To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the 1 Battalion Welsh Guards has REME support for their Saxon vehicles; and how many of them are (a) operational and (b) unserviceable; [128475](2) what radio communications below platoon level are available to 1 Battalion Welsh Guards; how many mobile telephones have been purchased to supplement radios; and if he will make a statement. [128476]

[holding answer 3 July 2000]: 1 Battalion Welsh Guards has Reme support for its Saxon vehicle holdings. As at 18 July, 23 vehicles were operational and 12 waiting to be repaired. The Regiment is issued with the Clansman combat net radio and although three mobile telephones are held for duty personnel, there is no intention to supplement Clansman holdings with mobile telephones.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reply to the questions of the hon. Member for Ludlow tabled on 12 June (refs 126192, 126190, and 126191). [129404]

[holding answer 6 July 2000]: I replied to the hon. Member on 17 July 2000, Official Report, column 10W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions he deposited papers in the Library in response to parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April. [131231]

[holding answer 20 July 2000]: The Ministry of Defence deposited papers in the Library in response to parliamentary questions on 160 occasions between 19 October 1999 and 20 April 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [130042]

[holding answer 11 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon) on 23 July 1999, Official Report, columns 677–78W.The Department is currently collating this information for 1999–2000 and this will be made available to the House shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the average length of time for the processing of complaints to the Army Board and Her Majesty the Queen. [130745]

The average time taken from first submission of complaint by the individual to his or her Commanding Officer to promulgation of the Army Board determination of those cases in the system over the last 12 months (from 1 June 1999 to 31 May 2000) is 82 weeks. 72 per cent. of all cases are decided below Army Board level and consequently take far less time to resolve. After the individual has received the Army Board determination and decides to petition the Sovereign, further legal advice is sought and a report prepared for the Army Board and subsequently the Secretary of State for Defence. The Secretary of State is responsible for putting the petition to Her Majesty. The length of time taken for the process varies very significantly from case to case reflecting the relative difficulty and complexity and the need for the Army Board and the Secretary of State to deal personally and carefully with each case. In the six cases submitted to Her Majesty in the 12 months from June 1999 to 31 May 2000 the time taken from the original determination by the Army Board to submission varied from 30 months to eight months.We recognise the problem delay causes in the processing of Redresses of Complaint. The Chain of Command has been provided with clear guidance explaining that every effort must be made to resolve complaints as swiftly as possible and at the lowest possible level, in the interests of good management, efficiency and justice. The Army General Administrative Instructions dealing with Redresses of Complaint have also been amended to ensure that the message is clearly understood by all involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future basing plans for the Army. [131152]

I am now able to give details of our plans for the future basing of units following the Strategic Defence Review restructuring. Since my predecessor published outline basing proposals last year, we have discussed the implications of these changes with the local authorities concerned. We have also, as part of our commitment under SDR to put the environment at the heart of decision making, subjected our proposals to a rigorous examination as part of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the whole of the SDR. The SEA has confirmed that the Army's plans for barrack redevelopment, which flow from the relocation and re-roling of units, are unlikely to have major effects on the environment. Where a potential impact has been identified we have either already changed our plans accordingly or plan to take the necessary action to address the problem as part of our detailed development proposals.The changes from the outline proposals announced last year are not in themselves substantial. However, they do provide the Army with a firm basis on which to plan for changes in the roles of units and their parent formations and for a number of relocations of units, all of which are necessary to bring about a more balance operational and training cycle.The Headquarters of 12 Mechanised Brigade has formed in Aldershot and that of 16 Air Assault Brigade in Colchester. Aldershot Garrison will house enhancements to 101 Logistic Brigade, including 10 Transport Regiment RLC which will move from Colchester, and the lighter elements of 12 Mechanised Brigade. We intend to keep the overall position in the Garrison under review as Project Connaught, the PPP Project, develops.Tidworth Garrison will accommodate an additional armoured regiment, armoured infantry battalion and engineer regiment, required for 12 Mechanised Brigade. Sixteen Close Support Medical Squadron will be moved out of Tidworth to be incorporated into three Close Support Medical Regiment, in Catterick. We are still considering the most appropriate location for the additional artillery regiment, which we originally planned to accommodate in Larkhill. Project Allenby, the PPP Project, is currently scoping the potential for this regiment to be based in Tidworth or Bulford Garrison instead, as part of its overall strategic look at the operational requirement.Catterick Garrison will accommodate a number of additional units and enhancements as follows: an additional field workshop will form part of five Battalion REME. Eight Transport Regiment RLC will be enhanced and its fuel handling capabilities rationalised. Three Close Support Medical Regiment, which provides medical support to three (UK) Division, will also be based in Catterick. It will incorporate 24 Close Support Medical Squadron, which is already based in Catterick, 16 Close Support Medical Squadron, which will move from Tidworth, a new close support medical squadron and an evacuation squadron.Thirty-eight Engineer Regiment in Claro Barracks, Ripon will be enhanced by the addition of a Close Support Squadron. However the nine very heavy tracked bridge laying vehicles with which the Squadron will be equipped could cause a high environmental risk to the cultural heritage in Ripon town centre, and undesirable traffic congestion. We have therefore decided to locate these vehicles at Cambrai/Megiddo Barracks, Catterick.Colchester Garrison will be the main garrison for 16 Air Assault Brigade, although the aviation regiments and one of its infantry battalions will be based elsewhere and the engineer regiment will be located at Woodbridge. Two parachute regiments and a parachute artillery regiment will be based in Colchester, replacing the existing airmobile units.The 4

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom service personnel are serving overseas, broken down by country. [130768]

