To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies for (a) doctors and (b) nurses there are in NHS hospitals in the Greater London area. [126268]

The information requested is provided in the table.

NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and doctor vacancies1 in NHS trusts, within the London Regional Office area, as at 31 March 1999
	Total number (headcount)
Doctors	90
Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff2	2,350
1Three month vacancies
2Revised figures

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Carers Grant is additional to the amount county councils have already spent on respite care; how much Kent County Council will receive from the Carers Grant; and if he will make a statement. [126247]

The carers special grant is allocated to local authorities to stimulate the diversity and flexibility of provision that enables carers to have a break from caring. Services funded in this way must be additional to any breaks services previously provided.Kent County Council received a carers special grant of £530,713 in 1999–2000 and £1,264,352 in 2000–01.These figures are in addition to the figure of approximately £197 million and £207 million which Kent received for the provision of personal social services, in 1999–2000 and in 2000–01 respectively, through the standard spending assessment. This money can also be spent on services which benefit carers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what quantity of each (a) antidepressant and (b) benzodiazepine was prescribed by doctors in England in 1999. [127967]

The information requested is given in the tables.

Benzodiazepines: number of prescription items dispensed in the community, England, 1999
Thousand
Drug group	Prescription item
Temazepam	4,878
Diazepam	4,108
Nitrazepam	2,210
Lorazepam	728
Chlordiazepoxide	402
Oxazepam	289
Lormetazepam	246
Clonazepam	231
Loprazolam	200
Clobazam	85
Total	13,378

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter from Mrs. F. Butler of Augustine Road, Sheppey, dated 3 April. [128473]

A reply was sent to Mrs. Butler on 7 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were living in care accommodation under the provisions of the care in the community legislation on 1 May. [128875]

Data are not currently held in the form requested. However, the table shows the number of places or registered beds available for people with mental health problems in residential homes or private nursing homes, hospitals and clinics.

England, as at 31 March 1999	Number
Places in residential care homes for people with mental health problems	38,200
Of which:
In Local Authority staffed homes	3,500
In Private homes	23,400
In Small homes	2,500
In Voluntary homes	—
Dual registered homes	2,800
Registered beds in mental nursing homes	6,100

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the speed of onset and progression of age-related macular degeneration; [128724](2) what guidance he has issued on the assessment of treatment options for age-related macular degeneration; and if he will make a statement; [128725](3) how many cases of age-related macular degeneration can be treated by photodynamic therapy per annum; [128727](4) if he will refer Visudyne to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence; [128728](5) what assessment he has made of the efficacy of Visudyne following the publication of the two year clinical trial data; [128729](6) what estimate his Department has made of the possible cost of treating age-related macular degeneration with Visudyne; and if he will make a statement; [128780](7) what steps he has taken to promote the use of Amsler grid tests with GPs to test for age-related macular degeneration; [128781](8) what plans he has to promote the increased use of Amsler grid tests in GP surgeries; [128782](9) if he will make a statement on referral protocols for age-related macular degeneration and Visudyne. [128783]

It is estimated that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects one in 100 people over the age of 75, with some 500,000 people affected overall. There are two major types of AMD: wet and dry. Some 20 per cent. of patients have 'wet' AMD which is sometimes susceptible to laser treatment. Visudyne is a light-activated compound which has been used in a trial of an alternative photodynamic therapy. Visudyne has not yet been approved for use here or in the other countries of the European Union, but the EU Commission is expected to make a final decision on the approval of an application in the next few months. Visudyne is also among the topics we are considering for appraisal by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) during the remainder of the current year and in later years. We will make an announcement as soon as possible.Consideration of the need to review arrangements for screening, including wider use of Amsler grid tests, would follow any consideration by NICE.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the NHS hearing aid services pilot project. [128909]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth (Mr. Healey) on 6 June 2000, Official Report, columns 143–44W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with (a) relapsing remitting MS and (b) secondary progressive MS receive beta interferon in each health authority area in England. [128697]

The information is not available at the level of detail requested. However, we estimate that between 1,700 and 1,800 people in England are currently receiving beta interferon on the National Health Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what additional funding has been provided since 1997 to secure provision of NHS dental treatment in Devon and Cornwall; [129207](2) what percentage of the £60 million extra funding for NHS dentistry announced earlier this year

We have already made good progress towards improving access to dental services in Cornwall and Devon. Investing in Dentistry grants amounting to £1,095,165 have been approved in the area in return for promises of up to 110,200 new National Health Service registrations. Since 1998, a dental access centre pilot has been operational in Cornwall and the NHS Executive is currently working with North East Devon and South West Devon Health Authorities to develop two further dental access centres.We have accepted in full the recommendations of the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body, which include an annual £17 million scheme to reward the loyalty and commitment of NHS dentists in England.The NHS Executive wrote on 16 May to all health authority chief executives asking them to tell us whether more needs to be done to improve NHS dentistry in their locality and inviting ideas for potential funding.Further initiatives to improve access to services will form part of our plans for modernising NHS dentistry, which will be published this summer in conjunction with the National Plan for the New NHS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was for a non-urgent NHS patient to receive an ultrasound examination for a possible thrombosis in each (a) London hospital and (b) NHS region for each of the years (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [129238]

