To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many pig farmers were offered aid under the Outgoers 1 Scheme; on what basis tenders were assessed; and if he will make a statement. [159829]

The Pig Industry Restructuring Scheme (PIRS)—Outgoers, closed for applications on 2 March, and all applicants were informed of their success or otherwise on 23 March. There were a total of 1,237 bids in the UK as a whole (England 650, Northern Ireland 510, Scotland 53, Wales 24). A total of 205,327 sow places were offered, greatly exceeding the target of 120,000 sow places.As was made clear from the beginning, successful bids under PIRS—Outgoers would be assessed on a value for money basis. To achieve this, bids were assessed using value for money criteria agreed by MAFF and the devolved authorities in advance of opening the bids. This was done in order to avoid any accusations of manipulating the criteria to achieve a specific result.The criteria defined what would be judged as value for money in terms of cost per sow place. It was agreed that bids greater than 125 per cent. of the average (the top 10 per cent. and bottom 10 per cent. of tenders were removed while calculating the average figure) tender bid in terms of £ per sow place would be rejected. The highest tender to be accepted was calculated at £237 per sow place, giving a maximum payment of £142 per sow place (the full 60 per cent. allowable was paid to successful applicants).The final result of PIRS—Outgoers was a total of 432 accepted bids (England 315, Northern Ireland 87, Scotland 20, Wales 10), with an average tender of £185 per sow place (average payment of £111 per sow place). A total of £10.6 million has been offered to the successful applicants.Payments are now being made to the first claims under PIRS—Outgoers from successful applicants.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the estimated cost is to each British family of the measures taken to eradicate (a) foot and mouth disease and (b) BSE in Britain. [156268]

[holding answer 30 March 2001]: It is, at present, too soon to carry out an estimate of the cost of measures taken so far to eradicate foot and mouth disease to each British family.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what advice he has given to the operators of landfill sites about the precautions they should take to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease. [153822]

[holding answer 15 March 2001]: The disposal of carcases during the foot and mouth outbreak takes place in accordance with the detailed 'Best Practice' protocol prepared by the Environment Agency, MAFF and the Environmental Services Association. This protocol provides in-depth advice to landfill site operators, in order to minimise the risks of disease spread.My Department authorises the disposal of carcases under the Animal By-Products Order 1999 for each and every landfill site. The Environment Agency is responsible for modifying the waste management licences to allow the burial of carcases, and each licence modification refers to the 'Best Practice' protocol.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what compensation will be available to livestock farmers who have been unable to move stock to slaughter as a consequence of their being in foot and mouth exclusion zones. [155657]

[holding answer 27 March 2001]: Compensation is not generally payable for consequential losses caused by foot and mouth controls, for example those caused by movement restrictions. There are no plans to make such payments in response to the current outbreak, but the situation will be kept under review.The Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme was opened to applicants on 22 March 2001. As with the Pig Welfare Disposal Scheme in Norfolk and Suffolk last year, this voluntary slaughter scheme is intended to help resolve serious animal welfare difficulties arising from disease control measures which cannot be alleviated by movement under licence or in other ways. It is not a market support measure. The Government will meet the costs of transport, slaughter and disposal of animals under the scheme.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if (a) he, (b) ministerial colleagues and (c) his officials were in discussions with timber merchants with a view to supplying pyres for the disposal of carcases for foot and mouth in the three months prior to 19 February. [155268]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien) on 23 April 2001, Official Report, column 50W. Ministers were not involved in any such discussions with timber merchants.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reason the Government have prevented chemists and other parties from offering advice on the efficacy of homoeopathic Borax in the prevention of foot and mouth disease. [157709]

[holding answer 9 April 2001]: Products that are presented for the treatment or prevention of disease in animals, or which have that function, must be authorised under the terms of the Marketing Authorisations for Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations 1994 before they can be legally sold or supplied in the United Kingdom. This ensures that such products are properly assessed and are demonstrated as being safe, of consistent good quality and effective when used in accordance with the label instructions.Some pharmacies have advertised the homoeopathic product Borax 30 as a preventive measure against foot and mouth disease. However, this product has not been authorised under these regulations. We have received no scientific evidence to demonstrate its effectiveness against foot and mouth disease and we have not assessed its safety or quality.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with homoeopathic vets concerning the use of homoeopathic Borax in the prevention of foot and mouth disease. [157707]

[holding answer 9 April 2001]: My officials have been in correspondence with the Veterinary Dean of the Homoeopathic Faculty in London on the use of the homoeopathic product Borax. In this correspondence we have stressed that foot and mouth disease is a notifiable disease and, if suspected, must be notified to the local MAFF Divisional Veterinary Manager.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has assessed on the (a) safety and (b) quality of homoeopathic borax in the prevention of foot and mouth disease. [157711]

[holding answer 9 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 24 April 2001, Official Report, column 257W.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Government will issue advice to farmers on the use of homoeopathic borax in the prevention of foot and mouth disease. [157708]

[holding answer 9 April 2001]: Advice regarding the use of the homoeopathic product Borax has been given to farmers via the MAFF foot and mouth website, and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate website.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make it his policy to offer financial compensation for residents of properties who have been subject to extreme inconvenience and disruption from prolonged burning of carcases adjacent to their homes. [157714]

[holding answer 9 April 2001]: Compensation is payable for the market value of animals slaughtered to control foot and mouth disease. It is not payable for the consequential losses caused by foot and mouth controls, or for any inconvenience caused to residents by the cremation of animal carcases.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many (a) farmers and (b) others are prevented from (i) sending or (ii) receiving mail due to the restrictions imposed as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak; what mechanisms he intends to put in place to ensure that such persons will be able to vote by post at the forthcoming local elections; and if he will make a statement about the implications of the foot and mouth outbreak for those who wish to vote by post. [156811]

