To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the shooting dead of James Alfred Cornhill on 19 April. [123057]

No. The matter is currently under investigation and the investigation is being supervised by the Independent Commission for Police Complaints.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the result of the ICPC inquiry into the shooting dead of Robin Charles Scott Maxwell in January 1994; and what were the findings of the coroner's inquest. [123056]

The Independent Commission for Police Complaints issued a statement of satisfaction as to the conduct of the investigation.A Coroner's inquest found that, on the evening of 27 January 1994 two masked men entered the High Trees Garage with the intention of robbing the premises. The owner, Mr. Weir, spotted the robbers and alerted two policemen who were hidden in the store at the rear of the shop. On entering the shop the policemen were confronted by the two robbers, one carrying a cudgel and one holding a firearm to Mr. Weir's head. The policemen issued a warning and the robber who held the cudgel fled from the premises pursued by Constable Fox. The other robber, Robin Charles Scott Maxwell, turned and pointed a weapon in the direction of Constable 'A', who, fearing that his and the owner's life was in danger, discharged his firearm, killing Mr. Maxwell almost instantaneously. The jury found that the police had no plan to intercept or arrest the robbers before their arrival at the premises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons sought by the (a) RUC and (b) other UK police forces were extradited from the Irish Republic to the UK in (i) each of the previous three years and (ii) the current year. [125543]

The table provides details of the numbers of persons sought by the RUC and other UK police forces who have been extradited from the Irish Republic to the UK in the last three years and the current year. The figures include both terrorist and non-terrorist cases. It should be noted that the figures for England and Wales are not necessarily complete, as the information is not collated centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on how arrangements for Best Value will be made within the proposed new structure for policing under the Police (Northern Ireland) Bill. [126577]

The Police (Northern Ireland) Bill will provide for the new Policing Board to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement, or 'Best Value', in the way in which its functions are exercised. The Policing Board, in its capacity as a high level regulatory body, will have lead responsibility for economy, efficiency and effectiveness arrangements. 'Best Value' will provide a framework for the Board to deliver continuous improvement, and the Board will be held accountable to the people of Northern Ireland for ensuring that they achieve 'Best Value' from the police service.The Government do not wish to be prescriptive about the exact arrangements. It will be for the Policing Board, in association with the Chief Constable, to determine the precise arrangements for managing 'Best Value', in accordance with best practice elsewhere.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what access he has to the work of the Harvard University Center for Risk Analysis and United States Department of Agriculture on risk analysis relating to BSE. [123392]

[holding answer 25 May 2000]: Officials of my Department have been contacted by members of the Harvard University Center for Risk Analysis team, and have assisted them by providing information on request. The team also visited the UK in 1999 and spoke to both officials and external experts. We understand that they were gathering information to determine their own approach to BSE; not undertaking a risk analysis of the UK situation.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts about the inspection of their farm production methods with particular reference to welfare, hygiene and environmental aspects of production; and if he will make a statement. [126954]

EU standards are negotiated and adopted in these areas by the Council of Ministers. Once EU measures have been adopted, checking that member states have taken proper steps to implement and enforce them is the responsibility of the European Commission. There have been no discussions with ministers from other member states on these matters recently, although at last week's Council of Ministers my right hon. Friend the Minister strongly urged his colleagues to enforce EU rules on the welfare of livestock in transit strictly, as we do in the United Kingdom.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the EU intervention level for milk. [126958]

There is no intervention price for milk under the CAP milk regime. The market is supported by means of intervention prices for butter and skimmed milk powder. The intervention price for butter is 3,282 euros per tonne and 2,055.2 for skimmed milk powder. The intervention prices expressed in sterling can vary on a daily basis since they are converted into national currency using the daily sterling/euro market rate of exchange.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his Department's negotiating objectives for the Nice Treaty. [127198]

The Government set out their objectives for the IGC in the White Paper presented to Parliament by the Foreign Secretary on 15 February.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list projects being assessed by his Department for potential submission for funding under EU budget line B2–903A: strengthening the dialogue with the fishing industry and groups affected by the Common Fisheries Policy. [127189]

Budget line B2–903A covers the costs of:

(a)Meetings arranged by European trade organisations to prepare for meetings of the Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, which advises the European Commission on matters concerning the Common Fisheries Policy;

(b)Regional workshops organised by the European Commission to address particular issues of local fisheries management; and

(c)Disseminating information and explanatory material on the Common Fisheries Policy to the fishing industry and others with an interest.

Applications for funding of national projects are not invited under this budget line.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the joint policy proposed by the Scottish Fishermen's Federation and the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, A New Vision for Europe's Fisheries; and what assessment he has made of whether implementation of that policy would require the unanimous agreement of the Council of Ministers. [127843]

[holding answer 26 June 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Teignbridge (Mr. Nicholls) on 22 June 2000, Official Report, columns 302–04W.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the staffing levels are in each of his Department's (a) regional offices in England and Wales and (b) offices in (i) Bristol, (ii) Exeter and (iii) Plymouth. [127730]

[holding answer 26 June 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) of 9 June 2000, Official Report, column 427W.This sets out the number of substantive staff on a full-time equivalent basis at each of the MAFF Regional Services Centres, on 1 May 2000, including the offices at Bristol and Exeter. There are currently seven staff based at the Ministry's District Fisheries Office at Plymouth.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much time officials in each of his Department's regional offices have spent in meetings with farmers in each of the last five years. [127731]

[holding answer 26 June 2000]: The information in the form requested is unavailable. However, in 1999, farmers made some 79,000 visits to the nine MAFF Regional Service Centres, the equivalent of around 5 per cent. of the total estimated farmer contacts with the RSCs.

