To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to ban new overhead power lines; and if he will make a statement. [138779]

[holding answer 17 November 2000]: I have no plans to do so. New overhead electric power lines already require development consent from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many compensation claims for chronic bronchitic emphysema his Department has received from mineworkers since May 1997; and how many claims have been settled; [139289](2) how much money has been paid since May 1997 in respect of compensation claims for chronic bronchitic emphysema; and if he will estimate the total liability; [139292](3) how many claims submitted to his Department for compensation for chronic bronchitic emphysema are in respect of mineworkers who have since died. [139291]

A class action in this matter first began in 1992. No payments were made prior to May 1997 owing to the failure of the previous Administration and British Coal to concede liability in the court. On assuming the liabilities, we made this a priority and agreement was reached in September 1999. Since May 1997, 119,700 claims have been received and the Department has made over 26,000 individual payments to claimants in respect of compensation for respiratory diseases, totalling £86 million. The Department anticipates that the final costs on respiratory disease compensation could be about £1.5 billion, but the Government have always stated they will meet whatever the costs of compensating the valid claimants. 20,728 claims have been made in respect of miners who have died since 1992. Of these, 13,518 died between 1992 and 1998.

£
	East	London	Northern Ireland	North	North West	Scotland	South East	South West	South Yorkshire	West Midlands and Wales	Total
1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000
Total	120,997	140,702	76,318	142,009	65,271	65,134	188,102	67,078	253,418	123,402	1,242,431
1 April 2000 to 31 October 2000
Trade Sector
Clothing/Footwear	3,794	3,814	0	0	736	2,303	0	0	43,269	38,551	92,467
Retail	7,079	9,862	35,551	17,235	15,608	17,990	6,326	12,415	5,185	19,177	146,428

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many bereavement awards have been granted to the widows of former miners suffering from (a) chronic bronchitis and (b) emphysema; what are the maximum and minimum bereavement awards granted; and what is the average amount of bereavement awards granted to date. [140338]

This information is not available in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide a breakdown of the number of days taken for maternity leave by (a) occupation and (b) earnings level since the introduction of the working time regulations. [140255]

No such information is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide a breakdown of the take-up of parental leave by (a) gender and (b) occupation; and what is the average number of days leave taken broken down by (i) gender, (ii) occupation and (iii) earnings level since the introduction of the working time regulations. [140254]

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many parents (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in Wales have taken statutory parental leave to date; and how many such parents were (i) women and (ii) men in (A) the United Kingdom and (B) Wales. [140373]

[holding answer 27 November 2000]: We do not yet have specific evidence on the number of parents who have taken parental leave since the introduction of the Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations. Research undertaken for the forthcoming Green Paper, "Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice", indicates that approximately 3 per cent. of the eligible population have taken parental leave. We are not able to break this down by gender, income, region or occupation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide a breakdown of the £2 million recovered by the Inland Revenue in underpaid minimum wages by (a) occupation, (b) industry, (c) gender, (d) ethnicity and (e) region. [140256]

The table gives a breakdown of the total arrears of wages (now almost £3 million) identified to end October 2000 by industry sector (from April 2000) and by region (from April 1999). There is no breakdown available by gender or ethnicity. The regions shown correspond to the Inland Revenue regional structure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to establish a formula for calculating a social network payment for sub-post offices. [140262]

[holding answer 24 November 2000]: I am considering proposals from the Post Office for the establishment of a formula but have made no decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the Reading University paper "World Oil Supply: New and Medium Term; the Approaching Peak in conventional oil production". [140594]

My Department keeps abreast of a wide range of expert opinion on future scenarios for global oil production. The projections of future oil production in Reading University's paper are among the most pessimistic. Many experts, including major oil companies and the International Energy Agency, believe that production will continue at significant levels well into the new century and it is likely that, in the longer term, the transition to alternative fuels will result in recoverable oil reserves remaining in the ground unused. The Government will continue to monitor opinions on this issue and factor them into energy policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact on British industry of a rise in the world oil price to (a) $40 and (b) $50. [140609]

[holding answer 28 November 2000]: None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of when (a) United Kingdom oil production and (b) world oil production will reach its peak. [140613]

[holding answer 28 November 2000]: My officials have estimated that production of hydrocarbon liquids from the UK Continental Shelf will climb to a new peak later this decade. DTI does not produce its own estimates of future world oil production.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the need to develop energy sources other than oil. [140611]

[holding answer 28 November 2000]: The Government's broad energy policy is:

to ensure secure, diverse, and sustainable supplies of energy at competitive prices.

