To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what increase in road traffic there has been since the Hatfield train derailment. [141622]

According to the Association of Train Operating Companies, there is a 13 per cent. drop in passenger revenue in the most recent statistics for December. The effect has not been uniform with some lines much more badly affected than others. If all of the people who have switched from rail had instead travelled by car this would have increased road travel overall by about 1 per cent., with some routes affected more than others. In practice, the effect will have been less as some journeys will have been abandoned and some passengers will have used alternative models of public transport. Daily monitoring of traffic levels by my Department has shown no significant increase in traffic in recent weeks, but relatively small percentage changes in road travel can easily be masked by other influences including, over recent weeks, bad weather depressing traffic levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages regarding energy efficiency in the rented commercial office sector where (a) tenants are given an incentive to save energy by a separate energy cost based on actual energy consumption, alongside charges for floor space rental and (b) landlords are given an incentive to save energy through building refurbishment, by charging a fixed rental price from the owners of the building being occupied, regardless of energy use by the tenant. [142256]

My Department has made no detailed assessment of the relative advantages and disadvantages arising from the two scenarios identified.However, my Department's Property Advisory Group drew attention to various barriers to greater energy efficiency in commercial buildings in its 1998 report, "Sustainable Development and Buildings". The report identified that in some leasing arrangements, where the tenant reimburses the landlord's energy costs, neither party has an incentive to achieve greater energy efficiency. The Group commended all-inclusive occupation agreements as a means of giving the landlord and tenant a mutual incentive to reduce energy consumption. The Group explored this further and concluded that while there was considerable and growing interest in all-inclusive leases in the commercial property sector, wider adoption would primarily be a matter for market evolution. I intend to give further consideration to this.The forthcoming Climate Change Levy will provide a major incentive for greater energy efficiency in the non-domestic sector. The Government do and will continue to provide information to encourage business to become more energy efficient, through its Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme. The programme promotes strategies to motivate the different players in the rented commercial property sector through a suite of publications setting out best practice in design, construction, occupation and energy services. Good Practice Guide 258, "Looking for a new Investment Angle?" targets developers, landlords and financiers, with Good Practice Guides 285, "What will energy efficiency do for your business?", and 288, "Is poor energy efficiency in your office hitting your bottom line?" targeting tenants and occupiers. Each document spells out to the relevant audience the environmental, financial and other business benefits to be gained from investing in major energy efficiency improvements and in practising good energy management. The guide for tenants encourages businesses not only to exercise proper management over areas where they have direct control, but also to explain to current and potential landlords that they expect to be provided with environmentally smart buildings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01, (i) his Department's total spending on advertising campaigns, (ii) the cost of each individual advertising campaign and (iii) the criteria that were established to gauge the effectiveness of each campaign; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of each campaign based on these criteria. [142723]

My Department uses advertising on TV and in various other media to inform the wider public about how they are affected by departmental legislation, and also to effect attitudinal change in such fields as road safety and climate change.Each major campaign is rigorously evaluated to ensure maximum effectiveness and value for money. Evaluation criteria are set according to the individual objectives of each campaign (for example awareness and understanding of road safety issues are tracked along with changes in public attitudes and against infringement and casualty statistics), and the results of each evaluation exercise are used to inform campaign development.Historical data on the individual objectives and evaluation criteria for each campaign can be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

£
Year/Campaign	Cost
1996–97
Speed reduction	2,624,255
Drink drive	1,663,271
Child Road Safety	474,966
Railtrack flotation (part)	899,134
Heathrow Terminal 5	7,846

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding will be made available to Devon County Council to finance the proposed right to roam network in respect of (a) the compilation of maps indicating land open to ramblers, (b) the cost of hiring extra wardens and (c) contingency funds for potential legal action involving landowners. [142692]

The duty to draw up maps showing open country and registered common land in England falls entirely on the Countryside Agency. Local authorities will have an opportunity to comment on draft maps if they wish to do so, but this is not expected to involve significant cost. The need to appoint additional wardens, where appropriate, to help with management of the new right of access will arise when the new right comes into effect in a few years' time. A recent study for the Local Government Association suggested that the cost of managing the new right, including wardening, will be around £1.5 million per year for England and Wales. We intend to make provision for funding of wardening services through the normal revenue support system for local authorities. Taking into account the specific functions of local authorities under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, and the extensive provision for appeals by landowners to the Secretary of State, we do not consider that there is likely to be any need to make provision for costs arising from potential legal action.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times he has met staff of the Mayor of London to discuss the performance of London Underground. [142689]

I and other Ministers have frequent meetings with the Mayor on a range of matters including London Underground. There have been occasions when the Mayor's staff have also been present at these meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment a, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to improve the traffic flow on the London Underground in peak hours on Mondays to Fridays. [142574]

This is an operational matter for London Underground (LUL) but they have provided the following information on their plans to improve customer services, particularly in the peak hours:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what the longest period is that an escalator has been out of commission on the London Underground in the last five years; [142576](2) what is the average time that an escalator in the London Underground under repair has been out of commission over the last five years. [142578]

This is an operational matter for London Underground. The information is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many escalators are out of commission on the London Underground. [142579]

This is an operational matter for London Underground. However, I understand from them that at 9 am on Tuesday 12 December 2000, 31 escalators out of 403 were unavailable for customer service. Of these, 14 were part of planned maintenance or refurbishment programmes.In most cases where an escalator is out of order there will be a parallel escalator which is in operation to minimise passenger inconvenience and disruption. This generally enables stations to remain open while the works are in progress and at all times safety is the priority.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many dislocations in service have been recorded by London Underground in each of the past five years. [142573]

This is an operational matter for London Underground (LUL), but they have provided the following information.LUL keep a range of records of incidents on the London Underground system. They do not use the term "dislocations in service" as such, but the most appropriate measure to refer to is the record LUL have of train delays of 15 minutes or over.The table shows the number of these delays since the financial year 1996–97.

