To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures exist in his Department for a civil servant to report actions which (a) are illegal, improper, or unethical, (b) are in breach of constitutional convention or a professional code, (c) may involve possible maladministration and (d) are otherwise inconsistent with the Civil Service Code. [135452]

A copy of the Civil Service Code was issued to every MOD civil servant in May 1999. The Department's procedures require staff to report any matters of concern within the scope of the Code to their third line manager in the first instance. If the matter cannot be resolved at this level staff have a right of appeal to their Top Level Budget Holder and, ultimately, to the Permanent Under Secretary of State. The procedures also make provision for staff to be able to discuss concerns in confidence with a senior officer outside of their management area if they wish. If, having raised a matter of concern to them within the Department, a member of staff considers that he or she has not received a reasonable response there is a right of appeal to the Civil Service Commissioners.These procedures are set out in the Department's Personnel Manual and reiterated in departmental instructions regularly circulated to all staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Manchester, Gorton constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [136172]

There have been no significant effects on the Gorton constituency or the surrounding area. Gorton's Territorial Army centres were retained as a result of the 1998 restructuring review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff his Department employs under the New Deal for Young People. [137952]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 13 November 2000, Official Report, column 551W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent measures he has introduced to improve the reliability and security of postal services to and from Porton Down. [137686]

None, as the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) site at Porton Down has not experienced any problems with the reliability and security of postal services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent studies his Department has undertaken of the experience of other countries' armed forces in respect of women in combat roles. [137908]

We are currently engaged in a study, announced in the 1998 Strategic Defence Review, to evaluate the impact on combat effectiveness since opening 70 per cent. of posts in the Army to women and of allowing them to serve in specialist billets "attached" to the Royal Marines. The study, which is due to report to Ministers in 2001, will also make an assessment on the armed forces' combat effectiveness of removing the present exclusion of women from the Royal Marines General Service, Royal Armoured Corps (including the Household Cavalry), Infantry and RAF Regiment. As part of this study we have drawn upon other countries' experiences in respect of women in combat roles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what representations he has received on redeployment from Dishforth Airfield to Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, and for disposal or re-use of Dishforth Airfield; [137703](2) if he will make a statement on the long-term future for RAF Dishforth. [137705]

The primary occupier of the former RAF Dishforth (now Dishforth Airfield) is 9 Regiment Army Corps (9 Reg AAC), a Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) unit. The JHC is currently engaged in carrying out an estates rationalisation study and one of the options is to re-deploy all helicopters and manpower from Dishforth Airfield to Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. The study is due to report in autumn 2001 and no decisions on the redeployment of manpower currently based at Dishforth or the disposal or re-use of Dishforth Airfield will be made until then. In the meantime, no representations have been received on the future of Dishforth, except for the hon. Member's own letter to me of 6 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military and civilian posts there are at Dishforth Airfield. [137704]

There are currently 383 military posts and 39 civilian posts at Dishforth Airfield. By April 2001 these numbers will rise to 538 military posts and 43 civilian posts. There are a further 58 civilian staff currently employed by Sodexho, the site contractor. Military personnel are also deployed from time to time from RAF Linton-on-Ouse, as requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in the removal of asbestos from his Department's ships. [137692]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my hon. Friend, the Member for Liverpool, Walton (Mr. Kilfoyle), the then Under-Secretary of State for Defence, gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Greenock and Inverclyde (Dr. Godman) on 12 January 2000, Official Report, column 166W.Good progress is being made on our ongoing 10 years programme to identify safe non-asbestos alternatives and introduce them into service at every opportunity including planned maintenance and refit periods. For example, we are currently trialling replacements in two particularly challenging areas: the ship propeller shaft brakes and high pressure steam system joints. If the trials are successful we shall fit replacements in a much earlier timescale than originally expected.Progress on Ministry of Defence asbestos elimination measures, including those for Royal Navy ships, was presented to the Health and Safety Commission in May this year who fully endorsed the approach being taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the number and locations of (a) X berths and (b) Z berths available to his Department. [137691]

Including all berths and docks, the total number of X and Z berths available is, respectively, 40 and 26. These are principally located in the Naval Bases of Devonport and Clyde, and the privatised facilities at Barrow in Furness, Rosyth and Devonport. The precise locations and numbers are as follows:

List of the locations of X berths
	Number
Faslane	8
Devonport and Plymouth Sound	16
Rosyth	11

List of the locations of Z berths
	Number
Falkland Islands	1
Loch Goil	1
Rothesay	1
Liverpool	12
Isle of Skye	1
Loch Ewe	2
Bermuda	3
Devonport and Plymouth Sound	2
Diego Garcia	2
Portsmouth	1
Spithead	4
Southampton	1
Gibraltar	2
Coulport	1
1 The use of the berths in Liverpool is currently in abeyance awaiting final resolution of the mechanism for the implementation of the potassium iodate tablets countermeasure distribution plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that overspending on defence procurement projects does not affect RAF frontline strength. [138159]

There are no current plans to depart from the conclusions reached in the Strategic Defence Review about the frontline strength of the RAF, although these plans are regularly reviewed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the (a) gross and (b) net income derived from the training of personnel from foreign armed forces in the last year for which figures are available. [138315]

The information is not held in the format requested. The funds expended training solely foreign personnel cannot be separated from the overall cost of the activity. Furthermore, the amount of receipts generated solely from training foreign personnel is not recorded separately. As a result I can provide only the amount of receipts recovered for the provision of education and training in general. In 1990–2000, this sum was just over £58 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of (a) the Army, (b) the Navy and (c) the RAF tested positive for the use of controlled substances in the most recent testing programme, stating in each instance what percentage of trained strength tested positive for (a) cannabis, (b) cocaine, (c) heroin and (d) other controlled substances; and if he will make a statement. [137861]

