To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his written answer of 5 March 2001, Official Report, column 53W, on air pollution in Leeds, if he will give comparable information for other monitoring stations located in the Leeds, Central constituency. [153232]

DETR has one monitoring station within the Leeds, Central constituency and data have been reported in the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions' written answer of 5 March 2001, Official Report, column 53W. The dates when levels of air pollution were recorded as High or Very High at the monitoring stations in the Leeds, Central constituency and operated by the city council are as follows:New Market St. (Corn Exchange)—permanent location from 23 September 1997 measuring carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particles (PM

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes there have been in the membership of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment since June 1999. [153247]

There have been no changes to the membership of ACRE from that agreed at the end of the appointment process in June 1999. The current membership of ACRE was announced on 18 June 1999. One member, Professor Philip Mullineaux, was abroad at the time and could not be contacted and was therefore appointed formally in September. The membership of ACRE, including Professor Mullineaux, was announced again at the time of the Committee's first meeting on 16 September 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions at what level below 1990 levels are carbon dioxide emission levels. [153391]

Emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, fell by 7 per cent. between 1990 and 1998. 1999 emissions of carbon dioxide are provisionally estimated to be 7.5 per cent. lower than in 1990. The 1999 UK air emission estimates for greenhouse gases and other pollutants are due to be published on 28 March 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps he is taking to prevent unqualified and fraudulently qualified seamen from sailing ships into UK waters; [153587](2) what steps he has taken

As a signatory to the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspects at least 25 per cent. of non-UK ships visiting our ports. An important part of any Port State Control inspection is the scrutiny of the qualifications of the ship's personnel to ensure that the qualifications are genuine and valid. Where there is any concern, the holder is questioned to determine the propriety of the qualification. Where appropriate, prosecutions for fraud have been pursued in close co-operation with the police. The MCA inspects UK ships in a similar manner as under Port State Control. No ship is permitted to sail from any UK port without correctly qualified seafarers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what recent discussions he has had with (a) his counterparts in other maritime countries and (b) the International Maritime Organisation to prevent the practice of exchanging (i) qualifications and (ii) certification of seamen for money; [153588]

After discussions between my Officials, the International Transport Workers Federation and officials in other maritime administrations, the United Kingdom co-sponsored a paper concerning fraudulent certification that was discussed at the Maritime Safety Committee meeting of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 1999. The IMO subsequently commissioned a Research Project by the Seafarers International Research Centre in Cardiff. The UK contributed £5,000 towards the project and participated in the research.The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions also contributed funding to the project. A summary Report will be put forward for consideration by the Maritime Safety Committee at its meeting in May 2001 and the full Report will be considered by an expert sub-committee in January 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Scottish Parliament and the Scotland Office over plans to increase access to water for non-powered craft in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [153684]

I have seen the Scottish Executive's consultation paper on the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and we will observe its progress with interest. So far as access to water for non-powered craft in England and Wales is concerned, my officials have held discussions with a number of interested parties following which we recently let a contract led by the University of Brighton to establish the facts about participation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he is taking to provide additional protection to sites of ancient woodland under the sites of special scientific interest system. [153679]

The provisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 which give greater protection to sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) came into force on 30 January 2001. The Act gives English Nature power to tackle neglect of sites and to make management agreements to help fund positive management. It also introduced increased penalties and a general offence of damage to the features of an SSSI. English Nature is also considering whether further sites should be notified as SSSIs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if he has required the bidders for NATS to include in their plan for the New Scottish Centre the capability to run the total Scottish Flight Information Region and the Oceanic Centre operation; [153919](2) when Phase 2 of the New Scottish Centre will go ahead in order to meet the 'O' date; [153918](3) what criteria he will use to evaluate NATS' strategic partner's plan for the New Scottish Centre to determine whether it is satisfactory. [153917]

[holding answer 15 March 2001]: Bidders are required to submit plans covering all NATS' major capital projects in the most integrated and efficient manner. The NSC, as part of the two centre strategy endorsed by the Government, is expected to have the capacity to service the Scottish FIR, the Oceanic region and provide a significant contingency in the case of catastrophic failure of NERC/LATCC.The two phase strategy for the NSC was announced by the Minister for Transport in April 1999. Phase 1 included development of detailed design of the building and systems, as well as software development, with Phase 2 containing the implementation of these designs, and bringing the centre into operation. This strategy was modified in February 2000, following the signing of an agreement between the systems supplier Lockheed Martin and NATS, and the retendering of the building design and construction contracts. This approach is expected to save over £100 million in comparison with the original PFI proposals for the New Scottish Centre.Site preparation for the NSC has already started. Detailed design of the building is being carried out by Gibb Ltd., and NATS expects to appoint the main construction contractor by the end of 2001. On the systems side, software design is continuing.The operational date for the NSC is largely a matter for the Strategic Partner—it will be obliged under the Strategic Partnership to bring the NSC into service by a given date, but may choose to do so before then.The Government will be carefully scrutinising the bidder's complete investment plans as well as their proposals for the New Scottish Centre (NSC) in particular. This will involve a careful analysis of their strategies for safety management; procurement and financing; software integration; capacity planning; contingency capability for NERC; introduction of new controller tools; transition planning; and the overall impact on the mode of operations and controller interface and training.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to make an announcement about the preferred bidder for the NATS PPP. [153944]