Train delays of 15 minutes or over
Year	Total
1996–97	2,128
1997–98	2,533
1998–99	2,630
1999–2000	2,799
2000–011	1,162
1April-16 September

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how long he estimates that Moorgate underground station will be closed to Northern Line passengers between 8 to 10 am and 4 to 6 pm [142572]

This is an operational matter for London Underground who inform me that it is estimated that the escalator works at Moorgate underground station will continue until February 2001. London Underground and Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate deem the current arrangements at Moorgate station to be the most sensible way to avoid dangerous overcrowding while the escalator is being repaired.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how long the up escalator at King's Cross on the Victoria Line was out of order in 1999–2000. [142577]

This is an operational matter for London Underground (LUL), but they have provided the following information.There are two escalators serving the Victoria Line at King's Cross St. Pancras station, nos. 7 and 9. Escalator no. 7 was taken out of service in September 1999 for major refurbishment and returned to service in September 2000. Escalator no. 9 was initially run in the up direction to maintain an up escalator service from the Victoria Line while no. 7 was out of service. However, no. 9 then also had to be taken out of service in February 2000 because of a problem with the drive shaft. From that date, until September 2000 when escalator no.7 returned to service, there was no up escalator from the Victoria Line.An alternative up escalator service, via the Piccadilly Line escalators was available for most of this time (although these escalators then developed problems early in September 2000).Both Victoria Line escalators are now in service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many contractors are available to London Underground when it tenders for the repair and maintenance of escalators. [142575]

This is an operational matter for London Underground. However, I understand that London Underground escalator contracts are put to open tender, thus the number of tendering contractors varies each time. London Underground and its subsidiaries presently have maintenance agreements with four contractors (one of whom is internal).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive the final report of the inquiry into the Fifth Terminal at Heathrow Airport. [142701]

We have now received the final report of the inquiry into the Fifth Terminal of Heathrow Airport.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of current delays on (a) London Underground and (b) commuter rail services into London are due to shortages of (i) drivers and (ii) other staff. [142698]

These are operational matters for London Underground (LUL) and Railtrack. LUL records the number of trains cancelled in the morning and evening peaks periods due to the driver being unavailable, for whatever reason. For the last quarter (20 August to 11 November 2000) 1.55 per cent. of scheduled peak services were cancelled due to no driver being available. It is not possible for LUL to provide figures on delays caused by other staff as the data are not available in this format.The information on commuter rail services is not available in the form requested. However, in 1999–2000, the main cause of 9 per cent. of train delays was attributed to train crew shortages.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent studies have been undertaken by his Department into the reopening of railway lines; and if he will list the lines in Wales which have been considered for reopening. [142939]

DETR has not undertaken any recent studies, but the shadow Strategic Rail Authority has received bids to reopen railway lines under the Rail Passenger Partnership (RPP) scheme. Cardiff Railways are expected to forward a formal bid for RPP funding to reopen the Vale of Glamorgan line. The shadow SRA assesses bids received against the Franchising Director's Planning Criteria, and against value for money in the delivery of the scheme and in comparison with other projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many homeless families there were in each year since 1990–91 in England and Wales. [142869]

The number of households accepted by local authorities in England under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts as being eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need is as follows:

Year	Number
1990–91	139,290
1991–92	139,630
1992–93	136,230
1993–94	125,360
1994–95	116,850
1995–96	116,550
1996–97	110,810
1997–98	102,650
1998–99	104,150
1999–2000	105,520

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many homes were repossessed in England and Wales each year since 1990–91. [142870]

These data are not collected by the Department, but data compiled by the Council of Mortgage Lenders show that the numbers of properties in the United Kingdom repossessed by mortgage lenders for each year since 1990 were as follows. Separate figures for England and Wales are not available.

Year	Properties repossessed
1990	43,890
1991	75,540
1992	68,540
1993	58,540
1994	49,210
1995	49,410
1996	42,560
1997	32,770
1998	33,820
1999	30,030

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government have taken to (a) inform and (b) seek the views of local authorities on the revision of the 1976 EC Bathing Water Directive. [142937]

A number of local authorities took part in practical trials in the summers of 1999 and 2000 aimed at developing a new approach to managing bathing waters as a basis for a revision of the EC Bathing Water Directive. The EC Commission plans to publish shortly a Communication relating to the proposed revision and we shall be seeking views on it from local authorities and others.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he is making on reaching agreement with the European Commission on the inclusion of private sector property projects in the Objective 1 Programme for Merseyside. [142860]

Following earlier rulings on state aid by the European Commission, all projects that involve private sector developers and the use of grant to help fund developments that would otherwise not be commercially viable have come under particularly close scrutiny. To clarify the position and to help speed up consideration of individual projects, such as those coming forward for Objective One funding on Merseyside, we have asked the Commission to approve a number of national schemes which will provide models for projects of this type.Two of these schemes are for projects which will involve state aid and would operate in the Assisted Areas. These schemes were put to the Commission in December last year. A positive response from the Commission is expected shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the procedures that need to be followed in respect of the abolition of town and parish councils. [142817]

Under the Local Government and Rating Act 1997, a district council may carry out a review of the parish arrangements in either a part or the whole of its area, with a view to making to the Secretary of State recommendations for change, including for the abolition of parish or town councils. It is open to the Secretary of State to accept, reject, or to accept with modifications any such recommendation.Details of the procedures involved are set out in Environment Circular 11/97, copies of which are kept in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much he has paid out in respect of the Bus Employees' Superannuation Trust and the National Bus Pension Fund, pursuant to the investigation carried out by the Pensions Ombudsman; when these moneys were paid; who he has charged with responsibility for distributing these moneys to members of these funds; how he will hold them accountable; and when he expects the moneys to be fully distributed. [142749]

[holding answer 14 December 2000]: As announced by the Deputy Prime Minister in a written answer on 15 June 1999, Official Report, columns 85–86W, the negotiated settlement of this long-running dispute involved a total payment of £355.77 million. This litigation followed an investigation by the Pensions Ombudsman into an agreement in 1986 between the National Bus Company and the then Government which had resulted in the payment to the Government in 1990 of the surpluses of the two NBC pension funds.The settlement was approved by the High Court on 30 July last year and the entire settlement sum was paid over to the trustees of the funds immediately following

Year	South west	Former county of Avon	Bath and North East Somerset UA	Bristol UA	North Somerset UA	South Gloucestershire UA
1991	19,225	4,525	538	516	503	2,968
1992	15,703	2,234	328	341	193	1,372
1993	15,004	2,006	166	198	506	1,136
1994	16,169	1—	211	1—	802	1,171
1995	17,145	1—	363	1—	529	1,167
1996	16,420	1—	424	1—	952	1,232
1997	18,705	1—	474	1—	1,676	2,366
1998	16,452	1—	451	381	1—	1,681
1999	15,955	1—	345	257	1—	1,430
20002	7,963	1—	126	58	1—	1—
1Indicates that returns are not available from the local authority for all months of the year.
2January to June

Estimates for non-response are included in the regional total but are not available for the county.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of (a) the September oil refinery blockades and (b) measures taken by Railtrack

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will introduce legislation to deal with tall trees and boundary hedges in domestic gardens; and if he will make a statement. [142876]

Although it was not possible to make provision for a high hedges Bill in the Queen's Speech, we are ready to bring one forward as soon as there is space in the parliamentary timetable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the number of new houses built in each year since 1991 in (a) the South West, (b) the former Avon area, (c) South Gloucestershire unitary authority, (d) Bristol unitary authority, (e) North Somerset unitary authority and (f) Bath and North East Somerset unitary authority. [143096]

[holding answer 18 December 2000]: The available estimates of the number of housebuilding completions are as follows:following the Hatfield rail crash on (i) local air quality, (ii) urban congestion and (iii) the number of road accidents. [142852]

