To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of (a) the armed forces and (b) Royal Ulster Constabulary officers and other ranks were on duty in Ballynure, Co. Antrim, on the evening of 11 July and early hours of 12 July; and if he will make a statement. [136972]

I have been asked to reply.During the period in question the number of RUC personnel in attendance were two inspectors, four sergeants and 25 constables. In addition, a superintendent and an inspector made supervisory visits.48 soldiers from 9 Royal Irish were deployed in support of the police.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to address reports of ill-health among Porton Down volunteers. [139767]

The Ministry of Defence is taking a number of steps designed to help those who participated as volunteers in trials at Porton Down. The Ministry of Defence is very grateful to all those whose participation in studies at Porton Down made possible the research to provide safe and effective protection for UK armed forces against chemical and biological weapons. Suggestions have been made that some Porton Down volunteers suffer unusual patterns of ill health because of their participation. The Ministry of Defence has seen no scientific evidence to support that belief, but takes such suggestions seriously. Therefore we are:

offering volunteers the opportunity for a thorough medical assessment if they have concerns about their health. This will be along the lines of the Gulf Veterans Medical Assessment Programme and will use the same facilities at St. Thomas' Hospital, London. The data from these consultations will be analysed to explore whether patterns of ill health are associated with particular exposures;

seeking advice from the Medical Research Council on an independent epidemiological study. Such a study may help establish whether or not former volunteers are suffering from excesses of ill health as compared to a matched group of service personnel who did not participate in trials at Porton Down;

creating a multi-disciplinary policy focus within the Ministry of Defence which will be responsible for addressing volunteers' health concerns and liaising with other Government Departments;

approaching this issue with openness and a commitment to dialogue with volunteers and their representatives;

making public any information which may be of assistance to former volunteers. The current arrangements for the Porton helpline will remain in being. All volunteers who approach it will be given full information by letter on their own trials, and offered the opportunity to examine the records for themselves at the site;

continuing to co-operate fully and provide assistance to the ongoing Wiltshire police inquiry into trials at Porton Down.

The policy focus for Porton Down volunteers issues will be provided by the Ministry of Defence's Gulf Veterans' Illnesses Unit (GVIU). The GVIU will be resourced to take on this important new responsibility and there will be no detriment to the ongoing Ministry of Defence commitment to assist Gulf veterans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will arrange for an independent investigation into the use of national servicemen at the chemical warfare establishment at Porton Down; and if he will make a statement. [138453]

Some 20,000 volunteers, national servicemen and non-conscripts have taken part in vital research at Porton Down. A thorough investigation by Wiltshire police of the Porton Down volunteer programme from 1939 to 1989 is under way. There are no plans for a further independent investigation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to settle the applications for pensions for Gulf War Syndrome victims; what time scale was initially set for such applications; what time scale is now in effect for the remaining pension applications from Gulf War veterans; and if he will make a statement. [139000]

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the announcement I made on 18 May 2000 regarding an extension to attributable benefits available to members of the reserve forces. We are actively processing claims from known individuals who believe they have an entitlement and are taking measures to identify other individuals who may not be aware of my announcement. To allow the Ministry of Defence to make payments the new regulations must be in place; this has taken longer than anticipated but will be completed early in the new year. Payments will then be made shortly thereafter. In the meantime, the Ministry of Defence will write during the next month to individuals who have already made a claim, and advise them whether they qualify under the new regulations. Once the regulations are in place, new claims will in future be processed in the formal time frame of approximately 8–10 Weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is of the MOD accelerating the Army's Watchkeeper unmanned air vehicle reconnaissance project; when the research project will be completed; when the Army will have operational capability of Watchkeeper; and if he will make a statement. [138975]

We do not expect the overall cost of the Watchkeeper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle capability to increase if it is advanced. We are currently considering, as part of our normal planning processes, whether there is scope to accommodate earlier expenditure within the Department's overall Equipment Programme. Watchkeeper is in an assessment phase which is expected to last up to three years. Once this phase is complete a decision will be made on moving to production. On current plans this would lead to an In Service Date of 2008.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what precautions the Royal Navy is taking to protect cetaceans. [139353]

The Royal Navy is very aware of its responsibility for the application of good environmental practices on the high seas. The RN takes into consideration known cetacean migration routes, breeding grounds and similar information when planning exercise activity. Instructions are then issued to ships, submarines and aircraft on actions to take to minimise impact or when encountering marine activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many visits have been made by nuclear-powered submarines to each Z berth in each of the last five years. [139053]

Since 1995 UK submarines have made 29 visits to alongside Z berths outside of UK Naval Bases. In addition to the alongside Z berths, there are a number of mooring buoys that have Z berth status in Plymouth Sound, at Spithead, off the Isle of Skye, Loch Ewe, off Rothesay, and in Loth Goil and at Mare Harbour in the Falkland Islands. Submarines use these mooring buoys, sometimes for as little as an hour or two, to carry out crew transfers or to take on high priority spare parts, and detailed records are not kept of all such visits. To provide details of all movement between Z berths within UK Naval Bases could be provided only at disproportional cost.Details of visits to alongside Z berths are:

Location	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Southampton	0	0	1	0	0
Cardiff1	0	1	0	0	0
Liverpool	0	2	0	1	0
Gibraltar	4	4	3	2	6
Bermuda	1	1	0	1	0
Hong Kong2	1	0	1	0	0
1Cardiff no longer has Z berth status
2 Hong Kong no longer has Z berth status

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each of the ports authorised to accept the berthing of nuclear powered submarines in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) British overseas territories and protectorates; if he will indicate for which ports public safety plans, and emergency evaluation plans in respect of incidents involving nuclear submarines, exist; and if he will set out the scope of public accessibility of such plans. [139518]

Ports authorised to accept the berthing of nuclear powered submarines, referred to as X and Z berths, in the United Kingdom, and British overseas territories and protectorates are detailed in the answer I gave on 14 November 2000, Official Report, columns 575–76W. All ports which are authorised to accept the berthing of nuclear powered submarines have public safety and emergency evacuation plans. The plans are accessible to the public with copies held by the local authority libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contract the Defence Procurement Agency has awarded for the next phase of the vehicle-based Mine Detection, Neutralisation and Route Proving System; which companies bid for the contract; what time is set for completion of the programme; what is the total cost of the programme; and if he will make a statement. [138977]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian employees working for DARA at RAF St. Athan live in the Rhondda. [139584]

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what stocks of road fuels are being held by Government and their agencies. [137530]

[holding answer 9 November 2000]: No stocks of road fuel are held directly by the Government, other than those required by Departments for operational reasons. The Department of Trade and Industry does not collect statistics on such operational stockholdings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the value of ultra-low sulphur petrol sold as unleaded petrol in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [138776]

