To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what major advertising campaigns his Department is carrying out; and what the cost and duration of each is. [154265]

Current major advertising campaigns through COI are:

Campaign	Expenditure(£)(including VAT)	Duration
Departmental
Paid Annual Leave	4,034,956	9–25 March
UK Online for Business	1,546,031	19 February-end March
British Trade International
Trade Partners	1,233,329	5–end March
Agency—;Small Business Service
Hooked on Helping Business	1,439,457	14–28 March

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many former miners in the South Shields constituency have (a) claimed and (b) received payments in compensation for (i) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (ii) vibration white finger. [153299]

In the area of South Shields (as defined by the postcodes NE3 and NE4, which encompass the South Shields constituency) IRISC, the Department's claims handlers have registered 728 claims in respect of compensation for respiratory disease and 1,049 claims in relation to vibration white finger, VWF. To date, there have been 156 individual payments totalling £600,000 in respect of respiratory disease and 348 individual payments in respect of VWF amounting to £2.5 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the action he is taking to improve the consistency of the procedure for claiming compensation for vibration white finger between the Department for Social Security and his Department' schemes. [153612]

The Benefit Scheme administered by the DSS and the compensation scheme administered by this Department are two completely different schemes.Industrial Industries Disablement Benefits (IIDB) are payable to people who are disabled as a result of an accident at work or are one of over 70 prescribed diseases known to be a risk of occupation. VWF is one of these prescribed diseases. Benefit is normally paid only in

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Walthamstow constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997 [154185]

The parliamentary constituency of Walthamstow has benefited from a range of initiatives since 1 May 1997. Direct business advice and support to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has been provided by the DTI through core programmes and the Business Links. While my Department does not collect detailed statistical information on a constituency basis, over 590 requests for advice, information and support from. SMEs in Walthamstow have been handled by the Business Links since May 1997.During the same period, grants totalling £215,000 have been awarded to companies through Regional Selective Assistance, as four of the wards in this constituency qualify for this aid.All wards in the constituency are eligible for the Enterprise Grant Scheme which was introduced in 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to dissuade companies which offer credit facilities to customers from encouraging people to build up substantial debts. [154425]

Last November, I set up a taskforce, which includes credit industry representatives, to explore the causes and effects of over-indebtedness and develop practical solutions for achieving more responsible lending and borrowing. The taskforce will present proposals to me in April and I will be aiming to implement measures as soon as possible after that.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of the Internal Market Council held in Brussels on 12 March; what the Government's voting record at the Council was; and if he will make a statement.[153814]

My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State responsible for consumers and corporate affairs represented the UK at the Internal Market, Consumers and Tourism Council in Brussels on 12 March.The Council discussed the Cardiff economic reform process and reached agreement on conclusions for input to the Stockholm European Council which support the reform agenda agreed at the Lisbon Summit in March

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will seek from the Chairman of the Post Office, an explanation of the reasons for which he has failed to reply to letters to him dated 12 January and 24 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to sporting opportunities for Post Office workers. [154068]

I have been advised by the Post Office that the Chairman's office has been in contact with the parliamentary office of my right hon. Friend. They have apologised for the failure to reply to these letters, which was due to an internal administrative error, and say that a response has now been prepared.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the financial effects on traders who (a) have and (b) have not complied with regulations requiring loose goods to be sold in metric units. [154136]

Most imperial weighing machines can be converted to metric at an average cost of £100 per machine. The price of a new metric weighing machine starts at about £450. No assessment has been made of the financial effects of non-compliance because it is expected that the conversion will be completed in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress towards compliance with regulations requiring loose goods to be sold in metric units. [154135]

It is expected that the remaining imperial machines will be converted to metric or be replaced by metric weighing machines in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effectiveness and compliance of United Kingdom legislation introduced as a result of Directive 80/181/EEC. [154190]

The conversion of all weighing machines to metric units, as required by Directive 80/181/EEC as amended in 1989, has taken longer than expected, but is expected to be completed in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the number of imperial Weighing machines still in use in the United Kingdom. [154134]

There are approximately 160,000 weighing machines in use for the sale of goods loose at the point of sale. The Department understands that nearly 130,000 are now metric and that just over 30,000 are still imperial.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry under what circumstances he uses the powers available to him under section 71 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 to seek to encourage proper enforcement by local weights and measures authorities of legislation introduced as a result of Directive 80/181/EEC; and if he will make a statement. [154140]

The Department considers that local weights and measures authorities have taken steps to secure compliance with regulations on units of measurement that implement Directive 80/181/EEC as amended. The Department will consider any representations alleging a lack of proper enforcement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation requiring retailers of mobile telephones to obtain the name and address of those purchasing such equipment and for this information to be registered with a telephone licensing authority. [152307]

There is currently no plan to introduce legislation requiring purchasers of mobile phones to provide their name and address. However, this is an important issue and one which will be kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce the outcome of the consultation on telecommunication mast development. [154293]

