To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the representations to him from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Mohammed Rafiq. [152452]

I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 1 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made in establishing the scheme of regulation for immigration advisers and service providers; and if he will make a statement. [152674]

The Office of The Immigration Services Commissioner published a Code of Standards, Guidance to Advisers on Competencies, The Commissioner's Rules and a Complaints Scheme in October 2000. An office has been established at 6^th floor, Fleetbank House, 2–6 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8JX. Application packs for registration and exemption have also been sent to advisers and organisations known to the Commissioner?s office. The Commissioner is about to start a publicity campaign designed to ensure that those who are required to make an application to him know of the need to do so.I am pleased to announce that, following discussion with the Commissioner, I propose to bring the remaining provisions of Part V of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 into force on 30 April 2001.The Commissioner has, however, made representations to me about a large number of voluntary organisations which provide immigration advice and services and are committed to applying for the Community Legal Services Quality Mark. Organisations which have gained this Quality Mark are regarded as having met some of the Immigration Services Commissioner's requirements as set out in the Code of Standards. The Government have no wish to impose unnecessary regulatory demands on voluntary organisations which are already committed to a recognised quality programme and we propose to make an order under section 84(4)(d) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. As a result of this order, voluntary bodies which commit themselves to the Community Legal Services Quality Mark before 30 April 2001 will not breach the general prohibition on providing immigration advice or services which will come into force on that date. The protection for qualifying voluntary bodies will cease to have effect on 31 January 2002. The understanding will be that, by this date, the voluntary bodies will have applied to the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner for exemption from the regulatory scheme and that successful applicants will be included in the Commissioner's list of exemptions.Other candidates for inclusion in a section 84(4)(d) order remain under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what average sum of money is allocated per serving police officer for training within the Metropolitan police force in the current financial year. [151614]

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that as training is provided on the basis of need, it is not possible to provide an average sum of money allocated per serving officer for training. The Metropolitan police service has allocated £99.5 million for training both police officers and civilian staff for the current year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training police staff are required to undertake prior to being involved in child abuse inquiries. [151615]

All child abuse inquiries are undertaken by specially trained officers. Training in each force is a matter for the chief officer concerned but would generally entail a minimum of five days of joint training with social workers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many football-related offences there were in each of the last six years. [151626]

The data requested are not available. However, information on the number of arrests in connection with football-related offences for the last six seasons is set out in the table:

Data on football-related arrests between seasons 1994–95 and 2000–011
Season/year	Total arrests
2000–012	1,834
1999–2000	3,137
1998–99	3,341
1997–98	3,307
1996–97	3,577
1995–96	3,441
1994–95	3,850
1 Provided by the National Criminal Intelligence Service and the Football Banning Orders Authority
2 As at 26 February 2001

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables applied (a) successfully and (b) unsuccessfully to become full-time police officers in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [151757]

The information requested is not collected centrally. However, my hon. Friend may like to know that some Home Office funded research completed in May 2000 on wastage in the special constabulary in five forces found that of the 293 former specials questioned, 18.8 per cent. (55 people) had left the Specials in order to join the regular force.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many self-inflicted deaths there were in each year since 1992 in (a) all prisons, (b) young offender institutions, (c) male prisons and (d) female prisons; and if he will make a statement. [151747]

The figures requested are given in the table. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 5 February 2001, Official Report, column 441W, a suicide prevention strategy to be implemented progressively from April 2001. The strategy will invest most resources where the risks are highest and aim for year on year reductions in prisoner suicide and self-harm.

Self-inflicted deaths in Her Majesty?s Prison establishments in England and Wales, by establishment type, 1992–20011
Year	Total
(a) All prisons
1992	41
1993	47
1994	62
1995	59
1996	64
1997	68
1998	82
1999	91
2000	81
2001	110
Total	1605
(b) Young offender institutions
1992	4
1993	1
1994	1
1995	2
1996	7
1997	7
1998	2
1999	8
2000	6
2001	12
Total	140
(c) Male prisons
1992	35
1993	45
1994	60
1995	55
1996	55
1997	58
1998	67
1999	78
2000	67
2001	18
Total	1538
(d) Female prisons
1992	2
1993	1
1994	1
1995	2
1996	2
1997	3
1998	3
1999	5

Self-inflicted deaths in Her Majesty's Prison establishments in England and Wales, by establishment type, 1992–20011
Year	Total
2000	8
2001	10
Total	127
1 As at 27 February 2001

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what system is in place to ensure democratic accountability of the Office of Surveillance Commissioners. [152122]

The Chief Surveillance Commissioner appointed under the Police Act 1997 has a statutory responsibility to make an annual report to the Prime Minister on the exercise of his functions under the 1997 Act, and since 25 September 2000, of his additional functions as described in section 62 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). This report must be laid before Parliament. A copy of the Chief Surveillance Commissioner's most recent report is available in the Library. (Police Act 1997 Chapter 50 Report of the Chief Surveillance Commissioner for 1999–2000—Cm 4816).The responsibility for appointing the Chief Surveillance Commissioner rests with the Prime Minister who is also responsible for appointing such Surveillance Commissioners and Assistant Surveillance Commissioners as he thinks fit.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the annual budget is of the Office of Surveillance Commissioners. [152124]

