To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on the establishment of the UK Sports Institute. [135647]

The UK Sports Institute's aim is to provide our best sportsmen and women with the facilities and support services that they need to compete and win at the highest level. It will provide much needed world class facilities and a higher standard of co-ordinated support services than the UK has ever had before.Recruitment of the key staff of the UKSI Central Services team has been completed. From November 2000, sports will have access to the technical, operational and programme support provided through the UKSI Central Services Team.The UKSI is also made up of a network of Institutes operated by the home country sports councils. The establishment of the English Institute of Sport of the UKSI is on-going. The Badminton Centre in Milton Keynes, the Aquatics Centre and the Velodrome in Manchester and the Ice-Centre in Nottingham are already available to athletes. In May-June 2000, the water-based hockey pitches in Birmingham and Cannock were among the first completed new projects. At Loughborough, Lottery funding of up to £2.1 million has been agreed for the development of swimming facilities, an indoor athletics centre, international hockey pitches, a gymnastic centre, facilities for badminton and netball together with athlete support services. Over £50 million of new Lottery funding has been committed by Sport England to date for additional facilities for the English network. It is expected that the majority of the remaining Lottery applications, representing over £60 million of further investment in network facilities in England, will be made in the next six months. Once the full building programme has been completed, there will be over 80 facilities that go to make up the English Institute of Sport network.In addition, the UKSI Scottish Institute of Sport, funded by Sport Scotland, has been established and operating for 18 months and The Sports Council for Wales has been operating and developing UKSI Cymru for sometime. Both have been providing a range of services direct to athletes including technical training and support, conditioning guidance and supervision, preventive and reactive sports medical support and sports science. The Sports Council for Northern Ireland has identified the University of Ulster as their preferred partner to develop in partnership the UKSI network centre for Northern Ireland. Initial principles of agreement have been signed by both parties and work is under way to identify the most appropriate format to operate the network centre.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reason he has not dismissed the National Lottery Commissioners who were in post at the time of the decision which resulted in the resignation of the Chairman of the Commission. [136243]

I have no grounds for dismissing the National Lottery Commissioners. The former Chairman of the National Lottery Commission, Dame Helena Shovelton, resigned from the Commission for personal reasons. I appointed Lord Burns to take her place on the Commission, and gave him a clear remit, alongside the other Commissioners, to conduct the selection process with absolute fairness and impartiality between the applicants. The Government have every confidence in their ability to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 1 November 2000, Official Report, column 476W, what undertaking was sought by the Millennium Commission from (a) the Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, Lord Falconer or (b) the New Millennium Experience Company in return for its most recent award of grant. [137222]

[holding answer 7 November 2000]: This is a matter for the Millennium Commission. I will write to the hon. Member in my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, and place copies of my reply in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what response he plans to make to the proposal of the Vilnius International Forum on Holocaust Era Looted Cultural Assets that Governments establish a central reference point to provide information and help on queries regarding looted cultural assets and claims. [137409]

My officials are in contact with Resource (the Council for Museums Libraries and Archives) to discuss the outcome of the study they have commissioned into the feasibility of an advisory unit to offer expertise and advice to help museums, galleries, libraries and archives in handling this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the timetable is for consultation on the case for legislation to permit national museums and galleries to return human remains and objects which were wrongfully taken during the period 1933 to 1945; and if he will list the organisations which are being consulted. [137410]

I am currently consulting the Chairman of the National Museum Directors' Conference (NMDC), the Chairman of the NMDC's standing Repatriation Committee and the Chairman of the NMDC's Working Group on Spoliation, together with the Director of Resource and the Director of the Museums Association.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his plans for the use of the Millennium Dome. [136989]

[holding answer 8 November 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) on 6 November 2000, Official Report, columns 55-56W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to designate chess a sport. [137992]

I have currently no plans. Any decision to recognise chess as a sport would have to be agreed by all four home country sports councils and departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has for funding regional theatre in the areas covered by (a) the South East Arts Board, (b) Waverley district council and (c) Mole Valley district council, with particular reference to (i) the Redgrave Theatre, Farnham and (ii) the Thorndike Theatre, Leatherhead. [137687]

This is a matter for the Arts Council of England, as the main funding body for the arts in England, in collaboration with South East Arts, as the regional arts board, to decide within the context of their current review of theatre. The Arts Council have already announced additional funding for theatre from 2002–03, and decisions on how this will be distributed will be made in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 30 October 2000, Official Report, column 330W, on subtitling for the deaf and hard of hearing on digital, cable and satellite television, for what reason the scope of his Department's review has been extended to include satellite and cable TV; and what other aspects of provision and reception of subtitling, signing and audio description services are also being reviewed. [137919]

The review was widened to include other aspects of the provision and reception of subtitling, signing and audio description services in order to inform Government in the development of future broadcasting policy and legislation in this area. Other aspects being considered are the possibilities of different targets for different broadcasters, the prioritisation of certain programmes/channels, the costs of providing and receiving these services and the availability of skilled subtitlers, signers and audio describers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the level of (a) Government and (b) European Communities support for the European Union Baroque Orchestra is. [138084]

The European Union Baroque Orchestra is an official cultural training initiative of the European Parliament and the European Commission, and receives funding from the European Commission's Directorate General for Education and Culture. The orchestra also receives major sponsorship from industry and other organisations and individuals. The level of that funding is for those organisations to determine; no additional support comes from Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what targets he has for getting more people regularly to take exercise; and if he will make a statement. [134150]

I have been asked to reply.Experts recommend that all adults should participate in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity five times a week and children should be active for at least an hour every day. In each case, physical activity can include activities like brisk walking, cycling and swimming.The National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease set out key milestones for the implementation of a range of prevention programmes at a local level. These milestones state that, by April 2001, all NHS bodies, working closely with local authorities, will have agreed and be contributing to the delivery of local programmes on physical activity. By April 2002, all local health communities will have quantitative data on implementation of these policies. The Health Development Agency has compiled a guide for implementing the preventive aspects of the NSF. This will be sent to Health Authorities in November and will provide examples of the projects they can set up in order to reach NSF milestones.Several Government initiatives are promoting opportunities for people to be more physically active. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has made safer roads a priority in their White Paper 'A New Deal for Transport'. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport have outlined their commitment to improve access to services in their 'Sports Strategy'. There is also a joint DH/DfEE programme to implement the objectives of the 'National Healthy School Standard', which includes physical activity as a component.Initiatives are in place to promote physical activity among children. The Safe and Sound Challenge, which encourages children to walk or cycle to school along safe routes, has run successfully for two years. In 2000–01, the aim of the scheme will be to offer schools in socially deprived areas the opportunity to develop healthy active modes of travel to school.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee what the cost is of each item of portable office furniture (a) in offices in Portcullis House and (b) in other offices in the Parliamentary Estate. [136816]

