To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 10 April 2001, Official Report, column 532W, on the rapid reaction force, if a representative of the Danish Government was (a) present at and (b) participated in the discussion of the Presidency report on European security and defence policy; and how much time the Council spent discussing the report. [158815]

Representatives of the Danish Government were present at and participated in discussion of the Nice Presidency report on European defence. Competent bodies of the Council discussed this report at length in the weeks leading up to the Nice European Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library the agenda for the meeting of the EU Association Committee in May to review the operation of the EU-Israel Association agreement. [158804]

A copy of the provisional agenda, agreed by the EU and Israel, was deposited in the Library on 26 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the EU Association Committee will consider at its meeting in May to stop the import into the EU under preferences of goods labelled "made in Israel" which originate in Israeli settlements in the occupied territories. [158807]

The EU-Israel Association committee will discuss goods from settlements under the agenda item entitled "Rules of Origin". We expect the EU to raise the post-verification requests for certificates of origin and to remind the Israelis that they have until June 2001 to respond.

In consultation with the European Commission, the UK and other members states are carrying out a post-verification exercise in relation to a number of goods exported to the EU and described as Israeli. These are goods which benefit from preferential access to the EU under the origin protocol in the EU-Israel Association agreement.

The UK continues to support the Commission's efforts to establish whether any infringement of the EU-Israel Association agreement has taken place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will represent the British Government at the meeting in May of the EU Association committee reviewing the EU-Israel Association agreement. [158805]

The EU-Israel Association agreement states that "the Association Committee shall meet at official level". The UK will be represented by an official from the UK permanent representation to the EU.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received concerning industrial activities undertaken at the Al Daura plant, near Baghdad. [159729]

The Iraqi acting Minister for Foreign Affairs wrote to the UN Secretary-General on 28 March requesting that funds from the UN oil-for-food programme be used for the reactivation of the Al Daura facility for the production of foot and mouth vaccine.In the continuing absence of UN monitors, the United Kingdom has opposed this request for reactivation of a plant known to have been used for biological weapons production in the past.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to (a) the European Commission and (b) the Government of Spain regarding the handling of internationally dialled telephone calls routed through Spain destined for Gibraltar. [156134]

This matter was raised with the Spanish Government on 20 March, and with the Commission on 30 March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received regarding using the Gibraltar international direct dialling code prefix 350. [156131]

The Government of Gibraltar have brought to our attention various issues related to the use of Gibraltar's international direct dialling code.

As my hon. Friend the Minister for Small Business and E-Commerce made clear in her answer of 6 April 2001, Official Report, column 305W, we remain deeply concerned about the unsatisfactory situation. We will continue to pursue the issue as a matter of urgency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom Government's relations with Spain regarding the freedom of movement of trade and services in relation to Gibraltar. [156132]

When Gibraltar became part of the European Community upon the United Kingdom's accession in 1973, Gibraltar did not join the Customs Union. This is recognised by all member states. Subsequent EU legislation concerning the free movement of goods has not therefore been applied in relation to Gibraltar. EU legislation concerning the free movement of services has been applied.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to support a plea for clemency from a British national imprisoned overseas. [160352]

Our objective is to support pleas for clemency in deserving cases, while respecting the sovereign right of foreign Governments to sentence prisoners according to their own laws. Following an internal review, we have decided to widen our existing criteria for supporting clemency pleas. We will now consider supporting clemency pleas from British nationals imprisoned overseas in the following cases:

in compelling compassionate circumstances, such as where a prisoner is chronically ill or dying (particularly when prison conditions overseas are poor) or when a close family member is chronically ill or dying; where continued incarceration is likely to endanger life or is likely to reduce life expectancy significantly;

in cases of minors imprisoned overseas;

as a last resort, in cases where we have prima facie evidence of a denial or miscarriage of justice, where we have made representations, but where those representations have failed to secure a remedy. In these cases, our reasons for supporting a plea would not normally be mentioned explicitly in the plea itself.

We will also take the prisoner's family circumstances into account when considering whether to support a plea for clemency. We will examine all pleas on a case-by-case basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in Her Majesty's Government's consultations with international partners on UK proposals for international action in response to humanitarian crises. [160353]

We firmly believe that we have a shared responsibility to respond when confronted with massive violations of international humanitarian law and crimes against humanity. The UK has played a leading role in this continuously evolving debate. We have spent the past year trying to build the broadest possible consensus around a set of ideas on the conditions and circumstances that make international action appropriate. We believe such a consensus could strengthen the Security Council's ability to respond effectively and promptly to humanitarian crises. Our ideas have been framed as policy guidelines to help the international community decide when it is right to act.

The key elements of our ideas are:

that any intervention is by definition a failure of prevention. Force should always be the last resort;

that the immediate responsibility for halting violence rests with the state in which it occurs;

but when faced with an immediate humanitarian catastrophe and a Government who have demonstrated themselves unwilling or unable to halt or prevent it, the international community should take action;

any use of force in this context must be collective, proportionate, likely to achieve its objective, and carried out in accordance with international law.

Our consultations will continue, but progress has proved difficult. Many countries have reservations about the concepts involved, fearing that their endorsement would undermine the principle of state sovereignty.Copies of our set of ideas have been placed in the Libraries of the House of Commons and House of Lords.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures were taken by his Department during the recent hunt for the MV Etireno; and what steps his Department (a) has taken and (b) intends to take, to combat the trade in child slavery. [159859]

The UK was the first to respond to the Benin authorities' request for help to search for the Etireno. HMS Glasgow was in the area and we offered her services. This offer was declined when it became clear that the Etireno had returned to Benin.The UK is firmly committed to eradicating slavery and bonded labour worldwide. We played a leading role in drafting and securing agreement to the International Labour Convention 182 on the worst forms of child labour. We are working with international and non-governmental organisations and industry to address the problem of child slavery, and are looking at what we can do to increase these efforts.I am meeting industry representatives, and also Ministers from the Government of Cote d'Ivoire, on 4 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the deliveries of (a) incinerator ash, (b) mixed waste containing organics and (c) compost to (i) Burnside Farm at Heddon-on-the-Wall and (ii) other farms by (1) Newcastle Council's Waste Department, (2) City Works and (3) Associated Waste Services from (A) domestic, (B) commercial and (C) institutional premises; and what tests have been carried out on animal feed for dioxin, furan and PCB content. [155313]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: Section 34 of the Environment Protection Act 1990 imposes a duty of care on waste producers and others who have control of waste. The parties to the transfer of waste are required to keep records but information on waste transfers is not held centrally. Duty of care records can, of course, be sought locally through the Environment Agency's serving a notice on the parties concerned.The Environment Agency advises that it has not carried out tests on animal feed and holds no information on any such tests carried out by others. In my reply of 30 March 2001,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations his Department has received in respect of the safety standards at, and hazards posed by, the high activity radioactive waste storage tanks at Sellafield. [156397]