From 1 January to mid-October 2000, 580 Army personnel tested positive. Of the trained strength, 0.26 per cent. tested positive for cannabis, 0.04 per cent. for cocaine and 0.10 per cent. for other controlled substances as previously described. No one on the trained strength tested positive for heroin.During the same period, 41 Naval Service personnel (including Royal Marines) tested positive. Of the trained strength, 0.04 per cent. tested positive for cannabis, 0.01 per cent. for cocaine and 0.03 per cent. for other controlled substances (Ecstasy, LSD, Amphetamines, Benzodiazepines and Performance Enhancing Drugs). No one on the trained strength tested positive for heroin.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the controlled substances that members of the armed forces were routinely tested for in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999 and (e) 2000; what plans he has to adjust the testing programme with regard to (i) the number of substances tested for, (ii) the interval between testing and (iii) the penalties for service personnel testing positive; and if he will make a statement. [137863]

When first introduced by the Army in 1995, the Compulsory Drug Testing (CDT) programme routinely tested for: Cannabis, Cocaine, Amphetamines (including Ecstasy) and one of Opiates, Benzodiazepines or LSD. Since 15 October 1999, the tri-Service programme has tested routinely for: Cannabis, Cocaine, Amphetamines (including Ecstasy), Benzodiazepines and one of other Opiates or LSD.If prevailing drug trends change, or a particular risk exists that is not covered by the routine testing programme and where appropriate analytical technology is available, other drugs of misuse can be added, exceptionally, to the testing programmes, e.g. performance enhancing drugs.Increasing the frequency of CDT enhances deterrence but a balance must be established between deterrence and minimising disruption to the services operational and training commitments. A recent amendment to the random rolling drug testing strategy has increased the probability of higher risk groups being tested on a more frequent basis, without having a significant impact on the services' ability to meet their operational liability.It continues to be service policy that, save in exceptional cases, a positive random test result, or the refusal to provide a specimen, will lead to Army and RAF officers being required to resign and to administrative discharge in the case of an RN officer. Soldiers, ratings and airmen will normally be administratively discharged. Personnel of the rank of lance corporal (and equivalent in the other services) and below may be retained in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of their Commanding Officer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how often are members of (a) the Army, (b) the Navy and (c) the RAF tested for the use of controlled substances; which controlled substances are tested for; which testing kits are used; and if he will make a statement. [137862]

The Army aims to test all personnel annually for drugs. Units that are deemed to be at higher risk by nature of their location or their previous Compulsory Drug Testing (CDT) record may be subject to more frequent testing. The Naval Service aims to conduct random testing in every ship and establishment at least annually, with some establishments subject to more regular testing, and this year plans to test approximately 30 per cent. of its personnel. The RAF aims to test 25 per cent. of its personnel annually. The services conduct their random CDT agenda as part of a rolling programme.

To ask the Solicitor-General on how many occasions since 21 August he has referred to the Court of Appeal sentences imposed for drug trafficking. [137885]

With effect from 21 August 2000 the Attorney-General was given the power to refer sentences passed in the Crown court for drugs trafficking offences. These include offences of production or supply of controlled drugs contrary to ss.4(2) and (3) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, cultivation of cannabis contrary to s.6(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1979 in connection with a prohibition or restriction on importation or exportation of a controlled drug within s.2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The Attorney-General has just referred the first case under these provisions to the Court of Appeal.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many people his Department employs under the New Deal for Young People. [137949]

I refer to the answer given by the Cabinet Office on 13 November 2000, Official Report, column 551W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of the number of deaths caused by emissions of nitrous oxides in each of the past three years;. [136098](2) what assessment he has made of the effects on human health of nitrous oxides emissions from waste incinerators; and if he will make a statement; [136100](3) what estimate he has made of the amount of nitrous oxides that will be emitted by waste incinerators in each of the next three years. [136099]

[holding answer 2 November 2000]: I assume the hon. Member means "nitrogen oxides", often referred to as "nox" (NO_x), of which nitrogen dioxide forms a large proportion and which is regarded as the main pollutant of health concern within NO_x.At relatively high concentrations, nitrogen dioxide causes inflammation of the airways. There is evidence to show that long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide may affect lung function and that nitrogen dioxide may enhance the response of sensitised individuals to allergens. Studies have reported associations between respiratory hospital admissions and nitrogen dioxide levels but it is unclear whether this effect is due to nitrogen dioxide itself or to particles which often increase at the same time as nitrogen dioxide. The source of the nitrogen dioxide is not relevant.The Government have not estimated deaths caused by NO

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) fatal industrial accidents and (b) industrial accidents involving a stay in hospital of over 24 hours have occurred in the Humberside Region since 1 January 1999. [134239]

[holding answer 2 November 2000]:(a) Fatal Accident. The number of fatal accidents which occurred in Humberside from 1 January 1999 to 16 October 2000 and which have been reported to HSE as required by the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 is 16.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) deaths and (b) injuries involving a stay in hospital occurred in premises on Humberside which were under a prohibition notice in the last five years. [134240]

[holding answer 2 November 2000]: There were three deaths which have occurred in premises on or after the date a Prohibition Notice was served.HSE only records details of major injuries as defined in RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regs 1995). This includes requiring admission to hospital for more than 24 hours along with serious injuries such as a fracture, amputation, loss of sight etc. There were 78 major injuries logged which came into this category.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many Band 2 and Band 3 HSE inspectors there are in the Hull office. [134241]

[holding answer 2 November 2000]: There are currently two Band 2 and three Band 3 HSE inspectors based in the Hull office. In addition a specialist Band 3 trainee is currently based in Hull for a six month period. The B2 inspectors manage teams of inspectors in the Leeds and Sheffield offices respectively. Currently two of the B3 inspectors are engaged on operational duties working for managers located in the Leeds and Sheffield offices.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many requests for HSE inspectors to make educational and promotional visits to the Humber Region in the past two years were made to the Leeds and Sheffield offices of the HSE; and how many such requests were successful. [134244]

[holding answer 2 November 2000): Records are not kept of request for educational and promotional visits. Our records show that in the last two years inspectors made a total of 115 educational contacts in Humberside.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 11 July 2000, Official Report, column 502W, on the Health and Safety Executive, what meetings were held with (a) local employers, (b) local trade unions and (c) local authorities before the meeting with the Chairman of the HSC and the Regional Director of the HSE. [134245]

[holding answer 2 November 2000]: The Chair of HSC and the Regional Director of HSE's Yorkshire and North East Region met with Hull trade unionists on 15 May this year. Prior to this, no meetings had been held with local employers, local trade unions and local authorities.