This is best achieved by competition in open markets, in which it is primarily for the energy companies to determine their energy inputs and to develop appropriate sources of supply. The Government's main role, therefore, is to address areas where the market is not working properly. The 1998 White Paper "Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation" (Cm 4071) reviewed the different sources of input energy available for electricity generation․coal, gas, nuclear, and renewables. For renewables specifically, the Government published in March 1999 a consultation paper on future support for the technologies, followed in January 2000 by a policy statement announcing the Renewables Obligation on electricity suppliers, and in October 2000 by a consultation paper on the form of the Obligation. In publishing the UK Climate Change programme on 17 November 2000, the Government recognised the importance of preparing for a low-carbon economy in the future, and announced in this context that they would be conducting a review of the options for longer-term energy choices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which canals were used by the PNTL transport ships used in transporting MOX fuel to Japan. [140598]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on impediments faced by the PNTL vessels travelling through (a) the Panama Canal and (b) the Suez Canal. [140599]

PNTL ships enjoy the same rights to freedom of navigation as any other commercial vessel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the divisions of responsibility were between the UKAEA constables on board PNTL ships and the masters of those ships in respect of the return to Japan of nuclear materials from Sellafield. [140600]

The masters of PNTL ships undertaking shipments of nuclear materials between Europe and Japan retain full responsibility for the safe operation of the ships at all times, including when the ships are transporting MOX. The role of the UKAEA Constabulary (UKAEAC) is to protect the cargo against theft or sabotage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what arrangements he plans to make for future shipments of MOX fuel between Europe and Japan; [140597](2) what assessment he has made of the compliance of the shipments of MOX fuel from Sellafield to Japan with US requirements concerning safety and physical protection; and if the vessels concerned were classed as engaged in commercial cargo operations. [140601]

The United States Government have confirmed, after careful scrutiny by all the relevant agencies, that the arrangements that were put in place for the shipment of MOX from Europe to Japan fully satisfy the physical protection provisions of Annexe 5 of the 1988 US-Japan Nuclear Co-operation Agreement.PNTL vessels involved in MOX shipments are civilian vessels engaged in commercial cargo operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) total costs to date and (b) projected future costs to public funds are of decommissioning nuclear power stations; and if he will make a statement. [140474]

The total costs to date of reactor decommissioning by BNFL have been approximately £0.4 billion. The projected future spend by BNFL on decommissioning their nuclear power stations (based on undiscounted March 2000 money values) is £8 billion.The cost of liabilities relating to British Energy's stations will be met by the company, with decommissioning liabilities being covered by a segregated fund operated by trustees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial liability will be passed on by BNFL to a successor authority; and how this liability will be funded. [140387]

No decisions have been taken yet on the future handling of BNFL's liabilities in the context of a PPP.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the deficit or surplus in the balance of trade in the latest month for which figures are available. [140118]

[holding answer 28 November 2000]: In the three months to October, the deficit on trade in goods and services was £5.1 billion. The cumulative deficit on trade in goods in 2000 equates to 1.1 per cent. of GDP, which compares favourably with a deficit equivalent to over 4.5 per cent. of GDP in the late 1980s. The value of exports of goods and services grew by 6 per cent. in the latest three-month period compared with the same period last year.

To ask the Solicitor-General what was the cost to the Crown Prosecution Service of the attempted prosecutions in relation to Operation Nectarine; and if he will make a statement. [140071]

The Crown Prosecution Service prosecuted eight defendants, one of whom pleaded guilty, following a police investigation into the alleged importation of cannabis.This joint investigation between Kent police, the National Crime Squad and the Metropolitan police CIB3 was known as Operation Nectarine.The total cost to the CPS of the trial and the pre-trial case preparation amounted to £481,891. This comprised £82,000 resource costs directly attributable to the CPS and a further £399,891 in Counsel's fees.

To ask the Solicitor-General when the internal inquiry of the DPP arising from the collapse of prosecutions consequent upon the CIB-Kent police Operation Nectarine will be completed; and if it will be published. [140073]

The report is unlikely to be completed before the new year. As the inquiry is internal, there is no intention to publish it, although interested parties will be advised of the conclusions.

To ask the Solicitor-General for what reason the Crown Prosecution Service has not taken action against a person whose name has been supplied to him on the basis of the file on his case referred to it by the Security Service. [140146]

I understand that the individual to whom the hon. Member is referring is Dr. Robin Pearson, about whose case I made an announcement in this House on 20 December 1999, Official Report, columns 313–14W. On that date I informed the House that the CPS had decided not to refer the papers in the case to the police for investigation. The reason for this was that sufficient was known about the case to make it clear that any prosecution would fail. Having reached that view, it would have been quite wrong for the CPS to ask the police to undertake a criminal investigation.In the case of Dr. Pearson, the intelligence information about his case would not have been admissible as evidence; there was little prospect of obtaining admissible evidence; and in any event any prosecution would probably have been stayed on the ground of abuse of process.The Law Officers were consulted about this case, and we agreed with the conclusions reached by the CPS. The decision was made only after careful and detailed consideration.

To ask the Solicitor-General what guidance he has issued to the Crown Prosecution Service on the prosecution of storekeepers for selling food in imperial weights and measures. [140135]

No specific guidance has been issued to the Crown Prosecution Service on this topic. The Crown Prosecution Service reviews and, when appropriate, prosecutes criminal cases, applying the two stage test in the Code of Crown Prosecutors which is issued under section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. The first is an evidential test. If the case meets the test, Crown Prosecutors must apply the second test, which is whether a prosecution is needed in the public interest.