Companies have been selling various different types of low sulphur fuel for some while; however, the agreement on a specific quality level for what is now regarded as ULSP was only set out on 24 March 2000. According to HM Customs and Excise data, around a third of petrol released for consumption in the UK is ULSP.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with petrol companies on the impact on prices at the pump of (a) the proposed reduction in fuel duty and (b) reductions in the price of oil on the world market. [139020]

The retail price of gasoline is set at the forecourts by competitive marketing between the petrol companies. The United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association, which represents the major oil companies, has indicated that it expects that competitive pressure will result in the proposed reduction in fuel duty being passed on to consumers at the pump. The price of petrol at the pump is also influenced, in part, by the price of oil on the world market. World oil prices are now 8 per cent. below their October peak and, over the same period, wholesale gasoline prices have fallen by a similar amount.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the difference in price of fuel in rural and urban filling stations; and if he will make a statement.[139022]

The Department does not collect separate retail price data for rural and urban filling stations. Retail road fuel prices are a matter for individual companies to determine. Under UK competition law, it is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) to investigate allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and possible abuses of market power. The DGFT can act if pricing levels are the result of anti-competitive behaviour but he has no powers to act in relation to prices as such.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with petrol companies on the timing of the introduction of ultra-low sulphur fuel in rural and urban petrol filling stations. [139021]

The rate at which ultra-low sulphur petrol (ULSP) can be made available is relative to the speed with which the whole supply chain from refinery to filling station can be switched over to the lower sulphur material. This will be achieved by dilution of the higher-sulphur product, and hence the sales of fuel relative to the size of storage at filling stations will determine the speed of changeover. In the slowest case this is unlikely to be greater than three months from the time of availability from the supply point. According to HM Customs and Excise data, ULSP currently constitutes around a third of petrol released for consumption in the UK. The proposed reduction in duty is conditional on there being nation-wide access to the fuel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will make a decision on the 1996 petrol undertakings. [139356]

The Director General of Fair Trading has provided advice on whether the 1996 petrol undertakings should be removed, retained or amended. His advice is being given careful consideration and a decision will be announced in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what United Kingdom-origin plutonium (a) has been and (b) is planned to be manufactured in Belgium into lead test assemblies for customers in the United States of America. [138983]

There is no indication from the information available to the Department that United Kingdom-origin plutonium has been used to manufacture lead test assemblies in Belgium for customers in the United States. There are also no plans to do this in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to make the clocking of motor vehicle odometers a criminal offence. [138808]

It is not a criminal offence to alter the mileage shown on an odometer where this is done for legitimate reasons—such as mileage correction where a new odometer has to be fitted to a vehicle. However it is an offence to sell or to offer for sale in the course of a business a vehicle with a false mileage reading. The key to stamping out illegal practice in this area is to provide prospective purchasers and enforcement authorities with more reliable information about the true mileage of second-hand vehicles. The Government intend to do this by making the recording of mileage on vehicle registration documents and on vehicle licence applications mandatory and by introducing a system for recording vehicle mileage during MoT tests. This will complement an industry initiative to record mileage at the time that vehicles are serviced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to introduce legislation to make the giving of false trade references a criminal offence. [138809]

I have no plans for such legislation. It would already be a criminal offence under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 for a trader knowingly or recklessly to mislead by misdescribing goods or services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure that advertising standards to protect consumers are applied to internet retailing on the same basis as they are to other forms of retail business. [138842]

The 1988 Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations and the 1968 Trade Descriptions Act already apply to internet advertising in the same way that they apply to other forms of advertising. It is therefore illegal to apply a false or misleading description to goods or services advertised on the internet and the Director General of Fair Trading can seek an injunction to prevent the continued publication of a misleading advertisement on the internet. The Advertising Standards Authority is also able to rule on complaints about internet advertisements, and the Committee of Advertising Practice—the industry body which writes the British Codes of Advertising Practice and Sales Promotion—recently launched its admark scheme which will enable browsers to identify advertisements placed by advertisers who have agreed to comply with the Codes of Practice and to be bound by the ASA' s rulings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions his Department has held with the firework industry concerning the opening of shops dedicated solely to the sale of fireworks. [139143]

My Department has not held such discussions. However, we held full discussions with the fireworks industry over the nature and content of this year's firework safety campaign. We will be meeting with the industry again in December as part of the evaluation of that campaign.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of BNFL's business prospects for the Sellafield MOX plant since he was informed of the falsification of MOX data. [139287]

It is for BNFL to demonstrate that there remains a market for MOX manufactured by BNFL and that the economic case for operation of the Sellafield MOX Plant is sound. I am aware that BNFL is engaged in discussions with customers in both Europe and Japan on the supply of MOX to be manufactured at the plant.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the damaged MOX fuel assemblier manufactured by BNFL which is in the possession of the Swiss nuclear company NOK will be re-imported to the UK; and if NOK is seeking compensation from BNFL. [139400]

These are matters for the companies concerned. I understand that NOK and BNFL are currently carrying out an investigation to identify what caused the failure of certain fuel rods contained in MOX assembliers manufactured at BNFL's MOX demonstration facility.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the MOX fuel assemblier manufactured by BNFL which are in the possession of the German nuclear company Pruessen Electra will be re-imported to the UK; and if Pruessen Electra is seeking compensation from BNFL. [139399]

These are matters for the companies concerned. I understand that BNFL is engaged in discussions with E.On (which incorporates Preussen Electra) on a way forward on these matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to ensure that the Sellafield MOX plant will be capable of producing MOX to meet the specification of its prospective customers, should an authorisation for full operation be granted. [139293]

The quality control measures necessary to ensure that fuel manufactured at the Sellafield MOX Plant meets the required specification are matters for agreement between BNFL and its customers. As part of the process of restoring confidence, BNFL will want to demonstrate clearly to customers—and the wider public—that the manufacturing process and quality control arrangements at the plant are rigorous and satisfactory.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress in reinstating pension rights for those miners sacked as a result of the 1984 industrial dispute. [139094]

In May I circulated a consultation document concerning the issue of dismissals by British Coal in the course of the 1984–85 miners dispute. In the absence of evidence that dismissed men had been deprived of any pension rights to which they had been entitled prior to their dismissal, the document made proposals aimed at addressing injustices which might have occurred at that time while endeavouring not to re-open old wounds or create new anomalies.The consultation exercise elicited some starkly conflicting views, and I am in the process of considering how these might be reconciled and the matter satisfactorily resolved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the changeover period from analogue to digital radio will vary according to regions; and what special factors affect East Anglia. [139579]

There are no plans as yet in place for the timing of changeover from analogue to digital radio. Among the factors that we will need to consider, before changeover, will be the take up and coverage of digital radio. Although circumstances in each region may influence the exact pattern of migration from analogue to digital radio, I am not aware of any special factors affecting East Anglia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the outcome of the Research Council held in Brussels on 16 November; and if he will make a statement. [139508]

I am pleased to report that the Council of 16 November:

Received presentations from the Commission on its recent Innovation and European Research Area Communications, and after an exchange of views adopted a Resolution which endorses the approach outlined in the latter.

