To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre Agency for the financial year 2000–01. [125247]

The role of the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre is to train the Armed Forces and other Intelligence agencies in intelligence and security disciplines and conduct after capture; to maintain an operational capability; and to contribute to effective and timely advice to the Armed Forces on appropriate intelligence and security matters. The Key Targets for the Agency for the 12 months from April 2000 are:

Key Target 1:

To satisfy 100 per cent. of operational taskings required by the Department to the standard specified by the tasking authority.

Key Target 2:

To deliver at least 90 per cent. of a training programme endorsed by the Defence Intelligence Training Policy Group within agreed resources.

Key Target 3:

To meet a 100 per cent. standard of quality for all training courses where there is a validated statement of customer training requirement, and a Systems Approach to Training (SAT) mechanism for measuring quality.

Key Target 4:

To reduce the real terms cost of delivering the average training place made available by the DISC by 2 per cent. in Financial Year 2000–01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Procurement Agency for the financial year 2000–01. [125248]

Five Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency for the Financial Year 2000–01. The first three Key Targets apply to projects covered by the Major Projects Report which have passed their Main Gate approval, and prior to their In-Service Date. The Key Targets are:

Key Target 1:

Predicted achievement of customers' core requirements for projects: 91 per cent.

Key Target 2:

Average cumulative slippage of In-Service Dates at 31 March 2001: not to exceed 20.9 months.

Key Target 3:

Average cumulative cost variation at 31 March 2001: not to exceed 4.9 per cent.

Key Target 4:

Customer Satisfaction Rating: 65 per cent.

Key Target 5:

While continuing to meet the demands of the procurement programme, reduce the operating costs of the DPA in relation to the 1997–98 costs of the Procurement Executive by: 19 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the past three months UK military or diplomatic personnel have been confronted in Sierra Leone by persons purporting to be United Nations personnel but who were not; if he will give details of such instances where United Nations insignia or colours were being worn; and if any such incidents involved the discharge of firearms. [124837]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions are given to United Kingdom service personnel when they are required to communicate or collaborate with soldiers of the Sierra Leone Army whom they suspect are below 18 years of age; if those instructions provide specifically for cases where the child soldier is armed; and if he will make a statement. [124832]

It is the policy of the Government of Sierra Leone not to employ children under 18 in the Sierra Leone Armed Forces. Instructions were issued recently by President Kabbah that anyone under 18 currently serving in those forces should be disarmed and demobilised.Should UK personnel come into contact with any suspected child combatant in the course of their duties, they are instructed to inform the most senior Sierra Leonean Army Commander on the scene and draw his attention to the Government of Sierra Leone's stated policy. This instruction applies whether the suspected child combatant is armed or not.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what options are being considered by his Department to ensure aircraft are able to bomb with precision in all weather conditions; when a decision will be announced on the preferred option; and if he will make a statement. [124222]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary on specialist operations. [125250]

I have today placed in the Library a note of the recommendations from the report, together with responses by the Commissioners and comments by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary in his capacity as police authority for the Metropolitan Police Service. The Metropolitan Police have accepted all 12 recommendations in the report. From 3 July, it will be the responsibility of the new Metropolitan Police Authority to monitor progress on implementation of the recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the average cost per police officer for each police force in England in the last financial year. [124400]

The average estimated net expenditure per police officer for 1999–2000 is set out in the table. The figures include pay and all other revenue expenditure.

£000
Police force	Expenditure per police officer
Avon and Somerset	58.08
Bedfordshire	60.29
Cambridgeshire	57.93
Cheshire	54.11
City of London	77.47
Cleveland	61.00
Cumbria	57.20
Derbyshire	60.78
Devon and Cornwall	60.55
Dorset	60.13
Durham	51.67
Essex	58.03
Gloucestershire	57.33
Greater Manchester	56.58
Hampshire	56.42
Hertfordshire	58.06
Humberside	57.04
Kent	57.34
Lancashire	55.92
Leicestershire	53.14
Lincolnshire	61.43
Merseyside	57.39
Metropolitan Police	70.87
Norfolk	62.05
Northamptonshire	61.62
North Yorkshire	58.45
Northumbria	55.63
Nottinghamshire	58.04

£000
Police force	Expenditure per police officer
South Yorkshire	54.07
Staffordshire	56.50
Suffolk	61.34
Surrey	61.47
Sussex	53.80
Thames Valley	61.98
Warwickshire	60.78
West Mercia	58.27
West Midlands	52.00
West Yorkshire	58.69
Wiltshire	60.46

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 21 December 1999, Official Report, column 492W, concerning contracts, if he will list the companies concerned; and whether these contracts were subject to a competitive tendering process. [124814]

Further to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 21 December 1999, Official Report, column 492W, the named companies, and tender processes undertaken are given in the table.

Year	Name of consultants(s)	Tender action
May 1997 to March 1998	NM Rothchild and Son Ltd.	Competitive
April 1998 to March 1999	PA Consulting	Competitive
April 1999 to date	Brian Farrington	Competitive
April 1999 to date	MMM Consultancy Group Ltd.	Competitive

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if Steve Fitch has applied to enter the UK with Mike Tyson; [124389](2) if he will list the names of the personnel seeking to enter the UK with Mike Tyson as part of his support team; [124388](3) what checks are being made on personnel seeking to enter the UK with Mike Tyson as part of his support team with regard to establishing previous convictions for serious offences. [124387]

We do not at present know who will be applying for entry to the United Kingdom as part of Mike Tyson's support team. But the question of whether entry may be granted to those accompanying him will be considered by the Immigration Officer on arrival in the normal way.It would be open to Immigration Officers to question them about any relevant matters, including their criminal convictions. However, they are likely to do so only if there is reason to believe that any of them has a relevant conviction. This is to ensure consistency with existing practice. Proposals in our consultation paper would introduce the requirement for all non-European Union passengers to declare convictions resulting in imprisonment. It would be premature to implement those proposals while the consultation process is still ongoing.In the case of Steve Fitch, we are aware that he has relevant convictions. In January, Mr. Fitch was granted entry for an extremely limited period, and he observed the conditions imposed on his stay. If he is part of Mr. Tyson's entourage on this occasion, his application for entry will be considered separately in accordance with the Rules.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the final report on the Norfolk and Greater Manchester pilot schemes in community penalties for fine defaulters and persistent petty offending; and what proposals he has to extend these schemes to other parts of the country. [124683]

The Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 provides courts with additional sentencing options for dealing with fine defaulters, persistent petty offenders and others. The provisions were piloted in Norfolk and Greater Manchester and the final report evaluating the trials was published as a Home Office Occasional Paper on 29 February this year. A decision will be taken in due course on whether to bring these measures into effect throughout England and Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to restrict the rights of fans to travel abroad to football matches in cases where they have been identified as being involved in incidents of hooliganism but have not been successfully prosecuted. [123717]

Only convicted football hooligans who are subject to international banning orders can be prevented from leaving the United Kingdom. The Dutch and Belgian authorities have extensive powers to refuse entry to any individual or group who they consider may pose a risk to public order. This includes people subject to domestic bans. The National Criminal Intelligence Service has provided their Dutch and Belgian counterparts with details of the 506 people currently subject to football banning orders and another 500 or so names of suspected hooligans have also been passed on. Police will be monitoring all England supporters at every United Kingdom exit point throughout the period of the tournament and the information gathered will be shared with the Dutch, Belgian and French police teams and United Kingdom police operating in these countries.I have placed in the Library a report prepared by the Euro 2000 Co-ordinating Group on measures which have been taken in preparation for the tournament.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the five largest producers of dioxin emissions in the UK. [123484]

[holding answer 23 May 2000]: Estimates of dioxin emissions from those industrial processes that are regulated by the Environment Agency are published in the Pollution Inventory on the Agency's website. The latest data published for 1998 list the top five as follows:

Company	Dioxins emission to air Grams of toxic equivalents (1-TEQ) (per year)
Corus (formerly British Steel), Llanwem Works	13
Corus (formerly British Steel), Port Talbot Works	10
Corus (formerly British Steel), Brigg Road	9
Calder Industrial Materials Ltd.	8
Allied Steel and Wire Ltd., Tremorfa Works	7

The Environment Agency are working with those industries to identify ways to reduce their emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what non-departmental technical advice he has sought, and what action he will take in respect of the farm-scale evaluation of GM herbicide-tolerant crops pending his review of separation distances between the crops. [123757]

[holding answer 25 May 2000]: When the separation distances relate to risks to human health or the environment, for example for small-scale experimental releases. I seek non-departmental technical advice from the independent Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, chaired by Professor Alan Gray. These distances are kept continually under review.When the separation distances are for agronomic or commercial reasons, for example to protect crop integrity, which is the case for the farm-scale evaluations, they are a matter for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, who consult appropriate bodies representing, for example, organic farmers and honey producers.I am seeking further meetings between the Soil Association and SCIMAC (the body representing agricultural industries involved in the farm-scale evaluations) to examine case-by-case criteria for minimum separation distances for the farm-scale evaluations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what GM crop trials are being conducted within Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement. [124473]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: There are currently no GM crop trials authorised under Part B of Directive 90/220 within Shrewsbury and Atcham. There are trials taking place in Shropshire near Ash Parva, Beckbury, Eyton and Prees Heath. Further details of these trials are available on the Public Register held in the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date his Department was informed (a) by telephone, (b) by e-mail and (c) in writing by Advanta Seeds UK that a batch of Hyola oilseed rape seed had been found to be contaminated with GM oilseed rape seed. [124322]

Officials from my Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food were first informed of the contamination when they met with representatives from Advanta on 17 April. At that meeting, Advanta informed them that some Hyola oilseed rape in Germany had been found to be contaminated with GM oilseed rape. Since then officials were in regular contact with Advanta to establish the facts of the case and in particular to determine which GM variety was involved and the extent to which the contamination extended to seeds in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what procedures exist for the erection of roadside memorials to commemorate the lives of those killed in accidents; and if he will make a statement. [123874]

Although Britain has a good road safety record there are still far too many people killed and injured in road traffic accidents. It is for local highway authorities to ensure that any roadside memorials to commemorate the lives of those killed in accidents comply with the provisions of the various Highways Acts and Road Traffic Acts and do not themselves become a road safety hazard either through obstruction of the highway or a distraction to road users.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to use solar voltaics and small-scale wind power as part of the sustainable energy strategy at the New Millennium Village in Greenwich. [124046]

In winning the competition to select a developer for the Millennium Village at Greenwich, the consortium now known as Greenwich Millennium Village Ltd. proposed to include energy from both wind and solar sources. It is for the developers to decide how to incorporate such features, but I am keen that opportunities in this area should be fully explored. Photovoltaic cells and solar panels are both being considered, and the position in respect of wind power is being reviewed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultations were held with (a) urban sociologists and (b) anthropologists on assessing ways to optimise social cohesion in the New Millennium Village in Greenwich. [124047]

No consultations were held with professional anthropologists or urban sociologists. However, social cohesion is a key objective of the Millennium Village, and is being pursued through its design, through the provision of affordable housing, education and health facilities, along with other community facilities, and through physical and other linkages with existing communities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the concentrations of radioactive gases detectable above East Sussex which can be identified as having originated from Cap de la Hague. [124236]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: Under Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, the European Commission must be satisfied that no contamination of another member state will result before any routine releases of radioactivity can be authorised; this is the case in respect of Cap de la Hague.Environmental monitoring programmes carried out in southern England have detected no elevated levels of radioactivity above normal background. Any evaluation in the levels of ambient gamma dose rate in the UK would be immediately detected by the RIMNET network of continuously operating monitors, several of which are located along the South Coast of England.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with the French authorities in respect of emissions from Cap de la Hague. [124217]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: There have been no recent discussions between my Department and the French authorities in respect of emissions from Cap de la Hague.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent data he has obtained in respect of emissions from Cap de la Hague. [124218]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: No recent data on emissions from Cap de la Hague have been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the policy of each train operating company towards (a) automatic train protection and (b) train protection and warning system. [124204]

The Railway Safety Regulations 1999 require all passenger lines, and all trains operating on them, to be fitted with a form of train protection equivalent to the train protection and warning system by the end of 2003. Each Train Operating Company has supplied to the Health and Safety Executive an action program to comply with these regulations. Where reasonably practicable, the Regulations require more advanced automatic train protection to be fitted, similar to that in service on Great Western, Chiltern, and Heathrow Express Trains.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with (a) Railtrack and (b) all train operating companies on reducing the number of signals passed at danger. [124203]

