To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he intends to undertake reviews of the National Museum of Science and Industry, Geffrye Museum/Horniman Museum/Museum of London, National Maritime Museum, Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and the Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection. [156815]

As part of the Department's programme of quinquennial reviews of its public bodies, I am today announcing that this summer we will be starting reviews of the National Museum of Science and Industry, Geffrye Museum/Horniman Museum/Museum of London (jointly), National Maritime Museum, Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and the Advisory Committee on the Government Art Collection.The reviews will include an evaluation of the role and functions of these bodies and how those functions can best be carried out, and a review of the efficiency and effectiveness of the way in which they deliver services to their users. We estimate that the reviews will be completed next spring. A copy of the announcement has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Solicitor-General when the Law Officer's Departments' Departmental report will be published. [156220]

I can confirm that today copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list the average time taken between the receipt of (a) an asylum appeal and (b) an immigration appeal to the Independent Appellate Authority and an appeal decision, for the latest period for which figures are available. [156261]

The average time taken by the Immigration Appellate Authority, from receipt to determination in the period 1 April 2000 to 28 February 2001, is 21.2 weeks for an asylum appeal and 28.6 weeks for an immigration appeal.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the average annual cost is of employing (a) a full-time adjudicator and (b) a part-time adjudicator to hear immigration and asylum appeals. [156262]

The average annual direct cost of an adjudicator, with effect from 1 April 2001, will be £106,201. The fee for a part-time adjudicator is calculated on a pro rata basis from the annual salary cost of a full-time adjudicator. The average cost is therefore identical.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the HQ at Northwood will close; what sites are being considered as a replacement; and if he will make a statement. [155802]

I have authorised the start of formal consultations with the departmental trades unions regarding the proposed streamlining and relocation to Portsmouth of elements of the Commander in Chief Fleet's Headquarters. Under these proposals the Commander in Chief Fleet, who also holds key NATO appointments, would remain at Northwood with his national and NATO operations staffs and other site occupants including the Chief of Joint Operations. Northwood will remain a core MOD site for the foreseeable future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to review the levels of service pensions of men and women who retired before 1975; [156116](2) when he will publish the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme; and if he will make a statement; [156114](3) what plans he has to increase service pensions to the widows of service men who married after the service man's retirement and before 1978; [156118](4) what steps he is taking to address the differences in widows' service pensions between the widow of a service man who retired in the period up to March 1973, and the widow of a service man who retired after April 1973. [156115]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave on 16 March 2001, Official Report, column 756W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood (Mr. Murphy). The review proposals do not include recommendations to introduce changes to the Armed Forces Pension Scheme retrospectively. This is in line with public sector pension policy maintained by successive Governments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the agreement between the Secretary of State for Defence and the Police Complaints Authority signed on 23 June 1988. [156005]

Yes.

To ask the President of the Council how many civil servants and at which grades are charged with carrying out the preliminary sift of applications for a people's peerage. [155588]

I understand that a small team of 10 civil servants, led by a member of the Senior Civil Service, has assisted the Commission in sifting applications for recommendation as a non-political peer.

To ask the President of the Council if the Government will seek to increase the powers of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (a) to provide independent advice to Ministers on their responsibilities under the Ministerial Code, (b) to appoint independent investigators of alleged breaches of the code and (c) to report to the Prime Minister and the House. [156207]

The Government's position on the provision of independent advice on allegations of breaches of the Ministerial Code is set out in the Government's response to the sixth report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to reinstate the miners sacked in 1984–85 into the Miners' Pension Fund. [156110]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Ms Walley) on 27 March 2001, Official Report, column 586W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new proposals he has to protect and promote British intellectual property. [156075]

Protection for British intellectual property (IP) is central to our objectives for European and international activities in this area. Towards the end of last year the European Commission adopted an Action Plan on Counterfeiting and Piracy. This promises a Directive aimed at strengthening enforcement of intellectual property rights across the Community through harmonisation of legislation and procedures, and establishing a general framework for co-operation between member states. The Action Plan is in line with work, especially on promoting co-operation between enforcement bodies, which we have already begun here. Internationally we are working closely with our European partners to ensure that IP rights and their enforcement are available to British industry in all members of the World Trade Organisation, especially in our major trading partners, through full implementation of the Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs). Where British interests are disadvantaged by failure to provide the required standards of IP protection we continue to use internationally recognised WTO disputes resolution arrangements.We are also strengthening measures to protect IP in the United Kingdom. For example, the Government are supporting a private Member's Bill (The Copyright etc. and Trade Marks (Offences and Enforcement) Bill) currently before Parliament that will bring into line criminal provisions in copyright with those in trade marks law, and so make enforcement actions more effective.Promoting IP and its value to us all is a key task. The Patent Office continues to undertake events and workshops aimed at promoting IP, raising awareness in general and in particular communities such as small businesses and business intermediaries. The aim is to create understanding and respect for IP throughout the society and the community. For example last November a new portal website for IP (www.intellectual-property.gov.uk) was launched that provides information for both creators and users of IP and provides links to many other useful sites. The Patent Office's own recently improved website (www.patent.gov.uk) has won an award in the Government Website Awards announced last week. We have also undertaken research into people's understanding of IP to identify the right messages to improve awareness and are exploring how to improve education about IP in both schools and higher education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial targets are to be set for community finance initiatives funded from the Phoenix Fund by the Small Business Service; and if he will make a statement. [156259]