As at 1 April 2000, the latest date figures for which are available, 39,560 armed forces personnel were serving overseas (this does not include Naval personnel afloat). The three Services collate data on location of personnel slightly differently and this has determined the presentation of the breakdown by country, as follows:

Country	Number
Mainland Europe	29,213
Austria	19
Belgium	550
France	33
Germany	20,429
Greece	18
Italy	605
Netherlands	254
Norway/Denmark	251
Poland	70
Portugal	60
Turkey	199
Former Yugoslavia	6,307
Miscellaneous	418
Mediterranean, near and Middle East	5,180
Cyprus	3,631
Gibraltar	457
Mid East/Gulf	270
Saudi Arabia	618
Miscellaneous	204
Far East	288
Brunei	201
Nepal	33
Diego Garcia	38
Miscellaneous	16
North America	1,417
Canada	905
USA	512
Other	1,498
Australia	70
South Atlantic	1,428
Elsewhere	1,964
Total	39,560

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of his departmental budget is allocated for expenditure on (a) the verification of nuclear arms agreements, (b) the dismantling of redundant nuclear weapons stocks, (c) research on the safe storage and transport of nuclear weapons and (d) the development of a new nuclear warhead or delivery vehicle for nuclear warheads (i) independently and (ii) in collaboration with the United States, using computer simulation facilities. [130846]

The following sums are recorded as having been expended during 1999–2000:

(a) the verification of nuclear arms agreements—£4.2 million

(b) the dismantling of redundant nuclear weapons—£11.5 million

(c) work on the safe storage and transport of nuclear weapons makes use of information and capabilities gained in the various parts of the wider research programme rather than as a discrete activity. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

(d) There are no current plans for any replacement for Trident, and as published in the Strategic Defence Review, we are maintaining only the minimum capability to design and produce a successor should this prove necessary. There was therefore no expenditure on the development of a new nuclear warhead or delivery vehicle for nuclear warheads, (i) independently or (ii) in collaboration with the United States, using computer simulation facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial provision he has made for the training of Territorial Army units in the London Borough of Wandsworth during the coming year. [131469]

For financial year 2000–01, a total of £450,000 has been allocated to cover Man Training Days (MTDs) for Territorial Army units in the London Borough of Wandsworth. This reflects the levels of MTDs requested by the units themselves.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what security measures have been taken by his Department to ensure the safety of the UK military training team in Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement. [131495]

In view of the unstable security environment, the Short-Term Training Teams we have deployed to Sierra Leone include a contingent specifically tasked with Force Protection. British Forces have been provided with appropriate Rules of Engagement to allow them to defend themselves robustly if attacked.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to the Government of implementing Operation Basilica in Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement. [131496]

The estimated costs of the two Short-Term Training Teams we have recently deployed to Sierra Leone under Operation Basilica amount to some £1.3 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have been awarded the Victoria Cross since 1970; how many holders of the Victoria Cross are still living; and if he will make a statement. [131521]

[holding answer 20 July 2000]: The Victoria Cross has been awarded to two people since 1970, on both occasions posthumously. There are currently 24 living holders of the Victoria Cross.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the contract was signed to fit the RAF Chinook helicopter fleet with flight data recorders; what the original date for completion was; what the current estimate is for date of completion; and if he will make a statement. [131522]

[holding answer 20 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 18 November 1997, Official Report, columns 151–53W. The programme of work is due to be completed by the end of August 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 14 June 2000, Official Report, column 10W, for what reason he did not provide information on the most recent date on which a new warship was ordered for the Royal Navy. [132029]

[holding answer 21 July 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 17 July 2000, Official Report, column 10W. This is the most recent order for a new RN warship.Prior to this announcement the last RN warship order was on 14 March 1997 when an order was placed for the design and build of three ASTUTE class nuclear attack submarines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the new Military District Hospital at Northallerton will open; and if he will make a statement. [131023]

The new Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit at Northallerton NHS Health Services Trust opened on 1 July 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what work his Department has commissioned from DERA on through-the-wall imaging systems; at what cost to his Department; and if he will make a statement. [131768]

The Ministry of Defence is currently conducting research into through wall imaging technology and techniques within both the Corporate and the Applied Research Programmes. In financial year 2000–01 this will amount to £370,000 in total. Work is planned to continue in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list those papers which have been removed by Ministry officials this year from Michael John Smith (PR 3345), in HMP Full Sutton. [132275]

No papers have been removed from the prison cell of Michael John Smith by Ministry officials. Papers containing classified information in connection with the criminal prosecution of Mr. Smith were removed from his cell by the prison authorities, who were advised and assisted by Ministry of Defence officials. A full list of all documents removed was provided to Mr. Smith by the prison authorities. I am withholding this list under Exemption 4c of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department will reply to the letter dated 19 June from Michael John Smith (PR 3345), currently in HMP Full Sutton. [132278]

On the advice of the Treasury Solicitor, any correspondence received directly from Mr. Smith to my officials is forwarded to them for attention. Mr. Smith's letter of 19 June has been the subject of subsequent correspondence between the Treasury Solicitor, who acts on behalf of the Ministry, and Messrs A. S. Law, who act on behalf of Mr. Smith.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on which dates Michael John Smith (PR 3345) in HMP Full Sutton was visited by MOD HQ Sy2 Directorate; for what purpose; and what opportunities were afforded to Mr. Smith to have a legal representative in attendance. [132277]

