To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many applications were (a) made, (b) granted and (c) refused, and in how many

Applications under section 77 and Schedule 22 of the school standards and framework Act 1998 to dispose, or change the use, of school playing fields larger than a sports pitch1
	19982	1999	2000	20013	Total
Applications received	35	68	49	17	169
Applications approved4,5	9	54	43	23	129
Approved applications where there is no permanent loss of playing field larger than a sports pitch6	3	20	12	8	43
Applications rejected	0	2	0	0	2
Applications withdrawn	3	6	1	0	10
Schedule 22(1)(3) direction made7	1	0	3	0	4
1 Sports pitch' means an area of open grassed land equal to, or larger than, the Football Association's recommended area for games played by under-10s of 2,000 sq m, and which has a configuration making it suitable for use as a sports pitch
2 The School Standards and Framework Act came into force on 1 October 1998. Figures for 1998, therefore, cover applications received and applications determined between 1 October to 31 December 1998
3 This covers the period from 1 January to 22 June 2001
4 Applications may not have been approved in the same year that they were made because of the time needed to assess them. There are 28 applications not yet determined
5 In all approved cases, any proceeds were directed back into providing better sports or educational provision
6 Not all approvals result in the loss of playing fields. Some proposals involve the granting of a lease in which the playing field remains in place, or they may involve the transfer of ownership but no change of use
7 No directions made under Schedule 22(1)(3) have transferred land back to a local authority

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students obtained GCSE and A-level examinations in (a) Urdu, (b) Bengali, (c) Gujerati, (d) Hindi, (e) Mandarin, (f) Cantonese and (g) modern languages in each of the last five years. [1299]

The number of students of all ages who obtained GCSE and GCE A-level passes in the various languages over the last five years are shown in the table. Figures for Mandarin and Cantonese are not available, data for Chinese as a whole have been provided instead.

	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
GCSE
(a) Urdu	5,658	6,660	6,370	6,497	6,677
(b) Bengali	2,116	2,220	2,146	2,152	2,041
(c) Gujerati	1,313	1,309	1,026	1,189	1,200
(d) Hindi	—	—	—	—	—
(e)(f) Chinese	1,956	2,048	1,937	1,917	2,028
(g) All modem languages	450,244	444,639	460,186	472,010	476,050
GCE A-Level
(a) Urdu	833	837	591	746	725
(b) Bengali	99	98	108	37	53
(c) Gujerati	—	—	—	—	—
(d) Hindi	31	19	13	8	—
(e)(f) Chinese	972	887	1,074	1,165	1,225
(g) All modem languages	32,937	32,340	31,298	30,224	27,455

[holding answer 26 June 2001]: The information requested is shown in the table. This relates to applications to dispose of areas equal to, or larger than, a sports pitch. The table also shows the number of applications that did not result in the loss of any areas larger than a sports pitch. In the case of all approved applications, any proceeds were used to provide new or improved sports or education facilities at maintained schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to increase the speed with which her Department communicates with hon. Members. [1300]

The Department intends at all times to inform constituency MPs on announcements and to ensure letters are posted on the letter board the day before an announcement is made.MPs were notified of the new Beacon Schools on 20 June, in advance of the announcement the following day. We will continue to provide early notice to MPs of announcements which affect their constituencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if the disqualification for serving as a councillor on the local education authority applies equally to teaching staff of (a) foundation schools, (b) voluntary aided schools and (c) community schools. [1334]

Yes. Teachers are disqualified from being councillors for their school's maintaining local authority, regardless of whom the contract of employment is with.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information her Department collates on the number of people leaving teacher training who enter teaching; and if she will publish those figures. [1617]

[holding answer 2 July 2001]: My Department collects the number of teachers awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) each year. Data are then obtained from employers' returns to the Teachers' Pensions Scheme (TPS) to show which of these newly qualified teachers have entered teaching by the following 31 March in the maintained sector in England and Wales, the parts of the independent sector that are members of the TPS, full-time further education lecturers in England and Wales, and lecturers in higher education who are members of the TPS. The service of teachers is subsequently monitored at 31 March every year.There were 24,740 teachers in England who obtained QTS in 1998, having followed a BEd or PGCE course. 18,140 (73 per cent.) entered full or part-time teaching in England by 31 March 1999 and a further 150 (0.6 per cent.) were teaching in Wales, as follows:

	Number	Percentage
QTS following BEd or PGCE awarded in 1998	24,740	—
Not in service by 31 March 1999	6,450	26
In service in England by 31 March 1999
Maintained schools	17,110	69
Independent schools	800	3
Other1	230	1
Total in service by 31 March 1999	18,140	73
In service in Wales	150	0.6
Total in service in England or Wales	18,290	74
1 Includes further and higher education

Other teachers with QTS following a BEd or PGCE, not recorded above, may have had service in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or parts of the independent or HE sectors that are not members of the TPS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what procedures are in place to ensure consistency of marking for AS levels (a) within and (b) between examination boards. [1959]

The procedures to ensure the consistency of marking of AS levels within awarding bodies are contained in the GCSE and GCE A/AS Code of Practice. A copy of this document, published by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and its counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland, has been placed in the House of Commons Library. The QCA monitors compliance with this Code of Practice. It also looks at consistency between awarding bodies on a sample basis each year. In addition, the QCA has established an international panel of experts to review the QCA's arrangements for maintaining A level standards against best practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils have entered for the AS level examination this year. [1960]

