To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the contracts of employment of the Chairman, Chief Executive and Board members of the Strategic Rail Authority are due to expire. [1013]

The appointments are due to expire as follows:

	Expiry date
Sir Alastair Morton (Chairman)	31 March 2002
Mike Grant (Chief Executive)	30 April 2004
Lew Adams	31 October 2001
Professor Begg	31 March 2002
Willie Gallagher	30 April 2002
David Grayson	30 April 2002
Ann Hemingway	30 April 2002
David Jeffries	31 October 2001
Pen Kent	31 October 2001
Jeremy Mayhew	30 April 2002
David Quarmby	31 October 2001
Janet Runin	30 April 2002
Kevin Small	30 April 2002

Sir Alastair Morton has agreed that he will step down as soon as a new Chairman is appointed. The process for appointing his successor has already begun, and an appointment will be made as quickly as possible within the rules for public appointments of this kind.The appointments of Lew Adams and David Quarmby were originally due to expire on 30 June 2001, and those of David Jeffries and Pen Kent on 31 July 2001. All have accepted short extensions to their appointments to 31 October 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects the Strategic Rail Authority to publish its Strategic Plan. [1012]

The draft Directions and Guidance to the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) issued for consultation by the Secretary of State on 29 June would require the SRA to publish a first overall strategy in November 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many air traffic controllers are at present in training; how many controllers are needed to initiate the new NERC Centre at Southampton; and when he expects to receive details of training schemes proposed by the new private partners of NATS. [1015]

370 student air traffic controllers are currently undergoing training at NATS College of Air Traffic Control, or at operational units. In addition, around 50 controllers are being trained on the new Swanwick systems at any one time.365 controllers will be needed to bring NERC into operation next January.The Strategic Partnership Agreement for the NATS PPP requires the key shareholders to agree a business plan within four months of the start of the PPP. This will include a training strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to announce (a) the completion of contract negotiations for the new (i) Chiltern, (ii) South Central and (iii) South West Trains rail franchises and (b) the preferred bidders for the East Coast Main Line and Transpennine franchises. [1026]

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) will conclude negotiations and sign franchise agreements with the preferred counterparties for the new Chiltern, South Central and South West Trains rail franchises as soon as it can resolve all outstanding issues.Announcements will be made on the East Coast Main Line and Transpennine franchises as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of freight went by (a) road and (b) rail in May (i) 1993, (ii) 1997 and (iii) 2001. [1613]

The figures are not available in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with British Airways concerning plans for a runway to be built along the northern perimeter of Heathrow airport. [1310]

As the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin), made clear on 6 June 2000, Official Report, columns 203–04W, it is premature to comment on what options are being considered in the South East and East of England Regional Air Services (SERAS) study. Following completion of the study there will be a public consultation on the options arising from it.During the course of the study we have had discussions with, and representations from, a wide range of organisations, including British Airways, about new runways in the south east of England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will state the estimated cost of the administration of Best Value in the fire service in the last financial year; [1283]

Fire total standard spending was increased by 3.5 per cent. to £1,463 million for 2001–02. The settlements took account of information on spending pressures provided by the local authorities Fire Service Expenditure Forecasting Group. Best Value administration was not identified as a separate significant pressure in the group's most recent report. Information on overall costs for the fire service is not held centrally. The scale of costs is likely to be different for county fire authorities compared with single-service fire authorities, like East Sussex, which are Best Value authorities in their own right. Additional items of expenditure for single-service fire authorities include publication of Best Value performance plans and distribution of summary plans to local households.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the review of planning policy for mobile phone masts. [1478]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Westbury (Dr. Murrison) on 25 June 2001, Official Report, column 20W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will require tailored energy efficiency advice to be provided to people buying a new home. [1814]

Under the Building Regulations, builders are required to calculate the energy rating of a new home and to place a notice of the energy rating there. In addition, we are proposing to make it a new requirement of the Building Regulations that builders should provide occupiers of new homes with information on operation and maintenance of the heating and hot water services in ways that would help to optimise energy consumption.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to require local authorities to produce cycling strategies. [1731]

All local highway authorities in England (excluding London) were asked to produce a cycling strategy as part of their local transport plans (LTPs) last year. This should identify gaps in the local network and potential improvements to the cycling infrastructure. Almost all authorities subsequently included strategies for cycling as part of their LTP submissions. Initial monitoring suggests that the strategies will result in considerable additional provision for cycling. The London boroughs will be expected to implement the policies for cycling contained in the Mayor's Transport Strategy, which is due for publication in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how the Government plan to take forward their cycling strategy. [1658]