To ask the Minster of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the organisations that can advise farmers on diversification. [128057]

There are numerous organisations, both in the public and private sector, that can provide business advice to farmers on diversification. Guidance on these sources of advice will be set out in a new booklet on farm diversification to be published by this Department later this summer as part of the Action Plan for Farming.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what compensation he will make available to organic farmers whose crops and organic status are at risk from contamination from genetically modified crops on neighbouring farms; and if he will make a statement. [128044]

There is currently no commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops in the UK. Compensation for any detriment to a farmer as a result of activity on a neighbouring farm would be a matter between the farmer and those responsible for the activity.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the position of the United Kingdom will be at the forthcoming meeting of the International Whaling Commission. [128441]

The International Whaling Commission (IWC) will be holding its 52nd Annual Meeting in Adelaide between 3 and 6 July. I will be attending.At this meeting I will be confirming that the UK remains strongly opposed to whaling, and that our ultimate aim is to secure a permanent, worldwide ban on all whaling, other than some limited aboriginal subsistence whaling. We will be seeking to build upon the successful outcome of the recent CITES meeting where all whale downlisting proposals were rejected and the primacy of the IWC reaffirmed.There will be further discussions of proposals put forward by Ireland in 1997 for a package of measures on whaling. The Irish proposals would involve a ban on all whaling, including scientific whaling, outside coastal waters (in effect creating a global ocean sanctuary), with a possibility that countries might authorise whaling under IWC rules within their own coastal waters; there would be a ban on international trade in whale products. In these discussions we will maintain our previous position on these ideas: while we are prepared to discuss constructively all ideas for improving whale conservation, and strongly support some elements of these proposals, we have significant reservations about others, in particular those relating to coastal whaling. Nevertheless we are prepared to consider interim solutions on the way to our ultimate destination provided that these deliver very real benefits to whale conservation.It is, however, unlikely that any progress will be made on the Irish proposals, as the whaling countries and their allies remain opposed to key aspects of them. Japan, in particular, has demonstrated that it is not prepared to consider ending scientific whaling or a ban on international trade in whale products. In these circumstances, the United Kingdom will continue to support the alternative ways of achieving our aims that we outlined at least year's meeting and subsequently reported to the House on 9 June 1999,

To ask he Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the safety regulations covering the new exposure facility which was opened in February. [127137]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has paid to date on the joint project to develop a system of Tactical Reconnaissance Armoured Combat Equipment; what is the planned final cost; if this project is running on time and at agreed budget levels; and if he will make a statement. [127181]

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the percentage of GNP spent on defence procurement in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [127176]

Changes introduced under the European System of Accounts (ESA) 95 mean that GNP is no longer calculated. Gross National Income (GNI) is now recognised as the accepted, more accurate, standard and this has been used to provide the comparison with expenditure on Defence Equipment set out in the table. The GNI figure for 1999–2000 will not be available until the end of June and an updated reply will be made available at that time.

Financial year	Expenditure on defence equipment £ million	GNI £ million	Expenditure on defence equipment as a percentage of GNI
1998£99	9,785	866,461	1.13
1997£98	9,003	822,720	1.09
1996£97	9,100	771,837	1.18
1995£96	8,537	723,960	1.18
1994£95	8,819	689,421	1.28
1993£94	9,200	646,273	1.42
1992£93	8,711	609,755	1.43
1991£92	9,758	585,515	1.67
1990£91	8,838	556,784	1.59

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what circumstances service decorations can be withdrawn from former members of the armed forces. [127875]

As laid down in the Statutes and Royal Warrants which govern official British awards and at the discretion of the Defence Council, arrangements exist for the forfeiture of awards by any officer or member of the military forces, or former officer or member of the military forces. These include Orders, decorations and medals. Normally, forfeiture may be liable after conviction of offences by court-martial or by the Civil Power. The awards forfeited vary according to the gravity of the offence. The Statutes and Royal Warrants are reproduced in the Queen's Regulations for the Armed Services, copies of which are in the Library of the House.

To ask he Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the Whittington Barracks near Lichfield will be designated a core location for the armed forces in the Midlands and the North; and if he will make a statement; [127222](2) when he expects to announce the names of the barracks to site the Army Training Regiment following completion of the review. [127470]

The Army Training and Recruiting Agency (ATRA) is currently conducting a review into its strategic development over the next few years. This work will be taken forward in close co-operation with other studies being undertaken into the provision of training and the management of our training estate. Work is still at a very early stage and no decisions have been taken as to which sites will remain core ones within ATRA.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what are the maximum toxic emission levels permitted for incinerators, broken down by individual toxic substances. [123488]

[holding answer 23 June 2000]: Under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, emissions to air, water and land from larger plant regulated by the Environment Agency and emissions to air from medium and small plant regulated by local authorities are controlled through permits which impose emission limits on the basis of the site-specific BATNEEC principle (Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Cost) and relevant European legislation specifying emission limits. There are currently two municipal waste incineration Directives (89/369/EEC and 89/429/EEC) and a hazardous waste incineration Directive (94/67/EC) which specify emission limits, and a further Directive (Common Position (EC) No 7/2000) which will replace these earlier Directives and cover virtually all incineration plant is currently in the final stages of negotiations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the risks to public safety from the use of volatile and flammable hydrocarbons as refrigerants. [126979]

Health and Safety Executive carries out general research on the risks from flammable substances as part of the development of guidance and safety standards. However, no specific assessment has been made of the risks to public safety from the use of volatile and flammable hydrocarbons as refrigerants.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much of the contaminated land, required to satisfy his proposals for house building up to 2016, he estimates will be remediated using (a) process technologies and (b) excavation to landfill. [127581]

One of the main objectives of national planning policy for housing (PPG3) is that authorities make far better use of previously developed land and buildings for meeting the country's housing needs. The Government have set a target that by 2008 60 per cent. of additional housing should be provided this way. It is not possible to forecast precisely how much of the previously-developed land used by 2016 will be contaminated land, nor how that land will be remediated.However, the Environment Agency has carried out a survey of remediation activity in England and Wales from January 1996 until December 1999. Information was collected from local authorities, industry and the National House-Building Council (NHBC). The survey was not statistically representative of all the remediation which took place during that time, but it does give an indication of current practice.Of the 367 sites identified from local authority and industry sources, 75 per cent. involved excavation and disposal off site and 21 per cent. involved process based methods.Of the 1,189 sites recorded by the NHBC, civil engineering techniques (including excavation and off site disposal, site re-grading and containment) were used on 95 per cent. of sites. Process based methods were used on 5 per cent. of sites.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the role of environmental impact assessments in the application of Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations; and if he will make a statement. [127579]

Installations covered by the draft Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations may also require an environmental impact assessment (EIA) under the planning system. The Regulations require the regulator to take account of any information supplied in the context of an EIA in determining the permit application. We are considering the case for reviewing the links between the planning and pollution control systems. A Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment for the Regulations has been placed in the Library of each House of Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of state for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of licensed hackney carriages in England and Wales were wheelchair accessible in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999. [127583]

