Written Answers

Trunk Roads (Cambridgeshire)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport anti the Regions how much was spent by his Department on trunk roads in Cambridgeshire in each year since 1990–91, at current prices. [142872]

This is an operational matter for the Highways Agency and I have asked is Chief Executive, Mr. Tim Matthews, to write to my hon. Friend.

Letter from Tim Matthews to Mrs. Anne Campbell, dated 12 February 2001:

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Keith Hill, has asked me to write in response to your recent Parliamentary Question relating to how much has been spent on trunk roads in Cambridgeshire in each year since 1990–91. I apologise for the delay in replying.

As we do not keep financial data on a county basis, a very lengthy investigation of our records would be required to answer your specific question. In the early 1990s we used Local Authorities to manage trunk roads on our behalf; however, major Improvement Schemes and other major works were managed as a separate programme and costs were not necessarily attributed to an individual county and some schemes crossed county boundaries.

Since the introduction of private sector Managing Agents in 1996, the management of the trunk road network is not constrained by county boundaries. This approach will continue when these contracts are renewed. However, Lord Whitty has asked me to investigate how the Highway Agencys future records could be kept on a regional or sub-regional basis.

If you wish to discuss this matter further I please contact Jim Boud, Highways Agencys Divisional Director, telephone 01234 796191.

Departmental Entertainment Costs

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much was spent by his Departments Ministers on entertainment in 2000. [146372]

[holding answer 22 January 2001]: Expenditure on entertainment by my Departments Ministers in 1999–2000, the latest financial year for which information is available, was £8,347 This compares with expenditure of £14,672 for the former Departments of Environment and Transport in 1996–97.

Waste Regulation

To ask the secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many enforcement officers are employed in London by the Environment Agency (a) to check trade waste agreements of business, (b) to check unauthorised waste carries, (c) to tackle other breaches of the Environment Protection Act and the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 and (d) to tackle environmental crime in general. [148721]

The information is as follows:

(a) Trade waste agreements under section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 are a matter for local authorities as waste collection authorities; and no enforcement officers are employed by the Environment Agency on checking them.

(b) and (c) The Agency employs 16 officers in the London area whose role includes checking unauthorised waste carriers and other breaches of the 1990 Act and the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989.

(d) A further seven full-time equivalents are employed by the Agency to deal with environmental crime in general in the London area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many prosecutions have been brought by the Environment Agency for fly tipping in the past six years in (a) Lewisham and (b) London. [148728]

The information is as follows:

(a) Neither the Environment Agency nor the Crime and Criminal Justice Unit of the Home Office holds data on prosecutions brought in Lewisham.

(b) The term fly-tipping is not legally defined but is generally used to refer to the illegal disposal of waste on a site without either a waste management licence or a registered licensing exemption—in contravention of sections 33 or 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. However, it is also an offence under section 33 to dispose of waste in contravention of a licence. The available data neither separately identify the two different types of offence under section 33 nor distinguish between prosecutions brought by the Environment Agency, local authorities or the police.

Subject to these considerations, the total number of defendants prosecuted at magistrates courts for offences under sections 33 or 34 of the 1990 Act in the Metropolitan police area in the past six years is:

Year	Number
1995	31
1996	34
1997	39
1998	56
1999	70
2000	Data not yet available

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many prosecutions the Environment Agency has brought against unlicensed waste carriers in London. [148733]

The available records do not separately identify waste carriers involved in prosecutions brought for contravention of waste management controls other than section 1 of the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 (offence of transporting controlled waste without registering). The number of prosecutions brought under section 1 of the 1989 Act in the Metropolitan police area for calendar years during which the Agency has been in operation is:

Year	Number
1996	0
1997	1
1998	1
1999	0
2000	¹—
¹ Data not yet available

Countryside And Rights Of Way Act

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out the timetable for publishing and implementing the regulations under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. [148920]

Substantial parts of the Act came into force on 30 January 2001 and further provisions, including the whole of Part IV (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty), will come into force on 1 April 2001. The implementation of many of the remaining provisions depends on the making of a large number of regulations which my Department will be preparing over the next two or three years. Where appropriate, these provisions will be subject to public consultation.We expect to lay regulations on vehicular access over common land in May. Immediate priority is also being given to regulations for the mapping of access land, the establishment of local access forums, statutory guidance for the preparation of rights of way improvement plans and making provision for disabled people. The implementation of the right of access to open countryside depends primarily on the completion of the mapping programme which the Countryside Agency have in hand.

Kings Cross Station

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent reports he has received on the safety of Kings Cross station in respect of the ventilation of smoke; and if he will make a statement. [149099]

I understand from London Underground that the magazine Test has published comparisons of fire safety at various European stations, which included Kings Cross. It should be noted that, while the Test report contains some very valid points, it also appears to contain some errors in its description of escape routes from Kings Cross and takes no account of the following points.The basic controls against the risk of smoke at Kings Cross are the same as those on the rest of London Underground.

1. Minimisation of potential sources of ignition, in particular strict enforcement of the ban on smoking;

2. Very careful selection of materials for the construction of stations and trains to minimise the degree to which they can support combustion and give off toxic fumes and smoke if affected by a fire. At Kings Cross, all materials used since 1989 have been subject to these controls;

3. In areas of higher risk such as machine rooms and stores, the provision of automatic fire detection and, particularly in the case of escalators, automatic fire suppression systems; and

4. Well rehearsed evacuation routines, which are used if a fire is suspected. In the case of Kings Cross, evacuation is achieved within six minutes

It should also be noted that Kings Cross station is being redeveloped. This redevelopment will take into account modern practice in ventilation systems, in particular lessons learned from the Jubilee Line Extension project on active control of air-flows in an emergency.

To summarise, fife safety controls at Kings Cross are the best that London Underground can achieve within the current constraints of the site. However, they are compliant with relevant legislation and plans for further improvement are already in hand.

School Runs

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of cars on the road between 8 to 9 am are used by parents dropping children al school. [149064]

In Great Britain during the period 1997–99, 10 per cent. of car tips being made between 8 and 9 am during term time welt parents dropping children at school. At the peak times of 8.50 in the morning 18 per cent. of car trips were for this purpose.

Local Government Finance

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions if he will list for each fire authority in England and Wales the value of the coastline element contained in the Fire Service standard spending assessment. [148912]

The value of the coastline element contained within the Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) for Fire, for 2001–02, for each fire authority in England, is either zero or the amount listed in the table.These figures are on an all other things being equal basis and provide the amount that is allocated by the coastline element. They specifically do not indicate how much each authority benefits from the inclusion of the coastline element, since other factors would change if the coastline element were to be removed from the SSA formula.The National Assembly for Wales advises that SSAs in Wales do not contain a coastline element for fire services.

Fire authority	Coastline element (£)
Merseyside	496,023
Tyne and Wear	278,380
Isles of Scilly	293,564
Cornwall	3,355,745
Cumbria	1,240,057
Lincolnshire	981,922
Norfolk	1,032,537
Northumberland	1,062,906
Somerset	516,269
Suffolk	480,838
West Sussex	399,855
Isle of Wight	678,235
Avon	460,592

Fire authority	Coastline element (£)
Cleveland	308,749
Humberside	1,073,029
North Yorkshire	551,699
Dorset	875,632
Durham	101,229
East Sussex	531,453
Hampshire	480,838
Devon	2,353,577
Essex	1,417,208
Kent	926,246
Lancashire	369,486

Flooding

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many incidents of flooding have occurred in the last three years where raw sewage was involved in the contamination of peoples homes and property; and if he will make a statement. [149080]

The la Ht year for which information is available is 1999–2000 when 7,121 properties suffered internal flooding from sewers. In 1998–99 there were 5,202 properties and in 1997–98, there were 7,169.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the maximum amount which water companies can be fined for failing to ensure their customers are protected from flood damage and sewage flooding; how often, and on which companies, such a fine has been imposed in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [149516]

Flood prevention generally is the responsibility of the Environment Agency. As far as sewer flooding is concerned, then are no statutory provisions in existing water and sewerage legislation which provides for the undertakers to be fined for failing to ensure their customers are protected from such flood damage. Nor does legislation provide for fines in the event of sewer flooding.Under the Water Supply and Sewerage Services (Customer Service Standards) Regulations 2000, where effluent from sewerage undertaker s sewer enters a customers building the customer is entitled, subject to certain exceptions, to a refund of his sewerage charges for the year, up to a maximum of £1,000, for each occasion on which it happens.On 6 November 2000 my Department published for consultation a draft Water Bill containing proposals for legislation. These proposals include empowering the Director General of Water Services, Secretary of State and National Assembly for Wales to fine t water company up to 10 per cent. of its turnover if it fails to meet appointment conditions, standards of performance or certain statutory or other obligations. Subject to the outcome of the consultation exercise the Government propose to introduce the Bill as soon as parliamentary time allows.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the impact of the November floods on (a) council tax levels and (b) Council Tax Benefit subsidy limitation; and if he will make a statement. [149444]

We received 24 representations during consultation on the Local Government Finance Settlement 2001–02 concerned with the impact of floods on the flood defence levies and local authority budgets. Four responses were concerned with the overall impact on the authoritys level of council tax. Two responses were concerned with the impact on the council tax benefit subsidy limitation scheme (CTBSL).Local authorities affected by floods are eligible for funding under the Bellwin scheme. We have increased the grant for this from 85 per cent. to 100 per cent. of eligible costs above a threshold equivalent to 0.2 per cent. of an authoritys annual budget. In addition, the Government have recently announced a package of £11.6 million to pay for the Environment Agencys emergency and repair costs, reducing the costs of flooding being passed on to council taxpayers.Spending on flood defence is generally a relatively small component of an authoritys total budget requirement. It is up to local authorities to determine their spending priorities in consultation with their taxpayers, taking account of the funding available to them. Flood defence expenditure is no different from other items of expenditure and the Government have decided not to make any allowances within the CTBSL scheme for expenditure on flood defence which is above the increase in flood defence SSA.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will reduce the period taken for a claim to be settled under the Bellwin Scheme. [149441]

As part of the special measures introduced to deal with the recent adverse conditions, the Department will settle valid claims within 15 working days of receipt of an application. We have also taken steps to encourage interim unaudited claims. Again these will be paid within 15 workings days.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received calling for an extension to the funding available under the Bellwin Scheme to parish and town councils. [149443]

Parish and town councils can claim eligible expenditure through their local authority. The local authority can in turn claim from my Department. Two parish councils have been in touch with my Department and were given the information they required.

Local Transport Plans

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he plans to measure the effectiveness of local transport plans in reducing casualties. [149171]

Local authorities are required to produce road safety plans that support the national casualty reduction targets. The full five-year local transport plans have already been assessed and allocations for 2001–02 were based on those assessments. Indicative allocations have been provided for subsequent years. We will be monitoring road safety performance throughout the period. If any authorities prove to be failing in their road safety performance, we will want to consider how that could be remedied.

Housing Investment

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the resources available to local authorities in East Lancashire (a) to improve below standard private sector terraced houses and (b) to declare clearance areas, where appropriate, over the period 2001 to 2004. [148942]

The six East Lancashire authorities will receive a total of £9,720 million in the coming year through the Housing Investment Programme. This resource can be used by the authorities concerned as they see fit. Additionally, they will receive a total of £11,870 million via the Major Repairs Allowance in line with the Governments commitment to bring all council housing up to a decent standard by 2010.Housing capital resources for local authorities nationally in 2003–04, the end of the current spending review period, will be around £2.6 billion.In December 2000 measures were announced enabling authorities to support the renovation and improvement of private sector housing in a better targeted way. At the same time, we announced our intention to proceed with more fundamental reforms to the legislation to give authorities more effective powers to turn around areas of low demand and unpopular housing.

Public Transport

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assistance he is providing for pensioners using public transport. [148961]

In total local authorities in England spend over £440 million on concessionary travel on public transport each year. That includes travel by young and disabled people, as well as by pensioners. The Local Government Finance Settlement 2001–02 takes account of local authorities responsibilities in this area. It includes an extra £54 million a year which has been made available to cover the costs of the statutory half-fare scheme for pensioners and disabled people on buses under the Transport Act 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate how many new rural bus services have been established since 2 May 1997. [148968]

The data collected on the number of local bus service registrations do not specifically identify rural areas.However, our survey of local authorities on the use made of the new Rural Bus Subsidy Grant introduced in 1998 shows that 1,800 new or enhanced services were being supported in 1999–2000 by the grant.

Asbestos

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what advice he has received ever the past 10 years about rising asbestos liabilities; and what action he has taken to ensure that those suffering from asbestos-related diseases were covered by employers liability insurance. [148915]

Under the Employers Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, employers carrying on a business in Great Britain have been required since 1972 to insure their liabilities to employees for bodily injury or disease arising from their employment. The Act is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. Most public sector employers are exempt from this requirement because their liabilities can be met from public funds. My Department is not aware of any case in the last 10 years where a sufferer was not compensated because an insurer did not indemnify a policyholder in accordance with their policy after liability had been established.

Fish Farming

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many discharge consents for fish farms have been issued by (a) the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and b) the Environment Agency under the Control of Pollution Act 1974: and on what date each (i) was issued and (ii) is due to expire. [149202]

[holding answer 5 February 2001]: No discharge consents for fish farms have been issued by the Environment Agency under the Control of Pollution Act 1974. The Environment Act 1995 established the Environment Agency as the regulatory body responsible, among other tasks, for the issuing of water pollution discharge consents. The legislation in force at the tine of the Environment Agencys establishment was the Water Resources Act 1991, and it is under this legislation that the Environment Agency has issued discharge consents for fish farms. Information about how many discharge consents for fish farms have been issued by the Environment Agency is not held centrally and I will write to the hon. Member with this information as soon as it is available. The information that the hon. Member asks for in relation to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency is now a devolved matter for the Scottish Executive.

Council Tax (Empty Properties)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Trans port and the Regions (1) what recent representations he has received on the policy of charging council tax on empty properties; [149283](2) if he proposes to give local authorities discretion on levying council tax on empty properties where there is a large percentage of empty houses. [149284]

In the last three months we have received four representations on the policy of charging council tax on empty properties.There are already a range of exemptions from council tax where a dwelling is left empty. These include up to six months for dwellings which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished and up to 12 months where they also need major repair work to render them habitable or are undergoing structural alteration. Once an empty dwelling ceases to be exempt, it will attract a 50 per cent. charge.We believe that the current exemptions are fair. However, we are aware of concerns at out council tax on empty homes in areas where demand for housing is very low and we will continue to keep the fairness of the council tax under review.

Business Rates

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much revenue was raised from the business rate in the Greater London area during the last 12 months. [149368]

The information requested is not yet available. However, local authorities in the Greater London area contributed an estimated £2.720 billion from business rates to the non-domestic rating pool in 1999–2000. This figure is still subject to audit approval.

