To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to carry out an epidemiological study to determine the effect of organophosphorus sheep dips on (a) those persons who have been in contact with them when engaged in (i) dipping sheep and (ii) handling sheep dipped with such dips, (b) sheep dipped with such dips and (c) persons handling wool from such sheep; and how much his Department has spent in the last five years on such studies. [136204]

In October 1995, the Institute of Occupational Health (IOM) in Edinburgh was asked to carry out a three-year epidemiological study into possible ill-health effects in sheep dippers from long-term, low-level exposure to OP sheep dips. This study cost around £500,000 and was jointly funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Health and the Health and Safety Executive. The IOM published their report in May 1999. The Government's Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) was also asked in 1998 to consider whether long-term exposure to low levels of OPs causes ill-health effects. Their report was published in November 1999. Copies of both of these reports are available in the Library of the House.A contract has been awarded to the London School of Tropical Medicine to carry out a study involving individuals who have reported ill-health thought to be due to exposure to OPs to the OP Information Network, the Pesticides Action Network and the Northern Ireland OP Sufferers Association. The approximate cost of the study will be £290,000. The Government are currently in the process of commissioning further research to determine the causes of dippers' flu, whether there is a small group of individuals who are susceptible to OPs, what OP mechanisms of toxicity might be causing ill-health due to low-dose exposure and a review of the scientific literature on the effects of OPs on children.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been spent by his Department to establish a diagnostic test concerning the relationship between organophosphorous sheep dips and human health; and what progress has been made to date in this matter. [136232]

A diagnostic test for the acute effects of exposure to organophosphates by testing for inhibition of the enzyme acetyl cholinesterase has been available for many years.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the effect of the recent five tonne limit on bass fishing by pair-trawlers; [136955](2) what recent evidence he has received and evaluated regarding bass stocks off the coast of the United Kingdom; [136956](3) what further representations he has received on restricting the activities of pair-trawlers fishing for bass in European waters. [136800]

The licence condition restricting landings of bass introduced from 1 January applied to all UK fishing vessels in 2000 and not just to pair-trawlers. With two months of the year to go, no catches by UK vessels have approached the five tonne limit.I will be receiving from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science shortly their report on their monitoring of the 1999 and 2000 offshore fisheries. Information on a tagging exercise conducted during the summer in the inshore fishery is also due to be delivered and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea has recently convened a Study Group to look at the status of North East Atlantic bass stocks. A preliminary report is expected next May.I have received many letters and other representation from right hon. and hon. Members and their constituents requesting further restrictions or complete closure of the offshore fishery. I will consider what action is necessary in the light of CEFAS' reports and the ICES conclusions.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Government initiatives in supporting integrated farm management. [136792]

Integrated Farm Management (IFM) is an important priority for MAFF. As part of its commitment to developing more sustainable farming methods, the Department has put substantial resources into research and development relating to integrated farming systems, much of which has been in association with industry through LINK (a Government-wide scheme for joint funding R&D with industry to meet industry's needs).My Department organised a seminar involving a wide range of interested organisations earlier this year to review the research results and to discuss the wider promotion of IFM. It was noted that the research results indicate that it is possible to reduce inputs of agrochemicals while maintaining profitability and that IFM can produce environmental benefits in the longer term such as improvements in bird numbers and biodiversity. As a result an industry-led Working Group was set up to consider the options for future promotional activities. This will report back shortly.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the impact of the recent rise in fertiliser prices on upland farms. [136838]

The impact of the recent increase in fertiliser prices will vary between upland farms depending on the amounts utilised and extent to which alternative inputs such as manures are available.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received on the prices of (a) fertilisers and (b) veterinary products in (i) the UK and (ii) other EU member states; and if he will make a statement. [136845]

My Department has received representations on fertiliser prices in the UK from the Fertiliser Manufacturers Association and the National Farmers Union.My Department has also received representations from a number of interested parties since we announced on 30 March last, as part of the Government's Strategy for Agriculture, an independent review of dispensing of medicines by veterinary surgeons. The Review Group is currently examining the existing dispensing practices for veterinary medicines and their impact on the supply, availability and costs of veterinary medicines. The representations received by my Department have been forwarded to the Chairman of the Review Group for consideration along with all the other evidence it receives. The Review Group will complete its task and make its report by 31 March 2001.Following receipt of complaints from vets, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is currently conducting an inquiry into certain aspects of the supply of veterinary medicines in the UK. The inquiry will consider whether there is any evidence of anti-competitive practices.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much he spent in each of the past five years on (a) organic food production and (b) research into organic food production. [136840]

(a) The expenditure on aid for conversion to organic farming in England under the Organic Aid Scheme and the Organic Farming Scheme each of the past five years has been as follows:

£
1999–2000	12,037,000
1998–99	1,026,000
1997–98	571,000
1996–97	374,000
1995–96	261,000

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much of the £51 million extra allocated for flood defence will be available in (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04; and if he will make a statement. [137401]

I made a statement to the House on 6 November about the serious flooding that has occurred in England, including an indication of the uses to which the additional funding will be put. The allocation is as follows:

	£million
2000–01	2
2001–02	17
2002–03	17
2003–04	15
Total	51

This additional funding will mean that additional flood defence schemes can be implemented, but due to design, evaluation and planning permission, most could not be brought forward until 2001.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he took between August 1998 and August 2000 to improve the institutional arrangements for flood defence recommended by the Agriculture Committee's Sixth report of Session 1997–98, HC 707; and if he will make a statement. [137535]

The Government response to the report, published on 27 October 1998, set out the reasons why we proposed no fundamental change in the present institutional arrangements for flood and coastal defence. Since then we have, however, worked with the operating authorities—the Environment Agency, internal drainage boards and local authorities—in ensuring the present arrangements work better and best practice is shared. In particular, in November 1999 we published high level targets for the operating authorities to follow and, complementary to this, the Agency has set out how it will apply its general supervisory duty in relation to the work done by the other operating authorities. The Government have also instituted a review of the funding arrangements for the flood and coastal defence which is expected to be completed by September 2001.The proposed Water Bill, on which the Government are currently consulting, will include amendments to the Environment Act 1995 to allow the creation of additional regional flood defence committees. This will facilitate any future decision to create a single tier of committees, at regional level, as recommended by the Agriculture Committee.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research the Spanish vessels at Newlyn are carrying out; and what net size they are using. [137415]