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 the A419/A417 at Nettleton Bottom, (a) how many (i) fatalities and (ii) serious accidents there were in the last three years on the road and (b) what is the estimated cost of the Highway Agency's safety improvement scheme for the road. [137209]

There have been one fatal and two serious accidents on the A417 at Nettleton Bottom in the last three years.The estimated cost of the Nettleton Bottom Improvement (Phase II) Safety Scheme is £214,180.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the performance of NHS trusts and resigistered social landlords partnerships; if he will list the locations where such partnership schemes have been initiated; and what plans he has to further extend the partnership scheme. [137230]

[holding answer 7 November 2000]: We are keen to encourage partnerships between NHS trusts and registered social landlords for the development of affordable accommodation for health service employees. I understand that the Department of Health is currently collecting information of the partnerships which have been formed but I am unable to list their locations at this stage. It will not be possible to carry out any assessments of their performance until information on the partnerships has been collected.I expect partnerships to be encouraged further through the Starter Home Initiative the details of which will be announced in the new Session of Parliament. This initiative will provide assistance to key workers in high cost areas to purchase their own home. I expect employees of NHS trusts to be among those who will benefit from this scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will assess the benefits of introducing a scheme to provide financial assistance to enable householders to resettle should it prove economically unviable to provide long-term defences against flooding. [137509]

The Government's first priority is to see what improvements can be made to flood defences, so that resettlement can be avoided. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has recently announced that existing funding for flood defence work will be increased by a total of £51 million over this and the next three years. This additional funding will allow more river-based defence schemes to be progressed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many staff are employed by his Department under the New Deal for Young People. [137960]

The number of New Deal staff employed by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions and its Agencies is 51. Of these 14 are in the category of young people (18 to 24 year olds).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to gather information centrally on the previous employers of the most senior staff of registered social landlords that have taken over former local authority housing stock and the names and relevant financial interests of the chairs of the boards of these organisations. [137707]

Registered Social Landlords are not-for-profit companies independent of the public sector. Therefore I do not believe it would be appropriate for the Department to gather and hold centrally the information suggested by my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure that homes for which planning permission is given on the basis of affordability remain affordable on re-sale or reallocation. [137708]

We already provide guidance to local planning authorities on this issue. Planning obligations and conditions may be used to ensure that affordable housing provided through planning policy is secured, either initially or in perpetuity, for occupation by people in need of such housing. Detailed guidance is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 3: "Housing" and Circular 6/98, "Planning and Affordable Housing". All affordable housing provided by Registered Social Landlords using Social Housing Grant must continue to be let at affordable rents as a condition of receiving the grant.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase turnouts in local referenda on directly elected mayors; and what plans he has to provide public funds for this purpose. [138007]

Chapter 13 of the guidance on new council constitutions, placed in the Library of the House on the 26 October 2000, indicates measures for local authorities to maximise turnout at local referendums and states that we are considering the introduction of certain innovations in electoral practice in the proposed regulations on referendums. As stated in the Local Government Bill explanatory notes, published on 26 November 1999, savings arising are expected to offset, or more than offset, any additional costs that may fall to local authorities as a result of adopting new decision-making arrangements including the costs associated with the holding of referendums.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those small district councils which will be exempted from the regime of an executive/scrutiny split under the Local Government Act 2000. [138004]

All councils are required by the Local Government Act 2000 to have separate scrutiny arrangements in their new constitutions. Under the Act these new constitutions for district councils in two tier areas with a population below 85,000 (as estimated by the Registrar General on 30 June 1999) may involve either executive or alternative arrangements. I have placed a list of those councils in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many properties in the Leeds, Central parliamentary constituency have benefited from improvements funded through the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme in each of the last 10 years. [138073]

The table identifies the number of properties receiving insulation measures and value of grant for each of the last 10 financial years.

Financial year	Number of grants	Value of grants (£000)
1991–92	761	91.5
1992–93	629	87.8
1993–94	1,309	190.7
1994–95	1,298	206.4
1995–96	1,843	259.2
1996–97	1,457	203.4
1997–98	1,377	191.1
1998–99	952	137.2
1999–2000	1,163	153.3
2000–2001	185	75.8
1 A further 503 households are awaiting permission from the social or private landlords for work to be carried out

The new Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) for England was launched on 1 June 2000. It replaced the more basic scheme that operated since 1991. HEES provides packages of insulation and heating measures, linked to the condition of the property and the type of householder. The grant maximum increased from £315 up to £2,000. As a consequence, the average value of work per household has substantially increased.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce legislation to prevent the importing of waste into the United Kingdom for disposal. [138186]

The UK already prohibits most imports of waste for final disposal. Under the legally binding United Kingdom Management Plan for Exports and Imports of Waste, which came into effect in June 1996, the UK accepts wastes only from those countries which cannot reasonably be expected to deal with specific wastes in an environmentally sound manner. This is because we have the necessary treatment facilities which meet tough environmental standards. This policy is designed to encourage countries to become as self-sufficient as possible in waste disposal.Consistent with European law, however, the UK cannot prohibit imports of wastes for recovery, which could include shipments of municipal wastes for incineration with energy recovery. However, shipments of municipal waste still require the prior consent of the UK enforcement authorities and would have to meet specific criteria set out in the UK Plan. There may be grounds for objecting to individual shipments if the primary purpose of the importing facility is to treat local wastes and those wastes will be displaced by the proposed imports. Available data show that no imports of municipal waste have taken place since the existing UK Plan came into effect in 1996.UK policies and procedures on the acceptance of waste imports are being considered as part of the current review of the UK Plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received about movement in the loop railway lines around Hatfield since 17 October. [137822]

