To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the baseline against which he will measure his target of improving the satisfaction of (a) victims and (b) witnesses with their treatment by the criminal justice system; how that baseline was measured; and how he proposes to measure levels of satisfaction by 31 March 2002. [125624]

The baseline for victim satisfaction is the British Crime Survey 1998.There is presently no reliable indicator of witness satisfaction. A new cross Criminal Justice System survey on witness satisfaction has accordingly been put in hand. The results will be available in the autumn, enabling a baseline to be set.Future levels of victims' satisfaction will be measured by the British Crime Survey, and of witness satisfaction by a further survey.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for changes to the 2000–01 Department expenditure limits within his responsibility. [126025]

Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, the Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL), which covers Class IV Vote 1 (Home Office administration, police, probation, immigration and other services, England and Wales) and Vote 2 (Prisons, England and Wales), will be increased by £42,050,000 from £8,068,786,000 to £8,110,836,000.The changes are the net effect of the following transfers: £1,200,000 to the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Class III Vote 1) in respect of neighbourhood wardens; £20,200,000 from the DEL Reserve for police modernisation; £2,900,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund for the electronic chipping of goods; and £20,150,000 from the Capital Modernisation Fund for the national strategy for police information systems.The increases will be offset by a charge on the Reserve and will not, therefore, add to the planned total of public expenditure.Changes to the budgeted amount for the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, which includes the costs of dealing with the asylum seekers, have yet to be confirmed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the report of the Prison Service race relations group. [126026]

A copy of the ninth report of the Prison Service race relations group to the Prison Service Management Board has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been made following the expiry of the term of appointment of the President of the Interception of Communications Tribunal on 4 April; and if he will make a statement. [126027]

Mr. Justice Burton has been appointed as President of the Interception of Communications Tribunal for a period of five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has received the annual report for 1999 of the Complaints Audit Committee of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate; and if he will make a statement. [126067]

A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. It is a useful and informative document and I am grateful to the Committee for its comments and its recommendations which will all be followed up. The report also includes details of the broadening of the Committee's terms of reference to reflect their role in monitoring complaints arising from the enhanced powers of Immigration Officers under Part VII of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Mr. Wyatt) of 15 May 2000, Official Report, column 53W, on animal experiments, whether the review of section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1966 in the context of freedom of information legislation has been completed; and if he will make a statement. [125902]

Section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 prevents the disclosure of information about the use of animals in scientific procedures that has been provided in confidence. Under the proposals for the Freedom of Information Bill, all statutory bars are being reviewed, including Section 24.The maintenance of the necessary protection for individual scientists and their research institutions and for the commercial confidentiality of their work is a priority in the review of Section 24.No decision has yet been taken on whether to repeal or amend Section 24.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the criminal sanctions in his proposed Health and Safety legislation come into force which official or Minister will be criminally liable for deaths caused in or by each Government department and agency; and if he will list the job title of each such official or Minister in each Government department or agency. [125810]

The consultation paper published on 23 May, "Reforming the Law on Involuntary Manslaughter: the Government's Proposals", set out proposals for a new offence of corporate killing and invited views on the application of Crown immunity to the offence. The closing date for comments on the proposals is 1 September 2000.Once we have been able to consider responses to the consultation paper, we will reach a decision on the possible application of Crown immunity to the offence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications were (a) lodged, (b) outstanding and (c) decided in the years 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000. [125691]

The information requested is given in the table.

Applications for asylum to the United Kingdom, initial decisions and cases awaiting an initial decision1
	Asylum applications2	initial decisions2	Cases awaiting an initial decision2,3
1995–96	43,365	28,915	69,165
1996–97	27,685	38,895	54,950
1997–98	33,855	36,020	50,950
1998–994	51,255	26,525	74,405
1999–20004	76,115	51,445	98,365
1 Figures rounded to the nearest five
2 Excluding dependants
3 Cases outstanding at the end of the financial year
4 Provisional data

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the arrangements are for assessing the suitability of individual retail outlets for receiving vouchers allocated to asylum seekers; what criteria are applied in the assessment; and what monitoring arrangements are in place. [125119]

The retail outlets have been selected to provide a wide range of retail opportunities to asylum seekers. In excess of 19,000 outlets are signed up to the voucher scheme. Sodexho is responsible for the maintenance of this retail network. The National Asylum Support Service monitors the growth of the retail network in terms of overall numbers, geographical spread, and retail mix.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are applied in assessing the suitability of (a) contractors and (b) accommodation in relation to the Government's dispersal policy for asylum seekers; and what weight is given in that assessment to factors concerning management arrangements and care of the asylum seekers. [125117]

Independent property surveyors were appointed to inspect property proposed by all potential providers prior to contract. An ongoing programme of inspection is in place for all providers to ensure providers maintain acceptable standards.Potential providers were assessed in terms of their financial standing, nature of accommodation offered, commercial offer and support infrastructure. This process included seeking references from past and present customers and consultation with Local Authority Consortia.The assessment model for assessing the suitability of contractors includes management arrangements and care of asylum seekers. I am unable to give further details since this information could prejudice negotiations with additional accommodation providers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) failed asylum seekers and (b) others have been (i) deported and (ii) removed to Zimbabwe in each month since May 1999. [125124]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to police forces since 1 May 1997 with regard to the implementation and enforcement of firearms legislation; if the guidance suggested a reduction in approval or renewal of firearm licences or shotgun certificates; and if he will place copies in the Library. [125799]

