To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the Government's financial support for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. [94]

[holding answer 25 June 2001]: The Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 will be the biggest multi-sport event ever held in the United Kingdom. They will leave a lasting sporting, economic and social legacy.

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office explained, in evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on 20 March 2001, that Manchester City Council, with the Government, had arranged a review of the finances and organisation of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester next year as a build up to the Games moves from the planning to the implementation phase.

Following the review, conscious of the benefits the Games will bring to the nation as a whole, the Government have agreed to provide from existing resources up to £30 million to support the Games. Sport England has agreed to provide up to £30 million to support the Games' costs in addition to its existing contribution to capital facilities, and Manchester City Council will make available a further £45 million. £25 million of these funds will be held jointly by the three parties as a contingency fund. This support is additional to the £10.5 million which the Government have already made available towards the costs of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Commonwealth Games, and marks the full extent of the financial support that the Government are prepared to make available.The Government consider that this package should give the Games' organisation sufficient certainty to deliver the Games. Manchester City Council continues to retain ultimate financial responsibility for the Games.Discussions continue about the make up and timing of the package of financial support. The Government, Manchester City Council and Sport England will be working with the Games' organisers to strengthen the management arrangements for the control of expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what has been the cost to public funds to date of developing Culture Online [91]

[holding answer 25 tune 2001]: The cost of public funds to date of developing Culture Online is £1,196,543. This has been spent on: producing illustrative materials outlining how Culture Online will operate; producing the Vision for Culture Online; providing a website to host these materials and the Vision; extensive consultation with the cultural and education sectors; market research; employing consultants to develop the business case for Culture Online; and employing lawyers to advise on Intellectual Property Rights issues for Culture Online.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the proposals for (a) Pickett's Lock athletics stadium and (b) Wembley Stadium. [1427]

I refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for West Lancashire (Mr. Pickthall) on 25 June 2001, Official Report, column 37W and to my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love) on 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 80W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to expand community sports stadiums throughout the country. [2328]

The Government support the expansion of sport and leisure facilities through various means including direct funding from the Sports Lottery Fund, Space for Sports and Arts and the New Opportunities Fund. Our Plan for Sport sets out how we aim to encourage local authorities to carry out research into the existing sport and leisure facilities in their areas and recommends that each local authority should develop a sports strategy over the next five years which, through consultation with the relevant agencies, ensures that new and enhanced indoor and outdoor facilities provide equal opportunity for participation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to publish his timetable for the review of local government finance; and if he will make a statement. [1084]

September's local government finance Green Paper set out our plans for reform of the local government finance system. An analysis of the responses we received on this and other issues was published on our website in March. A White Paper setting out our decisions on the way forward will be published later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what moneys have been allocated to Scotland from the Railway Development Fund. [1397]

The SRA's plans and priorities for development of the Rail Modernisation Fund will be set out in the Authority's Strategic Plan in the autumn. Funds will be allocated on the basis of value for money and affordability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he intends to bring section 141 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 into force; how many persons who are (a) eligible and (b) registered to vote he estimates will be disfranchised as a result; and if he will make a statement. [1290]

Section 141 will be brought into force shortly, when the second Commencement Order for the Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act 2000 is laid.11,496 overseas electors were registered as of 15 February 2001. But there is no requirement on electoral administrators to provide information about how long overseas electors have been resident outside the UK. Hence the figures requested are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what responsibilities his Department has for the sale of the Millennium Dome and the regeneration of the Greenwich site; and if he will make a statement. [1323]

My noble and learned Friend Lord Falconer is responsible in my Department for all issues relating to the future use of the Millennium Dome, including the sponsorship of English Partnerships, the Government's urban regeneration agency, which owns part of the Greenwich Peninsula, including the Dome site and the structure itself.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what responsibilities Lord Falconer has for the sale of the Millennium Dome and the regeneration of the Greenwich site; and if he will make a statement. [1322]

My noble and learned Friend Lord Falconer of Thoroton is Minister for Housing and Planning. Among other duties he is responsible for urban policy and regeneration issues, which includes sponsorship of English Partnerships, the Government's urban regeneration agency. English Partnerships own the Dome site and other land. He is responsible for the Dome sale process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what methods his Department uses to make direct comparisons of improved performance in the public and private sectors; and what have been the findings of this analysis since it was introduced. [2165]

The Department makes no direct comparisons between the private and public sectors. But the Government have introduced a comprehensive framework for local government to enable it to improve service delivery through best value. All authorities are required to report their performance annually against key indicators, whether the service is delivered directly by the authority, or by private to sector providers. This information is published in authorities' Best Value Performance Plans by the end of March each year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the outcome was of the Transport Council meeting held in Luxembourg on 27 to 28 June. [1746]

The Transport Council met in Luxembourg on 28 June. I represented the United Kingdom, together with Sarah Boyack MSP, Minister for Transport in the Scottish Executive.The Council opened with debates on a number of maritime issues.A common position was adopted on the draft regulation putting into Community law the recent agreement reached in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on the accelerated phasing in of double hull oil tankers.The Council reached a common orientation on a draft directive which seeks to improve controls on shipping movements, notably for vessels with hazardous cargoes. Two outstanding issues were debated. Firstly, the Commission introduced a new proposal giving a precise timetable for the retrofitting of Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs) to cargo vessels if no agreement was reached in the IMO. I was among Ministers unable to accept such a precise text. On the second issue, that of restrictions on ships leaving port in exceptionally bad weather or sea conditions, I joined others in expressing concern that legal uncertainties could arise. I also sought to clarify that a member state could only enforce reporting requirements on vessels in areas where it had jurisdiction in international law. A revised text was produced on which Ministers were able to reach common orientation, although I maintained a reserve on the VDR text.Common approaches were agreed for member states to negotiate in the IMO on the retrofitting of VDRs to cargo vessels, and in the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund (IOPCF) on an increase in the limits for compensation to be paid in cases of major oil spills.A common orientation was also agreed on a draft directive on the harmonisation of reporting formalities for ships. The aim of the proposal is to simplify procedures for ships arriving at and departing from Community ports, through the acceptance of a common set of IMO forms.The French Minister, Jean-Claude Gayssot, and I presented a joint proposal urging the Community to bring into force a number of International Conventions relating to marine liability and compensation and pollution from ships. We had, prior to the Council, jointly signed a letter on this issue to our EU counterparts.The Commissioner reported on the principal elements of the forthcoming White Paper on a strategy for the Common Transport Policy. She hoped that the White Paper would be adopted soon. It is expected to outline some 60 separate measures to address traffic congestion, increased mobility and demand, and sustainable development.Council Conclusions were adopted on the Galileo satellite navigation project. I joined other Ministers in noting that more work was needed on the selection of services, the cost-benefit analysis and the securing of private sector finance. The Commission on also presented a draft regulation on management of the development phase of Galileo by a joint undertaking.Over lunch, there was a discussion of the Commission's Single European Sky proposals, aimed at improving air traffic management in Europe and reducing delays.The Council discussed aircraft noise issues. The Commission reported on ongoing discussions with the US on hushkits, and said that, subject to developments at the General Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in September, a proposal would be brought forward to replace the Hushkits Regulation.The Presidency presented a progress report on the proposed regulation to establish a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It sought agreement on two of the outstanding questions: coverage of third country aircraft, and the mechanism to appoint the Executive Director. The Council agreed that the Commission should bring forward proposals on application to third country aircraft, where justified, as part of future work on essential requirements for airline operations. The Council accepted that the executive Director of the EASA should be appointed by four-fifths majority of the Management Board, on the basis of a proposal by the Commission. There will be further discussion under the Belgian Presidency, notably on institutional aspects.The Council discussed an amendment to Regulation 2027/97 on air carrier liability, and political agreement was reached on a common position. The amendment will have the effect of increasing the levels of carriers' liability to passengers. The Council has already signed the Montreal Convention, with a view to ratification, and the two measures together significantly strengthen the protection afforded to air passengers in the Community.The Council agreed Conclusions affirming the voluntary agreements reached with airlines on air passenger rights.There was a progress report from the Commission on proposals to update the state aid rules and procurement procedures for public transport services by rail, road and inland waterway. The Commission indicated that there were difficulties in agreeing the proposal. Sarah Boyack noted the United Kingdom's support for the general principle of the regulation, but pointed out that its application to traditional and complex underground railway systems needed careful reflection.There was also a progress report on a draft directive on training of professional drivers for the carriage of goods or passengers.The Commission presented its proposals on three issues in the "road package": an amendment to Directive 91/439 on driving licences; an amendment to Regulation 3820/85 on drivers' hours; and an amendment to Directive 92/6 on the use of speed limitation devices, extending compulsory fitting of them to vehicles above 3.5 tonnes. No decisions were taken.Under other business, the Commission presented a new proposal on airport slot allocation. It also reported on the implementation of the package of rail transport measures adopted by the Council last year, noting its intention to propose a second package of measures, including a directive on rail safety regulation and the establishment of a European Rail Agency. Also under other business, the Commission reported on progress in aviation negotiations with Central and Eastern European countries and with Cyprus; co-operation with Euro-Mediterranean partners on transport and energy; and discussions with Russia on the issue of charges imposed for Siberian overflights.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of deregulation on securing a comprehensive network of public bus services. [1730]

