2,029	3,017	9,597	2,369	6,690	4,071	3,647	3,195
	10+	39,618	6,834	2,299	3,042	7,456	2,277	4,724	3,789	6,390	2,809

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which Business Links Partnerships have developed centres of enterprise, and which business areas are covered by each centre. [123544]

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses with more than (a) one employee and (b) 10 employees used the Business Link Service in each region in (i) the most recent available year and (ii) 1997–98. [123535]

As part of the Management Information requirement, Business Links provide SBS with total usage data which is broken down to usage by number of employees.The data requirement is to count all businesses using Business Link services for non-trivial activity. The table shows that activity for periods 1997–98 and 1999–2000. A business which receives advice twice within a quarter is only counted once, but a business which receives assistance in two separate quarters will be counted in each quarter. It is not possible, because of the risk of double counting, to give precise total usage of businesses being assisted each year.

There are currently 22 centres of expertise within the Business Links Partnerships funded specifically for that purpose. The Business Links Partnerships and the 22 centres of expertise are set out in the following table. A number of these projects are not sector specific and are designed to support all businesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses in each region have received expert advice on the use of information and communications technologies from Local Support Centres associated with Business Links. [123539]

As part of the Management Information requirement, Business Links provide SBS with usage data for the Information Society Initiative Centres (formally known as Local Support Centres).

Businesses using Information Society Initiative Centres (1999–2000)
	Q1 April–June	Q2 July–September	Q3 October–December	Q4 January–March	Average
England total	3,126	4,969	4,141	5,587	4,456
East	46	105	136	246	133
East Midlands	594	467	544	471	519
London	577	937	579	557	663
North West	639	755	617	1,015	757
North East	118	144	209	62	133
South East	303	554	384	1,111	588
South West	145	337	358	449	322
West Midlands	516	1,126	901	536	770
Yorkshire and Humberside	188	544	413	1,140	571

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the members of the group developing a best practice model for large businesses to work with suppliers and customers to improve the skills of their workforce. [123564]

The group working on this Competitiveness White Paper commitment were: Mike Kinski, then at Stagecoach; Howard Bentley from Sainsburys; Jerry Cope from Post Office Counters; Stephen Dunn from Scottish Power; Barrie Oxtoby, then at Rover; and Les Shearn from British Aerospace.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many partner organisations and champions have been recruited to the "Fit For The Future" campaign. [123552]

Currently there are 52 organisations involved as partners within the campaign and 103 individuals have been identified as best practice champions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of the National Campaign for Enterprise. [123546]

The DTI is supporting the business-led Enterprise Insight, the formal name for the National Campaign for Enterprise, which aims to create a more entrepreneurial culture throughout the UK. So far we have committed funding towards the costs of setting up the Campaign office and organising an 'ambassador' programme.Enterprise Insight was launched by the Prime Minister on 11 May. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry attended, taking part in discussion groups with entrepreneurs, business leaders and young people.Two young people's forums have already been held in Hull and Wales and further regional activities are currently being co-ordinated by the Enterprise Insight team.200 entrepreneurs and business people have signed up to the Campaign so far. These 'ambassadors' will participate in a range of activities to raise awareness and understanding of the role and value of enterprise in the community.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the booklet, "Creating a Great Place to Work", has been distributed to business. [123563]

The leaflet has been distributed to a large number of businesses, business support organisations and business representative organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the Departments which are involved and the nature of their involvement in developing a national strategy for the delivery of management training and development. [123553]

My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Secretary of State for Education and Employment have jointly sponsored the formation of the Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership to undertake the development of a national strategy for Management and Leadership Development. The Council was officially launched on 4 April 2000.The aim of the Council is:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in extending the People Skills Scoreboard to a wider range of sectors. [123554]

In addition to the People Skills Scoreboard for the engineering sector (published by the Engineering and Marine Training Authority), Scoreboards are being developed, in partnership with National Training Organisations, in a range of manufacturing and service sectors, such as Clothing, Textiles and Footwear, Information Technology, and Computer Services, Multimedia and Steel.The objective is to publish and disseminate the Scoreboards to raise business awareness about the importance and value of training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate how many businesses have benefited from the provisions of the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998. [123562]

Small firms responding to a survey in late 1999 by the Credit Management Research Centre at Leeds University Business School were asked if they had used the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 since its introduction.5 per cent. of small firms who responded stated that they had used the legislation, up from 3 per cent. in the previous six months. 11 per cent. stated that they were planning to use it.We are also monitoring the effect on the Act on payment times in the UK. Recent research published in the Grant Thornton European Business Survey confirms that the average payment period for sales invoices in the UK now stands at 45 days, against an EU average of 54 days, identifying a downward trend in UK payment times in recent years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many small and medium-sized enterprises have gained the ability to buy and sell over the Internet with the help of Local Support Centres associated with Business Links in each year since 1997 (a) in each region and (b) as a percentage of all businesses. [123538]

Usage figures for Information Society Initiative (ISI) Centres associated with Business Links are published quarterly as part of Business Link Management Information, copies of which are placed in the Library of the House. Figures are not available prior to 1998. Since 1 January 1998 ISI Centres associated with Business Links in England have provided support to thirty seven thousand (37,016) businesses.The International Benchmarking Study (DTI/Pub 4108/3k/4/99/NP URN 99/797) provides data on uptake of information and communication technologies among small and medium sized companies. However, such uptake cannot be attributed to any single provider of advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the Enterprise Fund on (a) the availability of venture capital for very early stage high technology firms and (b) the delivery of the small firms loan guarantee scheme. [123548]

One of the key elements of the Enterprise Fund is the UK High Technology Fund which is being established to address an acknowledged weakness of the venture capital market in this area. On 3 April David Irwin announced that the fund manager, Wesport Private Equity, had been successful in raising £57 million from the private sector, alongside £20 million of Government money, for the UK High Technology Fund. The Fund has been set a final closing target of £125 million, of which £105 million will be from the private sector. Wesport Private Equity continues to raise money from the private sector towards this closing target.The Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme has been running since 1981 and is periodically evaluated by independent consultants. A report of the most recent study, which looked at all aspects of the scheme including its delivery, was published in March 1999. The recommendations of this report are currently being considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the Enterprise Fund on (a) (i) local and (ii) regional provision of equity on smaller amounts to growing businesses and (b) finance for a wider range of new products and services. [123550]