[holding answer 10 November 2000]: After the accident at Hatfield on 17 October, services were diverted on to the line via Hertford. The Hatfield line has now re-opened, with the first passenger service on Friday 10 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) freight vehicles and (b) buses have converted to (i) LPG and (ii) CNG since May 1997. [138237]

[holding answer 13 November 2000]: DVLA statistics show that from the end of June 1997 to the end of June 2000, the number of goods vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight) running on gas increased by 126 to a total of 175. Over the same period, the number of buses running on gas increased by 62 to a total of 103. DVLA's figures do not distinguish between the road fuel gases liquid petroleum gas and compressed natural gas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure relevant information in respect of incineration is drawn to the attention of Ministers in his Department. [137539]

None, as Ministers are as a matter of course kept fully in touch with waste management policy issues through the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the information made available to Ministers in the last six months relating to anticipated deaths and pollution-related illnesses associated with proposed incinerators. [137540]

Ministers have been kept fully in touch with work on the health effects of incinerators. Most recently, information provided to Ministers has included the correction by the consultants Entec UK Ltd. to their estimate of benefits of the proposed waste incineration directive¹, showing that some of the figures for health effects currently in circulation are very significant over estimates. (The error is explained in EM 10417/00 on the proposed waste incineration directive).

¹ Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment of the Proposed Waste Incineration Directive Final Report February 1999 (in the House Library).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the letter to the hon. Member for Linlithgow of 12 October CM/23437/00, what information as to the basis of his policy he has received from English Nature and their contacts with those in other countries, undertaking research into frog disease and mortality; and if he will make a statement. [136223]

English Nature, our statutory advisers, regularly review the work undertaken within the international scientific arena on issues that may affect native species, including amphibians, and will shortly be meeting with the Declining Amphibian Populations Task Force (a specialist group that co-ordinates and funds work on amphibian diseases) to discuss a contingency plan should significant pathogens be detected in British frog populations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to strengthen the powers of local authorities to require retrospective planning applications. [136450]

None. Local planning authorities can already invite a retrospective planning application in respect of unauthorised development where they judge that there are no planning objections to it. Otherwise, authorities already have wide ranging enforcement powers to control development undertaken without planning permission. We have no current plans to strengthen these powers further.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was housing density, as measured by homes per hectare, in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999 and (e) from January.

New dwellings in England were built at an average density of 25 per hectare between 1994 and 1998. Figures for individual years have not yet been published. My Department is conducting research looking at this and other aspects of the publication of these statistics. This research should be completed next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what recent representations regarding delays to trains on the Liverpool Street, London to Norwich line, since 17 October have been (a) received by his Department and (b) made by his Department to Railtrack plc. [138415]

We have received one representation from a member of public about delays on the London Liverpool Street to Norwich line. We have made no representations to Railtrack specifically on delays to trains on this line but we are meeting regularly with Railtrack and the Association of Train Operating Companies to discuss progress with the national track recovery plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to use the reserve capping powers for 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [138469]

It is the Government's policy that local authorities should accept greater responsibility for setting their own budget and council tax increases. That is why we abolished crude and universal capping. However, we retain reserve powers to protect council tax payers from excessive increases. We identified three authorities whose council tax and budget increases in 1999–2000 and 2000–01 were at the top end of the range of increases for all authorities in England. I met those authorities in July. I have considered carefully the points they put to me. I have also taken account of the fact that the average council tax increases in England fell in 2000 for the second year running. On balance, I have decided not to use the new reserve powers this year. Against a background in which the Government have announced a significant increase in funding for local authorities for the next three years, all local authorities should budget responsibly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his objectives for the forthcoming climate change negotiations in The Hague. [138611]

The Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP 6) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will aim to agree a detailed framework for the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol.The Government want to negotiate an agreement which can be endorsed by all countries; pave the way to ratification by sufficient numbers of countries for the Protocol to enter into force by 2002; and will lead to action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by developed countries which are currently responsible for 60 per cent. of the world's emissions. We will work for an agreement that safeguards the environmental integrity of the Protocol, taking into accounts its economic impacts and providing certainty for business.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Health and Safety Laboratory will publish its annual report and accounts for 1999–2000. [138695]

The Health and Safety Laboratory has today published the 1999–2000 Annual Report and Accounts, and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the President of the Council what progress has been made in improving the Government's links with the business community through the business communications unit. [136378]

The Business Coordination Unit in my Department is making a significant contribution to improving Government contact with all sectors of business across the UK. Business representatives have warmly welcomed the work of the Unit and I look forward to further progress.

To ask the President of the Council if she will bring proposals to the Select Committee on Modernisation of the House of Commons to allow for greater topicality in oral questions to Ministers. [136374]

There is a matter which has concerned Committees of this House over several decades. The Modernisation Committee are currently reviewing their work programme—I will ensure that this issue is raised as a potential area for consideration.

To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee what has been the total sum spent on repairing, improving and maintaining the House of Commons buildings over the past 12 months. [136376]

The House of Commons spent some £25 million on repairing, improving and maintaining the House of Commons buildings in the last full financial year.

To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee to ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will undertake to publish notes of minutes of the meetings of the House of Commons Commission within two weeks of each meeting. [136377]

The Commission's meetings are deliberative. The Commission does publish considerable details about the House's management and services for Members in its annual report, the last of which was published on 19 July 2000 (HC 808).I can tell the hon. Member that we are considering ways of providing hon. Members with information on a more regular basis, including information on the parliamentary intranet, in line with recommendations of the Braithwaite review of management and services. As soon as decisions about this are made, I will ensure that the House is informed.

To ask the President of the Council what progress has been made in setting up the regional Standing Committee. [136379]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Mr. Clark) on 14 November 2000, Official Report, column 799.