The announcement on the outcome of the consultation was announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning on 16 March 2001. Details of the announcement can be found on the DETR website at www.detr.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the applications for credit guarantees relating to Saudi Arabia received by the ECGD in the last 20 years, indicating the companies, amounts and projects in Saudi Arabia involved. [153726]

Over the last 20 years ECGD has issued no guarantees in respect of credit business with Saudi Arabia. There have however been some 54 guarantees issued totalling £14.6 billion in respect of cash contracts.Details of applications which have not been the subject of a guarantee are subject to legitimate confidentiality under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and are not included in this answer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the impact of foot and mouth disease has been on the Royal Mail postal service; when full postal service will be restored; and if he will make a statement. [154219]

I have been advised by the Post Office that Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide are following advice from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food about delivering letters and parcels during the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Guidelines have been issued to all staff about deliveries in affected areas, and where advised appropriate precautions are being taken.Post Office staff can deliver mail and parcels as normal in all areas of the country except those within the restriction zones where special arrangements have been agreed with affected customers. Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide are co-operating fully with all sanitary arrangements, which have been put in place by landowners outside quarantined areas regarding deliveries.The Post Office is in constant contact with MAFF and will continue to co-operate fully with their instructions. The full service will be restored when the current outbreak has been eradicated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the total cost, including travel, accommodation and subsistence allowance, was of the two visits to Brussels undertaken by a departmental or non-departmental special adviser, mentioned in his answer of 5 June 2000, Official Report, column 46W. [152061]

The two visits referred to in my earlier reply included one to Brussels and one to Dublin. The average total cost per trip including travel, accommodation and subsistence for the departmental special adviser was £649

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if his Department's annual report on timber procurement to the Committee of Green Ministers will be published. [152043]

All Government Departments are required to report annually on timber purchases, explaining what steps are being taken to buy timber and timber related products from sustainable and legal sources and the quantity and types of purchase. Information on timber procurement by the Wales Office will be published, along with information for other departments, in a report by Green Ministers in the autumn of 2001. The Wales Office has no other plans to publish information on timber procurement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will meet Welsh members of the UK Youth Parliament to discuss issues raised in the Parliament's manifesto. [152962]

I understand that most parts of Wales have yet to elect members. When this process has been completed, I shall be happy to consider an invitation to meet them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the average percentage increase in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the Senior Civil Service, was in his Department for 2000–01. [152787]

[holding answer 14 March 2001]: Pay settlements for the Wales Office are linked to those of the National Assembly for Wales. The full value of the award for 2000–01 was 5 per cent., taking into account the basic award, performance and progression elements, changes to the pay bands, and all other elements. The average percentage increases in salaries of non-industrial civil servants, excluding members of the senior Civil Service, was 4.2 per cent. for 2000–01.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the television, newspaper and radio advertising and other promotional campaigns conducted by (a) her Department, (b) its agencies and (c) its departmental public bodies, in each of the past five years, showing for each the expenditure incurred by her Department; and if she will make a statement. [153416]

DFID does not have an advertising budget. The vast majority of advertising relates to recruitment advertising in newspapers and journals, costing £1 million-£million annually.DFID has no agencies or other public bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to promote human rights in poorer countries. [153752]

Human rights are central to my Department's work which is dedicated to the realisation of the human rights of the poorest people of the world. In October last year we published our strategy for achieving this goal, entitled "Realising human rights for poor people". A copy was placed in the Library of the House. I shall send one to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to investigate the refugee screening process of the Oramo people in Sudan returning to Ethiopia; and if she will make a statement. [153721]

We support the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of Ethiopian, Chadian, Somali and Ugandan refugees in 2001, unless after screening they have compelling reasons to remain in the Sudan.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the Government's policy with regard to Plan Colombia. [153935]

I have been asked to reply.Plan Colombia is the Colombian Government's strategy for tackling the interconnected problems of internal violence, social and economic inequality, abuse of human rights and drugs cultivation and trafficking.Concerns are raised by some aspects of Plan Colombia, in particular the eradication of illegal crops by aerial spraying. The UK has not given any financial or other support to the plan. Instead, the UK is contributing to and fully supports assistance to Colombia through the European Union of 105 million euro over the next five years. The EU package will focus on measures to support human rights, long-term economic and social development and an end to violence.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations she has made to (a) the Colombian Government, (b) the USA Government and(c) international organisations about the position of the trade union movement in Colombia. [153932]

I have been asked to reply.We are very concerned about increasing levels of violence in Colombia, particularly that directed at trade unionists and other human rights defenders.The British Embassy in Bogota is in regular contact with the main trade unions in Colombia, and has discussed the position of trade unionists there with both the ILO special representative, Rafael Alburquerque, and the Colombian Government. Following a meeting with Alexander Lopez of the CUT Union (Central Unitaria de Trabajadores), who has received death threats in