[holding answer 15 March 2001]: An announcement will be made when we have completed our evaluation of the bids.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the closure of the British Waterways' canal network on the leisure boating and narrow boat rental sectors; and if he will make a statement. [153820]

[holding answer 15 March 2001]: British Waterways (BW) closed access to all its waterways located in affected and restricted areas from the beginning of the month to help limit the spread of foot and mouth disease. The closure applies where county councils have taken powers to close rights of way and prevents all non-essential use of the waterways concerned.The Government have established a task force chaired by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to consider the implications of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease for the rural economy. The implications for the canal network (and other waterways) will be within the ambit of this group which will be considering whether and where it is safe to reopen rights of way, including waterways. The task force will also help those caught up in the crisis and measures to help the rural economy once the outbreak has been eradicated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what progress has been made towards selling the dome; and if he will make a statement; [154236](2) with how many organisations he is currently discussing the sale of the millennium dome. [154234]

English Partnerships have received more than a hundred informal expressions of interest for the dome and the regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula, which they are exploring through discussions. As announced on 15 February 2001, Official Report, column 221W, the Government want openly to test the market for future uses of the dome. As part of this, English Partnerships have been asked to consider all options and mechanisms for the future use of the dome. Further details of future arrangements for taking this process forward will be announced as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future role of the Strategic Rail Authority. [153907]

The purposes of the Strategic Rail Authority are set out in section 205 of the Transport Act 2000. The SRA published on 13 March its Strategic Plan which sets out how it will further these purposes. Copies have been placed in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the terms of appointment of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and other board members of the Strategic Rail Authority. [153908]

I have placed copies of the terms of appointment of the Chairman and other members of the Strategic Rail Authority in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress with regard to the awarding of new rail franchises and the role being played by OPRAF.[153909]

The Strategic Rail Authority has taken over the functions of OPRAF. Franchise replacement is taking longer than originally anticipated in some cases but remains a priority for the Government and the Authority. The replacement process remains essential to delivering service improvements to passengers and the potential benefits are already clear in the new proposals for the Chiltern and South Central franchises.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the applicants for the Wessex Rail franchise; and when a decision is expected on the successful bidder. [153910]

The Strategic Rail Authority announced on 2 March that Connex Transport UK Ltd., First Group Plc, GB Railways Group Plc, Group 4 Falck Global Solutions Ltd., National Express Group Plc, SBB Laing and Stagecoach Holdings Plc had prequalified to submit proposals for the Wessex franchise. There is no set timetable for awarding this new franchise.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the rates of recycling of household waste achieved by local authorities in England. [154211]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 1 March 2001, Official Report, columns 722–23W, in which we referred to the publication of the "Guidance on Municipal Waste Management Strategies" containing household waste recycling rates for local authorities in England. Copies of the guidance have been deposited in the House of Commons Library and have been sent to all English local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking following responses to the consultation paper on telecommunications mast development; and if he will make a statement. [154519]

I am today announcing a series of important changes to the planning system on the siting of mobile phone masts. We will:

strengthen public consultation requirements on mast proposals of 15 metres and below so that they are exactly the same as applications for planning permission;

increase the time for authorities to deal with prior approval applications to 56 days;

increase application fees to enable local authorities to carry out full public consultation;

underline that school governors must be consulted on all proposals for new masts on or near a school or college;

maintain in full an authority's ability to reject applications on amenity grounds;

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the neighbourhood renewal funds. [154522]

I am pleased to announce that I have laid before the House the Special Grant Report that sets out the allocations and conditions for receipt of the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.The NRF will provide £900 million to certain local authorities over the next three years to enable them to improve services in their most deprived areas, including contributing to the achievement of Government PSA targets to narrow the gap between deprived areas and the rest of the country. It is both acceptable, and strongly desirable where service quality is at risk or requires improvement, that NRF funding should be devoted to mainstream services, such as schools, provided that the funding benefits the most deprived areas. The grant can be used to support services provided not only by the local authority, but also by organisations that are members of the local strategic partnership (where one exists) and by others.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made with the review of the Joint Nature Conservation Committee announced in July. [154636]

We have published today the report of the first stage of the financial, management and policy of the JNCC, and have placed copies in the House Libraries. I am inviting interested parties, including the devolved administrations and the respective country conservation agencies to offer their considered views on the report within three months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action is being taken by (a) the regional development agencies and (b) the Countryside Agency to help combat foot and mouth disease. [154210]

The primary responsibility for measures to combat foot and mouth disease rests with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The regional development agencies and the Countryside Agency, together with other organisations, have been developing their ideas for actions they can take to help to respond to the wider consequences. They are represented on and are contributing their ideas to the task force on the economic effects of the disease which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to chair.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will amend the Ministerial Code of Conduct to cover the letting of rented accommodation to civil servants. [153783]

[holding answer 15 March 2001]: No. Paragraph 1 of the Ministerial Code makes it clear that Ministers must ensure that no conflict arises, or appears to arise, between their public duties and their private interests.

