To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what percentage of the (a) paid and (b) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [129851]

The information requested as follows:

(a) 107 (33 per cent.)

(b) 65 (30 per cent.)

On 1 July 1999, responsibility for most appointments to non-departmental public bodies in Wales transferred to the National Assembly for Wales. I have made no appointments since that date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answers of 12 May 2000, Official Report, column 496W, and 5 May 2000, Official Report, column 240W, if he will publish the Overseas Territories Bill in draft. [129261]

Our priority is to introduce the Bill into the House as soon as Parliamentary time becomes available. We will consider options for publication within that context.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the conduct of the recent elections in Mexico. [129930]

The Government welcome the outcome of the Mexican Presidential elections and congratulate Vicente Fox on his historic victory. We will work to establish the same excellent relations with him and his administration which we have enjoyed under his predecessor, Ernesto Zedillo.We are particularly pleased that the elections passed off so smoothly and that there have been no allegations of serious irregularities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Yemeni Government on the death penalty passed by the Aden Tawaki Court on the Somali national Mohammed Omer Haji for converting to Christianity unless he recants and returns to Islam and on Yemen's apostasy laws. [130075]

Our Ambassador in Sana'a raised the case of Mohamed Omer Haji with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah al-Sayedi on 9 July and made clear our concerns. We understand that Mohamed Omer Haji has not yet been sentenced. His case resumes on 12 July. We stand ready to raise the matter again with the Yemeni government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what percentage of the (a) paid and (b) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [129847]

Since 1 May 1997, Ministers in the Department have made

(a) two paid appointments, of which none were women

(b) 128 unpaid appointments, of which 42 were women (32.8 per cent.)

The Department is committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. To that end, it has drawn up an action plan for increasing the number of women holding public appointments to 35 per cent. by 2000 and to 50 per cent. by 2003. The Department's latest plans, together with the Government's overall plan, were published on 24 May 2000 in "Quangos: Opening up Public Appointments 2000–2003", copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the United States concerning possible repercussions for the environment of the use of GM fungicide on coca crops in Colombia. [130018]

We are not aware of the use of GM fungicides on coca crops in Colombia. No representations have been made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the US Government on this issue.The US Government are providing funding to the United Nations Drug Control Programme as part of its research into the possible use of Fusarium Oxysporum, a naturally-occurring fungus, in coca eradication programmes. Field trials on Fusarium Oxysporum have not yet been conducted in Colombia. Before these take place further research would need to be carried out inter alia to confirm that it is specific to coca and would not harm agricultural crops and other plant species. Field testing and any subsequent eradication campaign would also have to be approved by the Colombian Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the threat of attack on the UK by missiles launched from (a) Iran, (b) Iraq, (c) North Korea and (d) other states. [130019]

Our current assessment is that there is no significant ballistic missile threat to the UK at present.We continue to monitor developments in this area closely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the protocols for the European Convention on Human Rights, indicating the rights in each protocol and the members of the Council of Europe which have not ratified these protocols in each case. [129732]

The information requested is publicly available. Full details of the Protocols to the European Convention on Human Rights, and which Council of Europe member states have signed and ratified in each case, can be found on the website of the European Court of Human Rights (http://www.echr.coe.int).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the election process in Zimbabwe. [130431]

We welcome the detailed EU and Commonwealth Observer Mission reports. Both made clear that the election campaign was marred by violence and intimidation. Despite this, about half of the electorate turned out to vote in polls which were conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner. For the first time Zimbabwe has a sizeable opposition in Parliament, and the result demonstrates a clear desire for change on the part of the people of Zimbabwe. The Movement for Democratic Change is proposing to mount legal challenges in 26 constituencies.The EU report has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of the (a) paid and (b) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [129850]

Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish the revised business plan and budget of the New Millennium Experience Company. [125026]

[holding answer 8 June 2000]: The New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) current business plan is based on 6 million revenue-generating visitors. Should visitor numbers fall below this level the business plan will need to be reviewed. Details of the business plan are commercially confidential. NMEC's most recent budget, contained within the business plan, is as follows:

• Project Lifetime Expenditure Dome structure and associated infrastructure—£271.2 million
• Set-up costs, Staff, Accommodation, IT, Legal and Corporate Services—£55.4 million
• Commercial, Communications and Marketing—£42.7 million
• Exhibits and Attractions—£240.2 million
• Operations and Running costs in year of operation—£104.6 million
• National Programme; Projects (£37.3 million) and Programme Support (£9.9 million)—£47.2 million
• Project Lifetime Income
• Millennium Commission Grant—£525 million
• Commercial Income—£86 million
• Sponsorship Income—£123 million (excludes sponsorship by Ford and BT who have designed, built and funded their zones)
• Legacy; Sale of Dome—£30.0 million (as budgeted prior to the Legacy competition commencing. Original 1997 budget provision of £15 million was on the basis that the Dome would remain on-site for one year only).

Total budget is £758 million plus an additional £3 million granted by the Millennium Commission to enhance marketing of the Millennium Experience.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will answer the question from the hon. Member for East Surrey (ref. 125026) tabled on 5 June, concerning the publication of the revised Budget and Business Plan of the New Millennium Experience Company. [128005]

[holding answer 27 June 2000]: I have answered the hon. Member's question today, Official Report, column 544W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who will receive the proceeds of the sale of the Millennium Dome; and if he will make a statement. [129033]

[holding answer 4 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 11 July 2000, Official Report, columns 481–82W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what has been the policy since 1989 on writing annually to those of his 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. [129491]

Neither my Department nor the Royal Parks Agency has a policy to remind staff who pay reduced rates of National Insurance contributions of the rules governing the payment of reduced rates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what has been the value to date of National Lottery grant applications made by organisations in Gloucestershire; broken down by constituency; [129517](2) how many Lottery grant applications have been made by organisations in Gloucestershire, broken down by parliamentary constituency. [129513]

[holding answer 7 July 2000]: The information requested is not available as not all Lottery distributors are able to break down applications by constituency or by county.The number and value of Lottery awards in Gloucestershire by constituency, according to my Department's National Lottery Awards Database, are shown in the table.

