To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what criteria the Government will employ in making a decision on the deployment of a national missile defence system; [126947](2) if the results of his Department's Technology, Readiness and Risk Assessment programme will be available before a decision is taken on whether to allow UK facilities to be used in a US national missile defence system; [126949](3) on what basis a decision will be made on whether to allow the USA to upgrade the facilities at Fylingdales for a national missile defence system; [126948](4) what recent discussions there have been between the UK and the USA regarding options for locating anti-ballistic missile sites in the UK; [126942](5) what assessment he has

We have discussed, and continue to discuss, a range of aspects of possible proposals for a US National Missile Defence system with the United States. The US has not asked for UK assistance in the deployment of the proposed system, nor would we expect them to do so until after a US decision on whether to proceed with its deployment. In discussions with the US Administration we have made it clear that the UK would consider any such request carefully, taking into account a wide range of factors, including the implications for UK defence.The MOD's Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme is due to be completed next summer. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 12 June 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if NATO has (a) carried out and (b) is undertaking research into ballistic missile defences. [126938]

We are not aware of any research carried out or being undertaken by NATO into ballistic missile defences. The Ministry of Defence has, however, contributed to NATO studies on the subject, including preparations for studies into the feasibility of theatre ballistic missile defence. We expect these studies to start next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place between the UK and the USA on sea-based ballistic missile defences. [126945]

The UK is not directly involved in the US sea-based Theatre Missile Defence programme but limited information exchange and collaborative research has been undertaken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down has made of the toxicity to humans of (a) the nerve agent GF and (b) sarin GB. [127132]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (Porton Down) has compiled since 1970 on individuals who took part in the service volunteer programme; and for what reasons. [127133]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what dates the Health and Safety Executive has inspected the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down since 1 January 1996. [127134]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many graduate job applications were made and how many jobs were available at DERA in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999; and how many he expects for 2000. [127605]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if his Department has been in contact with Major Andrew Harrison; [127988](2) what measures he has taken to monitor the welfare of Major Andrew Harrison. [127989]

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 22 June 2000, Official Report, column 243W. The Foreign Secretary and I are monitoring the situation very closely. We are satisfied that everything possible is being done to ensure Major Harrison's safety and welfare.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) information exchange and (b) co-operation there has been between his Department and the US (i) Department of Defense and (ii) State Department concerning the US Airborne Laser. [126944]

The Ministry of Defence has received limited information from the Department of Defense on the US Airborne Laser programme. There has been no discussion or co-operation on this matter between the MOD and the Department of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the senior members of his Department's staff who have been seconded to (a) UK and (b) non-UK companies in (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97; what posts they held in his Department; what was the cost to his Department of the secondments; and if he will make a statement. [127231]

Details of Ministry of Defence senior civil servants seconded to companies in 1995–96 and 1996–97 and the costs to the Ministry of Defence are given as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of urgent referrals by general practitioners of patients with suspected cancer he estimates were seen by cancer specialists in the most recent period for which figures are available. [125256]

Since April 1999, we have set the standard that patients with suspected breast cancer will be offered an appointment with a specialist within two weeks of their general practitioner making an urgent referral. Table 1 shows that in the most recent period (January to March 2000) 96 per cent. of patients referred urgently received an appointment with a specialist within 14 days where the hospital received the referral within 24 hours of the GP deciding to refer. Table 2 shows that nearly 80 per cent. of patients were seen within two weeks where the referral was received outside 24 hours of the GP deciding to refer.By December 2000 this high quality service will be extended to thousands of other worried patients as the standard is introduced for all cases of suspected cancer requiring urgent investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what definition he uses of a reasonable distance when determining access to a GP practice. [124642]

Subject to local planning decisions, it is for health authorities to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether a surgery meets the reasonable expectations of its users and carers. Travelling distances are an important consideration, but we would expect travelling times, the availability and proximity of public transport and other services (such as National Health Service dispensing) to be taken into account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health further to his answer of 28 February 2000, Official Report, column 76W, on the East Midlands Ambulance Service, when improved control technology for the East Midlands Ambulance Service Trust will be implemented; and how long the process of approval for the project has taken since first submission by the trust. [127011]

The National Health Service Executive has been working with the East Midlands Ambulance Service Trust since March 1999 on the process to approve the business case for the procurement of improved control technology. In order that the approval process can move forward as quickly as possible, the trust is currently working to address the concerns which have been highlighted in their latest business case submission. Approval will be granted only if these concerns are met.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many agencies of his Department use interactive voice response systems when dealing with telephone inquiries from the general public; [127114](2) how many of his Department's telephone lines used by the general public are responded to by interactive voice response systems. [127391]

The Department and its agencies have only one telephone line for the general public that is responded to by interactive voice response systems. This is the Department's Public Enquiry Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has (a) to monitor implementation of best practice guidance and (b) to conduct further awareness campaigns in connection with the provision of continence services. [127596]

"Good practice in continence services" was issued on 19 April 2000. This guidance suggests targets for primary and community teams, health authorities and National Health Service trusts. It includes appropriate references to the NHS Performance Assessment Framework, which is used to plan and monitor the delivery of services. A National Service Framework for Older People is currently being developed. This will supplement the guidance on continence services by placing it in the wider context of improving NHS services for older people.The guidance suggests that action to promote continence awareness should be undertaken locally and where appropriate, in consultation with relevant national organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the Government's policy on the sale of medicines on the internet. [127882]

There are legal controls on the sale of medicines direct to consumers in order to protect public health and these apply whether the medicine is sold face to face or through the internet. The Medicines Control Agency has a special Internet Unit which investigates all alleged breaches of medicines legislation and has successfully taken action against a number of websites where the law has been broken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of maintaining redundant empty hospital buildings in each region in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [127692]

