To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of Project Aquatrine. [4452]

Project Aquatrine will transfer responsibility for the maintenance and operation of all the Ministry of Defence's water and wastewater assets and infrastructure in Great Britain to private sector service providers.Four consortiums are bidding for the first package of work of this £2.9 billion private financial deal. An Invitation to Negotiate will be issued to bidders for the first package of work on 16 July 2001.The consortiums invited to negotiate for this work, covering central southern England, western England and Wales, are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) for what reasons the report by RAND into the bidders for the contract to build type 45 destroyers has been delayed; [2343](2) what criteria were given to RAND for their report into the bidders for the contract to build type 45 destroyers; [2346](3) when the report by RAND into the bidders contract to build type 45 destroyers will be completed; and when he will make a decision; [2344](4) if the Government will publish the findings of the report by RAND into the bidders for the contract to build type 45 destroyers. [2345]

We commissioned RAND to do a study on a range of alternative procurement strategies for our future warship programmes over the next 15 to 20 years, with particular reference to options for the type 45 destroyers. The study is intended to help inform, not make, decisions by the Department within the context of obtaining value for money over the warship programme as a whole.

The study has not been delayed and RAND have provided their initial findings to the Department. We used these to help assess the best way forward for the type 45 procurement strategy as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 10 July 2001,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision, in the agreement with the Kenyan Government on military training is made for the British Army to clean up live bombs after operations. [3219]

There is no agreement between the British Army and the Kenyan Government for the clearance of live ammunition after training. There is, however, a widely understood military protocol whereby the host nation is responsible for the clearance of military ranges and this is followed in Kenya. The British Army aims to destroy the ammunition it uses as soon as possible after it has been fired. In Kenya, destruction takes place while the units are conducting their training and at the end of the exercise period. Notwithstanding that, in the last two years the British Army has carried out clearance work in support of the Kenyan authorities.The British Army is alone in that it also trains on privately owned land in Kenya in addition to using Kenyan Department of Defence facilities. The British Army clears any unexploded ordnance from privately owned land as required by their agreements with local landowners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what point the military clearance operation in North Kenya was suspended after the unexploded ordnance specialist left the area. [2795]

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the clearance operation which took place at Archer's Post earlier this year. The operation was not suspended. It was a planned activity that took place between 7 April and 16 May. The dates for the operation were agreed last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the procedure is for the clearing of civilians before and after military training in the Archer's Post and Dol Dol training areas of north Kenya; [2784](2) what provision his Department has made to stop civilian entry into the testing grounds that the British Army use in Archer's Post and Dol Dol in northern Kenya. [2794]

The responsibility for ensuring that civilians are cleared from the Archer's Post and Dol Dol training areas rests with the Kenyan Department of Defence. Wherever the British Army trains with live ammunition it must confirm that the danger area is clear before commencing training. At Archer's Post this is achieved by using range wardens, a helicopter overflight of the danger area and the deployment of danger flags and sentries. The sentries and range wardens act to stop civilians entering Archer's Post while training is in progress.The British Army does not conduct live firing at the Dol Dol area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will take responsibility for the deaths and injuries caused by unexploded ordnance in the Archer's Post and Dol Dol areas. [2780]

The Ministry of Defence's position is that we take responsibility for deaths and injuries where we are shown to be legally liable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department will ensure that all signs outside training areas used by the British Army in Kenya are intelligible to people who cannot read. [2791]

There are large concrete signs outside live firing areas used by the British Army in Kenya, with words of warning written in English and Samburu. The nomadic tribesman have been grazing their animals in the area for a considerable number of years and are aware that some of the area is a Kenyan Department of Defence live firing military range as it has been for many years. We therefore believe that the signs are well understood by both the local population and nomadic tribesmen that transit the area. My hon. Friend may also wish to note that the range wardens employed throughout the year by the British Army instruct the local population about the dangers posed during live firing and from touching unexploded ordnance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if any of the unexploded ordnance found in the Archer's Post and Dol Dol training areas were from the British Army. [2792]

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to recent activities where the British Army, in support of the Kenyan Department of Defence, conducted limited clearance operations at Archer's Post. During 2000 a total of 32 ammunition types were recovered, only two of which were found to be unique to the British Army. The Royal Engineers are continuing to analyse the ammunition found earlier this year.We do not conduct live firing at the Dol Dol training area and have therefore not conducted an explosive ordnance clearance operation at the range. Any live unexploded ordnance found at Dol Dol is therefore a matter for the Kenyan authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many square kilometres of the Archer's Post range were cleared in the operation from March to May. [3208]

The clearance operation covered 64 square kilometres.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many live bombs were found in the recent clean-up operation of Archer's Post from March to May; how many were British made; and how many had batch numbers showing who had fired them; and of these how many had been fired by the British Army. [3207]

During the recent clearance operation at Archer's Post a total of 271 live ammunition types were found. Work is continuing to establish their provenance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the British Army first was informed that people were being (a) injured and (b) killed on the Archer's Post and Dol Dol range by live bombs. [3220]

In recent times, the British Army has been aware of three incidents where civilians were killed or injured at Archer's Post. The first of these incidents is believed to have taken place in May 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the British Army intends to clean up the live bombs about which they were informed by Osiligi representatives in late 2000. [3209]

I understand that the ordnance to which my hon. Friend refers was found at the Dol Dol training area. The British Army does not conduct live firing at Dol Dol, and any live ammunition found there is therefore a matter for the Kenyan authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the United Kingdom is part of the Netherlands-led consortium to purchase precision-guided missiles from the United States of America; and if he will make a statement. [2723]