CFIs can take a variety of forms, in a legal and operational structure as well as operation of different lending models. Combined with the fact that the CFI sector within the UK is still developing and a number are still in their formative stages, the imposition of operational financial targets as part of the Phoenix Fund support is not deemed to be appropriate at this time. All supported CFIs are being actively encouraged to work towards operational sustainability and this was considered as part of the application assessment process.The Small Business Service and HM Treasury are currently working with relevant private sector organisations towards formation of a high quality, professional and adequately resourced Trade Association for the community development finance sector. It is envisaged that any Trade Association will, once operational, formulate performance indicators to assist members with comparison of their performance to "best practice" and similar organisations. CFIs supported through the Phoenix Fund will be encouraged to seek membership of any such Trade Association.The purpose of the CFI elements of the Phoenix Fund is to encourage entrepreneurship within disadvantaged groups and communities, through stimulating the growth and development of the CFI sector in the UK. CFIs supported through this programme are required to provide quarterly reports in a format prescribed by the Small Business Service, in order to monitor the impact on the disadvantaged target group or community of each CFI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria are used to evaluate bids from community finance initiatives for Challenge Fund support from the Phoenix Fund; and if he will make a statement. [156258]

CFI support from the Phoenix Fund is allocated on a competitive challenge basis. The assessment process has two elements being, (i) review by SBS against key criteria stated in the bidding guidance, (ii) an independent assessment panel to advise the SBS Chief Executive on the final award of Phoenix Fund support. In reviewing the bids the panel was concerned with the soundness of each proposal, its impact on entrepreneurship in areas of disadvantage, impact on the growth of the CFI sector in the UK and development of appropriate models and good practice.Bidding guidance for the first round of Phoenix Fund support for CFIs was issued in June 2000 and copies are held in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what priority is given to community finance initiatives that are national in scope within the Challenge Fund element of the Phoenix Fund; and if he will make a statement. [156260]

CFI support from the Phoenix Fund is allocated on a competitive challenge basis. The assessment process had two elements being, (i) review by SBS against key criteria stated in the bidding guidance, (ii) an independent assessment panel to advise the SBS Chief Executive on the final award of Phoenix Fund support. In reviewing the bids the panel was concerned with the soundness of each proposal, its impact on entrepreneurship in areas of disadvantage, impact on the growth of the CFI sector in the UK and development of appropriate models and good practice.Within the context of this challenge process no preference or priority is given to whether an applicant organisation operates at a national or local level. The PAT 3 recommendation which underlies the CFI support programme was to support CFIs in disadvantaged areas and deprived groups. As part of the assessment against key criteria, consideration is given to whether an applicant organisation demonstrates a clear focus on disadvantaged areas or deprivation and how it compares against other applications which have a clear focus on social exclusion and deprived groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress there has been on reaching a settlement to enable compensation to be paid to surface only and mixed underground/surface claimants under the Coal Health Compensation Scheme. [156751]

The Department accepted liability for surface dust in a minute to Parliament dated 10 July 2000. However, questions remained over the extent of that liability.The Department's medical advice is that surface-only workers in jobs categorised as 'dusty' may well suffer from chronic bronchitis or temporary exacerbation of asthma because of exposure to the sort of particles which form visible dust. However, it is the much smaller particles of 'respirable dust'—not visible to the naked eye—which cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). At the respirable dust levels recorded by the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) and using the figures for loss of lung function accepted by the Judge, the Department's medical advice is that there is very little likelihood of men in surface-only 'dusty' work developing COPD, even over a whole working lifetime.Claimants' solicitors do not share the Department's position. To move matters forward, the Department and the claimants' solicitors are carrying out a joint study on surface dust issues. The results of the study will be put to each side's medical advisers and will help to inform any final settlement.The study is in two parts:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on how much regional selective assistance has been offered to companies investing in the English regions since May 1997. [156753]

A total of £581.6 million has been offered as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on how employers manage absences. [156752]

The Green Paper, "Work and Parents:Competitiveness and Choice", indicated that my Department would be undertaking research on how employers manage absence.In the absence of that research, the costing of policy options considered in the Green Paper made an assumption about the cost to employers of covering for absences. The specific assumption made was that the cost of a week's absence to an employer was 24 per cent. of labour costs.Information gathered during the consultation process and emerging findings from research commissioned by my Department, suggest that this assumption was too high. It is important to distinguish situations where an employer covers absence by taking on a temporary replacement from situations where the employer manages absences by internal reallocation of work. The costs of each will be different. Where a temporary replacement is hired, the employer faces the one-off costs of recruitment. In contrast, if work is reallocated, there are no recruitment costs but there are likely to be recurring costs to the business. The decisions employers take on how to cover for any specific absence will depend upon the length of the absence, its nature (whether planned or unplanned), the size and nature of the business, and the skill level the post requires.The partial regulatory impact assessment (RIA) given in answer to question number 156754 explores these issues further. Full details are given in Annexe 2 of this RIA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will provide a regulatory impact assessment for those measures that have been announced following the end of the consultation on the Green Paper,

"Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice"

I am placing a partial regulatory impact assessment in the Library of the House for those measures which have been announced following the consultation on the Green Paper, "Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice". A full regulatory impact assessment will be published when the relevant legislation is presented to Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the action being taken by his Department to help people affected by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [156749]

My Department has taken urgent measures to ensure that benefit claims from people who have been affected by foot and mouth disease are dealt with quickly and sensitively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when his Departmental report will be published. [156750]

The Social Security Departmental Report, which sets out the Department's expenditure plans for 2001–02 to 2003–04 and the Main Estimate for 2001–02, has been laid before Parliament. A copy has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning recent attacks upon Rohingya Muslims by Rakhine Buddhist extremists in Arakan State, Burma; and if he will make a statement. [155348]

I understand that the violence occurred in Northern Rakhine State, a remote part of Burma. Contacts with UNHCR and INGOs have confirmed reports that there was renewed violence in February 2001, which resulted in loss of life and destruction of homes. Intercommunal tension in Rakhine State is just one example of the suffering of the peoples of Burma. We will continue to press for change in Burma to bring about national reconciliation, full respect for human rights and a return to democracy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many overseas visits, and to which countries, the Minister for Europe has undertaken on official business since assuming his office. [156762]

The information is in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) of 20 March 2001, Official Report, column 112W, for what reason the responsibilities of the Minister for Europe were expanded to include entry clearance. [156355]

The Minister for Europe was asked to take on responsibility for entry clearance because he was the best man for the job. His stewardship of the portfolio since then has been an outstanding success, as has been recognised by many Members of this House. At home and overseas he has delivered a huge improvement in service. He eliminated the backlog of replies to Members' letters on entry clearance cases, and has achieved dramatic reductions in waiting times at overseas posts such as Islamabad.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what goods subject to strategic export controls have been approved for export to Iraq in the last three months. [156755]

Following consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Trade and Industry recently approved licences to export 30 electronic exploder and four Hook and Line Kits, controlled under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended, to the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for use in a humanitarian mine clearance programme in Northern Iraq under the UN Oil for Food Programme. The export of these goods to Iraq has been approved by the UN Sanctions Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy on the deaths of newsmen in Balibo, East Timor in 1975. [156198]

The British Government continue to take an active interest in this case. When I met Sergio Vieira de Mello, Head of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), in London on 6 March, I asked him about the UN investigation into the deaths. Mr. de Mello confirmed that the UN police report had been submitted to Mr. Othman, the UN Prosecutor General, who has said that there are grounds to continue with the investigations but that the case is not yet ready for trial. We will continue to monitor developments closely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) on what date(i) an official and (ii) a Minister from his Department first informed (a) an official and (b) a Minister in another EU member state that the UK had its first (1) suspected and (2) confirmed case in the foot and mouth disease outbreak; [156384](2) on what date (i) an official and (ii) a Minister in his Department first informed

The Government Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed the presence of foot and mouth on the night of 20 February. The Government were immediately in close contact with the European Commission and other member states. As lead Department, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has since then been in constant contact with European colleagues and the Commission. The FCO has supported through Embassies and Ministerial contacts. The Government have taken every step possible to protect our own industry and farming across Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) present and (b) former (i) employees and (ii) directors of Mapesbury Communications have served as political aides or advisers to the Minister for Europe. [156077]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to promote interest-free mortgages to(a) ambulance service staff, (b) nurses, (c) professions allied to medicine and (d) other NHS staff, who are based in London. [142201]

The National Health Service housing co-ordinator in support of the recruitment and retention campaign is developing affordable accommodation for NHS staff. He is examining a range of options for supporting low-cost housing for NHS staff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for (a) Great Britain and (b) each health authority in England, the number of operations (i) cancelled and (ii) cancelled with the patient not readmitted within one month, for each year since 1995. [149434]

The Department of Health in England monitors performance against the standard covering "last minute cancelled operations" for non-medical reasons which requires patients to be admitted (or readmitted) within one month following such cancellations. Monitoring in England is carried out on a quarterly basis at health authority level, and the results are routinely placed in the Library. The latest results cover the period quarter 3 1999–2000 to Quarter 3 2000–01. Quarterly results from 1994–95 are available in the Library.Information on cancelled operations for the rest of the United Kingdom should be obtained from the respective Health Departments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds were available in (a) Great Britain and (b) each NHS trust in (i) 1979, (ii) 1990 and (iii) each year from 1992 to the latest date for which figures are available. [149433]

The average daily number of available beds in England for 1979 and 1990–91 to 1999–2000 are given in the table. The first National Health Service trusts were established in 1991–92. Prior to this, information on bed numbers was collected from district health authorities and not individual units. Detailed information on the average daily number of beds in England is published annually in "Bed Availability and Occupancy, England", copies of which are available in the Library. Questions for Scotland and Wales are matters for the devolved administrations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many GPs left practice in 2000–01; and how many of these were (a) part-time and (b) full-time equivalents; [152803](2) how many new GPs were appointed in the financial year 2000–01; and how many of these were

