To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his reply of 1 November 2000, Official Report, column 458W, in respect of the number of crushed cars in 2000, if he will break down the number by (a) registration year and (b) model. [136934]

DVLA's wheelclamping database holds information on clamped and impounded vehicles by registration mark and make. Although the exact ages of vehicles are not readily available, the age identification letter which forms part of the vehicle registration mark provides a good indication.The following two tables show (i) the approximate age of the vehicle and (ii) the make of the crushed vehicle.

DVLA—Wheelclamping scheme Breakdown of vehicles crushed—age identifier
Prefix/Suffix/Other	Letter	Year	Number of vehicles
Suffix	L	—	2
Suffix	M	1973–74	8
Suffix	N	1974–75	8
Suffix	P	1975–76	8
Suffix	R	1976–77	14
Suffix	S	1977–78	12
Suffix	T	1978–79	42
Suffix	V	1979–80	54
Suffix	W	1980–81	81
Suffix	X	1981–82	193
Suffix	Y	1982–83	396
Prefix	A	1983–84	664
Prefix	B	1984–85	1,008
Prefix	C	1985–86	1,340
Prefix	D	1986–87	1,654
Prefix	E	1987–88	1,842
Prefix	F	1988–89	1539
Prefix	G	1989–90	826
Prefix	H	1990–91	293
Prefix	J	1991–92	82
Prefix	K	1992–93	55
Prefix	L	1993–94	21
Prefix	M	1994–95	14
Prefix	N	1995–96	4
Prefix	P	1996–97	0
Prefix	R	1997–98	1
Non age related marks	—	Unknown	44
		Total	10,205

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to ensure that people who are HIV-positive do not suffer discrimination as a result of employment practices followed by his Department. [137783]

The Department is committed to equality of opportunity in the employment of staff. It also has commitments towards their welfare and well-being and takes a number of steps to ensure that there is no discrimination against staff who are HIV-positive.HIV is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Human Rights Act 1998 and in accordance with these legislative requirements. Departmental guidance given in the staff hand book states that:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many, and what percentage of, properties in each council tax band there are in (a) London, (b) Liverpool and (c) Birmingham. [138629]

I have placed in the Library of the House a table showing the number and percentage of dwellings on 15 October 1999 that were in each council tax band in London, Liverpool and Birmingham.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish a rate relief scheme for small independent petrol retailers in rural areas. [139104]

On 19 September, we published our Green Paper "Modernising Local Government Finance", in which we asked for views on whether the village shop rate relief scheme should be extended to certain rural petrol stations. This would provide 50 per cent. mandatory rate relief to singly owned petrol stations with rateable values below £6,000 that are located in designated rural settlements and provide a community facility or service which is not available elsewhere in the locality (for example, a cash machine or cashback facility) and up to 100 per cent. top-up relief. The consultation period ends on 8 December. We will make our decision on whether mandatory relief should be extended to rural petrol stations in light of responses to the Green Paper. All petrol stations with rateable values below £12,000 and located in qualifying rural settlements can already receive up to 100 per cent. discretionary relief if the local authority feels it is of benefit to the local community.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 6 June 2000, Official Report, column 209W, on energy conservation, for what reason the improvements to Part L of the Building Regulations have not come into effect; and if he will make a statement. [139338]

In my answer of 6 June 2000, Official Report, column 209W, I said that our Part L proposals were to be published for public consultation shortly, and this happened on 15 June. The consultation period ended on 29 September and over 350 responses were received. The proposals are now being re-examined by my Department in conjunction with the Building Regulations Advisory Committee in the light of that excellent response.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the outcome of the recent public inquiry on access and navigation rights on the River Wye. [139278]

The application made by the Environment Agency for an Order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 to confer on it powers to regulate navigation on the River Wye has raised complicated issues which require very careful consideration. Since the close of the inquiry we have continued to receive detailed representations from parties to the inquiry, including the Agency. Earlier this year, in the interests of proper administration, we made these representations available to others appearing at the inquiry so that they could comment on them. We are now considering the comments along with the Inspector's report of the inquiry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the suspension of train services due to tunnel and track repairs on the Cheltenham to Swindon line. [139351]

Railtrack is undertaking a major engineering project following flood damage to the 155 year-old Sapperton Tunnel, between Swindon and Gloucester. The cap of a former construction shaft in the floor of the tunnel collapsed due to the amount of stormwater flowing through the tunnel drainage system.The track over the shaft will be removed before foundations, bearings and new concrete slabs can be installed over the shafthead. Works will also be carried out to four similar shafts to ensure future storms do not cause another collapse.Railtrack expects normal passenger services to resume in about four weeks when the works should be completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on planning issues in relation to flood relief measures in Gloucestershire. [139350]