[holding answer 9 November 2000]: The Spanish vessels to which the right hon. Member refers last berthed at Newlyn on 23 October. They are now understood to be in France. They are searching for anchovy and other non-quota species in ICES Areas VIIe and VIId (the English Channel).It is understood that the skippers intend to use mesh sizes appropriate for the species targeted. These are set out in EC Council Regulation 850/98.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what rights UK fishermen have to fish in Spanish waters. [137416]

[holding answer 9 November 2000]: UK registered fishing vessels have no rights to fish in Spanish territorial waters and fishing opportunities in other waters under Spanish jurisdiction are limited by virtue of Western Waters effort restrictions and TACs and Quota regulations. Spanish vessels also face restrictions in UK territorial waters.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the first GM crop was planted in the United Kingdom under (a) a part B consent and (b) a part C consent. [136683]

[holding answer 6 November 2000]: I have been asked to reply.In the United Kingdom, the first GM crop plant to be released under a consent issued in accordance with Part B of Directive 90/220/EEC was in April 1993. It was an oilseed rape modified for fungal tolerance. However, over the previous five years a number of different GM crop plants had been released under the interim arrangements which were in place before the Genetically Modified (Deliberate Release) regulations came into force on 1 February 1993.The first GM crop to be planted in the United Kingdom under a part C consent was a herbicide tolerant oilseed rape. The consent was issued in February 1996 for seed production purposes only and not for general cultivation. The legislation does not require the location and time of sowing of crops covered by Part C consents to be notified to the authorities and we do not hold this information. However, we do have an assurance from Aventis, who hold this consent, that no plants have been grown in the UK under this consent since 1997.Information on all the consents for GM crops issued in the United Kingdom is available on the public register held in my Department.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures have been recommended in the EU' s draft report on taxation reform; and what response Her Majesty's Government have made to them. [136780]

[holding answer 6 November 2000]: There are no current Commission proposals of this form. EC proposals for legislation are considered by the European Scrutiny Committee, and Explanatory memorandums concerning existing proposals on taxation are in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on the introduction of an employment tax credit in 2003. [137060]

[holding answer 7 November 2000]: The 2000 pre-Budget Report reaffirms the Government's intention to introduce an employment tax credit, as a complement to a new integrated system of support for children. The new tax credits will be introduced from 2003, subject to the legislative timetable.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to set a zero VAT rate for repairs to historic buildings; and if he will make a statement. [136995]

[holding answer 8 November 2000]: EC agreements mean that we cannot introduce any new VAT zero rates. However, as the Chancellor announced in the Pre-Budget Report statement on 8 November 2000, Official Report, columns 315–27, I have written to the European Commission on the scope for reducing VAT on repairs to listed buildings that are places of worship.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the cost to public funds of the Parental Leave Directive in (a) 1999–2000 and (b) the estimated cost in 2000–01. [136474]

It is not possible to calculate the exact cost to public funds of public sector employees exercising this right since the Parental Leave Directive came into effect on 15 December 1999. As implemented, parental leave is unpaid and there is no statutory requirement to keep records.The direct cost to the Department of printing and distributing information on the new right to employees and employers in general, and of operating a dedicated public inquiry point for employees and employers in the period immediately following its introduction, has been approximately £40,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the EU in respect of the temporary tariff on imported fertiliser. [137272]

The European Community has imposed anti-dumping measures on imports of various types of fertiliser from a number of countries; these currently include provisional duties (lasting six months) on imports of ammonium nitrate from Poland and the Ukraine. The decision on whether to impose provisional measures rests with the European Commission after consulting member states; the decision whether to impose definitive (five-year) measures rests with the Council of Ministers, acting by a simple majority.The Government consider any proposal for antidumping measures on the economic evidence presented and against the criteria set out in the European Community's Anti-dumping Regulation. In cases involving fertilisers we give full weight to the impact of proposed measures on both producers and farmers, both when consulted by the Commission and in the position we take in the Council of Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the impact of the national minimum wage on wage rates in England and Wales. [138011]

The Office for National Statistics latest estimates of low pay for spring 2000 (combining New Earnings Survey and Labour Force Survey statistics) show that the national minimum wage is having a direct and beneficial impact on the pay of the lowest paid workers in England and Wales. The latest data also show that it has helped close the gap between the highest and lowest earners and helped reduce the differential between men's and women's pay. This has been achieved without any discernable adverse impact on the economy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the posthumous recognition of members of the armed forces who are killed in service. [138265]

I have given careful consideration to a number of ways in which the recognition of members of the armed forces who give their lives in the service of their country might be enhanced. In the light of discussion, I have concluded that the most appropriate would be the erection in central London of a memorial bearing the names of all those killed on duty and by terrorist attack since the end of the Second World War. In accordance with the long established custom for the erection of memorials, I would expect funds to be raised by public subscription. Further consultation will now take place with ex-Service organisations and other interested bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much time HMS Invincible had to alert other warships to the first Exocet attack during the Falklands war; what action was taken during that time; how much warning HMS Sheffield received of the attack; and if he will make a statement. [137302]

On 4 May 1982, during Operation Corporate, the British operation to re-take the Falkland Islands after the Argentine invasion, the Type 42 destroyer HMS Sheffield was attacked by Super Etendard aircraft carrying Exocet anti-ship missiles.Some 13 minutes before the missile impact on Sheffield, which resulted in the tragic loss of HMS Sheffield and 20 of her crew, HMS Invincible had detected a contact initially at a range of approximately 180 miles from Invincible which would have been consistent with the Argentine aircraft. However, for the previous few days, the force had experienced a high incidence of spurious radar contacts. These contacts were also assessed as spurious. There were at the time no other indications of impending attack.Some six minutes before the Exocet hit Sheffield, her sister ship Glasgow detected the radar transmissions of the Exocet carrying aircraft—the first certain indication of imminent attack—and alerted the rest of the force to the threat. The process of detection and assessment absorbed little time and Sheffield thus had five minutes warning of the imminent attack.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he is taking to overcome technical problems in the performance of laser-guided bombing by Harrier and Tornado aircrews. [134404]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 30 October 2000, Official Report, column 272W to my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Smith).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what bomb and mine-clearing operations are taking place in Kosovo; and in how many of these operations British service personnel are involved. [137381]

