To ask the President of the Council how many applicants for a people's peerage are under (a) 25 and (b) 30 years. [157254]

I understand from the House of Lords Appointments Commission that there were (a) 22 and (b) 77.

To ask the President of the Council how many applicants for a people's peerage are over (a) 65, (b) 70, (c) 75 and (d) 80. [157255]

I understand from the House of Lords Appointments Commission that there are (a) 696 of whom, (b) 309 are over 70, (c) 121 are over 75 and (d) 31 are over 80.

To ask the President of the Council if she will list the regional backgrounds of aspiring people's peers who appear in the column 'other' on the Commission's website. [157253]

I understand that those listed as 'other' in the House of Lords Appointments Commission website are nominees not resident in the UK at present. They are either British citizens currently living abroad, Commonwealth citizens or Irish citizens. They do not therefore have a regional background.

To ask the President of the Council if she will list the questions for answer by her which she has not answered on the grounds of disproportionate cost in the 2000–01 session. [157169]

Two. Questions answered on 16 March2001, Official Report, column 764W, and 22 March 2001, Official Report, columns 314–15W.

To ask the Prime Minister on what dates between 1 January and 31 July 1999 he met representatives of the Wal-Mart company; and whom he met from the company on each occasion. [157325]

I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will hold a public inquiry following the elimination of foot and mouth disease into the causes of the disease and the Government's handling of its consequences. [157612]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling (Sir J. Stanley) on 5 April 2001, Official Report, column 251W.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what studies are being undertaken by the Performance and Innovation Unit into the possibility of a national identity card; [157349](2) what consultations have been carried out in the past 12 months by the Performance and Innovation Unit about the possibility of a national identity card. [157346]

The PIU have not carried out any formal consultation about the possibility of a national identity card.In September last year, I asked the PIU to undertake a project looking at privacy and data issues. Lord Falconer, Minister of State in the Cabinet Office, is the Sponsor Minister for the project.The project is analysing a broad range of issues involved in privacy and the use of personal data, including current government, private sector and international practices, structural and technological issues, public attitudes and the current legal framework. The project is also examining a range of issues to do with identification and authentication, including identification numbers and smartcards.

To ask the Prime Minister on what occasions and where since 3 May 1997 he has met the creators of charitable foundations; what the purposes of such meetings were; and what their outcomes were. [157258]

I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the call-out of reservists for operations in the Balkans and the region of Iraq. [157797]

Since NATO operations commenced in the former Yugoslavia, the reserve forces have historically provided some 10 per cent. of the total manpower in theatre. A further call-out order has been made under section 54 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to allow members of the reserve forces to continue to be called out to support operations in Yugoslavia and in the region of Iraq. As in previous years, only volunteers for these duties will be called out. The new call-out order has effect until 31 March 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what representations he is making to the US Administration to ensure that the US maintains its commitment to the Joint Strike Fighter project; [156335]

The importance that the UK attaches to the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme has been raised regularly with the United States Administration in UK/US ministerial meetings. I took the opportunity to reinforce this message with Secretary Rumsfeld during my recent visit to the US.We estimate that up to 5,000 jobs may be created or sustained as a result of the UK's involvement in the next phase (Engineering and Manufacturing Development) of the JSF programme.The alternative options considered by the UK to meet its future requirement were the US F/A18E, the French Rafale, a navalised version of the Eurofighter and an advanced Harrier variant.The JSF is a US led project. I would not expect it to continue should the US Government decide to cancel it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many places were available in (a) March 2000 and (b) March 2001 on courses for HM forces on (i) improvised explosive device disposal, (ii) explosive ordnance device driver courses and (iii) biological and chemical munition disposal; and how many (A) applied for, (B) were accepted to and (C) completed each course. [156215]

[holding answer 30 March 2001]: This type of training is carried out at three Army Training and Recruiting Agency (ATRA) Schools: the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal School (DEODS) at Chattenden in Kent, The Army School of Ammunition (ASA) at Kineton, Warwickshire and the Defence School of Transport (DST) at Leconfield, Yorkshire. Biological and chemical munitions disposal is taught as part of other courses at the ASA. Similarly, IEDD training forms part of courses run at both DEODS and ASA. Driver training for EOD Van Drivers is taught at the DST.Courses run throughout the year and information for courses running at any point during March each year is given in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts awarded since 1 September 1998 under the Letter of Offer and Acceptance, 0006–98-C-0015, signed under the 1985 Strategic Defence Initiative Memorandum of Understanding, specifying in each case the name of the contractor, the value of the contract and the date of the award. [157281]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 28 March 2001, Official Report, column 620W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when the Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme is expected to be completed; and if he will publish an unclassified version of its conclusions when it is completed; [157344](2) if he will place in the Library copies of unclassified documents which have been

The Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme is planned for completion in the autumn of 2001. An unclassified summary of the report will subsequently be published and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of the House. The only unclassified document made available to contractors and made public, is that covering the Terms of Reference. In this regard I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 27 July 1999, Official Report, column 203W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which locations nuclear warheads withdrawn from active service are stored; and if he will make a statement on the use to which nuclear material recovered from redundant warheads is put. [156376]

Nuclear warheads are stored at Faslane and Coulport, before they are returned to the Atomic Weapons Establishment for dismantling.Nuclear material retained for defence purposes, including that recovered from redundant warheads, is recycled within the UK's defence programme. Nuclear material recovered from redundant warheads which is surplus to defence needs either has been or will be transferred into safeguard arrangements and will be subject to inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list (a) the designated strength and (b) the number enlisted in each battalion or unit of the Territorial Army Reserve; what action is being taken to fill vacancies; and if he will make a statement; [157090](2) how many members of the Territorial Army Reserve attached to units which were disbanded under the Strategic Defence Review

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the designated strength of the Territorial Army Reserve is; and what the number enlisted is. [157092]

The latest available figures give the numbers enlisted into the Territorial Army as 40,684 against an establishment of 41,204.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces were deployed in the first instance in support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to deal with the foot and mouth outbreak; and how many members of the armed forces were so deployed on 3 April. [157418]

In response to initial requests from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), a small number of military specialists—vets and logistic planners—were deployed on 16 March to help in dealing with the foot and mouth outbreak. Since then, the armed forces have continued to respond to further requests for support. The total number of troops deployed as at 3 April was 1,544. Additional troops are on reduced notice to move, pending further requests for assistance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will seek advice from his Department's Historic Branch on the contribution made in the battle of the Atlantic by the Polar Bears, in securing Iceland in 1941, and on whether they are entitled to the Atlantic Star. [157420]

The men of the 49th West Riding Division whose divisional sign was a Polar Bear, formed the core of the British garrison of Iceland between the late spring of 1941 until the end of 1942 when responsibility for the garrison passed wholly to the United States forces who began to arrive there in the summer of 1941.The securing of Iceland by this garrison made possible the subsequent basing there of Allied aircraft to carry out anti-submarine patrols and thus provide further support to the Allied convoys on which so much depended. Further, the island was used as an assembly point for convoys to Russia.However, the land garrison did not participate directly in the operations contributing to the Battle of the Atlantic, and accordingly land service on Iceland was not included among the categories of service conferring eligibility for the Atlantic Star. This campaign award and the other Campaign Stars and War Medals, were considered by the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals for the 1939–45 War and subsequently agreed by the King.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will seek advice from his Department's Historic Branch on the contribution made by 269 Squadron while operating out of Iceland in securing the Enigma code technology from a captured U-Boat; and if Squadron members are entitled to the Atlantic Star. [157419]

Number 269 Squadron made a distinguished contribution to the Battle of the Atlantic, including sinking several enemy submarines and playing a major role in the capture of U-570 in August 1941. The surrender of U-570 did produce valuable intelligence on enemy submarines. Unfortunately, the unavoidable lapse in time between the surrender of the vessel to 269 Squadron and the arrival of a Royal Navy surface warship allowed the U-boat crew to throw overboard, or otherwise destroy, all the submarine's Enigma equipment and codebooks.Members of 269 Squadron who meet the necessary qualifying criteria are eligible for the award of the Atlantic Star.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Minister for Veterans' Affairs will meet representatives of the 49th Infantry Division Association to discuss members' entitlement to the Atlantic Star. [157421]

The basic qualifying criteria for Second World War medals were agreed by the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals in 1946. It would not be appropriate to attempt to review, with a view to altering contemporary decisions, events which happened more than 50 years ago. A meeting with the members of the 49th Infantry Division Association would not, therefore, be helpful to them.Medal entitlement is examined on an individual basis. Members of the 49th Infantry Division Association who feel that they are entitled to the Atlantic Star should write, individually, to the Army Medal Office enclosing as much information concerning their service as possible. Their case will then be considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria were laid down for service men and women to be entitled to the Atlantic Star; and if he will make a statement. [157417]

The qualifying criteria for the campaign stars and medals instituted for service during the Second World War, including the Atlantic Star, were published by the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals in Command Paper 6633 in May 1945 and amended by Command Paper 6833 in June 1946. Copies of both these documents are in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if bombs coated with depleted uranium were used in the most recent bombing of Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [157415]

