To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what prophylactic research has been conducted by his Department and agencies responsible to his Department into (a) anthrax and (b) other biological agents. [8762]

The remit of Defence Science Technology Laboratory Chemical (Dstl) and Biological Sciences at Porton Down is to provide the UK and its armed forces with safe and effective protection in the event of exposure to chemical or biological weapons. This involves conducting research into prophylactic measures, such as vaccines, antibiotics or antivirals for a variety of different biological agents including anthrax.Dstl Porton Down seeks to publish the results of its research wherever security considerations allow. In recent years work has been published on a new vaccine against plague, which is currently undergoing clinical trials and the development of a new vaccine against anthrax which it is hoped will enter clinical trials in the near future. Additionally, research results on various prophylactic measures against a range of agents and diseases including Tularaemia, VEE, SEB, Brucellosis, Glanders, Ricin and Botulinum toxin have been published in the peer reviewed technical literature.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the potential for aerosol cloud travel; and what clinical and epidemiological data on human infections has been collated relating to a deliberate release of contagious organisms and toxins.[8618]

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Porton Down has developed a package of state of the art atmospheric dispersion models to determine the potential travel of aerosol clouds.These models form part of an extensive suite of tools and data which are used by the Ministry of Defence to assess the potential hazard posed by chemical and biological weapons. For agents of biological origin, the data include estimates of the human toxicity or infectivity, the transmissibility, atmospheric stability and the availability of detection, protection and medical countermeasures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans he has to review the use of cluster bombs by the armed forces; and if he will make a statement;[8724](2) what recent representations he has received regarding the use of cluster bombs. [8716]

A large number of hon. Members have written to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence requesting reaction to recent large scale postcard campaigns co-ordinated by the non-governmental organisations Tearfund, Activist and Landmine Action. These pre-printed postcards express concerns about cluster bombs.The Government have no plans to review the use of cluster bombs, which are a legitimate weapon that provide a capability against certain targets which cannot be effectively achieved in other ways.Unexploded ordnance, including unexploded cluster bomblets, will form a major theme of the Review Conference of the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) in December 2001. Our central aim there will be to work towards a practical solution that secures our necessary capability as well as addressing humanitarian concerns.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance his Department has given to the Association of British Civilian Internees Far East Region as to the criteria former prisoners of the Japanese are required to meet in order to qualify for the ex gratia payments announced on 7 November 2000.[8980]

The ex gratia scheme for former captives of the Japanese is administered by the War Pensions Agency, which became an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Defence with effect from 8 June 2001.A leaflet setting out who can claim the ex gratia payment was issued to all those who contacted the War Pensions Agency for information and with every claim form. Copies were also sent to all ex-service organisations and groups representing civilian internees. The eligibility criteria relating to civilian internees were set out in my answer on 11 July 2001,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy vessels are deployed east of Suez; and in what role they operate. [9036]

The following Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels are currently deployed east of Suez:

HMS Illustrious, HMS Cornwall, HMS Marlborough. HMS Southampton, HMS Monmouth, HMS Fearless, HMS Ocean, HMS Nottingham, HMS Inverness, HMS Cattistock, HMS Quorn, HMS Walney, HMS Roebuck, HMS Kent, HMS Beagle, HMS Northumberland, HMS Triumph, HMS Trafalgar, HMS Superb, RFA Fort Victoria, RFA Brambleleaf, RFA Sir Tristram, RFA Sir Bedivere, RFA Sir Percivale, RFA Sir Galahad, RFA Fort Rosalie, RFA Fort Austin, RFA Oakleaf, RFA Diligence, RFA Sea Centurion, RFA Bayleaf.

The majority of Royal Navy vessels deployed east of Suez are part of Argonaut 01, a routine training deployment, the primary focus of which is Exercise Saif Sareea II in Oman. The vessels involved in Exercise Saif Sareea II are split into a number of Task Groups as follows:A Carrier Group led by HMS Illustrious comprising: HMS Cornwall, HMS Marlborough, HMS Southampton and HMS Monmouth. The group is supported by RFA Fort Victoria and RFA Brambleleaf.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what visits are planned by Royal Navy ships to Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong or Singapore in the next 12 months.[9037]

HMS Nottingham is scheduled to deploy to the Asia Pacific region between March-December 2002 to meet our annual commitments to the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) with Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. Her programme is currently under consideration, and while specific details remain confidential for security reasons, it is hoped that port visits to Singapore, Australia and New Zealand will be undertaken during her deployment.HMS York is also scheduled to deploy to the Asia Pacific region between January-June 2002 as an integral part of a multinational French Task Group deployment. Her programme is currently under consideration in consultation with the French authorities but it is anticipated that the programme will include visits to both Singapore and Australia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many individuals comprised the UK participants in each of the formal meetings and war games under the auspices of the US-UK Master Exchange Memorandum of Understanding on Non-Lethal Weapons; from which organisations; and what the estimated cost was of UK participation in each event.[7117]

I am withholding the information requested under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information as disclosure could affect the conduct of business under the agreement. The detailed costings for each event could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the shortfall in personnel is in the (a) Army, (b) Royal Marines, (c) Royal Air Force and (d) Royal Navy. [8427]

In the case of the trained strength of the Army, the shortfall against the current requirement as at 1 September 2001 stood at 6,669. In the case of the other Services, the shortfalls were: RN 1,358, RM 313 and RAF 1,029.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what delays there have been in the Apache helicopter programme; and if he will make a statement.[8301]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: The Apache aircraft delivery programme has remained close to schedule since contract award in March 1996. The in-service date, based on the delivery of nine aircraft, was achieved on 16 January 2001, only two weeks later than contractually scheduled.However, Apache aircrew training has been delayed by eight months due to problems with the Full Mission Simulator (FMS). Substantial progress has been made towards resolving these problems, but the FMS is not expected to become available until May 2002. Aircrew training is now scheduled to begin in June 2002. In the meantime, some training is being undertaken in the US.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to recognise all those who have served less than five years in the armed forces as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations; and if he will make a statement. [9018]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: There are no specific plans to recognise the service of any members of the Armed Forces as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 15 February, a Golden Jubilee Medal will be instituted. It will be awarded to uniformed members of the Armed Forces, who are serving on the 6 February 2002, the anniversary of The Queen's accession, and have completed five years or more qualifying service. There are no plans to extend this to all serving members of the Armed Forces. The purpose of the medal is to commemorate the Golden Jubilee, not to recognise the service of its recipients.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to increase the pay of Gurkha service men to the same level as that of British service men.[9035]

Under the terms of the Tri-Partite Agreement (TPA) between India, Nepal and the UK, Gurkha pay is linked to the Indian Army pay code. Gurkhas also receive a cost of living allowance known as Universal Addition payable wherever a Gurkha serves. This combination of basic Indian Army pay and Universal Addition, means that overall total Gurkha remuneration is in line with the net pay of comparable British service men. These arrangements have been in place since 1997