The historical impacts of bus deregulation in 1986 were studied closely in the policy review which preceded the 1998 Transport White Paper. In the decade after 1986, operated bus mileage outside London increased overall by 25 per cent. The position necessarily varies from place to place. It is primarily for local authorities, in developing their bus strategies within local transport plans, to assess the adequacy of the bus network and to take appropriate action within the framework of their new powers in the Transport Act 2000. We are making additional funding available through the rural bus grant and the rural and urban bus challenge schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the traffic figures for the A3 between Robin Hood roundabout and Roehampton Lane for each of the last 10 years. [1749]

The estimated annual average daily traffic flows for all motor vehicles on the A3 at Roehampton Vale from 1990 to 2000 are:

Year	Estimated annual average daily flow
1991	86,200
1992	87,400
1993	85,300
1994	79,900
1995	79,900
1996	80,800
1997	93,200
1998	92,500
1999	81,600
2000	76,400

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish the accident figures for the A3 between Robin Hood roundabout and Roehampton Lane for each of the last 10 years. [1750]

The information requested is shown in the following table.

Accidents on the A3 between the Robin Hood roundabout and Roehampton Lane: 1991–2000
Year	Fatal	Serious	Slight	All
1991	1	5	17	23
1992	0	3	19	22
1993	0	2	12	14
1994	0	1	10	11
1995	0	1	17	18
1996	0	4	10	14
1997	0	2	16	18
1998	0	0	14	14
1999	0	0	16	16
2000	0	0	9	9

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with Railtrack on the re-doubling of the track between Kemble and Swindon. [1656]

[holding answer 3 July 2001]: None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to take forward the proposals in the Strategic Rail Authority's London East/West Study. [2211]

As my predecessor announced on 3 May 2001, Official Report, column 739W, under the guidance of the High-Level Group the Strategic Rail Authority and Transport for London are jointly taking forward work on project definition, including alternative service patterns, and design development of a central, cross-London, rail link, and a feasibility study of a south-west to north-east London rail link.The SRA continues to assess the other potential schemes identified in the London East-West Study.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when guidance will be issued to local planning authorities on new consultations on the siting of mobile phone masts. [2337]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Oaten) on 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 17W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what methods are used by fire brigades to train those involved in decision making on arrival at an incident. [2314]

Training for incident command is undertaken at local, regional and national centres using live situations, simulations and virtual reality systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what advice his Department has given to fire brigades about using virtual reality in training. [2313]

Although the Home Office did not issue formal guidance to the Fire Service on virtual reality training systems the importance of a national incident command system for the Fire Service is recognised. Fire Brigades were encouraged by the Home Office and will be encouraged by this Department to improve emergency incident management techniques by undertaking virtual reality training.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what consideration was given to bus and rail travel concessions for the disabled in Scotland and Wales when guidance on this subject was last issued. [2663]

Under the provisions of the Transport Act 2000, elderly and disabled people in England and Wales are entitled to half fare—or better—on local bus services, and the necessary travel pass must be issued free of charge. Local authorities may offer greater concessions—for example less than half fare, and cheap travel on train or ferry services—if they wish, and many do.The Transport Act 2000 also requires the Secretary of State to issue guidance to local authorities advising on how the eligibility criteria for disabled people should be applied when applications for travel passes are considered. My Department issued such guidance to local authority associations, the bus industry and disability interests on 31 May. It is available on my Department's website at www.dtlr.gov.uk/itwp/consult/cf/disabled/index.htm.Concessionary travel in Scotland and Wales is a devolved matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many permanent dwellings were completed in Slough by (a) private companies, (b) registered social landlords and (c) the local authority in each of the last five years. [2518]

Figures for the estimated number of new permanent dwellings completed in Slough, for private enterprise, registered social landlords and local authorities, for the last five financial years, are given in the table.

Year	Private enterprise	Registered social landlords	Local authority	All dwellings
1996–97	287	64	0	351
1997–98	316	33	0	349
1998–99	341	0	0	341
1999–2000	449	0	0	449
2000–01	660	41	0	701

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 22W, on positive discrimination, if he will publish the agenda and minutes of the recent seminar on women's representation in politics, indicating which officials attended the seminar; which other countries were represented; where the seminar was held and on what date; and what the total cost was of UK attendance at the seminar. [2839]

The seminar on Women's Representation in politics was organised by the Constitution Unit of University College, London.The seminar was held at 7 Millbank, London, on 26 June 2001. A small team of Government Officials from the Women's Unit of the Cabinet Office lead by my noble Friend Baroness Morgan, at no cost, were present at the seminar along with representatives from all sides of the House.There were speakers from France, Norway, Sweden and Germany and representatives from England and Scotland.The minutes from the seminar have not yet been made available by the University College, London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much of the Al2 bypass from Margaretting to Boreham has a concrete surface; and what plans there are to replace road surfaces on this road with a noise-reducing surface. [2820]

