To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to review the practice of distress for rent. [128323]

The practice of distress for rent is currently being reviewed. I am aware that there are some concerns over this practice and, in particular, its compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights. We are investigating these concerns urgently and any problems identified will be addressed promptly.

Name	Grade	Job title	Section	Work
Mr. J. C. Barrett	Grade 6	Natural Resources Research Programme Manager	Systems Management Office	Management of the Natural Resources Systems Programme
Dr. R. G. Poulter	Grade 6	Senior Natural Resources Adviser (Research)	Natural Resources Research Department	Advice on Research Policy issues, Liaison with the UK science base
Ms F. J. Proctor	Grade 6	Senior Natural Resources Adviser	West and North Africa Department	Natural resources advice on bilateral and regional programmes to Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Chad
Ms S. Moorehead	Band A2 (Grade 7 equivalent)	Research Manager	Economic Policy and Research Department	Management of research commissioned by the DFID Advisory Committee on Economic and Social Research (ESCOR)

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funds Her Majesty's Government have allocated to provide humanitarian aid to those suffering in the conflict in the Moluccas. [128813]

My Department is not currently funding relief operations in the Moluccas, but is willing to do so if safe access is obtained to make the necessary needs assessments. The rise in violence is preventing effective and impartial humanitarian access and has forced most relief agencies to evacuate and suspend their operations. We will continue to monitor the situation through our contacts in the few remaining operational agencies and will reassess our inputs once the security situation stabilises and humanitarian access is once again guaranteed.A DFID team has just returned from Indonesia where they were advising the United Nations on possible options for engagement in conflict reduction activities. We have also seconded a humanitarian specialist to the United Nations in Jakarta. He is assisting with the co-operation of relief efforts throughout Indonesia, whether resulting from natural disasters or conflicts as in the Moluccas.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's representation at the UN Social Summit in Geneva. [128714]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Mr. Willis) of 8 February 2000, Official Report, column 89W, on secondments, if she will give the names, grades and job titles of the staff seconded into her Department from each organisation mentioned, stating in each case the name of the section they were seconded to and a summary of the work that they were involved with. [128252]

The figures given in the reply of 8 February referred to four individuals, all of whom were seconded for periods of more than 12 months and thus figured in the statistics for more than one of the years dealt with in the reply. The information required is as follows:

My Department's delegation to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session in Geneva last week, which followed up the Copenhagen Social Summit five years ago, was led by my Chief Social Development Adviser, supported by other senior DFID social development professionals and officials.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the status of the China Western Poverty Reduction Project. [128477]

Britain supported this project in the Bank Board meeting in June 1999 because it would bring significant benefits to 1.7 million of the poorest people in China. We also supported the Board conclusion that no funds would be disbursed on the Qinghai component of the project until an independent Inspection Panel had conducted an investigation, and pending further environmental and social assessments.The report by the Independent Inspection Panel, and Bank Management's response to it, will be discussed at a World Bank Board meeting on 6 July 2000. We are looking very carefully at the conclusions of the Inspection Panel Report, and Management's response to it, in preparation for the Bank Board meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received concerning the status of the China Western Poverty Reduction Project. [128478]

I have received representations on the issue of the China Western Poverty Reduction Project from members of the public, from hon. Members and from organisations which concern themselves with the welfare of Tibetans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the recent SPLA violations of the ceasefire in Bahr al-Ghazal, Sudan. [129074]

We have been following with grave concern reports of violations by the SPLA of the humanitarian ceasefire in Bahr al-Ghazal and in particular the attack on the town of Gogrial. We call on the SPLA and the Sudanese Government to exercise restraint, to respect humanitarian principles and the agreed ceasefire in that region and to work to negotiate a comprehensive, permanent, effectively monitored ceasefire throughout Sudan. We reaffirm our support for the peace efforts being made under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and firmly believe that only a negotiated settlement can bring all the people of Sudan the peace and stability they deserve.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what circumstances a licence is required to export strategic goods or technology to India or Pakistan; and what the Government's policy is regarding exports to nuclear or nuclear-related end-users in India and Pakistan. [129016]

A licence is required to export to India or Pakistan any goods or technology that are listed as subject to control in the legislation under which strategic export controls are implemented or any goods or technology subject to the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) end-use controls set out in Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) 3381/94 and Regulations 4(1) and 4(2) (b) and (c) of the Dual-Use and Related Goods (Export Control) Regulations 1996.Where a licence is required then, as my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd), the then Minister of State, said in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) on 10 July 1998,