Adopted a Resolution on the Commission Communication "Europe and Space: turning to a new chapter".

Approved a negotiating mandate for the Commission, on a legal entity for the construction of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), subject to any future decision to build one.

Discussed the links between Science and Society.

Under Other Business, the Council received information from the Presidency on a mechanism for independent scientific advice to the European Institutions, policy for a European approach to therapeutic trials concerning AIDS, and Alpha Galileo, an internet-based press centre for European science, engineering and technology.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the World Commission on Dams report published on 16 November. [139488]

The Government welcome the aim of the report by the World Commission on Dams to provide guidance internationally on the role which dam construction and operation should play in sustainable development. We are carefully studying the report and will be discussing the conclusions with colleagues in other interested Departments (the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the Department for International Development).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment the Government have made of the World Commission on Dams report; and what account will be taken of the report's findings in deciding on granting export credit support for the Ilisu dam. [139519]

The Government welcome the aim of Report by the World Commission on Dams to provide guidance internationally on the role which dam construction and operation should play in sustainable development. We are carefully studying the report and will be discussing the conclusions with colleagues in other interested Departments (the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the Department of International Development).No decision has been taken on Ilisu. ECGD support will not be given unless my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is fully satisfied on the four conditions he has set on resettlement; water quality; preservation of the water supply to Syria and Iraq at all times; and preservation of the architectural heritage.All of these conditions reflect the Department's concerns about sustainable development which are addressed in the report of the World Commission on Dams.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the overseas trade fairs, seminars and outward missions to be supported by his Department in the year 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002. [139830]

Details of a £20 million Trade Partners UK programme of support for participating in overseas trade fairs, seminars and missions, in the form of lists of supported groups, will be placed in the Library of the House. Organisations that bid for support have already been informed.

To ask the Chairman of the Finance and Services Committee what the total expenditure was on (a) refurbishment and (b) new works and maintenance on the parliamentary estate, indicating the main items of expenditure, for each of the last two years. [139323]

Expenditure on Works services is categorised as Capital (new works and refurbishment) and Current (planned preventative maintenance and day to day expenditure). In the last two years approximate total expenditure has been as follows:

£ million
1998–99
Capital	14
Current	8
1999–2000
Capital	19
Current	6

In each of the last two years, the main items of expenditure were the Refreshment Department modernisation scheme, the installation of the PDVN and associated works on automatic fire detection, telephone cabling, electrical rewiring, asbestos removal, fire compartmentation, stone restoration, air conditioning and restoration of Committee Rooms, lift refurbishment and roof repairs. In 1999–2000 the Grand Committee Room was converted for sittings at Westminster Hall and planning began for the restoration of Norman Shaw South. The figures exclude the cost of Portcullis House.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commission will increase the complement of staff in the Library [139158]

[holding answer 20 November 2000]: Numbers of staff in departments of the House are no longer controlled centrally by staff complements. Budgets for staff costs, based upon the business plans prepared by departments, are approved each year by the Commission as part of the Estimates cycle. Once the budgets have been set, authority is delegated to departments to vary the grade levels and the total number of posts, within the limit of the budget.As a result of this year's three-year planning exercise the Library will receive funding for modest increases in permanent staffing this year and next. The Library is, of course, free to make a new submission for consideration in next year's planning exercise.

To ask the President of the Council, what progress she has made in reforming temporary secretarial allowance; and if she will make a statement. [139795]

The temporary secretarial allowance has been reformed to make it more flexible, after representations from a number of hon. Members. The Speaker has approved the new arrangements. The Fees Office is writing to all hon. Members with details of the modifications.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will mark next year's International Year of Volunteers by spending a day working as a volunteer. [137431]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 13 November 2000, Official Report, column 531W.Volunteers both in this country and overseas make tremendous contribution to international development. I admire the dedication of the many thousands of people who give their time and skills in this way. I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of Malawi's requirement for teaching staff in the next four years; and how she expects that need to be met. [137943]

There are about 40,000 primary teachers in Malawi. 50,000 teachers are needed for an average ratio of one teacher per 60 pupils. We recently approved a seven-year programme which includes a teacher education component training 6,000 new teachers per year; though, because of high attrition rates (particularly through HIV/AIDS), it will take several years to reach the target. Malawi is also exploring the scope for increased efficiency through ideas such as multi-grade teaching.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on those schools within the Occupied Territories which have been closed or unable to operate (a) because of Israeli military order or curfew and (b) because they are located in areas which are not safe for children or employees. [138711]

We understand that the Palestine Authority closed its schools for security reasons, but that most of them re-opened on 7 October. Where circumstances have prevented them from re-opening, contingency arrangements have been put in place to enable teachers and pupils, wherever possible, to attend other schools in their locality.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when the International Consultation Workshop on Palestinian Education originally planned for 30 and 31 October will take place. [138714]

The International Consultation Workshop on Palestinian Education has had to be postponed because of security concerns in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Ministry of Education plan to reschedule it as soon as circumstances allow and the safety of all participants can be guaranteed.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of the aid from Her Majesty's Government to Palestinian education and schools in each of the last six years has been spent on schools in Hebron and Hawara. [138712]

Britain has provided no direct assistance to schools in Hawara and Hebron in the last six years. We have provided technical assistance to the Palestinian Authority to build capacity in Ministry of Education, districts and schools to help them deliver high quality education to Palestinian children. Our assistance has taken the form of experts, training and some equipment.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the occasions since 1996 in which the provision of aid has been associated with the sale of military equipment to the aided country. [138528]

The sale of British military equipment has not been associated with the provision of UK aid since 3 May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what projects the EU Aid package for Colombia will be spent on. [139660]

The European Union has not yet finalised its plans for the disbursement of its aid to Colombia. I understand an EU team is in Colombia at the moment considering this question and that the matter will be discussed by representatives of member states on 24 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development to whom the European Union aid to Colombia will be disbursed; and what mechanisms have been put in place to ensure the continued involvement of, and consultation with, Colombian civil society in building the conditions for peace. [138667]

The European Union has not yet finalised its plans for the disbursement of its aid to Colombia. I understand an EU team is in Colombia at the moment considering this question and that the matter will be discussed by representatives of member states on 24 November.The involvement of civil society was initially a concern to donors but the Colombian Government has now accepted the need for consultation and played a full part in the civil society conference in Costa Rica last month. Representatives of civil society were invited to the meeting in London in June that initiated a series of meetings between donors and the Colombian Government on Plan Colombia and other proposals for assisting the peace process. Civil society representatives were present at the meetings in Madrid and Bogota and will also attend the meeting in Brussels in March.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to increase the numbers of Special Advisers working for assembly secretaries in the National Assembly for Wales. [139833]

The number of Special Advisers that can be appointed to provide advice to assembly secretaries in the National Assembly for Wales has been increased from four to six. An amendment has been made to the Civil Service Order in Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many paramilitary offences have been committed since the signing of the Belfast Agreement, broken down by offences, and which were attributable to Republican and Loyalist groups. [138866]

The following table shows the number of security incidents recorded by the Royal Ulster Constabulary during the period 10 April 1998 to 31 October 2000.