[holding answer 3 July 2001]: The Government are committed to quadrupling the number of cycling trips, from a 1996 base, by 2012, and in the 10-Year Transport Plan we have set an interim target of tripling the number of cycling trips between 2000 and 2010. The local transport settlement provided £8.4 billion of Government funding which will help to promote sustainable transport measures, including cycling. The cycling strategies in local authorities' local transport plans will provide opportunities to improve the cycling infrastructure and make cycling more accessible.Action is being taken to effectively market the key messages of the National Cycling Strategy (NCS). An NCS website has been launched and a promotional video has been produced. A series of cycling seminars has just been concluded across England, which provided a good opportunity for local authorities, major employers and health and education practitioners to come together.We are also re-organising the way the National Cycle Forum, which co-ordinates progress on the NCS, works. The current Forum will be reconstituted, meeting annually to review progress on delivering the NCS, and to set the policy agenda for the year ahead. An executive board is to be established with the task of securing NCS objectives and developing broad policies established by the NCF. The NCS Board will be 8–10 people strong. We have advertised for a Chairperson, and are considering the applications at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what monitoring system his Department has in place to ensure that single regeneration budget programmes are delivered in line with the objectives set in the original bids; and if he will make a statement. [2124]

My Department's monitoring system requires Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) Partnerships to set out the objectives of their bids in annual Delivery Plans. The Regional Development Offices (RDAs) monitor Partnerships' progress in delivering their schemes, normally each quarter, against Key Indicators of Performance which are recorded in Delivery Plans. The RDAs also undertake periodic reviews of SRB Schemes to assess overall progress.In their recent Corporate/Business Plans, RDAs set out regional priorities and activities and key outputs for the SRB in 2001–02. They will report on achievements in their 2002–03 Plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his policy is towards land used as informal open public space being developed for housing purposes; and if he will make a statement. [2119]

The Government's policy is set out in the draft revision of Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 17—Sport, Open Space, and Recreation. This makes it clear that existing open space should not be developed for housing or other forms of built development in urban areas, unless the planning authority's assessments undertaken in accordance with guidance in PPG17 shows the land to be clearly surplus to requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the hectarage of farmland which is surplus to agricultural requirements but cannot be used for any alternative purpose due to (a) local plans and (b) greenbelt zoning. [2130]

Consideration of whether to grant planning permission for the alternative use of agricultural land is a matter in the first instance for local planning authorities taking into account their development plan policies and national guidance. National planning policy for the countryside is contained in Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 7: The Countryside—Environmental Quality and Economic and Social Development. PPG7 was recently amended to encourage lo, al planning authorities to be more supportive of farm diversification projects that are consistent in their scale with their rural location.PPG2 sets out national planning policies for green belts and identifies those uses of land within green belts that may be appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what studies he is undertaking into the turnouts for elections in different countries and the reasons behind the differences in turnouts; and if he will make a statement; [1694](2) what research he has commissioned into the low turnout in the recent general election; and if he will make a statement; [1693](3) what research he has

No research has been commissioned or undertaken to investigate the costs and benefits of introducing compulsory voting nor into turnouts for elections in other countries. As to the low turnout in the recent general election, the Electoral Commission is undertaking a review of the conduct of that election. The Government will give careful consideration to the findings once the report is presented to Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reasons airlines and air carriers He exempted from the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act 1996; and what plans he has to bring them within the terms of the Act. [1806]

As travel by air is a predominantly international mode of transport, it was considered more appropriate to develop standards at international level for access to air travel for disabled people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the changes he intends to make in the planning inquiry system; and what consultations his Department has had with non-governmental organisations on planning arrangements. [1769]

We introduced new rules for streamlining planning inquiries last August. We are monitoring the operation of the procedures.Separately, we have consulted on proposals to streamline the processing of major projects through the planning system. The proposals include measures to improve the procedures for public inquiries into major projects. Of the 127 responses to the consultation, 71 were from non-governmental organisations. We shall announce how we intend to proceed as soon as practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the role of transport infrastructure in delivery of regeneration policies. [1767]

Development of transport infrastructure can have an important role to play in delivering regeneration. English Regional Planning Bodies are required by Planning Policy Guidance Note 11 to produce regional transport strategies to reflect the economic and regeneration needs of the region. Transport and regeneration (with the exception of some rail issues) in Wales are matters for the Welsh Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many civil servants were employed by (a) the Department of the Environment and (b) the Department of Transport in April 1997. [1803]

At 1 April 1997 the Department of the Environment (Central) employed 3,180 staff and the Department of Transport (Central) employed 1,777 staff. Both figures are expressed as full-time equivalents with part-time staff counted as a proportion of net conditioned hours worked.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to modify the planning system in respect of protection of sites of special scientific interest. [1772]

