To ask the Solicitor-General how many prosecutions have commenced arising from racist actions as a consequence of the present situation in the middle east; what policy the CPS is adopting towards reports to them by the police in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement. [144377]

In the absence of direct evidence or a perpetrator identifying his/her particular motive in acting as alleged, it is impossible to attribute the commission of an offence to any particular event(s). Given that and the fact that the question embraces the possibility of any offence nationwide with a racist element, the information sought could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. However, I am able to confirm that the Casework Directorate of the CPS is considering a police report into two reported incidents of the publication and distribution of inflammatory material, which targeted the Jewish community. Also, I can say that any other offences reported will be reviewed by the CPS in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and, where the evidential and public interest tests are satisfied, prosecuted.

To ask the Solicitor-General in how many cases during the last 12 months appeals against lenient sentences resulted in an increase in the sentence that had been imposed. [143928]

In the year 2000, the sentences imposed upon 85 offenders were referred to the Court of Appeal in London or are currently awaiting hearing. The court has heard 48 applications to date. In 43 cases the sentences were held to be unduly lenient and in 36 cases the sentences were increased.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he reviewed the attendance of MOD personnel at the Saville Inquiry; how many staff of what grades have attended the inquiry in each week it has sat in public; and in what capacity he is represented at the inquiry. [142278]

Ministry of Defence representation at the Bloody Sunday Inquiry is kept under regular review. Public hearings of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry began on 27 March 2000. By 8 December it had sat for 58 days and Ministry of Defence officials were present on all but five days. A Grade 5 or Grade 6 official and/or a Senior Executive Officer were present on 48 days (and on five of these days leading Counsel was also present). A Higher Executive Officer or Executive Officer attended on a further five days.In 1998 and 1999 there were 10 days of preliminary hearings in public. On all but one day (when a Senior Executive Officer was present) leading Counsel represented the Ministry of Defence. Senior Government lawyers and Ministry of Defence officials at the level of Grade 6 and Senior Executive Officer were also present.The Ministry of Defence is not a party to the Inquiry. Officials attend hearings to provide whatever help the Inquiry may require.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the concept of a European Security and Defence Identity; [143065](2) if he will make a statement on progress in setting modalities to enable EU access to NATO assets and capabilities within the framework of the Berlin plus agreements; [143059](3) which elements of

[holding answer 15 December 2000]: The development within NATO of the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI), based on decisions taken by the Alliance at successive Summit meetings held in London in 1990, Brussels 1994 and Madrid in 1997, has been an integral part of the adaption of the Alliance's political and military structures, enabling the European Allies to assume greater responsibility for the common security and defence as a manifestation of transatlantic solidarity. These developments have been followed with a view to providing a genuine European military capability without duplicating the military assets and capabilities already available within NATO. The ESDI within NATO has been an important element of the development of the WEU, and has been built upon to support developments in the EU, as envisaged in the Treaties of Maastricht 1992, and Amsterdam in 1997.At the Washington Summit in April 1999, NATO supported the EU's aspirations and announced that it stood ready to develop arrangements to provide the EU with ready access to NATO resources. In particular, NATO has agreed to develop arrangements for the EU to have assured access to NATO's planning capacities, and a presumption of availability of its common assets and capabilities, for the use in EU-led operations.At the NATO North Atlantic Council meeting of Defence Ministers on 5 December, it was re-affirmed that NATO

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when in 2001 HMS Invincible will carry out her last operational duties at sea before refit. [144405]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 December 2000, Official Report, column 185W, to the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when in 2002 HMS Ark Royal is expected to be declared fully operational. [144403]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 18 December 2000, Official Report, column 15W, to the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the possibility of acquiring advanced assault amphibious vehicles from the US for amphibious operations mounted from the Royal Navy's LPH or prospective LPDs and ALSLs; and if he will make a statement. [143350]

We have no current plans to procure Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAAVs), which are about to enter a second stage of prototype development for the US Marine Corps and are not due in service there until 2006. UK amphibious operations are conducted using landing craft (such as the Landing Craft Utility) and helicopters to land vehicles, material and personnel of the Amphibious Task Force from the Landing Platform Helicopter (LPH), Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) and Landing Ships Logistic (LSL). However, we continue to evaluate our amphibious requirements in the light of doctrinal developments, and are watching the AAAV programme with interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations his Department has undertaken with non-governmental organisations on the development of the Government's cross-departmental initiative on conflict resolution. [143534]