The whole of the Al2 bypass from Margaretting to Boreham has a concrete surface, apart from some isolated areas on bridge decks.In the Government's "Transport 2010—The Ten Year Plan" published in July 2000, we set a target of installing quieter surfacing on all concrete stretches of motorway arid trunk road by 2011.The timing of the work will be influenced by criteria which have been the subject of consultation with local authorities. The criteria have yet to be finalised but an announcement is anticipated this summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many staff were employed by the Strategic Rail Authority at the latest date for which figures available. [2868]

I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Transport on 2 July 2001, Official Report, column 13W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what appeal process is available to those who disagree with decisions by the DVLA to refuse driving licences. [2419]

A statutory right of appeal to a magistrates court in England and Wales and to a sheriff court in Scotland is available to those who disagree with DVLA's decision to revoke, restrict or to refuse to grant a driving licence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on which date it was decided that persistent misuse of drugs was a relevant disability in respect of revocation of driving licences under section 92 of the Road Traffic Act 1998. [2417]

Parliament decided that persistent misuse of drugs should be included in section 92 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 as a relevant disability when the draft legislation was approved by the House of Lords on 12 July 1996 and the House of Commons on 17 July 1996. The change took effect from 1 January 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what research the DVLA based its decision to revoke driving licences on the grounds of persistent drug misuse in respect of (a) alcohol, (b) heroin, (c) medicinal drugs, (d) cannabis and (e) ecstasy. [2597]

In relation to alcohol and drug misuse, the medical standards for fitness to drive are based on the minimum health standards laid down in the Second EC Directive on driving licences and the expert advice of the Honorary Medical Advisory Panel on Alcohol, Drugs and Substance Misuse and Driving. The Panel keeps abreast of medical and pharmacological research at a domestic and international level.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many driving licence applications were (a) refused and (b) withdrawn, on the grounds of misuse of drugs in each of the past 10 years broken down by each drug involved. [2418]

Statistics specifically relating to these circumstances are available only for the last three financial years. Separate figures for refusals and revocations are not available, but total figures are as follows:

	Number
1998–99	285
1999–2000	354
2000–01	464

No separate figures for each drug type are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what arrangements have been made for local authorities to apply for funding from the home zone challenge fund. [3072]

My right hon. Friend has announced details of the arrangements for the Home Zone Challenge fund. All local traffic authorities in England are invited to apply for funding. Bids should be submitted by 3 October 2001. A copy of the guidance for the Home Zone Challenge has been sent to all eligible local authorities. A copy of the guidance has also been placed in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the spending formula for local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [2589]

As part of our review of the grant distribution formulae for England, the Department published 'Modernising Local Government Finance: A Green Paper' in September 2000. The Green Paper includes an assessment of the existing formulae against our aims for a good local government finance system. In particular, the Green Paper argues that the formulae:

Have become increasingly difficult to explain and understand;

Rely too much on statistical analysis of spending, and do not recognise the extent to which past spending patterns are limited as indicators of patterns of future need;

Have not always given authorities much certainty from year to year about the level of grant they might expect, hampering forward planning; and

Do not allow for any fine-tuning to take account of the particular circumstances of individual authorities.

The Green Paper consulted on a number of options which could address these concerns. We will publish our conclusions on the way forward in a White Paper later this year.Local government finance in Scotland and Wales is a devolved matter for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will conduct a review of urban capacity studies completed by local authorities to ensure that they comply with the guidelines set out by his Department; and if he will place a freeze on MDA approvals pending the outcome of this review. [2586]

Local planning authorities are responsible for undertaking the urban housing capacity studies required by our planning guidance for housing (PPG3). We expect these studies to lead to updated development plans that give priority to reusing brownfields before developing greenfields. All proposals for housing development should be tested against the policies set out in PPG3 and local authorities are directed to consult the Secretary of State before giving planning permission for major housing developments on greenfield land allocated in their plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the average level of debt of local authorities in England and Wales is. [2949]

The average total debt (long and short term) for English local authorities, at 31 March 2000, was about £94 million. This figure covers London boroughs, Metropolitan districts, Unitary authorities, Shire counties and Shire districts.Total debt for each of these authorities, at 31 March 2000, is available at: http://www.local.dtlr.gov.uk/finance/stats

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if she will list the local authorities in England and Wales which are debt-free. [2948]

The 103 English local authorities listed have reported that they had debt-free status as at 1 April 2001.

• Barking and Dagenham
• Basingstoke and Deane
• Bath and North East Somerset
• Bedford
• Bracknell Forest Unitary Authority
• Breckland
• Broadland
• Bromley
• Bromsgrove
• Broxbourne
• Chichester
• Chiltern
• Christchurch
• City of London
• Congleton
• Corby
• Cotswold
• Crawley
• Dacorum
• Dartford
• Daventry
• Dorset
• East Cambridgeshire
• East Devon
• East Dorset
• East Hampshire
• Eden
• Elmbridge
• Epsom and Ewell
• Forest Heath
• Fylde
• Hambleton
• Harlow
• Hart
• Havant
• Hertsmere
• Horsham
• Huntingdonshire
• Rennet
• Lichfield
• Malvern Hills
• Mid Bedfordshire
• Mid Sussex
• Mole Valley
• North Devon
• North Dorset
• North Wiltshire
• Penwith
• Reigate and Banstead
• Runnymede
• Rushmoor
• Ryedale
• Salisbury
• Sevenoaks
• South Bucks
• South Cambridgeshire
• South Hams
• South Northamptonshire
• South Oxfordshire
• South Ribble
• South Shropshire
• South Somerset
• South Staffordshire
• Spelthorne
• St. Edmundsbury
• Staffordshire Moorlands
• Stevenage
• Stratford-on-Avon
• Suffolk Coastal
• Surrey Heath
• Swale
• Tandridge
• Tewkesbury
• Three Rivers
• Tonbridge and Mailing
• Tunbridge Wells
• Tynedale
• Uttlesford
• Vale of White Horse
• Watford
• WaverleyWelwyn Hatfield
• West Berkshire UA
• Windsor and Maidenhead Unitary Authority

Annexe 1: List of the principal DFID supported bilateral projects1over the past four years that contribute to animal conservation.
Name of Project	Country	Period of support	Amount (£)
Mbomipa Community Wildlife	Tanzania	1997–2001	1,973,000
Wildlife Intensification for Livelihood Development (WILD)	Namibia	1999–2002	1,040,000
Madikwe Community Wildlife Management	South Africa	1997–99	621,795
Amboro Rural Development	Bolivia	1996–2000	3,200,000
Mount Cameroon Project	Cameroon	1995–2002	10.602,000
Indonesian Multi-Stakeholder Forestry Programme	Indonesia	1998–2005	25,150,000
Cross River State Community Forestry Project	Nigeria	1996–2001	2,000,000
Forest Sector Development Project Phase II	Ghana	2000–04	11,963,000
1 Includes projects of value £0.5 million or more. Excludes support through the Joint Funding Scheme (which are mostly under £0.5 million) and excludes DFID-funded research projects. Projects primarily concerned with freshwater and marine resources have also been excluded.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the support given by her Department to animal conservation schemes in each of the past four years. [1931]

