To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. Bell), representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement about the future of the community of the tenants of the Walworth Church Commissioners estate in Southwark. [160749]

As my right hon. Friend will know, the Church Commissioners are consulting widely with interested parties over future letting policy in respect of a number of their residential estates, including that at Walworth in south London. The proposals forming the basis of consultation are, first, that the Commissioners will carry out a programme of improvements to the estates, and secondly, that over time, and for new tenants only, they will move to a mixture of affordable and market rents with the former being offered in future to key public service providers working in the local community.That consultation is still in progress and includes seeking the views of residents groups, including the newly formed residents association on the Walworth estate. We have presented the proposals to some members of the association's committee and have been invited to give the same presentation at the inaugural meeting of the association on 15 May.No decision will be taken until consultation has been concluded and the Commissioners have had a chance to consider the views of those affected by and close to the proposals.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. Bell), representing the Church Commissioners, what the average rent level in tenancies is in the Walworth Church Commissioners estate in Southwark; and what assessment he has made of the average market rent levels in the Walworth area. [160748]

Properties at the Church Commissioners Walworth estate are let on a mixture of fair rents and assured tenancies, the former being applicable in the case of Rent Act tenancies granted before 1988. The average rent levels (as at 4 May 2001) on the Commissioners Walworth estate in both cases, as compared with the equivalent estimated market rental values, are set out as follows:

To ask the President of the Council 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. [158545]

I have travelled abroad in an official capacity on three occasions between these dates. On each occasion one of my special advisers has accompanied me.The requirements of the Civil Service Management Code were met in each case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the procedure whereby military equipment which has become surplus to requirements is listed and described in order to give museums an opportunity to bid for the items, indicating when the existing procedure was instituted, how many artefacts have been so advertised to museums and how many bids have been (a) received and (b) accepted; and what changes are planned in the procedure. [160350]

There are established procedures, introduced in March 1999, for the six principal service museums, the regimental and corps museums, the Imperial war museum, the science museum, the national maritime museum and museums sponsored by local authorities that have a clear defence interest allowing them to identify equipment that they may wish to acquire. If equipment identified is declared as surplus and gifting or loan is not an option, museums are invited to bid by the Disposal Services Agency (DSA) by means of competitive tender. Currently the DSA has 76 museums on their database covering interests such as aircraft and armoured vehicles. There are no changes planned in the procedure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [158558]

Departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity on six occasions during the period 31 March 2000 to 31 March 2001.There are no non-departmental special advisers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent in each year since 1990 on upgrading the communications monitoring bases at (a) Menwith Hill and (b) Fylingdales; and from what budget line the money has been drawn. [160711]

RAF Menwith Hill is an integral part of a worldwide communications network, which supports UK, US and NATO interests. Information on detailed operations at RAF Menwith Hill, including funding issues, is withheld under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information on the ground of national security.The primary function of RAF Fylingdales is to provide the UK and US with early warning of a ballistic missile launch. It is not a communications monitoring base. The last upgrade of the early warning facilities took place in the early 1990s when the old "golf balls", which had become obsolete and difficult to maintain, were replaced with a modern solid state phased array radar. The UK Government contributed a total of £48 million to the costs of this upgrade, from the headquarters Strike Command budget. A yearly breakdown of this figure does not exist.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many exchanges of information have taken place between Her Majesty's Government and the United States Administration in respect of (a) Fylingdales and (b) Menwith Hill since May 1997. [160808]

The UK and US regularly discuss the existing early warning and communication functions that RAF Fylingdales and RAF Menwith Hill respectively have performed for many years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) people employed by his Department and (b) consultants working for his Department have (i) worked in the United States and (ii) co-operated with United States experts on defence systems deployable in space since May 1997. [160809]

This information is not held centrally. Due to the wide range of defence applications which rely on the deployment of assets in space, it would be extremely difficult to derive the required information and, were it to be attempted, it could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make in assessment of the report of the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organisation, presented to the Chairman of the Committee of Armed Services of the US House of Representatives on 11 January, in respect of the aspects which have implications for United Kingdom security policy. [160812]

We are aware of the report and await the US Department of Defense response to it. The outer space treaty places important limitations on military activity in space without entirely prohibiting it. We do not want to see a general prohibition on military use of space because, for example, as confirmed in the Strategic Defence Review, we perceive a continuing needs for secure satellite communications for the armed forces. We do not support the further consideration of the use of outer space by the conference on disarmament in Geneva.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will invite hon. Members to join the delegation to meet the defence envoys due to visit the United Kingdom to discuss nation al missile defense, announced by President Bush on 1 May. [160810]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [158128]

The Government are committed to equality of opportunity and to increasing the diversity of those appointed to public bodies. Consistent with this, there are no age limits on appointments made to public bodies sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, other than to the advisory committee on conscientious objectors. Appointments to this body are part-time judicial posts, appointed by the Lord Chancellor, and therefore abide by the Lord Chancellor's Department's general policy of normally considering for appointment only those aged between 35 and 62. The upper limit is set to take account of the retirement age for judicial office holders, which for part-time office holders is 65.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason his Department is revising its internal guidance to staff on writing and distributing e-mails; and if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's current internal guidance on e-mail procedures. [152053]