Between 1999 and 2000 there was a net increase of 410 general practitioners or 190 on an estimated whole time equivalent basis. In addition, the number of GP registrars (trainees) continues to rise from its low point of 1,305 in 1996 to 1,659 at 31 September 2000. These are the GPs of the future.The table gives more details of joiners and leavers. It shows that, 203 unrestricted principal and equivalent GPs joined practice and 1,090 left. Within these totals the table identifies the numbers of full and part-time GPs in each category. It does not however show how many GPs who

have stopped working as an unrestricted principal or equivalent continue to practise as, for example, locums, as part of the salaried doctor scheme, or retainers. That information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the impact of Project 2000 upon nurse recruitment. [153793]

Between 1997 and 2000 the number of qualified nurses working in the National Health Service has increased by 17,100.Nurse recruitment is influenced by a range of factors including pay and working conditions and it is not possible to identify the impact of Project 2000 on this separately.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many draft Full Business Cases for NHS hospital trust computer systems (a) are now held in each regional office of the NHS Executive and (b) were first submitted in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000 and (iii) 2001, broken down by regional office. [153095]

Six draft full business cases (FBC) for National Health Service hospital trust computer systems are currently held by regional offices. None of these were submitted in 1999, four of the six were submitted in 2000.and the remaining two in 2001. Details are given in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire of 19 January on behalf of his constituent Mr. Ball. [154728]

A reply to the right hon. Member's letter was sent on 27 March 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in Battersea have expanded their practice to treat more NHS patients through the Commitment Payment Scheme since April 2000. [154832]

The information required is not held centrally in the format requested. Information on dental practices is held by health authority.The number of General Dental Service (GDS) dentists in Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority receiving commitment payments at the different levels for the June 2000 quarter and December 2000 quarter are shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if the targets in the NHS Plan for additional doctors and nurses relate to additional whole-time equivalent doctors and nurses; [155399](2) if he will place in the Library on the first anniversary of the publication of the NHS Plan and on each subsequent anniversary, figures indicating the Government's progress towards achieving the NHS Plan targets for additional

The targets for doctors and nurses in the NHS Plan are all expressed in headcount as was made plain at the time of publication. We will provide 7,500 more consultants, 2,000 more general practitioners and 20,000 more nurses by 2004.The Department's annual workforce censuses collect headcount and whole time equivalent figures as at 30 September each year and are routinely published and placed in the library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to review the statutory right to advocacy for looked-after children. [155467]

:Following the recent consultation exercise on social services complaints procedures, we are considering whether it is possible to introduce a statutory right of access to an advocate under the Children Act procedures.Listening to the voices of looked-after children and young people is an integral part of the Quality Protects programme. The programme encourages the growth of high quality independent advocacy services in every council and allocates special grant funding for this purpose. There are already many good examples of advocacy in social services and we recognise how vital it is to listen to children and young people.The local authority circular (LAC(2000)22), issued on 13 November 2000 continues to place listening to children as a priority area for 2001–02 and requires local councils to involve young people collectively and to enhance their individual voices through, for example, the development of independent advocacy services. In addition, local councils are encouraged to speed up the complaints procedures, so that children's concerns can be dealt with promptly and sympathetically.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the pay of paramedics. [155952]

All ambulance staff on national terms and conditions, including paramedics will receive an above inflation increase of 3.7 per cent. from 1 April 2001. Increases of 3.7 per cent. are also made to on call, standby and London allowances. Advance letters promulgating the pay award were issued to National Health Service employers on 1 March to allow increases to be paid in April salaries

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the Government's response to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs report on Reducing Drug Related Deaths. [156547]

The Government are publishing their response to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs report today. Copies will be placed in the Library. This is the first stage of our response—we are also preparing an Action Plan to reduce drug misuse related deaths which we intend to publish this summer. This action plan will set targets for agencies and Government departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue guidance to local authority social services departments on the (a) residence and (b) family circumstances under which a local authority is financially responsible for a child whose mother has been murdered by his father. [156008]

Under Section 17(1) of the Children Act 1989 the duty of every council with social services responsibilities is to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need; and, so far as is consistent with that duty, to promote the upbringing of such children by their families, by providing a range and level of services appropriate to those children's needs. Section 23(2) of the Children Act requires such councils to provide accommodation and maintenance for any child whom they are looking after by placing them with a family; a relative; or any other suitable person, on such terms as to payment as the council may determine. The Benefits Agency may have a role to play in providing financial assistance for a person caring for a child in such circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received on the cost of production and distribution of the NHS Plan document; [155912](2) what the cost is of

To my knowledge no representations have been received on the cost of production and distribution of the NHS Plan document.The publication and distribution of the NHS Plan cost £175,050 and £268,856 respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what (a) quantitative and (b) qualitative analytical work his Department has commissioned from GGC/NOP since 1 May 1997; and what was (i) the cost of the contract and (ii) the specific nature of the work commissioned. [155669]