The holding costs of maintaining the surplus estate that is not vested in trusts, once it is vacant and available for disposal, include maintenance, security, rates and utilities.The last year for which figures are available, ie 1999–2000, for each region are as follows:

£
Region
Northern and Yorkshire	1,500,000
Trent	580,000
Eastern	415,000
London	2,543,000
South-East	2,702,000
South and West	774,000
West Midlands	1,194,000
North-West	598,000
Total	10,306,000

There is a continuing programme of disposals of the surplus estate in the ownership of the Secretary of State, which has realised in excess of £200 million per annum in recent years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total remuneration of each NHS health authority's general manager in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [127690]

Information on the remuneration of health authority chief executives has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Food Standards Agency will take regarding the Public Health Laboratory Service testing of Tesco's organic mushrooms; and if the results of the PHLS's inquiry will be made public. [126309]

The responsibility for ensuring the accuracy of results from the testing of food lies primarily with the laboratory undertaking the testing. The Food Standards Agency was not involved in the commissioning of the survey in question.The Public Health Laboratory Service is in the process of completing its inquiry and will make the findings available at the earliest opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the cost of providing free nursing care for elderly people outside hospital. [127495]

National Health Service expenditure on community nursing for people aged 65 and over was £836 million in 1998–99, the latest year for which figures are available. Local council expenditure on nursing home care amounted to £669 million in 1998–99. Extending free nursing care to everyone in nursing homes assessed as needing it would cost an additional sum. The amount would depend on defining the nursing element of nursing home care.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on widening access to NHS dentistry. [127498]

We have already made good progress towards improving access to dental services. Initiatives include Investing in Dentistry, in which £10 million in grants have been approved in return for promises of nearly 900,000 new National Health Service registrations. Personal dental services explore new ways of providing dentistry for people who cannot easily or conveniently use existing services. A third wave of 14 pilots will be operational by the end of the year, bringing the total number of pilots to more than 50. Dental access centres are one form of PDS pilot. Access centres provide a full range of dental services, at convenient times and in convenient places, to people who cannot at present easily access NHS dentistry. There will be 33 pilots operating from more than 50 access centres by April 2001.We have accepted the recommendations of the Doctors and Dentists Review Body for a commitment scheme to reward loyalty to the NHS. The scheme will cost £17 million per annum in England, and is currently being negotiated with the profession.Further initiatives to improve access to services will form part of our plans for modernising NHS dentistry, which will be published this summer in conjunction with the National Plan for the NHS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much financial assistance was made available by (a) the National Lottery, (b) the English Sports Council, (c) the Government, (d) the UK Sports Council and (e) the Football Trust to assist (i) the preparation of the bid to hold the 1996 European football championships, (ii) with the upgrading of stadiums and other facilities for the 1996 European football championships and (iii) with the running costs of the 1996 European football championships. [127698]

Funding for the 1996 European championships was made available as follows:

(a) No Lottery funding was made available, either for the preparation of the bid or for the running of the championships.

(b) The English and UK Sports Councils were not in existence until 1997, but the then GB Sports Council contributed £80,000 towards the costs of the cultural programme.

(c) The Government, through the Association for Business Sponsorship for the Arts and the Sportsmatch scheme, made available a total of £400,000 for the cultural programme which ran alongside the championships in the eight host cities. No other direct Government subvention was made. Much of the expenditure incurred during the running of the tournament, including the costs of additional policing, was met by the local authorities of the eight host cities.

(d) See (b).

(e) The Football Trust provided £19 million towards stadia improvements in the eight host cities during the period from 1993 to 1996. That sum was the Trust's contribution to the £72 million spent by the eight host clubs in the five years before the 1996 championships on essential ground safety work following the publication of the Taylor Report. Taking all professional clubs in England into account, the Trust made available £136 million for Taylor-related work over that five-year period. The Trust also contributed a further £500,000 towards the general running costs of the championships.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost of producing the annual report of (a) his Department and (b) English Heritage was in each of the two most recent years in which they were published. [127845]

[holding answer 26 June 2000]:(a) The costs incurred producing the Annual Report in each of the last two years were:

£000
1999	64.6
2000	66.2

This includes the cost of buying back copies for free distribution from The Stationery Office, who are responsible for printing the reports and putting them on sale around the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the review of the transparency of the BBC's financial reporting will commence; and if he will make a statement. [128140]

In their response to the Davies panel's report on the future funding of the BBC, the Government announced that they would appoint independent consultants to examine the transparency of the BBC's financial reporting culminating in the publication of the Corporation's Annual Report and Accounts. The BBC's Annual Report and Accounts was published on 21 June and I have today appointed Pannell Kerr Forster to carry out a detailed review of:

the level of information provided in the BBC's "Annual Report and Accounts";

how far the reporting meets the requirements of the Royal Charter and the Government's conclusions on the outcome of the Davies review;

the process that leads up to the disclosure of information in the "Annual Report and Accounts", including the extent to which the Governors are made aware of the issues;

existing correspondence from stakeholders to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the BBC about the financial information produced; and

existing mechanisms employed by the BBC to ensure transparency, including use of focus groups.

