To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his policy on the provision of temporary aid to UK businesses affected by the EU-USA banana trade dispute; and if he will make a statement. [134210]

The way to alleviate this burden from all the companies facing possible US sanctions is to find a solution to the banana dispute that is satisfactory to all parties. It is precisely this that the Government have been working hard to achieve since the US first imposed retaliation last year.While I fully sympathise with the plight of these companies, any suggestion of offering some form of direct compensation for lost business as a result of US actions poses considerable legal difficulties, under the terms of membership of the WTO.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what decisions he has reached on the future of the Patent Office in the light of the review announced by the Minister for Competitiveness on 27 April. [134447]

The first stage of the Review of the Patent Office has now been completed. I am pleased to say that the Review found that the Office is now extremely customer focused and responsive. The quality of the Office's patent granting and other registration functions is well regarded and compares favourably with that of other intellectual property offices. The Patent Office has met or exceeded most of its performance objectives and targets. It has contributed to the achievement of wider Government objectives. Its standards of customer service are very high. It has achieved a Charter Mark three times, and IiP accreditation.The Patent Office will continue as an Executive Agency of the DTI. There are significant concerns about privatising or contracting out in full what are largely judicial functions, where commercial drivers could lead to unhelpful pressures. The review found that Agency status was widely thought to have worked well.We want the UK to play a key role in driving forward international policy on intellectual property—not just patents and trade marks but copyright too, where the Internet and digital uses are posing new challenges. We need to ensure that copyright can be protected and enforced on an international basis, while balancing both user and owner interests. We intend to strengthen the policy units, bringing in a range of expertise and widening the consultation mechanisms, so as to work in partnership with the different interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the Annual report for the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. [134445]

The ACAS report for 1999–2000 is being laid before both Houses of Parliament today. Copies are available from the Vote Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ask the Director General of Fair Trading to inquire into the proposed new distribution arrangement between W H Smith Retail and Tesco; and if he will assess what percentage of the wholesale market in the UK is held by each and the consequences of this for competition. [133818]

The Director General of Fair Trading is already aware of proposals to introduce new arrangements for the distribution of magazines and is monitoring the situation. It would be for the Director General to assess what impact these arrangements would have on competition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many MAP testing centres there are in the UK; where they are; on what dates they opened; how many examinations were carried out at each centre; and how many persons are waiting to be examined at each centre. [133985]

As at 8 October 2000 Healthcall Services Ltd., the company contracted to carry out the full Medical Assessment Process, has 26 centres operational (Mountain Ash being counted as a double centre because it has two sets of equipment). Healthcall will shortly be opening two further centres in South Wales, a centre in Wrexham, a centre in Stirling and a second set of equipment is to be installed in Barnsley, bringing the total to 30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims in respect of chronic bronchitis and emphysema have been settled under the MAP process; what the names are of the firms dealing with these claims and the numbers of claims settled in each case; and what the average value is of these claims. [133987]

The Department is not yet able to make full and final offers in most cases as some elements of compensation (for example pension loss) have still to be agreed with the miners' solicitors. However, interim payments are made on all other heads of damages. So far we have processed over 1,300 claims post Medical Assessment Process (MAP). Half of these resulted in interim offers of compensation. The average value of accepted offer is just under £3,500.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many offers of compensation for chronic bronchitis and emphysema have been made under the expedited process; how many offers have been accepted; what the names are of the solicitors or organisations dealing with these claims; and what the average value is of these claims. [133986]

The Department announced in September that it would upgrade the levels of expedited offers (going up from previous maxim of £4,750 to £14,500 depending on loss of lung function). 5,500 revised offers totalling £21.4 million went out last week. This will considerably raise the average offer to date.Under the Handling Agreement signed by the DTI and the claimants' solicitors the breakdown of expedited offers is:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Telecommunications Council meeting held in Luxembourg on 3 October. [134446]

