To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the average length of time is that people spend on Incapacity Benefit. [157077]

[holding answer 9 April 2001]: The average duration of Incapacity Benefit for claims which terminated in the period 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999 is 1,027 days. If people who leave Incapacity Benefit for retirement pension are excluded, the average duration is 500 days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average time that people who apply for a national insurance number must wait before (a) being given an appointment with the Benefits Agency and (b) receiving a national insurance number. [158676]

The information on the average time that people who apply for a national insurance number (NINO) must wait before being given an appointment with the Benefits Agency is not held.After a customer is interviewed by the Benefits Agency, the length of time he/she has to wait to receive their NINO depends on whether the application is for benefit or employment purposes.With the introduction of the enhanced NINO process in April 2001 the Benefits Agency is responsible for notifying the customer of their NINO by letter after all inquiries have been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people in Greenock and Inverclyde will benefit from the latest increase in Child Benefit; and if he will make a statement. [158598]

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows:The latest information shows there are 13,610 children and 7,957 families in the Greenock and Inverclyde parliamentary constituency receiving Child Benefit. Since 1997 the rate of Child Benefit for the first child has increased by 26 per cent. in real terms. The rates from April 2001 are £15.50 for the first child and £10.35 for all other children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Army Base Repair Organisation for the financial year 2001–02. [159241]

Key Targets (KT) have been set for the Chief Executive for financial year 2001–02. The targets build on the progress already made by ABRO since it formed in April 1993 and will help it to prepare for trading fund status. They are as follows:

KTI Service Delivery—Programme Load

To complete 95 per cent. of all programmes designated critical within the times agreed with the customer.

KT2 Service Delivery—Land District Load

To complete 95 per cent. of Land Command District Load tasks within the priorities agreed with the customer.

KT3 Efficiency

To reduce the average cost of a selected range of Programme Load products by 5 per cent., exclusive of spares, over the course of financial year 2001–02 from a 2000–01 baseline.

KT4 Efficiency

To reduce the average cost of a selected range of Land Command District Load tasks by 5 per cent., exclusive of spares, over the course of financial year 2001–02 from a 2000–01 baseline.

KT5 Winning New York

To produce a robust marketing strategy for the first year of trading (planned to be 2002–03) and to increase the value of third party revenue won in 2001–02 by at least 100 per cent. from a 2000–01 baseline.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on the Tornado GR4 mid life update. [159242]

I am pleased to announce that following further development work and extensive trials, the GR4 with improved software achieved a Military Aircraft Release on 10 April. We expect shortly to deploy the GR4 operationally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement about the future of the contract to be placed with Harland and Wolff for the construction of two roll-on roll-off ferries to provide strategic sea lift capability for the armed forces; [157725](2) if he will make a statement on the progress of the programme to secure guaranteed access to roll-on roll-off ferries to provide strategic sea lift capability for the armed forces. [157726]

[holding answer 24 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 March 2001, Official Report, column 359W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore). The commercial shipbuilding contracts for the two ships to be built by Harland and Wolff have been taken over by the Ministry of Defence. These contracts will be managed on our behalf by AWSR Shipping Ltd.Negotiations on the Private Finance Initiative contract for the full Strategic Sea-lift service are proceeding and we expect to place a contract shortly. As a result of the adoption of a parallel build programme in two yards, it is planned that the full Strategic Sea-lift capability will be available by 2003, some two years ahead of the planned in-service date. Until then, a provisional service is being managed by MOD, providing an enhanced level of sealift compared to that previously available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the maximum output of fast jet pilots is from RAF Valley per year. [157721]

[holding answer 24 April 2001]: Over the next four years RAF Valley is tasked to provide places for 102 fast jet pilot students per year to meet the current RAF Valley output target of 80 pilots per year. The output target is determined by the future front-line manning requirements and is reviewed regularly. The RAF Valley output target has recently been increased as the result of such a review.Capacity is greater than output as not all students achieve the full range of skills necessary to complete fast jet training. Those that do not are usually restreamed into rotary wing or multi-engine roles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the anticipated shortfalls in (a) fast jet pilots and (b) single seat fast jet pilots for each of the next five years. [157722]

[holding answer 24 April 2001]: The current forecast shortfall of fast jet pilots in the armed forces over the next five years is as follows:

Year	Fast jet pilots1.2
2001–02	125
2002–03	138
2003–04	139
2004–05	138
2005–06	132
1Figures comprise the forecast shortfall in RN Sea Harrier pilots and RAF junior officer pilots—filling both flying posts (including front line and training squadrons) and ground appointments
2RAF Personnel Manning Agency. RAF Manpower planning forecasts do not differentiate between the various types of jet aircraft