The data requested are not collected centrally. We take the issue of delays in diagnosis very seriously. Through such initiatives as the national booked admissions programme, the cancer services collaborative, action on cataracts and action on orthopaedics, we are encouraging hospitals to streamline their services so that tests are carried out, and a diagnosis made, as quickly as possible and with the patient making the minimum number of visits to hospital.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what payments were made to (a) the Chief Executive and (b) Deputy Chief Executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust upon their resignations; [129415](2) what salary and other remuneration is paid to the former Chief Executive of Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust in his new employment with Avon Health Authority. [129408]

The severance arrangements agreed between the former chief executive and deputy chief executive and Plymouth Hospitals National Health Service Trust are a confidential matter between the individuals concerned and the trust.Avon Health Authority has engaged the former chief executive for a year to develop a strategic framework for acute services in Avon. He is being employed on normal NHS terms and conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many agencies of his Department use touch tone telephone steering systems when dealing with telephone inquiries from the general public; [129633](2) how many of his Department's telephone lines used by the general public are responded to by touch tone telephone steering systems. [129627]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 27 June 2000, Official Report, column 439W. The Department's Public Enquiry Office has an automated call handling system that uses touch tone telephone steering. Callers without a touch tone telephone will be automatically diverted to a public enquiry office adviser.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been allocated to coronary services in the Coventry area in the last three years. [129446]

The information requested is in the table.

Spend for Coventry Health Authority on cardio secondary care
£000
	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000
Angiography	434	472	526
PTCA1	441	481	508
Cardiac Surge	1,576	1,651	1,786
Pacemakers	117	109	145
Outpatient services	207	187	211
Total	2,775	2,900	3,176
1Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress made on his Department's national publicity campaign to tell young people they can talk to health professionals about sex and contraception in confidence; and what funding has been allocated to the campaign. [129253]

Our media campaign on teenage pregnancy will begin in autumn 2000, following a period of research into promising approaches by similar campaigns elsewhere. Levels of funding for this current year are to be decided, and for future years will depend on the outcome of the Spending Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many local co-ordinators for teenage pregnancy have been established since the publication of the Social Exclusion Unit report "Teenage Pregnancy", in June 1999. [129256]

Every area in England now has a local teenage pregnancy co-ordinator, jointly nominated by the local authority and health authority. In total there are 141 co-ordinators, with some working to social services boundaries and some to health authority boundaries, depending on local circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide funding (a) under section 64 and (b) generally for the Council for Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction. [128329]

Although project funding has been provided in the past, the Department has no current plans to fund this organisation under the section 64 scheme or generally in this financial year. The very high level of demand for cash limited funds has resulted in many worthy applications having to be rejected. This does not prelude the Council for Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction from seeking funding in future years.The problems of dependence upon tranquillisers have been recognised for many years. In 1994, the Department issued copies of "Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Benzodiazepine Dependence", published by the Mental Health Foundation, to all health authorities and recommended their use by general practitioners. Various treatments may be offered in general practice or by the specialist mental health services for those who have developed dependence upon tranquillisers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy towards the pension fund contributions paid by the Treasury for NHS contracted dentists where the agreed increase in payments is phased. [129981]

Contributions towards the National Health Service pension scheme are based on actual levels of pensionable remuneration. Therefore, where increases have been phased in the past, the amounts paid by way of contributions into the pension scheme by both the employer and employee have been based on the actual pensionable remuneration that was paid.

To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission what assessment he has made of the resources available to the National Audit Office; and if he will make a statement. [128234]

It is the main concern of the Commission to ensure that the Comptroller and Auditor-General has the right resources to undertake his work. The Commission last met on 2 December 1999 to consider the Supply Estimate for the National Audit Office for 2000–01. The Commission took account of the growing work load of the National Audit Office and recommended additional funding for 2000–01 as a result.While the Commission will continue to monitor the situation, I am satisfied that, at present, the current level of funding for this work is adequate and that, were the Comptroller and Auditor-General to need more staff or other resources in the future, he would request extra funding from this House when compiling his annual Supply Estimate.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what support is given by the commissioners to the work of the Church Conservation Trust; and if he will make a statement. [128228]

The work of the Churches Conservation Trust is jointly funded, 30 per cent. by the Church of England and 70 per cent. by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.The Church's share of the Trust's budgeted expenditure for the three years beginning on 1 April 2000 is £3.8 million. This will be met partly from a share of the sale proceeds of redundant churches and partly from the Church Commissioners' own funds.Over 330 redundant churches of historic and architectural interest are now maintained by the Churches Conservation Trust, many opening for occasional acts of worship. A full list is available from their offices at 89 Fleet Street.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what recent representations he has received calling for reduced rates of VAT on church repairs; and if he will make a statement. [128230]

