To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the prescribing rates in the last three years for which figures are available for atypical, anti-psychotic medication. [1586]

The number of items dispensed in the community in England for atypical, anti-psychotic preparations for the period 1998–2000 is shown in the table.

Thousand
Year	Prescription items
1998	469.7
1999	772.6
2000	1,149.4

The data are from the Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system and are based on a full analysis of all prescriptions dispensed in the community, i.e. by community pharmacists and appliance contractors, dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered in England. The PCA system includes not only prescriptions originating from general practices in England but also from nurses, dentists and hospital doctors provided they were dispensed in the community; also included are prescriptions written in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man but dispensed in England. The data do not cover drugs dispensed in hospitals or private prescriptions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role the new strategic health authorities will have in ensuring effective patient and public involvement. [1839]

The detail of the roles and responsibilities of strategic health authorities are still being finalised. It is not possible to say at this stage what the precise arrangements will be for ensuring effective patient and public involvement mechanisms.We shall be able to be much clearer about the role of strategic health authorities, including how it fits with the new involvement structures, later in the summer.The new structures being formulated to strengthen patient and public voice and influence are based on the premise that every aspect of the National Health Service, both delivery and management, should respond to what users of the NHS believe is right for the future of the health services they use. Strategic health authorities will, together with all other bodies in the NHS, need to respond to this important consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase investment in NHS chiropody services. [1727]

The NHS Plan forecast investment in all the allied health professions, which includes chiropodists. This year the Department has commissioned 345 training places, and funded local projects on return to practice from education consortia. Chiropodists are an integral part of the Government patient-focused policy programme, particularly in relation to older people and diabetes, which are part of the national service framework programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to replace the law relating to claims for medical negligence with a system of no fault compensation involving payment of modest lump sums and pensions payable for fixed periods up to and including for life. [1719]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) on 3 July 2001, Official Report, column 144W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government intend to implement the White Paper on "Reforming the Mental Health Act"; and what plans they have to consult further to ensure that new legislation meets the needs of mental health service users. [2713]

We are committed to the reform of the Mental Health Act 1983 and will introduce new legislation as soon as parliamentary time allows. We will continue to take account of the views of mental health service users and other key interests as work is carried out to develop the policies set out in the White Paper "Reforming the Mental Health Act" into detailed proposals for new legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the pilot schemes for the availability of digital hearing aids on the NHS; and if he will extend access to digital hearing aids on the NHS. [2541]

The Department has asked the Institute of Hearing Research (IHR) to conduct a research evaluation of the Modernising National Health Service Hearing Aid Services project. The IHR is expected to present its report in February 2002. The evaluation will help determine how changes in hearing aid services might be extended to all NHS audiology departments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the future of Milford hospital; and if he will visit Milford hospital. [2833]

West Surrey health authority is currently considering the responses received during the recent public consultation—The Sustainable NHS—Phase ii.It would be inappropriate to make any comment on the future of the hospital before the health authority has made a final decision.Ministerial commitments will not allow a visit to Milford hospital at this time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate the delay in the treatment given to Christopher Lewis, of Churchdown, Gloucestershire, by the NHS. [2942]

[holding answer 9 July 2001]: The United Bristol Healthcare National Health Service Trust investigated Mr. Christopher Lewis' complaint about the delays to his treatment under the NHS complaints procedure, and a reply was sent to Mr. Lewis by the chief executive of the trust on 11 June 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the future publication of inpatient and outpatient waiting lists in England; and what plans he has to publish further indicators of patient waiting times. [3270]

The inpatient waiting list has been reduced by 255,000 since June 1998, and the number of outpatient over-13-week waiters fell by 94,000 over the same period. Information on waiting lists and times will continue to be collected and published.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his estimate is of the level of (a) inpatient and (b) outpatient waiting lists and waiting times at (i) East Somerset NHS Trust and (ii) Taunton NHS Trust; what the Government's targets are in each category; and if he will make a statement; [3049](2) what targets for

Information on hospital waiting times is published quarterly by the Department in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England" and "Waiting Times for First Outpatient Appointments in England: Detailed Statistics". This information is also available on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/waitingtimes.The numbers of patients waiting for inpatient or day case treatment at East Somerset National Health Service Trust and Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust on 31 March 2001 are shown in the table.