Since 1 May 1997, the Home Office has issued three circulars on firearms licensing matters to all police forces in England and Wales: Home Office Circular (HOC) 32/97 on the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997, HOC 68/97 on the Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1997 and HOC 41/98 on the Firearms Rules 1998. In addition, a letter to all chief officers on 19 October 1999 provided guidance on fittedness to possess firearms and a letter to all chief officers of 10 March 2000 provided guidance on the secure storage of firearms.The Home Office has not suggested to chief officers that the number of firearm and shotgun certificates on issue should be reduced as a matter of policy. Home Office guidance on firearms licensing has always made clear that each case should be dealt with on its own merits. The aim of our controls on firearms is to protect public safety rather than to reduce the overall number of firearms in lawful hands.Copies of the three Home Office circulars were placed in the Library at the time of their issue. I will arrange for copies of the guidance on security and the guidance on fittedness to be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Broxbourne dated 21 February, 13 April, 11 May and 8 June in connection with Mr. Doug Eve of Cheshunt, a constituent. [125798]

I will be responding to the letters of 21 February, 13 April and 11 May from the hon. Member shortly. I am sorry for the delay in replying. I will reply to the letter of 8 June as soon as I receive it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will initiate a review of the procedures which were implemented on 22 May for calculating starting prices in horse racing. [125638]

Whether, and if so how, the calculation of starting prices should be regulated is an issue which is within the terms of reference of the independent review of gambling chaired by Sir Alan Budd, whose report we expect next summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated (a) number of person hours and (b) cost to date of the Metropolitan police investigation in to the allegation of perjury made against Lord Archer of Weston-super-Mare. [125313]

I understand from the Metropolitan police that to date, an estimated 1,446 person hours have been devoted to the investigation and that the cost is approximately £36,000. Most of the work has been undertaken by police officers and civilian staff in normal duty time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 5 June 2000, Official Report, column 159W, on police helicopters, what the helicopter supplied by Veritair Ltd. is used for in addition to tracking stolen cars. [125431]

The helicopter is used to support officers on the ground in a range of policing activities, including vehicle pursuits; searching for suspects; missing person searches; surveillance; public order, command and control; and to provide direct support for tactical operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what software language is used in the new Central Immigration and Nationality Directorate computerisation; and if it is programmed as a totally integrated national database. [125541]

The new computerised system for dealing with immigration and nationality casework uses a number of standard applications and programmes. The system uses Microsoft NT and Office products.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work and objectives of the Government Technical Assistance Centre. [125667]

When established, the Technical Assistance Centre will be a twenty-four hour facility. Our intention is that it shall be operated by the National Criminal Intelligence Service on behalf of the law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies. It will undertake complex processing needed to derive intelligible material from lawfully intercepted computer-to-computer communications and will provide improved facilities for deriving evidence from lawfully seized computer data.The Technical Assistance Centre will not analyse the intelligible content of any intercepted or seized material. That will remain a function of the agency which applied for the interception warrant or executed the warrant for seizure of the material.The primary objective of the Technical Assistance Centre will be to sustain law enforcement capabilities in the face of criminal use of new information and communication technologies. Day-to-day operating procedures for the Centre are being developed by a Home Office-led Project Team.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee for what reason hon. Members' lockers are being refurbished and renumbered; what is the cost of the work; and if he will make a statement. [125739]

This is a matter for the Serjeant at Arms; I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of Agricultural Wages Board rates of pay in tackling social exclusion in rural areas. [125198]

[holding answer 12 June 2000]: We have made no specific assessment of the effect of the Agricultural Wages Board rates of pay in tackling social exclusion in rural areas.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects a prophylactic bovine TB treatment to be available. [125176]

[holding answer 9 June 2000]: This work is taking place in an international context at the frontiers of scientific knowledge and could take between 10 and 15 years to complete. As with any such scientific endeavour at such an early stage, there is no guarantee of success.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Leyton on 1 March concerning her Department's budget (ref 113063). [125670]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given 2000, Official Report, column 409W.

To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to her reply of 2 February 2000, Official Report, column 633W, on the Appointments Commission, how much time was spent by PricewaterhouseCoopers in helping to recruit the Appointments Commission. [125361]

PricewaterhouseCoopers Executive Search and Selection assisted the Cabinet Office and independent selection panel to recruit the Chairman and independent members of the House of Lords Appointments Commission.They employed a number of consultants and administrators and invested well in excess of 300 hours in the generation, administration and evaluation of applications.

To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to her reply of 2 February 2000, Official Report, column 633W, on the Appointments Commission, what expenses were incurred in recruiting the Appointments Commission and what were the advertising costs. [125362]

The expenses incurred in the process of recruiting members of the House of Lords Appointments Commission came to £4,186.50.The advertising costs, including VAT, were £35,878.63.