DFID's purpose is poverty eradication, not conservation. DFID supports the sustainable management of wild animal populations where it is key to improving poor peoples' livelihood opportunities, for example through improved forest management and community wildlife initiatives.The principal bilateral projects that DFID has supported over the past four years that contribute in this way to animal conservation are listed in Annexe 1.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what arrangements exist for (a) recycling and (b) re-using waste generated within the parliamentary estate; what facilities exist for the separation of waste generated within the parliamentary estate; and what proportion of such waste is recycled. [2488]

This is a matter for the Serjeant at Arms; I have asked him to write to the hon. Gentleman.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria he will use when deciding the borders of new health authorities in the West Midlands; and if he will make a statement. [799]

Average daily bed occupancy rate, wards open overnight, mental illness sector, NHS Trusts in London, 1998–99 and 1999–2001
Occupancy rate percentage (at midnight)
Trust name	1999–2000	1998–99
London	93.7	92.2
Barnet Community Healthcare NHS Trust	91.9	80.5
Bethlem and Maudsley	—	82.3
BHB Community Health NHS Trust	89.8	93.5
Brent, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Mental Health NHS Trust	94.6	—
Camden and Islington Community Health Service NHS Trust	99.1	96.5
City and Hackney Community Services NHS Trust	94.0	94.9
Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham Mental Health NHS Trust	97.3	—
Enfield Community Care NHS Trust	97.9	91.3
Forest Healthcare NHS Trust	93.1	95.0
Great Ormond Street Hospital For Sick Children NHS Trust	74.8	77.9
Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust	94.2	100.0
Haringey Health Care NHS Trust	97.3	98.9
Harrow and Hillingdon Healthcare NHS Trust	97.2	98.5
Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust	95.6	96.8
Hounslow and Spelthorne Community and Mental Health NHS Trust	97.2	94.5
Kingston and District Community NHS Trust	98.6	94.0
Lewisham and Guys Mental Health	—	98.2
Newham Community Health Services NHS Trust	82.8	79.8
North West London Mental Health	—	98.0
Oxleas NHS Trust	94.5	91.8
Parkside Health	—	82.6
Redbridge Health Care NHS Trust	77.6	84.0
Riverside Mental Health	—	91.3
Royal Free NHS Trust	94.7	91.5
South London and Maudsley NHS Trust	96.2	—
South West London and St. Georges MH NHS Trust	88.5	96.0
St. Helier	—	95.0
Tower Hamlets Healthcare NHS Trust	87.1	93.2
University College London Hospitals NHS Trust	70.5	83.1
West Lambeth Community Care	—	97.1
West London Healthcare	—	98.3

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received in connection with the implementation of standards 21.3 and 22.2 of the "National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People"; and if he will place them in the Library; [922]

Final decisions on the boundaries for the new strategic health authorities will be taken following a full public consultation exercise. Proposals for consultation are being drawn up based on two criteria:

i. The new strategic health authorities should be coterminous with an aggregate of local authority boundaries.

ii. The new strategic health authorities should be aligned with the local clinical networks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the level of occupancy of all acute mental health units in London (a) in the last month for which figures are available and (b) in the same month in each of the previous five years. [413]

The information available is not collected in the format requested. Figures for London can be identified for 1998–99 and 1999–2000 when the National Health Service Executive, London regional office was in existence. Prior to this 'London' cannot be identified. The table shows bed occupancy for wards classified as mental illness in London NHS Trusts for 1998–99 and 1999–2000.(2) what assessment he has made of the impact of standards 21.3 and 22.2 of the "National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People" on the availability of beds in residential care and nursing homes; and if he will place it in the Library; [923](3) what estimate he has made of the impact on the number of care homes of the requirement of complying with the "National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People"; [924](4) what estimate he has made of the average amount that each care home will have to spend in order to comply with the "National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People". [925]

National minimum standards will ensure that care provision is fit for the purpose and meets the assessed needs of residents.The need for provision of particular facilities such as passenger lifts and the costs associated with their installation will vary from home to home.In setting these standards we listened to the concerns of providers and produced a sensible set of standards which give providers a reasonable time to adapt, and achieved the support of national organisations representing consumers and providers. We made a number of specific changes to the proposed standards in response to the concerns raised in the comments we received. I am confident that these decisions will ensure that any improvements in the quality of care homes necessary will be achieved smoothly, and that stability in the care homes sector and sufficient capacity is maintained while changes are made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have presented to the NHS walk-in Centre at Leigh Infirmary since it opened; and of these how many had to be referred on to a local casualty department for treatment. [1329]

The Leigh National Health Service Walk-In Centre opened on 1 June 2000 and in its first year 32,365 patients attended. 1,225 patients were referred to the local accident and emergency department from the centre.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the safety of milk and milk products, with particular regard to the foot and mouth outbreak. [588]

[holding answer 28 June 2001]: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) advise that the current outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the United Kingdom does not pose a threat to the safety of milk and milk products from animals infected with the disease. In addition, the FSA advise that the current evidence indicates no increased public health risk from dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls released from foot and mouth pyres for the vast majority of people who consume milk or dairy products produced on land within two kilometres of the pyres. Farmers and their customers who consume milk exclusively from such a source have been advised that there may be a slightly higher, although still very small, additional risk. This advice is precautionary until the results of the FSA's testing programme are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the proportion of total NHS spend used to provide mental health services in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [1463]

Information comes from health authorities and trusts and their accounts for 1999–2000, 2000–01, and 2001–02 have not yet been collated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to enable it to develop a clinical guideline on the investigation and management of heart failure. [1413]

The development of a guideline for heart failure was referred to National Institute for Clinical Excellence in September 2000 with the following remit:

Appropriate means of diagnosis (including consideration of possible role of new developments in diagnosis e.g. brain naturetic peptide).

Optimum symptom control using established treatments but also including relatively new evidence around drugs such as spironolactone, angiotensin-II receptor antagonists (e.g. losartan), beta blockers (and if appropriate how and where to manage treatment with beta blockers).

Appropriate make-up of medical team treating (evidence for multi-disciplinary approach).

Evidence on exercise tolerance and the possible beneficial effects of exercise on quality of life (limited evidence available but traditional advice to rest may not be appropriate in all cases).

Role of supportive care—the potential of the 'palliative care approach', when to consider supportive care (not just an end of life/terminal phase issue) and when the use of specialist palliative care services may be appropriate.

The role of primary care and community services—may these have an effect on frequent acute re-admissions?

Role of lifestyle advice.