[holding answer 3 April 2001]: There is no reason why farmers on infected premises should be prevented from sending and receiving mail. Movements on and off an infected premises are licensed by the State Veterinary Service. These licences would set out the cleansing and disinfection arrangements that should be followed and might specify a prescribed route so as to minimise the risk of spreading disease. In some cases arrangements have been made for mail to be left at, and collected from, the farm boundary.The new rules on absent voting allow for postal votes on demand. The Home Office has made large quantities of postal vote leaflets (including application forms) available to electoral registration officers. They have been encouraged to publicise the availability of postal votes, particularly in areas affected by foot and mouth disease to ensure that no one is disfranchised.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent research he has commissioned on the risk associated with grain exports being a source of infection for foot and mouth disease. [156742]

[holding answer 3 April 2001]: A general risk assessment of the grain trade spreading foot and mouth disease has been carried out and posted on the MAFF website http://www.maff.gov.uk/. Grain that is now available for export will have been harvested in the summer of 2000 (or earlier). It could not have been infected at the time of harvest as foot and mouth disease was not present in the country at that time. The grain is stored under conditions which would effectively prevent surface contamination, and is protected during transport in covered vehicles. In addition, no movement of grain is permitted from UK farms where foot and mouth is suspected or has been confirmed. There is therefore no reason why grain exports should not continue.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for sheep to be ear tagged; and if he will make a statement. [159379]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: The Sheep and Goats Identification (England) Order took effect on 1 September 2000. This legislation requires all sheep and goats born after 1 January 2001 or first moved off their holding of birth after that date to be permanently identified with an eartag or tattoo identifying the animals' holding of birth.In my right hon. Friend the Minister's statement of 27 March he indicated that, once we were beyond the current difficulties, we would be looking at a range of issues surrounding the operation of the livestock sector to see if more could be done to minimise disease risks still further. This work will include consideration of the identification and tracing of sheep.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received concerning meat imports from countries within the EU where foot and mouth has been diagnosed; and if he will make a statement. [158963]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: I have received a number of representations concerning the importation of meat from EU countries in which foot and mouth disease has been diagnosed. These countries are France, the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands and in all cases, import restrictions were placed on products derived from foot and mouth disease susceptible species in line with Community legislation. Restrictions have now been lifted in respect of France and the Republic of Ireland.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what role tag markings play in tracing animal movements from auction marts to farms during the foot and mouth crisis. [154284]

Cattle have a unique individual identification displayed on their eartag. When an animal moves an entry must be made in the farm register recording the animal's unique identity and where it has moved to. This information must also be sent to the British Cattle Movement Service at Workington, for entry on the Cattle Tracing System database. Movements of cattle via auction marts can therefore be traced by reference to farmers' records, to auction marts' records and to those held at the BCMS.Sheep and goats born after 1 January 2001, or moved off the holding of birth after that date are required to be identified by means of an eartag (or tattoo). There is no requirement for markets to record eartag details. Sheep, goats and pigs when they move within Great Britain are required to be identified by a temporary paintmark which identifies the premises from which the animal last moved. Markets are required to keep records of all batches of sheep, goats and pigs moving through the market and their temporary mark.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many livestock in Wales he estimates will be slaughtered owing to foot and mouth disease outbreaks; and how many have been slaughtered to date. [155017]

As of 10 April 2001, a total of approximately 84,600 sheep, 7,800 cattle, 500 pigs and 17 goats have been slaughtered in Wales.The Government have published independent research on the epidemiology of the foot and mouth outbreak. The reports support the view that this outbreak will last several months and that there will continue to be new cases throughout that time. The epidemiological forecasts foresee the outbreak lasting at least until June and possibly beyond July. However, the Chief Veterinary Officer will not make a specific prediction on how long the outbreak will last, nor can we make a specific prediction of the number of animals that will be slaughtered.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what virus dissemination prediction (a) models and (b) equipment are in use in connection with foot and mouth disease. [156920]

[holding answer 27 March 2001]: The Ministry has access to a Gaussion plume dispersion model for modelling spread up to 10 kilometres, and access to a Meteorological Office NAME model for predicting spread over long distances. There is also a collaborative arrangement with the Danish Meteorological Institute and the Risø??? National Laboratory using the Rimpuff model and numerical weather prediction models. These models have all been scaled specifically for the biological parameters for foot and mouth disease and validated against previous outbreaks. The output from the UK Meteorological Office is input into MAFF geographical information systems to link with our database of farms and infected premises.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the frequency was of contact between his Department, including its regional offices, and suppliers of materials required to deal with the current foot and mouth epidemic in the last 30 years. [156416]

[holding answer 30 March 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 23 April 2001, Official Report, column, 50W in connection with a number of related questions.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of the use of homeopathic Borax as a means of preventing the spread of foot and mouth; and if he will publish the scientific evidence he has received on this. [158498]

We have not received any evidence of the effectiveness of Borax against foot and mouth disease nor have we received any other scientific evidence to demonstrate its efficacy, safety or quality. Without such evidence which is required for the authorisation of a veterinary medicinal product, no claim for treatment or prevention of disease is allowed under the legislation.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what personnel resources are available within his Department to monitor compliance with United Kingdom legislation in respect of animal exports. [154665]