Constituency	Amount awarded (£)	Total number of awards
Cheltenham	13,007,979	80
Cotswold	15,880,770	130
Forest of Dean	5,171,103	137
Gloucester	21,698,878	131
Stroud	9,653,239	142
Tewkesbury	1,615,800	69
Total	67,297,769	689

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) when he last met the Task Force on Tobacco Sponsorship; and what was discussed; [129534](2) what alternative sources of sport sponsorship have been identified by the Tobacco Sponsorship Task Force; [129536](3) which sports have benefited from alternative sources of sports sponsorship identified by the Tobacco Sponsorship Task Force. [129538]

[holding answer 10 July 2000]: The Government have looked very carefully at how best to achieve an end to the advertising and promotion of tobacco at sports events in a way that will minimise any damage to the sports concerned. A Task Force of business and sponsorship, which I chair, exists to assist sports. All sports will be given up to July 2003 to secure alternative sponsorship, and the Government supported a derogation in EC legislation that those meeting the criteria for 'global events' will be allowed up to July 2006 if they agree to a reduction in expenditure and advertising.Seven sports have sought assistance to make the transition from tobacco sponsorship—rugby league, clay pigeon shooting, billiards and snooker, pool, darts, ice-hockey and angling. Over the last 18 months there has been extensive contact with the seven sports and the Task Force has been there to: make information available; offer advice to support the development of new marketing strategies; to make initial contacts with potential sponsors; and offer professional advice on how the sports can start to position themselves in a changing marketplace. The Task Force last met together on 18 October 1999. Since then, there have been further meetings between members of the Task Force and the governing bodies.The Task Force has now concluded the first phase of its work to identify the needs of the sports and ascertain how it can best assist them. Most sports have confirmed that it is too soon to be looking to replace existing contracts, and have indicated that the help of the Task Force can most effectively be targeted in the 12–18 months before these contracts lapse, which is the normal lead time for negotiating new sponsorships. It has been agreed with the sports therefore that there is no need for the Task Force to continue to meet on a regular basis. The Task Force has made it clear to all the sports that its assistance is still available in its second phase, as and when they require it.I have had recent discussions with the British Darts Organisation and the Ice Hockey Superleague, who have both indicated that they wish to continue to utilise the expertise of the Task Force. The National Federation of Anglers have taken up an offer made by the Chairman of the Virgin Group to use the Internet to assist with its marketing and promotion.Snooker, rugby league, clay pigeon shooting and pool have indicated that at this stage they do not require the assistance of the Task Force, preferring to wait until the lead in time before their tobacco contracts need to be renewed to see how the Task Force can best assist them.All the sports are aware that the Task Force is available to assist them at any time if they feel they need its help.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people have been dismissed from employment in the institutions holding the national collections for (a) theft and (b) attempted theft of works of art and artifacts since 1990. [130062]

I have asked my officials to contact the National Museums and Galleries which are sponsored by DCMS to request information for a reply to my hon. Friend's question. I will write to him as soon as this is available, placing copies of my letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to place in the Library the full audited accounts of Sport England's contribution to the FA World Cup bid. [129832]

[holding answer 10 July 2000]: Lottery money totalling £3.14 million has been allocated to the Football Association's bid to host the World Cup in 2006. The uses to which that money is put are closely monitored by Sport England, and details will appear in Sport England's Lottery Annual Report.Sport England's contribution to the bid is subject to the same general terms and conditions as other major Lottery grants. It is not a general Lottery condition to require published accounts. However, reference to the total costs of the bid will be made in the FA's General Annual Report and Accounts and I have asked the FA, in view of the interest in this matter, to make the detailed information available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of correctly presented bills were paid by his Department in (a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000 within 30 days of receipt of (i) goods and services, (ii) a valid invoice and (iii) other agreed payment terms. [130036]

[holding answer 11 July 2000]: The percentage of valid invoices for goods and services paid within 30 days or other agreed payment terms by my Department and the Royal Parks Agency was as follows:

Percentage
	1998–99	1999–2000
DCMS	97.8	99.6
Royal Parks Agency	98.0	94.0
Combined	97.9	97.3

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the arrests made at football matches, by offence, for each Premiership and Football League club, in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [129000]

I have been asked to reply.

Total arrests	1998–99	1997–98	1996–97	1995–96	1994–95	1993–94	1992–93
Premiership	1,534	1,438	1,759	1,697	1,723	1,630	1,647
Division One	851	1,173	891	949	1,227	1,359	1,347
Division Two	746	468	626	506	674	782	1,081
Division Three	363	228	301	289	226	456	513
All League	3,341	3,307	3,577	3,441	3,850	4,227	4,588

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish his annual report on the Social Fund for 1999–2000 and the Social Fund Commissioner's annual report. [130673]

The Secretary of State's annual report on the Social Fund for 1999–2000 (Cm 4755) was published today and has been laid before Parliament.The report records that total gross expenditure in 1999–2000 was £612 million. This included, 219,000 non-repayable grants and 1,950,000 interest free loans together worth £556 million and funeral, maternity and cold weather payments totalling £56 million. In addition, around 10 million people in over 7.5 million older households received winter fuel payments worth around £760 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people were (a) arrested and (b) ejected from the ground at football matches at each Premiership and Football League club in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [128999]