The Office of Surveillance Commissioners (OSC) was allocated £405,000 for the financial year 2000–01. The regional offices of the OSC were allocated £84,000 by the Nothern Ireland Office and £41,000 by the Scottish Executive for the year 2000–01.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been employed by the Office of Surveillance Commissioners in each year since its inception. [152123]

The Office of Surveillance Commissioners was set up in 1998. It currently has four support staff in the Central Office in London, a part-time member of staff in Northern Ireland and a part-time member of staff in Scotland. The staff joined between November 1998 and February 1999.A Chief Surveillance Commissioner was appointed in July 1998. He is supported by six part-time Surveillance Commissioners appointed in November 1998. One Commissioner resigned in April 2000 and was replaced in February 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) aims and (b) work programme are of the Office of Surveillance Commissioners. [152125]

The aims and present work programme of the Office of Surveillance Commissioners (OSC) are twofold:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps would need to be taken to postpone the elections scheduled for 3 May; and when an announcement would be made to the House. [152609]

We have no current plans to postpone the local elections schedules for 3 May. To do so would require changes to the current law.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Stroud constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [152401]

The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent report, Home Office Annual Report 1999–2000, is available in the Library. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. 'Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000' and 'Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000' can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by Basic Command Unit and Crime and Disorder partnerships.The impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested although set out are examples relating to the Stroud constituency or the immediate locality:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has decided to make registration of Masonic membership compulsory for police officers; and if he will make a statement. [152451]

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will make a decision when he has completed his consideration of certain issues raised during consultation with the police service. In particular he wishes to give further consideration to whether compulsory registration would be compatible with the Human Rights Act 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make extra funds available to the police in order to meet the extra demand on police resources following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [152612]

The Government are concerned to ensure that all relevant bodies who face additional work as a result of undertaking their responsibilities to cope with the outbreak of foot and mouth disease are able to discharge those responsibilities comprehensively. We will be keeping under review all aspects of this, including funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Warrington, North constituency, the effects on Warrington, North of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [152319]

The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent report, "Home Office Annual Report 1999–2000", is available in the Library. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. "Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000" and "Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000" can be found in the Library. The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by Basic Command Unit and Crime and Disorder partnerships.The impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested although set out are examples relating to the Warrington, North constituency or the immediate locality:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 28 February 2001, Official Report, columns 708–09W, on terrorist organisations, which of the organisations listed is primarily active (a) against a democratically elected Government, (b) to achieve secession from a UN member state and (c) in resisting illegal occupation by a foreign power; if he will list his criteria for selecting the organisations listed; and if he will indicate for each organisation which of these criteria are met. [152630]

I refer my hon. Friend to the letter and accompanying paper which I sent to all Parliamentary colleagues on 28 February at the same time as I announced that a draft Order had been laid listing organisations intended for addition to Schedule 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000. Copies of this letter and paper were also placed in the Vote office and in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce public notification of sex offenders being released into the community. [151871]

We have no plans to introduce measures which would require the police automatically to inform the public of the identities and addresses of sex offenders. We do not believe that this would enhance our ability to protect children. The police already have powers to inform any individual or organisation about the presence of a dangerous person in the vicinity, if they believe it would be in the interests of the public to do so.We have, however, introduced a package of measures to improve public protection in the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2001. Those measures build upon arrangements which were already in place and include, among other matters, a specific duty on the police and the probation service to establish local arrangements for assessing and managing the risks posed by sexual and violent offenders and powers to issue guidance to those agencies about the information which they should publish about the arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure the availability and use of sex offender treatment programmes for offenders convicted of offences relating to the viewing and distributing of child pornography including via the internet; and if he will make a statement. [151622]

Under the Crime Reduction Programme, the Probation Service in England and Wales has been developing three programmes for sex offenders based on evidence of what is known to be effective (the What Works Initiative). The three sex offender programmes will be developed to the standard set by the Joint Prison and Probation Accreditation Panel. Once accredited, they will be rolled out across the Probation Service nationally. The quality of delivery will be audited by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation on behalf of the Accreditation Panel. Implementation of the first programmes to be accredited will begin this summer.The three sex offender programmes aim to reduce the risk of re-offending by men who have committed any type of sexual offence such as rape, child abuse, viewing and distributing child pomography including via the internet. The programmes take between nine months and two years to complete and accept men on Probation Orders and post-custodial licences, providing the licence is sufficiently long to enable the programme to be completed.In addition, the Prison Service Sex Offender Treatment Programme is available to men serving a prison sentence for a sexual offence or any offence with a sexual element. Similar treatment methods are used in both the prison and community programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers, (b) civilians and (c) special constables were available to each police force in England and Wales for each quarter from 1992 to 2001; and if he will make a statement. [150417]

