To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the E5 fault code found on the FADEC of RAF Chinook ZD576. [158185]

[holding answer 23 April 2001]: The E5 fault code which was found in the memory of the DECU of RAF Chinook ZD576 indicated that a soft fault had occurred at some point over the life of the DECU since delivery. A "soft fault" cannot affect the safe operation of the control system and is therefore one that has no impact on the normal control of the aircraft.The rotational speed (N2) of each engine's Power Turbine Spool is detected by two sensors. The E5 code would be displayed either because of a power interrupt (switching from the Auxiliary Power Unit to main generators, or the reverse) or if a discrepancy of 5 per cent. or more is detected between the two N2 signals. When such a discrepancy is detected the lower N2 signal is disregarded (or locked out). If the other signal is then lost, the original locked-out signal will be re-acquired Should both signals be lost, the fuel to the engines will be maintained at the pre-failure rate.The "E5" fault on the pre-production software that caused the Wilmington incident was significant as the system at that time operated differently. The team undertaking the test at Wilmington did not appreciate the significance of the E5 signal, which was displayed due to a discrepancy of 5 per cent. or more between the two N2 signals, causing the lowest signal to be latched. The team then removed a connector which resulted in the loss of the only remaining N2 signal. With the one signal latched, and the loss of the remaining N2 signal, unlike the system now, the pre-production software did not re-acquire the original locked-out signal. Instead the DECU "saw" an N2 value of zero, and in order to restore the N2, the system provided more fuel to increase the speed of the power turbine. This caused the rotors to accelerate which seriously damaged the aircraft.After the Wilmington incident the software was amended hence a similar incident could not have caused the Mull of Kintyre accident. Moreover, as I informed the hon. Member on 21 February 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost of changing the name New DERA to QuiniteQ will be. [158864]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will complete his (a) disciplinary and (b) other inquiries into the death of Marine Richards; and how many cases involving deaths of service men in the UK have yet to have all proceedings and investigations completed. [159682]

The disciplinary and other inquiries related to the death of Marine Richards are legal procedures and are wholly outside MOD Ministers' control in terms of their scope, their duration, and the conclusions they reach. The next stage in the process is the Coroner's Inquest, scheduled for 4–25 June 2001. Due process demands that only after its conclusion can a Military Police investigation be completed. This will be submitted to Headquarters Royal Marines who will then consider whether to recommend disciplinary action against any person or persons in connection with the death. If such a recommendation is made disciplinary action should follow, either summarily or by court-martial. Once any legal or disciplinary proceedings have been concluded, a Board of Inquiry will be convened. Its findings will be conveyed and explained to Marine Richards' next of kin. Though it is impossible to estimate accurately, these procedures are at the least expected to take a number of months to complete. They continue, however, to be pursued with as much speed and diligence as are consistent with thoroughness and proper respect for the rights of all those involved.We have taken "proceedings and investigations" yet to be completed to include outstanding Coroners' inquests, service and civil police investigations and service Boards of Inquiry. These include not just training accidents but numerous other cases such as road traffic accidents and incidents involving personnel not on duty. For service men in the UK, the figures are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what lessons he has drawn from the death of Marine Richards; and what procedures have been put into place to avoid deaths in similar circumstances. [159683]

The key lesson reinforced by Marine Wayne Richards' tragic death is that, whenever live ammunition is carried during training, procedures to prevent its being mistaken for blank must be continually monitored and frequently reviewed to ensure they are as fail-safe as humanly possible. The Army's independent Training Accident Investigation Team (TAIT) report, completed a month after this fatality, recommended improvements to the orders and procedures for carriage and identification of live ammunition on Woodbury Common. These improvements have been implemented, together with a timetable of frequent checks on compliance with revised orders and procedures, and were jointly reviewed by the TAIT and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in January 2001. The HSE raised no substantive comments. The TAIT report has also been promulgated through the Army chain of command, and general recommendations aimed at preventing any recurrence have been issued throughout the armed services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the types of information covered by the COSMIC security classification. [159675]

The term COSMIC is not a classification but a qualifying marking used by NATO. It signifies that the information is the property of NATO and remains the property of the originator and may not be passed outside NATO without the originator's consent. This qualifying marking is used only with top secret information, the unauthorised disclosure of which would result in exceptionally grave damage to NATO. "COSMIC top secret" is the highest classification marking in NATO and it is equivalent to "UK top secret".