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has received two written representations on this issue within the past six months. In addition, the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee presented a Report, published in November 2000, on the Radioactive Waste Implications of Reprocessing. In their report, the Committee noted that the reduction of HAL stocks to buffer levels was extremely important and that HSE had set a target date of 2015 for this. The Committee recommended that progress

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much (a) capital and (b) revenue has been made available for local government services in Liverpool since 1997. [157443]

The capital and revenue made available for local government services in Liverpool since 1997—in total and from central Government sources—are as follows.towards this objective should be kept under close review and I have pressed for this time scale to be brought forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the locations of each development on areas of outstanding natural beauty that he has given permission for since 1 May 1997. [158708]

[holding answer 23 April 2001]: The information is as follows:

Site Location

Gun Hill Industrial Estate, Blackbrook Hill, Langham, Essex

Folly Lane, Buckland St. Mary, Chard, Somerset

Former RAF buildings, RAF Little Rissington, Cheltenham, Gloscestershire

Binderton House, Binderton, West Den, Chichester, West Sussex

Spread Eagle Hotel, South Street, Midhurst, West Sussex

Wrens Warren, Hartfield Lane, East Sussex

Oakley Court, Nuffield, Oxfordshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the locations of each development on sites of special scientific interest that he has given permission for since 1 May 1997. [158707]

[holding answer 23 April 2001]: The information is as follows:

Site Location

Bank Farm, Wyre, Lancashire.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the timetable for completing A3 Hindhead improvement; what priority his Department is according to the project; and what measures remain to be taken prior to commencement of the scheme. [158926]

I have asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to the right hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will establish a common standard of training through the Rail Industry Training Board for all personnel in the train operating companies, Railtrack and companies providing personnel with access to the railway; and if he will ensure that an independent audit of such training is carried out on a regular basis. [158825]

Late last year a Joint SRA/DfEE Working Group was established to look at the current and future skills needs of the rail industry. The Joint Working Group recently published an 18-Point Action Plan which provides a strategic approach to recruitment, training, assessment and competence of key staff. The Plan is being taken forward and monitored by the high level Rail Industry Group, chaired by Sir Alastair Morton, which had also identified the need for action and had set up its own cross-industry group to tackle the issues. Initial outcomes of the various initiatives are expected to be seen in the autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the Strategic Rail Authority's template Franchise Agreement. [158833]

I am arranging to place in the Library a copy of the Strategic Rail Authority's latest template franchise agreement together with a list of amendments yet to be incorporated. The template is subject to development as franchise replacement progresses. When actual franchise agreements are entered into, the Strategic Rail Authority is required by statute to make them available on its public register.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will instruct the Strategic Rail Authority to extend the Service Quality Incentive Regime beyond those services provided by the Passenger Transport Authorities to all services provided by franchisees. [158827]

No. The detailed provisions of franchise agreements are for the Strategic Rail Authority to decide. I understand that the Authority does not consider that SQUIRE, which involves direct checking of inputs by PTE inspectors, is the most suitable or efficient way to control standards. It prefers to measure service quality through the National Passenger Survey, Customer Satisfaction Surveys and Mystery Traveller Surveys which reflect passengers' opinions. Bidders for replacement franchises are being asked to demonstrate how they will develop and deliver a step-change in customer service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to consult the railway industry on the proposed EU directive on railway safety; which Departments are involved in discussions with the Commission; and how many British representatives are on the working party to consider railway safety. [158824]

We will consult widely on the proposed EU directive on railway safety regulation once it is published by the Commission. We currently expect publication to be at the end of this year, as part of a broader package of proposed measures taking forward completion of the single market in the railway sector. My Department will co-ordinate the UK Government's input to any discussions convened on this directive, with support from all relevant bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on replacing the concrete road surface on the A180 with low-noise surfacing. [159355]

My hon. Friend's question relates to an operational matter on the A180 Trunk Road. I have accordingly asked the Chief Executive of the Highways Agency, Mr. Tim Matthews, to write to my hon. Friend.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the accident rate on the Al2 Brentwood—Ipswich in the last 12 months; and what was the average accident rate on motorways carrying a similar volume of traffic in the same period. [159008]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: The table shows the number of injury accidents per month on the Al2 between its junctions with the M25 and the A14 in 1999, for the last 12 months for which national statistics are available. Monthly traffic flow data are not readily available for this stretch of road and therefore it is not possible to present accident rates for comparison with other roads.

Month	Number
January	20
February	8
March	22
April	15
May	21
June	17
July	12
August	19
September	22
October	20
November	22
December	28

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is towards the predict and provide approach to airport provision in the south-east of England. [159250]

Our policy is one of sustainable development, applying the principles set out in the New Deal for Transport White Paper (Cm 3950) to airports in all parts of the United Kingdom. We are currently studying a wide range of options for the future development of airports in the south-east of England. When we announced this study, we said that it would assess the economic, environmental and social impacts of the options, and that we would balance all these before coming to a view about whether additional capacity should be provided, either at a particular site or at all. This remains our position.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to address the issues of choice, flexibility and provision of information in the commercial property market; [159934](2) what plans he has to introduce greater flexibility into the commercial property market; [159929](3) what plans he has to review the 1995 code of practice for commercial property leases. [159930]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Reading, East (Jane Griffiths) on 23 April 2001. Official Report, columns 5–6W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 23 March 2001, Official Report, column 391W, if he will identify the type of crash barrier in use at the time for each of the fatalities that were involved in accidents involving vehicles crossing over the central reservation on (a) motorways and (b) trunk roads in each year since 1992–93. [160114]

The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the independent research to find alternatives to animal products used in traditional medicine, with special reference to bile from Asiatic black bears. [160073]

