To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what levels of compensation are available to customers of the Royal Mail's Special Delivery service following the termination of the registered post service. [124727]

There are three levels of compensation available with the Special delivery service:The service comes with an automatic compensation level of up to £250. For an extra fee of £0.45 compensation of up to £1,000 can be purchased. For an extra fee of £1.35 compensation of up to £2,500 can be purchased. Prices for these services are dependent upon the weight of the item and the level of compensation purchased. A full listing is available on Royal Mail's website, www.royalmail.co.uk.Customers are also able to purchase Consequential Loss on top of the compensation service. This covers any additional financial loss that is separate to from the actual market value of the item and is due to delay, loss or damage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of plcs likely to register as limited liability partnerships under his proposed new legislation. [124381]

No such estimate has been made. For a number of reasons we would be surprised if plcs converted to LLPs. There are no shareholders in an LLP, and no provision for the public listing of an LLP. Shareholders in a plc would have to become LLP members, and would be subject to, for example, the potential "clawback" liability of the new section 214A to be contained in regulations applying the Insolvency Act 1986. Treating LLPs as partnerships for tax will mean that each member will be taxed on their proportionate share of the whole of the LLP's income and capital gains. This would make both the LLP's and the members' tax calculations extremely complicated, with the individual members having to pay that tax through self assessment. Further, if an LLP restricted what the members could draw out because it wanted to retain profit for working capital then taxing each member on their proportionate share of the whole of tin LLP's profit could mean they paid more tax than they had received. This would give the appearance that they were suffering an effective tax rate of over 100 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the consultation on the good faith provisions of the Limited Liability Partnerships Bill will be completed. [125346]

The consultation paper, "Regulatory Default Provisions Governing Relationship Between Members" (URN 00/617) published in February, sought comments on whether it was appropriate to include express statutory provision that members of an LLP owe a duty of good faith to each other. The consultation period closed on 7 April, and the summary of responses (URN 00/865) published in May set out the conclusions reached.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultation he had with the Federation of Small Businesses about the opportunities for small businesses to become limited liability partnerships before the Limited Liability Partnerships Bill was introduced. [125345]

A representative of the Federation of Small Businesses met my officials in October 1999 and has also been in correspondence with them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in what ways his Department and its executive agencies deliver services to meet the needs of the public as consumers, with particular reference to families. [124537]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: My Department and its agencies are committed to improving family life through the encouragement of enterprise and creation of wealth, and to enabling more choice for working parents to help them balance their work and family commitments while providing benefits for business. In a speech at the New Ways to Work Conference on 9 May, I announced a Government review of the issues surrounding maternity pay and parental leave.My Department aims to benefit the public as consumers by creating strong and competitive markets and by developing a fair and effective legal and regulatory framework for commercial activity. Last year, we published a White Paper, "Modern Markets: Confident Consumers" (Cm 4410) which set out a comprehensive strategy to help people get a good deal. We also provide financial support for consumer bodies, including the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux, and have set up an award winning consumer gateway (www.consumer.gov.uk) to steer people round the wealth of consumer information on the World Wide Web.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make a statement on the decision of the European Commission to initiate inquiries into the handling of UK mail by the German Post Office, indicating the powers which the Commission possesses; [124764](2) what representations Her Majesty's Government have made to the Government of Germany about the handling of mail from the UK; and if he will make a statement; [124765](3) if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the decision of the European Court of Justice on the German Post Office's entitlement to make additional charges for re-mailed letters; and what assessment he has made of the impact of this decision on the Post Office. [124766]

[holding answer 8 June 2000]: This issue relates to the lack of clarity about what does and what does not constitute ABA re-mail which has led to a number of legal cases within Europe. ABA re-mail is mail sent from Country A to Country B for delivery to Country A. The problems have arisen because the way historically post offices have paid each other has not allowed them to fully recover the costs of delivering incoming mail.In this context the British Post Office lodged a complaint with the European Commission in February 1998 into the alleged practice of Deutsche Post AG (DPAG) intercepting some international mail inward into Germany. The European Commission has now announced that it has completed an extensive investigation and in its preliminary assessment has concluded that, subject to any arguments DPAG may put forward in its defence, DPAG's practice abuses its dominant market position and restricts competition. The Commission has issued a Statement of Objections, which is a preliminary procedural document and not a final decision. It opens formal proceedings under EU procedural rules. It lists in detail the allegations against DPAG and includes the Commission's assessment of how DPAG infringes Article 82 of the EC Treaty. DPAG has full rights of defence and when these have been considered the Commission will finally decide whether a prohibition decision is necessary. If, following formal proceedings, the initial view of the Commission is confirmed, DPAG will be ordered to cease this behaviour. DPAG may then appeal the decision of the Commission before the European Courts.I welcome the Commission's decision to investigate this case. Any infringement of competition rules or abuse of a dominant position is of concern. We were aware of the Post Office's complaint but have not made direct representations to the Germany Government as we were awaiting the Commission's views.The case is one of a number of cases concerning remail. The recent decision of the European Court of Justice on the German Post Office's entitlement to make additional charges for re-mailed letters (in the case of DPAG

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will reply to the letter of 2 February from the right hon. Member for North-East Hampshire regarding a constituent, Mr. Kelbie. [124997]

[holding answer 8 June 2000]: I replied to the right hon. Member yesterday.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect the Competition Commission recommendation on car pricing would have on the independent car retailers. [124898]

[holding answer 8 June 20001]: The recommendations should bring about greater competition in the supply and retailing of new cars. This should mean lower prices, increased sales and increased consumer confidence. Both consumers and the car industry will benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further response he will make to the Competition Commission's report on the Supply of New Motor Cars in the UK. [125759]