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Gurkha regiments; and what plans he has to increase the number of Gurkhas serving in the British armed forces.[9034]

The total number of trained Gurkhas in the British Army as at 1 September, was 3,500. There are two Gurkha Infantry Regiments serving with the British Army; 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles and 2 Royal Gurkha Rifles. Gurkha Reinforcement Companies are currently serving with the 2^nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, 1 Royal Irish and 1 Highlanders. There are also formed Gurkha units serving with 10 Transport Regiment, 30 Signal Regiment, 36 Engineer Regiment and in training establishments at Sandhurst and Brecon. In addition, there are small numbers of Gurkha service men serving as "Attached Arms" within numerous other units and establishments across the British.There are no plans to increase the total number of Gurkhas in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what additions to the MOD stockpile of anti-anthrax drugs were acquired in the six-week period prior to 11 September.[9538]

Potential drugs for post exposure treatment of anthrax are Ciprofloxacin or Doxycycline but these antibiotics are also used to treat a wide range of clinical conditions. Other than supplies to meet ongoing primary and secondary healthcare requirements, no additional quantities of these drugs were acquired in the six-week period prior to 11 September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made by the Ministry of Defence to treat service personnel who may be injured in Afghanistan and the surrounding areas.[8702]

The current UK contribution to coalition operations in Afghanistan comprises Royal Navy submarines equipped with Tomahawk land attack missiles and Royal Air Force assets supporting the air campaign. Suitable medical facilities are available on board the submarines and at the air bases from which the aircraft are operating. An aeromedical evacuation capability is also in place should any casualties need to be returned to the UK for treatment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department has responded to requests for information from the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974 by the delivery of relevant documents; and if he will make a statement.[7948]

The request from Mr. Justice Henry Barron, the Independent Commissioner of Inquiry into the Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk bombings, was shared with all relevant Government Departments and agencies. This has led to an extensive and time-consuming manual search of a large number of old files. As soon as this has been completed I will make a single co-ordinated response to Mr. Justice Barron.I am replying on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will provide the House with an opportunity to invite Elizabeth Filkin to accept a second term as Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.[9472]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Broxbourne (Mrs. Roe) on 18 October 2001, Official Report, column 1285W.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the influence which the GATS (general agreement on trade on services) agreement will have on the biodiversity in the Ghats forest of India. [8181]

Our preliminary assessment is that, in its present but still evolving form, the GATS agreement will have no specific influence on the biodiversity in the western and eastern Ghats forests of India.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the impact of foot and mouth disease on the supply of Christmas gift boxes to Romanian orphanages. [8335]

Romanian import regulations are becoming more restrictive, made more so by a Government decision earlier this year. Restrictions are not limited to the import of foodstuffs but also, among other things, the import of clothing and toys. The British Embassy in Bucharest are aware of this issue and are taking it up with the Romanian authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place in the Library a copy of the report by the Office for Civil Nuclear Security on nuclear security.[8235]

When the Office for Civil Nuclear Security joined the Department of Trade and Industry on 1 October 2000, the Minister announced that the Director would make an annual report which would be placed in the Library of both Houses. No report has yet been received as OCNS has not yet been part of the Department for a full financial year. I expect to receive a report in March 2002, which I shall place in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the terms of reference for the review of nuclear security being conducted by the OCNS include the security implications of commissioning the Sellafield MOX plant and the transportation of MOX fuel to overseas customers.[8236]

All aspects of the security of nuclear installations and transportation of nuclear material are kept under continuing review by the Director of Civil Nuclear Security, who regulates security in the civil nuclear industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to amend the regulations relating to the National Minimum Wage Act 1998; and if he will make a statement.[9111]

We have no such plans. The national minimum wage has been a resounding success bringing substantial benefits to nearly 1.5 million workers, especially women and part-time workers, without having had any significant adverse impact on employment or the economy. The operation of the minimum wage is kept continually under review to ensure that this success is maintained.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the availability of funds to Cumbria Business Link.[7525]

Business Link Cumbria receives funding from the Small Business Service for the delivery of support services to small and medium-sized enterprises and those considering setting up in business in Cumbria. This financial year, Business Link Cumbria has available £1,456,274 for the delivery of a range of business support services, including support for high growth start-ups. Business Link Cumbria also receive resources to support farmers, including those directly affected by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) under the Farm Business Advice Services. The North West Development Agency has also made available resources, via the Business Recovery Fund, to assist non-agricultural businesses who are experiencing difficulties as a result of FMD.There are further sources of public funding which Business Link Cumbria may be able to access. These include European Structural Funds as well as funding from local authorities and other resources from the North West Development Agency. In addition, Business Link Cumbria can seek contributions towards service delivery from private sources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provisions have been made to make use of reserves of coal in the UK that are readily available.[9144]

Provisions of the Coal Industry Act 1994 vested ownership of the nation's coal reserves in the Coal Authority. In carrying out its function of licensing coal-mining operations, the Authority must have regard to its statutory duty to endeavour to maintain and develop an economically viable domestic coal-mining industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement concerning the tactics adopted by Turkish banks in the City relating to union recognition.[8667]

The Central Arbitration Committee is currently considering an application for recognition involving Turkiye Is Bankasi. The committee is independent and the Government do not intervene in its consideration of individual cases under the statutory recognition procedure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress the Small Business Service has made in identifying barriers faced by women and ethnic minority entrepreneurs since April 2000; and what action has been taken as a result.[8239]

The Small Business Service (SBS) has undertaken research and taken action to identify and tackle the barriers faced by women and ethnic minority entrepreneurs.Firstly, SBS has commissioned research to explore the evidence of barriers (as part of research strategy on socially excluded groups). Reports on women and ethnic minority entrepreneurs have been completed and the reports are now publicly available. Other research projects are ongoing.Secondly, SBS has sponsored two events to help identify barriers:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what investigations she has carried out into the management of Railtrack Group plc and Railtrack plc.[8182]

[holding answer 18 October 2001]: It is not the policy of my Department to comment on the affairs of particular companies.Where I consider it to be in the public interest I may use discretionary powers under the Companies Acts to conduct inquiries if it appears that there has been misconduct in relation to the affairs of a company. If the hon. Member provides my officials with evidence that he considers justifies an investigation, my officials will give it full consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on employment in manufacturing in Worcestershire.[8989]

The latest Labour Force Survey figures show that in Worcestershire over the last 12 months there were on average around 5,000 more manufacturing jobs than in the previous 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of Advantage West Midlands' budget will be spent in Worcestershire in the current financial year. [8635]

Advantage West Midlands spend in Worcestershire for the financial year 2001–02 is around £2.2 million. This amounts to around 1.3 per cent. of its total budget for the period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to inform local government of the Government's negotiating position on the General Agreement on Trade in Services, with particular reference to the application of the agreement to measures taken by central, regional or local governments and authorities. [R] [6472]