The Ministry of Defence has not held formal consultations with non-governmental organisations on the general development of the Government's cross-departmental initiative on conflict prevention. However, we maintain contact with non-governmental organisations and academic institutions in the field of conflict prevention, including peacekeeping. Together with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development, we will be expanding and developing these contacts as the cross-cutting strategy develops.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of storage was of spent fuel from nuclear-powered submarines in each of the last five years. [144036]

The cost of storage of spent fuel from nuclear-powered submarines in each of the last five years from 1995 to 1999 inclusive was £2.6 million, £2.2 million, £1.9 million, £1.7 million and £1.3 million respectively (all at outturn prices including VAT).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will include in army discharge papers details of contacts and functions of regimental associations. [144052]

The system of regiments and related regimental associations is unique to the army. Men and women serving in the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force can expect to serve in more than one unit, ship or squadron and their associations therefore tend to be Service-wide. In all three Services, however, details of the relevant associations and their functions are included in discharge papers. Arrangements for obtaining contact details are also provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will advise members of the armed forces who choose not to extend their service of details of the functions of regimental associations and how to join; and if he will make a statement. [144053]

Although each Service has its own discharge procedures, each ensures that its personnel are informed of the existence and role of appropriate regimental, single-Service or tri-Service associations that can be joined.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many disabled people are employed as civilians by the armed forces; what the percentage in employment of disabled people is in the economy as a whole; and if he will make a statement on widening access to and participation by disabled people in such employment. [144414]

The Ministry of Defence employs over 5,900 people with disabilities, around 6 per cent. of the civilian workforce. This percentage is broadly in line with the estimated numbers of economically active disabled people in the working population as a whole. There are no restrictions on disabled people being employed in civilian jobs in the Ministry of Defence. The Department has participated in the Government's 'Positive about Disabled People' programme since 1995 and has developed its own comprehensive action plan to recruit more people with disabilities and help disabled employees develop their full potential at work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he takes to encourage rehabilitation of service personnel who are seriously injured during the course of their duties, and to encourage their absorption into alternative civilian re-employment with the armed forces. [144415]

Members of the armed forces who are seriously injured in the course of their duties receive appropriate medical rehabilitation, either from the Defence Medical Services or the National Health Service. Those whose injuries lead to discharge from the armed forces on medical grounds are eligible for an extensive package of resettlement assistance provided by the Ministry of Defence, including help in obtaining civilian employment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on making public the numbers and locations of United States sub-strategic nuclear weapons based in European countries. [144424]

The NATO Alliance maintains sub-strategic nuclear forces at the minimum level required for its security. Alliance policy is not to reveal details of the number and locations of such forces. We support that policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the extent to which the contribution of nuclear-powered submarines to the proposed European Rapid Reaction Force is consistent with the Government's commitment to ensuring a diminishing role for nuclear weapons in security policies under the Non-Proliferation Treaty final document. [144106]

There is no such entity as a standing European Rapid Reaction Force. No nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines have been identified as part of our contribution to meeting the European Union headline goal. Nuclear-powered fleet submarines, which do not carry ballistic missiles, are not themselves considered to be nuclear weapons. Our contribution to the pool of forces and capabilities for EU-led crisis management tasks is fully consistent will Government policy on non-proliferation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what restrictions prevent (a) wives and (b) children accompanying British servicemen posted overseas from (i) moving freely and (ii) crossing borders, without the permission of the serviceman or military authorities; and what steps are taken to explain the restrictions to those to whom they apply. [144165]

There are no restrictions placed on spouses or dependants who accompany Service personnel overseas that would prevent them from moving freely or crossing borders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many vehicles are assigned to the Army Security Service; under whose command they are operated; and if he will make a statement. [143710]

There is no such organisation as the Army Security Service. I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Army Security Patrol vehicles belonging to the newly established Military Provost Guard Service (MPGS).In total there are 23 vehicles held by MPGS. The vehicles are based at various locations across the country and are operated under the command of the Head of Establishment to which they are assigned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received concerning requests from lawyers that former prisoners of war of the Japanese should pay them a contribution from the payment awarded by the Government; and if he will make a statement. [R] [144133]