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Minister of State's letter of 15 March, D/Min (AF) TS 0301/01/M, what consideration he is giving to the problem of lymph node analysis. [158779]

The Ministry of Defence continues to consider what appropriate research is required in respect of DU, and we propose to expose our conclusions to independent scrutiny in due course. In the meantime, I have nothing further to add to the information given to my hon. Friend by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces in his letter of 15 March, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the establishment of a European armaments agency; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the 'Masterplan for the European Armaments Agency'. [159282]

Work by the nations of the Western European Armaments Group to examine the possible creation of a European Armaments Agency is making steady progress, with the aim of providing advice to national defence Ministers on its principles of operation this autumn. I am placing a copy of the "Masterplan for the European Armaments Agency" dated 17 November 1998 in the Library of the House. Revisions to the Masterplan which take into account developments since its original publication, including to its timetable of activities, are under discussion by the Group's officials.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what account she takes of religious freedom in developing countries when deciding levels of UK development assistance; [159395]

The objective of my Department is the elimination of poverty. Our central focus is therefore respect for the human rights of the poor. Frequently the poorest are ethnic and religious minorities that face discrimination and social exclusion. Our strategy on human rights is set out in "Realising human rights for poor people" published in October 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 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. [158548]

Departmental special advisers from my Department undertook two visits abroad in an official capacity between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001. There are no non-departmental special advisers working for my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what telephone helplines to assist the public are administered by her Department and its agencies. [159503]

DFID operates a Public Enquiry Point which handles written, telephone and email inquiries from the general public. In the period 2000–01, the Public Enquiry Point dealt with a total of 10,410 inquiries.

To ask the Solicitor-General when the trials of those accused of serious offences arising from Northumbria police's Operation Rose will be restarted; and if he will make a statement. [159529]

Operation Rose is a large scale investigation by Northumbria police into allegations of historic physical and sexual abuse made by former residents of local authority care homes in the counties of Tyne and Wear and Northumberland, dating back to the 1960s. Operation Rose began in 1997, and the first prosecution was brought in the same year. The first trial of an Operation Rose case took place at Newcastle Crown court in 1998.Thereafter, Operation Rose continued, in a number of distinct phases, throughout 1998, 1999 and 2000. The investigation is now almost complete, and there have been a number of prosecutions during this period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list funding for scientific research and development in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) from the United States from (i) Government (ii) industry and (iii) charities for the year 1999–2000, in absolute terms, as a percentage of total research and development and as a percentage of gross domestic profit. [158803]

The latest data from ONS for expenditure on R&D performed in the UK in 1999 are:

Sector providing the funding	Total £ million	Percentage of total	Percentage of GDP
Government Departments	2,299	13.8	0.25
Research Councils	1,199	7.2	0.13
Higher Education Funding Councils	1,157	6.9	0.13
High Education Institutions	143	0.9	0.13
Business enterprise	8,235	49.4	0.91
Private non-profit	701	4.2	0.08
Abroad	2,930	17.6	0.32
Total	16,664	100.0	1.84

Data for previous years can be found in Table 6.3, on page 71 of SET Statistics 2000 (Cm 4902) a copy of which is in the Library of the House, and is also available from DTI's website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/ost/setstats.The ONS surveys do not identify the source country for expenditure from abroad.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the funding for scientific research and development from (a) Government, (b) industry and (c) charities for each of the years since 1997, in absolute amounts and as a percentage of total research and development spend. [158802]

The information requested can be found in Table 6.3 on page 71 of SET Statistics 2000 (Cm 4902) a copy of which is in the Library of the House and is also available from DTI's website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/ost/setstats.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects ultra-low sulphur diesel and ultra-low sulphur petrol will be made readily available at all petrol stations. [159374]

Ultra-low sulphur diesel has been widely available across the UK since the latter part of 1999. Current information is that it is available at the vast majority of retail petrol outlets in the UK.The latest estimates produced by my Department are that, as of early April, over 80 per cent. of total UK petrol retail sites were converted to supply ultra-low sulphur petrol (ULSP). This means that ULSP accounts for 94 per cent. of total sales of petrol in the UK. All oil companies in the UK are making supplies of ULSP available to petrol stations in the UK. However, the logistical problems of supplying some of the smaller, more remote stations make it difficult to give a date by which all petrol stations will be selling ULSP.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to fast track regulatory changes, in anticipation of establishing OFCOM, in order to speed up broadband access in the UK. [159478]

[holding answer 27 April 2001]: The Government's plans to facilitate roll-out of higher bandwidth and broadband services are set out in "UK online: the broadband future", which was published on 13 February 2001. These plans are not dependent on regulatory changes. Legislation to establish OFCOM, as proposed in "A New Future for Communications" (Cm 5010) published on 12 December 2000, will be brought forward at the earliest opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets his Department has (a) for broadband access by UK households and (b) for the number of companies providing broadband access to UK households. [159479]