I have been asked to reply.Information on arrests at football matches is collated and analysed by the National Criminal Intelligence Service. Data are only currently available by Football League Division between the 1992–93 and 1998–99 seasons and are indicated as shown. Unfortunately, no data are obtainable on ejections from football grounds.The Social Fund Commissioner's annual report has also been published today and copies placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many and what percentage of the (a) paid and (b) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [129854]

The Government are committed to increasing the representation of women in public life. In support of this, the Department has drawn up an action plan for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments. The latest plans, together with the Government's overall plan, were published on 24 May 2000 in "Quangos: Opening up Public Appointments 2000–03", copies of which are in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Braintree district council. [130672]

The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report has been published today in respect of Braintree district council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.The report provides recommendations aimed at helping the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as their respective counter fraud activities.Inspectors found the Benefits Section at Braintree placed a strong emphasis on achieving high levels of speed and efficiency, which compared favourably against the performance of other councils. However, concern is noted that the high priority given to processing claims speedily had been at the expense of ensuring that all payments were secure and valid.The BFI considered the security of Braintree's benefits system needs to be strengthened in three areas: full compliance with the Verification Framework; fraud investigation; overpayment recovery and classification.The report notes that Braintree had introduced the Verification Framework eight weeks before Inspectors arrived for the on-site inspection. Although it was still early days, the report notes signs that its introduction was already paying off, by uncovering claims with undeclared income and capital. This was contributing to a reduction in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit expenditure. The council had also introduced other new security initiatives including the "Do Not Redirect" mail scheme and was using a Remote Access Terminal to access information from the Department and Benefits Agency.The report illustrates that the council is committed to customer service in their speed of processing claims for benefit. It is encouraging that they have also committed themselves to the Verification Framework which provides a minimum set of standards for ensuring that payment of benefit is made to the right person in circumstances that are checked for correctness.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Eden district council. [130674]

The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report has been published today in respect of Eden district council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.The report provides recommendations aimed at helping the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as their respective counter fraud activities.The BFI reports that Eden District Council had a strong commitment to ensuring benefit payments were paid promptly and overpayments recovered wherever possible. The report notes a reasonable standard of verification was being applied to claims and Inspectors anticipated further improvement once the impact is felt of the council's implementation of the Verification Framework.Inspectors had a number of concerns, which included a lack of information that was necessary to support the council's benefit operations. It is reported that the combination of this and inadequate targets, measurements and procedural guidance meant that management were taking organisational decisions based on insufficient information. In addition minimal management checking provided little assurance that fraud and error was being prevented from entering the council's benefit system.The report illustrates that the council is committed to customer service in their speed of processing claims for benefit. It is encouraging that they have also committed themselves to the Verification Framework which provides a minimum set of standards for ensuring that payment of benefit payment is made to the right person in circumstances that are checked for correctness.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for their proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many employees of his Department and its agencies have been recruited from the New Deal; and what percentage of total staff this represents. [129145]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 6 July 2000, Official Report, column 286W.This Department has recruited 467 New Deal employees as at 1 April 2000. This represents approximately 0.5 per cent. of total staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to update the standard interest rate used by his Department to include lenders not currently covered in the calculation. [129474]

There are no plans to alter the method of calculating the Standard Interest Rate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to reduce the three month delay in changes in the standard interest rate used by his Department. [129450]

We have no plans to change the current arrangements, which give effect to changes as quickly as is practicable. Once the information is received from the Office for National Statistics of an alteration in the interest rates, the Department immediately sets in motion the procedures, to amend the relevant computer systems, and legislation. On the last two occasions that the standard interest rate was changed, in April and June 2000, it took six working days and five working days respectively from the date the Department received notification of the change in rates, to the date that regulations were laid. Regulations are laid at least 21 days in advance of their corning into force to allow for proper Parliamentary procedures to be followed. The same timetable applies when the standard interest rate increases as when it decreases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the single organisation responsible for pensioners and pensions policy will have responsibility for attendance allowance. [128860]

We will set out our plans for the new pensions organisation in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if a claimant's absence when visited by a housing benefit verification officer is considered a negative identification check if the visit is unannounced; and if he will make a statement. [130066]

No, if the claimant is not available when visited unannounced, the local authority would either make a further visit or collect the information in another way. A visit is not required to establish the claimant's identity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reasons it is necessary for pensioners to comply with the requirements of the housing benefit verification framework. [130067]

The Verification Framework guidance is aimed at ensuring proper standards in the administration of Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit by local authorities. This ensures that the right amount of benefit is paid to any claimant who is properly entitled to it. The checks local authorities are required to make under the Framework apply to all claimants, no matter what their age or status.That said, as we announced in the Housing Green Paper, we are moving towards organisational changes, which will see services to pensioners being better tailored to their needs. This includes looking at whether there is a need to require pensioners to make claims as often as they have to at the moment. However, any change is still likely to need rigorous checking at the outset to ensure that the full and correct amount of benefit is put in payment.Anecdotal evidence from local authorities indicates that in some areas the introduction of the Verification Framework has highlighted a significant number of incorrect payments to pensioners. Although in many cases overpayments have been identified, there are also a substantial number of cases where underpayments have been established and rectified as a result of verification.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people were in receipt of both Widows Benefit and Housing Benefit in the latest year for which figures are available. [130063]

The information has already been published in both Social Security Statistics—May 1998 (table 3.12, page 82) and in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Annual Summary Statistics—May 1998 (table 3.10, page 15). The figures for May 1998 are the latest available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the percentage increase in (a) Widows Benefit and (b) Housing Benefit for the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will use a common index for uprating both. [130064]