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many employees of his Department and its agencies have been recruited from the New Deal; and what percentage this represents of total staff. [129091]

Four New Dealers have been recruited. This represents 1 per cent. of Band A1 staff (which is the grade at which we recruit New Dealers), and .07 per cent. of total staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives the Government have (a) taken and (b) propose to take on modifying the UN Security Council resolutions governing the presence of United Nations forces in Sierra Leone. [127997]

We have actively supported the UN Secretary-General's initiatives to adapt UNAMSIL to meet changing circumstances; most recently leading the Security Council in adoption of resolution 1299 of 11 May 2000 to expand UNAMSIL from 11,100 to 13,000. We have been leading discussions on a further resolution on UNAMSIL in the Security Council, in the light of the Secretary-General's most recent report of 19 May 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors he took into account in assessing the need for UK action in response to Security Council resolution 1289 concerning the increase in manpower of the UNAMSIL force in Sierra Leone. [127998]

We strongly support the UN's effort to help bring peace and stability to Sierra Leone. Since the adoption of Security Council resolution 1289 on 7 February 2000, we have provided an MOD team to help on the ground with UNAMSIL force deployment as well as our 15 UN military observers. We are also continuing to provide technical advice and support to UNAMSIL both in Freetown and New York.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to those countries which agreed to make a contribution to Sierra Leone through the Lomé Peace Accord but have (a) not or (b) only partly met the commitment they entered into; [128573](2) if he will list the countries which agreed to make a contribution to Sierra Leone through the Lomé Peace Accord, but which did not make the contribution agreed or any contribution; and if he will make a statement; [128572](3) if he will list those countries which have made contributions to Sierra Leone through the Lomé Peace Accord, indicating the amount of each contribution; and if he will make a statement; [128522](4) if he will list those countries which agreed to make contributions to Sierra Leone through the Lomé Peace Accord, indicating the amount of money each country agreed to give; and if he will make a statement. [128521]

Following signature of the Lomé Peace Agreement, a number of countries and donor institutions pledged and provided political and financial support to help re-build Sierra Leone after eight years of brutal conflict.Around US$65 million was pledged at the international donor's conference, chaired by the Secretary of State for International Development in London on 27 March.Practical support from the international donor community will continue to be needed if lasting peace and stability is to be achieved in Sierra Leone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) British and (b) other western nationals have been evacuated from Sierra Leone since 8 May. [127688]

125 British nationals and 49 other western nationals were evacuated by British forces from Sierra Leone since 8 May (the figure for other western nationals includes EU, US and Canadian nationals).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the implementation of ILO Convention No. 182 on the prohibition of child labour; and if he will make a statement. [127917]

The UK ratified ILO Convention 182 on the worst forms of child labour on 23 March 2000. The provisions of the Convention are met in the UK. The Government are committed to eradicating the exploitation of children. ILO Convention 182 represents an important step towards achieving this goal. The UK strongly supports the ILO in its campaign to encourage all ILO member states to ratify and implement the Convention as soon as possible. The UK is now considering how best to take bilateral action in support of the ILO campaign.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on how many EU member states have ratified, and accepted as legally binding, the European Social Charter in whole or in part. [127913]

The Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers was adopted by 11 of the then 12 EU member states in December 1998, with the UK dissenting. The Charter was declaratory and is not legally binding.Article 136 of the EC Treaty (Title XI), as amended by the Amsterdam Treaty 1997, mentions the Community Charter, alongside the European Social Charter 1961, within the context of the objectives of the social chapter of the Treaty. All 15 member states have ratified the Amsterdam Treaty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the number of EU member states which have ratified the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine. [127914]

The Convention came into force on 1 December 1999. Three EU member states have ratified the Convention: Denmark, Greece and Spain. Seven have signed the Convention: Finland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden.The Convention contains a mixture of devolved and reserved matters. The Government are considering the most appropriate way forward in the light of devolution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the European Convention on Human Rights and its protocols, with special reference to those parts which some EU member states have not agreed to ratify. [127995]