The Wales Office has not commissioned any quantitative or qualitative analytical work from GGC/NOP since it was established on 1 July, 1999.Information for the period 1 May 1997 to 30 June 1999 is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what precautions are taken by his Department's vets and officials to avoid spreading foot and mouth disease when they move from farm to farm. [154995]

All officials and contractors must observe stringent cleansing and disinfection procedures when entering or leaving a premises where disease has been confirmed or suspected. Any official or contractor who enters a premises where disease has been confirmed may not enter another premises which contains susceptible species for a period of three days. In certain areas of the country, and in very limited circumstances, this period has just been reduced to 24 hours. In these cases, the risk of spreading foot and mouth disease from the person concerned is far less than the risk that would result front the delayed identification of other infected premises.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department was first informed of the possibility of a suspected case of foot and mouth disease at Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland. [154956]

The Ministry first became aware of a suspected case of footland mouth in pigs at a farm in Heddo-on-the-Wall on 22 February and confirmed disease on the following day.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the recommended permitted time is from the culling of an animal to the disposal of its carcase. [153953]

Our objective is to slaughter affected animals within 24 hours of disease having been confirmed, and then to dispose of the carcases within a further 24 hours. There have been problems in achieving these targets, primarily in areas of high disease incidence particularly with the disposal of carcases. Extra operational support has been brought in, in particular logistical help from the armed forces to improve the planning, co-ordination and management of the slaughter and disposal process.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reason it is taking five days for pigs in some areas to be slaughtered after being diagnosed as infected with the foot and mouth virus. [155077]

We are not aware of any occasion where it has taken five days to slaughter pigs after disease has been confirmed. If the hon. Member can provide me with details of cases he has in mind, we will look into the matter further.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the reason is for the length of time taken for tests on livestock for foot and mouth disease to be completed and reported. [154994]

Currently, well over 90 per cent. of foot and mouth cases are being confirmed on the basis of clinical evidence by the veterinary officer who inspects the animals concerned. Where it is necessary to take samples for testing, these are collected, packaged and despatched to the Institute for Animal Health (IAH) at Pirbright in Surrey. The IAH carry out an ELISA test which takes about 5–6 hours to complete. Positive results are then faxed to MAFF's Emergency Control Centre in London for immediate action. The ELISA test can give false negative results and so all negatives are checked by attempting to isolate the foot and mouth virus in a cell culture. This process can take 4–5 days to complete.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received on the amount of information available to farmers concerning the foot and mouth disease outbreak; and what steps he is taking to ensure that farmers are kept fully informed. [155018]

Since the beginning of the outbreak Ministers have held regular, wide ranging meetings with farming and other organisations to ensure they are kept informed of developments. These meetings have provided the Ministry with direct feedback on the information that farmers need to help them cope with the outbreak.MAFF has a foot and mouth website which is updated at least twice a day to provide the latest news and information. A helpline is open seven days a week from 8 am to 11 pm to answer queries from farmers and members of the public. We have also produced a series of fact sheets on foot and mouth disease which have been sent to every farmer in England, Scotland and Wales. Supplies are held in Animal Health Offices and copies placed in Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what consultations he has held with the Department for Education and Employment about(a) closure of schools and other education institutions,(b) enforced absence of pupils and the provision of education by other means and (c) staff absence, owing to residence in areas affected by foot and mouth disease. [154674]

From the beginning of the outbreak Ministry officials have maintained close contact with officials from the Department for Education and Employment, for example over the advice which the Department for Education and Employment provided to local education authorities on school closures, and staff and pupil absences resulting from the outbreak.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if foot and mouth disease can be spread by exposure to plants and grains; and if he will make a statement. [154949]

Plants and grains do not become contaminated if they grow on land which had previously been grazed by animals affected by the disease. Their surfaces can become contaminated if they have been in physical contact or close proximity with an infected animal.MAFF has posted on its website a general assessment of the implications of the foot and mouth outbreak for the grain trade. No movement of grain is permitted from UK farms where foot and mouth is suspected or has been confirmed. There are no restrictions on the drilling of crops on premises where disease is known or thought to exist. There are, however, restrictions on the movement of plant and machinery to or from such premises.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has established the cause of the current foot and mouth outbreak. [155040]

Detailed epidemiological investigations are being undertaken into the source of the outbreak. Initial findings suggest that the earliest outbreak was at a pig premises in north-east England and that infection spread from there through the movement of animals, particularly sheep, before the first case was found in Essex on 19 February. However, it is still unclear how the infection entered the United Kingdom. Information on the initial epidemiological findings will be published.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to bring in extra veterinary surgeons from other countries to assist with the foot and mouth disease outbreak. [154950]

Over 100 veterinary staff have arrived or are due to arrive from the official veterinary services of 11 different countries. There are now over 1,200 veterinarians involved in controlling the foot and mouth disease outbreak.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department was first notified of a possible outbreak of foot and mouth disease at Wick Farm, Laye-de-la-Haye, Essex; when the outbreak was confirmed; when the slaughter of livestock was (a) commenced and (b) completed; when the destruction of carcases was (i) started and (ii) completed; and if he will make a statement. [154720]