Following the normal practice, Widows Benefit was uprated in line with RPI of 1.1 per cent. with effect from April 2000. Housing Benefit for non-pensioners was uprated by the Rossi index of 1.6 per cent. for the same period. Housing Benefit for pensioners was uprated by average earnings of 4.6 per cent. We have no plans to use a common index for uprating Widows Benefit and Housing Benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the average staying-on-in-education rate was of 16-year-olds in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley between 1995 and 1998, (a) overall and (b) broken down by those who attended (i) schools and (ii) further education colleges. [128928]

[holding answer 4 July 2000]: Participation in education by 16-year-olds in England rose to 77.4 per cent. (provisional) at the end of 1999, from 76.2 per cent. in 1998. The Secretary of State recently launched a major £3 million advertising campaign aimed at encouraging this year's school leavers and others to stay on in some form of learning. The "Don't Quit Now" campaign is particularly aimed at those who left this year with few, if any GCSEs and are in danger of dropping out of education and training.Figures for participation in education in Dudley LEA are given in the following table; data for 1998–99 are not yet available. Figures for GST in Dudley TEC are also shown, as there is evidence that in TEC areas high rates of training compensate to some extent for lower levels of full-time education.

Participation in education of 16-year-olds in Dudley LEA/ Dudley TEC, 1995–96 to 1997–98
Percentage
	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98
Dudley LEA:
Full-time education	60	59	57
Of which:
Schools	6	6	6
Further education	54	53	51
Part-time further education	13	17	10
Total education	73	76	66
Dudley TEC:
Government supported training	14	15	14

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what has been the policy since 1989 on writing annually to those of his 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. [129489]

The Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) writes to staff identified as paying reduced rate National Insurance contributions each year, reminding them of the rules governing the payment of reduced rate contributions. This is in line with Inland Revenue guidance that employers may consider it worthwhile to have arrangements in place to issue a periodic reminder to these employees.¹This exercise was first completed in October 1997 and now occurs at the beginning of each financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the proposal to limit the practice of the game musical chairs in schools, included in the document "Towards a Non-violent Society: Checkpoints for Early Years", launched by the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities. [129084]

We oppose any suggestions that musical chairs should be banned. Musical chairs is a reasonable traditional game which has been enjoyed by children for generations and should continue to be so.The publication "Towards a Non-violent Society: Checkpoints for Early Years" was produced by the Forum on Children and Violence. It was not guidance from my Department and was not produced, commissioned or distributed by the Department for Education and Employment. Although there are some useful tips in the document, the reference to musical chairs is not something we endorse. Newspaper reports suggesting otherwise were wrong.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what communication his Department has had with the Department of Health about developing the provision of language and educational support for children from zero to two years in preparation for the pilot project and the introduction of universal neo-natal hearing screening; [130099](2) what communication his Department

Discussions between DfEE and DH have taken place at both ministerial and official level about neo-natal hearing screening, including the consequential need for educational services. Similarly, both Departments are in regular contact with key organisations in this field.The National Screening Committee advises Ministers on proposed screening programmes and follows set procedures for setting up pilot projects. These include establishing an executive group to represent the various interests to discuss and determine the practicalities of how the pilot projects will develop. When the National Screening Committee establishes an executive group for neo-natal hearing screening, it will include a representative from this Department.A key function of the executive group and indeed of the pilot projects is to provide an opportunity to explore all the implications of neo-natal hearing screening. During this process both Departments will contact and discuss issues with all the relevant bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has conducted into the language and educational benefits of neo-natal hearing screening and effective follow-up support for deaf children from zero to two years. [130103]

At this time the Department has not conducted any research in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the current cost to public funds of training an osteopath at the John Wernham College of Classical Osteopathy. [130014]

[holding answer 11 July 2000]: The John Wernham College of Classical Osteopathy is not a publicly funded institution. The four year BSc. Honours degree course in Osteopathic Medicine, taught at the College under contract from a publicly funded institution, has been specifically designated by the Secretary of State for fees support and student loans purposes. The public fee rate of £1,025 in the 1999–2000 academic year applies to this course. Eligible students receive fees support subject to a means test and may apply for student loans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many vacancies there were for head teachers in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools between (i) June 1998 and June 1999 and (ii) June 1999 and June 2000. [130011]

[holding answer 11 July 2000]: Information about the annual number of vacancies for head teachers is not collected centrally.

Temporarily filled vacant head teacher posts1in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England at January in the years 1998–20002
	LEA maintained only3		All maintained
	1998	1999	2000
Temporarily filled vacant head teacher post
Nursery and primary	470	400	390
Secondary	60	50	90
Temporarily filled vacant head teacher posts as a percentage of head teachers in post
Nursery and primary	2.5	2.2	2.1
Secondary	1.8	1.6	2.2
1Temporarily-filled full-time permanent appointments. A post is included in this table:
a. if there is no incumbent who is expected to return to the post;
b. whether or not filled on a temporary basis, i.e. either without a contract or on a contract of less than one year;
c. whether or not advertised;
d. if an appointment has been made but not yet taken up.
2Data are collected in January of each year.
3Excludes vacancies in grant maintained schools.