I intend to publish a draft of the Order under the Fair Trading Act 1973 on Monday 12 June. Under the provisions of the Fair Trading Act 1973 I will allow a 30 day period for consultation. This will help to ensure that the Order is workable for the industry and effective for consumers.I note that prices for new cars have come down recently. I welcome this response by manufacturers and dealers. The Order is an important part of this process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to reinforce the science base in the North West. [125755]

I have today set up a new group which will examine ways of boosting economic development in the North West by capitalising on the region's scientific and industrial strengths. The North West Science and Daresbury Development Group will also make proposals on the role that the Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire can play in this process. The Group will report to me by 29 December 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Queen Victoria School for the Financial Year 2000–01. [125756]

The Chief Executive of Queen Victoria School has been set the following Key Targets for 2000–01:

1. To maintain the staying on rate at school for S4 to S5 at a minimum of 4 per cent. above the Scottish national average for the current year.¹

2. To maintain the percentage of pupils obtaining at least five Credit awards at Standard Grade at 2 per cent. above the Scottish average.¹

3. To maintain a percentage of the presentations at Higher Grade achieving A to C at least equal to the Scottish average.¹

4. To achieve a pupil per capital cost of not more than £15,500 by March 2001. The 1999–2000 target was £17,415.

5. To generate income to the school of at least £245,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received calling for extension of the War Widows Pilgrimage Scheme. [125757]

Following a recent approach by The Royal British Legion, I have agreed to an extension of the War Widows Pilgrimage Scheme for a further two years, until 31 March 2003. The Government greatly appreciate the excellent work of The Royal British Legion who administer this subsidised scheme on our behalf and which, to date, has enabled more than 4,000 widows to visit their husband's grave in many parts of the world.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the European Convention on Human Rights is applied to the sovereign bases in Cyprus. [124402]

The European Convention on Human Rights is not extended to the Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 May 2000, Official Report, columns 219–20W, on young offenders institutions, at which installations the eight self-inflicted deaths in 1999 took place; and what were the (a) ages and (b) gender of the residents concerned. [123978]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: The information requested is given in the table.

Self-inflicted deaths in Her Majesty's Young Offenders Institutions: 1999
	Sex	Age
Aylesbury	Male	18
Aylesbury	Male	19
Aylesbury	Male	19
Castington	Male	20

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications he has received for licences to undertake testing for endocrine disrupters; and if he will indicate in each case the (a) level of funding, (b) length of study, (c) animal species which are to be used and (d) relevant research body. [124786]

No project licences have been issued to undertake regulatory testing of endocrine disrupters as there is currently no formally agreed regulatory test requirement or protocol.Licences have been issued to assist in the development and validation of the test systems that might be required to underpin any regulatory testing regime. The work is done almost exclusively on fish.Information on sources of funding, research bodies and length of studies are not collated centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors are taken into account by the Chief Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspector when making a cost/benefit assessment under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 before granting a licence to allow experiments on animals. [124789]

Section 5(4) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires that, in determining whether and on what terms to grant a project licence, the Secretary of State must weigh the likely adverse effects on the animals concerned against the benefit likely to accrue as a result of the programme specified on the application.For the purposes of the cost/benefit assessment, the cost to the animal is considered as the adverse effects of pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm. The benefits must be for humans, animals or the environment and relate to the scientific and/or medical progress likely to result directly from the programme outlined in the application.All members of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspectorate apply the cost/benefit assessment set out in detail in the Chief Inspector's paper, including in the Annual Report of the Animal Procedures Committee for 1997, Chapter 2, Annex 1.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to the Chief Animals (Scientific Procedures) Inspector with regard to the safety testing for chemicals used in household products, and the products themselves, where it is not claimed that a product will itself improve the health of man or animals or provide enhanced protection for the environment; and if he will make a statement. [124790]

Section 5(3) of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 sets out the purposes for which a project licence shall be granted. If a programme of work does not satisfy one or more of those reasons, it will not be authorised.National and international regulatory bodies require that products, ingredients and chemicals are tested to ensure that they are safe (for humans, animals and the environment) during manufacture, transport and use, thereby preventing ill-health or abnormality or their effects and providing protection of the natural environment. The product itself does not have to improve the health of man or animals or provide enhanced protection of the natural environment.This country has taken, and continues to take, a leading role in Europe in encouraging the use of alternatives which replace animal use, reduce the number of animals used and refine the procedures to minimise pain and suffering.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which secure training centres are unable to accept inmates sentenced to a detention and training order; and if he will make a statement. [125025]

[holding answer 8 June 2000]: All three Secure Training Centres (STCs) are able to accommodate children and young people sentenced to Detention and Training Orders (DTOs). Eighteen of the 37 trainees in Medway, 21 of the 40 in Rainsbrook and 17 of the 36 in Hassockfield are serving DTOs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what dates HM Inspector of Prisons last inspected HMP Blantyre House; on what date his report was submitted to his Department; and on what date it is expected to be published. [125065]

[holding answer 8 June 2000]: Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons carried out a full announced inspection of Blantyre House prison from 21 to 25 January this year. He submitted his report to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 21 March. Discussions on factual accuracy as set out in the established protocol are taking place. I expect the report to be published shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responses he has received to the consultation exercise entitled New Measures to Control Prostitutes' Cards in Phone Boxes; what action he now proposes to take; and if he will make a statement. [125535]