The information requested is as follows:

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will request the suspension of non-essential maintenance work by utility companies which involves work on farm land during the outbreak of foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [154789]

The utility companies have suspended non-essential work within foot and mouth infected areas.Advice and precautions to be exercised by people working in the countryside has been posted on MAFF's website www.maff.gov.uk. Central to this advice is that people should follow strict cleansing procedures which would include leaving vehicles outside the farm, disinfecting boots and wearing boots or clothing supplied by the farm. People working in the countryside should ensure that all mud, slurry and manure is washed off before they leave the premises.It is essential that all visits to farms and possible contacts with animals are recorded, The records should include the date and time of the visit. Should disease occur on a farm then these records will be used to trace movements and possible spread of the disease.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what his departmental policy was during 2000 in respect of the disinfecting of lorries used for movement of animals, between such movements. [154666]

The rules covering the cleansing and disinfection of vehicles used for animal transport were consolidated in the Transport of Animals (Cleansing and Disinfection) (England) (No. 2) Order 2000 (SI 2000/1618), which came into force on 6 July 2000. This Order requires that, subject to certain exemptions, livestock transports should be cleansed and disinfected after each use. It also requires livestock transports that have become soiled, which may give rise to a risk of transmission of disease since last being cleansed and disinfected, to be cleansed and disinfected again before they are next used.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when farmers will be compensated for the problems faced due to the foot and mouth epidemic. [154030]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle) on 13 March 2001, Official Report, column 565W.The Department aims to pay compensation for animals slaughtered to control foot and mouth disease as soon as possible after valuation, confirmation of slaughter and checking of claims. As at 3.30 pm on Friday 23 March, 121 claims which total £12.7 million have been paid and a further 138 claims which total £10.5 million have been approved and will be paid shortly.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what level of compensation he will give to farmers affected by the recent foot and mouth outbreak, with particular reference to (a) farmers having infected animals slaughtered, (b) farmers affected by the ban on movement and (c) farmers suffering loss of income through lack of bed and breakfast bookings; and if he will make a statement. [154285]

Compensation is payable for the market value of animals slaughtered to control foot and mouth disease. It is not payable for the consequential losses for example caused by movement restrictions. There are no plans to make such payments in response to the current outbreak, but the situation will be kept under review. On 22 March we opened the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme to deal with livestock facing serious welfare problems as a result of foot and mouth disease control measures. Where the welfare issue can not be resolved by other means, livestock farmers may enter the animals into this voluntary scheme for removal and disposal at the Government's expense, and receive a payment.My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment has also announced measures to assist businesses affected by the outbreak. The Taskforce which he is chairing will continue its work and the Government will want to consider any further response in the light of the latest developments.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if Lacock falls within a restricted foot and mouth area. [155332]

Lacock falls within the foot and mouth infected area defined in the Foot and Mouth Disease Declaratory (No 30) Order 2001. A copy of the Order and a map of the infected area has been posted on the Ministry's website http:// www.maff.gov.uk/.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice his Department is giving to farmers about drilling crops on holdings that (a) have been or (b) may have been affected by foot and mouth; and if he will make a statement. [155334]

MAFF has posted on its website a general assessment of the implications of the foot and mouth outbreak for the grain trade. No movement of grain is permitted from UK farms where foot and mouth is suspected or has been confirmed. There are no restrictions on the drilling of crops on premises where disease is known or thought to exist. There are, however, restrictions on the movement of plant and machinery to or from such premises.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when his Department was first notified of a possible outbreak of foot and mouth disease on Boydale's Farm, Neatherfield, Essex; when the case was confirmed; when the slaughter of livestock was (a) commenced and (b) completed; when the destruction of carcases was (i) commenced and (ii) completed; and if he will make a statement. [155376]

The information requested is as follows:14 March 2001—A MAFF Veterinary Officer visited Boydale's Farm as a result of an animal movement tracing.14 March 2001—Disease confirmed.14–15 March 2001—Livestock slaughtered.15 March 2001—Fire started. The carcases would have been destroyed within 24 hours. The fire remained under supervision throughout.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what investigations he has carried out, with what results, into the sources of meat used in meals served by schools in (a) Sunderland and (b) Gateshead from which the outbreak of foot and mouth disease may have emerged; and if he will make a statement. [154713]

Investigations into the source of the foot and mouth outbreak are continuing. When we are in a position to draw firm conclusions they will be published.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the veterinary investigation centres which were closed between 1980 and 1997. [155602]

I refer the to the letter from the Chief Executive of the Veterinary Laboratories Agency which lists the number of closures between 1980 and 1997.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what studies he has undertaken to assess the effects of closure of abattoirs on (a) direct farm sales and farmers' market sales, (b) the viability of independent butchers, (c) the viability of (i) small, (ii) medium and (iii) large livestock farms, (d) the animal welfare implications and the costs of transporting livestock extra distances to abattoirs and (e) the number of jobs lost through closure. [151821]