Searches of Mr. Smith's cell were conducted by the prison authorities on 15 and 23 June 2000. Ministry of Defence officials provided advice and assistance in relation to documents stored in the cell. The purpose of the searches was to remove classified information which Mr. Smith was not entitled to keep in his cell and to arrange for its secure storage within the prison. The documents were examined in a separate room, under the prison Governor's powers of search, which do not require the presence of a prisoner's legal representative. Mr. Smith and a member of the Board of Prison Visitors were present at the search on 15 June. Mr. Smith declined to be present at the search on the 23 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what sum his Department has paid to Archer in respect of the package 'O' contract for the Bowman Project in each month since April 1999; and if he will make a statement; [131627](2) what the budget of the Bowman Project was in

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

To ask the President of the Council if she will set out the proposed terms of reference of the Joint Committee on Human Rights. [131597]

The proposed terms of reference for the Joint Committee on Human Rights will reflect those in the Message brought from the Lords and printed in the Votes and Proceedings for Wednesday 12 July.Adapted for Commons usage they will be:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (b) the Department of Health and (c) the Cabinet Office since the discovery of the possible contamination of the Advanta Seed crop. [123921]

[holding answer 5 June 2000]: Officials and Ministers across Government have been in continuous contact since we were notified of the possible contamination of Advanta Seed crop. A joint memorandum prepared by DETR and MAFF was submitted to the Agriculture Committee on 12 July and a copy has been placed in the House Library. This gives full details about the events leading up to Government's announcement about the Advanta seeds issue on 17 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions from which sources the United Kingdom accepts the import of toxic waste for (a) incineration and (b) landfill. [129973]

UK policy on waste imports is set out in the legally binding United Kingdom Management Plan for Exports and Imports of Waste, which came into effect in June 1996.The policies in the UK Plan prohibit most waste imports for disposal, and are designed to encourage countries to become as self-sufficient as possible in waste disposal. However, where countries cannot reasonably be expected to deal with specific wastes in an environmentally sound manner, the UK is prepared to accept them given that we have the necessary treatment facilities which meet tough environmental standards.Consistent with this approach the UK currently accepts imports for disposal by high temperature incineration from Brazil, Guernsey, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Portugal, South Africa and Thailand. We also have extant agreements to accept waste from Argentina, Chile, Egypt and Pakistan, although there have been no shipments to date from these countries.We have only accepted waste for landfilling from the British Antarctic Territory, the Falkland Islands and the Isle of Man.Earlier this year the UK made a bilateral arrangement to accept wastes from the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on Cyprus for disposal by either option, although there have been no shipments under the arrangement to date.The position is different for imports for recovery, which under European law includes incineration where the primary purpose is energy recovery. The UK Plan, consistent with the EC Waste Shipments Regulation and OECD Decision C(92)39/Final, permits movements of wastes for recovery between OECD members on the basis that this trade provides a valuable source of raw materials; and that no country is self-sufficient in waste recovery.However, while any OECD member country may export hazardous wastes to the UK for incineration with energy recovery, to date we have only received hazardous wastes from Guernsey, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Jersey and the Netherlands.UK policies and procedures on the acceptance of waste imports are being considered as part of the current review of the UK Plan. I have made it clear that the UK would expect developing countries to develop, as quickly as is feasible, appropriate facilities to deal with their own waste, as far as is compatible with environmentally sound and efficient management.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the implications for road safety of the House of Lords' case of Goodes v. East Sussex County Council. [131640]

The judgment of the House of Lords in this case was that the duty of a highway authority to maintain highways for which it is responsible under section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 does not include a duty to keep these highways free from ice and snow.We are considering the full implications of this judgment before deciding whether to propose any changes to existing highway legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what occasions (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department met the New Local Government Network in the last six months; who was present on each occasion; and what was discussed. [131485]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions has not met the New Local Government Network during the last six months.My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions and I continue to have contact with the New Local Government Network about aspects of our local government modernisation agenda, including, on occasions, addressing conferences organised by them. My next meeting with them is planned for later this month to discuss best value partnership working.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps have been taken to ensure that the principles contained on pages 22 and 23 of the White Paper, "A Better Quality of Life—a Strategy for Sustainable Development for the UK", are applied to policy-making throughout Government. [131967]

The principles are reflected or being taken forward in a range of Government guidance documents and strategies. In particular, the 1999 "Modernising Government" White Paper committed the Government to:

producing and delivering an integrated system of impact assessment and appraisal tools in support of sustainable development, covering impacts on business, the environment, health and the needs of particular groups in society.

The first stage of this work has been completed—the production of a comprehensive IT database of existing impact assessments and appraisals, and sources of guidance (www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/regulation/1999/ checklist/intro.htm) to be made available on Departments' intranets. Building on this, consideration is currently being given to the development of a more streamlined integrated appraisal system to deliver the goal of `inclusive' policy making set out in the "Modernising Government" White Paper and elaborated in the Cabinet Office report "Professional policy making for the twenty-first century".Developments in applying the principles in the Strategy will be reported in the Government's first annual review of progress towards sustainable development later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions have taken place with the Scottish Executive about the use of the proposed new universal Scottish concessionary travel card in Clwyd. [131893]

A range of issues is discussed between my Department and the Scottish Executive from time to time, including concessionary fares. I understand that the Scottish Executive have no plans to extend the availability of the Scottish concessionary travel card beyond the borders of Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish his Green Paper on radioactive waste management; and if he will make a statement on the terms of reference of the Green Paper. [130865]

[holding answer 20 July 2000]: I expect the consultation paper on the management of radioactive waste to be published in the autumn. It will be the first step of an open and transparent approach that must characterise the radioactive waste management policy debate in the future.The main aim of the consultation paper will be to explore how to involve the public, and groups that represent the public, in that debate.The scope of the consultation paper will be as comprehensive as possible and will address issues associated with radioactive materials, such as plutonium, currently outside the scope of existing policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his timetable is for consultation on schemes for the amelioration of noise from aerodromes; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of fitting silencers to light aircraft. [131949]