[holding answer 20 March 2001]: All export consignments of farm livestock and most other animals may only be exported with an export health certificate. The drafting and issuing of such certificates is carried out by staff in MAFF's Animal Health International Trade Unit and Veterinary International Trade Team, and issuing is carried out by all Animal Health Divisional Offices (AHDOs). Local veterinary inspectors certify on behalf of MAFF whether the animals meet the animal health requirements in the certificate, and are fit to travel, after inspecting animals destined for export. Staff from the MAFF portal office also check every export consignment of sheep through the Port of Dover.Where exporters are required to draw up route plans under the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 (WATO), applications are submitted to AHDOs. If satisfactory, the plans are then stamped and sent to the local veterinary inspectors for issue with the linked export health certificate.The operations team within the London based Animal Welfare Divisions advises AHDOs whether any new routes comply with statutory journey time limits. They also maintain and monitor a database of transporter authorisations and reported infringements of WATO and arrange non-discriminatory checks on animals in co-operation with other member states. Primary responsibility for enforcement of the transport rules rests with local authorities with whom AWD liaise on a regular basis.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the amounts paid to the top 20 recipients of farming subsidy in Britain for each year from 1997 to 2001 inclusive. [158455]

The Ministry is responsible for making CAP subsidy payments in England. The devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are responsible for making subsidy payments in those parts of the United Kingdom.The amounts paid to the top 20 recipients of farming subsidy in England in the years 1997–98 to 2000–01 were as follows:

Amounts in pound sterling (£)
	2000–01	1999–2000	1998–99	1997–98
1.	1,802,158	2,300,908	1,910,463	2,187,283
2.	1,156,148	1,742,094	1,576,178	1,442,703
3.	1,161,308	1,119,379	1,135,536	1,232,225
4.	1,093,565	1,064,246	1,114,764	1,085,269
5.	1,009,664	1,055,409	999,079	1,000,008
6.	991,358	982,137	965,428	988,090
7.	932,953	928,375	913,603	981,514
8.	743,651	869,752	903,401	783,316
9.	739,173	762,271	756,124	707,736
10.	737,461	750,625	669,144	689,791
11.	723,750	733,734	668,847	666,559
12.	715,172	728,555	657,449	658,615
13.	693,404	728,323	640,406	652,879
14.	635,948	694,145	605,350	631,607
15.	629,247	663,086	602,188	589,829
16.	622,638	655,798	590,882	584,956
17.	616,175	652,749	563,821	570,006
18.	603,091	631,751	558,024	563,382
19.	586,159	616,694	547,768	551,612
20.	578,178	610,307	546,132	551,106

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) when the European Union converted its temporary suspension on South African livestock imports into a formal import ban following the outbreak of swine fever in KwaZulu-Natal; and how the terms of the ban differed from those of the suspension; [153244](2) what period and on which products and geographical areas the European Union imposed a temporary suspension of South African livestock imports following the outbreak of foot and mouth in KwaZulu-Natal last year. [153245]

EU rules do not allow imports of livestock into the Community from South Africa. EU measures introduced last year in relation to KwaZulu-Natal related only to imports of fresh meat.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information his Department provided to (a) staff at third country border inspection posts and (b) importers in response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in KwaZulu-Natal last year. [153365]

Letters explaining the situation were sent to border inspection posts and traders after a Declaration was issued on 5 January 2001 suspending imports of fresh meat and certain products of animal origin from South Africa and Swaziland. Prior to that, on 22 September, the South African authorities suspended issue of export health certificates for live animals, animal products and genetic material from the affected areas, thereby effectively preventing exports.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many vets were employed at each third country border inspection post in the United Kingdom in each year since 1997. [153243]

Each third country Border Inspection Post (BIP) is under the authority of an official veterinarian who is responsible for carrying out veterinary checks on imports of live animals and animal products. One or more veterinary staff work at BIPs at any one time, according to workload. Checks at live animal BIPs are carried out by State Veterinary Service veterinary staff, assisted by technical and administrative staff from the local Animal Health Divisional Office. Checks at product BIPs are the responsibility of local authorities who employ the necessary veterinarians and support staff.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total gross running costs to his Department of fees and disbursements paid to consultants in the last 12 months. [149148]

From information held centrally, the gross running costs to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of fees and disbursements paid to consultants in the last 12 months, up to 31 January 2001, was £12,851,425.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many ministerial meetings with hon. Members have been cancelled by Ministers since 1 January. [155245]

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State has postponed three meetings with hon. Members since 1 January, while my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has postponed one.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when farmers affected by last summer's outbreak of classical swine fever will receive their producer levy payments. [158883]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: On 19 April the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced an interest-free loan of £4 million to the MLC to enable the immediate payment of the industry top-up to the Pig Welfare Disposal Scheme payments. The Intervention Board began processing payments that day and estimate that they are now about halfway through making the payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is proposing to stop imports of illegally logged timber entering the United Kingdom. [158760]

The enforcement of import policy is a matter for the Department of Trade and Industry and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.In developing countries my Department provides capacity-building assistance to Governments and institutions to help them monitor logging and enforce forestry laws. For example, last year we initiated a £25 million project in Indonesia which will, among other things, help civil society groups and reformers in the Government tackle the illegal logging problem in their country. We are also co-sponsoring, with the World Bank and other donors, a ministerial-level East Asia Forest Law Enforcement Conference later this year.The UK has also taken a lead in the G8 in promoting action to tackle illegal logging. Following the Okinawa Summit last July, central Government Departments are now required actively to seek to purchase timber and timber products from legal and sustainable sources. DFID is funding research into options for intergovernmental action to address illegal logging, including the possible creation of an international legal framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the size of the food deficit in (a) The Upper Nile, (b) the Southern Blue Nile, (c) Twitch County, (d) The Nuba Mountains and (e) Eastern Equatoria regions of Sudan. [158773]