When KFOR deployed to Kosovo in June 1999, the immediate requirement was to clear ordnance that would have posed a hazard to peacekeeping forces. This was KFOR' s responsibility, and British service personnel were engaged in this activity. KFOR also took on the immediate task of making schools safe for the returning population of Kosovo. Two British servicemen tragically lost their lives in performing this vital task.The United Nations Mine Action Service (MAS) is responsible for the longer term task of fully clearing Kosovo of unexploded ordnance, and has established a UN Mine Action Co-ordination Centre (MACC) in Pristina to this end. The Department for International Development (DfID) has supported the UNMACC with grants, specialist staff and equipment. DfID has also, since June 1999, contracted for five organisations to supply 12 rapid reaction teams to undertake clearance tasks. These UK sponsored teams are now directed by UNMACC.British troops do not now conduct mine or bomb clearance as a matter of routine, but are on permanent standby for clearance tasks where there is a threat to KFOR. Furthermore, we have authorised the UN to task our teams to support its own efforts to make areas safe for the return of displaced persons by surveying marking and helping clear areas hit by cluster bombs.The UNMACC state that 2,314 areas have been cleared to date, including minefields, bomblet strikes and other dangerous areas and that there are 1,085 sites remaining to be cleared. UNMACC expect all areas that currently present a risk to life will be cleared by the end of next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he received between November 1999 and November 2000 on (a) the timing and (b) the content of strategic export controls legislation from (i) non-governmental organisations including voluntary and charitable groups, (ii) commercial interests, companies and trade organisations and (iii) other categories; and if he will make a statement. [136602]

[holding answer 9 November 2000]: I refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry gave him on 9 November 2000, Official Report, columns 326–27W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the deployment of HMS Argus on frontline duties. [137909]

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Argus has been re-deployed from helicopter training duties off the Iberian Peninsular to join the Amphibious Task Group which is providing a presence off Sierra Leone in support of UN and UK forces there this month. The decision to re-deploy RFA Argus, and her three embarked Sea King helicopters, with the Task Group, was taken after the flagship HMS Fearless experienced a fire in her aft engine room which necessitated her withdrawal from the deployment. Her training task will not be affected. Commander Amphibious Task Group continues to lead the Task Group embarked on HMS Ocean.The integration of RFA Argus into the Task Group will give increased operational flexibility to operations of the Amphibious Ready Group by providing a second helicopter platform from which Chinook and Sea King helicopters can operate to replace the capability lost by the withdrawal of HMS Fearless. The re-deployment of Argus at short notice serves only to reinforce the flexibility of our maritime forces and of our rapid reaction capability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason pigs have been subjected to mustard gas exposure and a procedure involving a hand-held electric drill in an experiment conducted at Porton Down. [136609]

Sulphur mustard (mustard gas) remains a significant chemical threat, both on the battlefield and from terrorists. The burns that result from contact with sulphur mustard heal extremely slowly and are prone to potentially life-threatening infection. Initial dermabrasion studies involving the use of hand-held abrasive material showed significantly enhanced rates of burn healing and reduced risk of infection. Later work which resulted in even more accurate removal of dead tissue and further improvements in the rate of healing were achieved by the use of a small (1 cm diameter) rotating disc of abrasive material powered by a hand-held, electric drill.The technical details of the dermabrasion procedure are discussed in the open literature publication at the following reference:N. Bennett, D. L. G. Lam, P. Rice and R. F. R. Brown. Dermabrasion—a novel surgical treatment for sulphur mustard burns. Burns. 26:34–40, 2000.Staff at Porton Down are now confident that dermabrasion will help save lives and reduce the suffering in any future casualties.Although much of Porton Down's work involves the development and use of models, for these particular studies there are no valid alternatives to the use of anaesthetised pigs if the normal healing process is to be measured accurately.All animal research at Porton Down is conducted under licence authorised from the Home Office. In addition to the statutory controls, an independent body, the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC), reviews the arrangements for animal care and welfare at CBD, monitors the research programmes to ensure the highest possible standards and advises on best practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Framework Agreement Concerning Measures to Facilitate the Restructuring and Operation of the European Defence Industry, signed at Farnborough in July, will be published and laid before Parliament. [137007]

The Framework Agreement Concerning Measures to Facilitate the Restructuring and Operation of the European Defence Industry, signed at Farnborough on 27 July 2000, was published and laid before Parliament on 1 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the contract of the Chief Executive of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency expires. [137573]

The current contract of the Chief Executive of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency notionally expires on 1 April 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the salary band is for the post of chief executive of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency. [137508]

The Chief Executive of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency is paid within the Senior Civil Service Pay Band 6, the range of which is £68,840 to £107,212.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors he took into consideration in deciding to make RAF St. Athan the Headquarters of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency. [137768]

The factors taken into account were the need to locate the interim Head Office on an existing DARA site and the availability of suitable accommodation at St. Athan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what targets he has set for (a) employment, (b) investment and (c) stakeholder involvement in the Defence Aviation Repair Agency. [137769]

The Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) is charged with providing a cost effective and flexible deep maintenance service for the armed forces' aircraft. The Agency's level of employment will be maintained at a level justified by its work load and revenue stream. DARA is developing a comprehensive investment plan as part of its programme for launch as a Trading Fund and has taut Customer Service Agreements as well as an umbrella Terms of Business Agreement with its Ministry of Defence customers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether Sir John Day was aware of the incident at Wilmington, USA in 1989 concerning a Chinook HC1 at the time of the RAF Board of Inquiry into the Mull of Kintyre accident; [137390](2) pursuant to his answer dated 23 October 2000,

[holding answer 9 November 2000]: As I said in my previous answer, Sir John Day was aware there had been an incident and that legal action was being taken, but was not aware of the detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many British troop carriers are on lease from Boeing; and at what cost. [137413]

[holding answer 9 November 2000]: A contract was signed on 2 September for the lease of four C-17 aircraft for seven years, commencing in mid 2001, to meet our Short Term Strategic Airlift requirement. The exact contract price is commercially confidential, but in broad terms we expect the overall cost to be in the order of £500 million, including maintenance of the aircraft. The aircraft will be used to carry material rather than troops.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what financial contribution English Partnerships has made towards (a) the regeneration of the Greenwich peninsula and (b) the Millennium Dome; and how much English Partnerships is expected to receive from the sale of the Millennium Dome. [135552]