I am hopeful that with the persistence of those hon. Members such as the hon. Member for Vale of York (Miss McIntosh), we shall achieve our goal—that is, reduced rates of VAT on church repairs.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the steps the commissioners take to involve congregations in the disposal of Church property declared redundant by the Church authorities. [128232]

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 12 June 2000, Official Report, column 494W, in which I explained that the procedure for settling the future of redundant Church of England churches gives priority to dioceses seeking and achieving suitable alternative uses.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how many church buildings were sold or otherwise disposed of in 1999; and to what uses these buildings have been put. [128233]

During 1999 the future of 16 redundant churches was settled by appropriation to alternative uses—six for community purposes, five for residential use, two by other Christian congregations, and three for, respectively, arts purposes, as a restaurant and as a shop.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what proportion of stipends new incumbents may expect to be met by current congregations. [128231]

In 1999, some 68 per cent. of the national stipends pay bill, excluding the stipends of Bishops, archdeacons and cathedral clergy, was financed by giving. However, the proportion will vary from parish to parish. A large part of the remainder of the bill is met by allocations from the Commissioners, individual grants, fees and glebe and trust income.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what percentage of the Church Commissioners' (a) total and (b) discretionary expenditure was spent on bishops' emoluments, in each year from 1979 to date. [129657]

The costs of bishops' stipends, administrative support (including staff salaries) and (for diocesan bishops) housing are met by the Commissioners. While the level of that support varies between individuals according to their particular resource needs arising, inter alia, from the nature of their ministry, we none the less meet those needs in full, subject to our guidelines and budgetary procedures. It is therefore not possible to isolate a discretionary element in our provision.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how much rent is paid by Lady Brentford in respect of her occupancy of the cottage in the grounds of Lambeth Palace. [129831]

It is not our practice to disclose rents paid by individual tenants. Nonetheless, the rent has been set at a market level on the basis of comparable evidence.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, how much rent is paid by Ruth Davy in respect of her occupancy of the Old Palace at Canterbury. [129824]

The Commissioners know of no occupant at the Old Palace at Canterbury called Ruth Davy. Parts of the property are commercially let; in addition, housing is provided for the Steward at the Old Palace.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many times Ministers in her Department have sought the advice of the Permanent Secretary under the circumstances envisaged in Paragraphs 118, 121 and 123 of the Ministerial Code; and on which occasions such advice was sought. [129176]

Neither I, nor my Under-Secretary of State have sought advice from the Permanent Secretary under the circumstances described.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on how many occasions since May 1997 Ministers in her Department have made a declaration of interest to their colleagues under circumstances envisaged in Paragraph 110 of the Ministerial Code. [129165]

There have not been any occasions when I or the Under-Secretary of State have made a declaration of interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 23 May 2000, Official Report, column 408W, on St. Helena, if she will make representations to the Government of St. Helena about publishing the report on the feasibility of an airstrip. [129214]

This is a matter for the Government of St. Helena.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what has been the policy since 1989 on writing annually to those of her Department's staff who are paying reduced rates of National Insurance contributions, reminding them of the rules governing the payment of reduced rates, as recommended in the Inland Revenue guidance note on reduced rate National Insurance contributions for married women. [129484]

The Pay and Personnel Agency (PPA), which is an Agency of the Ministry of Defence, has been the payroll provider for the Department for International Development since October 1995.The PPA relies upon checking systems at the employee's place of work, the Agency pay office and within computer systems to identify and act upon any changes of circumstances which affect the continuing payment of reduced rate National Insurance contributions. These systems were subjected to an audit in March 1998 by Inland Revenue and Department of Social Security personnel, which included a 100 per cent. check of all staff then paying reduced rates of contributions. No problems were identified with the systems operations.It is not the current practice of the PPA or DFID to write annually to officers paying reduced rates of National Insurance contributions.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to renovate and use the former Shoreditch Magistrates Court in Old Street; and if he will make a statement. [129247]

The Lord Chancellor's Department has no plans to make use of the former magistrates court building in Old Street. This building is owned by the Receiver of the Metropolitan Police Service. It is part of the Inner London Courthouse estate, which will be transferred to the Greater London Magistrates Courts Authority on 1 April 2001.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what discussions he has had with English Heritage about the future use of the former Shoreditch Magistrates Court in Old Street. [129246]

I have had no discussions with English Heritage on the future use of Old Street Magistrates Courthouse.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many times ministers in his Department have sought the advice of the Permanent Secretary under the circumstances envisaged in Paragraphs 118, 121 and 123 of the Ministerial Code; and on which occasions such advice was sought; [129179](2) on how many occasions since May 1997 Ministers in his Department have made a declaration of interest to their colleagues under circumstances envisaged in Paragraph 110 of the Ministerial Code. [129153]

Information relating to internal advice and consultation is not disclosed under Exemption II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to require the renewables obligation on electricity suppliers to be met by renewable energy generated solely within the United Kingdom by 2010. [129221]