There are indications that there may be food deficits in some parts of Sudan this year. We are monitoring the situation closely, both from London and through our DFID representative at the British Embassy in Khartoum. In terms of the specific areas mentioned, UN assessments have suggested that there may be food deficits emerging as a result of variable agro-climatic conditions, compounded by security-related disruptions to production.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much the 2001 UN World Food Programme Appeal for Sudan has requested; how much her Department has provided for the 2001 appeal; how much the EU has provided; and how much the US has provided. [158772]

The funding required for the World Food Programme (WFP) under the 2001 United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Sudan is $145,844,286. DFID is considering a contribution towards the WFP's food aid operations. To date, the US has promised 41,870 metric tonnes of food aid to Sudan, at least 15,000 of which will go through WFP. The EU have announced they will be contributing 13,000 metric tonnes of food aid: this will be made direct to their implementing INGOs, rather than through WFP.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) consultancy and (b) other fees were paid in finding a name for the public company taking over the role of New DERA. [158863]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George) on 24 April 2001, Official Report, column 233W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations served by appliances and firefighters of the Defence Fire Service in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) outside the United Kingdom. [159162]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: The areas specifically served by Defence Fire Service (DFS) appliances and firefighters based in the United Kingdom and overseas are set out in the table.

Defence Fire Service
Locations	County/Country
UK based
HMNB Clyde	Faslane, Scotland
RNAD Coulport	Dunbartonshire, Scotland
DSDC Bicester	Oxfordshire
DSDC Donnington	Shropshire
DM East Riggs	Dumfrieshire, Scotland
DM Kineton	Warwickshire
DM Longtown	Cumbria
Marchwood Mil Port	Hampshire
AAC Middle Wallop	Hampshire
AAC Netheravon	Wiltshire
RMCS Shrivenham	Oxfordshire
AAC Wattisham	Suffolk
RAF Aldergrove1	Northern Ireland
RAF Boulmer	Northumberland
RAF Cosford	West Midlands
RAF Fylingdales	North Yorkshire
202 Sqn Det Leconfield	North Humberside
RAF Leeming	North Yorkshire
RAF Leuchars	Fife, Scotland
RAF Linton on Ouse2	North Yorkshire
RAF Lossiemouth	Morayshire, Scotland
RAF Lyneham	Wiltshire
RAF Northolt	Middlesex
RAF Neatishead	Norfolk
RAF Oakhanger	Hampshire
RAF Sealand	Flintshire
RAF Shawbury3	Shropshire
RAF Spadeadam	Cumbria
RAF Stafford	Staffordshire
DM Welford	Berkshire
LATCC West Drayton	Middlesex
USAF RAF Menwith Hill4	North Yorkshire
USAFE RAF Mildenhall4	Suffolk
USAFE RAF Fairford4	Gloucestershire
USAFE RAF Croughton4	Northamptonshire
USAFE RAF Lakenheath4	Suffolk
USAFE RAF Alconbury4	Cambridgeshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultation has been held with the representative body of fire-fighters serving in the Defence Fire Service about (a) the Fire Service Study 2000 and (b) the competitive tendering for the defence fire services; and if he will make a statement. [159163]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: Fire Service Study 2000 has been developed with full Fire Service and Trade Union consultation and support. In addition, one of the two new working groups currently being formed to handle the final stages of the study will include full Trade Union representation.The plan to seek bids for airfield support services, which includes the capability currently provided by the Defence Fire Service, is covered by the Airfield Support Services Project (ASSP). This project is looking at the viability of a PFI/PPP solution for the provision of airfield support services to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) world-wide. MOD Trades Unions were consulted in December 1996 on the proposals for a Feasibility Study and again in February 1998 following the outcome of the study. Further meetings were held between Project staff and the TGWU on 29 April 1999 and 17 November 1999. The most recent pan-Trades Unions meeting took place at RAF Brampton on 10 November 2000. Formal consultation on the proposals for the next stage of the process was initiated on 18 April 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what circumstances have caused bids to be sought for the running of the service provided by the Defence Fire Service, (b) who authorised the soliciting of such bids and (c) if he will detail the conditions relating to such bids; and if he will make a statement. [159164]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: The Government are committed to seeking value for money through Private Finance Initiatives (PFI) by involving private sector management expertise, innovation and capital investment in the delivery of services to the public sector. Against this background, a feasibility study, commissioned in 1995, reported in 1997 that there was significant private sector interest in providing airfield support services and that the private sector had the necessary expertise and ability to provide it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions, and for what purposes, Defence Fire Service personnel have been deployed overseas in the last two years. [159161]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason he has not announced to the House his plans to seek tenders to run the Defence Fire Service; and if he will make a statement. [159170]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: The Ministry of Defence plans to issue, in July, Invitations to Negotiate (ITN) seeking binding proposals from three consortiums for Private Finance Initiative/Public Private Partnering (PFI/PPP) solutions for airfield support services. The PFI/PPP process follows a well-established system and would not always involve announcements to the House, particularly at this early stage of the PFI process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what breaches of security at the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment at Porton Down have been reported in the past 12 months. [157560]

[holding answer 9 April 2001]: The Chemical and Biological Defence Sector of DERA at Porton Down has not reported any breaches in security during the past 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the latest in-service date is for the 4 Amphibious Landing Ships Logistics. [157729]

[holding answer 24 April 2001]: The approved in-service dates for the two Alternative Landing Ships Logistic to be built by Swan Hunter (Tyneside) Ltd. are October 2004 and June 2005. Pending the outcome of negotiations with BAE Systems Marine, we expect all four ships to be in service by the summer of 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the chemical agent CR was first authorised for use in 1973; and in what formats it was weaponised (a) then and (b) subsequently. [158788]