English Partnerships' financial contribution to the regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula as a whole is some £222 million. English Partnerships has made no financial contribution to the construction and fitting out of the Millennium Dome, its contents, or associated buildings and structures.English Partnerships paid £20 million to British Gas for the purchase of its property interest across the whole of the Peninsula. In addition, English Partnerships has incurred expenditure of £144 million in remediating, servicing, landscaping and providing the infrastructure necessary for the long term regeneration of the northern Peninsula—including provision of the central park and other permanent features. The Environment Agency made a contribution of £2.5 million towards the environmental improvements of the riverw all works. English Partnerships' expenditure included £22.8 million to meet the New Millennium Experience Company's requirements—for which the full amount is being reimbursed to English Partnerships by NMEC.On the Southern part of the Peninsula, which is already undergoing long term regeneration, English Partnerships has incurred expenditure of some £58 million in remediating, servicing, and landscaping the site, together with the construction of a new school and health centre for use by the existing and emerging local community.The apportionment of proceeds from the sale of the Dome will be an important factor to settle in the context of the eventual sale.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made in his review of policy on children's seat belts installation and testing. [137085]

Following my hon. Friends' meeting with my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State on 2 August, we undertook to raise this matter at the Department's next MOT trade liaison meeting. This meeting will be held on 5 December which will enable us to enlist industry's views on what more might feasibly be done in this area.In parallel with this, we are embarking on a series of measures to aid and promote safety with child seat installation. A radio and publicity campaign will be launched by the Department in February to highlight the need for vehicle owners to check the fitment of restraint belts before they are used. In addition, we will be producing 'credit card' style tips for motorists about child restraints. These cards will be passed on to motorists at MOT testing stations and we will also instruct testers to offer advice on the general condition of child restraints.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what investigations are being undertaken into the safety of the railway track in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [137175]

The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Railway Inspectorate have had meetings with each senior Railtrack zone manager following the derailment at Hatfield to ensure that the zones and their contractors are implementing the criteria for examination and inspection set down by Railtrack.Railtrack is taking whatever action is necessary to identify all track defects and where they cannot be remedied speedily, the necessary mitigation measures (ie speed restrictions, increased inspection, traffic limitations) will be implemented to maintain the safety of passengers.HSE is also meeting the senior management at Railtrack HQ on national initiatives being taken to maintain the infrastructure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance to the Environment Agency concerning prosecutions by Agency staff of breaches of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 by unauthorised campers. [136846]

It is neither appropriate nor necessary for my right hon. Friend to issue guidance on this issue to the Environment Agency. The waste management controls of part II of the Environmental Protection act 1990 apply to campers as they do to other members of the public and businesses. It rests with the Environment Agency to take decisions about prosecutions on the facts of each case and the available evidence. Where there is evidence of contravention, we expect the Agency to take action in line with its national Enforcement Policy—which is published on its website http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/epns/epp.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many inspectors are employed by the safety regulations group within the CAA; and what plans the CAA has to alter their number following the completion of the National Air Traffic Services Public Private Partnership. [137505]

The Air Traffic Services Standards Department, within the CAA's Safety Regulation Group, currently employs 27 inspectors dealing directly with operational safety issues. This figure includes Air Traffic Service Inspectors and Engineering Inspectors, but does not include managerial, requirements production, and administrative support staff.The CAA currently has no intention to alter the number of inspectors as a result of the completion of the National Air Traffic Services Public Private Partnership. It has, however, recently increased the number of inspectors to deal with the NATS Swanwick Centre approval and preliminary work on the New Scottish Centre Project, and will continue to adjust the numbers of inspectors according to work load, and projected demand.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 31 October 2000, Official Report, column 387W, on road improvements (Gloucestershire) if he will undertake feasibility studies for a Nettleton Bolter Relief Road, a gyratory system at the Air Balloon Pub and an extra lane at Crickley Hill. [137607]

[holding answer 9 November 2000]: The A417 trunk road between Nettleton and the Brockworth Bypass is a particularly difficult section of road for which there are no quick or easy solutions. Any road based solution is likely to be costly and challenging given the environmental constraints of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Government Office for the South West is considering with the Highways Agency how the traffic problems of this section of the A417 might best be addressed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for further negotiations with his US counterpart on air service agreements; and what timescale he proposes for their conclusion. [137534]

[holding answer 9 November 2000]: My officials are in regular contact with their US counterparts. We hope to make further progress on securing our goal of a liberalised UK-US aviation market in the coming months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Ministry of Defence about the sale of Farnborough Airfield. [137969]

Since the early 1990s, the Ministry of Defence had been considering the sale of Farnborough Airfield. The DETR has maintained an interest in developments and there have been a number of discussions at official level between the two Departments on this issue during this period.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Private Hire Vehicles (London) Act 1998 will be implemented in full; and if he will make a statement. [137973]

The consultation on the text of the draft regulations and administrative rules for the licensing of London private hire vehicle operators, jointly undertaken by the Department and the Public Carriage Office, has now been completed. Having carefully considered the responses, we are currently preparing the final version of the regulations, which I expect to make this month. Transport for London will be responsible for taking forward the second and third phases of implementation which will cover the regulation of private hire drivers and vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the headquarters buildings in his Department which have adopted green transport plans. [137972]

Travel plans have been prepared for all 16 DETR property centres (including Executive Agencies and Government Offices where the Department has management responsibility), covering some 44 headquarters and main buildings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many houses were repossessed in each of the past 20 years. [137833]

The numbers of properties in the United Kingdom repossessed by mortgage lenders in each of the past 20 years is as follows:

Period	Properties repossessed
1980	3,480
1981	4,870
1982	6,860
1983	8,420
1984	12,400
1985	19,300
1986	24,090
1987	26,390
1988	18,510
1989	15,810
1990	43,890
1991	75,540
1992	68,540
1993	58,540
1994	49,210
1995	49,410
1996	42,560
1997	32,770
1998	33,820
1999	30,030

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the local authorities that have not installed smoke detectors in their housing stock; [137835](2) if he will list the local authorities which have started to install automatic water sprinklers in local authority housing in England and Wales. [137834]