To ask the Solicitor-General what was the total expenditure by the Crown Prosecution Service in each of the last five years; what is the planned total expenditure for the current year and subsequent two years; what is the total and percentage real terms change in each year; and if he will make a statement. [125311]

The total expenditure by the Crown Prosecution Service in cash terms in each of the last five years; the planned total expenditure for the current and subsequent year; and the total and percentage real terms change in each year are as follows.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many contested cases were conducted by the Crown Prosecution Service in (a) magistrates courts and (b) Crown courts and (c) in total, in each of the last five years and in the current year to date; and if he will make a statement. [125312]

The following table shows the number of contested hearings recorded by the Crown Prosecution Service in magistrates courts, in the Crown court, and in total, for each of the last five calendar years and for the period January to March 2000.The table also shows the number of guilty pleas recorded in each period, and the number of magistrates courts cases which were proved in the absence of the defendant. Also shown are the proportion of cases which proceeded to a contested hearing and the proportion dealt with by way of guilty plea and proof in absence.The overall number of contested hearings dealt with by the Crown Prosecution Service has fallen over the period under review, from 105,707 in 1995 to 82,355 in 1999—a fall of 22.1 per cent. However, the pattern of change in magistrates courts and in the Crown court has been rather different: the proportion of contests in magistrates courts has fallen with each succeeding year, from 9.2 per cent. in 1995 to 6.2 per cent. in 1999; and the proportion of contests in the Crown court has risen over recent years, from 22.8 per cent. in 1997 to 26.9 per cent. in 1999.The reasons for these trends are believed to be as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has met the Director General of the Association of Train Operating Companies to discuss the future of the railways. [124005]

I last met the Director General of ATOC on 1 November 1999 when among other topics, we discussed the Transport Bill, railway performance and railway safety. Officials from my Department have met with ATOC to discuss train operator's concerns about station leases, and to explore the extent to which the existing regulatory provision can safeguard against the public interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received concerning the construction of new houses on greenfield land and the green belt. [124006]

The Secretary of State has received a number of representations in the context of various reviews of regional planning guidance currently under way and in exercise of his other statutory planning functions. Most recently, I met the leaders of local authorities with strategic planning functions in the South East. I emphasised the Government's commitment to re-use brownfield land and existing buildings before building on greenfields.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the extension of the Croydon tramlink and its linkage to the London underground. [124007]

I understand that London Transport are conducting a study into the extension of Croydon tramlink to other areas and its interchange with other forms of public transport including the London underground. Ultimately, it will be for the Mayor to decide if any such extensions and linkages should be taken forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what Government support is available to industry to reopen disused railway lines to reduce the number of journeys by heavy lorries. [124009]

Support is available through my Department to assist companies in moving goods from road to rail where payment is justified by the environmental benefits.A capital grant is available towards the cost of new or refurbished freight facilities, which might in principle include the reopening of disused railway lines.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions are taking place between his Department and transport undertakers on concessionary transport for pensioners. [124010]

This has been one of the topics discussed at meetings between the bus industry and my Department which take place from time to time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the Government's traffic reduction policy. [124011]

As we set out in "Tackling Congestion and Pollution", published in January, our policies focus on improving the outcomes that matter to people, such as congestion, pollution and road safety, rather than national traffic volume figures. The Transport Bill currently before Parliament, and the 10-year plan we will be publishing this summer, demonstrate our commitment to put in place the policies and resources that are needed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the waste incineration directive. [124012]

Representations on a range of different aspects of the proposed Directive have been received from various environmental and rural organisations, industry representatives and individuals. As the hon. Member may be aware, recent interest has been focused on the implications of the proposal for operators of small-scale animal carcase incinerators.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of UK incinerators that fail to meet the terms of the EU Waste Incineration Directive. [125305]

[holding answer 9 June 2000]: The proposed waste incineration directive, the precise scope of which is yet to be finalised, requires upgrading of incineration plant to the specified standards within five years of its adoption. The consultants Entec UK Ltd. undertook a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed directive to underpin a regulatory and environmental impact assessment, and their report (copies of which are in the House Library) largely identified numbers of incinerators in different sectors, although subsequently we have received information that the report significantly underestimated the number of animal carcase incinerators. The National Farmers Union have suggested there are some 3,000 on-farm small scale animal carcase incinerators.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the organisations he has consulted over the EU Waste Incineration Directive. [125329]

[holding answer 9 June 2000]: Copies of the various drafts of the proposed directive and the cost-benefit analyses DETR commissioned from Entec UK Ltd. were distributed as they arose to the trade representative organisations listed over the period since 1994, as well as to relevant Government Departments and environmental organisations. Trade representative organisations were also invited to meetings with DETR on the following dates: 27 April 1994, 25 September 1997 and 6 October 1998.

• Association of Drum Manufacturers
• Association of Independent Electricity Producers
• Association of Electrical Machinery Trades
• British Scrap Federation
• British Cement Association
• British Recovered Paper Association
• British Biogen
• British Foundries Association
• British Plastics Federation
• Chemical Industries Association
• Combined Heat and Power Association
• Combustion Engineering Association
• Confederation of British Industry
• Electricity Association
• Energy from Waste Association
• Environmental Services Association
• Environmental Engineering Group, Open University
• Federation of Small Businesses
• Food and Drink Federation
• Institute of Waste Management
• Licensed Animal Slaughterers and Salvage Association
• National Farmers Union
• National Association of Waste Disposal Officers
• Oil Recycling Association
• Paper Federation of Great Britain
• Pet Food Manufacturers' Association
• Photographic Wastes Management Association
• Quarry Products Association
• Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd.
• TRADA Technology Ltd.
• UK Renderers Association Ltd.
• UK Steel Association
• United Kingdom Agricultural Supply Trade Association
• Waste Processing Association
• Water UK
• Wood Panel Industries Federation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of the EU Waste Incineration Directive on the disposal of animal carcases in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [125306]