There was an orientation debate on the proposed Local Loop Unbundling Regulation. During the debate all member states stressed their commitment to the Regulation and a rapid timescale for its adoption. I strongly welcomed the Regulation as an enormously important issue for the development of e-commerce across the European Union, and confirmed the UK fully supported and would be fully compliant with it. The Presidency hopes that the Regulation will be adopted at the very latest at the next Telecommunications Council in December.The Council adopted a Resolution calling for a more co-ordinated EU approach within ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). Welcoming this, the Commission now intends to establish a network of European expertise on internet naming and addressing issues.The Commission gave a progress report on the creation of an .eu top level domain name, and it is expected that a Commission Proposal will follow in October. The Council also took note of a Presidency progress report on the programme to improve the exploitation of public sector information, facilitate access to venture capital and boost multilingual content on the internet. The Presidency hopes a Council Decision will be adopted in December. There was also a Presidency progress report on the state of discussions on the new measures under the 1999 Communications Review.The Council also discussed the Commission's postal services proposal, the main provision of which is to reduce the area reserved for incumbent national postal operators (the 'reserved area') from deliveries weighing less than 350 grams to those under 50 grams. During discussions, member states were divided on whether the proposal offered an acceptable pace of liberalisation, with several member states calling for a target date for full liberalisation. The Presidency hope for agreement at the next Telecommunications Council in December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all the changes to sanctions regimes implemented by the United Kingdom since 28 July. [134499]

There have been changes to the following sanctions regimes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to deliver his Pre-Budget report to the House. [134502]

On Wednesday 8 November.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will be reviewing the duty-free successor regime for intra-EU voyages; and if he will make a statement. [134503]

Intra-EU sales of duty-free alcohol and tobacco, for passengers to take away, were abolished from 1 July 1999. I said at that time that a post-implementation review of the successor regime would take place. I have now approved the Terms of Reference, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. I expect to publish the findings of the review early in the New Year.The review will concentrate on how well the successor regime is working and whether there are any further technical changes which can be made to improve its operation. Customs will be asking those businesses concerned in the intra-EU sales of excise goods what changes they would like to see. The review will also assess the effect of the abolition of intra-EU duty free sales on the Exchequer receipts of excise duty and VAT.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will ensure that small companies automatically receive interest from public bodies on late payments made after 30 days of being invoiced; [134107](2) what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on compensation for payment by public bodies after 30 days of invoices from small businesses; [134110](3) what steps he has taken to ensure that public bodies settle invoices within a 30 day period. [134109]

I refer my hon. Friend to the three answers my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Business and E-Commerce gave to him on 23 October 2000, Official Report, columns 9–10W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to amend the Late Payments of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 to ensure that small companies automatically receive interest from public bodies on late payments made after 30 days of being invoiced. [134108]

Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, small businesses have an automatic right to claim interest from public bodies on debts incurred under contracts agreed after 1 November 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of animals in defence research. [134449]

The independent Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr. Jeremy Lucke, has published its fourth annual report. The Committee was set up in 1996 specifically to keep under review the care and welfare arrangements of animals used in defence research. Copies of the report have been placed in the Library of the House.The use of animals in defence research is concerned with providing the armed forces with safe and effective protection against hazards encountered while conducting their duties, and is kept to the absolute minimum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the operational availability of the submarine fleet. [134444]

A flaw has been found in pipework that forms part of the cooling system in some Trafalgar and Swiftsure class hunter-killer submarines. Initial indications are that this may have arisen from the original construction of this component. The repair of this flaw, if needed, is straightforward but, because of the stringent safety procedures that we employ for any work involving repairs to our nuclear submarines, the repair process will take some months. As responsible nuclear operators, we take even the slightest flaw to our submarines very seriously. It is for this reason that our deployed hunter-killer submarines are being brought alongside to be inspected. Until all inspections have been completed it is not possible to determine fully the requirement for repair work and operational implications but they will be significant. The submarines remain safe, and at no time has there been any risk to their crew or the general public. Vanguard Class Trident submarines, which are of a very different design, are not affected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about appointments to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body. [134448]