To ask the Solicitor-General when the Attorney-General's guidelines on the disclosure of information in criminal proceedings will be published. [141098]

The Attorney-General is publishing his Guidelines on the Disclosure of Information in Criminal Proceedings today. A copy of the Guidelines, together with a foreword and an accompanying commentary, is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. These documents can also be found on the website for the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers at www.lslo.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the cost of producing (a) low sulphur fuels and (b) non-low sulphur fuels; and if he will make a statement. [140251]

I have been asked to replyThe cost of reducing the sulphur content of fuels will depend on many factors such as refinery configuration and sulphur content of feedstock (in general crude oil) which will differ for each location. Estimates made during the development of the fuel quality directive 98/70/EC, suggested that, for the UK as a whole to achieve the Ultra Low Sulphur Petrol sulphur specification, the combination of capital and running costs, taken over a 15 year period starting from 2005, would amount to less than 1p per litre for gasoline. For Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel, over the same time period, costs in the region of 2p per litre were identified. Earlier introduction of the specification may result in additional costs for individual manufacturers or importers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 5 June 2000, Official Report, column 66W, on special advisers, if he will list the destination and the total cost, including travel, accommodation and subsistence allowance, on each of the occasions when departmental or non-departmental special advisers travelled abroad in an official capacity. [135246]

During the period 31 March 1999 to 31 March 2000, special advisers in this Department travelled on official business to the United States, Madrid, Johannesburg, Warsaw, Bonn, Delhi and Brazil/United States at an average cost of £3,300 per visit. These destinations included some visits by my right hon. Friend in his role as Deputy Prime Minister. The costs of these visits were accounted for in expenditure on Ministers' travel overseas published by the Prime Minister on 28 July 2000, Official Report, column 969W, which for 1999–2000 was £4.6 million, compared to £7.9 million for the last year of the previous Administration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that solar power is fully utilised in his home energy efficiency proposals. [136287]

I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what importance is given to the proximity of organic farms when deciding upon the location of farm-scale evaluations of GM crops; and if he will make a statement. [137069]

The Government recognise the concerns of organic farmers in relation to the proximity of their farms to the Farm Scale Evaluations of GM crops. The evaluations are being conducted in accordance with guidelines drawn up by SCIMAC (Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops—a grouping of industry organisations representing farmers, plant breeders, the seed trade and biotechnology companies). The guidelines recognise minimum separation distances between organic and GM crops.SCIMAC have always made it clear that these guidelines will be reviewed in the light of experience. The National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) reported to Government on separation distances in August. The Government are considering the implications of the NIAB report, as part of their current wider review of separation distances.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which GM genetic use restriction technologies (a) have been authorised for field testing in Great Britain to date and (b) are awaiting approval. [138846]

Authorisation for the field testing of any genetically modified organism (GMO) in Great Britain is considered on a case-by-case basis. Following the assessment of appropriate scientific data by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, the Secretary of State issued a consent on 1 June 2000 for a small scale release of an experimental gene use restriction technology (GURT) system in a genetically modified potato. No other releases of genetically modified organisms incorporating GURT systems have been approved or are awaiting approval in Great Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what estimate he has made of the area of land on flood plains on which planning permission for house-building has been granted, but on which building has not yet started; [137398](2) what plans he has to revoke planning permission for houses on land in danger of flooding; and if he will make a statement. [137397]

[holding answer 9 November 2000]: Parliament has given the principal responsibility for allocating land for development, and for granting planning permission for housing and other purposes, to local planning authorities. Information on the number of unimplemented permissions granted in flood risk areas and the area the permissions cover is not held centrally. Revocation of planning consents is also a matter for local planning authorities.Mitigation measures may adequately protect much proposed development in flood risk areas from risk and from adding to flood risk downstream.In considering whether to grant planning permissions in flood risk areas, local planning authorities are expected to act in accordance with national guidance. Circular 30/92 ("Development and Flood Risk") requires that where flood defence considerations arise they should always be taken into account in determining planning applications, and local authorities should use their planning powers to guide development away from areas that may be affected by flooding. PPG3 ("Housing") provides that authorities should assess the suitability of sites for development against physical and environmental constraints, including flood risk. Local authorities are also expected to consult the Environment Agency and take its views into account before deciding planning applications for development in flood risk areas.A draft of new planning guidance, PPG25 "Development and Flood Risk", which will revise and strengthen Circular 30/92, was issued for consultation in April this year. It will be finalised shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the amount of waste which is required to be recycled; and if he will impose a higher requirement for recycling on local authorities. [138187]

Waste Strategy 2000 sets tough new statutory targets that will require local authorities to recycle or compost, on average, 17 per cent. of household waste by 2003 and 25 per cent. of household waste by 2005. We have also set a target of at least 30 per cent. household recycling and composting by 2010 and this will be reviewed and increased if greater benefits might be achieved cost-effectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what applications for leave were received from press officers in his Department for the week of the Labour Party Conference in Brighton, and which ones were received before the start of that conference. [138203]

[holding answer 13 November 2000]: A number of press officers applied for and took leave during the week beginning 25 September

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 7 November 2000, Official Report, column 131W, what grades of press officers from his Department attended the Labour Party Conference in Brighton. [138202]

[holding answer 13 November 2000]: None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library copies of (a) United Kingdom submissions and (b) submissions by other countries and international organisations relevant to United Kingdom policy to the Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Climate Change (COP-6) in The Hague. [138985]