We published our consultation paper on control of noise from civil aircraft on 20 July. This proposes legislation to strengthen aerodromes' powers to establish and enforce noise amelioration schemes, and to enable the Secretary of State to designate an aerodrome requiring it to agree such a scheme with an appropriate local authority; together with related matters. The consultation paper will shortly be available on the Department's website. We have invited responses by 13 October. We shall study these carefully before making a decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the total number of domestic aircraft landings at Heathrow Airport was in the last 12 months. [131954]

The CAA data available group take-offs and landings together. In the year to end April 2000, there were 69,606 take-offs and landings by domestic services at Heathrow. This figures is for commercial flights, and excludes such things as positional movements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 13 July 2000, Official Report, column 625W, which academic institutions, regeneration practitioners and professional institutions are working together in the North West to develop urban development skills following the Rogers report. [131641]

A steering group led by the University of Salford, including Universities in Liverpool and Manchester, the North West Development Agency, the North West Regional Assembly, Government Office for the North West, major local authorities, the professions and private practitioners has commissioned the Centre for Local and Economic Strategy to undertake a feasibility study on a North West Centre for Excellence for Regeneration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will require house builders to certify the source of the timber used in the construction of their houses; [131696](2) if he will introduce regulations requiring house builders to use wood from sustainable sources, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. [131695]

The Department has no plans at this time to introduce additional regulation on house builders requiring them to use wood from certified sustainable sources. However, the use of timber from sustainable sources is an integral part of our overall strategy for sustainable construction. Rather than regulate, we are seeking to change attitudes through collaboration and education. Through the Construction Research and Innovation Programme, the Department supports the development of a range of tools and guidance, such as BRE's Environmental Estimating Design software (ENVEST) and Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM). These are aimed at helping clients and designers to identify more sustainable approaches to the supply and use of all construction materials.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the taskforces for which he is responsible; and if he will estimate the annual cost in each case. [132018]

My Department is responsible for three taskforces as follows:

Shipping Taskforce—Members attend on a voluntary basis. Departmental costs are not separately identifiable.

Taskforce for London Transport—£83,555.

Taskforce on Home Buying—Members attend on a voluntary basis. Departmental costs are not separately identifiable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 12 July 2000, Official Report, column 563W, on rail freight, what the maximum permissible weight will be for a traction unit designed to convey the cement road tankers to which he refers. [132019]

In my answer to the hon. Member on 12 July I stated that the cement road tanker designed to be conveyed on the intermodal wagons would have a maximum weight of 40 tonnes. This referred to the combined weight of the load of cement, the road tanker and its trailer. The total on-road weight of road tanker, trailer and traction unit and its load will not exceed 44 tonnes (road tanker—5.1 tonnes; trailer—5 tonnes; traction unit—8.1 tonnes; load of cement—not more than 25.8 tonnes).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he issues to air carriers operating out of UK airports on (a) appropriate staff training for, and (b) ways of dealing with, air rage. [131896]

The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for the safety regulation of UK-registered aircraft. UK airlines, as a condition for the issue of an Air Operators' Certificate, are required to train cabin staff in all relevant safety procedures and, given the disparate nature of aircraft operations, it is for them to decide the most appropriate type of training in dealing with disruptive passengers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many carriers operating out of UK airports carry handcuffs and other passenger restraints; and if he will make a statement. [131895]

This is a matter for the airlines. However, I understand that most airlines operating long-haul flights to and from UK airports carry handcuffs or other forms of passenger restraint.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what role Regional Development Agencies play in evaluating single regeneration budget bids; and if he will make a statement on the transparency of the process. [131994]

Regional Development Agencies are responsible for assessing bids for SRB funding against the criteria and priorities set out in the published bidding guidance and regional strategies.The assessment process requires RDAs to consult with, and take account of the views of, Government Departments and agencies whose interests are covered in the bid proposals. The RDAs then discuss their proposed recommendations for support with either myself or my right hon. Friend for formal approval. RDAs provide detailed feedback to all bidders.I consider that these arrangements ensure there is transparency at all stages.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures are in place to protect harbour porpoise in (a) United Kingdom waters and (b) other waters in the European Union. [131990]

Harbour porpoises, like all cetaceans, are protected in Great Britain under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Section 9 of the 1981 Act makes it an offence to intentionally kill or injure all cetaceans, or to damage, destroy or obstruct access to any place which they use for shelter or protection. Similar provisions apply in Northern Ireland. In addition, the Government have recently proposed an amendment to the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill to increase the protection given to cetaceans. The amendment will make it an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb a cetacean.Within the European Union, harbour porpoises are protected under the Council Directive (92/43/EEC) on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora, known as the Habitats Directive. This requires member states to designate appropriate sites of community importance for harbour porpoises as Special Areas of Conservation and prohibit the deliberate killing and disturbance of this species. This Directive is transposed into UK law by the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994.The Government are currently considering the implications of last autumn's judgment by the High Court that the Habitats Directive extends beyond the limits of the territorial seas. They expect to consult before the end of this year on regulations to transpose the Directive to cover the marine environment within the United Kingdom's jurisdiction outside the territorial seas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the skills seminar on urban design held on 13 July; and if he will place in the Library copies of the papers arising. [131992]

The seminar which I chaired considered how to raise the level of urban design skills in the light of the recommendations of the Urban Taskforce. It drew on findings from two research projects commissioned earlier this year. These reviewed provision of training for urban design and the availability of design skills in local planning authorities in England. Copies of the reports, delegate pack and DETR news release have been placed in the Library of the House.Participants at the seminar agreed to set up a working party, to be chaired by Sir Stuart Lipton, chair of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, to consider how to train a new generation of urban designers. Its members will be drawn from the key professional institutions and it will promote a new multi-disciplinary approach to training in design.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the measures needed to protect ocean habitats. [131997]