To ask the Prime Minister for what reason he accepted the resignation of the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. [153969]

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) on 24 January 2001, Official Report, column 915.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of his environmental speech presented to the WWF conference at Chatham House on 6 March; and what steps he is taking to allow the public access to the contents of his speech. [154192]

I have today placed a copy in the Library of the House. It is also available on the No.10 website.

To ask the Prime Minister when he will publish the Review Body on Senior Salaries report on parliamentary pay and allowances. [154520]

The Government are publishing the Review Body on Senior Salaries report of parliamentary pay and allowances today. I am grateful to Sir Michael Perry and members of the SSRB for their work and the Government have noted their recommendations.This will be a matter for decision by Parliament.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out the (a) terms of reference and (b) membership and (c) programme of the taskforce set up to consider the impact of foot and mouth disease on rural areas; when the taskforce is to report; if he will publish the findings of the taskforce; and if he will make a statement. [154212]

I have asked my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to chair a taskforce with the following terms of reference:

To consider the implications of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease for the rural economy, both immediately and in the longer term and to report to the Prime Minster on appropriate measures.

In particular to:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) munitions and (b) delivery systems associated with nuclear warfare have been demolished at (i) the Shoeburyness Sands and (ii) adjacent mud flats/sand banks. [149518]

[holding answer 8 February 2001]: Rocket motors from the Polaris missile were destroyed at Shoeburyness Sands during the 1990s. Conventional high explosives from nuclear weapon systems have been and continue to be disposed of in the demilitarisation facilities of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency range at Shoeburyness. The level of radiation from the explosives disposed of in this fashion is minute and does not constitute a hazard to the environment or to public health.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria were used in deciding to accept BAE System's bid for the Type-45s. [150523]

I assume that this question refers to the contract recently placed in keeping with the existing procurement strategy for the Demonstration and First of Class Manufacture (DFM) Phase of the Type 45.In November 1999, BAE Systems was nominated as the Prime Contractor for the Type 45 Programme following the end of the tri-national Horizon Programme. BAE Systems was nominated because of the previous involvement of GEC Marconi in the Horizon International Joint Venture Company, so it could make maximum re-use of the outputs of the Horizon definition work, and they demonstrated an ability to resource the programme to achieve the timeliness in partnership with the IPT. A competition to select the Type 45 Prime Contractor risked delaying the ISD by at least six months and probably longer.The criteria under which BAE Systems was contracted in December 2000 for the DFM Phase are to deliver the first three Type 45 Destroyers, on schedule and to time. The DFM contract has a successive incentive arrangement encompassing all Prime Contractor work, including the ship build elements, in accordance with the existing competitive Procurement Strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what standard of heat insulation is specified for pipework in PFI projects in his Department. [151658]

In the Private Finance Initiative projects we set the services and performance levels we require. These requirements are recorded as the key outputs in PFI contracts. We deliberately avoid specifying how contractors should meet our requirements, or the nature of the assets they should use in doing so. Like other companies, PFI contractors do of course need to meet statutory requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the anti-vehicle mines held by the UK, including mine type, the quantities of stocks held anti-handling devices and fuse types. [152600]

The UK currently holds five different types of anti-tank mines. These are:

MK 7/4 and MK 7/7

Barmine—L9s, L17s and L18s

L3A1—Lightweight non-metallic

L35A1—Shielder Vehicle Launched Scatterable Mine System

AT2—Anti-Tank sub-munition delivered by Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)

Only the AT2 anti-tank mine has an anti-handling device.None of the anti-tank mines held in the UK stockpile contravene the Ottawa Convention.I am withholding the quantities of stocks held and fuse types in accordance with exemption 1, (a) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft movements there were in each of the last 10 years from RAF Northolt. [153568]

A movement is defined as either a take-off or landing. According to available records, the number of aircraft movements, both military and civil, at RAF Northolt for the years in question are:

Year	Number of aircraft movements
2000	12,587
1999	13,476
1998	13,571
1997	15,181
1996	15,726
1995	14,467
1994	12,744
1993	12,960
1992	14,501
1991	13,800
1990	14,700

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations from the armed forces he has had regarding the proposed International Criminal Court; if he will place in the Library reports setting these out; and if he will make a statement. [153845]

None. The priority of the Ministry of Defence in the drafting of the International Criminal Court Bill and its passage through Parliament has been to ensure that members of the armed forces are fully protected from malicious or ill-founded prosecution by the ICC. The armed forces have been closely involved in the consultation process. I am confident that the Bill before Parliament provides all necessary protection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what regulations govern the payment of council tax by members of HM Forces serving (a) at home and (b) overseas; and if he will place them in the Library. [154071]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces, my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson) on 23 July 1999, Official Report, column 695W. I also refer the hon. Member to the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (Chapter 14) and the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body Thirtieth Report 2001 (page 28), copies of which are available from the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme and the Joint MOD/DSS Compensation Review. [154523]