The total number of students who have entered to sit the AS level examination in England and Wales will not be available until the autumn. However, there have been over 800,000 subject entries for AS examinations this summer. Many students will have entered for more than one subject.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimates her Department has made of the number of teachers required for the new vocational GCSE courses. [1962]

This autumn's annual review of the teacher training targets will take account of any likely additional demand for teachers as a result of the new vocational GCSE courses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what qualifications will be required for teachers of each of the new vocational GCSE courses. [1963]

Teachers delivering vocational GCSEs in maintained secondary schools will be required to have Qualified Teacher Status. While there will be no further statutory requirements concerning qualifications, headteachers will be expected to match teachers' backgrounds and experiences as closely as possible to the subjects on offer. A comprehensive training and support programme will be available to ensure teachers are well prepared for, and supported during, the delivery of courses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on admissions procedures to secondary schools. [1665]

We introduced a new admissions framework for all schools in the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. Its aim was to promote parental choice and make the admissions system fairer and easier for parents. A new statutory requirement was imposed on admission authorities requiring them to consult each other annually, before determining their admission arrangements. Where local agreement cannot be reached, admission authorities can object to an independent Schools Adjudicator or, where appropriate, to the Secretary of State.School admission arrangements are decided locally and admission authorities are free to choose what arrangements to use, although they must be clear, fair and objective and operated in a reasonable manner in line with guidance contained in the Code of Practice on School Admissions.Parents have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel if refused a place at their preferred school

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills under what criteria local authorities may set up pupil referral units. [1667]

Pupil Referral Units (PRUs) can be established by local education authorities under section 19(2) of the Education Act 1996 to educate young people who are unable to attend school because of illness, exclusion or otherwise. Education authorities must tell the Secretary of State whenever they set up or close a PRU, although there are no formal opening or closing procedures. However, before opening or closing a PRU there should be reasonable consultation locally, including with other PRUs in an area. The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1996 apply to PRUs with certain modifications. PRUs do not have to provide: a head teacher's room; playing fields; or staff accommodation for teachers to use for both work and social purposes. Education authorities may provide such accommodation, particularly for PRUs that offer full-time education on the premises. Education authorities must also ensure that PRU accommodation meets health, safety and fire regulations, and that it is suitable for education.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the (a) optimum number and (b) minimum number of pupils at which a primary school can provide a balanced education; and if she will make a statement. [2123]

There are good schools of all sizes. Delivery of a balanced curriculum depends on the organisation of the school and the skills and professionalism of the staff. We are supporting high standards in schools by effective inspection and targeted increased resources.Where schools have declining rolls and a large number of empty places, their future should be reviewed, particularly in cases where suitable alternative provision is easily accessible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action she plans to take to reduce primary school class sizes for those aged eight years and over. [2144]

Following increases in the amount of education funding we have made available to schools and local education authorities since 1997, the average class size for primary pupils aged eight and over has fallen for the second consecutive year; it is now 26.7. We intend to continue to improve funding to schools and by 2003–04 the average funding per pupil will have risen by £750 in real terms since 1997–98; schools may use this to reduce class sizes for junior pupils if they see that as a priority. In addition, we have announced that £73 million is being made available this year specifically to ensure that infants transferring to junior class continue to benefit from small classes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the employment rights of teachers facing (a) redundancy and (b) redeployment. [2200]

Although rare, teachers can face redundancy and redeployment when the need for their work at a particular school ceases or diminishes. Nevertheless, they enjoy the same general employment rights under the law as employees in other occupations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will undertake a review of current arrangements affecting net metering for renewable energy. [1679]

The issue of how best to value the export of energy to local electricity networks, including the specific issue of net metering, was examined by the Embedded Generation Working Group, who issued their final report recently. The Working Group concluded that further work on this issue was required and made a number of recommendations on how this might be progressed. We shall be making an announcement shortly on how the recommendations of the Embedded Generation Working Group will be taken forward.In May, the then Energy Minister wrote to electricity suppliers and distribution network operators asking them to consider improving net metering terms for small scale domestic renewable energy generators, including electricity from photovoltaics. A number of responses have been received and the Department will be considering what further action can be taken in the light of the conclusions that emerge.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what impact her Department expects the Information and Consultation Directive to have on competitiveness; and if she will make a statement. [2161]

The directive allows for flexible information and consultation procedures which can be adapted to meet the needs of individual employers. As such it will help foster partnership at work, thereby improving competitiveness.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of her Department's measures over the last Parliament in respect of the targets for raising UK productivity. [295]

[holding answer 25 June 2001]: During the last Parliament the Government set out their comprehensive strategy for meeting the productivity challenge in "Productivity in the UK: The Evidence and the Government's Approach", which was published alongside the November 2000 pre-Budget Report. The Government have also published major White Papers on enterprise, skills development and on science and innovation policy.The Government's policy is based on the twin principles of delivering macroeconomic stability, to allow firms and individuals to invest for the future, and implementing microeconomic reforms to remove the barriers which prevent markets from functioning efficiently.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been received under the compensation scheme for former Icelandic trawlermen; how many duplicate applications there were; how many applications have been paid to date; and how many have been rejected. [1064]