The Ministry has undertaken no studies to assess the above effects of abattoir closures.As announced in the Rural White Paper published on 28 November, Agriculture Departments in England, Scotland and Wales have agreed to transfer £8.7 million to the Foods Standards Agency for the three financial years 2001–02 to 2003–04; this will enable the FSA to implement the principal recommendation of the Taskforce chaired by Colin Maclean, to revise the method of charging for Meat Hygiene Service inspections in abattoirs and cutting plants.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many vets were employed by his Department in (a) 1971, (b) 1975, (c) 1980, (d) 1985, (e) 1986, (f) 1987, (g) 1988, (h) 1989, (i) 1990,(j) 1992, (k) 1994, (l) 1996, (m) 1998, (n) 2000 and (o) 2001. [155623]

The number of veterinary surgeons (full-time equivalents) employed by the State Veterinary Service since 1979, the earliest date for which we have accurate figures, is given in the table. The hon. Member may wish to know that since 1980 the State Veterinary Service has changed several times. The Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL), which previously formed part of the State Veterinary Service, became the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) in April 1990. The CVL figures are incorporated in this return for the years 1 January 1980 to 1 January 1990. From 1 June 1990 the figures do not include the CVL. The Veterinary Investigation Service became part of the VLA on 1 October 1995 and is not included in these figures from that date. In 2000, there were 99 veterinarians employed by VLA. Much of the information presented was previously given in the answer of 27 February 1997, Official Report, columns 323–24W.Of the 285 full-time equivalent veterinarians employed by the State Veterinary Service in 2001 as a whole, 220 veterinarians are employed as field veterinary officers. The work of these officers is supplemented by about 100 Temporary Veterinary Inspectors (TVIs) from the private sector in normal times.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many livestock farms there were in the St. Ives constituency in (a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. [155740]

There were 815 main agricultural holdings in the St. Ives constituency with livestock (cattle, sheep, pigs or goats) in the June 2000 Agricultural and Horticultural census. Parliamentary constituency level data are not available for June 1992 or June 1997.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if healthy pigs can be moved to abattoirs for killing (a) under the Welfare Destruction Scheme and (b) for normal food purposes; and if he will make a statement. [155621]

Pigs and other livestock experiencing serious, insurmountable welfare problems due to foot and mouth disease control measures would be eligible for the Livestock Welfare (Disposal) Scheme (LWDS). Livestock entered into LWDS would normally be slaughtered in specially designated abattoirs but, where this is not possible they would be killed on-farm. Through the Slaughter Under Licence Scheme, around 80 per cent. of typical slaughter levels of pigs for normal food purposes are currently being achieved.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the average income per farm for (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the region including the Lewes constituency in each year since 1979 was in current prices. [155600]

The information requested is given in the table. The Eastern region is the smallest regional level covering the Lewes constituency for which figures are available. However, the East covers a large area of England from Lincolnshire to Hampshire and therefore is not necessarily representative of farming in the Lewes constituency.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers his officials have to speed up the destruction of livestock affected by foot and mouth disease, and in particular to deal with cases whereby owners have delayed settlement of compensation. [154317]

The power to slaughter animals affected with foot and mouth disease is contained in the Animal Health Act 1983. The Act does not specify how slaughter should be carried out, but, in the vast majority of cases animals are slaughtered very quickly following confirmation of disease.An Order has been made to change the valuation procedure for animals slaughtered for foot and mouth disease. This Order gives farmers the option of receiving payments at standard rates or of having animals valued by a valuer. This is intended to help speed up the valuation process and so ensure that animals can be slaughtered as quickly as possible. Where matters are delayed because an owner has disputed the valuation, all animals clearly affected with the disease are slaughtered without any further delay. The valuation of these animals is resolved after slaughter.There have been some localised problems. Officials are working with a number of experts, including those from the armed forces to improve the planning, co-ordination and management of the slaughter and disposal process.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will make a statement on the procedures for compensating farmers whose stock have had to be destroyed because of foot and mouth disease; [154315](2) if he will investigate the administration mechanism which applies where agreement has not been reached as to the amount of compensation to be paid to stock owners for animals destroyed because of foot and mouth disease. [154316]

The normal process of paying compensation involves an independent valuation of the animals which are to be slaughtered. Valuers are employed by the Ministry for this purpose, and where appropriate this can mean a specialist in the particular class or breed of animals involved.If the owner disputes the valuation prior to slaughter, he may call his own valuer so that evidence is available when the matter goes to arbitration.We have introduced arrangements to streamline this process by using a flat rate method wherever possible. The farmer will however retain the right to seek a specific valuation.If agreement can not be reached quickly on the value of animals due to be slaughtered, all animals that are clearly affected with the disease are slaughtered without any further delay. The valuation of these animals is resolved after slaughter.Procedures are in place to fast track the processing and payment of claims, a soon as they are received. We aim to pay compensation within a week of slaughter taking place.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ban the feeding of pig swill to pigs. [155078]

My right hon. Friend the Minister announced on 27 March that we could consult on the principle and detailed application of a ban on the use of pig swill. Copies of the consultation document are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out detailed future spending plans for his Department. [156816]