The licensing of hackney carriages—taxis—is a matter for individual local licensing authorities. Many of them have policies which require all or part of their fleet to be accessible to disabled people, for example all London taxis (some 19,000) were required to be accessible from 1 January 2000. Information on the number of vehicles that are accessible is not, however, held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that licensed private hire cars are wheelchair accessible. [127582]

We have no powers to require that licensed private hire vehicles be wheelchair accessible. The powers provided in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to introduce accessibility regulations only apply to licensed taxis, buses and coaches and rail vehicles.Our statutory advisers—the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee—will, however, be considering the issue of access to private hire vehicles as part of their work programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if additional sums were allocated to county councils for the purpose of distributing copies of the draft regional planning guidance for the South-east. [127799]

No extra finance was allocated to local authorities to distribute the document and leaflets to the libraries in their area. It is normal practice for such consultation documents to be sent to the county councils for distributing through their own distribution system to the local libraries. Further copies were sent by the Government Office to any individual or organisation that requested them.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many copies of the draft regional planning guidance for the South-east were sent to Buckinghamshire County Council. [127800]

Initially 50 documents and 150 leaflets were sent. Following a subsequent request from Buckinghamshire County Council during the consultation period on Proposed Changes to Draft Regional Planning Guidance (PRG9), further copies were sent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 14 June 2000, Official Report, column 640–41W, on Regional Planning Guidance (South-east), if a copy of the draft regional planning guidance for the South-east was provided for every branch library in Buckinghamshire; and for what reason copies of the draft regional planning guidance for the South-east were not distributed direct from his Department to branch libraries in the South-east. [127832]

It is normal practice for the County Councils to distribute consultation documents through their distribution system to libraries within their area. Further copies were sent by the Government Office to any organisation or individual that requested them.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with Railtrack concerning the possibility of the Government taking a share in the company; and if he will make a statement. [127805]

In the context of developing our 10 Year Plan for Transport, we have discussed with Railtrack and others ways of increasing investment in the railway. Our plans for rail investment will be set out in the 10 Year Plan, to be published next month, and in the shadow Strategic Rail Authority's subsequent strategic plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the powers of the Rail Regulator with regard to fare increases. [127643]

Responsibility for the regulation of rail fares lies with the Franchising Director not the Rail Regulator. Under the Railways Act 1993, the Franchising Director has powers to regulate fares where it is in the interests of passengers to do so. He has imposed a cap on the price of key fares, and operators are not able to increase those fares overall above the rate of inflation. Since January 1999, the key fares have been capped at 1 per cent. below the rate of inflation for each of the next four years. The key fares include all Saver tickets, unrestricted standard returns where there are no Savers, and all standard weekly season tickets. Other fares, including discounted fares for off-peak travel, are set by the train operators.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures are being taken to tackle busking and begging on or near public transport. [127215]

[holding answer 26 June 2000]: The problem of begging is a concern to all public transport operators and in particular the railways and London Underground. They are trying to increase public awareness of the associated problems and announcements are made on stations and trains requesting that the public refrain from giving money to beggars.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he will take to achieve his target for carbon dioxide reduction. [127898]

The draft climate change programme that the Government published on 9 March sets out how we propose to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. It sets out proposals for policies and measures that will ensure the Government deliver their Kyoto target and move towards their domestic goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions to 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. These measures include action to improve energy efficiency in business and the home; increase renewable energy and reduce emissions from the transport sector. A copy of the draft strategy is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to support the London Development Agency in 2000–01. [128440]

Parliamentary approval for making grants to this Agency, which is to be an executive body working with the Mayor for London, is being sought in a Summer Supplementary Estimate for Housing, construction regeneration, regional policy, planning and countryside and wildlife Vote (Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, Class III, Vote 1). Pending that approval, urgent expenditure estimated at £7 million will be met by repayable advances from the Contingencies Fund.The Agency has the same statutory purposes as the regional Development Agencies in the rest of England. The status of the Agency is described in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' Annual Report 2000. Financial provision for predecessor bodies was made in the Main Estimates 2000–01, so this announcement will not add to the total of public expenditure. The Ambit of the Supplementary Estimate will, however, clearly identify the Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made on the M60 junction 12–18 study. [128481]

Phase 1 is complete and it will now be taken forward as a Multi-Modal Study. I expect work to begin this summer with completion in summer 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much was spent on the A55 in each of the last 10 years on (a) construction work and (b)maintenance. [124726]

I have been asked to reply.During the 10 years up to 1 July 1999, the approximate investments into the A55 in Wales was

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when, and for what reason, the St. David"s Practice was awarded the Mead Webber contract by the Meat Hygiene Service; and how many other vets or vet practices were invited to bid for that contract. [122049]

[holding answer 15 May 2000]: I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that a tender valuation panel met on 16 March 2000 to consider tenders submitted for the provision of official veterinary surgeon services to the plant operated by Mead Webber Limited. All tenders were assessed against a range of pre-determined criteria including quality and price.The panel awarded the contract to the St. David's Farm and Equine Veterinary Practice on the basis that it provided overall best value when evaluated against these criteria.Nine other veterinary practices or veterinary surgeons were invited to tender for this particular contract.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the priority given to public health and healthy living programmes in the plans of primary care groups and NHS trusts in (a) Coventry and (b) the West Midlands region. [125681]

[holding answer 12 June 2000]: Health development groups working across agencies and organisations have been set in motion to develop the health improvement programme (HImP) in Coventry. I understand that primary care groups have had a key leadership and membership role in these groups. Each of the three PCGs in Coventry has identified its local priorities based on an assessment of health needs of its populations and aligned funding of its Primary Care Investment plans with the health improvement plans.Regeneration in Coventry will be further supported through the development of a healthy living centre (HLC), subject to the success of the bid which was submitted at the end of May. HLCs are funded through the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) and are aimed at mobilising community activity in improving health and reducing inequalities. The HLC bid arose from extensive partnership working and more than 300 information packs were distributed to voluntary, community and statutory groups across Coventry. Coventry's bid is designed to complement other initiatives such as the HImP and the community plan and will focus on young people, their families and carers.HImPs across the West Midlands include an assessment of the health needs of local populations. Priorities are determined locally and the funding of Primary Care Group investment plans is aligned with HImP priorities.Primary care groups and National Health Service trusts have huge potential to improve people's health and prevent illness, and the West Midlands Regional Office will continue to support that developing role.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have died while in children's homes in each decade since 1970. [126198]