[holding answer 15 February 2001]: Information on police strength is collected twice a year (March and September). Copies of tables showing police officer and civilian strength on a force by force basis for six monthly intervals from March 1992 to September 2000 will be placed in the Library.Officer numbers are for those available to each force for normal duty. Secondments to central and other duties are excluded.Statistics of the strength of the Special Constabulary have only been collected twice yearly since 1995. Before 1995, figures were collected annually. The figures for 1992 and 1993 were compiled at the end of the calendar year, the next collection was at the end of the 1994–95 financial year in March 1995. Copies of tables showing Special Constable strength from December 1992 to September 2000 will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the IT projects currently undertaken in his Department; and if he will state the (a) expected completion date and (b) cost of each project. [151515]

[holding answer 26 February 2001]: I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) on 30 January 2001, Official Report, column 165W. The reply contained a list, in table format, of the current major Information Technology (IT) projects within my Department and its Agencies (excluding non-departmental public bodies). This has been placed in the Library.Further information on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) casework programme was given in a parliamentary reply to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lancashire (Mr. Pickthall) on 6 February 2001,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review his policy on the sale of police housing. [151121]

The disposal or redevelopment of police dwellings is a matter for Police Authorities. Individual Authorities take various factors into account when developing policies in this area. These include the age and suitability of the buildings forming part of the police estate. And, following its recent launch, the Government's Starter Homes Initiative which aims to help 10,000 key workers including police officers buy their own homes in urban and rural areas where high prices would otherwise prevent them from living in or near the community they serve

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the (a) education service

	11997–98	11998–99	11999–2000	22000–01
Ford
Education and library services (£)	248,350	237,268	247,731	236,296
Education materials (£)	26,887	22,805	27,827	11,397
Average population	448	422	371	378
Average cost of services per head (£)	554	562	668	625
Average cost of materials per head (£)	60	54	75	30
Brixton
Education and library services (£)	410,479	297,719	491,919	396,850
Education materials (£)	28,804	14,851	10,233	11,143
Average population	598	659	785	776

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police houses were sold in the periods (a) 1 May 1994 to 30 April 1995, (b) 1 May 1995 to 30 April 1996, (c) 1 May 1996 to 30 April 1997, (d) 1 May 1997 to 30 April 1998, (e) 1 May 1998 to 30 April 1999, (f) 1 May 1999 to 30 April 2000 and (g) since 1 May 2000, (i) in England and Wales, (ii) by Surrey police force, (iii) by Kent county constabulary, (iv) by Thames Valley police force, (v) by Hertfordshire constabulary, (vi) by Essex police force, (vii) by Hampshire constabulary and (viii) by Sussex police force. [151116]

The information requested in respect of the individual police forces has been supplied by those forces. It is as follows:budget and

[holding answer 5 March 2001]: The information available is set out in the table and how the spend on (a) education and library service providers and (b) the purchase of education materials for the years 1997–to 1999–2000 and forecast spend for 2000–01. The figures for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 are on a different accounting basis to earlier years in that they do not include Value Added Tax refunds. The information for Altcourse is only available for the 2000 calendar year.The expenditure per head has been calculated by dividing the costs by the average annual population but because not all prisoners are engaged in education, particularly in the four local prisons which hold large numbers of prisoners on remand, this will not give a realistic indication of the average education spend per prisoner.

	11997–98	11998–99	11999–2000	22000–01
Average cost of services per head (£)	686	452	627	511
Average cost of materials per head (£)	48	23	13	14
Liverpool (Walton)
Education and library services (£)	310,118	341,823	416,214	423,867
Education materials (£)	22,364	24,047	36,242	65,500
Average population	1,460	1,447	1,420	1,252
Average cost of services per head (£)	212	236	293	339
Average cost of materials per head (£)	15	17	26	52
Wormwood Scrubs
Education and library services (£)	274,137	264,243	353,023	425,994
Education materials (£)	15,393	16,709	26,552	18,547
Average population	1,333	1,122	725	794
Average cost of services per head (£)	206	236	487	537
Average cost of materials per head (£)	12	15	37	23
1 Spend
2 Forecast

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations her Department has received from Mongolia for assistance arising from the impact of severe winter conditions; what response has been made; and if she will make a statement. [152265]

Mongolia has been hit by two consecutive winter disasters or 'dzuds' (1999–2000 and 2000–01) caused by severe and widespread drought in the summer, unusually cold temperatures in the autumn and heavy snow fall in winter. These conditions are seriously affecting both animal and human welfare. Last year's dzud affected 450,000 herders and killed approximately three million livestock. Compared with the same period last year the current situation is much more severe in terms of the impact of the disaster on people and livestock and on the national capacity to respond. Over 300,000 herders are affected in 20 out of 21 provinces and 600,000 livestock have already died.The Government of Mongolia have been active in disaster preparedness and relief assistance in dzud affected areas. However the two consecutive dzud have overstretched national capacity. The Government have therefore requested international relief assistance following a needs assessment, in which my Department was involved. An appeal for $11.8 million has been launched by the Government of Mongolia through the United Nations.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the outcome of the WHO Bellagio meeting on tuberculosis and the launch of a global TB drug facility. [152188]