The Government will, as part of the normal consultation process, consult with bodies such as the LGA in relation to any requests made of the European Community that touch on local government interest. I am aware that the Scottish Parliament is also considering this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what value was put on British Nuclear Fuels'-owned stocks of (a) plutonium and (b) reprocessed uranium, in the entry for British Nuclear Fuels at page 490 of The National Asset Register, CM5221. [8764]

These items were given a nil value.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will extend the consultation period on the Ilisu Dam project in South East Turkey to November.[5969]

[holding answer 15 October 2001]: I do not intend to extend the closing date for comments on the Environmental Impact Assessment Report. This Report was made publicly available on 3 July 2001 and the public were informed that comments received by 7 September 2001 would be taken into account when I make my decision regarding ECGD support for the Ilisu Project. A number of comments have been received during this period and these are being reviewed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department has made of the Environmental Impact Assessment on the Ilisu Dam project in south-east Turkey; and if she will make a statement. [5968]

[holding answer 15 October 2001]: ECGD has commissioned consultants' reports on the Environmental Impact Assessment Report on the Ilisu Dam Project and also on the Resettlement Action Plan. These reports are being studied, together with the comments received from non-governmental organisations and the public. The reports and the comments received will be the subject of discussion with other interested Government Departments, in particular the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport prior to any decision being taken regarding ECGD support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will lay before the House the order to establish the renewable obligation on electricity suppliers; and if she will make a statement.[9764]

We published our Statutory Consultation on the Renewables Obligation in August. The consultation period has just ended and we are now analysing the responses received with a view to bringing forward an Order in the House before Christmas, subject to availability of parliamentary time and State Aid clearance from the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of wind turbines operating in the UK were manufactured domestically.[7877]

[holding answer 15 October 2001]: The proportion of wind turbines operating in the UK that were manufactured domestically is estimated to be just under 6 per cent. The proportion containing UK components is estimated to be at least 43 per cent.Much more British manufacturing of wind turbines and components is expected in the future. Aerolaminates have moved into a new larger factory with much greater capacity on the Isle of Wight. As well as blades, they are now supplying some complete turbine rotors to their parent company, NEG-Micon. Cambrian Engineering have manufactured, or have orders, for 95 per cent. of the wind turbine towers to be installed in the UK this year. Vestas, who are among the world-leaders in wind turbine manufacture, announced in June that they are to start UK operations at Machrihanish near Campbeltown in the west of Scotland where their new factory will create 124 direct jobs and 44 associated jobs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further research she plans to assess the environmental impact of wave and tidal energy devices; and if she will make a statement.[8255]

The Department has carried out general studies on the potential impact of offshore energy devices, as well as Environmental Impact Assessments for specific schemes, including one for a proposed tidal stream development. These studies indicate that, providing the schemes are deployed with some care, they should not have any significant adverse effect on the environment and simple steps can be taken to ensure that such schemes are not a navigation or environmental hazard.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what estimate she has made of the numbers of new jobs which will be generated by (a) 2010 and (b) 2020 in wave and tidal power companies in the UK; [8252](2) what estimate she has made of the size of the

The recent report of the Science and Technology Committee Inquiry into wave and tidal energy estimated that energy from wave and tidal currents around the UK have the theoretical potential to generate about 25 per cent. of the nation's electricity.The same report estimated that if 0.1 per cent. of the energy resource in the ocean could be converted to electricity it would satisfy the present world demand for energy five times over.This represents a significant new source of energy and the Department is vigorously encouraging and assisting industry to develop promising technologies. Success in this would lead to the development of new sustainable industries but it is too early in the technology development to provide reliable estimates of the size of the market and jobs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what further research funding is planned to increase the efficiency of wave and tidal power devices; [8256]

In the case of wave energy, my Department has already supported the development of the world's first commercial wave power device at Islay, and we recently announced that we will provide further support to the company involved, Wavegen, by increasing the level of R&D funding for their most recent project to almost £1.67 million. This funding will assist with the further development of their new offshore wave energy concept and the construction and testing at sea of a prototype. This substantial funding confirms the Government's commitment to its new wave energy programme.The Department commissioned a study into the prospects for tidal stream technology in the UK and this has now been completed. It was positive about the prospects for tidal stream, and is being taken forward in association with the industry. There are a useful amount of tidal currents around the shores of the UK and these are already well charted. There a number of sites where tidal stream generators could be deployed, but as yet no prototype device. Tidal stream is now covered as a technology in my Department's Sustainable Energy Programme.The Department recently initiated a call for proposals under the Sustainable Energy Programme, which invites bids for funds to support the development of both wave and tidal power. The level of funding will be dependent on the number of good quality R&D proposals which are received from the industry.Both technologies will also continue to be eligible for funding for R&D into Electricity Generation from renewable and clean sources from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). This programme provides £3.5 million of support per year for research into the full range of renewables technologies. To date, wave and tidal projects have received over £769,000 of support from this source.We anticipate that the introduction of the Renewables Obligation will also provide a further stimulus to these and the wider range of eligible renewables, including wave and tidal power. Both technologies may also benefit from a proportion of the £100 million announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister earlier this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what timescale her Department has set for the implementation of a one-stop-shop for offshore renewable planning applications; and when she expects the first planning application under this system to be granted. [8254]

Draft guidance describing the streamlined consenting process for offshore windfarms has recently been circulated by my Department to the industry and all the main statutory consultees for comment. A copy is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses. I intend that the guidance will be finalised shortly. The first application under this system has been received and the consenting authorities are now progressing the application in consultation with the developer as necessary but I am not able to say when the process will be complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will encourage development and long term investment in the energy potential of a range of offshore technologies. [8249]

The Department has put in place a range of measures to encourage and assist development and long term investment in offshore technologies.The Government have allocated at least £49 million to capital grants for offshore wind. £39 million will come from DTI, the remainder from the New Opportunities Fund. The capital grants programme was officially launched this week, and application forms/guidance notes are now available from DTI at www.dti.gov.uk/renew/eoi.htm. These grants will support early deployment of a number of demonstration projects and enable the industry to develop a bank of knowledge and expertise to maximise the contribution of this technology to the UK's 10 per cent. target. We have also consulted recently on the offshore consents process and plan to bring forward a new 'one-stop-shop' approach which should make it easier for project developers to get their projects up and running.Already this year, 18 wind farm developments have achieved pre-qualification status for a lease of sea bed from the Crown Estate. We hope to see these projects coming to fruition as quickly as possible. In the light of the interest expressed in the first round of leases we would also hope that the Crown Estate can provide further opportunities.In connection with support provided to wave and tidal power, I would refer my hon. Friend to the questions answered early today PQ's ref No. 8256 and 8253.All three technologies will also benefit from the forthcoming introduction of the Renewables Obligation. The Obligation marks a significant commitment by Government to the renewables industry as a whole, with the potential to create a market worth over £1 billion per annum by the year 2010. We have backed up our commitment to the Obligation with funding worth over £260 million for this and the next two financial years, including the capital grants funding and R&D programmes already mentioned. A proportion of the £100 million for renewables announced by the Prime Minister earlier this year may also be allocated to the early deployment of offshore technologies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Government are taking to provide incentives for the strengthening of electricity transmission lines to enable the expansion of grid connections.[8250]