As I made clear in my statement on 7 November 2000, the ex-gratia payment for British groups who were held prisoner by the Japanese during the Second World War will be made by the War Pensions Agency direct and in full to the eligible recipients. A number of representations have been received, mostly by the War Pensions Agency, about the reported approach to the expected recipients of the ex-gratia payment by a firm of lawyers seeking a contribution towards its costs. However, the terms of any agreement to make such a contribution are a matter for the parties concerned and not for HM Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the Welsh Assembly and others on declaring St. David's day a public holiday in Wales. [144285]

The Assembly First Minister has written to me concerning this matter, and the UK Government are currently considering the issue, but have not yet formed a view.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the average farmer's income was in (a) Wales and (b) the smallest regional area applicable to each constituency in Wales, in each of the last 10 years. [143642]

Information is available only for Wales as a whole, and is set out in the Annual series of statistical publications, "Farm Incomes in the United Kingdom", copies of which are in the Library.

To ask the President of the Council if she will list the projects undertaken for her Department by (a) outside consultants, (b) academic researchers and (c) university departments since 1 May 1997, giving the total expenditure incurred in each category. [144074]

Outside consultants have undertaken three projects for my Department since 1 May 1997 at a total cost of £25,650. These projects are listed:

Outside consultant	Project
Civil Service College	General accounting advice
Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency	IT services
Focus Quality Services	Assessment for Investors in People accreditation

My Department has not made use of academic researchers or university departments during the period in question.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department has taken to help prevent the spread of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. [144468]

HIV/AIDS is a major development challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. The epidemic is undermining economic growth and fundamentally threatens social and economic development in many countries in the region. DFID gives greatest priority to prevention, but we are also working to reduce the personal, social and economic suffering resulting from the illness and death caused by the disease.Last year my Department spent over £84 million on bilateral HIV/AIDS related work—the bulk in Africa. As national strategic plans tackle the epidemic improve, we have begun to place our support within the framework of those plans. For example, we have recently approved preparatory work for an additional £20 million to combat HIV/AIDS in Mozambique, and £65 million in Nigeria.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on Government participation in the UN Conference in Bonn on desertification. [143768]

At the Special Ministerial Segment of the meeting, the UK was represented by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for International Development. He was supported by three officials from the Environment Policy Department of the Department for International Development and one from the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.The Conference began a major review of implementation of the Convention. This will be taken forward at the next Conference in October 2001. In his statement to the Conference, my hon. Friend underlined the importance of integrating programmes to combat desertification with developing countries' strategies for sustainable development and poverty elimination.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the meetings (a) he and (b) officials of his Department have held with recruitment agencies during the last two years. [144480]

Since my appointment I have had meetings with Manpower, Adecco, Blue Arrow, Brook Street, NES International and Hewett Recruitment. I have also met the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, the Agents' Association and the Local Employment Agencies Forum. Officials in the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate have regular meetings with agencies and their associations. It is estimated that over 1,400 meetings and visits have taken place in the last two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effect which the new Employment Agency regulations will have on recruitment agencies which arrange work experience for people of school age. [144482]

I propose to revoke certain requirements agencies must fulfil before introducing workers under 18 to employers, but propose to strengthen protections for all workers to ensure they are not required to do work they are unsuited for or which would pose a hazard to them. The new regulations will apply to agencies arranging work placements for people of school age as before. Services provided by local authorities and certain colleges will continue to fall outside the legislation and particular regulations will continue not to apply to persons covered by section 25 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 or section 42 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1963.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the minutes of the meetings of the ministerial group on job losses in the manufacturing sector. [144416]

There is no such group. I can say, however, that job prospects in manufacturing are kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what date he estimates all post offices will be able to provide online banking services. [143283]

Over 15,000 post offices (83 per cent. of the network) are now online and the Horizon programme is well on schedule for completion next spring. Horizon now includes smartcard compatibility and opens the door for the provision of online banking services throughout the post office network. The Post Office is currently considering different IT platforms compatible with Horizon through which it can connect to banks. Their final decision will depend on the cost and functionality offered by the different options.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with post office representatives concerning the potential usage by post offices of the LINK electronic banking network. [143581]

[holding answer 20 December 2000]: The usage by post offices of the LINK electronic banking network is a commercial matter for the Post Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Companies Registrar has published guidance on the information he requires before registering a limited liability partnership. [144097]