[holding answer 9 June 2000]: No assessment has been made of the effect of the proposed waste incineration directive on options for disposing of animal carcases in the UK. The Waste Strategy 2000, published on 25 May, indicates that wastes should be managed in accordance with the Best Practicable Environmental Option, and should be disposed of as close to the point of production as possible, consistent with the need for effective environmental controls.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the introduction of congestion taxes and car bans in London. [124013]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the introduction of congestion taxes and car bans in London. [124027]

This is a matter for the Mayor of London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to support the approval of ring roads as a means of reducing traffic congestion and pollution. [124014]

Our policy is to support road schemes if, after consideration of alternative options and full appraisal, it is concluded they provide sustainable solutions to transport problems and should he accorded priority having regard to available resources. In the case of local roads it is for authorities to justify road schemes as part of their Local Transport Plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the level of fly-tipping and other illegal waste disposal in Worcestershire; and if he will make a statement. [124015]

None. There are strict controls in place to ensure that waste is disposed of without danger to the public or the environment. The responsibility for their enforcement rests with the Environment Agency and, in some circumstances, with local authorities as waste collection authorities and planning authorities.The Environment Agency is investigating allegations of illegal waste disposal in Worcestershire in co-operation with Worcestershire County Council, Wychavon District Council and, because of the nature of the allegations, the West Mercia Police. The allegations concern activities at Mucknell Farm, Badgers Hill, Crabbe Yard and other locations in central Worcestershire. The purpose of the Environment Agency's investigation is to establish whether the waste management controls of Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 have been contravened and, if there is evidence of contravention, action will be taken in line with the Agency's published Enforcement Policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from parish councils concerning cyber-squatting of parish council names. [124016]

Region	Draft RPG advice from Regional Planning Body to Secretary of State	Public Examination	Target for issue of revised RPG by Secretary of State
Eastern (RPG6)	August 1998	February 1999	Summer/autumn 2000
North East (RPG1)	December 1999	1June/July 2000	Spring/summer 2001
East Midlands (RPG8)	November 1999	1June 2000	Summer 2001
South East (RPG9)	December 1998	May 1999	Autumn 2000
South West (RPG10)	August 1999	March/April 2000	Winter 2000/01
West Midlands (RPG11)	1End 2001	1Early 2002	Autumn 2002
Yorkshire and the Humber (RPG12)	November 1999	1June/July 2000	Spring/summer 2001
North West (RPG13)	1June/July 2000	1February 2001	Winter 2001
1 Target

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on planning controls on mobile phone masts. [124019]

In its response to the report of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, issued on 11 May 2000, the Government said that they were minded to introduce a requirement for an application for full planning permission for all new telecommunications

I am not aware of any representations on cyber-squatting of parish council names. UK Governmental bodies, including parish councils, are entitled to set up websites using the ".gov.uk" suffix, making it clear that the site is an official part of Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his target for recycling household waste. [124017]

The Government's waste strategy sets ambitious targets for increasing recycling of household waste—doubling recycling in three years, and nearly trebling it in five. This is a substantial step forward, which will require authorities to provide householders with doorstep recycling services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to issue new regional planning guidance on housebuilding targets. [124018]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed regional planning guidance on new housebuilding targets. [124020]

The timetable for the production of new Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) is set out in the table. RPG includes guidance on the future level of provision of housing, which may be provided either through new build or conversion of existing buildings.masts, but would need to consult widely before doing so, including on the principle and precise scope of any new arrangements. We shall issue a consultation paper on this and related guidance as soon as practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the announcement of a review of planning policy with respect to telecommunications masts on the number of new planning applications to build such masts. [125888]

In their response to the report of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, issued on 11 May 2000 and placed in the Libraries of both Houses, the Government said that they were minded to introduce a requirement for an application for full planning permission for all new telecommunications masts, but would need to consult widely before doing so, including on the principle and precise scope of any new arrangements.We have made no assessment of the impact of the response on the number of applications to build telecommunications masts. In considering applications, local planning authorities should continue on the basis of current legislative arrangements and policy guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress in ensuring that the needs of ethnic minorities are recognised in the New Deal for Communities. [124021]

We assess all New Deal for Communities proposals for evidence of their capacity to work with, and involve, people from ethnic minorities. To help partnerships achieve this objective, we have issued specific race equality guidance, developed by a steering group of experienced practitioners. We will monitor progress at our annual reviews with partnerships.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what responses he has received to the consultation on the national strategy for neighbourhood renewal. [124022]

Consultation on the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal continues until 30 June. Later in the year, the Social Exclusion Unit will make known the number of responses and the main issues raised.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on plans for road charging on motorways. [124023]

We have no current plans to introduce widespread charging on the motorway network. The Transport Bill contains tightly defined powers to charge on limited parts of the trunk road network (which includes most motorways). These are on tunnels and bridges of at least 600 m, or in order to support a local authority charging scheme (and then only at the request of the charging authority). We have no plans to charge on bridges and tunnels that are currently free from tolls.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further proposals he plans to bring forward for the use of brownfield sites in rural areas. [124024]