The UK is not part of any Netherlands-led consortium for the procurement of precision-guided missiles from the United States of America.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will publish the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [3490]

The public consultation period on the emerging findings of the review of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 16 March 2001, Official Report, column 756W, ends on 31 July. A summary of the views expressed during this period and a response to them will be published when the comments have been fully considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the 4^th Armoured Reconnaissance Unit will be stationed at Stanley Barracks, Bovington; and which regiment will be fulfilling that role at that time. [3488]

In his answer on 12 April 2000, Official Report, column 147W, the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces, my hon. Friend the Member for Warley (Mr. Spellar) stated that the 4^th Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment will be the Queen's Dragoon Guards who would move into barracks at Bovington in August 2003. Since then a number of factors have emerged that might affect this plan and there has therefore been a need to re-address the options. I shall write to the hon. Member when the position is clearer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the policy is for fast-tracking of service personnel for medical treatment (a) in Ministry of Defence hospital units and (b) elsewhere. [2862]

Service patients are mainly treated in Ministry of Defence Hospitals Units (MDHUs), in other NHS hospitals as NHS patients, or in Defence Secondary Care Agency (DSCA) directly managed units (DMUs) in the UK and overseas. The British Forces Germany Health Service provides secondary care for service personnel in Germany where there are generally no waiting lists.The DSCA has set waiting time targets for the treatment of patients from the armed forces in its DMUs and MDHUs. The contracts between MDHUs and their host NHS trusts include financial payments to encourage trusts to achieve these. The contracts also allow service personnel needed for operational deployment to receive a priority out-patient opinion. In addition, contracts were placed last year with independent sector health care providers to treat service personnel in shortage categories to relieve overstretch. Referrals under these contracts ceased in March 2001. Planning has recently been approved for another rapid treatment initiative.Military personnel referred to NHS hospitals outwith MDHU arrangements are treated in accordance with NHS waiting times on the basis of clinical need.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what land and property is in the possession of his Department in North Belfast; and on what terms. [3077]

The Ministry of Defence has two properties in the parliamentary constituency of North Belfast. The Regular Army is based in Girdwood Barracks, part of which we hold freehold and the remainder is leasehold. The Territorial Army is based at Dunmore Camp, which is held under freehold.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library the memorandums of understanding for the A400M and Meteor that he signed in Paris in June. [2969]

The memoranda of understanding for the A400M and Meteor programmes will become effective when all participants have signed them. We do not anticipate all signatures being in place until September 2001. Copies of the documents will be placed in the Library of the House when they become effective.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total (a) budget and (b) cost was of purchasing and commissioning the Merlin helicopter for the Royal Navy. [4337]

The total budget for purchasing the Merlin helicopter was £4,931 million. The total forecast cost of purchasing the Merlin helicopter is £4,903 million. This includes the UK element of the development costs. The development of the Merlin Mk1 was part of the EH 101 UK/Italy collaborative project. The forecast also includes an estimate for the initial provisioning of capital spares, the cost of the avionics weapon system, the Merlin Training System and the supply of ground support equipment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the full squadron of Royal Navy Merlin helicopters will be fully operational; and if he will make a statement. [4338]

On current plans the first full squadron of Royal Navy Merlin helicopters will be fully operational in May 2002 with the further squadrons achieving this status within a rolling programme up to 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if QinetiQ plc is included in the manufacturing licence agreement for the Apache AH MK I helicopter. [3487]

[holding answer 13 July 2001]: No. The Manufacturing licence for the UK Apache Attack Helicopter is between Westland Helicopters Ltd. and the Boeing Company. Westland Helicopters Ltd. is currently seeking an amendment to the licence to enable QinetiQ to access such US proprietary data as it needs to undertake its work on the UK Apache programme. US State Department approval will be required for the amendment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what will be the impact of the failure of the full mission simulator software on the date for operational readiness of the WAH-64 helicopter. [3572]

Problems with software integration have delayed the availability of the Full Mission Simulator for the UK WAH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter. This has, in turn, delayed the start of our training programme. As a consequence, we currently expect the readiness date for the first operational Apache squadron will be August 2004, a slip of seven months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) US and (b) UK (i) military and (ii) civilian personnel are deployed at RAF Menwith Hill. [4176]

As at 13 June 2001, at RAF Menwith Hill there were 459 US military, 1,012 US civilian, five UK military and 404 UK civilian personnel (excluding GCHQ staff). I am withholding the numbers of GCHQ staff under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Space Based Infra-Red System radomes to come on line at RAF Menwith Hill. [4175]

At present there is no firm date for when the European Relay Ground Station for the Space Based Infra-Red System located at RAF Menwith Hill will come on line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the legal status is of the United States personnel stationed at RAF Menwith Hill. [4180]

The US personnel stationed at RAF Menwith Hill are there at the invitation of Her Majesty's Government, and are members (or dependants of members) of a visiting force or the civilian component of a visiting force to which Part 1 of the Visiting Forces Act 1952 applies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason US Menwith Hill was renamed RAF Menwith Hill. [4173]

The base was renamed RAF Menwith Hill in February 1996 bringing it into line with other sites made available to United States visiting forces in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date a Minister from his Department last visited (a) RAF Menwith Hill and (b) RAF Fylingdales. [4174]