The figures as at 22 June 2001 are as follows:

	Number
Total applications received	11,000
Duplicates	2,173
Passed for payment	2,436
Rejected	1,323

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications for compensation made to the Icelandic trawlermen's scheme have been referred to her for decision on the entitlement of those who continued in fishing; and when she hopes to reach a conclusion on those cases. [1065]

Some 905 claims from men who continued fishing on former Icelandic water trawlers after 1979 have been identified. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has received representations that these claims should be brought within the scope of the scheme. She is currently considering this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many export licences were issued, broken down by category, for military and security equipment to Israel (a) between 29 September and 31 December 2000 and (b) between 1 January and 31 May. [1616]

The export of military equipment is controlled under entries in Part III of Schedule I of the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994 as amended (commonly known as the Military List).Between 29 September and 31 December 2000, seven Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and no Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) were issued covering the export to Israel of goods on the Military List. Between 1 January and 31 May 2001, 84 SIELs and no OIELs were issued covering the export of goods on the Military List to Israel.Individual licences may cover a range of goods with various ratings. Where this is so, the licence is included in the tables in the total for all of the relevant ratings.This information could not be broken down in the manner requested as the equipment covered by most entries in the Military List could be used for military or security purposes.

Individual licences issued between 29 September and 31 December 2000 covering the export to Israel of goods on the military list
Rating	Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating
ML2	1
ML4	1
ML5	3
ML10	1
ML16	1
ML18	1

Individual licences issued between 1 January and 31 May 2001 covering the export to Israel of goods on the military list
Rating	Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating
ML3	1
ML4	11
ML5	27
ML9	3
ML10	21
ML11	6
ML13	1
ML15	3
ML16	3
ML18	2
ML21	2
PL5017	2
PL5031	2
End-use	2

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she has received a copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment report for the Ilisu project in Turkey; and if she will make a statement. [2466]

We have now received the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the Ilisu project. A copy of the Report is being placed in the Library of both Houses.I am very well aware of the great public interest which exists in this project, and the associated application for export credit cover from ECGD. ECGD are therefore arranging for a copy of the Executive Summary of the EIAR to be placed on their website (www.ecgd.gov.uk). Copies of the CD-ROM of the full report can be obtained by writing to Ilisu Project, ECGD, PO Box 2200, 2 Harbour Exchange Square. London E14 9GS enclosing a cheque for £5. ECGD will also be providing, free of charge, a copy of the Executive Summary.Any comments on the Ilisu Dam project in the light of this report received by ECGD by 7 September 2001 will be taken into account by Ministers in their decision on whether or not to grant ECGD support for the project. Comments may be made in writing to the above address, or by e-mail to ilisueiar@ecgd.gov.uk.A decision about export credit support requires very careful consideration. I shall therefore be seeking expert advice on the EIAR and consulting my ministerial colleagues, before taking a decision. Until this process is complete, we will not be commenting on the report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she intends to announce her decision in respect of the entitlement of sacked miners to pension rights. [1336]

	1999–2000		2000–01		2001–022
	Programme budgets1	Administration	Programme budgets1	Administration	Programme budgets1	Administration
One North East	99,385	9,585	111,749	10,513	139,832	10,103
North West	175,361	11,837	179,379	13,876	243,153	14,044
Yorkshire Forward	132,656	7,795	158,624	8,284	202,614	9,989
East Midlands	47,844	6,941	69,781	7,377	74,343	7,488
Advantage West Midlands	97,624	7,421	115,397	8,352	140,656	8,793
East of England	26,627	4,570	38,205	4,849	51,411	5,836
South East	70,498	5,196	81,658	6,343	89,708	6,643
South West	26,151	7,255	60,071	8,380	59,490	9,099
London	—	—	264,347	6,009	267,672	9,470
1 The programme figures are net of receipts that the RDAs recycle.
2 Approved to date.

I am well aware of the level of interest in this long running issue. I hope to be in a position to announce my decision before the summer recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the impact of the South West Regional Development Agency on the economy of north Dorset. [662]

The South West Regional Development Agency (SW RDA) has been in existence for two years and has been working with inherited programmes supporting economic, social and community regeneration within the South West Region.The SW RDA has been encouraging and promoting the economy of the area and has taken the approach of working in partnership with a substantial range of partners within the sub-region. In north Dorset these have included: Dorset County Council, north Dorset District Council, Town/Parish Councils, Business Link Dorset (now BL Wessex) and Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Training and Enterprise Council (now Learning and Skills Council), housing associations, private sector businesses/ developers and many more. The outcome of successful partnership working has been to introduce an integrated economic/social/community development process. Details of these arrangements and of specific projects supported by the RDA are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) budgets and (b) administrative costs were for each of the regional development agencies in England for each financial year since their establishment; and what their planned budgets and administrative costs are for the next two years. [1434]

The table shows the Regional Development Agencies' (a) net budget for expenditure on programmes and (b) their administration budget for the financial years 1999–2000 to 2001–02.The RDAs' net budgets collectively are planned to be £1,430 million for 2002–03 and £1,580 million for 2003–04. These have yet to be divided up between the RDAs, or between programme and administration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with the Indian Government concerning the BAE Systems bid to supply Hawk jets; and what is the value of the BAE bid. [1307]

I have been asked to reply.The Ministry of Defence and the Department of Trade and Industry have been supportive of BAE Systems' bid to supply Hawk to India. Visits have been made by Government Ministers from both MOD and DTI during the past 18 months. These visits have provided valuable opportunities to assure the Indian Government of HMG's support for a greater co-operation between UK and Indian defence companies, including on the BAE Systems Hawk proposal.The value of the bid is a matter between BAE Systems and the Indian Government.