Current Ministry of Defence (MOD) corporate policy and guidance concerning the use of e-mail is contained in two documents: Defence Council instruction (DCI) 156/00, which sets out policy and guidance on the use of e-mail, and DCI 272/00, which concerns conduct matters relating to the use of IT systems, including e-mail communications. In addition, most of MOD's IT systems have local operating procedures that may provide additional guidance for users.MOD is in the process of producing a single publication covering all aspects of electronic working, including the use of e-mail. This will consolidate existing policy and guidance, update this in the light of our growing experience of electronic working and of recent legislation, as well as provide advice on best practice. Our aim is to improve MOD's working processes and the quality of life at work for our employees, as we 11 as promote the efficient and effective management of information in defence.I am arranging for copies of MOD's current policy documents on the use of e-mail, DCIs 156/00 and 272/00, to be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what baseline data are being used for monitoring purposes for each of the genetically modified trial test sites at Mathry, Pembrokeshire; [157572](2) what period elapsed between the baseline assessment date and subsequent assessment of the sites for genetically modified farmscale trials at Mathry, Pembrokeshire. [157573]

[holding answer 9 April 2001]: The design of the farmscale evaluations experiment does not require a pre-experiment assessment of baseline data other than pre-sowing seed sampling, which gives an indication of the potential for weeds to grow in the field. This is because the experiment is designed to compare effects of herbicide use between the two sides of each experimental field. One half is randomly selected and planted with the GM crop, while the other half is planted with the non-GM equivalent crop. This design allows for the effects of the herbicides on wildlife in the two halves of the field to be assessed more accurately than would be possible by comparison with wildlife in the crop before the start of the experiment.The purpose of the farmscale evaluations is to examine whether there are any differences in the diversity and abundance of farmland wildlife associated with the use of GM herbicide tolerant crops with the herbicides to which they are tolerant, as compared with equivalent non-GM crops. We are also measuring the effects of geneflow. The wildlife found in crop fields is affected by factors such as the vegetation and crop type. Wildlife present in the bare field before sowing or in a previous, different, crop the year before will not be the same as that to be expected in the experimental crop. Measurements of differences in wildlife between a pre-trial audit and within the experimental crop during the experiment would therefore not allow the effects of the herbicide to be measured.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact on United Kingdom honey production of GM crops. [158504]

Only extremely small amounts of GM pollen (less than one part per million) might arise in honey as a result of the present plantings of GM crops. This is considerably below the 1 per cent. threshold for labelling produce as containing GM material set out in the Novel Foods Regulations. The pollen from these particular crops has also been determined by Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment not to harm bees. Therefore, we believe that the current cultivation of GM crops should not affect honey production any more than conventional farming.However, I am aware that some retailers have asked their honey suppliers to move hives away from GM crop trial sites and this may have an impact on production. There is therefore an important issue of liability for any damage to another farmer's, or in this case, beekeeper's ability to sell his produce. I believe that we need a liability provision in law whereby a GM farmer or any other type of farmer is made statutorily liable for any damage caused to neighbouring farmers or producers. We are working on a range of options for possible liability provisions of this type, in respect of any damage from GM crops. In the meantime, an individual who has suffered loss may be able to commence an action in the courts. Each case will turn on its own facts and the question of who is liable will be determined in the light of all the circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps he has taken to implement the inspector's recommendation at the public inquiry into the Birmingham northern relief road that the Lichfield and Hatherton canal restoration should not be compromised by the toll motorway; [160126](2) if he will provide match funding for the Lichfield and Hatherton canal restoration trusts to ensure restoration work can be completed during the construction of the Birmingham northern relief road. [160125]

The Secretary of State's decision on the inspectors report into the Birmingham northern relief road (BNRR) scheme was published on 27 July 1997. That letter placed obligations on the concessionaire, Midland Expressway Ltd. (MEL), in respect of the Lichfield and Hatherton canals. MEL is required to facilitate the full restoration works for the canals, waiving any consequential loss of tolls that these works may occasion. MEL is also required to provide, at its expense, the foundations for an aqueduct to carry the Lichfield canal over the BNRR and a pipe for an interim supply if the Lichfield and Hatherton canals restoration trust considers this necessary. MEL will meet these obligations in full.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the principle of reputational externalities is applied to the assessment of bidders for the London Underground PPP. [160530]

[holding answer 9 May 2001]: In recognition of the size of the London Underground PPPs and the potential for alternative funding sources, the financial analysis of the PPP bids is based around a number of different scenarios, including ones that allow for a public sector bond-financed London Underground. Where appropriate, an adjustment representing the "reputational externality" is included in some of these scenarios. This is designed to capture the impact additional public sector borrowing would have on the Government's reputation for prudence and therefore on the risk premium demanded on sterling-denominated securities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations Transport for London has made on the policy of preferred bidder status in relation to the London Underground; what control Transport for London will have over the preferred bidder when London Underground comes under the responsibility of the London Mayor; what aspects agreed prior to the transfer will be the sole responsibility of the contractor; and if he will make a statement. [160801]