This is a matter for the Serjeant at Arms; I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those aspects of biodiversity which are potentially under threat as a result of the use of GM crops, to which he made reference in his speech on environmental policy at the Joint Green Alliance/CBI Forum on 24 October. [135436]

The Government take a precautionary, evidence-based approach to the possible impact on biodiversity of growing GM crops, whether through the herbicide regime, as a result of gene flow, or some other effect.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the set of common values as part of core environmental principles to which he made reference in his speech on environmental policy at the Joint Green Alliance/CBI Partnership meeting on 24 October. [135435]

As is set out in the Sustainable Development Strategy, 'A Better Quality of Life', published in May 1999, the Government's core aim is:

to ensure a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come.

Key values are best expressed by four objectives: social progress which recognises the needs of everyone; effective protection of the environment; prudent use of natural resources; and maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.Chapter 4 of the strategy also sets out 10 guiding principles and approaches which provide additional background on our common values with regard to achieving sustainable development.More specifically, we need to build a new coalition for the environment that works with the grain of consumers, business and science, not against them, so that we can continue to grow and share the benefits of that growth. However, the negative impact of growth on the environment has to be reduced and a more productive use of environmental resources developed. To do this we need to: address problems at the right level—international, national, regional and local; harness consumer demand, not stifle it; stimulate science and innovation to provide solutions to environmental problems; use environmental resources more efficiently and become a low-carbon, recycling economy; and see protecting the environment as a business opportunity.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Pound) of 23 October 2000, Official Report, column 68-69W, what plans he has to include in the forthcoming review a review of pension arrangements for hon. Members and Ministers and the additional costs allowances. [136420]

The review of parliamentary pay and allowances to which I referred in my previous answer will not cover pensions. That is the subject of a separate review which my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House has asked the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) to conduct and which we expect to receive early in the New Year.In addition to its commitment to review Members' pay this year, I have specifically asked the Review Body to look at the Office Cost Allowance because of representations I have received asking that this be done. I have not specifically requested the SSRB to look at other allowances.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer from the Minister for Europe of 2 November 2000, Official Report, column 557W, on European federation, if he will define the difference between the two types of Government mentioned; and if he will make a statement. [137683]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer 1 gave his hon. Friend the Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 1 November 2000, Official Report, column 509W.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the information EU Council held in Biarritz. [138248]

A Statement on the Information European Council in Biarritz was made at the earliest opportunity in the other place by my right hon. and noble Friend, the Lord Privy Seal, in a written reply to the noble Lord Faulkner of Worcester, 16 October 2000, Official Report, House of Lords, columns WA63-65.I repeated this statement when the House of Commons returned from the Summer Recess in a written answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Pound),

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his policy towards COM(2000)644. [135578]

I have been asked to reply.COM(2000)644 is a Commission Communication, published on 11 October, "on the legal nature of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union".

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) ministerial contacts and (b) military exchange contacts there have been in the past 12 months with (i) Lithuania, (ii) Latvia and (iii) Estonia; and if he will make a statement. [138094]

We have well-developed defence relations with all three countries. These include extensive contacts at both ministerial and military levels. During the last 12 months contacts at ministerial level have included meetings between the Secretary of State for Defence and the Latvian and Estonian Presidents, a meeting between my colleague the Minister for Defence Procurement and the Latvian Defence Minister, Mr. Girts-Valdis Kristovkis, and my own meetings with Mr. Kristovkis, the former Lithuanian Defence Minister, Mr. Ceslovas Stankevicius, and the Estonian Foreign Minister, Mr. Toomas lives. In addition, following a very successful visit to the Baltic States in July 1999, the Chief of the Defence Staff has received senior visitors from Estonia and Latvia. The Chief of the Naval Staff visited all three Baltic States in June this year.Central to our relationships with all three countries are bilateral programmes of defence co-operation, which form part of our Defence Diplomacy mission. These programmes cover the provision of a wide range of assistance, including advice on defence management, English language training and military training. In addition, my Department supports a number of joint Baltic defence projects, including the Baltic Defence College, located at Tartu in Estonia, the Baltic peace-keeping battalion and the Baltic naval squadron. Our aim is to support the establishment of democratically accountable, cost-effective armed forces capable of contributing to national and regional security and, increasingly, international security through peace support operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list for each of the past three years the military units which have used the DERA Porton Down NBC training facility, indicating how much each unit was charged; [136073](2) what the cost is to a customer of using the DERA Porton Down NBC training facility; and on what basis it is calculated. [136075]

During the past three financial years, the following military units have used the NBC Training facility known as the Battle Run at DERA, Porton Down.

Financial year	Military units
1997	7 Battalion Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (71 Aircraft Workshop) 1 Royal Anglian Regiment Joint Helicopter Support Unit 47 Regiment Royal Artillery 16 Regiment Royal Artillery
1998	Royal Wessex Yeomanry (Territorial Army) 243 Field Hospital Unit 10 Parachute Regiment
1999	Royal Wessex Yeomanry (Territorial Army) 16 Regiment Royal Artillery Royal Household Cavalry

The charge to customers for the use of the NBC Training Facility at DERA Porton Down, known as the Battle Run, comprises range maintenance and manpower operational costs as well as an element of profit as agreed between DERA and MOD in their Terms of Business Agreement (TOBA). The actual amount of usage and the associated cost are agreed on a yearly basis within an agreed limit of liability which is specified in the contract for use. The basis for the calculation of charges for each of the three years and the current year is the same apart from adjustments for inflation, the amounts of which are also agreed between MOD and DERA. The charges to HQ Land Command, the Ministry of Defence budget holder for these units, for each of the three years were £48,928, £42,118 and £51,715 respectively. Costs are not attributed to individual units. Costs include elements for facility maintenance and improvements to overall capability as well as the actual operational cost for the conduct of the Battle Run training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in each of the past three years on how many days the DERA Porton Down NBC training facility has been (a) available for use and (b) used for training. [136074]

