To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the additional costs of benefit entitlements by contractors deemed to be employees under IR35. [157110]

IR35 does not affect the employment rights of any worker employed through a personal service company in any way

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revisions he plans to make to the Inland Revenue rules consequent upon the judgment of the IR35 case. [157099]

The court dismissed the challenge to the legislation on service provision by intermediaries. The Inland Revenue will review the guidance material used by its staff regarding the interpretation of the law.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what response the Inland Revenue has made to the representations from foster carers' or organisations and the Department of Health regarding its proposals for taxing payments to foster carers. [157067]

The Inland Revenue is working with the Department of Health and a number of organisations representing foster carers to design a simple method by which foster carers can choose to calculate the income tax due on the reward element of their payments using standard, agreed, costs. Alternatively, foster carers would be able to rely upon actual costs. The Inland Revenue plans to introduce the new arrangements as soon as practicable. In the interim, the Inland Revenue will maintain existing agreements for calculating the reward element of payments, in accordance with representations made by care organisations.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the (a) maximum and (b) minimum total cost to public funds of the foot and mouth outbreak. [157007]

The Treasury, MAFF and other interested Departments are keeping a range of possible outcomes under review. At this stage it is not possible to estimate the final cost of the outbreak with any reliability.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed (a) full-time and (b) part-time with HM Customs and Excise in (i) Scotland and (ii) the UK in 1999–2000 and 2000–01. [155305]

[holding answer 23 March 2001]: Staff in post figures for Customs and Excise are published in the Cabinet Office's "Civil Service Staff in Post" summaries, copies of which are in the Library.In 1999–2000 there were an average of 1,322 full-time and 80 part-time staff employed in Scotland by HM Customs and Excise. The equivalent figures for the UK were 21,522 full-time and 2,029 part-time.For 2000–01, Scotland had an average of 1,206 full-time and 87 part-time staff. In the UK as a whole 20,965 full-time and 2,133 part-time staff were employed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) personal computers, (b) printers, (c) fax machines, (d) servers and (e) vehicles were based in HM Customs and Excise in (i) Scotland and (ii) the UK in the years 1999–2000 and 2000–01. [155306]

[holding answer 23 March 2001]: The information is as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many full-time equivalent staff were employed as HM Customs and Excise officers in British (a) airports and (b) ports in each of the last 10 years. [157033]

The information in the form requested is not available for previous years.Currently (April 2000), there are approximately 2,113 Customs and Excise staff working in British airports and 2,109 staff working in British ports.However, many staff working in customs and anti-smuggling areas are not based at a port or airport, or in the UK. They are excluded from the figures.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what data he collects on the income distribution of recipients of the Working Families Tax Credit with incomes over £250 per week. [157048]

The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) application form requires applicants to report their earnings, and those of their partner (if any). Statistical analyses of WFTC awards are based on a 5 per cent. sample of awards in Great Britain. Subject to sampling error, this sample can be used to generate information on the number of WFTC recipients according to bands of gross weekly earnings of the main earner.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) with respect to Table 5.3 of the Working Families Tax Credit Statistics, Quarterly Inquiry, August 2000, what assessment he has made of the factors underlying the average tax credit awards payable to (a) managers and administrators and (b) taxi drivers; [156833](2) if he will list for Table 5.3 of the Working Families Tax Credit Statistics, Quarterly Inquiry, August 2000, the average incomes for each occupation type who are in receipt of tax credits. [156832]

The table shows the average gross weekly earnings of the main earner in families receiving Working Families Tax Credit at August 2000 and who fall into each of the occupation types listed in the table referred to.The average gross weekly earnings of main earners who are managers and administrators and included in the table is higher than the overall average, and the average gross weekly earnings of main earners who are taxi drivers is lower.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the waiting time is for receipt of Working Families Tax Credit application forms following an initial request. [156971]

The Working Families Tax Credit helpline aims to send out application packs to callers within 48 hours of a request being made to it. It sends out application packs by first-class post, and is currently up to date processing such requests.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Rochford and Southend, East (Sir T. Taylor) of 7 December 2000, Official Report, column 2W, on fiscal intervention, what the average price per ounce was of gold at each phase of the gold sell-off; what quantity was sold at each phase; and what quantity of euros were bought. [157028]

The results of the 11 bimonthly gold auctions held since July 1999, including the allotment price per ounce and the amount of gold allotted, are published in Bank of England Press Notices issued on the day of each auction. Copies of the Press Notices have been placed in the House of Commons Library and can be found on the Bank of England's website (www.bankofengland.co.uk).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 190 what EU legislation is planned in respect of (a) distance marketing of financial services and (b) the application of VAT to electronic commerce. [157399]

A proposal from the European Commission for a directive on distance marketing of financial services is currently under discussion in the Council. A proposal from the European Commission to change the VAT rules relating to certain e-commerce supplies is also currently under discussion by member states.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, including statistical 146 information relating as directly as possible to the Eccles constituency, the effects on Eccles of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157287]

Eccles, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and 131 secure and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the General Election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 812, or 36 per cent., youth 134 unemployment is down by 78 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 78 per cent.Macroeconomic stability is being complemented at the microeconomic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare to work and to make work pay. To the end of January 2001, the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds had helped 843 young people in Eccles constituency gain valuable skills and experience—419 (50 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 2,800 families in the constituency were benefiting from WFTC.The Government are also committed to policies that enable pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. All pensioners, including 17,500 in Eccles, are receiving an above-inflation increase in the basic state pension from April 2001. Single pensioners receive an extra £5 a week, and couples receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 7,500 in Eccles.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Amber Valley constituency, the effects on Amber Valley of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157130]