The Government are committed to reducing, where possible, the risks from flooding to people, property and the natural environment. It is for the Environment Agency to bring forward flood relief measures when they are required for consideration by the appropriate local authority.Guidance on planning issues in relation to flood relief measures and other issues related to flood risk is contained in Circular 30/92. This is currently being revised and strengthened and we expect to publish the new PPG 25 "Development and flood risk" as soon as practicable in the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue planning guidance to local authorities on the design and materials of fences fronting dwellings in rural areas. [139245]

Best practice guidance on all the built elements of a development is contained in "By Design", a good practice guide published jointly by my Department and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. The Countryside Agency has also promoted Village Design Statements and Countryside Design Summaries to assist good design in rural areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the proposal to widen the M4 in the vicinity of Junction 18 was (a) first included and (b) removed from the Government's road programme. [139397]

The scheme was added to the roads programme in May 1989 and withdrawn in November 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will receive the report of the inspector on the public inquiry into coastal defences at Birling Gap. [139423]

The Government Office for the South East received the inspector's report on the public inquiry into planning applications for coastal defences at Birling Gap on 14 November. The Secretary of State expects to issue his decisions on these applications early in the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the suppliers of new rail sections to Railtrack and the country of origin for each of the last five years, including the specification required concerning (a) tempering, (b) surface hardening and (c) manufacturing method. [139170]

Railtrack have advised that the former British Steel, now Corns Rail, and Voest Alpine Schienen of Austria had been their sole suppliers until new contracts were awarded in May of this year to Corns Rail, Voest Alpine Schienen and Lucchini SpA of Italy.The current specifications relating to the tempering, surface hardening and manufacture of the rails are included in section RT/CE/S/061 of the Railtrack Line Standards Issue 23 of October 2000. Issue 23 is available on CD Rom and Railtrack have arranged for a copy to be placed in the House of Commons Library.The proportion of rails subject to particular manufacturing treatments such as tempering and surface hardening continues to depend on the use to which the rails are to be put, since manufacturing specifications vary according to intended traffic loading, line speeds and the geometry of the track.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the records from Railtrack regarding the dates on which cracks occurred after the fitting of new rail. [139171]

Railtrack have advised that it has checked 3,000 sites for gauge corner cracking. The detection and removal of affected rails is a continuous process and the information is not available in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the Inspection Schedule used by Railtrack to assess track conditions. [139172]

Railtrack have advised that the Inspection Schedule it uses to assess the condition of the track is included in their Railway Group Standards Issue 5, dated October 2000, section GC/RT5022 on inspection of rail and rail joints.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review planning guidance with regard to the siting of mobile phone masts near (a) private houses, (b) schools and (c) hospitals; and if he will require local planning authorities to refuse planning applications for new masts in cases where operators have refused to share facilities. [139388]

A consultation exercise seeking views on possible changes to the planning laws relating to mobile phone masts and associated guidance ended on 31 October 2000. The Department is currently analysing the responses. We shall announce any changes as soon as practicable.Current guidance in DETR Circular 4/99 already makes clear the Government's expectation that developers should provide local planning authorities with evidence that they have fully considered the use of existing masts, buildings and other structures before seeking to erect any new mast. It also says that, if the evidence regarding the consideration of alternative sites is not considered satisfactory, the authority may be justified in refusing prior approval or planning permission for the development.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent research he has conducted on the (a) health implications and (b) environmental impact of the location of mobile phone masts; and if he will make a statement. [139401]

The Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (the Stewart Group) was set up at the request of the then Minister for Public Health to investigate the public health implications of mobile phone technologies. The Group's report was published on 11 May and copies are in the Library. The report reviewed research findings worldwide and made a numbers of recommendations including a recommendation to initiate a substantial independent programme of research. The programme will be launched shortly. The Department has not carried out research into the environmental impact of the location of mobile phone masts.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans her Department has for future development work in China. [138110]

Since 1997 we have refocused our development work in China away from a concentration on the old Aid and Trade Provision which softened the terms of commercial contracts. We are now building support for health and water, education and environmental concerns focused on the needs of the poorest regions and people. We are also supporting state owned Enterprise Reform and prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS. China has since 1978 focused on the reduction of poverty, and the numbers living on less than 1$ per day have been reduced from 600 million to 120 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on support given to China for HIV and AIDS. [138113]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in China. [138121]

HIV/AIDS has come into China across its border with Burma and is a problem of increasing importance. We are supporting the efforts of the Chinese Government to develop a national HIV/AIDS policy, and to test innovative approaches to HIV prevention in the provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan. We are providing £15 million over five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the international aid programmes in North Korea. [138111]

The deprivation and suffering, particularly of the children, which was featured in the 'Dispatches' programme, is principally the result of the policy and action of the Government of North Korea. Since 1998 we have provided over £2.5 million of humanitarian assistance, channelled through UN agencies and international NGOs, focusing particularly on agriculture rehabilitation and food security.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance Her Majesty's Government are providing to Zimbabwe; and what are the aims of her Department's programmes there. [138114]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her aid projects in Zimbabwe. [138120]

We are providing assistance for projects which assist the poor in improving rural livelihoods; providing water and sanitation; and access to reproductive health needs. I have recently agreed a commitment of £20 million for HIV/AIDS prevention.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what efforts are being made by her Department to encourage the development of renewable sources of energy in the developing world. [138115]

We are spending £1.5 million per year on research to improve energy provision for the poor. The work falls under four themes:

The development and promotion of renewable energy sources, especially for rural communities;

The more efficient supply, conversion and use of energy;

Improved access to clean energy in poorer households;

Reducing the environmental impacts of energy use.

