To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average track mileage completed was for (a) Warrior variants, (b) Challenger 1, (c) Challenger 2, (d) Saxon variants, (f) AVF 430 variants, (g) Sabre, (h) Striker, (i) Scimitar, (j) Spartan, (k) Sultan, (l) Samaritan and (m) Samson in 1999–2000; and if he will make a statement. [143193]

The annual track mileage completed for each vehicle type is given in the table. Given the disposition of the vehicle fleet, the mix of operational and training deployments, average figures would be unrepresentative for the fleets as a whole.

Annual track mileage usage—1999–2000
Serial	Vehicle	Annual usage (miles)
(a)	Warrior	574,453
(b)	Challenger 1	71,336
(c)	Challenger 2	144,728
(d)	Saxon	475,127
(e)	FV430 variants	727,475
(f—l)	CVR(T) variants1	898,235
1 CVR(T) variants include Sabre, Striker, Scimitar, Spartan, Sultan, Samaritan and Samson

Track mileage usage is collated centrally, based on records submitted by each unit and can serve only as an indicator of trends rather than a detailed comparator. Individual vehicle usage may vary considerably depending on operating environments. Annual allocations are used as a planning tool only and a shortfall or excess in the actual total usage is not uncommon. The one significant usage shortfall in the above figures concerns the CVR(T). This was due, in the main, to the high level of operational activity experience in 1999–2000 which resulted in less routing training activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what planned level of defence medical staff is required to support the European Rapid Reaction Force if deployed at a capacity of 60,000; if defence medical staff deployed to support the ERRF will be (a) pooled and (b) operate in national field hospitals; how many medical staff have been pledged, and by which European countries, to date; how many defence medical staff, and in which specialties, have been pledged by the UK to date; and if he will make a statement. [143658]

There is no such entity as a standing European Rapid Reaction Force. In the maximum scale operation envisaged at Helsinki—a corps-level deployment of up to 60,000 ground troops—the UK component could be around 12,500 strong. Maritime and air deployments of up to 18 warships and 72 combat aircraft could be made in addition. The appropriate scaling of medical staff and facilities to support such a deployment will be dependent on the operational circumstances at the time.Medical staff are usually deployed on a national basis, but may be employed within a multinational framework, again dependent on the operational circumstances.It is inappropriate for the UK to detail the possible contributions of other member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Blackpool, South constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [142234]

My Department has only a small presence in the Blackpool, South constituency. Blackpool, South constituents have gained significantly from defence establishments and defence industry in the surrounding area, and the associated benefits that they bring to the local economy and employment. In particular, the Government's commitment to the Eurofighter programme has sustained many thousands of jobs in the area—especially at BAE Systems at Warton—and will continue to do so for years to come during production.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK military personnel visited Turkey during the last 12 months; and in what capacities. [143929]

Chief of the Naval Staff, Commander in Chief Strike Command and Air Officer Administration (Personnel and Training Command) visited Turkey during 2000.Other visits during the year included visits by UK officers to various Turkish armed forces training establishments, ship visits to Turkey (associated with the Argonaut Deployment and NATO exercise Destined Glory) and a platoon exchange. There have also been visits to UK forces deployed on Operation Northern Watch.A full list of all military personnel who have visited Turkey is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to special advisers; [143804](2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143805]

Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what access criteria he uses for determining whether (a) remote and (b) rural areas are adequately served by petroleum distributors; and how these criteria are employed. [144653]

The distribution of petroleum products is a commercial matter for individual companies. Local planning authorities can encourage the provision of developments such as petrol stations through the local plan, but it is for private developers to bring such proposals forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he takes to ensure that pricing policies of petrol wholesalers do not disadvantage independent retailers. [144655]

Under UK competition law, it is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) to investigate allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and possible abuses of market power. The DGFT can act if pricing levels are the result of anti-competitive behaviour but he has no powers to act in relation to prices as such. On 21 November, the Director General of Fair Trading (DGFT) announced the findings of his inquiry into wholesale petrol and diesel prices. He said that a combination of high world oil prices and public pressure on UK retail prices had resulted in a squeeze on diesel and petrol margins in recent weeks, rather than anti-competitive behaviour on the part of the major oil companies.The DGFT said the Office of Fair Trading will continue to monitor the UK motor fuels market very closely and will not hesitate to take action if it finds that firms in the industry are deliberately damaging competition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of motor fuels was marketed by (a) each of the major suppliers, (b) hyper and supermarket chains and (c) independent retailers in each year from 1996. [144656]

My Department collects and collates data from the individual companies that supply petroleum products into the UK market. However, this information is provided under strict commercial confidentiality constraints, and as such, data on individual company market shares cannot be published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many independent petrol retailers (a) are in operation and (b) have been closed and sealed in each of the last 10 years. [144654]

The Institute of Petroleum's "UK Retail Marketing Survey" (last published in March 2000) shows the total number of UK petrol retail outlets for each of the past 10 calendar years as follows:

Calendar year	Petrol retail outlets
1990	19,465
1991	19,247
1992	18,549

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the implementation of the UK Operating Aid Scheme will result in an electricity generating company benefiting from a reduction in the price it pays for coal under contracts struck prior to 1 January. [144026]

I am not aware of any steps that have been taken that will result in an electricity generating company benefiting from a reduction in the price it pays for coal under contracts struck prior to 1 January 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what coal supply contracts have been cancelled or renegotiated because of Government policy on coal state aid. [144027]

I am not aware of any coal supply contracts that have been cancelled or renegotiated because of Government policy on state aid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria were used in the selection of members of the Import Parity Price Panel under the UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme; which members of the Panel have been involved in assisting companies applying for aid; and which members have a continuing association with companies that have applied for aid. [144025]

The Import Parity Price (IPP) Panel Application form explained the requirements for IPP Panel members in the following terms:

You will be working as part of a small team … and it will be necessary for you to be able to work closely together to come to a consensus view on difficult and complex issues related to the prices of hypothetical contracts with third country producers.

You will need a firm understanding of economic principles and the way in which these can be applied to the question of what prices would have been in hypothetical transactions. It will be essential to have a detailed knowledge of a wide range of aspects of the operation of the coal market in the UK (including purchases of coal from non-UK sources for use in the UK). Whilst not excluding a priori candidates without past involvement in coal contracting from either (or both) the purchasing and selling end, such candidates will need to demonstrate that their skills will be directly applicable to the work of the Panel. Between them, the Panel members must have a full understanding of all aspects of coal contracting so hat due weight can be given to each feature of the contract when determining the IPP.

You will be widely respected and regarded as independent of any relevant commercial interest by both the coal industry and the major coal purchasers.

These were the criteria used in the selection of the IPP Panel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list, for each financial year from 1998–99 until the latest date for which sums have been allocated, the amount his Department has spent and expects to spend on the implementation of the White Paper on "Modernising Government". [143607]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 21 December 2000, Official Report, column 245W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 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. [143703]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many sub-post offices closed between the end of the first half of the current financial year and the latest date for which figures are available. [144151]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: I understand from the Post Office that the information requested is not currently available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to liberalise the energy market; and if he will make a statement. [144429]

We have secured full competition in the supply of gas and electricity and in the generation of electricity, with the benefits flowing through to consumers, while protecting disadvantaged customers and the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial assistance he plans to provide to help increase the number of low-sulphur petrol and diesel outlets. [144058]

The Government have no plans to offer financial assistance to the roll out of low sulphur motor fuels. Since August 1999, ultra-low sulphur diesel has been available at virtually every UK petrol retail outlet.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what recent measures he has taken to ensure the continuity of power supply; [143922](2) what monitoring he undertakes of the frequency, duration and location of power cuts. [143921]

The DTI's Engineering Inspectorate enforces the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988, as amended, on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. These regulations require the electricity supply companies to prevent interruption of supply so far as is reasonably practicable, to protect equipment from possible damage or interference and design and operate networks to minimise the number of consumers affected by any fault. The electricity supply companies are also required to report single interruptions of 20 megawatts or more lasting one minute or longer, or single interruption of five megawatts or more or affecting 5,000 consumers or more and lasting one hour or longer.Engineering Inspectors review the circumstances of each reported event and, where appropriate, investigate the circumstances to check for compliance with the regulations. In addition, Engineering Inspectors regularly challenge the performance of the electricity companies on behalf of dissatisfied consumers who report local problems to the Inspectorate.All electricity licensees who operate transmission or distribution systems are also required to report annually to the Gas and Electricity Markets authority on their performance in maintaining system security, availability and quality of service. The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets publishes this information in an annual report called "Report on Distribution and Transmission System Performance". Ofgem's website: www.ofgem.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the quality of power supply to businesses and homes in Slough. [143923]

DTI Engineering Inspectors, who enforce the Electricity Supply Regulations 1988, as amended, on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, are aware of two major incidents involving outdoor equipment at Slough Grid substation occurring on 14 April 2000 and 1 May 2000, both of which affected approximately 21,000 consumers in the Slough area. The first incident which lasted an hour was attributed to failure of a 33kV insulator, and the second incident which lasted 45 minutes was caused by a bird straddling 33kV conductors.There have been other relatively minor supply interruptions in the Slough area in the last 12 months. However, Inspectors are not aware of any level of complaints from consumers or reports from the local electricity companies which would indicate a general deterioration of the electricity supply.Particular incidents of a repeat nature or of long duration should be reported to inspectors who will investigate the circumstances on behalf of consumers to check that the local electricity company is complying with the regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the law relating to the theft of intellectual property; and if he will make a statement. [144505]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: My Department conducted a consultation exercise on possible changes to the criminal provisions in intellectual property law early last year and as a result the Government have decided to amend the law to bring about some rationalisation of and improvement to the provisions relating to these crimes. More specifically, we intend to raise the maximum penalties for the most serious copyright and related offences to the same levels as currently exists for the trade mark offences—an unlimited fine and/or up to 10 years in prison—improve the police powers of search and seizure across the board and introduce provisions on forfeiture of infringing goods in criminal in the copyright area matching the existing provisions in the trade mark area.Overall, these changes should provide a significant deterrent effect as well as improve the tools available to those who enforce the law relating to theft of intellectual property. These legislative proposals, which will be brought forward as soon as Parliamentary time allows, are in addition to other approaches to achieve a reduction in intellectual property crime, such as the work in the Counterfeiting and Piracy Forum to identify co-operative and other initiatives involving public sector enforcers, right holders, retailers and consumers. Raising awareness of the issues, such as links between intellectual property and other serious organised crime, the effects of dangerous or damaging fake goods and the impact of intellectual property crime on local employment opportunities, in order to persuade consumers not to buy fakes is another important area of our work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143824](2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143825]

Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will meet representatives of the British ceramic manufacturing industry to discuss the effect of increased gas prices on competitiveness; and if he will make a statement. [144447]

I am always ready to meet representatives of industry to discuss energy matters.As I said in my previous answer on 6 November 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make available to the House the report compiled by Tom Constantine, the Oversight Commissioner, which outlines how he plans to fulfil his terms of reference. [144927]

I am grateful to Mr. Constantine for his comprehensive report and have today placed a copy of it in the Library. Mr. Constantine has sent copies of the report to the political parties and other interested bodies in Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143828](2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143829]

Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to promote community relations in the Drumcree area since January 2000. [144164]

Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143834](2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143835]

Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire, dated 28 March, concerning Tara Ballard. [142991]

A reply to the hon. Member's letter was sent on 8 January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 24 October on behalf of his constituent, Dr. Davies. [143578]

[holding answer 19 December 2000]: A reply to the right hon. Member's letter was sent on 8 January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to improve doctor/patient ratios within the area covered by the Easington Primary Care Group; and if he will make a statement. [144294]

The average list sizes for general practitioner principals in the Easington Primary Care Group (PCG) area is 2,085 patients per GP. While this is larger than the national average of 1,845 patients per GP, it does not take into account the number of non-principals working in the area. If salaried doctors and GP principals are taken together, the current ratio of doctors to patients in Easington is 1,967.Currently salaried doctor (non-principal) recruitment has largely taken place in those practices with Personal Medical Services (PMS) pilots. Since the first pilots commenced in Easington in October 1999, 2.8 whole time equivalent salaried GPs have been recruited to the area. Approval for five more practices to become PMS pilots has been announced and this will lead to the recruitment of four more salaried GPs for an October 2001 start. Following this planned recruitment the average GP list size for Easington would fall to 1,849 which meets the national average and would better help the PCG address the health needs of its population.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what sanctions will be applied under the proposed arrangements for clinical governance to clinicians who refuse to take part in audit and clinical governance arrangements. [144439]

Clinical governance requires all National Health Service organisations to put in place a range of mechanisms, including clinical audit, which enable them to monitor and assure the quality of their clinical services. It does not impose sanctions on individuals. The Commission for Health Improvement will provide an independent and external check on progress in implementing these arrangements.However, the NHS Plan proposes that, subject to Parliament, all doctors working in primary care will be subject to clinical governance arrangements and we are working with the profession to finalise these proposals. We intend to introduce participation in clinical audit and annual appraisal as a contractual requirement, and general practitioners should, therefore, participate fully and positively in the process. Refusal to take part would be a disciplinary matter to be dealt with, where necessary, under disciplinary procedures. These procedures will be speeded up, with health authorities given a greater role in dealing with individual cases.From 1 April 2001, appraisal will be a contractual requirement for all hospital consultants, and must be carried out annually. Consultants will be expected to participate positively in the appraisal process. Refusal by a consultant to participate will be a disciplinary matter to be dealt with, where necessary, under the employer's disciplinary procedures. Additionally, the chief executive will report the matter to the Discretionary Points and Distinction Award Committees, and the consultant will not be considered for an award until he or she has agreed to participate fully in the appraisal process.The General Medical Council makes clear in "Good Medical Practice: Duties of a Doctor" that doctors should take part in regular and systematic medical and clinical audit. Indeed, clinical audit results will be a major factor for the GMC in considering whether individual doctors have met the requirement of their new revalidation system which will follow on the introduction of appraisal. This will be a powerful tool in ensuring participation in clinical audit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances beef sourced from animals raised in France can be included in a product sold in Britain and labelled as British. [144354]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Government guidelines issued last year make clear that if the place of origin of a food is not the same as the place of origin of its ingredients, additional information may need to be provided on the label to avoid misleading consumers. Failure to do this may result in contravention of existing legislation governing false and misleading labelling and presentation. The guidelines make clear in particular that products containing meat should not be described as "British" if they contain imported meat, but could be described as "made in Britain from …" with either a specific (eg "French") or general (eg "imported") indication of the origin of the meat ingredients they contain. The United Kingdom has urged the European Commission to consider regulation of labelling of processed products containing beef as a matter of urgency and to bring forward proposals for consideration by the Council and the European Parliament.

To ask the President of the Council (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers; [143815](2) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to

Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment for what reason the allocation of funds for additional capital projects in secondary schools in the parliamentary constituency of Brentwood and Ongar is less than £30,000 per school. [143667]

This Government inherited a position where less than £700 million a year was being invested by Central Government in school buildings, leading to crumbling buildings and widespread disrepair. We have already tripled annual investment to over £2 billion this year and it will rise further to £3.2 billion by 2003–04. Over the next three years, we will make available a total of £7.8 billion for investment in schools buildings.The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his pre-Budget Statement on 8 November 2000 that additional capital funding of £167 million would be provided in 2000–01 for schools across England. This was distributed as additional Devolved Formula Capital for schools. Allocations were made on a per school and per pupil formula basis (which for secondary schools equated to £3,488 per school, plus £13.08 per pupil or £26.16 per Special Educational Needs pupil). All schools in England of the same type and size received the same amount. Taken together with the original allocation of Devolved Formula Capital to schools for 2000–01 of £187 million, this represents a total amount of £7,488 per school, plus £18.72 per primary pupil, £28.08 per secondary pupil or £56.16 per Special Educational Needs pupil.This is in addition to capital investment made available to Essex LEA through Annual Capital Guidelines, grant funding for Voluntary Aided schools, New Deal for Schools, Schools Access Initiative, Class Size Initiative, School Security grant, PFI credits, National Grid for Learning grant, Devolved Formula and Seed Challenge grant, and several specific grants such as School Laboratories. In round figures these total £12 million in 1996–97 (before the local government re-organisation), £11 million in 1997–98, £15 million in 1998–99, £22 million in 1999–2000 and £57 million in 2000–01. This has taken funding per pupil for schools in Essex from an average of £50 per head in 1996–97 to over £270 per head in 2000–01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143826](2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143827]

Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the most recent Ofsted report on Northlea Comprehensive School, Seaham, Co. Durham. [144328]

The only secondary school in Seaham, Co. Durham is Seaham Comprehensive School, which was inspected during October 2000. The inspection report will be available from Ofsted's website. I have asked HM Chief Inspector of Schools, Mike Tomlinson, to write to my hon. Friend and to place copies of his letter and the inspection report in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have benefited from the introduction of the New Deals in the Vale of Clwyd, broken down by each New Deal category. [144452]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Figures to the end of October 2000 show that in the Vale of Clwyd constituency the following numbers of people have benefited from participation in New Deal:

	Starts on New Deal	Jobs gained
New Deal for Young People	771	378
New Deal 25+	321	69
New Deal for Lone Parents	359	136

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 December 2000, Official Report, column 298W, on Belarus, what criteria the British Council uses to assess the importance of countries to the UK. [143838]

The British Council's geographical priorities are based on an assessment of a country's importance to the United Kingdom—in political, commercial and historical terms—and of the Council's ability to achieve long-term influence and impact for the United Kingdom. The criteria for assessing the Council's ability to achieve impact include the need to change perceptions of the United Kingdom, the demand for Council services and receptivity to Council programmes, the accessibility of the Council's target audiences and the availability of other mechanisms for influencing perceptions of the United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. Trend) of 15 December 2000, Official Report, column 298W, on Belarus, when his Department was informed of the British Council's decision; and what consultation took place with his Department as part of the British Council's strategic review. [143709]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office was fully consulted in the course of the strategic review which led to the decisions taken by the British Council's Board, in October 2000, to make changes to its overseas network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [143871]

[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.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visits officials from his Department plan to make to Western Sahara. [144515]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: UK officials visit Western Sahara three or four times a year. The most recent was in early December. No dates have yet been fixed for the next visit, but we expect it to be some time in the first quarter of 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last raised with the Iranian Government the position of the Jews imprisoned in Iran; and if he will make a statement. [144369]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: We and our European partners have taken every opportunity to raise our concerns about the unsatisfactory nature of the case, which I last raised with the Iranian ambassador when I met him on 19 October. While noting the reductions in the sentence of between two and six years on appeal, we hope that the Iranian judiciary will now show clemency. The EU sponsored the 4 December General Assembly Resolution expressing concern about discrimination against people who belong to religious minorities and Iranian failure to comply with the international standards on the administration of justice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage religious tolerance in Iran. [143904]

Human Rights are a high priority in our dealings with the Iranian Government. We and our EU partners take every appropriate opportunity to press the Iranian authorities over our concerns about their treatment of religious minorities in Iran, particularly the Bahai and Jewish communities. The EU sponsored a United Nations General Assembly Resolution adopted on 4 December which expressed concern about discrimination against people who belong to religious minorities. The Iranian authorities are well aware that we and our EU partners view persecution on religious grounds as totally unacceptable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [144084]

FCO expenditure on projects involving outside consultants was £15.8 million in 1997–98, £14.5 million in 1998–99 and £14.0 million in 1999–2000. Their expertise was sought mainly to help obtain value for money in property and information technology capital projects, both in the UK and abroad. It would involve disproportionate expense to list the projects individually.The FCO does not collect separate data on expenditure on academic researchers and university departments. It would involve disproportionate expense to retrieve this information and itemise the projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the circumstances of the attack in the West Bank on the vehicle carrying the British Consul-General last week; what representations he has made to the Israeli Government on action taken by the Israeli Defence Forces to stop the attack; and what plans the Israeli Government have to take action against those who attacked the Consul-General. [144007]

On 12 December, at about 1.45 pm, the British Consul General in Jerusalem, his wife, his driver and one of the Consulate General's staff were threatened, and the Consul General's car damaged, while detained at a temporary Israeli Defence Force (IDF) checkpoint just north of Halhoul on the West Bank.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the UN on mediations between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and opposition groups; [144020](2) if he will make a statement on UN mediations between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and opposition groups. [144019]

[holding answers 8 January 2000]: We have frequent contacts with the UN Secretary-General's Personal Representative, Francesc Vendrell, and other members of the UN. We continue to underline our strong support for UN peace efforts in Afghanistan. We welcome the agreement brokered by Mr. Vendrell on 30 October in which the Taliban and Northern Alliance gave their written agreement to peace talks. We were disappointed, however, that the Taliban withdrew from this process in protest at the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1333 on 19 December. We urge both sides to co-operate with the UN and enter genuine peace negotiations for the sake of the long-suffering people of Afghanistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Afghanistan. [144021]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: We remain deeply concerned at the tragic situation in Afghanistan where years of warfare have had a devastating effect on the country as its people. We strongly support the UN's efforts to bring peace. We are particularly concerned that the Taliban continue to support terrorism, benefit from the drugs trade and violate human rights, especially those of women and girls. We support UNSCRs 1267/99 and 1333/00 which impose targeted sanctions on the Taliban because of their refusal to hand over to justice Osama Bin Laden and their continued support for international terrorism.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on proposals being considered by the UN Security Council from Russia and the US to increase existing sanctions against the Taliban. [144018]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 9 January 2001, Official Report, column 509W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mrs. Golding).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. [144017]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Our High Commissioner in Islamabad met the senior Taliban representative to Pakistan on 10 November and 12 December. The High Commissioner underlined our strong concerns on Taliban support for terrorism and drugs trafficking, as well as their treatment of women and girls. On this last point, the High Commissioner said that the British Government regarded this as an affront to human rights. He urged the Taliban to reconsider their policy and, as a matter of urgency, rescind their edict banning Afghan women from working for international organisations. The High Commissioner also called on the Taliban to engage seriously in UN brokered peace talks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to establish the whereabouts of Jason Pope. [144022]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Our officials and I have raised Jason Pope's case with the governments of Angola, South Africa, Philippines, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, France, Cote d'Ivoire, Morocco and Libya, and those of the Troika of Observer States to the Lusaka Protocol peace process (Russia, US and Portugal). We have also raised the case with the UN, UNITA officials, NGOs (including the Angolan Red Cross, ICRC and UNHCR) and church groups (including the Vatican).The case was last raised at ministerial level when I met the Deputy Foreign Minister of Angola on 29 November.We will continue to explore all possible sources of information and assistance to try to establish Jason's whereabouts and the facts behind his disappearance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he and his Ministers last contacted Jason Pope's family. [144008]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Baroness Scotland, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, last wrote to Jason's mother on 22 November 2000. On 18 December 2000, Jason's mother cancelled her meeting with Baroness Scotland which was due to take place the following day. Foreign Office officials remain in regular contact with the Pope family.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he has taken to co-ordinate policy on export licences with the Department of Trade and Industry; and if he will make a statement. [144123]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Licences to export arms and other goods whose export is controlled for strategic reasons are issued by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry acting through the Export Control Organisation (ECO). All relevant individual licence applications are circulated by the Department of Trade and Industry to other Government Departments with an interest as determined by those Departments in line with their policy responsibilities. These include the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development. These Departments give advice to the Department of Trade and Industry on whether the application should be approved or refused, in accordance with the consolidated European Union and national export licensing criteria I announced on 26 October 2000, Official Report, columns 199–203W.Export licensing is a joined-up process. Officials in the FCO are in contact with officials in other Government Departments, including the DTI, on a daily basis, and there is an inter-departmental steering group that meets regularly to discuss export control issues. There are also regular meetings between officials in the main Departments to identify specific ways of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the export licensing system, as well as to discuss particular licence applications.Government Departments have worked together since 2 May 1997 to publish Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls. Three such reports have been published so far: copies are in the Library of the House.Details of the roles and responsibilities of the Government Departments involved in the export licensing process have been set out in a Memorandum from the FCO and DTI to the "Quadripartite" Committee (Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade and Industry), published on 15 June 1999 (HC540).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria he uses to decide whether to mention particular countries, in his Department's Human Rights Annual Report 2000. [144016]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: The FCO Human Rights Annual Report 2000 gives an overview of the main international human rights challenges and the Government's response to those challenges from June 1999 to June 2000. The report does not aim to provide an exhaustive analysis of human rights in every country in the world. This is already available from many other sources. Rather, the report provides specific examples of action in a number of countries—from the most widely reported to less publicised but still important grassroots initiatives—to illustrate and explain our wider human rights policies. Countries or issues not covered in past reports may well be covered in future reports.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143816](2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143817]

Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143812](2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143813]

Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in Accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much agrimonetary compensation available in 1999–2000 has not yet been paid to UK farmers. [143841]

A total of £643 million was available to the UK in 1999 and 2000. Of the £451 million in agrimonetary compensation announced for those years, £384 million has been paid, leaving £67 million to pay (mainly the latest packages to beef and arable farmers). The details are set out in the table:

£ million
	Announced	Paid	To pay
Available 19991
Beef	61.6	61.6	0
Sheep	31.2	31.2	0
Arable	170	170	0
Available 20002
Beef	42	12	30
Sheep	32	31.9	0.1
Arable	91	55.3	35.7
Dairy	22	21.9	0.1
1 First tranche compulsory
2 Second tranche compulsory plus optional

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the net contribution is of agriculture to GDP in England in each of the past three years after the deduction of subsidies, concessions on diesel, reductions in council taxes on farm buildings and farmland and the relevant Civil Service costs. [144251]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Agriculture's contribution to national GDP for England for the three years to 1999 is shown in the table.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from farmers on a UK derogation from the EU ban on fishmeal in ruminant animal feed; and if he will make a statement. [144341]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Representations have now been received from farmers and others explaining that fishmeal does not bear a risk of transferring TSEs to ruminant or other animals and as such should not have been included in the extended feed ban agreed on 4 December. It was for this reason that the UK resisted this part of the proposal and was able, with other countries, to obtain an exemption from the ban for non-ruminant animal feeds. We will shortly be consulting all interests on the detailed implementation of the new EC feed measures.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the importing into Britain of ruminant animal feed products that contain meat and bonemeal. [144327]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: There is no prohibition on the importing into Great Britain of ruminant meat and bonemeal. However, it is illegal in the UK to sell or supply such products for feeding to farmed livestock. Compliance with this prohibition is monitored by sampling at premises handling livestock feedstuffs.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his plans to introduce an industry levy in order to part-fund compensation for pig farmers hit by swine fever, indicating whether proceeds from the levy can be used for other purposes. [144388]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: I welcome the commitment made by the NFU and NPA in the summer to review with Government the longer-term implications for disease control in modern industry conditions. In addition, industry representatives proposed a top-up contribution be made by pig producers to the Government's unprecedented Pig Welfare (Disposal) Scheme. To bring this about, pig producers are currently being consulted on a proposed development scheme under the Agriculture Act 1967. The proposed development scheme would enable its trustees to use levy funds to benefit pig producers in planning for and dealing with the impact of outbreaks of pig diseases, as well as reducing the risks of such outbreaks occurring.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment the Government have made of the impact of GM agriculture on farmland values. [144339]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: There is currently no commercial cultivation of GM crops in the UK.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what factors underlie his policy concerning the level of Government funding for research into GM crops. [144394]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: My Department's policy for funding research in relation to GM crops is published on the MAFF website www.maff.gov.uk.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on his policy regarding a pesticides tax. [144395]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Taxation is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who set out the current position in relation to a pesticides tax in the pre-Budget Report on 8 November 2000.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the payments from the Capital Modernisation Fund has been made to (a) his Department, (b) statutory bodies overseen by his Department, (c) the Countryside Agency, (d) English Nature, (e) the Environment Agency and (f) rural local authorities. [144397]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Of the funding available from the first two rounds of the Capital Modernisation Fund the bodies named have received the following proportions:

(a) 1 per cent.

(b) Nil.

Parts

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if all food served at his Department's official functions meets the standards of production required by domestic producers. [144331]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Catering at the Ministry's official functions is provided by external firms, who are required to discharge services with all due care and diligence and in accordance with the best professional or industry practice as well as conforming in all respects with the requirements of relevant statutes, orders, regulations, or byelaws in force.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tonnes of over-30-month old meat products were (a) imported into the United Kingdom and (b) re-exported from the United Kingdom in each of the last three years, broken down by (i) country of origin, (ii) class of product and (iii) in the case of re-exported material, country of destination. [144256]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Statistics available do not separately identify meat products from animals slaughtered at over-30-months of age.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the items covered by the ban on the sale of over-30-month meat products are (a) domestically sourced and (b) imported. [144370]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: The information requested is not available. The over-30-month rule prohibits the sale of meat for human consumption from cattle aged over-30-months at slaughter.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the efficacy of controls designed to stop imported over-30-month beef from entering the British food chain. [144321]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: The implementation of controls to prevent beef from animals over-30-months old entering the food chain is the responsibility of the Food Standards Agency.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment the Government have made of the effectiveness of BSE controls in (a) France, (b) Denmark, (c) Finland, (d) Germany, (e) Greece, (f) Holland, (g) Austria, (h) Belgium, (i) Ireland, (j) Italy, (k) Luxembourg, (l) Portugal, (m) Spain and (n) Sweden. [144314]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: Member states' BSE controls are inspected by the EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO). As a result of the current situation, the FVO is currently carrying out a series of inspections of member states' controls.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on research his Department has sponsored on the copper-manganese BSE theory. [144263]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: My Department has not sponsored any research on the copper-manganese BSE theory. However, the TSE Research and Surveillance Unit follows the progress of research in this area which is supported by other funders.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the measures relating to agriculture included in the Rural White Paper had not previously been announced. [144259]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: The Rural White Paper includes a number of new initiatives such as targeted help for small and medium-sized abattoirs, consultation on transitional rate relief for farm diversification and a new review group on assessing public benefits of rural land uses. A number of the non-agricultural measures in the Rural White Paper will also benefit the farming community.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143798](2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143799]

Special Advisers in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Ministers in his Department and in the Department of Health have determined the fees to be paid by merchants and saddlers for registration in 2001–02 with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain under the Medicines (Exemptions for Merchants in Veterinary Drugs) Order 1998. [145155]

With the consent of the Treasury, the Schedule of Fees for registration, retention and restoration have been determined. This is given in the table.

Fees
Application in respect of each premises	Previous fee (£)	New fee (£)
Agricultural Merchants
1. For registration under article 5	197	224
2. For retention of registration under article 5	122	133
3. For restoration of registration under article 5	166	190
Saddlers
1. For registration under article 5	123	127
2. For retention of registration under article 5	73	78
3. For restoration of registration under article 5	107	107

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research the Government have commissioned on the impact of petrol and diesel prices on (a) miles travelled, (b) the sales of more fuel-efficient vehicles and (c) the design and promotion by manufacturers of fuel-efficient vehicles. [143171]

[holding answer 18 December 2000]: Government research over many years has helped to assess the impact of fuel prices on traffic levels and the development and purchase of more fuel-efficient vehicles and has contributed to the Government's strategic transport and environmental modelling capacity. Recent research by DETR, described in Annex C of 'Modelling using the National Road Traffic Forecasting framework for "Tackling Congestion and Pollution" and "Transport 2010: The 10 Year Plan" ' published in December, has assessed the impact of changes in fuel prices on car traffic levels. Current DETR research includes analysis of the factors influencing both customers' new car purchasing decisions and future fuel efficiency improvements.Data showing trends in fuel consumption and emissions of CO

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for North Essex on 14 December 2000, Official Report, column 201W, on implementation of VED rates for commercial vehicles, (a) if rebates on existing vehicles and (b) the revised rates of VED on re-registered vehicles will be available to vehicle operators before 1 January 2001; and if it is his policy (i) to increase VED rates immediately and (ii) to delay the implementation of VED reductions until the Budget. [144091]

Application forms for operators to apply for the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rebates announced in the pre-Budget Report are currently being sent out to operators by DVLA. A number of payments have already been made. It is expected that payments will be despatched no more than four weeks after receipt of the completed application form by DVLA. The deduction of rebates from the statutory VED rates at source has meant that those taking out licences from December 2000 have, in effect, been paying the new VED rates announced in the pre-Budget Report. This reflects our intention to implement both the new rates and the payment of rebates at the earliest opportunity after the announcement of the pre-Budget Report.The Government have issued a consultation paper on the future VED for goods vehicles, seeking views on a number of proposals including fewer VED rate bands, greater flexibility of vehicle configuration within each rate band, better environmental signals and reduced tax on vehicle ownership. The consultation closes on 12 January.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information the Health and Safety Executive collates on the number of people suffering from work-related cases of RSI; and if he will make a statement. [144568]

The Government and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recognise that RSI (or upper limb disorders, which is a more accurate term) is a serious problem, and we are taking steps to tackle it. The Health and Safety Commission proposes to include a specific programme on work-related musculoskeletal disorders in its strategic plan for 2001–04.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143820](2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143821]

Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers; [143833](2) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to

Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to increase the number of people participating in sport in this country. [145173]

The Government made a clear commitment to widen access to sporting opportunities in "A Sporting Future for All". Since its publication in April last year, we have announced a number of initiatives which will go a long way towards meeting this commitment. £750 million will be made available through the New Opportunities Fund for sport projects in, around and for schools; £130 million is being spent on multi-use facilities in primary schools; £120 million will provide a network of 1,000 School Sport Co-ordinators to improve physical education and sporting opportunities for schoolchildren and the local community.Tomorrow, we will announce further steps which the Government will take to increase opportunities—not only as participant or competitor—to enjoy sport and the benefits it can bring.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many adults are aged between 18 and 24 years; and if he will estimate the number of these who are (a) employed, (b) self-employed, (c) in full-time education and (d) in other categories of economic activities. [144355]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in manufacturing in each year since 1979. [R] [142879]

[holding answer 15 December 2000]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the yield from reducing the annual threshold at which the children's tax credit begins to be tapered away by (a) £1,000, (b) £2,000, (c) £3,000, (d) £4,000 and (e) £5,000. [144358]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: The estimated full year yield from reducing the annual threshold at which the Children's Tax Credit (CTC) begins to be tapered away for 2001–02 is given in the table.

Reduction to CTC threshold	Estimated full year yield (£ million)
£1,000	30
£2,000	60
£3,000	90
£4,000	130
£5,000	170

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what categories of submissions from civil servants to Ministers, other than those relating to (a) intelligence and (b) personnel matters, are not circulated to Special Advisers; [143818](2) what categories of submissions from civil servants are submitted to Special Advisers before being seen by Ministers. [143819]

Special Advisers in this Department have access to material produced by permanent civil servants in accordance with paragraph 14e of the "Model Contract for Special Advisers".

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Wansbeck are in receipt of Working Families Tax Credit. [144292]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Chaytor) on 1 November 2000, Official Report, column 515W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much (a) value-added tax and (b) income tax was collected in each year since 1995 in Wales. [144089]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 7 November 2000, Official Report. columns 121–22W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people contribute annually to low cost healthcare cash plans; and what steps he is taking to assist such schemes. [143679]

The Government do not collect the information requested.The Financial Services Authority is in discussion with the British Healthcare Association about such schemes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the (a) percentage and (b) numerical change in youth unemployment was between (i) 1 May 1997 and (ii) the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [143376]

The number of young people aged 18–24 claimant unemployed for six months or more fell by 81 per cent. or 143,700, between April 1997 and November 2000.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many disabled people have been helped back into work through the disabled person's tax credit; and if he will make a statement. [143377]

The Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC) is open to people who work for 16 hours or more a week, have an illness or disability which puts them at a disadvantage in getting a job, and who are either receiving one of a range of incapacity or disability benefits at the time of their application or have been receiving certain benefits within the previous six months. In August 2000 over 25,000 disabled workers were benefiting from DPTC—37 per cent. more than were receiving Disability Working Allowance in July 1999. From October 2000, a new fast-track to DPTC was introduced to help people who have been sick for 20 weeks or more to remain in work.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the (a) value and (b) percentage of the total income tax paid by each decile of earners for the latest year for which figures are available. [142702]

The amount of income tax paid by the decile group (or taxpayers) and the percentage of income tax that each decile group are liable to is shown in the table, based on 1998–99 liabilities from the survey of personal incomes.

Decile	Amount of income tax liability for each decile group £ billion	Income tax liability of the decile group as a percentage of total income tax liability
1	0.4	0.5
2	1.2	1.4
3	1.9	2.2
4	3.0	3.4
5	4.1	4.7
6	5.5	6.2
7	7.0	8.0
8	9.1	10.3
9	12.3	14.0
10	43.5	49.4

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason he is unable to provide a disaggregated cost of the three measures outlined in paragraph 6.80 of Cm 4917; and what estimate he has made of the time that Customs and Excise staff will have to spend in ensuring that enhanced relief does not subsidise high value properties. [142251]

These measures are part of a package worth £80 million. Customs and Excise estimate that the cost of the reduced VAT rate for work on converting residential properties into a different number of dwelling units will be around £70 million and that the cost of the adjustment to the zero-rate of VAT for the sale of refurbished vacant dwellings could be around £10 million in 2001–02. Inland Revenue estimate that the cost of the measure giving tax relief for the costs of converting redundant space over commercial premises into flats for letting will be negligible in 2001–02.Customs will nor need extra staff to assure the package of measures for property conversions. The tax relief for converting flats over shops will exclude high value properties. The VAT proposals in the package will not, but their main benefit will be to smaller families, single people and the less well-off, by encouraging the creation of a greater number of good quality and relatively affordable homes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much spending on health has increased since 1 May 1997; and by what proportion of GDP health spending will increase by 2002. [144627]

Planned UK net expenditure on the NHS in 2000–01, as announced in the March 2000 budget, is £54.2 billion. This represents a real terms increase of 18 per cent. since 1997–98.By 2002–03, total expenditure on healthcare, both public and private, in the UK is forecast to rise to 7.4 per cent. of GDP compared to 6.7 per cent. in 1997–98.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the proceeds from the climate change levy he estimates will be obtained from electricity generated from (a) nuclear power, (b) hydroelectric power and (c) renewable sources. [143681]

Climate change levy will be payable on the non-domestic use of energy. It is not possible to distinguish between domestic and non-domestic electricity according to how it is generated. Electricity from all sources is expected to account for some 70 per cent. of the levy proceeds. Energy from new renewable sources will be exempt.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many constituencies in England, broken down by Government office in each region, are ranked within the top 100 by overall unemployment rate. [144282]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what requirement there is for death certificates to record information about MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections as a cause of death; [144461](2) how many people have died from MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections in the last year for which figures are available. [144475]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.