The review will commence immediately and will be concluded by the end of July. I will publish Pannell Kerr Forster's findings. Copies of the terms of reference for the review have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made in connection with the UK's policy on sanctions against Iraq of the threat to (a) the UK and (b) the United States from Iraqi use of chemical weapons; and what assessment he has made of the evidence submitted by Richard Butler to the UK Government on this subject. [125375]

[holding answer 20 June 2000]: UK policy on sanctions against Iraq is governed by the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs), not by our assessment of the threat. Richard Butler, the former Executive Chairman of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) has submitted no evidence to the UK Government on the subject of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. During his time with UNSCOM, he reported to the United Nations Security Council that numerous serious gaps remained in Iraq's declarations on its chemical and biological weapons and ballistic missile programmes. We share his concern over this, hence the importance we attach to re-establishing weapons inspection regime in Iraq under UNSCR 1284.The UK's assessment of the threat posed by Iraq's chemical weapons capabilities can be found in the MOD document "Defending Against the Threat from Biological and Chemical Weapons", published in July 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the current waiting times in each queue for entry to the UK for settlement in each post in the Indian subcontinent and in (a) Manila, (b) Bangkok, (c) Lagos, (d) Abuja, (e) Accra, (f) St. Petersburg and (g) Moscow. [127112]

The most recent information available from the Posts concerned shows the following waiting times for settlement entry clearance interviews:

Posts using 4 queue system	Waiting time in weeks
Islamabad
Q1	6
Q2	22.5
Q3	32
Q4	38
Dhaka
Q1	16
Q2	28
Q3	16
Q4	44
New Delhi
Q1	0
Q2	10
Q3	10
Q4	10
Bombay
Q1	0
Q2	6
Q3	6
Q4	6

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a list of bilateral treaties and agreements which have been agreed with the Government of the Republic of Ireland since 1 January 1997, including the title of each treaty and agreement and the date on which it was signed. [127138]

I have placed a list of Treaties and Agreements between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Ireland signed since 1 January 1997 in the Library of the House today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on present and future activities of the Europe Made Easy Programme in the United Kingdom. [127188]

My Department is not aware of this programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions since 1 May 1997 his office has referred hon. Members in parliamentary answers to the office of the European Commission in London; and if he will make a statement on his policy of referral, with particular reference to ministerial accountability. [127192]

We refer hon. Members to the European Commission when their questions relate to Commission policy or to facts about programmes and projects for which the Commission is responsible. We do not keep a record of numbers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from HM diplomatic posts in Indonesia on the human rights situation in the Moluccas. [127237]

We receive regular reports from the Embassy in Jakarta on the worrying developments in Maluku. We deplore the loss of all life resulting from the violence, in particular the escalating violence in recent days with over 100 people killed and over 200 injured. This represents a major threat to stability. We are playing a key role in the EU and the UN in calling on the Indonesian Government to work on peaceful resolution to the violence. EU representatives called on the Indonesian Government on 12 June, to remind them of their responsibility to maintain law and order, and to request an investigation and immediate steps to bring the perpetrators to justice. As part of the international effort through the United Nations Development Programme we have already funded two conferences on reconciliation in Maluku. With our partners and international agencies we are actively looking at other ways of promoting reconciliation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many agencies of his Department use interactive voice response systems when dealing with telephone inquiries from the general public. [127553]

In the UK no FCO Department uses interactive voice response systems when dealing with telephone inquiries from the general public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department's telephone lines used by the general public are responded to by interactive voice response systems. [127388]

None of the FCO's telephone lines used by the general public is responded to by interactive voice systems. Where it is sensible and efficient to use them there is an increasing use of telephone lines which are answered by voice processing systems, but these respond to touch-tone telephones rather than the human voice. These systems are deployed overseas only where the in-country telephone infrastructure is good and where it is common practice for such systems to be deployed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if any of the Kosovo Protection Corps have been (a) arrested and (b) questioned following the weapons find in the village of Kleck; and if he will make a statement. [127556]

Following the weapons find by KFOR, investigations are under way to establish who was responsible for the arms cache. A wide range of people are likely to be questioned, including members of the Kosovo Protection Corps, but it is too early to say yet whether KPC members were directly involved. The Government welcome KFOR's discovery of this illegal weapons site and will support tough action taken against those found responsible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions he proposes to take to prevent the sale in the UK and dependent territories of diamonds and other commodities being used to fund conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [127704]

The UK is a leading actor in supporting international efforts to tackle the problem of illicit diamonds and other commodities being used to finance wars in Africa.We have supported the establishment of a UN expert panel to follow up on reports and collect information on the exploitation of DRC's natural resources. We look forward to the panel's recommendations to the Security Council.We want to see a peaceful resolution of the conflict, and DRC's natural wealth used to benefit the people of DRC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent conflict in Kisangani. [127703]

We deplore the recent fighting between Ugandan and Rwandan forces in Kisangani. Their actions have put the Lusaka Agreement at risk and led to widespread suffering for the people of Kisangani. We have expressed our concerns to both governments bilaterally and supported the UN Security Council Resolution 1304 which calls for both parties to cease hostilities and withdraw all their forces from the territory of the Democratic Republic of Congo.The United Nations observer mission in Kisangani has informed us that both sets of troops have withdrawn from the town. We continue to monitor the situation closely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will press for a mandatory EU arms embargo on countries involved in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [127705]

As a signatory to the EU Code of Conduct on arms exports the UK will not allow exports which would provoke or prolong armed conflicts or aggravate existing tensions or conflicts in the country of final destination.At the General Affairs Council (GAC) on 22 May the Council invited the EU/SADC working group on illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons to examine in its next meeting practical measures to prevent arms flowing to conflict zones in the Great Lakes Region.The Council also mandated its relevant bodies to consider whether an arms embargo on the parties to the conflict would be appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made regarding the re-establishment of democratic Government in Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [127836]