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee if bespoke stationery provided for hon. Members' use is 100 per cent. recycled; and what the definition is of the term environmentally friendly, used in the House of Commons stationery catalogue. [154404]

Bespoke stationery, as approved by the Administration Committee in May 1998, is manufactured from 75 per cent. pre-consumer waste and 25 per cent. virgin pulp harvested from sustainable forests. The current stationery catalogue contains no reference to environmentally friendly stationery.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when her policy unit was established; which of its reports are placed in the public domain; how many departmental or non-departmental special advisers participate in its work; how many regular (a) non-departmental and (b) departmental staff participate in its work; and how many of these work for the unit on a full-time basis. [150361]

My Department does not have a policy unit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the contracts that exist between SERC and the Department, its executive agencies and associated public bodies; and if she will list those which have existed in the last three years. [151349]

My Department has one contract with SERC, for the provision of cleaning services at the Department's office in Edinburgh. There have been no other contracts with SERC since the Department was established on 1 July 1999.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the terms of reference, composition and consultation mechanisms of the Performance and Innovation Unit's inquiry into health in developing countries, indicating when it will report. [152120]

The Performance and Innovation Unit's project has three key aims:

(i) to develop a more effective approach to reducing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria in developing countries;

(ii) to identify which instruments might best deliver solutions at an affordable price to developing and developed countries; and

(iii) to produce a framework for a more effective partnership between governments and the private sector, including the pharmaceutical industry, and the voluntary sector to combat these diseases in developing countries.

The challenge is to find mechanisms to improve incentives, deploying new and existing solutions for tackling infectious diseases alongside developing countries' health care delivery systems is and policies. This project will consider the attractiveness, efficacy, cost-effectiveness and affordability of the different types of the alternative approaches; sustainability will be an important criterion for assessing interventions.As with all PIU projects, the project team comprises secondees and other Government Departments, including the Department for International Development, as well as specialists from the academic and private sectors. An advisory group is to be appointed including members from a wide range of backgrounds.The project team is developing its ideas with a wide range of people and organisations already undertaking work in these areas. The team works closely with the Department for International Development and HM Treasury, and is meeting international stakeholders, including the World Health Organisation, the World Bank, UNAIDS and Governments of developing countries as well as NGOs and the private sector.The project's major output will be a set of proposals to feed into the UK position at the G8 summit in July 2001. Two consultation papers have been published so far, and are available on the project's website: http:// www/cabinet-office.gov.uk/innovation/2001/health/ mainpage.html.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to publish the report prepared on the future of UK renewable energy by the Performance and Innovation Unit. [154196]

The Performance and Innovation Unit study on resource productivity and renewable energy will be published in the autumn. The study will outline a long-term strategy for moving to a low-carbon, low-waste, knowledge-intensive economy in which renewable energy technologies are expected to play a major role. The study will set out how the £100 million announced in my environment speech on Tuesday 6 March will be used to support the development of a range of renewable technologies.

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of the overall economic consequences for areas where foot and mouth disease has been discovered; if he will identify the consequential losses that flow from the disease with a view to proposing a package of financial measures to assist; and if he will make a statement. [153975]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 16 March 2001, Official Report, columns 753–54W.The overall economic consequences cannot be quantified until the full extent of the outbreak is known. However, the situation is clearly a serious one. That is why I have asked my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment to chair a Task Force to consider the implications of the outbreak for the rural economy, both immediately and in the longer term and to report to me on appropriate measures.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to discuss with business the implementation of environmental productivity indicators and long-term resource targets contained in his speech on environmental policy at Chatham House on 6 March. [154194]

We are already taking this forward. Last month, the Department of Trade and Industry held a joint conference with the Green Alliance on how to measure improvements in resource productivity. We will follow this up with further discussion with business, including asking the Advisory Committee on Business and the Environment for its views on the use of long-term resource targets to stimulate business innovation and improvement. The Performance and Innovation Unit in the Cabinet Office is also carrying out a major study on resource productivity and renewable energy.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to exclude from membership of the House of Lords those persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom for tax purposes. [154243]

[holding answer 16 March 2001]: As the Government made clear in their White Paper "Modernising Parliament Reforming the House of Lords" (Cm 4183), I have relinquished much of my power over the award of peerages. I have retained the right to determine how many recommendations to ask for from the other political parties and the Appointments Commission, but otherwise have made it clear that I will pass these recommendations on to Her Majesty, except in the most exceptional circumstances such as those endangering the security of the realm.

To ask the Prime Minister what mechanism exists for investigating leaks of reports commissioned by him where the leaks occur before he receives them. [154398]

It would be open for the author of an independent report commissioned by the Government to request the Government's assistance to investigate alleged leaks of drafts of that report. I have received no such request in respect of any recent independent report, nor do I expect one.