[holding answer 27 April 2001]: As the Government announced in the recent White Paper "Opportunities for All in a World of Change", our goal is for the UK to have the most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005. This commitment was backed up by the publication of an action plan, "UK online: the broadband future", which set out how the Government will facilitate the roll-out of higher bandwidth and broadband services across the country."UK online: the broadband future" also described the difficulties in assessing how quickly demand for these services will grow at such an early stage of this market. This analysis still holds and we believe that it would be premature to set targets of the sort that the hon. Member describes. DTI in collaboration with the e-Envoy, and aided by the recently established Broadband Stakeholder Group, will continue to monitor and assist the development of this important new technology.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to ensure that Oftel will be equipped with adequate personnel with the relevant technical expertise to regulate competition in the broadband market. [159477]

[holding answer 27 April 2001]: The staffing of Oftel is a matter for the Director General. Total resources for Oftel have been increased by 18 per cent. for 2001–02 compared with 2000–01. I and my colleagues meet the Director General from time to time to discuss a range of issues including the development of the broadband market.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the reasons given by the Competition Commission not to make recommendations when it had identified adverse effects associated with the sale of products below cost. [159570]

The Competition Commission, in their report on supermarkets, made an adverse finding in relation to persistent selling below cost of some frequently purchased items, but recommended that no action be taken. In the press notice he issued when the report was published (10 October 2000), my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry outlined the reasons for this conclusion—essentially, the possible remedies would themselves have adverse effects and the intervention and monitoring required would be disproportionate to the problem.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the (a) Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and (b) Secretary of State for International Development about educating UK businesses to employ business practices that promote religious freedom overseas. [159393]

[holding answer 27 April 2001]: There have not been any discussions between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and his colleagues at FCO and DfID on this issue.However, promotion of human rights is at the heart of the UK's foreign policy and HMG regard religious freedom as a fundamental human right. The Government condemn instances where individuals are persecuted because of their faith, wherever it happens and whatever the religion of the individual or group concerned.The Government acknowledge that UK businesses operating in international markets can play an important role in promoting human rights and are keen to help encourage this as part of the work to promote Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Last year I was appointed as Minister with responsibility for corporate social responsibility with a remit including improving co-ordination of activity across Government to promote CSR, including establishment of an Interdepartmental Group of officials. Both FCO and DfID are among the Departments represented on this group.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 19 March on behalf of his constituent, Mr. R. G. Reeve. [159691]

As indicated in the response from my office dated 23 April, the letter has been transferred to the Health and Safety Executive for reply, as the matters raised by Mr. R. G. Reeve fall within its area of responsibility.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will ensure that the request by Holne Chase Hotel in Dartmoor National Park under the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme in respect of a loan of £250,000 is agreed to; and if he will amend his Department's guidelines for the scheme in respect of hotels and tourist attractions in National Parks to take account of the foot and mouth crisis, with particular reference to companies which have already, had a loan guaranteed under the scheme. [159607]

Applications can be considered only from lenders once they are satisfied there is a viable business proposal that meets Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme criteria and are prepared to make the loan available, subject to a Government guarantee. All loans guaranteed before April 1993 are not counted towards the maximum borrowing under the Scheme. There are no plans to extend this criterion further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he began an investigation into share trading with the public listed company Chelsea Village; how many hidden trusts own Chelsea Village plc shares; how many of these hidden trusts are registered in the West Indies; and if hidden trusts have traded Chelsea Village shares between themselves. [159527]

I cannot discuss the affairs of individual companies but if my hon. Friend has information to suggest that there should be an investigation into the ownership of shares of Chelsea Village plc the Department will consider it.

To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions between 5 June 2000 and 31 March 2001 special advisers of the Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury have travelled abroad in an official capacity. [158549]

None.

To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions his (a) Chief of Staff, (b) Chief Press Secretary and (c) other members of his office travelled abroad on official business between 5 June 2000 and 31 March 2001. [158591]

Between 5 June 2000 and 31 March 2001, my Chief Press Secretary, my Chief of Staff and other members of my office have travelled overseas on official business, including accompanying me on official visits, on 39 occasions. All visits have been made in accordance with the rules set out in the Civil Service Management Code.These arrangements follow the practice of successive Administrations.

To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions members of the Number 10 Policy Unit travelled abroad on official business between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001. [158592]

Between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001 members of the No. 10 Policy Unit have travelled overseas on official business on 63 occasions. All visits have been made in accordance with the rules set out in the Civil Service Management Code.These arrangements follow the practice of successive Administrations.