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many fast jet pilots in the (a) RAF and (b) Royal Navy are combat-ready. [157724]

[holding answer 24 April 2001]: As at 31 March 2001, there were 230 combat-ready fast jet pilots in the Royal Air Force and 21 in the Royal Navy. A further 94 pilots were at lower states of readiness.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current shortages of trained pilots are for the (a) Sea Harrier FA2, (b) Harrier GR7, (c) Tornado F3, (d)Tornado GR1-GR4 and (e) Jaguar. [157723]

[holding answer 24 April 2001]: The shortfall of trained pilots based on the frontline strength and establishment of specific aircraft types on 1 March is as follows:

Aircraft type	Pilot shortfall
Sea Harrier FA2	5
Harrier GR7	9
Tornado F3	12
Tornado GR1/GR4	18
Jaguar	3

Notwithstanding the shortfalls, all operational commitments are being met.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason he has allowed the final production line for the A400M to be located in Spain. [157720]

[holding answer 24 April 2001]: The location of the final assembly line for the A400M is primarily a matter for Airbus Military Company. The company will be contracted to deliver aircraft on the basis of a "commercial approach" which makes maximum use of existing supply chains and centres of excellence. Just as Airbus UK is the centre of excellence for wing design and will be leading the wing design for the A400M, so European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company of Spain is the centre of excellence for military transport aircraft assembly and this thus influences the choice of Spain to host the final assembly line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for North Tayside (Mr. Swinney) of 29 March 2001, Official Report, column 733W, on the cost of the clean-up operation of Holy Loch, what proportion of the cost has been met by the US Defence Department; and if he will make a statement. [158600]

The US Defence Department are not contributing to the cost of the clearance nor are they legally obliged to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision he is making for his Department's staff who wish to continue to be paid on a weekly basis. [158541]

The Ministry of Defence's industrial staff will transfer from weekly to monthly pay during April and May this year as part of the process of harmonising their pay and grading arrangements with those of non-industrial staff, who are paid monthly. The change to monthly pay was negotiated with the industrial trade unions and supported by a majority of industrial staff who voted in favour by ballot. As is normal practice, the change will apply to all industrial staff covered by the negotiations and consequently there is no provision for staff to continue to be paid weekly.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many reports Lord Birt has submitted to the Attorney-General in his capacity as an adviser on crime; and if he will make a statement. [158235]

The Attorney-General and I received a briefing from Lord Birt setting out his emerging findings, prior to our meeting with him. Aside from that, the work undertaken by Lord Birt was considered alongside that undertaken by the Home Office, the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and Her Majesty's Treasury in preparing the Government's strategy document "Criminal Justice: the Way Ahead".

To ask the Solicitor-General on how many occasions, and on what dates, (a) he and (b) the Attorney-General have met Lord Birt in his capacity as an adviser on crime since his appointment; and if he will make a statement about the contribution of Lord Birt to his Department's policies. [158228]

The Attorney-General and I have had one substantive meeting with Lord Birt. The work undertaken by Lord Birt was considered alongside that undertaken by the Home Office, the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and Her Majesty's Treasury in preparing the Government's strategy document "Criminal Justice: the Way Ahead".

To ask the Prime Minister when he next plans to visit East Midlands airport. [157684]

I have no immediate plans to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with President Bush the role of the American element in KFOR in Macedonia and at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [157576]

KFOR's mandate does not include operations in Macedonia. As is the case for other KFOR contributors, including the UK, the US has a logistical unit based in Macedonia in support of their KFOR contingent based at Camp Bondsteel.The US forces based at Camp Bondsteel are an integral part of KFOR, and make an invaluable contribution to its performance, and its ability to achieve its objectives.I have no plans at present to discuss the role of the American element in KFOR with President Bush. But I and Ministers in my Government discuss Balkan-related issues with the US on a regular basis. President Bush and I underlined our joint commitment to promote peace and stability in the Balkans on 23 February at Camp David.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the safety of passenger aircraft approaching Newcastle Airport, following the AAIB report on an incident involving civilian and military aircraft on 20 March 2000; and if he will make a statement. [158411]

The AAIB report made two recommendations to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), both of which the Authority has partially accepted. In its published response to the recommendations, the CAA said that the Directorate of Airspace Policy had conducted a study of operations by scheduled public transport services in all Class G airspace, including those in the vicinity of Newcastle Airport. The study confirmed that provided a Radar Advisory Service or Radar Information Service is used, safety levels in such airspace meet the internationally agreed standard.It is clear from this incident, however, that not all traffic is availing itself of such air traffic services. Consequently the CAA is working closely with airspace users and Newcastle Airport, as a matter of urgency, on a wide range of initiatives aimed at preventing such conflicts in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect on (a) emissions reduction and (b) congestion reduction of the decision to raise motorcycle excise duty by £5. [158406]