To ask the Prime Minister if the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) delivered a letter on his behalf to the President of Syria during his recent visit to that country. 1154332]

When in Syria, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Mandelson) was invited, at short notice, to a private meeting with the President where he delivered a short courtesy letter from the Prime Minister.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the rules in the ministerial code of conduct governing Ministers visiting hon. Members' constituencies. [154408]

The rules are set out in paragraph 79 of the ministerial code.

£000
Nature of funding	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–021
Revenue support grant	94,657	102,643	107,450	107,450	118,642
Income from national non-domestic rates	49,620	52,488	57,187	64,381	60,123
Housing capital allocations	3,525	4,456	3,113	2,665	2,494
SRB funding—Bridging the Gap	193	550	547	992	691
Health ladder	—	—	75	1,050	1,500
Transport supplementary grant	154	147	169	n/a	—
Transport annual capital guideline	154	147	169	n/a	—
Transport block supplementary credit approval	640	479	644	1,375	—
Capital Challenge (supplementary credit and basic credit approvals)	1,460	1,634	162	0	0
1 Where known

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 constituency, the effects on the Stroud constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May1997 [152404]

Nature of funding	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02
Revenue Support Grant'(£ million)	1.736	1.462	1.305	1.013	1.288
Income from National Non-Domestic Rates1 (£ million)	3.407	3.465	3.732	4.149	4.104
Housing Investment Programme (£ million)	1.630	1.167	1.250	2.660	1.179
Housing Revenue Account Subsidy2 (£ million)	2.332	1.790	1.396	0.982	4.588
Capital Receipts Initiative (£ million)	0.282	0.855	0.869	n/a	n/a
Cash Incentive Scheme (£ million)	0.060	0.030	n/a	n/a	n/a
Loan Charges Defective Housing3(£)	132,597	132,597	132,597	132,597	132,597
SRB funding4(£)	nil	41,580	117,907	862,066	85,590
Transport Supplementary Grant5 (£ million)	2.565	1.555	3.573	0.463	0.409
Transport Annual Capital Guideline5(½ million)	1.965	1.489	2.973	0.389	0.408
Rural Bus Challenge Grant6 (£ million)	0	0.25	0.999	0	0
Rural Bus Subsidy Grant6 (£ million)	0	0.794	0.794	0.794	1.0
1The figures shown for Revenue Support Grant [1] and income from National Non-Domestic Rates [1] are the amount received by Stroud District Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives embarked upon since May 1997 have benefited Ilford, North; and if he will make a statement. [152031]

Ilford, North has benefited from two strategic Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) schemes in the London Borough of Redbridge, Bridging the Gap and the Health Ladder to Social Inclusion.The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 required the establishment of partnerships covering all local authority areas led by the police and the local authorities to reduce crime. Local initiatives supported under the Government's crime reduction programme include two CCTV schemes—a £203,000 scheme in Ilford town centre and a £714,000 safer parking scheme.The principal funding that this Department has provided to the London Borough of Redbridge in 1997 to 2002 is shown in the table. These included grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.It is not possible to determine how much of this money has been spent on Ilford, North. It is for the local authority to decide where within its boundary these resources are applied.

[holding answer 6 March 2001]: The principal kinds of funding which this Department has provided to Stroud in 1997– 98 to 2000–01 are shown in the table. These include grants and borrowing approvals from revenue and capital expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly to the locations as possible, the effects of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997 on (a) Hemsworth constituency and (b) Wakefield district. [153000]

The principal kinds of funding that this Department has provided to Wakefield local

£ million
Nature of funding	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–021
Revenue Support Grant	105.616	113.327	121.378	117.791	126.779
Income from National Non-Domestic Rates	69.240	72.239	78.291	88.749	86.879
Housing Investment Programme	26.812	5.541	6.302	314.711	422.429
Capital Receipts Initiative	1.227	4.153	4.272	n/a	n/a
SRB Funding	2.33	2.14	3.39	3.92	2.82
Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (award date)	—	—	—	—	59.990
Transport Supplementary Grant	0.721	0.702	0.876	0	0
Transport Annual Capital Guideline	0.721	0.702	0.876	0	0
Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval	1.104	1.086	1.130	4.608	6—
1Where known

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 Don Valley constituency, the effects on Doncaster of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [153517]

The principal kinds of funding that this Department has provided to Doncaster local authority in the years 1997– 98 to 2001–02 are shown in the table. These include grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.It is not possible to determine how much of this money has been spent on Don Valley constituency. It is for the local authority to decide where within its boundary these resources are applied

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many owners of vehicles were prosecuted in 2000 for (a) not registering and (b) not paying tax on their vehicles in 2000. [153760]

In 2000 there were 4,755 successful prosecutions for failure to comply with registration requirements and an additional 7,772 offenders paid out of court settlements. There were also 229,069 successful prosecutions for not paying Vehicle Excise Duty. An additional 202,020 motorists paid out of court settlements.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which agencies are responsible for the reporting, checking and removal of abandoned motor vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [153800]