We are also supporting the G8 Renewable Energy Task Force and we are major contributors to the Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP). We are also members of the World Renewable Energy Network (WREN).I will place a copy of the most recent newsletter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to assist countries in Asia in combating AIDS. [138116]

Combating HIV/AIDS in Asia is one of our major priorities and we are working with international and regional agencies to this end. At country level, we are supporting major HIV/AIDS programmes in India, Bangladesh, Cambodia and China and smaller efforts elsewhere. We are also supporting a variety of community-led initiatives designed to reduce the impact of the epidemic.In 1999–2000, DFID spent over £13 million on HIV/AIDS bilateral programmes in Asia. This year, we will contribute over £43 million to the United Nations Population Fund and UNAIDS. Both organisations contribute significantly to anti HIV/AIDS work in Asia.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the humanitarian situation in Kosovo in respect of children. [138117]

We receive regular reports on the humanitarian situation in Kosovo through our own representative and through international humanitarian agencies, including UNICEF. We have provided £2.5 million to UNICEF for programmes in Kosovo, and a total of £12.5 million for the Balkans as a whole.Our support to programmes in Kosovo, both directly and through our share of the funding of the programmes of the EC and multilateral agencies, includes support to health care, social welfare, housing and community development.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with NGOs which are involved in provision of aid to Burma. [138118]

We consulted non-governmental organisations in preparing our Country Strategy Paper on Burma which was published in July, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House. I met NGOs concerned with Burma in June.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what initiatives she is taking to help poor countries improve their education provision. [138119]

We are committed to the achievement of universal primary education (UPE) and gender equality as priorities for development. This means making a strong contribution to the international effort to achieve these targets. Our three priorities for action are:

(i) Contributing to the international policies and programmes designed to achieve education for all.

(ii) Strong, well targeted country programmes—with priority to sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia—which provide assistance to governments and civil societies committed to UPE and gender equality. We have committed over £400 million to this work since May 1997 and will do more.

(iii) Knowledge and research strategies and outcomes that will contribute to the ability of the international community. including partner countries, to learn lessons, share experience and monitor progress.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what new initiatives she is taking in Indonesia to support poverty reduction and development. [138122]

We published our Country Strategy Paper, setting out the broad framework for UK development assistance to Indonesia, in September. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.Key elements of our development programme include a recently agreed Multistakeholder Forestry Programme, which aims to promote more equitable and sustainable management of Indonesia's forests; technical advice and funding to the Governance Partnership, a facility which provides support to governance reform initiatives identified and prioritised by Indonesian government and civil society; and support for the Community Recovery Programme, an Indonesian civil society response to the economic crisis, providing a "safety net" for those worst affected. We are also exploring with government, civil society and other donors how we might best support pro-poor policy making and budgeting in Indonesia.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to halt the spread of small arms in Africa. [138123]

We have supported the implementation of the Moratorium on the Import, Export and Manufacture of Light Weapons in West Africa through funding concrete programmes in conjunction with the UN. We have provided direct support for the Southern Africa Development Corporation (SADC) Action Plan against the proliferation of small arms in that region and helped to fund some of their projects. We have also actively supported the Nairobi declaration on the problem of the Proliferation of Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons in the Great Lakes Region and in the Horn of Africa and we are assisting in the development and implementation of an Action Plan in support of this Declaration. We plan further efforts to stem the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many delegates to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Annual Conference in Edinburgh visited her Department's stall; and what the take-up was of publications and other materials from the stall by delegates. [138124]

We estimate that over 200 delegates visited the Department for International Development stand during the Conference, representing over a third of those attending. There was considerable interest in the publications, which covered a wide range of issues about the Department and its work.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on recent UK development aid to the Palestinian Authority. [138125]

The UK's priority is to continue support to build a Palestinian nation through economic and social development that takes full account of the needs of the poor. As well as supporting the peace process, our development programme seeks to improve parliamentary democracy, Palestinian basic health care, education, access to water and sanitation, gender equality, legislation, integration into the global economy and improving the efficiency and accountability of the Palestinian Authority. We are also seeking to increase the effectiveness of our support via multilateral institutions, in particular the EC and the UN Relief Works Agency.In response to the recent troubles DFID has provided $100,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross for medical assistance and two emergency experts to the UN Office for the co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. We are following events in the region closely and will respond where we can to developments.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects to make a decision on providing an airfield on the island of St. Helena. [138126]