We received 60 replies to the consultation exercise. Many respondents did not comment directly on the need for action and just under half (27) specifically stated there was a problem which needed to be tackled. Only four did not feel action should be taken. We therefore conclude we need to take specific action to deal with prostitutes' cards in phone boxes.However, it remains the case that this is very much a local problem and action needs to be targeted at the specific areas involved.No single straightforward solution emerged from the consultation responses, although there was strong support both for call barring and for a new criminal offence. We accept that action should be taken on both these fronts together.On call barring, we are asking the Director-General of Oftel to consider how best to develop an effective scheme in consultation with the industry.On the new criminal offence, respondents to the consultation exercise expressed differing views on how an effective new criminal offence could be formulated. They highlighted the need for the new offence to fit coherently into controls and regulatory schemes already in place. I have, therefore, asked my officials to meet local authorities, Oftel, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and other agencies to draw up final proposals with a view to legislating when parliamentary time allows.In taking this action, we have looked carefully at whether effective measures against prostitutes' cards could lead to an increase in street prostitution, and whether, if so, the cards should be seen as the lesser affront. We raised this issue specifically as part of the consultation. However, the responses as a whole did not suggest this was a major concern. It was noted that street prostitution had not decreased with the advent of carding. Moreover, the number of prostitutes advertising in this way in London was estimated at between 250–400, but the number of cards produced was 13 million per year. Prostitutes outside London and Brighton do not normally have recourse to this particularly offensive form of advertising, although we are aware of small scale use of this form of advertising in a few other areas. We have, therefore, concluded that action against carding is justified and is very unlikely to be counter-productive.I have placed a summary of the responses in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the post of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on the expiry of Sir David Ramsbotham's appointment; and if he will make a statement. [125552]

I am delighted that Her Majesty the Queen has consented to an extension of the appointment of Her Majesty's Chief inspector of Prisons, Sir David Ramsbotham, until July 2001. Sir David has made a great contribution to our shared goal of ensuring that prisoners are held securely in safe, decent and healthy establishments. I am pleased that he will continue in his role beyond the expiry date of his original appointment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what re-appointments and appointments are to be made to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. [125553]

Her Majesty the Queen has approved the re-appointment for a further term of the following existing members of the Criminal Cases Review Commission:

• Mr. Barry Capon CBE
• Miss Jill Gort
• Mr. John Knox
• Mr. David Kyle
• Professor Leonard Leigh
• Dr. James MacKeith
• Mr. Edward Weiss

Her Majesty has also approved the appointment of Mr. David Jessel as a member of the Commission with effect from 1 August.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will grant to the Chief Constable of Kent powers to proscribe marches and demonstrations in public places within the Thanet District, Dover District and Canterbury City Council boundaries between 10 June and 31 October. [125354]

Section 13 of the Public Order Act 1986 enables a chief constable to apply to the District Council for an order prohibiting public processions or marches for a period of up to three months, where he reasonably believes that such marches may result in serious public disorder, and that disorder could not be prevented by the imposition of appropriate conditions on the march. The District Council may make such an order with the consent of the Home Secretary. Should an application be received by the Homo Secretary in this case, it will be carefully considered on its merits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost of drug treatment and testing measures contained in the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill. [125325]

The current estimates are dependent upon the number of people who will be subject to the drug treatment and testing measures and their deterrence effect. The estimated annual cost for national implementation is in the range of £50 million to £80 million. This includes an estimate of the costs arising from possible increases in the prison population.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he commissioned on which he based the plans for the Drug Abstinence Order contained in the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill; and if he will make a statement. [125326]

The use of drug testing to deter and monitor drug misuse in the proposed Drug Abstinence order is based on existing evidence from both America and this country. This includes the evaluation of programmes in Oregon showing that drug testing can be useful in supervising offenders in the community. The Prison Service's mandatory drug testing programme also demonstrates that testing can have a significant deterrent effect on drug misusers.The drug testing proposals, including the Drug Abstinence Order, are to be piloted over two years and the outcomes fully evaluated. These evaluations will provide further material to inform the future use of Drug Abstinence Orders.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons have appointed an equal opportunities officer; what percentage of (a) staff and (b) managers have received racial harassment and discrimination training; when targets for the implementation of the Instruction to Prison Governors IG51/1996 will be met; and if will he make a statement. [125327]

All prisons directly managed by the Prison Service have an equal opportunities officer.The current recorded level of delivered training in racial harassment and discrimination is 9.9 per cent. Records do not differentiate between managers and staff.The target set out in instruction to governors 51 of 1996, a copy of which is in the Library, was for all staff to receive racial harassment and discrimination training by July 2000. However, legislation and case law have moved on since the instruction was issued and the training needs to be updated. The development and introduction of new training forms part of the Prison Service's diversity action plan.The Prison Service launched the racial equality for staff and prisoners programme (RESPOND) in February 1999. Under this material issued to all establishments, it makes clear that racism will not be tolerated and includes guidance on language and behaviours which could cause offence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 26 November, Official Report, column 241W, on police costs whether information is available on the total additional costs to police forces responsible for policing each of the party conferences last year; and if he will make a statement. [125348]

The total additional qualifying expenditure (extra costs that were related to the police security operation) that was incurred for the Labour Party and Conservative party conferences in 1999 were as follows:

	£
Labour Party Conference at Bournemouth
Dorset Police	1,659,317
Conservative Party Conference at Blackpool
Lancashire Constabulary	891,867

The special payment I authorised for Dorset Police was limited to £1.6 million and, therefore, the excess (£59,317) was met from within their budget. In the case of the Lancashire Constabulary, I have made a special payment that is equal to their additional costs as they were less than the special grant maximum I had earlier set at £895,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has taken to ensure consistency and accurate standards of drug testing conducted by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [125323]

The piloting of the drug testing proposals contained in the Criminal Justice and Court Services Bill is due to start in Spring 2001. Planning will include consultation with the Forensic Science Service on the testing arrangements to ensure that the analytical processes are accurate, fully meet industry standards and are subject to rigorous quality assurance programmes. Use will also be made of the considerable experience gained from the well-established Prison Service mandatory drug testing programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's policy in relation to arrest referral schemes and how arrest schemes are to operate in relation to powers to test for drugs at the time of charging of suspects. [125324]