During their normal enforcement duties, the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate have regular and frequent meetings and discussions with both Railtrack and Train Operating Companies on reducing the number of signals passed at danger (SPADs). All SPADs, are required to be reported to the Railway Inspectorate, who investigate the more serious ones. A summary of these activities is given in the Health and Safety Executive's monthly report on SPADs, a copy of which is placed in the House Library.The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the issue of SPADs at his recent rail summit with the industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 24 May 2000, Official Report, column 537W, what proposals he has for the disposal of Landau Cottage, Upton Lovell, Warminster; how the disposal will be effected; and for what reasons. [124634]

I have asked the Acting Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 20 April 2000, Official Report. column 612W, on departmental initiatives, if he will list the amounts originally budgeted for in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000, stating for each year what funds budgeted for were not spent, and if they were carried forward. [124413]

The budgets and underspend of the regeneration initiatives for which my Department is responsible are listed in the tables.Under an agreement with the European Commission, the Department carries forward underspend on the European Regional Development Fund programmes from year to year. Where the carry forward of unspent resources by the Department has been permitted under the Treasury's End Year Flexibility arrangements for the other regeneration programmes, it has been for the Secretary of State to determine to which departmental programmes such resources should be allocated, and to obtain Treasury agreement and parliamentary authority in Supplementary Estimates for increases on the Department's Votes. Entitlements to end year flexibility to be carried into 2000–01 have yet to be agreed.

Holistic regeneration programmes
£ million
	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000
Single Regeneration Budget:
Budget	481.6	567.3	707.6
Underspend	22.8	6.4	15.3
New Deal for Communities:
Budget	0	12.5	100.0
Underspend	0	12.3	51.5

The budget for New Deal for the Communities was reprofiled to reflect the pattern of actual spend which has emerged from the implementation of this innovatory programme which places communities at the heart of regenerating their neighbourhoods.

Other regeneration initiatives
£ million
	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000
European Regional Development Fund:
Budget	194.8	220.0	266.9
Underspend	124.1	176.6	245.9

The underspend figures for the European Regional Development Fund are cumulative from 1994. They cover programmes which ran from 1994 to 1999 for which expenditure is expected to continue until 2002–03.

£ million
	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000
Coalfields Regeneration Trust
Budget	0	17.7	10.0
Underspend	0	17.7	9.0

The budget for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust is being reprofiled to reflect the launch date of September 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people have participated in the seller's pack trial in Bristol; and how many transactions have been completed to date. [124635]

The table gives the current number and status of people participating in the Bristol Seller's Information Pack.

	Number
Number of sellers in scheme	180
Of which, offers accepted	54
Of which, contracts exchanged	34
Of which, reached completion1	12
1 The number of completions is an estimate, as participating sellers are not required to use the solicitor who assembles their pack to go on and complete their transaction.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects a decision to be announced in respect of the rail franchise for the south-east of England presently held by Connex. [124636]

Connex currently operate two franchises in the south of England—South Central (which serves Eastbourne) and South Eastern. The Franchising Director is currently evaluating two proposals—from Connex and GoVia—for a replacement South Central franchise. The preferred bidder will be announced when that evaluation process is complete. No date has been set for when that will be as this will depend on the progress of negotiations. The Franchising Director will take opportunities as they arise to replace the longer-term franchises, of which Connex South Eastern is one.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many employees of private companies are seconded to his Department; and what is (a) the length of their secondment and (b) the subject of their work. [124788]

The Department currently has 11 secondees from private companies. They are all envisaged to last for a period of 12 months and the areas of work covered are as follows:

• Construction Industry Sponsorship (7)
• Export Promotion and Construction Materials
• Housing Care and Support
• Integrated Transport Task Force
• Environmental Protection Strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 9 February 2000, Official Report, columns 158–59W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124830]

From the organisations cited in the answer of 9 February 2000, Official Report, columns 158–59W, secondments of 12 months or less were agreed with the following companies:

• Kvaerner Construction
• OVE Arup
• Crown House Engineering
• Bovis Construction
• Kvaerner Cementation Foundations
• Geoffrey Reid Associates
• Marks & Spencer
• Bellway Urban Renewal
• KPMG
• ABROS
• OPM
• Institute for Fiscal Studies
• Buro-Happold
• Christiani and Nielson.

Secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiative which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. All sectors of the economy are involved: Voluntary, Education, Health, Public and Private. Interchange is a key component of the reform agenda. The Modernising Government White Paper committed us to increasing interchange, in particular by bringing in more people on secondment and sending more of our people out.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason the publication of proposed changes to Part L of the Building Regulations, relating to the conservation of fuel and power, has been delayed from Autumn 1999: when he intends to publish the proposed changes; and if he will make a statement. [124331]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 6 June 2000, Official Report, column 209W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce a mandatory operating scheme for vessels carrying bulk hazardous cargoes through the Pentlands Firth. [124685]

A mandatory reporting scheme is under consideration by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.Currently, a voluntary reporting scheme is being used by vessels, and MCA are also looking at methods to encourage vessels to further participate in this scheme.Discussions at IMO are nearing a close concerning the carriage of transponders by vessels in the near future. This carriage requirement will automatically provide reporting and tracking information to the MC, which will be used in future operating schemes in the Pentland Firth.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives the Government are putting in place in Oxford to tackle rough sleeping. [124395]

In 1999, £621,412 funding under the homelessness action programme was allocated to projects in Oxford for the three years from April 1999. This provided support for co-ordination, outreach and resettlement work and to staff working in hostels for rough sleepers.In addition, the Department of Health provided £52,500 in 2000–01 under the homeless mentally ill initiative for working with rough sleepers with mental health problems.We are currently working with all local authorities with a rough sleeping problem to revise their rough sleeping strategies. Following this review process additional homelessness action programme and drug and alcohol specific grant funding may be allocated to support the revised strategies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of rough sleepers in the UK are from ethnic minority groups. [124396]

Surveys and research from a wide range of sources consistently find that less than 10 per cent. of rough sleepers in England are from ethnic minority groups, with 90 per cent. or more being White UK or Irish. Tackling rough sleeping and related research in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales is the responsibility of the devolved Administrations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of rough sleepers in Oxford in 1999. [124397]