The estimated number of children who died while being looked after by local authorities in children's homes in England during the period 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1999 was 70. Over the same period an estimated 58,000 looked after children spent at least some time in a children's home.The Department holds no information about looked after children's deaths by type of placement before this date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what public information has been made available in the last three years, and where, by his Department on the relationship between asthma and environmental conditions; how much has been spent on providing such information; and what other agencies have been involved. [126103]

[holding answer 19 June 2000]: In January 1998, the Department published an information pack, "Air Pollution and Health". It contains leaflets, contacts and statements on the relationship between asthma and air pollution from agencies such as the National Asthma Campaign, the Lung and Asthma Information Agency as well as the Department's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants. Copies have been placed in the Library. The total design and printing costs of the pack were £23,500.The Department offers health advice to other Government Departments from time to time on health aspects of their policies, in particular to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) on health and environmental issues. A relevant example here is the production of a DETR leaflet "Air Pollution—what it means for your health", published in July 1998. This was designed as a guide to the Air Pollution Information Service which DETR Ministers relaunched in October 1997. The service is available by freephone, Ceefax, Teletext and via the internet. The leaflets and an accompanying poster were distributed in general practitioners' surgeries, asthma and heart clinics, Citizen's Advice Bureaux and libraries. Copies are also now included as part of the Department's "Air Pollution and Health" pack.The design and printing costs of the leaflets and posters were £25,142.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what reasons underlay his decision to discontinue the annual published report by the Chief Medical Officer on the state of the public health. [126665]

The last Chief Medical Officer's report was published in August 1998 by Sir Kenneth Calman shortly before he left office. The present CMO came into post in late September 1998. He has taken stock of the publications issued by the Chief Medical Officer and introduced a number of changes. He is currently exploring the opportunities for greater use of web-based publishing methods.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about proposals to make emergency contraception available over the counter without prescription from dispensing chemists. [126112]

[holding answer 20 June 2000]: The Medicines Control Agency is presently consulting on an application to reclassify levonorgestrel 0.75 milligrammes for emergency contraception from prescription only to pharmacy availability for women aged 16 years and over. This follows independent expert advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines. The consultation period ends on 29 June 2000. The responses will then be considered by the Medicines Commission and their recommendations presented to Ministers for a decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with pilot schemes for the prescription of emergency contraceptives by pharmacists; and when emergency contraception will be more widely available. [126997]

[holding answer 21 June 2000]: There are currently two pilot schemes run by health action zones (HAZs) in Manchester, Salford and Trafford (MST) and Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham (LSL) where emergency contraception is supplied by pharmacists, under a patient group direction. Both pilots form part of the HAZ's overall strategy to reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies locally. Both pilots are to be fully evaluated and the results will be published.The Medicines Control Agency is presently consulting on an application to reclassify levonorgestrel 0.75 milligrammes for emergency contraception from prescription only to pharmacy availability for women aged 16 years and over. The consultation period ends on 29 June 2000. The responses will then be considered by the Medicines Commission and their recommendations presented to Ministers for a decision.In addition the Integrated Sexual Health and HIV Strategy is looking at improving access to services including emergency contraception products.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) for what reason the National Poisons Information Service has not submitted its annual reports, due in July 1999 and March 2000, to his Department; and what steps he has taken to ensure that the contractual commitments of the NPIS have been delivered; [127022]

[holding answer 20 June 2000]: The National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) provides a service to health care professionals. It consists of six poison information centres situated at Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London and Newcastle, and the Tablet and Capsule Identification System (TICTAC) at St. George's. The UK Departments of Health, (in Wales the Specialist Health Services Commission on behalf of health authorities), commission the NPIS Centres to provide information and, on request, clinical advice to health care staff on the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients who have, or are suspected to have, been poisoned. The service is available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.The NPIS Board was set up to advise the UK Health Departments on matters such as policy and the strategic direction of the service, and to scrutinise its work. The Board's membership consists of representatives from the four UK Health Departments who have executive powers and nine non-executive members representing health professionals. The Board aims to meet quarterly (providing there is sufficient business to warrant a meeting). It is an internal management committee and as such its agendas and minutes are not published.Formal agreements have existed between the Secretary of State for Health and providers of poisons information services over the period 1995 to 1999. The exact terms of these agreements will have varied between each year and between each NPIS Centre. Broadly, such agreements will have set out details of the levels and quality of service to be provided as well as financial arrangements.For the calendar year 1998, NPIS Centres were required to compile a report to the Department of Health to comply with the provisions of EC Resolution 90/C 329–03. All Centres met with this requirement. Under the terms of agreements with the Secretary of State for Health for the financial year 1999–2000, the three English NPIS Centres were required to submit information for management purposes. To date, one of the Centres has submitted a written report for the year 1999–2000 and the two other Centres have been requested to provide written reports by the end of June. These reports are for internal use only and therefore are not published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health since 1990, what work on pesticides has been carried out by the Medical Toxicology Unit (Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital Trust) and the NPIS (London) under contract to agrochemical companies; what equipment, facilities and staff funded by his Department have been used for this purpose; what agreements with his Department have been made to cover this activity; if he will publish details of those contracts; and if he will make a statement. [127021]

[holding answer 20 June 2000]: The laboratory of the Medical Toxicology Unit at Guy's and St. Thomas' National Health Service Hospital Trust has never carried out any work under contract on pesticides. Any work in relation to pesticides has been part of the trust's NHS function in providing services for diagnosing poisoning.Funding by the United Kingdom Departments of Health for National Poison Information Service services covers only the inquiry services, contribution to the maintenance and development of a poisons database (TOXBASE), and outreach to, and training of, health professionals in the use of the service. This funding is not provided for the purposes of other associated activities at the Medical Toxicology Unit (Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust) or at any other of the Centres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital beds were available in (a) Great Britain and (b) each NHS trust in (i) 1979, (ii) 1990 and (iii) each year since 1992 for which figures are available. [126921]

[holding answer 21 June 2000]: Copies of the information available have been placed in the Library. This relates to all types of beds and is for England only. Hospital beds in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are a matter for the devolved administrations. The information is subject to the following caveats:

• Information on the average daily number of beds is now collected annually, on a financial year basis, from National Health Service providers. Prior to 1987–88 information was collected on a calendar year basis.
• Figures for 1989–90 were collected at district health authority level.
• From 1991–92 to 1994–95 NHS beds were provided by a mix of NHS trusts and directly managed units. The information in the tables is split into beds provided by NHS trusts and beds provided by directly managed units. From 1995–96 all beds were provided by NHS trusts.