We anticipate that the testing of arrestees charged with the relevant offences will help to identify those who would benefit from participation in arrest referral schemes which are now being developed with a view to providing coverage of all custody suites by April 2002.The drug testing proposals are to be piloted over two years from spring 2001. This will include an assessment of how drug testing can be used to maximise the effectiveness of arrest referral schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Audit Commission report entitled, Another Country; what plans he has to make changes to the current arrangements for the dispersal of asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [125320]

We welcome the Audit Commission report on the dispersal arrangements. The field work for the report was undertaken between October 1999 and March 2000 and draws its conclusions from the effectiveness of dispersal operations under the voluntary arrangements, before the National Asylum Support Service became operational on 3 April 2000. Many of the conclusions and recommendations made within the report have been implemented, or are being developed, or are under active consideration.We will continue to work with regional consortia to ensure that asylum seekers are properly supported while their claims are being considered, and that no one area takes a disproportionate burden.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive replies to his letters of 9 February and 4 May on behalf of his constituent Dr. Nazir. [125194]

I wrote to the right hon. Member on 8 June. I apologise to him for the delay.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the arrangements for this year's ceremony at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. [125551]

The usual ceremony at the Cenotaph will be held on Remembrance Sunday. The Royal British Legion has made proposals which will allow other relevant groups and individuals who have not in the past taken part in the march past at the conclusion of the official ceremony to do so. I welcome these proposals, which the Royal British Legion are now taking forward. Interested parties will be able to apply through the Royal British Legion.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what date was first set for the report of the Burns Inquiry into hunting with dogs to be delivered to him; when he expects to receive it; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement. [125349]

The Burns Inquiry was asked to report by late spring. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary expects to receive the report from Lord Burns today, and the report to be published next week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what compensation arrangements apply to television licence holders who are unable to receive broadcasts as a result of transmitter failures. [124738]

The television licence fee is a payment for permission to install or use television to receive television programme services and not for a service provided. There is therefore no entitlement to compensation, nor, while a TV remains installed, to refunds of television licence fees in eases of transmitter failures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the standard adult charge for visiting the Dome; and what is the average entrance receipt achieved per visitor. [123985]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: The gross standard adult charge for entrance to the Dome is £20. The average gross yield entrance receipt per visitor to date, is £14.50.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the attainment of a target for visitor figures for the Millennium Dome will be a factor in deciding to award a bonus to Pierre-Yves Gerbeau. [124394]

[holding answer 7 June 2000]: The attainment of a target for visitor numbers will be one of a range of measures used in any decision to award a bonus payment to the Chief Executive of the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC).

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to extend the period of the Designated Museums Challenge Fund; and if he will make a statement. [125075]

£15 million his been allocated to the Designation Challenge Fund between 1999 and 2002. Provision beyond that will depend on the outcome of the spending review 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when lie expects the New Millennium Experience Company to publish its next accounts; and what period they will cover. [125030]

[holding answer 8 June 2000]: The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) aims to publish its next Annual Report and Accounts at the end of July 2000, to cover the period up to 31 December 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how in my board meetings of the New Millennium Experience Company have taken place since 1 January; when they took place; and which directors were in attendance at each meeting. [125028]

[holding answer 8 June 2000]: Since 1 January 2000, the Board of the New Millennium Experience Company has met eight times.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the preferred commercial operator of the proposed visitor centre at Stonehenge has been chosen; and if he will make a statement. [125328]

I anticipate that a statement will be made in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received of the rape of eight Christian girls in Pakistan on 7 May. [125143]

We are aware of reports that Christian girls were raped on 3 May in Lahore. We strongly deplore this dreadful criminal act. Following the coup of 12 October, General Musharraf gave assurances that the rights of Pakistan's minorities would be respected and that they would be treated as equal citizens. We urge him to fulfil this commitment and ensure that all Pakistan citizens are given the full protection of the law.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the administration in Pakistan to eradicate religious intolerance. [125145]

We share concerns about the position of religious minorities in Pakistan and have relayed those concerns to the Pakistan authorities. Our High Commission in Islamabad maintains a regular dialogue with Christian and human rights groups and the Pakistani authorities on this issue. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and raise our concerns.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indian Government on the rise of Hindu militancy in India. [125162]

During his visit to India in April, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised with the India Foreign Minister, Jaswant Singh, his concerns over incidents of religious intolerance. I also discussed attacks on religious minorities with my Indian interlocutors during my visit to India last November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the frequency of attacks against the Christian population of India in each of the last four years. [125144]

We have been following closely reports of attacks on Christians in India. We have noted with concern an apparent increase in such reports over the past four years. We have raised this issue with Indian authorities on a number of occasions and have urged them to respond to international concern over attacks on Christians. We and our High Commission in New Delhi will continue to monitor this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received concerning attacks on Christians in India. [125164]

Our High Commission in New Delhi continues to monitor the position of religious minorities in India closely, including reports of attacks on Christians.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support he is giving the Indian Government to reduce Hindu militant attacks on the Christian population of India. [125163]

We support the Indian authorities in their efforts to ensure that the right to freedom of religion, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution, is guaranteed. We have welcomed the Indian Government's assurances that attacks on Christians are fully investigated and action taken against the perpetrators.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people aged 65 years and above pay income tax at the (a) basic and (b) higher rate; and how many did so in the financial year 1996–97. [121010]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 8 June 2000, Official Report, column 382W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from health care professionals regarding the funding of taxanes. [118345]