Head teachers have a key role in boosting standards in schools. We are establishing a National College for School Leadership to give a focus to school leadership development, and are designing a coherent package of training and development programmes for aspiring, new and serving head teachers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals he has to enable nursery schools whose numbers have increased above the full-time equivalent of 105 pupils after 20 January to receive an additional £3,000. [128797]

There are no plans to pay additional School Standards Grant to schools to take account of increases in their number of pupils after 20 January 2000. This was the date of the annual Schools Census, and the allocation of available funds between schools was most effectively done by using data from that source.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will list the expressions of interest he has received regarding the promotion of city academy Pathfinder projects; [129786](2) how many schools have been identified as appropriate candidates for city academy Pathfinder projects. [129787]

A number of potential sponsors have had discussions with local education authorities about the possible location of City Academies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what circular documents are in preparation to send to (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in the next six months. [129785]

Following the commitment made by the Secretary of State to cut by one third the number of documents and by a half the number of pages sent automatically to all schools in the next school year, this Department is reviewing all plans to send documents to schools from September 2000. When that review has been completed, I will write to the hon. Member with a list of planned documents and place copies in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what instructions he has issued (a) through Government offices and (b) otherwise to training and enterprise councils to confine funding for modern apprenticeships to (i) 16 and 17 year olds and (ii) 18 to 24 year olds. [130087]

The Planning Guidance for TECs/CCTEs, which is part of their contract, says that for 2000–01 the Department expects increasing numbers of 16–17 year olds in Work Based Training (including both Foundation Modern Apprenticeships and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships) and similar levels of starts for 19+ trainees compared with the previous year but focused on Advanced Modern Apprenticeships.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list Part C GM crop trial plantings in Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement. [126883]

There is no requirement to notify the Department of releases of a GM crop which has a Europe-wide Part C marketing consent for cultivation. However, the industry body SCIMAC has agreed to provide location details for the GM maize being grown in the Farm Scale Evaluations under a Part C consent. All Farm Scale Evaluations sites are listed at www.environment.detr.gov.uk/fse/location/index.htm. None are in Shrewsbury and Atcham.The terms of the Government's agreement with SCIMAC precludes general cultivation of GM crops until after the end of the farm scale evaluations, however small scale plantings for trial purposes are permitted.

Government Office running costs
£000
Government Office	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–011	Total
North East	8,842.76	8,687.15	8,616.75	8,618.84	8,312.05	8,221.62	51,299.17
North West	9,983.71	9,839.09	9,442.59	13,690.13	13,048.58	13,397.92	69,402.02
Midlands	4,753.84	4,349.95	4,199.53	12.24	—	—	13,315.56
Total North West/Midlands	14,737.55	14,189.04	13,642.12	13,702.37	13,048.58	13,397.92	82,717.58
Yorkshire and The Humber	9,060.51	8,765.04	8,475.01	8,683.92	8,888.68	9,183.87	53,057.03
West Midlands	10,435.73	10,040.37	9,757.79	9,474.35	9,330.15	9,794.44	58,832.83
East Midlands	7,116.85	6,616.67	6,436.24	6,754.39	6,951.28	7,176.97	41,052.40
East of England	6,122.84	6,168.97	6,270.62	6,269.43	7,005.47	7,391.26	39,228.59
South West	7,574.14	7,140.74	6,825.73	6,985.03	7,796.87	8,226.98	44,549.49
South East	8,331.06	8,406.18	8,544.99	8,561.40	8,658.61	8,952.79	51,455.03
London	11,106.26	14,106.47	13,458.82	13,238.12	13,715.79	13,747.10	79,372.56
Central Unit	1,136.60	1,696.34	4,355.96	3,095.29	3,702.74	3,129.92	17,116.85
Total	84,464.30	85,816.97	86,384.03	85,383.14	87,410.22	89,222.87	518,681.53
1Allocations for 2000–01

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people (a) are and (b) were in each of the last five years employed by each of the Government Offices for the Regions. [127993]

[holding answer 27 June 2000]: The information is set out in the table:

	2000	1999	1998	1997	1996
North East	267	261	286	269	332
North West	402	401	383	428	445
Yorkshire and Humber	282	251	275	274	302
West Midlands	271	275	348	325	341
East Midlands	247	222	215	218	241
East of England	195	178	185	182	185
South West	227	204	196	255	218
South East	248	215	197	224	220
London	398	350	334	329	295

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what (a) is the current cost, (b) was the cost in each of the last five years and (c) is the projected cost of each of the Government Offices for the Regions. [127992]

[holding answer 27 June 2000]: The current running costs, and the running costs for the last five years for each of the Government Offices for the Regions, are set out in the table. The projected costs for the next financial year and beyond are the subject of negotiation between Departments, in the light of the recommendations of the PIU Report "Reaching Out".The increase in running costs for the Government Offices Central Unit (GOCU) reflects the transfer of functions to the unit by parent Departments. The Central Unit also hold a number of budgets centrally on behalf of GOs.Prior to 1996, this information was not collated centrally and could not be provided without disproportionate cost.The increase in the number of staff in the Government Office for London reflects the transfer of responsibility for transport policy in London from DETR to GO-L and GO-L's work on the establishment of the GLA as a whole. GO-L is already declining in number and expects staff numbers to decrease further.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what functions are carried out by each of the Government Offices for the Regions; and what functions have been transferred from them to Regional Development Agencies. [127994]

[holding answer 27 June 2000]: The Government Offices for the Regions operate within a Policy Framework and a set of objectives endorsed by their parent Departments. The Policy Framework covers five areas of cross-departmental activity comprising Regeneration, Sustainable Development, Competitiveness, Social Inclusion and Partnership. The main departmental activities include:

For DETR—Regeneration; land use planning in the regions; Housing in the regions; Countryside, integrated transport strategies, road scheme decisions; local transport priorities; statutory casework.

For DTI—Promotion of national competitiveness policies; Regional; Selective Assistance; the Smart scheme; Business Links; Export Promotion; provision of regional economic intelligence, enterprise grant scheme.

For DfEE—TEC and Careers Service contracting; National Learning Targets, European Social Fund and some education related activities.