The first meeting of the co-ordinating board of the Stop TB Partnership took place in Bellagio, Italy from 21–22 February. There was wide representation, including from high burden countries.The meeting was a success and reached agreement on the mission, priorities and mechanisms for governance for STOP TB and the Global TB Drug Facility (GDF). The GDF will be formally launched on World TB Day (24 March 2001). The outcome of the meeting lays the foundation to accelerate the collective and co-ordinated response to the Amsterdam Declaration, to build on the commitment of existing partners and encourage others to join this global movement to stop TB.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid projects were supported by her Department, and what financial help has been given to, (a) India, (b) Pakistan, (c) Sri Lanka and (d) Kenya, during each of the last three years. [1518691]

We have given Kenya debt relief and financed projects targeted on poverty reduction, in natural resources; rural and urban development; private sector and trade development; economic governance including public sector and law reform, and the fight against corruption; political empowerment and legal rights; education; health and population; and for relief of the country's worst drought in 40 years. We have also part-financed the development of Kenya's Poverty Reduction Strategy, and given budgetary assistance in support of the reform programme agreed with the World bank and the IMF.Our assistance to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Kenya over the last three years has been:

£ million
	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000
India	81.0	90.0	106.0
Pakistan	27.9	24.3	22.7
Sri Lanka	4.8	6.0	6.1
Kenya	29.4	33.1	27.1

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on recent changes in the degree of competition (a) nationally and (b) locally in the retail petrol industry. [152102]

Under UK competition legislation, the Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for monitoring markets and considering allegations of anticompetitive behaviour.The Director General has investigated the petrol retail industry a number of times in recent years and has found it to be competitive. He has said that he will continue to monitor this market very closely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of NERC studentship awards went to (a) the less prosperous UK regions, (b) North-East England, (c) North-West England, (d) East Kent, (e) Humberside and (f) South West England. [151912]

The information is as follows:

	Percentage
North-East England	21
North-West England	17
Humberside	0
East Kent	0
South West England	15

This includes PhDs, MSc and MRes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how NERC have met the Government's requirements for transparent decision making in awarding its recent round of studentships. [151908]

The vast majority of our students are allocated via an algorithm, which takes into account research funding (through grants, staff and fellowships) provided by NERC to all university departments with an RAE (research assessment exercise) score of 3 and above. We have been using essentially the same algorithm for six years and it is therefore well known to the departments. Not only do we provide the heads of department with a letter each year outlining the algorithm and any minor changes that have taken place since the previous year, but we publish it on the Internet. During the summer months we provide the departments with the information that will be used to generate their allocation. They are asked to check that they agree with the information. We also allow them to challenge any decisions once they have been publicised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many of NERC's recent awards of studentships were awarded for work on contamination and land remediation. [151914]

It is for the universities to decide in what areas the students conduct their research.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of MSc studentships awarded by NERC go to new universities. [151913]

There are no NERC MSc studentships at "new" universities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many former miners in Erewash have (a) claimed and (b) received payments in compensation for (i) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (ii) vibration white finger. [151651]

In the area of South Derbyshire, as defined by the postcodes DE7, DE72, NG9 and NG10, which encompasses the Erewash constituency, IRISC, the Department's claims handlers, have registered 551 claims in respect of compensation for respiratory disease and 391 claims in relation to vibration white finger—VWF. To date, there have been 113 individual payments totalling £599,702 in respect of respiratory disease and 97 individual payments in respect of VWF amounting to £502,933.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value of sales of depleted uranium materials by BNFL was in each year since 1990. [151042]

[holding answer 26 February 2001]: I understand from BNFL that prior to 1992, it made sales of machined components made from depleted uranium to the Ministry of Defence. BNFL has also, since 1990, made sales of depleted uranium to a number of industrial customers and universities for a variety of research and commercial purposes. Details of individual contracts are a commercial matter between BNFL and its customers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much in (a) European regional development funds, (b) European Social Fund, (c) European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund and (d) other relevant European structural funds has been (i) committed to and (ii) received by projects in each of the EU objective I regions. [152014]

The figures in the table show the latest commitments and r payments made under each of the EU structural funds for the three objective 1 areas of England. Payments under these programmes lag behind commitments because the fund regulations require ERDF expenditure to be defrayed before it is claimed. ESF projects may receive an advance payment at the beginning of the project but subsequent ESF payments take place after expenditure has been defrayed.

Objective 1 programmes in England						£000
Programme	ERDF	ESF	EAGGF	FIFG	Total
Commitments to projects
Cornwall and the Scilly Isles	9,000	16,900	400	0	26,300
Merseyside	15,581	32,062	0	0	47,643
South Yorkshire	16,000	8,000	0	0	24,000
Total	40,581	56,962	400	0	97,943
Payments to projects
Cornwall and the Scilly Isles	0	800	0	0	800
Merseyside	711	7,028	0	0	7,739
South Yorkshire	0	0	0	0	0
Total	711	7,928	0	0	8,539

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much regional selective assistance is available for objective 1 projects in Cornwall for (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02. [152011]

In principle, the whole of the RSA spend in Cornwall is available for match funding of objective 1 projects. Because spend on the scheme is demand led, the Department has recommended that the local partners plan on the basis of the average spend over the previous three years.