In each of the last three financial years the NBC training facility known as the Battle Run at DERA Porton Down was contracted by HQ Land Command to provide 20 days of training in blocks of two days. The take-up of the sessions was as follows:

Financial year	Sessions
1997	Six two-day
1998	Four two-day
1999	One two-day and two four-day

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury of 23 October 2000, Official Report, columns 73-76W, on ministerial directions, if he will place in the Library the text and supporting documentation of the directions made by Ministers in his Department in 1998 and 2000; and if he will make a statement. [137298]

I have considered this request under the terms of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and concluded that providing this information would harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion within government. The request therefore falls within the terms of exemption 2 of the Code of Practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which variants of the Tomahawk land attack missile have been purchased by his Department; and if his Department has taken steps to purchase further variants. [137689]

The Ministry of Defence has purchased only one variant of the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, the Block IIIC, which has a conventionally armed blast warhead. It is currently deployed in RN submarines. Although we are studying future Tomahawk developments, and joint work with the United States Navy has shown that a Torpedo Tube Launch version is possible, we have made no commitment to buying the next generation Tactom Block IV variant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of RAF Coltishall. [137930]

Over the next few years, my Department will be carefully considering possible roles for RAF Coltishall once its current task as base for the Jaguar Force comes to an end.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the islamic terrorist threat to (a) Royal Naval ships and (b) British service personnel in foreign ports. [137911]

The recent attacks in Yemen highlight the continuing terrorist threat to UK and allied forces and interests. The threat is under constant assessment and prudent measures are in place to ensure the safety of our ships and personnel, wherever they may be.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date military assistance was first (a) offered to, (b) accepted and (c) provided to Russia in respect of the Kursk disaster; and what the nature has been of the assistance provided since that date. [137925]

The Ministry of Defence offered the assistance of the UK Submarine Search and Rescue Service (UKSSRS) to the Russian rescue effort in a letter to the Russian Defence Minister, which was delivered by the British Embassy Moscow on 14 August. With time being of the essence, we approved the forward deployment of the UKSSRS to Norway on 15 August. The Russian Ministry of Defence accepted our offer, through our Naval Attaché in Moscow, on 16 August. On 21 August, Russian authorities confirmed that all on board the Kursk had died. Our further assistance was not therefore required and the UKSSRS was withdrawn. The Russians have made no further official requests to the UK for assistance in connection with the Kursk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his assessment is of (a) the damage to and (b) the period needed for repairs to HMS Fearless. [137910]

HMS Fearless sustained fire damage to her After Machinery Space. The full extent of the damage will not be known until detailed surveys, which are currently under way, have been completed.It is planned that repairs will be undertaken during a programmed maintenance period at Fleet Support Ltd., Portsmouth, commencing in December. However, until the full extent of the damage is assessed, the period needed to complete the repairs cannot be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about British unmanned aerial vehicles lost in the Balkans theatre since March 1998. [137906]

The Phoenix Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was first deployed to the Balkans theatre between June-August 1999. No UK UAVs were deployed before this date. At the request of KFOR Headquarters, the system was deployed again in May 2000 and remained in-theatre until 1 November 2000. Since June 1999, some 270 missions have been flown in-theatre. In total there have been 29 occasions where either the airframe and/or the sensor payload has been lost or written off due to damage incurred. Reasons for losses include hostile action, landing damage and equipment failure. The attrition rate, including losses to hostile action, is not inconsistent with that expected during peacetime usage. The costs associated with the losses need to be set against the risks of using alternative means of surveillance and reconnaissance such as manned aircraft or personnel on the ground. Operational reports continue to indicate that Phoenix is both reliable and highly effective as a general reconnaissance and surveillance system with the capability to conduct safe surveillance over areas which might otherwise be inaccessible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the proposal under the European Security and Defence Identity on the mechanism for consultation before deployment of British troops. [137837]

[holding answer 10 November 2000]: The European Council at Helsinki decided that all member states would be entitled to participate fully, and on an equal footing, in all decisions and deliberations of the Council and Council bodies on EU-led crisis management operations. The Council also decided that commitment of national assets by member states to such operations will be based on their sovereign decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the sites of former (a) chemical weapons factories and (b) chemical weapons stores in the United Kingdom. [137832]

[holding answer 10 November 2000]: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the level of pensions payable to former members of the armed services who retired in the 1970s. [136117]

Former members of the armed services who retired during the mid 1970s were affected by policies under which increases in pay were limited, but pensions in payment continued to be fully protected against price inflation. People who retired when price inflation was running at a higher rate than pay increases could therefore receive lower pensions than those retiring before or after them.These policies affected all those employed in the public service. The Government have no plans retrospectively to change the pensions of those who retired during this period. The pensions of all such individuals have, like those of other public servants, been fully protected against inflation since their retirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) reviews and (b) studies his Department is conducting on the operational capability of the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement. [138241]

The operational capability of the Royal Navy is kept under continual review. This allows the RN to take into consideration changing circumstances. In addition, at any one time, it is likely that a number of more formal reviews or studies with a wider remit will be taking place, any one of which may impact on the area of operational capability. It is the nature of operational issues that much of this work is classified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the status is of the missile test firing barge at Brixham; and how much has been spent in berthing fees in each of the past three years. [138242]

The missile test barge Longbow, previously used for Sea Wolf trials, has been moored at Brixham pending its conversion for use in missile firing trials for the Principal Anti Air Missile System (PAAMS) Programme. Berthing fees paid during 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 were £23,824, £24,734 and £25,834 respectively. It has been more cost-effective to retain Longbow than arrange for its disposal and then have to purchase anew for the PAAMS Programme. The barge is now expected to be handed over to the PAAMS contractor in 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Sea Harrier aircraft are operationally available. [138225]

The requirement for Sea Harrier operational aircraft is 24, of which 14 are in front-line squadrons. As of 9 November 2000, all 24 aircraft were available at the required readiness.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much he has spent in the last year on the hire and use of foreign military equipment. [138239]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF pilots have indicated that they wish to leave the service in each of the past 12 months. [138226]

The number of RAF pilots who have indicated that they wish to leave the Service in each month during the 12 month period from October 1999 are shown in the table.