The Registrar of Companies intends to make guidance notes available regarding Limited Liability Partnerships in England and Wales and in Scotland. These will cover information on filing requirements. The Guidance will be provided as a series of booklets and also on the Companies House website www.companieshouse.gov.uk.The guidance cannot pre-empt—so it will be made available shortly following—the parliamentary debate on the Limited Liability Partnership Regulations 2001. The current estimate for the timing of this debate is the middle of January 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Ernst and Young have applied for registration as a Limited Liability Partnership; and if he will make a statement. [143960]

The Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 will not come into force until 6 April 2001, and it will not be possible to be incorporated as a Limited Liability Partnership before then.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he plans to include comparable pension provision in the transfer of undertakings employment rights entitlements. [144181]

I am currently considering this matter in the light of views that have been expressed on it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the record of attendance of the United Kingdom representatives on the European Coal and Steel Community Consultative Committee over the past two years; what the criteria were for the selection of candidates for the final term of appointment to the Consultative Committee for the period up to the ending of the ECSC Treaty in July 2002; and which representatives were reappointed. [144028]

The Department of Trade and Industry does not keep attendance records for the United Kingdom representatives on the European Coal and Steel Community Consultative Committee.The membership of the Consultative Committee is made up of representatives from three coal and steel industry sectors: producers, workers, and consumers and dealers. Industry representative organisations make nominations for the producers and workers categories. The Department of Trade and Industry makes nominations for the consumers and dealers category on the basis of recommendations made by industry organisations.The members of the Consultative Committee for its final term of office are as listed. Those marked with an asterisk are reappointments from the previous term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to assist workers who have been declared redundant by the Courtaulds textile factory in Peterlee; and if he will make a statement. [144296]

I was very disappointed to hear of the job losses announced by Courtaulds Ladieswear at Peterlee. The protocol established by the north-east textiles task force was immediately brought into effect to ensure immediate access to rapid response funding. A strategic response group was set up, led by Easington district council, to co-ordinate the resources available. The Employment Service has the necessary arrangements in place to provide advice and guidance to the work force. I understand that opportunities exist in the area for alternative employment and that various local employers have visited the site to present group sessions to staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the Post Office on the impact of new liberalised arrangements for operations on labour relations. [143885]

Labour relations are a matter for the Post Office and the trade unions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when Nissan first applied to his Department for regional selective assistance for their Sunderland plant. [144144]

December 1983.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures his Department has put in place to publicise (a) the national minimum wage legislation and (b) the confidential national minimum wage helpline. [144131]

In 1999, the Government ran a nationwide publicity campaign, including television advertisements, to cover the introduction of the national minimum wage on 1 April 1999. In the following year, the Government ran a second substantial campaign, also featuring television advertising, to publicise the increase in the main rate to £3.70 on 1 October 2000.The Government have also run two smaller targeted publicity campaigns aimed at particular groups: in November 1999, a campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the minimum wage among ethnic minorities; and between May and August 2000, a campaign to increase awareness on the increase in the youth rate to £3.20 on 1 June 2000. In all four campaigns the confidential minimum wage helpline number (0845 6000 678) was featured highly.As well as paying for publicly campaigns, the Government have taken a number of other steps to ensure that awareness and understanding of the law remain high. In particular, the Government have:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employers have been prosecuted under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998. [144449]

To date there have been no criminal prosecutions for underpayment of the national minimum wage. The National Minimum Wage Act provides for civil as well as criminal powers and the civil powers have ensured that the minimum wage is being enforced effectively—but the criminal powers are there for a good reason, and will certainly be used if necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government support is provided for research into developing technology for lowering sulphur levels in the automative industry. [143170]

[holding answer 18 December 2000]: The sulphur content of the average car is insignificant, and accordingly research is concentrated into other aspects of car design.In terms of car use, ultra-low sulphur petrol and diesel that meet European limits prescribed for 2005 are already widely available in the UK today. Such fuels have a low sulphur content of approximately 50 ppm (parts per million). All UK diesel is ultra-low sulphur, and presently 42.5 per cent. of all unleaded petrol consumption is ultra-low sulphur petrol—this figure is increasing.The use of such fuels is incentivised by fuel duty rebates already implemented, and further enhanced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his recent pre-budget report.Lower sulphur in fuel is an enabler for new technology such as gasoline direct injection (GDI) engines and reduced tailpipe CO