Information from the Department's 160 Automatic Traffic Counters showed that traffic was reduced by about 20 per cent. in the week immediately following the blockade of oil refineries but quickly returned to their previous levels. Examination of the same counters around the period of the Hatfield rail crash have shown that there was no overall significant change in traffic levels but that there might have been some local effects.Examination of the Air Quality Monitoring system showed that there was negligible effect on local air quality at the time of the oil refinery blockade. No examination has been made of the possible effects from the Hatfield rail crash.Information on road accidents will not be available to the Department until the early summer of 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what advice is given by his Department to English local authorities concerning the provision of public toilets; and if he will publish the Standard Spending Assessment element for each local authority for the current and forthcoming year for the provision of toilets for public use; [143415](2) what advice is given by his Department to English local authorities concerning the provision of public toilets. [143416]

It is a matter for local authorities and their communities to decide the level of public toilet provision appropriate for their area. The Government do not believe that they should seek to intervene directly in this decision.There is no specific element in Standard Spending Assessments for public toilets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria he proposes to use for future standard spending assessments for Inner-London local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [143411]

Our Green Paper "Modernising local government finance" consults on options for reforming the way revenue grant is distributed to local authorities (it is currently determined by standard spending assessments (SSAs)). The three year moratorium on changes to SSA formulae is due to end in 2001–02 and the Green Paper invites views on whether that moratorium should be extended to 2002–03.We will be considering the responses we have received to the Green Paper carefully, before taking decisions on the timing and nature of further changes to the grant distribution system next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress he has made towards implementing the new ethical framework for local government established under the Local Government Act 2000. [143962]

The provisions in the Local Government Act 2000 establishing the new ethical framework have been commenced.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to publish his response to the recommendation of the panel that conducted the public examination of the draft regional planning guidance for the south-west; and if he will make a statement. [144004]

My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has today published for consultation Proposed Changes to the Draft Regional Planning Guidance (RPG10) for the south-west.In March my right hon. Friend set out a new approach to planning for housing provision. This was taken forward in more detail in the revised Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) Note 3 also published in March. More recent guidance on regional planning has been set out in PPG11, and important issues for the regions to take forward are contained in the urban and rural White Papers issued last month. The Proposed Changes to the draft RPG for the south-west reflect the principles and priorities set out in those statements. They aim to support economic growth and regeneration, while protecting and enhancing the region's environment. They endorse the housing target proposed by the Panel of around some 20,350 additional dwellings a year as the starting point for the plan, monitor and manage approach.This is a modest increase of 10 per cent. on the figure of 18,350 proposed by the local authorities in their draft, and is well in line with existing levels of provision. We are also, however, proposing to increase to 50 per cent. the target for such housing to be on previously used land buildings and buildings, compared with the 44 per cent. proposed by the Panel. This takes account of the likely availability of such land in a largely rural region, but also of the advice in PPG3 to make more efficient use of land, particularly within urban areas. This higher target figure means that the slight increase in overall housing provision will not lead to any additional demand for greenfield sites.We endorse the Regional Planning Body's view that most development should be concentrated in the cities and larger towns. This is consistent with our policies for urban renaissance and the better use of land. To aid that objective we have proposed changes which will help local authorities to make swift progress on the identification of the extent and potential of such settlements. The potential of these areas will now be the subject of studies with the Regional Planning Body, the local authorities concerned and other interested parties. Building on the Panel's recommendations, we are proposing a sequential approach to development, looking first at the capacity and reuse of previously developed land within urban areas, then possible urban extensions. Where it is not possible to make such provision, the possibility of new settlements in sustainable locations may be an option.We have accepted the Panel's recommendation for a review of the Green Belt around the main urban areas as an essential part of the process of finding sustainable locations for development. It should be carried out by the local authorities, with any changes taken forward through the review of development plans. The policies are designed to help achieve an urban renaissance and the improved economic and social viability of the rural areas, while protecting and enhancing the countryside.The Proposed Changes set out priorities for transport investment and study, and include revised parking standards. However, they make clear that more work needs to be done to develop the Regional Transport Strategy to facilitate the economic performance of the region, achieve more sustainable patterns of movement and to combat congestion.The consultation period on the Proposed Changes will be for 12 weeks, ending on 14 March 2001. Copies of the relevant documents have been placed in the House Library and made available to the region's MPs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list each new publication issued by his Department since 1997; and what the total cost is to the Department of each publication. [141468]

[holding answer 11 December 2000]: The Welsh Office published approximately 1,200 official publications per year between 1997 and July 1999. I will place a list in the Library of the House. The cost of each publication could be provided only at disproportionate cost.The Wales Office (Office of the Secretary of State for Wales) has so far published only its Departmental Report and Service Delivery Agreement.The Service Delivery Agreement was published on the internet at no cost to the Department and by HM Treasury as part of its White Paper. The Departmental Report was published at a cost of £2,576.25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what levels of depleted uranium radiation were found on the Iraqi (a) main battle tanks, (b) other armoured vehicles (A vehicles), (c) soft skinned vehicles (B vehicles), (d) vehicle mounted artillery systems, (e) field artillery and (f) anti-aircraft gun systems recovered by British armed forces from the Gulf War and brought to the UK; and if he will make a statement. [142164]

Iraqi equipment of the types described was surveyed for the presence of radioactive material generally and was not tested specifically for depleted uranium (DU). These surveys would have detected any contamination levels at which special health and safety precautions defined in Statutory Instruments would have had to be introduced. No DU levels above five becquerels per square centimetre were found during Iraqi equipment monitoring and therefore no special precautions were needed under current or past legislation.Between 1985 and 1999, the relevant legislation was the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1985 and controlled and supervised contamination areas existed when DU contamination levels exceeded 60 and 20 becquerels per square centimetre respectively. Controlled contamination areas are those in which personal protective equipment is generally worn and where washing, monitoring and decontamination facilities are immediately available. Supervised contamination areas present a lower level of risk and the principal requirement is for these areas to be monitored to prove that contamination levels are not increasing towards controlled area levels. From January 2000, the corresponding controlled and supervised contamination area levels were increased to 82 and 27 becquerels per square centimetre respectively. This change results from the introduction of new legislation and a re-evaluation of dose coefficients by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the procedures used in the peritonitis experiments conducted on pigs at Porton Down; if the pigs were anaesthetised; and what measures were taken to protect the pigs' welfare; [142130](2) if he will publish the cost/benefit analysis applied to the peritonitis experiments conducted on pigs at Porton Down; and if he will make a statement. [142129]