The Single Regeneration Budget and administration of Inward Investment activity (with the exception of GO-East and GO-London, which retain some residual responsibilities for inward investment activity) transferred from the Government Offices to the Regional Development Agencies. The GOs have a major role in sponsorship of the RDAs.The Government are currently reviewing the regional activities of all Whitehall Departments in the light of the PIU Report "Reaching Out", to ensure strengthened co-ordination of policy initiatives with a regional and local impact. All Departments whose responsibilities affect regional or local activities are committed to better co-ordination of key policies by involving Government Offices.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what area of land in the South-east planning area is designated for its (a) intrinsic environmental value of international importance, (b) intrinsic environmental value of national importance, (c) landscape value and (d) cultural value. [129073]

Within London and the South East, areas designated for their intrinsic environmental value of international importance amount to 92,235 hectares designated under the Ramsar Convention and 98,800 hectares designated Special Protection Areas and candidate Special Areas of Conservation. Areas designated as being of national importance, namely National Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, amount to 13,780 hectares and 135,600 hectares respectively. Over 7,000 square kilometres are designated areas of landscape value, namely Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the New Forest Heritage Area. In addition there are five World Heritage Sites and over 3,270 Ancient Scheduled Monuments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to investigate the issuing of incorrect road tax penalty notices to motorcyclists; and if he will make a statement. [128778]

A recently publicised case involving a motorcyclist, where enforcement action was commenced when the motorcycle was in fact licensed, has led DVLA to review its procedures to ensure that this does not happen again.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consultation the Government and the shadow Strategic Rail Authority will conduct with (a) local rail users, (b) local rail user groups and (c) local and regional authorities in the award of (a) new and (b) extended rail franchises. [129389]

The Franchising Director is operating an inclusive consultation process for franchise replacement. The Instructions and Guidance issued to him require him to consult, as appropriate, the Scottish Executive, the National Assembly for Wales, the Greater London Authority, local authorities, Passenger Transport Executives, regional planning bodies, Regional Development Agencies and Rail Passenger Committees (formerly Rail Users Consultative Committees). He is also encouraging bidders for replacement franchises to consult with these authorities and passenger representatives about the proposals in their bids.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he has issued to local authorities on (a) consulting registered social landlords regarding nominations, framing allocations policies and homelessness strategies and (b) preparing a corporate action plan to deal with homelessness and the prevention of homelessness; and if he will make a statement. [129258]

The Code of Guidance on Parts VII and VII of the Housing Act 1996 includes guidance on section 167 of the 1996 Act, which requires local housing authorities to consult registered social landlords with which they have nomination agreements when adopting or changing a housing allocation scheme. The Code also includes guidance on framing allocations policies. The Housing Green Paper, "Quality and Choice; A decent home for all", proposes giving more choice to applicants for social housing, and improving the safety net for homeless households, including a multi-agency approach to developing homelessness strategies. The Government propose to issue a revised Code of Guidance on Parts VII and VII of the Housing Act 1996 later this year, taking account of the developing agenda on social lettings and homelessness as set out in the Housing Green Paper and responses to the consultation on this.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much discretion will be given to local authorities under the Housing Green Paper proposals to change the way in which allocations are made to social housing, to take account of housing problems in their own area; and if he will make a statement. [129257]

The Government consider that choice for those seeking social housing should be as wide as possible. However, the Housing Green Paper proposals recognise the wide variations in demand for housing in different parts of the country. Local authorities are responsible for local housing strategies and developing lettings policies which reflect local housing needs. We will wish to ensure that the framework for lettings schemes is flexible enough to deal with these local circumstances. We intend to consider responses to the Housing Green Paper and to consult with local government, Shelter and others before finalising our proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the safety measures which apply to large open-air concerts, following the deaths at a recent concert in Denmark; and if he will make a statement. [129691]

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently carried out a major review of guidance covering music events, including large open-air festivals. "The event safety guide: a guide to health, safety and welfare at music and similar events" was launched in October 1999. In addition, a revised version of HSE's guidance booklet "Managing Crowds Safely" is due to be published later this year. HSE will review the proposed guidance in the light of the deaths at the Roskilde Festival.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the recommendation of the Environment, Transport and the Regional Affairs Committee that the right to buy legislation should be amended so as not to apply to settlements with fewer than 5,000 properties. [129692]

We are considering the Committee's recommendations. Our Rural White Paper later this year will address the issue of affordable housing in rural areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what ports in the UK are included in the Trans-European Network transport network; and what (a) EU and (b) UK funds have been used for improving facilities at those ports in each year since 1994. [129466]

At present, no individual ports are specifically included within the transport Trans-European Network (TEN). Rather, projects at inland ports and seaports may be eligible for European Union (EU) TEN funding if they correspond to the specifications or criteria set out in Section 4 and 5 of Annex II to the TEN guidelines (Decision No. 1692/96/EC of 23 July 1996).To date, EU TEN funding to ports has only been offered in relation to studies. Since 1995, when the TEN programme was introduced, the UK ports which have been allocated funding, and the total funds offered, are as follows:

£ million
Year	Ports receiving funds	EU funding
1995	None	—
1996	None	—
1997	Portsmouth; Great Yarmouth; Boston;	0.70
	Port of London; Southampton;
	Felixstowe; Heysham
1998	Portsmouth; Sunderland; Tyne; Humber;	1.60
	Heysham; Southampton; Harwich
1999	Great Yarmouth	0.24

The Government have not provided any funding for improving facilities at UK ports during the period 1994 to 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the companies or organisations that have expressed interest in becoming the strategic partner in National Air Traffic Services Ltd.; and if he has received representations from them about forecast capital spending in NATS. [129763]

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Mr. Chidgey) on 14 June 2000, Official Report, column 640W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the planning policy guidance is regarding development of playing field sites. [129795]