Bombs coated with depleted uranium were not used on the most recent occasion that coalition aircraft patrolling the southern no fly zone responded in self-defence against the Iraqi Air Defence System.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the reasons for the most recent bombing of Iraq by the UK and USA. [157414]

Coalition aircraft carrying out legitimate patrols of the Iraqi no fly zones are authorised to respond in self-defence to Iraqi efforts to shoot them down. This is the only basis on which weapons have been released over Iraq since Operation Desert Fox in December 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with (a) her EU counterparts and (b) the UN concerning World Food Programme supplies for Sudan. [156895]

My Department is in regular contact with (a) the EU in Brussels, both the European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) and the Food Aid Unit, about their plans for food aid to Sudan this year: We have also discussed Sudan with (b) the UN and World Food Programme (WFP) in London, Rome and Khartoum. WFP have asked for 150,000 metric tonnes and we expect a substantial part of this to be provided by contributions from EU member states and the United States. We understand the European Commission will make available 12,000 tonnes for drought and related needs in the north.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list her Department's contributions to the World Food Programme earmarked for Sudan since 1997. [156892]

Since 1997, the Department for International Development has earmarked £14.4 million for Sudan through the World Food Programme. This contribution was disbursed over 1998 and 1999. No contribution was considered necessary in 2000. We are considering our response in 2001 as the humanitarian situation demands.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on current food deficit levels in Sudan. [156896]

There are indications there may be food shortages in some part of Sudan this year. We are monitoring the situation closely both from London and through our DFID representative at the British Embassy in Khartoum. My humanitarian adviser will also be visiting Sudan in May to assess needs and make recommendations.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the approval by her Department of the National Roads Bridge Replacement Project in the Philippines. [157855]

I have recently agreed a commitment of DFID funds of up to £8.75 million to this project. This will be the final project funded under the Aid and Trade Provision (ATP).The 1997 White Paper on International Development committed the Government to focus all future development assistance on poverty reduction, and, therefore to end the ATP scheme.We also agreed to honour ATP commitments already made and to do our best to make them more poverty focused. This project will improve routes passing through poor rural areas of the Philippines.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made on untying her Department's procurement following the White Paper commitment. [157796]

DFID is untying by applying the Public Procurement Regulations from 1 April to invite global competition for all new contracts above a threshold value of £93,896. Implementation will be a challenge and we have agreed to share the practical lessons with other development agencies in line with our commitment to international untying. The new policy will not disrupt current programmes. For this financial year only, DFID will consider extension to current contracts where that is necessary for operational reasons and the initial invitation to tender made it clear that a contract may be extended.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she has recently reviewed the effectiveness of United Kingdom development efforts in Zimbabwe. [157802]

I have since 1997 kept our development programme in Zimbabwe under regular review. We remain committed to helping the poorest in Zimbabwe who are suffering the combined effect of economic mismanagement and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. But the situation in Zimbabwe is difficult and we continue to work only where we are confident our support can be effective.For this reason we have today written to the Zimbabwe Government informing them that we are ending our support to the Privatisation Agency of Zimbabwe and to a Trade Policy Capacity Building Programme. In the continued absence of Government policies likely to reverse current economic decline and reduce poverty, I concluded that these projects were likely to have little beneficial impact for the people of Zimbabwe.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to encourage access to micro-finance institutions in developing countries. [156598]

Gaining access to simple, low cost savings and insurance services helps poor families in developing countries to reduce their vulnerability to economic shocks. Small-scale loans from micro-finance institutions (MFIs) also play a very important role in encouraging entrepreneurs to invest in their business, where they are unable to obtain a loan from a conventional commercial bank.Despite the success of many MFIs in extending savings and credit sustainability to the poor these services still reach only a tiny proportion of those that need them. Recognising the importance of MFIs in reducing poverty, DFID provides technical and financial support to raise standards in micro-finance, to improve commercial viability, and to extend outreach to millions more poor families. This support is provided in a number of ways.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the Green Paper on mercenaries will be published; and what are the reasons for the delay. [156151]

Unfortunately, it proved impossible to publish the Green Paper on mercenary activity as expected by the end of November 2000.The issue is a complex one. It is important therefore to work carefully through the details. I can assure the House that work on the Paper is continuing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contacts officials in his Department have had with representatives of private military companies since guidelines were introduced as a result of the Legg Inquiry. [156152]

There is no accepted definition of a private military company. Since guidance was introduced, contacts have been recorded with 15–20 companies which may be judged to fall within the category of private military/security companies. These have been principally inquiries regarding general HMG policy towards particular parts of the world.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of private military companies that are operating out of the UK. [156153]