Number
Deaths1
By Loyalists	22
By Republicans	38
other	1
Bombings incidents2>	278
Shooting incidents3	528
Casualties as a result of paramilitary style attacks4 Shootings:
By Loyalists	149
By Republications	87
Assaults:
By Loyalists	223
By Republicans	129
1Includes all deaths due to the security situation
2An individual bombing incident may involve one or more explosive devices. Incidents recorded include explosions and defusings. Incidents involving Hoax devices, petrol bombs or incendiaries are excluded. It is not possible to attribute all bombing and shooting incidents
3 The following types of incidents are included: shots fired by terrorists shots fired by the security forces paramilitary-style attacks involving shootings shots heard (and later confirmed) other violent incidents where shots are fired (eg armed robbery)
4Year 2000 statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor adjustment

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Bedford (Mr. Hall) of 28 July 2000, Official Report, column 1005W, when he expects to receive the new Framework Document from the Northern Ireland Prison Service; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [139726]

It is planned to publish the Northern Ireland Prison Service Framework Document in December 2000. A copy will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (a) have served in Kosovo and (b) are currently serving in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [139525]

Sixty officers from the Royal Ulster Constabulary have recently completed a one-year term with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo where they have been undertaking an executive policing role pending a new Kosovan police service being trained and ready to take over law enforcement there. In addition, six officers served with the body recovery teams from April to November 2000. Sixty-two officers from the RUC are currently serving in Kosovo; 23 from the original group and 39 deployed during November 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary (a) have served in Bosnia Herzegovina and (b) are serving in Bosnia Herzegovina; and if he will make a statement. [139526]

A total of seven officers from the Royal Ulster Constabulary have served with the United Nations International Police Task Force in Bosnia monitoring the Number performance of the Bosnian police service; four during the period April 1999 to April 2000 and three from October 1999 to October 2000. There are currently five officers serving in Bosnia with a further four officers to be deployed in April 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consideration he gave to calling in the planning application made by Northumberland County Council to itself for the relocation of the Lyneburn travellers site, Lynemouth, Northumberland, to Lyneburn Cottage, Lynemouth; and what plans he has to seek the revocation of planning permission for this development. [138818]

The Northumberland County Council's Planning and Regulation Committee have determined an application by their Environment Directorate on 5 September 2000 for the development of an 11 pitch gypsy site at Lyneburn Cottage, Lynemouth. However, the application and local concerns about it did not come to the attention of the Government Office for the North East until shortly after that date. It was thus too late for the Secretary of State to consider whether or not to intervene by calling-in the application for his own determination.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how much money was allocated to the Countryside Agency last year; and how much of this money was spent on (a) transport, (b) community development, (c) planning, (d) social exclusion, (e) economic regeneration and enterprise, (f) access and (g) special areas; [139064](2) and the Regions how much of the money allocated to the Countryside Agency for use on rural transport schemes has been spent; [139031](3) what proportion of the total budget for the Countryside Agency went to each of its regional offices in the last financial year; [139033](4) what the staff costs were of the Countryside Agency in the last financial year. [139032]

The Countryside Agency was allocated £48.735 million last financial year(1999–2000). Programme expenditure was as follows:

£million
(a) Transport	3.579
(b) Community development	5.051
(c) Planning	0.341
(d) Social exclusion	0.263
(e) Economic regeneration and enterprise	0.471
(f) Access	4.692
(g) Special areas	3.758

A further £1.336 million has been spent on rural transport schemes this year, with £2.26 million spent in 1998–99 by the former Rural Development Commission.The staff costs for the Agency in the last financial year totalled £9.871 million.

Of the total budget allocated to regions in the last financial year, expenditure per region in percentage terms was as follows:

Percentage
North East	12
North West	13
Yorkshire and the Humber	12
East Midlands	8
West Midlands	10
East of England	11
South East and London	18
South West	16

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account his integrated transport policy takes of the ease of transfer between use of cars and railways; and if he will make a statement. [138894]

Both our integrated transport White Paper published in 1998, and Transport 2010—The 10 Year Plan, published in July 2000, recognise the importance of improving interchange between different modes of transport. The 10 Year Plan includes among its target outcomes (paragraph 6.62)

"better integration and co-ordination between transport modes through local transport plans and improved interchanges".

One of the three statutory purposes of the Strategic Rail Authority will be to contribute to the development of an integrated transport system. Meanwhile, the Franchising Director has made it clear that proposals for franchise replacement should improve the "whole journey" experience from door to door, and reduce perceived barriers to switching from car to public transport.The 10 Year Plan also recognises the importance of well designed and located, safe and secure park and ride facilities which can be linked to both light and heavy rail services and sets out the need to develop longer distance schemes, such as "parkways" linked to rail services.Our guidance to authorities on local transport plans stressed the role of interchange as well as the development of local strategies for improving interchange between passenger rail and other modes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further action he is taking to improve access to water for non-powered craft.[1390031]

Following discussion with interested organisations earlier this year, I announced last month that the Government would be undertaking research to establish the current state of access to water for sport and recreation in England and Wales.The research is being jointly funded by my Department, Sport England, the Environment Agency, British Waterways, the Countryside Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales. An Inter-Departmental Group including the sponsors, the National Assembly for Wales, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will oversee the research. Interested organisations will also be involved.The Government will decide what further action, if any, is needed to improve access for non-powered watercraft in the light of the findings of the research, expected towards the end of next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will list the locations where methyl tertiary butyl ether has been detected in groundwater as a result of the study into oxygenate occurrence; [138848](2) pursuant to his answer of 6 June 2000,

The Environment Agency expects to publish their report on oxygenate occurrence later this week. I have deposited an advance copy in the Library of the House. The report was carried out to review the presence and behaviour of MTBE in England and Wales. It does not contain a definitive list of all sites where MTBE has been detected in groundwater, but provides supporting statistics and tables, and concludes that current usage does not pose a major threat to public water supplies.Finland is to resubmit the draft risk assessment for further discussion by EU technical experts in December 2000 and for consideration by the EU Competent Authorities for existing substances in February 2000. Final agreement on the risk assessment, and, if necessary, any proposals for risk reduction are not expected to be published before the end of 2001. The draft conclusions do not indicate any significant risk of adverse effects for human health or the environment from current levels of exposure to MTBE; but there is concern about the implications of taste and odour of MTBE at low levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has held with operators of the Channel Tunnel about the carriage of motor vehicles powered by LPG. [139335]