This year is the 50th Anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Convention has now been ratified by all 41 member states of the Council of Europe. It has become the Europe-wide standard for fundamental rights and freedoms providing, as its founders hoped, cohesive values and a bulwark against tyranny. In the UK, the Human Rights Act 1998, which comes into force on 2 October 2000, will enshrine in UK law the guarantees provided by the Convention.Since the Convention's entry into force, a series of additional protocols have been adopted. Where these elaborate the rights set out in the Convention or add new rights, they are optional. Like other EU and Council of Europe states, the UK keeps under review its position with regard to those protocols it has not already ratified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 7 June 2000, Official Report, column 295W, how many people are in the United Kingdom Government/Gibraltar Liaison Unit for EU Affairs which has been established in his Department. [128487]

The United Kingdom Government/Gibraltar Liaison Unit for EU Affairs was established on 1 June, within the Southern European Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Initially, three members of this Department have been allocated responsibility for running the Unit alongside their other duties. We will keep the resources of the Unit under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the actions of ZANU(PF) during the election campaign and on polling day in Zimbabwe. [128716]

We fully agree with the statement issued by Pierre Schori, the Head of the EU Observer Mission, in which he indicated that

ZANU(PF) was responsible for the bulk of political violence

during the election campaign. The two days of polling were peaceful and orderly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on financial and trade links between (a) Serbia and Iraq and (b) the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Iraq. [126626]

[holding answer 19 June 2000]: There are no reliable figures for FRY/Iraq trade but according to official FRY figures it does not appear to be a significant element in the FRY balance of payments. The FRY has participated in the UN's oil for food programme, bartering grain exports for oil.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what items have been on the agenda of the EU Political and Security Committee since 1 January; and what decisions it has taken. [128505]

The Interim Political and Security Committee started work on 1 March 2000. Since its establishment, the Committee's principal task has been to contribute to the preparation of the Council's decisions on the new European defence and security arrangements and in particular the Report and Annexes on European defence and security adopted by the European Council at Feira on 19–20 June. The Committee has also started to contribute to the Council's work on current CFSP issues, such as Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Indonesian authorities to ensure that those responsible for the sectarian violence in the Moluccas are brought to trial. [128786]

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. I issued a statement on 23 June, and saw the Indonesian Ambassador on 3 July. In the light of the alarming escalation of the violence, we and others are urging the Indonesian authorities to redouble efforts to take effective action.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of recent research on the effect on the nervous system of exposure to organophosphates. [126036]

A Working Group of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) undertook an in-depth study in 1998 and 1999 of whether exposure to low doses of organophosphorus compounds can cause long-term adverse health effects. The Working Group considered the most recent research in this area. The COT' s Report to Ministers was published on 26 November 1999 and copies were placed in the Library of the House. Presentations from researchers working on OPs were made to a Scientific Workshop on 28 March 2000 which was organised by the Government. We hope shortly to call for proposals for further research in this important area.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received about the health implications of Lindane. [127817]

MAFF has received numerous representations from individuals and organisations concerning the pesticide Lindane. Most of these have expressed concern over the possible environmental or human health effects of the use of Lindane in this country.The Government act whenever necessary on pesticides in order to safeguard health and protect the environment. In the case of Lindane, using a precautionary assessment, independent scientific advice is that the currently approved agricultural uses of lindane do not pose any unacceptable risk to people. Ministers are currently considering the advice from the independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides on the home garden and non-agricultural uses of Lindane and will announce their conclusions as soon as possible.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which discussions he has had with his counterparts in other EU member states on establishing reciprocal recognition arrangements on the use of pesticides and fertilisers. [127663]

[holding answer 26 June 2000]: All EU countries regulate the safety and efficacy of agricultural pesticides on the basis of scientific data under their respective national legislation. However, a gradual transition is already underway to an EC system of regulation which in addition to safeguarding people and the environment is also aimed at freeing the market in agricultural pesticides by achieving consistent standards between member states.As such it provides for the mutual recognition of pesticide product approvals and uses granted in other member states.Officials from the various member states are frequently in contact with each other to discuss the issues relating to harmonisation of the authorisation procedures and the regulation of agricultural pesticides.The EU has established procedures whereby fertiliser companies can seek to have products designated as "EC Fertilisers" thereby enabling those products to be sold in all member states. Non-EC designated fertiliser products may be sold to another member state only where they comply with that country's domestic legislation.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 10 April 2000, Official Report, column 56W, on organic farming, what plans he has to undertake research into the balance of trade in organic produce in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and what representations have been made to him regarding the balance of trade in this respect. [126474]