Due to difficulties of definition, the possible blurring of boundaries between private military companies and private security companies, and the frequent shift of company identities and locations in this sector, there is no current definitive estimate of the number of private military companies operating out of the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Sri Lankan authorities concerning the attack on 18 February upon a Christian church in the Hingurangoda district of Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement. [157243]

We condemn all such acts of violence against civilians wishing to exercise their right to religious freedom. We are pleased to see that the Sri Lankan Government have condemned this unprovoked attack and that the President has ordered an immediate inquiry. We hope that this will be completed soon and that it will be open and transparent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations have been made in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Independent States on the detention of members of the British Forces in the Soviet Union after (a) the Second World War and (b) the Korean War; and if he will make a statement. [156772]

I have been asked to reply.Advantage was taken of the changed climate at the end of the Cold War to liaise with the Russian authorities on whether they possessed information on the few British Service men whose fate as prisoners of war remains unknown following the Second World War and Korean War, in spite of extensive investigation.

Class reference1	HC no.	Cmd no.22	Departments	Date laid
I	182		DFEE	31 January 2001
I	189		Teachers Pension Scheme	31 January 2001
I	155		Ofsted	25 January 2001
II	188		NHS Pension Scheme (England and Wales)	31 January 2001
II	194		Department of Health	31 January 2001
III		5054	Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions	30 March 2001
III	176		Ofwat	31 January 2001
III	184		ORR	31 January 2001
IV		5055	Home Office	30 March 2001
IV	191		Charity Commission	31 January 2001
V		5056	Lord Chancellor's Department	30 March 2001
V		5060	Treasury Solicitors	30 March 2001
V	193		Crown Prosecution Service	31 January 2001
V	134		Public Records Office	25 January 2001
V	198		Serious Fraud Office	31 January 2001
V	199		Northern Ireland Court Service	31 January 2001
VI	4		Armed Forces Pension Scheme—MOD	13 December 2000
VI	50		Defence—MOD Consolidated	31 January 2001
VII	195		FCO	31 January 2001
VIII	116		DfID	31 January 2001
VIII	187		DfID—Superannuation Pensions	31 January 2001
IX	11		DTI—Main	20 December 2000
IX	51		ECGD	20 December 2000
IX	24		Ofgem	20 December 2000
IX	75		OFT	31 January 2001
IX	151		Oftel	31 January 2001
IX	10		UK Atomic Energy Authority—DTI	20 December 2000
X		5057	MAFF	30 March 2001
X	196		Forestry Commission	31 January 2001
X	201		Forestry Commission Pension Scheme	31 January 2001
X	833		Intervention Board Executive Agency	9 November 2000
XI	181		DCMS	31 January 2001
XII	183		DSS	31 January 2001
XIII	186		Scotland Office	31 January 2001

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) quantitative and (b) qualitative analytical work Her Majesty's Treasury 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. [155661]

[holding answer 28 March 2001]: None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the resource accounts for each class for 1999–2000 were laid before Parliament; and from what date in each case copies were available to hon. Members in the Vote Office. [155444]

[holding answer 29 March 2001]: The dates on which departmental resource accounts were laid before the House of Commons are listed in the table.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if roll-over relief is available to farmers receiving lump sum compensation for foot and mouth disease who wish to reinvest in livestock in future years. [156900]

[holding answer 5 April 2001]: Animals used in a farming trade are not chargeable assets for capital gains purposes. They are part of a farmer's trading stock so that any compensation for their loss will be on revenue rather than capital account and form part of the farmer's trading income.Compensation received for animals that have been compulsorily slaughtered is treated in the same way as the proceeds would have been if the animals had been sold. As this is income for tax purposes capital gains tax roll-over relief is not applicable.Where the herd basis applies, the profit from the disposal of production animals is deferred until they are replaced and the profit is exempt if they are not replaced. Special rules allow profits on the disposal of other animals compulsorily slaughtered to be spread over three years.The Revenue and Customs are committed to helping individuals and businesses in difficulty as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. They will respond sympathetically in all cases where customers need help in understanding their entitlements or who are experiencing difficulty in paying tax or national insurance. The Revenue Departments have set up a joint helpline. The number is 0845 300 0157.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if applications for temporary rate reductions made because of the foot and mouth epidemic will be given priority over outstanding appeals against the 2000 rating list; [157380]

In England and Wales to date there have been at least 23,000 appeals made for a temporary reduction in rating assessments on the grounds of the impact of foot and mouth. It will be the Valuation Office Agency's policy to prioritise dealing with such applications. The Valuation Office Agency has recently introduced a system for the structured programming of appeals against rating assessments. As a matter of urgency it is considering how, within this system, to prioritise appeals resulting from the foot and mouth epidemic.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many firms have taken advantage of the research and development tax credit for small and medium-sized enterprises. [157387]