A single night street count was carried out in accordance with DETR guidelines in Oxford on 20 October 1999 during which 16 people were found sleeping rough across the city.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the report on inquiries into allegations against the former Teesside Development Corporation will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [125244]

I have today placed in the Libraries of the House copies of the report prepared by officials of my Department.They sought to establish whether there was any firm evidence which would support various allegations that had been made against the former Development Corporation. In the event, insufficient documentary evidence was found that would definitively prove or disprove the allegations.However, some evidence emerged suggesting that a grant paid by the Corporation to a local company had been diverted. The police were informed and I understand that they are making further investigations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish guidance dealing with the preparation of community strategies; and if he will make a statement. [125356]

I am today publishing draft guidance to local authorities on the preparation of community strategies. This will be the subject of wide-ranging consultation over the course of the summer. We aim to issue final guidance to authorities in the autumn.The draft guidance, "Preparing Community Strategies", recognises that the key to any effective community planning process lies in engaging local communities, listening to their concerns and addressing their needs and priorities.Community strategies will represent a significant shift in the way local organisations work together and the way that they relate to local people. Strategies should bring together public, private and community sector organisations, and focus their activities on responding to local needs articulated by local people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many HC1 forms are incorrectly filled in each year. [122781]

Where an HC1 claim form provides insufficient information for the calculation of entitlement to remission of National Health Service charges, the Prescription Pricing Authority seeks further information or clarification by telephone wherever possible. For 1999–2000, around 169,000¹ HC1 claim forms had to be returned because the matter could not be resolved in any other way.

¹ These are in respect of GB as figures are not collected separately for England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people apply each year for financial help with NHS health costs using an HC1 form. [122782]

In England for the year 1999–2000, the Prescription Pricing Authority received around 903,000 applications for help with NHS Health costs on an HC1 claim form. The number of people covered by the applications is not collected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities which have agreed to fund the cost of drugs for use within the photodynamic therapy trials currently being conducted in Liverpool. [123892]

None of the drugs on trial in Liverpool have yet been licensed in this country. In line with normal practice for any clinical trial, all supplies at this stage are funded by the drug companies concerned. It is unlikely that health authorities will yet have considered or discussed possible future funding arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the National Health Service's ability to ensure that cancer patients in Dorset will be seen by consultants within two weeks of referral. [124518]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: Dorset patients with suspected breast cancer who have been referred as urgent by their general practitioner have all been seen within two weeks of referral. The South West Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive has assessed Dorset Health Authority's plans and is satisfied that they have the capacity to meet the two week target for urgent referrals in other cancers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's estimate of the extra cost to the NHS of (a) interpretation services and (b) other costs resulting from providing services for patients who do not speak English in each of the last five years. [124398]

Information on the costs of interpretation services and other services for patients who do not speak English is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his Department's estimate of the annual savings resulting from the location of NHS Executive staff in Quarry House, Leeds rather than in London. [124399]

The outturn review of the financial appraisal for the relocation of the National Health Service Executive carried out in July 1995 estimated net annual savings of £10.1 million from 2000–01 onwards (at 1993–94 prices).

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 8 February 2000, Official Report, column 119W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124828]

Secondees from Hempsons, Dickinson Dees, Addleshaw Booth and Company, Berwin Leighton, Herbert Smith and one from Private Finance Panel Executive were appointed for a period of 12 months or less.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 11 February 2000, Official Report, columns 313–16W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124821]

Giving the information in the same format as set out in my answer of 11 February, the details of those secondments that were for a period of less than 12 months are:

• 1 May 1997 to 30 April 1998
• British Telecom plc
• Littlejon Frazer
• The Institute of Exports
• Mobil
• EPSRC
• Reuters Ltd.
• Westcountry Development Corp.
• Hydro Technologies Ltd.
• Delamore Associates Ltd.
• 1 May 1998 to 30 April 1999
• Lloyds TSB Group plc
• British Telecom plc
• Slaughter & May
• Knight Piebald Ltd.
• AEA Technology plc
• EPSRC
• Grant Thornton
• Financial Service Authority
• GK Communications Group Ltd.
• Simmons & Simmons
• LGC Ltd.
• 1 May 1999 to 8 February 2000
• The Beaver Housing Society Ltd.
• The Wellcome Trust
• Proactive Associates Ltd.
• British Telecom plc
• Reuters Ltd.
• AstraZeneca
• Unipath Ltd.
• The Symphony Group plc
• John Laing International Ltd.
• Simmons & Simmons
• Shell UK Exploration & Production
• Grant Thornton
• One North East
• BHP Petroleum Ltd.
• Phoenix Timber Group plc
• Biwater International Ltd.
• Trades Union Congress
• KCA Drilling Ltd.
• Imperial Chemical Industries plc.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Government intends to introduce (a) legislative and (b) other steps to meet the United Kingdom's treaty obligations in respect of prosecuting British businesses and individual business personnel who offer bribes and other unlawful inducements to obtain contracts abroad; and if he will make a statement. [124839]

The Government are already able to comply with their relevant treaty obligations. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary plans however to set out the Government's proposals for the reform of the law of corruption shortly. The Government will look to introduce legislation as soon as a suitable opportunity arises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations Her Majesty's Government have received from other Governments about United Kingdom action to combat the offering by British businesses and individual business personnel of bribes and other unlawful inducements in order to obtain contracts abroad; and if he will make a statement. [124838]

The Government have received a number of representations about this issue. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary plans to set out the Government's position as part of its wider proposals for the reform of the law on corruption shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will be in a position to announce his decisions on those applications for gas-fired combined heat and power stations that are awaiting determination. [125246]

I have today announced the following decisions:

Tullis Russell Papermaking Ltd. and Scottish Power plc

Clearance has been given under section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 to Tullis Russell Papermaking Ltd. and Scottish Power plc to build a 49MW gas-fired combined heat and power station at the Tullis Russell works, Markinch, Fife.

Alcan Chemicals Europe and Scottish Power plc

Clearance has been given under section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 to Alcan Chemicals Europe and Scottish Power plc to build a 13MW gas-fired combined heat and power station at the Alcan works, Burntisland, Fife.

Tioxide Europe Ltd.