I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Lord Patel as a new and additional member to the Armed Forces Pay Review Body and re-appointed Vice-Admiral Sir Toby Frere for a second three-year term. These appointments have been conducted in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments' guidance on appointments to public bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to procure a suitable weapon system for the UK Rapid Reaction Force to replace the Trigat-Medium Range Anti-Tank Weapon Programme; what it will cost; and if he will make a statement; [134134](2) how much his Department has spent on the Trigat-Medium Range Anti-Tank Guided Weapon Programme; over what time; and if he will make a statement. [134136]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average length of time is for promotion from lieutenant-colonel to colonel for (a) nonmedical and (b) medical personnel in the Army. [133597]

Based on the last four years of data for those promoted to full colonel, the average length of time served in the rank of lieutenant-colonel before promotion to colonel for (a) non-medical personnel is five years and five months and (b) medical personnel eight years and seven months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average length of time is for promotion from wing commander to group captain for (a) non-medical and (b) medical personnel in the RAF. [133598]

The average length of time for promotion from wing commander to group captain is seven years for non-medical personnel, and 10 years for medical personnel in the RAF.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average length of time is for promotion from commander to captain for (a) non-medical and (b) medical personnel in the Royal Navy.[133599]

The average length of time for promotion from Commander to Captain in the Royal Navy for non-medical officers is 6.7 years. For medical officers, the equivalent average length of time is 11.5 years.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the bilateral Concordat between his Department and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales will come into force; and if he will make a statement.[134504]

I am pleased to say that letters formalising the bilateral concordat between this Department and the Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales were exchanged on 17 October 2000. The Concordat, which is an agreement on the working relationship between the National Assembly for Wales Agriculture Department (NAWAD) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, establishes for all matters relating to the Welsh Assembly's responsibilities for agriculture, fisheries and food, an agreed framework for co-operation between the Administrations.I look forward to continuing the close and constructive relationship that my Department has developed with NAWAD following the introduction of devolution on 1 July 1999.Copies have been lodged in the Library of the House and the document is on the Internet at http://www.maff.gov.uk/aboutmaf/devolve/devolve.htm. The Cabinet of the National Assembly for Wales is placing copies in the Library of the Welsh Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to extend winter fuel payments to recipients of (a) Disability Living Allowance and (b) other disability-related benefits. [134212]

Disability Living Allowance and the Disability Premium in the income-related benefits are already paid in recognition of the extra costs faced by people with disabilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many war widows' pensions have been awarded to widows of British nuclear test veterans since 1970. [133842]

The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, records show that, since 1983, 13 awards of war widows' pension have been made in respect of conditions claimed to have resulted from exposure to excess ionising radiation during participation in the UK nuclear weapons test programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims for war pensions by British nuclear test veterans who believe they might have been exposed during service to excessive ionising radiation have been (a) turned down and (b) awarded by (i) the Pensions Appeal Tribunal for Scotland and (ii) the Pensions Appeal Tribunal for England and Wales since 1970. [133843]

The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the average income in benefits was for recipients of Disability Living Allowance in each year since 1992 at today's prices. [134213]

Information is not available in the form requested, because some awards of income-related benefits are made for families rather than individuals. Such information as is available is in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the private sector companies from which secondments have been made to his Department since June 1997. [133870]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster) on 28 July 2000, Official Report, column 1102W.Secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiatives which promote the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. Before an Interchange can occur all parties must be satisfied that no conflict of interest arises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what accountancy firms audited and prepared the first two years of accounts for the Dome. [134174]

The New Millennium Experience Company's (NMEC) accounts for the first two years were audited and prepared by Ernst and Young.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what fee was paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers for the report on the finances of the Dome; and when he intends to publish the report. [134173]

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) were paid £350,000 by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) for the report on the Dome's finances, presented to the Board on 22 August. The PWC report was placed in the Libraries of the House on 2 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which legal firm advised on the contracts with sponsors for the Dome. [134175]