I understand that Bob Kiley, Commissioner of Transport for London, wrote to Sir Malcolm Bates, then chairman of London Transport, on 27 April 2001 giving TFL's views on LT's proposed decision to select preferred bidders for the two deep tube PPP competitions. On 2 May, the LT board—after giving full and proper consideration to TFL's views—selected preferred bidders for these contracts. The preferred bidder for the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Lines infrastructure company is Tube Lines. The preferred bidder for the Bakerloo, Central and Victoria Lines infrastructure company is Metronet.On 4 May. my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced that he had reached agreement with Bob Kiley on a way forward which will provide a secure basis for progressing the PPP. As a result of this agreement, Mr. Kiley will be appointed LT chairman and will lead negotiations with the bidders aimed at finding a way to meet his concerns on unified management within the framework of the PPP and the current procurement. The way forward protects the key objectives of achieving safety and value for money. The details of this agreement are set out in a memorandum of agreement, a copy of which has 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 on the preferred bidder for London Underground and the public sector comparator; if the preferred bidder has been informed that the comparator must be favourable when the bid is assessed; what information is being given to the preferred bidder about the terms of the comparator; when it is expected to make the terms of the comparator public; and what his policy is in the event that, the bidder receives an unfavourable assessment under the comparator. [160800]

The PPPs for London Underground are about delivering best value for both tube passengers and taxpayers. As such we expect the LT board to sign PPP contracts only if they are satisfied that they represent value for money. They will be guided in this decision by the results of a rigorously designed and constructed public sector comparator. This has been made clear to both the preferred bidders for the deep-tube contracts.A paper describing the methodology used by LT in constructing the comparator was placed in the House Library on 30 March 2000. This paper has been made available to bidders. I understand that LT also intends to make the results of the comparator publicly available once contracts have been signed. To publish the results of the comparator earlier than this would undermine LT's commercial position.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what negotiations he intends to have over the next month with leaders of the RMT trade union concerning strike action on the London Underground. [160718]

None This is an operational matter for the union and London Underground to resolve between them.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much London Transport has spent to date on consultancy costs for London Underground public-private partnership. [161063]

I understand from London Transport that its expenditure on external consultants from 20 March 1998 (the date of the Government's announcement) to 31 March 2001, for work on the PPP and restructuring of London Underground, was £76.7 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the capital projects agreed in Shrewsbury and Atcham to improve (a) bus services, (b) train services, (c) cycle routes and (d) other public transport investments since 1 May 1997 and their cost; and if he will make a statement. [160511]

[holding answer 9 May 2001]: The local transport plan (LTP) submitted by Shropshire county council in July 2000 set out a strategy for five years to spend on:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the advice obtained by the Countryside Agency on the handling of the Access to Hastings study. [160899]

I understand that the Countryside Agency has commissioned a review of the access to Hastings multi-modal study. The agency is currently analysing the findings of the review and copies have been made available to my officials. This report will be made available in line with our open government policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the regulations which he plans to make under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 in order to bring it into force; and what the target dates for making each set of regulations are. [160816]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Mr. Burgon) on 9 May 2001, Official Report, column 187W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when paragraphs 6 and 7 of schedule 7 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 will come into effect. [160751]

Paragraph 6 of schedule 7 will insert a new section 34A into the Road Traffic Act 1988. This will enable a defence to a charge of driving a vehicle on certain classes of rights of way and land not forming part of a road, brought under section 34 of the 1988 Act (as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000), to be raised in limited circumstances. The effect of section 34A will be to restrict those who can put forward evidence to rebut a presumption created by section 34 that the right of way shown on the definitive map carries only the rights applicable to that class of way.Provision has been made in section 34A for regulations to be made specifying additional circumstances in which such evidence can be put forward. We hope to consult on proposals for such regulations later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of footpaths are open in each local authority area in England; which authorities have applied for grant money to help with reopening of paths; how much money they have received; and if he will publish this information each week. [160815]

I refer to the answer I gave my hon. Friend on 3 May 2001. Official Report, column 754W. The Countryside Agency's website (http://www.countryside.gov.uk/footandmouth/) provides information about the reopening of rights of way for every local highway authority in England, including the percentage of the length of rights of way open in each area, where this information is available. The agency's website is continually updated.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of senior grade civil servants in his Department have signed waivers to work voluntarily more than 48 hours a week; and if he will make a statement. [160887]

There are no senior grade civil servants in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions who have signed waivers to work voluntarily more than 48 hours a week.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 26 April 2001, Official Report, columns 313–15W, on regional impact assessments, if the criteria taken into account by the regional co-ordination unit included (a) the

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will respond to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affair's Committee's Fifth report of Session 2000–01, HC 36, on Delivering Sustainable Waste Management. [160820]

The criteria used by the regional co-ordination unit does not specifically include these considerations, which properly fall to the Departments and others putting forward proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 26 April 2001, Official Report, columns 313–15W, on regional impact assessments, if the large number of other initiatives referred to included (a) regional selective assistance and (b) funding for the regional development agencies. [160797]

The regional co-ordination unit has not assessed any initiatives which have included regional selective assistance or funding for the regional development agencies. The initiatives looked at were proposals for new area based activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to issue new regional planning guidance. [160842]

There is a rolling programme of review for regional planning guidance (RPG) and the table indicates the current position for each region.The examination in public for the north-west RPG concluded in February 2001 and the panel's report is due next month. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will consult on proposed changes then proceed to issue final RPG. It is hoped that this process can be completed by the end of the year.