At its annual meeting in Copenhagen on 26 to 30 June, the OSPAR Commission adopted and launched the Quality Status Report on the whole of the North-East Atlantic, the "QSR 2000", along with reports covering the five regions of the OSPAR maritime area. The UK participated, in particular, in the preparation of the reports on the Greater North Sea (Region II) and the Celtic Seas (Region III). Together, these reports comprise the first detailed assessment of the health of the North-East Atlantic.The assessment concludes that worsening trends in the pollution of the North-East Atlantic have been reversed, and that many significant sources of pollution have been stopped. Nevertheless, the North-East Atlantic is still under threat. The main fields where action is needed are the sustainable management of fish stocks, the continuing impact of some fisheries on fragile ecosystems, and the elimination of inputs of hazardous substances. Organotin compounds from antifouling treatments of ships and concerns about endocrine disrupters are particularly highlighted as problems.Other important issues identified by the OSPAR Commission are climate changes resulting from human activities and the consequent effects on the marine environment, the need to protect marine biodiversity and ecosystems from human activities, and the impacts of oil spills and discharges of ballast water from shipping.The Government consider, in line with the conclusions of the Quality Status Report, that the long-term OSPAR strategies, adopted by the Ministerial Meeting in 1998 at Sintra (in which my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister played a leading role) and subsequently, provide a sound framework for future action on hazardous substances, radioactive substances, eutrophication, the protection of marine biodiversity and habitats and the offshore oil and gas industry. The Government will also pursue action in other relevant international forums, including the Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol, the International Maritime Organisation (particularly on tributyl tin) and the European Community (particularly on the further development of the Common Fisheries Policy).The assessment also shows that, in spite of major scientific efforts of OSPAR Commission parties over the last 25 years, there are still major gaps in our understanding of the marine environment, and that improvement of our knowledge base remains a priority. The Government will be working, with our OSPAR partners, to develop effective programmes to remedy such gaps.The Government are also considering the implications of last autumn's judgment by the High Court that the EU Habitats Directive extends beyond the limits of the territorial seas. They expect to consult before the end of this year on regulations to transpose the Directive to cover the marine environment within UK jurisdiction outside the territorial seas and have begun the process of identifying possible candidate Special Areas of Conservation in that area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the net present cost of the Luton Airport Parkway project under the private finance initiative; what the value is of the public sector comparators in (a) pre-risk and (b) risk-adjusted terms; what risks are identified as having been transferred; and if he will make a statement. [131937]

The Luton Airport Parkway Station project was carried out by Railtrack, who took all the design, construction and operational risks. The final cost of the scheme was £23 million and a fixed £2.8 million contribution to the scheme was made through our local transport allocations for the Luton/Dunstable area.The Station was opened by Her Majesty the Queen in November last year and has been very successful. 23 per cent. of passengers at the rapidly expanding airport are now using public transport, with 16 per cent. using the new station. Railtrack worked very hard to complete the complicated scheme which they took over from the previous promoters. In addition to an intensive service operated by Thameslink, Midland Mainline services started calling at the station in May.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government intend to publish their strategy for delivering their target for combined heat and power of at least 10 GWe of CHP by 2010; and if he will make a statement. [131673]

We are currently formulating a strategy to achieve our target. It will include a range of policy, regulatory and fiscal measures, a number of which have already been announced.A cornerstone of the strategy is the encouragement of Good Quality CHP, which is key to maximising environmental and economic benefits. We are implementing a CHP Quality Assurance programme (CHPQA) to enhance the quality of CHP and determine eligibility to a range of benefits, including exemption from the climate change levy.We plan to issue a draft CHP strategy for consultation in the autumn when CHPQA is in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the component parts will be of the Government's new definition of fuel poverty, including specific exclusions; and if he will make a statement. [130935]

The information is as follows.1. The Inter-Ministerial Group on Fuel Poverty, chaired jointly by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, has reviewed the commonly applied definition of fuel poverty, namely a household that needs to spend more than 10 per cent. of income to achieve a satisfactory heating regime. The Group has taken account of responses to last year's consultation on the new Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES), which sought comments on the definition, and in particular:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which organisations representing the UK quarrying industry have been consulted about the proposed aggregates tax. [132259]

A range of quarry trade organisations has been invited by the Treasury, HM Customs and Excise and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions to participate in the process of researching the environmental impacts of aggregate quarrying, developing the mechanisms of the proposed levy (including two consultations on draft clauses), discussing the content of a voluntary alternative package of measures, and clarifying the implications of the Chancellor's announcement in Budget 2000. Trade organisations recorded as having been involved in one or more of these processes include the British Aggregates Association, the British Cement Association, the Confederation of British Industry, the Quarry Products Association and the Silica and Moulding Sands Association. Views have also been received from representatives of the coal and ceramic clay producers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment the Government have made of (a) the financial viability, (b) the practical viability, (c) the planning aspects, (d) the environmental impact and (e) the contribution to transport policies of the proposals made by Central Railway plc. for a freight-only railway from Liverpool to Dover. [132148]

None. I understand that Central Railway plc may intend to submit an application under the Transport and Works Act 1992 but no such application has yet been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that recreational park home owners are included in legislation or other action arising from the report of the Park Homes Working Party. [132139]