Planning Policy Guidance note 17: "Sport and Recreation" emphasises the special significance of playing fields and that they should normally be protected. The Town and Country Planning (Playing Fields) (England) Direction 1998 requires referral to the Secretary of State of planning applications for development of local authority-owned playing fields or those currently, or in the previous five years, in educational use, where Sport England has objected but the local planning authority is minded to grant permission. The Secretary of State then has the opportunity to call in the application for his own determination.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish his findings on the responses to the consultation document, "High Hedges"; and if he will make a statement. [129817]

There is nothing I can add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 20 April 2000, Official Report, column 613W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the resources available to tackle the investment backlog in council housing; and if he will make a statement. [129822]

The level of allocations for housing investment by local authorities for the next three years will be decided in the current spending review, the results of which are due to be announced later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions at what weight on the highway piggybank trailer systems that have been proposed by the winner of the recent rail freight competition will run. [129995]

[holding answer 10 July 2000]: The cement road tanker to be conveyed on the intermodal wagons will have a maximum weight of 40 tonnes to which the traction unit would be added when on the highway.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish a draft bill on leasehold and commonhold. [130168]

As was announced in the Gracious Speech given on 17 November 1999, Official Report, columns 4–7, we intend to publish a draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill for consultation during this session. The leasehold reform aspects of the draft Bill are the responsibility of my Department, and those on commonhold are the responsibility of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor. We now expect to publish the draft Bill for consultation during the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many residential leaseholders there are in England and Wales. [130169]

Estimates¹from the Department's Survey of English Housing show that in 1998–99, there were 1,920,000 residential leaseholders in England. The Department has no information on the number of residential leaseholders in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many

Line Closures July—December 2000
Date	Line	Location	Purpose
8–9 July	Central	North Acton to Northolt/Ealing Broadway	Trackwork
8–9 July	Bakerloo	Queen's Park to Stonebridge Park	Engineering work
15–16 July	Bakerloo	Queen's Park to Stonebridge Park	Engineering work
15–16 July	Central	Bethnal Green to Leytonstone	Leyton Trackwork
22–23 July	Northern	Tooting Broadway to Morden	Platform work
22–23 July	Bakerloo	Queen's Park to Wembley Central	Engineering work
29–30 July	Metropolitan	Wembley Park to Preston Road	Track replacement
30 July until 7.45am	Bakerloo	Queen's Park to Wembley Central	Engineering work
5–25 August	Victoria	Victoria to Brixton	Track work
6 August until 7.45am	Bakerloo	Queen's Park to Wembley Central	Engineering work
13 August until 7.45am	Bakerloo	Queen's Park to Wembley Central	Engineering work

[holding answer 11 July 2000]: The Secretary of State has made the following appointments to non-departmental public bodies sponsored by the Department since 1 May 1997.

Appointments to UNDPBS since 1 May 1997
	Women
(a) Paid	163 (25.2 per cent.)
(b) Unpaid	204 (27.3 per cent.)

This Government are committed to increasing representation of women in public life. In support of this, the Department has drawn up an action plan for increasing the number of women and ethnic minorities holding public appointments. The latest plans, together with the Governments overall plan, were published on 24 May 2000 in "Quangos, Opening Up Public Appointments 2000–2003", a copy of which is deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the bidders on the short list for the PPP for the London Underground; and if he will make a statement. [130189]

[holding answer 11 July 2000]: On 5 July, London Underground announced that the shortlisted bidders for the two deep tube PPP contracts would be as follows:

• JNP (Jubilee, Northern and Piccaddilly lines): Tube Lines Group and Tuberail.
• BCV (Bakerloo, Central, Victoria and Waterloo and City lines): LINC and Metronet.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the line closures on the London Underground that are planned between July and December, indicating the (a) purpose and (b) duration of each line closure. [130192]

[holding answer 11 July 2000]: This is an operational matter for London Underground. I understand they are only planning one major closure during this period. This will be the Victoria Line between Victoria and Brixton between 5 and 26 August. This is for trackworks.In addition, London Underground plan to carry out normal maintenance and improvement works involving some weekend closures, as shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what dates the final contracts will be signed for each part of the London Underground network; and what are the significant dates in the PPP process in the run-up to those dates. [130190]

[holding answer 11 July 2000]: The Government have consistently made it clear that it will not give specific dates for completion as these would undermine the public sector's position in negotiations. The next steps towards the public private partnership are as follows:

bids are due for the sub-surface lines contract by 15 September; and

shortlisted bidders for the two deep tube contracts are required to submit final offers in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning good-quality housing in the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal; and if he will make a statement. [130244]

The Social Exclusion Unit has just completed an extensive 12 week consultation on the framework document on the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. The consultation included over 70 events around the country and to date over 600 written responses have been received. Housing quality was raised at a number of the events. The written response is currently being analysed and it is too early to assess how many concern good quality housing. The results from the consultation will be reflected in the final strategy document to be issued later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the coordination of Government policies on social exclusion in respect of Islington's voluntary sector. [128648]

The local voluntary sector has an important role to play in combating social exclusion. Local authorities, including Islington borough council, provide substantial funding to that sector. The extent of that funding is a matter for individual councils bearing in mind their statutory responsibilities, their priorities and the wishes of their electorate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the account that will be taken in the Government's proposed Rural White Paper of the effect on the rural economy of hunting, shooting and fishing. [128657]

The Government recognise that country sports, such as fishing, shooting and hunting, contribute significantly to the economy in some rural areas. We are taking account of this during the preparation of the forthcoming Rural White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Rural White Paper will be published. [128655]

The Rural White Paper is being prepared in tandem with a White Paper on urban policy and we intend that both White Papers will be published when the House returns in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the proportion of mortgages held on (a) fixed rate, (b) variable rate and (c) other terms in each of the last 20 years; and if he will make a statement. [130257]

The Department does not collect information on the totality of outstanding mortgages. It does, however, collect information on the numbers of "new advances" that are fixed rate, discounted variable rate and other variable rate. Figures were first collected in 1993 and the figures for 1993 and 1999 are as follows.