Vehicle Excise Duty for motorcycles over 250cc increased by £5 to £65 from 1 March 2001. My Department has not carried out any formal analysis of the effect of this change on levels or patterns of motorcycle use and hence on congestion and levels of emissions. However, we believe that any such effects are likely to be negligible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many housing developments were approved in London during each of the past three years; and what proportion of the development was for affordable rented housing and for social housing. [158583]

[holding answer 23 April 2001]: The estimated number of planning applications, for which planning permission was granted, relating to housing developments in London is as follows:

• 1998–4,000
• 1999–3,600
• 2000–4,000

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with rail companies on the introduction of further fare concessions for retired people. [158385]

There have been no discussions. The franchise agreement under which rail services are provided require train operating companies to participate in mandatory railcard schemes, including one for senior citizens, based on the railcards offered by British Rail. Participation in these schemes will be a requirement in any new franchise negotiated under the Strategic Rail Authority's replacement programme. Any further concession would be a matter for the Association of Train Operating Companies to consider.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with London local authorities to encourage the development of a Londonwide cycle lane network; and if he will make a statement. [158475]

None. This is a matter for the Mayor of London, Transport for London and the other local highway authorities in London. The Mayor's draft transport strategy shows that Transport for London is taking a proactive approach to encouraging cycling.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps have been taken since May 1997 to equip local authorities with greater powers to regulate noise pollution. [158701]

[holding answer 23 April 2001]: The provisions in the Noise Act 1996 relating to the new night noise offence and associated powers of seizure came into force on 23 July 1997. We have issued a consultation paper, following a review of the Noise Act, setting out further options for local authorities to use in tackling noise nuisance. The closing date for comments was 31 March. I will announce the outcome of the consultation to the House. Copies of the report and consultation paper are available in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action the

SSSIs within Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council area
Site	Notification date	Area (HA)	Grid reference
Attingham Park	22 March 2000	190.75	SJ550096
Berrington Pool	25 January 1984	4.8	SJ524072
Bomere, Shomere and Betton Pools	26 October 1983	59.8	SJ502080
Buildwas River Section	5 February 1986	1.29	SJ640045
Buildwas Sand Quarry	22 December 1992	0.14	SJ644041

It is for the local highway authority to decide, in the context of its local transport objectives, whether other classes of vehicles, such as cycles and taxis, should be permitted to use bus lanes. The highway authority would normally liaise with the local police on the enforcement of the traffic regulations so that only permitted vehicles use the lanes, but where authorities had taken on the powers now available to them to enforce parking restriction, they would be able to target parking offences in bus lanes more effectively.Following successful trials in London, enforcement systems using bus-mounted and CCTV cameras are being introduced along bus routes in London. This includes local authorities carrying out enforcement using camera evidence.My Department will be consulting later this year on regulations to allow local authorities outside London to take up powers in section 144 of the Transport Act 2000 to enforce bus lanes using camera evidence. These new powers would be available to authorities which have parking enforcement powers. We would hope to see a wider use of such approaches leading to better compliance with bus lanes restrictions, keeping them clearer for buses to use.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the US-style yellow bus as a home-to-school transport service in those counties where it has been piloted; and what implications the scheme has for home-to-school transport throughout the rest of the United Kingdom. [158769]

The Government are keen to promote bus travel as an alternative to using the private car. We have reached an agreement with First Group plc which enables them to offer suitably modified US-style buses for use in pilot schemes. We shall be evaluating the results of these schemes in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 4 April 2001, Official Report, column 182W, regarding sites of special scientific interest, if he will list the locations of SSSIs in Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement. [158763]

The table shows the name of all 27 sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) wholly or partly within the Shrewsbury and Atcham area. It also gives the date the site was notified, its area and grid reference.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide financial assistance to local authorities under the Bellwin scheme in respect of costs incurred following recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease. [158891]

Councils and other authorities around the country should be commended for the way they have responded to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. While they have a responsibility to budget for the unexpected, the costs that some authorities have incurred because of this outbreak may be exceptional. The Government are keen to ensure that authorities are reimbursed for any extraordinary emergency expenditure so other key services such as education and social services do not suffer.That is why I am announcing today an extension of the Bellwin scheme to provide emergency financial assistance to local authorities to help them meet some of the costs of responding to outbreaks of foot and mouth disease.I am satisfied that financial assistance under the Bellwin scheme is justified to help those councils affected by foot and mouth disease. Under section 155 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, grant will be paid against valid claims to cover 85 per cent. of the eligible costs above a threshold. These are costs incurred in connection with the taking of immediate action to safeguard life and property or to prevent severe inconvenience following an emergency connected with foot and mouth disease.My officials are in correspondence with local authorities about the details of the Bellwin scheme. Information will shortly be posted on the Bellwin website which can be found at www.local.detr.gov.uk/finance/bellwin/bell0001.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his policy towards funding of the European Union youth orchestra; and how much support was given from public funds in the current financial year. [158755]