RAF Menwith Hill was visited by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 5 July 2001. RAF Fylingdales has not been the subject of a ministerial visit since 1 May 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom personnel were involved in the exercises known as Roving Sands; and for what purpose. [4172]

Exercise Roving Sands is an annual multinational Air Defence exercise hosted by the US Army at Fort Bliss, Texas, USA, involving UK, Dutch, German and Canadian Air Defence forces. The purpose is to exercise in a joint and combined integrated defence environment as part of a joint forces headquarters. This year, we planned to deploy 264 personnel from 7 Air Defence Brigade to participate in the exercise between 6 June and 1 July. Owing to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the UK, however, the US Department of Defense asked the UK not to import vehicle or heavy equipment into Texas for the exercise. The UK participation in the exercise Roving Sands 01, therefore, consisted of 22 personnel from 7 Air Defence Brigade deployed to Fort Bliss where they were integrated in the Headquarters of the 31 Air Defence Brigade, US Army.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Sovereign base areas which would be defended under the terms of the Strategic Defence Review; and what plans there are to withdraw from these bases. [3915]

There are two Sovereign base areas, at Episkopi and Dhekelia in Cyprus. There are no plans to withdraw from these bases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cause of the fatal accident involving a Challenger II tank on Salisbury Plain was on 11 July; and if he will make a statement. [4059]

It is too early to know what caused the fatal accident on Salisbury Plain, but a full investigation has begun. Clearly all our thoughts are with the families and friends of the two soldiers who died in the accident.

To ask the Solicitor-General what the terms of reference are for the Green Minister in her Department; and if she will make a statement. [3979]

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

To ask the Solicitor-General what action the Attorney General proposes to take to assist in ensuring that Turkey complies with its obligations to the Loizidou case as a consequence of the resolution of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers of 26 June. [R] [2979]

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the Mayor of London's proposed congestion tax on retailing within the proposed congestion tax area. [1777]

[holding answer 3 July 2001]: The Mayor's congestion charging proposals are his responsibility, not the Government's. However, in 2000, before the Mayor was elected, a Government-sponsored report was published entitled "Road Charging Options for London: a Technical Assessment". This was a report by an independent group consisting of transport experts from the academic, professional and public sectors. Chapter 5 on "Impacts and Effects" discusses how the illustrative charging scenarios included in the report would affect different groups including retail businesses. The impacts on businesses are discussed at paragraphs 5.3.79 to 5.3.82. Copies of the report are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will provide the figures for the fourth quarter of 2000–01 of service disruptions due to failures in trains, signals, points and track. [2728]

Railtrack figures show that the average daily delays from all causes to services run by the franchised passenger train operators during the 12 week period beginning 7 January 2001 totalled 76,647 minutes. Around 18,500 trains ran each day under the winter timetables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the need for additional capacity on the Cotswold railway line between Worcestershire and Oxford; and if he will make a statement. [4131]

The Strategic Rail Authority has met the Cotswold and Malvern Line partnership who are preparing a bid for funding from the Rail Passenger Partnership scheme to improve this stretch of the line. When the bid is submitted it will be assessed against the authority's planning criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what evaluations his Department has conducted into the advantages of extending southwards the railway line from Chessington South. [3643]

No evaluations have been made by my Department or the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA). I understand that evaluations have been made by Stagecoach, the franchisee of South West Trains, and that the proposal is supported by the local authority. If funding were required from Government it may be available through the Rail Passenger Partnership scheme (RPP), administered by the SRA. The SRA will assess any bids on value for money grounds against their published planning criteria. Bidding guidance has been sent to all local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will establish a method of independent oversight to ensure the study promised by GoVia into the viability of reopening the Lewes-Uckfield line is undertaken properly. [4169]

The study will be carried out by a consultant in accordance with terms of reference agreed by the Strategic Rail Authority and GoVia. The authority will consider the results of the study against planning criteria approved by Ministers. It would neither be practicable nor appropriate to introduce further parties into the evaluation process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received about the full value for money analysis in respect of London Underground proposals; what has been the response to them and by whom; and if he will make a statement. [2727]

In addition to occasional questions in the House, my Department receives a small amount of correspondence from time to time about the value for money analysis of the Government's proposals for London Underground.A report of the Environment, Transport and the Regional Affairs Committee published in July 2000 recommended that the National Audit Office should evaluate the public sector comparator used in the value for money analysis before contracts were signed. The National Audit Office produced a report into the financial analysis of our proposals for the London Underground in December 2000.The Select Committee also recommended that the results of the comparator tests should be published before the letting of any contracts. Our response to all such representations has been that the results of the full value for money analysis will be made publicly available once contracts have been signed. To publish the results any earlier would undermine London Underground's commercial position and damage its ability to achieve best value for the taxpayer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions by what amount his Department intends to reduce the level of public subsidy to housing over the next 10 years expressed as (a) a total figure and (b) a figure per week for each tenant. [3001]

The Government's proposals for the new Housing Revenue Account subsidy system will not lead to any change in the overall level of subsidy in 2002–03 from that announced in the 2000 Spending Review. Thereafter the future level of subsidy will be determined as part of the general decisions in the Spending Reviews on future public expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish the criteria under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 governing the use by local authorities of housing investment programme allocations for social services staff redundancy packages; and if he will make a statement. [3534]