Planning Policy Guidance note 3: Housing, sets out the Government's policy for maximising the re-use of previously-developed land for housing. It requires local planning authorities to make sufficient land available either within or adjoining villages to meet the needs of local people.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the benefits of directly elected mayors. [124025]

There is considerable international experience of the benefits which directly elected mayors can bring for local communities.The Local Government Bill [HL] will give local people the choice of three broad frameworks for effective, dynamic and accountable leadership, including the option of a directly elected mayor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the planned Cabinet-style operation of local government. [124026]

The proposals in the Local Government Bill [HL] will introduce three broad frameworks for new constitutions for councils (including a mayor and cabinet and leader and cabinet framework) which will increase the efficiency, transparency and accountability of council decision making. Councils will have to consult their local community about how, within these broad frameworks, they wish to be governed in the future. Where local people express a preference for an elected mayor to lead their community, the council will first have to put this option to them in a referendum.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on funding for the Flaxmill project in Shrewsbury. [124028]

I understand the Flaxmill project is the restoration of an old iron frame building in Shrewsbury. It has received an approval for a grant from Advantage West Midlands (AWM) towards this restoration, to be given when funds are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on funding for light rail services. [123990]

Light rail and similar rapid transit systems can have a role to play in delivering integrated transport in major conurbations, particularly in densely used transport corridors. Government funds can be provided to authorities for such systems where these deliver net benefits that are greater than those offered by the available alternatives; cannot be entirely funded from local sources or the private sector; provide good value for money and are essential to the achievement of the objectives of the relevant authority's local transport plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress in the bilateral negotiations with the United States of America on air service agreements for transatlantic routes. [123999]

The latest round of UK/US talks, aimed at liberalising our bilateral aviation relations, resumed today. I expect further rounds of talks during the course of this year and it would be premature, at this early stage, to anticipate any agreements which may eventually be reached.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve safety at railway stations. [124008]

We are continuing to work with the rail industry, the British Transport Police and others to improve safety at railway stations. For example, we are seeking further accreditations under the Secure Stations Scheme that we introduced in April 1998, which is designed to improve and standardise good security practices at all overground and underground stations.I very recently met my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to explore further joint initiatives on the rail safety and security.My Department is also taking a close interest in the current North-West pilot scheme aimed at improving security in the whole public transport journey: walking, bus/rail interchange, as well as security at stations and on trains.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government expect the South East Regional Airports study into runway capacity in the South-East to report. [125122]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 6 June 2000, Official Report, column 203W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the (CAA) (a) requires manufacturers and operators to provide complete checklists, including emergency checklists, before granting an airworthiness certificate and (b) considers full authority digital engine control systems as flight safety critical. [125301]

The CAA requires routine and emergency checklists to be provided by the manufacturers before a certificate of airworthiness is granted. These are included in the aircraft flight manual. Operators also have to produce emergency checklists but this is not related to the issue of the Certificate of Airworthiness.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of small farm incinerators in each EU member state. [125166]

No such assessment has been made. We understand, however, that the practice of small-scale animal carcase incineration is less widespread in other member states than in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the dangers to human health posed by small farm incinerators. [125165]

The study undertaken on behalf of the Department by the consultants Entec UK Ltd. (copies of which are in the House Library) to underpin a regulatory and environmental impact assessment of the proposed waste incineration Directive considered the health impacts of incineration processes generally (section 1.4) and the health benefits of the proposal in respect of animal carcase incinerators of different capacities (Appendix 1.5.4). The report, however, significantly underestimated the number of small-scale animal carcase incinerators, of which there are some 3,000 operating, and health benefits are accordingly underestimated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 May 2000, Official Report, column 430W, on marine surveyors, what plans he has to ensure that practising marine surveyors operating in the private sector are professionally qualified and covered by professional indemnity insurance. [125136]

There are no plans to ensure that practising marine surveyors operating in the private sector are professionally qualified and covered by professional indemnity insurance.Private sector surveyors acting on the MCA's behalf must hold professional qualifications equivalent to the MCA's own surveyors. Certifying authority surveyors carry professional indemnity insurance as a contractual requirement. A classification Society's liability to the MCA is unlimited in the case of wilful omission, in the case of negligence it is limited to £500,000. These levels of liability are currently under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what tests have been undertaken on the level of interference by mobile telephones on the safety of aircraft; what tests are planned on the effect of such telephones on aircraft safety; what guidance his Department has given to airlines about the use of mobile phones and lap top computers on (a) landing and (b) taking-off; and when a system of checking that all such equipment is detected and switched off before aircraft are boarded will be introduced. [125669]

I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 8 June 2000, Official Report, column 312W. In addition to the blanket prohibition on the use of mobile phones on aircraft, the Civil Aviation Authority also require lap top computers and similar electronic equipment to be switched off during landing and take-off.The CAA is also promoting the evaluation by the airlines of on-board detection equipment, and if its use proves effective will propose its introduction to the Joint Aviation Authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he last met representatives of Chelsea and Kensington Borough Council to discuss increasing the number of bicycle lanes in central London; [124849](2) when he last met representatives of Islington Borough Council to discuss increasing the number of bicycle lanes in central London; [124850](3) when he last met representatives of Camden Borough Council to discuss increasing the number of bicycle lanes in central London; [124851](4) when he last met representatives of Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council to discuss increasing the number of bicycle lanes in central London; [124852](5) when he last met representatives of Westminster Borough Council to discuss increasing the number of bicycle lanes in central London; [124853](6) when he last met representatives of the Greater London Assembly to discuss increasing the number of bicycle lanes in central London; [124854](7) when he last met representatives of the City of London Corporation and Council to discuss increasing the number of bicycle lanes in central London; [124855](8) when he last met representatives of Southwark Borough Council to discuss increasing the number of bicycle lanes in central London; [124856](9) when he last met representatives of Lambeth Borough Council to discuss increasing the number of bicycle lanes in central London; [124857](10) when he last met representatives of Hackney Borough Council to discuss increasing the number of bicycle lanes in central London. [124858]