	Percentage of new mortgages by number			Percentage of new mortgages by value
	Fixed	Discounted variable	Other variable	Fixed	Discounted variable	Other variable
1993	57.3	20.6	22.1	60.4	19.6	20.0
1999	40.2	39.4	20.4	43.1	37.4	19.5

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the tenth annual report of the Drinking Water Inspectorate will be published. [130471]

The Drinking Water Inspectorate has published its tenth Annual Report today.The main features for 1999 were:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the work of the Short Term Training Team in Sierra Leone. [130626]

The work of the Short Term Training Team is progressing well, with the recruits due to complete their infantry training before the end of July. In the light of the success of this training, and in order to provide further support for the Government of Sierra Leone, I have approved a second six-week course, which will run to early September. The training team for this course will be largely drawn from one Royal Irish, whose equipment will be transported by the RFA Sir Galahad, which will then return to the UK. The existing RFA, Sir Percivale, will remain in support. In addition, the Government will be providing some items of personal equipment needed by the trainees, including boots and ponchos, from surplus MOD stocks, as well as an additional 5 million rounds of 7.62 mm link ammunition to help to meet urgent operational needs. As with the previous batch of ammunition announced on 29 June, this will be delivered to Sierra Leone subject to the Government of Sierra Leone securing formal agreement from the ECOWAS Secretariat that this ammunition can be imported as an exception to their Small Arms Moratorium. In accordance with UNSCR 1171 (1998), this shipment will be notified to the UN Sanctions Committee. Its provision will also be subject to confirmation that it will be used only by regular SLA soldiers, in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights standards, and not by child soldiers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of the (a) paid and (b) unpaid appointments which he has made to non-departmental public bodies since 1 May 1997 were women. [129848]

The following figures apply to appointments and reappointments made to Ministry of Defence non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) since 1 May 1997:

(a) paid: five women; 19 per cent. of all appointments

(b) unpaid: nine women; 17 per cent. of all appointments.

These figures include appointments not made by the Secretary of State for Defence, such as appointments to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body, which are made by the Prime Minister. They exclude appointments made to bodies which have been declassified as NDPBs since 1 May 1997, such as the subcommittees of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the key buildings for which his Department (a) submitted and (b) did not submit green transport plans by March. [122608]

[holding answer 18 May 2000]: The Ministry of Defence has approximately 340 key buildings and sites. Of these, stand-alone travel plans for 19 key sites have been submitted. The sites are:

• Royal Marines, Poole
• Victory Building, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth
• MOD (Navy) Headquarters, Ensleigh, Bath
• MOD (Navy) Headquarters, Foxhill, Bath
• Defence Helicopter Support Authority, Yeovilton
• Hydrographic Office, Taunton
• Defence Logistics Organisation, Andover
• Headquarters 2 Division (Army), Craigiehall, Edinburgh
• Headquarters Salisbury Garrison, Wilton, Wiltshire
• Headquarters 4 Division (Army), Aldershot
• Headquarters 5 Division (Army), Shrewsbury
• Headquarters Adjutant General, Upavon, Wiltshire
• Royal Air Force Stafford
• Royal Air Force Halton
• Royal Air Force Brampton/Wyton
• Royal Air Force Cranwell
• Royal Air Force Lossiemouth
• Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, Farnborough/Pyestock
• Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, Malvern.

Travel Plans for the remainder of my Department's key buildings and sites were not submitted by March 2000. Plans for these sites will be produced as part of measures

Date	Detail	Location
32 Regiment RA
1–16 May	Battery Training—12 Launchers	Salisbury Plan Training Area (SPTA)
19–26 May	Regimental Exercise—12 Launchers	SPTA
12–24 June	Divisional Exercise—6 Launchers	SPTA
1 September–4 October	Ex IRON HAWK—6 Launchers	British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS), Canada
39 Regiment RA
30 September–6 October	Battery Firing—12 Launchers	Castlemartin
6–16 October	Regimental Firing-12 Launchers	SPTA
13 November–1 December	6 Launchers	Germany
101 Regiment RA (V)
8–9 April	Regimental Firing—12 Launchers	OTA
16 June–1 July	Regimental Exercise/US Exchange—12 Launchers	OTA/SPTA
30 June–1 July	Artillery 2000–2 Launchers	SPTA
25–26 November	Regimental Live Firing—12 Launchers	OTA

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 7 March 2000, Official Report, column 642W, on the RMPA Programme, what the procurement strategy for the Active Search Sonobuoy for promoting green transport initiatives within our corporate Environmental Management System (EMS), and where significant environmental impacts arising from transport activities are identified by site-based EMSs.However, it must be borne in mind that many of our sites are in locations that are relatively isolated and MOD Main Building is not just an administration Centre but also a 24 hour operational Headquarters.The framework for the corporate EMS was approved in April 2000 and an implementation programme is being developed during the current Financial Year. Formal implementation of the EMS will commence in April 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to announce a decision on strategic identification of friend/foe system procurement; what response he will make to submissions made on behalf of Raytheon and their subcontractors; and if he will make a statement. [128931]

[holding answer 4 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces gave the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Hunter) on 4 July 2000, Official Report, column 128W.In accordance with departmental policy, the competing suppliers will be debriefed on the outcome of the competition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what live firing exercises involving MLRS and (a) the Territorial Army and (b) the regular army have taken place this year; and if he will make a statement. [129133]

[holding answer 6 July 2000]: The following live firing exercises using Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) have already taken place or are planned for this year:System (Service Requirement 903) is; and if he will make a statement. [129463]