The renewables obligation will require licensed electricity suppliers to supply electricity generated from renewable sources of energy to their customers in Great Britain. Suppliers will be free to purchase this electricity in a competitive market. The Government expect that suppliers will purchase the bulk of their renewable electricity from within the United Kingdom, but it will of course comply with the requirements of European law on access for imported electricity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 13 June 2000, Official Report, columns 595–96W, on letters and packets, if he will list, in respect of each change in weights of letter post made under Directive 97/67 of 1997 and its predecessors, the (a) reasons for such change and the amount concerned, (b) date of its coming into force, (c) consideration by Parliament and (d) Minister of the Crown who gave consent to the directive and changes arising from it, giving the reasons for any such changes. [129596]

Directive 97/67 was the first Postal Services Directive passed by the European Commission. It has no predecessors. A memorandum setting out how the Government intended to implement each of the requirements of the EU Directive, including draft postal services regulations, was published for consultation on 8 July 1999. Subsequently, the Postal Services Regulations (S.I. 1999/2107) transposed the Directive into United Kingdom law and amended the Postal Privilege (Suspension Order) 1981/1483 to include the words

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he intends to pay subsidies to post offices before 2003. [129417]

[holding answer 6 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to my statement and subsequent exchanges on 28 June 2000, Official Report, columns 907–20 and the PIU report also published on 28 June, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House and the Vote Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to ensure that each sub-post office will be entitled to offer the full range of Post Office and contracted Government services subject to the commercial decisions of the sub-postmaster involved. [128753]

In his statement on 28 June 2000, Official Report, columns 907–20, on the Post Office network, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a range of proposals and measures designed to modernise and sustain the post office network. Among them were proposals to develop new areas of business facilitated by the installation of a modern on-line computer system in every office throughout the country. Certain services are likely to remain restricted to a proportion of the network because of the client's requirement for cost-effectiveness in selecting channels for the delivery of their services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Universal bank will be required to provide banking services to any applicant irrespective of financial status. [128752]

The Post Office is developing plans, in conjunction with the high street banks, for the Universal Bank. It is intended that the Universal bank should cater for as wide a range of customers as possible, bringing many more people into the financial mainstream.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the services of the proposed Universal bank in sub-post offices will differ from those provided by the Alliance and Leicester Girobank. [129988]

Alliance and Leicester Girobank offer a full range of banking services. The Universal bank is intended to cater for a wide range of people currently outside the financial mainstream and will therefore offer basic bank accounts without overdraft or borrowing facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he proposes to publish a business plan for the Universal bank in sub-post offices. [129987]

The business plan for developing and operating a Universal bank service at post offices will be a commercially confidential document.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if claimants who wish to receive their benefits in cash, and who have no other bank account, will be required to open a new Universal bank account under the Government's proposals for switching benefit payments to ACT. [129605]

From 2003, the normal method of paying benefits and pensions will be directly into bank or building society accounts. Those who wish to collect their benefits in cash from the post office after 2003 will still be able to do so.The establishment of the Universal bank will provide the means for any recipient to have an account for benefits to be paid into, and accessed across a post office counter using a card rather than a benefit book. However, we also recognise that there may still be a small number of people and payments which the Benefits Agency will be unable to pay by ACT. For these, we are considering what alterative simple money transmission system, which could be accessed by post offices, may be commercially available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to help small businesses minimise the impact of regulations dealing with (a) parental leave and (b) working time regulations. [129950]

Officials consulted widely with business and business organisations, and implemented parental leave regulation with a light touch to ensure that they were fair to both employers and employees. To help people understand and adapt to the new regulations, the Department of Trade and Industry has produced clear and detailed guidance material. My right hon. Friend is leading a review of maternity pay and parental leave, and it will consider as part of its remit whether it is possible further to simplify legislation in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the decision by the Post Office to write off the cost of the Horizon Project was taken in the knowledge of the Government's plans for a Universal bank in sub-post offices. [129986]

The Post Office decision was taken solely in the context of Financial reporting Standard 11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department was made aware of the leaking of the document from the head of the Invest in Britain Bureau relating to the Government's euro policy; and if he will take steps to establish how this document was made public. [129443]

On 2 July. An investigation is under way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the trend in the level of foreign direct investment into the UK since January 1999. [129445]

On 5 July, Invest UK (formerly the Invest in Britain Bureau), announced at its Annual Review another record year for attracting inward investment projects into the UK. Between 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2000, Invest UK recorded 757 inward investment decisions to locate in the UK by foreign-owned companies, with some 52,783 associated new jobs over the next three years.Figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 29 June showed that at the end of the first quarter 2000 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock in the UK had risen to £252.4 billion—up 23 per cent. compared with a year earlier.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements apply to end users of armaments (a) sold and (b) transferred by the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement. [129308]