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) employed Norton Rose and Harbottles to provide legal advice on contracts with sponsors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he will publish the guidelines he uses in assessing BBC commercial proposals. [134500]

I intend to publish the guidelines tomorrow, and copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to integrate the facilities provided by fitness clubs and leisure facilities into the Government's sports strategy. [134167]

The Government's Sports Strategy "A Sporting Future for All" is based on creating opportunities for all people to take part in sport. Work is being carried out as part of the implementation of the strategy to ensure that the role local, community-based and commercial fitness and leisure centres play is fully integrated into the overall strategy. The strategy implementation subgroup charged with this task is on course to report back to Ministers at the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Hillsborough papers considered by Lord Justice Stuart-Smith in his scrutiny will be available to the general public in the Liverpool Central Library.[134326]

The Liverpool Central Library has completed the sorting and cataloguing of all the papers and they are now ready for public viewing.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has received to the consultation paper on the refusal of entry into the United Kingdom of those with criminal convictions. [134327]

I have received seven replies to the consultation paper. These were from the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association, the Law Society, my hon. Friends the Members for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) and for Wolverhampton, South-West (Ms Jones), Sports Network and a member of the public. Copies have been placed in the Library.The responses raised no fundamental objections to the proposals set out in the consultation paper. I therefore intend to implement these, taking account of the comments received so far as possible. The relevant amendments to the Immigration Rules will be laid before Parliament for approval in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken to reduce the risk of disruption to the fuel supply in the event of further blockades [134328]

I have been chairing a Fuel Task Force, which comprises Ministers and representatives of the devolved Administrations in Scotland and Wales, the oil industry, the police, the trade unions and others. Members of the Task Force signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 29 September. This establishes more robust systems to avoid disruption of fuel supplies. It commits signatories to establishing practical arrangements aimed at maintaining continuity of oil supply. In particular, it commits relevant signatories to establishing joint early warning systems and co-ordinated contingency plans; to joint emergency management systems; and to reducing the potential for intimidation of tanker drivers. Copies of the Memorandum of Understanding have been placed in the Library.The Task Force is continuing to oversee work in support of the Memorandum. As this concerns planning to respond to any future disruption, it would not be appropriate to give further details of this work.Additionally, preparations are being made to ensure that properly trained and qualified military drivers would be available if required to help distribute fuel to essential users. If called upon, this would be provided under the normal arrangements for providing military assistance to ensure essential supplies and services are maintained.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what status the roundabout to be built at Cophall as part of the A27 Polegate bypass will have; if the Order as made assumed that the A27 Folkington Link extension westwards would be built; and if he will make a statement. [133807]

Cophall roundabout is being built as part of the A27 Polegate bypass on which construction commenced earlier this month. It is being constructed by virtue of a Side Roads Order under section 14 of the Highways Act 1980. During this phase the roundabout will be subject to a Trunking Order which, if made, would make maintenance the responsibility of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.The Line Order for the scheme allowed for a westward extension of the new A27, the Folkington Link. The bypass scheme was designed to allow for grade separation and for the A27 to continue underneath the junction.Proposals to extend the A27 westwards from Cophall roundabout were excluded from the Targeted Programme of Improvements announced in 1998 and are now being considered as part of the Southampton to Folkestone multi-modal study, which commenced in July this year. In view of this the roundabout design has been amended to remove the bridges which would have carried the roundabout over the extension. The roundabout will also be lowered by 1–2 metres on its south eastern side and the adjacent screening enhanced to lessen further the impact on nearby housing. Notwithstanding the layout changes made, the new design does not preclude a westward extension being built at a later date, should such a decision be made in the light of the outcome of the multi-modal study.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy towards not applying for participation in the European Communities 2010 Horizon Plan for Inland Ports and Inland Waterways, under the TEN project, as set out in OJ C228, Volume 43, 9 August 2000; and what funds are available to participating states. [134206]