To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee if he will make a statement on progress of the commissioning of Portcullis House. [136367]

The first hon. Member moved into the building on 11 September and of the 210 Members' offices over 180 have now been occupied. It is expected that all moves will be completed this month.As I indicated in the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Totnes (Mr. Steen) on 31 October 2000,

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what assessment she has made of the operation of arrangements for public tours during the summer adjournment. [136365]

A report by the Visitor Manager on the results of the trial opening to visitors from 7 August to 16 September was considered by my Committee at its meeting on 7 November, together with the results of a visitor satisfaction survey conducted by the University of Greenwich Business School. The Committee was pleased, and encouraged, to note that visitor satisfaction level with both the guided tour itself and the performance of the tour guides was exceptionally high. Visitors felt very strongly, and were very positive, about the importance of continuing to offer public tours during the summer recess. My Committee will be considering our draft Report, which, when agreed, will be put before the House for its consideration shortly. I understand a similar assessment of the trial opening is being carried out by the relevant Committee of the House of Lords.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the Government Departments she is funding in Malawi and the amount funded in each case. [136643]

We do not fund individual Departments directly. We support a number of sectoral programmes, each of which may be sponsored by one or more Departments. Our approach to this, in common with other donors, is set out in the Departmental Report 2000 (CM4610, e.g. page 14, page 93), a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she is taking to encourage Third World countries which benefit from debt relief to use such benefits to develop education programmes for young people. [137383]

The reason for debt relief is to assist on poverty reduction. The country-led approach to development embodied in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Programmes (PRSP) process provides a framework for allocating all Government resources, including savings from debt relief and development assistance, so that they make maximum impact on poverty. Investing in education is vitally important for development and poverty reduction. Achieving universal primary education by 2015 is one of the International Development Targets. We and others have repeatedly made it clear that real progress will only be achieved and sustained if education, and basic education in particular, is given the priority it deserves within PRSPs. Since May 1997 we have committed over £400 million to helping Governments in developing countries to put in place sustainable education systems able to provide high-quality primary education to all their children. We will do more.

To ask the Secretary of State for International. Development if she will make a statement on the Palestinian Authority's decision to close the schools under their control. [137502]

We understand that the Palestinian Authority closed its schools for security reasons but that most of them have now re-opened. This is entirely a matter for the Palestinian authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid Her Majesty's Government have spent on Palestinian education and schools in each of the last six years. [137500]

UK development assistance for Palestinian education since 1995–96 has totalled £3,371,925. This includes support to the Palestinian Authority and NGOs. Available information on annual expenditure is as follows:

Year	£
1995–96	328,943
1996–87	561,560
1997–98	1,176,306
1998–99	757,679
1999–2000	547,437

In addition the UK has provided a total of £47,278,000 to the United Nations Works and Relief Agency, mainly as contributions to the Agency's core budget. This is used to provide education, health and welfare services to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and Gaza and neighbouring countries. Our annual expenditure has been:

Year	£ million
1994–95	6.0
1995–96	6.666
1996–97	8.14
1997–98	10.067
1998–99	3.371
1999–2000	13.034

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department makes available to Uganda to prevent mother to baby transmission of HIV. [137942]

We do not currently provide direct funding for the specific prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (MTCT) in Uganda. Steps are being taken to establish a programme for dealing with MTCT, led by UNICEF, working closely with the Ministry of Health, the Uganda AIDS Commission and the UNAIDS theme group, of which the Department for International Development is an active member. We are also providing over £2 million in support this financial year to a variety of AIDS related projects and programmes throughout Uganda.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department spent in development and aid in Sierra Leone in (a) 1999 and (b) so far this year; and what the financial support spent on war. [138018]

Development expenditure by the Department for International Development in Sierra Leone in 1999–2000 amounted to £29,914,000. Development expenditure for Sierra Leone so far this year totals £13,645,000. Final expenditure figures will not be available until next summer. Development funds have not been used to support the war against the Sierra Leone rebel factions.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement On the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean and the support the UK is providing to local health organisations there. [137737]

Recent reports indicate that HIV prevalence in the Caribbean is now second only to sub-Saharan Africa. The Caribbean also has the highest AIDS incidence rate in the Americas. HIV/AIDS is already the leading cause of death in the 15-44 age group within the region.We are supporting the work of the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) in its response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We are funding the second phase (£713,564) of a project aimed at the Prevention and Control of AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. This focuses on strengthening the management of public health information strategies for HIV/AIDS, cost-effective STD/HIV/AIDS case management, and improved surveillance systems for STDs and HIV/AIDS within Caribbean countries.We are currently examining what further support should be provided to a CARICOM-sponsored regional plan of action for tackling HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean, as presented at a regional conference held in Barbados in September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what attempts are made by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to identify or assess the perceived (a) political and (b) religious affiliation of persons seeking assistance from the Commission;. [136520](2) if he will list the occasions on which the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has initiated proceedings, the nature of each such case and the reference number and names of the persons concerned; [136523](3) what efforts are made by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to encourage applications for assistance in bringing a case from sections of the community which are presently under-represented in the number of applications for assistance;. [136521](4) if he will list the applications made to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for assistance to bring a case, the cost of such assistance in each case in which assistance was given, and also show the cases in which requests for assistance were refused and the reasons for refusal in each case; [136519](5) if he will publish the criteria used by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for giving assistance to an individual to bring a case;. [136518](6) on how many occasions the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has assisted individuals in bringing cases; what is the reference number of the cases and the names of the individuals concerned; and by what means the outcome of the cases was brought to the attention of the general public;. [136517]

This is a matter for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission which is an independent body. I have therefore asked the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to write to the hon. Member. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, 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. [137299]

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 term of exemption 2 of the Code of Practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to (a) relocate his Department's oil and gas directorate employment to Aberdeen and (b) create additional oil and gas jobs, indicating where the jobs will be located. [137336]