The Government's objectives for the Sixth Conference of the Parties (COP6) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change were set out in the Deputy Prime Minister's reply of 14 November 2000 to the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Quinn) on 14 November 2000, Official Report, column 587W. The European Community and its member states adopt common negotiating positions for the purposes of UN FCCC meetings. The EU's position for COP6 was set out in Council Conclusions adopted on 8 November in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Aydesdale (Mr. Hood) of 15 November 2000, Official Report, column 659W. Many submissions on specific issues have been made by the EU, other countries and international organisations. Copies of key submissions are posted on the UN FCCC Secretariat's website (www.unfccc.de).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made since he was informed of the MOX data falsification of the BNFL's business prospects for the Sellafield MOX plant. [139288]

The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Secretary of State for Health will decide whether to allow the full operation of the Sellafield mixed oxides (MOX) plant when they have considered all the evidence before them, including the responses to last year's consultation exercise as well as the implications of the data falsification incident at the Sellafield MOX Demonstration Facility. The eventual decision document will explain their reasons in full and I shall ensure that a copy is sent to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his estimate is of the extra number of qualified engineers required (a) nationally and (b) in North Staffordshire to implement the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. [139669]

The national shortage of qualified heating engineers has severely affected the rate at which central heating systems are being repaired or installed under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme.To reduce the delays being experienced, we estimate than an additional 300 to 400 heating engineers are required nationally over the next six months, with a further 300 thereafter to allow for the planned expansion of the scheme. Within the Birmingham-Staffordshire area, some 80 additional engineers are required.The scheme managers are currently recruiting additional contractors. They are also funding the training of an additional 200 to 400 engineers over the next six months in conjunction with the Gas Industry Training Organisation. They are also encouraging existing installers to move engineers from areas with low demand to those with the highest such as Birmingham-Staffordshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much financial support has been given to home energy efficiency schemes in each year since the introduction of the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation. [139939]

[holding answer 27 November 2000]: The new Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES), was launched on 1 June 2000 and is available in England only. The previous scheme covered Great Britain only. Northern Ireland has always had its own separate scheme. Until 1999, the scheme shared administration and delivery costs and there was no separate allocations for England, Scotland and Wales. During 1999–2000, the scheme was devolved to Scotland with a set budget with Wales following on from 1 April 2000. The total allocation for each year from 1990–91 to date is shown in the table together with the approximate proportion spent in Scotland and Wales.

Financial year	Total allocation £ million	Of which approximately allocated to Scotland Percentage	Of which approximately allocated to Wales Percentage
1990–911	1.5	n/a	n/a
1991–92	26.1	9	4
1992–93	33.6	8	3
1993–94	41.5	8	4
1994–95	83	8	5
1995–96	107.2	8	5
1996–97	76.1	8	5
1997–98	76.1	8	4
1998–99	76.2	7	6
1999–2000	74.9	2—	5
2000–01	122	3—

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many deaths have occurred on fairgrounds in the UK in each of the last 20 years. [139609]

[holding answer 21 November 2000]: From the information readily available, the following numbers of fatalities were reported to HSE at fairgrounds in Great Britain, between 1 April 1986 and 31 March 2000:

Year	Number
1986–87	1
1987–88	5
1988–89	1
1989–90	0
1990–91	3
1991–92	1
1992–93	1
1993–94	0
1994–95	4
1995–96	0
1996–97	1
1997–98	1
1998–99	0
1999–200011	1
1 Provisional figures

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure local authorities have a strategic role in managing their local area. [139793]

The 1998 White Paper, "Modern Local Government: In Touch with the People", set out the Government's long-term vision for the modernisation of local government, emphasising councils' local leadership role. The Local Government Act 2000 helps to achieve this by giving principal local authorities broad powers to take new action to promote the economic, social, and environmental well-being of their local communities. This new power greatly strengthens the scope for authorities to work in partnership with other bodies to deliver real improvements in local quality of life.Linked to the new power is a duty for local authorities to prepare a community strategy, based on local priorities and engaging local people, to improve community well-being and contribute to sustainable development. The local strategic partnerships with which local authorities should work to prepare community strategies will bring together all the public, private, voluntary and community sector bodies which have a stake in the area. In the longer term, community strategies could thus provide a sustainable framework which encompasses not only the mainstream activities of local authorities but also all their partner bodies, including businesses. Local strategic partnerships should provide an overriding framework within which other, more specific, partnerships can operate; they offer a single local co-ordination framework to make sure that services, in particular core public services, work together.The new constitutions which councils are required to adopt under Part II of the 2000 Act, including the option of a directly elected mayor where local people want one, will mean they can deliver more clear and accountable corporate leadership and are well fitted for their new strategic role.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will discuss with the Severn Bridges Company (a) the net reduction of credit card payments and (b) discount schemes for commuters. [139834]

The Secretary of State has no plans to discuss these matters with Severn River Crossing plc. The Severn Bridges Regulations stipulate cash payment at tollbooths. A pre-payment system is already in operation, which allows discounts for frequent users.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps are being taken to ensure increased availability of ultra-low sulphur petrol. [140211]