This information is not collected from local authorities, and is therefore not centrally available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many rough sleepers there were in (a) England and (b) Wales in each of the last 15 years. [137730]

Reliable figures are not available for the number of rough sleepers in England prior to 1998. In 1998 a methodology was developed based on a series of single night street counts and estimates by local authorities to enable this information to be collected. It was estimated that as of June 1998 there were 1,850 people sleeping rough in England in any one night. These figures are updated annually and subsequent figures showed that the number of people sleeping rough fell to 1,633 in June 1999 and 1,180 in June 2000.Responsibility for rough sleeping in Wales is a devolved matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many grossly polluted miles of river there were in each of the past 20 years; [137826](2) if he will list the rivers that failed to reach the EC Urban Waste Water Directive in each of the past nine years. [137828]

The information available on grossly polluted rivers is as follows:

Year	River lengths classified 1 grade F (Bad) in England and Wales (miles)
1999	147
1998	186
1997	281
1996	263
1995	232
1994	254
1993	361
1992	424
1991	—
1990	496
19852	404
19802	398
1 The General Quality Assessment (GQA) scheme bases chemical river assessments on three determinants: dissolved oxygen, ammonia and biochemical oxygen demand. Samples are taken at 7,000 sites representing 25,000 miles of rivers and canals. Rivers are classified according to one of 6 grades from "Very Good" (A) to "Bad" (F).
2 Assessments prior to 1990 were based on a slightly different scheme. These were the lengths classified as "Bad" in that scheme.

The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive does not set quality standards for rivers. It sets standards for the quality of treated effluent discharged from sewage treatment works, based on the size of the discharge and the nature of the receiving waters.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many houses were built, broken down by (a) local authority, (b) housing association and (c) private sector builds, in England and Wales in each of the last 20 years. [137735]

The latest figures are as follows:

Number of dwellings completed—England and Wales
Year	Private enterprise	Registered social landlords	Local authorities	All dwellings
1980	116,179	20,216	78,537	214,932
1981	104,012	17,363	58,413	179,788
1982	113,893	11,970	33,539	159,402
1983	134,901	14,865	31,633	181,399
1984	145,282	14,511	31,397	191,190
1985	142,020	11,905	24,357	178,282
1986	156,065	11,158	20,535	187,758
1987	169,895	11,402	17,433	198,730
1988	185,733	11,502	16,920	214,155
1989	163,344	12,314	15,326	190,984
1990	144,849	15,625	14,625	175,099
1991	138,572	18,081	8,544	165,197
1992	127,020	23,418	3,649	154,087
1993	123,255	32,734	1,603	157,592
1994	130,066	33,823	1,321	165,210
1995	132,549	33,430	974	166,953
1996	129,278	29,582	576	159,436
1997	134,709	22,995	291	157,995
1998	127,563	21,414	289	149,266
1999	129,512	18,345	83	147,940

To ask the Prime Minister what advice he has received from the Chairman of the New Millennium Experience Company as to the value of the site of the Dome if it were to be demolished; and when. [138017]

It is established practice under section II, paragraph 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information not to disclose such information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to letters from the hon. Member for Woking, dated 15 March and 26 September, concerning the asylum case of Mrs. Thu Nga Ly, reference L322968; and if he will make a statement on outstanding asylum applications of people from Vietnam. [137815]

I have written to the hon. Member on 9 November and apologise for the lengthy delay.Applications from Vietnamese nationals are treated in the same way as similar applications from other nationals. We have committed substantial new resources to speed up the asylum system and as these begin to deliver we expect to see significant improvements in decision times in most asylum cases, including Vietnamese.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the number of people who have entered the United Kingdom illegally since 1970. [137817]

There is no estimate of the total number of persons who enter the country illegally since, by the very nature of the problem, it is not possible to establish that a person is here illegally until they have been traced and interviewed.Information is available only on people who have been detected and served with papers as illegal entrants. This information is available from 1973.The total number of persons detected and served with papers as illegal entrants between January 1973 and September 2000 is just over 150,000.A more detailed breakdown of this figure for 1989–99 can be found in Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 1999, a copy of which is held in the Library. Information on the first half of 2000 is due to be published on 30 November in a Home Office bulletin, a copy of which will also be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many anti-social behaviour orders have been made (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in Norfolk; [137821](2) how many anti-social behaviour orders have been breached. [137820]

Over 100 orders have been made nationally since the measure came into force on 1 April 1999. Six of these have been made in Norfolk. According to provisional figures for prosecutions at the magistrates court and convictions for all courts, there have been four prosecutions for breaches of an anti-social behaviour order up to the end of June 2000. Three of these have resulted in a conviction.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of armed robbery there were in each year from 1990. [137818]

The most recently available information has been published in 'Criminal Statistics England and Wales 1998', and is shown in the table.

Robberies recorded by the police in which firearms (including air weapons) were used
Number
1990	3,939
1991	5,296
1992	5,859
1993	6,012
1994	4,239
1995	4,206
1996	4,013
1997	3,209
1997–981	2,939
1998–991	2,973
1 Year ending March

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers whose claims were made (a) prior to 1 July 1993 and (b) between 1 July 1993 and 31 December 1995 have been granted leave to remain, and for what periods, under the backlog clearance exercise; how many granted leave to remain had their asylum applications considered under normal procedures and refused; how many did not receive an initial determination of their asylum application; and if he will make a statement. [134877]

[holding answer 26 October 2000]: The information requested is given in the table.Under the backlog clearance measures announced in the White Paper, applications lodged prior to July 1993 where granted indefinite leave to enter or remain without the asylum application being considered, provided they met specified criteria. Asylum applications lodged between 1 July 1993 and 31 December 1995 (6,135) were considered substantively against the normal criteria; however in the event that they failed, consideration was given to granting exceptional leave under extended criteria set out in the White Paper. The number of applications still not determined (15,400) under the backlog clearance exercise is now negligible.