I have been asked to reply.Most defence exports to Saudi Arabia are organised under Government-to-Government arrangements. I am unable to disclose specific details of these arrangements under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, but I can say that it is normal practice to include a clause in the Memoranda of Understanding which prohibits the transfer of material to third parties without the approval of the UK Government.For exports not covered by Government-to-Government arrangements, the risk of diversion to third parties is taken into account in considering export licence applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on ministerial transport in each of the last two years. [98720]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office, on 1 December 1999, Official Report, columns 255–56W. In addition, the Ministry of Defence, spent in 1997–98 £174,836 and in 1998–99 £179,707, on transport services for Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much public money has been spent on commemorations for HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's 100th birthday. [127909]

[holding answer 28 June 2000]: The main event to mark Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's 100th Birthday will be a Service of Thanksgiving to be held at St. Paul's Cathedral on 11 July, and a Pageant to be held on Horse Guards on 19 July. Events to mark Her Majesty's Birthday on 4 August have yet to be announced.Significant costs are likely to arise only from the Pageant on 19 July, which is being funded primarily from private sources. There will be some additional incidental costs borne by the Ministry of Defence. The actual additional cost of this, and of the other events, could be identified only when they have taken place.I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and the Commissioner of Police for the City of London that no identifiable costs have yet been incurred by the Metropolitan police service and the City of London police.Costs to the Royal Parks Agency as a result of the Pageant will be identifiable only following the event.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of his proposals for DERA on the number of staff employed by private companies at the DERA base at West Freugh. [128284]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which Sir John Chisholm, Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, DERA give him on 29 June 2000, Official Report, column 593W.Under our current proposals, we envisage that the capabilities provided by West Freugh will form part of the NewDERA company. It is, therefore, likely that the DERA staff at West Freugh would transfer to the private sector. The status of other staff at DERA West Freugh will continue unchanged.We are confident that our proposals will secure a long-term future for both NewDERA and those elements to be retained within the Ministry of Defence, which should have a positive impact on job prospects. In addition, the new freedoms proposed for NewDERA will open up a range of commercial opportunities not previously available and help secure jobs in the longer term.No final decisions on the PPP will be taken until all the inputs received during the consultation exercise, which ended on 9 June, have been fully analysed. We hope to be in a position to make an announcement on the way ahead for DERA before the summer recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many departmental telephone lines used by the general public are responded to by interactive voice response systems; [127399](2) how many agencies of his Department use interactive voice response systems when dealing with telephone inquiries from the general public; [127407](3) how many agencies of his Department use touch tone telephone steering systems when dealing with telephone inquiries from the general public; [129631](4) how many of his Department's telephone lines used by the general public are responded to by touch tone telephone steering systems. [129629]

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the posts assumed by the 14 officials who have notified his Department that they have taken up appointments in the private sector. [129012]

The information requested is as follows:

Name	Appointment	Date taken up
Field Marshal The Lord Inge GCB DL	Consultant, British Aerospace	January 1998
	Non-executive Director, Greenley's	July 1998
	Consultant, Sedgwick Group	November 1998
	Consultant, Short
Sir Moray Stewart KCB	Brothers plc	February 1998
Air Marshal Sir Michael Graydon GCB CBE	Consultant, Willis Coroon Hinton	April 1998
	Non-executive Director, Thomson (UK) Holdings	January 1999
Air Chief Marshal Sir William Wratten GBE CB AFC	Chief Military Adviser, Rolls Royce Military Aero Engines	May 1998
Air Marshal Sir Roger Austin KCB AFC	Fellow of Strategic Forum SERCO Defence	June 1998
Professor Sir David Davies CBE	Non-executive Director, ERA Technology	October 1998
	Member of the Strategy Board, British Aerospace Virtual University	December 1999

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to amend the rules that apply to senior officials from his Department joining private sector companies. [129014]

The rules on the acceptance of outside appointments are set out in the Civil Service Management Code and apply to Crown servants in all Government Departments. The Defence Secretary has no plans to propose any changes to them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 June 2000, Official Report, column 319W, if the modified SA80 rifle will be added to the NATO Nominated Weapons List. [128771]

In 1997, the SA80 was suspended from the NATO Nominated Weapons list, the list of those weapons used for testing ammunition that is seeking NATO qualification. Once modified, the SA80 will be re-assessed and should be re-admitted to this list.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when empty Defence Housing Executive accommodation in Leeming will be placed on the market; and if he will make a statement. [129096]

Twenty empty properties in Leeming Village were handed back to the owners, Annington Homes Ltd. (AHL), on 26 June. It is, of course, for the owners to decide how to dispose of these properties but they are likely to be sold privately through a nominated agent. It is probable that 10 of the remaining properties in Leeming will be part of a future release but they are currently subject to planning and approval processes and a number of them are occupied.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for his Department and its agencies the approved list of manufacturers of (a) cars and (b) commercial vehicles; and if he will make a statement on his Department's leasing and purchasing policy. [128984]