Amber Valley, along with the rest of the United Kingdom, is benefiting from the long-term action we have taken to build economic stability and secure high and stable levels of growth and employment. Since the general election, claimant unemployment in the constituency has fallen by 516, or 25 per cent., youth unemployment is down by 87 per cent., and long-term unemployment has fallen by 60 per cent.Macroeconomic stability is being complemented at the microeconomic level by the Government's policies to ease the transition from welfare into work and to make work pay. To the end of January 2001, the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds had helped 789 young people in Amber Valley constituency gain valuable skills and experience—406 (51 per cent.) of whom had moved into employment. The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC), introduced in October 1999, is helping to make work pay for low and middle income families. In August 2000, 2,200 families in the constituency were benefiting from WFTC.The Government are also committed to policies that enable pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity. All pensioners, including 17,100 in Amber Valley, are receiving an above-inflation increase in the basic State Pension from April 2001. Single pensioners receive an extra £5 a week, and couples receive an extra £8 a week. All pensioners aged 75 or over have also been entitled to a free TV licence since November 2000—including around 7,500 in Amber Valley.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department in each year since 1997 of complex VAT fraud; and if he will make a statement. [156899]

No such estimate is available, relating specifically to the costs to Customs and Excise of complex VAT fraud in each year since 1997.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many contraventions of (a) section 3 and (b) section 47 of the Financial Services Act 1986 have been referred to the (i) police and (ii) High Court since April 1998. [154997]

[holding answer 22 March 2001]: The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what decisions were made at the meeting of the Policyholders Protection Board on 21 March which will have implications for sufferers of asbestos-related diseases. [156478]

[holding answer 3 April 2001]: I understand that the board has been working very closely with the run-off management of Chester Street Insurance Holdings Limited, and subsequently with the scheme administrators. I am informed that, at its meeting on 21 March, the board decided that payments should be made as soon as possible to Chester Street policyholders whose eligibility for protection under the Policyholders Protection Act 1975 is established.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to receive the Office of Fair Trading's report into BSkyB; and what his Department's policy is on promoting choice and competition within the digital television market. [R] [157041]

The Office of Fair Trading inquiry into the activities of BSkyB was made under the Competition Act 1998. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will not therefore receive a formal report at the end of the process. The Director-General of Fair Trading will, however, keep my right hon. Friend informed of key developments. The Director-General expects to reach a view on whether or not an infringement decision should be issued against BSkyB by this summer.The Department of Trade and Industry supports choice and competition within the digital television market by supporting the development of all three digital platforms; cable, satellite and terrestrial.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations he has received on the prospect of job losses at the Aiwa factory in Newbridge in Wales; [156576](2) what representations he has received from the owners of Aiwa on the prospect of job losses at the Aiwa factory in Newbridge in Wales. [156578]

[holding answer 2 April 2001]: I have not received any representations in respect of the prospect of job losses at the Aiwa factory in Newbridge in Wales.With the transfer of devolved powers to the National Assembly for Wales, such representations would be referred to it.I understand that the company has issued a press statement rebutting the press reports of possible job losses at Newbridge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he plans to consult on the removal of the 20 partner limit on partnerships. [157149]

I am pleased to announce to the House that I have today published a consultation document proposing the removal of the 20 partner limit on partnerships.Consultation on the abolition of the limit on the number of partners allowed in a partnership was announced as one of the Government's measures to reduce the red-tape on business by means of a Regulatory Reform Order. The removal of the 20 partner limit is a deregulatory measure that will ease the administrative burdens on larger partnerships that wish to expand.Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to assist staff affected by the proposed closure of the Marks and Spence Call Centre and Fulfilment operations in Warrington; and if he will make a statement. [156983]

The Northwest Development Agency has met the local management team at Marks and Spencers in Warrington and discussed possible assistance, including access to the Rapid Response Fund. Other partners, including the Employment Service, Cheshire and Warrington Local Learning and Skills Council and Warrington Borough Council are also ready to provide support and guidance to staff affected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress of Britech. [156388]

[holding answer 2 April 2001]: The Britain-Israel Technology Fund—"Britech"—was established by an intergovernmental agreement between the UK and Israel and each country is contributing £7.75 million over five years. It is being administered by The Britech Foundation Limited, which was incorporated in the UK on 27 October 1999 and has offices in both countries. To date six projects have been fully approved and £1.9 million funds committed; seven projects are under consideration; and a further nine project proposals are being finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the pay of medical and dental officers in the armed forces. [157531]

The Supplement to the 2001 Report of the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body making recommendations on the pay of Service medical and dental officers has been published today. Copies of the Supplement are available in the Vote Office and the Library of the House. I wish to express my thanks to the Chairman and members of the Review Body for their work in producing this Supplement.In line with the increase recommended by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body, the Review Body recommends an overall pay increase for Defence Medical Services medical and dental officers of 3.9 per cent. The Review Body also recommends a 6.2 per cent. increase for certain categories of junior doctors and a 4.2 per cent. increase for general medical practitioners, inclusive of the overall 3.9 per cent. increase. In addition, there are recommendations for additional payments to general medical and general dental practitioners' pay scales.The additional cost to the Defence Budget will be £4.5 million. This will be met within existing departmental expenditure limits.The Review Body's recommendations are to be accepted in full, with implementation effective from 1 April 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances his Department will be reimbursed by the Treasury in the event of (a) a delay in and (b) cancellation of the New DERA flotation. [154164]