Social Housing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 5 February 2001, Official Report, columns 376–77W, if he will give the figures for investment in (a) council housing and (b) housing owned by registered social landlords at constant prices. [149590]

The capital resources made available by central Government to support housing investment by local authorities and registered social landlords in the years since 1990–91 at Constant 1999–2000 prices are as follows:

£ million
	Cash	(1999–2000) Constant
Housing capital allocations to local authorities¹
1990–91	1,706	2,238
1991–92	1,682	2,079
1992–93	1,579	1,890
1993–94	1,391	1,622
1994–95	1,181	1,358
1995–96	1,147	1,282
1996–97	1,059	1,147
1997–98	926	975
1998–99	1,211	1,240
1999–2000	1,252	1,252
2000–01	1,891	1,854
2001–02	2,552	2,441
2002–03	2,853	2,662
2003–04	2,934	2,671
Housing capital allocations to registered social landlords²
1990–91	986	1,293
1991–92	1,521	1,880
1992–93	2,284	2,733
1993–94	1,761	2,053
1994–95	1,441	1,657
1995–96	1,112	1,243
1996–97	1,007	1,090
1997–98	667	702
1998–99	603	617
1999–2000	634	634
2000–01	678	665
2001–02	787	753
2002–03	958	894
2003–04	1,274	1,160

¹ Covers credit approvals, capital grants, PFI schemes for council housing and the resources to be made available under the arms length management initiative but excludes Estate Action allocations (which are now part of Regeneration Budgets). Local authorities housing capital programmes provide resources to improve poor condition private sector housing or develop new affordable housing as well as renovating or improving the council housing stock.

² Public funded investment in RSL housing through the Housing Corporations Approved Development Programme (ADP) and, from 2001–02, the Safer Communities Supported Housing Fund.

Crown Immunity

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the extent of the Ministry of Defences immunity from (a) civil and (b) criminal action under Crown immunity in cases involving (i) death and (ii) personal injury. [149584]

The Queens Speech on 6 December 2000 announced the Governments intention to draft a Safety Bill. We intend to use this opportunity to fulfil the commitment in our strategy statement Revitalising Health and Safety to remove Crown immunity from statutory health and safety enforcement.In cases of civil claims, Crown immunity was removed by the Crown Proceedings Act 1947, as amended by the Crown Proceedings (Armed Forces) Act 1987.

Council Chief Executives

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review procedures for disciplinary proceedings in respect of chief executives in local government. [149470]

We received a number of representations about these disciplinary procedures when consulting on drafts of our proposed guidance to underpin new council constitutions. In the light of these representations we have concluded that these procedures remain appropriate for Chief Executives and in the future should be extended to Chief Finance Officers and Monitoring Officers.

Harlow Council

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he intends to use his powers under the Local government Acts to intervene in Harlow Council; and if he will make a statement. [149469]

A best value inspection of Harlow District Council has recently taken place, and I understand that the Audit Commission and the authority are currently in discussion about the content of the final report, and the recommendations for action by the Council arising from it. The Commission have powers under the Local Government Act 1999 to recommend that the Secretary of State intervenes. No such recommendations have been received.

Telecommunications Masts

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce changes to controls on the granting of planning permissions for telecommunication masts; and if he will make a statement. [149748]

The consultation exercise seeking views on possible changes to the planning laws relating to mobile phone masts and associated guidance ended on 31 October 2000. The Department is currently analysing the responses. We shall announce our conclusions as soon as possible.

Sellafield Mox Plant

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce a decision on the authorisation of the Sellafield MOX plant. [149630]

A decision regarding the authorisation of the plant will be announced only when the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and the Secretary of State for Health have considered all the relevant information. Consultants are being appointed to assist the Departments in their consideration of the BNFL revised economic case received by my Department on 5 January.

River Wye

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the outcome of the public inquiry on the River Wye will be published; and if he will make a statement. [149523]

[holding answer 8 February 2001]: The application made by the Environment Agency for an Order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 to confer on it powers to regulate navigation on the River Wye has raised complicated issues which require very careful consideration. Following the public inquiry into the application we received detailed representations from parties to the inquiry, including the Agency. Last year, in the interests of proper administration, we made these representations available to others appearing at the inquiry so that they could comment on them. We are now considering their comments along with the Inspectors Report.We will make a decision on the application as soon as possible. Before doing so, we will consult the National Assembly for Wales since the proposed Order would, if made, affect Wales as well as England.

Community Transport

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 2 February 2001, Official Report, column 318W, on community transport, if he will list those successful bids to the 1999 competition which included further funding for schemes successful in the 1998 competition; if he will estimate the amount granted within those bids for continuation funding; and what total amount was granted in the 1999 competition as a whole. [149594]

[holding answer 8 February 2001]: Four successful bids totalling £710,124 from Somerset, Wiltshire, West Sussex county councils and West Yorkshire PTA were for further funding for schemes funded by the 1998 competition. All this total was for continuation funding apart from some provision in the Somerset bid for expansion of the service to operate on additional days of the week. The total awarded in the 1999 competition was £16.8 million.

Gloucestershire Fire And Rescue Service

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what factors were taken into consideration in deciding the level of central grant allocation for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service for 2001–2; and if he will make a statement. [149627]

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service do not receive revenue support grant. A grant is allocated to Gloucestershire county council which provides necessary funding for the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.The Government allocate grant through Standard Spending Assessments (SSAs). The following indicators are used to determine the fire block of the SSA:

Resident population
Fire calls;
Population density;
A Risk areas;
Coastline;
Fire safety enforcement;
Fire safety education; and
Fire pensions.

With the exception of the fire safety and pensions indicators the weightings are based upon expenditure of fire authorities in 1990–91.

An area cost adjustment is applied, where appropriate, to reflect difference s in the cost of providing fire services in London, the rest of the South East and the remainder of the country.

Emergency Vehicle Drivers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions when he will introduce mandatory training for all drivers of emergency vehicles; what the minimum training requirements will be; and if he will make a statement. [149691]

[holding answer 9 February 2001]: Core competencies for driving emergency vehicles have recently been agreed by technical experts from the Driving Standards Agency, police, fire, ambulance and armed services. The services are now consulting their constituent members about adoption, which I hope will be by the autumn. Each service will tailor the supporting training to their drivers and vehicles, though experience and best practice will be shared. The public services concerned will be able to ensure that these new standards will apply to directly employed drivers, and those providing contracted services.

A66

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the outline proposals for the safety study of the A66 were presented to the regional planning authorities; when each planning body gave its approval; and when the study commenced. [149816]

[holding answer 9 February 2001]: The three regional planning authorities were consulted in December 1998/January 1999 on the proposed programme of studies identified in A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England. Further consultants have been undertaken throughout the development stages of the A66 Safety Study with regards the terms of reference and study brief.The regional planning authorities in the North-east, North-west and Yorkshire and the Humber continue to be individually represented on the A66 Safety Study Steering Group.The consultants were appointed to undertake the study in March 2000 and the final report is expected in spring 2001. The final report will be presented to regional planning authorities for their consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Red ions when he will have complete road accident figures for all highways for the year 2000. [149813]

[holding answer 9 February 2001]: Summary figures for the year 2000 are scheduled to be published in June as a Transport Statistics bulletin Road Casualties in Great Britain: Main Results: 2000. A copy will be placed in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how long he expects the regional planning bodies to take in considering the safety study of the A66. [149815]

[holding answer 9 February 2001]: This is a matter for the three individual regional planning bodies representing the North-east, North-west and Yorkshire and the Humber regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Red ions which regional planning conference needs to give its endorsement to the Temple Sowerby bypass before it can proceed. [149814]

[holding answer 9 February 2001]: The North West Regional Assembly, in its capacity as regional planning body, must endorse the Temple Sowerby bypass before it can proceed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he announced that there would be a safety study into the A66. [149817]

[holding answer 9 February 2001]: The A66 Safety Study was included in A New Deal for Trunk Roads in England which was published in July 1998.

Road Traffic Accidents

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2000, Official Report, column 534W, concerning road traffic accidents, when the information will be available; and if he will supply the information when it becomes available. [150082]

Full details of all read accident casualty figures for the period 17 October t. 31 December 2000 will be published for analysis in early June 2001. Between 17 October and 13 December 1999 there were 857 fatalities and 8,461 serious injuries arising from road accidents.

Regeneration Initiatives

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to ensure that transport links support regeneration initiatives. [149381]

Transport has a key role to play in supporting regeneration. The increased investment of £180 billion set out in our 10 Year Plan for transport will, over the next 10 years, deliver significant improvements for our road, rail and local transport infrastructure. It will provide the funding to implement the transport priorities emerging from the new regional transport strategies, regional development strategies, local transport plans and community strategies. It will deliver significantly better public transport and reduced congestion on our roads, and provide better access to jobs and services. It will contribute to the vision set out in our Urban White Paper, published in November, which looks to make urban areas attractive places in which people want to live, with strong economies, better services and improved local environments.

Rail Services

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what mechanisms exist to (a) challenge and (b) review the Strategic Rail Authoritys definition of the core proposition for rail franchises; [149496](2) what powers the Rail Regulator has in relation to the definition of the core proposition for rail franchises; [149502](3) what

(a) instructions and (b) guidance he has given to the Strategic Rail Authority on the core proposition of the Transpennine Express Franchise; [149490]

(4) what powers he has to order a redefinition of the core proposition for a rail franchise; [149494]

(5) if his Department requires the Strategic Rail Authority to take account of (a) regional development plans, (b) SRB investment, (c) projected future passenger plans and (d) other factors in defining the core proposition for rail franchises. [149501]

The Secretary of State will in due course issue new Directions and Guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority under the Transport Act 2000 and in the meantime he has issued Interim Directions and Guidance effectively maintaining the instructions and guidance previously issued under the Railways Act 1993, a copy of which is in the Library. These include criteria for replacement franchises. The criteria do not include the specification of core propositions for the Trans Pennine Express or any franchise. These are matters for the authority.The instructions and guidance require the authority to consult various bodies, including the Rail Regulator, regional planning bodies, regional development agencies and local authorities on the replacement of franchises. The authority also has a general objective to increase the number of passengers travelling by rail. The Secretary of States consent is required to the award of a new franchise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if it is his Departments intention that the core proposition for rail franchises should be the level of service once provided by British Rail; [149498](2) what mechanisms he uses to safeguard existing levels of rail passenger service during refranchising; [149382](3) if he will instruct the Strategic Rail Authority to take account of the possible effect on the tourist industry of reducing the level of rail services. [149493]

The Strategic Rail Authority has stated that all new franchises will be based on existing Passenger Service Requirements (PSRs), providing for a specified minimum service level. The existing PSRs are based on the level of services provided by British Rail at the time initial franchises were let.The Authority expect bidders for the new franchise to surpass the minimum requirements, making proposals for development of services during the course of the new franchise. There are no plans to reduce the level of services. The core proposition for the new Trans Pennine Express (TPE) franchise is all limited stop, inter urban services currently operated by the existing North Western and Northern Spirit franchises. As a guide to the proposals expected, the Authority has produced specific development objectives for the TPE franchise which have been well publicised. The Authority has been consulting widely about the aspirations of key stakeholders.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) on how many occasions officials from Strategic Rail Authority have met representatives from (a) Blackpool council and (b) Barrow in Furness council to discuss the Trans Pennine Express franchise in the last 12 months; [149383](2) what discussions there have been between the Strategic Rail Authority and

(a) the North West Development Agency, (b) the North West Regional Assembly and (c) his Department concerning the refranchising of the Trans Pennine Express Service; [149491]

(3) on how many occasions officials from the Strategic Rail Authority have met representatives from (a) Cumbria county council and (b) South Lakeland district council to discuss the Trans Pennine Express refranchising in the last 12 months. [149492]

The Strategic Rail Authority have been consulting key stakeholders about the Trans Pennine franchise for some time. Initial consultation meetings took place in Newcastle (6 June), Leeds (7 June) and Manchester (8 June). Invitees include all those authorities mentioned by my hon. Friend. A specially convened meeting took place on 19 January which included representatives of Blackpool borough and Cumbria county councils. In addition, the authority has met, separately, the North West Development Agency and the North West Regional Assembly. My Department is kept informed of progress on all replacement franchises.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his Departments definition of the terms (a) large towns and cities, (b) key transport hubs and (c) centres of economic activity is as used by the Strategic Rail Authority in its strategic development objectives. [149495]

The Strategic Rail Authoritys definitions are not specific and are flexible but focus on key destinations on inter city rail routes, airports, motorway intersections and ports.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the local transport play, settlement for Blackpool was made on the assumption of maintenance of the current level of rail services to the town. [149497]

When assessing the local transport plan for Blackpool, we considered both the current level of rail services and their growth potential. We took account of the proposal to provide a new multi-modal interchange and the fact that negotiations were taking place with train operators and authorities to increase the frequency and quality of rail passenger services to Blackpool.

South West Regional Development Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many applications for funding have been made to the South West Regional Development Agency; how many have been approved; how many are awaiting the release of funds for approved projects; and what the average waiting time has been between approval and release of funds. [149580]

Since 1 April 1999 to date, the South West RDA has received 1,312 applications; 879 have been approves; there are none (0) awaiting the release of funds for approved projects; and there is no waiting time between approval and release of funds.

Brownfield Developments

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made by (a) his Department and (b) the European Commission on finding an alternative to the Partnership Investment Programme for brownfield developments. [149581]

My Department and the European Commission have made good progress in finding an alternative to the Partnership Investment Programme. A direct development scheme has now been approved, and the Commission have indicated that a decision is likely to be made by the end of this month on two new gap-funding; schemes, and a scheme designed to help local communities participate in regeneration projects. In addition we are continuing to explore with the Commission tilt possibility of a new regeneration framework under which State aid would be permitted for the physical regeneration of derelict or disused sites throughout the community.

Sheltered Housing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to address the concerns of tenants living in local authority sheltered housing that their landlords could be forced to raise charges for warden services in order to implement the Supporting People policy. [150380]

Many local authority and large scale voluntary transfer (LSVT) landlords cross subsidise the costs of support services for their tenants, such as warden services in sheltered housing, from their general rent income. This practice will stop when the Supporting People policy is implemented in April 2003. However, I am pleased to say that the Government will be making additional provision available through the new Supporting People grant in 2003–04 to cover these costs in full.In the light of this, there will be no need for local authority or LSVT landlords to increase charges to tenants, either now or in 2003–04 when Supporting People is introduced. Draft guidance will shortly be circulated to local authority and LSVT landlords setting out how these cross subsidies should be identified and recommending that these particular landlords freeze the amounts that sheltered housing tenants pay for their support services at 2000–01 levels in real terms.When Supporting People starts funding these services in April 2003, the local authority and LSVT landlords concerned will retain the savings they make by ending cross subsidies. As a condition of paying the additional Supporting People grant, we will expect these landlords to demonstrate how they will make effective use of these resources to deliver the Governments housing policy objectives more fully and more quickly, for example by improving the condition of their housing stock and the quality of their housing management services.

Trade And Industry

Departmental Policies (Staffordshire, Moorlands)

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Staffordshire, Moorlands constituency, the effects on Staffordshire, Moorlands of his Departments policies and actions (a) since 2 May 1997 and (b) in the 12 months ending on 1 May 1997. [149191]

In the periods in question, the following amounts of grant were offered to, businesses in the Staffordshire, Moorlands local authority district:

(a) since 2 May 1997: £44,639 under the Smart (innovation grant) scheme;

(b) in the 12 months ending 1 May 1997: £28,080 under the Smart scheme.