[holding answer 9 June 2000]: We have not met recently with representatives of the individual inner London local authorities or members of the Greater London Assembly to discuss bicycle lanes. However, all London local authorities have been given additional support, as part of the Local Transport Capital Expenditure Settlement for 2000–01, for advancing the 2,900km London Cycle Network.Copies of the London Cycle Network map have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received about safety for (a) pedestrians and (b) cyclists in Parliament Square. [124859]

[holding answer 9 June 2000]: The safety of pedestrians and cyclists in Parliament Square received extensive consideration as part of the "World Squares for All" Masterplan. We look forward to the implementation of the Masterplan proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he provides external bicycle parking facilities for visiting members of the public at his departmental sites. [124860]

[holding answer 9 June 2000]: The facilities available for cyclists vary between our 1,250 plus sites but visitor parking provision is made at our three headquarters sites in London and at most of our buildings outside London. In some instances, where no facilities are provided, there are plans to rectify this situation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each year since 1990 the number of (a) people using bicycles, (b) miles cycled and (c) journeys made by bicycle. [124862]

[holding answer 9 June 2000]: The available information for Great Britain, from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' National Travel Survey, is shown in the table:

	1990–92	1993–95	1996–98
Percentage of households with at least one cycle	36	38	40
Stages per person per year1	20	18	17
Miles per person per year1	41	37	38
1The figures for journeys and miles per person per year are averages over all people in the survey

Further information is given in the Transport Statistics Report "Cycling in Great Britain" available from the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made towards achieving the National Cycling Strategy's objective of doubling the proportion of journeys made by bicycle by 2002. [124863]

[holding answer 9 June 2000]: We have endorsed the targets set by the National Cycling Strategy when it was launched in 1996, i.e. to double the number of cycle trips (based on 1996 figures) by 2002 and to double it again by 2012.However, we now recognise that it is unlikely that the 2002 target will be achieved. It has become apparent that more preparation was needed than was originally anticipated in 1996. But with the increased provision of infrastructure and other measures by local authorities, following the introduction of Local Transport Plans and the Launch of the Road Safety Strategy, we are confident of achieving the target of a fourfold increase in the number of cycle trips by 2012.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the increase in journey times resulting from the replacing of two-person crews with one-person crews on central London bus routes in the last live years. [125607]

[holding answer 12 June 2000]: This is a matter for London Bus Services Ltd (LBSL), formerly London Transport Buses, as the organisation responsible for providing bus services in London.LBSL have estimated that replacing open platform, crew-operated buses with one person operated vehicles increases journey times by between 12 per cent. and 20 per cent. The smallest increases in journey time are achieved on the latest generation of fully accessible low-floor buses, which have wide 'easy flow' entrances.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Health and Safety Executive started its investigation into gas safety due to be reported this summer. [124873]

[holding answer 12 June 2000]: The Health and Safety Executive, on behalf of the Health and Safety Commission, started work on a fundamental review of the health and safety regime for the installation and use of gas at the end of 1998. A Discussion Document was published on 4 November 1999 with a formal consultation period to 4 February 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the use of excess gas flow valves in housing in the USA. [124875]

[holding answer 12 June 2000]: No assessment has been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the cost of installing excess gas flow valves in all local authority housing in England. [124871]

[holding answer 12 June 2000]: No estimate has been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what safeguards exist to protect public sector housing against excess gas flow arising from (a) vandalism, (b) accident and (c) carelessness. [124874]

[holding answer 12 June 2000]: Legislation covering the installation and use of gas requires that all gas fittings are properly supported and so placed or protected as to avoid any undue risk of damage to the fitting due to (a) vandalism, (b) accident and (c) carelessness.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many passports submitted with driving licence applications have been lost by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in the last three years; and how much compensation has been paid by the DVLA in relation to this. [125454]

[holding answer 12 June 2000]: Since April 1999, when customers had to provide original identity documents with their photocard driving licence applications, the DVLA has reimbursed the replacement cost of 682 identity documents, of which 417 were passports, at a total cost of £17,000.Of these cases Royal Mail accepted Responsibility for the loss of 487 documents and have reimbursed DVLA accordingly. In this same period DVLA has issued over 4 million photocard licences.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications of the ruling by the Canadian Federal Government allowing the restoration of pilots' licences to pilots diagnosed with diabetes. [125711]

[holding answer 12 June 2000]: The international standards for pilots' licences established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation do not permit individuals with insulin dependent diabetes to hold a pilot's licence. Under the terms of the Chicago Convention, any licence which has not been issued in accordance with ICAO standards must be endorsed to that effect and may be used in other states only with the permission of the state concerned. The CAA will not grant permission for any pilot with insulin dependent diabetes to operate in UK airspace.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the report of the Park Homes Working Party will be available; and if he will make a statement. [125868]