The EU is now designating ports for inclusion in the transport trans-European network (TEN) and the Government's policy is that UK ports should be included wherever they qualify. The main criterion for inclusion in the TEN inland waterway network is the ability to take vessels 80m long and 9.5m wide. One non-tidal waterway in the UK—the Manchester Ship Canal—would qualify. However, we have proposed that Manchester and qualifying ports on tidal waterways should be included in the TEN as seaports. There are no TEN funds specifically set aside for inland waterways or ports and any bids for support from the TEN budget must compete against bids for support for road, rail, airport, and other transport infrastructure projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government will announce plans relating to a licensing system for property in multiple occupancy. [134260]

We issued a consultation paper last year setting out detailed proposals, and will announce conclusions in due course. We remain firmly committed to legislation when parliamentary time allows.

To ask the Prime Minister if the Government approve the discharge of the 1998 Community Budget; and what representations it has made on the issue. [134200]

I have been asked to reply.The Government's Annual Statement on European Community Finances (Cmnd 4771) covers the process of recommending discharges for the 1998 Community Budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he next plans to visit Redbridge and Waltham Forest Health Authority to discuss pressures on local hospitals. [131863]

We have no immediate plans to visit Redbridge and Waltham Forest Health Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the availability of hospital beds in Barnet Health Authority area. [131864]

Work is currently under way to ensure that an additional 45 beds are in place on the Barnet hospital site in time for the winter. Funding has also been approved for a further 15 beds on the same site which can be used during peaks in demand.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS waiting times. [131865]

The average waiting time for those on the inpatient list has fallen. At the end of August the average wait was 13 weeks, two weeks less than in June 1998.The waiting list is currently 120,000 below the level inherited. We have met and maintained our manifesto commitment to reduce waiting lists by 100,000 from the level inherited.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about out-patient waiting times. [131875]

At the end of June this year there were 68,000 fewer people waiting longer than 13 weeks for an appointment than at the September 1999 peak.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that incompetent doctors are not allowed to continue in practice. [131870]

As part of a package of reforms for protecting patients, the Government have changed the law so that the General Medical Council can swiftly impose interim suspensions or conditions where the doctor represents a danger to patients.From next April, the new National Clinical Assessment Authority will assess poor clinical performance cases and recommend remedial action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the link between poverty and health in Manchester. [131872]

There are a number of social, economic and environmental factors which contribute to poor health in Manchester. Both the White Paper, "Our Healthier Nation", and the NHS Plan acknowledge the links between poverty and health. A series of inter-departmental initiatives are in place to tackle the underlying inequalities, for example the Manchester, Salford and Trafford health action zone, the Healthy Cities programme and the New Deal for communities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made in reducing out-patient waiting lists in the North-west. [131873]

Reducing waiting time for outpatient appointments is a Government priority. In the North-west, measures have been implemented including Outpatient Improvement Plans, an additional investment of £13 million on schemes having a direct impact on outpatient waiting times, and the sharing of good practice through "A Step by Step guide to improving outpatient services". Between June 1999 and June 2000, despite increased demand, these initiatives have been successful in reducing by 7,292 (8.8 per cent.) the number of patients waiting more than 13 weeks for an outpatient appointment. The NHS is aiming to achieve further reductions by March 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had, and with whom, about improving long-term care and health care for elderly people. [131874]

I have regular contact with NHS, social services and voluntary sector to discuss the Government's plans to improve long-term care and healthcare for older people. Yesterday I met with key stakeholders from the voluntary sector, local government and the professions to discuss the implementation of our long-term care proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about progress by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in eliminating prescribing based on postcode areas. [131877]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about progress by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in eliminating postcode prescribing. [131871]

I welcome the progress which the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has already made. Authoritative, evidence-based guidance has been issued on a wide range of subjects including drug treatments. We have provided additional funding to enable the NHS to implement these recommendations and will be following up through performance management to ensure that they are taken up.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered drug-user patients are being supplied diamorphine (heroin) on the NHS; and what is the total cost. [131878]