These were to assist small businesses to develop new products and processes. It is not possible to state the impact they would have had on the economy of the area. From 1 March 2000 businesses in the area have also been eligible for Enterprise Grants.In addition, I announced a number of measures in August 2000 to benefit the area, including £1.6 million funding for the Ceramics Industry Forum.Latest Office for National Statistics estimates show that, since the introduction of the national minimum wage in April 1999, there has been a direct and beneficial impact on the pay of the lowest paid workers in the west Midlands. The minimum wage benefits some 130,000 workers and their families in the west Midlands. No estimates are available for parliamentary constituencies. The latest data also show that it has helped close the gap between the highest and lowest earners and helped reduce the differential between mens and womens pay. This has been achieved without any discernible adverse impact on the economy.Since November 1998, 3.1 million workers across the UK have benefited from the entitlement to four weeks paid annual leave. No estimates are available for parliamentary constituency or region.We estimate that 38,000 female employees in the west Midlands give birth each year. All of these who have been employed for longer than six months with their current employer will now benefit from enhanced maternity leave, as introduced on 15 December 1999. There are no estimates available for Parliamentary constituencies.

Nissan

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assurances have been sought from Nissan, in agreeing future industrial assistance, about the UK content of cars produced at Sunderland. [149602]

The offer of an RSA grant to Nissan did not require any assurances on future sourcing of components. This is a matter for the company and its suppliers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the percentage UK content of cars produced by Nissan at Sunderland is; and what the UK content will be following the group of industrial assistance. [149601]

Nissan confirm that there is 70 per cent. UK content in the cars produced in Sunderland. It is not yet known what the UK content will be following the approval of the RSA grant.

Premium Rate Phone Lines

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals he has to give ICSTIS further powers to regulate the establishment and prices charged for premium rate phone lines. [149886]

The regulation of Premium Rate Services (PRS) lines is a matter for the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel) and The Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS). ICSTIS effectively supervises and enforces Codes of Practice which concern the establishment and running of PRS including provisions relating to pricing information. The provisions of the Code in relation to live conversation services are underpinned by a condition in network operators licences which is enforceable by Oftel. Following consultation in 1999–2000, Oftel drew up a statement proposing measures to strengthen the regulatory regime through statutory underpinning of a Code applying to most PRS, not just live services.

Mirror Group Newspapers

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of the inquiry into Mirror Group Newspapers; when the report of the inquiry is due to be published; and what is the inquirys total cost to date. [149699]

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will (1) estimate the cost to public funds to date of the inquiry into Mirror Group Newspapers plc; [149927](2) make a statement on the progress of the inquiry set up in 1992 into the affairs and membership of Mirror Group Newspapers plc. [149928]

The inspectors have made substantial progress towards completing their inquiries and I am hopeful that they will be submitting their report to me shortly. A decision on whether to publish the report will only be made following its receipt. The cost of the inspection to date (excluding Value Added Tax) is £8,205,446.

Tobacco

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will meet representatives of British American Tobacco prior to 24 February. [149883]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is currently considering a number of requests for meetings about the draft EU Directive on the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products including one from British American Tobacco.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies he has made on the economic impact of the European Directive on Tobacco Control. [149882]

None. However, the European Commission has undertaken such a study.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received regarding the European Directive on Tobacco Control; and if he will make a statement. [149881]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has received a number of representations from MPs, MEPs, firms, trade union representatives and individuals about aspects of the draft EU Directive on the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the impact on employment of the European Directive on Tobacco Control. [149884]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry understands the concerns that have been raised about the possible impact on employment of certain aspects of the draft EU Directive on the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products. However, he does not accept that job losses and factory closures are inevitable if the directive is passed as currently worded.

Transtec

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the inquiry into the collapse of Transtec plc to be published. [149926]

I hope to be able to publish the report in the near future.

Corus

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the UK steel market is controlled by Corus. [149357]

The UK steel market is open and competitive and not subject to control by individual companies. Corns does not release figures showing its share of the UK market but in the year 2000 UK demand for steel mill products was 13.8 million tonnes of which 53 per cent. (7.3 million tonnes) was supplied from UK steel mills. We estimate that 90 per cent. of this was produced by Corns

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advance information Corns provided to his Department priot to its closure and redundancy announcement. [149360]

Since early December when Corus announced a fundamental review of operations my Department was ill frequent contact with Corns. The company refused to discuss details of their overall plan. The detailed information broken down by numbers of jobs proposed to be loss and at which plant was provided at 8.00 am on 1 February.

Workplace Bullying

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Departments estimate is of the (a) number of working days per year lost as a result of workplace bullying and (b) annual cost to industry of working days so lost. [149991]

This information is not available. There are no official estimates of either days lost per year as a result of workplace bullying, or, consequently, of annual costs to industry of days lost.

Universal Bank

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Universal Bank will be available to people Who hold a bank account. [149658]

Universal Banking Services has two elements. Under the first element the banks will make their basic bank accounts accessible at post offices. The second element of the proposition is a service for people who are unable or unwilling to open even a basic bank account. This account, available only through post offices will allow benefits claimants to access their benefits in cash at a post office using a Post Office based card instead of an order book or giro. Both basic bank accounts and the Post Office card accounts will be available to people with an existing bank account. The Post Office card account will, however, be available only to persons in receipt of pensions, benefits or tax credits. Beyond that there are no plans for there to be any other eligibility restrictions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if people who (a) have and (b) do not have a bank account will be able to open the new Post Office-based Universal Bank service account. [149847]

The Post Office card account will only be available to persons in receipt of pensions, benefits and tax credits. Beyond that there are no plans for there to be any other eligibility restrictions.

Prime Minister

Policy Presentation (Corrections)

To ask the Prime Minister what instructions he issues to officials about volunteering corrections to mis-statements of, and righting misunderstandings concerning, his policy, opinions and reactions to public issues. [146439]

The Ministerial Code sets out the responsibilities of Ministers in relation to the correction of errors.

Patrice Lumumba

To ask the Prime Minister if the Government have published all records relating to the death of Patrice Lumumba, the Congolese leader; and if he will make a statement. [148278]

Official records over 30 years old are routinely transferred to the Public Record Office (PRO) in accordance with the Public Records Acts. Any records of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Cabinet Office, the Prime Ministers Office and the Ministry of Defence which refer to the death of Patrice Lumumba in 1961 are available at the PRO and can be found using the PROs website www.pro.gov.uk. None have been identified as withheld from release.

Lord Paul

To ask the Prime Minister under what circumstances Lord Paul represents Vie Government; and if he will make a statement. [149113]

[holding answer 6 February 2001]: Lord Paul was appointed Ambassador for British Business in November 1997, along with some 35 other leading figures in British commerce and industry. These positions are voluntary, and their role is not to represent the British Government, but to promote British commercial interests.

Ministerial Code

To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions Ministers have submitted cases to him in line with paragraph 109 of the Ministerial Code. [149612]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 7 July 2000, Official Report, column 316W.

Anglo-French Summit

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Anglo-French Summit of 9 February. [150382]

The twenty-third UK/French Summit took place in Cahors on 9 February. I was accompanied by my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary, the Home Secretary, the Defence Secretary and the Minister of State for Transport. We had productive exchanges on a range of bilateral issues, and agreed measures to deal with the problem of illegal immigration. We established a Cross-Channel commission to improve joint management of issues that affect Cross-Channel relations. In addition we agreed to take forward joint work in the fields of maritime safety, food safety, drugs trafficking and the environment.We also discussed EU, foreign policy and defence issues, and issued declarations on our shared priorities for the Stockholm Special European Council in March, and on further bilateral work in Africa. Copies of these and other agreed declarations have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Lord Chancellors Department

Asylum Appeals

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellors Department what average time is taken to process asylum (a) initial appeals to the Special Adjudicator and (b) further appeals to the Immigration Appeals Tribunal; and if she will make a statement. [150035]

The average times taken during January 2001, for the Immigration Appellate Authority to process cases from receipt to determination, are:

(a) 17.4 weeks for appeals cleared at the Adjudicator tier; and

(b) 33.8 weeks for appeals heard by the Immigration Appeal Tribunal.

The figure for the Immigration Appeal Tribunal (IAT) naturally includes the Adjudicator process. Average times for the IAT only—from receipt of application for leave to appeal until appeal determination—are not available.

International Development

Malawi

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her letter of 20 January, regarding the Malawi Mission of Buckfastleigh, what progress she has made in her representations to the Malawi Customs concerning the release of the consignment of tools airfreighted for building an orphan village. [149582]

The Malawi Revenue Authority is happy to discuss with the Malawi Mission or its partners in Malawi how to achieve duty free status for the organisation or the consignment in question within the law. The British High Commission in Lilongwe will assist if necessary.

Commonwealth Scholarships

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 16 January 2001, Official Report, column 164W, on Commonwealth scholarships, if she will discuss with the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission Chairman whether scholarships will be offered to dissidents in addition to those nominated by Governments concerned. [148758]

I welcome the Commissions review of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan. I am considering, in consultation with the Commissions Chairman, their reports recommendations, which include proposals for ensuring greater openness and transparency in the selection process.

Hiv/Aids

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Paisley South (Mr. Alexander) of 8 January 2001, Official Report, column 355W, if she will give a breakdown of the money spent on HIV/AIDS related work last year, outlining major headings of expenditure. [149324]

Last year, the Department of International Development spent around £85 million on major bilateral sexual and reproductive health programmes in the range of countries including, Malawi, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Zimbabwe, China and India. The work of these programmes impacts directly on HIV/AIDS. My Department also made the following contributions and commitments in 1999–2000 to agencies involved in tackling HIV/AIDS.

Agency	£ million
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)	15
World Health Organisation, Human Reproduction Programme (WHO/HRP)	1
United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)	3
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) over five years	14

Un Desertification Convention

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps have been taken to implement commitments under the UN Desertification Convention. [149857]

My Department is implementing the UKs commitments under the UN Convention to Combat Desertification through its bilateral and multilateral assistance programmes. Given that there are close links between poverty and the problems of desertification and land degradation, much of DFIDs work to combat poverty in rural areas helps to meet the objective of the Convention. Over £200 million is currently committed to DFID activities which help poor people protect their livelihoods against problems such as desertification and drought.

India

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much the Indian Government owe to (a) the UK and (b) other European Union countries; and what action her Department is taking to press for the cancellation of this debt. [149462]

According to the Government of India's most recent published data, in 1999 their official debt to the UK was 167.9 million rupees (£2.5 million at the present exchange rate), while their official debt to the European Union wits 212.53 billion rupees (£3.16 billion).The UK supports and advocates debt relief for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries which are undertaking pro-poor economic reforms. But Indias external debt position is moderate, with a debt-service ratio of 16 per cent. (as of March 2000), and large-scale international reserves (estimated at US$ 40 billion). We are not therefore pressing for cancellation of Indias debt. However our development assistance in India includes substantial support to help the Indian Government reform and improve their fiscal management, particularly at the State level where fiscal deficits are high.

Iraq

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her policy is on humanitarian aid to the children of Iraq. [147787]

The opportunities for assisting Baghdad-controlled Iraq are greatly constrained by the regimes policies. We are spending some £5 million this financial year to help rehabilitate water and sanitation systems which should reduce risks to childrens health. In northern Iraq, through Save the Childrens Fund and other non-governmental organisations, we are funding programmes to improve childrens well-being. This financial year we expect to spend some £1.25 million.The UNs oil-fair-food programme is contributing significantly to improved life opportunities and reduced infant and child mortality for children in the areas of Iraq not controlled from Baghdad. Tragically in Baghdad controlled Iraq, children are suffering badly as the Government of Iraq manipulate the suffering of their people for propaganda purposes.

Expenditure (Gdp)

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made towards meeting the Governments target for expenditure on overseas development as proportion of gross domestic product. [145774]

Preliminary estimates on the ratio of official development assistance to Gross National Product suggest that the UK will report a ratio of at least 0.29 per cent. of GNP for the year 2000. This is consistent with the Governments commitment to reach a level of 0.33 per cent. by 2003–04. Provisional data for the year 2000 will become available in April, with final figures confirmed in June.

Cabinet Office

Ombudsman Review

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she plans to (a) publish the results of the consultation exercise and (b) announce the Governments policy on the review of the Ombudsman. [149551]

I refer to the answer my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase (Tony Wright) on 17 January 2001, Official Report, column 333.

Treasury

Working Families Tax Credit

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has undertaken of the impact on the (a) working hours, (b) staffing and (c) financial cost to SMEs of operating the Working Families Tax Credit. [149369]

Estimates of the impact on small and medium-size enterprises of operating the Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) are given in paragraphs 43 to 62 of the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Tax Credits Bill 1999. A copy has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many farmers in (a) Lancashire and (b) England are in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit. [149742]

It is estimated that about 11,000 families in England where the main earner was either a farmer or a worker in agricultural, forestry or fishing occupations were in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit at the end of August 2000.The 5 per cent. sample of awards on which these estimates are based does not yield a reliable estimate of the number of these families that were in Lancashire.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his current estimate of the cost of answering (a) a written and (b) an oral parliamentary question. [150381]

As at April 2000, the latest date for which data are available, the average cost of answering a written parliamentary question and an oral parliamentary question was £123 and £285 respectively.

Fuel Duty Rebate

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many representations he has received supporting the introduction of a Fuel duty rebate for community transport operations; [149077](2) what estimate he has made of the annual cost of introducing a fuel duty rebate for community transport operations. [149078]

I have been asked to reply.

We have received a considerable number of representations about this matter.

Our 10-year transport plan, Transport 2010, announced that we would be working up detailed proposals for extending fuel duty rebate to a wider range of community transport services. We will shortly be consulting relevant organisations as part of this process. Our aim is to have the new arrangements up and running in the next financial year.

The term community transport covers a wide range of different services and organisations and the cost of extending the scope of the rebate scheme would depend on the precise definition of eligibility adopted. Decisions will be made on this in the light of the consultation. Further announcements will be made as soon as possible.

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Bse Inquiry

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of the BSE Inquiry report. [150420]

The BSE Inquiry report was published on 26 October 2000. In welcoming it, I said that the Governments substantive response would be announced in the coming months. I announced on 21 December 2000 that we would be making an interim response as a basis for public discussion before finalising the Governments full response.The Governments interim response was published on Friday, 9 February. There will be a parliamentary debate on 15 February. The response has been prepared with contributions from across Whitehall and the devolved Administrations and seeks to present the actions being taken in all the legislatures.This response is intended to focus on the future. It sets out what has happened since March 1996—which was the point to which we asked the Inquiry to take its examination. It gives full attention to the 167 specific findings and conclusions in the Inquiry report, and to the major themes that emerge from it: management of scientific advisory committees and how scientific advice is used in developing policy; openness; risk and uncertainty; the structure of government and the legislative framework; and the need for rigour in the development and implementation of policy.The response takes the opportunity to set out how the Government are taking the lessons and comments in the report as a spur to developing the action already under way as a result of the Modernising Government agenda, the Office of Science and Technologys work on the use of science in government and work on developing a Government Statement on Risk.The Government intend that this interim response should be the subject of positive action to seek the views of interested parties. Public debate on how the lessons in the report can be most effectively applied and embedded across Departments will help to ensure a comprehensive final Government Response to the BSE Inquiry report.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome was of the review of the civil servants who were criticised in the BSE Inquiry report. [150291]

Sheila Forbes, as an independent Civil Service Commission, has now completed her review of the criticisms in the report of serving civil servants. She has recommended to the Permanent Secretaries of the Departments involved that there is no justification for disciplinary action to be taken against any serving civil servant. They have accepted this recommendation and the civil servants involved have been informed.