My Department will publish the recommendations of the Park Homes Working Party in July this year, with a deadline of 31 October for any comments interested individuals and bodies may wish to make. We will announce our conclusions in due course after that date.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what decision he has taken concerning a possible second inquiry into the future of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Hilda's, Middlesbrough. [125871]

None. The listed building consent applications to demolish the former Middlesbrough Cathedral, now known as the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and its former Presbytery, were called in by the Secretary of State on 13 April. Following a major fire on 30 May, the church building is beyond reasonable hope of being repaired and is to be demolished on grounds of public safety. The Secretary of State therefore on 7 June withdrew his direction to call in the application to demolish the church building. The adjacent presbytery survived the fire reasonably intact and remains called in. The public local inquiry will now be held into finding possible alternative uses for the presbytery building only. The length of the inquiry will therefore be shorter than was originally proposed for the joint inquiry into both buildings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 14 December 1999, Official Report, column 103W, if his review of incidents involving possible organophosphate air pollution on board civilian aircraft has reached conclusions. [125342]

[holding answer 12 June 2000]: The investigation of these incidents is still under review. The report will be published following its outcome. I am unable to comment until that stage has been reached.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on planning protection for areas of outstanding natural beauty; and if he will make a statement. [125979]

The Government accept the view put by the then Countryside Commission in section 4 of their publication "Protecting our finest landscapes: advice to Government (1998)", that the landscape qualities of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are equivalent. Conserving and enhancing the beauty of the landscape are objectives for both types of designation. The Government therefore believe that the protection given to both types of area by the land use planning system should also be equivalent.The Government's planning policies for AONBs are set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 7: "The Countryside—Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development (Revised February 1997)". PPG7 states that:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will make an announcement about new measures to conserve and enhance areas of outstanding natural beauty; and if he will make a statement. [125980]

I am very pleased to announce today that the Government will shortly bring forward amendments to the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill, as part of a series of measures to safeguard the status of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and provide for their proper protection and management. The amendments will make provision for the creation of Conservation Boards for individual, larger AONBs where this would benefit their cohesive management and where there is local support for such a move. They will also require the adoption of a Management Plan for each AONB.The Government have already indicated its support for AONBs through increasing the budget available to them, via the Countryside Agency, almost threefold over three years (from £2.1 million in 1998–99 to £5.9 million this year). We will continue to ensure that Government funding is available to work alongside local authorities in managing AONBs in partnership.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody) of 8 May 2000, Official Report, column 266W, on air traffic controllers, if he will make a statement on progress made with achieving a full complement of air traffic controllers at Heathrow. [124403]

Good progress has been made. The full complement of air traffic controllers is now in place at Heathrow.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will grant Singapore Airlines regulatory approval to operate transatlantic services from London Heathrow to the United States; for how many years this application has been outstanding; and if he will make a statement. [125896]

UK/Singapore air services arrangements already provide routeing rights for airlines of Singapore to operate across the Atlantic from Heathrow to the United States. What they do not provide for, and what Singapore Airlines has been seeking specifically since 1989, are fifth freedom traffic rights for airlines of Singapore across the Atlantic to the US. During recent UK/Singapore air services negotiations, we have said that we would review the case for offering fifth freedom rights once the UK/US market had been liberalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the rights of employees whose jobs have been compulsorily transferred from local government to other service providers as a result of the Local Government Pension Scheme Amendment Regulations. [125746]

Any compulsory transfer of staff, which occurs as part of the delivery of Best Value, involves local authorities having to consider the question of future pension rights as part of their contract specification and subsequent negotiations. The Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment etc.) Regulations 1999 provide private sector employers, bidding for a contract to deliver local government services, with an option of access to the Local Government Pension Scheme for those staff who transfer under the contract and who remain engaged in the delivery of those services. Alternatively, private sector employers can choose to provide broadly comparable pension arrangements and, within the statutory framework of the Local Government Pension Scheme, can negotiate the fair transfer of the accrued pension rights of the staff involved in the contract who decide not to leave their pension rights in the local authority scheme.Other transfers which do not come within the prescribed ambit of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Amendment etc.) Regulations 1999 can be dealt with in a similar way so as to ensure that in all cases transferring staff are treated equitably and fairly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals there are to amend his Departmental Expenditure Limit and running costs limit for 2000–01. [126028]

Subject to Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimates for Class III, Votes 1 and 8, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Departmental Expenditure Limits for 2000–01 will change as follows.The DETR Main Programmes Departmental Expenditure Limit will be increased b £22,928,000 from £10,838,414,000 to £10,861,342,000. This increase reflects transfers from other Government Departments of £1,390,000, a transfer of £24,000 from the Invest to Save Budget and a claim on the DEL Reserve of £21,514,000. The changes are set out in greater detail as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the United Nations Basel Protocol on Liability and Compensation for damage resulting from transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal, which opened for signature on 6 March. [126234]

The Basel Liability and Compensation Protocol was concluded on 10 December 1999 at the 5^th Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention, after nearly 10 years of negotiation. It provides for a comprehensive regime for liability and for adequate and prompt compensation for damage resulting from the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and their disposal.We shall shortly be consulting widely on the potential implications of the United Kingdom signing and ratifying this Protocol. These views will be taken into account in reaching a decision as to whether the United Kingdom should proceed with signature.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what steps have been taken to restore stocks of precision guided and non-precision guided munitions back to pre-operation levels following operation Allied Force; and if he will make a statement; [124207](2) what contracts have been placed to replace

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: Rather than simply replace all of the weapons used, we have evaluated the need to retain the capability provided by each weapon system and whether replenishment of that weapon represents the most cost effective means of restoring that capability. Where necessary, replacement weapons were ordered both during and immediately after the conflict, with due consideration to previous stockholding and usage rates, to restore an appropriate level of War Reserve.