[holding answer 13 December 2000]: No formal financial cost/benefit analysis has been applied to the work involving pigs to study the potential benefit of treatment with pentoxifylline following septic shock initiated by haemorrhage and peritonitis at the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) at Porton Down. However, balancing 'cost' to the animal and the likely scientific benefits to mankind is a pivotal consideration.This research was part of an ongoing programme to improve the treatment of military casualties injured by weapons. Haemorrhage was induced by the withdrawal of 40 per cent. of the blood volume and peritonitis by the placement of known quantities of bacteria on a small quantity of sterile faeces within the abdomen. The animals were then resuscitated (blood volume increased) with intravenous fluids, and pentoxifylline was administered.The pigs were anaesthetised throughout all procedures and never allowed to regain consciousness. The anaesthetised pigs were monitored for 24 hours and those still alive at the end of this period were culled while still under anaesthesia. As a standard veterinary practice prior to anaesthesia, the pigs were allowed access to water but denied access to food for 12 hours. All of these procedures were carefully monitored by a veterinary surgeon.All work with animals undergoes an Ethical Review Process and has to demonstrate that as much as possible has been done to replace the procedures with alternatives not using living animals, to reduce numbers of animals used in particular studies, and to refine the procedures to minimise pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm prior to the issue of licences to undertake work. In this particular case, reduction was achieved by minimising the numbers of animals used through focused experimental design; the work was terminated when the specific scientific question of the effect of the drug had been answered. The results were published in 'Resuscitation', a peer-reviewed scientific journal.All work is also undertaken in accordance with the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which is overseen by the Home Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what cost-benefit analysis was conducted in respect of the food poisoning experiments on ferrets at Porton Down; and if he will make a statement; [142118](2) what consultation with the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee took place on the welfare implications of the research into food poisoning of ferrets prior to this procedure's commencement; and if he will make a statement. [142117]

[holding answer 13 December 2000]: No formal financial cost/benefit analysis has been applied to the work involving ferrets to study the mechanism of poisoning caused by Staph Enterotoxin B (SEB) undertaken at the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) at Porton Down. However, balancing 'cost' to the animal and the likely scientific benefits to mankind is a pivotal consideration.The research has enabled the establishment of an alternative animal model to study the mechanism of SEB poisoning which can cause severe incapacitating vomiting in military and civilian personnel. This model will replace the use of non-human primates. The establishment of an alternative animal model is essential to the development of vaccines and antitoxins. Cell culture models are unable to predict the effects of SEB.This research was part of an ongoing programme to improve the range of medical countermeasures available to the UK and its armed forces. All work with animals undergoes an Ethical Review Process and has to demonstrate that as much as possible has been done to replace the procedures with alternatives not using living animals, to reduce numbers of animals used in particular studies, and to refine the procedures to minimise pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm prior to the issue of licences to undertake work. All work is also undertaken in accordance with the terms of the Animals (Scientific procedures) Act 1986, which is overseen by the Home Office.The rationale for the study was discussed during one of the regular meetings with the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the procedure used in the Sarin experiments on marmosets at Porton Down; and how the monkeys' welfare was protected; [142128](2) if he will publish the cost/benefit analysis applied to the Sarin experiments conducted on marmosets at Porton Down; and if he will make a statement. [142127]

[holding answer 13 December 2000]: No formal financial cost/benefit analysis has been applied to the work involving the marmoset model to investigate whether a low dose of sarin disrupted performance of behavioural tests at the Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) at Porton Down. However, balancing 'cost' to the animal and the likely scientific benefits to mankind is a pivotal consideration.The marmosets lived in established male/female pairs in a housing system of interlinked cages. Behavioural tests were presented daily on a touch-sensitive screen in front of their home cage. Animals were always free to choose whether or not to engage in the task. This test battery was specifically devised to 'bridge the gap' between non-human primate research and human studies. Each correct response was rewarded with a small quantity of banana milkshake Which was not routinely fed as part of their varied and nutritionally complete diet.During performance of the task, the animal's electroencephalography (EEG) was measured by means of a surgically implanted radiotelemetry device. This technique represents a significant refinement in terms of animal welfare and does not involve the restraint of the animal. Once implanted, the data collection system did not interfere with the animals' freedom.Following administration of the sarin, animals were closely observed by experienced staff and no clinical signs were detected either in the short-term or over the duration of the study. The research team was supported by dedicated animal care staff and a highly experienced veterinary surgeon throughout the study.The techniques developed in the course of this work represent a significant advance in both animal welfare and scientific quality. This research involving marmosets has demonstrated that exposure to a single, low dose of the nerve agent sarin did not disrupt performance of a complex behavioural test and did not produce significant changes in brain electrical activity. These techniques have more widespread applicability in a number of areas of civilian research, notably in the investigation of neurodegenerative disorders.All work with animals undergoes an Ethical Review Process and has to demonstrate that as much as possible has been done to replace the procedures with alternatives not using living animals, to reduce numbers of animals used in particular studies, and to refine the procedures to minimise pain, suffering distress or lasting harm prior to the issue of licences to undertake work.All work involving the use of animals at the CBE Porton Down is also undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which is overseen by the Home Office.In addition to the statutory controls, an independent body, the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC), reviews the arrangements for animal care and welfare at DERA sites, monitors the research programmes to ensure standards are the highest possible and advises on best practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he intends that in the long-term the SSN fleet should continue to carry land-attack missiles; [143338](2) how he proposes to replace the TLAM D missile currently carried by the SSN fleet once the US are no longer in a position to supply replacements; and if he will make a statement; [143346](3) if the Astute class SSNs will carry vertical launch tubes enabling them to fire the Tactical Tomahawk missile; [143347](4) what plans he has to equip the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers with launchers enabling them to fire the Tactical Tomahawk missile; and what steps he is taking to procure this. [143345]

The Royal Navy operates Tomahawk Block IIIC missiles. As was demonstrated in Kosovo, Tomahawk Block IIIC missiles are highly effective weapons, which fully meet our requirements for a coercive capability in terms of accuracy, weight of ordnance and the ability to attack the likely target set. At present, we foresee a long-term requirement for this system to be operated by our SSNs.Following the Kosovo campaign, an additional order of Tomahawk missiles was placed with the US. Upon completion of the outstanding order we will have a full inventory of Block IIIC missiles.In the event that further Block IIIC missiles were expended during future conflicts, the Tomahawk Block IV missiles (also known as Tactical Tomahawk or Tactom) would represent the only means of procuring additional Tomahawk missiles. At present Tactom is intended only as a vertical launch weapon and therefore would not be suitable for firing from UK SSNs. However, in common with the UK, the US has identified a requirement for a horizontal launch variant of Tactom as not all of its SSNs are fitted with vertical launchers. Initial joint research has demonstrated the feasibility of developing a horizontal launch variant of Tactom.The development of a horizontal launched variant of Tactom represents a more cost effective route than procuring vertical launchers. Accordingly there are no plans to fit Astute class SSNs with vertical launcher capable of firing Tactom. There are currently no plans to equip the Type 45 destroyer with a land attack capability, however, the design of the Type 45 would allow the incorporation of such a launcher should the requirement arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will itemise the efficiency savings so far achieved in the defence equipment procurement programme. [143327]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence gave on 23 October 2000, Official Report, column 33W, to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key), and on 27 November 2000, Official Report, column 415W, to the hon. Member for Guildford (Mr. St. Aubyn). These costing reductions were identified across a broad range of equipment programmes including Eurofighter and the Rapier Air Defence Missile.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what time scale he has set to fit all Type 23 frigates with stern sonar; [143348](2) when he proposes to place an order for the sonar 2087 for the Royal Navy; [143336](3) for what reason he has put back to December 2004 the in-service date for the Sonar 2087; and if he will make a statement. [143337]