Clearance has been given under Section 14(1) of the Energy Act 1976 to Tioxide Europe Ltd. to build a 24MW gas-fired combined heat and power station at the Huntsman Tioxide works, Grimsby, North Lincolnshire.

The decisions to give clearance to these proposals on energy policy grounds are without prejudice to any decision that may be taken on whether or not planning permissions are granted.These decisions have been taken in accordance with the policy set out in the White Paper entitled "Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports of the Trade and Industry Committee" (Cm 4071).Copies of the Press Notice and clearances are being placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department is doing to help the United Kingdom manufacturing sector, with particular reference to small and medium-sized enterprises, to maximise the potential benefits from the use of information and communication technologies. [125068]

I have today announced the launch of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Carrier Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Internal Market Council held in Brussels on 25 May; and if he will make a statement. [124666]

I represented the UK at the Internal Market Council in Brussels on 25 May.The Council discussed the Commission's first review of the Internal Market Strategy and broadly endorsed its priority actions, although I emphasised that the UK could not endorse every action, such as some of those relating to tax. The Commission presented the latest version of the Single Market Scoreboard and France and Sweden outlined their priorities for the Single Market for their Presidencies in the context of the Joint Work Programme of the Three Presidencies. The Council approved the draft Conclusions on the review of the Simpler Legislation in the Internal Market (SLIM) initiative, which took full account of input from the UK. The Council also endorsed the report of discussions of the Commission's White Paper on Food Safety. The Commission's draft

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with the Insolvency Service about the potential for disqualified and failed directors creating limited liability partnerships for new operations. [124451]

The Insolvency Service have been closely involved at every stage in the development of limited liability partnerships. The Government's proposals include the application, by secondary legislation, of existing safeguards and sanctions relating to disqualified directors. This will ensure that those who have been disqualified on the basis of unfit conduct under any of the provisions of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 will also be prohibited from being a member of, or being in any way, whether directly or indirectly, concerned with taking part in the formation or management of a limited liability partnership, unless they obtain leave of the court to so act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with the (a) FSA, (b) Competition Commission and (c) Office of Fair Trading about their role in regulating limited liability partnerships. [124450]

There have been discussions at official level with other Departments and the FSA. To date we have not discussed the detail either with the Office of Fair Trading or the Competition Commission.The Limited Liability Partnerships Bill creates a new legal entity, the limited liability partnership. Other Departments will consider the limited liability partnership in the context of their policy areas and decide what, if any, amendments to existing legislation are required. Clause 15 of the Bill contains regulation-making powers which may be used to apply to LLPs any law relating to companies, other corporations and partnerships. Clause 16 contains a power to make consequential amendments. Other Departments will give consideration to whether it is appropriate to make amendments to their primary legislation under these powers or under any other legislation which the relevant Department is itself bringing forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has for stopping (a) convicted fraudsters, (b) directors censured by his Department and (c) directors of failed companies setting themselves up as limited liability partnerships; what regulatory framework such partnerships will operate under; and what sanctions can be operated against such partnerships. [124368]

We will be applying to limited liability partnerships, under powers contained in clauses 14 and 15 of the LLP Bill, large portions of the Companies Act 1985 and the Insolvency Act 1986, with appropriate modifications. This will provide the general regulatory framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he has had with (a) the Consumers Association and (b) trading standards authorities about he possibilities of fraud arising from (i) fraudsters and (ii) disqualified and failed directors setting up limited liability partnerships. [124449]

No such consultations have taken place. Secondary legislation will apply to LLPs appropriately modified parts of the Insolvency Act 1986 and the Companies Act 1585. This will include the wrongful and fraudulent trading provisions, and powers of investigation. The Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 will also apply, such that disqualified directors will not be eligible to be members of an LLP and vice versa. In these cases the regulation of an LLP will be the same as that of a company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has for ensuring that limited liability partnerships set money aside for legal claims against the partnership. [124366]

After considerable consultation, and taking account of the views of the Trade and Industry Committee, the Government concluded that LLPs would not be required to maintain any kind of fund or insurance to protect against claims. The main reasons for reaching this conclusion were:

the lack of justification for requiring a higher level of funding than is required of private companies;

the difficulty of seeing an appropriate level which is high enough to safeguard the interests of third parties, but does not discourage firms from either setting up in business or trading through difficulties;

the general availability of LLPs makes it difficult to design a regime which could adequately distinguish between the many types of business which might become LLPs and the different liabilities they might face;

it is more appropriate to regulate an activity, rather than an entity, so as to tailor the regulation effectively. For example, where professions require professional indemnity insurance, the level of insurance required will vary depending on the profession. A general requirement made of LLPs would conflict with any existing requirements.

More detail on this matter is set out in the Government Observations on the Fourth Report from the Trade and Industry Committee (Session 1998–99) on the draft Limited Liability Partnership Bill (HC 529).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the regulatory framework governing the promotion by businesses of premium rate telephone services so as to improve consumer protection. [124677]

The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) has responsibility for regulating premium rate services. ICSTIS enforces an effective Code of Practice which has provisions to ensure that consumers are given adequate information to enable them to take informed decisions about the use of premium rate services. ICSTIS and Oftel are reviewing the regulatory framework for Premium Rate Services to ensure that consumers continue to benefit from the right level of protection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the net effect on school budgets of the new Fair Funding arrangements for schools during the financial year 1999–2000 for (a) England and (b) each local education authority; and if he will make a statement. [124689]

In 1999–2000, 82.4 per cent. of the Local Schools Budget was delegated to schools, compared with 79.2 per cent. of a broadly comparable figure in the previous year. This increase of 3.2 per cent. in the delegation rate represents an extra £634 million delegated to schools. Fair Funding will result in a further increase in delegation in 2000–01, since it is being implemented in two stages. Comparisons between individual local education authorities for change from 1999–2000 to 2000–01 will appear in expenditure tables to be available shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what contribution the Government are making to the United Nations Conference, Women 2000: Gender, Equality, Development and Peace for the Twenty-first Century. [125249]