A comparative study of the options for sea and air access to St. Helena is currently under way. The team undertaking the work visited the island in mid-October. We expect their draft report by the end of this year. We will then discuss the report and its recommendations with the St. Helena Government. The results of the study cannot be prejudged and no presumption can be made that it will lead to support being offered for the provision of an airfield. We hope to reach decisions in early 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her policy of development aid towards Ethiopia. [138127]

I discussed our role in Ethiopia with the Ethiopian Prime Minister in Addis Ababa at the weekend. As the prospects for lasting peace become firmer, we are reviewing how we should re-engage there. Initially we will be strengthening our work through multilateral development agencies such as the World bank and the European Commission. We also strengthen our work on food security.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last met the chief ministers of the overseas territories; what matters were discussed at that meeting; and if she will make a statement. [138128]

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State is responsible for development assistance to the Overseas Territories. He last met Chief Ministers during the second annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council meetings from 3–4 October 2000. These ensure that there is opportunity during the year for UK Ministers to meet political leaders from the Overseas Territories for an exchange of views on a jointly determined agenda. This year's talks included discussion on sustainable development, human rights, accessible justice and internal security.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the ILO's contribution to promoting international development. [138129]

Our assessment is that the International Labour Organisation's priorities are evolving in a direction which will increase their developmental benefits. The ILO's focus on "Decent Work" should achieve a greater emphasis on promoting secure livelihoods for poor people.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to ensure that British aid is not misused. [138130]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South-West Devon (Mr. Streeter) on 7 November 2000, Official Report, column 159W.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what help her Department is giving to developing countries to fight corruption. [138131]

Since 1997 we have strengthened our efforts to fight corruption. This includes support for national anti-corruption strategies, which may include the establishment of specific anti-corruption agencies; strengthening public sector capacity for budgetary and financial management, procurement, accounting and audit; reforming civil service management; enhancing public oversight through strengthened public accounts and other parliamentary committees, and supporting civil society to promote transparency and accountability. We are also collaborating with other development agencies and contributing to multilateral efforts, in particular through supporting the implementation of international conventions against bribery in international trade and strengthening regional anti-money-laundering mechanisms.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with her European counterparts on proposals for the better targeting of aid. [138132]

I most recently met EU Development Ministers and Commission representatives at the 10 November Development Council. The Government are implementing a detailed strategy (a copy of which is in the Library of the House) to press the European Commission and other EU member states radically to improve the poverty focus and effectiveness of EC development assistance. To this end the 10 November Development Council adopted a Development Policy Declaration with poverty reduction, and eventual eradication, as its central objective. I will continue to press for EC resource priorities to be shifted to reflect this new policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress the Chief Executive of DARA has made in achieving his Agency's key targets 1 to 5 for the financial year 2000–01. [138163]

The Chief Executive of DARA is on course to exceed the Agency's key targets 1, 2 and 5 and is on target to meet key targets 3 and 4.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the role and responsibilities are of the Staff Officer to the Chief Executive of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency. [139582]

The role of the Staff Officer to the DARA Chief Executive is to provide Secretariat support to the Chief Executive in the running of a £500 million turnover business, with over 5,000 employees and on four sites across the UK.Specifically:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the United Kingdom's arms trade was with the Moluccas Islands of Indonesia on average in the last five years. [139030]

HM Customs and Excise data collection methods do not allow for the identification of the destination of goods below country level and it is therefore not possible to provide the specific information requested. Details of identified exports of military equipment to individual countries, including Indonesia, are published in Part III of the annual report on Strategic Export Controls. Annual reports have been published covering each of the last three years and copies are available from the Library of the House. Comparable information relating to earlier years is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what concepts have been developed by the UK Defence Evaluation and Research Agency for mine detection; what the cost of the latest version of the technology demonstrator is; what the technology demonstrator is based on; and if he will make a statement. [138979]

The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency is undertaking a number of research tasks for the Ministry of Defence in mine detection. There are three applied research technology demonstrators, aimed at proof of principle demonstrations. These are:

1. The Advanced Hand Held Mine Detector (AHHMD) technology demonstrator programme that started in April 1995. AHHMD is a man-portable, although not necessarily strictly `hand held', system. Research expenditure has been approximately £3 million over five years. The demonstrator is based on integration of Metal Detection, Ground Penetrating Radar and Quadruple Resonance sensors.

2. The Mine Detection, neutralisation and Route Marking System (MINDER) technology demonstrator programme that started in April 1997. MINDER is a land vehicle mounted system. Research expenditure will be in the order of £4 million over five years. The demonstrator is based on integration of close-in Metal Detection and Ground Penetrating Radar sensor arrays and forward looking Ultra Wide Band Radar and Polarised Infra-Red sensors.