Year	Number of RAF pilots
October 1999	8
November 1999	3
December 1999	3
January 2000	6
February 2000	8
March 2000	8
April 2000	4
May 2000	9
June 2000	8
July 2000	3
August 2000	3
September 2000	4

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy ships are on patrol in Falkland Islands waters. [138238]

HMS Dumbarton Castle and Grey Rover are currently on patrol in Falkland Islands waters. The Type 23 Frigate HMS Iron Duke will arrive in the area later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Fleet Air Arm Harrier pilots are combat ready. [138224]

As of 9 November 2000, there were 18 combat ready Fleet Air Arm Harrier pilots in front-line squadrons. A further 15 pilots were at their planned lower states of readiness.

	UK Regular Forces
Region	Naval Service	Army	Royal Air Force	Gurkhas	Total
Continental Europe	826	24,798	3,595	0	29,219
of which Germany	3	17,135	2,031	0	19,169
Gibraltar	365	87	115	0	567
Cyprus	7	2,543	1,137	0	3,687
Gulf	49	220	703	0	972
Far East	681	213	24	1,197	2,115
Canada	3	3,401	143	0	3,547
United States of America	76	291	136	0	503
Elsewhere1	2,958	1,779	780	1	5,518
All overseas	4,965	33,332	6,633	1,198	46,128
1 All defence attachés and their staffs are included under "Elsewhere" and not identified within specific areas

These figures exclude Full Time Reserve Service personnel and reservists mobilised for service in the former Yugoslavia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will (1) make it his policy to pay a gratuity to British ex-service survivors of former Japanese prisoner of war camps; [136188](2) estimate the cost of paying a one-off £10,000 gratuity to all surviving former Japanese prisoners of war and their widows. [136189]

I refer the hon. Member to my statement in the House on 7 November 2000, Official Report, columns 159-70.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the stocks of anti-tank landmines which are being refurbished. [137746]

Part of the anti-tank stockpile is being refurbished to rectify an identified fault. The refurbishment programme began in March 2000 and is scheduled to be completed by October 2001.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the (a) quantity, (b) category and (c) age of beef imported into the UK from France in the last 12 month period for which figures are available. [134513]

The table shows (a) the quantity and (b) the category of beef imported from France for the 12 month period from August 1999 to July 2000, as recorded by the

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number and location of HM forces overseas; and if he will make a statement. [138095]

The following table shows the number of UK Regular Forces and Gurkhas overseas at 1 October 2000.Overseas Trade Statistics. These statistics do not identify the age of the animal from which the beef was derived, but the sale for human consumption of any meat from animals aged over 30 months at slaughter is prohibited by the Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No. 2) Regulations 1996. The country from which these imports originated is not recorded in the Overseas Trade Statistics; therefore not necessarily all beef shown as being imported from France will be of French origin.

Imports of beef from France August 1999-July 2000
Description of beef	Tonnes
Bone-in, fresh or chilled	146
Boneless, fresh or chilled	504
Bone-in, frozen	543
Boneless, frozen	1,497
Offal, fresh, chilled or frozen	377
Corned beef	2,491
Other meat and offal preparations	90
Total	5,647

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to raise the level of take-up of milk in schools. [134400]

While the decision whether to offer subsidised school milk is essentially for the schools themselves or for the LEA, we have had and continue to have contact with local authorities and others interested in the use of the scheme. One barrier to take-up has been the perception that the scheme administration is particularly complicated. We are working with the Commission in its current review of administration to see whether there are ways this can be simplified for schools.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many bankruptcies of farmers there were in each year from 1990 to 1999; and what percentage this represented of the total number of farmers in England. [136592]

[holding answer 6 November 2000]: Data on bankruptcies are available only for England and Wales combined, and are given in the table. Estimates of the number of farmers in England and Wales are not directly available. Instead, bankruptcies have been expressed as a proportion of the number of registered agricultural holdings.

Number of bankruptcies1in the agricultural and horticultural sector:
England and Wales 1990–99
Year	Bankruptcies of self-employed individuals	Company2insolvencies	Total	Bankruptcies as a percentage of number of holdings3
1990	198	111	309	0.2
1991	266	135	401	0.2
1992	313	191	504	0.3
1993	277	157	434	0.2
1994	231	166	397	0.2
1995	218	99	317	0.2
1996	168	89	257	0.1
1997	155	51	206	0.1
1998	157	65	222	0.1
1999	149	75	224	0.1
1Source: Department of Trade and Industry
2 Including partnerships
3Source: June Agricultural and Horticultural Census

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received about the effect of import tariffs on ammonium nitrate upon the price of fertilisers for agriculture; and if he will make a statement. [136963]

[holding answer 6 November 2000]: I have received representations from the Fertiliser Manufacturers Association and the National Farmers' Union on this matter. We have registered concern with the Commission at the possibility that it may seek to impose anti-dumping measures on a range of fertiliser products and have called for an assessment of the wider state of competition in the fertilisers market.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the unit cost is of each passport issued by the British Cattle Movement Service. [136844]

The unit cost of each passport issued by the British Cattle Movement Service is £7.73.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many replacement passports have been issued by the British Cattle Movement Service; and what income has been received from charges for these replacements, since the establishment of the service. [136843]

The British Cattle Movement Service has re-issued 380,779 passports since it was established on 28 September 1998. 4,133 have been charged for, generating an income of £206,650. BCMS does not charge for replacement passports that are reported as lost in the post within one calendar month of being issued.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the extent of the United Kingdom's self-sufficiency in egg production. [137581]

In 1999 the United Kingdom produced 94 per cent. of its egg market requirements.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many registered egg producers have traded in each of the past 10 years. [137579]

Under EC egg marketing legislation egg producers are required to register their premises only if they intend to use any of the Special Marketing Terms such as Free Range or Barn. Producers of eggs from cage systems are not included in the table.