CR was first authorised for use by British forces in October 1968, although authorisation for its use in Northern Ireland, in special circumstances only, was not given until October 1973. Strict guidelines govern both deployment and use of CR.In 1973 CR was available both in aerosol form and for use in water cannon. Subsequently, a wheeled dispenser was introduced in December 1974, a vehicle-based version was deployed in 1976, and a projectile delivery device was authorised for use in 1977.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Defence Research Agency's report on the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash on the Mull of Kintyre supports the RAF Board of Inquiry's verdict that the pilots were guilty of gross negligence. [1589071

The RAF Board of Inquiry analysed the information provided by the Defence Research Agency's report to help build up a picture of the aircraft's flight path shortly before impact. This report was a part of the evidence available to the Board of Inquiry, against which the determination of the reviewing officers was made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the partners in the consortiums bidding for the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft project. [158862]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: 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 Health what plans he has to introduce a screening programme to identify those at risk from osteoporosis. [158766]

Screening for osteoporosis was considered by the United Kingdom national screening committee (NSC) in June 1999. The NSC recommended that screening should not be offered as there was no simple, reliable test for osteoporosis that would meet its criteria for a screening programme. At present there is a comprehensive approach for the prevention and treatment of this disease (hormone replacement therapy, diet, exercise and the use of specific drugs) which can be directed towards the general population.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures his Department is taking to reintroduce matrons into the NHS. [159373]

Guidance was issued to the National Health Service on 4 April. Health Service Circular 2001/10, "Implementing the NHS Plan—Modern Matrons", sets out the action required to establish matron posts by April 2002. Copies are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of tuberculosis vaccine shortages in England in each of the last 10 years. [158964]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: BCG vaccine has been in limited supply for some time owing to severe manufacturing problems encountered by the sole United Kingdom licensed source. As a result, we had no alternative but to request that health authorities suspend their routine schools immunisation programme for 10 to 14-year-olds from September 1999. This allowed us to maintain supplies of the vaccine for all those at a higher risk of tuberculosis (TB).In July 2000, we advised that there was a sufficient supply of vaccine to initially restart the routine schools programme in the London area, where the highest rate of TB in the country currently occurs, in addition to the continued use for those in higher risk categories.On 24 March, we announced that the routine schools BCG programme could begin again in schools across the country.The 1994–95 school BCG programme was delayed in some areas because of the measles/rubella campaign.Information about BCG vaccinations is contained in the statistical bulletin "National Health Service immunisation statistics, England: 1999–2000". A copy of the bulletin is in the Library and can also be found on the Department's website www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0026.htm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 19 February on behalf of his constitutent Mr. R. Cawood; [159222](2) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 19 February on behalf of his constituent, Mrs. J. Wort; [159213](3) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 19 February on behalf of his constituent, Dr S. A. Steel; [159215](4) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 19 February on behalf of the British Organ Donor Society; [159208](5) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 19 February on behalf of his constitutent Mr. S. O'Keeffe. [159217]

Replies to the right hon. Member's letters were sent on 23 April 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimate he has made of the impact of allowing a maximum four week quarantine period for (a) temp to temp fees and (b) temp to third party fees for specialist IT employment businesses; and if he will include that estimate in the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations; [159485](2) for what reasons an assessment of the impact of a four week quarantine period for

It was not possible to identify quantifiable costs for most of the measures in the Regulations, since they are likely to lead to changes in the behaviour of the organisations and workers in the private recruitment industry. Moreover, statistical information on the industry is limited. The draft regulatory impact assessment presents the available information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimate his Department has made of the percentage of the temporary workforce that specialised in IT in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000; and if he will include that estimate in the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations; [159482](2) what estimate his Department has made of the percentage of IT workers in the UK that worked on temporary contracts rather than permanent employment in

Detailed information on specific occupational groups of agency workers is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the ability of employment businesses to continue to offer internet services to work-seekers in the light of Clauses 2 and 14 of the proposed Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations; and if he will make a statement. [159487]

The Regulations have been designed to cover internet-based services, and will allow most dealings between employment businesses and work-seekers to be conducted electronically. The Regulations should therefore improve the ability of employment businesses to offer services to work-seekers via the internet.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the average cost of a specialist IT employment business placing a specialist IT worker in a six month temporary contract; what proportion of these costs relate to (a) placement fees and (b) payroll costs; and if he will make a statement. [159484]

I have made no such estimate. Our draft Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2001 are designed to benefit recruitment agencies, employment businesses, their clients and those seeking employment through them. They will remove unnecessary restrictions on organisations in the recruitment industry, including the IT sector, and the services they can offer, while protecting the interests of work seekers and vulnerable groups. I recognise that the IT sector plays an increasingly important role in the recruitment industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received from British Nuclear Fuels regarding the future of new nuclear power plant development in (a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the UK. [159443]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the report into the impact of mine shafts on property values in Stoke-on-Trent will be published. [159476]

My Department has now received the final version of the report from Heriot-Watt University on the impact of former coal-mine shafts on the property market in Stoke-on-Trent. I intend to publish and respond to the final report when I have had an opportunity to consider its findings and will place a copy in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on arms sales to Iran. [156807]

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement on arms embargoes made by my hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Central (Mr. Lloyd) on 28 January 1998, Official Report, columns 274–75W. In accordance with his undertaking of 28 July 1999, we will continue to keep the House updated on an annual basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken since the meeting between the Minister of State and Nabil Sha'ath on 20 March regarding Palestinian violence. [R][156898]

