To ask the President of the Council if he will propose that the House should accept motions relating to parliamentary business by e-mail; and if he will make a statement. [8466]

I have no immediate plans to make such a proposal, but it is worthy of consideration. Any switch to a new system would need to take account of its wider impact and ensure that any security implications are properly addressed.

The Hon. Member may wish to ask the Procedure Committee to consider the proposal.

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the activities for the induction of new hon. Members in this Parliament. [9068]

After the 2001 general election, House departments provided a fuller and more co-ordinated induction process for newly elected Members than at any previous election. It is known that virtually all newly elected Members attended the Reception Area and associated activities. There is a good deal of anecdotal evidence that these activities were well received, but in addition the Board of Management has agreed that there should be a small survey of newly elected Members in order to seek their opinions in a more systematic way. The group of House officials who oversaw the process has made its own assessment, including points for consideration when preparations are being made for the induction process after the next general election.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will ensure that existing investment and maintenance programmes planned by Railtrack will take place. [8391]

The Administrator has been funded so as to permit him to continue work on Railtrack's projects. Contractors have been asked to continue normal working; and Railtrack in administration will continue to place orders and let contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has held with financial institutions about the future investment needs of the rail industry since the decision to put Railtrack into administration. [8994]

My Department's advisers have held regular meetings with financial creditors and others.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he has discussed future funding of rail investment with Railtrack bondholders. [9003]

Future funding of the proposed company limited by guarantee has been discussed between my officials, my Department's advisers and the financial markets and we intend to continue to consult widely before detailed proposals are put to the Administrator.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what percentage of Railtrack's shareholders hold less than (a) 5,000 and (b) 1,000 shares. [8780]

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information he has on the number of railway employees who hold shares in Railtrack. [8945]

My Department does not hold such information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has held with the Credit Rating Agency in relation to Railtrack. [9001]

My right hon. Friend has held no such discussions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will create a right of appeal against the grant of planning consent in respect of large-scale schemes of local concern; and if he will make a statement. [8666]

Local people already have the opportunity to comment on proposals for large-scale and other schemes before the local planning authority decides whether or not to grant planning permission. Our forthcoming Planning Green Paper will look at ways of improving community engagement in the planning process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the future of Thameslink 2000. [8665]

The Government are keen to ensure that the Thameslink 2000 project should not be put at risk by Railtrack being taken into administration. We are discussing with the administrators and the Strategic Rail Authority the best way of ensuring that the project can be carried forward if the enabling powers are granted under the Transport and Works Act 1992. A public inquiry into Railtrack's application for an order under the 1992 Act finished earlier this year and the inspector's report is expected next spring. My hon. Friend will understand that I cannot pre-judge the outcome of the inquiry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was (a) the number of homeless priority acceptances, (b) the number of those living in temporary accommodation, (c) the number of those living in bed-and-breakfast accommodation and (d) the number of children living in homeless households, by region, in each year since 1997. [8956]

Summary information on activity under statutory homelessness provisions is reported to the Department by local authorities in England. This includes the number of households accepted under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts as being eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and the number of those households resident in various types of temporary accommodation at the end of each quarter.

National and some regional information on local authorities' activity is provided in a quarterly Statistical Release published by the Department. Copies are available in the Library, and also via the Department's website. The latest edition, published on 12 September, presents statistics up to the end of June 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish figures for the level of empty council housing, by local authority in England, in (a) 1997 and (b) 2001 to date; and if he will make a statement on the Government's plans to reduce the level of empty council housing. [8959]

I have placed the information requested in the Library. It presents data showing the level of empty council housing by local authority as at 1 April 1997 and 1 April 2000 (the latest available) respectively.