Role of surgical interventions to treat or relieve symptoms.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to extend the provision of complementary and alternative medicine, with particular reference to acupuncture, chiropractice, homeopathy, herbal medicine, osteopathy and therapeutic touch, in the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement. [1423]

We have produced an information pack for primary care trusts and primary care groups on commissioning alternative medicine, which is available in the Library and at www.doh.gov.uk/cam/index.htm.The pack makes it clear that the provision of complementary medicine must be decided at a local level taking account of evidence of its suitability and efficacy and its effective regulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to monitor the delivery of the national cancer plan. [1688]

Cancer services have received an additional £280 million in 2001–02 towards implementation of the NHS Cancer Plan.Monitoring will be undertaken to ensure that investment and reform is seen across all cancer networks. This will include the high level review of spending undertaken through the services and financial framework process; the development by cancer networks of service delivery plans which will set out implementation plans for cancer services locally; and the continued central monitoring of the two week waiting time target. In addition the peer review process of cancer services will help trusts assess their progress in implementing evidence-based guidance for individual tumour groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to (a) compile and (b) publish performance statistics for each consultant employed in NHS hospitals. [1745]

We have no plans at the present time to compile and publish performance statistics on individual consultants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of acute beds in the Dudley group of hospitals which are unavailable to incoming patients as a result of being occupied by patients needing accommodation in a nursing home. [1805]

At 3 July 2001, the number of acute beds being occupied by patients awaiting nursing home accommodation is 33¹.Dudley health authority have recently identified £100,000 of non recurrent funds to alleviate immediate pressures in the short term. The local health and social services agencies are involved in discussions to seek solutions for medium to long-term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate the care of medical patients on surgical wards in the Dudley group of hospitals. [1997]

At 3 July 2001, the Dudley Group Hospitals National Health Service Trust has 31 medical patients on surgical wards, as a result of difficulties in discharging them to long-term care. The trust has confirmed that the patients selected to be cared for on surgical wards are those whose acute problems have been addressed. These patients require basic nursing care in terms of attention, medication, etc., which the trust's nurses are well equipped to provide.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide assistance to the recent study by the World Health Organisation into the effects of vaccines containing mercury used for MMR inoculations. [1763]

There is no, and never has been, thiomersal in any measles, mumps and rubella vaccine used in the United Kingdom.The Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) has been asked by the World Health Organisation to set up a study to look into the relationship between thiomersal and possible neurological outcomes using UK data.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in defining conditions for the safe use of traditional herbal products; and if he will make a statement. [1994]

We understand that the European Commission is actively continuing development work on the draft directive to regulate those traditional herbal products which are classified as medicines. In particular, we are aware that the EC has recently been considering written comments made by European Union member states following a meeting of the European Pharmaceutical Committee in April 2001. The detailed terms of various possible provisions to safeguard public health are likely to feature prominently in the ongoing discussions on the draft directive. The Medicines Control Agency will continue to consult the United Kingdom natural health sector as work on this initiative progresses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his policy that all NHS private finance initiative schemes should include transferring responsibility for the management of NHS ancillary staff to the private sector. [2212]

[holding answer 3 July 2001]: Pilot schemes, whereby ancillary services staff could retain their National Health Service employment terms but be managed by the private sector, are being conducted at three private finance initiative (PFI) projects currently in procurement.The pilots will be evaluated with reference to their ability to deliver workable, value for money arrangements and will be used to inform policy on NHS ancillary staff in future PFI schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of the proposed health authority restructuring for Essex. [1844]

[holding answer 3 July 2001]: The introduction of strategic health authorities is an important element in our proposals to decentralise power in the National Health Services. We will shift the balance of power in the NHS so that primary care trusts take the responsibility and resources for developing health services and improving health. Front-line staff are best placed to understand patients' needs and have the skills and experience to improve services. Empowering front-line staff and organisations to use these skills will help deliver faster and more responsive services and improve the patient experience.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further staffing support he plans to provide to hospices. [2481]

The NHS Cancer Plan set out our commitment to increase National Health Service investment in specialist palliative care by £50 million by 2004 to ensure that the inequalities in access to specialist palliative care ends. Health authority allocations in 2001–02 included a total of £255 million to support the first year of local implementation of the NHS Cancer Plan. Priorities for this year include the development of costed strategic plans for palliative c are. Cancer networks are expected to demonstrate how the additional funding will be invested over the next three years.Cancer networks are currently developing detailed service delivery plans, which will identify the current position, future demands and gaps in services and set out action plans for further development across all areas, including staffing of teams, whether in the voluntary sector or in the NHS. We are funding the National Council for Hospices and specialist palliative care services to support cancer networks to ensure an inclusive approach to develop the palliative care element in the service delivery plans.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the (a) total level of investment and (b) source of funding for the recent expansion of the Christie Hospital NHS Trust. [2281]

[holding answer 4 July 2001]: The revenue income for the Christie Hospital National Health Service Trust is provided in the table.

£ million
	Actual 1999–2000	Actual 2000–01	Forecast 2001–02
Total income from activities (health authorities)	39.0	43.4	49.1
Other operating income	30.2	24.9	24.1
Total overall income	69.2	68.4	73.2

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to visit the Christie Hospital NHS Trust in Manchester; and if he will make a statement. [2280]

[holding answer 4 July 2001]: Either I or one of my ministerial colleagues will visit the Christie Hospital later in the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department's research programme into the effects on health of mobile phone technology has been established. [2400]

The Stewart report on mobile phones and health made a recommendation that a substantial research programme should be set up under the aegis of a demonstrably independent panel and financed by the mobile phone companies and the public sector. This programme, jointly funded by Government and industry, has now been set up under the direction of an independent programme management committee. The first call for proposals was issued at a scientific workshop held in February. The committee is currently assessing a range of research proposals, the first group of which is expected to start in October this year. Details can be found on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/mobilephones.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are registered as disabled in the (a) Colchester, (b) North Essex, (c) Harwich and (d) Braintree constituencies. [2396]

Information on the number of people registered with Essex council as deaf or hard of hearing and blind or partially sighted are shown in the tables. Separate information is not available by constituency. Information is not available centrally on the number of people with other forms of disability.

Table 1: Number of people registered as deaf or hard of hearing at 31 March 1998, within the former county of Essex
	Number
Deaf	1,553
Hard of hearing	1.697
Total	3,250

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the amount of money available to student nurses in receipt of a full bursary. [2684]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 13 March that there would be a substantial increase in bursary support for all national health service-funded students, including nurses.With effect from 1 September this year the basic rate of bursary will be increased by 10.4 per cent. This is the biggest increase in bursaries since their introduction in the late 1980s and provides diploma level students (who make up the majority of the student nurse population) with an extra £500 per year.Further bursary changes will come into effect in September providing extra help with accommodation and travel expenses for students attending practice placements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the bursary system on the recruitment and retention of student nurses. [2685]

National health service bursaries provide a level of support which compares favourably with that available to other students in higher education. They will increase by 10.4 per cent. from September 2001. However the level of bursary support is only one factor influencing the recruitment and retention of student nurses.Applicants to pre-registration nursing and midwifery training course increased by 87 per cent. over the last three years, to 34,953 in 1999–2000, the latest year for which complete data are available.The National Audit Office earlier this year reported that attrition form training was currently 17 per cent., lower than in previous years and in line with attrition from higher education generally. 'Academic failure' was the most common reason for nurses dropping out. The Department has commissioned further research on factors influencing drop out. This will report later in the summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received to extend the availability of loans to student nurses in receipt of a full bursary. [2683]