I am pleased to announce that the emerging findings of these reviews are being published today for public consultation. I appreciate that both reviews are taking longer than originally intended, but they have raised complicated issues and I am determined that we should find the right package of benefits appropriate for our Armed Forces in modern society.The review teams have carried out detailed analysis of the current arrangements and the options for modernisation. They have set out options in each area, working closely with the Services personnel staff. The next stage in the review process is to seek the views of individual Service personnel, ex-Service and Widows organisations and the general public. This will include wide circulation of material describing the proposed changes, both in hard copy and on a range of websites. We will also be going out to interested organisations to explain our proposals, answer any questions and seek views. Because of the complexity of the proposals I have allowed over four months for consultation. After this time we will publish a summary of the responses and consider how to take the package forward in the light of them.Copies of the consultation documents will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and will also be available on the MOD website. The Joint Compensation Review consultation document will also be available on the DSS War Pensions Agency website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to replace the Island Class offshore patrol vessels. [154524]

I am pleased to announce that following a thorough tender evaluation, Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd. have been selected as preferred bidder to provide an offshore patrol capability under a lease arrangement to replace the five existing Island Class Offshore Patrol Vessels employed on patrol and fishery protection duties on behalf of MAFF. Subject to satisfactory conclusion of negotiations, we plan to be able to place the associated contract with Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd. in April 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the desirability and cost of introducing regular four yearly health checks on war veterans with war wounds, for the purpose of ensuring that they receive the correct pension entitlement. [153382]

I have been asked to reply.The period for which a war disablement pension is awarded represents the length of time over which it is judged that the assessed level of service-related disablement will remain stable. Lengths of awards are based on individual case-specific facts, taking account of the nature and natural history of the disabling condition and any planned treatment.Regardless of the length of any award, if at any time the war pensioner believes that their pensioned condition has deteriorated, he or she may request a review of the award and the assessed level of their service-related disablement, by the Secretary of State for Social Security.These provisions are regarded as appropriate to ensure that war pensioners receive War Pensions at rates appropriate to their service-related disablements.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to change the capacity penalty arrangements applying to the transfer and aggregation of fishing vessel licences; and if he will make a statement. [154475]

The operation of fishing vessel licensing arrangements has been recently reviewed by a joint industry/departmental working group and a copy of the group's report is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses.The working group has recommended that the existing capacity penalty arrangements should be maintained for the time being but that the penalty relating to the uprating of an existing engine, or to an increase in power following its replacement, should be based on the increase in the vessel's capacity rather than its overall capacity. The Fisheries Departments in the UK agree and arrangements are being made to notify the owners of licensed fishing vessels.As of today a 20 per cent. capacity penalty will operate for the uprating or replacement of an existing vessel engine provided the resulting increase in engine power does not exceed 35 per cent. This penalty will be reduced to 10 per cent. where an engine is uprated or replaced before 31 December 2001. However, except in the case of pelagic vessels, where vessel capacity units (VCUs) are taken from vessels under 18 metres in overall length and aggregated onto licensed vessels measuring 18 metres or more in overall length, the capacity penalty will be 30 per cent. Provision will also be made for the splitting of fishing vessel licences for the purpose of engine power adjustments.The Fisheries Departments, in conjunction with the European Commission, are also prepared to consider, on a case-by-case basis, waiving capacity penalties and compliance with tonnage rules for vessel improvements which relate exclusively to improved safety and which will not result in an increase in a vessel's fishing effort. Under EU legislation member states may apply for an increase in tonnage; objectives under their relevant Multi Annual Guidance Programme to take account of increases in vessel capacity resulting exclusively from safety improvements. Advantage is now being taken of that facility.In the longer term the Fisheries Departments in the UK wish to simplify the present capacity regime and, with the exception of engine power adjustments, plan to return to a situation where a single penalty applies. The present capacity penalties will therefore end on 31 March 2003 and be replaced on 1 April 2003 by a single penalty which will also apply to tonnage and engine power as well as vessel capacity units. Since two years' notice of these changes is being given, no provision will be made for so called pipeline cases. The views of the fishing industry and other interests are being sought on the level at which the capacity penalty should be fixed and whether this should apply to both licence transfers and aggregations or to aggregations alone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase charges in the NHS and the value of optical vouchers; and if he will make a statement. [154513]

We shall lay before the House regulations to increase National Health Service charges in England from 1 April 2001. There will be a cash increase in the charge of 10 pence (1.67 per cent.) from £6.00 to £6.10 for each quantity of a drug or appliance dispensed.The cost of prescription prepayment certificates will rise to £31.90 for a four month certificate and £87.60 for an annual certificate. These offer savings for those needing more than five items in four months or 14 in one year.Prescription charges are expected to raise some £414 million for the NHS in 2001–02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) red meat abattoirs and (b) poultry abattoirs were in operation on (i) 1 May 1997, (ii) 31 December 1998, (iii) 31 December 1999 and (iv) 31 December 2000; and how many were designated (A) small, (B) medium and (C) large on each date. [151816]

Abattoirs producing meat for sale for human consumption must be licensed in order to operate. They are classified as either full or low throughput. There is no separate classification for medium-sized abattoirs.