[holding answer 27 June 2000]: We have no plans at present to undertake such research.We have received a number of representations concerning the proportion of organic food which is imported, usually coupled with requests that support for organic conversion be increased. The Government have substantially increased funding for conversion: £12 million has been committed in the current financial year and we plan to spend £140 million on conversion aid over the life of the Rural Development Plan for England.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will press for additional compensation for sheep farmers affected by cuts in the sheep annual premium. [128058]

There have been no recent changes in the way the sheep annual premium is calculated. As part of the Action Plan for Farming, the Prime Minister announced on 30 March that this year sheep farmers will receive £22 million to compensate for the effects of exchange rate fluctuations during 1999.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the appearance of Russian blue water vessels off Rockall; and if he has assessed the consequences for UK haddock fishing. [128158]

This spring there was evidence of increased activity by Russian vessels fishing for haddock and other demersal stocks in international waters to the west of Rockall. Unregulated fishing of this kind risks undermining EU management measures aimed at conserving stocks. At the Fisheries Council in June we called upon the European Commission to press for the adoption of specific management measures by the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) to constrain fishing in the area. We are supported by a number of other member states. The European Commission has undertaken to pursue the necessary action in NEAFC.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer to the hon.

1999–2000 (Outturn)
	Population(1998 Census)	Exchequer funding (£)	Lottery draw-down (£)1	Total (£)	Per capita expenditure (£)
England/Sport England	49,495,000	37,900,000	250,686,000	288,586,000	5.83
Scotland/Sport Scotland	5,120,000	10,100,000	25,645,000	35,745,000	6.98
Wales/Sports Council for Wales	2,933,000	6,799,000	14,677,000	21,476,000	7.32
Northern Ireland/Sports Council for Northern Ireland	1,689,000	2,380,000	10,323,000	12,703,000	7.52
UK Sport3	—	12,600,000	15,357,000	27,957,000	—
Football Licensing Authority	—	900,000	—	900,000	—
Total4	59,237,000	70,679,000	316,688,000	387,367,000	6.54

[holding answer 29 June 2000]: Secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiative, which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. Before an Interchange can occur all parties must be satisfied that no conflict of interest arises.Further to my earlier reply to the hon. Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Mr. Willis), the secondee from the Royal Bank of Scotland worked in the Finance Unit at the Central Science Laboratory in York on the production of a report on operating procedures for contracts. The secondee from Manor Bakeries undertook a programme of visits within the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the Government spent per head of population on supporting sport in (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland and (d) Northern Ireland in the last financial year; what the planned figure is for 2000–01; and what assessment he has made of such spending in other EU member states. [127127]

The information requested by the hon. Member is included in the table.Exchequer and Lottery funding for sport is channelled primarily through the four home nation sports councils (Sport England, SportScotland, Sports Council for Wales, Sports Council for Northern Ireland) and the UK Sports Council (UK Sport). Funding is also provided to the Football Licensing Authority, which is charged with ensuring the implementation of Government policy regarding grounds at which designated football matches are played. Support for sport and recreation is also provided by local Government expenditure.No direct comparison of expenditure on sport by EU member states has been made by my Department or the Sports Councils. Meaningful comparisons are difficult because of the way in which sport is structured and financed from country to country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the Spoliation Panel inquiry into works of art looted by the Nazis has met; and if he will make a statement. [128118]

[holding answer 29 June 2000]: The first meeting of the Spoliation Advisory Panel was held on Thursday 8 June. To date, the Panel is aware of only one claim—that of Jan Griffier the Elder's View of Hampton Court Palace—which was acquired by the Tate in 1961. On 12 June, the Panel issued a news release inviting both the claimants and the Tate to submit their case as soon as possible. The Panel desires to complete its proceedings on this claim as rapidly as possible consistent with proper consideration of the evidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what, at constant prices, has been the cost of maintenance projects in each year since 1991–92 at the occupied Royal Palaces after deducting the costs of the exceptional rewiring programme in hand at the time of the Windsor fire, and the costs relating to the restoration after that fire. [128461]

The costs are as follows:

	£0001
1991–92	14,999
1992–93	10,768
1993–94	9,105
1994–95	10,637
1995–96	12,547
1996–97	11,630
1997–98	7,437
1998–99	7,392
1999–2000	6,788
1 Excluding minor maintenance costing less than £2,500

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in each year since 1993–94, what has been the (a) gross income and (b) net income from charges to visit Buckingham Palace; and to which Department the income was paid. [128460]

The gross income and net income from charges to visit Buckingham Palace in each year since 1993–94 are as follows:

£000
		Net income
	Gross income	WCFR1	RCT2
1993–94	2,277	1,391	0
1994–95	2,662	1,398	0
1995–96	2,948	1,667	0
1996–97	2,812	1,686	0
1997–98	2,353	1,080	0
1998–99	2,505	1,066	0
1999–2000	2,349	0	907
1 Windsor Castle Fire Restoration Project
2 Royal Collection Trust

The net income accrues to the Royal Collection Trust rather than to any Government Department. Just under £8.3 million has been contributed toward the cost of the Windsor Castle Fire Restoration Project. Having completed the Fire Restoration Project, the net income has been retained by the Royal Collection Trust to fund ongoing conservation of the Royal Collection and the project to re-develop the Queen's Gallery.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in each year since 1993–94 what has been the (a) gross income and (b) net surplus from charges to visit Windsor Castle precincts. [128459]

No gross income is attributable to the Windsor Castle precincts as visitors buy one ticket which covers the State Apartments, Queen Mary's Dolls House, St. George's Chapel, the exhibition and the precincts. The net surplus from charges to visit Windsor Castle precincts in each year since 1993–94 is as follows:

	£000
1993–94	1100
1994–95	1,616
1995–96	1,908
1996–97	2,257
1997–98	2,381
1998–99	3,416
1999–2000	2,400
1 Charges for entry to the Windsor Castle precincts introduced on 4 January 1994

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has (a) received and (b) made regarding allegations of anti-British bias in Hollywood films; and if he will make a statement. [128815]

I have received a number of letters from members of the public about historical misrepresentation in Hollywood films, and while it is not for the Government formally to intervene in the creative process of film-making, I have made my personal views on the subject clear and will do so again when appropriate occasions arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect of a rise in the crime rate on the tourist industry. [128814]

The vast majority of tourists to Britain have a safe and enjoyable visit. Misleading comparisons of crime in Britain with that in the United States are of course unhelpful; but we expect to welcome many overseas visitors to Britain this year, four million of whom are expected to come from the United States alone. The Government are, of course, determined to tackle violent crime and are providing resources to address the issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many contracts have been let by the United Kingdom Sports Institute; for what purposes; and if he will make a statement. [128812]

My Department has asked both Sport England and UK Sport to provide the information requested, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing copies of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the foreign countries where people claiming social security benefits currently reside; and how many customers of his Department reside in each such country. [127351]

[holding answer 22 June 2000]: Such information as is available has been placed in Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 22 June 2000, Official Report, column 256W, on child support, if the new criminal offences for providing false information will apply retrospectively; and if he will make a statement. [128153]

It would not be appropriate under the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights for such provisions to have retrospective effect, allowing prosecution for an act or omission which was not a criminal offence at the time it was committed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the latest position regarding the payment of Jobseeker's Allowances to school ancillary employees during the school holidays. [128293]

The current legal position, confirmed by the Court of Appeal in October 1999, is that ancillary workers with an on-going contract of employment, who are not entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or Income Support (IS) during term-time because of the hours they work, are also not entitled to JSA or IS during the school holidays. We understand that leave to appeal to the House of Lords against the Court of Appeal decision was granted on 11 April.Where any doubts exist over entitlement to JSA or Income Support, school ancillary workers may make a claim, which will be decided on an individual basis. School ancillary workers with low incomes may still claim in-work benefits such as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. Those with children may also be eligible for the Working Families Tax Credit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects men aged between 60 and 64 years in the West Chelmsford Constituency to receive their Winter Fuel Allowance; and if he will make a statement on the delays in paying it to them. [128320]

Retrospective payments for previous years winter fuel payments started to be paid in the week commencing 26 June 2000 in line with our targets. The payments will be issued as claims are processed and are not defined into postcoded areas. Some customers in West Chelmsford may have already received their payment and the remainder will receive them over the coming months as claims are received and processed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will investigate the treatment by SEMA and by the Benefits Agency of Mr. John Ward, a constituent whose address has been supplied to him; and if he will make a statement. [124877]