[holding answer 16 March 2001]: The Ministry of Defence will receive a credit to the Defence Budget of at least £250 million in financial year 2001–02 in respect of the Public Private Partnership for DERA. This does not depend on whether the transaction has taken place, nor does the amount give an indication of the likely value of New DERA.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many dioxin tests have been conducted on (a) Byker employees and (b) employees working at other incineration plants since 1979; and if he will place the results in the Library; [155383](2) how many dioxin tests have been conducted on employees working on the demolition of incineration plants since 1979; and if he will place the results in the Library; [155384](3) if he will list the studies carried out into health of employees who have worked at the Byker incinerator; [155380](4) if he will place in the Library a copy of the advice given to Byker employees covering the health effects of working with incinerators. [155385]

[holding answer 23 March 2001]: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has not received any requests from Byker employees or trade unions for advice on the potential health effects of working with incinerators or for requests for studies into the health of employees. HSE considers that the Environment Agency's current legislation is such that the potential exposure of employees to dioxins is very low.Exposure to dioxins (both environmental and workplace) can be measured using blood tests. Blood tests are invasive and are not normally carried out unless there is a clear need or concern expressed by those involved. They are also time consuming and expensive. Under these circumstances, they are unlikely to yield useful information. Consequently HSE has not carried out dioxin tests on employees at incinerator plants or those involved in the demolition of these plants and does not believe that random blood tests are necessary.The only health effects from dioxins which could be detected by health checks is the skin condition, chloracne. This only occurs at high exposures, for example as a result of industrial accidents, and consequently checks for this condition would not be of value at exposure levels associated with incinerators.In the absence of investigations due to accidents, reports of ill health and complaints, HSE's inspectorates carry out its elective work guided by priorities. In 1995 HSE's inspectorate rated the health risks at the Byker plant as 'medium' and on reassessment in 1999 and 2000 as 'low'. The assessment included examination of the general standards of ventilation and cleanliness etc. at this medium-sized plant which employs approximately 20 people. These ratings did not indicate a need proactively to supply information to Byker employees or trade unions on the potential health effects of working with incinerators.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the burial sites (a) in use and (b) being constructed for the purpose of burying the carcases of animals in connection with the prevention of foot and mouth disease comply with (i) the provisions regarding the protection of groundwater in the EU Groundwater Directive of 1978 and (ii) the provisions of the EU directive on the landfill of waste of April 1999 concerning arrangements for the protection of soil and water via leachate collection and bottom sealing. [156820]

The Government are aware of the need to comply with all relevant EU Directives during the current foot and mouth outbreak. The principal Directive concerning animal burial is the Animal Waste Directive (90/667/EEC), Article 3(2) of which contains requirements for environmental protection. These requirements are met through close co-operation between this Department, MAFF and the Environment Agency, and through the authorisation procedure in the Groundwater Directive. The Agency continues to carry out an assessment of both existing and proposed burial sites and, subject to the risk, authorises the burial imposing any necessary conditions for the protection of groundwater.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from the RMT on the London Underground strike; and if he will make a statement. [156777]

I have received no direct representations from the RMT about the Underground strike, which is an operational matter for London Underground.The Government regret the disruption which Underground passengers will have suffered. The recent strikes have brought unnecessary inconvenience to London. This is not a dispute about safety, which will continue to be overseen by the independent Health and Safety Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the RMT on transport issues in the last year. [156778]

Ministers have extensive dealings with organisations in both the public and private sectors as part of their official duties, which have included some meetings with the RMT.It would be impracticable to maintain a central record of such meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) inspectors and (b) inspector hours per year were devoted to inspecting experimental releases of genetically modified organisms in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1998, (iv) 1999 and (v) 2000 to ensure consent conditions were complied with; how many breaches of consents were detected in these years; and how many resulted in prosecutions. [156463]

[holding answer 2 April 2001]: The information is given in the table. Figures exclude Scotland from 1 April 2000 as the Scottish Executive have had independent inspection arrangements since then. The Central Science Laboratory (CSL) took over responsibility from HSE for inspections in England and Wales on 1 June 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what targets were agreed at the meeting on 19 March of the Green Ministers Committee for (a) the purchase of renewable energy by Departments and (b) the reduction of water consumption by the Government estate. [156905]

The Green Ministers Committee agreed in principle a target to purchase renewable electricity, the details of which would be pursued through ministerial correspondence. We also agreed the following water targets:

For offices in metered buildings where the Department is sole occupier or is billed the water services charges: all Departments should achieve a maximum level of water consumption equivalent to 11 cubic metres per person (full-time equivalent staff) by 31 March 2002, and a further 30 per cent. reduction over the next two years, achieving a level of 7.7 cubic metres by 31 March 2004.