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced his intention in his pre-Budget report on 8 November to reduce the duty on ultra-low sulphur petrol (ULSP) by a further 2p a litre in Budget 2001. This cut would be conditional on the oil companies guaranteeing nationwide access to its environmental benefits. ULSP currently constitutes around a third of petrol consumption in the UK, following a 1 p/1 in duty from October 2000. The United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA)—the trade association representing the major UK oil refiners—has already said its members are committed to ensuring the conditions exist for the Chancellor to implement his duty rate reduction in Budget 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of low sulphur fuel on engine performance and fuel efficiency; and if he will make a statement. [140247]

Other fuel properties being constant, the use of low sulphur petrol or diesel fuel will have no impact on engine performance or the fuel efficiency of a vehicle. It will, however, contribute directly to a reduction of sulphates and particulates discharged from the tailpipe. For vehicles fitted with exhaust catalysts, reduced emissions of NOx, CO and hydrocarbons may also be expected owing to improved operation of the catalyst and control sensors that may be affected by sulphur poisoning.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the means of accessing the fund for replacement of old vehicles with newer more fuel efficient ones. [140252]

The Government will consult with, among others, the haulage industry on the measures to be included in, and arrangements for, the £100 million fund to offer further incentives or allowances for scrapping older more polluting lorries, encouraging cleaner lorries and technology and reviewing the training needs of the HGV industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what arrangements he is making to encourage Railtrack to compensate businesses that have lost business due to recent disruptions on the railways. [140080](2) what estimate he has made of the financial cost to United Kingdom businesses of the railway disruptions following the Hatfield rail crash. [140081](3) what plans he has to arrange for the compensation of businesses in the regions of the United Kingdom for loss of business caused by the disruption of rail services following the Hatfield rail crash. [140082]

No compensation is being paid direct to businesses. However, the Government welcome the £50 million compensation scheme for passengers announced on 22 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he has given to local authority housing departments regarding the issuing of reports to elected members on housing committees when a council property is let to a registered sex offender. [140519]

We have not issued any specific advice about such reports. However, my Department has issued advice drawing local housing authorities' attention to their responsibilities under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and how these bear upon the arrangements in place to manage the risks posed by sex offenders in the community. The advice suggests ways in which local authorities are able to play an important role in ensuring that those arrangements work effectively through their housing allocation policies and in the treatment of offenders under the homelessness legislation. It also deals with the issue of confidentiality, and makes clear that details about individual cases should only be disclosed to the public at large in exceptional circumstances and then only by or with the express consent of the police. A copy of the advice issued to local authorities on 25 November 1999 and entitled "Housing Act 1996: Parts VI and VII, Crime and Disorder Act 1998: Part I—The role of local housing authorities in the management of risks presented by sex offenders" has been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, (1) pursuant to his answer of 21 November 2000, Official Report, column 115W, how much money was allocated to the Countryside Agency specifically for transport schemes, in the current financial year; and how much of this money has been spent to date; [140631](2) what the underspend was in the allocation of funding for rural transport schemes to the Countryside Agency last year; and what this money will be spent on. [140722]

The Countryside Agency was allocated £5.8 million for transport schemes in the current financial year, and to date £1.336 million has been spent.The underspend last year was £2.221 million. As the funding of rural transport schemes is ring-fenced, underspends are carried forward to be spent in subsequent years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the total cost of staff sickness within the Countryside Agency during the last year. [140721]

The total cost of staff sickness during the last year was £170,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if foreign bidders for NATS will be asked to guarantee reciprocal access to their home markets for air traffic. [140695]

No. That would be impossible to procure. It is intended that the Strategic Partnership Agreement and other documentation will contain provisions which will, in appropriate circumstances, commit the Strategic Partner and members of its consortium to using NATS as the vehicle for expansion, either abroad or in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the cost so far of the proposed privatisation of NATS to (a) the CAA, (b) NATS and (c) the Government. [140696]

The costs incurred by the Government so far in connection with the PPP, including those associated with splitting NATS from the CAA, are approximately £12.3 million. The Government have also paid approximately £10.6 million to NATS and £1.6 million to the CAA in respect of the costs that those two organisations have incurred in connection with the PPP. All of these figures include VAT.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what talks he has held with NATS about the continuation of safe air traffic control if the Economic Regulation Group proposals for cuts are implemented. [140693]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what response the Government have made to the CAA about the cuts in costs and investment recommended by the Economic Regulation Group and their effect on safety. [140692]

My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Transport has regular meetings with the Chairman of National Air Traffic Services at which charge control and other issues are discussed. The most recent of these was on 13 November.The Government have received advice from the Civil Aviation Authority as to the charge control conditions for NATS. We are considering the advice alongside the views of NATS and the projections of bidders as the sale process continues, and will announce our decisions on the charge cap shortly. My officials have had a meeting with the CAA's Director of Safety Regulation, who confirmed that he was satisfied that safety would not be jeopardised by the charge cap proposed by the Economic Regulation Group.The Government are very conscious of the need to ensure that the charge cap does not risk compromising either safety or the investment programme. An undertaking was given to the House by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning on 15 November 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the cost to the CAA Pension Scheme as a result of the separation of NATS from the CAA; what compensation will be paid; and by whom. [140697]