Farm Holdings

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the oral answer of 24 January 2001, Official Report, column 920, to the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. George), if he will publish Her Majestys Governments estimate of (a) the percentage of farm holdings in the United Kingdom which they do not regard as efficient, (b the number of farmers and farm workers obtaining their livings from them and (c) the proportion of the UK agricultural workforce they represent. [148403]

The Government do not forecast or publish estimates of the percentage of farm holdings in the United Kingdom which we do not regard as efficient. We do not obtain the detailed business information on the 300,000 or so holdings in the United Kingdom which would be required to attempt to do this. Information on the productivity and performance of the agriculture industry was published by the Ministry on 30 March 2000 as part of the announcement of the Governments Action Plan for Farming in Strategy for Agriculture: Current and prospective economic situation paragraphs 26–35.The Action Plan, now backed by £500 million, is providing short-term relief to the sectors hit hardest by the current economic crisis but also supports longer-term action to encourage industry restructuring. Good progress is being made in delivering the commitments in the plan.The establishment of the Rural Development Regulation (RDR), or second pillar of the CAP, was a substantial step forward in redirecting the CAP away from production support and towards rural development and environmentally-friendly farming. By extending support to activities beyond food production, the RDR will open up new options for farms of differing types, sizes and economic characteristics.

Social Security

Euro

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what programme of work has been undertaken by his Department and agencies for which his Department is responsible as part of the national changeover plan for preparation for the UKs entry to the euro at current exchange rates; and if he will make a statement. [148411]

The Department is conducting work in accordance with the guidance given in the Outline National Changeover Plans and reported in the Fourth Report on Euro Reparations published on 6 November 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of reprinting documents issued by his Department and its executive agencies to replace sterling entries with entries in euros. [148409]

In the event of UK entry to the single currency any changes to documents would be dealt with through existing contractual arrangements as part of a normal reprint cycle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the changes required in the Governments benefits system which would be necessary as a result of a changeover to the euro. [148413]

In the event of the UK entering the single currency, benefits systems would not require rule changes although IT system changes would be required to convert amounts in accordance with EU and UK legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost at current exchange rates of changing his Departments, and agencies for which his Department is responsible, computer systems in preparation for the euro. [148408]

Should the UK decide to enter the single currency, costs will depend on the approach taken and this is not yet known. There are currently no plans to change existing computer systems prior to a Referendum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what consultants his Department is using to advise on the implications and implementation of the changeover plan to the euro; and what budget has been set aside for this purpose. [148412]

A number of private sector companies contribute to the normal operational running of the Department. Where appropriate as part of the normal arrangements, consultants in these roles have contributed to preparatory analysis work. No specific budget has been set aside and any costs are contained within the figure published in the Fourth Report on Euro Preparations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of training staff in his Department and executive agencies for which his Department is responsible in preparation for the euro, at current prices and exchange rates. [148410]

In the event of the UK entering the single currency, costs will depend on the approach taken and this is not yet known. No estimate for the cost of training has been made.

Public Relations (Expenditure)

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the total expenditure and the breakdown of expenditure was in his Department for the financial years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000, and what the planned expenditure and breakdown of expenditure for 2000–01 is on (i) public opinion research, (ii) television, radio and newspaper advertising and (iii) direct mail. [149268]

[holding answer 8 February 2001]: Full figures for 1996–97 are available only for the Departments Headquarters. These are Public Opinion Research £301,083,20, Advertising £3 691,169.64, Direct Mail £63,861.16.A breakdown of expenditure for the years 1997–98 was given on 17 December 1998

Official Report, columns 718–19W.

A breakdown was given for the estimated spend for 1998–99. The breakdown of expenditure for the years 1998–99 and 1999–2000 is given as follows, as is the estimated spend for the year 2000–01

For 1998–99 figures for the Benefits Agency were Public Opinion Research £83,703, Advertising, £29,738. Direct Mail £10,524.

The Contributions Agency transferred to the Inland Revenue in April 1999 and no figures are available.

Work done on behalf of the Child Support Agency is done by the Departments Headquarters and these figures are included in that breakdown.

For the War Pensions Agency figures are: Public Opinion Research £4,569, Advertising £1,400, Direct Mail £1,100.

For the Department Headquarters, which includes Communications Directorate and Analytical Services Directorate the figures are: Public Opinion Research £668,179, Advertising £4,617,945.81, Direct Mail £315,346.46.

For the year 1999–2000 for the Benefits Agency figures were: Public Opinion Research £207,440, Advertising £24,406, Direct Mail £98,332.

For the War Pensions Agency figures were: Public Opinion Research £2,388, Advertising £18,000, Direct Mail £1,200.

For the Departments Headquarters the figure was: Public Opinion Research £792,115.14, Advertising £2,756,705.70, Direct Mail £144,301.29.

The estimated spend for the year 2000–01 in the Benefits Agency is: Public Opinion Research £219,499, Advertising £11,502, Direct Mail Nil.

In the War Pensions Agency it is: Public Opinion Research £5,000, Advertising £23,500, Direct Mail £1,400.

In the Departments Headquarters the estimated spend is: Public Opinion Research £1,154,112, Advertising £11,336,000, Direct Mail £5,815,000.

Notes:

1. The term Advertising in my answer I elates to TV, Radio and Newspaper advertising.

2. The estimated increase in spending on Advertising for the year 2000–01 takes into account the work being undertaken by the Department around the Minimum Income Guarantee uptake campaign, Pensions Education and anti-fraud activity.

Maternity Benefits

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about extending maternity benefits. [149589]

We are improving maternity benefits as part of our drive to help women achieve a better balance between paid work and family life. Last year we extended Maternity Allowance (MA) to low-paid employed and self-employed working women and increased the rate of benefit for self-employed women. These improvements mean that around 16,000 low-paid working women will get MA for the first time and around 11,000 self-employed women will receive a higher rate of benefit.On 7 December last year the Department of Trade and Industry published a consultation document Work and Parents: Competitiveness or Choice which sets out a wide range of options and invites views on what the priority measures are that will help working parents at the same time as helping business. The document contains options to extend maternity benefits, which include increasing the flat rate of maternity pay and extending the maternity pay period as well as improvements to parental leave.The consultation period ends on 7 March 2001 and we will take account of the responses we receive when considering which options should be taken forward.

Child Poverty

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many children in Yorkshire and Humberside were living under the official poverty line in each of the years (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (e) 2000. [149439]

There is no official poverty line defined by the Government. Poverty and social exclusion are complex multi-dimensional issues, affecting many aspects of peoples lives—their income, health, housing, the quality of the environment, opportunities to work and to learn. There is no single measure which can capture the complex problems which need to be overcome.The annual report, Opportunity for all—one year on: making a difference (Cm 4865) sets out and monitors the Governments strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion.

Culture, Media And Sport

Sports Council Funding

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total Sports Council funding was for (a) tennis, (b) swimming, (c) basketball, (d) netball, (e) football, (f) rugby union and (g) rugby league in England for each year since 1990. [149048]

The English Sports Council is collating this information and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible. I will place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

Art Works

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many, and what percentage of the total, works of art and artefacts in each of the national collections are in storage because of insufficient space to exhibit them. [149460]

DCMS does not hold all of this data centrally. We have therefore contacted the National Museums and Galleries to request the information for a reply to my hon. Friend. I will write to him as soon as this is available, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

Library And Leisure Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the levels of spending on (a) library services and (b) leisure services per head of population in (i) Staffordshire and (ii) each other county of England (1) in the current year and (2) in each of the last three years. [150018]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 February 2001, Official Report, columns 684–88W.

Health

Contraception

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been commissioned of the safety of post-coital contraception with respect to girls aged (a) 12 years to 14 years and (b) 14 years to 16 years; and if he will make a statement. [146771]

[holding answer 23 January 2001]: Once a young woman becomes fertile, the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care advise that there are no physiological reasons why emergency contraception should not be used if she is at risk of pregnancy because she has had unprotected sex.The safety profile of EHC is believed to be similar in those under 16 years of age to those over 16. Emergency contraception has been used worldwide, including by women aged under 16, since the 1980s, and no major safety concerns have arisen.Clinical trials for new drugs are not routinely conducted on young people under 16 unless there is a specific indication such as childhood leukaemia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2001, Official Report, column 484W, what guidance he has given to schools regarding the potential liability of school staff who dispense emergency contraception to girls under the age of 16 years in the event of medical complications arising as a result of the emergency contraception. 1150085]

Emergency contraception in schools can be provided only by school nurses with a family planning background and specialised training to work under patient group directions. School nurses in maintained schools are employed by the National Health Service. Potential liability is covered by the arrangements of the NHS body concerned.

Vaccinations (Barnsley And Doncaster)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children in (a) Bamsley and (b) Doncaster were vaccinated against (i) MMR and (ii) meningitis in (A) 1999 and (B) 2000 [147318]

Information about the percentage of children immunised against measles, mumps and rubella by age 2 and by age 5 is contained in the Statistical Bulletin NHS Immunisation Statistics, England: 1999–2000. A copy of the bulletin is in the Library and can also be found on the Department of Health website, www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0026.htm.Information on uptake of meningitis C vaccine in all age groups immunised through the current programme is still being collected. This information will be published when it becomes available.

Nurses

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital and community health service nurses who are (a) qualified, (b) unqualified, (c) midwives, (d) learner staffs, and (e) Project 2000 students, as whole-time equivalents were employed (i) in each region and (ii) in total in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement. [148608]

Data from 1990 onwards are in the table. To provide data from 1979 would incur disproportionate costs.

NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and learners in England as at 30 September each year
Whole-time equivalents
	Qualified nursing	of which: Midwives	Unqualified nursing	Learners
1990
England	242.340	19.980	90.450	58.840
Northern	16.950	1.270	5.890	3.880
Yorkshire	18.540	1.650	6.380	4.890
Trent	23.090	1.890	9.330	5.330
East Anglia	9.760	820	4.170	2.060
North West Thames	15.590	1.200	5.250	5.080
North East Thames	19.800	1.620	6.320	6.600
South East Thames	18.740	1.410	5.960	4.290
South West Thames	13.760	980	5.250	2.860
Wessex	13.970	1.140	6.540	2.750
Oxford	11.030	1.010	3.870	2.130
South Western	16.320	1.230	7.670	3.270
West Midlands	25.460	2.340	9.900	6.500
Mersey	12.930	1.110	4.870	3.060
North Western	22.920	2.160	8.550	5.330
Other	3 460	80	460	800
1991
England	243.250	19.760	90.550	47.340
Northern	16.880	1.290	5.960	3.240
Yorkshire	18.480	1.630	6.330	3.620
Trent	23.290	1.880	9.350	4.020
East Anglia	9.810	790	4.190	1.730
North West Thames	16.280	1.140	5.400	3.600
North East Thames	20.050	1.610	6.340	5.830
South East Thames	16.620	1.320	5.650	3.790
South West Thames	14.120	1.040	5.030	1.950
Wessex	14.130	1.150	6.560	2.190
Oxford	11.320	1.030	4.000	1.280
South Western	16.130	1.180	7.410	2.460
West Midlands	25.210	2.240	9.790	5.800
Mersey	12.620	1.100	4.780	2.420
North Western	23.230	2.200	8.720	4.480
Other	5.070	90	1.030	940

NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and learners in England as at 30 September each year
Whole-time equivalents
	Qualified nursing	of which: Midwives	Unqualified nursing	Learners
1992
England	246.570	20.350	90.840	34.740
East Anglia	9.320	740	4.000	1.250
Mersey	12.700	1.110	4.650	1.780
North East Thames	16.290	1.280	5.100	4.320
North West Thames	14.960	1.100	4.980	2.020
North western	22.810	2.180	8.510	2.720
Northern	16.770	1.390	5.590	780
Oxford	11.600	970	3.860	780
South East Thames	14.920	1.340	5.250	1.590
South West Thames	17.360	1.380	5.610	3.110
South western	16.580	1.220	7.660	1.000
Trent	23.230	1.870	9.500	2.310
Wessex	13.570	1.070	5.990	880
West Midlands	22.920	2.160	8.690	2.400
Yorkshire	18.130	1.610	5.990	2.890
Other	15.420	850	5.480	6.900
1993
England	241.850	19.630	91.940	21.040
Northern	17.650	1.400	5.840	820
Yorkshire	18.910	1.670	6.310	1.830
Trent	22.420	1.700	9.810	1.540
East Anglia	9.740	740	4.380	620
North West Thames	15.290	1.070	4.990	850
North East Thames	18.540	1.590	5.910	3.320
South East Thames	16.200	1.300	5.700	1.730
South West Thames	14.110	1.120	5.350	1.390
Wessex	14.720	1.140	7.140	480
Oxford	11.970	980	4.370	460
South western	16.660	1.210	7.920	760
West Midlands	25.480	2.350	9.900	3.270
Mersey	12.400	1.040	4.470	1.100
Northwestern	22.740	2.180	8.740	2.250
Other	5.020	70	1.120	610
1994
England	238.780	19.340	92.550	11.080
Anglia and Oxford	21.140	1.710	8.550	600
North Thames	33.090	2.700	11.440	2.060
North West	34.960	3.130	13.240	1.810
Northern and Yorkshire	35.190	3.000	12.310	1.740
Trent	23.490	1.610	10.160	630
South Thames	30.070	2.340	11.380	1.470
South and West	31.120	2.390	14.590	410
West Midlands	25.090	2.350	9.510	1.910
Other	4.640	70	1.360	440
1995
England	246.820	18.030	82.910	4.580
Anglia and Oxford	23.600	1.900	8.620	270
North Thames	36.030	2.400	9.900	990
North West	37.560	3.170	12.300	760
Northern and Yorkshire	35.580	2.580	10.780	570
South and West	30.860	2.370	11.600	360
South Thames	31.740	2.190	9.830	600
Trent	23.610	1.580	9.270	270
West Midlands	25.910	1.840	8.360	760
Other	1,920	—	2.240	¹—
1996
England	248.070	18.250	83.650	2.670
Anglia and Oxford	23.590	1.700	9.000	250
North Thames	37.130	2.480	9.800	490
North West	37.180	3.090	12.460	380
Northern and Yorkshire	35.520	2.650	10.890	240
South and West	30.820	2.420	11.610	230
South Thames	32.510	2.220	9.870	450
Trent	23.570	1.670	9.530	160
West Midlands	26.070	2.020	8.290	460
Other	1.680	—	2.190	¹—

NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and learners in England as at 30 September each year
Whole-time equivalents
	Qualified nursing	of which: midwives	Unqualified nursing	Learners
1997
England	246.010	18.050	84.020	2.250
Anglia and Oxford	23.310	1.640	8.720	210
North Thames	36.810	2.500	10.080	460
North West	36.770	3.040	12.520	230
Northern and Yorkshire	33.600	2.410	11.390	190
South and West	30.670	2.410	11.120	190
South Thames	32.460	2.160	9.790	370
Trent	25.150	1.770	9.610	150
West Midlands	25.620	2.110	8.570	440
Other	1.620	—	2.220	—
1998
England	247.240	18.170	84.520	2.080
Anglia and Oxford	23.650	1.790	8.660	230
North Thames	36.570	2.480	10.080	510
North West	36.820	2.930	12.910	240
Northern and Yorkshire	33.750	2.340	11.120	180
South and West	31.100	2.390	11.000	180
South Thames	31.930	2.180	10.000	320
Trent	25.390	1.820	9.540	140
West Midlands	26.350	2.240	9.010	290
Other	1.680	—	2.200	—
1999
England	250.650	17.880	87.440	1.880
Eastern	21.260	1.540	9.570	220
London	42.810	2.870	8.690	480
North West	37.420	2.930	13.720	220
Northern and Yorkshire	34.540	2.170	11.380	140
South East	36.620	2.530	14.320	330
South West	24.040	1.830	8.550	120
Trent	25.950	1.840	9.540	130
West Midlands	26.340	2.170	9.300	250
Other	1.670	—	2.380	—
¹ Five or less and greater than zero

Notes:

1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

2. Figures exclude agency staff.

3. Due to rounding totals may not equal the sum of component parts zero.

4. "Others" includes staff employed by SHAs, OSAs and other centrally based services.