For other metered buildings (e.g. laboratories, law courts and depots) where the Department is sole occupier or is billed the water services charges: all Departments should establish benchmarks under the Watermark Project for main categories of non-office buildings by 31 October 2001 with the aim of setting percentage targets for achieving initial reductions in Departments' water use within the following year (by 31 March 2002).

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service will demonstrate its ability to comply with health and safety legislation after its inauguration on 1 April. [156998]

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) is devising a health and safety policy. In the interim, CAFCASS has adopted the inherited health and safety policies and procedures.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the regional managers for England and Wales will be appointed to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. [156997]

All area manager appointments to the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) structure have been made and six of the 10 are now in post. Interim arrangements for the remaining four areas are in place with acting area managers in post.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service will be represented on area child protection committees. [156999]

The Department of Health will be issuing a letter to the Chairs of Area Child Protection Committees requiring the inclusion of CAFCASS in the core membership of Area Child Protection Committees. CAFCASS will ask the National Assembly for Wales to make a similar requirement.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how local child protection procedures will cover Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service employees. [157000]

All Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) staff will be expected to work to local area child protection procedures, as did the predecessor agencies. Core membership of Area Child Protection Committees will reinforce this requirement.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when formal employer and trade union negotiating structures will be in place (a) nationally and (b) locally for the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service. [157001]

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) recognises the value to the service of a good working relationship with trade unions. CAFCASS, which was established on 1 April 2001, met with trade union representatives on 4 April 2001. CAFCASS wants to develop a robust consultation and negotiating mechanism as quickly as possible.

To ask the Prime Minister if he discussed at the Stockholm European Council the effects of the UK's obligations under EU treaties and directives on the UK's scope to make decisions, with particular reference to the environment and vaccination, in relation to the foot and mouth outbreak in the United Kingdom. [156377]

[holding answer 30 March 2001]: No. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement I made in the House on the Stockholm Council.

To ask the Prime Minister for what reason no hon. Members from rural constituencies were invited to meet him during his recent visit to Worcestershire; and if he will make a statement. [156989]

I went to the hon. Member for Worcester's constituency and was accompanied by him throughout my visit.

To ask the Prime Minister what representatives of (a) farming and (b) tourism interests from the district council area of Wychavon he met during his recent visit to Worcestershire: and if he will make a statement. [156991]

I met farming and tourism local representatives.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had during his recent visit to Worcestershire with (a) officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (b) representatives of the Ministry of Defence and (c) hon. Members for constituencies in Worcestershire concerning the possible locations of a mass burial site for animals slaughtered to control foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [156990]

I discussed various aspects of the foot and mouth disease eradication strategy, including the need for additional disposal routes, with farmers and business representatives, officials, members of the armed forces and others in Worcester on 27 March. Decisions on the use of specific burial or other sites are a matter for MAFF, in consultation with the Environment Agency and other relevant authorities and others.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to set up an independent public inquiry into the foot and mouth outbreak. [157038]

We have made it clear that at the conclusion of the foot and mouth outbreak we will sit down and see what lessons can be learned. This is normal good practice after any episode of this kind. However, the form that this exercise will take has not been decided. Our top priority is to focus on implementing the mechanisms to control and eradicate the disease.

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the evidence submitted to him on foot and mouth disease by the Soil Association. [157008]

I have received no formal submission from the Soil Association. I am, however, aware from meetings that it favours the use of vaccination, which remains under active consideration as an option in the strategy for eradicating the disease.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) policemen and (b) policewomen there were in the Romsey constituency in (a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. [155858]

[holding answer 28 March 2001]: The Romsey section is covered by the Eastleigh division of the Hampshire constabulary. The force's records do not make it possible to provide information for 1992 for the Romsey section. The available information is set out in the table and has been provided by the chief constable.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the (a) nature and (b) duration of delays to casework in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate caused by (i) installation of new computer systems and (ii) organisational and accommodation changes. [156093]

Casework in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate is supported on Information Technology systems from Siemens Business Services and other operational systems used in the Immigration Service and the National Asylum Support Service. The number of terminals have expanded across the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in line with increasing numbers of staff and office locationsCasework handling has been improved by extended use of Information Technology in the Immigration Service during 2000 and 2001 and by better arrangements to exchange data between different systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the High Peak constituency of his Department's policies and actions since May 1997. [156784]

The Home Office is working to build a safe, just and tolerant society in which the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced, and the protection and security of the public are maintained. Detailed information on the impact of Home Office policies across the full range of responsibilities is set out in Home Office Annual Reports. A copy of the most recent report, Home Office Annual Report 2000–01, is available in the Library. Information on recorded crime and policing is also published. "Recorded Crime England and Wales, 12 months to September 2000" and "Police Service Strength England and Wales, 30 September 2000" can be found in the Library.The recorded crime statistics include information on recorded crime by Basic Command Unit and Crime and Disorder partnerships.The impact of Home Office policies and actions is not normally examined by constituency and the statistics which the Department collects, such as recorded crime, cannot be matched in the way requested, although set out are examples relating to the High Peak constituency or the immediate locality:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the robbery/burglary squad at Wandsworth police was abolished; and for what reason. [156171]