The current national health service support package available to degree level students comprises 50 per cent. means-tested grant and 50 per cent. student loan. In addition the student's tuition fee contribution is paid in full. This support is more favourable than that available to other United Kingdom students studying at degree level.Students studying at diploma level receive a non-means-tested bursary and have their contribution to tuition fees paid in full. However, because diploma students receive a higher level of non-repayable, non-means-tested support for maintenance than degree students, they are not eligible for assistance through student loans.Student loans are a matter for the Department for Education and Skills and the Student Loans Company. The overall level of support provided to national health service-funded students is kept under review by my Department, taking into account the views of, among others, students themselves, for instance through the NHS Student Forum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many student nurses were in receipt of a bursary in the (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2000–01 academic years; and how many of those have dropped out of training in each year. [2681]

The bursary figures for the full academic year 2000–01 will not be known until 31 August 2001, the end of the academic year. As at 6 July 2001, the National Health Service Student Grants Unit (SGU) had authorised 4,117 NHS Bursary awards for degree level nursing students and 29,067 for those studying at diploma level.Diploma students who started their training prior to September 1999 are paid a bursary by their university rather than the SGU.The number of student nurses in receipt of a bursary for the full academic year 2001–02 will not be available until 31 August 2002, the end of that academic year.Data on the number of student nurses who discontinued their training during 2000–01 will be published by the English National Board for Nursing Midwifery and Health Visiting later in the summer. Data for 2001–02 will not be available until next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on increasing the value of bursaries for student nurses. [2682]

Departmental officials undertook a review of support arrangements for National Health Service funded students last year. Representations were received from students is and student bodies, professional bodies and others.As a result Ministers considered a range of options for changes to bursaries. The 10.4 per cent. across-the-board increase in the basic rate of bursary, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced shortly after the 2001 Budget, was in response to the representations made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for each NHS region and trust the number of three month vacancy rates for nurses and expenditure on agency nurses, indicating both the original estimate of costs and the outturn figures. [2973]

Figures from the Department of Health Vacancies Survey March 2000 on the number of three month vacancy rates for nurses per region and trust, and the expenditure on agency nurses in 1999–2000 are available in the Library. Information on the original estimate of costs and the outturn figures are not available centrally but may be available from individual National Health Service employers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will set out the timetable for considering the establishment of a fund to support the development of carers services under the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000; [2809](2) if he will set out the criteria against which progress in implementing the National Carers Strategy is monitored; by what means progress is reported to the House; and when progress was last reported; [2970](3) when he plans to publish the performance framework indicator for the number of carer assessments; if he will ensure that the assessments evaluate the proportion of carers assessed at the point of hospital discharge; and if he will make a statement; [2810](4) if he will undertake an evaluation of the appropriateness of support offered to carers as part of strategies to reduce the number of delayed discharges from hospital; [2813](5) when his Department last reviewed guidance on hospital discharge with respect to carers' needs; and what arrangements are in place to monitor compliance with the guidance; [2811](6) if he will make a statement on progress towards implementing the National Carers Strategy requirement that general practitioners should have procedures in place to identify carers by April 2002. [2808]

The Hospital Discharge Workbook, issued in 1994, gives guidance to the national health service, social services and other agencies on hospital discharge procedures. The workbook emphasises that the patient and carer should be made fully aware of arrangements for discharge and understand fully what is going to happen. Before an individual is discharged, checks should be made by the discharge nurse to ensure that discharge arrangements take place as planned. The chief executive of the hospital trust is responsible for ensuring that discharges take place appropriately. Work will begin soon on revising the hospital discharge workbook.The NHS Plan acknowledged that health and social services need to do more to shape services around the needs and preferences of individual patients, their families and their carers. During 2002, old T people, and where appropriate their carers, will be involved in agreeing a personal care plan, which they will hold. The personal care plan will document their current package of health and social care, their care co-ordinator, monitoring arrangements, and a list of key contacts for rapid response at home and in emergencies.We are continuing to provide additional resources to local authorities specifically to improve the working arrangements between local authorities and the NHS. The new Promoting Independence Grant is specifically aimed at fostering partnership between health and social services in promoting the independence of adults needing community care services. The grant will encourage these partnerships to improve their arrangements for multidisciplinary assessment and hospital discharge (including rehabilitation and recuperation services).In addition, we have pledged to consider the establishment of a fund to support the development of carers services under the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000. We have already begun preliminary discussions with key stakeholders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to assess the level of compliance with his guidance HSC 2000/28. [2812]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) to pay particular attention to resuscitation decision-making processes as part of its rolling programme of reviews of the clinical governance arrangements put in place by national health service organisations. CHI's programme of reviews is being conducted over a four-year cycle. All trusts will have been reviewed by October 2004. CHI will work with the organisation to produce an action plan to address identified deficiencies, the implementation of which will be monitored by the NHS regional office who will ensure that any necessary action is taken to ensure compliance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out the work programme of the National Workforce Development Board and its associated care group workforce teams; and if he will make a statement on the establishment of the care group workforce team dealing with services for older people. [2972]

The broad terms of reference for the National Workforce Development Board and the care group workforce teams are set out in "Investment and Reform for National Health Service Staff—Taking Forward the NHS Plan", copies of which are available in the Library. We are currently considering in more detail how these bodies, including the care group workforce team for services for older people, will take forward their role, and will make an announcement shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many intensive care beds there are in England in (a) the NHS and (b) the private sector. [2984]

The latest figures for 15 January 2001 are given in the table. The number of available adult intensive care and high dependency beds in England are published in the bi-annual publication "Available adult intensive care and high dependency provision, England", copies of which are available in the Library.

Available adult intensive care and high dependency provision at 15 January 2001—England
Intensive care beds	Number
Total	1,677
General	1,333
Specialist	344

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients from private hospitals transferred to NHS intensive care beds in the last year for which figures are available. [2985]

The information requested is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he plans to introduce to reduce deaths caused by the mis-use of (a) painkillers and (b) anti-depressants. [2368]

The Department introduced specific measures in September 1998 reducing pack sizes of paracetamol and aspirin aimed at reducing the toxicity from impulsive overdose. New warnings on the packaging emphasised the risks and action to take in the event of overdose. Recent published studies on the impact of these measures have provided evidence that they are having a significant beneficial effect.The majority of deaths in association with antidepressants are as a result of suicide. We take the issue of suicide very seriously. We are currently developing, under the direction of the National Director for Mental Health, Professor Louis Appleby, a coherent, national suicide prevention strategy to ensure that we are doing all we can to prevent suicide.Advice is given to health professionals in British National Formulary, which advises that patients treated for depression should be assessed frequently for suicidal tendencies and that limited quantities of antidepressant drugs should be prescribed at any one time to reduce the risk of overdose. The summaries of product characteristics for antidepressants warn that patients at risk of suicide should be monitored closely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in (a) identifying and (b) reducing the levels of (i) mis-use and (ii) over-use of neuroleptic drugs in residential homes for the elderly. [2369]