It is normal practice to respond to a Select Committee report within two months of its publication. However, because of the forthcoming dissolution of this Parliament, the Government will be unable to respond within the normal time scale. It will now be for the incoming Administration to determine the terms of the response to the Committee's report.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the funding programmes for social inclusion for which his Department is responsible that can be accessed by (a) national sports bodies and (b) local clubs and communities. [161009]

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions manages a number of relevant funding streams, which I outline below. However, it should be noted that in all cases individual applications for funding will be judged on their own merits, and there are no DETR programmes which will guarantee support to particular organisations or projects.The neighbourhood renewal community chests programme (£50 million over three years) will provide small grants to formal and informal local community groups in the 88 most deprived areas of England to support community self-help and mutual support activity. Introductory information has recently been published in the consultation document on funding community groups produced by the active community unit in the Home Office.The community empowerment fund (£36 million over three years) will support community and voluntary sector involvement in local strategic partnerships (LSPs) in the 88 most deprived areas of England. Introductory information has been published by DETR as an annex to the LSP guidance.National sports bodies would not be eligible for funding through either of these programmes.The new deal for communities programme (£1.97 billion over 10 years) makes funding available to support regeneration in some of the poorest neighbourhoods in the country. Projects to invest in local community centres and sporting facilities have featured in many of the partnerships' plans for turning around their neighbourhoods, and partnerships should also engage with all the relevant local organisations, including community groups and sports clubs.The single regeneration budget (SRB) programme (£5.6 billion covering six rounds) could help the area or local branch of a national sports body the costs of, for instance, setting up a local training facility that would benefit members of the local community. Local clubs and communities could also be eligible for funding through the SRB programme.The European regional development fund (ERDF)—which is concerned primarily with economic regeneration—could also provide limited funding for local clubs and communities in relevant areas for capacity building projects, provided sports facilities could demonstrate a wider benefit (for instance, boosting local tourism) and therefore be considered good value. Details of local and regional programmes can be obtained from the Government offices for the regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive the report of the Strategic Rail Authority into the proposed Central Railway project; and if he will publish that report. [160818]

I am confident that the Strategic Rail Authority will complete the review that it has commissioned into Central Railway's proposals in as timely a manner as possible. It will then be for the SRA to decide whether it wishes to publish a report.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the meetings held in the last 12 months between Ministers and the promoters of the Central Railway Project. [160817]

There have been no meetings between Ministers of my Department and Central Railway in the past 12 months. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade has had a number of private meetings with representatives of Central Railway in his capacity as the Member for Sheffield, Central.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions how many (a) injuries and (b) deaths there were in each of the last 12 months for which statistics are available on the A12 between junctions with the M25 and A14; and what the key accident areas were on that stretch of road. [160717]

The table shows the number of deaths and injuries per month on the Al2 between its junctions with the M25 and the A14 in 1999, the last 12 months for which national statistics are available. It has not been possible categorically to identify key areas of accident clustering.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of Wandsworth's expenditure was met by (a) Government grant, (b) business rates and (c) council tax in the financial years 1979 to 2001. [160876]

The information requested for Wandsworth is as follows. Information prior to 1993–94 is not currently available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make it his policy to allow access to and from motorways for heavy goods vehicles to access local sites. [160814]

No. In the interests of safety and the free flow of traffic, it is essential to make severe restrictions on the number of motorway accesses. All accesses allowed to motorways must be by strategically located fully designed grade-separated junctions—normally from other trunk roads, major local roads, motorway service areas, or maintenance compounds. Exceptionally, accesses can be provided for other major transport interchanges such as airports.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what (a) support and (b) incentives the Government have provided for an early introduction of hybrid fuel-cell vehicles. [160914]

The £30 million "Powershift" programme, which is sponsored by my Department, is currently supporting several projects to demonstrate hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles. The Government have also set up the £9 million new vehicles technology fund to support the introduction of technologies such as fuel-cell and hybrid vehicles offering significant environmental benefits. Additionally, new purchasers of fuel-efficient cars, including hybrids, since 1 March qualified for lower rates of vehicle excise duty. Owners of electric vehicles—including fuel-cell vehicles—have since 1 April qualified for zero VED.The Government plan to publish a consultation document in the summer, on "Powering Future Vehicles", discussing and inviting comment on further steps that Government should take to promote the development and introduction of hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles in this country.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to LPG companies regarding their pricing system with particular reference to the variations in price from area to area.[160908]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs at column 307W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to Ofgen about the treatment of CHP in Ofgen's review of the initial impact of NETA. [160798]