The deployment of resources and arrangements put in place to fight crime are operational matters for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and the Divisional Commander for the Wandsworth Division.I understand from the Commissioner that the Wandsworth Division's Robbery/Burglary Squad was reformed on 1 March 2000 into a new Crime Squad with the objective that it should concentrate on proactive investigation of robbery and burglary by the application of intelligence led methods. I am told that the Wandsworth division's more proactive approach to robbery and burglary has resulted in a number of suspects being arrested and remanded into custody, and that there has been a notable drop in offences as a result.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what range of payments in cash and in kind is made available to (a) asylum seekers awaiting determination of their claim and (b) asylum seekers who are granted admission to the United Kingdom by way of (i) grants, (ii) loans and (iii) specific access to social security payments. [155551]

The new support arrangements for destitute asylum seekers under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 came into force on 3 April 2000. Under these arrangements the Home Office has taken over responsibility for supporting and accommodating asylum seekers.Those asylum seekers in receipt of benefits, prior to 3 April 2000 will be transitionally protected and will continue to be eligible to claim Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. However, benefit is not payable to asylum seekers appealing against the refusal of refugee status. Asylum seekers who no longer qualify for social security benefits, and who have no other means of support, will be eligible for assistance from the National Asylum Support Service.Under the new arrangements, asylum seekers receive support from the National Asylum Support Service in kind (vouchers), with a small cash allowance to meet incidental expenses. Where accommodation is provided the cost of this, and utilities are met centrally.The Home Office also pays grants to local authorities (within fixed unit cost limits) to enable them to provide accommodation and essential living needs to asylum seekers under the interim arrangements. It is for local authorities to decide the best way to provide support to asylum seekers, within the terms of the interim scheme.Those asylum seekers whose applications are determined favourably and who are awarded refugee status or exceptional leave are eligible for social security benefits. Those who are awarded full refugee status may qualify for a retrospective payment of Income Support, calculated as the difference between the benefit they would have received and the support paid to them by the National Asylum Support Service. Refugees will also be eligible for a backdated payment of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for any unmet rent and council tax liabilities while their asylum application was determined.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) evaluation and (b) multi-disciplinary inspection of the work of individual youth offending teams has been undertaken; if he will publish the evaluation results to date; what plans there are for further inspection of youth offending teams; and if he will make a statement. [156996]

The operation of youth offending teams and the programmes they run are subject to a range of independent evaluation and monitoring commissioned and operated by the Youth Justice Board. Interim evaluation reports will be published this spring on intervention programmes and bail support schemes. The Sheffield University evaluation of the piloting of youth offending teams in 10 areas from October 1998 has been published as a Home Office Occasional Paper and is available in the Library.Two youth offending team inspections have been carried out by multi-disciplinary inspection teams who are considering their reports. The Youth Justice Board is considering the future conduct of inspection and its monitoring functions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of banning handguns on reducing crime in the Shrewsbury Division of West Mercia Constabulary. [156515]

The legislation to prohibit handguns introduced in 1997 was a response to the tragic shootings at Dunblane primary school in 1996 in which 16 children and their teacher lost their lives. It was not expected in itself to solve the wider problem of the criminal use of firearms.I understand that West Mercia Constabulary recorded 17 firearms incidents in the Shropshire area in 1999 and 12 such incidents in 2000. There has been one such incident so far this year. West Mercia Constabulary have not identified any particular problem with handgun crime or other armed crime in the Shrewsbury area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle organised crime; and if he will make a statement. [157530]

The Government are making £90 million available over the next three years (2001–2004) to help tackle organised crime. The use of the money will be concentrated against heroin and cocaine trafficking, in support of the Government's strategy "Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain", and against people smuggling. Our approach in tackling both forms of crime as set out in the publication "Criminal Justice: The Way Ahead" is to encourage a co-ordinated inter-agency effort and the additional funding will be allocated to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, the National Crime Squad, the National Criminal Intelligence Service, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the security and intelligence agencies.These additional funds will provide the means for effective new collaborative operational effort against these forms of organised crime, adding to the measures which we have announced recently for a Criminal Assets Recovery Agency and a High-tech crime strategy, for which we have also provided additional resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) which buildings and premises (a) owned and (b) leased by his Department use (i) chlorofluorocarbons and (ii) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other energy needs; and if he will give details of such use and the reasons for it; [153015](2) what his Department's policy is regarding the purchase of

[holding answer 9 March 2001]: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office complies fully with the phase-out timetable as agreed in the Montreal Protocol of 1987, and the subsequent revisions laid down by European Commission Regulation 594/91. With the exception of domestic refrigerators (which will be replaced at the end of their natural cycle) all CFC refrigerants and Halon firefighting equipment have been replaced in FCO buildings both at home and overseas.To date resources have been committed to the eradication of chlorofluorocarbons and Halons, but work is now commencing on the eradication of hydrofluorocarbons. Currently, HCFCs are used extensively throughout the FCO estate, almost exclusively for domestic refrigerators and air conditioning equipment. But extensive use is made of hermetically sealed units which cannot be topped up and therefore pose a minimal risk to the Ozone Layer.The consortium constructing the new GCHQ building in Cheltenham is using HFC 143A—a zero ozone depleting product which is considered a long-term replacement for CFCs and HCFCs. It is FCO policy that all new buildings under FCO control are charged with synthetic refrigerants. Use of synthetic refrigerant gas is also increasing in larger air conditioning systems, as new or replacement equipment is installed, although progress has been restricted to date by the limited alternatives available in the marketplace.Information on the use of HCFCs in buildings owned and leased by the FCO, at home and overseas, and on the amount of HCFCs purchased since 1995, is not held centrally and could not be assembled without disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the cost in lost admission revenue to each of the national museums and galleries which charge admission fees of introducing universal free admission. [153438]