These are matters for discussion with the Trustees of the Civil Aviation Authority Pension Scheme (CAAPS), which have yet to be concluded.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will specify the controls that are in place in the National Air Traffic Services Strategic Partnership Agreement and the licence for the private finance arrangements to ensure safety is the paramount consideration of any partnership agreement. [140688]

Neither the Strategic Partnership Agreement nor the operating licence is a primary safety tool. The Strategic Partnership Agreement governs the relationship between the Strategic Partner and the Government. It requires the Strategic Partner to appoint a safety director to the board of NATS and provides for the formation and maintenance of a safety committee. The operating licence is an economic instrument which establishes the rules under which NATS will operate as a regulated monopoly. In setting the initial charge control under condition 21 of the licence, the Government will ensure that the charge cap does not risk compromising either safety or the investment programme.The safety regime, with its associated licensing and approvals requirements, is established under the Civil Aviation Act 1982 and the Air Navigation (No. 2) Order 1995. Furthermore, clauses 1 and 2 of the Transport Bill secure that safety is the CAA's and the Government's first consideration in exercising their functions under the Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the terms of the National Air Traffic Services Strategic Partnership Agreement before the choice of a strategic partner is finalised. [140687]

The Strategic Partnership Agreement will be a joint venture agreement between the Government and their Strategic Partner. As such the document will contain a large amount of commercially sensitive information and data which will govern the running of the company. Therefore, publication of the full document could undermine NATS' commercial position with its competitors as the company looks to expand in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what technical expertise he has sought concerning gauge corner cracking on rail tracks; and if he will make a statement. [140733]

[holding answer 28 November 2000]: Railtrack announced on 8 November the details of a technical task force to lead the investigation into the causes of gauge corner cracking. The team is being led by Professor Rod Smith, the Chair of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College, and is being assisted by Ove Arup and Transportation Technology Centre Inc. (TCCI), experts in programme management and track technology.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many trains have passed signals at danger in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [140736]

[holding answer 28 November 2000]: Figures for the number of trains which have passed signals at danger in each of the last 12 months are shown in the following table:

Month	Number of signals passed at danger (SPADs)
November 1999	54
December 1999	23
January 2000	33
February 2000	38
March 2000	51
April 2000	31
May 2000	35
June 2000	47
July 2000	31
August 2000	42

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent of gauge corner cracking on rail tracks in overseas rail systems comparable to that in the United Kingdom. [140734]

[holding answer 28 November 2000]: The task force of technical experts announced by Railtrack on 8 November to investigate the causes of gauge corner cracking will be able to make comparisons with other countries' rail systems having similar problems.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incidents of gauge corner cracking have been discovered on the railway network since the Hatfield rail crash; and in which contract area the most incidents have been discovered. [140732]

[holding answer 28 November 2000]: Gauge corner cracking has been discovered at over 3,000 sites.The contract areas involved are a matter for Railtrack.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many train drivers have been disciplined in the last 12 months for breaches of safety procedure; and if he will make a statement. [140735]

[holding answer 28 November 2000]: The Information requested is not available, as there is no requirement for train operating companies to report instances of driver disciplinary action to the Health and Safety Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received about subsidence of the loop railway lines around Hatfield since 17 October; and what assessment he has made of the reasons for such subsidence. [140581]

[holding answer 28 November 2000]: I am advised that the Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate is not aware of any incidences of subsidence in the loop railway lines around Hatfield since 17 October 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects the Environment Agency to determine the application by BNFL at Bradwell Power Station in Essex for the use of incinerators to bum low level nuclear waste. [140739]

[holding answer 28 November 2000]: The Environment Agency is currently considering responses made to the public consultation on the applications by BNFL for authorisation to dispose of radioactive waste from Bradwell Power Station, including an application for an authorisation to incinerate combustible low level radioactive waste. The Agency will not make any decisions on BNFL's applications until it has carefully considered and been informed by all the consultation responses. The Agency hopes to reach its decision early in the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that the Government's rural policy enables young people to have the opportunity to live in rural areas. [139186]

The White Paper "Our countryside: the future, A fair deal for rural England", which we published yesterday, sets out how our rural policies will improve access to affordable housing, lifelong learning and jobs, and provide for a range of new and improved travel services in rural areas. These measures will improve the opportunities available to young people to live and work in rural areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department is taking to co-ordinate Government policy for rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the Rural White Paper. [139200]

The Cabinet Committee on Rural Affairs already has the remit of co-ordinating the Government's policies affecting rural areas. Its tasks include looking at the policies of all Departments so as to ensure that they take account of their impact on rural areas and that they work as effectively as they can together to support rural life. The White Paper "Our countryside: the future, A fair deal for rural England", published yesterday, sets out the measures we are taking to underpin the work of the Cabinet Committee to ensure effective implementation of the Government's policies for rural areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce his decision on the future of areas of special control of advertisements; and if he will make a statement. [140874]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 28 November 2000, Official Report, columns 554–55W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 15 November 2000, Official Report, column 652W, on London Underground, if he will provide the figures for the performance targets for the year April 1998 to March 1999. [140427]

The performance targets set for London Underground in respect of the year 1998–99 were announced on 12 November 1998, Official Report, columns 278–80W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress that has been made on interdepartmental co-ordination on initiatives aimed at urban regeneration. [139185]