This is a matter for the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem). I have asked the Director of Regulation and Financial Affairs to reply and will place a copy of his letter in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total amount of spending by her Department was in each nation and region of the UK, in the last year for which figures are available; what proportion of her Department's total spending this constitutes; and if she will make a statement.[6839]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 15 October 2001, Official Report, columns 854–56W, to the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan (Mr. Salmond).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) on how many occasions in each year since 1992 non-commercial flights were used by Ministers in her Department for official overseas visits; what the (a) destination, (b) Ministers involved, (c) cost and (d) reason for use of non-commercial flights were on each occasion; and if she will make a statement.[6884](2) if she will list all official overseas visits undertaken by Ministers in her Department in each year since May 1997, indicating

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's answer on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 823W.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the latest situation with regard to the bombing in Afghanistan.[9822]

I attended the informal meeting of EU Heads of Government in Belgium on 19 October.The meeting was originally called to have an informal discussion about the future institutional development of the European Union. In the light of 11 September we, the Presidency and all our partners, wanted to use the meeting to focus on developments in Afghanistan.The continuing and wholehearted solidarity of the European Union in the face of the 11 September attacks was confirmed in the discussion in Ghent on Friday and in the statement which was issued, a copy of which I have placed in the Library of the House. The statement emphasises the crucial need to relaunch the middle east peace process without preconditions.The European Union's solidarity with the United States has been shown in action as well as in words, not just by our own contribution but by those of other EU partners.Since the beginning of this crisis, we and our EU partners have placed as much importance on the humanitarian as on the military aspects of our campaign. So far this year, aid amounting to over 310 million euros has been mobilised by the European Union to relieve the suffering of the Afghan people. That includes emergency aid and food aid released through the world food programme.

To ask the Prime Minister when he last met Lord Haskins to discuss the impact of foot and mouth disease in Cumbria; and when he next plans to do so.[7523]

I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations, it is not my practice to provide details of such meetings.

To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his oral answer of 17 October 2001, Official Report, column 1165, if people serving in his office requested the resignation of Jo Moore, adviser to the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and Regions; and if he will make a statement.[9276]

I have made my position clear on this, and I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him in the House on Wednesday 17 October 2001, Official Report, column 1165. I regard the matter as closed.

To ask the Prime Minister if the information released by Her Majesty's Government to the British media, during an official briefing in Oman on 10 October 2001, entitled "Defeating Terrorism: Campaign Objectives" is identical to the document placed in the Library on 16 October, entitled "Defeating International Terrorism: Campaign Objectives".[9462]

Yes. The document was published on Tuesday 16 October by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. It was made available to MPs and the media at the same time. However, the information and arguments in the document have been drawn on by Ministers and officials since it was first drawn up several weeks ago.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) which Government Departments and agencies have been asked whether they hold any information relevant to the request for information from the independent commission of inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings on 17 May 1974 established by the Irish Government; when he will provide information to the commission; and if he will make a statement; [7895](2) if his Department has responded to requests for information from the independent commission of inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974 by the delivery of relevant documents; and if he will make a statement.[7949]

The request from Mr. Justice Henry Barron, the Independent Commissioner of Inquiry into the Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk bombings, was shared with all relevant Government Departments and agencies. This has led to an extensive and time-consuming manual search of a large number of old files. As soon as this has been completed I will make a single co-ordinated response to Mr. Justice Barron.I am replying on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if his Department has responded to requests for information from the Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 17 May 1974 by the delivery of relevant documents; and if he will make a statement.[7950]

The request from Mr. Justice Henry Barron, the Independent Commissioner of Inquiry into the Dublin, Monaghan and Dundalk bombings, was shared with all relevant Government Departments and agencies. This has led to an extensive and time-consuming manual search of a large number of old files. As soon as this has been completed I will make a single co-ordinated response to Mr. Justice Barron.I am replying on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence and the Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of sanctions upon the economy and social welfare of the south-east Anatolia region of Turkey and its Kurdish inhabitants; and if he will make a statement.[9119]

There are no sanctions against Turkey. There is little evidence to show that the economy in south-east Anatolia has suffered as a result of sanctions against Iraq. The United Kingdom firmly supports Turkish economic reform through institutions such as the IMF and the European Commission. We believe implementation of economic and structural reforms should help raise market confidence in Turkey and improve the long-term prosperity of the Turkish people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will indicate whether the Mayor of London or the Lord Mayor of London has the higher protocol status as regards invitations and functions originated by his Department; and if he will make a statement.[8657]

This is a matter for the Lord Chancellor's Department; however, I understand that the position is as follows: there are conventions governing functions held in the City of London where the Lord Mayor of London takes precedence immediately after the Sovereign.Outside the City, guidance will vary depending on the nature or location of the function. In more ceremonial events with a wider or national basis that include members of the Royal Family, the Lord Mayor may continue to have precedence over the Mayor of London, but, in other events, where no member of the Royal Family is present, the event organisers will take into account the nature of the function and the necessary courtesies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Sri Lankan Government regarding (a) the situation of the Tamil people and (b) human rights violations against the Tamil people;[8733](2) if he will list the recent meetings he has had with representatives of the Sri Lankan Government regarding the situation of the Tamil people.[8726]

We are concerned about the plight of civilians affected by the conflict and urge the Government and the LTTE to cease hostilities and negotiate a peaceful settlement. The Prime Minister and the then Foreign Secretary, my right hon. Friend the Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook), reiterated our support for the peace process when they met President Kumaratunga and Foreign Minister Kadirgamar in March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will list the representations that he has received from representatives of the Tamil people regarding human rights in Sri Lanka; [8727](2) if he will list the recent meetings he has had with representatives of the Tamil people regarding human rights violations in Sri Lanka.[8725]

Staff in our High Commission in Colombo regularly meet representatives from all communities in Sri Lanka, including the Tamil community. We stay in touch with UK-based Sri Lankan groups and human rights organisations. We remain concerned by reports of human rights abuses in Sri Lanka and continue to remind the Government of the need to respect human rights. We are also concerned about human rights abuses committed by the LTTE and reports that they are still using child soldiers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UK contribution to the work of the United Nations Development Programme in respect of the international humanitarian response to the conflict in Maluku.[8234]