The table shows the amounts of compensation I have currently allocated to the existing charging museums for the next three years. I am though currently finalising with these institutions the final element of compensation to "buy out" the previously planned £1 charge from 1 December 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning the occupation by the Inland Revenue of premises at Somerset House; and if he will make a statement. [156148]

I have had no discussions with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer concerning the Inland Revenue's occupation at Somerset House. The Inland Revenue occupy accommodation in the New, West and East Wings of Somerset House under the terms of a 25 years lease from the Somerset House Trust, who are responsible for the overall management of the building. The Inland Revenue are aware of a proposal made to the Somerset House Trust by Christies to take over the existing lease on the New and West Wings. The response to this proposal is a matter for the Trust in the first instance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has had with (a) UK Sport and (b) the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority about the costs of staging the 2005 World Athletics Championships. [156364]

[holding answer 2 April 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I meet UK Sport from time to time to discuss a range of issues including attracting major sporting events like the 2005 IAAF World Athletics Championships to the UK. These discussions include the costs and benefits of staging such events in the UK.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I discussed the 2005 Championships with the Mayor of London on 23 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his latest estimate is of the likely date for the repayment of £20 million lottery funding by Wembley National Stadium Ltd., to the Sports Lottery Fund. [156366]

[holding answer 2 April 2001]: We expect the repayment of £20 million of the lottery grant awarded by Sport England to be made within the time frame agreed in December 1999, and as set out in the recent Select Committee hearing attended by both my hon. Friend the Minister for Sport and myself. Under the agreement, the final payment is due to be made by December 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects the BBC and Channel 4 to join the independent to television companies in promoting the new digital kite mark designed to help consumers identify genuine digital to televisions; and if he will make a statement. [R] [157040]

This is a matter for the BBC and Channel 4. I understand, however, that the BBC is considering how best to raise public awareness of the DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting Project) logo, which distinguishes digital TV sets from analogue TV sets, as part of its ongoing promotion of digital services. Channel 4 has also been promoting its digital services in recent months and has indicated that it is prepared to participate in pan-industry initiatives to promote digital television, including the use of the DVB logo.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to underwrite the cost of (a) developing the proposed new athletics stadium at Picketts Lock and (b) staging the 2005 World Athletics Championships. [156363]

[holding answer 2 April 2001]: We are fully committed to the successful staging of the IAFF World Athletics Championships in 2005 at the new Lee Valley Stadium. The Government are currently working with the project team to reduce the gap between the funding committed and the likely costs of the project, which are estimated overall to be between £83 million and £87 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what firm commitments he has received from (a) Sport England, b) The Lee Valley Forum, (c) UK Sport and (d) other sources for the funding of the proposed new athletics stadium at Picketts Lock. [156365]

[holding answer 2 April 2001]: Sport England have allocated within their budget up to £60 million to the Lee Valley National Athletics Centre. A further £7 million is available from the Lottery Sports Fund for the dedicated high performance centre which will be integrated with the stadium. Both these sums are subject to a satisfactory application for lottery funding being made.The Lee Valley Regional Park Authority have committed £5 million to the project UK Sport does not fund capital projects of this kind.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) on how many occasions (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have met decision makers within the Benefits Agency; [157043](2) for how long decision makers have decided on cases within the Benefits Agency; [157042](3) since when it has not been possible for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency to change a decision made by decision makers; and on what authority this change was made; [157044](4) how many decision makers there are in the Benefits Agency; on what basis they are appointed; and what the level of their salary is; [157045](5) if hon. Members may write on behalf of constituents direct to decision makers within the Benefits Agency; and if he will make a statement. [157046]

Ministers regularly visit staff within Benefits Agency offices.Suitably trained and experienced staff make decisions. Staff are not recruited specifically as decision makers and may be of various grades; therefore, exact numbers are not available. The salary level of decision makers will vary according to grade.Since the Benefits Agency was established in April 1991, it has never been possible for the Chief Executive to change a benefit decision made by a decision maker. It is only possible to change a benefit decision in accordance with the legislation.Benefit decision notices encourage customers to contact the appropriate office if they want to know more about a decision or think it is wrong. Any queries received are directed to an appropriate officer to respond. If necessary the query will be directed to a decision maker to provide a response. Queries from customer representatives are dealt with in the same way.Hon. Members are of course free to write to whomever they wish. However, it has been the accepted practice that, where a response is required on an individual case, the approach is made to the local office manager.The Social Security Act 1998 transferred the functions of adjudication officers to the Secretary of State. Under new arrangements, all first instance Social Security decisions are made by officers acting on behalf of the Secretary of State. The Benefits Agency introduced the term "decision maker" during the period July to November 1999 when these provisions were introduced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001, Official Report, column 91W, if the new test for national insurance numbers will apply when child reference numbers are converted into national insurance numbers. [157279]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many requests for (a) revisions and (b) supersessions were received in each month since November 1999. [154838]

The information is in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of decisions on a request for (a) revision and (b) supersession were made in favour of the claimant in each month since November 1999. [154835]

The information is in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of (a) initial claims, (b) renewal claims, (c) reviews and (d) appeals were decided in favour of the claimant in each quarter of each year since 1996. [154837]