We published yesterday and have placed in the Library two documents: "Equality in practice" and "Women and Men in the UK: facts and figures 2000"."Equality in practice" is a short, practical and lively document which shows how the UK Government are improving women's lives at home and overseas by focusing on five vital areas: women and the economy, making equality happen, education, health and the resolving of crime and violence. It also describes some of the work being carried out with partner countries and organisations in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and Eastern Europe."Women and Men in the UK: facts and figures 2000" tells the story of women and men's changing position in society. It highlights both change and continuity with facts and figures. It is a celebration of women's achievements and a reminder of what more still needs to be done. The UK Government are working to create a more just society, one in which women and men are equal. To achieve this, we have to understand what has and has not changed. These facts and figures are vital to inform our thinking and policy making.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many (a) schools have expanded their published roll, (b) extra teachers have been recruited and (c) additional classrooms have been built, as a result of implementing the class size initiative. [124076]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: We are making available £620 million to local education authorities to deliver our pledge to reduce infant class sizes to 30 pupils or fewer. This will allow authorities to provide some 6,000 extra teachers and to build over 2,000 additional infant classrooms. We do not keep information on the number of schools which have adjusted their standard numbers in order to meet the infant class size limit. However, we estimate that around 12,000 additional places are being provided in popular schools as a result of our initiative to eliminate large infant classes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what definition he uses of a reasonable distance when determining access to a primary school. [124668]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State does not determine access to primary schools for school admissions. School admission authorities may, however, use distance when determining how to allocate places if the school is oversubscribed. If a pupil is attending his or her nearest suitable school, and that school is beyond statutory walking distance, the local education authority must provide free transport. Statutory walking distances are two miles for pupils aged up to seven and three miles for those aged eight and over.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for each year since the National Lottery began, how many Lottery funding applications from organisations in (a) Dumfries and Galloway, (b) Galloway and Upper Nithsdale parliamentary constituency were (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful, broken down by National Lottery good cause category. [124723]

We have contacted the Scottish Arts Council, the National Lottery Charities Board, the New Opportunities Fund, Sport Scotland, the United Kingdom Sports Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Millennium Commission to request the information required, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the projects funded by capital expenditure from his Department in each of the last six years, indicating the nature of the project, its start date and its value. [124706]

My Department has funded the following capital projects:

Project	Year of start	Year of completion	Total cost (£ million)
British Library: St. Pancras	1978–79	1999–2000	512.8
Windsor Castle: Fire restoration	1992–93	1999–2000	10.65

In addition, my Department has spent the following administration capital expenditure mainly on office refurbishment, IT equipment and office furniture:

Year	£ million
1994–951	2.131
1995–961	1.197
1996–971	1.110
1997–981	0.643
1998–991	0.701
1999–20002	1.128
1 Outturn
2 Provision

The above expenditure is for my Department only; capital expenditure by my Department's NDPBs is not recorded centrally and has therefore been excluded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what has been the net change in each year since May 1997 in the number of forms issued by his Department which (a) charities and (b) other voluntary organisations are required to complete. [123952]

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not required charities or other voluntary organisations to complete any such forms since May 1997. Various returns are, however, required of non-departmental public bodies funded by the Department, and of these 22 have charitable status, most of which are national museums and galleries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the impact of her Department's aid programme on conservation projects in Africa. [123177]

We have recently completed a major evaluation of our environmental work in Africa and elsewhere. This concluded that we have been focusing too much on screening development projects to prevent environmental damage. Our future efforts will be focused on promoting better livelihoods for people and sustainable development of their economies.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had on the condition of Romanian orphans. [123178]

My Department and our Embassy in Bucharest are in close touch with the Romanian authorities and outer key players to support ongoing efforts to improve care for Romanian orphans. Progress has been disappointingly slow. Romania is only now starting to take the problem seriously. I will be visiting Romania on 19–20 June and will press for faster progress.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the current humanitarian situation in Ethiopia and Eritrea. [123180]

The situation in Ethiopia and Eritrea is a tragedy. Two of the poorest countries in the world have spent considerable resources in prosecuting a border war over the past two years where it is estimated that over 100,000 people have died. The Government of Ethiopia estimate eight million people will need humanitarian assistance this year. The UN are currently assessing the numbers of people in Eritrea displaced by the war. The international community will provide humanitarian relief for those affected by drought and displaced by war. But what the people of both countries need is peace and development.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the changes will be in the next two financial years in her Department's funding of training for customs officers in (a) St. Lucia and (b) other parts of the Caribbean. [123181]

We are currently funding Customs Reform and Modernisation projects in St. Lucia and Grenada at a cost of £1.1 million. The projects aim to enhance the organisational, operational and management capacity of the Customs Departments in those islands and are scheduled for completion in December. We also provide support for the Caribbean Customs Enforcement Council in this provision of training for Customs Officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what resources she is devoting in her aid programmes to support for school infrastructure and equipment in sub-Saharan Africa. [123182]

We are committed to the International Development Target of achieving universal primary education by 2015. This is the priority for our education assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa, where over the last two years we have committed over £150 million to support the development of universal primary education programmes, which include support for primary school infrastructure and equipment. Our aim is to help African countries build and sustain effective and equitable education systems which give priority to primary education for all. This requires a shift from the traditional projects-based approach to a sector-wide approach to basic and primary education, with development agencies working together around a focused, agreed strategy drawn up by the Government of the country concerned Uganda is a good example. In collaboration with five other donors and the Government of Uganda, we have played a key role in the establishment of a sector-wide approach to education, resulting in 1998 in our largest ever commitment to a programme in Africa (£67 million) towards the Education Sector Support Programme. This will provide flexible budget support to the Government for five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the extent of hunger in southern Africa. [123183]

There have been good rains across southern Africa this year and prospects for the grain harvest are good. Given recent floods, there are likely to be pockets of food insecurity in some countries. Food security is being monitored carefully within the Southern Africa Development Community region and our representatives participate in donor/Government consultation groups and receive regular reports from national and regional production forecasting organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reforms she will propose to the European Union to increase the effectiveness of its whole aid programme. [123184]

We have published an 18-point strategy to improve the poverty focus and effectiveness of EC development assistance. The new European Commission has taken several positive steps, including the reduction of the number of Commissioners responsible for European Community development programmes from five to two, the establishment of poverty reduction as the overarching objective of the successor to the Lomé Convention and the restructuring of the European Development Fund, including the recent publication of a draft development policy statement and of proposals to reform the administration of EC external programmes. However, most of the proposed changes have not yet been implemented. We are pressing the Commission to draw up clear action plans to put the proposals that have been made into practice. We will continue to work closely with the Commission and other member states to improve the poverty focus, effectiveness and efficiency of EC programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met her EU counterparts to discuss EU aid programmes; and what subjects were discussed. [123197]