Figures for the number of firms that have taken advantage of R and D tax credits will not be available until 2002, when firms incurring R and D expenditure have sent in their tax returns for the first year of operation of the scheme. However, enhanced capital allowances since 1997 and new tax credits to encourage investment and innovation have already saved business over £1 billion.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value was of the rebates on the UK's contributions to the EEC budget secured by Governments between 1979 and 1987. [157375]

Details of the United Kingdom's abatement for the years 1985–86 to 1987–88 can be found at Table 20.1 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1990–91 to 1992–93" (Cm 1018, January 1990). Details of negotiated refunds for the years 1980–81 to 1984–85 can be found at Table 3.3 of "The Government's Expenditure Plans 1986–87 to 1988–89" (Cmnd 9702-II, January 1986).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the additional income received by residents of Cunninghame, South constituency following the introduction of the national minimum wage; [157396](2) how many residents of Cunninghame, South constituency

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many recipients of Disability Living Allowance higher mobility component in Northern Ireland qualify because they are both blind and deaf; [157408]

(2) how many Disability Living Allowance recipients, whose main disability is deafness, are aged between 16 and 64 and live in Northern Ireland; [157410]

(3) how many Disability Living Allowance recipients there are in Northern Ireland; and how many there were in each of the last seven years, whose main disabling condition is deafness; [157405]

(4) if he will publish a breakdown of disability living allowance awards in Northern Ireland for which deafness is the main disabling condition by (a) the rate of each component and (b) age; [157407]

(5) if he will publish a breakdown of Disability Living Allowance awards in Northern Ireland for which deafness is the main disabling condition by (a) age and (b) type of award, indicating (i) care only components, (ii) mobility only components and (iii) combined care and mobility components; [157406]

(6) how many recipients there are in Northern Ireland of (a) higher and (b) lower rate Attendance Allowance. [157409]

Responsibility for this matter has now been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what considerations underlay the decision to exclude housing benefit and income support on mortgage interest from a household's income when determining whether that household suffers fuel poverty, as stated in Box 10.1 of The UK Fuel Poverty Strategy. [157452]

Responsibility for this matter has now been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times (a) Lord Sainsbury and (b) other Ministers from his Department met with Nadhmi Auchi of General Mediterranean Holdings Ltd.; and if he will list the (i) dates and (ii) locations of those meetings. [156883]

[holding answer 4 April 2001]: Lord Sainsbury has met Mr. Auchi on one occasion, at a dinner hosted by Mr. Auchi on 23 April 1999 at the Park Lane Hotel, Piccadilly. The Department has no record of any other meetings having taken place between DTI Ministers and Mr. Auchi.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Amber Valley constituency, the effects on Amber Valley of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157135]

The constituency of Amber Valley has benefited from a range of initiatives since May 1997 including:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations he has received regarding using the Gibraltar international direct dialling code prefix 350; [156129]

(2) if he will make a statement on the arrangement set in place to handle internationally dialled telephone calls to Gibraltar using the Gibraltar international direct dialling code prefix 350; [156133]

(3) what representations he has made to the European Commission regarding the handling of internationally dialled telephone calls routed through Spain and destined for Gibraltar. [156130]

We remain deeply concerned about the unsatisfactory situation of telecommunications services in Gibraltar. Spain does not recognise Gibraltar's international direct dialling code (350). This code is however recognised by every other country in the world.The Government of Gibraltar have brought to our attention the increasing problem of international calls from countries other than Spain failing to reach their destination in Gibraltar. Some calls from third countries are diverted via Spain by Lease Cost Routing technology, in order to reduce costs.We are working hard to ascertain the exact cause of the problem of dropped calls, and to identify the best way forward. There are a number of possible technical and commercial considerations which need to be examined. We have drawn the situation to the attention of both the Spanish Government and the Commission, and will pursue the problem as a matter of urgency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what impact the Office of Fair Trading inquiry into BSkyB will have on the timetable to switch off analogue television channels and accelerate the take-up of digital TV. [R] [157142]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is unable to comment on a Competition Act inquiry by the Office of Fair Trading while it is being undertaken. The Director General of Fair Trading expects to reach a view by this summer on whether or not an infringement decision should be issued against BSkyB.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who will represent the United Kingdom at the next meeting of the Council of the European Union (Transport and Communications); and what position the UK's representative will take on amending Directive 96/97/EC with regard to the further opening up to competition of Community postal services. [157391]