Decisions 1 made under backlog clearance exercise2
	Applications lodged prior to July 1993	Applications lodged between July 1993 and 31 December 1995
Granted exceptional leave with immediate settlement	6,135	—
Granted asylum and indefinite leave	—	1,290
Granted exceptional leave to remain for four years	—	14.110
Refused under backlog criteria3	445	2,165
1 Figures rounded to the nearest five.
2 Cases decided under measures aimed at reducing the pre-1996 asylum application backlog.
3 Includes some cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) Kosovans and (b) Albanians were legally admitted to the United Kingdom in each month in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998, (iii) 1999 and (iv) 2000. [136935]

I regret that the available information on passengers given leave to enter the United Kingdom does not separately identify Kosovans (other than the 4,346 Kosovans, including dependants, who were evacuated to the United Kingdom under the Humanitarian Evacuation Programme in 1999). The information that is available for Albania is given in the table.

Albania: controlled landings 1,2
Controlled landing 1,2
1997
January	60
February	40
March	50
April	60
May	30
June	40

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Albanians (a) voluntarily returned and (b) were removed from the UK in each month since June 1999. [136804]

The requested information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) Kosovans and (b) Albanians were (i) given asylum, (ii) given exceptional leave to remain and (iii) given temporary admission to the United Kingdom in each month in (1) 1997, (2) 1998, (3) 1999 and (4) 2000. [136936]

The available information is given in the table. I regret it is not possible separately to identify Kosovans within the available statistics for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Nationals of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Albania granted asylum, exceptional leave to remain and temporary admission
	FRY			Albania
	Grants of asylum	Grants of ELR	Temporary admission 1	Grants of asylum	Grants of ELR	Temporary admission 1
1997
January	75	*	50	—	—	5
February	150	*	70	—	—	5
March	160	*	65	—	—	20
April	140	*	125	—	—	30
May	95	*	105	—	—	25
June	90	40	90	—	—	20
July	100	35	110	—	—	20
August	100	45	175	*	—	25
September	120	40	230	—	*	30
October	145	40	185	—	—	40
November	85	*	250	—	—	30
December	95	5	345	—	—	20
Total	1,355	210	1,800	*	*	285
1998
January	120	*	300	—	—	20
February	95	*	280	—	—	40
March	100	15	535	—	—	55
April	100	20	400	—	—	45
May	120	10	250	—	—	60
June	110	5	350	—	—	40
July	50	20	335	*	—	55
August	50	—	375	—	—	75
September	40	—	430	—	—	90
October	55	—	360	—	—	40
November	80	—	245	—	—	25
December	10	—	280	—	—	55
Total	935	75	4,140	*	—	600
1999
January	n/a	n/a	270	n/a	n/a	60
February	n/a	n/a	245	n/a	n/a	90
March	n/a	n/a	240	n/a	n/a	75
April	n/a	n/a	220	n/a	n/a	155
May	n/a	n/a	355	n/a	n/a	265
June	n/a	n/a	505	n/a	n/a	425
July	n/a	n/a	490	n/a	n/a	305
August	n/a	n/a	130	n/a	n/a	80
September	n/a	n/a	165	n/a	n/a	95
October	n/a	n/a	120	n/a	n/a	80
November	n/a	n/a	100	n/a	n/a	40
December	n/a	n/a	70	n/a	n/a	45
Total	6,290	85	2,910	25	*	1,715
2000
January	n/a	n/a	80	n/a	n/a	30
February	n/a	n/a	60	n/a	n/a	20
March	n/a	n/a	60	n/a	n/a	40
April	10	165	80	*	*	35
May	20	50	120	—	—	20
June	25	20	50	5	5	15
July	30	35	45	*	—	20
August	45	40	60	*	5	30
September	30	70	60	5	10	35
Total to date	160	385	615	15	15	245
1 Data relate to the largest 12 ports and include non-asylum cases

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Kosovans (a) voluntarily returned to Kosovo and (b) were removed from the UK in each month since June 1999. [136790]

Of the 4,346 Kosovan Albanians who were evacuated to the United Kingdom on the Humanitarian Evacuation Programme (HEP) between 25 April and 25 June 1999, 2,396 returned on the Kosovan voluntary assisted programme which ran from 26 July 1999 to 25 June 2000. In addition, records show that 113 Kosovans have returned to Kosovo on the general voluntary assisted returns programme which is open to all nationalities. Individual records are not kept of Kosovans or any other nationality choosing to make their own arrangements to leave the United Kingdom.Figures are not available on a monthly basis but 25 Kosovans have been returned to Kosovo since June 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the success of the dispersal policy for asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement. [136789]

The National Asylum Support Service (NASS) has now been in operation for seven months. Applications for support and therefore dispersals were lower than predicted. We have revised down the number of bed spaces required from 65,000 to 44,000 for this financial year. However, NASS has been able to extend the new support arrangements to all new destitute asylum seekers earlier than anticipated. The scheme has also been extended to those asylum seekers who prior to 3 April were in receipt of social security benefits but who on or after 25 September receive a first negative decision but who continue to be eligible for support. At the outset the accommodation requirements for NASS were supplied by the private sector and one housing association but NASS has now secured contracts with four local authority consortia and negotiations are at an advanced stage with three more. The dispersal process is bedding down as NASS, the Voluntary Sector and the Accommodation Providers settle into their new roles.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 24 July 2000, Official Report, column 456W, on animal experiments, what measures his Department is taking to ensure that animal welfare is not compromised when project licences are considered and granted while trying to make the process more efficient; and if he will make a statement. [137536]

No changes will be made to the licensing arrangements that might compromise animal welfare.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for changes to the 2000–01 Departmental Expenditure Limits and running costs limits within his responsibility. [138028]

[pursuant to my answer, 9 November 2000, Official Report, c. 390–91W]: The increase of £660,000,000 in the Departmental Expenditure Limit, subject to the Parliamentary approval of the necessary Supplementary Estimate, is for processing asylum cases, detention, and support costs including unaccompanied asylum seeking children. The increase of £167,252,000 in the Department's running costs limit is for asylum case processing.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many decisions the Immigration and Nationality Department made in the last month for which figures are available. [136921]

The number of decisions taken by the Integrated Casework Directorate in respect of applications for asylum, after-entry extensions of stay, right of abode, British citizenship, Travel Document, and European Economic Area cases, was 44,200 in September. This includes cases dealt with by the Public Callers Unit which did not involve a decision, such as a return of passport following a withdrawn application and the transfer of conditions from an old to a new passport.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the cost to an applicant of applying for (a) a personal licence and (b) a premises licence under the proposals contained in the Government's publication "Modernisation of our licensing laws". [137091]