Housing investment programme allocations, together with those for a number of other capital programmes, are issued in the form of Basic Credit Approvals. Authorities are free to use these for any capital purpose.Expenditure for capital purposes is defined in the 1989 Act, but the Act also provides, in section 40(6), for the Secretary of State to make a direction that expenditure normally defined as revenue be treated by the authority concerned as expenditure for capital purposes. Directions are not normally issued unless the expenditure:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research has been undertaken on the new criteria for postal voting; what steps have been taken to promote it; what the level of use of postal votes issued was; and if he will make a statement. [3192]

The Electoral Commission intends to publish by the end of July its review of the general election, including the operation of postal voting. Statistical information, including information about the numbers of postal votes issued will be in the Commission's further report expected at the end of the year. When the general election was announced an extensive Home Office publicity campaign was launched on TV, radio, in the press and through leaflets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date the Traffic Area Network computer system will be implemented in the whole of the United Kingdom. [3464]

The Traffic Area Network (TAN) has embarked on a major change programme, called TAN 21, designed to modernise the way the organisation carries out its business. The programme includes complete renewal of all computer systems throughout the network. The ICT infrastructure—the hardware, the links between the offices and the new e-mail systems—was installed last year and is already operating nationally. The first phase of the new business system, which handles the processing of operator licences, is currently being piloted in the Scottish traffic area. Subject to satisfactory performance of the pilot, this phase of the system will be rolled out to the rest of the country shortly. We are aiming to complete implementation of all the new systems, which include new e-commerce services for the industry, computerisation of the compliance and local bus route registration systems and a new finance system, across the whole of Great Britain by the end of the year.

Light rail
Scheme	City	Lines	Construction/opening date
Tyne and Wear Metro Extension to Sunderland	Newcastle to Sunderland	1 line	Construction began February 2000—opens 2002
Nottingham Express Transit	Nottingham	1 line	Construction began June 2000—opens 2003
Manchester Metrolink Extensions	Manchester	3 lines	Construction to start early 2002—planned to open in 2006
South Hampshire Rapid Transit	Fareham to Portsmouth	1 line	Construction to start late 2003–04—planned to open in 2006.
Leeds Supertram	Leeds	3 lines	Construction to start 2002—planned to open in 2006.
Docklands Light Railway to City Airport	London	1 line	Construction to start early 2002 subject to outcome of Transport and Works Act (TWA) application—aim to open during 2004–05.
Bristol and South Gloucestershire Light Rapid Transit	Bristol	1 line	Provisional construction start 2004 subject to successful economic appraisal and any subsequent TWA application—provisional completion date 2006.
Midland Metro Extensions	Birmingham	2 lines	Construction to start 2003—completion in 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers local authorities have to co-ordinate the excavation of roads within their areas by statutory undertakers and private companies; and what steps he is taking to review these powers. [3690]

Section 59 of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 places an obligation on local highway authorities to co-ordinate the execution of utility street works and other works in their streets. This is intended to ensure safety, to minimise inconvenience to road users and to protect the structure of the street and any apparatus located in it. While we have no plans to review this requirement, we are looking at ways in which the co-ordination of works by authorities can be made easier and more effective.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) in which cities (a) tram and (b) guided bus systems have been opened over the past four years; [3542](2) what plans he has to introduce new rapid transit lines broken down by

It is for local authorities to put forward proposals for light rail or guided bus schemes as part of their Local Transport Plan, or the Mayor's Transport Strategy in the case of London. Where Government funding is sought, we require a thorough appraisal of the scheme. Since 1997, five new light rail lines have opened: two extensions to the Manchester Metrolink, the Midland Metro line to Wolverhampton, the Croydon Tramlink and the Docklands Light Railway extension to Lewisham. No new guided bus schemes have been opened within this period. The charts set out those light rail and guided bus schemes that have been approved or given provisional approval with construction and approximate opening dates.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much money will be invested in the Urban Bus Challenge Fund in each of the next 10 years. [3427]

Provision for the Urban Bus Challenge in the current three-year spending review period is as follows:

Year	£million
2001–02	8
2002–03	18
2003–04	20

As part of the next Spending Review, which is due to be completed in the summer of 2002, provision for this scheme for 2003–04 will be confirmed, and provision agreed for 2004–05 and 2005–06. Provision for the remaining years of the 10-year Transport Plan (2006–07 to 2010–11) will be considered in the forthcoming review of the plan and in future Government Spending Reviews.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the extent to which bus passenger journeys outside London will change in the next 10 years. [3428]

Our assumption in the 10-year Transport Plan is that the measures, taken as a whole, would make achievable our target of a 10 per cent. increase in bus use nationally over 10 years. No separate estimates were made of the position outside London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made towards extending the rural bus subsidy grant to cover more journeys serving market towns. [3458]

The White Paper "Our Countryside: The Future" last November announced our intention to extend the eligibility criteria for Rural Bus Subsidy Grant to allow for the support of services operating in and around towns of up to 25,000 (compared with 10,000 previously). We have already implemented that change to the rules from 1 April this year. We have also increased the funding available this year to £41.5 million, with further increases planned for the next two years. It is for the local authority to decide which particular services to support using these additional resources and we have given them some flexibility to fund existing as well as new services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made towards reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured in road accidents over the past 12 months. [3547]