The Department for International Development (DFID) has pledged more than £4 million to help establish the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) conflict prevention and recovery unit in Jakarta. The unit will build up capacity in conflict reduction and recovery in the provinces torn apart by ethnic conflict, particularly in north Maluku. These new initiatives will complement DFID-supported humanitarian relief programmes by addressing the causes underlying conflict—abuse of power, alienation and loss of access to and control of resources essential for every day life. We will continue to work with the Indonesian authorities and UNDP to promote reconciliation, begin wider reconstruction work and to offer practical assistance where appropriate.The UK's message to the Indonesian Government has been consistently clear: a long-term solution to regional conflicts can only be achieved through political negotiation and consultation with the people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what safety advice is given to persons planning to travel abroad.[8703]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office issues travel advice notices for over 200 countries. These notices are constantly reviewed on the basis of information received from British missions overseas. The advice varies from country to country and we advise any British nationals intending to travel abroad to read the relevant advice prior to travel. This advice can be accessed: on the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk/; by telephone on 020 7008 0232/0233; by fax on 020 7008 0155/0164; or by letter to the travel advice unit in our Consular Division.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which countries his Department is recommending that holidaymakers should not travel.[8704]

As at 19 October the FCO advises against travel to the following countries:

Afghanistan; Burundi; Central African Republic; Iraq; Pakistan; Tajikistan; Somalia; Yemen

and to the following specific areas:

Azerbaijan (western region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the militarily occupied area surrounding it); Republic of the Congo (except Brazzaville and Pointe Noire only); Ecuador (northern border areas with Colombia particularly Sucumbios province); Eritrea (south of the Barentu-Dekemahare line and the Eritrea/Sudan border area); Ethiopia (east of the Harar to Gode line, and within 20 kms of the Eritrean border in the Tigray and Afar regions only); Guinea (border region with Liberia and Sierra Leone only); India (Jammu and Kashmir only); Indonesia (Aceh, Ambon and the rest of Maluku province, Nias island, central Kalimantan and Poso in central Sulawesi only); Israel and the Palestinian authority (only west bank and Gaza and Israel/Lebanon and Israel/Gaza border areas); Kyrgyzstan (south and west of Osh only and the Ferghana valley region only); Liberia (north-west only); Mozambique (Montepuez only); Namibia (border areas from Ruacana eastwards to Kongola and Namibia/Angola border areas north of the trans Caprivi highway); Philippines (southern and western Mindanao); Russian Federation (Chechen republic, Ingushetia, Dagestan, north Ossetia, Karachai-Cherkassia, Kabardino-Balkaria (including the Elbrus area) and to the eastern and southern parts of Stavrapol Krai only); Somalia (southern Somalia and the north-east region (Puntland) only); Sri Lanka (north and east only); Uganda (Mgahinga and Bwindi national parks, border areas with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sudan, Gulu and Kitgum and Bundibugyo districts only):

and against all holiday and other non-essential travel to:

Algeria; Angola; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Cote D'Ivoire; East Timor; Haiti; Indonesia; Macedonia; Sierra Leone;

and against all holiday and other non-essential travel to the following specific areas:

Albania (the border with Kosovo only); Comoros (Anjouan only); Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville and Pointe Noire only); Ethiopia (across the land border to Djibouti); India (Manipur and Tripura only); Liberia (and against all travel to north-west); Philippines (Mindanao and Palawan only); Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Kosovo only).

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what cultural projects with new funding arrangements have been initiated by (a) the British Council and (b) BBC World Service to broaden understanding of the Muslim world since 11 September.[9273]

The BBC World Service continues to serve as an independent forum for the exchange of ideas across cultural boundaries. BBC World Service news and current affairs programmes across all 43 of its language services have paid special attention to Islamic issues since 11 September. Regional language services have been enhanced, for which extra funding will be required. The BBC World Service is currently broadcasting a series on the principles of Islam.The British Council is re-prioritising £1 million of current spending as the first step in an initiative called Open Minds, designed to encourage mutual understanding between young people from different cultures. Projects will include with UK diaspora communities, a major expansion of youth and school links, an enhanced dialogue for young professionals and future leaders and the development of on-line links in knowledge and learning centres in the Muslim world.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost of the Carter report was.[7855]

The cost of Patrick Carter's reviews into the English National Stadium, and the Lee Valley Stadium was £313,505.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost has been to (a) the National Lottery, (b) the Treasury, (c) her Department and (d) others of the production of the Carter report into Wembley Stadium and Picketts Lock.[7931]

[holding answer 15 October 2001]: The production costs for the reviews conducted into the English National Stadium and the Lee Valley Stadium by Patrick Carter were as follows:

£
	Cost (including VAT)
Sport England	294,076
Department for Culture, Media and Sport	15,932
Cabinet office	3,497
Total	313,505

The costs incurred by Sport England, my Department and the Cabinet Office exclude the pay cost of officials. Costs were incurred by the Cabinet Office prior to the Commonwealth Games Division, which supported Patrick Carter, transferring to my Department following the General Election. No costs were incurred by the Treasury or the National Lottery. The Reports were delivered on 31 August 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what discussions (a) Ministers and (b) officials in her Department have had on the prospect of staging the 2005 World Athletics Championship;[7926](2) when

[holding answer 15 October 2001]: Officials and Ministers have had discussions with a wide variety of interested parties about the staging of the 2005 World Athletics Championships.UK Athletics were involved in Patrick Carter's review of the Lee Valley National Athletics Centre project and were briefed by the project team on his conclusions on 4 October. Together with my officials and Sport England, I also met UK Athletics on 4 October to discuss the Championships.I have not spoken to or met representatives of Sheffield city council or the Sheffield city trust in connection with the Championships. However, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Sport, who was not involved in the process from 31 August-4 October spoke to both after a decision on the Championships was taken. My officials first met the Chief Executive of Sheffield city council at his request on 20 September to discuss a wide range of sports issues. During that meeting the Chief Executive reiterated Sheffield's offer to stage the 2005 World Athletics Championships. My officials together with Sport England colleagues met representatives of Sheffield city council and Sheffield city trust on 27 September to discuss in detail the feasibility of staging the Championships in Sheffield.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if Wembley National Stadium Ltd. will be expected to repay any of the grant it received from Sport England; and, if so, how much.[7859]

[holding answer 15 October 2001]: In December 1999, the Football Association offered to repay £20 million of the lottery grant received by Wembley National Stadium Ltd. as the stadium is no longer required to stage athletics. An application to Sport England to amend the Lottery Funding agreement was made by Wembley National Stadium Ltd. and the Football Association in September 2000. A review of the Lottery Funding Agreement will be taken forward in the next stage of the National Stadium project and the Football Association's offer to repay the £20 million will be part of that process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on measures taken to help sports find alternative sponsorship and funding to tobacco advertising. [8435]