Financial year	Number of premises
1992	1,168
1993	1,162
1994	1,046
1995	1,057
1996	1,027
1997	1,055
1998	1,081
1999	1,161
2000	1,252

In 1998, MAFF data show over 25,000 holdings with laying hens.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what volume of eggs was imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years. [137582]

The quantity of eggs imported into the United Kingdom in each of the last 10 years is as follows:

	Million dozen
Year	Number of eggs imported
1990	73
1991	50
1992	41
1993	49
1994	67
1995	66
1996	72
1997	70
1998	64
1999	69

Data include shell egg equivalent of whole (dried, frozen and liquid) egg, egg yolk, and albumen.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the trend in ex-farm prices for fresh eggs over the past 10 years. [137580]

The average ex-farm price for all egg types for each of the last 10 years is as follows:

	Pence per dozen
Year	All egg type average
1990	42.6
1991	36.3
1992	36.8
1993	41.9
1994	42.4
1995	38.3
1996	45.8
1997	39.6
1998	36.3
1999	34.2

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average (a) market price and (b) cost of production, per tonne of wheat in the last 12 months. [136965]

[holding answer 6 November 2000]: The average farm-gate price of bread-making wheat in the UK during the last 12 months was £82.39 per tonne. The average price of feed wheat was £68.86 per tonne. Current prices are, however, lower than this. In addition to receipts from the sale of the crop, most producers received revenues from area payments and straw sales.Estimates of production costs are published in "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom". The latest published information relates to the 1998–99 marketing year. Estimates for the 1999–2000 marketing year will be published in the next edition in March 2001. The publication does not include information on fixed costs, because of the difficulty of allocating these items between commodities.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the results of research involving embryos from BSE-affected cows fertilised by BSE bulls, implanted into heifers imported from New Zealand. [137575]

Preliminary results from this research project have already been published¹. All of the post mortem results obtained to date for implanted heifers and their offspring have been negative for BSE. The experiment is still on-going and will continue until June 2001 when the offspring will have reached seven years of age. Full results will be published once the analysis of the data is complete.

¹ Wrathall, AE(2000): Livestock Production Science 62,287-316

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to provide for a levy from pig farmers as part of a package of compensation for swine fever. [138098]

The industry is about to begin consultations on a levy-based Development Scheme that will be used to top up Government payments under the Pig Welfare (Disposal) Scheme. On completion of that consultation exercise, including addressing any objections, Ministers will be asked to decide whether to put a scheme before Parliament for approval. I cannot anticipate the outcome of these procedures, but in general terms we support efforts by the livestock industry to protect itself from the consequences of outbreaks of exotic animal diseases.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many rural communities have been provided with Government funds for CCTV since 1997; and how many of such communities have populations of (a) less than 5,000 and (b) less than 2,000. [136757]

[holding answer 6 November 2000]: I have been asked to reply.Since 1997, under the Crime Reduction Programme, the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Initiative and the final round of the CCTV Challenge Competition, this Government have awarded nearly £1.7 million to 23 CCTV schemes serving rural communities. These include coverage in small towns and villages and mobile units that can be deployed across wider rural areas. Information is not available as to the sizes of the populations covered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will mark next year's International Year of Volunteers by spending a day working as a volunteer. [137434]

The Government fully support the aims of the International Year of Volunteers and in April of this year I volunteered for a day at Hartlepool hospice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received concerning the death of Mr. Sam Marshall in Lurgan; and when he expects an inquest to be held into his death. [134882]

This matter was raised by the Irish Government through the British Irish Secretariat. The listing of any inquest is a matter for the Coroner. In respect of the death of Mr. Marshall I understand that consideration is presently being given to the arrangements for a pre-inquest hearing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners released following the Good Friday Agreement are no longer resident at a permanent address which is known to the authorities. [138189]

The only licence conditions imposed on a prisoner given early release is that they do not become a supporter of a specified organisation, do not become concerned in the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism connected with the affairs of Northern Ireland; and, in the case of a life sentence prisoner, do not become a danger to the public. There is no requirement to provide the authorities with a permanent address. Irrespective of residence, arrangements are in place to ensure that the Secretary of State is notified when an individual breaches the terms of his licence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many fugitives from justice who have previously been convicted of terrorist-related offences have made an application to the Sentences Review Commission; and if he will list their names. [138101]

To date, no fugitives from justice who have previously been convicted of terrorist-related offences have made an application to the Sentence Review Commissioners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) uniformed and (b) plain clothes RUC officers were present during the visit of the Dalai Lama to the Springfield road, Belfast. [136036]

During the visit of the Dalai Lama to the Springfield road, Belfast, on Thursday 19 October 2000, 119 uniformed police officers and 12 plain clothes officers were present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many bomb scares have there been in town centres in each police division in Northern Ireland in each week since 1 April; and, of these, how many were (a) Republican-inspired and (b) Loyalist-inspired. [136040]

The table shows the number of hoax bombing incidents recorded in Northern Ireland during the period 1 April to 27 October 2000. These are incidents where an Army Technical Officer (ATO) was in attendance. It is not possible to define a town centre and so the table gives the location of each recorded incident. It is also not possible to give attributions for hoax bombings.

Week	Address
1-7 April	Nil
8-14 April	Dromore Road, Hillsborough
15-21 April	20 Abbeyhill Drive, Bangor University Avenue, Belfast Adelaide Street, Belfast Belleek
22-28 April	Serpentine Road, Greencastle 43 Ballyhampton Road, Larne
29 April-5 May	Drumsurn Road, Limavady Paradise Walk, Templepatrick
6-12 May	Fortwilliam, Group Lane, Belfast
13-19 May	Junction Workman Avenue/Forth Parade, Woodvale, Belfast Junction Linen Hall/Clarence Street, Belfast
20-26 May	Devon Square, Rathenraw, Antrim
27 May-2 June	1A Fanad Walk, Larne
3-9 June	Balmoral, Black's Road, Belfast
10-16 June	Nil
17-23 June	Nil
24-30 June	Nil
1-7 July	Gortnasore Road, Dungannon Edenmore Park, Limavady McClure Street, Sandy Row, Belfast

Week	Address
8-14 July	103 Whitehorn Brae, Dromara, BanbridgeGarrison Place, Charlemount, Moy 105 Whitehorn Drive, Dromara M1, Derryadd Bridge, County Armagh 19 Spring Lane, Greyabbey Fortwilliam Roundabout, Newtownabbey Kilmore Orange Hall, Moira Orange Hall, Moira Road, Magheralin Milltown Road, Dungannon St. Comgall's Church of Ireland, Church Lane, Newtownbutler Broadway Tower, Belfast Orange Hall, Whitewell Road, Greencastle Flax Street, Belfast Mayogall Road, Bellaghy
15-21 July	Sorting Office, Stormont Castle 4A Mill Road, Clady
22-28 July	184 Ballyutoag Road, Clady Mountainview Place, Belfast
29 July-4 August	13 Elizabeth Avenue, Larne
5-11 August	Nil
12-18 August	Nil
19-25 August	12 Barra Drive, Ballymena
26 August-1 September	Willow Bank Terrace, Stranocum, Ballymoney
	Levan Road, Lurgan
2-8 September	Nil
9-15 September	Nil
16-22 September	Nil
23-29 September	New Street, Newry
30 September-6 October	Public House, Perry Street, Dungannon
7-13 October	Nil
14-20 October	Nil
21-27 October	57A Kilkeel Road, Annalong