Eurotunnel' s original applications for operating certificates excluded the carriage of LPG and dual-fuelled vehicles. At one of its regular meetings with the Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission in September, the company confirmed that it is keeping its policy on the carriage of these vehicles under review. Eurotunnel will need the agreement of the Intergovernmental Commission, acting on the advice of the independent Channel Tunnel Safety Authority, before it can extend the scope of its services to include these vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much the Government will receive in divided payments arising from its 0.2 per cent. equity stake in Railtrack. [139141]

Dividend payments will amount to just under £300,000 in the current financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further action he is taking to protect ancient woodlands. [139260]

The planning system continues to take account of ancient woodlands and the habitats they provide for a wide range of flora and fauna. PPG9 on nature conservation is to be revised once the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill receives Royal Assent. Recommendations on how best to replace the existing advice on trees and woods contained in Circular 36–78 will be made as part of the work of the Forestry Forum chaired by my hon. Friend the Minister for Fisheries and the Countryside.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for the introduction of the Starter Homes Initiative for key workers into north-west Kent. [139458]

We announced in July that £250 million would be available over the next three years to fund the Starter Home Initiative. We will be announcing further details of the scheme and inviting bids for funding, in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the South Central rail franchise will be handed over by Connex to GoVia. [139422]

A new franchise agreement will be signed with GoVia once detailed negotiations and funding plans have been developed and terms have been agreed between them and Connex Transport UK Ltd. for the early transfer of the existing South Central franchise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many legal advisers are employed by his Department; and how many of those advise on matters relating to animals. [138921]

The number of legal advisers employed by the Department is 84. None of the Department's lawyers advises exclusively on matters relating to animals, although the protection of endangered species and legislation relating to zoos are among the matters on which they do advise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers the Rail Regulator has in relation to fare increases by train operating companies. [139522]

The Franchising Director regulates fare increases through the franchise agreements he has with train operating companies. Train operators are not allowed to increase key fares by more than RPI-1 per cent. annually. This includes all saver tickets (or unrestricted Standard Returns where no Saver exists) and standard Weekly Season tickets. Further controls apply to London commuter fares, where the cap can be adjusted by £2 per cent. depending upon performance. The Rail Regulator does have powers under the Competition Act 1998 to investigate train operators where he has reasonable grounds to believe that they are charging excessive prices.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make representations to the Rail Regulator concerning the decision by First Great Western to prohibit saver fares from being used by commuters. [139521]

Franchise agreements stipulate that saver tickets need not be valid before 1030 on weekdays, nor for any journey beginning between 1500 and 1900 on certain flows from London, in line with the restrictions which existed under British Rail. It is a matter for train operating companies to decide whether or not to offer saver tickets in peak hours.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what his policy is on the level of renovation grant aid available to individual householders; [139688](2) what support is available to residents of park homes with specific reference to

Renovation grants, which are given at the discretion of local authorities, are calculated on the basis of the cost of the relevant works and the amount the applicant can afford to contribute. They have no upper limit. There is a limit of £0,000 for disabled facilities grants, which are mandatory, but local authorities have discretion to pay more. Home repair assistance, which is available for smaller works, is limited to £2,000 per grant.Residents of park homes are eligible for renovation grants, home repair assistance and disabled facilities grants if they meet the other criteria for the grants. The grants are available to both owners and tenants but, for a renovation grant or disabled facilities grant, the owner of the dwelling must also own the land on which it is stationed. Where a grant is not available, the local authority has the option of assisting in other ways, for example by offering a tenancy in its own housing or nomination to a registered social landlord.The Housing Green Paper, which we published in April, contained proposals to reform the legislation governing renovation grants and home repair assistance. We will announce shortly how we propose to proceed with those reforms.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Local Government Association on the subject of early retirement for local government officers. [139695]

The Department's officials work closely with a wide range of interested parties on all aspects of the Local Government Pension Scheme. They are in regular touch with the Local Government Association on the subject of early retirement for local government officers, and on pension matters generally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the timing of decisions concerning ERDF Objective 2 funding for the North-west for 2000 to 2006. [138649]

The North-west region will receive Structural Fund moneys through a number of channels. The bulk of these will be delivered through the Objective 2 Single Programming Document. This document is still the subject of negotiation between the Government Office for the North-west and the European Commission.It is difficult to predict the precise time that the negotiations will be completed. The document is then the subject of consideration by the Commission's internal services committee, a process taking about four weeks. It is currently anticipated that the document will be presented to either the January or February committees for approval.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) fatal accidents and (b) serious injuries have occurred on pelican and zebra crossings in each of the last 20 years. [139605]

The numbers of pedestrians killed and seriously injured on pelican and zebra crossings in Great Britain is shown in the table:

Casualties on a zebra or pelican crossing, refuge or central island
	Fatal	Serious
1980	115	1,064
1981	96	996
1982	110	1,156
1983	112	1,087
1984	92	1,114
1985	92	1,146
1986	122	1,192
1987	93	1,011
1988	103	1,114
1989	87	1,039
1990	97	1,079
1991	102	902
1992	80	895
1993	74	763
1994	73	766
1995	49	721
1996	71	707
1997	60	742
1998	51	664
1999	53	572

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many homes are connected to the domestic water supply system by lead piping in each region of the UK. [139608]

Detailed estimates of the number of homes connected by lead piping were made in 1991–92 in England and Wales. The information is presented in the following table where:

communication pipe is the pipe connecting the water main to the stopcock at the boundary of the property and is owned by the water company,

supply pipe is the pipe from the stopcock to the property and is owned by the property owner,

internal plumbing is the pipe within the property to the kitchen tap which is owned by the property owner.

Number of homes with lead
Millions
Region	Communication pipe	Supply pipe	Internal plumbing
North West	1.75	1.67	2.09
North East	1.43	1.44	1.40
Midlands	1.50	1.60	1.60
East	0.49	0.48	0.15
Wales	0.33	0.45	0.23
South West	0.40	0.37	0.35
South East	0.43	0.42	0.38
South	1.92	2.49	0.82
Total	8.25	8.92	7.02

Since 1991–92, approximately 0.8 million lead communication pipes have been replaced by water companies in England and Wales. Information is not available on the number of supply pipes and internal pipes replaced by property owners.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many homes in the UK have been affected by nitrate contamination in drinking water by region of the UK in each of the last 10 years. [139607]

The information is not available in the form requested. Since 1990 the Drinking Water Inspectorate has published annually information relating to compliance with drinking water quality standards in England and Wales, including the nitrate standard of 50 milligrams per litre. The available information is summarised in the following table:

Year	Number of tests for nitrate	Number of tests failing nitrate standard
1990	40,509	1,117
1991	41,430	1,170
1992	45,031	852
1993	41,031	364
1994	38,433	318

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from Kent County Council with respect to the area cost adjustment for 2001–02. [139439]