The European Union youth orchestra offers young musicians from across the European Union the opportunity to work together to extend their musical experience, and to perform with leading world conductors and soloists. The specialist training and preparation for concerts provides invaluable training and experience for young musicians and can help in the pursuit of a professional career.The European Union youth orchestra is primarily supported financially by the European Union. Additional contributions come from the 15 member states of the European Union, of which the UK's contribution was £30,000 from the British Council for the financial year ending 30 September 2000. Funding is also received from corporate and private sponsors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to assist businesses and individuals who have been financially disadvantaged by the cancellation of the Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival. [158346]

The Government recognise that businesses in areas affected by foot and mouth disease (FMD) are under considerable financial pressure, while visitor numbers are down and high-profile events such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup are cancelled or postponed.The Government are constantly monitoring the financial impact of FMD in the country, and have already announced a range of measures to assist businesses through any immediate financial difficulties, including a £120 million extension to the Small Firms Loans Guarantee Scheme (SFLGS).In addition to these measures, the South-West Regional Development Agency (SW RDA) and Objective 2 partnership have identified over £4 million to assist with the immediate needs of the region and invest-in-recovery programmes to rebuild businesses and communities over the longer term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the projects funded by his Department and its research councils in the past 10 years on scientific research into genetically modified or transgenic fish in the United Kingdom and abroad, by research project title indicating the purpose of the research, the project timespan, its total cost and recipient research centres including projects recently begun. [157754]

Research project title	Timespan	Cost (£)	Institution
Agriculture and Food Research Council
Efficient production of transgenic fish	21 October 1991–21 October 1995	112,100	University of Southampton
Directing gene expression in transgenic fish	13 January 1992–13 September 1995	99,500	Universities of Southampton and Edinburgh
Grass carp growth hormone gene expression in the early development of goldfish and salmon	9 November 1992–9 December 1995	118,200	University of Aberdeen
NERC
The genetic impact of escaped farmed Atlantic salmon on local adaptation and fitness of wild populations: performance of second generation hybrid (ie investigating the genetic impact of genetically modified fish on the wild fish)	September 2000-February 2002	36,240	Queen's University Belfast

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the research projects supported by his Department over the last 10 years into aquaculture research, including the sums spent on each project. [157755]

I am not aware of any, although the research councils, funded by the Department, may be supporting a number of potentially relevant projects, including contributions to the LINK Aquaculture programme. I would be happy to provide further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action his Department is taking to enable television viewers in the Verwood area of Dorset to obtain access to the full range of digital terrestrial television. [158472]

[holding answer 23 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting on 23 April 2001, Official Report, columns 16–17W.

Project details are listed as follows. All experiments using fish must satisfy the regulations of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Those involving genetic modification are subject to the regulations governing releases to the environment. Marketing of genetically modified fish would also require further approvals, principally as a novel food.In 1991–92, the then Agriculture and Food Research Council (AFRC) funded three grants to work on transgenic fish. These were on carp, salmon, trout and goldfish (a form of carp). These grants finished in 1995. One was to determine how to undertake transgenesis in fish because techniques for other species did not work well, one was to manipulate the onset of sexual maturity and the third to change the rate of growth of the fish.In addition, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Medical Research Council are supporting a good deal of research using the fish genome as a model. However, this research is aimed at understanding genetic function more generally at a fundamental level, not at improved varieties of fish.The research councils are also supporting a range of wider research on fish genetics and aquaculture, but I understand this does not involve genetic modification (GM). I would be happy to provide my hon. Friend with the details if he so wishes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in discussions on establishing a universal bank at the Post Office; and if he will make a statement. [158770]

Discussions with the banks are at an advanced stage. I hope that they will be concluded shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on his plans in respect of parents' rights to take parental leave. [159150]

The Government are committed to helping parents to achieve a better balance between their home and work lives, in ways which enhance competitiveness for business. That is why we published the Green Paper "Work and Parents: Competitiveness and Choice", and have carried out extensive consultation with employers and their representatives, employees and their representatives, and family groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry who is conducting the review of UK law on employee consultation; and when the review will be completed. [158814]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 18 January 2001 that he would review UK arrangements affecting collective redundancies, and that the review would consider whether the current laws were working and in particular whether more should be done to promote effective consultation with employees. As part of the review, the Department of Trade and Industry is holding discussions with companies and trades unions and other interested parties with experience in this field. These are continuing. The review will be completed as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. [159243]