I have today published my Department's Annual Report for 2001, and copies have been placed in the House Libraries. The Report sets out the Department's achievements over the last year and its detailed plans to continue to meet our over-arching; aim of improving everyone's quality of life, now and for the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many responses were received to the public consultation on proposals to permit technetium-99 radioactive discharges from licensed nuclear reprocessing sites. [156398]

The Environment Agency published a consultation document on 30 November 2000 outlining proposals for the future regulation of technetium-99 discharges from the British Nuclear Fuels plant at Sellafield. The Agency has advised that it received 97 responses to its consultation which ended on 5 March 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has held with (a) MAFF and (b) the Environment Agency, in respect of the environmental hazards posed by the burial of animal carcases arising from the animal slaughter undertaken because of the spread of foot and mouth disease. [156403]

My Department is working in close co-operation with MAFF and the Environment Agency to ensure the fulfilment of the environmental requirements of Article 3(2) of the Animal Waste Directive (90/667/EEC) on the burial of animal carcases. Each proposal for the burial of carcases is the subject of a site-specific risk assessment carried out by the Agency. No carcase burial has been carried out at a site where, in the view of the Agency, there is an undue risk of environmental pollution (eg contamination of groundwater).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will include Stafford Borough Council in the list of authorities able to give relief from business rates to rural businesses affected by the foot and mouth outbreak. [156255]

Any local authority can give discretionary hardship rate relief and the Government underwrite 75 per cent. of the cost. As part of the package of measures to help business meet the costs imposed by the effects of the foot and mouth outbreak, Government have agreed to increase their support by underwriting 95 per cent. of the costs of hardship rate relief in 151 rural local authorities for properties below £12,000 rateable value. The list of rural local authorities, which does not include Stafford Borough Council, is based on sparsity of population, a standard definition of rurality.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a summary of the measures he is taking to promote economic recovery from the effects of foot and mouth disease. [156201]

I set out a package of short term practical measures to help rural business in my statement to the House on 20 March 2001, Official Report, columns 191–210, which included the deferral and rearrangement of payments to Customs, Inland Revenue and of business rates. I also announced a new scheme to enable rural local authorities to offer discretionary hardship rate relief of which further details were given in my answer to the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Mr. Luff) on 26 March 2001, Official Report, columns 425–26W. The Rural Task Force is continuing to look at the scope for additional measures to help rural businesses severely affected by the effects of foot and mouth disease.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what basis he set the limit of rateable value for businesses able to claim serious hardship as a result of foot and mouth disease. [156117]

There is no such limit. All businesses irrespective of their size that are adversely affected by the foot and mouth outbreak, or are suffering hardship for other reasons, may be granted rate relief at the discretion of local authorities. The authority granting rate relief on these grounds is required to fund 25 per cent. of the cost of providing that relief with central government meeting the rest.On 22 March, the Government announced an increase in the central government contribution from 75 per cent. to 95 per cent. of the cost of giving hardship rate relief to small businesses which are suffering from the adverse effects of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. This financial help is being made available to local authorities and targeted at vulnerable small businesses, where rates liabilities represent a greater proportion of turnover and profits than for larger firms.This additional funding is available for relief granted in 151 rural local authorities in England to properties with a rateable value of up to and including £12,000. This will embrace 77 per cent. of the total number of 494,000 business properties located in these areas. This level of rateable value is used in targeting relief on small businesses in other parts of the rating system. Discretionary relief is made available under the village shop rate relief scheme for properties within that threshold, and it is also used to define a small property outside London for the purposes of the transitional relief scheme introduced following the revaluation on 1 April 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a consultation paper on the proposed European Directive on access to ports services; and if he will make a statement. [156825]

I have today launched a consultation paper on the recently published European Commission Communication on Ports, which included a Proposal for a Directive on Access to Ports Services. The consultation seeks views on the Communication and, in particular, on the potential impact of the proposed Directive.The consultation paper has been sent to some 300 people and organisations including ports, port users, port service providers, trade associations, trade unions and others with an interest in the ports industry. It is also available on the DETR website and copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The deadline for responses is 30 June 2001.The Commission's proposals raise a number of important issues including:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 12 February 2001, Official Report, column 11W, on the Sellafield MOX plant, if he will list the consultants which have been chosen to undertake the review of the revised BNFL economic case for SMP; and if he will place a copy of the BNFL submission in the Library. [151603]

I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 28 March 2001, Official Report, columns 629–30W. I shall publish the name of any consultants once they are appointed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the documents that have been used to identify the sites where Byker ash has been deposited. [155392]

The Environment Agency used the following documents to identify the sites where ash from the Byker Reclamation Plant has been deposited:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the sites which have (a) received and (b) been cleared of Byker ash. [155378]

The Environment Agency sought details from Newcastle city council of the sites which had received ash from the Byker Reclamation Plant; and these sites are listed. I have been informed that the ash has now been cleared from all of these sites. However, while the city council's records indicated that ash had been sent to the path beside Feversham School, site inspections by the Agency and the city council did not identify any ash at that site.