[holding answer 12 June 2000]: This matter has now been fully investigated. Due to the Data Protection Act 1998 I have written to my hon. Friend privately.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 27 June 2000, Official Report, column 480W, on the state pension, if he will estimate the cost of Option (b), an increase of £5 in the rate of the basic state pension and the introduction of age additions of £5 for pensioners aged 75 to 79 and £10 for pensioners aged 80 years or over, on the basis that the age additions for those aged 75 to 79 or 80 years and over are paid in full, regardless of contribution record. [128605]

The information is in the table.

£ billion
	Gross	Net of means-tested benefits and income tax
2001–02	4.6	3.1
2002–03	4.7	3.2
2003–04	4.7	3.2
2004–05	4.8	—
2005–06	4.8	—

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the annual cost would have been in respect of pensioners in Scotland if the level of the state pension for (a) single pensioners and (b) couples had been uprated in line with earnings from May 1997. [128064]

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is shown in the table.

Gross cost of uprating the basic state pension in line with earnings for pensioners in Scotland from April 1998
£ million
	Gross cost
1998–99	20
1999–2000	70
2000–01	200

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 9 February 2000, Official Report, column 213W, concerning secondments, which of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less. [124820]

[pursuant to his reply, 7 June 2000, c. 290W]: All four of the secondees listed were appointed for a period of 12 months or less.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many staff were seconded from the private sector to his Department in (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999 to the latest date for which figures are available, stating in each case the companies from which staff have been seconded. [109293]

[pursuant to his reply, 9 February 2000, c. 213W]: Secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiative which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. All Sectors of the economy are involved: Voluntary, Education, Health, Public and Private. Interchange is a key component of the reform agenda. The Modernising Government White Paper committed us to increasing interchange, in particular by bringing in more people on secondment and sending more of our people out.For the periods in question, four private sector staff are recorded as having been seconded to the Department. One was from the Guardian Media Group plc between September 1997 and December 1997, one from Sacker and Partners between October 1997 and February 1998, one from Oracle from March 1998 to September 1998 and the final one from CSL Managed Services between August 1999 and February 2000. Other inward secondments of three months or more recorded centrally in the above periods were mainly from local government and other parts of the public sector outside the Civil Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what analysis he has made of the annual financial benefit in respect of pensioners resulting from the reduction of the rate of VAT on heating fuel; and if he will make a statement. [127586]

I have been asked to reply.Customs and Excise estimate that households in which the head is of State Pension Age and economically inactive will benefit on average by around £13 in 2000–01 due to the reduced rate of VAT on fuel and power.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 26 June 2000, Official Report, column 351W, on corruption and bribery, if he will list the number of cases in the last five years where the ECGD judged (a) the level of commission to be excessive and (b) the payment procedures unusual, indicating the companies concerned and the reasons why cover was refused. [128571]

In the last five years there have been no cases where the levels of commission were deemed to be excessive or where there were unusual payment procedures.Our customers understand and abide by our procedures in this regard.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department was informed that Deer Management Qualifications Ltd., Registration Number 3449049, was continuing to trade from a new registered office at Wrexham. [128568]

Deer Management Qualifications Ltd. has not informed Companies House of any change of address of their registered office, and remained at 381 Kingsway, Hove, East Sussex, the original address, until struck off and dissolved in September 1999.A representative of the former company subsequently wrote from Wrexham on 28 December 1999 claiming that the organisation of that name was still trading. Information on restoration was sent in January 2000, but no application for restoration has been received to date.In the interim, a new company, Deer Management Communications Ltd., Registration Number 4019145, has been incorporated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations his Department has received regarding the proposed merger of MCI WorldCom and Sprint. [128493]

This case fell to the consideration of the EC competition authorities under the EC Merger Regulation (ECMR) and the Commission prohibited the proposed deal on 28 June.It is not our policy to disclose the identity or content of representations on cases so that interested parties may comment freely without any concern that their comments might then be disclosed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations the Government have made to the European Commission regarding the MCI WorldCom Sprint merger. [128494]

This case fell to the consideration of the EC competition authorities under the EC Merger Regulation (ECMR) and the Commission prohibited the proposed deal on 28 June.