Good progress is being made in implementing the Government's Road Safety Strategy that was launched in March 2000. Progress to date and proposed next steps on the many elements of the strategy are reported in a quarterly schedule which is placed on the DTLR website (www.roads.dtlr.gov.uk/roadsafety/strategy/imp/index.htm). The end-June 2001 schedule will be available there soon.The main road casualty results for 2000 were published on 14 June 2001. Fuller details will be published in September. I am pleased to say that the number of deaths and serious injuries in 2000 was 2 per cent. less than that for the previous year, and for children up to age 15, the number was 9 per cent. lower. I very much hope that this is part of a continuing downward trend and that we achieve or better the target casualty reductions set for 2010 in the strategy: a 40 per cent. reduction in the number of deaths and serious injuries, a 50 per cent. reduction in the number of child deaths and serious injuries, and a 10 per cent. reduction in the rate (by vehicle mileage) of slight injuries—all compared with the averages for 1994 to 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when community transport schemes will be entitled to claim a fuel rebate. [3457]

Following consultation with relevant organisations earlier this year, we will be bringing forward regulations on the introduction this financial year of fuel duty rebate for a wide range of community transport services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many routes for safer cycling and walking have been introduced in the past 12 months; and how many are planned to be introduced in each of the next nine years. [3455]

Information on cycling and walking provision is not available in the form requested. The Government have encouraged local traffic authorities in England to include strategies for increasing cycling and walking in their local transport plans (LTPs).Local cycling strategies contain plans for up to 4,300 km of new cycle routes in England by 2005, as well as a range of facilities for cyclists such as advanced stop lines, toucan crossings and junction treatments. Local strategies to promote walking include pedestrian routes, pedestrianisation, safety measures, better facilities for the disabled and greater accessibility to transport interchanges and facilities. A number of authorities are likely to use LTP funding to make walking more accessible, by improving pavement and footway maintenance, and removing obstructions.We shall also be continuing to help Sustrans in the development of the National Cycle Network, which it is hoped will be 10,000 miles long by 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will open the extension of the Docklands Light Railway to London City airport. [3543]

The powers required to extend the DLR to London City airport have been sought from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State by way of an order under the Transport and Works Act 1992. A public inquiry has been held and the inspector's report is under consideration. I cannot therefore comment on the merits of the scheme or say anything which might prejudice my right hon. Friend's decision. The application will, however, be dealt with as quickly as possible. If powers were to be given, responsibility for taking forward the scheme would rest with the Mayor of London in his role as Chairman of Transport for London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the change in traffic levels has been since (a) May 1997 and (b) June 2000 on (i) motorways and trunk roads, (ii) other major roads and (iii) minor roads. [3551]

The Department estimates traffic quarterly, not monthly. These figures do not distinguish between trunk and principal 'A' class roads.The percentage changes in road traffic for all motor vehicles in Great Britain for the relevant quarters until the first quarter of 2001 (the latest available) are as shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of registered motor vehicles are equipped to run on (a) liquified petroleum gas, (b) compressed natural gas and (c) biodiesel. [3546]

Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency show that, as of 31 March 2001, there were 25,540 vehicles, out of a total vehicle parc of 29,174,788, registered in Great Britain as being capable of being powered by road fuel gases. DVLA does not hold separate figures for vehicles powered by CNG and LPG. These figures do not include vehicles from Northern Ireland for which quarterly data are not collected.As any compression ignition engine should be able to use biodiesel without major modification, no separate figures are kept for biodiesel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when his Department's Green Minister attended meetings of the Green Ministers' Committee during the current session of Parliament; when meetings are planned to take place during the current session of Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [3991]

[holding answer 13 July 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Environment on 13 July 2001, Official Report, column 690W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many fatalities there were in the fishing industry following an incident when at sea in each of the last five years. [4336]

In each of the last five years the number of fatalities occurring at sea were:

Year	Number
1996	20
1997	28
1998	25
1999	7
2000	28

Fatalities occurring in harbour, or when anchored outside harbour are not included.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what anti-congestion traffic measures, other than increased taxation, are being considered by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [4116]

We have forecast that, without the 10-year Plan for Transport, congestion will rise by 15 per cent. across the road network as a whole, and by 28 per cent. on the inter-urban trunk road network by the end of 2010.With the plan, overall congestion is forecast to fall relative to 2000, as would congestion on the inter-urban trunk roads. Action on relieving congestion will be focused on the most congested parts of the network and therefore much bigger improvements in journey times will be seen in these areas.The implementation of the 10-year Plan as a whole rather than traffic measures alone, will deliver the planned reduction in congestion, The targets in the plan to increase passenger rail use by 50 per cent. and rail freight by 80 per cent. will be important contributions, as will better local road maintenance, road improvements, the introduction of better bus and light rail services and better facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of the negative environmental impacts caused from (a) road traffic and (b) aviation; what policies his Department plans to reduce the negative environmental impacts caused from (i) road traffic and (ii) aviation; and if he will make a statement. [4000]

[holding answer 13 July 2001]: Assessing environmental impacts is a well established and long standing practice in this Department and across Government. Our comprehensive policies for reducing environmental impact were set out in our White Paper, "A New Deal for Transport", in 1998. Our 10-year Plan for Transport, published in July 2000, has a number of policies specifically to reduce noise. Progress on specific commitments and announcements of our continuing plans are regularly announced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the proposed Bexhill Bypass. [4068]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport on 12 July 2001, Official Report, column 635–37W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport. Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the progress made by Nottinghamshire county council regarding their plans for the A612 public transport corridor. [4553]