I last met my EU counterparts to discuss EC aid programmes at the Development Council on 18 May. The following subjects were discussed:

Sierra Leone, Cöte d'Ivoire and Guinea Bissau

EC development co-operation policy

Action Plan to implement the May 1999 conclusions on the evaluation of EC development assistance

Reform of the management of Community aid

Operational co-ordination between the Community and member states

Structural adjustment

Integrating the environment and sustainable development into EC development policy

HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis

Zimbabwe

Great Lakes (Rwanda/Burundi)

Ethiopia/Eritrea

AIDS

Evaluation of humanitarian aid

Crisis and conflict situations in developing countries (emergency, rehabilitation, development and unstable situations)

New procedures for legislative acts in the field of development

Preparation for the third UN conference on Least Developed Countries

Development aspects of the 6th Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention on Climate Change

Support to development education.

A copy of the report on the outcome of the Development Council is in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of Christian Aid's recent reports on the impact of climate-related disasters on developing countries. [123185]

I share many of the concerns for developing countries expressed in Christian Aid's recent reports. The impact of climate change is likely to constitute one of the biggest global environmental problems for the 21st century. It is likely to affect developing countries and particularly poor people disproportionately, since they are both more vulnerable to disaster and less able to cope in its event.Our objectives in assisting countries to deal with disasters are to save lives through emergency relief, to protect and rebuild livelihoods and communities, and to reduce vulnerability to future disasters. We are working to improve understanding of the possible impacts of climate change on developing countries in order to help them take account of these in their development planning and so reduce their future vulnerability. We also work with developing countries to help improve their energy efficiency and reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department has taken to improve the education and productivity of women to reduce poverty in the developing world. [123186]

Educating girls and the economic empowerment of women are top priorities in our international development programme. The evidence shows that educating girls is the single most effective way of promoting development. We are committed to helping achieve the international development target of closing gender gaps in primary and secondary education by 2005. Our bilateral and multilateral programmes are placing increasing emphasis on this work.The pursuit of gender equality in all areas of development lies at the heart of our programme. A good deal of effort is being directed towards improving women's livelihood security, productivity, and economic independence.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of development moneys provided to Mozambique to remedy flood damage. [123187]

We have a permanent office in Mozambique, which was strengthened following the floods to allow constant monitoring and ensure effective use of funds. All reports to date indicate that the UK-funded relief and rehabilitation activities are being well managed.In May, the Government of Mozambique held a conference to present to the international community reconstruction needs following the floods. Donors responded by pledging over USD453 million to support these efforts. We have provided support to the United Nations Development Programme for a project to assist the Mozambican authorities with the effective prioritisation and channelling of donor reconstruction contributions. We will continue to monitor progress over the coming months.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Sierra Leone. [123188]

Humanitarian specialists from my Department have just returned from a week-long assessment mission in Sierra Leone. Chronic humanitarian problems are being exacerbated by the conflict, which is also restricting access to those in need. We are currently looking at the most effective way to provide further humanitarian assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on British aid to Sierra Leone. [123198]

We have been strongly engaged in supporting the development of Sierra Leone since the return to democratic Government there in March 1998. In the period since then we have allocated almost £70 million to programmes and projects which are designed to help restore peace, stability and promote good governance on a sustainable basis. Some projects will need to be revised in the light of recent events. Others, including humanitarian assistance, will continue as soon as access is possible to those areas where they are to be implemented.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has received from voluntary organisations and charities regarding the debt reduction initiative in advance of the G8 summit at Okinawa. [123189]

I continue to receive many letters from Church and other voluntary organisations on debt relief, many referring to the G8 Summit in Okinawa in July. When the Prime Minister met the Japanese Prime Minister last month, they agreed the importance of discussing debt issues in Okinawa.The Government are committed to keeping up the momentum on the implementation of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative in the run up to the Summit, and beyond.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about debt relief in southern Africa. [123192]

Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia are all Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, and in need of the exceptional debt relief provided under the HIPC Initiative. Mozambique received debt relief totalling $1.72 billion in June 1999, and will receive a further $250 million under the enhanced HIPC Initiative. Following the flooding there multilateral and bilateral creditors took special action to free up resources for reconstruction. The World bank and the IMF agreed to provide 100 per cent. relief on debt service payments in the first year, and the Paris Club has suspended all payments until Mozambique reaches its Completion Point under the revised HIPC framework, which is expected to be early next year.Malawi and Zambia are both working towards qualifying for debt relief under the enhanced. HIPC Initiative. To do so they need to maintain progress on economic reform and to develop national poverty reduction strategies.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects the targets on debt relief for HIPC countries to be reached. [123193]

So far, only five countries have qualified for debt relief under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. This is disappointing. But at the recent Spring Meetings of the IMF and World bank, it was agreed to establish a joint World bank/IMF committee to oversee the implementation process, as the Chancellor and I had suggested. The committee has now begun its work, and should provide a focus for efforts towards meeting the commitment that three quarters of eligible countries will start to receive debt relief before the end of 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects to publish the White Paper on globalisation. [123190]

The Government intend to publish their White Paper on Globalisation and Development in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's response to the Plan Colombia proposals made by the Colombian Government. [123191]

Plan Colombia is a first step in efforts to bring peace to Colombia. Much remains to be done. The UK is discussing with its EU colleagues how best to respond to the Plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to promote the development of on-line communications in the developing world. [123194]

Over the next decade these new technologies have the potential significantly to improve poor people's access to information, markets and other services, but also the very real potential to increase the gap yet further between the rich and the poor. We intend to play a significant role in helping to bridge this emerging digital divide. Our new Development White Paper will specifically address the issue of information and communication as one of the key factors in globalisation. The White Paper will outline what role the UK can play, both directly and indirectly, to promote widespread access to information and communication in developing countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on aid programmes for Zimbabwe. [123195]