My Department has commissioned research from Dr. Henry Lee, Head of Chinese Medicine Development at Middlesex University, to identify plant substitutes for four key animal species used in traditional medicine—Asiatic black bears, tigers, and white and black rhinos. The research, which is expected to report in early 2004, will identify the active chemical components of these animals, determine equivalent chemical substances from plant sources, and develop an appropriate strategy for introducing and encouraging the use of those plant alternatives. The total cost of this research is £135,472, towards which my Department is contributing £67,500. The remainder is being met by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the average Band D council tax was in the north-west for each of the years from 1997 to date. [160078]

Average Band D council tax levels in the north-west between 1997–98 and 2001–02 are given in the table:

£
	Average council tax for a Band D dwelling in the north-west
1997–98	798
1998–99	856
1999–2000	901
2000–01	943
2001–02	991

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he intends to publish the inspector's report on the Malewick Lane Waste Transfer Station, Sompting, West Sussex, planning application before 7 June. [160106]

The Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions will publish the inspector's report when he determines the planning application for a waste management centre at Halewick Lane, Sompting, West Sussex. This decision will be issued as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) when his Department intends to require incinerator plant permit holders (a) under the IPC regime and (b) under the IPPC regime to adopt the environmental standards being proposed by the EU; [160111](2) what guidance his Department will issue to

The UK Government are committed to transposing the EU Waste Incineration Directive (WID) and the provisions therein, into UK law by 28 December 2002.The new WID will apply to all new incinerators within its scope by 28 December 2002, and to existing plant by 28 December 2005. Incinerators are currently regulated under the Integrated Pollution Control or Local Authority Pollution Control systems.This directive updates the two Municipal Waste Incineration Directives of 1989. The Environment Agency is of the opinion that all new Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator (MSWI) projects can already meet the requirements of the new Directive without excessive cost and therefore will apply these standards as a "minimum" requirement. The Agency intends to review the performance of existing plant before the Directive applies.In addition, the Agency has already been setting limits for oxides of nitrogen and for dioxins for MSWIs. Most existing MSWIs already achieve dioxin release

concentrations of 0.1 ng/m

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what conditions and guarantees were imposed upon (a) BAA and (b) Heathrow Airport by his Department after granting permission for Terminal 4 at Heathrow Airport. [159824]

The information provided has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what factors were taken into account when final descent paths for aircraft approaching Heathrow were altered in 1995; [159826](2) what plans he has to alter the final descent paths for aircraft approaching Heathrow. [159827]

The final approach tracks followed by aircraft approaching Heathrow to land have to be aligned with the runways in order to comply with long established internationally agreed standards. They have not changed and cannot be changed unilaterally.The paths that aircraft follow before aligning with the runway are not fixed, in order to allow for safe tactical integration of up to four streams of traffic, but the area of airspace used for this purpose has been established in its present form for about 30 years. An "early morning landings trial" commenced in September 1995, which required aircraft during westerly operations at night (before 6.00am) to join the 3° glideslope of the instrument landing system (ILS) at or above 3,000 ft (instead of 2,500 ft) and to join the final approach track at not less than 10 nautical miles (18½km) from touchdown. The trial was evaluated and a summary of the findings was published in the November 1998 consultation paper on night restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports (copies of which were placed in the Libraries of the House). It was found that the trial procedure produced a reduction in noise exposure in the area between 16½ km and 31½ km from touchdown. Some noise increases were caused in parts of Clapham, Deptford, Lewisham and Blackheath because more aircraft joined the ILS final approach track further from touchdown. A redistribution of traffic over built-up areas can result in gains and losses but may be justified, as in this case, where the gains substantially outweigh the losses. The study also found a small increase in the achievement of the noise reducing continuous descent approach (CDA) procedure even though the CDA instructions were not changed for the trial.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measurements his Department takes of the impact of aircraft noise on residents in south-east England during the (a) day and (b) night. [159825]

My Department publishes annual daytime noise contours for Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports. These contours cover the 16 hour day from 0700 to 2300 BST, averaged for the relatively busy period 16 June to 15 September. The contours for 2000 are about to be published by the CAA on the Department's behalf; and the explanatory booklets, including small-scale versions of the contours, will be placed on the DETR website shortly. All take-offs are monitored for compliance with the departure noise limits. The new daytime and night-time limits announced by my hon. Friend on 18 December 2000, Official Report, columns 11–12W, have come into effect. Readings from these and other noise monitors (covering both arrivals and departures) are used, along with radar data on the dispersion of aircraft tracks, to validate the model used to generate the contours. Other measurements are taken, and contours produced from time to time for various studies on behalf of the Department and of the airports.We do not routinely publish contours for aircraft noise at night at these airports, as research has suggested that, because of the uneven and distinct patterns of operation, these would not be sufficiently well correlated with sleep disturbance and annoyance. However, operations at night are subject to the restrictions, including movement limits and noise quotas made, after consultation, by Notice under s.78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982; and are monitored and reported by the airports accordingly.Elsewhere in the South East, noise measurement and contouring are the responsibility of the individual airports. However, noise measurements collated from other airports will help inform the current South East and East Regional Airports Study (SERAS).

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent reports he has had from General de Chastelain on progress on arms decommissioning. [159633]

On 22 March this year, the Independent Commission on Decommissioning issued a report stating that they believe progress on actual decommissioning can be made.I look forward to early and positive reports from the Decommissioning Commission that progress is being made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many completed applications for the most recent Royal Ulster Constabulary recruiting campaign were received by 30 March; and how many were received from (i) Northern Ireland, (ii) the Republic of Ireland, (iii) Great Britain and (iv) outside the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. [158822]

I am advised that 7,843 completed applications have been received in response to the on-going Police Service of Northern Ireland recruitment competition. Analysis, in terms of applications received from addresses in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain or elsewhere is as follows:

	Number
Northern Ireland	7,208
Republic of Ireland	332
Great Britain	262
Elsewhere	41

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of the completed applications for the Royal Ulster Constabulary received by 30 March were from (a) Northern Ireland Protestants, (b) Northern Ireland Roman Catholics and (c) persons of no religion and from other religious backgrounds with addresses in Northern Ireland. [158823]

Equal opportunities analysis of the applications has yet to be undertaken.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, (1) when the Commission was advised of assessments by (a) the House personnel staff and (b) formal staff inspections of the overworking in the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards; [159203](2) what the policy of the Commission is on acting on assessments of overload in support staff to departments of the House and in the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards; [159204](3) if he will estimate the under-resourcing of staff assisting the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards; when the Commission was informed of the problem; what information it has on it; and if he will make a statement on the publication of this information. [159202]