The Government are committed to ensuring that sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) receive a high level of protection through the planning system. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 included new and enhanced powers to improve the protection and management of SSSIs. We also intend to issue a revision of Planning Policy Guidance Note 9 (Nature Conservation) later this year for public consultation. In Wales, these matters are the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's response to EU standards on noise pollution, with particular reference to noise abatement for those living close to motorways. [1657]

[holding answer 3 July 2001]: As indicated in the reply of my predecessor's my right hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Mr. Hill) of 30 October 2000, Official Report, column 306w, the Department has a continuing involvement in negotiating EU Directives in the reduction of noise emitted by new vehicles. These measures have already delivered a substantial reduction in noise levels from new vehicles and these measures will bring improvements as the vehicle fleet is renewed.The Department was involved in negotiating an EU Directive to limit tyre noise, this being the dominant source of noise from traffic at speeds above 40 mph. The Directive was adopted very recently.In addition, the 10-Year Plan for Transport, published in July last year, will enable the Highways Agency to install by 2011 quieter surfaces on over 60 per cent. of the national road network including all concrete stretches. The Highways Agency will also provide over the next 10 years other measures such as noise barriers in some of the worst and most pressing cases where there is no immediate need for the road to be resurfaced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to dual stretches of the A303 in Somerset and Devon; and if he will make a statement. [1367]

The London to South Wales and the South West Multi Modal Study currently in progress is looking at solution to problems on the main transportation corridors in the study area, including the M3/A303/A30 corridor. The study's recommendations will be considered by the Regional Planning Bodies for the South West and the South East, which are both represented on the steering group for the study. Only then will any decisions be taken on the addition of schemes to the trunk roads programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will announce the award of the new rail franchise for the Exeter to London Waterloo Line; and if he will make a statement. [1368]

The Strategic Rail Authority intends that the Exeter to Waterloo line be included in the new Wessex franchise for which they invited expressions of interest in November last year. This is at a relatively early stage. The SRA has announced seven pre-qualifiers from whom it intends to invite proposals for the new franchise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what contingency plans exist in the Department for a spill out into the North Yorkshire Moors National Park as a result of the construction of an X Band Radar at the Fylingdales site; and what proposal, there are for expediting planning permission and holding a public inquiry. [336]

There are no such contingency plans or proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to increase the scope of business rate relief for rural services. [836]

[pursuant to the reply, 27 June 2001, c. 103W]: The Rating (Former Agricultural Premises and Rural Shops) Act 2001 will extend the mandatory element of the village shop rate relief scheme to all food shops with rateable value of no more than £6,000, (and not £9,000 as stated) in a designated rural settlement with population up to 3,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what meetings of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers he plans to be represented at ministerial level for the rest of this year; and if he will make a statement. [732]

There is one Council of Europe Ministerial remaining this year, scheduled for 7–8 November. Ministers will consider nearer the time at what level the UK should be represented, on the basis of the substantive issues on the agenda.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was his reply to the inquiry of the Latvian Chair-in-Office of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers on the participation of parliamentarians in the national delegations to the General Assembly of the United Nations; and if he will make a statement on the composition of the UK delegation at the forthcoming session. [733]

We do not appear to have received any inquiry from the Latvian Chairman in Office on the issue of participation of parliamentarians in national delegations.HMG will consider favourably any proposal that Members of Parliament join the delegation when the assembly covers issues of particular concern to them, subject to accepting that any interventions could not be made in a personal capacity but would have to represent the views and policy of HMG.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will lead the delegation to the 56

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what resolutions on mercenaries were put before the 57^th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in 2001; which were adopted; and what position the EU delegation took on each. [980]

The 57^th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights (CHR) adopted a resolution proposed by Cuba on "The use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination" by 35 votes to 11, with six abstentions. The UK, with Belgium and Germany, voted against the resolution. The other Eli members of the CHR, (Spain, France, Italy and Portugal) abstained. While fully recognising the numerous dangers caused by mercenary activity, the UK does not believe that the CHR is the appropriate forum to address the issue. This was the only resolution on mercenaries tabled at the CHR.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Minister will attend the UN Human Rights Committee hearings on the UK Periodic report due to be discussed later this year. [981]

The UK attaches importance to meeting its obligations to report on implementation of commitments under UN core human rights treaties. The UK's Fifth Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), submitted in 1999, was approved by Ministers. But in line with usual practice, there are no plans for a Minister to attend the Human Rights Committee examination of the UK report in October this year. Senior officials from the relevant Government Department will attend.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is regarding the recommendations contained in James Baker's report to the UN Security Council concerning the future of the Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement. [1438]