My hon. Friend the Minister of State for Small Business and E-Commerce represented the UK at this month's Transport and Telecommunications Council on 4–5 April 2001. There are no plans for a substantive discussion on the proposal to amend Directive 97/67/EC at this Council; this item is on the agenda for information only in order to provide a progress report and an indication of the Presidency's plans for taking forward the debate with the aim of achieving a political compromise at the Telecommunications Council to be held at the end of June. The UK supports the Presidency in its objective to work for an agreement on the further opening up to competition of Community postal services provided appropriate safeguards are in place to maintain the universal service at a uniform tariff.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Government aid has been granted by his Department, and its predecessor, in support of civil aircraft projects since 1971, excluding Airbus projects; and if he will set out the amounts (a) granted in respect of each project and (b) recovered by way of sales and licensing levies. [157377]

Since 1971 the following launch investment project (a) commitments and (b) amounts recovered, excluding Airbus projects, which the Government have made are as follows:

£million
	(a)	(b)
To Rolls-Royce for the Trent 600/900 in 2001	200	1—
To Rolls-Royce for the Trent aeroengine in 1997	250	7.7
To Shorts for the Learjet 45 in 1995	17.7	1—
To Rolls-Royce for the V2500 in 1985	60	29.6
To Westland for the EH101 in 1984	60	1—
To Westland for the W30–200 in 1982	39.3	2—
To Rolls-Royce for the RB211 in 1974	439.4	277.2
To Hawker Siddeley for the HS146 in 1972	7.8	3—
1 Not yet due
2 None recovered
3 Levies not payable

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many civil actions, other than in the small claims court, have been commenced in each of the last five years by litigants in person. [157360]

Figures showing the number of trials in the county courts conducted by litigants in person are set out in the table.

Litigants appearing in person during county court trials England and Wales figures, 1996–2000
Year	Number county court trials	Claimant	Defendant
Litigants in person
1996	19,608	2,400	3,550
1997	15,511	1,590	3,020
1998	14,202	1,080	1,900
1999	13,437	880	1,660
2000	15,397	1,230	2,280
Percentage in person
1996	19,608	12.2	18.1
1997	15,511	10.3	19.5
1998	14,202	7.6	13.4
1999	13,437	6.5	12.4
2000	15,397	8.0	14.8

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will publish guidance for those wishing to pursue civil claims as litigants in person which fall outside the scope of the small claims court. [157359]

The Court Service publishes a comprehensive series of leaflets, which explain basic court procedures starting from making a claim to enforcement procedures. They all include information that goes beyond the small claims procedure.The leaflets are specifically aimed at litigants in person and use plain English in a question and answer format. Since the Court Service launched its Welsh Language Scheme on 9 August 2000 some Court Service leaflets are now also available in Welsh.The leaflets are available free from any county court office or from the Court Service website. Advice agencies such as the Citizens Advice Bureaux also supply some Court Service leaflets to their customers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) when it was decided that improvement awards should be given to all schools showing an improvement of at least 2.2 in the Key Stage 2 average point scores between 1997 and 2000; and what consultation was carried out prior to deciding the criterion; [157357]

(2) when it was decided that improvement awards should be given to all schools at Key Stage 1 showing an improvement of at least 1.4 in the average point scores between 1997 and 2000; and what consultation took place with schools about the criterion for deciding awards; [157355]

(3) when it was decided that improvement awards should be given to all schools showing an improvement of at least 4.9 in GCSE/GNVQ average point scores between 1997 and 2000; and what consultation was carried out prior to deciding on the criterion; [157354]

(4) when it was decided that improvement awards should be given to all schools showing an improvement of at least 0.80 in Key Stage 3 average point scores between 1997 and 2000; and what consultation was carried out prior to deciding the criterion. [157356]

We consulted relevant national bodies about the design of the School Achievement Awards Scheme in May and June last year. We proposed then, and confirmed in September, that about 30 per cent. of maintained schools in England would receive awards, that about three quarters of these awards would be for improvement, that schools would be ranked by the differences between their Key Stage test or GCSE/GNVQ average point scores in 1997 and 2000, and that improvement awards would be given to the highest ranking schools. The minimum increases in average point scores required for improvement awards were consequences of this process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make it his policy not to disadvantage schools which have been notified of a financial award by his Department which is based upon an administrative error; and if he will make a statement. [157385]

As the hon. Member knows, a number of schools were incorrectly told that they would receive a School Achievement Award. We have made it clear to them that they will receive the financial value of the award.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the cost of the error made by his Department in identifying schools which had won achievement awards in 2001. [157384]

The cost of additional awards will be £1.9 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the use of homosexual role-play in school sex education classes; and if he will make a statement. [156774]