Our country strategy paper for Zimbabwe was published in April 1999. It outlines the case for economic reform and land redistribution in order to improve the life opportunities of poor Zimbabweans. It makes clear our willingness to provide resources up to £36 million for this purpose. Unfortunately there has been no such reform and the economic and political situation is very worrying. Our programme is therefore focused on HIV/AIDS, water and rural livelihoods. Our spending is £12 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions (a) she and (b) her officials have held with the Governments of countries in receipt of aid on the use of biotechnology. [123196]

My officials and I hold many discussions with partner Governments on issues in which the use of biotechnology may be raised.The kinds of biotechnology most likely to benefit the world's poorest are processes which improve crop yields, vaccine production, water treatment and contraceptive technologies, antibiotics and diagnostic techniques.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 23 May 2000, Official Report, columns 408–09W, if the Comparative Study of air and sea access to and from St. Helena will consider emergency medical evacuations. [124801]

The Comparative Study will consider health issues including emergency medical evacuations from the island.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of the aid to St. Helena in (a) cash and (b) constant terms was spent on the island itself in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [124811]

The figures for aid to St. Helena for the period 1988–89 to 1998–99 in current and constant (1998–99) prices are:

£000
	Current prices	Constant prices
1988–89	18,652	27,760
1989–90	24,170	33,570
1990–97	11,636	14,988
1991–95	7,910	9,594
1992–93	8,658	10,165
1993–94	8,603	9,838
1994–95	7,786	8,778
1995–96	8,695	9,528
1996–97	7,781	8,261
1997–98	8,385	8,661
1998–99	8,587	8,587

The figures for the period 1988–89 to 1990–91 include construction costs for the RMS St. Helena. Disaggregated figures for offshore and local expenditure are not readily available.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will give details of the visits made to each Overseas Territory by Ministers in her Department since 1 May 1997. [124831]

I have visited Montserrat on two occasions. The first was from 31 August until 2 September 1997, and the second from 12 January to 13 January 1999. Neither the Secretary of State nor I have made other visits to Overseas Territories during this time.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what account she takes of religious affiliation in the planning of aid programmes. [124565]

The Department for International Development does not take account of religious affiliation in planning development programmes. All our work places a strong emphasis on human rights. Freedom of worship is a fundamental freedom. Persecution of people for their religious belief is a breach of international human rights conventions.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department spent on opinion research in the financial year 1999–2000. [123923]

As announced in our "Building Support for Development" strategy paper, we are committed to regular monitoring of public and young people's attitudes to development in order to inform and monitor the impact of the public education work of the Department. Studies were undertaken in July 1999 on general public attitudes and in March 2000 on young people's attitudes. The results are available on DFID's website and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. In 1999–2000 we spent £42,625 on this research. In addition, we spent £1,804 on a readership survey of "Developments" magazine, in order to test the impact and reach of the magazine. The results of this are available through the website.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has sought from Canada as to how the contamination of oil seed rape with GM produce occurred. [123766]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: One of my officials has visited the Canadian Authorities in Ottawa to seek information on possible sources of the contamination. Further investigations are being carried out by the Canadian Authorities.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Swedish Board of Agriculture concerning their action on contaminated oilseed rape seed; and what action he intends to take as a result. [124352]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: MAFF has discussed the recent Advanta incident with the Swedish Board of Agriculture and took account of the position in Sweden and elsewhere in the EU in deciding on appropriate action in the UK.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received about conventional maize seed which was contaminated by GM maize being grown in this country. [124341]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: We have received no such reports. Suggestions have been made in the press that some GM seeds of maize may be present in stocks of non-GM maize seeds. I announced on 17 May 2000, Official Report, column 173W, an urgent study of the risk of GM seeds in imported conventional seeds.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what implications planting of oil seed rape contaminated with GM produce has for (a) the separation policy for GM crop trials and other crops and (b) the regulations governing GM crops. [123762]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: The Government have initiated a review of separation distances for GM crops and are pressing for new international seed purity standards relating to the presence of GM seeds in conventional seed stocks.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to introduce appeal procedures in cases where farmers incur penalties for what they conceive to be genuine errors in filling in paperwork to comply with EU regulations. [124676]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: We are well aware of the industry's strength of feeling on this issue which was reflected in the recommendation of the IACS and Inspection Working Group that an appeal mechanism is set up and that industry be consulted on proposals. We expect shortly to be in a position to consult on possible options, in addition to the existing provisions, that might be of benefit to the industry. We are keen to ensure that any mechanism we decide to introduce is streamlined, efficient and not an additional burden in terms of cost and time to all parties that are involved in the process.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the net change in each year since May 1997 in the number of forms issued by his Department which (a) charities and (b) other voluntary organisations are required to complete. [123953]

With one exception for the activity and expenditure of one organisation, the Department does not issue any forms which are required to be completed specifically by charities or other voluntary bodies. If organisations within these sectors wish to apply for schemes operated by the Department they would be subject to the same requirements as other applicants.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what procedures are in place to provide authority to a contractor to dispose of animal by-products under the Animal By-Products Order 1999. [124082]

The Animal By-Products Order 1999 requires any person who has in his possession or under his control any animal by-product to dispose of it in accordance with that Order. Such disposal must usually be by rendering or incineration; no prior authority is required.However, in certain circumstances, for example if there is a lack of capacity at rendering premises or incinerators, the appropriate Minister may serve a notice on the person in charge of animal by-products requiring those by-products to be disposed of by burning or burial.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what monitoring his Department undertakes of the implementation of the Animal By-Products Order 1999 requiring disposal of animal by-products by incineration or rendering. [124102]

Members of the State Veterinary Service visit premises registered or approved under the Animal By-Products Order 1999, regularly to monitor compliance with the provisions of the Order. It is a requirement of the Order that detailed records of despatch and receipt of animal by-products are kept.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what controls his Department has put in place in order to monitor any threat from the importation of cattle suspected of bovine TB. [123910]

Under EU legislation, all cattle imported from another member state must come from a herd which is officially free of TB. They must be tested for TB within 30 days prior to import unless the member state is officially recognised as being free of TB. Once the cattle are imported, they are subject to random non-discriminatory inspections and to our TB monitoring programme, which is also governed by EU legislation. Cattle imported from countries outside the EU have to enter via an approved Border Inspection Post where they are subjected to clinical inspection immediately upon arrival. Such cattle must also have had a pre-export TB test and originate from a TB-free herd.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the proposals for development on flood plains in Northamptonshire. [124140]