Although we cannot endorse the recent ruling by Pakistan's Supreme Court that last October's coup was legitimate, we have noted the Court's ruling that national elections should be held within three years. We are encouraged that General Musharraf has apparently accepted this. We have continued to urge Pakistan's military to announce a clear and credible timetable for the transition to full democracy, most recently when the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office met his Pakistani counterpart on 22 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the proposed budget is for the UNAMSIL deployment in Sierra Leone for the year 2000. [127659]

The UNAMSIL budget for July 1999 to June 2000 is US$266,610,000, and for July 2000 to June 2001 US$504,399,051.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many child soldiers have been demobilised by pro-Government forces in Sierra Leone since 8 May. [127658]

The screening and demobilisation of child soldiers from pro-Government forces in Sierra Leone is continuing. The screening programme is to identify those children who have actually been involved in fighting. Of the 135 children who have recently entered the screening programme, 32 were identified as child soldiers.We welcome the Government of Sierra Leone's policy that there must be no place for children in the Sierra Leone armed forces, and that all child soldiers must be disarmed and demobilised. We will continue to press for the early release of all child soldiers in Sierra Leone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has (i) made to and (ii) received from the Presidents of (a) Nigeria, (b) Liberia and (c) Sierra Leone, regarding the ECOWAS bid to broker a ceasefire between Sierra Leone Government forces and RUF rebels. [127652]

We remain in regular touch with ECOWAS states over the situation in Sierra Leone. We support the efforts of ECOWAS to help restore stability throughout Sierra Leone and bring about an end to violence.President Kabbah has made clear that, before any ceasefire, the Revolutionary United Front must meet a number of conditions, including the immediate and unconditional release of all UN peacekeepers and other detainees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the attendance of observers for the forthcoming elections in Zimbabwe. [127718]

Around 400 international observers from such organisations as the Commonwealth, the European Union, the Organisation for African Unity and the Southern African Development Community, as well as national groups are present in Zimbabwe.We are dismayed that the Government of Zimbabwe has not allowed the United Nations Development Programme to co-ordinate the activities of the various observer missions, but we understand that there is a good degree of informal co-ordination between the observer teams.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, during his forthcoming visit to Iran, he will raise with the Government the extent of religious freedom in Iran and the treatment of the Baha'i community. [127985]

We and our EU partners have regularly raised our concerns over Iranian treatment of the Baha'is and shall continue to do so. Persecution on religious grounds is totally unacceptable.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will discuss a number of issues, including human rights, during his visit to Iran on 4–5 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if authorities building incinerators can meet their recycling targets through the re-use of the ash. [126468]

[holding answer 20 June 2000]: The introduction of new statutory performance standards was announced in the Waste Strategy 2000. Subject to consultation, we intend that the re-use of ash from waste incineration will not count towards achieving these targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to amend planning regulations to remove obstacles to local authorities providing street information kiosks for their local communities. [127303]

We have no current plans to make changes to the planning regulations in respect of local planning authorities providing information kiosks.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what circumstances and by what means a compulsory purchase order in respect of a private dwelling can be rescinded. [126914]

[holding answer 21 June 2000]: Compulsory purchase of property must normally be authorised by compulsory purchase order.A compulsory purchase order made by a non-ministerial acquiring authority, such as a local authority, must be submitted for decision to the relevant "confirming authority". This is normally the Secretary of State or Minister responsible to Parliament for the legislation and policies which apply in the particular circumstances. An order is made and confirmed under procedures set out in, and regulations prescribed for the purposes of, the Acquisition of Land Act 1981. There are also rules for public local inquiries held for the purposes of that Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many mobile plant licences have been issued to practitioners within the land remediation industry; how many licensed the (a) in situ and (b) ex situ remediation of land; and what technologies were involved in each case. [127580]

To date, the Environment Agency has issued 21 mobile plant licences of which six are for in-situ remediation, 14 for ex-situ remediation and one for a combination of both. For practical purposes, the Agency has classified the technologies involved as ex-situ bioremediation (soil treatment beds) (5.5 licences); in-situ bioremediation (1 licence); soil vapour extraction (3.5 licences); soil washing (6 licences); solvent extraction (1 licence); solidification and stabilisation (3 licences); and transformation by chemical treatment (1 licence).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of housing in the United Kingdom falls below the Standard Assessment Procedure 20 rating for energy efficiency; and what programmes are in place to improve Standard Assessment Procedure ratings in (a) pensioner and (b) single-parent households. [127575]