Officials carried out a preliminary review of the staffing of the Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in spring 2000, because of concerns which had arisen over the office's work load. The outcome of this work was reported to the House of Commons Commission on 3 July 2000, and temporary additional secretarial support was provided, pending a more thorough review of work load to be carried out by the staff inspector from the internal review service (IRS).The findings of the IRS review were reported to the Commission late in 2000. The Commission referred the matter to the Finance and Services Committee whose advice was considered and agreed to in April 2001. The Committee's advice was that the case for permanent additional staffing had not been clearly established, and that the work load should be monitored over the early months of a new Parliament to ascertain what the long-term needs were. The temporary additional secretarial support would remain in place for the time being.Commission meetings are deliberative and it is not the practice to publish papers relating to them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 20 March 2001, Official Report, column 105W, on type 45 destroyers, if a contract has been placed with Vosper Thornycroft; and if he will make a further statement. [157749]

[holding answer 24 April 2001]: No shipbuilding sub-contracts for the type 45 destroyer have yet been let by the prime contractor, BAE Systems Electronics. Under the procurement strategy I announced to the House in July last year for the type 45 programme, the prime contractor is working to a target of September 2001 for a commitment to Vosper Thornycroft.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford of 24 April 2001, Official Report, columns 232–33W, what lessons he has drawn from such ships. [159777]

Our close co-operation with allies such as the United States in the development and operation of warships continues, particularly through visits and naval officer exchange postings. This type of co-operation will ensure that we continue to share best practice with our allies to mutual benefit.There has been no significant direct read across between the Arleigh Burke class, which includes the USS Winston Churchill, and our more recent type 45 programme. Although similar in size to the Arleigh Burke class, the type 45 anti-air warfare destroyer, equipped with the principal anti-air missile system, offers, we believe, significant acquisition and through-life cost benefits over earlier generations of destroyers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Army training estate site utility review. [160354]

As I said in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Wigan (Mr. Turner) on 23 May 2000, Official Report, column 459W, the Ministry of Defence has been conducting a site utility review (SUR) of the Army training estate to identify training areas, camps and ranges which are no longer required in order that they can be closed or sold, thereby saving maintenance costs and where possible generally revenue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when regulations A will be made governing the entitlement of members of the reserve forces to attributable pensions benefits. [160355]

My hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Armed Forces announced on 18 May 2000, Official Report, columns 2000–01W, that the Department had been reviewing its policy on attributable benefits for members of the reserve forces, in particular with regard to those who served in the Gulf conflict. Under the existing regulations, awards are made to individuals who were medically discharged when demobilised from active service. As a result of the review, it was agreed that the eligibility would be extended to reservists who were medically discharged from the reserve forces at other times.I am therefore pleased to announce that the new regulations, entitled the "Reserve Forces (Attributable Benefits Etc) Regulations 2001", have now been made and came into force on 30 April 2001. We will make payments under these regulations as soon as practicable after this date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency for 2001–02. [160356]

The role of the Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency is to provide imagery intelligence and geographic support to defence policy, operations and training; to meet customer requirements for imagery intelligence and geographic support in accordance with defence priorities; to maintain and develop agency capabilities and readiness in line with future defence requirements; and to become progressively more efficient, while improving the quality and delivery of our products and services. The key targets for the agency for the 12 months from April 2001 are:

Key Target 1:

To satisfy operational requirements for imagery intelligence and geographic support within timescales and to standards agreed between the agency and its customers.

(a) For imagery intelligence, by providing at least 95 per cent. of requirements overall, while delivering not less than 98 per cent. of priority 1 tasks.

(b) For geographic support, by providing 100 per cent. of geographic products and services essential to support current and potential operations, both from the agency's UK-based capabilities and its deployable units

Key Target 2:

To achieve the required levels of operational readiness in line with defence planning assumptions while continuing to meet those deployable element outputs required under key target 1.

To maintain agreed states of readiness as set by PJHQ for all contingency forces (JRRF)

Key Target 3:

To satisfy strategic and contingency requirements for imagery intelligence and geographic support within time scales and to standards agreed between the agency and its customers.

(a) For imagery intelligence, by providing at least 80 per cent. of requirements overall, while delivering not less than 92 per cent. of priority 1 tasks.

(b) For geographic support, completing at least 90 per cent. of a customer endorsed programme of work for geographic products and services.

Key Target 4:

To demonstrate a 1 per cent. improvement in the coverage of geographic information holdings in comparison with the baseline established in 1999 and to maintain their quality for defence use.

Maintain the MOD map library collection at the agreed level of readiness and achieve a 1 per cent. improvement in coverage of geographic information holdings.

Key Target 5:

To achieve a 2.5 per cent. improvement in efficiency.

Achieve departmental efficiency targets by identifying efficiency measures which, taken together across the agency, deliver the required savings target (2.5 per cent.—cash based).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list all visits to the UK since October 1998 by Chilean military officers. [158990]

[holding answer 26 April 2001]: We do not hold records of visits which Chilean military officers may have made to the UK for private purposes. Since October 1998, there have been four official visits to the UK by Chilean military officers which included contact with the UK Government. These are:

A Chilean Navy ship visited the UK and made a port call in London in October 1998;

A Chilean delegation attended Farnborough international air show in July 2000;

A Chilean delegation also visited RAF Cranwell on 31 October 2000;

A senior Chilean Naval Officer visited the UK for discussions with Ministry of Defence officials this month.