5. A new classification of the non-medical workforce was introduced in 1995. Information based on this classification is not directly comparable with earlier years.

6. New regional office boundaries were introduced in 1994 and 1999.

7. Since 1989 traditional pre-registration nurse training was gradually replaced by Project 2000 training. Project 2000 students are funded by bursaries and are not employed by the HCHS; they are not therefore included in the workforce numbers.

Source:

Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

Cardiac Diseases

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people died of cardiac diseases in the Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority area in 2000. [148745]

In 2000, 927 residents from the Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority area died from cardiac diseases. This includes those who died as a result of ischaemic heart disease and heart failure. A small percentage of deaths will be excluded as it is more difficult to attribute them to cardiac diseases.

Source:

Public Health Mortality File, Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority

Smoking

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is introducing to encourage and support smokers who wish to stop smoking. [148743]

As set out in the White Paper, Smoking Kills, the Governments tobacco control strategy involves a comprehensive health education programme backed up by local cessation services.The education programme is supported by a national telephone helpline which, besides offering information, advice and support, can direct smokers to their local services.A national network of National Health Service smoking cessation services provides expert help to smokers wanting to give up, and up to six weeks free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is available to smokers entitled to free prescriptions. The cessation aid Zyban (Buproprion) is already available on NHS prescription and we are considering the outcome of a recent consultation exercise on a proposal to provide all NRT products on this basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people died of smoking-related diseases in the Gateshead and South Tyneside area in 2000. [148744]

In 2000, at least 442 residents from the Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority area died from smoking related diseases. This figure is based on percentages of lung cancer, ischaemic heart disease and cerebro-vascular disease deaths. The true figure is likely to be higher as other diseases have been excluded and smoking rates in the area are higher than the United Kingdom average.

Source:

Public Health Mortality File, Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority

Good Health (Jarrow)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is introducing to encourage healthy eating and exercise and to promote good health in the Jarrow constituency. [148746]

Parts of the Jarrow constituency have been classed as an area for special action within the Tyne and Wear Health Action Zone (HAZ). The HAZ co-ordinates a positive health campaign within the constituency which tackles areas such as smoking cessation, healthy eating, health promotion, accident prevention and physical activity.Examples of projects within the Positive Health Campaign include the Jarrow Festival smoking cessation project; positive health campaigns at St Aloysius and Greenfields Schools; an aromatherapy project at the PHAB Club; Fitness Up North; a rehabilitation service at the Charles Palmer Centre, Palmer Community Hospital; an older persons information and advice centre; a mobile chip pan fire demonstration unit; a weekend contraception service and the appointment of education for health and healthnet workers.In addition to the above, the South Tyneside Health Care NHS Trusts Palmer Hospital is affiliated to the World Health Authoritys s health promoting hospital initiative and is involved in the provision of health related information for patients. The Community Learning Centre project uses the district hospital site as a computer and training access point for the South Tyneside College. The Food Education anti Action in South Tyneside partnership with the local authority aims to revive the place of healthy eating among youll; people. Smoking cessation initiatives include specialist clinics and smokefree schools awards. Finally, the trust gives seminars to local employers on health issues such as developing policies on stress, smoking and alcohol.

Hiv

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines exist for the provision of post-exposure prophylaxis with anti-HIV drugs following potential sexual exposure to HIV. [148671]

:The United Kingdoms Chief Medical Officers Expert Advisory Group on AIDS published updated guidance on HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis in July 2000. This includes advice on non-occupational (including sexual) exposure. Copies of this guidance are available in the Library and on the Department of Health website at: www.don.gov.uk/eaga.

Teenage Pregnancy

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has undertaken into the relationship between levels of support for parents of young children and levels of teenage pregnancy. [148666]

Development of the cross-departmental teenage pregnancy strategy drew on a full analysis of United Kingdom and international research in the area. There is no direct evidence to suggest any relationship between levels of teenage conceptions and material or financial support for teenage parents. Research does, however, suggest that support offered by a young womans parents may impact on her decision whether to continue with a pregnancy. Further information on this will become available as the impact of the strategy is evaluated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he Las assessed on the nature of the connection between levels of financial or other service support for parents of young children and levels of teenage pregnancy (a) in the UK and (b) in other European countries. [148665]

Development of the cross-departmental teenage pregnancy strategy drew on a full analysis of United Kingdom and international research in this area. Research conducted to inform the Social Exclusion Units report on teenage pregnancy found little relationship between a countrys allocation of its funds to family related benefits and teenage birth rates. Research in the UK does, however, suggest that support offered by a young womans parents may impact on her decision whether to continue with a pregnancy. Further information on this will become available as the impact of the strategy is evaluated.

Hospital Developments

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital developments were started in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000. [149131]

The information requested is shown in the table. Since May 1997, 38 major hospital building projects worth over £3.9 billion hay been approved to proceed. Of these, 24 schemes had signed final contracts and started construction by the end of 2000.

	Major hospital developments given approval to proceed	Started construction
1997	19	4
1998	13	9
1999	6	7
2000	—	4
Total	38	24

North Cumbria Health Authority

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the impact of his Departments financial

Clinic
City Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust	Department of Neurology
South Buckinghamshire NHS Trust	Department of Neurology
Papworth Hospital, Cambridge	Respiratory Support and Sleep Centre
Havering Hospitals NHS Trust	Essex Centre for Neurological Sciences, Department of Neurology
The Glenfield Hospital NHS Trust, Leicester	Department of Respiratory and Thoracic Surgery
St. Thomas Hospital, London	LANE-FOX UNIT
The Royal Victoria Infirmary and Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust	Department of Neurology
Queens Medical Centre University Hospital Nottingham	Neurosciences Directorate
Hope Hospital, Salford	Department of Neurophysiology
Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals NHS Trust	Department of Neurophysiology

Nurse/Patient Ratios

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average qualified nurse to patient ratio was in each of the last 10 years, broken down by region; and if he will make a statement. [149351]

The data requested are not collected centrally.

Dental Charge

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many courses of dental treatment provided to people aged 60 and over required patients to pay (a) under £100, (b) £100 to £199, (c) £200 to £299 and (d) £300 or over in the last year for which figures are available. [149328]

[holding answer 7 February 2001]: For people aged 60 years and over paying full patient charges up to the maximum limit for dental treatment in the General Dental Services, the number of courses of treatment with patient charges of (a) under £100 (b) £100 to £199 (c) £200 to £299 and (d) £300 or more is shown in the table for England in 1999–2000.

allocation has been on the budget of the North Cumbria health authority in real terms in each year since 1997; and what his estimate is of the impact in 2001–02 on the basis of his proposals in the pre-Budget report. [149297]

North Cumbria health authority will have received additional funding in excess of £57 million from 1997–98 to 2001–02. This equates to nearly £35 million extra in real terms. A yearly breakdown is shown in the table.

	Cash increase £ million	Percentage	Real terms increase £ million	Percentage
1997–98	5.609	4.02	2.767	1.99
1998–99	6.512	4.71	2.639	1.91
1999–2000	12.632	6.78	7.788	4.18
2000–01	13.822	6.92	8.611	4.31
2001–02	18.697	8.66	12.974	6.01

Polio

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the specialist units dealing with the late effects of polio and their location. [149101]

[holding answer 6 February 2001]: The information requested is not held centrally, but the Lincolnshire Post-polio Network website states that 10 clinics deal with the late effects of polio. These are shown in the table.

General Dental Service: Number of courses of treatment by patient charge for patients aged 60 and over
Thousand
Patient charge	Number of courses of treatment
Under £100	4,777.7
£100 to £199	187.9
£200 to £299	13.4
£300 or more	8.0

Nhs Psychiatric Counsellors

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times have been over the last year to see an NHS psychiatric counsellor in (a) London, (b) Surrey and (c) Devon. [149610]

The information requested is not available centrally.

Oxted Hospital

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the redevelopment of Oxted Hospital to commence; and if he will make a statement. [149698]

[holding answer 9 February 2001]: Surrey and Sussex Healthcare National Health Service Trust, of which Oxted and Limpfield Hospital is part, is due to submit its full business case for the new community hospital at Oxted to the South East Regional Office of the NHS Executive in March. It is anticipated that work on the new site will start before the end of the year.

Fluoride

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 31 January 2001, Official Report, column 217W, on fluoride, if he will list the research upon which he bases his conclusion; what research he has evaluated which suggests that calcium fluoride is better for dental health than sodium fluoride; if he keeps this situation under constant review; how much money his Department has spent on research into the impact on dental health of (a) calcium fluoride and (b) sodium fluoride in each of the last 30 years; and if he will make a statement. [149762]

[holding answer 9 February 2001]: Sodium salts are generally used in fluoridation schemes because they are more soluble than calcium salts. In the 1960s the Government undertook three research studies of fluoridation schemes using sodium salts. The cost of the studies is not now available. We have asked the Medical Research Council how, in the light of the recently conducted systematic review of water fluoridation conducted by the University of York, the knowledge base concerning water fluoridation and its effects on health could be strengthened.

Waiting Lists (Essex)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were waiting for hospital treatment in the Mid Essex hospital trust area in (a) the latest month for which figures are available and (b) the previous month. [149695]

[holding answer 9 February 2001]: The information requested is shown in the table.

month	Total number of patients waiting
November 2000	9,050
December 2000	9,466

Source:

Monthly waiting list returns, KHO7 quarterly returns

Primary Health Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the difference in cost between primary health groups and primary health trusts; if their funding will come from local health authority budgets; and if he will make a statement. [149679]

[holding answer 9 February 2001]: As sub-committees of health authorities, the management costs of a primary care group (PCG) fall to a health authority. Primary care trusts (PCTs) are, however, free standing National Health Service bodies and therefore their management costs are separate from a health authority. However, where PCTs are established, the local health authority will contribute management resources as part of their delegation of functions to a PCT. In addition, PCTs will also receive additional management resources from within that health system to reflect any provider responsibilities that they take on from local NHS trusts.PCT management costs reflect their increased responsibilities compared to PCGs. The overall expenditure on the management and administration of the NHS is falling in real terms under this Government. The management cost savings achieved so far have included the additional costs of PCGs and the targeted continued reductions for current and future years will include the cost of PCTs.

Outside Contracts

To ask the Secretary of State for Health which services hospital managers are (a) permitted and (b) not permitted to contract out to private companies; and if he will make a statement. [149674]

[holding answer 9 February 2001]: The list shows services which may be provided under contract by the private sector to National Health Service bodies:

Grounds and gardens maintenance
Property and building maintenance
Equipment maintenance
Domestic services
Catering
Laundry
Waste disposal
Pest control
Portering
Security
Non-emergency patient transport
Courier services
Information Management and Technology Systems
Financial services
Car parking
Telecommunications
Energy and utilities
Sterile supply service/SSDs
Stores
Reception
Post services
Residential accommodation
Day nursery and creche services.

Any proposals which include categories of services or staff other than those on the list must be submitted to the NHS Executive for approval by Ministers.

Mental Health Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the repots into untoward incidents involving (a) the disappearance and (b) the deaths of patients receiving care for mental health problems in each health authority for each of the past five yews. [149500]

The information requested is not collected centrally.Details of all deaths of patients detained under the Mental Health Act are reported to the Mental Health Act Commission. A report of the findings between 1997 and 2000 is due to be published later this month. Copies of the report will be placed in the Library when published.

Suicides

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, by health authority, the number of suicides of patients in community health care trusts in each of the past five years. [149499]

The information requested is not available centrally. However, the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness does collect data on suicides by people in contact with mental health services in the year before death. The National Confidential Inquiry began collecting this data in only April 1996. In May 1999 the Inquiry published its report Safer Services outlining its findings over the two year period from April 1996. Copies of this report are available in the Library.

Transplant Centres

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria will be used to decide whether Manchester, Birmingham or Sheffield will be the fourth transplant centre to remain in operation following the proposed rationalisation of services. [150073]

The study currently under way will determine which of the three units is best able to accommodate an enlarged transplant team based on least disruption to existing and future transplant patients and least disruption to meeting the priority targets for other essential cardiac operations as set out in the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease.

Education And Employment

Higher Education

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many unfilled places there were within the higher education sector in (a) autumn 1997, (b) autumn 1998, (c) autumn 1099 and (d) autumn 2000. [147637]

[holding answer 30 January 2001]: Planned student numbers are set out each year covering home and EU students funded by the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) and the Teacher Training Agency (TTA). The table shows the total student numbers (full-time equivalents) planned for HEFCE and TTA prior to the academic year in question, and the comparable estimated outturn for each year. Equivalent figures for Autumn 2000 are not yet available. The growth in financial year FTEs between 1996–97 and 1999–2000 was 34,000. The total number of home, EU and overseas students in English institutions (headcounts on 1 December) rose by 76,000 between 1996–97 and 1999–2000.

Home and EU domiciled Higher Education students in England.
Thousand¹
Academic year	Planned FTEs	Estimated	Outturn FTEs
1996–97	1,001	1,009	—
1997–98	999	1,024	—
1998–99	1,021	1,024	—
1999–2000	1,043	1,037	—
¹ Figures relate to 1 December. The FTE factor used for part-time students is 0.35. For comparability, figures include some students studying professions allied to medicine for which funding responsibility was transferred to the Department of Health for 1998–99 and exclude 18,500 FTEs in 1999–2000 in further education colleges for which funding responsibility transferred to the Higher Education Funding Council in England in 1999–2000.