I understand that Nottinghamshire county council intends to submit a bid for an A612 public transport scheme to the Department at the end of July. Following receipt a full assessment will be carried out before a decision is announced in December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many new housing developments in Coventry have been on (a) greenfield and (b) brownfield sites in the last four years; and how many are planned in each category in the next three years. [3913]

Detailed figures are not available centrally. Under best value, Coventry city council are required to report on the percentage of new homes built on previously-developed land. The Audit Commission are currently collecting data from all authorities and the Government expect to be able to publish estimated outturn for 2000–01 shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the introduction of public policy planning guidance on housing; and what advice has been issued to councils on responding to this guidance. [4311]

Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 (PPG3) was published in March 2000. Since then, a series of good practice guides has been issued to help local authorities implement its new approach to planning for housing. We expect local authorities to update their development plans to reflect PPG3 and to test planning applications for housing development against the policies it contains.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the definition of previously-developed land in Annexe C of the PPG3 guidance is to be applied uniformly throughout the country. [4418]

There are various definitions of previously-developed land in use. For the purposes of applying the policies in PPG3 the definition of previously-developed land given in annexe C should be used.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the advice given to councils on withdrawing greenfield sites earmarked for housing development where no planning permission exists and where that withdrawal is in line with PPG3. [4417]

PPG3 introduces a new approach to planning for housing which, for most authorities, will mean their development plan will require early review and alteration in respect of housing. The most effective way of removing greenfield allocations from a plan that does not reflect the policies in PPG3 is through a formal alteration to the plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total amount collected by the Motor Insurers' Bureau is from motor policies in the latest year for which figures are available. [4074]

Industry estimates suggest that the amount levied from motor insurers last year to pay for the Motor Insurers' Bureau was approximately £200,000,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the average amount is that a motorist pays to the Motor Insurers' Bureau to compensate the victims of uninsured drivers. [4073]

Industry estimates suggest that the honest motorist pays from £15 to £30 extra on his premium to fund compensation of victims of uninsured drivers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Maritime and Coastguard Agency workboat code was last revised; and what application the Maritime and Coastguard Agency workboat code has to the aquaculture and fishing industries. [3751]

The Workboat Code came into force in August 1998 and has not been revised. The code is currently under review as part of a harmonisation project designed to produce a single code of practice for all small commercial vessels. This review is due for completion in March 2002.The Workboat Code sets safety standards for vessels undertaking aquaculture (e.g. fish and shellfish farming). It does not apply to vessels engaged in commercial fish catching.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what central monitoring his Department undertakes of value for money obtained in private finance initiative projects; and if he will make a statement. [4461]

The value for money of private finance initiative contracts must be demonstrated against a public sector comparator, representing the costs associated with providing the same service through a conventional procurement, before approval will be given for signature of a contract. The Department ensures that the value for money benefits of a PFI contract are delivered across the life of the contract through appropriate clauses in the payment mechanism. Performance of contracts is monitored against the individual requirements of the payment mechanisms which provide incentives for the delivery of quality services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers (a) he and (b) his agencies have to control maintenance dredging of estuarine channels. [4300]

The general power to control dredging in tidal waters is contained in section 34 of the Coast Protection Act 1949 which requires the Secretary of State's consent to any operation to remove any object or any materials from any part of the seashore lying below the level of mean low water springs. Harbour authorities usually have powers in their local legislation to carry out within their harbour dredging in order to maintain or facilitate navigation and to license others to do so. These operations are generally exempted from the requirement for CPA consent. Disposal of the dredged material will require the approval of the Secretary of State if it is placed below the level of high water.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers as harbour authority are held (a) by the Queen's Harbour Master and (b) by others in respect of Wootton Creek and Ryde, Isle of Wight. [4297]

The Department is currently investigating the precise responsibilities, some of which overlap, of the harbour authorities in the area in the light of an application by Wightlink for consent to dredge at the Fishbourne ferry terminal. Although the application, has now been withdrawn I will write to the hon. Member when our investigations are completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what percentage of total UK freight was transported by inland waterway in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c)1999 and (d) 2000. [3749]

The percentage of total domestic UK freight (tonne-kilometres moved) by inland waterway in each year 1997 to 1999 was 0.8 per cent. The percentage for 2000 is not yet available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if refurbishment of official residences is classified as benefits in kind for tax purposes. [4171]

Yes. Where refurbishment to the accommodation consists of repairs, decoration or furniture, tax is charged on the benefit.The same rules apply to all office holders or employees.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's income has been from insurance premium tax on motor policies over the last three years. [4071]

The information is not available. Customs and Excise do not require insurers to identify the specific types of insurance policies on which insurance premium tax is paid.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 2001, Official Report, column 311W, on surveillance and security services, if he will break down the figures provided to distinguish between expenditure on (a) GCHQ, (b) the Security Service and (c) the Secret Intelligence Service; if he will make it his policy to publish the public service agreements relating to each agency; and if he will make a statement. [3662]

National security considerations preclude publication of this information, although all of it is available to the Intelligence and Security Committee.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a list of the programmes for financial years 1999–2000 and 2000–01 where spending increases in England and Wales have resulted in an allocation under the Barnett formula of additional money to the Scottish block, indicating for each programme listed and in total, the amount allocated under the formula to Scotland in cash and percentage terms, and the equivalent increase in cash and percentage terms for each matching programme in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [3916]