We have made no estimate of the extent of this type of role playing in schools; Ofsted have reported no such incidents. The Learning and Skills Act 2000 places a statutory duty on schools to protect pupils from inappropriate teaching and materials. Our Sex and Relationship Education guidance is clear that teachers should be able to deal honestly and sensitively with sexual orientation. There should be no direct promotion of sexual orientation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations were held between his Department and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions about the content of Best Value Performance Plans required of local authorities. [156444]

My Department has been consulted about published documents on Best Value, including the final version of the statutory guidance on Best Value Performance Plans in DETR Circular 10/1999. Officials from both Departments meet regularly to discuss the implementation of Best Value.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to change the year of calculation for education targets in best value performance plans to a school year basis. [156441]

Our aim in introducing best value performance indicators has been to minimise burdens on local authorities by linking them to existing data collection exercises. Some of the education performance indicators are calculated on a school year basis, apart from those for expenditure and for special education needs. Compiling these on a school year would create work for local authorities, and make education expenditure indicators out of line with those for other authority services. Furthermore, any significant change in calculation method would mean that local authorities lose historical trends over time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each year since 1992 the average primary school class size for schools in Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [156568]

The data requested have been placed in the Library.Information on class sizes as at January 2001 will be published in a Statistical First Release 'Class Sizes in Maintained Schools in England January 2001' on 6 April.The latest infant class size data for September 2000 were published in a Statistical First Release 'Infant Class Sizes in England 2000' on 1 November, copies of which are available from the Library, or alternatively can be accessed from the Department for Education and Employment statistical website www.dfee.gov.uk/statistics. Figures from this release show that since September 1998, 324,000 five, six and seven-year-olds have benefited from the Government's infant class size initiative. In September 2000, 30,000 children were in classes of 31 or more children, compared with 171,000 in September 1999. This demonstrates that the Government are delivering early our infant class size pledge, which is supported by some £620 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of those who completed a teacher training course were full-time teachers three years later in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [155649]

[holding answer 29 March 2001]: The information is in the table.

Percentage of teachers who were in full-time teaching in the maintained schools sector in the third year after completing their Initial Teacher Training
Year of completion of Initial Teacher Training	Percentage
1994	66
1995	65
1996 (provisional)	66

The number of regular teachers (excluding short-term supply) in the maintained schools sector in England at January 2000 was 404,600, the highest for 10 years and 6,900 higher than January 1998.There was a growth of 2,300 in the number of people recruited to train as teachers between 1999–2000 and 2000–01, the first such increase since 1992–93.From April 2001 new graduate recruits can expect to earn £17,000 a year (up 6 per cent. from the previous year) and starting salaries in Inner London will rise to £20,000 (up 9 per cent. from the previous year).

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the additional resources his Department has made available to schools in Battersea since 1997 according to sector; and under which scheme or fund they are provided. [154831]

Information showing the schools in the Battersea constituency that benefited from capital investment under the New Deal for Schools is shown in Table A. These allocations formed part of the £4.651 million investment made so far in schools in the London borough of Wandsworth local education authority under the New Deal for Schools programme.The New Deal for Schools was introduced as a new additional programme targeted specifically at addressing the backlog of urgent repairs in school buildings that had built up after 18 years of under-funding under the previous Administration. It has been in addition to other capital funds made available to the London borough of Wandsworth local eduction authority. In total, since 1997, the London borough of Wandsworth local education authority has received some £13.214 million of funding for capital investment in school buildings as shown in Table B.Nationally, investment in school buildings has tripled from £683 million a year in 1996–97 to over £2 billion in 2000–01. It will be £3.5 billion in 2003–04, including grant, credit approvals and Private Finance Initiative credits. There will be central Government investment of £8.5 billion in school buildings in total from 2001–02 to 2003–04. Capital investment already allocated to the London borough of Wandsworth local education authority in 2001–02, including the increases announced by the Chancellor in the Budget statement of 7 March, amounts to £5.942 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding has been made available, listed by project and funding scheme, for pupils and teachers at Battersea Technology College, since 2 May 1997. [154820]

Most funding provided by the Department is distributed via local education authorities. The initial budget share for 1998–99 to 2000–01 financial years made available by Wandsworth Local Education Authority to Battersea Technology College is set out in the table. Figures for 1997–98 are not readily available. In addition, Battersea Technology College received £40,000 School Standards Grant in 2000–01. It also received at least £218,069 in 2000–01 through the Standards Fund. Figures for payments through the Standards Fund are not available for 1998–99 and 1999–2000. The Department does not hold information relating to specific projects and project schemes made available at Battersea Technology College since 2 May 1997.