To ask the secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what recent assessment he has made of the number of public match funds available to applicants for EU objective 1 funds; and if he will list those funds allocated by (a) Government Departments and (b) other sources; [152012](2) if he will indicate the level of funds available for this and each of the next two financial years in each of the public match funds available to applicants for EU objective 1 funds in the areas of

In October 2000 the Government published a revised list of potential central Government sources of match funding in England. It is available at www.dti.gov.uk/europe/mf1.htm on the internet. Copies of the document have also been placed in the Libraries of the House.The Government are unable to quantify the amount of match funding available in particular English regions or objective 1 areas because many sources are national programmes which are not regionally allocated but respond to demand. Moreover, the Government do not have information on match funding provided by local authorities and other non-central Government public bodies.Administration of the structural funds in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 15 February 2001, Official Report, column 281W, on BNFL, how many (a) non-management employees, (b) managers, (c) senior managers and (d) directors were (i) dismissed and (ii) disciplined by BNFL as a result of the MDF data falsification at Sellafield. [151663]

The detail of the changes made and actions taken by BNFL in response to the MOX data falsification issue is a matter for the company. The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) report on the MDF data falsification incident, published on 18 February 2000, included 15 recommendations which BNFL had to address to HSE's satisfaction. A number of the HSE recommendations related to identifying and dealing with specific workforce problems and improving management arrangements. A copy of the HSE report is in the Library of the House. A copy of BNFL's response to the HSE report, which was published on 18 April 2000, is also in the Library of the House. That response set out details of the programme of work through which BNFL planned to address HSE's recommendations. On 18 December 2000, HSE closed out its 15 recommendations, since they had been satisfactorily addressed by BNFL. On 22 February 2001, HSE published a further report updating the progress made by BNFL in responding to the three HSE reports published in February 2000. A copy of this report is also in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 15 February 2001,Official Report, column 281W, on BNFL, when he was first informed that the quality control worker who discovered the falsification of data at the Sellafield MDF plant was a non-BNFL employee; and for what reason this information was not included in the Health and Safety Executive's report published on 18 February 2000. [151664]

I first received information about this matter when receiving advice on how to respond to the hon. Gentleman's previous question on the same subject, which I answered on 15 February 2001, Official Report, column 281W.The question of whether to record in the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) report, published on 18 February 2000, the fact that the member of BNFL's Quality Control Team at MDF to whom you refer was, at that time, employed as a contractor to BNFL through the Employment Agency NRL, is a matter for HSE. I understand that HSE will be writing to the hon. Member shortly on this matter in response to his recent letter to it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for regional selective assistance grants for the glass industry were received by his Department during February. [152447]

No applications for regional selective assistance grants for the glass industry were received by this Department during February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will publish the review of the British glass industry being undertaken by his Department. [152445]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry hopes to release the results of new market research commissioned by the Department into the glass packaging industry later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria have been included in the review of the British glass industry being undertaken by his Department. [152446]

The review concerns only the UK glass packaging industry and is focused on the market prospects for the industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many rural filling stations closed in 2000; and what action he is taking to ensure the viability of rural petrol stations. [152363]

[holding answer 5 March 2001]: The Institute of Petroleum's (IP) UK Retail Marketing Survey (last published in March 2000) shows that the total number of petrol retail outlets in the UK in 1999 was 13,716, a reduction of 42 compared to 1998. The IP survey for 2001 will be published shortly.On 1 March, the Government announced their implementation plan for the Rural White Paper "A Fair Deal for Rural England". In the plan, the Government stated that they intended to extend the village shop rate relief scheme to certain food shops, pubs and garages in small rural settlements as soon as parliamentary time allowed. This would give many petrol retail outlets mandatory rate relief of 50 per cent. provided their rateable value was less than £6,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Warrington, North constituency, the effects on Warrington, North of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [152321]

My Department does not maintain statistical information at constituency level.My hon. Friend's constituents, like many others throughout Warrington, will have benefited from our employment rights policies, which include the national minimum wage, the working time directive, part-time working regulations and improved maternity leave.In addition, the ward of Burtonwood is eligible for regional selective assistance and the enterprise grant scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many commercial fireworks were imported into the United Kingdom in the last 12 months for which figures are available; what controls apply as to their end use; and if he will make a statement. [152369]

The overseas trade statistics do not separately identify commercial fireworks or provide numbers imported. The value and weight of fireworks imported into the United Kingdom during the 12 months from December 1999 to November 2000 are £22.4 million and 12,575 metric tons respectively.The Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 introduced comprehensive controls on the types and sizes of fireworks which can be sold to the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investigations he has undertaken into monopolies in provincial newspapers; and if he will make a statement. [152292]