Information on the departmental expenditure limits for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 for Scotland was published in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses in April 2001. Increases in the block grant to the Scottish Executive were published in the Scotland Office estimates for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 (and prior to devolution in Scottish Office Estimates). Details about the Barnett formula were published in the Statement of Funding Policy, which was updated in July 2000.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the Statement on the 2001 Community Budget. [4779]

I have today laid before Parliament the Statement on the 2001 Community Budget, entitled "European Community Finances". This White Paper is the twenty-first in the series. As in the past, it covers annual budgetary matters and includes details of recent developments in European Community financial management and in countering fraud against the Community Budget. It also describes the Community Budget for 2001 as adopted by the European Parliament, and the United Kingdom's gross and net contributions to the Community Budget between 1996 and 2001.I have placed copies of the White Paper in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to incorporate into UK law the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions into UK law; and if he will make a statement. [3814]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Harry Cohen) on 9 July 2001, Official Report, column 407W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions in the last year his Department has considered bribes paid by UK companies overseas to be (a) a reasonable business cost and (b) a business entertainment, hospitality or gift; what the value of such bribes allowed as a business expense was; what estimate he has made of the total cost of such bribes in this period; and if he will make a statement. [3819]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of public services demonstrating an improvement in productivity in each year since March 1999. [3811]

The Government are on course to meet targeted efficiency improvements covering well over half of public spending (excluding transfers).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations his Department has received from (a) local authorities and (b) Government Departments on the legal status of GCAT and S-CAT; and if he will place copies of such representations in the Library; [3817](2) what legal advice his Department has received on the legal status of GCAT and S-CAT; and if he will place copies of such legal advice in the Library. [3816]

Legal advisers are consulted as necessary on the operation of the schemes. Such legal advice is both confidential to the parties and commercially sensitive. OGC has not received any formal representation from Government Departments or local authorities on the legal status of GCat and S-CAT.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the expected cost is for the next five fiscal years of the changes to the capital gains tax system since 1997; what studies the Treasury has (a) undertaken, (b) reviewed and (c) commissioned on the efficacy of the changes to the capital gains tax system since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [4402]

The available information on the expected cost/yield of capital gains measures introduced since 1997 is published in each "Financial Statement and Budget Report". Further information on the difference in yield between the planned regime and that which would have applied if no changes had been made since 1997 could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.The Government consulted widely on the effectiveness of the reformed capital gains tax system in the light of developing market conditions before making the improvements to taper relief that were implemented in the Finance Acts 2000 and 2001.In the June 2001 "Enterprise for All" announcement, the Government said that they would consider whether, during the lifetime of this Parliament, changes to the regime for non-business assets are necessary in order to improve incentives for investment and help businesses attract finance. And they will also consult on whether there are worthwhile and good value for money options to simplify capital gains tax within the existing policy framework.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when area—specific information from the census will become available. [3442]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to investigate the role of the Personal Investments Authority in the acquisition of the financial adviser Advizas by Towry Law. [3166]

[holding answer 11 July 2001]: Under the Financial Services Act 1986, the Personal Investment Authority regulates retail investment firms and the lead regulator, the Financial Services Authority, is responsible for ensuring that the Personal Investment Authority carries out its responsibilities under the Act. Therefore it is a matter for the Financial Services Authority.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will publish a list of endowment mortgage providers, indicating (a) how many shortfalls are associated with each company and (b) the value of orphan assets held by each company; [3720]

Deregistered industrial and provident societies
Reason for deregistration	1997	1998	1999	2000	20011
Unclassified	6	8	43	24	7
Cancellation	1	0	0	1	1
Transfer of engagements to another society	30	49	26	24	7
Final notification of liquidation	22	68	67	32	2
Cancellation of the registration initiated by the Registry	58	133	802	110	25
Liquidator appointed	4	3	10	7	2
Instrument of Dissolution	0	1	8	16	3
Multiple cancellation of the registration initiated by the Registry	0	0	0	386	0
Winding Up	1	4	15	11	0
Request to cancel from the society	70	87	74	78	25

The FSA does not collect performance information direct from firms, but the Association of British Insurers collects data from its members on the proportion and numbers of letters in each of the red, amber and green, categories and passes this on to the FSA. However, the FSA is subject to constraints under Section 179 of the Financial Services Act 1986 on publication of firm data, even if it owns it.In any case, the performance of individual company endowment policies is not an indication of mis-selling. Consumers should focus on what they are being told by their endowment provider and the information sent by, and available from, the FSA, and take a view and appropriate action if they believe the policy has been mis-sold. If compensation is due to consumers, the size of orphan assets is irrelevant.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ask the Financial Services Authority to ensure that the cost of compensation paid to those who were mis-sold endowment mortgage policies is borne by the companies' shareholders. [3719]

The Government's view is that, in principle, the costs of compensating victims of any endowment mis-selling should be shared and borne in the same proportion as profits arising from mis-selling would have been.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures the Treasury has developed of improvements in efficiency in delivering the Treasury's outputs; and if he will make a statement on progress in achieving these measures. [3812]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him on 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 117W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list those industrial and provident societies which have deregistered for each of the last five years along with the reasons given for their deregistration. [3726]

The table provides details of industrial and provident societies which have deregistered each year since 1997 including the reason for their deregistration.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer further to his answer of 3 July 2001, Official Report, column 126W, if he will list those present at each meeting of the cross-party advisory group on preparations for the euro since January 2000; if he will provide a summary of discussions held at such meetings; if he will publish a list of the current membership of the advisory group; and if he will make a statement. [3703]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to which he referred.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Croydon, South of 3 July 2001, Official Report, column 126W, on the Financial Services Authority inquiry, when he estimates the report will be completed. [4407]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Mr. Brown) on 13 July 2001, Official Report, column 663W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to publish an updated National Asset Register; and if he will make a statement. [4627]