Appendix 4 of the White Paper "Time for Reform: Proposals for the Modernisation of Our Licensing Laws", published on 10 April this year, sets out a full regulatory impact assessment, including details of our estimates of the fees, costs and charges likely to arise in obtaining both personal and premises licences. We are continuing to discuss these estimates with the Local Government Association and the hospitality and leisure industry, and more detailed work will be needed before final decisions are made in respect of the fee and charges structure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what costs the Government expect to accrue as a result of recruiting an extra 6,500 members of professions allied to medicine; and if he will make a statement. [135746]

The recruitment of more staff will lead to greater salary and associated costs. Some or all of these costs will be offset by better patient care, reduced turnover, less money spent on agency fees, greater productivity and reduced costs for recruitment activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to combat hospital-acquired infection. [136686]

[holding answer 6 November 2000]: Action to tackle the problem of hospital acquired infection (HAI) has been set as a "must-do" for the National Health Service and is specifically identified in the National Priorities Guidance. An action plan to strengthen the management and control of infection in hospitals was issued to the NHS in February 2000. Regional directors of public health will ensure that robust infection control arrangements are in place and they are currently assessing progress. All hospitals will take part in national surveillance of HAI from April 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much it cost the NHS to employ agency nurses (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in London, between 1990 and 2000. [137113]

[holding answer 7 November 2000]: The table shows the total expenditure on non-NHS nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in England, for the financial years 1991–92 to 1999–2000. These figures include all agency staff and any staff not directly employed by individual trusts and health authorities. It also shows the same information for the London region. Prior to 1994–95 the London region was calculated using the former North East, North West, South East and South West Thames regional totals. Similarly for the years 1994–95 to 1997–98, the North and South Thames regional totals have been used. The information relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved Administrations.

Analysis of expenditure on non NHS staff (agency, etc.) nursing, midwifery and health visiting—1991–92 to 1999–2000
£
Year	Expenditure England	Expenditure London
1999–20001	361,656,683	180,665,901
1998–99	272,225,162	130,573,228
1997–98	216,338,567	134,735,613
1996–97	191,496,635	128,727,083
1995–96	166,631,981	111,509,427
1994–95	132,836,673	94,021,002
1993–94	106,149,571	76,801,024
1992–93	102,433,822	72,269,339
1991–92	103,456,872	68,178,839
11999–2000 data are provisional

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what external legal advice he has sought on the responsibility for care of NHS patients transferred to the private health sector. [137111]

I can conform that my officials are not aware of any instance in which the Department has sought external legal advice on this matter.Where National Health Service bodies make arrangements with private sector health care providers for the treatment of NHS patients by those providers, the patients are not transferred to the private health sector. The patient may receive treatment in a private hospital, but the patient remains an NHS patient. They remain the responsibility of the NHS and have the NHS complaints system available to them. The NHS simply uses available private sector facilities. The treatment will continue to be NHS treatment and free to the patient. This will remain the case where the NHS makes arrangements with the private sector in accordance with the recently concluded Concordat between the Department and the Independent Healthcare Association.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the proposed new community hospital at Lymington. [137932]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 9 November 2000, Official Report, columns 377–78W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of people affected by dystonia in the United Kingdom. [137816]

The Department does not routinely collect statistics on the prevalence of individual conditions. The Dystonia Society however, estimates that around 38,000 people in the United Kingdom currently have the condition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate how many children were working illegally in each of the last 10 years. [137824]

Information on the number of children employed is not collected centrally. Local authorities regulate children's employment through byelaws which are confirmed by the Secretary of State for Health in England, and the National Assembly for Wales in Wales. It is the responsibility of individual local authorities to ensure enforcement of their byelaws.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of new patients referred to (a) medical, (b) surgical, (c) oncological, (d) gynaecological and (e) other out-patients clinics were seen by a consultant as opposed to a junior doctor in the last 12 months. [136513]

Information is available only on the number of first attendances at consultant led out-patient clinics. This information does not differentiate between new patients who were seen by the consultant in charge of the clinic or by one of the consultant's team.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 5 September regarding a constituent (reference POH(2)5608/53). [135459]

[holding answer 30 October 2000]: A reply to my hon. Friend's letter was sent on 7 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many bids have been received from schools in the London Borough of Sutton since 1 May 1997 for centrally allocated spending, broken down by (a) capital funding, (b) Standards Fund funding and (c) other funding; how many of such bids have been (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful; and if he will make a statement. [134887]

[holding answer 6 November 2000]: Centrally allocated funds, including the Standards Fund and funding for capital work, are usually distributed on a formula basis or as a result of bids from local education authorities, not via bids from individual maintained schools. Non-maintained special schools can bid directly for capital grant, but there are no such schools in Sutton. Until March 1999 grant maintained schools bid to the Funding Agency for Schools (FAS) for capital grants on a rolling programme. Between May 1997 and March 1999, 46 bids from grant maintained schools located in Sutton were successful. The FAS maintained no record of the number of unsuccessful bids.Since 1997–98 total Standards Fund allocations in Sutton have increased from £1,428,000 to £4,406,000 while capital fund allocations have increased from £5,755,000 to £9,767,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the university departments of chemistry that have (a) closed and (b) amalgamated with other departments in the period 1980 to 2000. [136164]

This information is not collected centrally. Decisions about closures or amalgamations of departments are for individual higher education institutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the measures he proposes to take to speed up the processing of individual learning accounts. [136181]

[holding answer 2 November 2000]: Individuals receive application packs within seven working days from their first inquiry. They will also receive their Individual Learning Account within seven days of their completed application form being received at the Individual Learning Centre. 200,000 Individual Learning Accounts have been opened by the Individual Learning Account Centre since June. 80 per cent. of these people were sent applications and their accounts within two days.As the Individual Learning Account Centre became fully operational at the same time as peak enrolment we have introduced a one-off measure to help people whose account did not arrive before they started their course. These special arrangements have been put in place with learning providers to enable those individuals to benefit from a discount. These arrangements apply to people who started their learning by 6 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in England and Wales are connected to the Internet. [136214]