The Government are already committed to reviewing the rehabilitation periods in the Act, following a recommendation from the better regulation task force in their review of fit person criteria in 1999. The sentencing framework and its application has changed considerably since 1974 and may change further in the light of current reviews. We believe that the time is right for a fundamental review of the Act as a whole, rather than looking at just a part of it. We are working on preparations for such a review, and will give further details in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the review of the boards of visitors. [159244]

I am pleased to announce that the right hon. Member for Fareham (Sir P. Lloyd) presented his report to me on 30 March and I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library. I am very grateful to him for the great care and trouble that he and his working party have given to this review of the boards of visitors and the complex issues that arose from it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Joint Schengen Authority information web page will be fully operational. [158758]

I understand that the Joint Supervisory Authority, the independent body which oversees the operation of the Schengen Information System, presently maintains a web page providing information about its activities to members of the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on his policy towards retaining Schengen Information System material on domestic files after completion of the spot check; [158756](2) what public information campaign he plans to launch about the Schengen Information System. [158754]

We have established a programme to take forward the introduction of the Schengen information System to the United Kingdom. These are both matters I would expect to see the programme address in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on UK participation in Schengen Information System inspections; and what assessment he has made of the report of 9 September 1999. [158759]

It is the Department's policy to be fully involved with the Schengen evaluation process, including consideration of any reports that emerge from such evaluations. If the hon. Member will give me further details of the document in question, I will explore the matter further.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what inquiries he has made of Greater Manchester police with regard to the disclosure of information relating to the death of Malcolm Reddican. [157963]

The disclosure of information relating to the death of Malcolm Reddican is a matter for the Crown Prosecution Service and Greater Manchester police.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2001, Official Report, column 68W, on what date he received the Crowd Control Technologies report published by the Scientific and Technological Options Assessment Panel of the European Parliament Directorate General for Research; and what measures he has taken to implement the recommendation that an independent and objective social impact study be (a) commissioned and (b) published prior to authorisation of purchase orders for new crowd control technology. [158036]

Officials have seen a copy of the report in question, which is not an official report of the European Parliament, and its conclusions have been noted.The main direction for my Department's future work on baton round systems comes from the Patten Commission report on the future of the police in Northern Ireland. In line with the commission report, full account will be taken of public acceptability and all other relevant issues in our continuing efforts to identify alternatives to the baton round.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which of the prisons and penal institutions where conditions have been severely criticised by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (a) he and (b) other Home Office Ministers, have visited; and if he will ensure that a Minister makes an unannounced visit to every such institution within a year of an adverse report by the Chief Inspector. [158376]

Ministers undertake a rolling programme of visits to ensure that the full range of types and categories of prison are visited. Additionally, visits, both announced and unannounced, are arranged in response to issues or concerns raised for various reasons, including adverse comments from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers he has to detain all asylum seekers. [158336]

[holding answer 23 April 2001]: The powers to detain individuals are set out in paragraph 16 of schedule 2, and in paragraph 2 of schedule 3 to the Immigration Act 1971. These need to be exercised consistently with article 5 of the European convention on human rights, and with detention policy. There is no blanket power to detain all asylum seekers and the exercise of such a blanket power would almost certainly raise issues under the European convention on human rights.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will add anti-androgen pharmacological treatments to the sex offenders regime. [158522]

The Prison Service's principal means of reducing reoffending by sex offenders is the sex offender treatment programme (SOTP), which is based on cognitive-behavioural principles. The service is aware of the value of anti-androgen treatment for some sexual offenders, and will be considering the extent to which it should be used as an adjunct to psychological therapy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many immigration detainees were held in Battersea police stations in the past 12 months; and what was the average length of detention. [158736]

The information requested is only held in manual form and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Since 1 April, the immigration service has sought to transfer individuals held by the police solely under Immigration Act 1988 powers to dedicated immigration detention facilities after no more than one night spent in custody at a police station.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department has assessed the effect the installation of CCTV cameras has had on the reduction of crime in Burnley and Lancashire; and if he will make a statement. [158402]