Owners of holiday park homes are not covered by the mobile homes legislation and did not fall within the remit of the Park Homes Working Party. We are now consulting on the recommendations of the Working Party, and any responses from interested bodies or individuals on the position of holiday park home owners will be considered. The Director General of Fair Trading has given his support to codes of practice for the letting, selling and siting of holiday park homes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 13 July 2000, Official Report, column 625W, who has been invited to the consultation meetings on the feasibility study of a recommendation made by the Social Exclusion Unit's Policy Action Team 16 (Learning Lessons); and where these consultation meetings will take place. [131659]

I have placed in the Library of the House a list of those invited to consultation meetings on the National Centre for Neighbourhood Renewal. The meetings will take place in central London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of all new developments in the Ribble Valley were built on brownfield sites in each year since 1994. [131661]

Chatburn air quality
	Sulphur dioxide		Nitrogen dioxide		PM10
Date	Maximum 15 minute mean recorded (ppb)	Number of exceedences of the 15 minute mean for SO2 (100ppb)	Maximum 1 hour mean recorded (ppb)	Number of exceedences of the 1 hour mean for NO2 (105ppb)	Maximum 4 hour mean recorded (ugm3)	Number of exceedences of the 24 hour mean for PM10 (50ug/m3)
April-September 1997	110	7	40	0	54	1
October 1997-March 1998	110	2	57	0	59	6
April-September 1998	107	2	26	0	53	1
October 1998-March 1999	59	0	38	0	43	0
April-September 1999	49	0	69	0	52	1
October 1999-March 2000	66	0	38	0	54	2
AQS objective	100	35/yr	105	18/yr	50	35/yr

RVBC has concluded that the air quality in Chatburn already meets the Government's air quality objectives.The Environment Agency also collects a large amount of monitoring data from the individual industrial sites it regulates. All these data are available on the public registers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many new dwellings were built in the Ribble Valley in each year since 1994. [131657]

The total number of permanent dwellings completed in Ribble Valley are as follows:

Period	Number
1994	242
1995	343
1996	271
1997	212
1998	179
1999	1126
1 Figure reported for 11 months of the year

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the total amount spent by his Department and its predecessors since 1986 is on (a) design work, (b) public consultation and inquiries and (c) other identifiable cost headings in connection with road improvements on the A303 past Stonehenge, including Countess Roundabout and Winterbourne Stoke. [131533]

The information is not available for local authority districts. The latest information for the North West shows that for 1994, 63 per cent. of all new development took place on recycled land.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what levels and type of pollution were measured in the Ribble Valley in each year since 1994. [131647]

Ribble Valley Borough Council (RVBC) established an air quality monitoring station in Chatburn in 1997. It is equipped to continuously monitor sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and PM10 particulates. The following data have been obtained:

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Peter Nutt, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the deprived areas which will benefit from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. [132110]

We will consult in the autumn on which local authorities should benefit from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions who will determine the spending allocations of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. [132115]

The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions will bring before the House a Special Grant Report under section 88B of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the priorities will be for the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. [132114]

The Neighbourhood Renewal Fund will make a key contribution to the delivery of the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal—including new targets for education, crime, employment, health and housing in deprived areas—and help to get money to where it is most needed. Authorities will work with new Local Strategic Partnerships to draw up local deprivation strategies which will spell out how the additional funding will help to renew the most deprived communities and promote closer co-operation with the police, health and other local services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) who the lead Minister will be for the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal; [132112](2) what the role will be of

The Report by the Social Exclusion Unit on a "National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal: a framework for consultation", published last April, raised these issues in its key ideas 22, 23 and 24. Decisions on these and other points in the draft Strategy will be announced in the autumn when the National Strategy Action Plan setting out the Government's response to the consultations is published.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on the role of the new National Centre for Neighbourhood Renewal; [132280](2) where the National Centre for Neighbourhood Renewal will be based; to whom it will be accountable; and what its budget will be. [132111]

The Social Exclusion Unit's Policy Action Team on "Learning Lessons" (Policy Action Team 16) recommended setting up a National Centre for Neighbourhood Renewal, to play a leadership role in promoting effective, inclusive approaches to neighbourhood renewal. The Government have accepted this recommendation.The Policy Action Team envisaged that the Centre would promote: quality training and development for neighbourhood renewal among policy makers, professional and practitioner groups and community organisations; better access to "lessons learned" from previous experience; better collaboration between those involved in neighbourhood renewal; better research on the issues; and better leadership.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the relationship will be between local authorities, regional development agencies and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. [132116]

In drawing up local deprivation strategies for using the new Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, local authorities will work with new Local Strategic Partnerships. The RDAs should be key members of the partnerships in the areas in which they are investing.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what annual targets he has set for the proportion of new housing to be provided (a) on recycled land and (b) by re-using existing buildings in each of the years to 2008. [132320]

This Government are committed to maximising the re-use of previously-developed land within urban areas, bringing empty homes back into use and converting existing buildings, in preference to the development of greenfield sites. The target for England is that, by 2008, 60 per cent. of additional housing should be provided on previously-developed land and through conversions of existing buildings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions from what base year the press releases accompanying the CSR forecast states that twice as many families will be helped into home ownership by 2004. [132319]

When the press release talks about twice as many families being helped into home ownership, this is compared to the number of families that would have been helped if the previously planned funding level for low-cost ownership in 2001–02 had been maintained until 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions further to his answer of 17 July 2000, Official Report, column 48W, on Fishguard Harbour, if he plans to refuse to ban the use of pleasure craft in Fishguard Harbour, except with the consent of the Harbourmaster, and the use of any craft by anyone under the age of 16 years. [132498]