In addition, since October 1998 four Chilean officers have been present in the UK for various lengths of time attending military training courses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Islington, North (Mr. Corbyn) of 23 April 2001, Official Report, column 97W, on UK nuclear defence policy, if he will place in the Library the material on which he based his reply on the compatibility between the non-proliferation treaty and the 1958 agreement. [159756]

Copies of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) and the UK/US mutual defence agreement (MDA), with its subsequent amendments, are already held in the Library of the House.Article I of the NPT states that

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date veterinary surgeons from the RAVC were first made available for duties related to foot and mouth disease; and how many Army veterinary surgeons were made available (a) on that date and (b) subsequently. [159818]

[holding answer 1 May 2001]: The first deployment of armed forces personnel in support of MAFF was of two Royal Army Veterinary Corps vets and a small number of logistics advisers on 16 March. The number of vets was subsequently increased to four. The current number deployed is three.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what resources from his Department were put at the disposal of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office during the recent hunt for the MV Etireno. [159860]

The Benin Government issued a request for assistance in searching for the MV Etireno on 16 April. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office asked the Ministry of Defence what assets were available. We were able to offer the services of HMS Glasgow, a type 42 destroyer, and RFA Black Rover, a small ship tanker. This response was provided on the same day. The vessels were in the area as part of their patrol programme. Before they could reach the search area, the MV Etireno docked in Cotonou in the early hours of 17 April. We were subsequently informed by the Benin authorities that there was no further requirement for HMS Glasgow and RFA Black Rover.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the outcome is of the evaluation of the quality protects management action plans submitted to his Department by local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [160257]

All local authorities with social services responsibilities submitted their "Quality Protects" management action plans (MAPs) to the Department of Health by the end of January. The Social Services Inspectorate has now completed its evaluation of the MAPs and I have considered their findings. The MAPs from all 150 local councils have reached an acceptable standard. I have today written to the chief executives of the authorities to confirm that, subject to normal grant procedures, they will receive payment of their allocation of the children's services grant for 2001–02.The evidence nationally shows that "Quality Protects" is beginning to make a real difference to children's lives. Children who are looked after are experiencing fewer placement moves; more of them are finding new permanent families through adoption; and fewer are leaving care prematurely when they reach 16. We shall be publishing a national overview report on the evaluation of MAPs in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 6 March 2001, Official Report, columns 188–89W, on Porton Down, if he will request officials in his Department to conduct an evaluation of the 1993 report by the US Institute of Medicine entitled, "Veterans at Risk - the Health Effects of Mustard Gas and Lewisite". [157402]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 6 March 2001, Official Report, columns 188–89W. As I made clear, the purpose of the Department's message was only to make general practitioners aware of the Ministry of Defence's medical assessment programme. The Department has no plans to review in detail the health effects of the chemicals that may have been used at Porton Down or international reports on such chemicals as this is a matter for the MOD.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many visits abroad were made by his Department's Ministers on departmental business (a) in the three years up to 30 April 1997 and (b) in the 12 months up to 30 April 1997. [157616]

The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total gross running costs were to his Department of the NDPBs accountable through his Department in the financial year 1996–97. [157615]

The table is extracted from data in "Public Bodies l997" and shows a total departmental contribution of £118.6 million to the gross expenditure of Department's executive non-departmental public bodies in the financial year 1996–97.

NDPBs—gross expenditure funded by Government, 1996–97
	£ million
Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work	37.7
English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting	6.6
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority	1.8
Medical Practices Committee	0.5
National Biological Standards Board	10.4
National Radiological Protection Board	6.2
Public Health Laboratory Service Board	55.4
Total	118.6

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total gross running cost to his Department was in the 12 months ending 30 April 1997 of (a) stationery and (b) printing and publishing. [157623]

During the financial year 1996–97 the Department spent £3.175,246 on printing and publishing and £1,589,895 on stationery.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people aged over 60 years have had eye tests in each year since 1995–96 in Sefton health authority. [158529]

From information obtained on the age of patients from an annual, national sample survey of opticians' work load, we estimate that the following numbers of sight tests were carried out among the 70,500 people, aged 60 and over, whom we estimate are resident in Sefton.

Year	Number of sight tests
1995–96	26,200
1996–97	27,000
1997–98	29,700
1998–99	28,100
1999–2000	32,500

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals within the Sefton Health Authority have had (a) hip replacements, (b) knee replacements, (c) hernia operations and (d) cataract operations each year since 1996–97; what the age profile was of the people undergoing these operations; and what the average cost of these operations is in the private sector. [158515]

Finished consultant episodes by operation and age where the patient was resident in Sefton health authority NHS hospitals, England 1996–97 to 1999–2000
	Age
Year/operation	0.4	10–14	15–44	45–64	65–74	75–84	85 and over	Total
1996–97
Hip replacement	0	0	—	82	123	127	64	400
Knee replacement	0	0	—	40	64	51	6	161
Hernia	36	27	7	143	89	52	14	437
Cataract	2	3	2	112	277	477	224	1124
1997–98
Hip replacement	0	0	—	85	131	136	79	440
Knee replacement	0	0	—	29	66	45	9	149
Hernia	39	20	9	145	108	54	8	465
Cataract	4	0	—	109	251	479	224	1074
1998–99
Hip replacement	0	0	1	87	116	133	69	418
Knee replacement	0	0	—	33	84	63	3	184
Hernia	31	29	8	148	88	66	4	449
Cataract	0	1	1	137	362	616	274	1403
1999–2000
Hip replacement	0	0	—	71	113	138	81	410
Knee replacement	0	0	—	45	76	53	7	181
Hernia	37	20	9	133	103	64	13	461
Cataract	3	0	2	137	374	576	257	1369

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified nurses are working in the NHS in Sefton health authority; and what the number was in 1997. [158510]

The information requested is given in the table.

National health service hospital and community health services: Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff and general medical service practice nurses employed within the Sefton health authority area as at 30 September each year
	Headcount	Whole-time equivalents
1997
Total Qualified Nurses	2,420	1,840
Of which:
HCHS Nurses	2,360	1,790
	60	40
2000
Total Qualified Nurses	2,160	1,970
Of which:
HCHS Nurses	2,080	1,940
Nurses	80	30

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors worked in Sefton health authority in (a) 1996–97 and (b) 2000–01; and what the forecast is for 2001–02. [158511]

Consultant episodes by operation and age for the period 1996–97 to 1999–2000, the latest data available, are shown in the table. Data on private sector costs are not available.

The number of all National Health Service doctors in the Sefton health authority as at 1 October 1996 and 30 September 2000 is shown in the table. The Department does not currently produce projections of total doctor numbers for individual health authorities.

All NHS doctors in the Sefton health authority 1996 and 2000
Headcount
	1996	2000
All NHS doctors	660	820
Of whom:
General Medical Practitioners1,2	160	160
HCHS3 medical and dental staff4	510	650
Of whom:
Consultants	210	270
1General Medical Practitioners includes UPEs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (para 525FA), and PMS others
2Excluding GP Retainers
3Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Service staff
4Excludes Hospital Practitioners and Clinical Assistants who are normally GMPs and has already been counted

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultants were working in the NHS in Sefton health authority in 1996–97; and what the number is for 2000–01. [158512]

The number of all National Health Service doctors, including consultants, in the Sefton health authority as at 1 October 1996 and 30 September 2000 is shown in the table. The Department does not currently produce projections of total doctor or consultant numbers for individual health authorities.