UCAS data show that accepted applicants for full-time undergraduate courses rose by 5,000 between 1999–2000 and 2000–01. Early data on applications for 2001–02 show an increase of 2,000 applicants over 2000–01.

New Deal (Job Placements)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the projected average cost of obtaining for a person currently on Incapacity Benefit a sustainable job with the New Deal for Disabled People involving the use of a job broker; and what the average cost is per job of placements under other New Deal programmes. [147735]

[holding answer 30 January 2001]: We have yet to see what the costs per job will be in practice in the national extension of the New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP).New Deal is about giving the individual help each person needs to become employable, find a job and keep a job in the future. Some people will need more help than others and so the cost for each person will also vary. Simply calculating or comparing the cost per job alone cannot measure its success.The information for the other New Deals is set out in the table:

New Deal	Average cost per job (£)
Young people	Less than 4,000
25+	Less than 3,500
Lone parents	¹1,388
Partners	^{2, 3}—
50+	^{2, 4}—
¹ Independent evaluation of the first phase of the New Deal for Lone parents found that the cost per participant moving into work was £1,388.
² Not available
³ The New Deal for Partners of Unemployed People is a relatively new programme. Independent evaluation is being carried out and we will be looking at unit costs.
⁴ Detailed information to calculate the actual cost per job for people returning to work through New Deal 50 plus is not yet available.

Investors In People

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment who is responsible for administering the Investors in People scheme locally in the Vale of York; and if he will make a statement. [148956]

The North Yorkshire Training and Enterprise Council administers the Investors in People Standard in the Vale of York. From 1 April 2001, the Learning and Skills Council will assume this responsibility.

Child Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he has taken to ensure that good quality affordable child care is available in (a) Morecambe and Lunesdale and (b) the United Kingdom. [148963]

The National Child Care Strategy aims to ensure that affordable, accessible, quality child care is available in every neighbourhood. The Working Families Tax Credit offers help with child care costs to lower income families. £170 million is also being made available until the end of 2003 through the New Opportunities Fund to help start up out of school hours care. By 2003–04, the Departments investment in child care will have trebled from £66 million in this financial year to over £200 million. The Government also intend to make a further £155 million available over the next three years from the New Opportunities Fund. This extra investment will be largely targeted in disadvantaged areas and on childminders. Through the Neighbourhood Nurseries Initiative, we expect to create 45,000 child care places, in up to 900 new 50-place nurseries. Around 50,000 out of school hours clubs in disadvantaged areas are expected to achieve extra start-up support. The Morecambe and Lunesdale area is eligible for the new support being made available for disadvantaged areas. 145,000 childminder places and 450 childminder networks will have been started up by 2004.New child care places for 546,000 children have been created between April 1997 and September 2000. Taking into account turnover, this has helped an extra 343,000 children. As part of the Strategy 150 Early Years and Child Care Development Partnerships (EYDCPs) have been set up across England to develop new child care places and maintain existing ones across the whole of their local area. Since April 1999 Lancashire EYDCP has created child care places for 487 children in the Morecambe and Lunesdale area and, taking into account turnover, this has helped an extra 125 children.Lancashire EYDCP is assisting the DfEE in a pilot programme to test innovative approaches to combining early education with care throughout the day. The project is based in the Morecambe and Lune Valley areas and focuses on establishing a partnership between early education providers and the voluntary and private sectors and childminders leading to a co-ordinated seamless child care and early education service for children and families. One of the aims of the project is to help meet the needs of families for whom lack of transport is a barrier to accessing child care, and will include the provision of a mobile nursery facility to operate in rural areas.

Age Discrimination

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to combat age discrimination in the work force. [148964]

We made a commitment, last October, to introduce age legislation within six years, by signing the European Employment directive on Equal Treatment. We have negotiated a long implementation period to give us the scope to consult closely with employers and expert groups to prepare workable and beneficial age legislation.In the meantime we will continue to tackle age discrimination by promoting vigorously the non-statutory Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment, which was launched in June 1999. The Code has been promoted to employers through trade press, events and awards initiatives. It sets the standard for non-ageist practices and promotes the business benefits of age diversity in the work force. We must overcome ageist stereotypes and employers need to understand that younger and older workers can add value to their business. In the years leading up to legislation, we want to take employers with us, so that they work with the spirit, not just the letter of the law. In that way we will build up the real culture change we need to overcome discrimination.

Modern Apprenticeships

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many modern apprenticeships in agricultural and land-based industries were (a) initiated, (b) completed and (c) in progress in each of the past five academic years. [149473]

[holding answer 8 February 2001]: The number of Modem Apprenticeships in agricultural land-based industries for each of the last five academic years were:

(a) Initiated
Academic year	Modern apprenticeships
1995–96	430
1996–97	1,170
1997–98	2,030
1998–99	3,530
1999–2000	3,960

(b) Total leavers and the percentage of leavers gaining a qualification
	Advanced modern apprenticeships:		Foundation modern apprenticeships:
Academic year	Total leavers	Leavers gaining a qualification at level 3 and above (percentage)	Total leavers	Leavers gaining a qualification at level 2 and above (percentage)
1995–96	50	35	N/A	N/A
1996–97	350	49	N/A	N/A
1997–98	780	41	40	5
1998–99	990	39	680	32
1999–2000	1,160	42	1,880	42

Because the award of a Modern Apprenticeship entails completion of the whole framework achievement of a qualification at the levels shown is broadly synonymous with completion.

(c) In progress on 30 September each year
Year	Modern apprenticeship
1995	120
1996	570
1997	1,520
1998	2,820
1999	4,770

National Training Organisations

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what public funds were received by each national training organisation in the last three years, broken down by their sourcing from (a) his Department, (b) their sponsoring department, (c) other Government Departments and (d) European Union funds. [149476]

[holding answer February 2001]: National Training Organisations (NTOs) received £7,102,204 in 1998–99, 14,271,987 in 1999–2000 and are planned to receive £14,943,474 in 2000–01 to help meet their sector skills priorities.Details from other budgets can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary Modern Schools

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he intends to publish the benchmark information for secondary modern schools intended to assist the evaluation of their work and be available to Ofsted inspectors. [149652]

[holding answer 9 February 2001]: Secondary modern school benchmark information will be available within four weeks from our Standards website (www.standards.dfee.gov.uk/performance) and Ofsted will use this information during theii inspections.

School Performance Targets

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is caking to ensure that head teachers of maintained school agree performance targets with their governing bodies b:, the revised deadline of 6 April. [149802]

The published regulations on performance management, The Education (School Teacher Appraisal) (England) Regulations 2000 and The Education (School Teacher Appraisal) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2000, extended the deadline requiring the appointed governors responsible for the heads review to meet the head aid a trained external adviser to agree objectives to 6 April 2001. As a result of the extension of the deadline 86 per cent. of appointed governors have now arranged or completed discussions with advisers. We are reminding schools that have not already made arrangements to do so

Schools (South Derbyshire)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the capital expenditure in schools was in the South Derbyshire constituency supported by the Funding Agency for Schools in each financial year from 1993–94. [149780]

The table shows the total number and value of allocations for capital projects at Grant Maintained (GM) schools in Derbyshire for each financial year from 1993–94. The Funding Agency for Schools was not established until 1 April 1994. The allocations shown in the table for 1993–94 were made by the Department for Education. Capital funding to GM schools from 1994–95 was made by both project specific allocations to individual schools and by formula allocation to all schools. The total allocations for both types of grant are shown in the table.Details of actual capital expenditure in each financial year are not readily available as this information was not collected before individual project records were achieved.

Financial year	Number of allocations	Value of allocations (£)	Formula capital allocations (£)	Total each year (£)
1993–94	12	1,016,929	0	1,016,929
1994–95	16	2,903,894	254,610	3,158,504
1995–96	11	413,778	294,355	708,133
1996–97¹	18	2,806,266	671,868	3,478,134
1997–98	12	864,899	392,758	1,257,657
1998–99	22	3,072,220	288,912	3,361,132
1999–2000	7	1,208,026	158,420	1,366,466
¹ The formula capital allocations include allocations for improvements to security and condition related work that were distributed via the formula capital mechanism.

Education Welfare Officers

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many (a) Educational Welfare Officer posts and (b) vacancies for Educational Welfare Officers there are in each local education authority. [149809]

The information is not collated centrally.Education Welfare Officers have a long history of working directly with school and families to promote regular attendance. We are currently piloting whether Education Welfare Officers employed directly by schools would help to improve this liaison and assist in our overall aim of reducing the number of school truancies. There are 16 local education authorities involved in the pilots and we will be looking closely at them throughout the year.

Emergency Contraception

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what guidance has been given to schools on whether the dispensation of emergency contraception to girls under the age of 16 years should be allowed by the sex and relationship education policy of the school; [150071](2) what provisions have been made to allow parents to stipulate that their daughters under the age of 16 years should not be dispensed emergency contraception without parental consent in cases where the schools sex and relationship education policy allows emergency contraception to be dispensed. [150072]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer on 6 February 2001, Official Report, columns 484–85W.

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Russia

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 16 January 2001, Official Report, column 171W, on Russia, if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes of the meetings of the Plutonium Disposition Planning Groups, each month until it reports. [148862]

The Plutonium Disposition Planning Group is an informal working group and, as such, there are no formal minutes of its meeting. However, we have secured agreement to place details of the main headings of that Agenda and the list of action points arising from the agenda in the Library and will do so after each meeting of the Group.

Qualified Majority Voting

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if those matters in the councils of the European Union that will be added to decision making by qualified majority vote after the coming into effect of the Treaty of Nice are within the categories of shared, or exclusive competence, of the Community and Union and its member states. [149183]

Of those areas which will move to qualified majority voting after the entry into force of the Treaty of Nice, three are within the exclusive competence of the community. They are Articles 111(4) and 123(4) of the EC Treaty concerning monetary policy, and Article 133(5) of the EC Treaty which extends the Common Commercial Policy to trade in some services and the commercial aspects of intellectual property, subject to unanimity in certain situations. All of the remaining areas which will move to qualified majority voting fall either within the shared competence of the Community and the member states or come within the intergovernmental pillars of the Treaty on the European Union where the concept of shared and exclusive competence is not relevant.

Europe Houses

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Europe Houses there are in the United Kingdom; and what is their purpose and their cost. [142968]

[pursuant to his reply, 19 December 2000, c. 131W]: We have now been informed by the International Federation of Europe Houses that there are three Europe Houses in the UK.I am depositing an up to date list of Europe Houses in the Library.

Icarzan Al-Takriti

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts Ministers in his Department have Lad with Barzan Al-Takriti and his representatives. [149585]

There have been no contacts between FCO Ministers and Barzan Al-Takriti or his representatives.

Southern Serbia

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the plan for Southern Serbia presented by Deputy Prime Minister Cov4c of Serbia. [149773]

The United Kingdom welcomes Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Covics plan for Southern Serbia, and its approval by the Government of Serbia and of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The UK welcomes in particular the plans emphasis on the need for a political solution to the crisis in the Presevo Valley, and its focus on the need to establish a multi-ethnic community based on respect for common human and civil rights. The UK calls on armed groups in the Ground Safety Zone to abandon violence aid to join the search for a peaceful resolution of the areas problems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his (a) EU and (b) American counterparts regarding developments in Southern Serbia and Kosovo. [149779]

The secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Aft sirs is in frequent contact with his European and US counterparts on developments in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), including Southern Serbia and Kosovo. Latest developments in the Balkans were discussed with US Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington on 6 February.

North Korean Workers Party

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent discussions in London with representatives of the North Korean Workers Party. [149740]

I met a senior delegation from the International Department of the Korean Workers Party on Tuesday 6 February. We exchanged views on the development of UKJDPRK relations following the establishment of diplomatic relations on 12 December 2000.

Common Security And Defence Policy

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from the US Administration on the further development of the European Unions common security and defence policy. [149793]

[holding answer 9 February 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed ESDP during his talks in Washington on 6–7 February. The talks confirmed consensus between the U;; and UK in support of a European defence policy which strengthens NATO and the EU.

Defence

Ballistic Missile;

19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his assessment is of the threat to the UK and the rest of Europe from ballistic missiles. [148236]

22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the perceived threat of attack on the United Kingdom by states with rogue Governments. [148239]

We assess that the re is currently no significant ballistic missile three t, nor any other significant threat of attack, on the United Kingdom at present. We do, however, continue to monitor developments closely. It is not for the UK to make such assessments in respect of other countries.

30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his Russian counterparts about ballistic missile defence. [148247]

I last met my Russian counterpart on 7 December 2000 and discussed a range of issues, including missile defence.

Armed Forces (Retention)

21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the steps being taken to improve retention in the armed forces. [148238]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the steps taken to improve retention in the armed forces. [148223]

Armed Forces retention is being tackled as a high priority. Our aim is to maintain good levels of retention through policies that gcnuinely reflect the priorities of our people and their families.Internal attitude surveys tell us that separation is a factor in both the retention and overstretch of our personnel. We have sought to mitigate the impact of overstretch upon service personnel and to make improvements to the welfare of those who are deployed on operations. For example, we have provided a guaranteed period of post operational tour leave for those returning from operations and wider access to e-mail facilities for personnel to remain in contact with their families.In addition to these measures a number of single service retention positive initiatives have been or are being introduced.

36.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to improve (a) morale and (b) retention in the armed forces. [148253]

High morale is a vital factor in retaining personnel which in turn improves manning levels, reduces overstretch and helps to obtain the optimum return on investment in training. Our aim is to maintain excellent levels of retention and morale through implementing policies that reflect the priorities of our people and their families.Internal attitude surveys tell us that separation is a negative factor in the morale and retention of our personnel. We have sought to mitigate the impact that separation has on our people by introducing a number of welfare initiatives, for example:

A guaranteed period of Post Operational tour leave to enable Service men and women to spend some quality time with their families following an operational deployment;

20 minutes free telephone call time per week for personnel who are deployed on operations;

a greater spread of e-mail facilities to maintain family communications including electronic "blueys".

Recent enhancements to the families Concessionary travel scheme give the families of personnel deployed on operations from an overseas base a wider range of choice when planning their return to the UK.

In addition to these measures, a number of single Service retention positive initiatives have or are being introduced; for example: the creation in each Service of easily accessible Career Managers for all ranks; Financial Retention Incentives have been introduced to stop the outflow of Leading Rate Operator Mechanics and Royal Signallers in the Navy and Army respectively; and the RAF has introduced the Link-up scheme to fund Civilian Pilots licences in return for longer service.

Sierra Leone

23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he next plans to visit Sierra Leone; and if he will make a statement. [148240]

I returned on 31 January from a short visit to Sierra Leone, and as yet I do not have further plans to visit.I was able to see for myself the impressive work of the UK armed forces in training the Sierra Leone Army. It was clear to me that we are making a real difference in enhancing the capability and confidence of the Sierra Leone Army battalions that have been trained.

Army (Front-Line Equipment)

24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to enhance front-line equipment for the Army. [148241]

I refer my hon Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my right hon. Friend the Member for Alyn and Deeside (Mr. Jones).