Police operational experience and various research studies show that closed circuit television (CCTV) has considerable crime reduction and detection potential, particularly when used as part of a wider strategy.The independent evaluation recently carried out on behalf of Burnley borough council of the "Piloting Neighbourhoods, Burnley" scheme suggests that there has been a reduction in crime of 49 per cent. from the period one year prior to the installation to one year after the installation of CCTV. This residential scheme was funded in 1997 under round 3 of CCTV challenge. The evaluation of Burnley town centre's CCTV scheme, funded in 1996 under round 2 of CCTV challenge, suggested that there had been a reduction in crime of one quarter after the installation of cameras.We are not aware of any evaluations being carried out into the effect of CCTV in Lancashire as a whole. Schemes funded under round 1 of the CCTV initiative are still being implemented. They will need to have been in place for at least 12 months before their impact can be fully evaluated. Crime and disorder reduction partnerships will also be evaluating schemes locally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions, and on what dates, (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have met Lord Birt in his capacity as an adviser on crime; and if he will make a statement about the contribution of Lord Birt to his Department's policies. [158238]

I met Lord Birt on two occasions on 25 May and again on 15 December 2000. My right hon. Friend and my hon. Friend the Ministers of State met Lord Birt on 17 October. These meetings focused on analysing existing data on offenders, offences and victims and crime reduction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many premature babies were born in the Greater Manchester area in 2000. [157230]

Information is not available in the form requested for the year 2000. However, in 1997–98, an estimated 2,900 babies were born in National Health Service hospitals in Greater Manchester prematurely (before 37 weeks gestation). This represents about 8 per cent. of total NHS hospital births in Greater Manchester.

Source:

Maternity Hospital Episode Statistics

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of patients per general practitioner is in (a) England, (b) the north-west, (c) north Cheshire and (d) Halton. [157842]

The average list size of unrestricted principals and equivalents in England, the north-west region, North Cheshire health authority and Runcorn and Widnes primary care groups (PCGs) as at 30 September 2000 is shown on the table.

Average list size of unrestricted principals and equivalents in England; the north-west region; North Cheshire health authority (HA) and Runcorn and Widnes primary care groups (PCG) as at 30 September 2000
	Average list size
England	1,853
North-west region	1,880
North Cheshire HA	1,918
Runcorn PCG	1,821
Widnes PCG	1,972

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been paid in compensation by the NHS for medical negligence in each of the last 20 years. [158338]

Figures on the amounts included in the national audit summarised accounts for clinical negligence payments for the latest available years are as follows:

	£ million
1996–97	235
1997–98	144
1998–99	221
1999–2000	373

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 25 January 2001, Official Report, column 687W, on Victoria Climbié (a) when he expects to set up the statutory inquiry and (b) what the remit of the inquiry will be. [158354]

[holding answer 23 April 2001]: Further announcements about the statutory inquiry into the circumstances leading to and surrounding the death of Victoria Climbié were made on 20 April 2001. The inquiry has been established by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State under powers in section 81 of the Children Act 1989 and section 84 of the National Health Service Act 1977, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department under section 49 of the Police Act 1996. Lord Laming of Tewin has been appointed to conduct the inquiry. The terms of reference have been placed in the Library. The date of the preliminary meeting will be announced shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what date the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances first reviewed Nutriprem 2; what recommendations that Committee made about its suitability for prescription; and if those recommendations have been implemented; [158193](2) on what date his Department first received an application from the manufacturers of Nutriprem 2 for the product to be available on prescription; and when he will announce a decision on this matter. [158190]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) which advisory committees of his Department have considered the suitability of Nutriprem 2 for availability on prescription; when that consideration was undertaken; what conclusions were reached; if those conclusions have been implemented; and if he will make a statement; [158319](2) if he has received an application from the manufacturers of Nutriprem 2 for their product to be made available on prescription; and if he will make a statement. [158321]

[holding answer 23 April 2001]: Pre-term infant formulae were originally considered by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) in 1992. Their conclusion at that time was that prematurity was not a medical condition and that it would not be appropriate for such formulae to be supplied on national health service prescription. In consequence, pre-term infant formulae have been included in Schedule 10 to the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992, and may not therefore be prescribed on the NHS.An application for an ACBS recommendation for Nutriprem 2 was made on 8 February 1999 which the Committee considered at its meetings on 29 March and 15 June of that year and on 31 January 2000. At its meeting on 31 January 2000, the Committee decided to reverse its earlier view and agreed to recommend Nutriprem 2 as suitable for prescription by GPs at NHS expense for catch-up growth in pre-term infants (ie less than 35 weeks at birth), and small in size for gestational aged infants, until six months post-natal age. Unfortunately, at that time, the fact that Nutriprem 2 was included in schedule 10 was overlooked. At its meeting on 16 May 2000, the Committee recommended that Nutriprem 2 should be removed from schedule 10.The Department has been considering whether the reasons which the Committee has given for reversing its earlier decision are sufficiently convincing to justify the additional cost to the NHS of removing this product from schedule 10. We expect to announce our decision in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average period is between a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances that a product is suitable for prescription and a decision to implement that decision; and what the average period of consideration given by his Department is to recommendations from that Committee in respect of Nutriprem 2. [158320]