We expect those housing authorities with high levels of vacant properties to set challenging targets for reductions through improved management performance or action to improve or dispose of unpopular stock in the Business Plans they are now required to produce.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans his Department has to reduce the (a) number and (b) scope of executive agencies affiliated to his Department. [9126]

We have no current plans to reduce the number or scope of this Department's executive agencies. All agencies are subject to review, including five yearly reviews in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines, which examine their status and work. The outcome of such reviews are announced to Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans his Department has to decentralise non-departmental public bodies and devolve their responsibilities to local authorities. [8958]

We have no current plans to reduce the number or scope of the non-departmental public bodies sponsored by this Department. All such bodies are subject to review, including to five yearly reviews in accordance with Cabinet Office guidelines, which examine their status and work. The outcome of such reviews are announced to Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to increase safety on riverboats travelling on the River Thames; and if he will make a statement. [8961]

Inquiries chaired by Lord Justice Clarke have produced 74 wide-ranging recommendations for improving safety on the tidal Thames. The recommendations are being pursued through a mixture of primary and secondary legislation, administrative action and voluntary agreement. I shall shortly be placing in the Libraries of both Houses an updated summary of the action taken on each recommendation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact of the change in administration at Railtrack on the future of rail investment in Wales. [8779]

The Administrator has been funded so as to permit him to continue work on Railtrack's projects. Contractors have been asked to continue normal working; and Railtrack in administration will continue to place orders and let contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which organisations will be included to represent Welsh interests in the company which is being considered as a replacement for Railtrack. [8778]

It is too early to be precise about representation in the proposed company limited by guarantee. The Government have indicated their desire that the membership of the proposed company should be predominantly private sector and that it should also reflect stakeholder interests as far as possible. We will consult on our proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the press notices issued by his Department on each day between 10 September and 10 October. [8950]

I have arranged for a list to be placed in the Libraries of the House.Thirty eight press releases were issued by Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions between 10 September and 10 October 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the press notices issued by his predecessors on each day between 10 September and 10 October 2000 on subjects which are the responsibility of his Department. [8951]

I have arranged for a list to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Thirty two press releases on subjects for which DTLR is currently responsible were issued by Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions between 10 September and 10 October 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to list the press releases authorised by each Minister in his Department. [9141]

[holding answer 19 October 2001]: I have arranged for a list to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Fifty nine press releases were issued by Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions since 11 September 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the capital projects which will be inherited from Railtrack plc by its successor company, stating when each will be completed. [8953]

The Administrator has been funded so as to permit him to continue work on Railtrack's projects. Contractors have been asked to continue normal working; and Railtrack in administration will continue to place orders and let contracts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he authorised the publication of the DTLR press release on (a) councillor allowances and (b) councillor pensions and the regional planning internal advice guidance for the south-west on 12 September; and what conversations he had with his special adviser, Jo Moore, concerning the publication of those press notices. [9192]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 98W, and to the answer I have given today.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will ensure that if any UK carrier in receipt of state aid following 11 September has withdrawn services to a UK regional airport from either Heathrow or Gatwick, the slots used for such services will be given to an operator that is prepared to operate the route; and if he will make a statement. [9354]

No UK airline has received direct Government subsidies. Short-term assistance was provided to UK airlines only when the insurance market summarily limited third party war risks insurance. Without the temporary Government cover all airlines would have effectively been grounded. Slot allocation is the responsibility of an independent co-ordinator, Airport Co-ordination Ltd. (ACL) and is subject to EU Regulation 95/93.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will meet the cost of security charges at UK airports; if the Government will continue to provide UK airlines with war risk insurance cover beyond the original 30 day period; and if he will make a statement. [9347]

The question of meeting the cost of security charges is under consideration. The Government will provide UK airlines with war risk insurance cover for a further 30 day period and will review the position towards the end of that period. This was announced in a press release by HM Treasury on 22 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) when the Government office for the south-west completed the final draft of the final Regional Planning Guidance for the south-west; [9139](2) if he will make a statement on the timing of the publication of the final Regional Planning Guidance for the south-west. [9138]

[holding answer 19 October 2001]: I agreed the final text of the Regional Planning Guidance for the south-west on 1 August and at the same time agreed the proposed publication date of 5 September. As a result of production delays in the Stationery Office it became clear before the end of August that printed copies would not be ready in time. As a consequence it was agreed at that point to delay publication until 12 September. Copies were finally received in the Government office for the south-west on 10 September; these were posted to all participants in the Public Examination and other key regional stakeholders on the morning of 11 September in advance of the formal publication on the next day.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in each year since 1995 what the total value of Government assistance and subsidy was for (a) London Underground running costs, (b) London Underground capital costs, (c) London Transport, (d) each of the rail operators and (e) Railtrack; and if he will make a statement. [6950]