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what assessment he has made of trends in Catholic applications to the police force in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement; [137328](2) what

The following table provides the information requested, by recruitment competition from 1995. Under the terms of section 31 of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1989 (now Article 55 of the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998) this matter is continuously under review and requires the Royal Ulster Constabulary to identify under-representation and establish appropriate affirmative action to address any imbalances. The Royal Ulster Constabulary fully recognises the benefits and the need to be more representative of the communities it serves and its goal is to reflect the composition of those communities. The Government are committed to taking all appropriate steps as are necessary, in line with the recommendations contained in the Report of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland, to bring about an increase in full cross-community representation within the police service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the costs of payroll administration in his Department and associated agencies and non-departmental bodies in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [135993]

[holding answer 1 November 2000]: The estimated payroll administration costs for DETR and its agencies for 2000–01 is £2.2 million.Payroll administration of non-departmental public bodies is decentralised so the above information could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when contracts for the Public-Private Partnership for London Underground will be signed; and if he will make a statement. [137038]

As we have made clear in the past, we have not given specific deadlines. We have learned the lessons of the rail privatisation debacle when best value was compromised by working to a politically driven timetable. The position on the PPP is that bids have been received for the sub-surface lines contract, and best and final offers have been invited for the two deep tube contracts. Contracts will be signed when the bids have been evaluated and negotiations are complete, subject to the bids representing best value.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the cost to date of (a) legal and (b) financial consultancy fees incurred in relation to the Public-Private Partnership for London Underground. [137037]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18 May 2000, Official Report, column 252W. I shall shortly be reporting London Transport's expenditure on external consultants for work on the PPP and restructuring London Underground up to the end of the first half of the current financial year, and a forecast of the expected final outturn.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the findings of the Independent Review of the Public-Private Partnership carried out on behalf of the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority by Mr. Will Hutton; and if he will make a statement. [137009]

The review contains a wide-ranging discussion of issues relating to London Underground funding, and has a great deal that is positive to say about the PPP. It says,

"The PPP will provide a framework in which higher investment can be insulated from Treasury cuts and planned over a 30-year period."

It goes on to say that,

"The contract outlines we have inspected offer a workable framework for improved performance for most aspects of the Underground,"

and that the

"rewards and penalties together should incentivise investment, cost control and good management."

I particularly noted its statement that

"The Review does not subscribe to the argument that the PPP structure is inherently unsafe and it recognises the special effort made by Government in ensuring that safety is managed centrally and rests ultimately in public sector hands."

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received on the quality of service on the Circle Line in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [137046]

The Secretary of State has received no specific reports in the past 12 months on the quality of service of the Circle Line. However we do monitor the service across the whole network and I meet regularly with London Underground senior management.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned into emissions from crematoriums; and what plans he has to conduct further research. [137039]

Emissions from crematoriums are regulated under the air pollution control system established by Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. As such, emissions must be controlled in accordance with the Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Cost. Guidance on BATNEEC for crematoriums was published in 1991 and revised in 1995. A second review of the guidance by the Environment Agency's Local Authority Unit is currently in progress and the revised guidance will also be applicable when crematoriums become regulated under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999.My Department, on behalf of Government and the devolved Administrations, has established a programme of monitoring levels of airborne lead and heavy metals (cadmium, arsenic, nickel and mercury) in the UK. This includes measurement in the vicinity of the Sutton Coldfield crematorium. Weekly measurements started in October 1999, and interim results will be posted on the internet shortly (www.aeat.co.uk/netcen/airqual/). A fuller report of the work will be published on the internet, at the same internet address, early next year.In 1997 my Department commissioned Entec UK Ltd. to carry out tests to investigate the effectiveness of selenium ampoules as a means of abating mercury emissions from crematoria.My Department has commissioned a report on sources, sinks and levels of atmospheric mercury from DERA. The report will include a review of knowledge of UK emissions of mercury into the atmosphere, details of all the available sources of data on concentrations of mercury in the atmosphere, and a review of the current state of knowledge on the behaviour of mercury in the environment.The DERA report is expected shortly from the research report pages of the National Air Quality Information Archive on http://www.aeat.co.uk/netcen/airqual/. In the light of that and the advice of the Environment Agency's Local Authority Unit, we will consider commissioning further work on whether any action needs to be taken to reduce mercury emissions from crematoriums and what options are available and in line with BATNEEC.The most recent air emissions inventory for mercury can be found in the National Air Quality Information Archive at the web address given above.You may also like to be aware that the Health and Safety Laboratory has carried out mercury analysis on a small number of urine and dust samples collected in crematoriums, and levels have been found to be low.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what strategic measures he is taking to allow for environmental changes induced by climate change. [137180]

We published our first assessment of the impacts of climate change in 1990, and our second in 1995. In 1997, my Department established the UK Climate Impacts Programme to help organisations assess their vulnerability to climate change and assist them in planning responses to adapt to it. In addition actions have already been taken by Government to build adaptation into its own policies, in sectors such as flood defence, land use planning and water resources.The Government's forthcoming Climate Change Programme, which presents a strategy for delivering our commitments to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, also considers how the UK might adapt to what is now unavoidable and continues the debate on priorities for adaptation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with other Governments concerning action to reduce the harmful effects of climatic change and global warming, in advance of the Hague summit in November; and if he will make a statement. [138069]

The Government have continued to play a leading role in the international response to climate change. The Conference of the Parties in The Hague later this month will be a crucial step towards our goal of effective international action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In recent months, the Deputy Prime Minister has discussed climate change with Governments from 14 countries, including China, India, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Algeria, Malaysia and Jamaica, as well as with the Prime Minister of Japan and Vice-President Al Gore. On 7 November, the Deputy Prime Minister and I attended the Special EU Environment Council on climate change. I discuss climate change regularly with my EU colleagues, and take the opportunity of raising it whenever I meet Environment Ministers from around the world. In June and October I also attended preparatory meetings organised by the President of the forthcoming negotiations, Minister Jan Pronk of the Netherlands, in Warsaw and Muiden. These informal consultations were attended by around 30-40 Ministers from key countries in the climate negotiations. Discussions focused on the central issues in the negotiations and a range of possible options for resolving them, in advance of the key political choices which will have to be taken at The Hague summit.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from Leicestershire local authorities about farm scale evaluations of GM crops; and if he will make a statement. [137070]