[holding answer 23 April 2001]: General practitioners may prescribe any product which they consider to be a drug, unless it is included in schedule 10 to the National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations, provided they are prepared to justify their decision to the health authority. The Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances provides advice to the National Health Service, the effect of which is that prescriptions issued in accordance with the Committee's advice will not normally be investigated. Generally, therefore, there is no decision for the Department to take when the ACBS has recommended that a product is suitable for prescription. Indeed, I know of no case other than pre-term infant formulae where the ACBS has recommended as suitable for prescription products which cannot be prescribed because they are included in schedule 10. There is thus no average time with which to compare the time taken to consider the ACBS's recommendations on these products.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he decided to reclassify new endoscopic activity as complex out-patient rather than in-patient work; and if he will make a statement; [158267]

We have made no changes to the way endoscopy activity is classified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people are on a waiting list for in-patient gastroenterology in England and Wales; [158266](2) what proportion of the national waiting list for gastroenterology is made up of patients waiting for endoscopic activity. [158270]

On 31 December 2000, the latest date for which this information is available, 11,526 people were awaiting admission to hospitals in England for gastroenterology. Information collected centrally does not identify separately those patients awaiting endoscopies. Information for Wales is a matter for the devolved Administration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of (a) E.coli poisoning and (b) salmonella poisoning have been reported in the United Kingdom in each year since 1970; and how many people died in each year. [151645]

[holding answer 1 March 2001]: Table 1 sets out the total number of laboratory-confirmed isolations of E.coli 0157 from humans reported to the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) in England and Wales, the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health in Scotland and the PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, Northern Ireland in each year since 1982. There are no reports prior to 1982.There is no specific ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) code for Verocytotoxin-producing E.coli (VTEC) 0157 and therefore it is not possible to obtain data from the Office for National Statistics or the General Register Offices on deaths attributable to VTEC 0157 infection. Furthermore those who die following infection will usually have symptoms of kidney failure or brain damage and these features are more likely to be recorded on death certificates.

Table 1: E.coli 0157: Reports of laboratory-confirmed isolations from humans in the UK, 1982–2000
Year1	Scotland	England and Wales	Northern Ireland	Total UK reports
1982	2—	1	0	1
1983	2—	6	0	6
19843	3	9	0	12
1985	3	50	0	53
1986	4	76	0	80
1987	12	89	0	101
1988	39	49	0	88
1989	87	119	1	207
1990	165	250	1	416
1991	202	361	2	565
1992	115	470	1	586
1993	119	385	2	506
1994	242	411	3	656

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to compensate farmers who have cattle approaching the 30 month cut-off and who suffer financially from being unable to transport their cattle to market. [152017]

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if compensation will be awarded to farmers who as a consequence of foot and mouth exclusion zones have been unable to move cattle and whose cattle have gone over the 30-month age limit. [155654]

[holding answers 5 and 27 March 2001]: The Government are continuing to look at ways in which the industry might be helped and recognise the concern of beef producers whose animals are subject to movement restrictions which push them over the 30-month age limit and so leave only the OTMS as an outlet for them. The Government's first priority is the eradication of the disease, but we are keeping the position of the producers affected in these ways under review. In the meantime, cattle of all ages may be entered into the livestock welfare disposal scheme if the circumstances are appropriate.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if abattoirs will be compensated for the reduction in the value of hides following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease. [153851]

[holding answer 19 March 2001]: Compensation is payable for the market value of animals slaughtered to control foot and mouth disease. We have currently no plans to make consequential loss payments of this kind but the situation is being kept under review.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to vaccinate livestock in Lancashire. [158225]

[holding answer 23 April 2001]: Although vaccination has not been ruled out in areas other than northern Cumbria and Devon, there are currently no plans to vaccinate livestock in Lancashire. Any such measure would require substantial farmer support.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has made to protect new areas of low foot and mouth infection from exposure to stock originating from areas with higher levels of infection; and if he will make a statement. [154393]

The general ban on movement of animals susceptible to foot and mouth disease remains in place. Welfare movements are permitted only under licence from areas of low risk to areas of higher risk. This is based on a careful risk assessment, the principles of which we have set out on the MAFF FMD website http://www.maff.gov.uk/.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action will be taken to improve biosecurity to prevent the reintroduction of foot and mouth disease after the disease has been controlled. [156011]

[holding answer 2 April 2001]: The Ministry is already starting to look at what lessons can be learned from this outbreak to prevent foot and mouth disease recurring. We are currently consulting on a possible ban on swill feeding and on introducing movement restrictions on sheep, goats and cattle to require a 20-day standstill period. We are also reviewing the enforcement of legislation governing imports of animal products, both commercial and personal, and we will consider other issues surrounding the livestock sector, for example the operation of markets.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in what circumstances foot and mouth-free status can be achieved without the slaughter of vaccinated animals. [156650]