We supported United Nations Security Council Resolution 1359 which was passed unanimously on 29 June 2001, which extended MINURSO's mandate until 30 November 2001. We fully support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General to invite all the parties to meet directly or through proximity talks, under the auspices of his Personal Envoy, James Baker, and encourage the parties to discuss the draft Framework Agreement and to negotiate any specific changes they would like to see in this proposal, as well as to discuss any other proposal for a political solution, which may be put forward to the parties, to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement. We also affirm that while such discussions go on, the official proposals submitted by the Polisario Front to overcome obstacles preventing implementation of the Settlement Plan will be considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the indicative expenditure ceilings agreed in March 1999 of (a) an enlarged Community with six additional members and (b) the existing 15 member states. [1601]

The Berlin European Council agreed ceilings for commitments for the existing 15 member states which amount to 644.8 billion euro over the period 2000 to 2006. It also agreed a total indicative amount of 58.1 billion euro for new member states up to 2006. All figures are in terms of 1999 prices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his counterparts in (a) the EU, (b) USA and (c) developing countries concerning the forthcoming UN conference on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. [1302]

The first ever UN Conference on Small Arms in July will signal a step-change in the international community's efforts to combat the uncontrolled spread and misuse of small arms that are the primary instruments of death and injury in conflicts and criminal acts worldwide. The UK has been actively engaged in the conference process both in its national capacity and within the EU.FCO has been in frequent and close consultation with EU partners, both bilaterally and through the regular EU working groups which discuss these issues.We also have many formal and informal contacts with the UK, for example in various arms control regimes and working groups, through which officials are able to discuss the subject of small arms and light weapons and other related issues. We also had contact with the US during the meetings in the preparatory process for the conference itself.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will be attending the UN conference on the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in July; and if he will make a statement. [1303]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will not be attending the conference. The United Kingdom will be represented by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development, who has taken a close interest in the issue and in the preparatory process for the conference since it was initiated.The UK attaches considerable importance to supporting efforts to reduce the uncontrolled spread and use of small arms and light weapons. It has actively undertaken numerous initiatives, bilaterally and in line with the 1998 EU Joint Action on Small Arms. These include:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will support the resolution on China's human rights record at the next UN commission on human rights. [1739]

No UN member state has yet announced an intention to table a resolution on China at the next session of the UN commission on human rights, to be held in Geneva in March and April 2002. We will consider with EU partners a common approach to any resolution nearer the time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for July and the major European Union events for the period between 31 July and December. [2510]

The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to give British citizenship to the inhabitants of St. Helena and other former dependent territories. [1941]

The British Overseas Territories Bill, which will grant British citizenihip 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 recent discussions have taken place with the Greenland Prime Minister on the ABM Treaty. [331]

There have been no discussions between my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and the Greenland Prime Minister on the ABM Treaty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from pressure groups in (a) Denmark and (b) Greenland about the use of Thule bases for National Missile Defence. [338]

I am not aware of any representations from pressure groups in Denmark or Greenland being made to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary about the use of Thule base for Missile Defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the sale of passports in Eastern Europe by the Belgian Government; and if persons who have secured passports in this way have the right of entry into the UK. [2027]

The Belgian MFA has carried out an internal inquiry into allegations made by a former employee of the Belgian Embassy in Sofia regarding the sale of visas at the Embassy. Although passports were not included in the allegations, we understand that the inquiry also looked into passports. The inquiry found no evidence to support the allegations and concluded that no rules had been broken. Separately, a judicial inquiry was launched in 1997 into the allegations and is still under way. It will be for the Belgian Procurator General to decide the outcome in this case.Visas issued by the Belgian authorities allow access to the countries in the Schengen zone, which covers all EU countries except the UK and Ireland. They therefore do not permit entry to the United Kingdom, which maintains its own frontier controls and does not participate in Schengen visa arrangements.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has carried out into (a) cost savings and (b) efficiency savings in total Government expenditure through the use of the Private Finance Initiative; and if he will make a statement. [1382]

The information that has been requested is not kept centrally. The nature and diversity of PFI projects would make any global figure broken down in the way requested ambiguous.However, there have been two substantive reports on PFI, since its inception, which have indicated that PFI is delivering value for money. The independent Arthur Andersen and Enterprise LSE Report stated the average percentage estimated saving against conventional procurement for the sample of projects they looked at, averaged 17 per cent. Also the NAO report on "PFI and value for money" found an average cost saving of 20 per cent. or just under £1 billion in total, across seven projects examined by the NAO up until December 1999. This saving is measured against the conventional procurement route.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the additional number of journeys made by car-sharing in 2002–03 as a consequence of introducing a new passenger rate for authorised car mileage in the March 2001 Budget. [1392]