Officials from my Department attended a meeting in October, at the invitation of Woodhouse parish council, to explain the nature of the farm scale evaluation of GM oil seed rape being conducted in their parish. The borough of Charnwood, which includes Woodhouse, has also invited an official to attend a future meeting on GM crops.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action his Department (a) has taken and (b) intends to take to address the environmental impact of using oil as an energy source. [137220]

The Government are taking action to tackle climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, including those from the use of oil and other fossil fuels as an energy source. The climate change programme, which will be published shortly, will outline the scale of the challenge facing the UK and make clear that emission reductions of 60-70 per cent. or more are likely to be needed globally in order to avoid dangerous climate change. The programme will set out the policies and measures that will begin to move the UK towards a low carbon economy. And it will detail how the Government intend to help and assist the development of new, sustainable and renewable technologies.One area where oil is still used as a primary energy source is in the transport sector. The Government are taking forward a range of policies that will improve the fuel efficiency and emissions performance of vehicles, encourage people to buy smaller, cleaner and more fuel-efficient cars, and stimulate the development and use of alternative fuels and technologies. The Government are also addressing the environmental impact of traffic growth through the Ten Year Plan for transport and planning policies.The use of oil as an energy source can also have serious air quality impacts. The Government and the devolved Administrations published the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in January 2000. This sets out a programme of action that will be taken at international, national and local levels to tackle air pollution from all sources. In the transport sector, the fuels that are used today are significantly cleaner than those used only a few years ago. This is largely the result of progressively tighter European fuel quality standards, but is also due in part to our incentivisation of the use of cleaner fuels (such as ultra-low-sulphur petrol and diesel) across the UK through favourable duty rates. This has led to significant reductions in emissions of the most harmful air pollutants. We will continue to play an active role in discussions at a European Union level on the possible further tightening of vehicle and fuel standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the adequacy of the supply of appropriately trained and qualified technical and inspection staff at the Health and Safety Executive; and if he will make a statement. [137370]

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regularly and systematically recruits a range of inspection and technical staff. HSE is satisfied with the adequacy of supply for the majority of the posts it seeks to fill. There have been problems filling some very specialist posts where the pool of likely candidates is small, eg Medical Inspectors (Doctors). HSE reviews the outcome of each recruitment exercise and takes whatever steps are necessary to meet its overall professional requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the standards laid down by the Construction Directorate, attainment of which is necessary for registration on the Constructionline UK Register of Qualified Construction Services. [137318]

[holding answer 8 November 2000]: Applicants to Constructionline must have three satisfactory technical references for each work category that they are applying to be registered under. They are also assessed for their financial strength, by means of their accounts or other financial documentation. This information is also used to calculate a recommended maximum contract size, or notation value. All applicants must have a valid tax certificate.Constructionline has also been piloting in certain sectors a system of devolved technical assessment which is intended to raise the system's technical standards. This procedure is due to be opened up to the whole of Constructionline shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the financial settlement for each London local authority would have been if the 1998 Index of Local Deprivation had been used as the key determinator of the allocation of resources under the Neighbourhood Revenue Fund. [137513]

The proposed allocations for the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund cannot be calculated using the old 1998 Index of Local Deprivation in exactly the same way that they have been determined using the new Indices. The new Indices of Deprivation are very different from the old Index. The new Indices are based on ward level information whereas the old Index relied heavily on district level information and did not adequately capture pockets of deprivation. It would not therefore be appropriate to use the same method to calculate the NRF allocations if only the old Index was available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what mechanisms his Department is using to monitor the changes to council tax regulations; and when he will publish the results of his review of the changes; [137496](2) when he expects to publish the findings of his Department's review of changes to council tax regulations. [137512]

We carried out a review of the council tax in preparation for our 1998 White Paper "Modern Local Government: In Touch with the People". In this we said that the council tax is working well as a local tax and that we have no plans to make major changes to the council tax during the course of this Parliament.We also said that we would keep the operation of the council tax under review and have done this through liaison with key players such as local authorities, the Local Government Association and other interested parties. As a result we have made a number of minor changes to the council tax since the White Paper. The main ones extended relief under the reduction for disabilities scheme to occupiers of band A dwellings; exempted households comprising students and people with a severe mental impairment; restricted the exemption for empty dwellings in need of major repair works to 12 months; and introduced owner liability in respect of certain dwellings occupied by asylum seekers.We also invited views on certain aspects of the council tax in the Green Paper "Modernising Local Government Finance", which we published in September. The deadline for responses is 8 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Environment Agency has completed its investigations into the spreading of toxic ash from the Byker Heat station. [137603]

The Environment Agency has completed its investigation into the production and disposal of ash from Byker Combined Heat and Power Plant in Newcastle. A case file has been prepared for submission to the Agency's legal department. The file will be considered in accordance with the Agency's Scheme of Delegation and a decision on enforcement action is expected at the beginning of December.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to minimise delays in the Merseyside Objective 1 programme as a result of rulings made by the Competition Directorate in the European Commission. [137523]

There is no delay in implementing the Merseyside Objective One programme. It is proceeding well in line with the timetable agreed with the European Commission and the first projects to receive funding will be announced in the next couple of weeks.Some of the projects intended to deliver part of the programme include substantial physical works involving identified private sector developers. Such projects must adhere to the EC's rules on state aid.Proposals for securing approval of projects of this kind have been put to the European Commission. We are in constructive dialogue with the EC on this issue and we expect a positive response to our proposals shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the efficacy of ultrasonic technology in detecting gauge corner cracking defects; and if he will make a statement. [137486]

The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Railway Inspectorate has reviewed the relevant ultrasonic rail testing procedures, as described in Railtrack Line Specification RT/CE/S/055 Issue 1A, February 1998. These procedures are highly detailed and appear to be robust. Nevertheless, HSE intends to commission an independent third party review of these procedures as a matter of urgency.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of the funding provided to Railtrack by the Government, over what timescale, will be allocated to the further development and introduction of alternatives to ultrasound; and if he will make a statement. [137411]