To ask the Prime Minister which UK companies, in receipt of funds from the European Investment bank since 1997, have lobbied him over UK participation in the euro; which business leaders on the boards of the above companies have been associated with the Britain in Europe Campaign; and if he will make a statement. [158752]

I regularly meet a wide range of business leaders. The European Investment bank's annual report lists companies which have received funds from them. A list of Britain in Europe board and council members is available on its website www.britainineurope.org.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with Motorola on the future of its mobile phone factory in Bathgate; and if he will hold similar discussions with Ericsson of Worksop Notts, on the future of its mobile telephone plant. [159120]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: I spoke to Motorola on Tuesday 10 April in support of the company choosing to maintain production at Easter Inch, the largest, private sector manufacturing site in Scotland, rather than closing it to focus all its production at the company's plant at Flensburg.Now Motorola has made its decision the Scottish Executive will pursue with the company future options for the Bathgate site. There are a variety of options to explore with the company—ranging from sale as a going concern including to a contract manufacturer of mobile phones or another related business. The other alternatives include new employment for a new employer purchasing the site. We regret the redundancies, and Invest UK has already begun to assist the Scottish Executive with the task of future options.In order to assist the individuals affected the Scottish Executive is setting-up a Taskforce with Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, Employment Service, West Lothian Council, the Careers Service, Benefits Agency and the STUC. The Taskforce will draw up an Action Plan specifically to meet the needs of the Motorola workers. Subject to the agreement of Motorola, this is likely to include an on-site jobshop, business start up workshops and other support to assist people to find jobs. The Taskforce has already begun work today.Ericsson announced on 26 January 2001 that it will cease manufacture of telephone handsets throughout the world and that in consequence it intends to dispose of its plants making handsets, including Carlton near Worksop and Scunthorpe. The Government have kept in regular contact with the Managing Director responsible for the two sites and with Ericsson HQ in Sweden over new developments. Through the Regional Development Agencies, Government Offices and Invest UK, we are working closely with the company to find a buyer for the sites. Officials from the Department of Trade and Industry, Local Government Offices and Regional Development Agencies have also visited the Carlton and Scunthorpe operations in order to gain a better insight. I know my hon. Friend will shortly meet with the Minister for Small Business and E-Commerce.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will announce the terms of reference for the public inquiry into the foot and mouth crisis referred to by the Minister for the Environment in his Statement on 23 April 2001, Official Report, column 25. [159556]

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

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 6 May 1999, Official Report, columns 445–46W, on planning, on what date he met the President of Wal-Mart International for a short courtesy call. [159800]

It is public knowledge that I met the President of Wal-Mart International in 1999. However it is not the normal practice of Government to provide the precise details of meetings with private individuals or companies.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his reply to the right hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald (Miss Widdecombe) of 31 January 2001, Official Report, column 224W, and to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood of 6 April 2001, Official Report, column 290W, if he will make a statement on the precedents he followed in not giving details of his meetings with individuals, foundations and companies. [158542]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 27 June 2000, Official Report, column 454W.

To ask the Prime Minister what reasons underlie the practice of Ministers not providing details of meetings held when requested in parliamentary questions. [159731]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 27 June 2000, Official Report, column 454W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Pakistani authorities over the subject of the treatment of Christians resident there. [159516]

On 3 April, my noble Friend Baroness Scotland raised our concerns about the position of religious minorities with the Pakistani Attorney General and Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights, Ms Shahida Jamil.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues concerning the Tamil community in Sri Lanka have been discussed by his Department with the Sri Lankan Government over the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [158732]

We continue to raise with the Sri Lankan Government our concerns about the situation in Sri Lanka, including human rights, the Bindunawewa massacre, the safety of journalists and the need for food and medical supplies to reach citizens in the Vanni. We urge the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to work together with Norway to secure a settlement to the conflict that meets the aspirations of all communities in Sri Lanka.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what areas of Sri Lanka the British High Commissioner and her staff have visited during the last six months; and if he will make a statement. [158733]