Such information is published annually in 'Bed Availability and Occupancy, England', copies of which are in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary about the Charity Commission's approach to the proposed registration of the National Federation of Spiritual Healers Charitable Trust Ltd. as a charity; and if he will make a statement. [126473]

[holding answer 22 June 2000]: None. This is a matter for the Charity Commission, which is answerable to the High Court for its legal decisions and its interpretation of charity law.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many free eye tests have been undertaken for pensioners under the current scheme; and what is the cost of the scheme to date. [127587]

We estimate that 2.5 million additional people aged 60 or over received National Health Service sight tests in the financial year from April 1999 and that the cost of our decision to restore eligibility for free tests to this population group is about £40 million per annum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made on compiling the National Plan; and if he will make a statement. [127650]

We have now received working papers from each of the modernisation action teams; reports on the consultation with National Health Service staff from each of the NHS Executive regional offices; responses from around 50 national and local organisations; and over 219,000 responses from staff and members of the public. We are now in the process of synthesising the material and will publish the National Plan next month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many outbreaks of MRSA there have been in each of the last five years for which figures are available in (a) Greater London and (b) Enfield and Haringey Health Authority; how many wards were closed as a result and what the average length of closure was; and if he will make a statement. [127841]

The Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) compiles aggregate data on numbers of incidents of MRSA (three or more patients infected or colonised by the same strain of MRSA in a month) that are reported voluntary by NHS Trusts.Data are available by health service region. The health regions that include Greater London have changed twice in the past five years. Data on MRSA incidents in the Thames regions (1995–98) and London and South East regions (1999) are summarised in the table.

MRSA incidents, South East England 1995–99
Region	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
North East Thames	266	245	1158	—	—
North West Thames	300	294	1141	—	—
South East Thames	248	235	1120	—	—
South West Thames	129	186	193	—	—
North Thames	—	—	2245	289	—
South Thames	—	—	2172	220	—
London	—	—	—	—	290
South-East	—	—	—	—	170
Total	943	960	929	509	460
1 Data from January to June 1997
2 Data from July to December 1997

The PHLS does not collect data for individual health authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government have to announce a further bidding round for health action zones; and if he will make a statement. [127840]

There are no plans for a further bidding round for health action zones (HAZs). We are however committed to spreading learning and good practice from the existing 26 HAZs into other areas and seeing the services and approaches being developed by HAZs integrated into mainstream activity throughout the country. An example of this is the new premises flexibilities that were developed with HAZs and that I announced to all health authorities on 20 January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implementation of the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease. [127430]

(holding answer 23 June 2000]: The National Service Framework (NSF) which sets national standards for improved prevention, diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) was published on 6 March.Action is progressing on a number of fronts:National Priorities Guidance (NPG) identifies developing and implementing local prevention policies on CHD and stroke by March 2001, increasing the number of coronary revascularisations (CABG/PTCA) by 3,000 by April 2002 and achieving the NHS milestones for April 2001 as priorities for the National Health Service.We have appointed Dr. Roger Boyle as National Director for Heart Disease. Dr. Boyle's first priority is to work with NHS and Regional Offices on drawing up plans for guidance on the immediate priorities including plans for expenditure of £50 million (announced last October) to increase the numbers of heart operations.Plans are also being worked up for spending the further £50 million (announced on 6 March) for establishing rapid access chest pain clinics, speeding up ambulance response times and purchasing defibrillators and other equipment.£3 million of the £50 million will also be used to reduce waiting times for treatment by developing projects to test out better and more streamlined ways of delivering services, the CHD partnership programme. Plans to take this forward are in hand.Health authorities and their partner organisations are establishing local implementation teams to draw up comprehensive local delivery plans, to be completed and agreed by October 2000We are in the process of setting up the National Coronary Heart Disease Implementation Group which will oversee national progress on implementation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the effect of clinical governance on the continuing provision of in-patient surgical services at (a) smaller hospitals and (b) in general. [127797]

Clinical governance is central to our plans to provide a health service that continually improves the overall standard of clinical care it delivers, reduces unacceptable variations in treatment outcomes, and ensures that clinical decision making is supported by evidence of effectiveness. It represents a systematic approach to clinical quality assurance and improvement, but does not dictate how services should be managed or delivered. This is the responsibility of local commissioners who must ensure that high quality surgical services are provided safely, taking into account local circumstances such as geography and the need for remote smaller services to be linked into wider clinical networks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute hospital beds are available at NHS hospitals within the Greater London Authority area. [127847]

I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 17 May 2000, Official Report, column 128W.The average daily number of available acute hospital care beds in the London region in the financial year 1998–99 was 17,022.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken to provide protection to patients who utilise the Internet for health information services and products. [127883]

[holding answer 27 June 2000]: The success of the Internet has been partly due to the ease with which people can access and create information. While it is not possible to restrict what patients see on the Internet, we recognise the need to signpost information sources, and to give easy access to relevant quality information that the public and patients can rely on, and which is presented in a clear and intelligible way.A number of information initiatives are being put in place to improve the quality and range of information available about health and health services:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on NHS management and administration in each region in England in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [127689]

[holding answer 27 June 2000]: Management costs expenditure is shown in the tables.

£ million
Health authority/region	1997–98 Outturn	1998–99 Plan1	1999–2000 Plan2
Northern and Yorkshire	54.0	53.7	70.1
Trent	44.8	43.9	56.3
Eastern	42.3	41.0	52.8
London	77.6	73.5	92.8
South East	70.6	68.2	87.2
South West	37.7	38.2	49.7
West Midlands	45.9	44.3	57.2
North West	59.3	56.4	74.1
England	452.2	419.2	540.2
11998–99 outturn figures will be published shortly.
2Comprises health authority cost baseline of £418 million and £122 million to support primary care groups redistributed from the former general practice fundholder management allowance.