The Ministry of Defence does not operate an approved list of manufacturers of cars or commercial vehicles. The supplier is normally selected through competition. The Department's policy is to seek the best value for money and this will determine whether we purchase or lease vehicles in specific cases. However, management of cars and commercial vehicles is not core MOD business and as a consequence the Department is actively pursuing the provision of vehicle and support services through a competitively let Private Finance Initiative contract. It will be for the contractor to determine the type and mix of vehicles to provide the necessary service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on how many occasions since May 1997 Ministers in his Department have made a declaration of interest to their colleagues under circumstances envisaged in Paragraph 110 of the Ministerial Code; [129159](2) if he will list the occasions since May 1997 on which Ministers in his Department have sought the advice of the Permanent Secretary under the circumstances envisaged in paragraphs 118, 121 or 123 of the Ministerial Code; [129106](3) if he will list the occasions since May 1997 on which Ministers in his Department have sought the advice of the Permanent Secretary under the circumstances envisaged in paragraphs 118, 121 or 123 of the Ministerial Code. [129178]

Information relating to internal advice and consultation is not disclosed under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason surplus married quarters at Arborfield were not disposed of on the open market; and if he will make a statement. [129245]

The properties at Arborfield were included in the sale, on a 999 year lease, of most of the Service Families Quarters in England and Wales to Annington Homes Ltd. (AHL) in November 1996. At that time there was a requirement for the properties to house Service families and they were underleased back from AHL. The properties have since been declared surplus to Service requirements and, under the terms of the sale agreement a total of 105 have been handed back to AHL. The option of sale on the open market is therefore a matter for the owners, AHL.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the proposed cyber-warfare unit, identifying its proposed size and detailed costs. [129283]

[holding answer 6 July 2000]: There are no plans to establish a cyber-warfare unit in the Ministry of Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what environmental appraisal has been conducted regarding his Department's plans to secure planning permission for housing on Church Fenton airfield. [129815]

To date it has been premature to discuss the issue of environmental appraisals with Selby District Council (SDC). The Ministry of Defence, or the site's eventual developer, will, prior to the submission of any planning application(s), liaise with SDC over the provision of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for those aspects of the development for which one may be required under planning/environmental legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what environmental and conservation bodies have been consulted by his Department in connection with its plans to secure planning permission for housing on Church Fenton airfield. [129814]

Under the Town and Country Planning legislation it is the duty of the local planning authority (LPA) to consult with environmental and conservation bodies, where necessary, over any applications for development. It is not known what consultations Selby District Council have undertaken in respect of RAF Church Fenton. It would be premature for us to initiate these discussions as our plans are being tested at the Local Plan Inquiry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations his Department has had with local parish councils regarding his Department's proposal to secure planning permission for housing on Church Fenton Airfield. [129830]

Under the Town and Country Planning Acts it is an obligation of the local planning authority (LPA) to consult with the parish councils once they receive a planning application for redevelopment. In August 1998, my Department submitted an application for redevelopment of part of the Church Fenton site and the LPA should have consulted the parish councils. Their response is not known. We subsequently agreed to hold any decision on that application in abeyance until the result of the current Local Plan Inquiry was known. As for our submissions to, and appearance at, the Local Plan Inquiry, the local parish councils would have been part of the LPA's consultation process throughout the preparation of the plan. However, they were also specifically advised of our proposals by letter from our planning consultants in early June of this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what civil service grade is held by the Director of News, Mr. Martin Howard; what civil service post was held by Mr. Howard prior to his appointment as Director of News, who the previous holder of the position of Director of News was; and what Mr. Howard's job description is as Director of News. [129829]

Mr. Martin Howard is a member of the senior civil service. His previous appointment was in the Ministry of Defence as Head of the Overseas Secretariat. The previous incumbent of the post of Director of News was Ms Oona Muirhead, also a senior civil servant. The role of Director of News is to act as the official spokesman of the Ministry of Defence and to identify media opportunities for promoting the key themes of the Defence Mission proactively, effectively and consistently.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the journalists he has had meetings with at his Department since December 1999; and on what dates these meetings were held. [129828]

I have been interviewed by the following journalists and broadcasters at the Ministry of Defence since December 1999:

Interviewer	Date
Ian Kirby (News of the World)	6 January 2000
Alex Nicholl (Financial Times)	1 March 2000
Peter Ryan (Economist)	2 March 2000
Lucy Jackson (British Forces Broadcasting Service)	21 March 2000
News piece1(BBC TV News)	23 March 2000
Anita Anand (Zee TV)	4 April 2000
Richard Norton-Taylor (The Guardian)	17 April 2000
Tim Sebastian (BBC Hardtalk)	8 May 2000
Jon Craig (Express on Sunday)	5 July 2000
1Interviewer name not recorded

In addition, I have had a number of door-step interviews at the MOD with various different broadcast news teams, particularly during May and June when a large number of British troops were deployed to Sierra Leone.I have also hosted the following press conferences to which a wide range of journalists and broadcasters have been invited:

Press conference subject	Date
Announcement of Eurofighter missile and heavy lift aircraft procurement decisions	16 May 2000
Launch of Defence Estates Strategy	7 June 2000