The Department receives communications from members of the public from all walks of life representing a wide range of issues. These include some from health care professionals who have shown concerns regarding the funding of taxanes which has led to so called "postcode prescribing".We share these concerns and this is the reason why we asked the National Institute of Clinical Guidance (NICE) to review the evidence around the effectiveness of two taxane drugs (Taxol and Taxotere). NICE published guidance on the use of taxanes in advanced ovarian cancer on 5 May and will be publishing guidance on the use of taxanes for advanced breast cancer shortly. We have made an additional 8.9 per cent. cash increase available to health authorities on average this year. This includes the additional £660 million announced in the Budget which will, among other things, enable health authorities to fund positive recommendations from NICE.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps the Government plans to take to ensure that vulnerable at-risk groups, including elderly people in nursing homes, have rapid access to antiviral treatment and protection in the early stages of influenza outbreaks in their communities; [121962](2) what plans he has to recommend the wider use of antiviral drugs to help control influenza outbreaks; [121961](3) what plans he has to communicate to health professionals and the public information about influenza protection and treatment measures other than vaccination, with particular reference to established antivirals; [121966](4) what steps he is taking to ensure that general practitioners are aware of the extent to which

Recommendations on the use of amantadine (an antiviral drug used in the treatment and prevention of influenza A) are given in the United Kingdom Health Departments' publication 'Immunisation against Infectious Disease'. Recommendations on the use of Relenza (one of a new type of antiviral drugs developed for the treatment of influenza) are given in the guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued last year. NICE will be reviewing its advice on the use of antiviral drugs later this year, in time to give further advice for next winter's influenza season. The Department will consider the need for further guidance on the treatment of influenza in the light of this advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to support the work of the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust. [122499]

The Department provides financial support to the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust through the Section 64 grants scheme. This support comprises core grant funding of £20,000 in 200G–01 and up to a maximum of £20,000 in 2001–02 and £10,000 in 2002–03 to help meet the trust's running costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will intervene to prevent the relocation of medical services provided at Kidderminster Hospital to Worcester Royal Infirmary until the new Worcester hospital is open. [122458]

[holding answer 16 June 2000]: The Secretary of State has approved the proposals in Investing in Excellence for a new hospital and for the reconfiguration of services across the district. The timing of the reconfiguration is a matter for the local trust, with due regard for their responsibility for safety and quality care.The lead clinicians at Kidderminster Hospital have agreed to the moves of acute inpatient services to either Worcester or Redditch, in the interests of sub-specialisation and better quality care across the whole of Worcestershire. They have recently become increasingly concerned about the clinical fragility of services in Kidderminster, and the risks involved in coping with winter pressures under these circumstances. The trust proposes that acute inpatient beds currently provided at Kidderminster will be re-provided one-for-one in Worcester or Redditch, and have additional facilities to handle extra demand, including an expanded Accident and Emergency Department, a new minor injuries unit, new Medical Assessment Unit and additional ITU and coronary care beds. The Department has been assured that this work will be complete before the inpatient moves take place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated for bowel cancer in (a) the South and West Devon Health Authority area and (b) Torbay Healthcare Trust since 1990; and what were their survival rates. [122694]

Information provided by the South and West Cancer Intelligence Unit on the incidence of colorectal cancer and survival rates in South and West Devon Health Authority is given in the following tables. The hon. Member may wish to contact Mr. David Hudson, Chairman of South Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, for details of local treatment and survival rates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work is being carried out by his Department to improve the services available to people suffering from ME. [123266]

The National Health Service provides a considerable number of services to which people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis have access, and such patients are seen within a wide range of hospital specialties. The CFS/ME working group will produce guidance aimed at improving the quality of this care and treatment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if, in respect of nursing homes and community-based settings, the Commission for Health Improvement or the Care Standards Commission will have responsibility for policing the standards of care provided to NHS patients in receipt of intermediate care. [122795]

[holding answer 22 May 2000]: The Commission for Health Improvement has responsibility for reviewing the quality of healthcare, including intermediate care, provided to National Health Service patients wherever they are treated. The Care Standards Bill, currently before Parliament, will establish the National Care Standards Commission which will be responsible for regulating care homes and nursing homes. The Bill will introduce measures to enable the two bodies to work co-operatively and carry out these responsibilities in an effective way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the limited competition to select pilot sites for HPV testing this summer. [123379]

We are in the process of selecting an advisory committee on human papilloma virus testing, which will also act as a selection board for choosing the pilot sites. We are working with the managers of the National Health Service cervical screening programme to develop a method of short-listing sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the membership and role will be of the advisory group that will oversee the commissioning and running of the pilot sites for HPV testing. [123378]

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 if he will list the members of the expert advisory group which will oversee the commissioning and running of the pilot sites for HPV testing. [124329]

The membership of the expert advisory group on the pilot for human papilloma virus testing has not yet been agreed. Officials have developed a pilot protocol and identified potential members of the advisory group. 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 UK National Screening Committee's website at http://www.nsc.nhs.uk/

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the effects on (a) human and (b) animal health of methyl tertiary butyl ether; and if he will make a statement. [123448]

A major review of the potential health effects of oxygenates, including methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), carried out by the Health Effects Institute in 1996 in the United States where levels can be considerably higher than in the United Kingdom at levels of about 10–15 per cent., concluded that "it is unlikely that fuel containing oxygenates would substantially increase the overall health risk from fuel used in motor vehicles".