Using the latest data from the English House Condition Survey, it is estimated that about 8 per cent. of dwellings had an energy efficiency rating under the Standard Assessment Procedure of below 20. The size of the total English housing stock was some 19.6 million dwellings.The energy efficiency of pensioner and single-parent households are being improved through a range of programmes as described.The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) has been radically overhauled as of 1 June 2000. The scheme now provides grants for packages of heating and insulation improvement measures, including the provision of high efficiency central heating systems for low income households aged 60 years or more. The grant maximum has been increased from £315 to between £700 and £2,000 depending on the composition of each household and the condition of the dwelling. The scheme is focused on the private sector where nearly 70 per cent. of the fuel poor in England are found. In the case of pensioners and single parents, eligibility is linked to the receipt of an income-related benefit or one of the main disability benefits. Of the 460,000 households that are expected to be helped during the first two years of HEES, some 280,000 are likely to be aged 60 years or more.Government-funded programmes operated by the Energy Saving Trust also improve the energy efficiency both fuel poor households and others.The Government have also substantially increased the resources available to local authorities over the lifetime of this Parliament, reversing the reductions planned by the previous Government. The extra resources in the first three years, 1997–98 to 1999–2000, were allocated through the Capital Receipts Initiative (CRI). Information collected to monitor the impact of the CRI found that around a quarter to a third of the work on local authorities' own stock financed from this initiative lead either directly or indirectly to improvements in energy efficiency. If this were replicated across all local authority housing capital expenditure on its own stock this would equate to around £400–500 million per annum.The energy efficiency of low-income households is also likely to be improved through some of the regeneration schemes funded by DETR. These cover a wide range of activities depending on local need, and it is not possible to quantify the precise expenditure on energy efficiency improvements.To support the installation of energy efficiency measures, the Government also reduced the level of VAT from 1 July 1998 on work carried out on low-income households through eligible schemes such as HEES. The revenue cost of the reduction was £8.5 million a year. This year's Budget extended the reduced rate at a total cost of £35 million a year. By 2002, the total cost is estimated at £85 million.The Government are also introducing provisions to enable lessors to claim capital allowances on their investment in boilers, radiators and controls installed in residential properties under the Affordable Warmth Programme. The Programme will operate from 2000 to 2007, with the aim of helping up to one million low-income households benefit from improved energy efficiency. Estimate that Government assistance from this measure up to April 2002 will be approximately £10 million.In addition to Government energy efficiency programmes, since 1994 public electricity suppliers have, under the Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance, been required to encourage and assist customers with energy efficiency measures. The new Director General of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets has, from this year extended these to also include public gas suppliers and the overall size of the programme has been doubled to £50 million a year. Around two thirds of this help has gone to pensioner and low-income families.As energy efficiency is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of the respective Parliament and Assemblies to comment on the situation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he proposes to publish his Department's review on regional government in England; [127990](2) what consultations have been carried out for his Department's review on regional government in England. [127991]

The Department has undertaken a preliminary study of the literature relating to regional government in England, which will be published shortly. No public consultation was involved. As substantive proposals are developed for taking forward the Government's commitments to regional government, there will be full consultation with regional and other interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the performance of Advantage West Midlands; and if he will make a statement. [127888]

My Department has commissioned consultants to undertake an evaluation of the strategies and action plans produced by all eight RDAs, including Advantage West Midlands. Research is also being carried out by consultants into partnership working by RDAs in the development and production of their strategies. It is the aim that both pieces of research will be published and that the findings will contribute to a report on the RDAs performance in their first year of operation.The 2000–01 research programme of my Department's Local and Regional Government Research Unit also includes provision for a long-term evaluation of the operation and effectiveness of RDAs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Virgin Trains commercial study of the electrification of the North Wales main line has been made available to the National Assembly for Wales. [127889]

The study was produced on a commercially confidential basis to the Franchising Director in March 1998 and he received an independent assessment of it, again on a commercially confidential basis, in September 1998. The Franchising Director has not since made the study or assessment available to the National Assembly for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the number of new GM farm-scale trials which will be required for (a) autumn planting this year and (b) spring planting next year. [127026]

The Scientific Steering Committee for the Farm-scale Evaluations has advised that 20 to 25 fields should be sought for the autumn sowing of the farm-scale evaluations of herbicide tolerant oil seed rape this year.The original design for the evaluations was that for each GM crop 20 to 25 fields would be sought each year for three years. When it became apparent last February that there may be a shortfall in the number of farms for the spring sowings this year, the Steering Committee advised:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the varieties used in the non-GM part of the farm-scale evaluations. [127218]

My Department does not hold information on the individual varieties being grown, as it is not relevant to the Farm-scale Evaluations research.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the Government's policy is on auctioning landing rights at UK airports; and if he will make a statement. [127504]

I take the question to refer to take-off and landing slots, and not to traffic rights, which are negotiated separately. Slot allocation at congested airports is governed by European Regulation EC95/93. An independent co-ordinator makes the allocation using a set of priority criteria that reflect the European Regulation and international guidelines. The Government have no role in the process. Slots are allocated without charge. Under the existing Regulation once allocated, their holder has an indefinite claim on them as long as they are used.EC 95/93 is due for revision and we await proposals from the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the revenue which would be raised by auctioning landing rights at UK airports; and if he will make a statement. [127503]

None. The allocation of landing rights, or slots, at airports, is governed by EC Regulation 95/93 which does not explicitly authorise the buying and selling of slots. The Government do not therefore have information on which to base an estimate of the possible value of slots. The income raised would also depend on a number of variables including the number of slots auctioned, their location and how desirable they were to a particular airline.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to streamline the procedure governing planning appeals. [128139]

My right hon. Friend has today laid before Parliament four Statutory Instruments to improve the handling of planning appeals under each of the three main procedures, written representations, hearings and inquiries these are: the Town and Country Planning (Appeals) (Written Representations Procedure) Regulations 2000; the Town and Country Planning (Hearings Procedure) (England) Rules 2000, the Town and Country Planning (Inquiries Procedure) (England) Rules 2000 and the Town and Country Planning Appeals (Determination by Inspectors) (Inquiries Procedure) (England) Rules 2000. My right hon. Friend has also laid before Parliament a related amendment to the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995.A Departmental circular (DETR 5/2000), "Planning Appeals: Procedures (including inquiries into called-in planning applications)", is being issued today to accompany the new Statutory Instruments and copies have been placed in the House Libraries. This Circular (which replaces Circular DOE 15/96) explains the new procedures governing written representations, hearings and inquiries (including inquiries into called-in planning applications). The changes implement the conclusions of a consultation exercise announced by the then Minister for Planning, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Cabom), on 31 March last year.The new arrangements, due to come into operation on 1 August 2000, are a key component of our "Modernising Planning" programme. I am determined to improve the service offered to business, householders and other users of the appeal system. The changes being introduced will improve the speed and efficiency of the system without impairing the quality, fairness or openness of the process or people's ability to participate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much public subsidy (a) was spent in each of the last three years and (b) his Department forecasts will be spent in the current financial year on the construction of incinerators; and if he will list the incinerator projects and the amount of public subsidy in each case. [126759]