To ask the President of the Council what the cost was of printing and publication of EDMs in the last 12 months (a) in total, (b) per week and (c) per day. [2014]

I have been asked to reply. House of Commons printing and publishing charges are volume related and calculated in arrears by financial year. Final figures for EDM costs are therefore available only for FY 2000–01 and amount to approximately £443,000. This figure does not include electronic publication costs associated with EDMs, which are not separately identifiable from overall electronic publishing costs.There were 35 sitting or part-sitting weeks; and 159 sitting days in FY 2000–01, from which can be derived average costs for EDM printing and publishing of approximately £12,660 per sitting week and £2,786 per sitting day.

To ask the Solicitor-General if she will list the occasions on which First Junior Chancery Treasury Counsel were employed by the Department of Trade and Industry between 5 April 1999 and 4 April 2000, indicating the commencing dates, durations and purposes. [1451]

I have been asked to replyThe First Treasury Junior (Chancery) is appointed to work exclusively on Government business. Between 5 April 1999 and 4 April 2000 he worked on 36 Department of Trade and Industry matters. Like others, the Government seek and receive their legal advice in confidence. All such advice is covered by legal professional privilege and is therefore exempt from disclosure. In the circumstances it is inappropriate to give the further particulars requested.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will define departmental and ministerial responsibilities for disability issues. [1642]

Maria Eagle, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has responsibility for civil rights for disabled people, including the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and the Disability Rights Commission, for disability benefits, and for the promotion and co-ordination of disability issues across Government. Practice on the allocation of responsibility for disability matters in other appropriate Departments varies.

To ask the Prime Minister what representations he made, and by which officials on his behalf, to (a) the Department for Education and Skills and (b) the Department for Culture, Media and Sport regarding the applications for work permits by Mr. Hector Sam and Mr. Carlos Edwards. [2090]

As far as I am aware, no representations have been made on my behalf in respect of these matters.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans the Government have for a public inquiry into the handling of the foot and mouth crisis. [2176]

To ask the Prime Minister if he will establish an independent public inquiry into all aspects of the Government's handling of foot and mouth disease. [2199]

There will be an inquiry to ascertain the lessons that can be learned from the foot and mouth outbreak. Its nature will be a matter for decision later: the immediate priority remains the eradication of the disease.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Eccles (Ian Stewart) of 21 June 2001, Official Report, column 1W, if he will provide details of the new high-level group on climate change. [1774]

The EU-US summit of 14 June agreed to a proposal by the EU Presidency to establish a high-level group on climate change. I understand that a mandate for the group has not been finalised, but that it is envisaged that it will act as a channel for the EU and US to exchange information and maintain contact on important climate change issues. It is envisaged that the EU would be represented by the Troika.

To ask the Prime Minister what additional projects are planned for the Performance and Innovation Unit; and if he will make a statement. [2335]

I have asked the Performance and Innovation Unit to undertake a further project to review the legal and regulatory framework for charities and the wider voluntary and community sector and bring forward proposals for reform.The Government are committed to working in partnership with charities and the voluntary sector to strengthen their contribution to the health and dynamism of the society and the economy. The project will consider how the regulatory and legal framework could better enable existing organisations to thrive and grow; encourage the development of new types of organisations where needed; and ensure public confidence.The PIU will report in the winter. The sponsor Minister will be Baroness Morgan.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to bring forward proposals to define and limit the powers of European Union institutions; and if he will make a statement. [1452]

The declaration on the future of the Union (Declaration 23) attached to the treaty of Nice lists:

"the precise delimitation of powers between the European Union and member states reflecting the principle of subsidiarity"

as one of the issues to be addressed by the inter-governmental conference in 2004.The declaration also states that these discussions should be preceded by a deep and wide debate with all those representing public opinion. That debate has already begun. As I said in my speech in Warsaw in October 2000, the future shape of the institutions should concentrate on delivering real benefits to people in the areas that matter most to them. They should also ensure that the EU becomes more transparent, accountable and relevant.

To ask the Prime Minister by what date he will carry out a review of the new voting systems for elections to (a) the Scottish Parliament, (b) the National Assembly of Wales, (c) the European Parliament and (d) the London Assembly and if he will make a statement. [1453]

We said we will keep the situation under review and we will do so. No decision has yet been made on the precise timing of any formal review process.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to agree to requests for him to give evidence before a Select Committee on the Government annual reports; and if he will make a statement. [1847]

By long-standing convention, Prime Ministers have not given evidence to Select Committees. I regularly answer questions from members at Prime Minister's questions.

To ask the Prime Minister if former members of Cabinet Committees are required to submit political diaries and memoirs for clearance by the Cabinet Office prior to publication. [1975]

The ministerial code states that former Ministers are required to submit their manuscript to the Secretary of the Cabinet and to conform to the principles set out in the Radcliffe report of 1976 (Cmnd 6386). These principles are drawn to the attention of Ministers when they are appointed and a note of them is included in the Directory of the Civil Service Guidance. Copies of the Directory are in the Libraries of the House and the text is available on-line at http://www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/guidance.