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to make electrocardiogram community testing programmes more widely available to reduce Sudden Death Syndrome fatalities in young people; [124700](2) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of electrocardiogram testing in identifying heart problems in young people likely to make them susceptible to Sudden Death Syndrome; [124701](3) what assessment he has made of the causes of Sudden Death Syndrome in young people. [124702]

Sudden Adult Death Syndrome is not one single condition but a group of conditions which result in the sudden and unexpected death of apparently healthy young adults.Many of the deaths in this syndrome appear to be caused by cardiomyopathies. Our policy is that the relatives of a family with a known high risk of contracting this disease should receive regular cardiovascular examinations. We fully recognise the importance of all patients known to be at cardiac risk being referred for specialist clinical assessment. This examination and testing—perhaps more appropriately referred to as case-finding rather than screening—has been encouraged increasingly in recent years.The United Kingdom National Screening Committee (NSC) advises Ministers on all aspects of screening policy. The NSC assesses proposed new screening programmes against a set of internationally recognised criteria to ensure that the programme does more good than harm. A recent review of the evidence for cardiomyopathy screening showed that a programme would not yet meet these criteria. However, we will keep this position under review as new evidence emerges.In the meantime, the Department is working closely with the medical profession and voluntary organisations with a view to raising awareness and improving the diagnosis and testing of people at risk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the research projects that he has commissioned in the last six months to study the health effects of mobile telephones; indicating in each case (a) level of funding, (b) length of study, (c) whether animals will be used, (d) membership of project team and (e) relevant research body. [124639]

No new projects on the health effects of mobile phones have been commissioned by the Department in the last six months. Research into health effects of mobile phones forms part of the World Health Organisation International Electromagnetic Fields Project to which the Department has been contributing £20,000 per year for the last four years. The organising committee for this project draws on expertise from around the world including the United Kingdom. The independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, set up at the instigation of my right hon. Friend the Member for Dulwich and West Norwood (Ms Jowell), the former Minister for Public Health, published its findings in May. The recommendations in this report are being taken up in the development of a comprehensive programme of research costing several millions of pounds jointly funded by Government and industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the members of the (a) Committee on Safety of Medicines, (b) Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and (c) Medicines Control Agency, indicating which members have registered links with pharmaceutical companies. [124753]

[holding answer 7 June 2000]: The current list of members of the Committee on Safety of Medicines, including interests held in the pharmaceutical industry, was placed in the Library on 9 May. Interests of the members of all Medicines Act Advisory Bodies are published annually in the "Medicines Act 1968 Advisory Bodies—Annual Reports", copies of which are available in the Library. The 1999 report is due to be published in July this year.Members of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, as at 1 April 2000, who have declared interests in pharmaceutical companies are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in the greater Portsmouth area are using the New Deal for Disabled People; and if he will make a statement. [124553]

The information requested is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows.Under the first tranche of innovative schemes set up through the New Deal for Disabled People, the greater Portsmouth area fell within the catchment area of the Gateway Partnership. This scheme was funded from October 1998 to January 2000 in order to improve the employability of disabled people within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The Gateway Partnership accepted 356 people into the scheme and 49 people started work.Under the second tranche of innovative schemes, greater Portsmouth falls within the catchment area of the Prince's Trust, which assists disabled people to set up their own businesses within Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Surrey. By the end of April 2000 the Prince's Trust had accepted 68 people onto the scheme and 12 people had started up self-employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many complaints there were against the Benefits Agency in 1999–2000; what was the cost of handling these complaints; how many of these complaints are still outstanding; and if he will make a statement. [124543]

The administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what definition he uses of a reasonable distance when determining access to a benefits office. [124669]

This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of the population lives (a) within one mile of and (b) over three miles from a benefit office in (i) rural and (ii) urban areas. [124521]

This is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will make a determination on the appeal for Disability Living Allowance by Rachel Scully, of Birkenhead. [124509]

The administration of Disability Living Allowance is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my right hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what estimate he has made of the total annual cost of administering weekly payments in cash for state pensions, including payments to the Post Office and other third parties; [124780](2) what estimate he has made of the total annual cost of making payments of pensions to pensioners by ACT; [124781](3) what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners who failed to switch to ACT because of the change from weekly to monthly payment. [124782]

Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows:Information on total annual costs of administering payments for State Pensions, including payments to the Post Office and other third parties is collated but not split by method of payment of frequency of payment. The latest total annual cost of administering Retirement Pension for 1998/99 was £314 million.Frequency of payment is a big issue for many pensioners and anecdotal evidence suggests that the non-availability of weekly payment by ACT is a potential issue, which may prevent some customers switching from order book to ACT. Unfortunately, information upon which a numerical estimate of the number of these pensioners could be based is not available. This is obviously an issue we are giving consideration to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the National Insurance Recording system stores the date of birth of individuals linked with their National Insurance number. [125308]

Yes, the National Insurance Recording System stores an individual's date of birth, which is linked with the National Insurance Number.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate, for each local authority, the total amount saved in benefit expenditure in the most recent year arising from anti-fraud initiatives; if he will express this figure as a percentage of the total expenditure on social security benefits administered by each local authority; and if he will provide an aggregate estimate for Great Britain. [125309]

The most effective way of combating benefit fraud is to stop it happening in the first place. That is why, for example, we are taking steps to improve the way local authorities deal with new claims for Housing Benefit (the "Verification Framework") which has been allowed to occur and which is to reduce the scope for fraud and error at the outset. It is therefore not possible to quantify the total amount saved by all the anti-fraud initiatives we are taking to drive fraud out of the system.The weekly benefit savings scheme provides a measure of that part of Social Security benefit fraud (including Housing Benefit, Council Tax benefit and Income Support) based on what local authorities have subsequently detected. A weekly benefit saving is the amount of benefit fraudulently in payment multiplied by 32, the average time in weeks that benefit would have been likely to continue in payment if the fraud had gone undetected. A table providing the information requested expressed in terms of weekly benefit savings has been placed in the Library. The data in the table are for 1998–99, the latest year for which comprehensive information is available.We have recently announced changes to the weekly benefit savings scheme. The changes mean that authorities which uncover more fraud and prosecute fraudsters can expect to receive greater financial reward than before. We will also give additional reward to those authorities which operate the Verification Framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of her Department's budget has been allocated to (a) crisis management and (b) crisis prevention in the current financial year; what the figures were five years ago; and if she will make a statement. [113063]