Since my meeting with Palestinian Minister for Planning and International Co-operation Nabil Sha'ath on 20 March, the UK has continued to be actively engaged in the search for peace in the middle east. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres on 21 and 28 March, and to Nabil Sha'ath on 27 March. His messages to his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts were reinforced by his statement of 29 March, which called for an end to the cycle of violence and retaliation.I met Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Illah Al-Khatib on 3 April. At the Prime Minister's request and with the support of the Foreign Secretary, Lord Levy travelled to Israel and the Palestinian Authority on 4–5 April as the Prime Minister's personal envoy. He met, among others, Prime Minister Sharon and President Arafat. He urged both parties to take immediate steps to stop the violence and build confidence. EU Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in the middle east at the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 9 April.On 18 April, the Foreign Secretary spoke again to Shimon Peres and Nabil Sha'ath, and to Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara'a and US Secretary of State Colin Powell. He also issued a statement calling on both sides to show restraint and draw back from confrontation. I reiterated our position in discussions on the situation in the middle east during my attendance at meetings of EU and Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Ministers in Bahrain on 22–23 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress made in the negotiations in Geneva on a protocol to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention. [157441]

On 30 March the Chairman of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Ad Hoc Group, Ambassador Tibor Toth of Hungary, tabled the text of a draft Protocol to the BWC. This has been sent to all States Parties and will come under discussion at the next negotiating session which begins in Geneva on 23 April. The UK has played a leading role throughout these negotiations as we have had responsibility for the section of the text on compliance measures—the core of the future Protocol. We welcome the appearance of the text and are currently assessing its overall content. A successful outcome by the time of the BWC Review Conference remains a possibility but will depend upon the reaction to the text from all countries involved over the coming months. An effective BWC Protocol remains an important arms control objective for the United Kingdom as it will help fill the last remaining gap in Treaty provisions designed to stem the proliferation of WMD.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the most recently available text of the protocol to the Biological Weapons Convention being negotiated in Geneva. [157604]

The text of the draft Protocol to the Biological Weapons Convention, which was tabled on 30 March, is now a formal document of the BWC Ad Hoc Group and will be under discussion for the first time at the negotiating session which started on 23 April. Its reference number is BWC/Ad Hoc. Group/CRP.8. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House at the earliest opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 30 March 2001, Official Report, column 797W, on entry clearance, how many of the cases involving entry clearance were investigated by the Minister for Europe; in how many cases the Department's judgment was overturned; in how many cases (a) a constituent of the Minister and (b) an individual covered by an interest declared by an hon. Member, was involved; by what mechanism conflicts of interest were avoided; and if he will make a statement. [158333]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Friend the Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Ruffley) on 22 March 2001, Official Report, columns 316–17W. In accordance with normal Government practice, I do not make decisions on visa cases relating to my own constituency. I will only investigate cases brought to me by right hon. and hon. Members, who I would expect to declare any particular interest in a case when making their representations to me.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 30 March 2001, Official Report, column 797W, on entry clearance, by what means waiting times were reduced; what change in entry denial rates routes occurred; and if he will make a statement. [158334]

Waiting times for interview in Islamabad were reduced by the posting of additional staff; by the appointment of a new management team; by a reduction in the amount of documentation required from applicants; by the implementation of new procedures recommended by external and internal review teams; and by hard work by the staff at Post. I am very pleased with the efforts made by the staff.The improvement in waiting times is shown in the table.

	December 1999	December 2000	March 2001
Visit Visas
Tier 3	5 days	40 days	10
Settlement Visas
Q1	9 weeks	5 weeks	5 weeks
Q2	39 weeks	18.5 weeks	13 weeks
Q3	44 weeks	24 weeks	16 weeks
Q4	50 weeks	31 weeks	23 weeks
1 Same day service

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry visas made in Pakistan have been (a) granted and (b) refused in the last 12 months. [158388]

In the year 2000, a total of 75,527 visas were issued in Posts in Pakistan and 15,989 were refused.In January and February 2001, 4,132 visas were issued in Karachi and 1,123 were refused.In January 2001, 3,693 visas were issued in Islamabad and 1,686 were refused.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for entry visas made in India have been (a) granted and (b) refused in the last 12 months. [158520]

In the year 2000, a total of 165,998 visas were issued by Posts in India, and 20,622 were refused.For the months of January and February 2001, Posts in India issued a total of 16,814 and refused 1,244.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001 (a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity. [158551]

Between 31 March 2000 and March 2001 the Foreign Secretary's two special advisers made the following official visits:

Michael Williams

2000

15–22 April—India/Thailand/Nepal

18–19 May—Croatia

7–9 June—Sierra Leone

25–28 June—China

11–16 September—New York (UNGA)

23–24 November—Zagreb

2001

10–15 February—China

David Clark

2001

12 February—Stockholm.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Pakistani authorities concerning the case of Parvez Masih. [158923]

Although no representations have been made to the Pakistani authorities concerning the arrest of Parvez Masih, my noble Friend Baroness Scotland reiterated our concerns over the position of religious minorities and the abuse of the blasphemy laws with the Pakistani Attorney General and Minister of Law. Justice and Human Rights, Ms Shahida Jamil on 3 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will release to the Public Record Office the (a) cryptographic memorandum No. 101 JNA 10 Naval Attache Code and Additive Cypher and (b) cryptographic memorandum No. 119 of June 1946, The JN 11 Cyphers. [158992]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: These memoranda underwent sensitivity reviews in 1999 and, on the basis of those reviews, will continue to be withheld for the foreseeable future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will release to the Public Record Office the (a) report on the interrogation of Lt. Frowein of OKM/4SKL/111 on his work on the security of the German naval four-wheel Enigma (TICOM 1–38), (b) OKW/Chi cryptanalytic research Enigma, Hagelin and cipher teleprinter machines (TICOM 1–45), (c) paper by Dr. Otto Buggisch of OKH/In7/V1 and OKW/Chi on TYPEX (TICOM 1–66), (d) first part of the report by Wm Buggisch on SG41 (TICOM 1–72), (e) translations of joint report made by doctors Huettenhain, Fricke on the Zaehlwerk Enigma (TICOM 1–77) and (f) further statement on Typex by Huettenhain, Fricke and Mettig (TICOM 1–61). [158991]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: The reports in question will undergo a sensitivity review in about 18 months time. If they are deemed releasable, and are accepted by the Public Record Office, they will be made available to the public in about two years from now.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for International Development about the promotion of religious freedom in Government aid programmes. [159392]