As my hon. Friend is aware, the Tobacco Task Force was set up for the seven sports which sought assistance in the transition from tobacco sponsorship. The Task Force quickly concluded the first phase of its operation which was to identify the needs of the sports currently receiving Tobacco sponsorship and how best they could be assisted.I wrote to the seven sports on 28 July to determine whether they still needed assistance and whether they would make use of the Task Force. Since then I have met representatives from snooker and I am due to meet shortly representatives from darts, pool and angling. To date rugby league, ice hockey and clay pigeon shooting have not replied.Once these meetings have taken place I will then be in a position to determine what role if any the Task Force will play in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what measures were taken by the Government to ensure that football clubs applying to the Football Foundation and the former Football Trust for grants for improvements to stadiums were awarded them as a result of competitive tendering; and if she will make a statement;[8463](2) which clubs received grants from the Football Foundation and the former Football Trust; when such grants were made; and what the value was in each case;[8461](3) if she will list those companies, and the football clubs involved, who were awarded contracts for improvements to grounds funded by the Football Foundation and the former Football Trust; what was the value of such grants in each case; when the grants were awarded; and if she will make a statement; [8462]

On the winding-up of the Football Trust in 2000, its work in funding football stadium improvements passed to the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, a company limited by guarantee. Details of all stadium improvement grants made to individual clubs by the Fund, and before it by the former Football Trust, together with details of all grants made since July 2000 by the Football Foundation from its grass roots and community/education funds, are deposited regularly in the Library of the House.On its inception, the Football Stadia Improvement Fund adopted the tendering policy of the former Football Trust. Contracts for stadium improvement work which is financed by grants from the Fund must be the subject of a minimum of three competitive tenders. In respect of work financed by grants in excess of £100,000, the Fund reserves the right to be present at the opening of the tenders. Although full details of all funded projects are retained by the Fund, and were retained by the former Football Trust, details of individual tenders are not retained by the Fund, and were not retained by the former Football Trust.The Government monitor the decisions of the Football Stadia Improvement Fund and the Football Foundation through their representative on the Boards of these bodies, currently Lord Pendry. The Government were also represented on the Board of the former Football Trust. The annual accounts of the Fund, the Football Foundation, and the former Football Trust are and were subject to internal and external audit, and are and were submitted to the Audit Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the grants paid by the new opportunities fund under the space for sport and the arts initiative. [8759]

Sport England is administering the grants for the Space for Sport and Arts programme on behalf of the other funding partners—the New Opportunities Fund, the Arts Council of England, DCMS and DfES. The 65 local education authorities involved in the programme are due to submit detailed applications by the end of October. Only once applications have been received and assessed will final funding allocations for each project be confirmed and the grants issued. Although a small number of applications have been received, no grant has yet been paid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funds will be made available to parish and town councils to fund Golden Jubilee celebrations; and if she will make a statement.[9019]

[holding answer 19 October 2001]: Lottery funding will be available to help local communities mark and celebrate the Golden Jubilee. Local groups, including town and parish councils, can apply through the cross distributor Awards for All for grants of between £500 and £5,000 for Jubilee related projects. Projects must meet existing criteria and involve one or more of the lottery good causes of the arts, sport, heritage, charities, health, education or the environment. Larger applications associated with the Jubilee will be considered by Lottery distributors if the project meets the criteria and timetable of an existing programme or scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to enhance the protection and preservation of (a) school and (b) community sports and recreation facilities. [139]

[holding answer 25 June 2001]: We are determined to build on our success in protecting playing fields and improve the playing field infrastructure for both schools and communities. £750 million from the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) will bring about a step change in opportunities for young people to play sport, through new and refurbished school sports facilities, including playing fields, which will be available for community use, throughout the country. NOF has selected Sport England as an Award Partner to deliver an additional £31 million of Lottery money to projects in England for the creation of playing fields and community spaces, as part of NOF's Green Spaces Initiative. My Department will encourage organisations funding green spaces to prioritise their funding allocations in line with local playing field strategies where they are available.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (DfES) recently issued strengthened Guidance for the Protection of School Playing Fields and Land for City Academies. The new guidance: introduces the role that the new School Playing Field Advisory Panel will play in advising on applications to dispose or change the use of school playing fields and the new criteria under which those applications will be assessed; gives more protection to playing fields provided for pupils under eight; and ensures that any proceeds arising from the sale of playing fields at operating schools are ploughed back into providing outdoor sport or recreational facilities.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions is currently considering the responses to his consultation on a revised draft of Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 on Sport, Open Spaces and Recreation. My Department is working closely with the DTLR to ensure that the new PPG 17 is robust in strengthening and extending our protection of school and community playing fields, and assists local authorities in planning constructively for sport and recreation for the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress is being made towards meeting the EU directive banning disposal of tyres in landfill.[8505]

The Government have issued for consultation draft regulations giving effect to the requirements of the EC Landfill Directive, including those banning the landfilling of whole and shredded tyres. The consultation period closes on 26 October 2001 and we will then move to lay the regulations before Parliament as soon as possible. In advance of the regulations coming into effect the Environment Agency is using its existing powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 to apply the Directive's requirements to any permits issued in the interim.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to extend the obligation on energy suppliers to deliver energy savings to their customers. [8200]

[holding answer 18 October 2001]: Under the Utilities Act 2000, the Government will set an Energy Efficiency Commitment obligation for electricity and gas suppliers for the period 1 April 2002 until 31 March 2005. Under the commitment, electricity and gas suppliers will be required to achieve targets for the promotion of improvements in energy efficiency. There will be a focus on helping lower income consumers, including those in receipt of income and disability benefits.A statutory consultation document on our proposals was issued in August, and we are currently considering responses. We intend to lay the Statutory Order for the Commitment during the autumn. It will be subject to affirmative resolution in both Houses of Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish the Government consultation document on the storage of nuclear waste.[6363]

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what progress she has made towards developing long-term disposal of high level nuclear waste referred to in the Nirex document, Managing Radioactive Waste;[6731](2) when she expects the long-term disposal review of intermediate level nuclear waste, referred to in the Nirex document Managing Radioactive Waste, to be concluded; and if she will make a statement. [6736]

The UK Government and Devolved Administrations published the consultation paper "Managing radioactive waste safely" on 12 September. People in the UK must have a central role in the decision on how radioactive waste is managed in the future. The paper proposes a programme of national debate and information gathering leading to decisions on the long-term management of radioactive waste, and explores how best we should organise that programme. It does not invite comments at this stage on specific options—such as storage or disposal—but it does summarise the main options, so people can always comment on them if they want to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list for each county of England the disposal sites which are (a) available and (b) being used for the disposal of foot and mouth disease (i) carcases and (ii) ash from pyres.[5261]

Over the last few weeks most carcases resulting from new cases of foot and mouth disease have been disposed of by rendering. The two rendering plants that are currently available for use for the disposal of foot and mouth disease carcases are in Bradford (West Yorkshire) and Lancaster (Lancashire). The extent to which these plants are used depends on the demand for disposal on any given day.On the few occasions when disposal demand has exceeded available rendering capacity use has been made of licensed landfill and mass burial sites. The only licensed landfill and mass burial sites that have been used for the disposal of foot and mouth disease carcases in recent weeks are those at Hespin Wood in Cumbria and Tow Law in Co. Durham. Other licensed landfill sites and mass burial sites could be contracted or brought back into operation should additional disposal capacity be required.Wherever possible, ash from pyres is being buried on site. Where this is not possible it is being disposed of in licensed landfill. The landfill sites in England that are being used for this purpose are at Bishops Cleeve (Gloucestershire), Calvert (Buckinghamshire), Hespin Wood (Cumbria) and Workington (Cumbria). There are no plans to use any other landfill sites for ash disposal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to launch a Countryside Stewardship Scheme for organic farmers.[8547]