Red meat abattoirs
	England		Scotland		Wales		Northern Ireland
Year	Licensed	Revoked	Licensed	Revoked	Licensed	Revoked	Licensed	Revoked
1991	593	1—	49	1—	55	1—	16	1—
1992	540	1—	53	1—	54	1—	15	1—
1993	434	1—	53	1—	40	1—	15	1—
1994	424	1—	48	1—	40	1—	15	1—
1995	402	21	48	1—	36	1—	14	1—
1996	384	22	49	1—	37	1—	14	1—
1997	375	16	48	1—	35	2	14	0
1998	360	14	43	4	34	1	14	1
1999	339	20	44	1	34	1	15	0
2000	316	23	44	1	35	0	16	0

Poultry meat abattoirs
	England		Scotland		Wales		Northern Ireland
Year	Licensed	Revoked	Licensed	Revoked	Licensed	Revoked	Licensed	Revoked
1991	98	1—	7	1—	5	1—	9	1—
1992	93	1—	8	1—	5	1—	11	1—
1993	98	1—	9	1—	4	1—	9	1—
1994	137	1—	8	1—	10	1—	9	1—
1995	144	1—	8	1—	11	1—	10	1—

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abattoirs there were, and how many closed, in each of the last 10 years. [151826]

[holding answer 1 March 2001]: The tables give the number of licensed red meat and licensed poultry meat abattoirs in the United Kingdom from 1991 to 2000, and the number of licenses revoked in each year where this information is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many visits abroad have been made by him and his Ministers on departmental business (a) since 1 May 1997 and (b) in the last 12 months. [149154]

Since 1 May 1997 there have been 49 visits abroad on departmental business made by the Secretary of State for Health or one of his Ministers. Of those 49 visits, 12 were made within the last 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2001, Official Report, column 111W, on Christchurch Health Centre, on what date negotiations commenced for the release of the restrictions on the lease of the Christchurch Health Centre; what deadline has been set for the conclusion of these negotiations; and for what reason the responsibility for such negotiations is not being left to the assignee of the lease. [153551]

Negotiations for the release of the lease restrictions commenced in January of this year. No deadline has currently been set as the speed of progress on the negotiations will depend on the landlords.To enable the premises to be satisfactorily marketed competitively on the open market it is necessary for prospective purchasers to have certainty on the terms of the lease. It has been advised, therefore, that the terms for a release of the lease restrictions be agreed before remarketing commences.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the health effects of the use of aspartame in food; and if he will make a statement. [153905]

[holding answer 15 March 2001]: Neither the Food Standards Agency (FSA) nor the Department has commissioned research into the health effects of aspartame in food. Aspartame (E951) has been approved in the United Kingdom since 1983 and full independent reviews of its safety have been carried out by the European Commission Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) and in the UK the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT).The Food Advisory Committee—one of the independent expert committees which advises the FSA—recently discussed aspartame in view of the concerns expressed by some consumers about its safety. The Committee noted that many papers on aspartame have been published in the scientific literature since the last full reviews. It asked the FSA to assess this additional literature and decide whether further detailed evaluation was warranted. If so, the SCF should be asked to conduct a formal review of the new data. The FSA is completing its assessment and will be writing shortly to the SCF.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the independent appointments commission for NHS boards will (a) be established and (b) take responsibility for appointments. [154161]

Regulations for the National Health Service Appointments Commission have been laid before Parliament and will come into force on 1 April 2001. The Commission will be operational from that date and will be responsible for all chair and non-executive appointments to NHS trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the most recent statistical evidence on the response times of the Avon Ambulance Service; and if he will provide corresponding information for (a) one year and (b) two years ago. [154215]

The quality of service standards for the Avon Ambulance National Health Service Trust from 1997–98 to 30 September 1999 was to respond to 50 per cent. of emergency calls within eight minutes and to 95 per cent. within 14 minutes. For urgent patient journeys the ambulance should arrive not more than 15 minutes after the agreed time in 95 per cent. of cases. The following table contains information about the percentage of responses against these targets for Avon Ambulance NHS Trust from 1997–98 to 30 September 1999.

Percentage
	Emergency call response		Urgent patient journeys
Year	Within eight minutes1	Within 14 minutes2	Arrival not more than 15 minutes late3
1997–98	54.2	90.6	73.0
1998–99	53.5	92.2	71.7
1999 to 30 September	53.6	90.9	466.9
1 Target 50 per cent.
2 Target 95 per cent.
3 Target 95 per cent.
4 For full year

To ask the President of the Council when the SSRB report on parliamentary pensions is to be published; and if she will make a statement. [154518]

As decided in the last Parliament, the Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB) now carries out regular reviews of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF), generally timed to coincide with the triennial valuations of the PCPF by the Government Actuary. The SSRB has published its report today, and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House. Copies are also available in the Vote Office. I am most grateful to the Review Body for their thoughtful and thorough report.