The Minister for Energy asked Ofgen to undertake a review of the initial impact of NETA on smaller generators based on its first two months of live operation. I have made clear to the chief executive of Ofgen the importance which I attach to an early and successful outcome to the review, so that the concerns which CHP generators are expressing about the impact of NETA are thoroughly addressed. CHP has significant environmental benefits. and we need to ensure that its full potential can still be realised within the context of NETA. As part of the CHP strategy, which we will issue for consultation later this year, we will also examine other ways of ensuring that our target of 10,000MW of installed CHP capacity is met by 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish (a) the proections of the cost per tonne of carbon saved and (b) the absolute carbon saving projections for (i) renewable energy, (ii) domestic energy efficiency and (iii) combined heat and power as originally outlined on pages 17 and 46 of the 1998 DETR document, the UK Climate Change Programme: Consultation paper. [160799]

The Government have not updated the general costs per tonne of carbon saved that were included in the 1998 climate change consultation paper. We produced a qualitative assessment of the costs and benefits in the UK's climate change programme that was published in November 2000. The Government will consider whether it is possible to re-assess the costs per tonne of carbon saved from each policy in the future, as part of the formal evaluation of the climate change programme in 2004–05. The results of this evaluation will be published.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which EU country gave part C consent for GM maize, under European Directive 90/220/EC; on what date the consent was given; and to whom. [160720]

European member states have given Part C consent, under European Directive 90/220/EC, to four types of GM maize. One is for importation and processing only. The other three are for importation and cultivation in the European Union (EU).The genetically modified (GM) maize in the farm-scale evaluation programme is known as T25 maize (consent reference number—C/F/95/12/07). The French competent authority received the initial application for part C approval of T25 maize in 1995, which was for both commercial cultivation and for importation. Following consideration by other member states the French granted formal approval for T25 maize on 3 August 1998, to AgrEvo France. This company is known as Aventis CropScience UK in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the House of Lords' judgment in the recent cases involving planning and human rights. [161064]

We welcome this judgment. These cases, involving the ability of the Secretary of State to make decisions on planning schemes, are of great importance to the planning system and have wide implications. The House of Lords today unanimously upheld the Secretary of State's role under the planning Acts and have found no breach of article 6 of the european convention on human rights. They found that there is no incompatibility between the Secretary of State being responsible for formulating planning policy as well as for taking decisions in individual cases. He is democratically accountable to Parliament and, through the process of judicial review, to the courts. They found that article 6 is satisfied. Planning cases in the pipeline will continue to be handled in the normal way.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what reports he has received from the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive concerning the incident at the Cleansing Services Group Ltd. site at Sandhurst in Gloucestershire on 30 October; and if he will make a statement. [161071]

I have today placed in the Library copies of the progress report the Deputy Prime Minister has received from Sir John Harman, chairman of the Environment Agency, on the incident that occurred on 30 October at the CSG Ltd. facility at Sandhurst. The report has been compiled jointly by the agency and the Health and Safety Executive. It advises that, while no form of contamination has been found off-site that might be hazardous to human health or the environment and there is no risk to the food chain, some local residents have reported symptoms some time after the fire. The report also confirms that the investigation by the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive into criminal offences that may have been committed is on-going.I understand the concerns of local residents about the incident and their calls for a public inquiry. The Prime Minister made it clear in his response to a question from the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) on 25 April 2001,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if Green Ministers have agreed on the details of a target on purchasing electricity from renewable sources. [161074]

I am pleased to announce that the Green Ministers Committee has agreed the following target:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will set out the percentage of pupils gaining five GCSEs at grades A^⋆ to C for each of the schools in an Excellence in Cities area for (a) 1999 and (b) 2000. [158849]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: Every mainstream secondary school in the authorities listed benefits or will benefit from the Excellence in Cities programme. In addition, smaller groups of school—including secondary schools—will benefit from inclusion within the new excellence clusters.Schools in the first 25 phase 1 EiC authorities came on stream from September 1999 (academic year 1999–2000), those in the 23 phase 2 authorities from September 2000 (academic year 2000–01), and schools in the 11 phase 3 authorities (including North Sefton) and 11 excellence clusters will begin implementing the programme from September 2001 (academic year 2001–02).I refer the hon. Member to the secondary school performance tables published by my Department for information on individual school achievements. Overall, the proportion of pupils in EiC phase 1 partnerships achieving five or more GCSE/GNVQ grades A

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many (a) nursery and (b) after-school child care places were available in Slough in (i) April 1997 and (ii) April 2001. [160787]

In January 1997, 1,790 early education places for three and four-year-olds were taken up in the Slough local education authority area. By January 2000, this had increased to 2,434. Figures for the numbers of early education places for three and four-year-olds taken up in January 2001 are not yet available.From September 1998, all four-year-olds have been able to access a free, part-time, early education place, From autumn 2004, all three-year-olds in England will also be entitled to a free early education place, if their parents want one.We are unable to show statistics for out of school child care places prior to January 1999. In January 1999, there were 54 out of school child care places in group-based care in the Slough area. There was a slight decline in the year to January 2000 but we have yet to receive the figure for January 2001. Furthermore, 1,130 out of school places in both group-based care and with child minders are planned to be created between April 2001 and March 2004. Data for January 2001 are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of pupils achieved (a) 25 per cent. or less, (b) 26 to 50 per cent., (c) 51 to 75 per cent. and (d) 76 per cent. and above in each of the main key stage 2 tests in each of the last three years. [160685]