We have received a representation from the political leaders of the three main parties on Kent County Council and two from officials of the council.Representations have also been received from Tonbridge and Mailing Shire District, Medway Town Unitary Authority as well as from seven Kent MPs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conclusions he has reached on the application of the sum of sectors pricing policy on UK/US air services. [139832]

The 'sum of sectors' policy, which was agreed by the UK and the US in 1978, covers transatlantic air fares for journeys which include one or more additional domestic sectors. It provides that the total fare must be no lower than the sum of the published fares for all the sectors flown on that journey. The policy was adopted to reduce the advantage that US airlines enjoy as a result of the exclusion of UK carriers from the US domestic market. Such an advantage, if it had been allowed to persist, could have resulted in even more passengers connecting at US gateways being channelled onto US carriers for the transatlantic sector.In October, British Midland sought to offer promotional fares from UK regional points to the US via Manchester which breached the sum of sectors policy. These fares were automatically disallowed by the CAA. However, following advice from the CAA, we decided that the operation of this 22-year-old policy needed to be reassessed. In particular, he wished to be satisfied that the right balance existed between the need to protect UK carriers from unfair competition and the need to promote healthy competition which would bring benefits to consumers and to the regions.We have concluded that the policy should no longer be applied to transatlantic journeys serving UK regional points. Such a change of policy would mean that journeys from a range of 'behind' points to points in the US via regional UK gateways would no longer need to cost the sum of the fares of the two individual sectors. The effect will be to encourage keener competition on transatlantic routes to and from UK regional points, with the prospect of lower transatlantic fares and commensurate benefits for the regions.In arriving at this conclusion, we have had regard to the advice of the CAA, the industry and those hon. Members who have written to us on the subject. Whereas we recognise that there is no consensus, we are satisfied that the consumer benefits are sufficient to warrant this change in policy.My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Transport has therefore written today to Rodney Slater, the US Secretary for Transportation, commending this policy change to him.Given the potential consumer benefits and the even-handed application of the policy as between UK and US carriers, and while the US is considering our proposal, we have asked the CAA not to intervene on tariff filings by carriers of either side for services to UK regional points if they contravene the `sum of sectors' policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to make an announcement on the arrangements for transitional measures for negative subsidy authorities; and if he will make a statement on the impact of these measures on Harlow. [139837]

"Negative subsidy" authorities are those that have been transferring resources from their Housing Revenue Account (HRA) to their general fund under section 80(2) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 ("LGHA 1989"). From April 2001, when the Major Repairs Allowance (MRA) is paid for the first time, these authorities will generally make a much smaller transfer, as they will be eligible for more HRA subsidy than without the MRA, and in many cases the transfer will end.Authorities have a number of options to compensate for the reduction in the transfer from their HRA: in principle they could reduce the cost of services charged to their general fund, or fund them in the short term from reserves, or increase their council tax. It is a matter for the authority concerned as to how it adapts to this change in the income of their general fund. However, as I announced earlier this year, we intended to provide transitional measures for these authorities to allow them time to adjust to their new financial position. We sought views on the form for these transitional measures in a consultation paper "A New Financial Framework for Local Authority Housing: Resource Accounting in the Housing Revenue Account, Transitional Measures for 'Negative Subsidy' Authorities" issued in August 2000. We have given careful consideration to the responses received.We do not intend that authorities should be forced to make transfers from their HRA to their general fund under the transitional measures. We take the view that it is a matter for local decision as to whether to leave resources in the HRA, where they can be used to support the housing service, or to transfer them under the transitional measures to the general fund to support other services. An authority will be free to adopt a different policy on applying for transitional measures in each year for which measures are available, if it so chooses.We intend to provide transitional measures that will allow authorities that were in "negative subsidy" in the financial year 1999–2000, for a period of no more than 10 years, to transfer extra resources from their HRA to their general fund in addition to any transfer required by section 80(2). There will be an upper limit as to the amount that can be transferred in each year during that period, in addition to any transfer under section 80(2). Authorities wishing to take advantage of these transitional measures will need to apply each year to the Secretary of State for a special determination to allow a transfer under the terms of the transitional measures.We would expect to give that approval for transfers, other than any transfers under section 80(2), and make the special determinations at any time after the making of the HRA subsidy determination for the financial year in question but before the final decision under section 80A of the LGHA 1989 as to the amount of HRA subsidy payable for that financial year. We will, of course, consider representations from authorities as to the amount to be transferred in respect of any financial year. But, other than in very exceptional circumstances, we expect to adopt the following approach to calculate the maximum amount an authority may transfer each year.The maximum period for any authority for which transitional measures will be available will be 10 years. Transitional measures will be available to many authorities only for a shorter period. The first year in which authorities can benefit from these transitional measures will be 2001–02.The maximum amount that an authority will be allowed to transfer each year under the transitional measures will depend on a 'base amount' for each authority, and will be reduced year by year, by a fixed step reduction, from this `base amount'.The base amount' for each authority will be equal to the amount of the transfer under section 80(2) from their HRA to their general fund in respect of financial year 1999–2000. The step reduction in the amount of the maximum transfer under transitional measures for each authority will be the larger of:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the Government's response to the final report of the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force. [139898]

My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has announced the publication of the Government's response to the final report of the Cleaner Vehicles Task Force, which contains further measures to improve air quality and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, including £69 million funding to accelerate the take-up of cleaner fuels and cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes he plans to make to the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 for 2001; and if he will make a statement. [139899]

The Government are proposing to make two changes and have laid before Parliament the draft "Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000" which are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.The first targets to be met under the EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste fall due in 2001. The recovery and recycling obligations placed on producers under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations (`the Regulations') are to enable the UK to meet its obligations under the Packaging Waste Directive, in particular, to meet the recovery and recycling targets—that is at least 50 per cent. of packaging waste to be recovered, at least 25 per cent. recycled and 15 per cent. of each packaging material recycled.The recovery carried out in the first three quarters of this year suggests that we are on course to make further progress in 2000 towards the directive targets and I am placing a copy of a "Note on 2000 Packaging Data" in the Library of the House.The Government published a consultation paper in August 2000 on targets for 2001 and proposed, on the basis of the data available at the time, and taking account of estimates for the additional tonnages which were expected to be obligated in 2001, that there should be a recovery target of 58 per cent. and a material-specific recycling target of 18 per cent. for each material.However, because there are now more recent data available from industry, my Department has reviewed all the figures that were used to inform the development of the targets in the consultation paper. The revised figures suggest that a recovery target of 56 per cent., together with a material-specific recycling target of 18 per cent., would allow the UK to discharge its targets under the Packaging Waste Directive, and these are the targets which I am proposing, subject to parliamentary approval. These targets are expected to achieve recovery of 51 per cent. against the 50 per cent. target. We estimate that a cushion of 1 per cent. (which is around 96,000 tonnes) should be sufficient, provided that the underlying data and assumptions are broadly correct. I think it is only prudent to provide a small safety margin to allow for error in the Department's assessment of the additional tonnages which have to be brought within the scope of obligated packaging by 2001 and also to take account of the possibility that the tonnage reported by the smaller businesses (with turnover between £2 million and £5 million) who were obligated for the first time this year may decrease in their second year of obligation, as their figures improve, as was the case with the data provided by the larger (turnover over £5 million) businesses in their second year of obligation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to reform legislation on business tenancies. [139901]