The information is in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he last reviewed the application forms for benefit claims. [156701]

We are determined to ensure that all those entitled to claim a benefit can do so with the minimum of inconvenience. The Department is currently developing a new Minimum Income Guarantee claim form. The lessons learned from that work are being extended to other benefits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the role of the basic pension is in overall pension provision in the UK. [156552]

We aim to give everyone the chance to make their own choices about how they want to provide for their own retirement. The basic state pension is a secure foundation but, by itself, it was never meant to support the lifestyle most people want today. We believe the best way to have a secure retirement is to build up an extra amount on top of the state retirement pension.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners have been awarded (a) Income Support and (b) the Minimum Income Guarantee in each quarter since 1997; and how many of these new claims can be attributed to a take-up campaign. [155414]

The information is in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners with preserved rights who are ineligible for local authority support. [156863]

[holding answer 4 April 2001]: Information on estimated numbers of pensioners with preserved rights who are ineligible for local authority support is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security of how many statutory instruments were laid before Parliament by his Department each year from 1993 to 1998, inclusive. [156523]

The information is in the table.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what arrangements are in place to ensure that issues of (a) NHS News and (b) NHS Plan News, distributed during a General Election campaign comply with requirements for Government publications during General Election campaigns. [156445]

Once a General Election is announced, guidance is issued to all Government Departments on questions of procedure and conduct during the period of the Election. This guidance will seek to ensure that no action is taken that could call into question the political impartiality of the Civil Service or give rise to criticism that public funds are being used for party political purposes. The guidance will be made public.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will place in the Library details of the requirements with which Government publications must comply during General Election campaigns. [156446]

Guidance on procedure and conduct during an election is published once an election is announced and will be placed in the Libraries at that time.

To ask the Solicitor-General what criteria he adopts in reviewing the sentences imposed where fatalities have occurred. [155712]

When deciding whether a sentence is unduly lenient, I look to the relevant statutory provisions and to the judgments of the Court of Appeal in similar cases. These will guide me when determining the appropriate range of sentence for particular offenders.I may only refer sentences that are unduly lenient, not merely lenient. The Court of Appeal has held that an unduly lenient sentence is one which falls outside the range of sentences that a judge, taking into consideration all the relevant factors, could reasonably consider appropriate.

To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the policy adopted by the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure the effective prosecution of incidents of domestic violence. [155713]

Domestic violence is criminal behaviour. The Crown Prosecution Service regards it as a serious matter and will prosecute wherever it is proper to do so. The CPS recognises that safety, support and information are special priorities for victims of domestic violence and it is in this context that prosecutors will consider the range of prosecution options available.The CPS is currently reviewing its policy on prosecuting cases of domestic violence to see if any improvements can be made; its policy has been and will continue to be that stopping domestic violence is a priority for our society. The CPS is committed to working with its partners in the criminal justice system to achieve this and has been consulting widely with the public and voluntary sectors as part of the review.

To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the Crown Prosecution Service in Buckinghamshire. [155714]

Following successful implementation of the Narey fast tracking arrangements for magistrates court business in 2000, the Crown Prosecution Service and magistrates court managers in Buckinghamshire have worked hard to promote efficient listing practices in the magistrates courts. As a result, there has been effective deployment of two designated caseworkers to prosecute suitable court lists.More recently, Buckinghamshire Crown Prosecution Service has participated with other agencies to secure agreement to an effective protocol for the accelerated sending of indictable only cases to the Crown court from 15 January 2001. This includes convenient arrangements to deal locally with the preliminary Crown court hearing of certain cases where otherwise those hearings would have been dealt with at a Crown court outside the Thames Valley area.

To ask the Solicitor-General what improvements have been made to the performance of the Crown Prosecution Service in the past three years; and if he will make a statement. [155715]

Over the last three years the service has improved its performance in relation to eight key measures: the proportion of advance information sent to the defence within agreed time scales rose from 77.3 per cent. in 1997–98 to 86.6 per cent. in 1999–2000; the proportion of committal papers served on the defence within agreed time scales rose from 50.6 per cent. in 1997–98 to 76.6 per cent. in 2000–01; and the proportion of briefs sent to counsel within agreed time scales rose from 66.3 per cent. in 1997–98 to 77.1 per cent. in 2000–01.Over the same period there were also improvements in the timeliness of payment of witness expenses, of replies to complaints and of replies to correspondence from Members of Parliament. More recently and most importantly, there has been a reduction in the number of adverse outcomes of cases attributable to CPS failings.Measures relating to the quality of performance are under development to ensure that the improvements set out are matched by progress in the quality of the service provided to CPS customers and to the public.In addition to these statistics, which are all reported in the CPS Annual Report, Her Majesty's CPS Inspectorate conduct a rolling inspection programme and each CPS area is scheduled to be inspected every two years. Reports of such area inspections are available to the public.

To ask the Solicitor-General what progress has been made in enforcing the Government's policy on racial equality within the Crown Prosecution Service. [155716]

An Equality Committee and an Equality and Diversity Unit were set up to turn the Crown Prosecution Service's equality statement into a reality. All staff employed by the CPS are being trained in equality and Diversity (with a specific emphasis on race). In October 2000, at a conference of all senior managers a major part of the programme was concerned with racial equality issues. In February 2001, a one day race event was run for a cross section of 250 members of staff.