[holding answer 6 November 2000]: 88 per cent. of schools are currently connected to the Internet. The numbers of schools connected are: 15,610 Primary Schools (86 per cent.); 3,470 Secondary Schools (98 per cent.); and 1,100 Special Schools (92 per cent.). In March 1998, 83 per cent. of secondary schools, 17 per cent. of primary schools and 31 per cent. of special schools were connected to the Internet.For matters relating to schools in Wales I refer the hon. Member to the Welsh Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what obligations in respect of impartiality schools are required to observe when allowing politicians to discuss politically controversial subjects with pupils. [136237]

We regard it as valuable that Members of Parliament and local councillors take an interest in education and look for opportunities to visit schools and meet pupils. From 2002 Citizenship will become a statutory subject in secondary schools, and this will require all pupils to be taught about parliamentary government and the democratic process. Open and informed debate about current issues is, of course, vital for a healthy democracy.There are, however, legal safeguards in place to protect against attempts at political indoctrination. Section 407 of the Education Act 1996 requires teachers to take all reasonably practical steps to ensure that, where political or controversial issues are brought to pupils' attention, they are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many young unemployed in Hendon have suffered a reduction in benefit for non-compliance with the New Deal; [136953](2) how many young unemployed in Hendon have refused to co-operate with the New Deal; and if he will make a statement. [137029]

Since April this year 10 young unemployed people have received a benefit sanction in Hendon as a result of non-compliance with New Deal. That is the only period for which figures are immediately available.

Percentage distribution of undergraduates in UK HE institutions by length of course 1
	Less than or equal to 1 year	More than 1 year and less than or equal to 2 years	More than 2 years and less than or equal to 3 years	More than 3 years and less than or equal to 4 years	More than 4 years and less than or equal to 5 years	More than 5 years	Total	Total (thousand)
Full-time
1994–95	3.5	6.7	54.1	31.9	3.4	0.3	100.0	927.3
1995–96	3.1	6.4	55.2	31.6	3.5	0.3	100.0	947.4
1996–97	2.9	5.7	56.2	31.5	3.4	0.3	100.0	973.1
1997–98	2.9	5.1	56.8	31.1	3.8	0.3	100.0	1,004.9
1998–99	2.9	4.8	57.6	30.5	3.9	0.4	100.0	1,007.6
Part-time2
1994–95	20.7	29.0	13.0	10.9	15.4	10.9	100.0	161.1
1995–96	23.7	23.9	13.5	12.0	16.1	10.8	100.0	186.4
1996–97	27.7	23.7	13.1	10.2	15.0	10.3	100.0	201.8
1997–98	26.1	21.4	13.4	10.5	16.8	11.7	100.0	206.6
1998–99	26.5	20.3	10.9	11.1	18.2	12.9	100.0	210.1
1 Excluding students with unknown course length
2 Short, continuing education courses became part of mainstream provision from 1995–96, hence the increasing proportion of courses of less than one year

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the work of the Zacchaeus Centre in Birmingham. [136402]

The Zacchaeus Centre has been assessed by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools as a unique and successful provision for Key Stage 3 pupils at risk of exclusion from the 10 Roman Catholic secondary schools in Birmingham. The Centre does not cater for permanently excluded pupils. Rates of re-integration are high. That is why we included the Centre as an example of good practice in Circular 10/99 "Social Inclusions: Pupil Support". Unlike the previous Government, we have been supporting the Centre through the Standards Fund: £53,600 in 1998–99 and £94,000 in 1999–2000. The Centre is receiving a similar amount this year and will do so in 2001–02.Our support for the Zacchaeus Centre complements the increased provision we are making for both in and out of school support. We are making resources available to establish over 1,000 on-site Learning Support Units by 2002. These take disruptive pupils out of the classroom quickly and ensure that they start to behave better. Where an exclusion is necessary, provision for excluded pupils is being greatly increased. There are 1,000 more places and 250 more teachers in Pupil Referral Units than in

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of university courses have changed from three years to four years in each of the past five years. [136262]

The information is not held centrally. The available data on course lengths are shown in the following table.1997. Their quality is improving and by 2002 all local education authorities will be required to provide a full timetable for excluded pupils.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the availability of funding from his Department for Schools for Parents for parents of children with severe disabilities aged 1 to 5 years. [136820]

[holding answer 6 November 2000]: There are a variety of funding streams available to schools and the voluntary organisations with which they work, including Standards Fund and the Department's Special Educational Needs Small Programmes Fund. We are not aware of any approach to the Department for funding from School for Parents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) when he last visited Thurlow Park School in Lambeth; [137227](2) what discussions he has had with Lambeth Council about the proposed closure of Thurlow Park School. [137225]

[holding answer 7 November 2000]: The Secretary of State and my right hon. Friend the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Equal Opportunities visited Thurlow Park School on 2 March this year.In October 2000, officials from the Department for Education and Employment met officers from Lambeth local education authority to discuss the authority's plans for the reorganisation of educational provision for pupils with moderate and complex special educational needs, including the proposed closure of Thurlow Park School.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many subsidised recycled computers will be made available at low personal cost to low-income families living in each of the four constituencies of Wirral over the next three months; [137727](2) how many subsidised recycled computers have been made available at low personal cost to low-income families

I announced the commencement of the Computers Within Reach scheme on 25 october 2000 for those on certain benefits who were seeking to gain or retain employment. The first phase of the scheme will provide up to 35,000 recycled PCs in various areas in England until 31 March 2001. Potential applicants have been asked to contact the free telephone helpline 08080 100 900 in the first instance. The PCs will be delivered following the applications being processed by the relevant regional contractor. I am writing to all hon. Members with details of the scheme and the pilot areas to be covered in this first phase. The PCs will be provided in areas where there are locally based groups that made a successful bid to be part of the scheme. The Wirral constituencies are not in an area currently covered by a bid.The first phase pilots are located in areas within the following locations: Birmingham, Bradford, Hull, Leeds, Knowsley, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Plymouth, Portsmouth, and Sheffield.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many workers on apprenticeships there were in each of the last 15 years; and what is the estimated number for the next three years. [137733]

Figures from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) on the number of apprentices in employment for each of the last 15 years is given in the table. There are no projections on the number of apprentices there might be in the future.

Labour Force Survey, 1986–2000, United Kingdom
Thousand
Year	All	Males	Females
1986	316	261	55
1987	322	264	58
1988	341	268	73
1989	373	308	65