Diamorphine, in the treatment of drug addiction, is used as part of a maintenance regime in a very small minority of patients, who are generally the most difficult cases. The Misuse of Drugs (Supply to Addicts) Regulations 1997 require that only medical practitioners who hold a special licence issued by the Home Secretary may prescribe, administer or supply diamorphine in the treatment of drug addiction; other practitioners must refer any addict who requires these drugs to a treatment centre.Diamorphine is also used for analgesia in palliative care. General practitioners and other doctors may prescribe diamorphine for patients (including addicts) for relief of pain without a special licence.The total cost of diamorphine treatment for drug addiction cannot be calculated accurately as data are not collected centrally which link prescription to diagnosis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his plans to increase facilities for the training of dentists in sedation techniques. [131879]

We have accepted the recommendations in the report from the review of general anaesthesia and sedation for dental treatment, which was led by the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Dental Officer. We want to see methods of pain and anxiety control other than general anaesthesia used whenever possible and are exploring the need, and ways, for increasing the provision of training in sedation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to combat winter pressures in the acute hospital sector. [131880]

The National Health Service has been planning for this winter for some time, working closely with social services and building on experience over previous years. All NHS trusts are members of local winter planning groups, working with other health and social services organisations. We have provided an additional £660 million to provide additional capacity both for winter and to meet demand throughout the year. This funding includes £60 million for an improved flu campaign and £142.5 million to provide over 340 additional adult critical care beds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his plans for the regulation of the professional standards of health professionals. [131881]

We have published for consultation, plans for modernising the regulation of nurses, midwives and health visitors and of the professions supplementary to medicine. The consultation period ends on 1 November. Specific proposals for legislation will subsequently be issued for further consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the central recovery unit recovered from NHS trust accident and emergency hospitals in respect of road traffic accidents in (a) 1998–99 and (b) 1999–2000. [131882]

In 1998–99, National Health Service trusts had responsibility for collecting charges for hospital treatment following road traffic accidents under the provisions of sections 157 and 158 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. NHS trusts in England collected a total of £19.6 million in that year. The system changed with the introduction of the Road Traffic (NHS Charges) Act 1999 which came into effect on 5 April 1999 and there is now a new centralised recovery system which is undertaken by the Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU). The CRU recovered £26.6 million for NHS trusts in England in 1999–2000. However this sum does not represent total income to the NHS in that year. This is because income would have been received directly by trusts in the first part of the year as a carry-over from the old arrangements. We are unable to calculate the amounts carried over from the old system as this information is not collected centrally. The total amount collected for the first half of 2000–01 in England is £30.3 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the prescribing of beta interferon in Gloucestershire. [131883]

In Gloucestershire Health Authority beta interferon is prescribed to patients with relapsing/ remitting multiple sclerosis who fulfil the clinical criteria of the guidelines of the Association of British Neurologists. The health authority has provided additional funding of £300,000 a year to meet the costs of this treatment. This policy will be reviewed following the publication of guidance by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to end age discrimination against patients in the NHS. [1318841

Discrimination on the grounds of age within the National Health Service is totally unacceptable. The NHS Plan made it clear that we will challenge and remove any practices which discriminate against older people. The National Service Framework for Older People, which will set new national standards for the NHS and social care will be published later this year and introduced from April 2001. The new national standards will ensure that ageism is not tolerated in the NHS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to regulate standards of care provided in private hospitals. [131885]

Independent healthcare is currently regulated under the Registered Homes Act 1984. We recognise the deficiencies with the present system and that it has not kept pace with the developments in independent healthcare over the past two decades. The Government are therefore putting in place a new modern regulatory framework for the independent healthcare sector, through the Care Standards Act 2000. One of the main elements of the Act is to establish a new independent body, the National Care Standards Commission, which will regulate independent hospitals to proper modern standards. The Act will put in place a regulatory system that will ensure the delivery of quality services, proper accountability by the provider, and flexibility to allow the regulatory framework to respond to developments in the healthcare field.To ensure consistency and quality of service provision the Commission will inspect against national minimum standards for each of the services to be regulated, ensuring that patients can have confidence in the quality and safety of the services that they receive. Work is currently progressing on the development of the national minimum standards in consultation with patients, providers, inspectors, healthcare professionals and specialists. Once the standards are developed they will be the subject of a full public consultation in April 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage GPs to undertake in-service training. [131886]