To ask the Solicitor-General what steps the Serious Fraud Office is taking to counter money laundering. [155717]

The Serious Fraud Office investigates and prosecutes cases of serious and complex fraud. It will investigate allegations of money laundering where the activities alleged involve or are involved in offences of serious or complex crime.The range of offences that can lead to money laundering is wide and varied and includes drugs offences, robbery, theft and tax evasion as well as fraud. As a result, the Serious Fraud Office works in partnership with other prosecuting agencies such as the police, Customs and Excise and Inland Revenue as well as the Financial Services Authority, both to prevent and to prosecute money laundering offences.Following conviction, the Serious Fraud Office seeks confiscation orders, in addition to the other sentences available to judges, wherever possible, to send a strong deterrent message to would-be offenders both in this country and abroad.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if tissue banks will be permitted to include foetal tissues and immature gametes. [146115]

With the explicit consent of the donor to its subsequent use, it is permissible to take and store any human tissue.Banks storing foetal tissues and immature gametes intended for therapeutic use are included in the scope of the Code of Practice for Banks Providing Tissues of Human Origin for Therapeutic Purposes which has been developed by the Department of Health in consultation with the Royal Colleges and relevant professional bodies.National Health Service hospitals and independent sector places, approved by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, for the termination of pregnancy, may supply foetal tissue for research purposes. Premises supplying foetal tissue for research purposes are expected to comply with the "Polkinghorne Code of Practice on the Use of Fetuses and Fetal Material in Research and Treatment".

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the investment in smoking cessation services set up following the White Paper, Smoking Kills. [153440]

£10 million was invested in 1999–2000 in the 26 Health Action Zones to develop National Health Service smoking cessation services. During the first year 5,800 clients had successfully quit at four-week follow up. This represented 39 per cent. of clients setting a quit date, as against our target based on research evidence of an achievable average rate of 26 per cent.In 2000–01 all health authorities in England were funded to provide smoking cessation services. In the first two quarters of the year there were 12,900 clients who had successfully quit at four-week follow-up. This represented 40 per cent. of those setting a quit date.We are also making smoking cessation aids available on the NHS to help smokers to quit. The new smoking cessation aid, Zyban, has been available on NHS prescription since June 2000, and we have recently announced that nicotine replacement therapy will also be available on NHS prescription in April 2001. Both these aids to smoking cessation are proven to be effective and cost effective in helping smokers to quit.We have commissioned research into the effectiveness of the NHS smoking cessation services to inform future developments in this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) nurses, (b) doctors and (c) consultants were employed by the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (i) on 1 May 1997 and (ii) for the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [154654]

Data are not collected centrally in the format requested. The table shows the latest available data, which indicate an increase in staffing at the trust in each of the groups identified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the additional £10,000 allocated to general practitioner surgeries in England will be incorporated into general practitioners' contracts and terms of service. [155629]

The additional resources are to be used by primary care groups and primary care trusts to develop primary care in ways that improve services to patients. On average £10,000 per practice is available. The additional resources are to be used by PCG/Ts to develop primary care in ways that improve services to patients. On average £10,000 per practice is available. The money will be in addition to existing funding to practices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase recruitment and improve retention of speech and language therapists. [155420]

We are implementing a range of measures to improve recruitment and retention for all staff, including speech and language therapists. Examples include investing in fair pay, encouraging the National Health Service to become a better employer, increasing training commissions, attracting former staff back to the NHS, encouraging flexible retirement, and supporting more effective, collaborative international recruitment where appropriate. The Department is working with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists to implement these measures.The Secretary of State recently announced that allied health professionals deciding to return to the NHS, including speech and language therapists, will be eligible for free refresher training, a payment of £1,000 to support them while undertaking refresher training and assistance with childcare, travel and books.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made on controlling the import of oral tobacco products with particular reference to gutkha. [155883]

[holding answer sent 28 March 2001]: So long as oral tobacco from overseas sources does not fall within a banned category, complies with United Kingdom Customs duty regulations and carries health warnings, their import into the UK is not illegal.However, we wish to ensure that people have information about health risks. We are, therefore, seeking to develop greater awareness of the health risks associated with oral tobacco as part of our tobacco information strategy. We are working on a dedicated campaign, focused on high risk ethnic minority populations, to address the health risks of smoking and the use of oral tobacco in order to decrease demand for these products. We have funded a training pack for trading standards officers on oral tobacco.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure the early appointment of a new chief executive at University Hospital Aintree, Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust. [156150]

Unfortunately, this post had to be re-advertised because of a lack of suitable candidates. I am pleased to report a good response to the re-advertisement, from which a short list of suitable candidates will be drawn. It is expected that interviews will be held before the end of April. In the meantime, the trust's Medical Director is fulfilling the responsibilities of the post in an acting capacity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will respond to the letter dated 8 February from the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale, West regarding the case of Josh Galloway, a constituent. [156098]

[holding answer 29 March 2001]: A reply to the hon. Member's letter was sent on 4 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Broxbourne will receive a reply to her letters of 3 January, 1 February, 1 March and 28 March relating to her constituent, Mrs. I. Wildish of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. [156697]

[holding answer 2 April 2001]: A reply to the hon. Member's letters was sent on 4 April 2001.