The British High Commissioner and her staff regularly visit different regions in Sri Lanka. In the last six months, the High Commissioner has visited Trincomalee, Puttalam, Batticaloa, Galle and Nuwara Eliya. During her visits, she met Government officials, representatives of the security forces, non-governmental organisations, Tamil and Muslim communities and the Catholic clergy to discuss, among other things, the impact of the internal conflict on local communities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 30 March 2001, Official Report, column 797W, (1) if he will make a statement on when the relatives of the British newsmen killed at Balibo, East Timor in 1975 were informed of the investigation of the United Nations; and by whom; [159517](2) if he will publish the FCO advice offered to British citizens resident in East Timor at the time of the Balibo conflict in 1975; [159515](3) what communications have taken place between the relatives of the British newsmen killed at Balibo, East Timor in 1975 and the FCO over the last 12 months; [159519](4) if it remains the view of his Department that the deaths of the British newsmen at Balibo in East Timor in 1975 were accidental; [159514](5) what investigations into the death of the British newsmen killed at Balibo, East Timor in 1975 were already under way prior to the formal UN announcement; [159518](6) what communications have taken place between the Australian Government and the FCO over the attack by Indonesian troops at Balibo in 1975. [159520]

Following the arrival of the UN Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), a number of people volunteered fresh information about the events in Balibo in 1975. In the light of this, in August 2000, the UN Prosecutor General took the decision to open an investigation into the deaths. While the investigation continues it would be inappropriate to prejudge its findings.The UK was not formally notified in advance of 15 September 2000, when UNTAET formally announced this decision to open an investigation. The FCO therefore did not have an opportunity to inform the relatives of the British journalists who died at Balibo beforehand. However, over the past year we have kept in regular touch with the relatives. I wrote to them most recently on 19 March. We have also maintained regular contact with the Australian Government.There was no formal mechanism to issue travel advice to British citizens prior to the establishment of the FCO Travel Advice Unit in 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for allowing GM crop trials in the North Essex constituency in the next 12 months; what consultation there has been with local communities and their representatives; and what representations he has received about such trials from them. [157577]

[holding answer 9 April 2001]: The public register of releases shows that no GM crops are presently being grown in the North Essex constituency under research consents. I also understand that no National List trials of GM crops are presently taking place in Essex. My Department announced the locations of the spring 2001 Farm Scale Evaluations on 3 April; two of these sites, near the village of Wivenhoe, are in the North Essex constituency (TM051 221 and TM056 221). Details of any further GM crop releases, including their locations, will be placed on our web site at www.detr.gov.uk or in the case of National List Trials, on MAFF's web site at www.maff.gov.uk.

East Devon District Council
£million
Nature of funding	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	92001–02
Revenue support grant1	2.510	2.173	2.086	1.742	2.063
Income from national non-domestic rates1	3.924	3.949	4.272	4.738	4.738
Housing investment programme	20.518	0.671	1.007	31.715	43.220
Capital receipts initiative	0.162	0.495	0.000	n/a	n/a

Mid Devon Council
£ million
Nature of funding	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	92001–02
Revenue support grant1	1.917	1.842	1.769	1.695	1.894
Income from national non-domestic rates1	2.096	2.118	2.286	2.567	2.547
Housing investment programme	20.744	0.667	0.747	31.772	42.554
Housing revenue account subsidy	0.570	0.324	0.182	50.191	—
Capital receipts initiative	0.171	0.581	0.538	n/a	n/a
Cash incentive scheme	0.100	0.080	0	n/a	n/a
Loan charges defective housing	0.047	0.047	0.047	60.047	60.047
Capital challenge (supplementary credit and basic credit approvals)	0.120	0.080	0	0	0

Devon County Council
£ million
Nature of funding	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	92001–02
Revenue Support Grant1	7266.389	155.634	158.924	150.930	166.866
Income from national non-domestic rates1	7205.912	138.460	151.558	173.050	170.054
Local government reorganisation supplementary credit approval	1.812	0.765	0	0	0
Transport supplementary grant	1.738	1.238	1.861	0	0
Transport annual capital guideline	1.738	1.238	1.861	0	0
Transport block supplementary credit approval	2.560	1.214	2.842	10.281	20.703
Rural bus challenge grant8	0	0	0.640	0.300	10—
Rural bus subsidy grant	0	1.409	1.409	1.409	1.799
Capital challenge (supplementary credit and basic credit approvals)	2.694	2.257	1.554	0	0
Notes
1 The amounts of revenue support grant and income from national non-domestic rates shown for 1997–98 and 1998–99 are the revised amounts allocated under "The Local Government Finance Report (England) 1997–98 Amending Report 1999" and "The Local Government Finance Report (England) 1998–99 Amending Report 2000" respectively.
2 1997–98 HIP allocation inherited from the previous Government's spending plans. Present Government introduce CRI from 1997–98.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on Tiverton and Honiton of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157808]