To ask the President of the Council how many (a) applicants for a people's peerage and (b) candidates invited for interview were formerly hereditary peers sitting in the House of Lords. [151661]

This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost and in breach of the Appointments Commission's undertakings to treat all personal information in individual applications in strict confidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Mayor of London about the recruitment of police officers for the Metropolitan Police Force. [152683]

I met the Mayor of London on 4 October and 13 December 2000. Recruitment to the Metropolitan Police Service was among the matters discussed on each occasion, and it has been on a number of less formal occasions when I have met the Mayor.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to take the Royal Parks Police into the Metropolitan Police Service; and if he will make a statement. [153460]

The Royal Parks Constabulary is a non-Home Office police force; the sponsor Department with responsibility for this Constabulary is the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The recent review of the Royal Parks Constabulary recommended that the Constabulary should either become a ring-fenced division of the Metropolitan Police Service or that funds should be provided to allow proper management, accountability and policing by the Royal Parks Constabulary. The recommendation is currently being considered at official level with the Royal Parks Agency and the DCMS.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the latest data available to his Department in relation to the Lancashire police force on the numbers of police officers who (a) are on the establishment of the force, (b) are on sick leave, (c) are undertaking light duties and (d) represent a full complement of officers for the force. [153711]

I understand from the Chief Constable that Lancashire Constabulary does not maintain a target establishment of officers for the force. I am told that on 13 March, 153 officers were on sick leave. On 28 February, the latest date for which information is available from the force, 158 officers were on restricted/recuperative duties. These figures are for actual persons and are not full-time equivalent numbers.I also understand that on 13 March Lancashire Constabulary had 3,261 full-time equivalent police officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list in respect of police constables (a) average earnings on 1 April 1997, (b) average earnings on 1 April 2001, (c) the percentage annual pay increase for each of the last five years and (d) the percentage pay increase between 1 April 1997 and 1 April 2001. [153199]

[holding answer 14 March 2001]: The Survey of Pay, Hours and Length of Service, conducted annually by statisticians from the Office of Manpower Economics for the Police Negotiating Board (PNB), provides figures on the average earnings of police constables, including pay, allowances and overtime. The November 1997 survey showed that the average earnings of a police constable in the United Kingdom were £516.28 per week (or £26,933 per annum). The most recent data available are from the PNB survey undertaken in November 1999 and this showed that the average earnings of a police constable were £550.03 per week (equivalent to £28,693 per annum).The PNB makes recommendations to the Home Secretary on all matters concerning police pay and allowances. Police pay is increased every September through a pay award based on the median percentage of the Manpower Index for non-manual workers, a formula introduced in 1994. In 1996 and 1997 the increase was 3.5 per cent; in 1998, 4.0 per cent; in 1999, 3.6 per cent. and in 2000, 3.0 per cent. The pay scale for constables at 1 April 1997, the current pay scale and the percentage increases are detailed in the table (the length of the pay scale was reduced in September 1997).

	Annual salary (£) from:
Pay point	1 September 1996	1 September 2000	Percentage pay increase
Constable:
On commencing service
1	14,916	17,133	14.86
2	16,197	19,170	18.36
On completion of initial training
3	17,295	20,304	17.40
On completion of two years" satisfactory service
4	17,679	20,841	17.89
5	18,147	21,567	18.85
6	18,777	22,257	18.53
7	19,380	22,983	18.59
8	20,013	23,649	18.17
9	20,589	24,246	17.76
10	21,111	25,035	18.59
11	21,795	25,953	19.08
12	22,593	27,114	20.01
13	23,607	—	—

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of detaining all new asylum applicants in secure conditions for (a) the period covering initial decisions and appeals and (b) the period following refusal of asylum and removal in the current financial year; [153823](2) how many additional places in secure conditions he estimates would be needed to detain all new asylum applicants awaiting initial decisions and appeals. [153824]

[holding answer 15 March 2001]: The answer to these questions depends on a number of variables, in particular the number of asylum applicants and the length of time taken to complete the process to removal. Based on forecast asylum intakes, and detention of up to six months, the cost could be more than £2 billion in start-up costs and annual running costs of over £1 billion. It is estimated that a further 32,000 detention spaces would be required. This would equate to a further 64 detention centres each with 500 beds. None of the costs quoted take account of the management overheads of running this size of detention estate. No estimate has been made of the cost of detaining asylum applicants in the period between refusal of asylum and removal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the practical difficulties of returning failed asylum seekers to (a) Iran, (b) Iraq, (c) Somalia, (d) Sri Lanka and (e) Afghanistan. [153829]

[holding answer 15 March 2001]: For all nationalities there are the practical difficulties of locating those who have absconded.There are also the practical difficulties of arranging flights, the handling of last minute representations and legal challenges.Many asylum seekers arrive without a valid passport. In order to effect their return it is necessary to obtain a passport or other travel document from their national authorities. This can be a lengthy and difficult process as it is often necessary to provide detailed evidence of the applicant's identity and nationality before a travel document can be issued.We are not currently seeking to return failed asylum seekers where country conditions are not conducive. In addition returns to three of these countries (Iraq, Somalia and Afghanistan) are complicated by the absence of direct international flights from the United Kingdom to those countries. Thus removals to those countries require the agreement of third party states to enable transit through their territory. We are currently investigating the potential for reaching such agreements with appropriate states. For some nationalities we are unable to effect removals without having first obtained a travel document from that country's Embassy or High Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy that members of the Government should not brief in favour of particular options within the Hunting Bill. [154241]