3. The Remote Minefield Detection System (REMIDS) technology demonstrator programme is aimed at minefield detection rather than individual mines and began in 1995. Research expenditure will be in the order of £6 million over six years. The demonstrator is based on Ultra Wide Band Synthetic Aperture Radar and Polarised Infra-Red sensors together with a mine detection workstation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidelines have been set for the future Scout and Cavalry system and tactical reconnaissance armoured combat equipment requirement; what ISTAR capabilities TRACER and FSCS will employ; and if he will make a statement. [138976]

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 when the first four Merlin helicopters ordered by the RAF will be in service. [138796]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if further trials of cluster bombs are planned at the Luce Bay range. [139240]

There are no current plans for further trials of cluster bombs at Luce Bay range.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has reviewed Royal Navy security procedures following the terrorist attack on the USS Cole; and if he will make a statement. [139348]

The recent terrorist attacks in Yemen highlight the continuing terrorist threat to UK and allied forces and interests. The threat to our personnel and assets and the security procedures we take to counter the threat are kept under constant review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Defence Diversification Agency; and if he will make a statement on its future. [139355]

The Defence Diversification Agency (DDA) has made an impressive start in implementing our defence diversification policies. Well over 300 companies have been given help to solve their business problems by drawing on defence-based science and technology. We are currently considering the future of the agency, and how best to take forward our diversification policies, in the light of our Public Private Partnership plans for the Defence Evaluation Research Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if DERA Boscombe Down is being used as the public sector comparator or reference project in the private finance initiative procurement of future strategic tanker aircraft; [139163](2) how many wide-bodied jet aircraft will be accommodated at DERA Boscombe Down under the proposed future strategic tanker aircraft project; [139162](3) if he will list the members of the four industry consortia involved in the future strategic tanker aircraft project; and which of them propose to operate the project from

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 animals were moved between DERA and CAMR at Porton Down, Wiltshire in the last year for which figures are available. [138916]

[holding answer 21 November 2000]: A small number of animals have been moved between DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down and its neighbour the Department of Health Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research (CAMR).The tables show the numbers of animals involved from 1995 to 1999:

Table 1: Numbers of animals moved from CBD to CAMR
Species/year	Number
Rhesus monkeys
1997	14
Late 1996/early 1997	14
1996	12
Rats
1996	2
1995	40

Table 2: Numbers of animals moved from CAMR to CBD
Species/year	Number
Mice
1999	28
1996	180
1995	60

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the animal procedures (a) being conducted at and (b) planned for the area known as Hard Target at Porton Down. [138915]

[holding answer 21 November 2000]: DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down has not undertaken any procedures involving living animals at the site on the Porton Down Range known as Hard Target, and none are planned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many genetically modified animals were used in procedures, broken down by species, at Porton Down in each year for the last five years. [138917]

[holding answer 21 November 2000]: DERA's Chemical and Biological Defence Sector at Porton Down uses only one genetically modified animal species, the mouse, in its research.The table shows the numbers of genetically modified mice used in procedures, as reported to the Home Office, for the past five years.

Year	Procedures
1995	120
1996	191
1997	75
1998	333
1999	259

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each type of ordnance released by UK aircraft in response to violations of the southern No-Fly Zone in Iraq since 20 December 1998, stating in each case the proportion they represent of the overall tonnage of ordnance released by UK aircraft since that date, the estimated cost per unit and the estimated cost of stock replacement in each category; and if he will make a statement. [139704]

Between 20 December 1998 and 17 November 2000, the UK has employed only precision guided munitions over the southern No-Fly Zone. Some 85 per cent., by weight, were Paveway II (1,000 lb) Laser Guided Bombs at a unit cost of some £37,000. There are no plans to replace this weapon once current stocks are exhausted. The balance were Paveway III (2,000 lb) Laser Guided Bombs for which the current unit and replacement cost is some £85,000.These precision guided weapons were only employed in self-defence against the Iraqi Integrated Air Defence System, which continues to target coalition aircraft carrying out humanitarian patrols.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole (Mr. Fraser) of 30 October 2000, Official Report, column 224W, if he will provide a breakdown of the 1,183 sub-post office closures by (a) region and (b) urban/rural status. [136707]

A detailed Post Office check of their original estimate of post office closures in the first half of their current financial year has confirmed that the actual figure is 34 less than their estimate. Accordingly the net total of post office closures since the end of March 1997 is 1,149.The 1,149 closures between the end of March 1997 and the end of September 2000 comprised 823 rural offices (defined as offices located in communities of less than 6,300 inhabitants) and 326 urban offices.Since the end of March 2000 the Post Office network is no longer organised on the basis of regions but on the basis of territories.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, by region, the number of sub-post office managers and proprietors who, during the past three months, have submitted notice of their intention to close their sub-post office; what the corresponding number was in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.[137939]

I am informed by the Post Office that closure decisions are not taken by sub-postmasters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices closed in Suffolk (a) from May to December 1997, (b) in 1998, (c) in 1999 and (d) from January. [138414]