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many accidents there were in which deceased aircrew were found guilty of gross negligence in aircraft that were not fitted with cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders since 1980; and what proportion of accidents involving military aircraft this represented. [108491]

[pursuant to the reply, 7 February 2000, c. 31W]: I regret that there was an error in the information given. The answer provided was based on an examination of aircraft summaries rather than the original Board of Inquiry reports.We have now completed a detailed check of the Board of Inquiry reports of the military aircraft accidents from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 1999. There were 486 aircraft accidents and a further 51 personal injury cases involving aircraft within this period. Of the 486 accidents, 317 occurred in the first 10 years. In 20 of the accidents, findings for gross, culpable or serious negligence were made against deceased aircrew in aircraft not fitted with cockpit voice recorders and accident data recorders; 16 of the cases occurred in the first 10 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many households would be taken off (a) Housing Benefit and (b) Council Tax Benefit in each tenure category if a flat rate housing allowance was introduced for recipients of Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Persons Tax Credit at (i) £10, (ii) £15, (iii) £20, (iv) £25 and (v) £30 per week. [125412]

Precise estimates cannot be made because of the uncertain behavioural effects that would result from the introduction of such an allowance. However, we estimate that introducing a flat rate housing allowance of £30 per week for all recipients of the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) would move some claimants off Housing Benefit (HB) in Great Britain in a full year. Assuming that eligible rent in Housing Benefit is reduced by the amount of the housing allowance, the estimated numbers moving off benefit is dependent on the way in which the extra income is treated in the assessment of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (CTB). The following table gives estimated results based upon either disregarding the housing allowance as income so that claimants do not lose in net income terms:

Estimated number of claimants who would be taken-off benefit in 2000–01 under the proposed £30 housing allowance
Thousand
	Housing Benefit	Council Tax Benefit
Housing allowance disregarded	140	0
Housing allowance assessed as income	170	90

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what would be the gross and net costs of introducing a flat rate housing allowance to single people under retirement age currently in receipt of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit if such an allowance was set at (a) £10, (b) £15, (c) £20, (d) £25 and (e) £30; how many people would be entitled to such an allowance and how many people would be taken off Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit completely in each category (a) to (e); [125413](2) if he will estimate the net costs of a flat rate housing allowance, assuming savings on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, if such an allowance was set at

The information is not available as introducing a flat rate housing allowance would need to be considered in the context of the employment tax credit. As set out in chapter 3 of the Treasury paper "Tackling Poverty and Making Work Pay—Tax Credits for the 21^stCentury", we will extend the principle of the Working Families Tax Credit to people without children. The detailed design parameters of the new credits have yet to be finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of people who will be without any pension entitlement on retirement in (a) 2000 and (b) each five year period thereafter to 2050; and if he will make a statement. [127837]

We are working towards a system which will ensure that no one will retire without a pension entitlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2000, Official Report, column 533W, on the minimum funding requirement, which organisations he will be considering representations from; when he will make public the report from the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries; and if he will make a statement. [129213]

We intend to publish the report from the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries alongside a consultation document on any proposals for change arising from the review of the minimum funding requirement. We will consider all representations that we receive in response to the consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the practice of the Director of the Disability and Carers Benefits Directorate in replying to letters from hon. Members writing on behalf of constituents; and if he personally signs such replies. [130008]

When letters are received from hon. Members, acknowledgements are issued on the day of receipt with a commitment to respond fully within 10 working days. This is in line with the Secretary of State's targets for answering correspondence.The Director of the Disability and Carer Benefits Directorate personally signs replies unless he is unavailable. A nominated deputy will then reply on his behalf.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes have taken place in staff and premises since the ending of family credit; and what future changes are planned. [130007]

Family Credit was centralised in the North West. Working Families Tax Credit replaced Family Credit from 5 October 1999. At the time, the majority of staff transferred to the Inland Revenue and they continued to use the same premises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what average time was taken from receipt of application to payment of benefit for family credit; and what was the average number of cases outstanding over the last year of its operation. [130004]

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

Information on clearance targets
Percentage
Target	Achievement against target (April 1999 to September 1999)
60 per cent. of applications settled within 13 working days	83.7
95 per cent. of applications settled within 42 working days	98.9
90 per cent. of "express" applications settled within five working days	90.1

The average number of Family Credit cases outstanding in Great Britain during year ending September 1999 was 42,000.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on (a) the level of farm gate milk prices and (b) the milk industry, since the breaking up of Milk Marque. [126932]

The Government recognise the considerable problems currently facing the dairy industry, where a combination of factors have reduced milk prices and had a consequential effect on incomes in the sector over the past two years. It is difficult to predict how the creation of the Milk Marque successor companies will affect milk prices in the longer term. Much will depend on the way in which the new companies are run as well as other factors, such as the sterling/euro exchange rate. It should also be noted that the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has announced that the successors to Milk Marque will be able to become involved in processing.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of Government regulation on Britain's organic farmers. [127167]