All NHS doctors in the Sefton health authority, 1996 and 2000
Headcount
	1996	2000
All NHS doctors	660	820
of whom:
General Medical Practitioners1 (excluding GP Retainers)	160	160
HCHS2 medical and dental staff3	510	650
of whom:
Consultants	210	270
1General Medical Practitioners includes UPEs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (para. 525FA), and PMS others
22 Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Service staff
3Excludes Hospital Practitioners and Clinical Assistants who are normally GMPs and has already been counted

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the health data for the fluoride compounds used in artificial fluoridation procedures. [158441]

Fluoride compounds used for artificial fluoridation break down to release fluoride and other ions when mixed with water. These ions occur naturally in water supplies. The recently published review by York University found no evidence of any harmful effects on systemic health from drinking fluoridated water and acknowledged benefits in reducing tooth decay. However, as the review was critical of the quality of the research available, we have asked the Medical Research Council how the evidence base might be strengthened.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on dental fluorosis with specific regard to links to systemic toxicity. [158440]

Dental fluorosis is considered to be an effect seen in teeth and is due to the presence of fluoride in the body while teeth are being formed. Its presence does not necessarily imply any harm to health or that fluoride is having any effect, good or bad, on any other part of the body.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for establishing a cord-stem cell bank and offering the facility to the mothers of all new-born children. [158783]

There are already three cord blood banks run by the National Blood Service in London, Newcastle and Bristol where mothers volunteer to donate their cord blood for the benefit of others. There are no plans to collect cords from mothers of all new-born children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) children and (b) other patients requiring a bone marrow match railed to find such a match in the year 2000–01. [158782]

This information is not collected centrally. Information from the experts indicates that between 70 per cent. and 80 per cent. of all people requiring bone marrow transplantation find a match. Newer technology is increasing the availability of bone marrow suitable for transplantation, especially in children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions have taken place between his Department and the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and the East and North Hertfordshire division of the Hertfordshire health authority about the current and underlying deficits in the local NHS in East and North Hertfordshire; and if he will make a statement; [158947](2) if there will be cuts in health services in East and North Hertfordshire in order to reduce the current and underlying budget deficits in the local NHS; and if he will make a statement; [158948](3) what steps he intends to take to reduce the underlying and current budget deficits of the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and the East and North Hertfordshire division of the Hertfordshire health authority; and if he will make a statement; [158940](4) if he will make further funding available to the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and the East and North Hertfordshire division of the Hertfordshire health authority in order to reduce the respective deficits. [158949]

holding answer 26 April 2001]: The Eastern Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive is working closely with the East and North Hertfordshire NHS trust and Hertfordshire health authority to address deep seated and longstanding financial and service challenges going back at least a decade. For 2001–02 the health authority received additional funding of £26.5 million (8.25 per cent.) to enable it to meet waiting time targets, to effect service improvements to deliver the NHS Plan, and to meet cost and service pressures.At the end of March 2001, as a result of reallocation of funding within the Department, the regional office was able to allocate a further £6.5 million to East and North Hertfordshire. In addition, two reviews on financial management and on the management of waiting lists within that health system have just been concluded. The extra funding and the recommendations from the reviews for the more effective management of services will allow financial balance to be achieved alongside the significant service improvements outlined by the Government in the NHS Plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's consultations regarding community health councils. [159367]

Chapter 10 of the NHS Plan proposed that community health councils be abolished and new structures set in place to increase patient and public empowerment across all sectors of the health service. Following the launch of the NHS Plan in July 2001 a public undertaking was given to involve national and local stakeholder groups in developing the detail of the new structures. A series of seminars was held in November and December 2001 and focused on the various elements of the new arrangements and involved key representative groups. Since then the proposal for abolition of CHCs and the development of the new structures have been subject to debate through the introduction of the Health and Social Care Bill. Key stakeholder groups have continued to be involved in the development of the new arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of beds is in NHS hospitals (a) built, (b) commissioned and (c) planned since 1 May 1997. [159438]

The physical stock of beds (defined as number of staffed in-patient and day case beds) in the major acute hospitals (capital value over £25 million) in England is as follows:

	Number of beds
(a) Built and operational since 1 May 1997
Carlisle	444
Dartford and Gravesham	402
South Buckinghamshire	542
Greenwich	571
Rochdale	492
Central Sheffield University Hospital (Stonegrove—maternity only)	119
(b) In the process of being constructed since 1 May 1997
Norfolk and Norwich	953
North Durham Healthcare	524
Calderdale	614
South Manchester University Hospitals	1,031
Bromley Healthcare	525
Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals	459
Worcester Royal Infirmary	474
Hereford Hospitals	340
South Durham Healthcare	347
South Tees Acute Hospitals	1,060
Swindon and Marlborough	594
King's Healthcare	902
St. George's Hospital	1,123
University College London Hospitals	664
West Middlesex University Hospitals	434
Hull and East Yorkshire Maternity	150

	Number of beds
(c) Planned since 1 May 19971
Barts and The London	21,200
Central Manchester/Manchester Childrens Hospitals	1,178
Dudley Group of Hospitals	830
West Berkshire Priority Care	203
Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals	1,890
Walsgrave Hospitals/Coventry Healthcare	969
Leeds Teaching Hospitals	3—
Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals	207
Havering Hospitals	798
Portsmouth Hospitals	908
Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley	274
Southern Debyshire Acute Hospitals	1,127
University Hospital Birmingham/South Birmingham Mental Health	1,128
Bradford Hospitals	1,791
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health	605
North West London Hospitals	214
East Kent Hospitals	1,720
University Hospitals of Leicester	2,545
Lewisham Hospital	572
Peterborough Hospitals	716
Salford Royal Hospitals	1,014
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells/Invicta Community Care	852
Pinderfield and Pontefract Hospitals/Wakefield and Pontefract Community/Dewsbury Health Care	1,686
Forest Healthcare	783
Brighton Healthcare	100
United Bristol Healthcare	1,261
Sherwood Forest Hospitals	921
Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals	566
Mid Essex Hospitals	973
Essex Rivers Healthcare	844
Hull and East Yorkshire	1,533
North Middlesex Hospitals	482
North Staffordshire Hospital	1,442
Plymouth Hospitals	1,432
St. Helens and Knowsley Hospitals	1,278
Walsall Hospitals/Walsall Community	749
Paddington Basin	3—
Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals	1,162
Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals	117
Southampton University Hospitals	112
South Devon Healthcare	939
Tameside and Glossop Acute	670
Gloucestershire Royal	3—
Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospital	806
Guy's and St. Thomas'	1,150
1Numbers at this stage are provisional and may change
2Approximate
3Under review