Age limits for the use of craft in Fishguard Harbour are included in the Harbour byelaws proposed by the harbour operator, Stena Line Ports Ltd. There are outstanding objections and we have not yet reached a decision on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 6 July 2000, Official Report, column 264W, on what date discussions between his Department and the European Commission about an alternative to the Partnership Investment Programme started; in what form these discussions have taken place; how far such discussions have progressed; and what conclusions have been reached. [131977]

Discussions between the Department and the European Commission about an alternative to the Partnership Investment Programme began on 2 March 2000. Discussions are continuing. My Department is exploring a number of other avenues. Subject to the views of other Government Departments, this is likely to include a fact-finding seminar with other Member States in order to establish their approach to regeneration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many written parliamentary questions tabled to his Department between 19 October 1999 and 20 April have not received substantive answers, citing as the reason commercial or other confidentiality. [132133]

For the period in question, 15 out of a total of 2,865 parliamentary questions tabled to my Department did not receive substantive answers, citing as the reason commercial or other confidentiality.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the post offices offering over-the-counter identity document checking facilities for photocard driving licence applicants, during a six month trial period. [132153]

The pilot over-the-counter application checking service for those who hold UK passports and are applying for a first photocard driving licence, commenced at 208 selected post offices on 12 June. A list of participating post offices has been placed in the House Libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will introduce regulations to ensure that wheelchair users and other disabled people can travel by bus. [132674]

I am pleased to announce that I have today laid before the House the Public Service Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 2000 which set technical standards for wheelchair access and a range of other features to enable disabled people to use buses and coaches.Our Ten Year Transport Plan, Transport 2010, published last week, demonstrated our commitment to creating public transport that is accessible to disabled people. These regulations are the latest move towards achieving that goal.Buses are at the very heart of public transport and these regulations will mean that, in future, more and more disabled people will be able to use local bus services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his plans are for housing investment in future years; and if he will make a statement. [132683]

I am pleased to announce that the Government's spending plans for 2001–02 to 2003–04, announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 18 July 2000, Official Report, columns 219–29, provide extra investment of £1.6 billion a year for housing by 2003–04 compared to 2000–01. These extra resources confirm our commitment in the Housing Green Paper to ensure that everyone has the opportunity of a decent home. Our full spending plans are set out in the tables.The settlement includes, over the three years:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will publish the medical research and evidence on which the Committee for the Safety of Medicines based their recommendation that levonorgestrel 0.75 mg could be supplied as a pharmacy medication; [129410](2) what trials have been conducted in the United Kingdom to test the safety and long-term health effects of levonorgestrel 0.75 mg. [129409]

A product containing levonorgestrel 0.75 mg has been authorised in the United Kingdom as a prescription only medicine. This followed advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) who were satisfied as to the product's quality, safety and efficacy. The evidence considered included two World Health Organisation sponsored pivotal studies. One study involving approximately 3,000 women in 14 countries, including the UK, has been published in the Lancet (1998). The other, published in Human Reproduction (1993), involved 880 women. Copies are available in the Library. Other supporting data not in the public domain are confidential to the application.Evidence of safety as stated was taken into account when the CSM considered the proposal for levonorgestrel 0.75 mg to be available without prescription. There is also evidence from a study of the effects of self-administering emergency contraception

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what priority is being given in the Health Service to emphasising (a) the health dangers of bacterium E.coli and (b) ensuring that the disease can be speedily identified. [131420]

The bacterium currently of most concern is vero cytotoxin producing E.coli, of which E.coli 0157 is the commonest. In may this year the Chief Medical Officer's Update, which is distributed to all medical practitioners, carried an article "VTEC Guidance" which drew attention to the seasonal increase in infection, the risks from farm visits and the susceptibility of children to developing Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome following infection with E.coli 0157. A further CMO Update in August will alert medical practitioners to the potential increased release of toxin that can be caused by certain classes of antibiotic in patients with E.coli 0157. The CMO also issued a press release "Health advice issued for farm visits by children" in April alerting the public to the risks of infection associated with farm visits and advising on sensible precautions to be taken to avoid infection. This advice was sent to all directors of public health and consultants in communicable disease control. Information has been given to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women on how to avoid infection. The Pregnancy Book, given to all first time mothers, contains advice on safe eating and how to avoid infection and this advice is repeated in the leaflet "While you are pregnant: safe eating and how to avoid infection" given to all mothers. Guidance was issued by the CMO in July 1998 on the safe cooking of burger meat to prevent foodborne infection.All Public Health Service Laboratories test all stool samples for E.coli 0157 in accordance with agreed Standard Operating Procedures. The PHLS published its "Guidelines for the control of infection with Vero cytotoxin producing Escherichia coli (VTEC)" dealing with sampling and identification procedures. E.coli 0157 infection that is foodborne, which is the majority, is notifiable as a 'foodborne disease', and all laboratories voluntarily notify all E.coli infections as part of an agreed reporting protocol.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what response he has made to the submission by Methodist Homes for the Aged to his consultation paper on Nationally Required Standards for Residential and Nursing Homes for Older People. [130781]

I am aware that the supportive response from Methodist Homes to the consultation document raised a number of concerns including about the staffing and physical environment standards and the timescale for implementing the standards.I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, North (Helen Jones) on 20 July 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many veterinary surgeons were employed on duties associated with abattoirs in each of the past 18 months. [131101]

I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that the number of veterinary surgeons employed by or on behalf of either the FSA (and previously the Joint Food Safety and Standards Group (JFSSG) of the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) or its executive agency, the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS), on duties associated with abattoirs in Great Britain for each of the past 18 months is as follows:

month	MHS	JFSSG/FSA1
1999
January	472	10
February	476	10
March	490	10
April	478	10
May	497	10

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the international regulation of vitamins and minerals at the Codex Alimentarius Commission; and if he will make a statement. [131492]