[holding answer 5 March 2001]: Under UK competition legislation, the Director General of Fair Trading is responsible for monitoring markets and considering allegations of anti-competitive behaviour including abuse of monopoly position. Any evidence of abuse or anti-competitive behaviour should be passed to the Director General of Fair Trading.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in what way his Department is revising its internal guidance to staff for writing and distributing e-mails for what reasons his Department is revising this guidance; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the current internal guidance on e-mail procedures. [151903]

My Department regularly reviews its internal guidance on e-mail procedures. This is to ensure that e-mail is used effectively to meet the business needs of the Department and its customers including the need to keep accurate records and to take account of advances in technology and best practice in the private and public sector.I have arranged for a copy of the current internal guidance on e-mail procedures to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the recent discussions held with his Chinese counterparts concerning BP's stake in PetroChina. [151594]

[holding answer 1 March 2001]: HM Government have had no recent discussions with the Government of the People's Republic of China about BP's stake in PetroChina. However, during his recent visit to China, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade emphasised to his counterparts the importance of incorporating the best modern environmental and social standards into the development of major projects in China. He also pointed out that the best British companies operate to those standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out (a) the timetable and (b) the criteria for the introduction of funding to support businesses in deprived areas under the Community Finance Initiative; and if he will make a statement. [152147]

I am pleased to be able to report that the chief executive of the Small Business Service announced on 1 March 2001 that 15 organisations have been successful in securing awards from the first round of Phoenix Fund support for Community Finance Initiatives (CFIs). These awards amount to £5.5 million over the next three years.CFI support from the Phoenix Fund is allocated on a competitive challenge basis. The assessment process has two elements being, (i) review by SBS against key criteria stated in the bidding guidance, (ii) an independent assessment panel to advise the SBS Chief Executive on the final award of Phoenix Fund support. In reviewing the bids the panel was concerned with the soundness of each proposal, its impact on entrepreneurship in areas of disadvantage, impact on the growth of the CFI sector in the UK and development of appropriate models and good practice.Bidding guidance for the first round of Phoenix Fund support for CFIs was issued in June 2000 and copies are held in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much certified timber has been purchased over the past six months; and what proportion of total timber purchases this represents. [152044]

The Department of Trade and Industry has an environmental management system in place accredited to BSEN ISO 14001. Within that system DTI has "opted in" to include the procurement of timber and timber products to ensure that such items are procured in accordance with the Government's commitment on buying from sustainable and legal sources.The interdepartmental timber working group is working to develop a common reporting template which will form the basis for future reporting by all Departments on timber procurement. However, that system is not yet in place, and DTI is unable to provide data on the proportion of certified timber purchased over the last six months without incurring disproportionate costs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department's annual report on timber procurement to the Committee of Green Ministers will be published. [152046]

No. The DTI will report through the next Green Ministers Annual Report, which is expected to be published in November 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if it is his policy that alternative options should be considered in undertaking an appraisal under the Government's new approach to appraisal for major road schemes; [150897](2) how many of the bids for major schemes submitted by local authorities in their full local transport plans contained appraisal summary tables for each of the alternative options which had been considered. [150898]

Consideration of alternative options is part of the New Approach to Appraisal.Authorities (including the Highways Agency) submitting proposals for all major road schemes as part of their plans were required to follow the Guidance on the New Approach to Appraisal (GNATA). The GNATA appraisal summary table (AST) includes a box for a statement of other options considered when putting forward a road proposal.Where major public transport schemes formed part of plans, authorities were asked to include an appropriate assessment of the proposed scheme against alternative options, including an AST for each. However, production of separate ASTs was not considered necessary where the choice between options was clear-cut or the scheme was in relative terms small, so in practice ASTs for alternative options were prepared for about half of the major public transport schemes given full or provisional approval in the local transport settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many staff are employed by regional development agencies in offices outside the United Kingdom; at which locations; and at what cost; [149505](2) which non-UK based regional development agency maintained offices share facilities with

[holding answer 26 February 2001]: The table sets out the offices currently maintained by the regional development agencies outside England, with details of how many staff are employed by regional development agencies in offices outside the United Kingdom; where; and at what cost and where facilities are shared with each other and other Government agencies or local authority offices.The table has been updated since the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Regions on 25 January 2001,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact of changes in the regulations governing the major repairs allowance for local authorities on the ability of local authorities to provide accommodation through housing associations. [152047]

Council housing is a major public asset which needs to be maintained and modernised. The introduction of the Major Repairs Allowance will provide local authorities with the resources they need to meet the on-going capital costs of maintaining their housing stock. This and the virtual tripling of resources provided to authorities for housing investment between May 1997 and 2003–04, are central to delivering our commitment to bring all social housing up to a decent standard by 2010.The provision of additional affordable housing in areas of high demand is also a priority. Within the same period, we are nearly doubling resources for the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will consult on his proposals to replace the housing fitness standard with the new rating system. [152676]