[holding answer 14 November 2000]: I understand from the Post Office that figures are not available in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many postal workers were employed by Royal Mail in delivering mail in Suffolk in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999. [138403]

I understand from the Post Office that figures for the number of people employed by Royal Mail are not held centrally on a county basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what regulations govern the installation of mobile phone transmission equipment on telephone masts. [138716]

Operators who have been assigned the Telecommunications Code, set out in Schedule 2 of the Telecommunications Act 1984, have permitted development rights under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995. Under its permitted development rights an operator can install mobile phone transmission equipment on a mast of 15 metres or less in height without the need for a planning application. However, developments undertaken in this way are subject to a prior approval procedure. Under this procedure a planning authority has 42 days in which to comment on the siting and appearance of a mast and can refuse approval where it believes the development would pose a serious threat to amenity. Conversely, the installation of masts above 15 metres in height requires a planning application, as does the installation of any masts in a designated area such as a National Park or an area of outstanding natural beauty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the EU to remove rice from the EC Trade Directorate's Least and Less Developed Country products draft regulation; and if he will make a statement. [139344]

None. The UK supports the Commission's proposal for tariff and quota-free access for all remaining products (except arms) from the Least Developed Countries including a short transitional period for three sensitive agricultural products.This is in line with the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister when he made clear during his Mansion House speech on 22 November 1999 that the Government support duty-free access for all goods from the Least Developed Countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further action he is taking to promote social enterprises. [139261]

Through the Small Business Service, the Department of Trade and Industry is taking a number of measures to promote social enterprises. The measures include:

Ensuring that Business Links meet the needs of all types of businesses in their localities, including social enterprises;

Working with the British Bankers Association and Social Enterprise London to produce guidance on the sector for business support organisations and banks;

Supporting the development by Social Enterprise London of a pilot set of training modules to help business advisers provide better support for social enterprises;

Promoting the role of businesses, including social enterprises, in tackling social exclusion through the Phoenix Fund. The Fund, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced in November 1999 and which has an initial budget of £30 million over three years, seeks to promote enterprise in disadvantaged communities. It has four parts:

A Development Fund to promote innovative ways of supporting enterprise in deprived areas.

A national network of mentors to pre and early stage business start-ups through the Business Volunteer Mentors Association.

A Challenge Fund to help resource Community Finance Initiatives (CFIs).

Loan Guarantee to help co-finance commercial and charitable lending to CFIs.

A number of organisations supporting social enterprises have applied under the fund and their applications are currently being considered. Announcements about the first successful bids will be made shortly.In addition, the Small Business Service will be undertaking a mapping exercise to assess the current and potential economic impact of social enterprises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Mrs. Browning) of 6 July 2000, Official Report, column 250W, if he will publish the findings of the inquiry into the leaking of a memo from Mr. Andrew Fraser. [139248]

It has not been the practice under successive administrators to publish the findings of internal inquiries of this kind.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was (a) the average and (b) the longest period taken by his Department to pay its bills in the past year. [139277]

The information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which companies in (a) Scotland and (b) the UK have been prosecuted for violating the National Minimum Wage legislation. [139425]

There have been no criminal prosecutions. The National Minimum Wage Act provides both civil and criminal powers of enforcement. The Inland Revenue has issued:

Enforcement notices: (a) 25 in Scotland and (b) 278 in the United Kingdom.

Penalty notices: (a) five in Scotland and (b) 38 in the United Kingdom.

The Inland Revenue has taken (a) one Scottish and (b) 23 United Kingdom companies to employment tribunals to recover arrears of pay.

The Government cannot disclose the names of employers against whom civil actions have been taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those companies in Scotland which have been investigated for failure to pay the National Minimum Wage. [139427]

No. This information is confidential and cannot therefore be disclosed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many individual complaints have been received in Scotland from employees who have not received their legal entitlement to the National Minimum Wage. [139428]

Since April 1999, 366 formal complaints have been made to the Inland Revenue from workers in Scotland who have not been paid the National Minimum Wage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on protocols that exist between this country and other EU member states on the allocation of digital radio frequencies; and what reduction of available frequencies in regions of the UK in close proximity to other EU member states he expects. [139581]

The Radiocommunications Agency is responsible for the allocation of spectrum for broadcasting services and for ensuring that the UK's use of radio frequencies, including for digital radio, does not cause interference within the UK or in other countries and that other countries' transmissions do not interfere with UK services. The international co-ordination of frequency use is ordered by the decisions of the International Telecommunication Union. An international agreement, known as the Wiesbaden Plan (1995), which was agreed by the European radio administrations, set the parameters within which the UK and neighbouring countries may co-ordinate bilaterally their respective frequency plans for digital radio.It is too early to consider the outcome of the international negotiations on the sharing of spectrum for individual radio stations given the current state of the planning and international co-ordination processes within Europe, including the prospect that further frequencies for digital radio may become available for this service in the next few years arising out of a European Planning Conference set for 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has (a) to conduct a national audit of radio frequencies and their usage and (b) to increase the number of frequencies open for new local radio stations. [139575]