The agencies responsible for the reporting of abandoned motor vehicles are the local authorities, the police and the Environment Agency. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and the police are responsible for checking abandoned vehicles and contractors employed by these bodies and the local authorities are responsible for their removal.New arrangements for closer working between these bodies are currently being piloted.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the collision of two Connex South Eastern trains outside Hither Green station on 12 March. [153755]

At 08.30am on Monday 12 March, the 07.58am Connex South Eastern Sevenoaks to Cannon Street passenger train passed a signal at danger at Hither Green. It continued for approximately half a mile before running through points which were set for the 08.08am Connex South Eastern Crayford to Cannon Street passenger train. A collision then occurred with the front of the Crayford train striking the side of the Sevenoaks train. There was no derailment, but both trains sustained superficial damage.Four people were taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The traction current was isolated to allow passengers to begin to leave the train at 10.00am. The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) were at the scene and have confirmed that the collision was caused by the driver of the Sevenoaks train passing a signal at danger (SPAD).All serious SPADs are thoroughly investigated by HMRI and the rail industry. Further details of this incident will be reported in a future edition of HSE's monthly SPAD report, copies of which are placed in both House Libraries each month.Initial indications suggest that this incident would have been prevented by the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS). Regulations made under this Government require that TPWS be installed across the network by the end of 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times in (a) this Parliament and (b) the last Parliament, the Audit Commission has given evidence to the House of Commons Environment and Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committees. [153942]

The Audit Commission has in this Parliament given evidence to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Select Committee on five occasions. The Audit Commission is reviewing its archives to ascertain the number of occasions it gave evidence to the Environment Select Committee in the last Parliament and the Controller of Audit will write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the changes the Government have made to the powers of (a) the Audit Commission and (b) the District Audit Service in the past three years. [153799]

The Government amended the powers of the Audit Commission, and of auditors appointed by it, in the Local Government Act 1999, the Health Act 1999 and the Local Government Act 2000. The Audit Commission was given a new power to inspect compliance by Best Value authorities with the requirements of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1999; and to work jointly with the Commission for Health Improvement in the Health Act 1999. Auditors appointed by the Audit Commission have been given new a new power to audit the best value performance plans of Best Value authorities under the Local Government Act 1999. The powers of auditors to issue prohibition orders have been replaced by a power to issue advisory notices. In the Local Government Act 2000, the auditors' surcharging powers were repealed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the Government (a) signed and (b) ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government. [153817]

The European Charter of Local Self-Government was signed by this Government on 3 June 1997 and ratified on 24 April 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on Government policy towards scrutiny by local government of services provided by (a) the National Health Service and (b) local water companies. [153806]

Under their new constitutions, a council's overview and scrutiny committees can make reports or recommendations on any matters which affect their local areas or communities.The Government have long recognised the democratic deficit in the NHS at local level, and for this reason are making provision to ensure that scrutiny of the NHS is placed in the hands of democratically elected councillors.The Health and Social Care Bill, which is currently before Parliament, provides for overview and scrutiny committees of county councils, county borough councils (in Wales), unitary authorities and London borough councils, established under Part II of the Local Government Act 2000, to take over the scrutiny of local NHS services from Community Health Councils. The Bill also provides for the involvement of district councils under joint scheme arrangements.Overview and scrutiny committees will have new powers to review local NHS bodies, and will make reports and recommendations to the bodies which they review. Local NHS bodies will have to provide clear justification for any recommendations which they do not accept. They will be subject to a duty to provide information about their operation and activities requested by an overview and scrutiny committee, and their Chief Executives will be required to attend committee meetings twice a year to answer questions about their organisations.Health authorities will have a specific duty to consult overview and scrutiny committees on any major changes to services in their area. If a committee finds that the proposed changes are not in the interests of the local community it will be able to refer the matter to the new

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the guidance on cow councillors' allowances issued since May 1997. [1539041

In August 1997, the DETR issued a guidance document entitled "Guidance on Councillors' Allowances, Tax and Social Security". This updated an earlier version of this guidance which had been issued in 1993. We are currently consulting on draft statutory guidance which will give guidance to councils about members' allowances following the introduction of the requirement to establish and maintain independent remuneration panels and the abolition of attendance allowance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the pilot schemes that have been initiated with local councils since May 1997 and the councils which have been involved in each pilot. [153818]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government have taken to attract more (a) women, (b) young people, (c) people of an ethnic minority background and (d) people with disabilities to become local councillors. [153903]

In our White Paper "Modern Local Government: In Touch With the People" (Cm 4014) we stated our belief that a combination of the new rewarding roles envisaged for councillors and steps taken to address some potential financial and other disincentives would serve to encourage a wider cross section of the community to serve as councillors. We have now legislated for new council constitutions which will open up new and rewarding roles, and we are consulting on a new regime for allowances including, for example, proposals for a new child carers and dependant carers' allowance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on local councils holding annual elections with a third of councillors up for election each year; how many councils currently hold annual elections; and how many did so in 1997. [153772]