Subject to approval, we expect to place a contract for Sonar 2087 early in 2001, and for it to be fitted to all Type 23s. Sonar 2087 is a tactical, variable-depth, active and passive sonar system which will operate with the Type 23's existing bow-mounted active Sonar 2050: the former system will provide a long-range picture with the latter filling in the nearer range.Changes to the planned in-service date of Sonar 2087 were made in recent financial planning rounds, based on careful consideration of competing defence priorities and the need to maintain coherence between Sonar 2087 and the Type 23 refit programme. This is part of our normal process for making best use of the defence budget to meet changing priorities. Subject to completion of contractual negotiations with the successful prime contractor, Sonar 2087 is expected to enter operational service around 2005 when initial trials are complete. The precise shipfitting programme is also subject to contractual negotiations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the ability of the Rapier missile to provide adequate ground-based air defence for British forces for the foreseeable future; [143342](2) what plans he has to upgrade the air defence capability provided by the Rapier missile system. [143339]

The in-service Rapier Mark 2 missile will, as part of the Rapier missile system, provide short-range ground based air defence against the envisaged threat out to around 2010.Plans to upgrade the air defence capability provided by the Rapier missile system from around 2010 are being studied as part of the UK's Integrated Ground Air Defence (IGBAD) programme. The IGBAD programme takes a holistic approach to investment in the UK's GBAD capability in the 2010–20 time frame. The goal of the programme is to reduce the cost of ownership of GBAD equipment, and to maintain operational capability and effectiveness against the emerging threat within budgetary limitations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the timetable is for refurbishment of the Upholder class submarines; and when each one will be ready for delivery to the Canadian Government. [143048]

[holding answer 15 December 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend Lord Robertston, the then Secretary of State for Defence, gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth (Mr. Healey) on 6 April 1998, Official Report, column 56W, and to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 23 October 2000, Official Report, column 30W, and 19 December 2000, Official Report, columns 89–90W, and to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 31 October 2000, Official Report, column 341W. Canada has acquired the four ex-Royal Navy Upholder class submarines, which are powered by diesel-electric engines. The acquisition takes the form of an eight-year lease with an option of outright purchase. Each of the submarines is being refurbished (reactivated) to a standard acceptable to the Royal Navy.The first of the refurbished submarines was handed over to Canada on 6 October 2000. The three remaining submarines are being refurbished now. A revised programme for handover of the three remaining submarines has recently been released to Canada and identifies handover dates of July 2001 for Boat 2 (HMS Unicorn), January 2002 for Boat 3 (HMS Ursula) and May 2002 for Boat 3 (HMS Upholder).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the Royal Navy has sufficient manpower to keep two carriers operational in a sea going role throughout 2001; [143053](2) when he expects HMS Invincible to be placed in reserve; [143047](3) when the next refit of

[holding answer 15 December 2000]: The Royal Navy does have sufficient manpower to keep two carriers operational, but during 2001 HMS Ark Royal will be coming out of refit and there will be times when manpower will be in transition to her from one of the other carriers. The transition plan could be reviewed immediately should the operational need arise to deploy two carriers. HMS Ark Royal will rejoin the Fleet capable of operating the new Merlin helicopter and the RN and RAF Harrier aircraft from Joint Force Harrier—a cost-effective way of maintaining a potent fixed-wing carrier capability until the new carriers enter service in 2012 and 2015.There are no plans to place HMS Invincible in reserve. She will be used in an operational sea going role until April 2001 when she will enter a period of reduced readiness prior to commencing her refit period later in the year. HMS Invincible is currently programmed to return to operational status in 2003 on completion of the refit.HMS Illustrious's next refit is scheduled to start in autumn 2002 and is expected to take about 23 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Joint Strike Fighter's software architecture will allow for the integration of the Storm Shadow missile. [143330]

While the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) remains a strong contender to meet our Future Carrier Borne Aircraft requirement, no decision has yet been taken on its procurement.The design of the JSF aircraft will allow for integration of weapons, throughout its life, and provision of a flexible software architecture to accommodate a wide variety of weapons will be a fundamental aspect of the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase contract.The competing contractors for the phase are aware of the UK's Storm Shadow needs should we select JSF, and therefore there is no reason to believe that the aircraft's software architecture would prevent integration of the missile.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has undertaken a study of the merits of (a) helicopter-mounted and (b) fixed-wing mounted airborne early warning systems for short-deck and full-deck aircraft carriers; and if he will make a statement. [143352]

We are conducting studies into a range of airborne early warning systems that could operate from the two future aircraft carriers envisaged under the Strategic Defence Review. These include both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is of the Enhanced Paveway II system contract developed and produced by Raytheon; what the time scale is for operational interim capability in the contract; and if he will make a statement. [143165]

Final contract negotiations with the company covering precise details of cost and the time scales for our operational interim capability are still under way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Housing Executive for the financial year 2000–01. [143898]

The following key targets have been set for the Defence Housing Executive for 2000–01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to publish information about his Department's performance during the financial year 1999–2000. [143897]

Information about my Department's performance during the last financial year is contained within the Ministry of Defence Performance Report 1999–2000, which will be laid before the House today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will announce the preferred purchaser for the former Royal Army Medical Corps site on Millbank. [144054]

After detailed consideration of all the bids received, and consultation within Government, we have selected The London Institute as the preferred purchaser for the site.We believe that this decision provides an opportunity to establish a major arts educational institution alongside an art gallery of international standing. This will allow a synergy to develop which will benefit the creative industries as well as having other educational advantages.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what percentage of rural areas will be left without broadband fixed wireless access following the recent 28 GHz auction; and what measures are being considered to assist those rural communities excluded from such access; [141658](2) what impact the recent auction of licences for the provision of broadband fixed wireless access at 28 GHz will have on the availability of high-speed Internet access in rural areas. [141659]