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds there are per head of population in (a) the National Health Service and (b) private facilities. [159559]

During 1999–2000, in the National Health Service in England, there were 3.74 beds per 1,000 population. Information on bed capacities at private facilities is not centrally collected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what endorsement has been given by his Department to the website www.nhsonline.net. [159193]

The Department has given no endorsement for nhsonline.net.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to publish the statutory guidance relating to residential options and refusals referred to in paragraph 7.12 (page 73) of the Mental Health White Paper. [159536]

We intend to issue the guidance referred to in paragraph 7.12 of the White Paper "Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21^st Century" in summer 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the progress being made by his Ad Hoc Expert Advisory Group on Vitamins and Minerals; and if he expects the group to produce its final report before the publication of the report by the European Commission's Scientific Committee for Food on the safety of vitamins and minerals; [159539](2) what assessment he has made of the ability of the Ad Hoc Expert Advisory Group on Vitamins and Minerals to produce its report according to the timetable originally envisaged with its present level of resources; [159541](3) what steps he is taking to ensure that the work of his Ad Hoc Expert Advisory Group on Vitamins and Minerals progresses with sufficient speed as to inform his input into the work of the European Scientific Committee for Foods. [159540]

The Ad Hoc Expert Advisory Group on Vitamins and Minerals have published the reviews of individual vitamins and minerals on the Food Standards Agency website at www. Foodstandards.gov.uk as the work has progressed. At the same time copies have been sent to the secretariat of the Scientific Committee on Food.The Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals expect to complete considering the reviews of the relevant scientific information on the safety of individual vitamins and minerals by July 2001. The group's risk assessments for the vitamins and minerals reviewed will be issued for public consultation later this year. After the consultation process the group will publish its final report, a copy of which will be sent to the Scientific Committee on Food.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress being made by the European Commission's Scientific Committee for Food in reviewing the safety of vitamins and minerals; when he expects that Committee will adopt upper safe levels; and for which nutrients. [159538]

The European Commission's Scientific Committee for Food have expressed opinions on the tolerable upper intake levels of beta-carotene, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, manganese, selenium, molybdenum and vitamin B2 which are available on their website. Opinions on the remaining vitamins and minerals are being prepared by the Committee and will be published in due course. The timetable for the adoption of tolerable upper intake levels is not known.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the net number of administrative, clerical and managerial jobs lost in the NHS Executive, Department of Health and health authorities will be, as a result of the reorganisation announced by him on 25 April, (a) within the next 12 months and (b) upon full implementation of the restructuring he has outlined. [159603]

[holding answer 30 April 2001]: By 2004 control of 75 per cent. of the National Health Service budget will be devolved to frontline staff in primary care trusts and care trusts. The number of health authorities will be cut by around two thirds, and it is expected that around half of the posts currently in regional offices will go. Net savings will be at least £100 million. Precise staffing arrangements will be for local decision. Where possible, job reductions will be achieved by natural turnover.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his target time is for replying to letters from hon. Members; and what his policy is on the issuing of acknowledgement letters from the Ministerial Correspondence Unit. [159792]

The Department has a Service First target of 20 working days to reply to correspondence from hon. Members. It is the Department's policy to issue acknowledgement letters to all correspondence received from hon. Members. Unfortunately, the Department had to suspend this practice in late 2000 due to problems with the system producing incorrect dates on acknowledgement letters. The problem has now been resolved and all correspondence is now being acknowledged.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 23 March on behalf of his constituents, Mr. and Mrs. McGuire. [159870]

[holding answer 1 May 2001]: A reply to the right hon. Member's letter concerning his constituents Mr. and Mrs. McGuire was sent on 30 April 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his assessment is of the average cost of bed-and-breakfast accommodation per night for the relatives and friends of in-patients at (a) Harefield Hospital, Middlesex and (b) St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington, London. [158605]

[holding answer 30 April 2001]: The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date. [160022]

[holding answer 1 May 2001]: Since 3 May 1997, no more than two special advisers have been in post at any one time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how compliance with the "Working Together" guidelines for child protection is monitored and inspected; which agencies are monitored; and which inspectorates discharge this function. [158888]

The social services inspectorate social care regions and inspection groups and the SSI/Audit Commission joint review team all contribute to the assessment of the performance of each local council with social services responsibilities. Their work is informed by the performance information collected by the local council, through the performance assessment framework. Some inspections cover broad areas of services, such as children's services. Others focus on more specific tasks, such as monitoring the performance of authorities which are subject to special measures.

The SSI social care regions monitor the progress made by all councils in implementing the "Government's Objectives for Children's Social Services", progress on major initiatives such as "Quality Protects", and action plans to address the recommendations of inspections and joint reviews.Many agencies beyond social services departments have child protection responsibilities. These responsibilities are set out in detail in "Working Together to Safeguard Children". For the first time ever, beginning later this year, there will be a programme of children's safeguards inspections. These inspections will focus on the working of area child protection committees in their implementation of "Working Together to Safeguard Children", and the inter-agency arrangements to assess and address the risks posed by dangerous adults. They will be undertaken by a team of inspectors drawn from each of the inspectorates for the range of agencies with regular contact with children, and will be led by the SSI. It will therefore include inspectors from Ofsted, the Commission for Health Improvement, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, HMI Prisons, and will be supported by the Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate and the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the interim marketing budgets of the regional tourist boards for the next 12 months. [159345]