The Government are introducing a tax exempt rate of 5p per mile per passenger carried on a business trip from 2002–03 onwards to help employers encourage their employees to car-share wherever possible.The Inland Revenue does not have a specific estimate of the additional number of journeys which will be made by car-sharing in 2002–03 owing to this, but will be evaluating the effects of this measure over time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on the demand for adult cycle helmets in the United Kingdom of his policy of removing VAT from the purchase of such helmets from 1 April; and if he will make a statement. [1390]

No such assessment has been made.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans to halve child poverty within 10 years, indicating the benchmarks against which this is to be measured. [1372]

The Government's annual publication "Opportunity for All" sets out a full range of indicators against which we will monitor progress on our commitment to halve child poverty in 10 years and abolish it in a generation. Copies of the first two "Opportunity for All" reports are available in the Library. The next publication is due this autumn.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the annual rate of growth of total managed expenditure, in real terms, for each of the years 1999–2000 to 2003–04, what the assumptions are for such growth in real annual total managed expenditure for 2004–05 and 2005–06 contained in the March 2001 Financial Statement and Budget report; and if he will make a statement. [1381]

The latest Treasury projections for total managed expenditure for 1999–2000 to 2003–04 were published in Table C11 on page 199 of the March 2001 "Financial Statement and Budget Report".The assumptions underlying the real growth in total managed expenditure for 2004–05 and 2005–06 contained in the March 2001 Financial Statement and Budget Report are set out in paragraph C17 on page 186 of that document. Firm spending plans for these years will be set in the 2002 spending review.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate his Department has made of the costs and benefits of introducing a reduced rate of duty on the beer produced by small breweries; and if he will make a statement. [1391]

Tie last Budget announced the Government were minded to introduce a reduced rate of duty on the beer produced by small breweries and will be considering the scope for doing so in the course of this year. The costs and benefits of such a scheme will be considered as part of that process.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the per capita spending of all Government Departments in each of the regions and nations of the United Kingdom was in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [2163]

Chapter 8 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2001–02 (Cm 5101) offers a full analysis of public expenditure by country and region.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 26 June 2001, Official Report, column 59W, on company cars, what assessment he has made of the impact of the loss to employees of company car tax concessions. [2084]

The new company car tax system from April 2002 is designed to achieve lower levels of harmful emissions from cars. It does away with the reductions for driving higher levels of business mileage as this can be an incentive to drive unnecessary business miles. The reforms have been projected to have a broadly neutral effect on tax revenues, so in overall terms there is no loss to employees.Many company car drivers will be paying less tax for the benefit of their company car under the new system. Having a company car with relatively low carbon dioxide emissions would help to ameliorate tax liabilities under the new system for any driver.It is worth noting that we expect more drivers to take the opportunity of having a company car under the new rules. In fact the Inland Revenue has estimated that the reforms will lead to a net increase of around 200,000 company cars in the long term.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the loss in tax as a result of lost tourist industry income arising from the foot and mouth outbreak. [2192]

No robust estimates for the changes in tax revenues resulting from the impact of the foot and mouth outbreak on the tourist industry are available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what obligation is placed on public bodies in respect of (a) PPP, (b) PFI and (c) other financial arrangements, for advertising the relevant contracts in the (i) Official Journal and (ii) other publications of the European Community; under what article of which treaty and associated legislation any such requirement is made; what publication sets out the rules which must be followed in such agreements; and whether they apply equally to charitable and profit-making enterprises. [2133]

Contracting authorities/entities are required to call for competition for procurement contracts, above certain financial thresholds, in the Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJEC). This includes PFI/PPP contracts where appropriate. Advertising in other publications is not mandatory, but must not pre-empt advertisement in OJEC.This requirement arises from the EC procurement directives (which are based on principles of the EC Treaty). The principal legal basis was Articles 30, 57(2), 66 and 100a and the Directives have been implemented in the UK by the following Regulations (as amended):

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the size of the changes in (a) costs and (b) taxes applying to business since 1997. [1698]

Assessments of the risks, costs and benefits of new legislative proposals are made within Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs); information on taxation is in the Financial Statement and Budget Reports, both of which can be found in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many empty homes will qualify for a reduction in VAT as announced in his Budget Statement 200]. [1948]

Customs estimate that the reduced VAT rate for renovating empty homes should help to bring back into use up to 2,400 empty homes each year. Additionally, the Budget made a minor adjustment to the zero rate for the sale of renovated long-term empty houses, which from 1 August will benefit from relief if they have been empty for 10 years or more. This is expected to bring back into use up to 25 empty houses a year.The measure has been warmly welcomed by the Empty Homes Agency.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what criteria owners of empty properties will qualify for a reduction in VAT when renovating their properties. [1955]