£ million
NHS trust/region1	1997–98 outturn
Northern and Yorkshire	164.6
Trent	122.0
Anglia and Oxford	120.2
North Thames	235.0
South Thames	206.5
South West	147.8
West Midlands	135.4
North West	164.3
England	1,295.7
1At 1 April 1998 regions were re-configured. These figures are expressed in the old configuration.

£ million
NHS trust/region	1998–99 plan1	1999–2000 plan
Northern and Yorkshire	169.0	164.5
Trent	126.4	126.4
Eastern	120.5	119.2
London	282.7	281.1
South East	204.0	201.6
South West	111.3	111.2
West Midlands	134.1	133.6
North West	168.1	168.3
England	1,316.1	1,305.9
11998–99 outturn figures will be published shortly

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the Donaldson inquiry on therapeutic cloning to report. [127987]

[holding answer 27 June 2000]: The Chief Medical Officer's expert group on therapeutic cloning has completed its work on the potential benefits, risks and the ethical issues raised by developments in stem cell research and cell nuclear replacement. We are now considering the report's recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of reducing (a) inpatient and (b) outpatient waiting times to (i) six months or less and (ii) three months or less; and if he will make a statement. [127499]

[holding answer 27 June 2000]: We are determined to reduce waiting lists and times for all patients. As part of the National Plan for the National Health Service, the Patient Care: Speed of Access Modernisation Action Team is looking at improving patient's access to NHS services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population is entitled to respite care in each local social services authority. [127894]

Respite care is provided by or on behalf of local authority social services departments. The supply of short-term breaks is not entitlement-based but is governed by the assessment of individuals' needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the investigations into the allegations relating to the treatment of terminally-ill children within the Southend Community Services Trust. [128060]

We are aware of the police investigation which is clearly a matter of major concern. We understand that the South Essex Mental Health and Community Care NHS Trust is co-operating fully with Essex Police. As the matter is at present under police investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Canadian Memorial Fountain in Green Park will be switched back on; and if he will make a statement. [126589]

[holding answer 19 June 2000]: Responsibility for the subject of the fountain has been delegated to the Royal Parks Agency. As its Chief Executive, William Weston, has not yet taken up his appointment, I have asked the Agency's Head of Policy, Viviane Robertson, to reply on his behalf.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action he proposes in response to the publication by English Heritage of the Register of Buildings at Risk 2000; and if he will make a statement. [127306]

[holding answer 22 June 2000]: I very much support the Buildings at Risk initiative which is a valuable tool in directing funding to the most important of England's historic buildings which are in urgent need of conservation. Removal of buildings at risk from the register is a key target in the Funding Agreement between my Department and English Heritage (EH), although the exact allocation of resources to this activity is a matter for EH' s Commissioners. It is also important that owners of these buildings play their part in funding conservation works.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 12 June 2000, Official Report, column 466W, on opinion research, what information is held centrally about the results of his Department's market and opinion research. [127644]

There is no central point where all the results of the Department's market and opinion research is held.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has for the National Weights and Measures Laboratory in Teddington; and if he will make a statement. [127863]

The National Weights and Measures Laboratory is an Executive Agency of my Department. The status of Executive Agencies is regularly reviewed. A review of the status of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory has just been undertaken. The reviewer consulted widely. The staff and the customers of the Laboratory were among those consulted. The reviewer's recommendations have only very recently been sent to Ministers. No decisions have been taken. A further statement will be made after Ministers have considered the reviewer's report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the work carried out by the Small Business Unit is focused on (a) urban and (b) rural areas. [128053]

The support and advice being provided by the Small Business Service, both on a national basis and through the new network of Business Links, will be available to all small businesses and those considering starting up in business. The new Business Links will be expected to tailor services to the particular needs of their areas; the Small Business Service will be working to ensure, during the planning stages, that the services provided reflect the needs of their local business communities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish the report by the Performance and Innovation Unit on rural post offices. [128054]

I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend earlier today, Official Report, columns 907–09.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answers of the Foreign Secretary of 8 May 2000, Official Report, column 258W, on sanctions, what the value is of the contracts in respect of Iraq checked to date. [127221]

The Oil for Food programme began on 10 December 1996. As at 31 May 2000, 12,675 contracts with a total value of $15.6 billion had been received under the programme. As indicated previously, the UK checks all contracts to ensure that the goods will be used for their stated purpose.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the responsibilities of the National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre; and if he will make a statement. [126287]

The responsibilities of the National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre (NISCC) are to co-ordinate and develop existing work on protecting the Critical National Infrastructure within Government departments and the private sector from the threat posed by Electronic Attack. This will include developing arrangements to monitor and increase awareness of the threat, to defend against it and to respond to incidents. The monitoring and advice aspects of this work are achieved through Unified Incident Reporting and Alert Scheme (UNIRAS), which is operated by the NISCC.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the vulnerabilities of the United Kingdom's critical infrastructure. [126288]

At this time there is no evidence to suggest a significant risk from Electronic Attack to the United Kingdom's Critical National Infrastructure. The National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre (NISCC) is, however, working in partnership with organisations which own systems that are critical to the national infrastructure, in order to obtain assurances that their systems are appropriately safeguarded against the threat posed by Electronic Attack.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many baboons and cynomolgus monkeys are held within United Kingdom laboratories awaiting xenotransplantation procedures; and if he will make a statement; [125262](2) how many baboons and cynomolgus monkeys intended for xenotransplantation research have been killed without any xenotransplantation procedures being completed on them in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [25263](3) what was the

[holding answer 9 June 2000]: The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 requires that non-human primates are only used in scientific procedures if no other species is suitable. In deciding whether to grant a licence for any regulated procedure, the 1986 Act requires that the likely benefits of the programme be weighed against the likely adverse effects on the animals concerned (the cost/benefit assessment) and that there are no alternatives which either replace animal use entirely, reduce the number of animals needed or refine the procedures to minimise suffering. We must also be satisfied that the procedures are likely to achieve the stated objectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate for planning purposes of net pensions fund obligations, pensions less contributions, for (a) the Metropolitan police and (b) all UK police forces in (i) 2000–01, (ii) 2001–02, (iii) 2005–06 and (iv) 2010–11; and how these obligations will be financed. [127330]

The available figures for England and Wales, provided by the Police Service Expenditure Forecasting Group, are:

£ million
	Metropolitan police	England and Wales1
2000–01	251	1,054
2001–02	273	1,143
1The England and Wales figure is inclusive of the Metropolitan police