Shortly.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what contribution the Church Commissioners made to clergy stipends and pensions in the last financial year. [2461]

In the year ended 31 December 2000 the Commissioners contributed £22.4 million to the stipends of parish clergy, distributed mostly to the neediest dioceses, plus bishops and cathedral clergy stipends of £6.7 million.The Commissioners paid £90.6 million for clergy pensions and a further £11.7 million to help offset the cost of contributions payable under the new pensions scheme funded by dioceses.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the powers of the Church Commissioners to set conditions on those who purchase redundant churches. [2462]

Section 62 of the Pastoral Measures provides that the Commissioners may include in the conveyance of a redundant church such covenants as they think necessary to secure the suitable use of the building.These covenants are enforceable as if the Commissioners were owners of adjacent land and cannot be set aside by the Lands Tribunal.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, when the Commissioners last reviewed their property portfolio; and if he will make a statement. [2463]

The Church Commissioners' property portfolios are each subject to annual professional external and independent valuations. Those property holdings cover three main investment portfolios: commercial, agricultural and minerals, and residential.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if the two public investment companies have (a) requested and (b) been sent copies of the report arising from the study commissioned from KPMG by her Department into regulation of offshore financial services in Belize. [3835]

Neither company has requested nor been sent copies of the report.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what dates KPMG visited Belize while conducting the study commissioned by her Department into the regulation of offshore financial services in Belize. [3821]

18 July to 1 August 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to support the teaching of English in Mozambique. [3573]

DFID currently supports the advancement of English language teaching in three key areas:

1. The development of English language teacher training through distance learning. This programme, which is currently run by the British Council but which will transfer to a Mozambican institution next month, is aimed at secondary school teachers and has cost £3 million over a five-year period.

2. The establishment of a new Directorate within the Ministry of Education, the main goal of which will be to facilitate the expansion of distance learning in key areas (such as, inter alia, continuing education and training in the Civil Service, including the English language).

3. The formation of a pilot secondary school distance learning programme for students unable to access conventional secondary schools, which began this year in Nampula Province, with three core subjects, one of which is English.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to what extent, and according to what time scale, school budgets are reduced following the exclusion of pupils from schools. [3644]

We have significantly increased the standards fund grant available to schools and local education authorities to tackle poor behaviour and provide education to excluded pupils, from £17 million in 1996–97 to £131 million in 2000–01 and again to £174 million this year—a 10-fold increase. Before April 2000, most of this money was held centrally by local authorities to support authority-wide initiatives to tackle poor behaviour and provide education to excluded pupils. For the first time in April 2000 the majority of this funding was devolved directly to schools so that they could decide how best to tackle poor behaviour. Schools have, therefore, benefited by an additional £100 million in 2000–01 and £126 million this year. Where a child has to be permanently excluded some of the money previously held by local authorities, which is now in schools, reverts back to the local authority. The exact amount of between £3,000 and £6,000 is agreed locally. This money can be used by the authority to provide education outside school or to support a reintegration package at a new school. By September 2002, all permanently excluded pupils must be offered full-time education and not the 2–3 hours per week all too typical in the past.Schools delegated budget shares are also reduced following permanent exclusion under the principles introduced by the last Government. I have placed in the Library a copy of "Supplement to Circular 11/99" which explains this in more detail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school decisions to exclude pupils were reversed by local education authorities in the last year for which figures are available. [3642]

Appeals against permanent exclusions from maintained schools are heard by independent appeal panels established by local education authorities. Figures published on 4 May show that in the school year 1999–2000, 948 appeals were lodged by parents. Of these, 863 were determined, 546 were rejected and 317 were allowed. Provisional information on exclusions was published in the statistical first release "Permanent Exclusions from Schools and Exclusion Appeals, England 1999/00" on 4 May 2001, copies of which are available from the Library, or alternatively can be accessed from the Department for Education and Skills statistical website www.dfes.gsi.gov.uk/statistics. Final exclusion figures will be published in a statistical first release on 19 July 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people are employed by the standards and effectiveness unit; and what its budget was for each year since 1997. [3122]

[holding answer 9 July 2001]: The SEU is responsible for taking forward key parts of the Government's agenda for raising standards in schools. Created in 1997, the unit's remit has expanded with the development of new policies. The unit has led on strategies for literacy and numeracy, for intervention in failing schools and LEAs, and for key stage 3. It is also responsible for new policies such as city academies, excellence in cities, education action zones and beacon schools. It has taken on responsibility for specialist schools and city technology colleges, and more recently, for dealings with local education authorities on a day-to-day basis across a wide range of the Department's business.The unit is staffed with a mix of civil servants, and education advisers appointed from outside with recent experience of education.At the end of May 2001, the total number of staff in the unit was 275. The running cost budget for the unit for each year since 1997 was as follows:

	£ million
1997–98	2.4
1998–99	4.8
1999–2000	6.4
2000–01	8.1
2001–02	10.6

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many places have been accepted on the fast track teacher scheme; and how many of these teachers on the fast track scheme will be employed in (a) specialist schools, (b) city academies, (c) city technology colleges, (d) beacon schools, (e) grammar schools and (f) other maintained schools. [3360]