Mailings to all primary or all secondary schools by school year
Items
	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	12000–01
Primary
Literacy and numeracy—items for action	1	3	2	0
Literacy and numeracy—information/guidance	12	9	10	4
National curriculum—items for action	2	0	3	0
National curriculum—information/guidance	11	7	25	4
Teachers pay and school funding—items for action	2	7	3	2
Teachers pay and school funding—information/guidance	8	2	48	9
Other material requiring action	7	9	8	9
Information and guidance on other topics	43	59	47	19
Secondary
Literacy and numeracy—items for action	0	0	2	0
Literacy and numeracy—information/guidance	3	2	3	0
National curriculum—items for action	0	0	3	0
National curriculum—information/guidance	4	7	31	4
Teachers pay and school funding—items for action	1	3	3	2
Teachers pay and school funding—information/guidance	11	9	48	10
Other materials requiring action	14	14	12	9
Information and guidance on other topics	52	80	62	23
1 2000–01 to end March only

A list of documents sent to LEAs since March 2000 has also been placed in the Library. My answer to the hon. Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough (Mr. Willis) on

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list by date the circular documents which have been sent by his Department to (a) local education authorities, (b) primary schools and (c) secondary schools since 1 May 1997; and how many pages each document contained. [148352]

[holding answer 2 February 2001]: Our monthly batched mailings to schools clearly distinguish between documents requiring action and those for guidance and information. Since May 1997 schools have had an average of one action document a fortnight during term time from DFEE. Many of these related to literacy and numeracy, teachers pay or funding improvements. Most items sent are for information only.Since September 2000, we have sent less automatically to schools. Of the 47 documents sent to all primary schools since September 2000 only 11 required action. The main documents of substance were the guide to improve grammar teaching and the autumn package of benchmarking data on pupil performance.The position for secondary schools was similar. Of the 48 documents sent since September 2000 only 11 required action. The main document of substance was the autumn package of benchmarking data on pupil performance.The table shows for each school how many documents we sent to all primary or all secondary schools. Many documents went to both types of school and are counted in each list. The full list of titles is in the Library.22 March 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to convey accurate information to foreign tourists of the impact of foot and mouth disease on human health. [157026]

My Department is working closely with the British Tourist Authority (BTA) to ensure that the message that foot and mouth disease has no adverse effect on human health and that Britain is open to business is conveyed to overseas visitors. Where concerns have been expressed, BTA's overseas offices have held briefings for the local media and travel trade to provide accurate information and reassurance about travelling to Britain. Information is also available to overseas media and the public through BTA's overseas call and visitor centres.BTA has been, and is continuing to monitor press and public opinion in all its key priority markets. On 20 March I visited New York to help spread the message that Britain is open for business and dispel all the rumours that had started appearing in the American national press about public safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if compensation will be made available to non-rural tourism businesses that have been adversely affected by foot and mouth disease. [157050]

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what compensation will be made available to those in the tourist industry in (a) the Chorley area and (b) Lancashire following the foot and mouth outbreak. [157312]

My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment announced on 20 March a package of measures to help those adversely affected by the foot and mouth outbreak. The Government are considering the need for further measures in the light of the latest developments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on (a) the use of lottery money for the new Wembley Stadium and (b) the amount of lottery money proposed for the new Wembley Stadium. [157316]

Sport England have committed £120 million to the Wembley Stadium project. The bulk of this money—£103 million—was used to secure the purchase of the stadium site in January 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has held with the Cabinet Office on overseeing the new Wembley Stadium project. [157544]

No discussions have been held with the Cabinet Office about the Wembley Stadium project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how often meetings are held between him and the Chairman of the new Wembley Stadium Company; [157317]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I meet Sir Rodney Walker from time to time to discuss a wide range of issues including his new responsibility as Chairman of Wembley National Stadium Ltd. as well as his other duties including that of Chairman of UK Sport. My right hon. Friend and I last met Sir Rodney on 1 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture. Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the impact on tourism in Lancashire of the foot and mouth outbreak. [157311]

We are making inquiries of a range of tourism-related bodies to determine the impact of foot and mouth disease on tourism businesses. This research is at an early stage and therefore no figures are yet available. The English Tourism Council and the Regional Tourist Boards are also implementing research to assess the impacts at local level. However, the North West Tourist Board estimates that the potential impact on tourism income in the north-west is around £6 million and is threatening around 200 jobs per week. No figures relating specifically to Lancashire are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when and how the papers of the New Millennium Experience Company will be opened for public scrutiny; and if he will make a statement. [157244]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker) on 29 March 2001, Official Report, columns 715–16W.