Under the Central Local Partnership the Home Office works closely with the Forecasting Group to assess future resource demands for the following three years. The Group does not prepare longer range projections. Its assessments of future funding pressures, including pensions, are taken into account by the Government in the Spending Review process.The Police Funding Formula takes account of police pensions expenditure. 14.5 per cent. of funding is currently allocated through a component for pensions.The provision of revenue funding for the police forces in Scotland and Wales is the responsibility of the devolved administrations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Hampshire on the attack on Dr. Burhan al-Chelabi and Detective Constable Stephen Longshaw on 30 April; and if he will make a statement. [127170]

The attack on Dr. Burhan al-Chelabi and Detective Longshaw took place at Alton Railway station in Hampshire and was investigated by the British Transport police. I understand that Dr. al-Chelabi was assaulted by Mr. Colin Smith who also subjected him to racist abuse. Detective Constable Longshaw, a serving officer with the Metropolitan Police Service, who was enjoying an outing with his family in the company of Dr. Burhan al-Chelabi and his wife, prevented Mr. Smith from attacking Dr. al-Chelabi with a sword. During the incident Mr. Smith also attacked Detective Constable Longshaw who received a cut across his nose.Mr. Smith was arrested by Detective Constable Longshaw and subsequently detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what checks were made on personnel who have entered the UK with Mike Tyson with regard to establishing previous convictions for serious offences; [127398](2) who entered the UK accompanying Mike Tyson [127476]

Mike Tyson was accompanied on his flight to the United Kingdom by his manager and two trainers.The personnel accompanying Mike Tyson were treated in accordance with current immigration procedures. Under these, arriving passengers are not routinely questioned at ports of entry to establish whether they have criminal records. Where there is reason to believe that someone has a criminal record hitherto unknown to the Immigration Service, further examination would take place to establish whether there were grounds for refusing entry to that person.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representation he has received about transsexual men and women being treated in law as being of the same sex as when they were born. [127645]

Since 15 February 2000, we have received representations from 26 members of the public and one organisation. Several hon. Members have also written about this matter. In addition, following their meeting in January with the Interdepartmental Working Group on Transsexual People, representatives of six organisations representing the transsexual community (Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Gender Trust, Gender Identity Research and Education Society, Change, Liberty, and Press for Change) submitted further information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was to (a) Wiltshire Constabulary and (b) English Heritage of police operations at Stonehenge on 20 and 21 June; if (i) public order and (ii) other offences were committed; and if he will make a statement. [127710]

The estimated cost to the Wiltshire Constabulary of police operations at Stonehenge on 20 and 21 June was £50,000. English Heritage were not charged for police costs arising from this operation. No persons were arrested for public order offences and no offences in connection with the event at Stonehenge have been reported to police. Five people were arrested on the night of 20 June at the temporary car park on suspicion of drink driving and vehicle theft. One person was subsequently charged with a drink driving offence while the other four persons were released without charge. I should like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation of the roles played by both Wiltshire Constabulary and English Heritage in ensuring that the event passed off peacefully.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) Turkish and (b) Kurdish refugees have applied for asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; how many of these applications have been granted in each of those years;

Asylum applications1 received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2,6 on applications, 1995 to 1999, nationals of Turkey
Principal applicants
	1995	1996	1997	1998	19997
Applications
Total	1,820	1,495	1,445	2,015	2,850
Port	745	825	890	1,620	2,045
In country	1,075	670	555	390	805
Decisions
Total decisions	995	1,405	1,585	1,085	6625
Grants of asylum	50	55	65	40	615
Grants of ELR	35	20	25	30	*
Total refusals	910	1,330	1,475	1,015	6100
Grants of ELR under backlog criteria3,4	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	6505
Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria3,5	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	65
Applications pending	3,545	4,280	4,050	4,870	N/A
1Figures rounded to nearest 5, with (*) = 1 or 2
2Information is of Initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions
3Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 asylum backlog.
4May include a small number of cases where asylum has been granted.
5May include a small number of cases where the applications has been refused on substantive grounds.
6January to May 1999 only
7Provisional data

Note:n/a = Not applicable and N/A = Not available

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were held under immigration law in (a) Campsfield, (b) Haslar, (c) Oakington and (d) Her Majesty's prisons in each of the last 12 months. [127903]

The information requested, on numbers of asylum applicants held under immigration law in Campsfield House, Haslar, Oakington and Her Majesty's prisons in each of the last 12 months, is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.The latest available information on immigration detainees relates to 30 April 2000. On that date, a total of 1,107 persons were detained in immigration detention centres and prison establishments in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Acts powers. This figure is not recorded in such a way as to identify those who had applied for asylum at some point.The latest reliable snapshot of detained asylum seekers related to those asylum applicants detained in immigration detention centres, prison establishments and police cells solely under Immigration Acts powers as at 30 December 1998 for port applicants and 4 January 1999 for in-country applicants. On those dates 741 such persons were recorded. Data recording problems mean that an updated figure is not currently available.

The available information is give in the table. Application for asylum are recorded on a nationality basis, therefore, Kurdish refugees are not separately identifiable within the statistics. An applicant"s ethnic origin could only be obtained by examination of individual case records.The most recent data available for persons detained at Oakington show that up to 18 June a total of 439 principal asylum applicants and 33 dependants of asylum seekers have been detained at varying times since it opened on 20 March 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Essex Police on the progress of police inquiries into allegations about the treatment of terminally ill children within the Southend Community Care Trust. [128061]

I understand from Essex Constabulary that the investigations are at an early and extremely sensitive stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the report on the United Kingdom Passport Agency Quinquennial Review. [128296]

I have today published the United Kingdom Passport Agency Quinquennial Review Report and I have placed copies in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in the case of Mr. K. (reference K422196/2); when this case is likely to be concluded; and if he will make a statement. [127910]

Mr. K.'s application for a reconsideration of his case will be reviewed shortly and he will be contacted directly once a decision is made.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to discourage developing countries from adopting industrial animal husbandry systems which have been shown by scientific research to have adverse implications for animal health and welfare; and if she will make a statement. [127849]