We have allocated £61 million for centrally funded conflict and humanitarian assistance in 2000–01. This compares with expenditure of £57 million in the same area in 1997–98 (the earliest year in which comparable figures are available). Chapter 6 of the Departmental Report 2000, a copy of which is in the Library of the House, provides information on the Government's policy and performance in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the application of Tanzania for debt relief. [118038]

Although it is one of the world's poorest countries, over recent years Tanzania has made important progress in introducing structural reforms and stabilising its economy. Despite limited resources, with help from its international partners including Britain, Tanzania, to its credit, has met most of its very substantial external debt obligations. It has now begun to repay domestic debt arrears and is refocusing its budget on poverty reduction. As a result, the Boards of the World bank and the IMF agreed last week to support a comprehensive debt reduction package under the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. This be worth about US$3 billion over 20 years from all creditors and will be used by the Government of Tanzania for additional public expenditures on poverty reduction measures. Pending achievement of a number of conditions, including preparation of a comprehensive poverty Reduction Strategy taking account of the views of civil society, interim relief from the IMF and the IDA will begin this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 8 February 2000, Official Report, columns 89–90W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124827]

None of the secondees were appointed for 12 months or less.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made with the weapons for development project in the Gramsh region of Albania; and if she will make a statement. [125014]

A total of 5,812 arms and 137 tonnes of ammunition have been collected in Gramsh District, Albania. Nine of the 12 projects identified by the local community for development have been completed; the remaining three are in progress.The success of the pilot project in Gramsh has led to the formation of the Albanian Government's Weapons Collection Commission and the replication of the project by UNDP in two further districts, Elbasan and Diber, to which we have contributed an additional £600,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the withdrawal of her Department's emergency and conflict funds for Kosovo. [125000]

As Kosovo enters a new phase, with the bulk of the UK's programme of immediate humanitarian support completed, so our focus, along with the rest of the international community, has switched to longer term reconstruction and development. This year we have already committed £29 million in bilateral support for reconstruction; as part of this we are developing a technical assistance programme of £5 million to support institution and capacity building. In addition, we shall contribute around £39 million as our share of the EC's programme.We will continue to monitor the humanitarian situation and will respond accordingly should a new emergency arise. We have committed an additional £8 million for humanitarian mine action this financial year and continue to support the work of the international relief agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proposals she has to improve the performance of ECHO. [121096]

Two major independent evaluations of EU humanitarian aid were carried out in 1998 and 1999. These evaluations gave a positive overall assessment of ECHO's performance, but identified a number of areas for improvement. Last October the Commission produced a Communication in response to the evaluations, which set out an Action Plan to tackle the weaknesses. We broadly support the Commission's proposals, and are engaged in ensuring the Plan is implemented effectively. As part of this process, the Development Council has approved a resolution which will guide and encourage the Commission's actions.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much each heavily indebted poor country has spent on arms exported from the UK in each of the last three years. [118333]

I refer the hon. Member to Part III of the Government's 1997 and 1998 Annual Reports on Strategic Arms Control. Part III lists numbers and values of UK exports of military equipment by country where this information is available. Information on exports of military equipment during 1999 will be included in the 1999 Annual Report which will be published in due course. The hon. Member should also refer to the accompanying text and explanatory note to the table in Part III which details the sources of the information used and the extent of the coverage of that information.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects currently funded by her Department in China. [124561]

The UK is working with the Government of China to build up a new poverty-focused programme, targeting the inland provinces where the majority of the poor are located. My Department is providing support to health and education; economic reform; and the environment. The programme is expected to increase from £20 million in 2001–01 to £25 million in 2001–02.A full list of activities, together with our Country Strategy Paper, will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much his Department has spent in each year since 1997 on the provision of playgroups; how many playgroups have been established; and how many children have used them. [122603]

[holding answer 18 May 2000]: The Department will provide £40 million of funding for three-year-old nursery education in the voluntary sector (pre-schools and playgroups) during the financial year 2000–01 and this is estimated to provide 33,000 places. This compares with estimated funding of £16 million during the financial year 1999–2000, or the provision of 17,000 places. Playgroups will also benefit from child care grants and the Working Families Tax credit.In addition, we have announced funding of £500,000 for a further scheme to assist pre-schools and playgroups facing financial difficulties, to give them a further breathing space as policy initiatives work through to individual groups, and £250,000 for projects to help pre-schools and playgroups, develop, in partnership with others, as the early education and care places expand.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on his plans for the disposition of assets held by TECs in cases where it is unclear whether all or part of their acquisition costs was derived from public funds. [123977]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: We intend to seek to reach agreement with each TEC on the disposition of all assets, irrespective of how they were funded. Our aim in discussions with TECs will be to ensure that assets continue to benefit local communities and that public resources are safeguarded. We envisage there will be a range of different solutions to reflect different local circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of further education colleges were able to give the full recommended Association of Colleges pay award for (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [124175]

This information is not held by the Department. The Association of Colleges (AoC) conducted a survey of colleges about the pay awards for 1998–99 and found that (based on a 66 per cent. response rate) 77 per cent. of colleges were able to offer their staff the AoC recommended pay award or above.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the funds which are available to local authorities on application, indicating those for which the Torbay Unitary Authority has successfully applied in each of the last two years. [124196]

The following table sets out the grants available to Torbay local authorities and its schools through bidding or application.