We propose shortly to consult on use of the order-making procedure in the draft Regulatory Reform Bill to implement a number of detailed improvements to the workings of business tenancies legislation.Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 gives business tenants, in most circumstances, a statutory right to renew their leases. We do not propose to change this, but we wish to improve the workings of the Act to ensure that it operates more efficiently in the interests of both landlords and tenants. Many of our proposals stem from the Law Commission's 1992 review of the workings of the Act.Among the proposals are changes in the arrangements under which parties may mutually agree to exclude security of tenure before the lease comes into effect. The Law Commission considered that the present procedure of applying to the court serves little purpose, and we are instead proposing that in most cases tenants should receive advance notice with a "health warning" drawing attention to the implications of excluding security of tenure. The tenant would have time to take professional advice and consider alternative arrangements.Our proposals would also streamline the renewal process, making it simpler and quicker for tenants to renew their leases. They would remove traps for tenants, generally making the system fairer between the parties. Tenants as well as landlords would be able to apply for interim rent, pending settlement on the rent for the new tenancy; while the method for determining interim rent would be fairer.We are also about to issue a consultation paper on section 57 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. This enables certain landlords of business premises who are in the public sector or who are public sector providers to apply to central Government for certificates which they can then use to circumvent or curtail the renewal of a business tenancy. The consultation paper seeks views on a change of policy by my Department in considering applications for certificates, and on options for repeal bearing in mind the facility for parties to agree to exclude security of tenure from business leases.Both the Deregulation Committee here and the Delegated Powers and Deregulation Committee in the Lords have approved the principle of advance consultation on prospective use of the powers in the Regulatory Reform Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff his Department employs under the New Deal for Young People. [137954]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 13 November 2000, Official Report, columns 551–52W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the special report from the European Ombudsman to the European Parliament on the Code of Good Administrative Practice (OI/1/98/OV). [138167]

The Government strongly support the work of the Ombudsman and good administrative practices throughout all EU institutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many schools in the Occupied Territories have been (a) closed and (b) unable to operate (i) because of Israeli military order or curfew and (ii) because they are located in areas which are not safe for children or employees. [138708]

I understand that a total of 41 schools (serving over 20,000 pupils) in the Occupied Territories were closed either because of Israeli military order or curfew or by the Palestinian Authority for safety reasons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many schools in the West Bank and Gaza have been hit by Israeli army (a) shelling and (b) shooting. [138710]

I understand that 16 schools in the West Bank and Gaza have been hit by Israeli Defence Force fire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received about when the Israeli Government proposes to lift the curfew on the Palestinians of Hebron and Hawara. [138706]

There is still a curfew in Hebron and Hawara. The curfew is lifted occasionally (approximately every 3–4 days) for 4–5 hours, usually in the morning.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many schools in Hebron and Hawara have been (a) closed and (b) unable to operate because of the curfew imposed by the Israeli Government. [138707]

I understand that four schools in Hawara and 28 schools in Hebron were closed for 45 days because of the Israeli-imposed curfew. The schools opened on 12 November but were closed again when the curfew was re-imposed on 14 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many schools in Hebron have been taken over by the Israeli Defence Force for use as military bases. [138709]

I understand that the Israeli Defence Force took over four schools in Hebron for use as army posts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list by diplomatic mission the sums disbursed on non-war graves on behalf of the Government in 1999. [138802]

There was no expenditure on non-war graves on behalf of the Government in 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 8 November 2000, Official Report, column 279W, what assistance is to be given to help re-build the bombed Danube bridges in Yugoslavia. [138772]

One permanent road bridge has been reconstructed by the Yugoslav authorities at Novi Sad together with a temporary road/rail crossing and a temporary pontoon bridge. The UK will be meeting the costs of laying a water pipeline across the new permanent road bridge. The current EC priority is to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the FRY, focusing on energy needs, medicine and food. Large scale civil engineering projects such as the reconstruction of further bridges at Novi Sad will be considered within the context of the medium term investment required for infrastructure in Serbia. The International Financial Institutions and private sector investors are likely to play important roles in this regard.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British subjects are being held in custody abroad for handling Khat, broken down by age and countries holding them; and if he will make a statement. [138826]

We are aware of eight British nationals detained overseas (all in the USA) for possession of Khat:

• Four in Atlanta—(ages 18, 22, 37, 40)
• Three in Houston—(ages 19, 19, 46) One in
• Chicago—(age 52).

FCO travel advice warns that Khat is illegal in the USA and that visitors attempting to take it into the country risk imprisonment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the UN Sanctions Committee is holding back 2.25 billion dollars of humanitarian goods destined for Iraq; and if some of these holds pertained to critical items. [138767]

While the number and value of oil for food contracts placed on hold by the UN Iraq Sanctions Committee changes daily, in early November the value of contracts placed on hold was about $2.2 billion, of which $0.3 billion of contracts were on hold at UK request. At the same time, Iraqi bureaucracy was reported to be holding back the delivery of $1.1 billion worth of goods already approved by the Sanctions Committee. Where we place holds on contracts we do so mostly temporarily, because of concerns about the goods possible use in Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction programmes or because of a lack of (often basic) information about goods which might be of concern.Since the oil for food programme began in December 1996, almost $16 billion worth of contracts have been approved, including $8.1 billion of food, $1.4 billion of health and $1.1 billion of oil spare parts. Through Security Council resolutions we have introduced a fast-track system for contracts in key humanitarian and infrastructure sectors. To date more than $2 billion worth of goods have been processed in this way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the lifting of the EU arms embargo against Croatia. [139836]

European Foreign Ministers agreed at the General Affairs Council on 20 November that the EU arms embargo against Croatia should be lifted with immediate effect.This is in recognition of Croatia's continuing progress towards implementing her Dayton responsibilities. These include the removal of discriminatory legislation against Croatian Serbs and assistance in war affected areas, the adoption of legislation encouraging refugee return, the establishment of a transparent relationship with the HVO (Bosnian Croat army) in Bosnia and civilian oversight of the Defence Ministry. Croatia joined Partnership for Peace in May 2000 and will soon begin negotiations with the EU on a Stabilization and Association Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the provisions and amendments, by reference to each clause and article, set out in Chapter 7 of the Progress report on the IGC (Confer 4790/00) with particular reference to (a) removal of the veto or emergency brake mechanism, (b) the general principles, (c) the specific rules for cooperation under Title V of the EU Treaty and (d) the application of qualified majority in respect of (i) Article 40(2) and (ii) Titles V and VI of the Treaty on European Unity. [138563]