The Radiocommunications Agency, supported by the Radio Authority and the BBC, commissioned a survey of the current use of the FM spectrum, the efficiency with which it has been planned and the scope for planning additional services. The report was published in June 2000 and is available on the Radiocommunications Agency website at www.radio.gov.uk and copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House shortly.In recent years, additional spectrum has been made available for radio broadcasting in the FM Band. In addition, spectrum has been made available in the VHF band to enable the launch of Digital Radio. Further frequencies may become available for local digital radio services as a result of a European Planning Conference in 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans he has to regulate cold calling by utilities, with specific reference to older residents; [139690](2) what safeguards exist for customers who have agreed to change utility companies as a result of a cold call. [139691]

[holding answer 21 November 2000]: The Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Away from Business Premises) Regulations 1987 give consumers a seven-day cooling off period when buying goods or services worth over £35 during an unsolicited home visit or telephone call. It is an offence not to tell consumers of these rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the allocation of the science budget. [139831]

As a result of the Spending Review, the science budget has been increased by £725 million over the next three years. This represents an increase in the Government's investment in science of an average of 7 per cent. per year in real terms over the next three years. Once again the Government are making it clear that they regard a healthy science and engineering base as critical to the nation's well-being.After taking advice from the Director General of the Research Councils, I have decided that the science budget should be allocated as follows. A total of £356 million is for investment in science and engineering research; of this, £252 million is to be spent over three years on three high-profile programmes across the Research Councils.

Resource and capital, figures include baseline and allocations of new funds
£ million
	2001–02	2002–03	2003–04	Total
Allocations to Cross-Council programmes
Genomics	15.000	39.500	55.500	110.000
E-science	13.000	29.500	55.500	98.000
Basic technology	2.000	15.000	27.000	44.000
Allocations to Research Councils1
MRC	339.614	349.930	358.151	1,047.695
BBSRC	209.987	219.603	226.151	655.741
NERC	191.865	201.414	208.750	602.030
EPSRC	426.202	429.540	436.911	1,292.653
PPARC	203.289	212.383	217.208	632.881
ESRC	73.447	79.263	85.033	237.742
CCLRC	6.421	6.613	7.452	20.486

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is being taken by the Post Office to improve security measures at Weoley Castle sub-post office in Birmingham and to re-open the premises. [139107]

I understand from the Post Office that in interviewing potential candidates to take over the running of Weoley Castle sub-post office, security measures will be discussed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Post Office will take to maintain the availability of accessible counter services to residents during temporary closure of urban sub-post offices. [139108]

The Post Office have advised that they use a range of measures to try to minimise inconvenience to customers when sub-post offices close temporarily. According to the circumstances, these measures may include: appointing a temporary sub-postmaster who can operate the sub-post office until a permanent solution can be found, subject to availability of existing or alternative premises; managing the office directly with Post Office staff; redirecting customers to nearby post offices. In some circumstances the use of a mobile sub-post office service may be an option.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices have sufficient storage and handling space to act as collection, return and payment points for e-commerce. [138040]

The Post Office have begun a six month trial in some 800 post offices in the South West offering customers the facility to nominate a post office as an alternative collection point for packets and parcels. An objective of the trial is to assess the operational implications, including the space required at post offices, of offering this service throughout the network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what functions are performed by the Horizon programme information technology installed in post offices. [138039]

I understand from the Post Office that the Horizon system is now installed in nearly 15,000 post offices.A major upgrade of software for the Horizon system was introduced from 23 October and now includes smartcard compatibility for the automated payments service, direct electronic links between branches and the stock and cash management system and an electronic messaging system. The Horizon equipment has the latest touch screen technology and a small scale monitor, bar code reader, printer and keyboard with card reader for magnetic swipe cards and smartcards. Horizon also operates an electronic point of sale service, which captures transaction details, centrally manages product changes such as tariff updates, and produces an electronic cash account recording weekly payments and receipts which is electronically transferred to the central accounting system. An order book control service for the Benefits Agency is operated by the system, using a barcode reader providing an electronic stop list to reduce fraudulent order book encashment. In addition Horizon integrates several stand alone automated payment systems enabling payment of utilities bills using magnetic swipecards and barcoded bills.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of the components or equipment given Open Individual Export Licences by Her Majesty's Government since 1997 for sale to the Israeli armed forces can be used in firearms, tanks or helicopters of the types used by the Israeli armed forces in action against civilians in the Occupied Territories. [138010]