I have been asked to reply.The payments made from the fossil fuel levy for electricity generated by the combustion of waste in England and Wales in the financial years 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 to which I understand the hon. Member's question refers was £30 million, £31 million and £10 million respectively. These payments represent 26 per cent., 28 per cent. and 24 per cent. respectively of the total payments made for electricity generated from renewable sources of energy. The estimate for the financial year 2000–01 is £12 million (15 per cent. of the total). Projects are located at Edmonton, Coventry, Byker, Isle of Wight, Nottingham, Lewisham, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Stoke, Tyseley, Cleveland and Sheffield and more are expected to commission in due course. The payments received by each are commercially confidential. All of these projects offer substantial new opportunities for the recovery of metals and ash for recycling.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to record and make public details of all formal meetings in the course of his official duties; and if he will make a statement. [125999]

[holding answer 15 June 2000]: Ministers and civil servants meet many people as part of the process of policy development and analysis. All such contacts are conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Code, the Civil Service Code and Guidance for Civil Servants: Contacts with Lobbyists. In order to preserve confidentiality, it is not the normal practice of government to release details of specific meetings with private individuals or companies. This is in line with the practice adopted by successive governments.

To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received in respect of the G8 summit in Okinawa; and what responses he has made. [127572]

I have received many representations in respect of the Okinawa Summit. These have come from international organisations, including the World bank and World Health Organisation; individual non-G8 members, including Nigeria and South Africa; NGOs, such as Greenpeace, Oxfam and Jubilee 2000; and hon. Members and members of the public. These have covered a range of global issues including debt relief, development, education, health and the global environment. I have also discussed the issues directly with some Heads of Government and NGO leaders; and responded in writing to others. Other interlocutors have received responses from Ministers and senior officials. There has also been direct dialogue on Summit themes between officials responsible for preparing the Summit and representatives of Commonwealth Governments and UK NGOs.

To ask the Prime Minister how many (a) special advisers, (b) permanent civil servants and (c) temporary civil servants are employed in the Strategic Communications Unit. [127425]

[holding answer 23 June 2000]: Two special advisers and nine permanent civil servants are currently employed in the Strategic Communications Unit. One of the permanent civil servants is employed on a short-term secondment to the Unit.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the latest Information Bulletin on the activities of the United Kingdom delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Assembly of Western European Union covering the period November 1999 to April. [128096]

I have done so today.

To ask the Prime Minister what the membership is of each Cabinet Committee. [128095]

I have placed a copy of the current list of Cabinet Committees, their membership and terms of reference in the Library of the House. Details will also be updated on the Cabinet Office website (www.cabinet-office.gov.uk).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the schemes which provide financial help for the shipbuilding industry; how much financial support has been contributed to these schemes by the Government since May 1997; and if he will list the beneficiaries of the assistance. [127830]

Assistance to the shipbuilding industry is provided through the Shipbuilding Intervention Fund (SIF); the Home Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme (HSCGS); and through the Innovation Budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which organisations were represented at the meeting on 23 May to discuss the work of the Hawley Review Group; and what was the outcome of the meeting. [127736]

The following organisations were represented at the meeting on 23 May:

• AEA Technology
• BAe Systems
• BioIndustry Association
• British Computer Society
• Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of the Universities of the UK
• Department for Education and Employment
• Department of Trade and Industry
• Engineering and Marine Training Authority
• Engineering Council
• Engineering Employers' Federation
• Federation of Electronics Industries
• Forum for the Future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government help is available to increase access to venture capital for small companies in Morecambe and Lunesdale. [127638]

The Government recognise the vital role that venture capital can play in support of growth businesses and the value that the formal venture capital industry can add. An existing business angel network in the North West currently provides informal investment capital to small companies in the region. The Government are also committed to ensuring that there is an adequate supply of venture capital to meet demand across the regions. The new Regional Venture Capital Funds will specialise in the provision of small scale equity to businesses with growth potential. Bidding guidance for potential sponsors of new regional funds was issued on 22 December 1999 and 21 notifications of intention to bid have subsequently been received. Should all of these come forward and meet the criteria all of the English regions, including the North West, will have access to at least one new, viable fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what help the Government are providing to small firms to encourage e-commerce. [127639]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to my hon. Friend the Member for Falkirk, East (Mr. Connarty) and my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, South (Ms Moran) on 2 March 2000, Official Report, column 337W, which described the activity of the DTI-lead Information Society Initiative.Since then, as well as launching our Technology Means Business programme which aims significantly to improve the environment of support for small businesses, we have received an extra £60 million package from the Chancellor's Budget. This will focus on ramping-up existing services to the SME community. It includes £10 million to boost the existing network of ISI Advice Centres throughout the UK and inject greater urgency into the Government's awareness campaign; and £20 million for the SBS to create a 'Gateway' through which people can get guidance, advice and information needed to run or start a small business. Additionally, the tax benefits for SMEs following the Budget include 100 per cent. first year capital allowances, the Research and Development Tax Credit for SMEs, and tax reliefs to promote corporate venturing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce a producer responsibility regime for plastic bags. [127725]

Plastic bags, in common with bags made of other materials such as paper, that are used for the containment, protection handling, delivery or presentation of goods are classified as packaging. A producer responsibility regime exists for packaging in the form of the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997. These Regulations place an obligation on business throughout the packaging chain who meet certain threshold requirements, to recover and recycle packaging waste.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to impose a duty of care on auditors towards shareholders of audited companies. [127486]

The extent to which auditors owe a duty of care to the shareholders of an audited company is as laid down by the courts. We will consider the need to change the position in the light of the final report from the Steering Group of the independent Company Law Review, expected next year. The consultation document issued by the Review in March 2000—'Modern Company Law—Developing the Framework'—addresses the issues surrounding the scope of the duty of care (paragraphs 5.146 to 5.155).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if those water companies considering mutualising their assets will be able to form limited liabilities partnerships under the Limited Liability Partnerships Bill [Lords]. [127558]

Any two or more persons associated for carrying on a lawful business with a view to profit and satisfying the registration requirements may become a limited liability partnership. However, a "statutory undertaker" under the Water Industry Act 1991 must be a company limited by shares and could not therefore be an LLP.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken in the past 12 months to support the manufacturers of renewable energy technology; and what support he makes available to promote overseas sales of renewable energy technology and energy efficiency services. [127568]

The Government have taken significant steps to support renewable energy manufacturers in the last 12 months.The Government launched a new regional planning initiative for renewable energy in the summer of 1999. In November 1999 the Government issued two consultation papers, on network management and licensing issues for embedded generation, of direct relevance to renewables, and in December 1999 it announced its intention to allocate around £30 million to the growing of energy crops over the six years up to March 2007. The Government also announced plans to exempt all forms of renewable energy, including electricity generated from renewable sources, from the Climate Change Levy, which will be introduced in April 2001, providing a substantial financial incentive for its use.On 1 February 2000, to coincide with the Second Reading of the Utilities Bill, the Government published "New and Renewable Energy—Prospects for the 21st Century: Conclusions in Response to the Public Consultation". The Conclusions Document summarises key elements of the Government's policy. They are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his timetable is for responding to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution report, Energy-The Changing Climate. [127625]

I, together with my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment, and other colleagues, will be giving careful consideration to the recommendations in this report and we will be aiming to respond within a year. In the meantime, the Government are considering responses to the draft Climate Change Programme, and plan to publish the final version in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans he has to enable unfulfilled Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation contracts for the supply of wind energy from onshore locations to be implemented anywhere within the area of sea within the Government's jurisdiction; [127584](2) if he will enable Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation contracts to be implemented anywhere within the Government's jurisdiction. [127585]

The Government have no locus in the contracts entered into by the Public Electricity Suppliers (PES) to secure the generating capacity from renewable sources of electricity required by the non-fossil fuel obligation (NFFO) Orders. These contracts are location specific and any amendment to their location needs to be agreed between the contracting parties. In addition the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) needs to be satisfied that the amendment does not cause the contract to cease to be a qualifying arrangement. If the contract ceased to be a qualifying arrangement the PES would not be eligible to receive fossil fuel levy for the electricity generated. I have asked the Non-Fossil Purchasing Agency Ltd. and Ofgem to re-examine the scope for amendments which would allow projects that have been frustrated by circumstances outside the control of the generator to go forward to construction and generation. Their re-examination has not yet reached a conclusion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the proposed new gas trading arrangements. [127479]

The term "new gas trading arrangements" covers a number of exercises, led by the Director General of Gas Supply and his office Ofgem, aimed at securing effective competition in gas supply and the economic and efficient operation of Transco's pipeline system. These include auction arrangements for entry capacity into the national transmission system and an on-the-day commodity market for balancing purposes, both introduced with effect from October 1999. Work is in hand on further refinements to the capacity and energy balancing regimes, including reviews of the exit capacity regime and of the possibility of introducing a linepack regime. Further background is available on the Ofgem website www.ofgem.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the (a) make, (b) model and (c) number of each make and model of car (i) owned and (ii) leased by his Department; and what is the (1) purchase price and (2) annual cost of the lease of each car. [127383]

My Department does not own any cars. The following are leased:

Make	Model	Number	Annual cost per car1 (£)
Ford	Escort	4	2,853.48
Ford	Escort	1	2,884.92
Ford	Escort	4	3,338.76
Ford	Escort	4	3,344.40
Vauxhall	Astra	1	3,272.76
Vauxhall	Vectra	1	3,473.16
Fiat	Cinquecento	1	1,680.00
Fiat	Brava	1	2,555.52
Peugeot	206	1	2,806.60
Citroen	Xantia	1	3,532.44
1Excluding VAT

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements to support sub-regional private/public partnerships will operate in London until the London Development Agency becomes operational. [127563]

My Department supports the work of the sub-regional partnerships through the Government Office for London and the Invest in Britain Bureau and this will continue up to, and after, the establishment of the London Development Agency on 3 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department is taking to promote and support manufacturing industry in Greater London. [127386]

My Department provides assistance to encourage competitiveness and innovation in manufacturing and other sectors through a range of schemes and initiatives delivered in London. These include Regional Selective Assistance; Enterprise Grants; and support through Business Links aimed at developing new and growing businesses, including in export markets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list each of the projects in Russia where British Nuclear Fuels has a business or research involvement; and if he will set out the sources of the support budgets in each case. [126571]

This is a matter for BNFL. I have asked the Company Secretary to provide my hon. Friend with the information requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support his Department is providing to the organisers of this year's Farnborough Airshow; and what assistance his Department is providing to overseas visitors to attend the show. [127877]

My Department is providing no financial support to the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) in respect of the Farnborough International 2000 Airshow. Support from my Department of up to £29,500 has been offered to the SBAC, to assist delegations from Brazil, Canada and the Czech Republic attend the Airshow.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the review of maternity pay and parental leave will conclude; what organisations have been involved in the review; and how the information will be treated once the review is completed. [127251]