Munition	Company	Approximate value (£ million)	Unit price (£)	Delivery date
Paveway II	Portsmouth Aviation	18	8,000	August 2000
RBL 755	Hunting Engineering Ltd.	7	7,000	August 2000
TLAM	Raytheon	23	1,100,000	—

No further orders are currently required for Paveway III, 1,000 lb bombs or ALARM missiles.Given TLAM's unique capability, knowledge of its delivery schedule could allow a potential adversary to assess the UK's stock level and operational capability; this information is, therefore, withheld in accordance with Exemption 1 (Defence, Security, and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons there are no RAF personnel at RAF Feltwell. [125174]

There is no operational requirement for RAF personnel to be based at RAF Feltwell.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to develop unmanned combat vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [125424]

The Ministry of Defence currently does not have any plans to develop an unmanned land combat vehicle. We are, however, conducting broad research into robotics technologies and remote operation for military vehicles.Remote control is at present used only for explosive ordnance disposal vehicles but Terrier, the replacement engineer tractor, will be fitted for, but not with, an ability for remote operation; it is likely the Future Engineer Tank will also be so fitted. The possibility of remotely operating armoured vehicles for obstacle and mine clearance roles in Bosnia was examined but not pursued.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the infrastructure components he has procured to provide internet access to all military personnel in Kosovo. [125807]

The infrastructure components currently being procured using public funds are routers, a switch, a server, printers and modems, together with the necessary software licences.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when, and with which companies and providers, he contracted the procurement of infrastructure for access to the internet by all military personnel in Kosovo; and what the contractual in-service date is. [125806]

Contracts for infrastructure equipment were placed with Honeywell Controls, DELL Electronics and Tangible Benefit on 7 June. The MOD's Defence Communication services Agency will provide the communications infrastructure and, to enable the service to be set up rapidly, the Permanent Joint Headquarters will act as the internet service provider. The service is expected to be in place by the end of this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) overseas garrisons and (b) Royal Navy ships where all military personnel have access to e-mail services. [125808]

All personnel in the Cyprus and Gibraltar garrisons have access to e-mail services via local providers, as do most personnel in the Falkland Islands.All Royal Navy ships of frigate size and above are capable of accessing the internet, enabling the ship's company to send and receive e-mail. Minor War Vessels can access the internet when alongside, and are also fitted with the necessary equipment when deployed on operations for a prolonged period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on arrangements for the delivery of communication and information services to his Department. [126065]

The Defence Communication Services Agency (DCSA) was established on 1 April 1998 and is responsible for the end-to-end delivery of communication and information services across Defence. The RAF Signals Engineering Establishment (RAFSEE) was formed in 1982 and became a Defence Agency in November 1994. The DCSA, RAFSEE and a number of non-Agency organisations responsible for aspects of the delivery of communication and information services and supporting activities were brought together to form a single Communication and Information Services and Support (CISS) organisation under the Defence Logistics Organisation on 1 April 2000. In order to strengthen the focus of the overall CISS organisation on service delivery and to reinforce the alignment of the DCSA's responsibility, authority and accountability it has been decided to remove Agency status from the RAFSEE organisation and to expand the DCSA to encompass the entire CISS organisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officers and of what rank comprise the Special Investigations Branch; and what is the annual expenditure of the SIB broken down into relevant headings. [123887]

The Special Investigations Branch (SIB) comprises 25 Officers and 158 soldiers, of the following ranks:

Rank	Total
Lieutenant Colonel	3
Major	12
Captain	10
Warrant Officer Class I	14
Warrant Officer Class II	27
Staff Sergeant	49
Sergeant	68
Total	183

The full cost of operating the SIB does not currently fall to a single, discrete budgetary area. For example, support costs may be satisfied at local level by the military unit with whom the SIB personnel are collocated; and, moreover, such costs are not separately apportioned. To determine the cost of operating the SIB worldwide could not, therefore, be achieved without disproportionate effort.A provisional estimate of expenditure on the three major SIB units which operate in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and Germany, for the present financial year, is detailed in the table.

Expenditure	£
Military pay	7,122,261
Civilian pay1	1,020,969
Contracts2	32,500
IT3	29,989
Lands and buildings4	28,000
Travel and subsistence5	244,658
Fuel and utilities	60,638
VAT receipts	-33,000
Miscellaneous6	423,603
Total	8,929,618
1In the UK and NI the SIB's functions are supported by civil servants, and in Germany by Locally Employed personnel
2Cleaning; Technical cleaning
3Installation and upkeep of both hardware and software
4Rents, legal fees, and minor estate improvements
5Vehicle hire, detached duty and daily travel
6Telephone costs, office supplies and logistical support