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the commercial risk of publishing the formula proposed by the Post Office for calculating a social network payment for sub-post offices. [143655]

[holding answer 21 December 2000]: I am considering proposals from the Post Office, submitted to me in confidence, for the establishment of a formula.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish the list of rural post offices that will formally be required by the Government to be maintained by the post office network as set out in conclusion two of the Performance and Innovation Unit report "Counter Revolution: Modernising the Post Office Network". [144267]

The formal requirement on the Post Office to maintain the rural network and to prevent any avoidable closures of rural post offices is in place. As over 9,000 post offices are classified as rural for the purposes of this requirement, it is not my intention to publish a list of them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his most recent estimate is of the number and percentage of people living in rural areas who live within (a) one mile and (b) half a mile of a post office; and if he will provide corresponding estimates for years since 1979. [144365]

I understand from the Post Office that a one-off data analysis was undertaken last year for the Performance and Innovation Unit report, which showed that 99 per cent. of the rural population live within three miles of a post office and that 94 per cent. of the UK population live within one mile of a post office. Estimates for previous years are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many insolvency petitions for (a) small and (b) medium enterprises were allocated to each official receivers office in England and Wales in the last 12 months. [144056]

In the year to 30 November 2000, the Official Receiver acted in respect of 4,932 new company liquidations and 21,600 new bankruptcies, a total of 26,532 cases.These cases are not categorised in terms of size of enterprise. The company cases and approximately 65 per cent. of the bankruptcy cases are business-related failures. The majority of these cases would have been small or medium enterprises.The breakdown of these cases of Official Receivers' offices is as follows:

Insolvency orders made between 1 December 1999 and 30 November 2000
	Bankruptcy orders	Company winding-up orders	Total
Anglia Region
Cambridge	370	53	423
Ipswich	447	62	509
Northampton	527	104	631
Norwich	603	91	694
St Albans	639	187	826
Southend	593	182	775
Total	3,179	679	3,858

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices in which Horizon equipment had been installed have closed; and if he will place in the Library the monthly cumulative total of such closures. [142957]

[holding answer 15 December 2000]: I understand from the Post Office that the information is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices closed between 1 January and 1 December. [144280]

In the light of the Performance and Innovation Unit report on modernising the post office network, the Post Office is revising its methods of collating and reporting information on the network to supply to the Postal Services Commission. The Post Office is currently agreeing with the Commission a process and format for reporting such information quarterly.In the first two quarters of the current financial year, 299 sub-post offices closed. Figures for the third quarter are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average cost is of installation of Horizon equipment for sub-post offices. [142958]

[holding answer 15 December 2000]: Horizon is being supplied to the Post Office by ICL Pathway as a managed service. I understand from the Post Office that Horizon installation costs are not allocated on an individual office basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects all outstanding claims for compensation from ex-miners from the East Kent coalfield to be settled. [144046]

I am not able to provide specific time scales for the East Kent coalfield. However, given the number of claimants—130,000 nationwide—it will take at least three years to settle the last of these claims. This must be set against 15 years or more it would take if each case were dealt with on an individual basis through the courts.We expect that by Spring 2002 we will have processed the claims for the oldest and most ill. Claims from elderly widows of deceased miners are also being dealt with first, wherever possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to speed up the settlement of claims for ex-miners seeking compensation for respiratory disease and vibration white finger. [144048]

Progress in dealing with claims for respiratory disease must be speeded up. To tackle this, our contractors have increased the numbers of medical testing centres and record scanning teams, and are urgently seeking to recruit more doctors. A review and change has taken place resulting in how doctors are used and paid. We are also seeking to streamline the medical assessment process. These proposals are being taken forward with the claimants' solicitors.In September, I announced new fast-track proposals of higher expedited offers for those who have already had such an offer and also for new classes of claimants. This is now completed and it has generated over 15,200 offers worth £74 million.On vibration white finger, initial assessments on all the existing claimants will be complied by the end of next year. A further assessment may be required for those claimants seeking compensation for loss of services, but this is still under consideration.In total, the Department has now paid out nearly £300 million in compensation for both respiratory and vibration-related diseases, with around £1 million being paid out each day.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many ex-miners from the East Kent coalfield have died while waiting for settlement of their compensation claims for (a) respiratory disease and (b) vibration white finger in the last five years. [144047]

The Department's claim handling agents have registered a total of 61 claims by former miners in the East Kent coalfields who have died in the last five years, and where the date of death is after the date of claim. Of these, 52 were claiming for respiratory disease and nine were claiming for vibration white finger.In all these cases, the claims will be continued by the claimant's widow or dependants. In addition, where the claimant's death certificate shows that one of the respiratory diseases for which British Coal were found liable either caused or materially contributed to the death, the Department will also make a bereavement award to the claimant's widow. To date, the Department has made 37 bereavement awards to widows in the East Kent coalfields.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims have been (a) made and (b) settled by ex-miners from the east Kent coalfield for compensation for (i) respiratory disease and (ii) vibration white finger in the last five years. [144045]

In the last five years, the Department has registered 947 claims for respiratory disease from ex-miners and their families in the east Kent coalfields. In addition, some 1,073 claims have been registered for vibration white finger.In the east Kent coalfields, the Department has settled 56 claims for respiratory disease and 130 claims for vibration white finger.In addition, the Department is making interim payments wherever possible and in the east Kent coalfields has made some 343 payments to respiratory claimants, a further 164 payments have been to vibration white finger claimants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the pollution incidents involving discharges above 0.01 tonnes in the Irish sea since 28 July, indicating the date, the size of the incident, the name of the company that reported the spill and the name of the company responsible in each case. [144163]

The information relating to oil spill incidents in the Irish sea basin, reported to the Department of Trade and Industry, from 28 July 2000 to the present date is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many flights including helicopter flights were taken by Ministers within his Department for UK and overseas visits in each year since 1995; on how many occasions (a) charter flights were used and (b) first and club class tickets obtained; and who accompanied the Ministers on each trip. [143863]

[holding answer 21 December 2000]: Ministers are under a duty to make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. This Government have given a commitment to publish an annual list of visits overseas by Cabinet Ministers costing more than £500, as well as an annual figure on spend by all Ministers on overseas visits. The list for 1999–2000 was published on 28 July 2000, Official Report, column 969W.Detailed information in the form requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his long-term strategy for manufacturing industry. [144062]

The platform of economic stability and steady growth we have established, together with policies to help firms to invest, to innovate and to grow, are the best way to secure the long-term success of UK manufacturing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from Corus on redundancies at the Llanwern plant in South Wales; and if he will place a summary of them in the Library. [144141]

Ministers and officials have close and regular contact with Corus on a range of issues and will continue to do so. It would not be appropriate to place a summary of such representations in the Library since they will include commercially confidential matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the extra funding required by local authorities to enable them to provide online services in libraries. [143284]

The £100 million funding from the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) will enable all public libraries in the UK to offer online services by 2002 and a further £20 million has been provided for ICT training for librarians. We have made no estimate of the cost of sustaining these services though each library authority will have to do so as part of their bid to the NOF and to demonstrate that they can meet it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps he is taking to protect historic field systems from damage. [143767]

Under the Monuments Protection Programme, this Department and English Heritage are undertaking a systematic review of England's archaeological resource, with a view to providing statutory protection, through scheduling, to those sites identified as being of national interest. Historic field systems are being assessed in this context. Once a site has been scheduled, specific consent has to be obtained from my right hon. Friend before any works can be carried out that could damage the monument.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much for each financial year from 1998–99 until the latest date for which sums have been allocated his Department has spent and expects to spend on the implementation of the Modernising Government White Paper. [143699]

[holding answer 21 December 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 21 December 2000, Official Report, column 245–46W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has held with the Football Association regarding future plans for Wembley Stadium since the failure of the re-development proposal; what role other sports will play in the revised proposals; and if he will make a statement. [144517]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have been kept informed of developments about the future direction of the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium by the Football Association and Wembley National Stadium Ltd. I hope the Football Association will be in a position to announce details of its revised proposals as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many (a) male and (b) female members there are on each regional arts council board. [144276]

I have placed the figures for the current board membership of regional arts boards according to gender in the table.

	Total	Female	Male
East England Arts	16	8	8
East Midlands Arts	17	5	12
London Arts	15	7	8
Northern Arts	23	7	16
North West Arts	16	4	12
Southern Arts	20	13	7
South East Arts	18	7	11
South West Arts	15	8	7
West Midlands Arts	17	5	12
Yorkshire Arts	23	10	13
Total	180	74	106

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Wales has received for cancer services from the New Opportunities Fund. [144167]

The New Opportunities Fund has £9.75 million available to fund cancer prevention, detection, treatment and care projects in Wales. The Fund has sought applications from interested parties in Wales and is currently working to identify suitable schemes to make the best and most effective use of this money in line with national policies and local needs. The Fund expects to announce successful projects in April 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will hold discussions with the Health and Safety Executive, the relevant companies and the trades unions in the railway industry to establish a uniform set of safety standards in the industry. [143763]

Arrangements already exist for the discussion of health and safety issues, including standards, through bodies such as the Health and Safety Commission's Railway Industry Advisory Committee (RIAC), which includes representatives of employers, trade unions and passengers. There are no plans to convene additional meetings prior to receiving Lord Cullen's report on the Ladbroke Grove rail inquiry, which is expected to make proposals on the subject of standards and how they are set.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will discuss with the management of Railtrack the criteria for the issuing of contracts for maintenance and renewal, and the priority given to (a) quality and (b) price. [143756]

These are matters for Railtrack. I understand from the company that their criteria for the issuing of tenders for contracts are based upon the termination dates for the existing contracts and the strategic reorganisation of these contracts in order to maximise technical, safety, organisational and commercial benefits.I understand that the criteria used for evaluation are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list (a) the companies with contracts for maintenance and renewals working the railway industry and (b) length of each contract. [143765]

The following lists from Railtrack show the companies responsible for maintenance and renewals respectively and the lengths of each contract.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will call a conference of infrastructure and maintenance companies and the relevant trade unions working in the railway system, to prepare a planned investment, maintenance and renewal programme for the entire railway system. [143762]

The Government's plans for investment in the railway system are set out in the 10 Year Plan for Transport.Following the Hatfield tragedy, at the request of the Deputy Prime Minister, the chairman of the shadow Strategic Rail Authority has been urgently considering the issue of maintenance and renewal work on the railway in close consultation with industry parties.My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for Transport and I will shortly be meeting the railway industry trade unions to discuss the continuing disruption on the railway.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what directions are issued to staff employing ultrasonic rail floor detectors in the event of their discovering cracks in the rail. [143764]

Railtrack's line standard (RT/CE/S/103) lists the minimum actions required when broken rail and rail defects are found. Railtrack expects its contractors to comply with its standards and to employ competent trained staff. A copy of Railtrack's line standard is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he will provide amended figures for standard spending assessments in 2001–02 for those local authorities with housing responsibilities which have been given inaccurate information by his Department; [143668](2) if he will list those local authorities with housing responsibilities which have been given inaccurate figures by his Department for their standard spending assessments in 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [143669]

Updated information on the Government's proposals for the 2001–02 revenue support grant settlement was made available to all local authorities on Friday 15 December. The updated information takes into account the basic credit approvals announced on, or shortly after, 6 December and the taxbase figures which we expect to use for the settlement calculations. The figures for all those authorities with housing responsibilities incorporate the latest information on the apportionment of their 2001–02 basic credit approval between the general fund and the housing revenue account.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the projects undertaken for his Department by (a) outside consultants, (b) academic researchers and (c) university departments since 1 May 1997, giving the total expenditure incurred in each category. [144085]

The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions if he will list all forms of assistance (a) available from, (b) allocated through and (c) provided with the support of the DETR, the DTI, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the Department of Education and Employment to Silloth in Cumbria. [143440]

[holding answer 21 December 2000]: The following forms of assistance are available to, allocated through and provided with the support of the DETR, DTI, DCMS and DfEE to Silloth. (In some cases the information is provided for Allerdale and Cumbria, on the basis that it is for the district council and county council to determine which areas will be targeted for assistance):

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement concerning the flooding of Deans Lane Allotments, Burnt Oak, from London Underground drainage works, and the consequent claims for compensation and proper reinstatement of neighbouring drains. [143797]

[holding answer 21 December 2000]: No. This is an operational matter for London Underground and I understand that they are seeking to establish whether any significant damage has occurred, before determining appropriate action.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will (a) make a statement on the Government's approach to the monitoring of air quality, (b) list those sites which the Government use for monitoring air quality and (c) make a statement on the role of local authorities in monitoring air quality. [143883]

The air quality strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, published in January 2000, sets objectives for eight main air pollutants in order to protect people's health and maintain sustainable development. This strategy takes account of European legislation and international agreements essential to improve air quality across Europe and the United Kingdom. Over many years successive Governments have developed a variety of national networks which monitor and measure concentrations of the main pollutants in the ambient air. My Department continues to review and extend that coverage to ensure our obligations are fully met and it produces the information necessary for proper decision-making.A detailed description of the networks, individual monitoring sites within the networks, and recorded measurements is available on my Department's worldwide website (http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/airq/aqinfo.htm) within the national air quality archive. Copies of annual reports of the networks are also published on the Department's website. Summary information on measured pollution levels and their effects on people's health is available daily on Teletext and CEEFAX pages, as well as through weather bulletins. A copy of the air quality strategy is available in the House of Commons Library and a list of monitoring sites will be made available to the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions what recent instructions he has given the Environment Agency with regard to the (a) monitoring and (b) enforcement of regulations relating to air quality. [143884]

In the last four months, I have issued no new instruction by way of a direction to the Environment Agency with regard to the (a) monitoring and (b) enforcement of regulations relating to air quality. However, instructions were given which indirectly relate to air quality on the 25 October 2000, when a transitional direction was issued under the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000 to ensure directions previously made under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 continue to have effect under the new regime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the recent changes in Railtrack's maintenance and renewal contracts that have resulted in redundancies in the Crewe area. [144070]

I understand from Railtrack that from next April responsibility for maintaining the infrastructure of that section of the west coast main line covering the Crewe area will transfer from GTRM to Jarvis under a new contract. The GTRM staff are also due to transfer to Jarvis. The issue of subsequent staffing levels within GTRM and Jarvis will be a matter for the companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much he estimates will be contributed to public funds from the sale of the moth-balled Eurostar rolling stock to Canada; what talks have been held with the leasing companies about such sales; and what has been the total cost to public funds, including compensation paid, of the provision of rolling stock meant for services north of London. [143708]

[holding answer 21 December 2000]: Under the terms of the agreement with the manufacturers of the European Night Services (ENS) rolling stock, the ENS shareholders were to receive a share in any sale proceeds if the price paid for the rolling stock was above a certain level. Unfortunately I understand from Eurostar (UK) Ltd. that the proceeds of this sale were not above that threshold and that there will therefore he no contribution from the sale.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much public subsidy was awarded to private railway undertakings in each of the years 1996 to 2000. [143902]

Train operating companies (TOCs) receive support for passenger rail services (SPRS) from the Franchising Director and income from Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs). Also, freight operating companies (FOCs) receive freight grant payments from my Department.The table provides, for each financial year 1996–97 to 1999–2000, details of SPRS and PTE payments to the TOCs, and freight grant payments to the FOCs.

£ million cash prices
	SPRS payments	PTE payments	Freight grant payments
1996–97	1,809	291	12
1997–98	1,429	375	21
1998–99	1,196	337	19
1999–2000	1,031	312	17

Since Railtrack was privatised in 1996–97, no public money has been paid direct to the company, but its profitability is contingent on public money. Some 90 per cent. of Railtrack's income is paid to the company by TOCs and FOCs in access charges, a substantial proportion of which are supported by public money.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what consideration his Department is giving to grant-aiding the development of small-scale composting projects. [143909]

The spending review provided substantial extra funds to local authorities for waste management. In particular, we shall soon consult on how to allocate the £140 million provided as a separate sum for waste and recycling, including composting. In addition, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is currently consulting on proposals for the next round of lottery funding (the New Opportunities Fund), including a new £150 million programme to foster environmental renewal across the UK. It is proposed that around one third of the available funding for England would help expand community sector waste reuse, recycling and composting.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received from local bodies about revising the exemption from waste management licensing for small-scale composting sites; [143908](2) if he will revise the exemption from waste management licensing for small-scale composting sites. [143907]

We are currently reviewing the exemption from waste management licensing for small-scale composting. The broad aim of our review is to continue to encourage the development of composting by the provision of a licensing exemption in a way which fulfils the objectives of article 4 of the waste framework directive—protection of the environment and human health.We received last year the following representations from local bodies and individuals about revising the composting exemption:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what account his integrated transport policy takes of the ease of transfer between motorcycles and the railways; and if he will make a statement. [144095]