The principal funding that this Department has provided to East and Mid Devon district councils and Devon county council in the years 1997–98 to 2001–02 is shown in the tables. These include grants and borrowing approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.It is not possible to determine how much of this money has been spent on Tiverton and Honiton constituency. It is for the local authority to decide where within its boundary these resources are applied.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on Ribble Valley of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [157846]

£ million
Nature of funding	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02
Revenue Support Grant1	0.5	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.6
Income from National Non-Domestic Rates1	1.6	1.7	1.8	2.0	2.0
Housing Investment Programme2	1.8	2.0	2.3	3.9	4.3
Capital Receipts Initiative2	n/a	1.0	1.1	n/a	n/a
Challenge Fund3	0.6	0.6	0.6	1.1	1.4
ERDF Funding4	0.01	0.04	1.0	—	—
Transport Supplementary Grant	3.7	1.7	2.9	0	0
Transport Annual Capital Guideline	2.1	1.6	1.5	0	0
Transport Block Supplementary Credit Approval5	4.9	3.1	5.2	511.0	28.0
1 These figures are for Ribble Valley district council. They have not been adjusted to make year on year comparisons possible.
2 Figures for Lancashire county council
3 There are two SRB initiatives in the Lancashire area, both of which could impact on the Ribble Valley:
Raising Achievement of Young People in Lancashire—Round 2
A seven year thematic scheme covering the whole of Lancashire targeted at raising the achievement and enhancing the employability of young people who are disenchanted with the system. The aim is to reduce long-term benefit dependency, alienation and anti-social behaviour while enhancing the chances of individual prosperity and quality of life.
Challenge Fund Total: £3.4 million—Scheme Total: £11.6 million
Lancashire Tourism Partnership—Round 3
A seven year scheme to improve the competitiveness of the Lancashire tourism industry and develop Lancashire as a major tourism destination. The schemes primary objectives are economic development aimed at generating income, employment opportunities and investment in the County.
Challenge Fund Total: £7.5 million—Scheme Total: £36.8 million
4 East Lancashire are eligible to bid for Objective 3 European Social Funding resources of around £240 million for the North West. A second bidding round is now under way, launched on 2 April 2001 with bids to be submitted by 25 May
5 2000–01—This figure is from Lancashire county council's provisional Local Transport Plan settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conditions attach to the most recent tranche of public finance made over to Railtrack; and if he will make a statement. [158302]

The agreement in principle to the re-phasing of grants to Railtrack announced on 2 April 2001, Official Report, columns 8–9W, was subject to a number of conditions. The main points were enshrined in an agreed general Statement of Principles, copies of which have been placed in the House Library.

The principal funding which this Department has provided to Lancashire county council and Ribble Valley district council in 1997–98 to 2000–01 is shown in the table. This includes grants and borrowings approvals for revenue and capital expenditure.It is not possible to determine how much money has been spent on the Ribble Valley. It is for the local authorities to decide where within their boundaries these resources are applied.In addition to delivering long-term savings to the taxpayer, this agreement provides the basis for a new relationship between the company and Government, including a commitment from Railtrack in consultation with Government to appoint a non-executive director to its main Board with a remit to provide a powerful public and consumer voice. The Statement of Principles also sets out a new competitive framework for procuring large enhancement projects. This will allow third party finance and project delivery skills to be deployed through public private partnerships to deliver enhancement projects, enabling the company to give more attention to the management of the core rail network.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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. [158110]

The Government are committed to equality of opportunity and to increasing the diversity of those appointed to public bodies. For this reason, the DETR places no upper or lower age limit on appointments to its public bodies and all appointments are made on merit.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the number of rural pubs that will receive 50 per cent. mandatory rate relief under the new Non-domestic Rating (Public Houses and Petrol Filling Stations) Order 2001. [158905]

These figures are not held centrally. Under the Order, 50 per cent. rate relief is available to the sole pub with a rateable value of less than £9,000 in a designated rural settlement with a population of fewer than 3,000. We estimate that there are about 8,000 public houses with a rateable value of less than £9,000 situated in local authorities whose areas are predominantly rural. However, this figure includes public houses that are located in market towns and in settlements with more than one pub, neither of which would qualify for relief under the Order.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he has taken to ensure that the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1994 will be met by the railway industry by the 2004 deadline. [158834]

The provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) will require that, from 2004, service providers take reasonable steps to remove physical barriers to access. The Act does not set prescriptive accessibility requirements but the Disability Rights Commission will be publishing a revised Code of Practice which will give guidance on the new duties.In addition, my Department is producing a guidance document "Inclusive Mobility: A Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport Infrastructure", which will be available shortly. It is intended to give guidance to transport operators and local authorities on current best practice to help them in preparing to meet the requirements of the DDA.When assessing bids for replacement franchises, the Strategic Rail Authority will consider better access to the network, particularly for disabled people. All proposals will be tested for compliance with the SRA's Code of Practice (which was transferred from the Office of the Rail Regulator and is currently being revised).More generally, our Ten Year Transport Plan "Transport 2010", published in July 2000, demonstrates the Government's continued commitment to improving accessibility. The rate and level of new investment will ensure that improvements in the accessibility of transport are brought forward more quickly. The Plan is also clear that building in accessibility for disabled people in all investment is a condition of public money being spent.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the implementation of the commitment in the 1998 White Paper on the future of transport relating to the adoption by public transport operators of crime prevention strategies contained in Guidance on Public Transport-Guidelines for Operators; how many public transport operators have formally adopted this guidance; and if he will instruct the Strategic Rail Authority to make it a condition of future franchise contracts that operators must formally adopt these guidelines. [158835]

These Guidelines have been widely distributed to transport operators, local authorities and other interested parties. As the Guidelines are not required to be implemented by the transport operators, we do not keep records on how many operators have adopted the Guidelines; nor do we have plans to make implementation mandatory. However, Local Transport Plans are required to address personal security issues in all modes and across the whole journey, and we will be undertaking a review of Local Transport Plans to see how local authorities have improved personal security.On rail, there are no plans to include the Guidelines in replacement franchise contracts, although we would expect operators to be aware of them.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many public transport operators have undertaken gender audits in line with the Department's document, Women and Public Transport: the Checklist; what plans he has to ensure that more operators undertake gender audits; and if he will instruct the Strategic Rail Authority to ensure that gender audits are a requirement of future franchise contracts. [158826]

The Checklist has been widely distributed to transport operators, local authorities and interested parties. As the Checklist is not required to be implemented by transport operators, we do not keep records on how many operators have undertaken gender audits; nor do we have plans to make implementation mandatory. However, the Checklist is highlighted in 'Guidance on Full Local Transport Plans' as a useful tool to promote social inclusion, and we will be undertaking a review of Local Transport Plans to see how many local authorities have used the Checklist (and other departmental guidance) in their work to promote social inclusion.On rail, there are no plans to include the Checklist in replacement franchise contracts, although we would expect operators to be aware of it.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many stations have received secure station accreditations; and if he will instruct the Strategic Rail Authority to make it a condition of future franchise contracts that all appropriate stations should be brought up to secure station accreditation standard within a given timescale. [158832]

There are currently 97 stations accredited under the Secure Stations Scheme. The Secure Stations Scheme, which was launched in April 1998, is designed to improve and standardise good security practices at all overground and underground stations. To become an accredited Secure Station, each station operator needs to work with their local British Transport Police Crime Reduction Officer to ensure that their station meets the national standards on design and management to cut down crime. The standards relate to such measures as staff training, Help Points, CCTV, lighting and information. Operators also have to conduct an independent passenger survey to see whether passengers feel safe at the station and provide evidence that crime rates are low.We are aware that a number of stations are currently working towards accreditation and we will continue to work with the rail industry to encourage further accreditations. The Strategic Rail Authority is seeking to include Secure Stations and Secured Car Park accreditation at all appropriate locations as part of the franchise replacement process.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many town and parish councils were abolished in each year between 1990 and 1997. [158799]

The Local Government Act 1972 contains no provision for the abolition of parish councils. However, this legislation provides for the dissolution of parish councils where the population of a parish falls below 150. Dissolution in such circumstances is carried out by order of the district council. We have no record of any dissolution orders.The Local Government Act 1992 made provision for the abolition of parishes by the Secretary of State following a recommendation by the Local Government Commission. No parishes were abolished as a consequence of the structural review of local Government during 1992–97.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many town and parish councils have been created by his Department in each of the last 10 years. [158798]

The following table shows the number of new parishes that have been created in each of the last 10 years:

Year	Number of parishes created
1991–92	10
1992–93	6
1993–94	10
1994–95	4
1995–96	18
1996–97	9
1997–98	1
1998–99	20
1999–2000	42
2000–01	16

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list measures he has taken to tackle domestic violence since 1 May 1997. [159420]