Most of the licences awarded were for regions where there is a mix of rural and urban areas. Those regions where licences were sold cover 57 per cent. of the UK population and include extensive rural areas in the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. I will be exploring ways of licensing broadband fixed wireless access in those regions where licences remained unsold. Wireless is only one way of delivering higher bandwidth services. Other ways include DSL over copper telephone lines, cable modems, third generation mobile and satellite. As stated in the White Paper "Our Countryside: The Future", the Government will

work through the development agencies, and in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, to develop effective strategies for the roll-out of higher bandwidth services in rural areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what impact the recent auction for broadband fixed wireless access will have on the Government's aim of making broadband access universally available. [141657]

Broadband Fixed Wireless Access licences have now been issued for an area covering nearly 60 per cent. of the population, including Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England.Wireless is only one way of delivering bandwidth services. Other ways include DSL over copper telephone lines, cable modems, third generation mobile and satellite. As stated in the White Paper "Our Countryside: The Future", the Government will

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to promote electronic commerce. [143126]

Electronic Commerce lies at the heart of this Government's vision for building a competitive, modern, knowledge-driven economy and the DTI plays a leading role in realising this.As mentioned in my previous answer on 11 May 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total tonnage of coal mined in England and Wales in the last 12 months. [143613]

In the 12 months to September 2000, it is estimated that 23.3 million tonnes of coal were mined in England and Wales. In the United Kingdom as whole, 32.6 million tonnes of coal were produced in this period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the total tonnage of coal imported into the UK in the last 12 months. [143612]

In the 12 months to September 2000, it is estimated that 22.8 million tonnes of coal were imported into the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what examination he has made of the establishment and running costs of the proposed universal bank; and if he will integrate the Horizon platform into the existing Link electronic banking network and make an estimate of the costs associated. [143582]

The Post Office is currently considering different IT platforms through which it can connect to banks and has fully investigated the Link proposition. The final decision will depend on the cost and functionality offered by the different options. Any platform chosen will need to work through the Horizon system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Link interchange network about the proposals for a universal bank. [143583]

The Post Office has discussed its proposals for universal banking services with a range of banks and other financial service institutions, including with the Link interchange network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has approved the Post Office's five-year Strategic Plan and set the post-tax profit target for the Post Office group; and if he will make a statement. [144050]

I am pleased to announce that the Government have approved the Post Office's Strategic Plan for 2000–05. This is a five-year rolling Plan which is updated annually. The Plan represents a key element in the new arm's-length relationship that the Government are establishing with the Post Office in fulfilment of the reforms described in the White Paper published in July 1999. The Post Office will be building on the previous year's Plan and pursuing its strategy of becoming a global player in the distribution market.Although much has been achieved over the past year, the Post Office recognises that there remains much to do. The market place for postal services is increasingly competitive and there are tough challenges to be faced, but the Post Office is working to build on current initiatives and to seize commercial opportunities as they arise in the UK and internationally.The key features of the Strategic Plan are commercially confidential, and as such will not be published. In May this year the Government set the Post Office a return on capital employed target of 13 per cent. for 2000–01, which translated into an operational pre-tax profit target of £392 million for the year. Return on capital employed is defined as profit before interest payable and tax, but after operating interest receivable, divided by operating capital employed. This target excluded the network of post offices, where the report of the Performance and Innovation Unit on the network of post offices was awaited, and the non-operational interest arising from past surpluses held on the Post Office's balance sheet. This target was to be subsumed within the overall post-tax profit target for the Post Office as a whole, as described in the White Paper. The Government have now set a post-tax profit target figure for the group of £260 million for the financial year 2000–01.As already announced, the 'dividend' that the Government effectively take out of the Post Office is now set at 40 per cent. of the post-tax profits of the business as a whole, and therefore if the Post Office achieves the profit target, this equivalent of a commercial dividend will be £104 million. This is subject to a dividend floor payment which this year will be raised from 80 per cent. to 90 per cent. of the dividend that would be paid if the Post Office meets its overall profit target. The dividend floor payment will therefore be £93 million. The Post Office will not pay dividends until it becomes a plc, but in the meantime will set aside the relevant amount in its reserves.In order to help the Post Office to plan for the medium term, the Government have also set an indicative financial return for 2002–03 of 13 per cent. return on capital employed in the Post Office's operational business, excluding the network of post offices and any non-operational interest arising from past surpluses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will lay the Government's annual report to Parliament on the progress of Post Office reform; and if he will make a statement. [144049]

I have today laid in the Library of each House the Government's first annual report to Parliament on the progress of the reforms set out in the White Paper on "Post Office Reform: a World Class Service for the 21^st Century", which was published in July 1999. This summarises the significant steps that have already been taken in implementing the reforms and the progress being made in giving the Post Office greater commercial freedom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the planned operating cost of Ofgem for (a) 2001–01 and (b) 2001–02. [143155]

I have been asked to reply.Ofgem published its proposed Plan and Budget for 2001–02 on 15 December. The document also provides budget information for 2000–01 (this document can be viewed on Ofgem's website www.ofgem.gov.uk). Stakeholders within the industry and other interested parties have until 7 February to comment on these proposals. Ofgem's final corporate plan, which will have regard to comments received during the consultation period, will provide details of Ofgem's agreed budget for 2001–02.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many (a) police officers, broken down by rank, and (b) civilian security staff are employed in (i) the Palace of Westminster and (ii) the parliamentary estate. [143597]

The actual strength of Metropolitan police officers and civilian security officers employed within the parliamentary estate is:

Parliamentary Estate
	Number
(a) Police officers
Divisional commander	1
Superintendent	1
Inspectors	5
Sergeants	13
Constables	134
Total	154
(b) Civilian security staff
Principal security officer	1
Senior security officers	12
Security officers	225
Higher executive officers	2
Executive officers	2
Administrative officers	5
Administrative assistants	1
Typists	2
Total	250

It is not possible to make a clear distinction between the Palace of Westminster and the Estate, as varied responsibilities affect the balance from day to day. In general terms, however, the majority of officers are employed within the Palace.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what further steps he is taking to create a normal security environment in Northern Ireland. [141755]

The Chief Constable recently announced a number of further normalisation measures, including the demolition of the six Fermanagh patrol bases, the closure and demolition of Long Kesh Army base and, with effect from 1 October, the closure of Strand Road Holding Centre. Work on the demolition of the Fermanagh patrol bases is now under way. The demolition of Long Kesh Army base is due for completion this month.It is our overall aspiration to reduce further the number of army bases to no more than 20 and reduce the number of soldiers permanently based in Northern Ireland to about 8,000. However, this very much depends on the level of threat from dissident republicans and continued progress towards a normal civil society.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many illegal weapons he can certify as having been decommissioned this year by (a) republican terrorist groups and (b) loyalist terrorist groups. [141759]

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on decommissioning. [141760]

This year, to date, we have received no reports from General de Chastelain and the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning of any weapons having been decommissioned from either republican or loyalist groups.The Government welcome the recent decision by the IRA to reopen its arms dumps to reinspection.We understand that the IRA have had limited re-engagement with the Commission, but further progress is needed to fulfil the promises made in its statement in May.Both Governments have agreed to take all necessary steps to facilitate the decommissioning process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the prospects for removing illegally held weapons from Northern Ireland. [141762]