Army Support (Bosnia And Kosovo)

25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the role of the reserve forces in supporting the regular Army in Bosnia and Kosovo. [148242]

We value the significant contribution which members of the reserve forces continue to make to operations in the Balkans. Reservists bring a wide range of specialist skills to the regular units they support in the combat, combat support and combat service support areas.

The reserves have consistently provided between 10 and 14 per cent. of the manpower for the UKs contribution to NATO operations in the former Yugoslavia since operations commenced in 1995. Currently, reservists represent about 10 per cent. of our forces in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Procurement

26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings his Department expects to realise from the Smart Procurement programme. [148243]

Over the three successive annual planning rounds since the inception of the Smart Procurement Initiative, we have identified cost reductions attributable to Smart Procurement which total £2 billion over the ten-year period 1998 to 2008.We expect to improve on this in the current and future planning rounds.

32.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs have been created as a result of procurement decisions announced since May 1997. [148249]

33.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many jobs he estimates have been (a) created and (b) sustained as a result of procurement decisions announced since May 1997. [148250]

Over 60,000 new contracts are placed each year and the Ministry of Defence does not record the number of jobs created or sustained as a result of each individual procurement decision. However, it is estimated that the number of UK jobs dependent on defence expenditure and equipment exports was 355,000 in 1997–98 and 345,000 in 1998–99.These figures are drawn from the Defence Analytical Service Agency report on UK Defence Statistics 2000, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House.

European Defence

28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to meet the US Defence Secretary to discuss defence co-operation. [148245]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Chipping Barnet (Sir S. Chapman) and for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson).

38.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to meet the new United States Secretary for Defence to discuss the European rapid reaction force. [148255]

There is no standing European Rapid Reaction Force. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Chipping Barnet (Sir S. Chapman) and for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson), Official Report, 12 February 2001, columns 1–3.

New Dera

29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is regarding the transfer of Royal Air Force equipment to new DERA following privatisation. [148246]

I refer the hon. Member to the announcement I nu de in the House on 24 July 2000, Official Report, columns 777–89, about our decision to proceed with the implementation of the Core Competence model for the DER A public-private partnership. Under Core Competence, wound three-quarters of the current DERA organisation will be turned into a company, referred to as new DERA. For strategic reasons, the remainder will be retained within the Ministry of Defence to carry out functions that could not appropriately be transferred to the private sector.At the present time no firm decision has been made as to exactly which assets currently held by DERA will be transferred to the new company. If, however, the equipment is RAF owned and on loan to DERA then it will retain that status and be issued to the new company under normal contractual arrangements.

Multinational Defence Co-Operation

34.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in multinational defence co-operation. [148251]

Multinational Defence Co-operation is a long established feature of Britains defence. It brings a variety of benefits, including enhanced inter-operability, more efficient provision of capability and a fairer sharing of the defence but den. We are currently pursuing a number of new co-operative initiatives with a range of Allies and partners.

Royal Air Force

35.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the manpower strength of the Royal Air Force. [148252]

The total strength of the Royal Air Force on 1 January 2001 was 54,251. This figure includes 252 Full Time Reserve Service personnel.

Armed Forces (Women)

39.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on women in the armed forces serving in front-line combat roles. [148256]

Women already serve on the front line in ships and aircraft end in combat support roles in the Army. The remaining posts closed to women are mainly in the Royal Marines General Service Cadres, Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps, Infantry and the RAF Regiment. In addition, for health reasons women do not serve in submarines or as clearance divers.We are considering whether employment options for women in the armed forces can be expanded still further. This work will be completed later this year.

Strategic Defence Review

40.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in implementation of the Strategic Defence Review. [148257]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Colman).

Warships

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the numbers of skilled craft people required for the Governments warship building programme; and if he will make a statement. [148234]

It is not feasible for the Ministry of Defence to make such an assessment as the numbers required depend on how contractors construct the ships, and we are encouraging them to be innovative in this to improve value for money. None the less, we keep under review a broad assessment of whether there is sufficient capacity in UK shipyards to undertake our forward Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary shipbuilding programme. From this we believe that there is sufficient capacity in UK shipyards to undertake our forward warship building programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the state of readiness of the Royal Navy's type 42 frigates. [148235]

:There are currently 11 type 42 destroyers in service. Of these, seven are available for operations, fulfilling operational tasking, exercises and training requirements. The remaining four are in periods of refit or upgrade and maintenance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the type 45 destroyer. [148237]

A contract was placed on 20 December with BAE Systems Electronics—the nominated prime contractor for the type 45 programme—for the Demonstration and First-of-Class Manufacture phase covering the completion of the design and build of the first three type 45 destroyers.Our procurement strategy as announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence in the House on 11 July 2000 has not changed. Under this, subject to agreement between pr me contractor and shipbuilders, the first and third ship would be assembled by BAE Systems Marine with a substantial contribution by Vosper Thornycroft (VT) and the second ship by VT. It is expected that the prime contractor will be in a position to place shipbuilding contracts later this year.

Vessel Repairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his Departments policy on the repair of HMS Tireless and other vessels in that class. [148254]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 29 January 2001, Official Report, columns 64–65W. I would also refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) on 19 December 2000, Official Report, column 94W.

Defence Jobs (Scotland)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministry of Defence related jobs were based in each Scottish local authority area in each year since 1996. [149079]

The number of directly employed Ministry of Defence jobs in each Scottish local authority area since 1996 is set out in the table.

Tabe 1: Direct MOD employment in Scottish local authority areas
Local authority area	Service	Civilian	Civilian casual
1 July 1996
City of Aberdeen	37	109	2
Aberdeenshire	473	72	11
Angus	1,119	121	8
Argyll and Bute	4,039	3,487	13
Borders	1	1	0
Dumfries and Galloway	2	64	0
City of Dundee	43	43	6
City of Edinburgh	1,830	516	22
East Dunbartonshire	2	8	0
East Lothian	0	12	0
Falkirk	1	2	0
Fife	1,673	1,369	44
City of Glasgow	446	1,309	30
Highland	560	76	10
Inverclyde	20	152	1
Midlothian	674	84	5
Moray	3,896	557	20
North Ayrshire	3	606	14
North Lanarkshire	3	3	0
Orkney	0	5	0
Perth and Kinross	19	432	13
Renfrewshire	4	26	0
Shetland Islands	184	49	7
South Ayrshire	460	57	1
South Lanarkshire	2	7	0
Stirling	17	360	33
West Dunbartonshire	0	23	1
West Lothian	0	3	1
Western Isles	150	108	20

Local authority area	Service	Civilian	Civilian casual
1 July 1997
City of Aberdeen	27	90	2
Aberdeenshire	389	88	7
Angus	1,189	121	7
Argyll and Bute	3,543	3,381	19
Borders	0	1	0
Dumfries and Galloway	0	69	0
City of Dundee	41	52	4
City of Edinburgh	1,503	516	18
East Dunbartonshire	2	7	1
East Lothian	0	12	1
Falkirk	1	3	0
Fife	1,455	1,248	45
City of Glasgow	578	1,745	24
Highland	62	86	10
Inverclyde	7	61	1
Midlothian	602	89	2
Moray	3,726	680	15
North Ayrshire	1	608	4
North Lanarkshire	3	2	0
Orkney	0	5	0
Perth and Kinross	21	450	12
Renfrewshire	4	27	0
Shetland Islands	174	59	1
South Ayrshire	395	60	2
South Lanarkshire	1	7	0
Stirling	22	367	21
West Dunbartonshire	0	19	0
West Lothian	2	4	0
Western Isles	143	103	7

Local authority area	Service	Civilian	Civilian casual
1 July 1998
City of Aberdeen	25	96	0
Aberdeenshire	356	89	2
Angus	987	118	5
Argyll and Bute	3,336	3,039	16
Borders	1	1	0
Dumfries and Galloway	1	58	0
City of Dundee	40	54	1
City of Edinburgh	1,589	509	16
East Dunbartonshire	0	0	0
East Lothian	0	11	0
Falkirk	1	3	0
Fife	1,605	1,111	22
City of Glasgow	1,089	1,765	26
Highland	33	80	7
Inverclyde	6	60	1
Midlothian	807	101	2
Moray	3,830	704	12
North Ayrshire	2	598	2
North Lanarkshire	4	3	0
Orkney	0	5	0
Perth and Kinross	20	427	8
Renfrewshire	6	10	0
Shetland Islands	156	59	0
South Ayrshire	389	63	0
South Lanarkshire	0	7	0
Stirling	22	327	8
West Dunbartonshire	2	28	0
West Lothian	1	4	1
Western Isles	100	55	2

Local authority area	Service	Civilian	Civilian casual
1 July 1999
City of Aberdeen	18	94	1
Aberdeenshire	335	87	2
Angus	1,075	123	2
Argyll and Bute	3,516	3,155	15
Borders	1	1	0
Dumfries and Galloway	1	87	1
City of Dundee	54	63	1
City of Edinburgh	1,736	503	18
East Dunbartonshire	0	0	0
East Lothian	0	9	0
Falkirk	0	2	1
Fife	1,800	1,069	28
City of Glasgow	1,217	1,824	9
Highland	27	88	2
Inverclyde	6	59	1
Midlothian	708	103	4
Moray	3,767	732	20
North Ayrshire	4	570	3
North Lanarkshire	2	3	0
Orkney	0	5	0
Perth and Kinross	13	400	16
Renfrewshire	8	24	0
Shetland Islands	148	56	3
South Ayrshire	385	62	1
South Lanarkshire	2	6	0
Stirling	22	289	21
West Dunbartonshire	2	40	2
West Lothian	2	3	0
Western Isles	88	14	2

In addition to this direct employment, the MOD supports a significant number of defence-related jobs throughout the UK. While DASA (the Defence Analytical Services Agency) does not produce estimates of these employment levels for local authority areas, their estimate of the defence-related employment for Scotland as a whole is set out in the table.

¹ The method used to provide national and regional employment estimates requires the combination of two elements. First, a breakdown of MOD equipment expenditure with UK industry (using the Standard Industrial 21assification (SIC)) and second, a measure of sales per employee for each of the industries receiving defence spending (derived from the ONS Business Enquiry and the Labour Market Survey). Dividing the first by the second gives an estimate of those employed directly on defence contracts. These estimates do not include indirect employment. The figures exclude MOD Civilian and Service Personnel. The full estimation methodology is outlined in Defence Statistics Bulletin No. 3). There is no internal method of isolating the amount of employment generated as a direct result of any one procurement decision. The sales per head data used in calculating the data do not distinguish between individual projects and is more an indiction of permanent or ongoing employment within a defence contractor. DASA rely for their information on a Defence Bills Agency (DBA) database—the Monthly Journal of Records (MJRECS), which is populated, in part by data from the DEFFORM 57. This form is completed by commercial staff each time a new MOD headquarters contract is placed (as opposed to Local Purchase Order). The DEFFORM gives quite a detailed picture of the type of contract placed e.g. on pricing, and information describing the region where a contract is placed. The form utilises a location of work code. MOD expenditure on equipment in the UK is derived from the MOD Central Ledger (Return 5) and can be split by region using data from MJRECS—detailed. Each expenditure has a location code for the prime contractor in the transaction. The proportion of expenditure, which might be spent in the region, is determined by the location of the prime contractor and does not take account c those of sub-contractors. The proportions calculated from MJRECS are then applied to total expenditure on equipment in the UK to find the values in each region. Using sales per head data we are able to calculate estimates of employment dependent on equipment expenditure by applying them to regional breakdown derived from MJRECS.

Table 2: estimated direct MOD related employment in Scottish local authority areas
Year	Employment
1995–96	8,000
1996–97	7,000
1997–98	6,000
1998–99	6,000

Depleted Uranium

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much depleted uranium is left behind in tank gun barrels after the firing of depleted uranium rounds; [146579](2) how much depleted uranium is extracted from the barrel of tanks and evacuated into the atmosphere during the firing of depleted uranium rounds; [146580](3) what research his Department has undertaken into the potential risks to tank crews of firing depleted uranium rounds; and if he will publish the research. [146578]

[holding answer 22 January 2001]: MOD officials are researching the reports addressing the issues raised. I will write to the right hon. Member once the review is complete, and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 5 February 2001, Official Report, column 358W, if he will publish a list on the reports on depleted uranium commissioned by his Department from DERA; and if he will place copies of these reports in the Library. [149650]

I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of retrospectively increasing the pensions of those ex-servicemen retiring in a pensions trough; and if he will make a statement. [149542]

The cost of any adjustment could not be considered in isolation from other public service schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from ex-servicemen affected by the pensions troughs of 1977 and 1991. [149541]

The number of inquiries which the Ministry of Defence has received is set out in the table:

Letters to Ministers and officials—incluaing letters from MPs
	1977 Pension trough	1991 staging
1996	8	0
1997	12	0
1998	6	0
1999	12	0
2000	10	0
2001¹	24	2
¹ Up to February

Kfor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of British troops in KFOR. [148229]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell), Official Report, 12 February 2001, column 5.

Home Department

Asylum Seekers

To ask the Secret try of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the total value of the change which has not been given to asylum seekers using vouchers in shops. [149289]

Retailers participating in the asylum voucher scheme are not required to keep records of the sums they retain as a result of the no change policy. We believe that asylum seekers are managing to combine their vouchers and cash to ensure they do not lose out. However, we are looking into this issue as part of our review of the operation of the voucher scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the practice of detaining asylum seekers in other European countries; what European countries have a policy of the systematic detention of asylum seeker s in secure reception centres; and if he will make a statement. [149547]

The Government monitor the asylum practices of other European Union member states.All member states detain asylum seekers in certain circumstances. The criteria for detention vary considerably between member states.Some member states also operate a system of reception centres to accommodate asylum seekers. Most such centres are not secure, but in some cases the freedom of movement of asylum seekers is restricted by a requirement for continuous residence or regular reporting.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy to encourage asylum seekers to undertake voluntary activity while they are awaiting a decision on their case; and what guidance is offered on this matter by his Department. [149890]

The Government are keen that asylum seekers should have the chance to contribute to their local community by taking part in voluntary activity.Guidance which will be of help to organisations and to asylum seekers interested in this area has today been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of people who have had their applications for refugee status refused, but remain illegally in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [150075]

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan) on 8 January 2001, Official Report, column 700.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers eligible for support from NASS are receiving voucher-only support; and if he will make a statement. [150038]

As at the end of December 2000, 8,870 asylum seekers (including dependants) were allocated voucher-only support by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).

¹ Figure rounded to the nearest 10

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unaccompanied minors who are classified as asylum seekers are under the protection of local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [150034]

The latest available estimate is that, as at 31 March 2000, the number of unaccompanied minors who were classified as asylum seekers and are under the protection of local authorities was 5,190.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many adult asylum seekers are resident in the United Kingdom awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications, but are not in receipt of support from NASS; and if he will make a statement. [150037]

The number of asylum applications awaiting an initial decision at the end of December 2000 was 66,195.Information is available on the number of asylum seekers that were allocated National Asylum Support Service (NASS) support, however these figures may include some family cases who have received a final

decision on their asylum claim and are awaiting removal. In total, as at end December 2000, 25,500

¹ asylum seekers (including dependants) were allocated NASS support.