Data on the misuse or overuse of neuroleptic drugs are not available centrally. However, we are well aware of concerns about the use of these drugs in older people. Several current initiatives will help to address this issue.The National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People, published in March 2001 under section 23(1) of the Care Standards Act 2000, contains a standard for the administration of medicines. This includes requirements to take advice from pharmacists, consult general practitioners and regularly review medication. These standards come into force in April 2002.The National Service Framework for Older People was also published in March, together with 'Medicines and Older People', covering the implementation of medicines related aspects of the NSF. One of its aims is to ensure that older people gain maximum benefit from their medication and do not suffer unnecessarily from illness caused by excessive or inappropriate consumption of medicines. One of the milestones set in the NSF is that, by April 2002, people over 75 will have their medicines reviewed at least annually, and those taking four or more medicines will have a review six-monthly. And, by 2004, every primary care trust (PCT) will have schemes in place so that older people get more help from pharmacists in using their medicines.Finally, the NHS Plan contains a target that repeat dispensing schemes will be in place nationally by 2004. Together with management of repeat prescribing commissioned locally by PCTs, these schemes will provide further help in avoiding medication problems in older people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of those who use (a) heroin and (b) methadone under medical prescription who have died in each of the past five years. [2373]

The information requested is not available centrally in the form requested.The Departments collects information relating to the number of dispensed in the community in England (which includes prescriptions for diamorphine and methadone) but there is no means of identifying whether the recipient of the prescription subsequently dies.Information about all deaths in England and Wales in 1995 to 1999 where the underlying cause of death is regarded as resulting from drug-related poisoning is included in the Health Statistics Quarterly report, published by the Office for National Statistics in spring 2001. The report also contains information about the number of deaths where selected substances, including heroin and/or morphine and methadone, were mentioned on the death certificate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what mechanism the formula for the allocation of resources between health authorities takes account of (a) transient populations and (b) numbers of tourists. [2694]

The formula for setting health authority resource allocation targets is based primarily on resident population. The resident populations are then adjusted to take account of patients registered with general practitioners outside their health authority of residence. These adjusted resident populations are referred to as health authority relevant populations. These exclude transient populations and tourists.The prescribing component of the formula takes account of temporary residents who register with GPs in addition to relevant populations.Funding for secondary healthcare for tourists and transient populations that falls outside service agreements is transferred between health authorities through the out-of-area treatment arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much revenue was raised by NHS trusts for car parking charges in financial years (a) 1999 and (b) 2000. [2596]

There is no prescriptive model for the provision and financing of car parking facilities at national health service trusts and not all trusts will raise revenue from car parking charges. Where trusts do raise income from car park charges there is no requirement for it to be separately identified in their annual accounts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds were blocked in each NHS trust, in each of the last three years, by elderly patients waiting to be transferred to residential care; and if he will make a statement. [2581]

Information on the delayed discharges of patients aged over 75 years is collected from each health authority on a quarterly basis. That information has been collected on a consistent basis for the last two years and has been placed in the Library. The information collected includes the number of patients delayed due to awaiting nursing or residential home placement. In some cases patients will be exercising their right to await a place in a home of their choice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures he proposes to extend observance of human rights in (a) the Commonwealth and (b) elsewhere. [1835]

The Government will continue to promote human rights in bilateral and multilateral forums. Among other things, this will include continuing to campaign worldwide for the elimination of torture and the abolition of the death penalty and taking an active part in the forthcoming World Conference Against Racism. At the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Brisbane in October, the Government will try to ensure that the Commonwealth takes an even more active role in promoting human rights. A key element will be trying to expand the remit of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) so that it can recommend action where a Commonwealth member seriously or persistently violates human rights. Currently, CMAG comes into play only when an elected Commonwealth Government have been overthrown.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department received from the South African Government about the hon. Member for Neath (Peter Hain), during his period as a Minister with responsibility for Africa. [1820]

The South African Government welcomed my hon. Friend as Minister with responsibility for Africa and granted him access at the highest level. In an exchange of messages with the South Africans earlier this year, the then Foreign Secretary confirmed our appreciation of the candid and collaborative approach between the UK and South Africa, with which my hon. Friend was closely associated, and looked forward to it continuing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the average number of requests for assistance per year from UK tourists to local consular offices and their equivalents was in (a) Florida, (b) Ibiza, (c) Corfu, (d) Barcelona, (e) Benidorm, (f) Majorca, (g) Rhodes, (h) Rome, (i) Paris, (j) Venice, (k) Milan, (l) Dublin, (m) Capri, (n) Tenerife, (o) Cyprus, (p) Nice, (q) Cannes, (r) Boston, (s) Las Vegas, (t) New York, (u) Jerusalem, (v) Los Angeles, (w) Moscow, (x) St. Petersburg, (y) Berlin, (z) Dubai and (aa) Sri Lanka; and what category of assistance was requested in each case. [2108]

Our records do not currently allow tourists to be isolated from the total numbers of British citizens seeking assistance at UK missions overseas. However, in the period 1998–2000, the average annual number of requests for assistance (not including simple requests for information) from British citizens to local consular offices and their equivalents was as follows:

(a) Florida: 570 cases per year (cases are referred to Orlando)

(b) Ibiza: 2,000 cases per year

(c) Corfu: 450 cases per year

(d) Barcelona: 300 cases per year

(e) Benidorm: 550 cases per year (cases are referred to Malaga)

(f) Majorca: Total included in (e) above (cases are referred to Malaga)

(g) Rhodes: 250 cases per year

(h) Rome: 900 cases per year

(i) Paris: 300 cases per year

(j) Venice: 50 cases per year

(k) Milan: 70 cases

(l) Dublin: 250 cases per year

(m) Capri: 100 cases per year (cases are referred to Naples)

(n) Tenerife: 4,000 cases per year

(o) Cyprus: 300 cases per year (Nicosia)

(p) Nice: 70 cases per year (cases are referred to Marseille)

(q) Cannes: Total included in (p) above (cases are referred to Marseille)

(r) Boston: 30 cases per year

(s) Las Vegas: 90 cases per year

(t) New York: 150 cases per year

(u) Jerusalem: 30 cases per year

(v) Los Angeles: 70 cases per year (cases are referred to San Francisco)

(w) Moscow: 45 cases per year

(x) St. Petersburg: 15 cases per year

(y) Berlin: 120 cases per year

(z) Dubai: 500 cases per year

(aa) Sri Lanka: 30 cases per year (Colombo).