Since May 1997 my Department has put in place the following initiatives/ measures to help women who are fleeing from domestic violence, and who in many cases are threatened with homelessness as a result.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what public funding has been paid to rural businesses under the schemes announced by the Minister to help them during the foot and mouth crisis, up to Friday 20 April. [159048]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: The measures we have adopted in the last few weeks to help severely affected rural businesses respond to the impact of foot and mouth disease are expected to benefit business by around £230 million at the latest estimate, but clearly many depend on take up and application by affected businesses. It is not yet possible to estimate expenditure to date by all the agencies and local partners involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what rebate is given to residents of unadopted roads within the council tax system; [159239](2) what assessment he has made of the value of local services given to residents of unadopted roads. [159192]

There are no specific reductions for residents who live on unadopted roads in the same way that there are no reductions for people who do not have children at school. This is because the council tax is essentially a means of contributing towards the cost of providing a range of services throughout a local area rather than a charge for specific services used or enjoyed directly by individual households. However, when assigning a dwelling to a valuation band any factor which might affect the value of a dwelling, such as its being on an unadopted road, is taken into account.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to BAA over preparatory works in hand for Terminal 5. [159249]

None. The enforcement of planning controls is a matter for the relevant planning authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will require all new bicycles to be sold with lights attached. [159545]

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions carried out a public consultation exercise in 1998 and concluded that there was insufficient justification for amending current legislation to require all new bicycles to be sold with lights attached, as many pedal cycles are never used after dark.Furthermore, there is already a requirement under the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 that front and rear position lamps, meeting a prescribed standard, must be fitted and must be lit on pedal cycles when ridden at night.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library details of research commissioned by his Department into transport information provision and Transport Direct. [159230]

[holding answer 27 April 2001]: Details of the travel information research commissioned by my Department were published in April in the "Roads and Local Transport Research Programme, Compendium of research projects 2000–2001", pages 101–111. A copy of the "Compendium" is available on my Department's website and has now been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement regarding European Commission approval of the five new land and property regeneration schemes designed to partially replace the partnership investment programme. [159861]

The European Commission has now approved all of the five new schemes which have been designed to partially replace the Partnership Investment Programme, as follows:

a direct development scheme;

two gap funding schemes, one for developments for a known end-user, the other for developments for disposal on the open market;

a scheme for community regeneration, and

a scheme for environmental regeneration.

All the approved schemes are now in effect. As a result, Regional Development Agencies and English Partnerships will be able to support a wide range of land and property regeneration projects, including projects which can be taken forward in partnership with the private sector.Direct development involves the public sector acquiring the land to be redeveloped, carrying out the works, and selling the reclaimed site at open market value.Under gap funding, the public sector bridges the gap between development costs and the likely end value, allowing property developers to bring contaminated, derelict and disused sites back into full economic use. Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) will be eligible for assistance under this scheme anywhere in England. Where the developer is not an SME, the project must be located in an Assisted Area.Under the Community Regeneration scheme, funding is made available to local organisations so that they can take forward small-scale regeneration projects. Funding is only available for projects which are put forward by non-profit making bodies working in the community or voluntary sectors.The purpose of the environmental regeneration scheme is to improve the environment by reclaiming derelict or potentially derelict land and providing a cover of vegetation. Subsequent uses of the site may include public open spaces, nature conservation areas and playing fields.We now intend to build on this success by continuing to press the Commission for a new regeneration framework, under which state aid would be permitted for the regeneration of derelict or disused land throughout England and the rest of the European Community.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what resources he is prepared to make available to Round 2 partnerships under the New Deal for Communities Programme. [159928]

I am delighted to announce that we have today offered the NDC Round 2 partnerships funding of over £1,100 million to implement their strategy for change. We have also made funding available to the remaining pathfinder partnership.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what work has been undertaken by the Government, as part of the developing aviation white paper process, on the possibility of extending designated airport status to other airports in the UK. [159528]

In the integrated transport White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" the Government announced their intention to prepare a UK airports policy looking 30 years ahead and bring forward new policies on civil aviation. The extent to which Government should rely on regulation to influence the environmental effects of aviation, and whether there should be greater reliance on economic instruments and voluntary agreements, is among the issues examined in the Government's recent consultation document on air transport policy—"The Future of Aviation". The closing date for responses to that consultation was 12 April 2001 and they are presently being studied.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to extend the maximum length of a contract for a subsidised service as set out in Section 90(1) of the Transport Act 1985. [159280]

None at present, although we have undertaken in the Rural White Paper to look at the possibility of extending the maximum period from five years to 10.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effects on the Luton, South constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [156162]

Outlined are details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Luton, South constituency and Luton local education authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Great Grimsby constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [156248]

Outlined are the details of the effects of a range of the Department's policies on the Great Grimsby constituency and North-East Lincolnshire LEA.