To ask the Prime Minister what restrictions govern the publication of minutes of meetings of the Joint Cabinet Committee held in the last Parliament. [1977]

Details of the proceedings of all Cabinet Committees, including the Joint Cabinet Committee, are exempt from disclosure for 30 years under the internal discussion and advice exemption of the code of practice on access to government information.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his reply of 25 June 2001, Official Report, column 17W, on the Appointments Commission (1) what categories of individuals other than those ennobled in order to enter the Government as Ministers will be recommended by him for a peerage without reference to the House of Lords Appointments Commission; [2154](2) if he will place in the Library correspondence with the House of Lords Appointments Commission concerning his practice of recommending some peerages without reference to the Commission. [2155]

With the exception of peerages created to enable individuals to serve as Ministers, all recommendations that I make to the Queen are referred to the House of Lords Appointments Commission for scrutiny. The final decision on whether to recommend those names, however, rests with me, unlike those recommendations proposed by the Commission itself.

To ask the Prime Minister what communications he has had with his Swedish counterpart in respect of the shooting with live ammunition of demonstrators at the European Summit in Gothenburg. [1759]

Since I left Gothenburg, I have had no communication with the Swedish Prime Minister, Goran Persson, about the policing of the violent rioting at the recent European Council meeting there. This is a matter for the Swedish authorities. I understand that the Swedish Government have set up a commission to investigate all of the events surrounding the riots.

To ask the Prime Minister which Department is responsible for overall monitoring of each Department's performance in relation to its public service agreements; and if he will make a statement. [1454]

Ministers in charge of Departments are responsible for delivering their public service agreements. I shall continue to hold regular meetings to take stock of progress against key objectives on crime, education, transport and health, with the support of the new delivery unit. The Committee on Public Services and Public Expenditure (PSX), chaired by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and supported by HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office, has overall responsibility for monitoring performance on public service agreements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the CHARM 3 proof firing programme at Dundrennan in Kirkcudbrightshire. [2394]

Due to the foot and mouth restrictions no firings are currently taking place at the Kirkcudbright range in Scotland. The results from the proof firings for the earlier batches of the CHARM 3 round have shown a consistently high standard of quality and performance. No changes are being made to the manufacturing process for the few, final batches and, based on advice from MOD's technical, safety and commercial experts, it has been agreed that the final firings can be waived. Further proof testing while the ammunition remains in service may be required, but this has yet to be confirmed.There will still be a need for some CHARM 3 firings at Kirkcudbright. These firings relate to two safety trials for the Challenger 2 tank. The first is a worn barrel trial which is needed to establish with absolute certainty the amount of wear that can be permitted within a barrel while still being confident that the round can be fired safely. The second relates to trials prior to the acceptance of a new charge for Al climatic conditions (very hot and dry). These safety trails could require the firing of an estimated maximum of 120 rounds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the companies and organisations which submitted expressions of interest in the provision of facilities management for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory; when he will issue invitations to tender; and when tenders will be due. [848]

[holding answer 27 June 2001]: The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has advertised a future requirement for facilities management services in the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJEC) and the MOD "Contracts Bulletin". Expressions of interest detailing financial and relevant commercial experience were invited and respondents given the appropriate period in which to submit information in accordance with EC Procurement Directives. These advertisements generated significant response from potential suppliers. I am withholding details of potential suppliers under Exemption 7 of the code of practice on access to government information.The anticipated date for release of invitation to tender documents was identified in the OJEC and MOD bulletin notices as 31 July 2001.As Dstl is still in the process of defining its requirements of facilities management services, interested parties have been advised that invitations to tender will not be released before 1 October and that a revised date of release will be notified in due course. A four-month response period is to be allowed. Accordingly, tenders are anticipated in the period of spring 2002.In accordance with MOD guidance, organisations invited to tender will be listed in the MOD "Contracts Bulletin" when invitations are issued.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the timetable is for, and what progress has been made on, establishing a Defence Diversification Council. [2202]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 26 June 2001, Official Report, column 57W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Dr. Palmer).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to establish funding to encourage technological innovation for defence diversification purposes. [2201]

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) encourages the widest possible exploitation of defence technology by the civil sector. Since its establishment in 1999, the Defence Diversification Agency has fulfilled this role by encouraging, fostering and facilitating the cross fertilisation of technology between the UK defence and civil sectors. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 26 June 2001, Official Report, column 57W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Dr. Palmer). We have decided to bring the Defence Diversification Agency into the MOD head office where it will be best placed to continue to deliver defence diversification following the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency public-private partnership and the formation of the new company QinetiQ on 1 July 2001. We have no plans to change the roles and responsibilities of the Defence Diversification Agency nor to establish a separate technological innovation fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay his decision to rename the future carrier borne aircraft programme the future joint combat aircraft programme. [1596]

The previous future carrier borne aircraft (FCBA) title dated from the period before the 1998 Strategic Defence Review when the programme was envisaged as a Sea Harrier replacement only.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in relation to the memorandum of understanding between the UK and United States Governments to participate in the next development phase of the joint strike fighter. [1595]