Our policy on councils electing one third of their members each year for three years out of four is set out in the White Paper "Modern Local Government—In Touch with the People" (Cm 4014). There are 131 local authorities in England which elect one

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will(a) publish Ministers' instructions to civil servants relating to the allocation of local government grants and(b) take steps to make the local government finance settlement process more transparent. [153902]

We consulted local government on the provisional local government finance settlement for 2001–02 in November. The reasons for our decisions on allocating grant in response to that consultation were given to the House by my colleague, the Minister for Local Government and the Regions, on 29 January 2001, Official Report, column 19W.The method of grant calculation is laid out in the Local Government Finance Report (England) 2001–02. Other related documents and statements are publicly available and can be found in the

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what Government policy is on the establishment of more unitary authorities in local government. [153776]

The Government have indicated that a move to elected regional government in England would imply changing to a predominantly unitary system of local government. It is too early to say what this would mean in practice, as Government would need to take careful note of what the people in the regions think. In the meantime, there are no plans at present to reform the structure of local government in England and no presumption that, if there is to be any local government restructuring, it would have to come before the introduction of regional government.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if proposed referendums on regional assemblies will include options involving abolition of county councils in two-tier areas. [153773]

We remain committed to move to directly-elected regional government, where there is support as demonstrated in referendums. No decisions have been taken on the form of the proposals which might be the subject of such referendums

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidances he has issued on the conduct of referendums held by councils on local issues; and if he will make a statement.[153940]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 13 March 2001, Official Report, column 539W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to introduce simpler local government grant system which is based predominantly on population. [154142]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to simplify the local government grant system and to base it predominantly on population. [153847]

Last September's local government finance green paper consulted on options for making the current grant distribution system for all local authorities fairer. A White paper will be published later this year setting out our decisions on the way forward.The existing formulae for distributing revenue grant are based predominantly on local authority population figures including relevant client groups (such as schoolchildren or elderly people). Were we to decide to continue to distribute grant by formula, this would continue to be the case.As with the present system, such a formula could be modified to take other factors into account such as levels of deprivation and the higher costs of recruiting and retaining local authority staff—but in a more transparent and comprehensible way than the present system.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to ensure that a future grant system will reflect the importance of community consultation to local democracy. [153848]

Last September's local government finance green paper consulted on options for making the current grant distribution system for local authorities fairer. One option was to distribute grant on the basis of consideration of an authority's corporate plan. Clearly, such a plan would reflect community consultation processes.The other option was a grant distribution system based on formulae plus safety valve grant, targeted grant and local public service agreements (PSAs). Under such a system, local PSAs would provide the scope to reflect the priorities of the local community.A White Paper will be published later this year setting out our decisions on the way forward. More generally, the green paper noted the welcome trend of consulting local taxpayers about local tax and spending decisions—and the Government are working with the Local Government Association to devise good practice in doing so.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if future grant distributions will ensure that the specific needs of town and country authorities which have both urban and rural characteristics are adequately met through the SSA system. [153850]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 March 2001, Official Report, column 537W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish a White Paper on local government finance. [153852]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish a White paper on local government finance. [154137]

A White Paper on local government finance will be published later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions (1) if he will make a statement on Government policy towards the introduction of new council tax bands; [1539011(2) if he will make a statement on Government policy on the introduction of regional variations in the valuations used to determine council tax banding. [153816]

We believe that the council tax is working well as a local tax. In our Green Paper on modernising local government finance, which we published in September 2000, we explained that the banding system makes tax bills predictable and stable. A number of respondents to the Green Paper proposed that changes should be made to the structure of the council tax bands. We are considering what they had to say in the context of preparing a White Paper on local government finance which we intend to publish later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the average Band D council tax was in (a) England.(b) Wales and (c) Scotland in (i) 1997—98 and (ii) 2000—01. [153916]

The average band D council tax for England was £688 in 1997–98 and –847 in 2000–01. Council tax levels for Wales and Scotland are a matter for the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Executive respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's capping powers in relation to local government expenditure and budgets. [153769]

We have powers to protect local people from excessive council tax increases. These powers are more discriminating than the previous system of crude and universal capping and enable us to look at councils' budget increases over several years. They are also more flexible: in addition to in-year capping the Secretary of State may set a national budget requirement to be used for future comparisons or he may cap the following year's budget.When we have information on all local authority budgets and council taxes for 2001–02, we shall need to consider carefully whether any of them are excessive, and what action we might take as a result.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he has put in place to reduce the financial pressure on local authorities arising from implementing the Government's initiative relating to concessionary bus fares. [154139]