Key stage 2 test results are analysed and reported in terms of levels of a pupil 's attainment rather than as marks or percentages. The marks from which the levels are derived are not appropriate for comparisons over time, because of the variations in the tests. National curriculum levels are set in a way that aims to ensure consistency of standards over time and therefore provide a sound basis for such comparisons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many, and what percentage of children in secondary education were in private schools (a) in each English local education authority and (b)in England as whole in (i) the latest year for which figures are available and (ii) each of the two preceding years. [160618]

[holding answer 9 May 2001]: The information requested is not collected centrally.The annual schools' census collects information on pupils in independent schools educated in those schools, regardless of where the pupils live. Therefore, information is not available on the area of residence of pupils in independent schools and which local education authority would be responsible for them. Areas have different densities of independent schools which would lead to an over estimate of the proportion of pupils in independent schools in some areas.Also, independent schools are not classified as primary or secondary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the total value of the moneys clawed back from further education colleges was in the year 2000–01; how much of this money was re-allocated to further education; and there is a plan to use it to increase the value of the units for 2001–02 by a fixed amount. [160523]

[holding answer 9 May 2001]: The Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) recovered £145 million from further education colleges where student numbers were not at the expected level in its last financial year 2000–01 and re-allocated £100 million to further education colleges. Where student numbers have gone up, the FEFC's successor, the Learning and Skills Council, will be considering reallocation of further funds in due course. There are no plans to increase the value of units for 2001–02 by a fixed amount.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each nursery school in Shrewsbury and Atcharn (a) the funding received and (b) the number of free nursery places created since 1 May 1997 for (i) three-year-olds and (ii) four-year-olds; and if he will make a statement. [160521]

[holding answer 9 May 2001]: Data regarding funding and number places for each individual nursery school are not held centrally.Since 1997, however, a total of 1,639 new early education places have been created for three and four-year-olds in all settings in the Shropshire local education authority area. Since September 1998, all four-year-olds have been able to access a free, part-time early education place.In 2001–02, Shropshire LEA has been allocated sufficient funding to create a further 748 new early education places for three-year-olds. By September 2004, all three-year-olds in England will be entitled to a free early education place, if their parents want one.The funding available to Shropshire for early years education and child care since 1997 is shown in the following table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much it cost to replace a demountable classroom for the Bayston Hill Music and Arts Centre in Shrewsbury; and if he will make a statement. [160518]

[holding answer 9 May 2001]: £71,991 was allocated to this project under the third phase of the New Deal for Schools programme in 1999–2000. This was the total estimated cost of the project. Shropshire local education authority will be able to advise the final cost of the project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much it cost to provide additional classrooms at (a) Sundorne infants, (b) Greenfields primary and (c) Springfield infants schools in Shrewsbury and if he will make a statement. [160517]

[holding answer 9 May 2001]: The Government have allocated £80,000 and £88,000 respectively to Greenfields primary and Springfield infants schools, to provide additional accommodation as part of the infant class size initiative. Although capital funding has not been provided for an additional infant classroom at Sundorne infants, I understand that remodelling of existing accommodation has enabled the school to extend its nursery unit. The cost of that work, some £34,000, was supported by the school and the local education authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list which schools in Shrewsbury and Atcham will benefit from the special Educational Needs Standards Fund; and if he will make a statement. [160515]

[holding answer 9 May 2001]: We have made £82 million of supported expenditure available through the special educational needs standards fund in the current year (2001–02). This compares to £55 million in 2000£01. The allocation for this year for Shropshire LEA is £370,016.The fund can be used for a range of activities including training for staff in special educational needs, improvements in speech and language therapy provision for children with communication difficulties, the provision of information and advice to parents, and the greater inclusion of children with special educational needs in the mainstream.Information is not collected on how money is distributed by LEAs between schools. It is for individual LEAs to decide how they will use their grant but we expect them to work in partnership with their schools when deciding their special educational needs priorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the schools in Shrewsbury and Atcham that have received new computer suites since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [160509]

[holding answer 9 May 2001]: The Department does not hold information on the number of new computer suites in schools. However, since 1998 the average number of pupils per computer in primary and secondary schools in England has improved from 17.6: 1 to 12.6: 1, and from 8.7: 1 to 7.9: 1, respectively. Shropshire LEA estimates that £663,770 of national grid for learning funding has been allocated to schools in Shrewsbury and Atcham through the standards fund since 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many school classes of five to seven-year-olds with over 30 pupils there were in Shrewsbury and Atcham in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [160508]

[holding answer 9 May 2001]: The available information is shown in the following table. Information on class sizes by parliamentary constituency is not available prior to 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the capital projects and their Value at Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology since 1 May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [160506]