Patients waiting for admission by number of months waiting
	East Somerset	Taunton and Somerset
0–2 months	1,089	3,400
3–5 months	538	2,039
6–11 months	314	1,371
12–17 months	2	28
18+ months	0	0
Total	1,943	6,838

The number of general practitioner written referral requests seen as a first outpatients in Quarter 4 (1 January to 31 March 2001) at East Somerset NHS Trust and Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust is shown in the table.

Of those GP referral requests seen, the number who waited (in weeks)
	East Somerset	Taunton and Somerset
0–14 weeks	2,251	4,609
4–113 weeks	2,267	4,299
13–126 weeks	758	2,305
26+	208	459
Total	5,484	11,672
1 Less than

As part of the NHS Plan, the NHS is working towards reducing the current maximum inpatient wait of 18 months to 15 months by March 2002 and reducing the outpatient wait of over six months now to a maximum of six months by March 2002. These targets are part of a staged reduction in waiting times, with inpatient waiting times continuing to fall from 18, to 15, to 12, nine then ultimately six months by 2005. The maximum outpatient waiting time will fall to three months by 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the length of the inpatient waiting list at East Somerset NHS Trust for each of the last 10 years; what his estimate is of the number of (i) inpatients and (ii) outpatients waiting for more than (a) three months, (b) six months, (c) nine months, (d) 12 months, (e) 15 months, (f) 18 months and (g) 24 months, for each reporting period over the last 10 years for (A) East Somerset NHS Trust and (B) Taunton NHS Trust; and if he will make a statement. [3048]

The information requested is shown in the tables. Information on inpatients is not available before June 1991; information on outpatients is only available from June 1995.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to merge the Somerset health authority and the Dorset health authority; and if he will make a statement. [3051]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced in April 2001 that the existing health authorities would be disestablished and replaced by new strategic health authorities. Public consultation on the boundaries of the new strategic health authorities will take place later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the chief executive of the Army Personnel Centre for financial year 2001–02. [3803]

The chief executive of the Army Personnel Centre has been set the following key targets for 2001–02:

To maintain the percentage of posts which are manned (excluding posts gapped for less than 28 days and all posts for private soldiers and subaltern officers) at 94 per cent.

To ensure that the proportion of personnel posted in-year by the APC whose rank and service qualifications meet the specifications of the post is at least 94 per cent.

To ensure that the percentage of in-year postings authorised by the APC where personnel are given at least four months' notification is at least 54 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received concerning a general service medal for those who served in the Suez Canal Zone between 1951 and 1954 [2382]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Denton and Reddish (Andrew Bennett) on 9 July 2001, Official Report, column 361W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) the military units, (b) UK police forces, (c) UK authorities, agencies and private organisations and (d) overseas customers who have been advised by the Stanoc Centre over the past year. [3015]

[holding answer 10 July 2001]: The Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Night Observation and Counter-surveillance (STANOC) centre has provided assistance to the following organisations since June 2000:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with NATO's Defence Capabilities Initiative since the Washington Summit in 1999. [2531]

NATO's Defence Capabilities Initiative (DCI) aims to give the Alliance the capabilities it needs to be fully effective across the range of its missions. The initiative comprises some 59 Decisions. Of these, 21 are well on track. The UK is pressing for an intensified programme of work on the DCI over the coming months. The UK's own DCI performance has been strong, with some 60 per cent. of DCI-related Force Goals being fully implemented and a further 30 per cent. being partially implemented. This reflects capability enhancements such as the introduction of the C17 strategic transport aircraft, the acquisition of a greater sealift capability and development and procurement of new precision guided munitions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many compensation payments to internees in Japanese wartime prison camps have yet to be paid; how many have been paid; how many are being investigated; and how many of these are on grounds of the need to prove nationality. [2706]

As at 6 July a total of 21,552 ex-gratia payments had been made to former internees and surviving spouses. A further 186 payments had been authorised but not yet paid. 3,364 applications are being investigated to confirm eligibility, of which 411 are on the grounds of proving nationality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes there have been to the definition of "British" when applied to civilians eligible for Her Majesty's Government's ex-gratia payments to former prisoners of war and internees of the Japanese from 1941 to 1945 since 7 November 2000; and if he will make a statement. [2672]

The ex-gratia payment announced on 7 November 2000 is being made to the various British groups who had been held prisoner by the Japanese during the Second World War. The eligibility criterion for civilian claimants has recently been clarified, but there has been no change in the intended scope of the scheme. British subjects whom the Japanese interned and who were born in the United Kingdom, or had a parent or grandparent born here, are eligible for the payment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent disturbance in the sovereign base areas in Cyprus. [R] [2978]

The Government deplore absolutely the violence and vandalism that took place in the sovereign base areas in Cyprus on Tuesday evening. We have made, and will continue to make, every effort to demonstrate to the Government of Cyprus and the villagers of Akrotiri that the current and proposed antennae on the Salt Lake pose no threat to health and have a minimal impact on the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the status of the border between the Republic of Cyprus and sovereign base areas after Cyprus's accession to the EU. [R] [2977]

The Government are considering carefully all the implications for the sovereign base areas of the accession by Cyprus to the EU. Our consideration of these matters has not yet reached its conclusion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) equipment and (b) personnel his Department has provided to the Government of Macedonia since 1 January. [2823]

We have given the Macedonian Government 500 pieces of body armour, 15 mine detectors and 100 handheld Global Positioning Systems. In addition, we will be providing one remote control bomb disposal vehicle and 1,000 parachute flares.In March this year at the start of the crisis we sent out a small team of eight military officers for five days to assess how we might assist the Macedonian Government. Two of these officers remained for a limited period to provide support to the UK Defence Adviser to the Macedonian Government (Brigadier James Short); their role was to provide assistance with planning. At present, a military officer is working alongside Brigadier Short providing operational advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2001, Official Report, column 132W, on pensions, if he will place in the Library a copy of the wording of the guidance both before and after the amendment was made. [3214]

It is not current practice to place individual items from the guidance manuals in the Library. However, arrangements are being made to place a copy of the current War Pensions Medical Advisers Instructions and Procedures Guide in the Library, together with a copy of the amendment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the into productive service requirement is for junior officers this year; and if the requirement will be achieved. [2697]

[holding answer 10 July 2001]: The into productive service target for junior officer multi-engined pilots in the RAF for the financial year 2001–02 is 55. Unfortunately, problems with the Tucano training fleet at the end of last year meant that the number of fast jet students restreamed to multi-engined aircraft training was fewer than expected and this is the main contributing factor to the target not being met. The current forecast is for 44 multi-engined aircraft pilots to join front line squadrons from Operational Conversion Units in 2001–02. The position is expected to recover in subsequent years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what materials were deposited in the sea off the North Cornish coast when CDE Nancekuke was decommissioned. [2664]

There is no comprehensive record of materials which were deposited into the sea off the north Cornish coast when Chemical Defence Establishment (CDE) Nancekuke was decommissioned.All plant used in toxic or hazardous operations at Nancekuke was thoroughly decontaminated. All decontaminant was neutralized, diluted and tested on representative local marine species, namely prawns and gobies, before disposal into the sea.Chemical warfare agents and their precursors were generally destroyed by incineration or transferred to CDE Porton Down. Some precursors and other materials were however treated and disposed of as above. These included approximately 1 tonne of pralidoxime mesylate (treated with sodium hypochlorite before disposal), arsenic chloride (31 litres were hydrolysed then oxidised with sodium hypochlorite before disposal) and 7 kg of a mixture of ethylphosphonyl dichloride and ethylphosphonyl difluoride (hydrolysed and neutralised before disposal).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make a statement on the environmental assessment being undertaken at RAF Portreath. [2666]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 7 February 2001, Official Report, column 522W. Work on the further land quality assessment has been completed. The expert consultant's report has been received and my officials are considering its recommendations and options for remediation work. The next stage will entail discussions on the way ahead with the Environment Agency and Kerrier district council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sea monitoring has been undertaken since CDE Nancekuke was decommissioned. [2665]

Sea monitoring is the responsibility of the Environment Agency, and its forerunner the National Rivers Authority. No monitoring other than the routine monitoring of South West Water's sewage outfall pipes has been undertaken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the comprehensive survey of the service volunteer programme at the Chemical Defence Establishment, Porton Down, announced on 1 May, will gather evidence and recollections from staff who organised the experiments. [3404]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 11 May 2001, Official Report, columns 415–16W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2001, Official Report, column 133W, on Porton Down, what plans he has to assign more officials to carry out the comprehensive survey of the service volunteer programme. [3406]

We plan to take on a further member of staff, probably a higher executive officer (Grade C2).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2001, Official Report, column 133W, on Porton Down, if he will arrange for service volunteers to give their recollections of the Porton Down volunteer programme in a public forum. [3407]

No. Service volunteers are free to give us their recollections in any way they wish.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to reduce the threat of war in space. [3165]

The UK and its assets are not considered to be under threat from war in space. The UK was a Depository State of the Outer Space Treaty, which places important limitations on the military use of space, and the UK supports further consideration of issues relating to the prevention of an arms race in outer space at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what units of the British Army use (a) the legbrace and (b) orange shirts printed "Prisoner" in respect of absentees. [2496]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Bermuda Regiment is part of the British Army. [3044]

No. The Bermuda Regiment is an internal security force whose role is to help the Bermuda Police Service maintain law and order. Although there are strong links between the Regiment and the British Army, it is not part of it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what plans he has to consult Parliament about proposed amendments to the Bermuda constitution; and if he will make a statement; [3043](2) if he will take steps to ensure that no Order in Council to amend the Bermuda constitution is enacted without hon. Members being given a reasonable period of time to consider the proposed amendments; and if he will make a statement. [3034]

Orders in Council to amend the Bermuda constitution are made under Section 1 of the Bermuda Constitution Act 1967, which provides that any such Order shall be laid before Parliament after being made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it a requirement that there is general agreement by all relevant parties in Bermuda about the membership and terms of reference and functions of the proposed boundary commission to be set up consequent on amendments sought to the Bermuda constitution by the Bermuda Government. [3035]

The composition and terms of reference of the Bermuda Constituency Boundaries Commission are laid down in the Bermuda constitution. There is no intention to change the composition of the commission. Consultations have been undertaken with the political parties in Bermuda about the terms of reference and functions of the commission, with a view to that body making recommendations regarding possible single-member constituencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the (a) Governor and (b) Deputy Governor of Bermuda is paid; by whom; and what other allowances and emoluments accrue to each office. [3039]

The Government of Bermuda make provision in their budget for salary and other allowances of the Governor, and for the Governor's office. The Governor is paid in accordance with Bermuda civil service pay scales; the Deputy Governor, who is a member of HM diplomatic service, is paid in accordance with FCO pay scales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the use of conscription in Bermuda; and if he will make a statement. [2492]

Conscription is regulated by the Bermuda Defence Act 1965. Amendment to this Act requires legislation in the House of Assembly in Bermuda.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the new Governor of Bermuda will be appointed. [2854]

An announcement will be made in the usual way at the appropriate time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the process of consultation followed by his Department in respect of the appointment of the Governor of Bermuda. [2855]

The Governor of Bermuda is appointed following consultation with the Premier of Bermuda.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will set up a constitutional conference prior to amending the Bermuda constitution by Order in Council. [3036]

There is no requirement to call a constitutional conference before amendment of the Bermuda constitution. But consideration of the most appropriate way forward is given on a case-by-case basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates (a) the Governor and (b) Foreign Office Ministers met (i) Bermuda Government Ministers and (ii) members of the Bermuda parliamentary Opposition to discuss proposals to amend the Bermuda constitution by Order in Council in the last two years. [3038]

The information is as follows:

(a) The Governor frequently meets Government of Bermuda Ministers and Opposition members. Meetings specifically to discuss proposals to amend Bermuda's constitution were hosted by the Governor at Government House in April 2001. Several Government Ministers and members of the opposition attended these talks.

(b) FCO Ministers met Government of Bermuda Ministers to discuss proposals to amend the Bermuda constitution in October 2000 and December 2000. They met members of the Bermuda parliamentary Opposition in December 2000 and January 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions a constitutional conference has been held prior to amendments being approved by Order in Council to the Bermuda constitution since 1971. [3037]

Once, in 1979.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many women serve in the Bermuda Regiment; and how many were conscripted. [2504]

Eighteen women are currently serving in the Bermuda Regiment. There is no conscription for women in Bermuda.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of conscripts to the Bermuda Regiment have not responded to their conscription call-up for each of the past five years. [2491]

The proportions for the years in question are as follows:

• 1996–27 per cent.
• 1997–29 per cent.
• 1998–38 per cent.
• 1999–24 per cent.
• 2000–16 per cent.

The percentage represents the proportion who are unaccounted for and for whom no reasonable excuse has been offered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Governor Masefield's role is in respect of discipline and appeals in the Bermuda Regiment; and if he will make a statement. [2497]

The Bermuda Defence Act 1965 established the policy and procedure to be observed in the command and administration of the Bermuda Regiment including military offences and the respective powers of the commander.Appeals are heard by the Defence Board, which forwards its recommendations to the Governor, who then acts at his discretion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many conscripts from the Bermuda Regiment have served outside Bermuda in the past two years. [2493]

No conscripts have been deployed on operations outside Bermuda in the past two years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what punishments have been made in respect of each conscript to the Bermuda Regiment who has failed to respond to his call-up in each of the past two years. [2500]

Failure to respond to call-up is dealt with in civil court. There were no prosecutions in 1999. In 2000 nine men were prosecuted and were bound over for one year by the magistrate. Of the nine, six have now commenced military service, one was found unfit, one qualified for deferment and one will commence service in January 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people have served custodial sentences in the past two years consequent on their failure to accept conscription in the Bermuda Regiment. [2498]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the establishment strength of the Bermuda Regiment is, broken down by (a) full-time officers and soldiers, indicating those seconded from other regiments and units, (b) part-time officers and soldiers and (c) conscripts. [2494]

The establishment strength of the Bermuda Regiment is:

(a) Full-time officers six, other ranks 22. Two are on secondment from the Royal Anglian Regiment.

(b) Part-time officers 24, other ranks 514.

(c) There is no breakdown available for conscripts. They are included in the part-time numbers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions in the past year a leg brace has been used in respect of a Bermuda Regiment conscript; and for what purpose. [2501]

In the past year a leg brace has been used three times as a restraint.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Governor's responsibility for the command and control of the Bermuda Police. [3046]

In 1977 the Governor's responsibility for the Police Service for matters relating to recruitment, training, equipment, general organisation, finance and community relations was delegated to the Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions and in what circumstances the leg-brace is used by Bermuda Police. [3047]

Leg braces are not used by the Bermuda Police Force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposed changes to the constitution of the Falkland Islands. [3045]

We have invited all the Overseas Territories to review their constitutions and to submit their proposals for modernisation. HMG will consider carefully any suggestions for which there is evidence of extensive local consultation and support. A Select Committee has been appointed in the Falkland Islands to review the constitution and it is currently undertaking wide public consultation. The Select Committee has yet to submit its proposals formally to HMG.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to bring forward legislation relating to overseas territories. [3040]

The British Overseas Territories Bill, which will grant British citizenship to all British Dependent Territories Citizens in qualifying territories, was given a first reading in the House of Lords on 21 June and published on 22 June. A second reading was given on 10 July and the committee stage is scheduled for 24 July. Copies of the Bill, with explanatory notes, are available from the Vote Office and Printed Paper Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what Orders in Council relating to the law of overseas territories he plans to bring forward during 2001; and if he will specify the purpose and overseas territory concerned in each case. [3042]

Orders in Council are used to give effect to various treaties, convention, UN sanctions and other similar matters where the capacity to pass local legislation is inadequate. A list of anticipated Orders in Council relating to the laws of the Overseas Territories is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Other Orders in Council may arise during the course of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if all overseas territories are compliant with (a) the European Convention on Human Rights and (b) other human rights standards to which the United Kingdom is committed to by (i) treaty or convention and (ii) policy. [3041]

HMG's policy is that those territories which choose to remain British should abide by the same standards of human rights that British people expect of their own Government. These are enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and the six core UN human rights instruments. The ECHR and most of the UN Conventions have been extended to all the territories. We are working with the territories to complete the process of extending the outstanding UN Conventions. The territories to which these conventions have already been extended are in large measure compliant.