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he has put in place to ease the financial pressure on local authorities implementing the Government's initiative relating to concessionary bus fares. [153846]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr.Hill), on 13 March 2001, Official Report, column 537W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason district councils have been excluded from the local public service agreements pilot schemes; and what plans he has to include district councils in the public service agreements scheme. [154141]

The local PSA pilot was taken forward with top-tier authorities rather than district councils because the majority of the national PSA targets that relate to local authority services relate to the services of top-tier authorities. The Local Government Association is working with a group of district councils on how the PSA approach might be applied to districts, and we will consider any proposals they make.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason district councils have been excluded from the local public service agreements pilot scheme; and if he will review this decision. [153844]

The local PSA pilot was taken forward with top-tier authorities rather than district councils because the majority of the national PSA targets that relate to local authority services relate to the services of top-tier authorities We will indeed review this decision in the future. The Local Government Association are working with a group of district councils on how the PSA approach might be applied to districts, and we will consider any proposals they make.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received regarding the spacing of seats in economy sections of passenger airlines; if he proposes to introduce minimum space requirements; and if he will make a statement [154130]

The Secretary of State has received a limited number of letters from members of the public about the spacing of seats in economy class. There have been statutory requirements for minimum seat pitch on UK-registered aircraft since 1989, introduced for safety reasons related to the evacuation of an aircraft in an emergency.In their response to the recent House of Lords Select Committee inquiry into air travel and health, the Government referred to CAA-funded research into seat size and spacing. The study, carried out on behalf of the JAA, is considering the relationship between aircraft seat dimensions and passenger sizes. The work looks at the changing size of the European population but also includes a review of recent DVT research. The report

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the amount of contaminated land in Lancashire. [154205]

My Department has made no estimates of the amount of contaminated land in particular parts of the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the working party reviewing the voluntary code of practice on commercial property leases is due to report to him; and what procedure is in place to review its recommendations. [154225]

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Housing and Planning has asked the Commercial Leases Group to let him have its final proposals by the end of March. We shall then be looking closely at the proposals to see that they will result in tenants having more choice and better information about leasing options. We will consider the way forward in the light of the Group's final proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the working party reviewing the voluntary code of practice on commercial property leases covers all categories of commercial tenant. [154226]

The Commercial Leases Group, which is reviewing the property industry's 1995 Code of Practice, consists of most of the organisations which drew up the original Code, together with additional bodies representing occupiers and small businesses. These bodies embrace all categories of commercial tenant in the main property sectors.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Strategic Rail Authority, (b) Railtrack and (c) the train operating companies on new rolling stock.[153911]

[holding answer 16 March 2001]: The Deputy Prime Minister recently met Sir Alastair Morton, the Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, and rolling stock manufacturers to discuss the delivery and reliability of new rolling stock.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his

Progress will depend on a number of factors. However, given the greatly increased funding which the Government have made available for local transport, the encouragement to cycling which we have given in our guidance on Local Transport Plans, and the generally positive response to this guidance by local authorities, I am hopeful that cycle trips in England will double from their 1996 level by 2005 or 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will circulate the Airport Operators Association environmental guidance manual to airports in the UK. [154526]

The Airport Operators Association (AOA) environmental guidance manual is a private publication. Circulation is a matter for the AOA. I understand that AOA members have been sent copies of the manual.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce alcohol and drug testing for aviation personnel; and if he will make a statement.[154540]

The Queen's speech on 6 December announced the Government's intention to draft a Safety Bill. We will use this opportunity to introduce a prescribed blood/alcohol limit for safety critical personnel in aviation, and to take permissive powers to allow testing for drugs.We propose to set a 20 milligram per 100 millilitre blood/alcohol limit for aircraft crew, air traffic controllers and aircraft maintenance engineers, while also granting to the police the necessary powers to test suspected offenders. This limit is in line with an agreed Joint Aviation Requirement for aircrew and will apply equally to safety critical aviation personnel in the commercial and leisure sectors, and to those people flying or working with aircraft in their free time. It also reflects the positive responses to a Government consultation paper issued in July 1996, which proposed this limit.It will continue to be a criminal offence to be engaged in an aviation related activity while unfit though the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is our belief that these proposals will further enhance safety in our skies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to take forward reform of the private sector housing renewal grants regime. [154541]

My Department has today published a consultation paper outlining how we propose to proceed with our reforms of the legislation governing housing renewal by local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department's Greening Operations Annual report for 1999–2000 will be published. [154771]

I have today published the DETR Green Minister's Annual Report 2000. This incorporates Greening Operations data for the year 1999–2000 but also covers other aspects of my responsibilities for greening government and promoting sustainable development within the Department. The Report has been independently verified.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out his proposals for making the United Kingdom a showcase for environmental protection and environmental technologies. [154197]