[holding answer 2 April 2001]: The recent European Commission decision (2001/257/EC) authorises the vaccination without slaughter of cattle in specific areas of the UK. Chapter 2.1.1 of the OIE International Animal Health Code contains guidelines on the steps to be taken to regain foot and mouth disease-free status in various circumstances.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what warnings were given to (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department of the risk of spreading foot and mouth prior to the present outbreak arising from the use of swill feeding. [156879]

[holding answer 4 April 2001]: It has long been recognised that infected meat products might pose a risk if they are not adequately processed in pig swill. The controls in the Animal By-Products Order 1999 are designed to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases such as foot and mouth and classical swine fever by ensuring appropriate treatment of any catering waste which might include meat products.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what provision he has made for the vaccination of livestock against foot and mouth disease; and if he will make a statement. [153023]

[holding answer 9 March 2001]: Vaccination has always been an option which we have constantly reviewed in the light of veterinary and epidemiological advice. We have developed contingency plans which would enable us to carry out a limited vaccination programme in certain circumstances. We also need to assess the views of the food and livestock sector.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what vaccines are available against foot and mouth disease; and what his policy is on their use. [152471]

The vaccines are:

(i) Adjuvanted inactivated foot and mouth disease vaccine. An aqueous based vaccine for the immunisation of domestic ruminants.

(ii) Aftopur DOE. An oil based vaccine for the active immunisation of ruminants and pigs.

(iii) Aftopur AlSap. An aqueous based vaccine for the active immunisation of ruminants.

Vaccination has always been an option which we have constantly reviewed in the light of veterinary and epidemiological advice. We have developed contingency plans which would enable us to carry out a limited vaccination programme in certain circumstances. We also need to assess the views of the food and livestock sectors.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the transfer club members for each of the years of his Department's funding, indicating which of the transfer club members also received public funding for biotechnology research during this period, specifying the project details, research partners and funding periods. [157801]

Membership of Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association (ca 1,000 members) automatically conferred membership of the club in its first phase of operation (January 1996 to July 1997). Membership by direct subscription applied in the second phase (October 1997 to March 1999). There were 130 registered members, distributed as follows: retail (7 per cent. manufacturing and wholesale (41 per cent.); agriculture (8 per cent.); biotechnology (15 per cent.); academic and R&D (17 per cent.), Associations and Government (12 per cent.)There is no direct link between the activities of the club and public funding for research.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the role was of the Modern Biotechnology Information Transfer Club set up by his Department. [157799]

The initiative to set up the Modern Biotechnology Information Transfer Club was taken by Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association. The objective of the club was to stimulate the information of links between the food industry and the biotechnology sector. The main club activities were to disseminate information via bulletins (10); seminars (six); and visits to research laboratories (seven). MAFF's involvement was to provide partial financial support for the club as a technology awareness raising project, and to monitor the activities to ensure that agreed objectives were met.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what financial and other public resources were put into the transfer club for each year until March 1999. [157800]

Financial resources put into the Modern Biotechnology Information Transfer Club were as follows:

Year ending	£
March 1997	15,000
March 1998	9,900
March 1999	7,500
Total	32,400

Financial resources put in by industry through club membership fees were £57,412, representing 64 per cent. of total costs.The only other public resources put into the club were for monitoring purposes to ensure that contractors were meeting objectives.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the findings of the scientific investigation into the diet of cod. [157833]

Copies of final report executive summaries for completed MAFF-funded research projects can be requested by e-mailing fisheries @csg.maff.gsi.gov.uk, specifying which area of research or project information is being requested. The research project investigating the diet of cod will be completed in March 2004.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the results of the three years research programme into sand eels announced in November 1996. [157831]

This presumably refers to EU Contract 95/78 dealing with the effects of large-scale industrial fisheries on non-target species. The research partners for this project included the Sea Mammal Research Unit at St. Andrews and the Marine Laboratory at Aberdeen, which will be able to supply the hon. Member with information on this project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies in his Department; if this limit is mentioned in advertisements for such posts; and what the basis for this limit is. [158113]

The Government are committed to equality of opportunity and to increasing the diversity of those appointed to public bodies. No age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies in this Department.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 6 April 2001, Official Report, columns 300–02W, on what date each of the resource accounts for 1999–2000 were published; what the (a) greatest, (b) median and (c) least number of days that elapsed was between each of the resource accounts being laid upon the table and being made generally available to the public; and if he will make a statement. [158540]