Company names	Grade	Section
1 May 1997–30 April 1998
The Export Association	PR 10	Export Promotion
North Cape (Scotland) Ltd.	PR 10	Export Promotion
Bank of Ireland	PR 10	Export Promotion
Rover Group Ltd.	PR 10	Export Promotion
Reyrolle Projects Ltd.	PR 10	Export Promotion
Grant Thornton	PR 7	Small and Medium Enterprise Policy
Drinks Marketing Consortium	PR 10	Export Promotion
European Gas Turbines-GEC Alstrom	PR 10	Export Promotion
Ericsson Ltd.	PR 11	Communication and Information Ind Dir
Prince Associates	PR 10	Export Promotion
British Telecom plc	SCS	Communication and Information Ind Dir
Littlejon Frazer	PR 9	Company Law and Investigations
The Institute of Export	PR 10	Export Promotion
Arthur Andersen	PR 8	Insurance Directorate

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will make a statement on the licensed production agreement between Pains Wessex (Schermuly) and SME Ordnance in Malaysia for the production of (a) low enforcement pyrotechnics, (b) CS irritant cartridges and (c) CS canisters; [128281](2) if he will list the licensed production agreements between British and Malaysian defence companies. [128280]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) on 22 March 1999, Official Report, column 117W.However, I would also refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the then Under-Secretary of State for Small Firms, Trade and Industry, on 12 January 1999,

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Mr. Willis), of 11 February 2000, Official Report, column 313W, on secondments, if he will give the names, grades and job titles of the staff seconded into his Department from each organisation mentioned, stating in each case the name of the section they were seconded to and a summary of the work that they were involved with. [128244]

[holding answer 29 June 2000]: Giving the information in the format as set out in my answer of 11 February, details of the DTI grades of the posts filled and the Directorate in which the secondees were placed are given in the table.For data protection and privacy reasons it is not possible to give names of individuals.The Department has a long-standing programme of interchange with the private sector to promote the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. Before a secondment can occur, all parties must be satisfied that no conflict of interest arises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance his Department is giving to support offshore wind generator research, development and manufacturing; and if he will make a statement. [128145]

The Government recognise the potential of the offshore wind energy industry both in the UK and internationally. Accordingly, offshore wind energy is a priority area within my Department's research and development programme for new and renewable energy.The programme has so far committed £790,000 in two projects. One will monitor and evaluate the installation and performance of the UK's first offshore installation of two 2 MW turbines being installed off Blyth Harbour this summer. The other is supporting the development of a new rotor hub, aimed at the offshore market, being assembled in the UK using UK components. In addition, the programme also has several high-value research proposals currently under consideration to develop and evaluate installation systems and techniques for offshore wind farms with prospects for reducing costs.A further aim of our programme is to establish the environmental effects of offshore wind farms. A project providing an initial assessment of all the potential effects has been completed and is being followed up by scoping studies focusing on the effects on sea wild life, birds and coastal processes such as erosion and deposition.The Government are also considering the scope for additional support for offshore wind in the context of the new renewables obligation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of offshore wind energy to electricity production; and if he will make a statement. [128146]

An analysis of the potential contribution of offshore wind energy and other renewable energy technologies was produced for my Department in March 1999 by the Energy Technical Support Unit (ETSU) and formed the Supporting Analysis to the Consultation Document on Renewable Energy then published. A copy of the Supporting Analysis is in the Library of the House.The UK's wind resources are potentially much greater offshore than onshore. They are limited only by practicable working water depths, the use of maritime areas for other activities, and the costs of achieving linkage with the onshore electrical network. Moving from onshore to offshore need not require major changes in the technology, but additional technical problems arise because of the more hostile environment. Offshore installations could increase the contribution from wind power substantially.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what interest the Government hold in a patent on hyperlinking; and if he will make a statement. [128322]

The Government hold no interest in any patents on hyperlinks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the technical papers on the dry storage of previously wet stored magnox fuel that he has commissioned; and if he will place copies of all such papers in the Library. [127962]

My Department has commissioned no such technical papers. Government policy is that the owners of spent fuel are responsible for its management subject to meeting regulatory requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the net savings to the Exchequer in each of the next 10 years from restricting export credit guarantees to non-military exports; and if he will make a statement. [127502]