Discussion continues on the proposed new enhanced co-operation arrangements. As the Prime Minister said in Warsaw, efficient decision-making in an enlarged EU will mean more enhanced co-operation. The Government are therefore open to amending the Treaty provisions provided that enhanced co-operation is open to all and does not undermine the single market.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement by reference to each article on his policy in respect of the provisions and proposed amendments set out in (a) Chapter 1, (b) Chapter 2, (c) Chapter 5, (d) Chapter 6, (e) Chapter 8 and (f) Chapter 9 of the Progress report (Confer 4790/00); [138565](2) if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of

The Government have made their policy clear on all the main IGC issues in the White Paper laid before the House on 15 February and on numerous occasions since then, most recently in their response to the Foreign Affairs Committee's Report on the IGC, which was published as a Command Paper on 27 October. I refer the hon. Member to these.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on proposals in the Progress report on the IGC on Institutional Reform relating to (a) prevention of fraud in the field of taxation, (b) excise duties, (c) financial assistance for natural disasters, (d) the co-ordination of social protection among member states, (e) intellectual property, (f) social exclusion and (g) EU cultural policies; [138652](2) if he will make a statement on proposals in the Progress report on the IGC on Institutional Reform relating to

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood), on 30 October 2000, Official Report, column 238W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the cost to date of the public campaign to explain the benefits of the European Union. [138650]

Since the launch of the "Your Britain, Your Europe" information initiative in November last year, we have spent almost –171,000. This covers the cost of visits to 22 towns and cities across UK, an open day at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in May to mark Europe Day, and other events and publications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to respond to the Quadripartite Committee's report on "Strategic Exports Controls: Further Report and Parliamentary Prior Scrutiny", HC 467 of session 1999–2000, published on 25 July. [139524]

We are in the final stages of inter-departmental consultations on the Government's Response to the Quadripartite Committee's report on "Strategic Export Controls: Further Report and Parliamentary Prior Scrutiny", and expect to publish it soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the countries which have acceded to The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of Child Abduction but whose accession has not yet been declared as accepted by the Government under Article 38; what are the dates of the accession to the Convention of each of these countries; and for which of these countries it is his intention to make a declaration of acceptance in due course. [139012]

Currently, 31 countries have ratified The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Another 33 countries have acceded to the Convention. The UK has not recognised the accessions of countries. These are:

• Belarus (acceded on 1 April 1998)
• Brazil (acceded on 1 January 2000)
• Costa Rica (acceded on 1 February 1999)
• Fiji (acceded on 1 June 1999)
• Moldova (acceded on 1 July 1998)
• Paraguay (acceded on 1 August 1998)
• Trinidad and Tobago (acceded on 1 September 2000)
• Uruguay (acceded on 1 February 2000)
• Uzbekistan (acceded on 1 August 1999).

The UK's recognition of Fiji's accession will be placed on the next Statutory Instruments as we have completed a review and are satisfied that they can meet their obligations under the Convention.We take our own obligations under the Hague Convention very seriously and will only recognise the accession of states whom we are confident can implement

the Convention effectively and efficiently. We are not planning to recognise the accession of any new states (apart from Fiji) to the Convention until the 4

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students qualified for (a) computer literacy and information technology—CLAIT and (b) European computerised driving licence—ECDL—in each of the past three years; and what are the comparable qualification rates in other European Union countries. [138343]

[holding answer 15 November 2000]: The information requested is not held centrally in the Department because these qualifications are not currently regulated by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. In the future, once accreditation of vocationally related qualifications by the QCA is complete, it should become available. Comparison figures in other EU countries are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what guidance is being provided for inspectors on indicators of race equality in schools; [138876](2) what steps he is taking to ensure that school inspectors who are required to inspect provision for English as an additional language are given appropriate training; [138878](3) if he will make it his policy to ensure that racial awareness training is mandatory for all school inspectors; and if he will make a statement. [138877]

These are matters for HM Chief Inspector of Schools, Chris Woodhead. I have asked him to write to my hon. Friend and to place a copy of his letter in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many individual learning accounts have been taken out; and what percentage are being supplemented by an employer. [139051]

Over 430,000 Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) have been opened to date. Information on employer contributions is not collected routinely but information will be available as part of the evaluation strategy. Initial results, through a survey of ILA holders, will be available in the spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those local education authorities which have (a) funded, (b) partially funded and (c) not funded the cost to schools with sixth forms of implementing the new sixth form curriculum. [139070]

[holding answer 17 November 2000]: £35 million was provided within the education SSA for 2000–01 for this purpose. Details of the way in which individual LEA funding formulae distributed this sum to schools are not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the timetable for the creation of co-financing organisations; and if he will make a statement. [139124]

Our consultation document "The European Social Fund: proposals for co-financing in England" proposes that Government Offices should be able to start channelling ESF money through co-financing organisations (CFOs) from 1 September 2001 onwards, once the latter are ready to start operating as CFOs. We shall consider carefully partners' views on that proposal before publishing a firm timetable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the effects of co-financing organisations on the distribution of ESGF Objective 3 grants to small specialist training providers. [139128]

The Objective 3 operational programme for 2000–06 sets out the planned spending by policy field and the indicative financial allocations for each measure. The introduction of co-financing will not affect those spending plans or indicative allocations. We expect that voluntary and community-sector providers will often be well placed to secure ESF money, because they are close to local communities and able to deliver innovative programmes. We expect co-financing to be of great benefit to all providers, and especially those in the voluntary and community sectors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish the terms of reference and remits for the proposed co-financing organisations that will take over the administration of the UK ESF Objective 3 programme. [139129]

We do not envisage that co-financing organisations (CFOs) will take over all that administration. Rather, our consultation document "The European Social Fund: proposals for co-financing in England" proposes that prospective CFOs would apply to the Government Office and regional Programme Monitoring Committee for ESF funding. Such applications would be assessed in line with criteria that the Government Office would set out. CFOs would channel both ESF money and the required match funding to providers in a single funding stream. We are seeking the views of partner organisations on how CFOs might best carry out that role.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what his policy is on recognising non statutory, not for profit organisations as co-financing organisations for the distribution of ESF Objective 3. [139130]

The consultation document "The European Social Fund: proposals for co-financing in England" proposes criteria that Government Offices and regional Programme Monitoring Committees would use to decide whether a body should become a co-financing organisation (CFO). The criteria will need to be fair and clear, to remain appropriate over time, and to promote consistency in decision-making within and between regions. We shall consider partners' views on the proposed criteria carefully.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the inspection of special educational needs in mainstream schools and special schools, with particular reference to (a) the specific focus on these issues at an inspection, (b) the specific expertise of the inspectors and (c) their ability to evaluate diagnostic as well as remedial factors among the pupils. [139169]

This is a matter for HM Chief Inspector of Schools, Chris Woodhead. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member and to place a copy of his letter in the Library.