A reduced 5 per cent. VAT rate applies to renovation work on an empty home that has not been lived in for three years or more.The Government did not, however, want to disadvantage people who have to live in a house while renovating it. So if someone buys a house after it has been empty for three years or more and lives in it during the renovation work, the reduced rate applies to the building work provided it is completed within one year from the date the owner bought the house.In addition, from 1 August, no VAT applies to the sale of a renovated house which has been empty for 10 years more.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been (a) arrested, (b) charged and (c) given a custodial sentence for smuggling goods across the Irish border in each of the past 10 years. [1072]

I have been asked to reply.This information is not available in this format.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the job description and personal specification are for the post of Senior Legal Adviser on Human Rights to the Police Service of Northern Ireland; and what bodies and institutions were consulted about (a) the terms of reference of this post and (b) the text and placement of the advertisement. [1100]

A copy of the application pack sent to applicants expressing an interest in the post has been placed in the Library. It contains the job description and personal specification. The Chief Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission for Northern Ireland was consulted and the competition is being conducted in line with best practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will reply to the report of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission under section 69(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. [1717]

The Government were pleased to receive the report from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission under section 69(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. We are currently considering the recommendations and will respond substantively as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the terms of reference are for the monitoring project being undertaken by Consensia to observe the recruitment process of the Northern Ireland police service; how many volunteers have been tasked to participate in this scheme; what the personal specifications were for volunteers; how they were selected; what the composition is of the monitoring teams, broken down by (a) gender and (b) perceived community origin; and what discussions took place with the civil service trade unions concerning the use of volunteer staff. [730]

Observation of recruitment to the new Police Service of Northern Ireland is being undertaken by a pool of voluntary Community Observers, who are independent of Consensia and who are currently managed by the Police Authority for Northern Ireland. They will become the responsibility of the Policing Board when it is established.The role of the Independent Community Observers is set out in Regulation 10 of the Police (Recruitment) (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2001.The personal specification for Independent Community Observers sets out the qualities and skills that potential candidates should possess. These are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many temporary classrooms have been in use in Somerset in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement [1386]

We do not have information on Somerset's temporary buildings at this level of detail. This information may be available from the local education authority.In connection with the Department's arrangements for appraising asset management plans, we are, however, planning to publish later this year analyses of authorities' premises information for benchmarking purposes. These should include some information on temporary accommodation, although not on a year-by-year basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the backlog of school buildings repair and maintenance work in Somerset; and if she will make a statement. [1387]

Information on the backlog should be currently available from the local education authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teaching staff have (a) been employed in further education colleges and (b) left further education in each of the last four academic years. [1629]

[holding answer 2 July 2001]: The number of teaching staff employed in FE colleges is shown in the table:

Number of teaching staff in FE colleges in England
Thousand
	Number
1995–96	134.7
1996–97	130.9
1997–98	141.8
1998–99	144.7

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to increase the level of tuition fees in England and Wales and if she will make a statement. [1637]

Tuition fees at publicly funded institutions are uprated each year to take account of inflation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the post 16-capital allocations will be announced. [1664]

[holding answer 3 July 2001]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department announced on 28 March 2001 that capital provision for further education would rise to £177 million in 2003–04. The base funding is £110 million in each of the years 2001–02 and 2002–03. Allocations to individual further education colleges are made by the Learning and Skills Council throughout the year in response to bids.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the sure start proposals will be rolled out nationally. [1666]

[holding answer 3 July 2001]: Sure start works with parents-to-be, parents and children to promote the physical, intellectual and social development of babies and young children. The Government's current plans are to establish 500 local programmes by 2004, in disadvantaged neighbourhoods throughout England. Of these, 260 programmes have been announced so far, of which 179 have now had their plans approved. We expect to announce further sure start programmes soon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will investigate the procedures by which companies and work forces can access the rapid response fund. [1678]

[holding answer 3 July 2001]: We continually monitor the rapid response fund to ensure it is used as intended—to provide specialist advice, training and other support to people involved in redundancies that have a significant impact on the local labour market and where no alternative existing provision is available. Proposals are considered against a variety of criteria that include the impact of the redundancy on the local labour market, the level of partnership involvement, clear outputs and value for money. We also expect training proposals to be matched as far as possible to the needs of employers with vacancies so that people can move quickly into new jobs. DfES officials make every effort to ensure bids submitted via regional development agencies are processed as quickly as possible and provide an initial approval decision within three working days. The fund is designed to be as flexible as possible and, within the last year, we have introduced changes to increase its flexibility and make it more responsive to local needs. Demand is high and has increased significantly over the last six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she expects to announce the findings of the early process evaluation and customer satisfaction surveys in relation to individual learning accounts. [1752]

The findings of the early process evaluation and customer satisfaction surveys in relation to individual learning accounts will be published towards the end of September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what policies she is pursuing to tackle the problem of the digital divide; and if she will make a statement. [1807]