¹ Figures rounded to the nearest 100

3.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with local authorities regarding the dispersal of asylum seekers. [147089]

[pursuant to her reply, 5 February 2001, c. 647]: The year for which the figure 3,190 refers is 1995 and not 1996.

Robbery

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average custodial sentence imposed by the courts for robbery was in (a) the last six months of 2000 (b) the first six months of 2000 and (c) each of the previous four years. [149208]

[holding answer 6 February 2001]: Available information, taken from the Home Offices court proceedings database, regarding the average custodial sentence imposed by the courts for robbery offences under S8 of the Theft Act 1968 for the period 1996 to 1999 and for the first half of 2000 (provisional data) is given in the table. Data for the second half of 2000 are not yet available. The offence of robbery carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The average custodial sentence (in months) imposed by type of court, and the numbers sentenced to life imprisonment at the Crown court, for the offence of robbery, England and Wales, 1996 to 2000¹
Average sentence length (months)
Year	Sentenced at magistrates courts²	Sentenced at the Crown court³	Total number sentenced to life at the Crown court
1996	3.8	40.1	8
1997	3.7	40.9	4
1998	3.9	37.3	16
1999	3.7	37.3	37
2000¹	3.7	36.8	9
¹ Data for 2000 are for the period 1 January to 30 June only and are provisional
² Offenders aged 10 to 17
³ Excludes those offenders sentenced to life imprisonment

Child Abuse

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suspects have been identified and charged using the trawling method by the police in connection with child abuse allegations in the last three years. [149430]

The conduct of child abuse investigations is an operational matter for the police. Information on the investigative methods used by the police is not collected centrally.The police have a duty to investigate all allegations of child abuse thoroughly, and to undertake a complete investigation, pursuing all lines of reasonable inquiry in accordance with the law. When considering whether a charge should be brought, the police must be satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to form the basis of a prosecution, which requires that the offence is capable of being proved beyond reasonable doubt. It is then a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service, an independent body responsible for determining whether a prosecution should proceed, to assess the weight of this evidence, and in particular whether there is any indication that false evidence might have been offered against the individual accused of the crime.

Hinduja Brothers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who acted as referees in the application for naturalisation submitted in 1998 by S. P. Hinduja. [149592]

[holding answer 8 February 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) and the hon. Members for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) and for Bury St. Edmonds (Mr. Ruffley) on 30 January 2001, Official Report, column 166W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which persons other than his Departments (a) officials and (b) Ministers are permitted access to the files relating to the applications for naturalisation of S P. and G. P. Hinduja; and what requests he has received from such persons for access to those files. [150041]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) and the hon. Members for Aylesbury (Mr. Lidington) and for Bury St. Edmonds (Mr. Ruffley) on 30 January 2001, Official Report, column 166W.

Offences (Hertsmere)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will break down the offences committed within the Hertsmere police division in each year since 1992. [150050]

The information requested was not collected centrally prior to September 1999 and is currently collected only for offences of violence against the person, sexual offences, robbery, domestic burglary, theft of a vehicle and theft from a vehicle. Table 1 presents the number of offences recorded in Hertsmere in the year to September 2000; there are no previous comparable year data held centrally. This information, and that on all other Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, was published in table 5 of the Home Office Statistical Bulletin 1/01, Recorded Crime England and Wales October 195 9 to September 2000, available in the Library.

Table 1: Hertsmere Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership— notifiable offences recorded by the police October 1999–September 2000
Title/reference	Hertsmere Hertfordshire
Population (thousand)	97.3
Households (thousand)	39
Violence against the person (class 1–8, 11–15, 37/1, 104, 105)
Offences	731
Per 1,000 population	7.5

Table 1: Hertsmere Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership— notifiable offences recorded by the police October 1999–September 2000
Title/reference	Hertsmere Hertfordshire
Sexual offences (class 16–27, 74)
Offences	50
Per 1,000 population	0.5
Robbery (class 34)
Offences	51
Per 1,000 population	0.5
Burglary dwelling (class 28,29)
Offences	489
Per 1,000 population	5.0
Per 1,000 h/h	12.6
Theft of a motor vehicle (class 37/2, 48)
Offences	344
Per 1,000 population	3.5
Theft from a vehicle (class 45)
Offences	1,309
Per 1,000 population	13.5

Emergency Services (Hoax Calls)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 5 February 2001, Official Report, column 435W, on emergency services (hoax calls), what proportions of (a) 999 calls received by the Metropolitan police and (b) hoax calls and calls to which a police response was not deemed necessary were made from mobile phones. [149657]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has informed me that this information is not collected.

British Citizenship Applications

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria govern the access of (a) the security service, (b) the secret intelligence service and (c) the police to information about individual applications for British citizenship. [148340]

No Department or agency routinely seeks access to information about individual applications for British citizenship. On the infrequent occasions when information is sought for legitimate crimefighting or national security purposes it will normally be provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on inviting other Government Departments and agencies to comment on individual applications for British citizenship. [148341]

In furtherance of tie requirement laid down in the British Nationality Act 1981 for me to be satisfied, before granting naturalisation that an applicant is of good character, my Department carries out checks with the police and where appropriate comments may be sought from other Government Departments and agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for naturalisation were received by his Department during (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000; what was the average time taken to determine an application in each of those years; and if he will make a statement. [147600]

[holding answer 29 January 2001]: Persons wishing to become British citizens under the British Nationality Act 1981 apply under two broad categories. Some, including all minors, apply for registration, either as an entitlement or at the Home Secretarys discretion. Others apply for naturalisation, which is always discretionary, on the grounds of residence or marriage to a British citizen. The Integrated Casework Directorate has reliable intake figures only for both types of application combined. Separate intake figures for naturalisation are not available.The table therefore gives total nationality intake for the years in question, and the average waiting times for all naturalisation cases.

Year	Total intake	Average waiting times (naturalisation) for the whole year (months)
1997	66,000	16.9
1998	68,030	19.9
1999	67,000	20.5
2000	69,714	18.5

The average waiting time for naturalisations at the end of January 2001 was 14.4 months.

Immigration And Nationality Directorate

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average annual per person cost of employing an additional Immigration and Nationality Directorate caseworker is, including training and capital costs. [149545]

By April 2001, staffing levels in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) are expected to have doubled compared to 1998. Since November 1999, we have recruited about 500 extra asylum decision-makers and recruitment is still continuing. Staff who take asylum decisions are normally Executive Officer grade. The annual average unit cost of employing an Executive Officer in the Integrated Casework Directorate is £21,000. This figure includes salary, Earnings Related National Insurance Contributions (ERNIC) and superannuation costs. Other overhead costs such as training, Information Technology and accommodation overheads are not currently recorded in a way which can be attributed to casework staff alone.

Migrants

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last received representations from (a) Caritas Europa, (b) the Churches Commission for Migrants in Europe, (c) the Commission of the Bishops Conferences of the European Community and (d) the International Catholic Migration Commission; and if he will make a statement. [147517]

So far as I can ascertain I have received no representations from these organisations.

Public Relations (Expenditure)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total expenditure and the breakdown of expenditure was in his Department for the financial years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99 and (d) 1999–2000, and what the planned expenditure and breakdown of expenditure for 2000–01 is on (i) public opinion research, (ii) television, radio and newspaper advertising and (iii) direct mail. [149256]

[holding answer 8 February 2001]: For expenditure on public opinion research I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Hertsmere (Mr. Clappison) on 25 January 2001, Official Report, column 718W and the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 8 June 2000, Official Report, column 373W. Further work would incur disproportionate cost.Total expenditure on television, radio and newspaper advertising is as follows:

Year	£ million (including VAT)
1996–97	5.23
1997–98	1.4
1998–99	1.8
1999–2000	5.65
2000–01	¹22.56
¹Planned expenditure.

The budget for 2000–01 covers £8.67 million for a vehicle crime reduction campaign; £7.35 million for the police recruitment campaign; £3.34 million to publicise rolling electoral registration; £2.4 million on a fire safety campaign; and £800,000 on a campaign to make people aware of the introduction of the Human Rights Act.Expenditure on direct mail on 1999–2000 was £716,537 spent on a United Kingdom-wide door drop as part of the campaign to explain changes to the voting system for the European elections campaign. In 2000–01 £683,807 was spent on a door drop in England and Wales as part of a fire safety campaign.

Police Recruitment

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many expressions of interest have been received as a result of the national police recruitment campaign in each month of the campaign to date; and how many have resulted in recruits joining the police (a) in England and Wales as a whole and (b) in each police force in England and Wales. [150044]

To 4 February, there had been over 100,000 inquiries through the website and call centre. These have resulted in over 22,000 formal Expressions of Interest (EOIs). The breakdown by month is as follows:

	Number
End of August/September	7,317
October	5,616
November	1,503
December	727
January	7,051
February (to 4 February 2001)	349
	—
Total	22,563

The table shows the breakdown of EOIs and the forces to which they have been passed.

Responsibility for processing EOIs rests with forces. Forces are being asked to report on the outcome of the EOIs with a view to assessing the effectiveness of the campaign.

Expressions of interest to 4 February 2001
Force	Number
Avon and Somerset Constabulary	680
Bedfordshire Police	128
Cambridgeshire Constabulary	274
Cheshire Constabulary	685
City of London	239
Cleveland Constabulary	423
Cumbria Constabulary	415
Derbyshire Constabulary	578
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary	555
Dorset Police	278
Durham Police	504
Dyfed-Powys Police	317
Essex Police	378
Gloucestershire Constabulary	157
Greater Manchester Police	1,390
Gwent Constabulary	227
Hampshire Constabulary	333
Hertfordshire Constabulary	192
Humberside Police	471
Kent Constabulary	328
Lancashire Constabulary	1,044
Leicestershire Constabulary	272
Lincolnshire Police	283
Merseyside Police	1,124
Metropolitan Police	1,946
Norfolk Constabulary	316
Northamptonshire Police	186
Northumbria Police	683
North Wales Police	278
North Yorkshire Police	623
Nottinghamshire Constabulary	859
South Wales Constabulary	963
South Yorkshire Police	819
Staffordshire Police	676
Suffolk Constabulary	188
Surrey Police	174
Sussex Police	324
Thames Valley Police	385
Warwickshire Constabulary	182
West Mercia Constabulary	418
West Midlands Police	930
West Yorkshire Police	1,191
Wiltshire Police	147
	—
Total	22,563

Best Value

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the additional cost to each police force in England and Wales has been of administration associated with Best Value; and if he will make a statement. [150042]

The administration cost associated with Best Value is not collected centrally by the Home Office.The Government are confident that Best Value will, over the five year period, save police authorities and forces more than they spend as well as improving police performance across the board.

Entry Clearance (It Professionals)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign nationals have been granted permission to enter the UK on the basis of their qualifications in information technology in the last three years; and from which countries they have come. [148903]

I have been asked to reply.The number of foreign nationals broken down by country, granted permission through the work permit arrangements to undertake information technology related jobs during 2000 is given in tie table. Directly comparable figures for 1998 and 1999 are not available as the way in which work permit management information is collected was changed in October 1999.

Country	Total number of IT applications approved for 2000
Albania	5
Algeria	11
Angola	3
Argentina	8
Armenia	4
Australia	708
Azerbaijan	3
Bahrain	2
Bangladesh	15
Barbados	3
Belarus	18
Bermuda	5
Bolivia	1
Bosnia-Herzogovina	2
Botswana	2
Brazil	39
British Dependant Territories	2
British National Overseas	23
British Overseas Citizens	4
Bulgaria	65
Burundi	2
Cameroon	17
Canada	377
Chile	6
China Peoples Republic of	221
Colombia	16
Congo	1
Costa Rica	2
Croatia	35
Cuba	3
Cyprus	11
Czech Republic	49
Dominica	2
Ecuador	3
Egypt	21
Estonia	2
Ethiopia	4
Gambia	3
Georgia	5
Ghana	11
Grenada	1
Guatemala	1
Guinea	1
Guyana	2
Haiti	1
Hong Kong (British)	9
Hong Kong (Chinese)	3
Hungary	46

Country	Total number of IT applications approved for 2000
India	11,474
Indonesia	36
Iran	21
Iraq	1
Israel	90
Ivory Coast	1
Jamaica	9
Japan	191
Jordan	16
Kazakhstan	7
Kenya	27
Kuwait	2
Latvia	2
Lebanon	14
Libya	2
Lithuania	7
Macedonia	2
Malawi	2
Malaysia	111
Malta	13
Mauritius	20
Mexico	32
Morocco	11
Myanmar	10
Namibia	2
Nepal	3
New Zealand	358
Nigeria	45
Pakistan	132
Palestine	3
Panama	1
Peru	3
Philippines	103
Poland	86
Romania	54
Russia	158
Saudi Arabia	6
Senegal	8
Serbia	6
Sierra Leone	3
Singapore	62
Slovakia	19	Slovenia	7
South Africa	748
South Korea	44
Sri Lanka	69
St. Lucia	3
Sudan	5
Swaziland	1
Switzerland	77
Syrian Arab Republic	3
Taiwan	31
Tanzania	6
Thailand	23
Trinidad and Tobago	19
Tunisia	5
Turkey	85
Turkmenistan	2
Uganda	6
Ukraine	52
United States of America	2,034
Uruguay	1
Uzbekistan	2
Venezuela	9
Vietnam	2
Yugoslavia	69
Zambia	6
Zimbabwe	17
Total	18,257

Volume 363: debated on Monday 12 February 2001

Written Answers To Questions

Environment, Transport And The Regions

Trunk Roads (Cambridgeshire)

Departmental Entertainment Costs

Waste Regulation

Countryside And Rights Of Way Act

Kings Cross Station

School Runs

Local Government Finance

Flooding

Local Transport Plans

Housing Investment

Public Transport

Asbestos

Fish Farming

Council Tax (Empty Properties)

Business Rates

Social Housing

Crown Immunity

Council Chief Executives

Harlow Council

Telecommunications Masts

Sellafield Mox Plant

River Wye

Community Transport

Gloucestershire Fire And Rescue Service

Emergency Vehicle Drivers

A66

Road Traffic Accidents

Regeneration Initiatives

Rail Services

South West Regional Development Agency

Brownfield Developments

Sheltered Housing

Trade And Industry

Departmental Policies (Staffordshire, Moorlands)

Nissan

Premium Rate Phone Lines

Mirror Group Newspapers

Tobacco

Transtec

Corus

Workplace Bullying

Universal Bank

Prime Minister

Policy Presentation (Corrections)

Patrice Lumumba

Lord Paul

Ministerial Code

Anglo-French Summit

Lord Chancellors Department

Asylum Appeals

International Development

Malawi

Commonwealth Scholarships

Hiv/Aids

Un Desertification Convention

India

Iraq

Expenditure (Gdp)

Cabinet Office

Ombudsman Review

Treasury

Working Families Tax Credit

Parliamentary Questions

Fuel Duty Rebate

Agriculture, Fisheries And Food

Bse Inquiry

Farm Holdings

Social Security

Euro

Public Relations (Expenditure)

Maternity Benefits

Child Poverty

Culture, Media And Sport

Sports Council Funding

Art Works

Library And Leisure Services