[holding answer 18 October 2001]: The Countryside Stewardship Scheme is already open to organic farmers. Because it is a discretionary scheme, applications are assessed and approved on the basis of the environmental benefits they can offer. This assessment process takes account of the potential additional benefits of combining Countryside Stewardship with organic farming and as a result many organic farmers have been accepted into the Scheme. Officials are also conducting a review of agri-environment schemes which will consider a range of issues including the structure of existing schemes and the interrelationship between them. The review will report in 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the total annual value of London weightings and London living allowances for her Department; and if she will make a statement.[6842]

Although different rates of basic salary apply in London the Department does not pay separate London weighting or local pay additions for staff working in London. Those were abolished on 1 October 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the total annual running costs for buildings used, owned or rented by her Department for each nation and region of the UK, and estimate the average cost per square metre for properties used by her Department as a whole, and by region and nation of the UK.[6843]

The figures are as follows:

£ per annum
Nation/region	Total running cost	Average running cost
Wales	295,000	69
London	9,847,000	189
South West England	5,513,000	129
South East England	17,312,000	284
Anglia	5,971,000	121
North East England	15,869,000	253
North West England	2,625,000	129
	57,432,000	—
Overall average	—	196

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what plans she has for reversing the decline in the farmland bird population by 2020;[8169](2) what progress she has made in fulfilling the Government's commitment to reversing the decline in the farmland bird population. [8170]

The farmland bird index, based on populations of 20 species, increased last year, though this may have been partly due to the relatively mild preceding winter. Expert advice is that it will take several years before we could expect to see the effects of current policy measures. Nevertheless, analysis of the underlying trend by the British Trust for Ornithology has shown that the rate of population decline is now slowing.A number of existing policy measures will help this Department to achieve its Public Service Agreement (PSA) target to reverse the long-term decline in the number of farmland birds by 2020—not least the significant expansion of our agri-environment schemes under the England Rural Development Programme. In particular, we are very hopeful that next year's national rollout of arable Countryside Stewardship options, based on the successful pilot scheme, will prove beneficial for birds.The reasons for the decline in farmland bird numbers are complex. That is why we have commissioned research from the British Trust for Ornithology, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Oxford University to help us identify more precisely what needs to be done to deliver the PSA target.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many and what proportion of each civil service grade in her Department is located in each region and nation of the UK, what the average salary is for each grade; and if she will make a statement; [6844](2) how many and what proportion of each civil service grade in her Department is located in each region and nation of the UK, what the average salary is for each grade; and if she will make a statement; [6838](3) if she will estimate the number of staff employed by her Department by region and nation of the UK; and if she will make a statement.[6840]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on 15 October 2001, Official Report, columns 1008–09W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) on how many occasions in each year since 1992 non-commercial flights were used by Ministers in her Department for official overseas visits; what the (a) destination, (b) Ministers involved, (c) cost and (d) reason for use of non-commercial flights were on each occasion; and if she will make a statement; [6904](2) if she will list all official overseas visits undertaken by Ministers in her Department in each year since May 1997, indicating

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 823W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his policy is with regard to (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department giving evidence to (i) Scottish Parliament, (ii) Welsh Assembly and (iii) Northern Ireland Assembly committees; and to what categories of document he gives (A) full access, (B) restricted access and (C) no access to (1) Scottish Parliament, (2) Welsh Assembly, (3) Northern Ireland Assembly and (4) House of Commons Select Committees. [7024]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer that my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office gave on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 1004W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people his Department employed, expressed as full time equivalents, and what was the total cost of employing them in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) 2001 to date. [9190]

Staff numbers are as follows:

	Welsh Office1	Wales Office2
1997	2,298	—
1998	2,320	—
1999	2,452	29
2000	—	33
2001	—	39
1 To 30 June 1999.
2 From 1 July 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residents in nursing homes are fully funded by the NHS under continuing care criteria.[7395]

[holding answer 15 October 2001]: The total number of people in the year 2000–01 newly meeting the eligibility criteria for continuing national health service health care was 25,303.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of existing research programmes into conditions of dystonia;[7711](2) what research his Department is sponsoring into

The cause of dystonia is unknown and there is not, currently, an effective cure. That is why the research being carried out by the Medical Research Council (MRC) is so important. The MRC is the main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatment of disease and is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry. The MRC has provided substantial funding for research into the causes of dystonia and other movement disorders. The Medical Research Council spent £2.25 million in 2000–01 on dystonia research.Current projects being supported are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list waiting times in each hospital trust in England for (a) cataracts, (b) hip replacements and (c) heart bypasses, in (i) 1997 and (ii) at the latest date for which figures are available. [7614]

[holding answer 15 October 2001]: Data on median waiting times for cataract, hip replacement and heart bypass procedures for 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will consider proposals for strategic health authorities that cross boundaries of Government office regions to coincide with patterns of delivery of clinical services.[8041]

The criteria for proposed strategic health authorities are that they should have a population of around 1.5 million, their boundaries should be coterminous with an aggregate of local authority boundaries and their boundaries should not cut across Government office for the regions boundaries. It has also been determined that boundaries should reflect clinical networks as closely as possible. The criteria for strategic health authority boundaries are in line with the principles set out in the Modernising Government White Paper. We have no plans to review the criteria for strategic health authority boundaries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Derbyshire dated 18 August concerning drug prices in Great Britain and other European countries.[7353]

A reply to the hon. Member's letter of the 15 August was sent on 18 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to agree pharmacists' remuneration terms for 2001–02.[7266]

We have made an offer to the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), which represents all community pharmacies providing National Health Service pharmaceutical services in England and Wales. We hope to conclude discussions with PSNC shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the hon. Member for Mid-Dorset and North Poole will receive a reply to her question of 4 July concerning funding for hospices ref 2853. [8721]

I wrote to the hon. Member on 8 October 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many people he expects to participate in the limited implementation HPV pilot scheme in (a) Newcastle, (b) north Bristol and (c) Norfolk and Norwich; [8499](2) how many people have taken part in the limited implementation HPV pilot scheme in

[holding answer 19 October 2001]: The pilot study of liquid based cytology and human papilloma virus testing as triage for women with mild or borderline abnormalities began in April 2001, as planned. Women with a mild or borderline screening result in the pilot will have an HPV test in accordance with the pilot protocol. In 2000–01, the number of cervical screening tests and the percentage of tests with a mild or borderline result for the three pilot site areas are shown in the table.