The Department is pursuing a range of measures to tackle the digital divide in order to help increase people's employability, to enable them to use new technologies to enrich their lives, and to encourage lifelong learning for all. Our measures help provide access and the skills needed for individuals to use information and communication technologies (ICTs), particularly for those most at risk from exclusion. We are providing public access to new technologies and the internet through UK online centres. There are almost 1,500 centres now open, with 6,000 centres planned in total by the end of 2002. We are investing in wiring up communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas in England, enabling people to explore the internet in the comfort of their own homes and to develop skills, access job opportunities and become more involved in their communities. We are also Making progress in improving computer/pupil ratios, to ensure that in future all school leavers should be able to use and benefit from new technologies. 88 per cent. of all schools are now connected to the internet.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils entered AS-level modules in January; and how many of those are retaking those AS modules. [1957]

[holding answer 3 July 2001]: There is no information as yet on the number of pupils who sat the January AS unit tests. However, 214,384 unit entries were recorded from the analysis of the January results. The AS-level qualification is made up of three units: students may choose to sit all three unit tests in January or in June, or spread them throughout the year.There is no statistical information on how many of the pupils who sat the AS units in January are retaking their modules.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit Galmpton, Torbay, to discuss flooding problems with residents. [717]

I have no plans to do so. I am aware that Galmpton has experienced flash flooding in recent years, and that this has caused distress and damage to local residents. Decisions on flood defence projects and their timing are the responsibility of local operating authorities, in particular the Environment Agency and local councils. I understand that the agency is currently discussing options for Galmpton with Torbay council, and will work with them urgently to address the situation.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will discuss with President Bush unilateral proposals by the Rumsfeld Commission to delete article IX of the 1972 ABM treaty; [323](2) if he will have discussions with President Bush on a co-operative approach with Russia and China on Strategic Missile Defence. [324]

I will continue to engage constructively with President Bush across the range of issues relating to his ideas for limited missile defence systems and a new strategic framework. The President has made no decisions on specific missile defence systems or their deployment and is currently engaged in wide-ranging international consultation with allies, Russia, China and others on his ideas.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with President Bush the concept of invulnerability through military supremacy in relation to the weaponisation of space. [325]

I have no plans to do so. I believe that the conference on disarmament is the appropriate forum for discussion of issues relating to the military use of space, and support the creation of an ad hoc committee to discuss the prevention of an arms race in outer space.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with President Putin the potential for the US policy on national missile defence to include a first strike capability. [327]

The US has made it clear that missile defence is envisaged as one element of a comprehensive strategy to deal with a new threat caused by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It is not aimed at defending against the Russian strategic arsenal, still less at giving the United States the capacity to attack Russia. President Bush has made it clear that it no longer considers Russia an enemy. I have discussed missile defence and related issues with President Putin on a number of occasions, and expect to continue to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of UK participation in US national missile defence on the (a) global moratorium on nuclear testing and (b) prospects of a Comprehensive Test B m Treaty coming into force; [317](2) what assessment he has made of the consequences of British participation in national missile defence for the 1993 strategic arms reduction treaty, START 2 and the START regime. [320]

President Bush has made no decisions on specific missile defence systems or their deployment and we therefore do not know what UK participation may be sought. The US is also currently engaged in a wide-ranging international consultation process, including with Russia. On both counts it is therefore premature to make such an assessment.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with the Secretary General of the UN, President Bush's proposal for a first test of a space-based laser in 2012. [319]

I have no plans to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will propose to the Presidents of (a) China, (b) France, (c) Russia and (d) the United States of America that the 1967 outer space treaty cover directed energy and laser weapons. [321]

I have no plans to make such a proposal.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with President Bush the restructuring of the missile technology control regime in relation to political initiatives based on arms control and confidence-building measures. [322]

We remain fully committed to the MTCR and have regular contacts with MTCR partners, including the US, to maintain and strengthen the regime and ensure it remains effective in the fight against the proliferation of long-range missiles capable of carrying weapons of mass destruction. The MTCR will continue to be a mainstay of the effort to combat missile proliferation, alongside complementary political initiatives such as the draft international code of conduct against ballistic missile proliferation in which the United Kingdom is also playing a key role.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss the position of modifications of non-ABM radars on UK territory with (a) Washington and (b) Moscow. [326]

I have no plans to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had with President Bush before he made his speech on 1 May 2000 about the future of the 1972 ABM treaty. [333]

I have discussed missile defence and related issues including the ABM treaty with President Bush on several occasions, both at our meeting at Camp David on 23 February and subsequently.