The current JSF concept demonstration phase continues to make excellent progress. Following signature of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cover the UK's entry into the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the joint strike fighter programme in January this year, the process to select a single company to be awarded the EMD contract has been proceeding to schedule. As a result of our decision to sign the MOU, UK personnel are fully involved in this process. The plan remains to award the contract in October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of the RAF air tanker programme. [2139]

The future strategic tanker aircraft will replace the RAF's fleet of VC10 and TriStar air-to-air refuelling and air transport aircraft from around 2007. This will provide the RAF with a modern fleet that will ensure that our forces have truly global reach.The programme is at the vanguard of smart acquisition, and the integrated project team is forging innovative partnerships with industry to develop a public-private partnership solution to the requirement. Initial bids for a PFI service are due in today prior to a detailed negotiation and assessment phase. We are currently planning to make a final investment decision around mid-2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which types of aircraft are expected to operate in the future large aircraft carriers. [2138]

The types of aircraft aboard the future aircraft carriers will depend upon the operational circumstances at the time. However, the CVF will have the capacity to operate a wide range of aircraft, including the future joint combat aircraft; future organic airborne early warning platforms; and helicopters in a variety of roles, for example, attack, anti-submarine warfare and support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects former Chatham dockyard radiation workers to receive an offer of compensation under the no fault scheme for former radiation workers. [1949]

There are two cases involving ex-Chatham dockyard radiation workers that have been assessed by the British Nuclear Fuels compensation scheme for radiation-linked diseases as eligible for compensation. The level of compensation due in both cases is still being assessed and, following completion of this exercise, offers of settlement will be made. It is not possible to predict precisely when this will be. However, in an effort to move matters forward, my Department would be prepared to consider reasonable requests for interim payments of damages in both of these cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria will govern whether the United Kingdom joins the United States Administration's missile defence programme. [1773]

The US has not yet decided how it will seek to proceed with missile defence and has not put forward specific proposals for UK involvement. We have made clear that we would consider any such proposals carefully, in the light of circumstances at the time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will publish the date of the offer and the amount received by his Department from Serco for the purchase of the MOD site at Aston Down; [1349](2) what proposals his Department has for the future use of MOD Aston Down. [1350]

The former Defence Storage and Distribution Centre at Aston Down, which closed on 31 March, is surplus to requirements and is currently on the market for sale by public competition. The site is being advertised in the property press and the closing date for bids is 24 August. It has not been sold to Serco.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in upgrading the prisoner database; and what response has been given to the recommendation of the Searches on the Person Review concerning the statistical recording and monitoring of strip searches. [978]

The Prison Service management board is to consider a proposal for upgrading the prisoner database—local inmate database system (LIDS)—later this year. The proposal for LIDS is to put the existing database onto a more modern computer system to improve sustainability and operational flexibility.The requirement for statistical recording and monitoring of strip searches has been submitted to the Prison Service information technology (IT) provider, to consider whether inclusion in the LIDS upgrade is the most appropriate way of meeting this requirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers whose application for asylum has been refused have been moved from their settled address to another area while their appeal is dealt with since the setting-up of NASS. [1124]

This information is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only through examination of individual case records.As a matter of policy and practice, the national asylum support service (NASS) will move an asylum seeker it is supporting from their settled address only if the asylum seeker has requested it or there are exceptional circumstances which necessitate moving the asylum seeker.Asylum seekers transferring to support from NASS because they have received a negative decision on their application or because they have reached the age of 18 will normally be moved from their current accommodation into NASS accommodation unless there are overriding reasons for supporting them in their existing accommodation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the asylum support stakeholder group to meet; and if he will make a statement about its role. [1123]

The aim of the group as originally constituted was to act as a consultative forum at the time the asylum support scheme to be administered by the national asylum support service (NASS) was being set up. The asylum support stakeholder group has not met since NASS went live on 3 April 2000.Currently, responsibility for formation of stakeholder groups rests with individual local authority regional consortiums responsible for asylum support issues.Plans are being made to establish a new national forum on asylum support for consulting with interested parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum applications have been (a) rejected and (b) rejected as a result of being incorrectly completed in each year since 1995. [1469]

Information on the number of initial decisions to refuse refugee status from 1995 to 2000 is given in the table. Data on the number of refusals resulting from incorrectly completed applications are unavailable. However, such cases fall into the category of noncompliance, covering, for example, failure to provide further evidence as required, failure to respond to invitations to interview and failure to complete a statement of evidence form correctly or within the time allowed. Data on non-compliance are included in the table.My hon. Friend may also be interested to know that in May 2001 79 per cent. of initial decisions were upheld on appeal.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it remains his policy to end the use of prisons to hold asylum seekers by October. [1466]

The Government remain committed to their long-term strategy of reducing the use of prison accommodation to hold immigration detainees. However, even in the long term, for reasons of geography, security and control, there will continue to be a need to hold some detainees in prisons. The use of the dedicated detention facilities managed by the Prison Service at Haslar, Rochester and Lindholme does not at present have a set duration. The temporary use of 500 additional places made available by the Prison Service in a number of local prisons is being reviewed and the timing of the withdrawal of immigration detainees from these prisons is the subject of discussions with the Prison Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the percentage of substantive family applications which received an initial decision within two months in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement; [1599](2) what was the average time taken for an initial decision to be made on asylum applications by single applicants without dependants in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [1598]

Information regarding the average time taken to make an initial decision is not available for the whole of 2000.Nearly two thirds (63 per cent.) of new substantive family applications lodged in the period of 1 April 2000 to 31 December 2000 had an initial decision within two months.The average time taken for an initial decision to be made on asylum applications by applicants without dependants for decisions made in the period of October to December 2000, was 14 months.Information on the average time taken to make an initial decision, separately identified for family and single applicants is not available for 1998 and 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of asylum applications included dependants in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [1597]

The information is given in the table. This information for 1998 and 1999 is published in the Home Office Statistical Bulletins "Asylum Statistics", copies of which are available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html.