[holding answer 27 June 2000]: If the hon. Gentleman's question is intended to ascertain the effect of a general restriction on export credit guarantees to non-military exports, the answer is that I do not envisage any net savings given that ECGD supported business caught by it would have been priced and managed with a view to at least breaking even. Additionally, while such a restriction would tend to reduce ECGD's exposure to interest make-up risk, it cannot be predicted at the outset whether this would generate net savings or expenditure for the Exchequer.Indeed there would be a cost to the Exchequer from such a general restriction arising not only from forgone tax revenues which would arise otherwise from business thwarted by the restriction but also from any consequent reduction in employment.If however the question is intended simply to elucidate the effect of the Chancellor's announcement of 11 January, extending the UK's unilateral ban on export credits in respect of "unproductive expenditure" to include a further 22 countries, then assuming recent trading patterns continue I would not envisage any costs or savings to the Exchequer given that, from information readily available, the £775 million business with these countries supported by ECGD guarantees over the last five years falls within the productive expenditure criteria against which future export credit business will be assessed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of the regional electricity consumers committees. [128024]

The new Gas and Electricity Consumers Council (GECC), being established under the Utilities Bill, will replace the Gas Consumers Council and the electricity consumers committees. An announcement was made in both Houses on 23 June on GECC's future organisation. It will have a head office based in London, an office in Glasgow serving Scotland, one in Cardiff serving Wales and further offices in Manchester, Birmingham, London, Newcastle and Bournemouth serving England.

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]

[pursuant to the reply, 27 June 2000, c. 456W]: Unfortunately the list of organisations shown in the answer was incomplete. Following is the full list:

• AEA Technology
• BAE Systems
• BioIndustry Association
• British Computer Society
• Committee of Vice-Chancellors & 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
• Institution of Chemical Engineers
• Institution of Civil Engineers
• Institution of Electrical Engineers
• Institution of Incorporated Engineers
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• Marconi plc
• Nortel Networks
• Rolls-Royce plc
• Royal Academy of Engineering
• Scottish Executive
• Transport & General.

After discussing a report from the Chairman of the Engineering Council, Dr. Robert Hawley, those present expressed their support for the work to date of the Hawley Group and confirmed their support for the future direction of the project.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answers of 7 June 2000, Official Report, column 288, and 14 June 2000, Official Report, column 934, if he will reconcile the figures given in the two answers for the number of jobs created under the New Deal; and if he will make a statement. [127588]

Over 250,000 people have found jobs as a result of the New Deal, 210,000 of whom have been young people.

To ask the Prime Minister how many parliamentary questions were tabled to his Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April which requested information, pursuant to his previous answers. [128009]

Of the 454 written answers I provided within the specified period, 41 were in answer to questions pursuant to previous answers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the economic impact of the Tall Ships Race in Scotland. [127714]

I understand that Inverclyde Council and Renfrewshire Enterprise commissioned an economic impact evaluation of the visit of the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race to Greenock in summer 1999. This showed that new expenditure of £8.5 million was generated in the Inverclyde Council area. It was estimated that this level of expenditure would support a notional 248 jobs for one year in Inverclyde.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received from (a) hon. Members, (b) MSPs, (c) local councils and (d) local enterprise companies in connection with the definition of assisted area status submitted to the Commission on 10 April. [128561]

I have received the following representations in connection with the definition of assisted area status submitted to the Commission on 10 April:

(a) 12 from hon. Members (six of these hon. Members are also MSPs but they have not been included in the number at (b))

(b) Eight from MSPs

(c) 19 from local councils

(d) Five from local enterprise companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of tolls paid at the Skye Bridge tollbooth, after discounts, goes towards paying back the money owed on the project. [128286]

Responsibility for tolls paid on the Skye Bridge is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his estimate of the number of angler-caught (a) salmon, (b) grilse and (c) sea trout caught in Scotland in each of the last five years; and what is his estimate of the number of each of these three categories of fish taken by seals in Scottish waters in each of these years. [128854]

Information on catches up to 1998, the latest year for which statistics have been published, are contained in the Statistical Bulletin, Fisheries Series published by the Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department. A copy is available in the House of Commons Library. Information on the number of salmon, grilse and sea trout taken by seals is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the decision of the Greater Belfast Coroner not to hold an inquest into the murder of Robert Hamill. [127719]