[holding answer 9 May 2001]: The college has had two capital projects: the refurbishment of a building to provide a new performing arts centre by relocating the catering outlet at a cost of £468,000; and various accessibility works including a kitchen and toilet suitable for people who have disabilities, a new entrance and access ramps at a total cost of £64,999.The Government have made available capital funding of £140 million in this financial year for the further education sector and a further £164 million and £256 million for the sector over the next two financial years respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what measures have been introduced to promote individual learning accounts in the workplace. [160305]

[holding answer 8 May 2001]: Everyone aged 19 or over is entitled to open an individual learning account (ILA), including those in the workplace, provided their choice of learning is not graduate or post-graduate level and is not sports or leisure related.Our approach has been to work with and through influential employer bodies such as the TUC, Small Business Service (SBS), the national training organisation (NTO) network and Campaign for Learning in promoting ILAs to employees.A number of innovative approaches have been developed. These include the small firm learning account (SFLA), a pilot scheme offering additional funding to employees in small businesses. There are also more than 40 union learning fund (ULF) projects run by trade unions, which involve the promotion of ILAs, and their use, as tools for engaging people in the workplace.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people on low incomes have (a) bought and (b) leased a reconditioned computer under the scheme announced in March 2000. [160216]

[holding answer 3 May 2001]: No new schemes were specifically announced in March 2000, but the Department is running a number f relevant schemes, such as computers within reach, wired-up communities and other small-scale pilots. So far, 6,000 computers have been made available in the pilot areas in which the schemes are taking place. Contractors currently have lists totalling 19,000 clients, who have already been assessed for their eligibility for the schemes and who will receive their computers over the next few months.There are also plans to allocate further PCs in addition to the number indicated above and we are currently reviewing the approach to distributing recycled computers in the light of experience so far of these schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which London headquarters premises owned or leased by his Department use (a) chlorofluorocarbons and (b) hydrochlorofluorocarbons for refrigeration and other relevant energy needs. [160019]

[holding answer 1 May 2001]: The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what his Department's policy is regarding the purchase of (a) hydrocarbons and (b) other environmentally benign refrigerants to meet the refrigeration and other relevant energy needs of buildings and premises owned and leased by his Department; and if he will make a statement.[160017]

[holding answer 1 May 2001]: It is the Department's policy to use environmentally preferable refrigerants wherever practicable, and to continue to explore other environmentally benign alternatives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to what extent his Department's headquarters buildings use hydrofluorocarbons for (a) refrigeration and (b) air conditioning; what amounts of

[holding answer 1 May 2001]: My Department's headquarters buildings use hydrofluorocarbons in (a) kitchen and tea point refrigerators and (b) air conditioning or air cooling systems at three buildings. Information on the amounts of hydrofluorocarbons purchased since 1995 is not collected in the form requested. It is the Department's policy to avoid the purchase and use of hydrofluorocarbons in favour of environmentally preferable substitutes wherever possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what the average amount of money allocated to each pupil from the music standards fund is in the current year; [159189](2) how much money per pupil was allocated to each unitary authority in Berkshire from the music standards fund in 2001–02; [159190](3) what formula was used to determine the allocation to local education authorities from the music standards fund for 2001–02; [159188]

Until last year, the music standards fund was based on a system that allowed LEAs to bid for funding. From this year, LEAs will be allocated funding on a formula based on a free school meals deprivation factor. We expect £10 million of the Government's contribution to be matched equally by LEAs. The matched funding was frozen at 2000–01 levels so that no LEA should pay more in matched funding, and no LEA would receive less grant for music than in 2000–01.The Government's grant of £50 million is broken down in two ways; £25 million was allocated based on the number of schools (primary, secondary, special and PRU) in each LEA, ie the £25 million was divided by the total number of schools in all the LEAs and distributed to each LEA pro rata. The remaining £25 million was allocated according to the full-time equivalent (FTE) number of pupils in those schools multiplied by the mean free school meals FSM percentage for each LEA.Based on this formula, if the allocation to an LEA is lower than previously, we would protect the allocation based on last year's figures. In the case of Berkshire, all the unitary authorities received protected funding, as their allocations calculated by need would have been lower than their previous bids.The overall amount per full-time equivalent (FTE) pupil in England is £7.86. The table sets out the music standards fund allocations and the amount per FTE for the Berkshire unitary authorities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment 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. [158560]

Between 31 March 2000 and 31 March 2001 one of my departmental special advisers travelled abroad in an official capacity on one occasion.All overseas visits comply with the requirements of the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many disabled people are seeking work. [158103]

Figures on jobseeking activity are currently available only for adults of working age. The latest labour force statistics indicate that 345,000 people who are disabled are actively seeking work. Figures from the Labour Force Survey also indicate that around 400,000 people on incapacity benefits would like to work, and could work, given the right level of support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on levels of teacher recruitment and retention in Devon. [153175]

[holding answer 9 March 2001]: Teacher recruitment and wastage are as follows:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the delivery of funds to EU Objective I regions. [159879]

The Single Programme Document process at the start of the Objective 1 period is one of a number of measures to ensure efficient and effective delivery. I am pleased that there is good progress in Cornwall, where, after just a few months in a seven-year programme, £39 million of grant has been approved—13 per cent. of the total.