The Government are neutral on the issue of hunting with dogs. Individual members of the Government are free to express their own views on the three options in the Hunting Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the implications for Government policy of the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of Bajram Zeqiri. [153993]

The Court of Appeal allowed this appeal challenging the Government's decision to maintain the certificates issued under Section 2 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 to return Kosovar Albanian asylum applicants to Germany under the Dublin Convention. The appeal was allowed on the basis of an assertion by the Court that the applicants had formed a legitimate expectation that their claims for asylum would be substantively determined in the United Kingdom. The Government are considering whether to petition the House of Lords for leave to appeal against the judgment.The Court of Appeal found in favour of the Government regarding their powers to review and maintain such certification decisions. It also found that the Dublin Convention conferred rights upon member states' rather than upon individuals. This case related to decisions made before 25 March 1999 under provisions of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 which have subsequently been repealed. Its effect is limited to a small number of cases. For these reasons the judgment does not affect the general policy of the Government regarding the transfer of asylum seekers to safe third countries under the Dublin Convention; nor does the judgment affect the operation of Section 11 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 5 March 2001, Official Report, column 37W, under which circumstances the civil penalty provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 are pursued against the operator of a hired vehicle used by persons seeking to enter the United Kingdom clandestinely. [154244]

The civil penalty provisions of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (the 1999 Act) are pursued against the operators of hired vehicles, be they the owners, hirers or drivers of vehicles found to have carried clandestine entrants if the operators fail to establish a defence as set out in Section 34 of the 1999 Act. Section 34 (2) of the 1999 Act allows for a defence of duress and Section 34 (3) provides for a defence that the operator did not know or suspect the carriage of a clandestine entrant, had an effective system for preventing the carriage of clandestine entrants (having regard to the code of practice issued in accordance with Section 33 of the legislation) and that on the occasion in question the effective system was operated properly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Working Group on Football Disorder will submit its findings and recommendations. [154521]

We have today published the Working Group's report and a copy has been placed in the Library. It contains over 50 recommendations aimed at improving the image of English football, the behaviour of its followers and the role of football in promoting social inclusion. A targeted action plan is included. The report stresses that the need to improve communication and develop productive partnerships will be crucial to enhancing the game's reputation and maximising its vast potential to help deliver an inclusive and tolerant society.

To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the role of the Treasury Solicitor's Department in the Factortame litigation. [154271]

[pursuant to his reply, 15 March 2001, c. 705W]: Further to the figures quoted, I can confirm that the total sum of damages for the two trials concerned was £54.9 million of which £24.7 million was interest.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many of the cases referred to the CPS as part of Operation Care were (a) accepted and (b) refused; and what the main reasons for refusal were. [151613]

[pursuant to his reply, 5 March 2001, c.47W]: A fuller breakdown of cases is as follows:Since April 1996 when Operation Care commenced. Merseyside police have submitted cases relating to 181 suspects to the Crown Prosecution Service.The CPS advised prosecution of 59 suspects; of whom 42 have been finalised, 20 pleaded guilty, seven were convicted after trial, three were acquitted, three were stayed, three were discontinued, one was cautioned, one was abandoned and four died before the proceedings were concluded. Of the remaining 17 to be finalised, 16 are pending and one is awaiting committal.The CPS advised police not to proceed with cases against a further 101 suspects, 90 because of insufficient evidence and 11 because the public interest was not satisfied. The police are carrying out further inquiries into another 21 cases.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made with the proposed reforms to the workings of the Public Trust Office. [154037]

I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster, Central (Ms Winterton) on 21 December 2000, Official Report, column 272W.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consultations are being undertaken on reforms of the Public Trust Office. [154038]

Since the publication of the Quinquennial Review of the Public Trust Office in November 1999 there has been extensive consultation with staff, stakeholders and clients on reform of the Office. We will continue to consult on the way that the Public Guardianship Office provides services to clients when it takes over the mental health functions from the Public Trust Office on 1 April.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he will publish proposals for the introduction of electronic conveyancing. [154637]

My Department has today published a consultation paper "Electronic Conveyancing: A draft order under section 8 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000". This consultation paper has been produced in association with HM Land Registry and the Law Commission. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list the Cabinet Office Ministers in her Department who visited any of the constituencies which are in the Peterborough Unitary authority area between 1 January 2000 and 14 February 2001, indicating in each case (a)the date of the visit, (b) the constituencies included in the visit and (c) if the local hon. Member met the Minister. [151036]

No Cabinet Office Ministers visited the constituencies in the Peterborough Unitary area between 1 January 2000 and 14 February 2001.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list (1) the IT projects currently undertaken in her Department; and if she will state the (a) expected completion date and (b) cost of each project; [151504](2) the IT projects her Department plans to undertake in the next year; and if she will state in each case the

[pursuant to his reply, 26 February 2001, c. 495-96W]: IT projects currently being undertaken by the Cabinet Office are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects Oftel to publish its review on the pricing of conditional access; and if he will make a statement. [154242]

I expect Oftel to announce shortly publication of its review of the conditional access pricing guidelines with respect to public service broadcasters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what communications he has received from the Japanese Overseas Reprocessing Committee since the beginning of November 2000; and if he will place copies in the Library. [153198]

[holding answer 14 March 2001]: No such communications have been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) on what date his Department was informed of intelligence reports relating to the Hinduja brothers referred to in paragraph 8.4 of the report of the Hammond Inquiry; [154232](2) on what date intelligence briefings relating to the Hinduja brothers were first made available to him. [153437]

[holding answer 12 March 2001]: It is not the practice, and has not been the practice of successive Governments, to comment on intelligence matters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with Hyundai representatives on the market prospects for semi-conductor manufacturing. [153614]

[holding answer 16 March 2001]: The Government are in regular contact with Hyundai on a range of issues, including the market prospects for semi-conductor manufacturing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the television, newspaper and radio advertising and other promotional campaigns conducted by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its departmental public bodies, in each of the past five years, showing for each the expenditure incurred by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [153413]

[pursuant to the reply, 13 March 2001, c. 544–46W]:The following information was omitted from the answer.Radiocommunications Authority promotional campaigns were as follows:

Year	£
1996–97	184,380.62
1997–98	361,358.70
1998–99	545,719.32
1999–2000	486,761.36
2000–01	493,312.62

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many British people died each year abroad in each of the past 10 years. [153796]

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

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter dated 7 February from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding his constituent Mr. R. Foreman. [154240]

I have already done so.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the technical notes underpinning the public service agreements will be published. [154635]

All main Departments have published technical notes on their websites. A link to all the sites can be found at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sr2000/psa/technote.html. I am placing a copy of all the technical notes in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will review the rates of earnings disregard for (a) Income Support and (b) Housing Benefit. [152953]

The existing £15 a week higher earnings disregard in Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit will be increased to £20 a week from 9 April 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 6 March 2001, Official Report, column 168W, on Income Support, if he will estimate (a) the number of children in all families, (b) the number of lone parent families and (c) the number of children in lone parent families on Income Support for one year or more. [154231]

As at November 2000 it is estimated that there were 1.67 million children living in households which had been in receipt of Income Support for one year or more, of which 1.26 million were children of lone parents. At this date it is estimated that there were 687,800 lone parent households which had been on Income Support for one year or more.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will reply to the letter dated 29 December 2000 from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding his constituent Mrs. M. Innes. [154239]

A reply has been issued today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what time and on what date the deputy head of the Foreign Office's news department first saw a version of the draft Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone supplied by the hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross). [154128]

The then Deputy Head of the FCO News Department answered this question two years ago in his evidence to the Committee on Standards and Privileges (Eighth Report of Session 1998–99).The allegations recently published by Mr. Nicholas Jones contradict nothing that was said at the time. From my first answer on this issue, on 23 February 1999,

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) at what time on what date (a) the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, (b) the head of the Foreign Office's news department and (c) the head of the Foreign Office's Africa department (Equatorial) were first briefed on the contents of the draft Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone supplied by the hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross); [154129](2) what duties he was carrying out, and where, at 8 am on 9 February 1999; and where he took the telephone call from BBC journalist, Nicholas Jones, that morning; [154002](3) if

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he instructed the Foreign Office spokesman on his Department's response to The Guardian prior to its report of 12 March concerning his statements to Parliament relating to his Department's advance knowledge of Select Committee reports; [153957](2) at what time and on what date he spoke to Nicholas Jones about the Foreign Affairs Committee's Second report of Session 1998–99 on Sierra Leone. [153956]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if a spokesman from his Department telephoned Mr. Nicholas Jones of the BBC shortly after 6.30 am on 9 February 1999 to discuss the Foreign Affairs Committee's Second report of Session 1998–99 on Sierra Leone; [153955]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the statements by the BBC's lobby correspondent concerning his use of a leaked draft of the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone. [154148]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) to whom his officials spoke about the Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone before 10 am on 9 February 1999; [153986](2) if he will publish a list of Ministers and officials who spoke to Mr. Nicholas Jones of the BBC before 10 am on 9 February 1999; [153990](3) on what date and at what time he first

I refer right hon. and hon. Members to my reply to the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) on 16 March 2001, Official Report, column 773W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has discussed the visit of President Mugabe to France with the French Ambassador. [154016]

No, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not spoken to the French Ambassador. The French Government are well aware of our deep concerns at the situation in Zimbabwe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whom the Minister of State met and what was discussed during his recent visit to Zimbabwe. [154015]

I have not visited Zimbabwe since my appointment as Minister of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement regarding President Mbeki's policy towards Zimbabwe. [154017]

I discussed our concerns over Zimbabwe with South Africa's Deputy Foreign Minister on 6 March. We welcome President Mbeki's expressed intention to meet President Mugabe soon to discuss the situation in Zimbabwe.