Since privatisation, no public money has been paid direct to Railtrack. I understand that Railtrack is considering the procurement of a scoping study to evaluate the suitability for rail inspection of all known forms of non-destructive testing (NDT). The study is to be undertaken by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. Railtrack will fund development of any NDT technique with the potential to improve current techniques for testing rails.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the report, commissioned by his Department and the Welsh Office, concerning extraction of mineral aggregates from the Bristol Channel. [137510]

The research report entitled "Bristol Channel Marine Aggregates: Resources and Constraints", commissioned by my Department and the National Assembly for Wales, was published by Posford Duvivier and ABP Research and Consultancy in October 2000. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take (a) environmental, (b) Green Belt and (c) conservation considerations into account in reaching his decision over Bromley council's request to him to bring into the normal planning regulations the application by Biggin Hill Airport to build a hangar under the permitted use rules. [137337]

All relevant considerations will be taken fully into account in considering whether to approve the proposed direction.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his oral statement of 31 October 2000, Official Report, columns 607-25, on severe weather disruption, when he will write to the hon. Member for the Vale of York on the impact of overhead transmission lines on global warming; and if he will make a statement. [137366]

There is no significant connection between global warming and electricity power lines. Some very minor effects on atmospheric particles have however been noted and I am writing to the hon. Member with further information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the non-departmental public bodies responsible to him which have duties relating to Scotland, indicating their budget and staffing in Scotland, the number of Scottish board members and their emoluments. [137487]

The following executive NDPBs sponsored by my Department have duties relating to Scotland: the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Northern Lighthouse Board.The remaining information is not all held centrally in the form requested, but information on expenditure, staffing, board members and levels of remuneration is published annually in the Cabinet Office publication, "Public Bodies". Copies of "Public Bodies 1999" have been placed in the library of the House and "Public Bodies 2000" is due to be published next month. Information on board membership and remuneration can also be downloaded from the Cabinet Office's Public Appointments Directory website, "www.cabinet-office.gov.uk".

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on listing Trichloroethylene as a Category II carcinogen under the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994. [137392]

[holding answer 9 November 2000]: Trichloroethylene is listed as a Category 3 carcinogen in the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994. These regulations implement an EC single market directive, and negotiations are in progress which could result in a change to the classification from 3 to 2. The United Kingdom's final position on the full set of proposals is not yet settled.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to lay regulations bringing in the new style of number plate for motor vehicles; and what the reason is for the delay in laying the regulations. [137532]

[holding answer 9 November 2000]: It is anticipated that new number plate regulations will be laid before Parliament early in the new year. The delay in laying these regulations has arisen as a result of the need to revise the draft regulations following public consultation in August 1999 and January this year. In accordance with EC Directive 98/34/EC, as amended by Directive 98/48/EC, we have submitted the revised regulations to the European Commission. The regulations may be made after the end of the three-month consultation period with the Commission, which expires on 22 January 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason details of the font to be used on the new style of number plates for motor vehicles announced in March have not been released to manufacturers of number plates. [137533]

[holding answer 9 November 2000]: Details of the font to be used on the new style number plates, to be introduced from the revised date of 1 September 2001, were included in the Department's original consultation letter issued on 5 August 1999. This was sent to over 180 organisations and was placed on the Department's website. Copies have also been available from the Department on request.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to amend the planning law relating to mobile phone masts. [138024]

A consultation exercise seeking views on possible changes to the planning laws relating to mobile phone masts and associated guidance ended on 31 October 2000. The Department is currently analysing the responses. We shall announce any changes as soon as practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage the use of sustainable urban drainage systems in new housing developments. [138002]

Sustainable drainage systems (SUDS), which deal with rainwater as near its source as possible, are recognised as assisting in the control of both the quantity and quality of run-off from developed areas, as well as contributing to amenity, biodiversity and good design. My Department is actively encouraging the development of sustainable drainage systems for housing and other developments in a number of ways. Indeed, the Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin), gave the keynote message at a conference on SUDs earlier this month.We consulted earlier this year on new Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 25 "Development and flood risk", which refers to the need for local planning authorities to consider the run-off implications of proposed development and encourage more sustainable drainage systems. This guidance is likely to be confirmed and strengthened when the final version of PPG 25 is issued shortly.We are currently also revising PPG 23 "Planning and pollution control". The new version will recognise the potential contribution of SUDS and we hope to consult on a draft next year.We are currently consulting on the Review of Part H of the Building Regulations. This includes a recommendation that infiltration drainage be provided, in most situations, to absorb rainwater from buildings within the site.The Highways Agency, in consultation with the devolved Administrations is developing advice for inclusion in the "Design Manual for Roads and Bridges" on "Vegetative Treatment Systems for Highway Runoff'. This is expected to be published next year.We and other interested parties, including the water industry and house-builders, have also supported research projects in this area, leading to the production of design manuals and a forthcoming best practice manual. We will continue to support research necessary to assist in overcoming any perceived barriers to the implementation of SUDS on a more widespread basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes he plans to make to the calculation of the area cost adjustment for local authorities in the south-east; and if he will make a statement. [138005]

Ministers have not yet taken a decision on whether to update the area cost adjustment to reflect the data from the 1999 New Earnings Survey. An announcement will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received about the removal of trees on hills near Farnborough Airfield. [137970]

[holding answer 10 November 2000]: My right hon. Friend received some 125 representations that he should call in for his own determination the planning application for the development of Farnborough Airfield for civil aviation. Of these 25 specifically mentioned the removal of trees and/or the re-profiling of Miles Hill and Eelmoor Hill West, while the other 80 referred more generally to the environmental impact of the planning application. We gave careful consideration to the issues raised by the application but concluded that it did not raise issues which would justify my right hon. Friend's intervention.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he gives to local authorities on the desirability of building new houses on flood plains. [138058]

In addition to the general guidance at present in Circular 30/92, which is to be updated in PPG25, guidance on housing is given in PPG3 "Housing", published in March 2000. This requires local authorities to assess the suitability of land for housing against a range of physical and environmental constraints, including flood risk, and the fact that such risks may increase as a result of climate change.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he gives to local authorities considering a planning application to build on flood plains. [138057]

Guidance is at present given in DOE Circular 30/92, "Development and Flood Risk". This requires local planning authorities to take flood risk considerations into account in determining planning applications. They should also take into account the results of surveys of flood defence issues prepared by the Environment Agency under section 105 of the Water Resources Act 1991, and the views of the Environment Agency on individual applications. This guidance is currently being revised and strengthened in Planning Policy Guidance Note 25. A consultation draft was published in April 2000 and the final text is expected to be published in December.