Efforts are continuing to seek a way forward to enable decommissioning to occur as soon as possible.Further progress still needs to be made by both Republican and Loyalist paramilitaries to meet their commitments to bring a lasting peace to Northern Ireland.Decommissioning of illegal arms is an essential part of the Good Friday Agreement. All sides must honour all the commitments they have made. However, the Government cannot force decommissioning to occur. It has to be a voluntary, inclusive and consensual process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the number of illegal weapons held by terrorist organisations that are active in Northern Ireland; and when he expects to see them decommissioned in accordance with the terms of the Belfast agreement. [141775]

For obvious reasons, it is not our practice to disclose such intelligence matters. I can however say that substantial amounts of firearms, munitions and explosives are held by various groups in Northern Ireland.Efforts are still continuing to seek a way forward to enable decommissioning to occur as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the threat posed by paramilitary activity during the pre-Christmas period in Northern Ireland. [141761]

The Royal Ulster Constabulary have advised that there continues to be a high threat of attack from dissident republicans over the pre-Christmas period, with the most likely targets being the security force personnel and establishments. Recent events show the potential for the escalation of sectarian attacks. Commercial premises could be subject to incendiary attacks. On 8 December police advised owners of commercial premises to be extra vigilant about the security of their property in the run up to Christmas. The Royal Ulster Constabulary are taking all possible precautions to ensure the safety of the public and premises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements he is making to celebrate the bicentenary of the United Kingdom in 2001. [141764]

I am not making any special arrangements to celebrate the bicentennial of the Act of Union. Nevertheless, I do recognise the significance of this historical event and I am by no means opposed to initiatives which seek to mark the occasion in a balanced and thoughtful way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what initiatives he proposes to take during the next 12 months to advance the peace process. [141765]

The British and Irish Governments made a joint statement on 5 May setting out the steps we believed necessary to secure the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement by June 2001. This elicited a positive response from the IRA in their statement of 6 May and was endorsed by the pro-Agreement parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress in the peace process since the Good Friday agreement. [141768]

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress in implementing the Good Friday agreement. [141773]

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the peace process in Northern Ireland. [141780]

I refer the hon. Members to the response I gave today to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick), Official Report, column 346.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his assessment of the impact of a stable economy on the peace process in Northern Ireland. [141770]

A stable economy and all the benefits it brings—low unemployment, increased investment, improved living standards—has had a very real and positive impact on the peace process because it is clear that these economic benefits have come about as a direct result of the progress we have made on the political front. This encourages support across the community for such progress to continue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will meet senior police officers to discuss enforced expulsions from Northern Ireland of individuals by paramilitary groups. [141766]

I receive regular briefings on the security situation from the Chief Constable and my security advisers.I utterly condemn any activity by groups on either side of the community that is aimed at intimidating people into leaving the province.Police investigations of such offences are often hampered when victims generally decline to make a formal complaint.It is therefore important that members of communities, within which these attacks are taking place, pass to police any relevant information. They may do so in strict confidence using the Crimestoppers line—0800 555 111.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the funding of terrorist groups. [141769]

Terrorism relies in part on the availability of funding. Successive Governments have made provision in counter terrorist law to enable the police to tackle this funding. The Terrorism Act, which is due to come into force early next year, carries forward that regime which includes an offense of inviting another to support a terrorist organisation with money or property. It is also an offence to receive or provide money or property for that purpose. Under the Act, the police can also apply for an order of the court to trace terrorist property by seeking customer information from financial institutions.In addition, the Secretary of State announced on 25 September the establishment of a new multi agency approach to tackling organised crime in Northern Ireland. We are determined to tackle all manifestations of organised crime, whatever its source.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the visit of President Clinton to Northern Ireland. [141771]

I was delighted that President Clinton visited Northern Ireland on 12 and 13 December. This is the third time that he has done so. Once again the people of Northern Ireland gave him a deservedly warm welcome, in appreciation of the great contribution which he has made to the creation of peace and political stability in that part of our country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement regarding the recruitment policy of the RUC. [141772]

The last recruits to the Royal Ulster Constabulary commenced training on 2 April 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Royal Ulster Constabulary's role in maintaining security in Northern Ireland. [141774]

The Royal Ulster Constabulary aims to provide a high quality, effective police service to all the people of Northern Ireland. To achieve this it works in partnership with the whole community and in co-operation with other agencies with the purpose of upholding the rule of law in a way that protects human rights, bringing to justice those who break the law, playing a full part in the eradication of terrorism and the prevention of crime, helping to preserve the peace, protecting, reassuring and assisting those it serves.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received from (a) Mr. and Mrs. McBride and (b) members of the public over the case of Guardsmen Fisher and Wright. [141778]

Earlier this year the Secretary of State received a letter from the McBride family. This letter was passed on to the Minister for Defence for reply.We also received a letter from a member of the public on this issue.This issue is entirely a matter for the Army Board, but the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has agreed with the Secretary of State for Defence that neither of these two soldiers will serve in Northern Ireland in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the average length of time required to produce a coroner's report in Northern Ireland in each of the last two years. [141779]

Matters related to coroners are the responsibility of the Lord Chancellor, and it is the decision of coroners as to whether or not autopsies are conducted. Having decided that an autopsy is necessary a coroner will normally request the State Pathologist's Department to conduct it. It is not possible to provide the average lengths of time taken to provide coroners with such reports without a considerable diversion of resources. Each case is unique and may involve obtaining toxicological analyses and other inputs from elsewhere.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if annual leave payments for medical laboratory scientific officers are based on average, including non-contractual, on-call pay. [143161]

The terms of service set out in the professional and technical B staffs Whitley council agreement specifies the number of working days leave entitlement based on different working patterns of the 37-hour week which are the normal hours of duty. There is no agreement covering paid annual leave outside the 37 hours.The working time regulations require the four weeks of statutory entitlement for annual leave to be calculated as per the Employment Rights Act 1996, sections 221–224. National Health Service employers, like all other employers, are required to comply with the terms of these Regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the evidence his Department has collated on the determination of the type of physical therapy available to stroke victims in their recovery period. [143270]

The Department funded the Royal College of Physicians to develop evidence based clinical guidelines for stroke which include guidelines for stroke rehabilitation. The Royal College has also conducted two sentinel audits of stroke services which include data on rehabilitation for stroke patients. Clinicians at local level decide the therapy needed in each individual case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress the Medicines Control Agency has made in promoting, within Europe, its proposals for a Traditional Use Medicines Directive; and what the main provisions are of its proposals. [143447]