The Deputy Prime Minister announced the White Paper "Our Towns and Cities: The Future Delivering an Urban Renaissance" on 16 November. We are creating a new focus for urban issues at the centre of Government by setting up a Cabinet Committee on Urban Affairs to co-ordinate the Government's policies affecting urban areas and to oversee follow-up to the White Paper. It will consist of all Departments that have an interest in urban issues. The Committee will prepare for an Urban Summit, to consider progress, in 2002. We will also publish a new "State of the Cities Report" in 2005. These will all assist interdepartmental co-ordination of urban issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has reached a decision on the content of the code of practice for small fishing vessels and its implementation. [141020]

Taking account of the responses to consultation and of points raised in the course of the Adjournment Debate on 16 November, it has been agreed that the requirements of the Code of Practice for small fishing vessels will comprise of:

the carriage of safety equipment appropriate to the length and type of vessel;

the completion of a risk assessment (as required by the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997;

annual self-certification by the owner that the vessel complies with the Code; and

presentation of the vessel for inspection by the MCA.

The proposed requirement for a fitness of vessel assessment will be remitted to the Committee which will review the Code two years after it comes into force, with the proviso that the MCA and the fishing industry be tasked with the development of guidance on fitness of vessel assessments to assist that Committee in reaching its decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the proposals for London rail projects set out in the Department's 10-year plan for transport will be taken forward. [141097]

The Government's 10-Year Plan for Transport provides a vision and framework for significant improvements to rail transport in and around London. These can only be accomplished if all parties involved work closely together, with an agreed view of priorities, roles and funding. In particular, the Mayor and the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority need to co-operate closely to ensure coherence between the Mayor's emerging Transport Strategy and the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority's Strategic Plan. The Government also have an important role because a significant level of public funding will be required for all rail schemes in London. We have therefore established high-level arrangements between my Department, the Government Office for London, the SSRA and the Mayor to co-ordinate the development and taking forward of rail schemes in London.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about his Department's review of the groundwork federation. [141102]

My Department has today issued the final report of the Financial Management and Policy Review of the Groundwork Federation. This review assessed Groundwork's services and the organisation's operation and management.The review recognises Groundwork's ability to deliver environmental action alongside social and economic improvements and makes recommendations for improving effectiveness in specific areas. We welcome the contribution Groundwork has made to delivering our regeneration priorities, and we want to see this contribution continue.I have placed copies of the report in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will announce the national non-domestic rates multiplier for 2001–02 and set out the basis of the calculation of the distributable amount of non-domestic rates for 2001–02. [141135]

The non-domestic rate poundage (multiplier) will be 43 pence. The amount of non-domestic rates in England for 2001–02 to be redistributed to local authorities will be £15,137 million, although estimated payments into the pool in 2001–02 will be £14,959 million. The Distributable Amount includes an allowance of £262 million for an Exchequer payment to the Non-domestic Rates pool, to compensate for the shortfall which would otherwise occur as a result of the regulations under section 58 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and the transitional relief scheme, announced on 25 November 1999, Official Report, columns 769–85W.The calculations for 2001–02, and the prior-year figures, on which this is based, are set out in the tables.

National non-domestic rates—calculations of distributable amount for 2001–02
£ million
	2000–011	2001–022
1. Income from Local lists
Multiplier (p)	41.6	43.0
Gross Rate Yield	15,868	16,521
(i) Reliefs
(a) Net Transitional Relief	-990	-608
(b) Empty properties	-953	-1,020
(c) Charitable	-537	-573
(d) Rural Shops and Post Offices	-2	-2
(e) Discretionary	-33	-35
Net Yield after reliefs	13,352	14,283
(ii) Collection costs/reductions to contributions
(a) Costs of collection	-85	-84
(b) Losses on collection	-143	-167
(c) City of London offset	-7	-7
Total contribution in respect of year	13,119	14,026
(iii) Repayments/interest payments
Total adjustments	-366	-203
Net Local Yield	12,753	13,822
2. Income from Central list
Net Central List Yield	1,137	1,137
3. Income from Crown
Contributions in Aid
Net Crown Yield	0	0
Total NDR Yield	13,890	14,959
4. Exchequer Contributions
Total Exchequer contributions	415	262
Total NNDR pool payments
(1†2†3†4)	14,305	15,221
5. Adjustments
Surplus brought forward	1,013	-84
Combined total	15,318	15,137
Distributable amount	15,402	15,137
Surplus carried forward	-84	0
1 Provisional Outturn
2 Estimated in-year contribution

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy towards the minimum number of states required for enhanced co-operation, as proposed in the IGC. [139914]

Talks continue on the number of member states required for enhanced co-operation in specific areas. We have made it clear that we will not accept the creation of an institutionalised inner core of member states, and that enhanced co-operation must be genuinely open to all who want to participate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further harmonisation of social security will arise from Article 42 as referred to in the Progress report of the IGC. [139912]

The Government have made it clear on numerous occasions that they will not accept a move to QMV for social security.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his position concerning the extension of fields covered by Article 137 as referred to in the Progress report of the IGC. [139910]