Regional tourist boards (RTBs) in England will receive £5.5 million during the current financial year. The funding, allocated to the RTBs by the English Tourism Council (ETC), is provided for work that complements the ETC' s role in delivering national and regional programmes—in line with "Tomorrow's Tourism", the Government's tourism strategy—rather than for direct marketing.However, the ETC have received an additional allocation of £3.8 million to fund a national and regional information and promotion campaign as part of the foot and mouth recovery plan. More than half of this additional money is being passed to the RTBs to help fund specific regional promotions and information campaigns. RTBs will also benefit from the additional funding which regional development agencies (RDAs) will allocate for promotional work to support tourism. I do not yet have detailed information about this funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many young people from (a) the south-east, (b) London and (c) the UK have been given financial assistance for training for national squads in (i) boxing, (ii) cricket and (iii) football in the current financial year. [158210]

The financial assistance provided by Sport England to assist young people with the potential to reach the national squads is currently provided through the lottery funded world class programmes: performance, potential and start.The funding is provided to both the national governing body for the main costs associated with the programmes and also to individual athletes included in the plans.In the current financial year, boxing has been awarded funding for world class performance, potential and start. The potential squad includes 14 young people around the ages of 18/19 who are receiving individual financial assistance. Two are from the south-east, one of whom is from London. Cricket similarly has been awarded financial support for its world class programmes. However, while no young people currently receive individual assistance they will benefit from the £2 million programme award. Football does not have a world class programme due to the lack of financial need, which therefore means that no young people currently receive financial assistance through the world class programmes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what telephone helplines to assist the public are administered by his Department and its agencies. [159507]

My Department operates a public enquiry unit to assist the public. The unit can be reached on 020 7211 6200 or at enquiries@culture.gov.uk.The Department and the Royal Parks Agency operate no other helplines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the membership and terms of reference of the creative industries taskforce; what publications and reports have been completed to date; what work is under way; and what measures the group has taken to promote creative works among members of ethnic minorities, including the Irish community in Britain. [159554]

The creative industries taskforce was established in 1997. Its terms of reference were

"to provide a forum in which Government Ministers could come together with a few senior industry figures to assess the value of the creative industries, analyse their needs in terms of Government policies and identify ways of maximising their economic impact".

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to include in the forthcoming communication Bill a statutory duty on OFCOM to promote (a) take up of digital television and (b) early analogue switchover date. [159600]

[holding answer 30 April 2001]: The Government are committed to encouraging the take-up of digital television and the early switchover from analogue to digital television so that the benefits of digital broadcasting can be universally available. Many responses to the communications White Paper, "A New Future for Communications", argued that we should place a specific duty on OFCOM to achieve this. We are currently considering them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has held with the Kirch group about their proposals to restrict the viewing of World cup 2002 matches to pay-per-view only. [159830]

We understand that the Kirch group intends to hold an open auction for the live UK broadcasting rights to the 2002 World cup finals tournament but that they intend to comply with the UK listed event legislation. Through correspondence and a meeting with officials, we have made the Kirch group fully aware of the extent of this legislation: that the whole of the World cup finals tournament (all 64 matches) is a listed event, and that any broadcaster purchasing live rights from Kirch would have to comply with the provisions of the 1996 Broadcasting Act.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has held with the Arts Council about their proposals to reorganise regional arts councils. [159831]

My right hon. Friend and I were consulted by the chairman and chief executive of the Arts Council prior to the recent announcement of the proposed changes and further discussion will occur as the proposals develop.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many special advisers worked in his Department from 1997 to date. [160030]

[holding answer 1 May 2001]: Since 3 May 1997, no more than two special advisers have been in post at any one time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will list the allocations of items accepted in lieu of inheritance tax, made in the financial year 2000–01 under sections 9(3) and (4) of the National Heritage Act 1980. [160256]

Allocations made under National Heritage Act 9(3) of items accepted in lieu of tax in the financial year 2000–01—permanent allocations
Item	To whom permanently allocated
Paintings by Jan Steen, Aelbert Cuyp and Adriaen van Ostade	The National Trust for display at Waddesdon Manor and Ascott
A collection of mostly 18th and 19th century architectural drawings	Victoria and Albeit Museum
A pair of rococo silver candelabra and a 17th century silver tankard	Victoria and Albert Museum
A group of Limoges Renaissance enamels	The National Trust for display at Waddesdon Manor
Paintings by Jan van Goyen	National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside (Walker Art Gallery)
Five sculptures by Barbara Hepworth	Fitzwilliam Museum (three on display at Snape, Suffolk and one at Church College)
A silver-gilt William and Mary communion set	Winchester Cathedral
Two paintings by William Gear	Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Four portraits of the Meynell family by Francis Grant and John Hoppner	Temple Newsam House, Leeds
Two Longton Hall 'Snowman' figures	Stoke on Trent, Potteries Museum
Cimabue: Virgin and Child Enthroned	National Gallery
Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger: Portrait of an Unknown Woman	Tate
The Dacre Beasts	Victoria and Albert Museum
Henry Moore: Mother and Child	Leeds City Art Gallery
William Gomm Library Furniture	Stoneleigh Abbey Preservation Trust
Richard Wilson: Landscape	National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside (Walker Art Gallery)
George Romney: Viscountess Bulkeley as Hebe	National Museum and Gallery, Cardiff
Thomas Jones: Landscape	National Museum and Gallery, Cardiff

Allocations made under National Heritage Act 9(4) of items accepted in lieu of tax in the financial year 2000–01—temporary allocations (and not yet superseded by a permanent direction)
Item	To whom temporarily allocated
Chippendale and Adam Chairs	National Gallery of Scotland for Duff House
The archive of Sir Ernest Makins and Baron Sherfield	Bodleian Library, Oxford University
Three mediaeval books	The National Library of Scotland
Walter Smith: The Wydow Edith (1525)	British Library
The Wentworth Muniments	Sheffield Record Office and North Yorkshire Record Office
A 14th century ivory mirror back	Victoria and Albert Museum
John Crome: Fishmarket at Boulogne	Norwich, The Castle Museum
Metsu: Lady at a Spinet	English Heritage for display at Kenwood
Tinteretto: Portrait of an Unknown Man	Leighton House, Kensington
George Stubbs: Lord Rockingham's Arab Stallion	National Gallery of Scotland
George Ehret: Deliciae Botanicae	National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside
Hendrick Goltzius: Drawing	National Gallery of Scotland
Three mediaeval books	National Library of Scotland
A collection of 18th century Scottish silver	National Museum of Scotland
A Norwegian 14th century ivory crozier head	Victoria and Albert Museum
Land at Ham Hill, Somerset	South Somerset District Council