My Department has today published a consultation paper setting out a framework of legislation and guidance within which local authorities would use the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) as the basis for action against unacceptable housing conditions.We published a report on the development of the rating system in July. The system will bring a modern, risk-based approach to health and safety in the home and will underpin our commitment to improving the housing conditions of the most vulnerable people.The HHSRS illustrates our recognition of the close relationship between housing and health. Considerable steps have already been taken to familiarise local authorities with the new system and we now want to hear their views, as well as those of landlords' and tenants' organisations, on the enforcement proposals. The system will also underpin our licensing scheme proposals for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO).Legislation to allow authorities to use the rating system as a basis for their enforcement decisions will be introduced as soon as the opportunity arises.Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with his counterparts in European Union maritime member states to establish the scientific basis on which these states have excluded navigational channels and working port areas from designation under the European Union habitats directive. [151998]

Most member states have yet to complete the assessment and selection of possible sites to be designated. All should be using the same guidance offered by the European Commission's Interpretation Manual. Opportunity for collective consideration of the outcomes will occur at the next moderation meeting for the Atlantic biogeographic region, scheduled for September in Amsterdam.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that English Nature has acted under the terms of the European Union habitats directive regarding the protection of estuarial features under the terms of the European Union habitats directive where their action leads to the designation of an entire estuary; and if he will make a statement. [151989]

English Nature were asked by Government to identify sites hosting habitats listed in Annex I of the habitats directive; estuaries are one of the listed habitats. In considering such sites English Nature has used the European Commission's own Interpretation Manual for guidance. The nature conservation agencies' advice is that estuaries are complex ecosystems containing many interdependent components within which other. Annex I listed habitats are represented. Consequently, boundaries have been drawn to protect the form and function of the entire estuarine ecosystem necessary for its long-term maintenance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met the chairman and chief executive of English Nature to discuss its interpretation of its designation requirements under the European Union habitats directive and that of other member states; what steps he is taking to ensure that there is consistency of interpretation of the habitats directive across all member states; and if he will make a statement. [151997]

No meeting has taken place. English Nature is following the European Commission's own guidelines pertaining to the interpretation of the habitats directive. It is for the European Commission and member states collectively to ensure that there has been a consistent scientific approach adopted by all member states in the selection and designation of Natura 2000 sites. Opportunity to do so will occur at the next moderation meeting for the Atlantic biogeographic region, scheduled for September in Amsterdam. The UK will question any instances where there appears to have been inconsistency of approach.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria have been applied by English Nature in evaluating those sites which it has recommended for designation as special areas of conservation under the European Union habitats directive programme; what steps he takes to ensure that its evaluations are scientific; and if he will make a statement. [151987]

In advising Government, the statutory nature conservation agencies, including English Nature, must apply the criteria set out in Article 4 and Annex III of the habitats directive, and that given additionally at EU moderation meetings. In this process they may only use relevant scientific information to identify sites eligible for selection as Special Areas of Conservation. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) acts with the other statutory nature conservation agencies in collating information, moderating and providing quality assurance on recommended sites before providing formal advice to Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make available the list of European Union member states that have complied with the requirements of the European Union habitats directive in designating navigational channels and working port areas as being outside environmental designations. [151901]

Member states are still in the process of revising and submitting new designated sites. No lists have yet to be circulated and there has not, therefore, been any opportunity to examine final designations. Site details proposed by member states in the Atlantic Biogeographical Region will be circulated by the European Commission in advance of the next moderation meeting for that region, scheduled for September in Amsterdam.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps English Nature has been asked to take to ensure that the basis of their scientific evaluation of sites for designation under the European Union's Natura 2000 programme is consistent with the evaluations of other member states; and if he will make a statement. [151988]

It is for the European Commission and member states collectively to ensure that there has been a consistent scientific approach adopted by all member states in the selection and designation of Natura 2000 sites under the Habitats. Directive. English Nature's role, through the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, is to advise Government on the scientific merits of sites in England they consider meet the criteria in Article 4 and Annexe III of the Habitats Directive.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent to which the recommendations of English Nature concerning the designation of sites as special areas of conservation under the European Union's Natura 2000 programme is consistent with the Government's sustainable development guidelines; and if he will make a statement. [151990]

In May 1999 the Government published "A better quality of life; a strategy for sustainable development for the UK". One of the four main objectives that together underpin the Government's view of sustainable development is

"effective protection of the environment"

The Natura 2000 programme contributes in part to the achievement of that goal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to require planning authorities to include data from their sites and monuments record to be incorporated into their development plans. [151866]

We advise local planning authorities in Planning Policy Guidance Note 16 "Archaeology and Planning" to incorporate in their development plans policies for the protection, enhancement and preservation of sites of archaeological interest and of their settings. The proposals map should define the areas and sites to which the development plan policies and