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 for what reason the principle of enhanced co-operation through qualified majority voting has been proposed in place of that set out under the Treaty of Amsterdam; and if he will make a statement. [139963]

Provisions for enhanced co-operation, authorised by QMV, were introduced at Amsterdam.The Prime Minister set out the reasons for amending the current enhanced co-operation arrangements in his Warsaw speech on 6 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy on the establishment of a Committee on Employment and Social Protection. [139911]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Mr. Davies) on 20 November 2000, Official Report, columns 29–30W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on his policy towards use of the veto at Nice; [139786](2) if he will make a statement on use of the veto when the United Kingdom Government are in a minority of one at the Council of Ministers. [139787]

The Government believe in pursuing Britain's interests in Europe constructively. But where the use of the veto is essential in the national interest, we will not hesitate to use it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Cayman Islands Government on the implementation of the HM Inspector of Prisons last report. [139992]

HM Inspector of Prisons last reported on Northward Prison on Grand Cayman in 1994. Of his 34 recommendations, 25 have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented. Progress has been hampered by prison riots which resulted in the serious damage of the prison in September 2000. The Under-Secretary, Baroness Scotland discussed prison issues with the Government of the Cayman Islands during her visit in August 2000 and was able to see for herself the extent of the destruction. She stressed the urgency of the rebuilding programme, while reconfirming the logistical and financial difficulties involved. The current Chief Inspector of Prisons, Sir David Ramsbotham, will visit the Cayman Islands to conduct a baseline inspection in March 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent meetings with the President of Kazakhstan. [140700]

At their meeting in London on 17 November, the Foreign Secretary and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed UK investment in Kazakhstan and the need for more legal transparency for investors, the development of parliamentary links, and regional security problems. The Foreign Secretary also raised democratic reform and human rights issues. He urged President Nazarbayev to sign the UN Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Similar issues were discussed at the President's separate meetings with the Prime Minister and me.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Government will ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Regional and Minority Languages. [140798]

Following signature of the Charter on 2 March 2000, parliamentary procedures are now complete and the UK is working to ratify the Charter as soon as possible. It is hoped that ratification will take place in the next few months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who the British representative is to the Venice Commission. [140799]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Savidge) on 11 April 2000, Official Report, column 113W.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost was of producing the report entitled "Viewing the World". [133869]

"Viewing the World" was carried out as part of the Government's commitment to raising awareness and understanding of development issues in the UK. We know that TV is the biggest source of information and beliefs about developing countries, and that levels of coverage have steadily fallen over recent years. Against this background, we set out to go beyond an approach based simply on measuring hours of coverage, and instead to work with the broadcasting industry to analyse the impact of different kinds of programming on viewers' attitudes, as well as the current influences within the industry. The work was carried out with close involvement from senior broadcasters, and has not only provoked debate within the industry but led to a range of follow-up activities. The cost of the research work plus printing and publication of the report was £202,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the compensation payments paid in respect of (a) the original roof contract and (b) other aborted contracts relating to the Millennium Dome. [134825]

The New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has advised that the roof contract remains subject to legal proceedings. No payments have been made at this stage. Other aborted contracts were concerned with the original proposal for a self-contained drum structure at the centre of the Dome. This was replaced in November 1997 with the current central arena configuration. Costs associated with the drum structure totalled £990,000.

2000	Total free1	Total discounted2	Total sponsors from discounted3	Full price tickets4	Total attendance5
January	10,164	50,669	14,685	305,586	366,420
February	73,115	56,868	9,169	439,555	569,538
March	103,372	60,209	4,892	392,727	556,308
April	68,773	112,352	12,077	398,208	579,333
May	102,903	157,385	13,456	241,916	502,204
June	135,181	165,461	14,502	239,625	540,267
July	123,077	217,267	15,575	266,175	606,519
August	20,148	263,521	12,958	267,547	551,216
September	109,372	209,374	13,285	144,538	463,284
October	74,448	424,524	16,609	158,652	657,624
1Includes free school visits, carers for disabled people, sponsor ticket allocation, accompanying teachers on paying school visits, coach drivers, Greenwich residents, NMEC guests and VIPs.
2This reflects a range of promotions and offers which are normal for the visitor attraction business and which are factored into the company's business strategy. For example, the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) has run a number of offers and promotions with its sponsors for their customers and also continues to run a special ticket price for entry after 4pm. Key promotions with M&S, Boots, Tesco and BT have been undertaken. The Tesco half price promotion was redeemed in October, BT will be redeemed in November and December.
3Sponsor tickets have been purchased and allocated per each individual sponsorship contract.
4This number is an approximation and as such should be used for review purposes only. There is insufficient accuracy for it to be regarded as audited or validated information.
5Total attendance does not take into account non-attendance by ticket purchasers. It represents visitor footfall via the admission system and not total tickets sold.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish correspondence between Mr. Mike O'Connor and his Department concerning the grant of £47 million to the Dome in September. [134488]

[holding answer 26 October 2000]: As requested, I am arranging for copies of the correspondence between Mr. Mike O'Connor, the Director of the Millennium Commission, and my Department regarding the additional grant of £47 million to the Dome in September to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what budget has been allocated to mark the closure of the Millennium Dome. [136451]