With regard to details of the equipment licensed for export to Israel on Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) since 2 May 1997, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Competition and Consumer Affairs on 17 November 2000, Official Report, column 809W.All applications to this Government for licences to export defence equipment have been, and continue to be, considered on a case by case basis against the strict export licensing criteria.We have no evidence that equipment licensed for export by this Government has been used against civilians in the Occupied Territories during the recent violence. Should any such evidence appear we would immediately consider revoking the licences concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 November 2000, Official Report, column 511W, what assurances his Department has been given through contacts with the Israeli Government and senior Israeli military that equipment containing components licensed for export to the Israeli armed forces by Her Majesty's Government since 1990 has not been used (a) against civilians in the Occupied Territories and (b) in southern Lebanon. [139243]

We have no evidence that equipment licensed for export to Israel by this Government has been used by Israeli Security Forces against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon. We would be very concerned if such evidence came to light and would immediately consider revoking the licences concerned. We continue to monitor the situation closely and have sought an assurance from the Israeli Government that no equipment or components licensed for export from the UK have been used against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 13 November 2000, Official Report, column 511W, what assurances his Department has been given through contacts with the Israeli Government and senior Israeli military that equipment licensed for export to the Israeli armed forces by Her Majesty's Government since 1990 has not been used (a) against civilians in the Occupied Territories and (b) in southern Lebanon. [139244]

We have no evidence that equipment licensed for export to Israel by this Government has been used by Israeli Security Forces against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon. If such evidence came to light we would immediately consider revoking the licences concerned. We continue to monitor the situation closely and have sought an assurance from the Israeli Government that no equipment or components licensed for export from the UK have been used against civilians in the Occupied Territories or in southern Lebanon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those constitutional traditions which are common to the member states of the EU, as described in the preamble to the draft Charter of Fundamental Rights. [138659]

The preamble alludes to Article 6(2) of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with this Article, Community law includes principles which are drawn from those recognised in the constitutions and legal systems of all the member states. Article 6(2) of the TEU does not define the constitutional traditions which are common to the member states, but the case law of the European Court of Justice indicates that they are to be considered on a case-by-case basis in relation to the particular legal tradition in the member states. In most cases, the fundamental human rights concerned are found in the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, which all member states are party.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking on human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia; and if he will make a statement. [138805]

We have concerns about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, including the implementation of UN human rights instruments, issues relating to the judicial process, discrimination against women and non-Muslims and restrictions on freedom of expression, movement, assembly and worship.We are firmly committed to constructive engagement on human rights with Saudi Arabia and discuss the issue regularly with the Saudis at all levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the evidence in support of his Department's statement that asthma inhalers intended for use in Iraq were found on sale in Lebanon. [139055]

Glaxo Wellcome have confirmed to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that about 15,000 Ventolin inhalers for the treatment of asthma, part of a shipment sent to Iraq under the UN "Oil for Food" programme earlier this year, were subsequently found on sale on the Lebanese blackmarket.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent elections held in the United States of America. [138998]

We look forward to working with whomever is elected the next President of the United States, and with the new Congress.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current situation in the Middle East. [138999]

I am appalled by the recent violence and tragic deaths in the Middle East. I urge the parties to end the violence and return to negotiations. Only a negotiated settlement can provide a just and lasting solution to the Middle East Peace Process. Violence is a dead-end for all. Britain will remain actively engaged, doing all it can to bring about a just and lasting peace.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of the United States about proposals for the International Criminal Court. [139343]

The Government regularly urge the United States Government to sign the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. We have made clear to the US, both bilaterally and with EU Partners, our concerns about the proposal the US put forward earlier this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the President of Cuba. [139489]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with the President of Cuba.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Colombian president will next visit the UK; and what meetings the Government will hold with him. [139661]

There are currently no plans for President Pastrana to visit the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 November 2000, Official Report, column 686W, on Diego Garcia, if he will list the research programmes on Diego Garcia being undertaken by the US authorities for which they have sought UK approval over the last five years. [139616]

Two research programmes have been undertaken by the US authorities in the last five years. They were:

(1) Environmental Impact Assessment of ship husbandry activities at Diego Garcia (undertaken as request of BLOT Government)

General Dental Service: number of denture treatment items, 1990–91 to 1999–2000
England	Thousand
Item	1990–91	1991–92	1992–93	1993–94	1994–95	1995–96	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000
Synthetic Resin
Full upper and lower	326.6	332.9	307.4	269.3	262.7	241.5	219.8	214.4	197.9	177.9
Full upper (only)	90.9	104.5	95.5	85.0	79.3	75.4	73.7	70.7	66.8	60.7
Full lower (only)	46.8	51.5	47.3	44.1	43.6	39.3	38.5	36.1	36.3	34.0
Partial denture	378.2	402.4	398.1	374.2	365.5	354.6	353.6	348.3	347.5	337.0
Other combinations of upper and lower	144.2	155.7	149.0	133.3	130.0	118.6	117.3	114.7	114.7	111.7
Total for synthetic resin	986.8	1,047.0	997.3	905.8	881.1	829.4	803.0	784.2	763.2	721.3