TO ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total level of expenditure incurred to date by Government bodies in connection with the national changeover plan. [159884]

Details of expenditure on national changeover planning were included in the Fourth Report on Euro Preparations, published on 6 November 2000. Copies of the report are available in the Library of the House.The Government will provide an updated breakdown of public sector spending in the next progress report, which will be published later this year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was obtained by seizures of smuggled road fuel in Northern Ireland during the financial year 2000–01; and what the total estimated loss in revenue from cross-border fuel smuggling in Northern Ireland was during this period. [159894]

The amount of fuel seized in 2000–01 was more than doable the previous year, safeguarding revenue of over £850,000. Customs does not have an estimate for revenue lost specifically from cross-border fuel smuggling for this period, but the number of vehicles seized was tripled last year through the enhanced enforcement action and the number of laundering plants hit rose more than fivefold.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the Government's plans to invest additional resources in the NHS this year.[159895]

Before the 2001 Budget the Chancellor received many representations from professional organisations, trade bodies, members of the public and Members of Parliament on a wide range of issues, including the NHS. In the Budget, the Chancellor announced additional resources for the NHS in England of £300 million, £295 million and £240 million in the period 2001–02 to 2003–04 over and above the significant increases already announced in the 2000 Spending Review. These in vestment plans have been widely welcomed as the basis for the strategy of investment and reform set out in the NHS Plan and the Department of Health's public service agreement targets.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans for spending on the health service in each of the next three years. [159898]

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for investment in the national health service over the next four years. [159906]

Total net NHS expenditure in the UK is planned to reach £69.5 million by 2003–04, representing an annual average increase of 5.7 per cent. in real terms over the period 2001–02 to 2003–04. Plans for future years will be set in the next spending review. In England these plans support the strategy of investment and reform set out in the NHS Plan and the Department of Health public service agreement targets. Key priorities include cutting waiting times, tackling health inequalities and investing in world-class hospitals and equipment.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to encourage low-income households to save. [159896]

On 26 April, budding on the success of the ISA in encouraging a wider group of people to save more, the Government announced a consultation on two new proposals to encourage saving and the build-up of assets, the Saving Gateway and the Child Trust Fund. The Saving Gateway would encourage lower-income earners to save by offering to match savings with contributions from the Government. The Child Trust Fund would offer all families an account in which to save for their children, with every child from birth receiving an endowment from the Government to start the build-up of assets.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the abilities of eurozone countries to withstand a downturn in the US economy and the consequent impact on jobs in the United Kingdom. [159897]

The Government continue to monitor the downside risks facing the global economy closely. With low, stable inflation and sound public finances, the British economy is now much better placed to face global risks than before, and to continue to deliver sustained growth.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the impact of his policies on the business environment; and if he will make a statement. [159899]

The Government's central economic objective is to achieve high and stable levels of growth and employment. Over the past four years the Government have been determined that we will not return to the damaging cycle of boom and bust, which in the late 1980s and early 1990s saw interest rates rise to 15 per cent. for a whole year; and because of the choices we have made we now have the lowest inflation for 30 years, the lowest long-term interest rates for 35 years, and the lowest unemployment since 1975.We will not take this hard-won stability for granted. Budget 2001 locked in economic stability for the future, with the fiscal stance at least as tight as set out in Budget 2000 and the pre-Budget report.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families are in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit; and how many families were in receipt of family credit in May 1997. [159900]

At November 2000, 1,168,000 families were in receipt of the Working Families Tax Credit. At May 1997, 775,000 families were in receipt of Family Credit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy on the tax paid by pensioners. [159902]

As a result of the Government's policies on tax, seven out of 10 pensioners pay either no tax, or pay tax only at the 10p rate. Following our personal tax and benefit changes, pensioner households will be £600 a year better off on average compared to 1997.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account he will take of public opinion in making a recommendation to replace the pound with the European single currency. [159903]

The determining factor underpinning any Government decision on membership of the single currency is the national economic interest and whether the economic case for joining is clear and unambiguous. The Government believe that, if a decision to recommend joining is taken by the Government, it should be put to a vote in Parliament, and then to a referendum of the British people.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent change there has been to his policy on British participation in the European single currency. [159905]

The Government's policy on membership of the single currency remains as set out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in October 1997, and restated by the Prime Minister in February 1999. The determining factor underpinning any Government decision on membership of the single currency is the national economic interest and whether the economic case for joining is clear and unambiguous.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from farming organisations about the appropriate exchange rate for joining the single European currency. [159891]

The Chancellor meets representatives from the farming industry to discuss a wide range of issues.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the implementation of public service agreements. [159907]

Public service agreements detail the Government's commitments for the next three years, in return for the resources put in. Performance against these targets has been set out in the recently published annual departmental reports.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of his Department's policies on child poverty. [159908]

Tax and benefit reforms announced in this Parliament will lift over 1.2 million children out of relative poverty.As a result of the measures, families with children in the poorest fifth of the population will on average be £1,700 a year better off, a real increase of around 15 per cent. in their incomes.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Government's approach to investment in public services. [159909]