My Oil and Gas Directorate maintains offices in both Aberdeen and London, reflecting operational needs. There are no plans to change this.In the last three years the number of posts located in Aberdeen has risen from 56.3 to 72.3; a further 14 posts have been transferred from my Department to the Inland Revenue's Aberdeen office. This reflects our policy of maintaining a substantial operational presence in Aberdeen. The future staffing of Oil and Gas Directorate is currently under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many small and medium enterprises failed by constituency in Wales and England in the last 12 months. [137716]

There are no official statistics on the number of small and medium enterprise failures by constituency.When a County court hears an insolvency petition they allocate the case to the nearest Official Receiver's office. It is the location of the Official Receiver's office that is recorded, not the location of the business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will require suppliers of ADSL services to specify to consumers a maximum and minimum expected contention ratio; and if he will make a statement. [138328]

Contention ratio is one of a number of fundamental quality of service parameters used to specify ADSL service products, as are other parameters such as data rates and throughput. It is generally accepted that service quality and cost are related and this is certainly true for ADSL services.It is likely that contention ratio information will be provided by ADSL service suppliers as part of their service contract with the customers and indeed customers may well request this information if it is not readily available. It is also expected that ADSL service suppliers will offer customers a choice of throughput offerings so that customers will be able to choose which quality performance offering best meets their needs.It is therefore for market forces to determine which services consumers are likely to demand and what price consumers are willing to pay for such services based on the overall service quality package.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will mark next year's International Year of Volunteers by spending a day working as a volunteer. [137438]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 13 November 2000, Official Report, column 531W.I fully support the aims of the International Year of Volunteers. Everyone benefits from volunteering and the Prime Minister has issued a challenge to employers to give their employees paid time off to work in the community.My Department fully intends to take up the Prime Minister's challenge. An article to be published in the staff newspaper early in the new year will announce that all staff have the right to take one day's paid special leave per year to take part in voluntary activities in their community. This is in addition to the provisions that already exist to allow staff paid time off for voluntary activities.I personally intend to spend a day, working as a volunteer in my own constituency, during 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 30 October 2000, Official Report, column 228W, on deregulation, what progress his Department has made in identifying the statement referred to and the evidence on which it is based. [138409]

The statement to which I now understand this and the previous question refers is that "Government continues to reduce the burdens caused by too much regulation." It appears in two publications published by the Small Business Service—"Setting up in Business: A Guide to Regulatory Requirements" and "Employing Staff: A Guide to Regulatory Requirements." It also appears on the Small Business Service website.There is considerable evidence for the statement. For example, the Government have increased the threshold below which small companies may opt to dispense with having their annual accounts audited from a turnover of £350,000 to a turnover of £1,000,000. This measure alone will produce annual savings of around £90 million for about 75,000 companies. In addition, the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his pre-budget statement has proposed a major overhaul of the VAT system to reduce the administrative burden on small firms. The Federation of Small Businesses said it was

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is (a) the current and (b) the forecast level of restitution payments in each of the EU countries in respect of sugar export. [137549]

I have been asked to reply.The following table provides details of export refunds on sugar in each member state for 1998–99. The Commission's latest estimate for the EU's 2000–01 budget is 1,210 million euros for the EU as a whole. No forecast figures per member state are available, as the breakdown of expenditure depends on the port of export.

Member state	Expenditure on export refunds 1998–99 (million euro)	Percentage by member state
Austria	14	1
Belgium	299	19
Denmark	96	6
Finland	7	0
France	488	31
Germany	235	15
Greece	4	0
Ireland	5	0
Italy	153	10
Luxembourg	0	0
Netherlands	34	2
Portugal	31	2
Spain	49	3
Sweden	22	1
UK	154	10
Total	1,591	100

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from the British sugar industry regarding the proposed new sugar regime; and if he will make a statement. [137590]

I have been asked to reply.As at 10 November written responses to the Ministry's consultation letter of 6 October have been received from British Sugar plc and the Tenant Farmers Association. In addition, a wide range of interests participated in a consultation meeting on 23 October. Copies of the written comments will in due course be made available in the Ministry's library at Whitehall Place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the total UK consumption of sugar is satisfied by (a) home production, (b) imports from former colonies and (c) other sources. [137606]

I have been asked to reply.The following table indicates the proportion of the total UK consumption of sugar satisfied by each source for the July 1999 to June 2000 marketing year. Home sugar beet production refers to sugar produced within quota only, and does not include over-quota sugar.

Percentage
Source	Proporton of UK consumption
a) Home sugar beet production	53
b) African, Caribbean, Pacific States Work and India	40
c) Other sources	7

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to inform small and medium sized enterprises about the Access to Work scheme. [135841]

[holding answer 31 October 2000]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress made by his Department since 1999 in reducing sickness absence; what targets he has agreed with the Cabinet Office; and if he will make a statement. [135468]

[holding answer 30 October 2000]: In 1999, the overall sickness absence rate in the Department for Education and Employment (including the Employment Service) was 10.6 days per staff year. We have agreed targets with the Cabinet Office to reduce this to 9.6 days by 2001, and 8.3 days by 2003. The Department is making significant efforts to meet these challenging targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by (a) authority and (b) as a total, the results of the asset management plan condition data surveys, breaking the data down according to each of the four levels of priority, as required by the Department. [136751]

[holding answer 6 November 2000]: We are collecting and validating the data and will publish them next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many clients of the New Deal in Hendon in each New Deal category have (a) found a job, (b) found a subsidised job, (c) found training and (d) found work on an environmental task force. [136951]

The following table shows latest figures (to the end of August 2000) for the number of young people gaining jobs from the New Deal for Young People in Hendon parliamentary constituency.In answer to

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance has been issued to adjudicators and school organisation committees on the policy of inclusion for children statemented with special educational needs. [137229]

[holding answer 7 November 2000]: In March 2000 the Department issued guidance on statutory proposals for changes in schools. This included guidance for adjudicators and school organisation committees on the factors to be considered when determining proposals for the reorganisation of special schools and special educational needs provision in mainstream schools.The following extract highlights factors to be considered in relation to standards of provision:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research his Department has undertaken into the loss of SEN teachers due to increased delegation of spending by LEAs. [138029]