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. However, reality can fall far short of the standards set down in international law.Promotion of human rights is at the heart of our foreign policy and we regard religious freedom as a fundamental human right. We condemn instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith, wherever it happens and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned.We take every opportunity, often working with our EU partners, to urge states to pursue laws and practices which foster tolerance and mutual respect and to protect religious minorities against discrimination, intimidation and attacks. We also regularly raise specific cases of religious persecution with the Governments concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning the representations of Flintshire county council against the disposal of carcases at the Brookhill landfill site; and if he will make a statement; [159236](2) what discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning the disposal of carcases following welfare culling at the Brookhill landfill site at Buckley, Flintshire; and if he will make a statement. [159235]

I meet the First Secretary regularly to discuss a range of issues including measures to control the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease.The National Assembly approves the use of landfill sites for the Livestock Welfare Disposal Scheme on the basis of Environment Agency advice as to suitability. Carwyn Jones, Assembly Secretary for Rural Affairs, recently met representatives of Flintshire county council and the Brookhill site operators to discus local concerns.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many suicides and attempted suicides there were on London Underground property in each of last 10 years and in each of the past 12 months. [157470]

[holding answer 9 April 2001]: London Underground emphasise that safety and security are their top priorities, and they do everything possible to prevent suicide attempts. They have provided the following

Percentage
Lines	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01
Bakerloo	91.4	93.6	92.5	90.5	83.0
Central (inc. Waterloo and City)	95.3	95.2	95.3	96.6	97.0
Circle and Hammersmith	90.9	93.0	91.4	89.7	81.6
District	96.0	98.3	97.4	97.0	93.0
Jubilee	96.4	98.0	97.5	92.7	89.8
East London	97.3	97.3	92.7	95.7	94.5
Metropolitan	95.9	98.0	97.5	96.7	95.4
Northern	94.4	95.5	90.2	94.9	96.6
Piccadilly	93.5	92.9	89.5	90.9	86.9
Victoria	95.0	95.1	96.1	97.4	96.1
Total	94.5	95.5	93.6	94.3	91.9

information on all incidents where, after full examination of the incident, they have recorded suicide or attempted suicide as a cause.

	Total
1996–97	45
1997–98	52
1998–99	48
1999–2000	52
2000–01	47

	2000–01 total
April 2000	1
May 2000	7
June 2000	4
July 2000	4
August 2000	0
September 2000	4
October 2000	5
November 2000	3
December 2000	3
January 2001	4
February 2001	7
March 2001	5

Figures for years before 1996–97 could be provided only at disproportionate cost. It should be noted that Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate separately publish figures in the HMRI Annual Report on Railway Safety, which include totals of suicides and attempted suicides on London Underground. However, those figures are lower because they are based on statutory returns from Coroners made under the Coroners Act 1988. The LUL figures are based on LUL's subsequent investigation into each fatality.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate has been made of the average punctuality and reliability of services on each of the London Underground lines in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [157480]

[holding answer 9 April 2001]: This is an operational matter for London Underground who inform me that although they do not keep statistics on punctuality of services, they do keep information on train service reliability in terms of the percentage of scheduled kilometres operated. The table shows the percentage of scheduled kilometres operated for each of the Underground lines over the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on introducing protection for whistleblowers who reveal that a company is breaking environmental laws. [158671]

[holding answer 23 April 2001]: The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protects workers who make qualifying disclosures either to the employer or a prescribed person. The Department of Trade and Industry has published a guide to the Act (PL502) which is available on their website. Independent advice is available from the charity Public Concern at Work. I have no evidence that this does not provide protection for those who blow the whistle on companies which break environmental laws.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to implement the policies under the consultation draft of the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy in order to satisfy the requirements of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000, with particular reference to section 2 (1) of that Act. [158993]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: The draft UK Fuel Poverty Strategy will be reviewed in the light of responses to the current consultation, and the final version published in summer 2001. The policies set out in the draft strategy have either been, or are in the process of being, implemented. A Fuel Poverty Advisory Group, consisting of representatives of a range of organisations with experience in this area, will be set up to advise Ministers on practical implementation issues. We intend to monitor progress carefully and remain ready to review and revise policies in the light of practical experience.As this is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of the respective Parliament and Assemblies to comment on the situation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures his Department is taking to promote the recycling of waste. [159368]

The Government's policy on recycling is set out in Waste Strategy 2000, published last May. We have now set statutory performance standards for each local authority under the best value regime which will triple the recycling of household waste to 25 per cent. in 2005–06 and announced in last year's spending review significant extra funding for local authorities to help meet those targets. In Waste Strategy 2000, the Government also set a target of reducing the amount of industrial and commercial waste sent to landfill by 2005, to 85 per cent. of that landfilled in 1998.We continue to implement EC legislation and voluntary agreements on producer responsibility on a range of materials including packaging. The landfill tax will continue to rise and the aggregates levy will come into force in April 2002, both of which provide incentives to find alternative uses for materials.In November, the Government established the new Waste and Resources Action Programme with a budget of £40 million over three years to tackle the market obstacles to recycling. Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport consulted on proposals for the next round of lottery funding (the New Opportunities Fund), including a programme to expand community sector waste re-use, recycling and composting.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people have died in road accidents in each of the last four months. [158875]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: National statistics for deaths in road accidents in the last four months are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Ludlow of 4 April on the Rural Task Force. [159385]