At the European Pharmaceutical Committee in September member states agreed the case for a directive on traditional medicinal products. The European Commission subsequently circulated a preliminary draft to member states in order to assess the range of views about possible specific provisions. The proposals draw from work carried out by an expert working group of the Committee for which the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) acted as rapporteur. We will place copies of the text in the Library. The MCA has recently held discussions with representatives of herbal interest groups to discuss our response to the Commission's proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extent to which the proposed Traditional Use Medicines Directive will provide a secure legal basis for products which are (a) combinations of herbal and other ingredients for which 30 years safe traditional use can be demonstrated and (b) combinations of herbal and other ingredients which have been brought more recently to market. [143430]

Many products consisting of combinations of herbal and other ingredients can currently be sold legally, for example under food or cosmetic law, and we anticipate that this will continue to be the case. Where, however, such combination products are classified as medicines they require a marketing authorisation before they can be placed on the market.At this very early stage in discussions on the European Commission's proposals for a directive on traditional medicinal products it is not yet clear whether coverage would be restricted to traditional herbal medicines or whether in some circumstances traditional medicines containing other ingredients could also be permitted under the terms of the directive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extent to which the proposed Traditional Use Medicines Directive will provide a secure legal basis for products which are herbal medicines exempt from licensing under section 12 of the Medicines Act 1968. [143446]

If the proposals for a directive on traditional medicinal products can be agreed, we expect that it would provide a secure legal basis for regulating a wide range of traditional herbal remedies of the kind currently sold to the public under section 12(2) of the Medicines Act 1968. It is unlikely that the directive would have a direct impact on arrangements whereby herbalists make up and supply the public with herbal remedies following face to face consultation, as permitted under section 12(1) of the Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the General Affairs Council held in Brussels on 4 and 5 December; and if he will make a statement. [141626]

The General Affairs Council (GAC) on 4–5 December adopted the "A" points listed in document no. 14012/00 and noted the resolutions, decisions and opinions adopted by the European Parliament in its session of 13–17 November in Strasbourg listed in document no. 12937/00. Copies of these documents have been placed in the House Libraries.1.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives he has taken following the establishment of diplomatic relations with North Korea. [141520]

Following the decision in October by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary to respond positively to a request from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to establish diplomatic relations, diplomatic relations were established on 12 December 2000.We hope to appoint a Chargé d'Affaires soon who will be based in Seoul. He will be responsible for establishing a resident Embassy in Pyongyang and liaising with the DPRK Government about developing relations between the UK and the DPRK, through, for example, an enhanced English language teaching programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals there are from EU member states and bodies for further treaties on (a) the codification of the existing powers of the EU, excluding any proposals agreed at the Nice Summit and (b) the definition of the relevant powers and relationship between institutions of the European Union and (i) office holders, (ii) Governments of member states and (iii) democratic institutions. [142386]

The Nice European Council agreed that the next Intergovernmental Conference would take place in 2004.The issues to be addressed include a more precise delimitation of competencies between the European Union and the member states; the status of the Charter of Fundamental Rights; a simplification of the treaties with a view to making them clearer and better understood without changing their meaning; and the role of national Parliaments in the European architecture.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent elections in Belarus. [142799]

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)'s office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) sent a Technical Assessment Mission to Belarus at the time of the elections on 15 october. It concluded that the elections did not meet international standards for democratic elections, including those formulated in the 1990 Copenhagen Document of the OSCE. A parliamentary Troika drawn from the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assemblies of the OSCE and the Council of Europe reached similar conclusions. Her Majesty's Government endorse these assessments.

To ask the Secretary of state for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of (a) the Department' s staff and (b) far eastern embassy and desk staff are graduates of Magdalen College, Oxford. [142519]

[holding answer 15 December 2000]: This information is not readily available because electronic databases on members of staff do not in all cases indicate which university they attended, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations his Department has undertaken with non-governmental organisations on the development of the Government's cross-departmental initiative on conflict resolution. [143369]

We have not held any formal consultations on the Global Conflict Prevention Pool as yet. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office maintains regular contact with NGOs and academic institutions in the field of conflict prevention, and has worked with a number of NGOs on conflict prevention projects. Along with the DfID and the MOD we will be expanding and developing these contacts as the cross-cutting strategy develops.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will introduce legislation to restore full British citizenship to residents of the Island of St. Helena; and if he will make a statement. [143082]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend Member for Erith and Thamesmead (Mr. Austin) on 13 December 2000, Official Report, column 148W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the offices approved for closure by the board of the British Council as a result of the Council's new strategy. [143297]

[holding answer 18 December 2000]: The Council's new strategy involves updating its overseas network to ensure maximum impact in countries of greatest importance to the UK, and the expansion of new IT-based services, especially in western Europe. In line with this, the Council has announced the closure of subordinate offices in Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Leipzig and Turin. The closure of the country directorates in Belarus, Ecuador, Lesotho and Swaziland, and the offices in Kaduna, Enugu and Ibadan in Nigeria have also been agreed. Further closures will be announced over the next five years after consultation with the relevant authorities in each country and the staff affected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the British Council concerning the closure of British Council offices in Sierra Leone. [143296]

[holding answer 18 December 2000]: The British Council has discussed all its proposals for its overseas network with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The conclusions on Sierra Leone are noted in the answer I gave the hon. Member on 6 November 2000, Official Report, column 49W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the progress of EU accession negotiations. [143899]

Negotiations are progressing well. With all negotiating sessions of the French Presidency complete, the position in negotiations is as follows:

The countries which opened negotiations in 1998 (the so-called Luxembourg Six) have all opened 29 out of 31 chapters of the acquis and have provisionally closed (ie no further negotiations required at this stage) between 13 and 17 chapters. (Cyprus: 17; Estonia: 16; Slovenia: 14; Hungary: 14; Poland: 13; Czech: 13).

The countries which opened negotiations in 2000 (the so-called Helsinki Six) have opened between nine and 16 chapters and closed between six and 12. (Malta: opened 16, provisionally closed 12; Slovakia: 16/10; Lativia: 16/9; Bulgaria: 11/8; Lithuania: 16/17; Romania: 9/6).

We look forward to further progress under the Swedish Presidency in the first half of 2001.I should also take this opportunity to correct the inadvertent error I made in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office oral questions on 12 December 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs where he expects the Antarctic Environmental Protocol Secretariat to be located; and what the United Kingdom financial and staffing contributions will be. [143413]

The issue of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat, including its location, is likely to be discussed at the next Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. The date and venue of that meeting have yet to be confirmed. Matters relating to finance and staffing of the Secretariat have yet to receive substantive attention from Antarctic Treaty Parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total United Kingdom contribution has been to MINURSO since its establishment; and if he will make a statement on United Kingdom policy concerning its future. [143414]

Since the establishment of MINURSO in 1991, the total UK contribution has been £14.63 million.The Government fully support the UN's efforts to bring peace to the region and will continue to work with the UN to find a just and durable settlement to the regions problems.