The Department has not commissioned research specifically into the effect of increased delegation of funding to schools on teachers employed in LEA central services. We have, however, jointly funded with NASEN research to look at the ways in which SEN Support Services are developing. The early findings from this work suggests that posts are increasing or remaining stable in the vast majority of LEAs. A final report on this research will be published early in 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received on the questions of whether statements of special needs should in future (a) specify or (b) otherwise set out assistance from a local authority in the proposed code and regulations on special needs. [138323]

We have received representations from a range of individuals, parents' groups, voluntary organisations, and some hon. Members.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what measures his Department is taking to publicise the Holocaust Memorial Day Education Pack; and if he will make a statement;. [137631](2) what measures his Department has taken to distribute copies of the Holocaust Memorial Day Education Pack to schools and colleges; and if he will make a statement;. [137632]

The Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) Education Pack was launched on 9 November as part of the build up to the Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January. The Pack has been publicised through the Department's Spectrum publication which goes to all schools, and through the HMD website run by the Home Office.The Pack has been produced by a working group of experts from non-government organisations who have a vast range of experience and knowledge in the area of holocaust education, including the Holocaust Education Trust who, on behalf of the working group, are making the Pack available to all schools. I am very grateful to all those organisations who have been involved in its production. Members of the national and community press, a number of survivors and representatives from those organisations involved in the Pack were present at the launch.The Pack is a valuable cross-curricular resource and includes a number of suggestions for activities and assemblies to support the commemoration of the Memorial Day.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress has been made in the relocation of the jobcentre in Carlisle; and if he will make a statement. [137709]

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to open up teachers' performance-related pay threshold training and external assessment procedures to special service establishments which wish to mirror the threshold system in payments to their staff. [137851]

[holding answer 13 November 2000: We are currently considering what support we might give to educational establishments who are interested in mirroring the threshold assessment procedures for their teaching staff. We are consulting on a new provision for the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions Document to allow such assessments, if carried out in accordance with the system explained in the document, to count in maintained schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about the work of the Value for Money Unit in his Department. [137912]

The Value for Money Unit was set up last year to give advice on various aspects of value for money in schools. The Unit works on enabling schools to benchmark their expenditure against similar schools; conducts and sponsors research on the effect of resources on educational outcomes; provides good practice guidance for schools; and advises schools and LEAs about best value in education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what support his Department is offering for out-of-hours school activities. [138063]

Out of school hours learning activities are high on this Government's education agenda. We believe that all young people can benefit from these additional opportunities to learn and succeed. In addition to the £205 million of lottery money available through the New Opportunities Fund for these activities, my Department has made available, through the Standards Fund, £20 million this financial year and £60 million for 2001–02.My Department is also running a two-year, £2.5 million programme of partnership projects between schools and a wide range of partner organisations, such as businesses and youth, community and voluntary organisations. The 138 projects in the programme will focus on engendering partnership and on evaluating the benefits for both schools and partners.In addition, the Department has published a wide range of practical guidance and good practice example for providers of out of school hours learning activities; most recently the "Study Support Toolkit", a suite of good practice and training materials, and "Safe Keeping", a good practice guide for health and safety in out of school hours learning activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the (a) purpose and (b) running cost of (i) the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, (ii) the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions and (iii) the European Training Foundation. [138079]

The three organisations referred to are agencies of the European Union.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when officials from the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority will meet the headteacher of the Jeff Joseph Sale Moor Technology College to discuss the proposed development of an ICT training course. [138169]

Officials of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) would be pleased to meet with the headteacher of Jeff Joseph Sale Moor Technology College. Officials of the Department for Education and Employment, with colleagues at QCA, will arrange a meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the outcome of the Education/Youth Council held in Luxembourg on 9 November; and if he will make a statement. [138396]

Jane Davidson AM, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning and I represented the UK at the Council of EC Education/Youth Ministers in Brussels on 9 November. Education Ministers gave political approval to a common position on a recommendation on mobility within the Community for students, persons undergoing training, volunteers, teachers and instructors. Political approval was also given to a Mixed Resolution containing a Mobility Action Plan. The Plan sets out a number of measures, which member states can select from according to national circumstances, to promote the mobility of teachers, academics, students and volunteers across Europe.Ministers discussed a preliminary draft report on the future objectives of education systems. Council agreed that the report, which is to be presented by the Education Ministers to the Stockholm European Council in spring 2001, should aim to identify objectives and priorities common to education systems within member states and facilitate the sharing of information and exchange of good and best practice at a national level.The Council adopted two opinions for the Employment and Social Policy Council on the Social Policy Agenda and draft employment guidelines.Ministers received reports from the Commission and Presidency on: the conclusions of the Leiden seminar, organised by the Netherlands and French Presidency, on open methods of co-ordination and benchmarking of European education systems; follow up to the meeting of the EU and Latin American Ministers for Higher Education in Paris on 3 November; a memorandum on life-long learning; progress reached in the implementation of the European Year of Languages 2001; the renewal of the United States—Canada—EU co-operation agreements in the field of education and training and; the outcome of the Blois seminar entitled "Learn the history of Europe".Youth Ministers held an open debate on the follow-up measures which should be taken following earlier consultations with young people in Europe. Council agreed the importance of involving young people at European level and the need to create regular opportunities for consulting with young people—including those not affiliated to recognised youth networks—at both national and European level. The debate was part of the Commission's consultation process linked to developing a White Paper on the future of youth policy.Ministers received information from the Commission on the implementation of the Youth Programme and adopted a resolution on the social inclusion of young people.The Presidency and the Commission raised the issue of the potential dangers facing young sportsmen and women through over-training, drug abuse and commercial exploitation. The Commission urged the Council to consider taking action to tackle this.The Council heard a report from the German delegation on the need to tackle the problem of racism and xenophobia among young people.A copy of the Council Minutes will be placed in the Library in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent representations he has received about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; and what provision exists in the NHS for specialist clinical and research facilities for this condition;. [135880](2) what recent discussions he has had with the Minister of Health in the Welsh Assembly about provision for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. [136384]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the NHS' s treatment of sufferers of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. [136998]