I replied to the hon. Member's letter on Tuesday 24 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's role in considering Railtrack's decisions to cancel its contributions towards the building of a passenger lift at Kirkham and Wesham station. [159237]

Such decisions are matters for Railtrack. However, the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) will consider better access to the network, particularly for those with disabilities, when assessing bids for replacement franchises.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers are available to local authorities to use their planning powers to specify the tenure of housing in a new development; what plans he has to review those powers; and if he will make a statement. [159430]

The Government's policy on planning for affordable housing is set out in Planning Policy Guidance note 3: "Housing" and Circular 6/98, "Planning and Affordable Housing". This states that planning policy should not be expressed in favour of any particular form of tenure and that the term "affordable housing" encompasses both low-cost market and subsidised social housing. Based on their own assessments of need in their area, and development plan policies which state their intention to seek an element of affordable housing in suitable developments, local planning authorities may negotiate with developers for the types of affordable housing that will best meet local housing needs. We have no plans at present to revise the guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library copies of the sections of each version of the War Pensions Manual produced since 1993 by the War Pensions Agency which relate to former service personnel claiming disablement as a result of experiments at the Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down. [157302]

It is not current practice to place individual items from the departmental guidance manuals in the Library, however we have arranged to place the complete manuals in the Library today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims have been made to the Vaccine Damage Payment scheme in each of the last five years; and how much compensation has been paid by the scheme since June 2000. [158459]

The Vaccine Damage Payment (VDP) scheme, which has been in place since 1979, provides a one-off payment to people severely disabled as a result of vaccination against certain diseases. The scheme is not intended as compensation but is designed to ease the burdens of those suffering from vaccine damage and their families.The number of claims to the scheme in each of the last five years is in the table. On 27 June 2000 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced an increase in the VDP for new cases from £40,000 to £100,000 as well as other enhancements to the scheme. This included top-up payments to all existing cases so that they are put on an equal footing in real terms with new claimants. 825 such payments have been made totalling £55.7 million. Since June 2000, one new award has been approved and is awaiting payment of £100,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out his Department's policy in relation to the application of a cap on rebates to appropriate personal pensions from 2002 onwards. [159396]

Age-related rebates to appropriate personal pensions are capped for two reasons. First, the cap restricts the cost to public funds. Secondly, the cap also discourages those approaching pensionable age from making what could be inappropriate pension arrangements, given the short amount of time they would have to benefit from investment growth in a money purchase scheme.We have increased the cap which will apply to age-related rebates in respect of earnings from April 2002, so that all those who are currently unaffected by the cap (that is those who will be up to age 50 in April 2002) will remain unaffected by it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects the Benefits Agency to reach a decision on the claim for Income Support from Ms Rachel Akuary. [158942]

The administration of Income Support is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 19 March 2001, Official Report, column 29W, on CCTA, (1) what the total income and expenditure of the CCTA in the last five financial years for which information is available was; [155828](2) if he will place details of the CCTA's methods for calculating the savings from S-Cat and G-Cat in the Library; and what independent verification mechanism was used; [155830]

[holding answer 27 March 2001]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Office of Government Commerce, whom I have asked to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many telephone information lines are available on the Census helpline; [158957](2) how many calls have been taken by the Census helpline; [158958]

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

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what forecast he has made of annual Exchequer revenues deriving from climate change levy to be paid by the hotel and restaurant industry. [159382]

It is not possible to say what the precise effect of the levy will be on any one particular industry. The impact of the levy and the associated reduction in NICs will depend on a number of factors, including: the future energy consumption by firms; the level of employment in those firms; what use they make of electricity generated from 'new' renewable sources of energy; and the extent to which they take advantage of the proposed introduction of a system of enhanced capital allowances for energy saving investments. The hotel and restaurant industry stands to benefit from the exemption of electricity generated from 'good quality' combined heat and power plants.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 21 March on behalf of his constituent, Mr. Chilton; [159209]

I have already replied to the right hon. Member's letters.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the publicity campaign run by his Department in 2000 aimed at women who held a valid election to pay National Insurance contributions at the reduced rate. [159224]

An Inland Revenue Press Release published on 29 September 2000 provided details of the letter which was issued throughout October 2000 to around 250,000 women who had previously elected to pay reduced rate National Insurance contributions. The letter informed them of changes to the structure of employee National Insurance contributions introduced from April 2000 and advised them to consider their elections in light of these changes but taking into account their own particular circumstances. A dedicated helpline was set up to provide further information and assistance and some 63,000 telephone inquiries were received.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have been made to Inland Revenue guidelines on the implementation of IR35 since 1 April. [159269]

The wording of the guidance manual provided to Inland Revenue employees regarding the interpretation and application of the law on employment status is being reviewed; the underlying case law has not been changed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what revision has been made since 1 April to his Department's estimate of the revenue which will be raised by IR35. [159268]

None.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what cost has been incurred to date in the implementation of IR35; and what the projected cost is for the 2001–02 financial year. [159226]

So far, the main additional activity undertaken by the Inland Revenue associated with the introduction of the 'ir35' legislation has been the provision of advice to taxpayers and their advisers. This service has been provided by existing staff as part of their normal duties.