Estimated proportion of applications which include dependants1
	Percentage
1998	13
1999	220
2000	210
1 Percentages are based on the cases for which the information is recorded
2 Provisional figures

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on reductions in the number of prison officers at HMP Garth and HMP Wymott. [2022]

As part of the substantial settlements which the Prison Service received from the Treasury under the comprehensive spending review and spending review 2000, the service is required to deliver 1 per cent. cashable efficiency savings each year on its baselines. Following studies by the Prison Service's management consultancy service, the governors of Garth and Wymott are seeking to agree with the Prison Officers Association a package of efficiency measures including regrading and civilianisation. The proposed reduction at Wymott is 18 prison officer posts and at Garth 10 officer and two senior officer posts, to be partly offset by increases in civilian staff and operational support grades. The governors are satisfied that these changes can be introduced without endangering the safety of staff or prisoners or the security of the establishments.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will increase the monitoring of the running of HMP Garth and HMP Wymott. [2024]

All prison establishments are regularly monitored by area managers against over 40 key performance targets, and the deputy director general personally reviews performance monthly. Area managers visit every establishment at least eight times a year and therefore there are no plans to introduce monitoring for Garth and Wymott over and above the current level already provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for changes to the double jeopardy rule to apply retrospectively; and if he will make a statement. [1498]

The Government's manifesto included a commitment to reform the double jeopardy rule in cases involving murder and we will do so when parliamentary time allows. Details of the legislation will be announced when any Bill is published.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library copies of the representations made to him during the period of public consultation on possible changes to the law on sexual offences. [2218]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) on 27 June 2001, Official Report, column 99W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter of 31 May (Ref. 10266/1) from the hon. Member for Northavon regarding Mr. Cameron McArthur. [1790]

I wrote to the hon. Member about Mr. McArthur on 27 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost was in the last year of a place in each prison in (a) the prison estate and (b) privately run establishments; and if he will make a statement. [2113]

The average cost per place for each Prison Service and privately run establishment for the financial year 2000–01 is listed in the tables.

(a) Prison Service establishments
Prison name	Cost per place (cash)
Acklington	15,083
Albany	20,007
Ashwell	15,623
Askham Grange	19,353
Aylesbury	23,392
Bedford	22,449
Belmarsh	32,822
Birmingham	21,487
Blantyre House	19,346
Blundeston	21,869
Brinsford	22,606
Bristol	33,029
Brixton	27,750
Brockhill	31,058
Buckley Hall	17,735
Bullingdon	17,744
Bullwood Hall	27,991
Camp Hill	19,153
Canterbury	47,944
Cardiff	23,328
Castington	23,742
Channings Wood	18,212
Chelmsford	21,966
Coldingley	19,596
Cookham Wood	26,696
Dartmoor	20,999
Deerbolt	18,910
Dorchester	30,407
Dover	19,918
Downview	19,210
Drake Hall	14,873
Durham	31,806
East Sutton Park	19,590
Eastwood Park	22,266
Elmley	19,001

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what percentage of cases where fire alarms were present in dwellings on fire in 2000 they (a) raised the alarm, (b) operated but failed to raise the alarm and (c) failed to operate altogether in the Humberside fire authority area. [1470]

I have been asked to reply.The information relates to fires in dwellings where a smoke alarm was present that were attended by the Humberside local authority fire brigade in 1999. 2000 data are not yet available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to introduce a bill granting British citizenship to the citizens of the British Overseas Territories; and if he will make a statement. [1784]

The British Overseas Territories Bill, which will grant British citizenship to all British dependent territories citizens in qualifying territories, was given a First Reading in the House of Lords on 21 June. The Second Reading is scheduled for 10 July. The Bill was published on 22 June. Copies of the Bill, with explanatory notes, are available from the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he or his Department has had recently with the Government of Sudan regarding the treatment of Sudanese Christians. [1355]

We continue to he deeply concerned by the suffering of all in the Sudan, regardless of religious or ethnic background. Christians do have specific concerns, which we take up with the Government of Sudan bilaterally and through the EU. In recent weeks, our ambassador in Khartoum has discussed our concerns with a number of leading Sudanese politicians, including the Vice-President, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Religious Affairs and the Governor of Khartoum State. He has also held a meeting with Archbishop Marona, the leader of the Episcopal Church of Sudan. This is part of a continuing dialogue on a key issue for human rights, and peace, in Sudan. Church issues are also an important part of the agenda of the EU/Sudan political dialogue. In London my officials keep in close touch with representatives of the British Churches with an interest in Sudanese affairs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if the Government will delay ratification of the Nice treaty until the Republic of Ireland can ratify the treaty; [2204](2) what assessment he has made of the implications of the outcome of the Irish referendum on the future of the Nice treaty. [2208]