	Pilot sites
2000–01	Newcastle	North Bristol	Norfolk and Norwich
Number of women screened	54,000	54,000	30,000
Percentage of women with a borderline/mild abnormality	8	7	13

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (1) proportion of deaths from cervical cancer occurred in women (a) over the age of 60 and (b) under the age of 30 years in each year since 1994; [8501]

[holding answer 18 October 2001]: The number of deaths from cervical cancer since 1994 are shown in the table:

	Under 30 (percentage)	30 to 59 (percentage)	60 and over (percentage)	All ages
1994	25 (1.9)	505 (36.9)	838 (61.2)	1,369
1995	33 (2.5)	538 (40.2)	768 (57.4)	1,339
1996	28 (2.1)	508 (38.6)	779 (59.2)	1,315
1997	25 (2.0)	494 (40.3)	706 (57.6)	1,225
1998	24 (2.1)	470 (40.6)	664 (57.3)	1,158
1999	24 (2.2)	421 (38.0)	662 (59.8)	1,107
2000	14 (1.3)	437 (39.7)	651 (59.1)	1,102

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were waiting for pancreatic cancer surgery at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital on 6 March.[7520]

[holding answer 18 October 2001]: Patients who need pancreatic cancer surgery at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital are brought in very urgently and do not appear on the trust's waiting list. There were no patients waiting for pancreatic cancer surgery at the end of March 2001, the closest date for which figures are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had recently with the BMA on the relationship between the NHS and the private sector.[8573]

[holding answer 18 October 2001]: Ministers have not had any discussions recently with the British Medical Association on the relationship between the national health service and the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to change care charges.[8568]

[holding answer 18 October 2001]: We published for consultation draft guidance to local councils on fairer charging policies for non-residential social services on 3 January, and plan to issue final guidance later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on Care Direct.[8569]

[holding answer 18 October 2001]: As announced in the NHS Plan, the Department will pilot Care Direct in six councils in the south-west of England, starting in 2001.Plymouth and Somerset commenced on 1 October 2001; Gloucestershire and Bournemouth will follow on 22 and 29 October, respectively. Bristol will commence on 1 November and Devon on 1 December.As announced in February this year, the second phase of pilots, which will start next year, will include the remainder of the councils in the south-west and a small number of additional councils. The Department will announce shortly who these will be.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent evidence he has assessed on changes in the nutritional content of vegetables.[4682]

[holding answer 18 October 2001]: The Food Standards Agency collects data on the nutrient content of a wide range of foods, including fruit and vegetables, on a regular basis. A report published last year suggests there has been some decline in the nutrient content of fruit and vegetables. Due to a variety of factors, the range of nutrient levels in foods can be very wide and is approximately the same for conventional and organic produce.The composition of individual foods is less important than the nutrient content and overall balance of the diet. Data show that nutrient intakes for the population as a whole are generally adequate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold an investigation into the costs of residential care.[9130]

[holding answer 19 October 2001]: Our response to the Royal Commission on long-term care, as announced in the NHS Plan, has been to introduce a range of measures to ensure the system of funding and charging for residential care is fairer.We routinely monitor the costs of residential and nursing home care through performance indicators included in the performance assessment framework for personal social services. In addition, we have commissioned research into costs, fees and profitability in the care home sector. Residential care is subject to the best value regime that requires councils to balance costs, outcomes and quality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide funding support for those students who undertake dental technician courses.[8902]

[holding answer 19 October 2001]: Trainee dental technicians employed by the National Health Service are already eligible to apply for funding support through their employers. However, most trainee dental technicians are employed in privately owned dental laboratories. The Department has funded a project to draw up and define appropriate qualifications for occupational standards for dental technicians. When they are agreed, funding support for these qualifications may be available from a number of sources, including employers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to recognise the work of health visitors in the proposed nursing and midwifery councils; and if he will make a statement. [8914]

[holding answer 19 October 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 3 July 2001, Official Report, column 150W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the annual report and accounts of the Medicines Control Agency. [9823]

We have received the report and copies have today been laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the requirements of sections 5(2) and 5(3) of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Act 1921. Copies have also been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money has been allocated to each local education authority in order to support instrumental music tuition in the 2001–02 financial year.[8126]

Funding for LEAs to maintain and extend their music services is allocated via the music standards fund. This includes the provision of instrumental tuition.The music standards fund allocation for each LEA in the current financial year is contained in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Library. The figures include both the DFES contribution and any LEA matched funding provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to increase the number of veterinary schools.[6539]

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)—not the Government—has responsibility for determining the number and location of higher education places, including those for veterinary medicine. The funding council takes demand for veterinary surgeons into account in setting the number of places.In recent years, there has been a steady rise in the number of students entering veterinary schools, from 430 in 1991 to 660 in 2000, as well as a similar rise in the numbers graduating, from 360 to 560 over the same period.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of further education colleges would be able to pay the full 3.7 per cent. recommended pay rise for the coming year without making cuts in other budget headings.[6673]

This information is not available to the Department. It is for college corporations to determine spending priorities within the overall need to balance their budgets. Colleges' ability to pay the recommended pay rise will depend on their overall financial health, their success in recruiting and retaining students (which will affect the funding they receive from the Learning and Skills Council) and the level of their staff costs in relation to overall college expenditure.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what factors relating to the responsibilities and duties of teachers in sixth-form colleges underlie the pay differential with further education colleges. [6681]

The pay, terms and conditions of staff in general further education and sixth-form colleges are matters for college corporations and management to determine in consultation with the relevant unions. I understand that over the years since incorporation, sixth-form colleges have sought to mirror pay and conditions arrangements in schools, because staff responsibilities are similar in both. In general FE colleges, a wider range of pay and conditions arrangements now exist, reflecting the diverse learning needs of colleges local communities and colleges individual decisions on implementing the nationally recommended pay settlement each year.In addition, sixth-form colleges have, this year, been given proportionately a larger share of teaching pay initiative (TPI) funding than general FE colleges. This honours a commitment given by the former Secretary of State, identifying the scale of implementation of TPI in sixth-form colleges in 2001. Under TPI, sixth-form colleges should, this year, be able to replicate the £2,000 threshold payments that apply in schools; and in general FE, colleges should be able to pay at least £1,000 and up to £2,000 to eligible staff, with up to £4,000 to a minority of their most able staff.

Year	Teaching (thousand)	Support (thousand)	Other (thousand)	Non-teaching ie support plus other(thousand)	Ratio (Non-teaching/teaching)
1994–95	130.9	19.0	54.9	73.9	0.56
1995–96	134.7	21.4	60.6	82.0	0.61
1996–97	130.9	23.6	63.6	87.2	0.67
1997–98	139.7	24.9	64.7	89.6	0.64
1998–99	141.8	23.8	65.3	89.1	0.63
1999–2000	136.7	24.5	68.6	93.1	0.68