I have been asked to replyThe Government's aim is for the UK to become a leading player in the new markets for green energy and products, waste minimisation, recycling and re-use. The Prime Minister's speeches in October and March, the White Paper "Opportunity for all" and Budget 2001 further develop and take forward this new approach through a range of existing and new measures to boost UK industrial and research capabilities and capacity in cutting-edge sustainable technologies and know-how. Recent announcements include:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what basis sites were selected for the roadshow presentations on the London Orbital Study. [153960]

Sites for the Orbit study mobile exhibitions were identified by the study consultants and approved by the Steering Group for the study. The consultants were asked to identify ten sites which would provide broad coverage of the M25 transport corridor, be accessible to people living in the corridor, and enable M25 users to visit with ease. The final list of sites was influenced by availability and by the ease of obtaining necessary permissions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what additional action he has taken to provide specific funds in the last 12 months for(a) woodland creation and (b) to reverse the fragmentation of ancient woodland. [153682]

I have been asked to reply.In the past 12 months, we have announced that, through the England rural development programme, we will provide about £70 million in planting grants under the woodland grant scheme to encourage the creation of new woodland over the next seven years and about £77 million in payments under the farm woodland premium scheme. In addition, we have given the commission an additional £9.4 million from the capital modernisation fund to create 1,000 hectares of new woodland in the community forests.We also launched the JIGSAW challenge last year, a £5 million initiative which offers grants to encourage landowners to establish new woodland which will connect isolated areas of ancient semi-natural woodland. Reversing the fragmentation of existing native woodland is one of the aims of our England forestry strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment Transport and the Regions what plans he has through the felling licence system to restrict further the removal of young trees, shrubs and undergrowth from areas of ancient woodland; and if he will make a statement. [153681]

I have been asked to reply.We have no plans to change the felling licence regulations to restrict the removal of young trees, shrubs and undergrowth from areas of ancient woodland. Protecting and enhancing these woodlands is, however, a key aim of the England forestry strategy. The forestry forum, which I set up to oversee the implementation of the strategy, has recently made several recommendations

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how much revenue CCTA have raised through commissions paid on sales facilitated by (a) G-cat and (b) S-cat in each of the last five financial years; [151535](2) what proportion of orders placed through

[holding answers 27 February 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the largest contract is that has been placed through (a) G-cat and (b) S-cat; and if he will make a statement; [151578](2) what assessment he has made of the benefits that Government Departments realise through the use of G-cat and S-cat; [151579](3) what assessment he has made of the compliance of G-cat and S-cat with EC tendering legislation. [151580]

[holding answer 1 March 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the chief executive of the Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the UK joint ministerial committee on poverty has to consider debt. [153075]

[holding answer 12 March 2001]: Tackling financial exclusion is an essential part of the Government's strategy to tackle social exclusion. Details of the Government's progress with the agenda to reduce financial exclusion are set out in the "National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal: Policy Action Team Audit report", which was published in January. A copy of this document can be found in the Library.The Government are also keen that individuals do not take on debts that they cannot afford to repay. That is why the DTI has set up an industry taskforce specifically to address concerns about increasing levels of debt.The joint ministerial committee on poverty was established to consider joint or co-ordinated action by the UK Government and the devolved Administrations to tackle poverty and social exclusion and to facilitate exchanging information and sharing best practice.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was received by his Department in tax duty and VAT in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000 from the bingo industry. [153766]

Duty receipts from bingo can be found in the HM Customs and Excise statistical bulletin "Receipts from Betting, Gaming and Lottery Duties", a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. Details of the amount of VAT received from the bingo industry are not readily available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the outcome of the ECOFIN Council held in Brussels on 12 March was; what the Government's voting record at the Council was; and if he will make a statement. [153815]

I attended the meeting of the Economic and Finance Council of Ministers.The Council discussed the wise men's report on regulation of European securities markets. The UK shares the analysis of the benefits of a competing single market in securities and the desire to speed up and prioritise completion of a single market in financial services. Welcoming the report, ECOFIN commissioned further work with the aim of sending conclusions to the Stockholm European Council.The Council agreed a joint Council-Commission report on "The Contribution of Public Finances to Growth and Employment", which will be submitted to the Stockholm European Council. A short list of 12 structural performance indicators was also adopted from the list of 35 that the Council and the Commission agreed should be used in the synthesis report. Indicators enable member states to measure progress on structural reform, and the short list will give extra focus and momentum to the exercise.The Council also agreed to forward to the Stockholm European Council: the Commission synthesis report; the Economic Policy Committee's annual report on structural reform; a report by the European Investment bank on the Innovation 2000 initiative; the presidency key issues paper for the broad economic policy guidelines (BEPGs); and the Commission report on the implementation on the BEPGs.The Council recommended that the European Parliament give discharge to the Commission in respect of its implementation of the 1999 budget, and welcomed the Commission's proposal for an annual action plan to reduce errors.The Council agreed priorities for the 2002 budget, with emphasis on compliance with the budgetary ceilings agreed at the Berlin European Council.