DFID' s involvement in the livestock sector is based on an appreciation of the diverse contribution livestock make to the livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable.We are supporting the international "Livestock, Environment and Development" initiative, which seeks to identify policy interventions to correct the market distortions that currently favour industrial livestock production in many developing countries.We are also developing a programme of support to FAO aimed at strengthening international norm-setting in the livestock sector: norms that will undoubtedly address issues of animal health and welfare.DFID has anticipated the impact of globalisation on animal welfare and trade in developing countries. We already have guidelines on the use of animals in development programmes, which will now be revised in the context of global shifts in livestock production and markets. Dialogue with UK and international welfare groups and other stakeholders is under way.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with other Government departments regarding relief of debt to UK companies who supply services and goods to heavily indebted poor countries as a result of tied aid. [127902]

None. Debt relief is not provided to UK companies. It is provided to governments of Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) who are committed to eradicating poverty, to benefit the poor. The Government have agreed to provide complete relief on all debts owed to the Export Credit Guarantee Department for those countries which qualify for the HIPC initiative. Aid debts have already been cancelled.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Government of Uganda concerning the abolition of primary school fees once debt relief has taken place. [127900]

There has been no need for discussions on this particular issue as the Government of Uganda abolished primary school fees in all Government schools, with the exception of those in municipal areas, in January 1997. HIPC1 is on-going and HIPC2 has yet to be finalised; both sets of resources will be used to support the Government of Uganda's primary education programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the UN concerning the suspension of debt relief to Uganda. [127899]

My right hon. Friend had no discussions with the UN concerning debt relief to Uganda. We agreed that Uganda's debt relief could not be finalised by the Paris Club of government creditors at their May meeting as planned, because of Uganda's involvement in fighting at Kisangani. We want an early and lasting resolution to the situation, and we urge all sides to implement their obligations under the Lusaka Accord. When Uganda has fulfilled the undertakings it has given on Kisangani, we will support their return to the Paris Club. Uganda is receiving interim relief from the IMF and the World Bank, and we believe this should continue.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many Montserratians who temporarily took refuge in the UK following the volcanic eruption in Montserrat have returned home; and if she will make a statement on (a) conditions in Montserrat and (b) the aid which is provided there. [127895]

Since May 1996, about 3,000 Montserratians have come to the United Kingdom because of the volcanic activity on the island. In May 1999, DFID introduced a Return Air Fare Scheme to provide assistance to those people who, having relocated to the UK or the Caribbean region, wished to return to Montserrat and had suitable accommodation on island. During the first year, 109 applications were received from people living in the UK and, as at the 31 May 2000, 83 people had returned to Montserrat.Statistics are not held by Her Majesty's Government or the Government of Montserrat on the number of people returning without assistance from the Return Air Fare Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Government of Montserrat concerning funding for the Reporter news-sheet. [127896]

None. Officials have discussed the matter with their counterparts on island, and the Chief Minister. The Montserrat Reporter received start up capital from HMG and for several years since has received budgetary aid from DFID, paid through the Chief Minister's Office in exchange for publishing Government news. The Government of Montserrat have recently concluded in a Public Service Inquiry that these payments did not represent value for money. DFID officials have now decided to withdraw the support, which was never intended as a permanent arrangement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the cost of (a) restoring the severe disablement allowance and (b) reversing the changes to Incapacity Benefit entitlement made since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [127497]

[holding answer 27 June 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Moray (Mrs. Ewing) on 8 February 2000, Official Report, columns 129–30W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact of Housing Benefit shortfalls on the family budgets of households on Income Support/Incapacity Benefit. [127006]

Restrictions on the rent met by Housing Benefit can arise for a number of reasons. For example, any rent met by Housing Benefit will be net of ineligible

Housing Benefit (HB) family recipients also in receipt of Income Support (IS) in Great BritainߞMay 1998
	Family
	Total	Single with dependants	Couple with no dependants	Couple with dependants
Total in receipt of HB and IS	1,130,000	816,000	188,000	127,000
Total assessed under the Local Reference Rent scheme	157,000	129,000	15,000	13,000
Total restricted under the Local Reference Rent scheme	55,000	45,000	6,000	4,000
Average amount of restriction as a result of the Local Reference Rent scheme	£ 5.90	£ 6.30	£ 4.60	£ 3.30

Housing Benefit (HB) family recipients also in receipt of Incapacity Benefit (IB) in Great Britain—May 1998
	Family type
	Total	Single with dependants	Couple with no dependants	Couple with dependants
Total in receipt of HB and IS	187,000	19,000	110,000	59,000
Total assessed under the Local Reference Rent scheme	13,000	3,000	6,000	4,000
Total restricted under the Local Reference Rent scheme	5,000	1,000	3,000	1,000
Average amount of restriction as a result of the Local Reference Rent scheme	£4.30	£4.60	£4.50	£3.10

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) when he expects to receive a report from his inspectorate on Housing Benefit in Islington; and if he will make a statement; [127905](2) what representations he has received on the competence of IT Net to administer Housing Benefit in Islington; [127906](3) what steps are being taken by his Department to ensure that Housing Benefit claimants in Islington receive an appropriate level of service. [127907]

The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate has recently started an inspection of the administration of service charges. It is a basic principle of the scheme that such costs should be met from clients" other income, including Income Support.Restrictions may also be made under the local reference rent scheme. This scheme is designed to give tenants an interest in their housing costs and to deter private sector landlords from charging higher rents to those claiming Housing Benefit than they would be able to get from tenants who are not in receipt of Housing Benefit.The available information on family units receiving Housing Benefit and Income Support and Incapacity Benefit who were assessed under the local reference rent scheme in May 1998 (the latest date for which figures are available) is set out in the tables. It is important to note that there is no direct correlation between the average amounts of rent restriction shown in the tables and families' actual incomes which will vary with individual circumstances. For a family on Income Support their actual income may be higher than Income Support levels because of the various disregards on both earned and unearned income. In addition, local authorities have discretionary powers to make additional payments where they judge that the rent restriction would cause the family exceptional hardship.Housing and Council Tax Benefit in the London borough of Islington. This inspection is part of a programme to inspect the 30 authorities with the highest Housing Benefit programme spend. The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate is working closely with the authority and expects to present the report to me for publication early in 2001.The Department is aware of media reports on the administration of Housing Benefit in Islington and of the hon. Member's interest in this issue. However, we have not received any other representations on Housing Benefit administration in Islington.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what his Department's estimate is of the profits made to date by IT Net from the Housing Benefit contract with the London Borough of Islington. [127908]