I refer to the right hon. Gentleman to my answer of 28 June 2001, Official Report, column 167W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the clauses in the treaty of Nice which are essential to EU enlargement. [2207]

The Nice treaty as a whole is essential for enlargement. The enlarged EU we want cannot work effectively without the changes that Nice makes to the EU's institutions and procedures. All member states are agreed that Nice opens the way for enlargement, and that, with the entry into force of the treaty, the EU will have completed the institutional changes necessary for the accession of new member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact on the future of the Nice treaty of one member state's inability to ratify it. [2205]

In order for the treaty of Nice to enter into force it must be ratified by all 15 member states in accordance with their constitutional requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to hold a referendum on UK ratification of the Nice treaty following the Irish referendum. [2209]

The treaty of Nice can come into force only if it is ratified by all member states in accordance with their own constitutional requirements. In the UK, this means that Parliament must pass legislation to amend the European Communities Act 1972. Parliament will decide whether or not to accept the Nice treaty, as it did for the Single European Act, Maastricht and Amsterdam.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policies his Department will adopt at the UN conference in New York in July on the trade in small arms and light weapons; and if he will make a statement. [1860]

The Government attach great importance to supporting efforts to reduce the uncontrolled spread and use of small arms and light weapons.The UK and its European partners have consistently maintained that the forthcoming UN conference on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects should adopt a politically binding programme of action containing concrete measures to deal with both the supply and demand side of the trade. The UK has made substantial contributions to proposals put forward by the EU on key areas of the programme of action. These include:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the case of Mr. Ian Stillman who was recently jailed in northern India. [1855]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations HM Government have made to the Government of India regarding the detention of Mr. Ian Stillman; what assurances have been received from the Indian authorities about the health and well-being of Mr. Stillman; and if he will make a statement. [2219]

Consular staff are monitoring Ian Stillman's welfare closely. They were successful in arranging his transfer to a jail more suited to his special needs. They will continue to ensure that he receives adequate medical treatment.The Foreign Secretary raised our concerns about Mr. Stillman's welfare at a meeting on 26 June with Prime Minister Vajpayee's principal secretary, and also our hope that his appeal will be heard swiftly. We will continue to speak to the Indian authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of the conference on the global economy of illegal drugs held in London on 25 and 26 June. [2017]

This conference was the first attempt in an international gathering to address aspects of the economy of the illegal drugs trade. The conference attracted over 200 participants from 60 countries, and leading speakers in their fields. The conference looked at a number of key interrelated areas in the illegal drugs economy, including factors influencing production of illegal drugs; middle markets and how best to attack them; and the wider corrosive impacts of the drugs trade internationally, including its impact on livelihoods, governance, environment, legitimate trade and conflict. The conference also addressed the relationship between the drugs trade and other areas of illegal economic activity. These are important issues for the UK's drugs strategy and for our wider foreign policy, which we intend to follow up in the coming months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Colombian Government concerning paramilitary incursions into peace village communities in the Cacarica region of Colombia. [2019]

The British embassy in Bogota is in regular contact with the Colombian authorities on the safety and protection of vulnerable groups, including the peace communities. On 27 June, the Colombian ambassador to London wrote to me in order to outline the measures that his Government are taking to protect displaced communities in the Cacarica river basin as they return to their homes. He also assured me that the Colombian Government are aware of the need to strengthen the protection mechanisms for a civilian peace scheme in the region, and will adopt the measures necessary to protect vulnerable communities there. Also on 27 June, British embassy officials met members of the San Francisco peace community close to Cacarica, and experiencing similar serious problems, to listen to their concerns first hand. The UK and Dutch Governments are sponsoring a project to build a refuge in the town of Rio Sucio where members of the peace community can stay.We remain very concerned about the activities of all the illegal armed groups in Colombia. We have called upon the Government of Colombia to continue their efforts to combat paramilitarism effectively and to continue taking concrete action to dismantle such groups by arresting, prosecuting and punishing all those involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he next intends to meet Bob Kiley to discuss progress towards a partial privatisation of the London Underground. [661]

There is no question of privatising, or part privatising, the Tube. The Tube is a public service and the public sector should own and run it.The current Tube is not good enough. It desperately needs modernising. Of course there is a role for the private sector—working for the public sector London Underground. Together they will deliver the massive improvements that are needed for a better, more reliable and more secure Tube.I am not prepared to put safety on the Tube at risk. I therefore intend that there should be a double safety veto. Our proposals for the Tube will not go ahead unless:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of the funding of the Leeds Supertram. [663]

Funding arrangements for the Leeds Supertram have now been agreed. I am delighted that the Government will be making a very substantial contribution towards the capital costs of this project, which are estimated at £487 million. It is another example of our delivery of the step change in public transport set out in the 10-Year Plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to improve the road infrastructure of the north-west of England. [664]

The Highways Agency is currently taking forward four major road schemes in the north-west of England and 12 route management studies. In addition, the local transport plan settlement for this year allocated some £84.5 million for local roads—an increase of 75 per cent. over the last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress towards implementing the proposals in "Transport 2010: the 10-Year Plan". [665]