A proposal for draft guidelines for vitamin and mineral supplements was discussed at the meeting of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses on 19–23 June 2000. The Committee made some progress towards consensus on the text and will discuss it further at its next meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when (a) he and (b) his officials last attended European Ministerial Working Group meetings to discuss the Draft European Directive on Food Supplements; what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Directive provides for the continued access by consumers to safe dietary supplements on retail sale; what amendments are being proposed to that Directive by other member state Governments; and if he will make a statement; [131491]

There have been no meetings at ministerial level to discuss this proposal. It was discussed by officials at a council expert working group held in July, and the Food Standards Agency has circulated details of the specific issues discussed to interested parties. The timetable for further discussions has not been announced but the next meeting of this group is due in September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that all future literature which forms part of National Health Service public consultations will be available in a variety of formats to enable accessibility for the sensory-impaired. [131747]

[holding answer 21 July 2000]: All the Department's publications are available on request in braille, on audio cassette tape, on disk or in large print. Additionally, documents are simultaneously published on the Department's website, which has been designed in line with the Cabinet Office guidelines on accessibility. Braille and large print publications and/or audio tapes are produced as standard for certain categories of information, including major consultation documents produced by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's policy is in relation to the production of its publications in accessible formats for the sensory-impaired. [131746]

[holding answer 21 July 2000]: All the Department's publications are available on request in braille, on audio cassette tape, on disk or in large print. Additionally, documents are simultaneously published on the Department's website, which has been designed in line with the Cabinet Office guidelines on accessibility.Braille and large print publications and/or audio tapes are produced as standard for certain categories of information, including: consultation documents; information specifically aimed at elderly or disabled people; and information about help with costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nationally-produced public information leaflets and booklets have also been available since 1990 in (a) Braille, (b) moon, (c) large print, (d) audio-tape and (e) other formats suitable for those with a single or dual sensory impairment. [131781]

All the Department's publications are available on request in braille, on audio cassette tape, on disk or in large print. Additionally, documents are simultaneously published on the Department's website, which has been designed in line with the Cabinet Office guidelines on accessibility.Braille and large print publications and/or audio tapes are produced as standard for certain categories of information, including: consultation documents; information specifically aimed at elderly or disabled people; and information about help with costs. The following table provides information about special format publications in these categories since April 1993.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the availability of Viagra to sufferers of neuropathy due to Guillain-Barré Syndrome; and if he will make a statement. [131748]

[holding answer 21 July 2000]: We consulted widely before introducing regulations on 1 July 1999 restricting the prescribing by general practitioners of treatments for impotence, including Viagra.GPs may issue a National Health Service prescription to men for the treatment of impotence only if they have one of a number of listed medical conditions. Neuropathy due to Guillain-Barré Syndrome is not one of these conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the start and finishing date of the independent public inquiry into the reasons for the closure of the Mead Webber abattoir; [131622](2) if he will list the factors underlying the delay in opening the independent public inquiry into the reasons for the closure of the Mead Webber abattoir. [131623]

[holding answer 21 July 2000]: I understand from the Food Standards Agency that the arrangements for the independent investigation have been agreed but that Mead Webber Ltd. has indicated that it will not specify its complaint against the Meat Hygiene Service until related assault allegations have been resolved. Work on the investigation will begin as soon as a formal complaint has been received. In the circumstances, it is not possible to estimate its finishing date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will respond to the report published in 1999 by the Human Genetics Advisory Commission, "The Implications of Genetic Testing for Employment". [132741]

The Government have given careful consideration to a report on "The Implications of Genetic Testing for Employment", from the Human Genetics Advisory Commission (HGAC). The Government agree with the HGAC that this is an issue which should be kept under close review in future. The Government accept the main findings of the HGAC's report. They have today asked the Human Genetics Commission (HGC), which is the successor to HGAC, to take note of the HGAC's recommendations, have suggested ways of taking them forward and have drawn attention to the measures they have already taken in this area. The Government have also asked the HGC to consider the next steps by including this issue in the Commission's wider study of the uses of genetic information and to provide advice to Ministers in due course.I am placing a copy of the letter in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the annual suicide rate of NHS (a) hospital nurses, (b) general practice nurses,(c) community nurses, (d) mental health nurses and (e) all nurses in each year since 1989 stating in each case (i) the number of suicides per grade and (ii) the proportion that represents per thousand employed in that category by the NHS; and if he will make a statement; [131014](2) what was the annual suicide rate of NHS

The information requested is not held centrally but may be held locally by individual National Health Service employers.We take the issue of suicide very seriously. That is why the development of strategies to reduce suicide is a major part of our programme outlined in the White Paper "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation."The Department has commissioned Professor Keith Hawton from Oxford University to carry out research into suicide and stress among a number of occupational groups, including doctors and nurses. His reports will be published in due course.The table shows statistics presenting the numbers of suicide deaths for doctors and nurses. The data are presented for ages 16–74 and 16–59. It is not possible to identify doctors and nurses who were actually employed at the time of their deaths, or whether they were employed by the NHS.

Suicides (E950-E959 and E980-E989 excluding E988.81) of medical practitioners, England and Wales, 1989–98
Year	Age 16–74	Age 16–59
1989	19	17
1990	25	19
1991	26	18
1992	18	13
1993	18	11
1994	25	21
1995	13	11
1996	13	11
1997	16	12
1998	17	15
1 International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision. E950-E959 Suicides and self inflicted injury. E980-E989 excluding E988.8 injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted excluding accelerated registrations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many discussions his Department has had in the last year with BUPA about future partnerships; and what topics were discussed. [131646]