Similarly, our records do not currently allow us accurately to break down these numbers into all types of assistance sought. But the types of request we receive can range from assistance with major disasters involving ferries, aircraft, trains, buses and cars; assistance with hospitalisations, deaths, skiing accidents and welfare cases in general; helping the victims of crime including rape, child custody and abduction disputes and kidnapping incidents. We are also asked to help with repatriations and deportations, to help with searches for missing persons, to visit people detained by local authorities, to visit long-term prisoners and to arrange the deposit of funds (e.g. for prison comforts). These cases are the ones which get recorded. However, much of our work involves providing all kinds of information to help British nationals, and this is not recorded. In addition we provide notarial services where required; register marriages, births and deaths; and provide passport issuing facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost of running each of Her Majesty's embassies, broken down by (a) staff cost, (b) transport costs, (c) premises costs, (d) equipment costs and (e) entertainment and other costs in the last year; and if he will make a statement. [2101]

Estimates are made at FCO level and the ensuing budgets are as yet only partly devolved to embassies and other missions. However, the FCO carries out an annual accounting exercise which provides detailed information on the costs of individual embassies. This forms part of the resource accounts preparation, and for the year 2000–01 will be available this autumn.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of (a) the definition of "rogue state", (b) the states that can be so defined and (c) the threat they present to the UK. [2302]

"Rogue state" is generally not a term we would choose to use.We are concerned by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery in several regions including the middle east, South Asia and the Korean Peninsula.We judge that there is currently no significant threat to the UK from weapons of mass destruction. We continue to monitor developments closely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of Lord Levy on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, including to whom he is accountable, and on the facilities, expenses and remuneration he receives at public expense. [3200]

From time to time, Lord Levy will travel as the Prime Minister's envoy. He will report to the Prime Minister and to me.Lord Levy receives no remuneration and travels at his own expense. The FCO provides him with logistics and administrative support, including use of an office in London and official accommodation overseas, and briefing as necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the Government have for reforming the structure of the UN. [2971]

We would like to see the United Nations Security Council reformed to make it more representative of the world today. We are one of a number of countries which support enlarging Council membership from 15 to 24, including expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent membership.We are also working closely with EU and UN partners to follow up implementation of the report on UN Peace Operations drawn up by the Panel chaired by Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi in 2000. In particular, we are pressing for improved early warning and analysis and for more effective rapid deployment mechanisms.We have strongly supported the UN Secretary-General's wider efforts to streamline UN activities through a results-based approach to programme, financial and human resource management.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress of Plan Colombia and of the United Kingdom's involvement. [2379]

It is too early to assess the impact of Plan Colombia as it is designed to produce results over a number of years. One specific goal, for example, is to reduce the cultivation, processing and distribution of illegal drugs by 50 per cent. over a six-year period (2000–06).There is no UK Government financial involvement in Plan Colombia, either bilaterally or through the EU. No expenditure is planned by the UK Government to support the Plan. Instead, the UK is contributing to and fully supports assistance to Colombia through the European Union of 105 million euro over the next five years. The EU package will focus on measures to support human rights, long-term economic and social development, including alternative development, and an end to violence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the implementation of sanctions against Burma. [2817]

This Government have been at the forefront of international efforts to bring about good governance, respect for human rights and a return to democracy in Burma. Sanctions have been a significant aspect of this effort. We believe multilateral sanctions are the most effective and we were instrumental last year in securing a strengthening of the EU Common Position on Burma that includes an asset freeze and visa ban for members of the Burmese regime, an arms ban and a ban on non-humanitarian aid. In the UK, this has been implemented through the Burma (Sale, Supply and Export of Goods) (Penalties) Regulation (SI 2000/1408) and Burma (Freezing of Funds) Regulation 2000 (SI 2000/1472) and the Immigration Designation of Travel Bans) (Amendment) Order 2000. We have given a cautious welcome to recent positive developments in Burma, such as the release of some political prisoner s and the lessening of the restrictions on pressure on the National League for Democracy. But we will not soften or position until there is evidence of real change in Burma.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese Government about continuing violations of human rights being committed against the Karen, Karenni and Shan people by the Burmese army. [2816]

Contacts between British and Burmese officials are necessarily limited but we make representations to the Burmese authorities on their treatment of ethnic minorities whenever suitable opportunities arise. In January, a visit by EU Troika representatives to Burma raised with the regime this issue among other human rights concerns.We also fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to Burma, Tan Sri Razali Ismail, who is encouraging the regime to move towards national reconciliation and a return to democracy. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Razali on 26 June to discuss these issues.Multilaterally, we have ensured that violations of human rights in ethnic minority areas are properly covered in UNCHR and UNGA, and by the ILO in its examination of forced labour in Burma.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has discussed Burma with his predecessor. [2818]

I am aware of the keen interest my right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary and my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) took in Burma. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I look forward to carrying on the very important task of encouraging national reconciliation, respect for human rights and a return to democracy in Burma.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he has had since his appointment with representatives of the Indian Government; and if he will make a statement. [2587]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met Brajesh Mishra, Principal Secretary to Indian Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee, and Nareshwar Dayal, Indian High Commissioner in London, on 26 June. They discussed a range of regional and bilateral issues, including the consular cases of Peter Bleach and Ian Stillman. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has also spoken on the telephone with Jaswant Singh, the Indian Foreign Minister, about regional issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the detention without trial in Malaysia under the Internal Security Act of 10 members of the opposition party. [2590]

On 10 April 2001, seven members of the opposition party were detained under the International Security Act. Since then a further three were detained under the same legislation. Two of the detainees have been released without charge and two have been released by order of the High Court. EU Heads of Mission raised the issue with the Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs on 17 May 2001. We have raised the matter with the Malaysian High Commission in London and hope that the situation will be resolved quickly. We and our EU partners are following the situation closely.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the outcome was of the investigation into the shooting of James Alfred Cornhill on 19 April 2000; and what views were expressed by the Police Ombudsman. [1133]

The investigation into the shooting of James Alfred Cornhill has been completed, and the Director of Public Prosecutions has returned the file to the Police Ombudsman who is now considering the disciplinary aspects of the case. Until that process is complete the Police Ombudsman's views will not be available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the outcome was of the investigation into complaints against the RUC made by David McCombe and Padraig McCracken. [1091]

The Police Ombudsman's investigation into the complaints has not yet been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police officers have attended overseas conferences and training events on use of less-than-lethal arms and weaponry in the past 12 months; and at what cost. [1231]

Two Royal Ulster Constabulary officers attended a Less Lethal Seminar at Pennsylvania University in April 2001 at a cost of £3,216.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many claims have been submitted by police officers for injuries allegedly caused by faulty equipment associated with the discharge of plastic baton rounds in each of the last 10 years; how many of these claims have been settled; and at what cost. [1226]

There have been no such claims.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what response he has made to rulings of the European Court of Human Rights on alleged shoot-to-kill incidents in Northern Ireland on 1 June. [1119]

As a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights, the United Kingdom takes very seriously the findings of the European Court. The Government have three months from the date of the judgments to decide their response (ie by 4 August) and are considering this very carefully.I should point out that none of the judgments found the UK to have breached Article 2 of the Convention (the right to life) in respect of the actual deaths, but found against the Government in respect of a number of procedural issues relating to post-death investigatory procedures in place at the time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Royal Ulster Constabulary officers who were present at the scene of the death of Robert Hamill on 27 April 1997 (a) have since left and (b) continue to serve in the RUC. [1055]

Of the four officers in the vehicle near the scene of the assault on Robert Hamill on 27 April 1997 two officers have left the RUC, one officer is suspended and the other is still serving in the RUC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what means non-governmental organisations and victims' support groups may assist in monitoring implementation of the Patten reforms on policing. [1144]

As recommended in the report of the Independent Commission on Policing, the Government have appointed a Commissioner to oversee the implementation of the policing reforms. Other groups and organisations may, of course, choose to follow implementation in areas of interest to them and many have been, and will continue to be, consulted on the introduction of changes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish a draft Criminal Justice Bill for Northern Ireland; and what steps he is taking to improve the record of the police service in promoting parity of esteem. [1075]