£ million
Nature of funding	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02
Revenue support grant	100.7	109.0	112.6	111.1	117.5
Income from national non-domestic rates	57.9	60.4	65.6	74.5	72.7
Housing investment programme	6.5	6.0	7.0	15.9	17.9
Capital receipts initiative	—	3.3	3.8	—	—
SRB funding (see note 1)	4.2	3.4	3.5	—	—
Neighbourhood renewal fund	—	—	—	—	2.7
ERDF funding (see note 2)	—	0.4	1.4	1.6	—
Transport supplementary grant	0.3	0.6	1.8	—	—
Transport annual capital guideline	0.1	0.7	1.8	—	—
Transport block supplementary credit approval	1.5	0.6	0.8	2.9	6.5

proposals apply. It is for individual authorities to determine the extent to which they draw upon their sites and monuments records in preparing their development plan policies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in what way his Department is revising its internal guidance to staff for writing and distributing e-mails; for what reasons his Department is revising this guidance; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the current internal guidance on e-mail procedures. [151902]

General advice to staff on the use of e-mail is contained within the Staff Handbook, in particular rules governing inappropriate use of Departmental resources, and is supported by guidance. It is being reviewed to ensure it remains appropriate and conforms to recent legislation on human rights, data protection and regulation of investigatory powers. When the review is completed the resulting policy, procedures and guidance will all be placed in the Staff Handbook.Concern about the effects of information overload on the work of the Department has led to some simple 'golden rules' that help everyone to handle e-mail efficiently. An expanded set is to be considered by the Departmental Board for issue shortly.I am arranging to place a copy of this material in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Bolton, West constituency, the effects on Bolton, West of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150606]

[holding answer 5 March 2001]: The principal kinds of funding which this Department has allocated to Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council in 1997–88 to 2001–02 are shown in the table. These include grants and borrowings approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.It is not possible to determine how much money has been spent on Bolton, West. It is for the local authority to decide where within its boundary these resources are invested.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects part L of the building regulations to come into force. [152172]

:I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning to my hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Plaskitt) on 5 March 2001, Official Report, columns 60–61W, in which he announced the intention to amend Part L of the Building Regulations in August this year. These amendments should come into force six months later, in February 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what the average consumption is of energy in kilowatt hours per square metre of new homes built to existing building regulations in (a) England and Wales, (b) Sweden, (c) Germany, (d) Denmark and (e) the Netherlands; and what will happen in England and Wales following the proposed changes to Part L of the building regulations; [152170](2) if he will make a statement on the most recent changes to energy conservation standards in building regulations in each EU member state. [152171]

My Department does not systematically collect data on the development of energy efficient building regulations in all member states. However, in 1998, a study of the standards in Denmark, Germany, Holland and Sweden was commissioned as a preliminary to the current review of energy conservation standards in England and Wales. The results of these investigations were published in January 1999. Our proposals for improving standards published in last summer's consultation document took these results into account, and would keep us broadly in line with NW Europe while remaining proportionate in our national efforts to control carbon emissions from buildings without running excessive risks of construction defects.We do not have data on the average consumption of energy in kilowatt hours per square metre of new homes built to existing building regulations in Sweden, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. With regard to England and Wales, and in answer to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington

(Mr. Plaskitt) on 5 March 2001,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he is examining to extend the length of the licence period for hydro schemes. [152176]

The Environment Agency has recently announced that time limits for abstraction licences will generally be for 12 years, striking a fair balance between environmental protection and abstractors' needs for stability. There will be a presumption of renewal of licences, so that where sufficient water resources are available licences will be renewed.Time limits longer than 12 years may be given in particular circumstances, such as for infrastructure investments, subject to detailed economic and environmental appraisal. The Agency works closely with abstractors to take into account their particular circumstances, and will implement the new arrangements in a way which minimises the disruption to business.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change the powers of the Environment Agency so that it can actively promote hydropower schemes. [152174]

The British Hydropower Association has made the same proposal. Officials from my Department are meeting representatives of the association on 8 March to discuss the proposition.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the British Hydropower Association concerning the draft Water Bill. [152173]

At the request of the British Hydropower Association, officials from my Department are due to meet represntatives of the association on 8 March to discuss among other issues the draft Water Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to end the requirement for low-head hydro schemes across existing weirs to have to apply for an abstraction licence. [152175]

Low-head hydro schemes, while they do not consume water, can affect river flows and other river users. We therefore have no plans to end the requirement for low-head hydro schemes across existing weirs to have an abstraction licence. Each case needs to be considered on its merits.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review the legislation under which community residents who rely upon septic tanks for the removal of sewerage still have to pay the same increase in charges as those on main sewers. [152169]

The charges made for the removal, transport or disposal of septic tank waste or cesspit waste are a commercial matter between the customer and the sewerage undertaker or other firm employed to undertake these services. It is not within the scope of the price regulation administered by the Office of Water Services (Ofwat).The suggestion has been made, in response to the public consultation on the draft Water Bill that Ofwat should be able to regulate these prices. This suggestion will be considered alongside other comments on the draft Water Bill before its is introduced.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to change the powers of the local government ombudsman with regard to complaints of maladministration, and to ensure more rapid response to complaints. [152177]