Grants subject to application or bidding (Relating to schools)
£
	Allocation
1999–2000
Advanced Skills Teachers (AST): National Programme	65,000
National Numeracy Strategy—Key Stage 3	1.2232,500
Summer Numeracy Schools	1.30
Family Numeracy	1.40
National Grid for Learning	262,500
Education of Travellers and Displaced Persons	0
Protecting Local Authority Music Services	23,000
Expanding Local Authority Music Services	0
Annual Capital Guidelines	1,555,075
New Deal for Schools capital	1,521,183
VA capital grant	44,700
Class Size: revenue	252,000
Class Size: capital	656,228
Total	4,412,186
2000–01
Advanced Skills Teachers (AST): National Programme	73,500
Special Educational Needs: Inclusion, EBD
Speech and Language therapy	50
National Grid for Learning: Regional Broadband Consortia	699,015
Protecting Local Authority Music Services	7185,000
Expanding Local Authority Music Services	7242,000
Supported Early Retirement Scheme for Heads	80
Class Size: revenue	452,200
Class Size: capital	10,000
Annual Capital Guidelines	1,658,849
New Deal for Schools capital	1,580,178
VA capital Grant	558,000
Total	4,858,742
1Some grants subjected to bidding in 1999–2000 were allocated by formula in 2000–01.
22000–01 formula allocation of £159,479
32000–01 formula allocation of £33,000
42000–01 formula allocation of £30,800
5Allocated £97,043 by formula under SEN grant 18a
6Allocated £365,229 in addition by formula
7Total of joint bid with Devon and Plymouth
8Offered £86,680 but declined to accept

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people aged over 50 years were enrolled in adult education courses and further education courses during the 1998–99 academic year in (a) England, (b) the North-East Region of England and (c) Bishop Auckland; and what proportion of the relevant population aged over 50 years this represents in each case. [124208]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: It is not possible to provide information for Bishop Auckland as adult education data are not collected centrally at district level and data on further education students are not yet available for 1998–99. Data on the number of people aged over 50 years enrolled in LEA maintained adult education provision are not available. The available data for further education students are shown in the table:

Students in FE sector colleges and external institutions in England, 1998–991
	Students aged 50 and over2 (Thousand)	Percentage of population
North-East Region	27.5	3.2
England	585.7	3.7
1Estimated from 1998–99 provisional whole year data for FEFC-funded and non-FEFC-funded students in FE sector colleges and FEFC-funded students in external institutions.
2Age as at 31 August 1998

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of additional young people who stayed on at school or college in the pilot areas for the education maintenance allowances. [124376]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: We are encouraged by the early findings from the 15 EMA pilot areas, which is why we have decided to extend the pilot to an extra 40 areas from this September. Statistical evidence gathered suggests that participation in the EMA pilot areas has increased by over five percentage points, compared with an increase of three percentage points in the control areas selected, and two percentage points nationally. We do not have information about the actual numbers involved, because the number of young people in each pilot area cohort varies from year to year.We are undertaking a detailed evaluation exercise which will, in time, give more detailed information about the impact of the EMA on post-16 participation and achievement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 2000, Official Report, column 606W, on instructors, where information on basic qualifications or subject taught is held. [124767]

[holding answer 8 June 2000]: Governing bodies acting with the consent of the local authority have to assure themselves that staff employed as instructors have appropriate qualifications. Governing bodies and local authorities make their own arrangements for holding information about instructors' qualifications and experience.Information on subjects taught is held by schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to provide financial incentives to encourage more people to enter teacher training courses in further education colleges. [124691]

From September 2000, all students undertaking a pre-service Postgraduate Certificate of Education (Further Education) course in England, will receive a £6,000 a year training salary—equivalent to £150 a week during term time.The payments, in common with those being paid to trainee Primary school teachers, will be trialled for one year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what was the total amount spent by schools on security measures in 1999 (a) by constituency and (b) by local education authority; [123134](2) how much the Government have awarded to local education authorities in each year since 1995 for schools to

[pursuant to her reply, 23 May 2000, c. 438W]: A column of figures was omitted. The correct response is as follows: My Department does not collect information in the level of detail requested. Expenditure by each local education authority in England supported by the Government's Standards Fund grant for school security, which is allocated directly to authorities, is shown in Table 1 for 1998–99, the latest year for which outturn information is available, along with the total sums available to authorities for 1999–2000.Specific grants for school security measures have been made available since 1997–98, following a recommendation from the Government's Working Group on School Security. To date, £94 million has been made available to support a variety of security measures in schools in England, to help make a safer environment for pupils and staff. A breakdown, by year, of this total funding is given in Table 2.

Table 1: Local education authority (LEA) expenditure on school security measures from Standards Fund 1998–99 (Grant 18) and total sums available to LEAs from Standards Fund 1999–2000 (Grant 23)
£
Standards Fund Grant for School Security
LEA	1998–99 (Grant 18) Expenditure	1999–2000 (Grant 23) Total sums available
Barking	57,343	67,912
Barnet	98,917	123,974
Barnsley	93,812	99,074
Bath & NE Somerset	71,095	76,584
Bedfordshire	165,727	193,365
Bexley	83,066	95,562
Birmingham	435,551	475,503
Blackburn with Darwen	72,095	76,108
Blackpool	46,787	49,173
Bolton	117,263	129,117
Bournemouth	37,421	49,310
Bracknell Forest	38,056	41,410
Bradford	229,894	251,207
Brent	62,517	80,000
Brighton & Hove	78,242	79,814
Bromley	61,553	110,681
Buckinghamshire	202,143	226,150