The Government seek to minimise regulatory burdens where possible and consults the industry on their impact. Standards for organic farming are contained in Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91. Additionally, the private sector bodies that certify organic farmers are able if they wish to impose standards which go further, and some do. Rigorous production controls are important if public confidence in organic food is to be maintained. It is for producers to decide with which certifier they wish to register.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the PFI contracts entered into by his Department, indicating (a) their dates of commencement, (b) their value, (c) if they have been subject to refinancing and (d) if his Department has a claw-back entitlement to share in savings arising from refinancing. [129044]

MAFF is responsible for reporting on the PFI/PPP contract let by the Environment Agency in respect of the Pevensey Bay Sea Defences.The information requested is as follows:

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will compensate organic farmers whose crops and organic status are at risk from contamination by GMOs. [128594]

No. Any issue of liability in these circumstances would be a private law matter between the farmer and the person who caused the problem, and farmers would have to take advice on their individual circumstances.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the number of angler-caught (a) salmon, (b) grilse and (c) sea trout caught in England in each of the last five years; and what his estimate is of the number of each of these three categories of fish taken by seals in English waters in each of these years. [128827]

[holding answer 3 July 2000]: The table sets out the figures for rod-caught salmon, grilse and sea trout caught in England in the last five years. The figures include fish caught and released.

Declared rod catch for English waters
Year	Salmon1	Grilse1	Sea trout
1995	3,202	8,658	16,581
1996	4,066	7,910	16,562
1997	2,441	6,984	16,228
1998	2,152	10,619	23,911
19992	2,686	6,449	22,209
1Numbers of salmon and grilse estimated from age/weight keys and the size distribution of fish caught in principal salmon rivers
2Provisional figures

No estimate is available of the number of these species of fish taken by seals in English waters. The predominant species targeted by seals are known to be cod, whiting and sandeels. Nationally, salmon, grilse and sea trout form a very small part of seal diet.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his estimate is of the number of (a) salmon, (b) grilse and (c) sea trout taken by the North East drift net fishery in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what his estimate is of the number and percentage of these fish which were bound for Scottish rivers, indicating also his estimate of the number and percentage which were bound for the River Tweed and its tributaries. [128826]

[holding answer 3 July 2000]: The table sets out the figures for salmon, grilse and sea trout taken by drift nets in the North East coast fishery in each of the last five years.

Year	Salmon	Grilse	Sea trout
1995	19,101	28,904	29,521
1996	7,465	7,707	13,225
1997	6,305	12,936	12,387
1998	5,985	11,343	11,339
1999	8,523	16,289	15,059

No precise estimates are available for the proportion of these fish that were bound for Scottish rivers or the River Tweed and its tributaries. However, a joint MAFF and Scottish Office report on "Salmon Net Fishers" (1991) estimated that 80 per cent. of the salmon and grilse taken by the total North East coast fishery in 1987–88 were bound for Scottish rivers and that 40 per cent. were bound for the Tweed. The "Report of the Technical Working Group on the English North East Coast Salmon Fishery" (1997) suggested that up to 50 per cent. of the sea trout caught in the North East coast fishery may be bound for Scottish rivers, the majority of these to the Tweed. Based on the above approximate percentages, the estimated numbers of salmon, grilse and sea trout caught in the North East coast fishery in the past five years that were bound for Scottish rivers and the River Tweed and its tributaries are given in the table.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which overseas countries supplied the United Kingdom during the last 12 months with (a) beef and (b) lamb for human consumption; what quantities were imported; and if he will make a statement. [129504]

The table lists the countries supplying beef and lamb products to the UK, for human consumption, from May 1999–April 2000 as recorded by the Overseas Trade Statistics.

Lamb and Lamb Products
Country	Tonnes
New Zealand	99,892
Australia	12,581
Netherlands	4,896
Irish Republic	3,653
Uruguay	1,296
France	1,097
Spain	1,010
Germany	656
Belgium	264
Chile	256
Denmark	152
Argentina	67
Other	86
Grand Total	125,905

Beef and Beef Products
Country	Tonnes
Irish Republic	99,801
Brazil	66,101
Netherlands	12,578
Uruguay	9,614
Argentina	8,611
France	7,221
Australia	6,733
Namibia	6,692
Zimbabwe	6,292
Botswana	5,428
Germany	2,926
Denmark	2,720
Belgium	2,017
Spain	1,767
New Zealand	1,330
Mauritius	714
Italy	615
Sweden	536
Swaziland	421

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the process of rendering animal carcases in destroying prions. [129646]

The UK has evaluated historical rendering practices by jointly funding, along with the European Commission and European Renderers Association, research work on the effectiveness of rendering systems in inactivating both sheep scrapie and BSE. Both studies have subsequently been published as indicated below, and resulted in consequential changes to European legislation on processing standards.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research his Department has evaluated into the effect of the use of the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos on the health of children; what uses are authorised; and at what thresholds. [129993]