The Department has received recent correspondence about the Connective Tissue Genetics Group (CTGG), which is based at the Institute of Medical Genetics in Cardiff.The provision of treatment for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome patients is part of the responsibility of health authorities who must make arrangements for the health of their population as they are closest to the people they serve and so best placed to respond sensitively to their needs.There have been no recent discussions with the Minister of Health in the Welsh Assembly about EDS services. The National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group (NSCAG) advises health ministers in England on the identification and funding of services where central intervention into local commissioning of patient services is necessary. NSCAG is working closely with the Specialised Health Services Commission (SHSC) for Wales to consider a national clinical EDS service that includes services of all current providers.The Medical Research Council (MRC) has been providing research funding to the CTGG as a five year programme grant that is due to be completed in November 2000. The MRC would consider any new application for further research funding from CTGG. The MRC always welcomes high quality applications for support and these are judged in open competition with other demands on funding. Awards are made according to their scientific quality and importance to human health.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what grounds the former Chief Dental Officer took early retirement. [137574]

Personnel records relating to public employment remain confidential under the terms of Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of research into treatment with synthetic human antibodies in order to counter deadly fungal infections; and if he will make a statement. [137412]

The Medicines Control Agency has recently assessed an application to conduct a clinical trial designed to evaluate the use of a synthetic human antibody in the treatment of disseminated fungal infection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children and young people committed suicide in local authority secure units in each of the last 10 years. [137811]

One child committed suicide in 1998. There have been no other suicides in local authority secure accommodation in the last 10 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute hospital beds there are in the Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority area. [137795]

During 1999–2000 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority had on average 1,418 beds available. Since last December, the local health community has opened an additional 89 beds for this winter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many agency nurses were employed in the NHS, and at what total cost, in each year since 1979 for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [137120]

The information requested is given in the table.

NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Agency nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in England as at 30 September in each year
Whole time equivalents
1979	4,020
1980	4,220
1981	3,760
1982	3,040
1983	2,440
1984	3,750
1985	4,120
1986	5,450
1987	6,130
1988	6,240
1989	7,230
1990	1—
1991	3,930
1992	3,230
1993	4,780
1994	4,440
1995	1—
1996	1—
1997	1—
1998	1—
1999	1—
1 Not available—agency staff not collected in these years

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on out-patient waiting times in the North Cumbria Health Authority. [137710]

The latest information for North Cumbria Health Authority for the quarter ending 30 June 2000 demonstrates that 82 per cent. of North Cumbria residents with a written referral from a general practitioner were seen within 13 weeks and that 98 per cent. were seen within 26 weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken in respect of the welfare of former British child migrants since the publication of his Department's response to the Third report of the Health Committee, Session 1997–98, HC 755; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of such measures. [138171]

In the Government's response to the Health Select Committee's Report on the Welfare of Former Child Migrants, a commitment was given to provide practical help to former child migrants.We agreed to increase funding for the Child Migrants Trust to £500,000 over three years (1999–2002) to assist former child migrants in tracing their relatives and also to provide counselling services.It has also set up a Support Fund (£1 million over three years managed by International Social Services) to enable first time re-unions between former child migrants and their immediate relatives in the United Kingdom through paying travel and subsistence cost. The International Social Services (ISS) have so far received 209 applications, of which 181 have been successful.We have also funded a central information index to help child migrants trace their roots. The Index was installed in November 1999 and to date they have received 181 applications.Departmental officials met with the Agent General for Western Australia, Clive Griffiths on 17 August 2000 formally to receive a copy of the Western Australian Former Child Migrant Referral Index. This Department reciprocated by handing over those records from the UK Central Information Index which were specific to Western Australia. We will continue to work with Australian colleagues to ensure that maximum benefit is derived for child migrants from the information held on the Index.Although no specific assessment has been made of the effectiveness of these measures the Child Migrants Trust and International Social Services along with the National Council for Voluntary Child Care Organisations, who set up the Child Migrant Information Index provide my officials with regular progress reports on the services they are supplying.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital beds are being blocked by patients fit enough to be moved out of hospital (a) in the Suffolk Health Authority and (b) in the West Suffolk NHS Hospital Trust. [138411]

The quarterly monitoring figures for second quarter of 2000 show that Suffolk Health Authority had 165 patients over the age of 75, who were ready for discharge but still occupying a hospital bed.

Source: Common Information Core Quarterly monitoring returns based on health authority quarterly activity

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on variations by region for out-patient waiting times and referral arrangements. [137265]

We are aware of variations in out-patient waiting times and are working to improve matters. In July each acute National Health Service trust in the country received a "Step-by-step guide to improving out-patient services", a copy of which is available in the Library. At the same time Trusts were instructed to introduce partial booking systems into clinics with waits in excess of 13 weeks. These systems improve the efficiency of out-patient clinics and reduce long waiting times. We have also recently announced further details of our "Action On" programme, with funding targeted at specialties with the longest waits—orthopaedics, ear nose and throat, dermatology and ophthalmology (cataracts)To make the best use of resources it is important that only patients who need to see a consultant are referred to hospital. All acute NHS trusts are implementing Out-patient Improvement Plans which include schemes to improve the appropriateness of referrals through collaborative working between hospital consultants and general practitioners. In addition, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the shadow Modernisation Agency are piloting a guide to appropriate referral from general to specialist services for common medical conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of new patients referred to medical, surgical, oncological, obstetric, gynaecological and other out-patient clinics in the West Surrey health authority were seen by (a) a consultant in the discipline and (b) a junior doctor, in the last year for which figures are available. [137266]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 10 November 2000, Official Report, columns 432-33W.