Learning must be lifelong and cannot cease at the end of formal training. The existing general medical services arrangements for general practitioners include incentives to keep their knowledge up to date through a balanced programme of postgraduate education. This is mirrored in the new core contract for personal medical services.In addition, the National Health Service Plan outlines a new quality agenda for the health service. Continuing professional development (CPD) is central to this and to ensuring that all GPs, doctors and other professional staff can meet the highest quality standards. The plan commits us to investing an extra £140 million by 2003–04.We are therefore committed to developing all professionals in primary care and are currently developing, in consultation with the profession, a programme for delivering quality, with a strong emphasis on CPD.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to announce the funding allocations for Health Action Zones for 2001–02. [131867]

Decisions on funding levels for Health Action Zones have not yet been made. We will make an announcement as soon as we are able.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what conclusion he has reached on the funding of beta interferon. [131869]

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has not yet published its final guidance on beta interferon for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and it would not be appropriate to pre-empt what the final guidance might say. The Government have provided the National Health Service with adequate funding to enable health authorities to fund treatments which NICE recommends.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the private sector companies from which secondments have been made to his Department since June 1997. [133876]

Secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiative which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. Before an Interchange can occur, all parties must be satisfied that no conflict of interest arises.Central Records indicate the secondments have been made to the Department from the following companies since June 1997:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (1) action is being taken to increase public awareness of the NHS Organ Donor Register; and if he will make a statement; [133975](2) what percentage of the population has joined the NHS Organ Donor Register. [133974]

Our current organ donation campaign, launched in 1998, is ongoing. It encourages people to join the National Health Service Organ Donor Register, carry the donor card and, most importantly, discuss their wishes with their friends and family.The percentage of the population who have joined the NHS Organ Donor Register—as of 31 December 1999 are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on new rules and regulations proposed by the European Community concerning the labelling, storage, use, cooking and servicing of foodstuffs on public premises, stating what consultation has been made with (a) UK local authorities, (b) HM Government and (c) similar bodies in member states of the European Community. [134182]

Proposed Regulations of the European Parliament and of the Council to consolidate and simplify existing European Union food hygiene legislation were adopted by the European Commission on the 18 July 2000. The proposals apply to food businesses throughout the food chain and are intended to reflect a need for clearer and up-to-date rules providing a high level of health protection for consumers.The Food Standards Agency began an extensive public consultation exercise on 28 July 2000. In addition to making the proposals available on the Food Standards Agency website, copies were sent to all United Kingdom local authorities, all major food industry stakeholders, various consumer groups and other interested organisations. The proposals will be the subject of parliamentary scrutiny in the normal way.Following completion of consultations, all comments will be analysed with a view to forming a UK position on the proposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the Private Finance Initiative on improvements to facilities in the NHS. [131860]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State earlier today, column 108.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's initiatives to combat heart disease in the United Kingdom. [131866]

Tackling heart disease is a key priority. The National Service Framework for heart disease sets standards for prevention, treatment and care and provides significant further investment in services. To tackle the root causes of heart disease we have major programmes of work on tackling smoking and improving diet and physical activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he proposes to introduce to reduce hospital waiting lists in Eastbourne. [131876]

The Government have provided Eastbourne Hospitals National Health Service Trust: £1.3 million this year to spend on additional activity to address waiting lists and waiting times; £133,000 for a third wave booked admission project for general surgery and gynaecological day cases; and £844,000 capital funding for initiatives to address out-patient waiting lists.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will seek to amend the Late Payments of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 to ensure that small companies automatically receive interest from Government organisations on late payments made after 30 days of being invoiced. [134104]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given earlier today by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury.