To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future of vehicle licensing. [143925]

The system of registration of all motor vehicles will continue. A system of Automated First Registration and Licensing of vehicles by manufacturers has been developed and now covers over 60 per cent. of new registrations. A similar system is being developed for use by independent importers.The system of registration and periodic relicensing performs a number of important functions including the vital role it plays in the fight against crime through the maintenance of the vehicle register. It also helps to ensure that vehicles meet statutory roadworthiness and insurance requirements.In recent years the regime for Vehicle Excise Duty has undergone substantial changes, principally aimed at encouraging more environmentally friendly use of vehicles—for example, the introduction of a new system of graduated VED for new cards based on CO

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning secrecy in local government executive structures. [144059]

We have received representations on a number of issues relating to new council constitutions, including access to executive decision-making. We have taken account of these representations in making the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000 which were laid before the House on 19 December. These Regulations, together with the powerful overview and scrutiny committees introduced by the Local Government Act 2000, will put in place a robust regime of more accountable decision-making. These arrangements will give people the right to proper access to papers and meetings of the Executive and overview and scrutiny committees will ensure that the Executive are held properly to account both for what they have done and, equally, for what they are proposing to do.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with British Gas regarding the value of the proposal to sell the Millennium Dome to Legacy plc. [144710]

We have had no discussions with British Gas concerning the value of the potential sale of the Millennium Dome to Legacy plc. Any such matters will be discussed formally between English Partnerships and British Gas, from whom English Partnerships acquired the land.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions over what period the Government will receive payments from the sale of the Millennium Dome. [144714]

The details of the financial implications of any sale to Legacy plc must remain commercially confidential at this stage, while negotiations continue.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when he expects the planning decisions to be made concerning the Millennium Dome site; [144762](2) if the bid of the preferred bidder for the Dome is contingent upon planning permission. [144764]

Completion of the sale of the Dome and the associated land will be conditional upon appropriate planning permissions having been obtained. The timing of any such permissions will be a matter initially for the London borough of Greenwich, and will depend on how any planning applications progress through the planning system. Two initial applications relating to the Legacy plc proposals for the Dome site are currently being considered by the London borough of Greenwich. Another application, for the use of associated land around the Dome, is due to be submitted within the next several months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many expressions of interest have been received from companies, consortia and individuals wishing to bid for the Dome site. [144765]

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 24 November 2000, Official Report, column 330W.Over 70 expressions of interest were received in response to the competition that was launched in March 1999. All of these were encouraged to elaborate and substantiate their interest, and were subsequently evaluated prior to short lists being drawn up.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what checks were carried out concerning other potential bidders before confirming the Legacy Consortium as the preferred bidder for the Dome. [144769]

Legacy plc was confirmed as the preferred bidder at the end of an extensive competition process lasting 18 months, during which more than 70 expressions of interest in acquiring the Dome site were evaluated and shortlisted in a four stage process. The final shortlist of two from this process comprised Dome Europe and Legacy plc. Dome Europe was appointed as preferred bidder, but subsequently withdrew, and discussions were then initiated with Legacy plc.The competition process was open to new bidders for a period of over nine months after its launch in March 1999. While other unsolicited expressions of interest have been received since the competition was closed to new entries, these have not been subjected to the same level of development and testing; nor would it have been fair to continue accepting new entries when existing bidders had already committed substantial resources to proving the appropriateness and deliverability of their bids.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many acres of land will be sold as part of the disposal of the Millennium Dome. [144767]

The Legacy plc bid currently envisages acquisition of 63 acres of land, as well as the Dome itself and some additional structures.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the Government's estimate is of the value of the Dome site with the Dome (a) removed and (b) remaining. [144763]

A pre-sale valuation of the Dome site has been undertaken in the context of the competition to identify a sustainable long-term use for the Dome. The Government estimate of the financial value of the site is commercially confidential while the process to secure a buyer continues.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what information was made available to each bidder for the Dome site concerning the willingness of the vendor to accept staggered payments. [144768]

The financial offers of each competing bidder have been considered and assessed on their individual merits, including in relation to proposed payment structure. In comparing bids, any deferred payments have been discounted for time and risk.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he will name the parties with a financial stake in Legacy plc; [144713](2) what percentage of Legacy plc's equity is owned by

Details must remain commercially confidential while negotiations continue, but I can confirm that the total issued share capital of Legacy plc is owned by Robert Bourne and family interests.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions what plans he has for further devolution of power to the regions. [144307]

No timetable has yet been drawn up for moving to directly-elected regional government. We remain committed to do so, where support is demonstrated in referendums.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice his Department is issuing on the possible locations of 'Terra' telecommunications masts. [144869]

A consultation exercise seeking views on possible changes to the planning laws relating to telecommunications masts generally and associated guidance ended on 31 October 2000. The Department is currently analysing the responses. We shall announce any changes as soon as practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he has taken to make job openings available to those who have been made redundant with the closure of BCC at Clay Cross, Derbyshire. [143476]

A Response Group has been set up to co-ordinate the action taken to support those affected by the BCC closure. Action taken so far includes the opening of an on-site Job Shop to provide advice on job vacancies, training and benefits. Two job and training fairs have been held and Rapid Response Funding secured to help provide skills assessment and retraining for those affected. In addition St. Gobain have made 122 new or replacement jobs available to the BCC work force from elsewhere in their operation. Over the longer term the Government Office for the East Midlands, working with East Midlands Development Agency and other regional and local partners, will seek to deliver a range of training, reclamation and other economic initiatives aimed at supporting the regeneration of Clay Cross. Clay Cross also has Assisted Area Status giving access to Regional Selective Assistance and Enterprise Grants.Furthermore, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced last week that Derbyshire county council has been invited to work up its proposals for a new junction on the M1 motorway between junctions 29 and 30 to serve the Markham Employment Growth Zone. This is part of a major regeneration scheme to provide more than 8,000 jobs in the North Derbyshire area. The Council's detailed proposals will be submitted to the DETR next summer so that a decision can be taken by the end of the year.

	Region
	Wales	Scotland	Nottinghamshire	Yorkshire	North East	North West	Midlands	South
January	67	111	56	191	32	10	50	12
February	121	26	47	195	38	19	51	11
March	107	11	42	142	46	32	80	26
April	55	24	35	117	52	26	35	13
May	45	50	21	69	30	22	32	6
June	46	55	36	75	61	28	58	10
July	53	14	36	117	38	32	39	4
August	17	22	18	79	58	18	37	12
September	20	17	29	81	40	15	38	7
October	23	3	11	66	16	12	33	1
November	54	21	95	129	18	10	33	5
December	99	6	109	478	175	72	60	14

The breakdown of vibration white finger claims settled (including denials) since January 2000 on a month by month basis, and by regional split, is as follows:

	Region
	Wales	Scotland	Nottinghamshire	Yorkshire	North East	North West	Midlands	South
January	133	66	53	225	323	8	24	2
February	60	37	84	190	213	10	30	4
March	144	69	55	356	286	46	51	8
April	80	61	39	163	134	22	29	4
May	194	86	62	250	220	46	60	8
June	216	118	100	339	267	41	56	15
July	131	147	102	211	147	43	50	13
August	108	72	108	210	197	23	43	14
September	134	83	129	182	206	20	79	3
October	219	90	191	278	243	42	108	19
November	172	63	289	334	184	36	113	20
December	117	77	169	224	174	34	75	9

In total the Department has now made over 64,800 individual payments, including interim and full and final settlements, to claimants in respect of compensation for respiratory and vibration related diseases, totalling over £310 million. The Department continues to pay out around £1 million per day in compensation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provisions he will make to speed up compensation claims for former distant water trawlermen who are suffering from serious ill health. [144755]

Processing staff aim to give priority attention wherever possible to claims in cases where they are aware that the claimant is seriously ill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many settlements have been made in each month and each area since January 2000 in respect of claims for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger; and if he will make a statement. [144295]

Chronic bronchitis and emphysema claims settled (including denials) since January 2000 on a month by month basis, and by regional split, are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many former distant water trawlermen had received compensation at the latest date for which figures are available. [144754]

As of 8 January 2001, 314 claims have been paid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when compensation will be paid to families of deceased former distant water trawlermen. [144756]

All claims will be processed and payments made as quickly as possible after receipt, subject to the need to examine relevant documentation and confirm eligibility.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will waive the probate fee for families of deceased former distant water trawlermen, where the will was for less than £5,000. [144753]

Probate fees are charged by the probate offices in appropriate cases and are not a matter for my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff have been employed in his Export Licence Department in each of the past 10 years. [144175]

Licences to export arms and other goods whose export is controlled for strategic reasons are issued by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry acting through DTI's Export Control Organisation (ECO). The ECO forms part of the Export Control and Non-Proliferation Directorate (XNP). Historical staff records do not differentiate between the ECO and other parts of the Directorate.The figures set out in the table show the number of permanent staff in post in XNP on 1 April each year. The figures include fractional equivalents for part-time staff.

Number of staff in post in the Export Control and Non-Proliferation Directorate (XNP) on 1 April each year
Year	Number of staff
1994	136.50
1995	145.00
1996	157.33
1997	132.39
1998	142.95
1999	152.09
2000	163.48

Before 1994 XNP did not exist in its current form. The export licensing process was undertaken by staff in a number of different Directorates. It would, consequently, entail disproportionate cost to establish the number of staff involved before that date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many officials in his Department work (a) full-time and (b) part-time in his Department's Regulatory Impact Unit. [144706]

Four officials work in the DTI's Regulatory Impact Unit. Three are full-time and one is part-time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what facilities have been built in schools utilising the New Opportunities Fund. [144675]

In November 2000 the Government announced proposals for a £750 million "PE and Sport in Schools" initiative to be funded by the New Opportunities Fund. This initiative is subject to public consultation but is intended to focus primarily on refurbishing existing, and building new, indoor and outdoor sports facilities at primary and secondary schools. It is intended that £25 million of the £750 million be directed into the Space for Sport and Arts Scheme which will provide a total of £130 million to create around 300 new facilities for both sports and arts activities in primary schools in deprived areas. All new facilities in schools supported through the New Opportunities Fund would also be for community use and will be additional to current provision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made on the review of the British Tourist Authority. [145585]

I am pleased to announce that Stage One of the review of the British Tourist Authority (BTA) is being published today and copies are available in the Library of the House.The Steering Group for the review concluded that there was a continuing need for the services and functions carried out by the BTA and, having looked carefully at all the options, concluded that BTA should remain a non-departmental public body.The report recommends that the review team should look at some issues in greater depth as part of Stage Two of the review. These include the return on investment as a measurement of BTA's performance; and rate of return issues such as data for individual offices overseas, benchmarking and the quality of measurement techniques.The report also recommends that BTA should draw up a specific strategy to declare what services it will provide to small and medium businesses and how it will consult them. BTA should review its strategy on the balance between short and long term market investment; should seek further opportunities for partnership working; and should develop an agenda for action to ensure that the aims of Modernising Government are met.Overall, the report finds the BTA is regarded both by Government and the tourism industry as an effective organisation, which has become more responsive over recent years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to undertake a further review of the ecclesiastical exemption from listed building and conservation area controls. [145586]

We fully accept the need to continue to monitor the ecclesiastical exemption regime and the progress made by exempt denominations in implementing the recommendations of the 1997 Newman review. We currently have in hand a review of policies relating to all aspects of the historic environment, which will culminate in a major policy statement in the spring. Once that review is complete, and against the background of its conclusions, we will undertake a further assessment of the exemption.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to widen access to good quality physical education and sporting opportunities for young people. [145584]

It should not be a matter of chance whether a child will get good sporting opportunities. There are basic opportunities that should be available to all children. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has been working closely with me to develop a range of measures that will bring real improvement. Over the next few years, our aim is to offer children an entitlement to two hours each week spent during and after school on high quality PE and sporting activity. We will consult schools, professional associations and other interested parties to identify how best to make this happen.To build the capacity to make this entitlement possible, we are also extending the outside help available to schools. We will shortly begin two pilot studies to extend the New Deal into sport and create a new role of sports assistant to work alongside the new sports co-ordinators to help deliver this opportunity in schools. By 2004 there could be as many as 2,000 opportunities—many of which will be offered to suitable people on the New Deal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what steps are being taken to protect anglers' interests in respect of bass stocks around the UK coastline; and if he will make a statement; [144573](2) what representations he has received from anglers and angling organisations regarding bass stocks around the UK coastline. [144574]

I have been asked to reply.Following continued concerns expressed by the sea angling fraternity about the status of bass stocks in UK waters, my officials have arranged a meeting with representatives of angling groups and charter skippers on 16 January to consider whether further conservation measures are appropriate for the species. The meeting will also discuss other areas of mutual concern.At the same time, in order to gain a better understanding of the various bass stocks, CEFAS scientists will be contributing to the work of a new ICES Study Group on Seabass, under the chairmanship of Dr. Mike Pawson. In accordance with the terms of reference for this Group, data from all countries which catch bass in Area VII and in the Bay of Biscay and the North Sea, will be compiled in order to construct the age profile of bass stocks in these areas and, if possible, to carry out an assessment of their status in relation to safe biological limits. The first task will be to compile an inventory of the available data, which will be reviewed by the ICES Advisory Committee for Fisheries Management in May 2001. In the light of this information, the European Commission can be expected to consider whether conservation measures are appropriate at Community level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the rules which govern the use of proceeds from sale of his Department's land by NHS trusts; and if these rules would apply to the sale of land by north Bristol NHS Trust at (a) the Frenchay hospital site and (b) the Southmead hospital site. [141346]

[holding answer 11 December 2000]: Regional offices of the National Health Service Executive decide whether a trust keeps the proceeds from the sale of an asset. This decision is taken after careful consideration of the competing demands for capital investment within the region. The objective is to use sale proceeds from any sale of trust assets to achieve the maximum benefit for the NHS.In the south west region capital receipts of less than £1 million are usually retained automatically by the trust. Receipts of more than £1 million are normally retained by the Trust subject to the production of a suitable business case for the use of the money.The use of any proceeds from the sale of land at Frenchay and Southmead hospitals where the amount exceeds £1 million will be a matter for discussion between north Bristol NHS Trust and the south west regional office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps NICE is taking to monitor (a) the use of and (b) adverse reactions to Ritalin in children; and if he will make a statement. [144486]

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence does not itself monitor the use of and adverse reactions to particular medicines. Monitoring the use of medicines is a matter for local clinical governance arrangements. The monitoring of adverse reactions is carried out by the Committee on Safety of Medicines/Medicines Control Agency (CSM/MCA). Health professionals are encouraged to submit voluntarily to the CSM/MCA reports of suspected adverse drug reactions via the yellow card scheme. These reports, together with data from other sources, are continuously reviewed to identify previously unrecognised hazards or new information on known hazards which might require regulatory action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health authorities have agreed protocols with the police to accept into their care those with mental health needs who are detained by the police for their own safety; how many are under negotiation; and how many have no agreed procedures. [144677]

All health authorities should have agreed protocols, the guidelines for which are laid out in Chapter 10 of the Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice. The police power to remove to a place of safety (section 136) depends on the local social services authority, health authority, trust and the chief constable establishing a clear policy for the use of power. All the professionals involved in the implementation should understand the power and its purpose and the person's other rights and follow the local policy. All local social services authorities, health authorities and trusts should have in place clear policies agreed with chief constables for the removal of people with a mental illness to a place of safety.Details of individual protocols are not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implications for his Department of the case of Gogay v. Hertfordshire county council. [144740]

This case concerns a care worker in a children's home run by a local authority who was suspended from duty when the local authority began an investigation into child protection concerns. The judgment makes it clear that, in such circumstances, a local authority must consider its obligation not to act in a way which seriously damages the relationship of confidence

Destination of discharge by mouth for patients resident in Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority NHS Hospitals, England 1998–99
Discharge destination	April	May	June	July	August	September	October
19 Usual residence	8,973	8,708	9,545	10,022	8,923	9,437	9,781
29 Temporary residence	30	26	27	40	44	43	39
39 Prison etc.	2	3	3	3	2	1	2
49 Special hospital	2	2	6	4	1	5	7
51 NHS provider—general ward	246	258	265	298	281	269	227
52 NHS provide—maternity ward	15	18	9	9	12	22	26
53 NHS provider—MH/MI	9	9	10	17	20	13	9
54 NHS nursing home	8	11	7	6	5	7	5
65 Local Authority Part 3 residential accommodation	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
69 LA home or care (old coding)	7	6	2	5	12	7	8
79 Patient died or stillbirth	251	257	257	226	218	211	255
85 Non-NHS (not Local A) run residential care nursing home	4	6	9	14	3	7	11
86 Non-NHS (not Local Authority) run nursing home	14	18	22	18	16	20	13
87 Non-NHS run hospital	4	9	9	6	5	8	12
88 Non-NHS (other than Local Authority) run Hospice	2	2	2	3	2	2	0
89 Non-NHS institution (old coding)	47	35	42	39	27	31	27
Not applicable (ie not discharged)	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Not known: a validation error	61	37	51	48	54	52	52
Total	9,675	9,405	10,267	10,758	9,625	10,136	10,475

Discharge destination	November	December	January	February	March	Total
19 Usual residence	9,534	9,072	9,237	9,257	10,928	113,417
29 Temporary residence	30	59	47	44	30	459
39 Prison etc.	0	4	0	0	3	23
49 Special hospital	2	3	2	5	2	41
51 NHS provider—general ward	255	234	265	237	289	3,124
52 NHS provide—maternity ward	9	11	16	14	11	172
53 NHS provider—MH/MI	13	15	22	22	13	172
54 NHS nursing home	7	6	5	7	12	86
65 Local Authority Part 3 residential accommodation	1	1	2	3	0	9
69 LA home or care (old coding)	3	5	9	13	4	81
79 Patient died or stillbirth	212	250	353	262	276	3,028
85 Non-NHS (not Local A) run residential care nursing home	8	5	9	12	6	94
86 Non-NHS (not Local Authority) run nursing home	21	30	29	29	37	267
87 Non-NHS run hospital	6	15	3	3	8	88

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 2000, Official Report, column 148W, how many patients were released by the Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority from NHS hospital care in their area to nursing or residential home care under the supervision of social services in each month from August 1998 to November 2000, inclusive. [144496]

Figures showing the destination of discharge for patients resident in the Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority are for 1998–99 (latest data available) and appear in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 19 December 2000, Official Report, column 148W, how many patients were deemed by the Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority to be ready for release from hospital care in their area to residential or nursing home care under the supervision of social services and had continued to occupy a hospital bed for more than two weeks from the date they were deemed eligible for release in each month from August 1998 to November 2000, inclusive. [144497]

Quarterly information for Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority on discharge delayed while awaiting social service department funding for a residential/nursing home package or awaiting a nursing/residential home placement is in the table. Information on the length of time the discharge was delayed is not available centrally.

Total number of patients resident in Southampton and South West Hampshire health authority aged 75 and over ready for discharge but still occupying an acute hospital bed
	Reason for delayed discharge1
	Awaiting SSD funding to residential/nursing home package	Awaiting nursing/residential home placement
1998–99
April-June	4	30
July-September	17	32
October-December	11	33
January-March	11	24
April-June	2—	2—
1999–2000
July-September	25	20
October-December	17	35
January-March	22	27
2000–01
April-June	21	27
July-September	29	34
1 CIC guidance defines Delayed Discharges as: Total number of patients aged 75 and over ready for discharge from an acute bed but still occupying an acute bed in a hospital (ie no longer needing acute clinical interventions), excluding those under the care of a psychiatric consultant and learning disabilities, because of the following principal reason:
awaiting assessment—assessment in progress, no care plan agreed. awaiting SSD funding to residential/nursing home package—assessment completed but awaiting SSD funding.
awaiting transfer to non-acute NHS care other than in an acute bed in hospital (e.g. rehab or continuing care)—assessment completed but awaiting transfer to NHS funded non-acute bed in hospital, nursing, residential care or group home.
awaiting nursing/residential care home placement—care plan agreed but patient awaiting placement in a non-NHS-funded nursing home or residential care home—perhaps waiting for a place in a home of their choosing under the direction on choice.
awaiting domiciliary package—care plan agreed but awaiting services to be put in place to facilitate discharge.
other reason
2 Data not available due to a data quality problem

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a reply to his letter of 28 November 2000, concerning a constituent, which was transferred to his Department. [144735]

A reply to my hon. Friend's letter was sent on 5 January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will recognise the Chilean Government's claim to exercise control of its 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone. [144723]

As a coastal state, Chile has the rights, jurisdiction and duties in their exclusive economic zone that were provided for in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the abduction of Mr. Panicos Tsiakourmas, a Greek Cypriot, by Turkish forces from the British Sovereign Base area in Cyprus on 12 December 2000. [144897]

The UK Government regard the detention of Panicos Tsiakourmas as a very serious matter. Our High Commissioner has made repeated strong protests about the circumstances of Mr. Tsiakourmas's arrest to Mr. Denktash and we have raised our concerns with the Turks in Nicosia, Ankara and London. On 9 January, I met Mrs. Tsiakourmas and my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love). We will continue to raise this issue until the situation is satisfactorily resolved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the arrest and imprisonment of Mr. Panicos Tsiakourmas, on 12 December 2000, by forces of the Turkish administration from Pergamos, and his health; and what representations he has made to (a) the authorities in northern Cyprus and (b) the Turkish Government about this matter. [144721]

The Government regard the detention of Panicos Tsiakourmas as a very serious matter. Our High Commissioner is in close contact with his family and the UN concerning his health and welfare. Our High Commissioner has made strong representations to Mr. Denktash about the circumstances of Mr. Tsiakourmas' arrest. We have also raised our concerns with the Turkish authorities in Nicosia, Ankara and London. We will continue to raise this issue until the matter is satisfactorily resolved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the situation of Mr. Panicos Tsiakourmas, who was arrested by Turkish military forces in Cyprus; and what representations the British High Commissioner has made to the Turkish authorities in relation to the welfare and whereabouts of Mr. Tsiakourmas. [144625]

The Secretary of State and I have received regular reports on Mr. Tsiakourmas since his arrest. Our High Commissioner in Nicosia is in close contact with the Tsiakourmas family and the UN concerning Mr. Tsiakourmas's welfare. Our High Commissioner has made strong protests about the circumstances of Mr. Tsiakourmas's arrest to Mr. Denktash and has also discussed the case with the Turkish Ambassador in Nicosia. Our Ambassador in Ankara has raised the case with the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and we have done likewise with the Turkish Embassy in London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit the Republic of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [144407]

The Foreign Secretary has no immediate plans to visit Cyprus. However, I hope to visit the island in March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ministers from his Department have visited northern Cyprus since May 1997. [144406]

My right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin), the then Minister for Europe, visited northern Cyprus in April 1999, as part of a wider trip to the island. During her visit to the north of the island she met Mr. Denktash, and party leaders Mr. Akinci and Mr. Talat.I plan to visit Cyprus in March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has recently had with Greece and Turkey on the proximity talks on Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [144400]

The Secretary of State meets his Greek and Turkish counterparts frequently. His most recent substantive discussions with them on Cyprus took place at the OSCE Ministerial Meeting in November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met President Clerides of the Republic of Cyprus. [144408]

The Foreign Secretary last met President Clerides on 12 March 1998 at the EU Birmingham Summit. The Prime Minister met President Clerides on 10 April 2000 in London. The Foreign Secretary and I met the Cyprus Foreign Minister, Mr. Kasoulides, in London on 3 October and 29 September respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Mr. Rauf Denktash on freedom of the press in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [144412]

The UK has made it clear to the Turkish Cypriots at various levels that we expect the rights of Turkish Cypriots, including the freedom of the press, to be respected. We will continue to monitor the situation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who Her Majesty's Government's representatives will be at the next meeting of the United Nations' sponsored proximity talks on Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [144402]

The United Kingdom is not party to the United Nation-sponsored talks on Cyprus. However, we follow developments closely and Sir David Hannay, UK Special Representative for Cyprus, is likely to meet the parties during the next meeting. The UK urges all involved to co-operate with the UNSG's efforts to reach a just and lasting settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Mr. Rauf Denktash regarding the legal action taken against Turkish Cypriot opposition politicians and journalists in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement. [144413]

The United Kingdom has made it clear to the Turkish Cypriots at various levels that we expect the rights of Turkish Cypriots to be respected, including the freedom of the press. We have expressed concern about particular instances, such as the recent case of Mr. Levent, and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ministers from his Department have visited the Republic of Cyprus since May 1997. [144399]

My right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin), the then Minister for Europe, visited Cyprus in April 1999. The visit included meetings with President Clerides, Foreign Minister Kasoulides, Mr. Denktash, and several Greek and Turkish Cypriot party leaders.I plan to visit Cyprus in March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent human rights record of the Government of Belarus. [142800]

The human rights record of the Government of Belarus remains poor in many respects. The political system is oppressive and undemocratic. The judiciary is not independent of the executive. Opposition politicians are harassed and have, in some cases, been subject to politically motivated legal proceedings and harsh sentencing. There is bias in the state mass media. Independent trade unions have suffered unacceptable pressure from the authorities, including having their bank accounts frozen. The Belarusian authorities have failed to investigate satisfactorily the disappearances of several opposition sympathisers. The parliamentary elections on 15 October failed to meet international standards for democratic elections.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British personnel work for Minurso; what is the proposed expenditure for the 2001–02 financial year; and if he will make a statement. [144516]

There are currently no British military or civilian police personnel working for Minurso. The United Nations 2000–01 projected budget for Minurso was $49,317,037. They have not yet produced a projected budget figure for 2001–02.The Government fully support the UN's efforts to bring peace to the region and will continue to work for a just and durable settlement to the region's problems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussion he has had with the Turkish Government on the recent prison riots in Turkey; and if he will make a statement. [144580]

Neither I nor my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has discussed this issue with the Turkish Government. We regret the loss of life and injuries during the Turkish police operations, and our concerns about the handling of the police operations have been raised with the Turkish authorities by our officials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on the boundary between Belize and Guatemala; and what action he will take in the event of a threat to the territorial integrity of Belize. [144569]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: The UK continues to support Belize's sovereignty and territorial integrity.We remain committed to the long-standing British undertaking to consult internationally in the event of a threat to Belize's security and to play an appropriate part in any response. This has been the UK's position since the withdrawal of the British garrison from Belize in 1994.Settlement of the dispute is in the interests of all concerned. We are pleased that confidence-building measures have been agreed by Belize and Guatemala under the auspices of the Organisation of American States. We believe it is essential that these discussions continue and that there is early progress on implementation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for January and the major European Union events for the period 1 February to 30 June. [145522]

To date we have received the detailed agendas for the following Council meetings in January:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reason was given by the Syrian Government to justify their refusal to provide documents requested by the Government during the Lockerbie trial; and if he will make a statement. [144770]

The Syrian authorities, in their reply to the letter of request sent by the Scottish Court in the Netherlands, stressed that, in their opinion, they should not have been asked the question in the first place and would therefore prefer not to have to send a formal reply.The Lord Advocate, therefore, informed the court on 8 January that it was unlikely that the court would get a formal response, certainly not within any short time scale, and that any formal response would undoubtedly be negative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what manpower reductions are necessary to the crew of HMS Invincible during 2001 so that HMS Ark Royal can be brought up to a full complement. [144404]

The crew of HMS Invincible will be reduced to reflect the ship's programme of a phased reduction in readiness leading to her refit commencing in late 2001. Overall, the current crew level of around 640 (excluding the embarked Air Group) will reduce to about 120 in refit. Some of the manpower released will be transferred to HMS Ark Royal as part of the Navy's overall manpower management plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the fleet size is of (a) Tornado GR1, (b) Tornado GR4, (c) Tornado F3, (d) Harrier, (e) Jaguar, (f) Nimrod, (g) Sentry, (h) Tristar, (i) Puma, (j) Sea King, (k) Chinook and (l) Merlin; how many were (i) allocated to front-line units, (ii) fully serviceable, (iii) unserviceable 1 line, (iv) unserviceable 2 line, (v) unserviceable 3/4 line, (vi) on trials, (vii) held in reserve use and (viii) undergoing upgrade on 12 December; what percentage of the fleet size this represents for each category; and if he will make a statement. [143191]

[holding answer 10 January 2001]: I will write to the right hon. and learned Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he was consulted on the programme to celebrate Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee; and for what reason a Fleet Review will not take place. [144838]

I have been kept fully informed about the development of plans for the armed forces to celebrate Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee.It has been agreed with Buckingham Palace that in view of the demands of a very full royal programme during Golden Jubilee year, the Queen will make a single visit to the armed forces which will reflect their role in the 21

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to the answer of 13 December 2000, Official Report, column 167W, regarding lodgings for judges, for how many days cars were hired for the Lewes lodging during (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [144707]

Cars were hired for the Lewes lodgings as follows:

• 1997–98–110 days;
• 1998–99–145 days; and
• 1999–2000–95 days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what regulations govern the wearing of personal identification, full uniform and regalia of the RUC; and what are the disciplinary procedures in the event of non-compliance. [142276]

Guidance on both aspects is contained within the Royal Ulster Constabulary (Conduct) Regulations 2000 (SR 2000/315).

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the annual budget is for the Police Oversight Commissioner; if he will break down the costs into the main budget heads; and what representations he has received regarding the moneys allocated for this purpose. [142319]

The Government have been in discussion with Mr. Constantine, the Oversight Commissioner, regarding the resources he requires. Mr. Constantine identified costs for the work of the Commission, and I have set aside £739,000 for this financial year and £737,000 for the 2001–02 financial year. The figures are broken down as follows:

	£000
Year one—June 2000-March 2001
Establishment Costs	149
General Office Expenditure	48
Commissioner's Costs	91
Staff and Associated Costs	451
Year one total	739
Year two—2001–02
General Office Expenditure	61
Commissioner's Costs	91
Staff and Associated Costs	585
Year two total	737

Costs for the 2002–03 financial year have yet to be finalised.

Table 2: Percentage benefit accuracy across benefits agency area directorates
	Income Support (IS)		Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)		Short Term Benefits (STB)		Long Term Benefits (LTB)
Area Directorate (AD)	1996–97	1999–2000	1996–97	1999–2000	1996–97	1999–2000	1996–97	1999–2000
1. East London and Anglia	76.07	84.32	—	86.52	87.57	92.66	94.79	92.22
2. Chilterns	76.22	82.20	—	86.13	—	94.73	91.63	85.58
3. London, South	77.25	85.79	—	86.72	87.79	94.18	89.17	94.71
4. West Country	80.08	86.26	—	91.63	90.91	94.86	94.15	94.38
5. Mercia	81.57	87.66	—	80.23	—	94.95	98.44	96.30
6. West Midlands	86.17	84.95	—	91.44	90.84	95.14	92.50	92.78
7. Wales	85.14	88.21	—	90.89	91.18	94.93	92.76	94.83
8. North West Coast	80.69	87.99	—	89.52	90.91	94.10	93.36	97.88
9. Greater Manchester	81.69	86.67	—	90.51	90.67	95.63	94.30	96.13
10. Yorkshire	81.49	87.08	—	88.02	90.35	93.84	93.30	95.95
11. Tyne Tees	84.23	90.50	—	88.85	93.37	96.49	94.43	96.32
12. West of Scotland	83.97	90.28	—	92.16	93.36	95.10	92.46	92.09
13. East of Scotland	84.82	92.88	—	93.21	92.84	94.70	92.21	93.60
National	80.81	86.79	87.10	89.38	90.41	94.62	93.28	94.75

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the level of staff turnover in the Benefits Agency was in each of the last five years for which

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the percentage of benefit payments were found to be accurate in each benefits area directorate for (i) 1979–80, (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) the most recent period for which figures are available. [143104]

The administration of benefits is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

The information is in the table for each of the last complete financial years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children in the U.K. were living in families dependent on supplementary benefits or income support (a) in total and (b) as a proportion of all children in the UK in each year since 1979. [144465]

The information is in the table.

Children in families receiving Supplementary Benefit/Income Support/Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based), Great Britain 1979 to 2000
	Number of children (000s)	Proportion of children under 16 in Great Britain (percentage)
1979	923.1	7.3
1980	1,088.3	8.8
1981	1,493.4	12.3
1982	1,721.4	14.5
1983	1,789.5	15.4
1984	1,949.0	17.0
1985	1,949.0	17.0
1986	2,122.5	18.9
1987	2,111.4	18.9
1988	2,091.8	18.8
1989	2,029.6	18.2
1990	2,044.8	18.2
1991	2,368.1	20.9
1992	2,702.9	23.6
1993	2,966.0	25.7
1994	2,980.3	25.6
1995	2,957.5	25.3
1996	2,918.2	25.0
1997	2,718.3	23.2
1998	2,539.3	21.7
1999	2,472.8	21.1
2000 (May)	2,389.1	20.4
2000 (August)	2,378.9	20.3

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much money has been provided from the Social Fund to individuals as a result of the recent flooding (a) nationally and (b) in Lewes. [144708]

At 5 January 2001 total payments made nationally from the 2000–01 discretionary Social Fund budget in respect of flooding were £157,684 in community care grant payments and £11,635 in crisis loan payments.Payments made by the Benefits Agency Central Sussex district, which covers Lewes, amount to £4,636 for community care grants and £970 for crisis loans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in (a) Inverclyde and (b) Scotland receive the minimum income guarantee. [144498]

There are around 167,500 recipients of the minimum income guarantee in Scotland, with some 3,600 in Inverclyde local authority area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in reviewing the cost of family visitor visa refusal appeals. [144147]

In the debate on 20 November 2000, Official Report, column 139, on the Immigration Appeals (Family Visitor) (No. 2) Regulations 2000 (S.I., 2000, No. 2446) I told the House that I would review the operation of the scheme provided by those regulations within three months. This review has now been completed.The review undertaken by my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, my right hon. Friend, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Mr. Vaz), and me, involved a close scrutiny of the original assumptions which led to the level of fees provided by these regulations, and took account of the experience of the new appeals system since it came into force on 2 October 2000. In the light of the conclusions of the review, I am pleased to announce that the Government have decided to reduce the level of fees currently payable by family visitors who wish to appeal against decisions to refuse them visas. Regulations have been laid today to take effect tomorrow, 12 January, reducing the fees to £50 for paper appeals and £125 for oral ones, replacing the fees of £150 and £500 provided by the previous regulations.The review team will now be examining other issues, including the definition of family visitor and how and to whom the fees are paid within the regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what preparations his Department has made to allow members of the public to report crimes via the internet and e-mail; and if he will make a statement. [141628]

I have commissioned work on the development of an internet portal which would enable members of the public to report minor crimes to the police using the internet.This exciting development is part of a wider vision for delivering police services electronically to the public which we are now working on. While many forces are already introducing services via their own websites, I believe that the public should be able to interact with their local force through a standard interface providing a wide range of services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to move a motion in respect of the procedure for consideration of the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill after its presentation similar to that moved by the Minister of State, Home Office, the right hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng), on 7 February in respect of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement. [142738]

[holding answer 14 December 2000]: No decision has yet been made on the procedure for considering the Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total value was of the asylum support vouchers issued in the first six months of 2000–01; and what the total cost was to public funds of issuing them. [142786]

[holding answer 14 December 2000]: The total value of asylum support vouchers issued in the first six months of 2000–01 financial year was £5.1 million.Total staffing and related administrative costs of the National Asylum Support Service, including the costs of processing application forms, allocating accommodation and administering the voucher schemes—but excluding the face value of the vouchers, and the costs of providing accommodation and travel—over this period were £6.6 million. This includes payments made under the voucher contract. However, vouchers are printed and distributed by third party providers under contract to the Home Office and the costs of this service are commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what circumstances prevent a person who has a criminal record from receiving compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority and Board; and to what extent this is affected by whether they had a criminal record at the time they became a victim of crime. [144428]

Paragraph 13(e) of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme empowers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) to withhold or reduce an award where the applicant's character, as shown by his criminal convictions (excluding convictions spent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) or other evidence, makes it inappropriate that a full award or any award should be made. The guide to the scheme includes an illustrative table indicating how awards are likely to be reduced by a certain percentage depending on the nature or length of the sentence imposed for criminal activity and how long ago the offence or offences were committed. A copy of the guide is supplied to all applicants.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the validity of reports of former Ukrainian SS troops settling in Britain; what plans he has to investigate such people for war crimes offences; and if he will make a statement. [144896]

War crimes are among the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. The Government believe strongly that all war criminals should be brought to justice whenever possible, both those responsible for atrocities during the Second World War, and subsequently.Following recommendations made by the Hetherington Inquiry, Parliament passed the War Crimes Act 1991. That Act gave the courts retrospective criminal jurisdiction to try certain classes of war crimes committed during the Second World War by people who are now British nationals or United Kingdom residents. The police service diligently investigated hundreds of cases after the entry into force of the Act.Any new information relating to the commission of an offence under the War Crimes Act 1991 by any person within the United Kingdom's jurisdiction should be passed to the police so that they may consider whether to carry out an investigation. This includes allegations about the activities of former Ukrainian SS troops, said to reside in Britain. The Metropolitan police have received information relating to these allegations, which they are currently analysing.When it is not possible to prosecute in this country, the United Kingdom has extensive arrangements to allow extradition to countries which are better placed to pursue a prosecution, including extradition of its own nationals. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is also considering the scope of his powers under immigration and nationality legislation in relation to individuals suspected of involvement in war crimes or crimes against humanity.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been convicted of housing benefit fraud in each of the last three years. [144137]

I have been asked to reply.The information is in the table.

Number of Housing/Council Tax Benefit claimants convicted
Year	Number
1997–98	631 (700)
1998–99	714 (800)
1999–2000	730 (900)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the visa application of Ermina Andola Campillos will be decided. [144504]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: I have been asked to reply.This visa application was decided on 22 November. I will write to my hon. Friend about the background to this case.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to require the ability, competence and knowledge of those handling and transporting animals on journeys lasting eight hours or more to be assessed by an independent person or body rather than by their employer; and if he will make a statement. [142949]

A proposal for independent assessment of competence of those transporting farm livestock was the subject of a public consultation on a limited review of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997, carried out in August 1999. In the meantime, the European Commission started its own review of the parent EU directive and the Commission's report has now been published on their website at: http://europa.eu.int/eurlex/en/com/availability/en_availability_2000_1.htmlWe will implement changes to the Order to take account of the Commission's report and recommendations, and the outcome of our earlier consultation.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list, for each year since 1995, the number of flights, including helicopter flights, taken by Ministers within his Department for UK and overseas visits; 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. [143864]

[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 Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many civil servants are employed in work relating to agriculture; what proportion of these are dealing (a) wholly and (b) partly with farm subsidies; and what proportion each category represents of the total number of civil servants. [144252]

[holding answer 8 January 2001]: On 1 April 2000 there were 10,380 staff in my Department and its Agencies. The majority of these are employed in work relating to agriculture. In England, farm subsidies are dealt with mainly by our Regional Service Centres and the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency (FRCA). On 1 April 2000, 2,173 staff worked in the nine Regional Service Centres and 600 staff in the FRCA.