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the dangers faced by the United Kingdom as a target for foreign powers, as a result of acquiescing in the construction of two new radomes at Menwith Hill. [334]

Two radomes have been constructed at RAF Menwith Hill as part of the European relay ground station for the space based infra red system, which is designed to detect the launch of ballistic missiles. This updates an existing system. We assess that the implications for the security of the UK have not significantly changed.

To ask the Prime Minister what (1) discussions he has had with President Bush about the facilities to receive information for early warning and missile-tracking satellites at Menwith Hill ground relay station; [335](2) what discussions he has had with President Bush about the installation of X Band Radar at Fylingdales operating in the X-Ray Band of the electromagnetic spectrum; [337](3) what discussions he has had with President Bush for forward-deployed radars in relation to National Missile Defence. [315]

None. As President Bush and I both made clear following our meeting at Camp David on 23 February, the US Administration has not yet decided how it will seek to deploy missile defences. That remains the case.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will set up a Royal Commission to examine the consequences and implications of British participation in the extension of war-fighting into space. [318]

No.

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the economic and political implications of British participation in the US National Missile Defence system. [2298]

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 we would consider any such proposals carefully taking into account all relevant factors in light of circumstances at the time, including their implications for the UK.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with the Government of Australia UK participation in the Pine Bay joint space research facility, in relation to information detected by satellites covering the southern Hemisphere. [339]

I have no plans to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will discuss with President Putin the commitment not to expand NATO into the former Soviet Republics. [332]

NATO has made no commitment to Russia that it will not expand into the former Soviet Republics. In signing the NATO-Russia founding act in 1997, Russia acknowledged her commitment to:

"respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all states and their inherent right to choose the means to ensure their own security."

Any decision on NATO enlargement will be based on the three criteria set out at the 1999 Washington Summit: the aspirant must be ready to join NATO; NATO itself must be ready to accept new members; any new enlargement must enhance overall European security.NATO is committed to building and maintaining a strong working relationship with Russia, built on transparency and mutual respect. The regular meeting that takes place between NATO and Russia through the Permanent Joint Council (PJC) embodies this relationship.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 4 July. [2225]

This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in the House I will have further such meetings later today.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on ministerial responsibilities for disabled people; and what arrangements he has made for cross-departmental consultation on issues affecting disabled people. [1864]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) on 3 July 2001, Official Report, column 92W. As the ministerial code makes clear, it is the responsibility of the initiating Department in any area of policy to ensure that proposals have been discussed with other interested Departments. Baroness Morgan has responsibility for cross-cutting equality issues.

To ask the Solicitor-General what discussions the Crown Prosecution Service has held with Merseyside police serious fraud squad concerning the investigation of the Walton Group in relation to Exchange Flags Liverpool; and if she will make a statement. [1697]

The Serious Fraud Office was consulted by the Merseyside police in October 2000 concerning allegations of fraud in relation to the Walton Group plc. An extended vetting inquiry followed including examination of available files and evidence as well as meetings with Merseyside police and English Partnerships.After careful consideration, it was decided that there was insufficient evidence to justify an investigation under section 1 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of the expenditure under the defence military assistance fund relating to (a) Zimbabwe, (b) South Africa, (c) Jordan, (d) Egypt, (e) Pakistan, (f) Indonesia, (g) Brazil, (h) Kuwait, (i) Malaysia, (j) Nigeria, (k) Oman, (l) Taiwan, (m) Thailand, (n) Turkey and (o) the United Arab Emirates for (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99 and (iii) 1999–2000 indicating separately the amounts used to support defence sales. [1309]

The Ministry of Defence's financial systems that were in place for the years in question cannot provide precise details of actual defence assistance fund (DAF) expenditure. (The DAF was formerly known as the defence military assistance fund—DMAF). However, the level of DAF funding approved and committed for each of the subject countries is known and is detailed as follows.

£
	Policy	Sales	Total
1997–98
Brazil	26,200	262,200	288,400
Egypt	117,612	17,788	135,400
Indonesia	42,684	415,600	458,284
Jordan	164,400	0	164,400
Kuwait	66,222	4,978	71,200
Malaysia	37,279	261,200	298,479
Nigeria	0	0	0
Oman	826,891	450,100	1,276,991
Pakistan	63,500	0	63,500
South Africa	86,898	52,200	139,098
Taiwan	0	0	0
Thailand	39,900	0	39,900
Turkey	148,636	6,964	155,600
United Arab Emirates	8,120	785,500	793,620
Zimbabwe	29,779	6,521	36,300
1998–99
Brazil	0	124,000	124,000
Egypt	87,196	0	87,196
Indonesia	55,779	100,000	155,779
Jordan	295,511	65,600	361,011
Kuwait	16,354	149,000	165,354
Malaysia	238,850	63,700	302,550
Nigeria	76,000	0	76.000