[holding answer 26 June 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Mr. Miller) on 22 June 2000, Official Report, columns 236–37W. There will be extensive consultation throughout the review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to assess the compatibility of (a) the Convention on Biological Diversity and (b) the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement in respect of the treatment of genetic resources. [127462]

We consider the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to be compatible, but we need to ensure that they are implemented in a mutually supportive way. For this reason we supported the recent decision of the 5th Convention of Parties (COP5) to the CBD, which asked the WTO further to explore the interrelationship between the provisions of the TRIPS agreement and the CBD.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make it his policy to seek an amendment to Article 27.3(b) of the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement to exclude genetic resources for food and agriculture. [127465]

The current exclusions from patentability for biological materials as set out in Article 27.3(b) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement allow all WTO members sufficient flexibility to implement patent and other intellectual property regimes appropriate to their individual circumstances, within internationally agreed limits. Patents are afforded only to new technical inventions. Valid rights cannot be obtained for naturally occurring plants or animals or information concerning their genetic composition. Similarly, traditional or indigenous knowledge concerning the existence, use or properties of plants and animals is already not patentable. Given this flexibility and these limitations, we do not consider the requirements of Section 27.3(b) to be incompatible with WTO member states needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of intellectual property rights over plant and animal varieties. [127466]

Patents are available only for inventions for new technical solutions. Under the Patents Act 1977 and EC Directive (98/44/EC) on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions, plant and animal varieties, or the breeding of plants and animals by traditional methods, cannot be the subject of patent rights. However, inventions concerning plants and animals may be patentable if the technical feasibility of the invention is not confined to a particular plant or animal variety. To be patentable, such an invention would have to satisfy the general criteria for patentability that the invention is new and would not be obvious to someone in the technical field.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to increase (a) public involvement in the WTO decision-making process and (b) openness in the operation of the WTO. [127463]

The Government launched a consultation exercise before Seattle and continues to receive and respond to public concerns through correspondence as well as the DTI website www.dti.gov.uk/worldtrade. I, my colleagues and our officials also hold regular meetings with business, NGOs and trade unions. The UK has, since Seattle, pressed for progress on WTO reform, and in particular on issues relating to consensus building and communication. The WTO' s General Council agreed earlier this year that a consultation process should be launched on improvements to WTO consultative and decision-making procedures. We await the outcome of this consultative process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he has made since the Seattle meeting in securing reform of the WTO. [127467]

The Government launched a consultation exercise before Seattle and continues to receive and respond to public concerns through correspondence as well as the DTI website www.dti.gov.uk/worldtrade. On 7–8 February, the WTO General Council meeting agreed that a consultation process should be launched on improvements to WTO consultative and decision-making procedures. We await the outcome of this consultative process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his policy in respect of the admission of China into the WTO. [127469]

The UK supports China's accession to the WTO on the right terms. We welcome the European Commission's success in negotiating an EU/China bilateral market access agreement. Of course, it is essential that China's commitments upon accession to the WTO are clearly set out and reviewed at regular intervals to ensure adherence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress he is making in achieving clarification of the relationship between multi-lateral environmental agreements and the WTO rules. [127468]

The UK and EU have proposed that a new Round of WTO negotiations includes a clarification of the relationship between WTO rules and trade measures taken within multi-lateral environmental agreements. We are continuing our efforts to build a consensus among WTO members for this proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of imported textiles and clothes on the UK textile industry. [127460]

The increased level of imports of textiles and clothing has presented a significant challenge for domestic producers, which has been met in a variety of ways. Some UK companies have looked at the opportunities for manufacturing overseas to take advantage of lower wage rates; most have looked at their existing operations and worked to increase their competitiveness.Most encouragingly the industry itself set up the Textiles and Clothing Strategy Group, and its Final report, "A National Strategy for the UK Textile and Clothing Industry" was launched last month. My Department responded rapidly and positively to the report's recommendations and we are considering what further action we can take to help the industry compete internationally in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of his recently announced support for the textile industry will go to firms based in (a) the Coventry area and (b) the West Midlands. [127461]

All of the Government's 'announceables' outlined in its 12-point plan are applicable to (a) Coventry and (b) the West Midlands.The DTI and DfEE are currently liaising to carry through the initiatives announced in the 12-point plan, and how much support a region is allocated very much depends on the 'take-up' from the textile and clothing industry in that locality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of the Research Council held in Luxembourg on 15 June; and if he will make a statement. [127183]

I am pleased to report that the Council of 15 June:

1. Debated the future of the Information and Knowledge Society, underlining the importance of research policy, social inclusiveness and the interconnection of high speed electronic research networks.

2. Adopted a Resolution on establishing an European area of research and innovation.

3. Adopted Presidency Conclusions concerning funding for life science infrastructures.

4. Received information from the Commission on progress on the joint ESA-EU strategy for space, and from the Presidency and Commission on international co-operation.

5. Under Other Business, the Council received information from the Presidency on discussions regarding marine science, and heard an intervention from Germany on the question of authorisation procedures for the release of genetically modified organisms.

The Council also discussed the future of fusion research spending.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the licensed clinical trials of cannabis are expected to be concluded; and if he will make a statement. [127861]

The Medical Research Council is supporting a clinical trial to look at the efficacy of cannabis extracts in the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis patients. The trial was announced in December 1999 and is being run by Dr. John Zajicek (Derriford Hospital, Plymouth) and the MRC Clinical Trials Unit.The trial is making good progress; local ethical committee approval has been obtained in principle and an application has been made to the Medicines Control Agency for the appropriate licence. The cannabinoids will be given exclusively in capsule form. Recruitment of patients is planned to start later in the summer. The results will be available in about 2.5 years, after formal scientific assessment of the results has taken place.