With regard to (a), (b) and (c), I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the then Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Keith Hill), to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 8 May 2001, Official Report, column 24W.With regard to

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will estimate total staff costs for his Department and its agencies by nation and region of the UK; and if he will make a statement. [6799]

I should like to refer to the existing publication "Civil Service Statistics 2000", published on 31 August 2001, specifically to Table G (page 46). This gives an overall figure of staff, by salary band as at 1 April 2000, for the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR(C)) and its agencies before the machinery of Government changes. A copy of this already resides in the House of Commons Library. I am unable to give a more detailed breakdown by region as the information is not held in this form. Following the machinery of Government changes we are budgeting for approximately £336.2m expenditure on staff costs for the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR(C)) and its Agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans his Department has for changing the area cost adjustment formula for local authorities. [8164]

We are looking at a range of options for the area cost adjustment as part of our current review of the grant distribution formulae. We are actively involving local government in this process. We have not yet reached conclusions on the best way forward, and the Government will consult widely before taking final decisions. Any change to the area cost adjustment would be implemented in the 2003–04 local government finance settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 16 July 2001, Official Report, column 19W, on PFI, what the average saving is under PFI contracts awarded; and in which projects his Department has identified mistakes in the calculation of the public sector comparator after a PFI contract has been signed. [8141]

PPP/PFI deals go ahead only where they demonstrate clear value for money against a public sector comparator. The last survey, which was carried out by Arthur Andersen and the LSE, identified 17 per cent. savings by PPPs against a conventional public sector procurement. However, specific information about savings in PFI contracts can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects all London Underground trains to have air conditioning. [9115]

This is a matter for London Underground Ltd. Installing air conditioning on the Underground would be highly challenging, as most of the network is over 100 years old and was not designed to accommodate the bulky equipment necessary. As well as work on trains, air conditioning would require equipping many stations. However, new technology is being explored and the case for air conditioning, or for other means to provide a better travelling environment, is being reviewed by London Underground. Until this work is completed it is not possible to announce a time scale for equipping trains with air conditioning. In the meantime, the modernisation contracts require all new and refurbished trains to have improved airflow and ventilation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information he has collated on the number of building and maintenance departments of local authorities which have been externalised since the introduction of best value; if he will list the local authorities concerned and indicate (a) how many employees are involved (i) in each case and (ii) overall and (b) the name of the contractor who has taken over the delivery of those services in each case; and if he will make a statement. [9113]

This information is not held centrally. Local authorities have to report the outcome of best value reviews in their Best Value Performance Plans, but no co-ordination of these references has taken place, either on building maintenance or on any other work. The Best Value Inspectorate of the Audit Commission will consider whether the outcome of any particular review is likely to represent best value.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects (a) Crossrail, (b) Thameslink 2000 and (c) the west coast main line to be completed. [8993]

The Government, with the Mayor and the Strategic Rail Authority, have commissioned project definition work on an east-west London rail link, often known as Crossrail. This is looking into possible routes and service patterns. At this stage it is too early to say when such a scheme, if it were to receive the necessary approvals, could be completed; the earliest date is late 2010.The Thameslink 2000 proposal is dependent on powers being granted under the Transport and Works Act 1992. The public inquiry into the scheme finished earlier this year, and the Inspector's report is expected next spring. If the scheme is approved, the earliest date that it could be operational is late 2007.At present, phase 1 of the west coast main line project is expected to be completed in 2002–3. Some elements of phase 2 of the project are dependent on powers being granted under the Transport and Works Act and are the subject of public inquiries. If powers are given for these elements of the project, the principal outputs of phase 2 could be completed in 2005, and the work could be fully completed by 2007. However, in recent discussions with Railtrack about its financial position, the company indicated that these dates are subject to some uncertainty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recommendations he has received from the Strategic Rail Authority about the level of investment needed to modernise the rail network. [8995]

The Strategic Rail Authority are due to publish their Strategic Plan by the end of November. The Strategic Plan will set out their priorities for enhancement to the network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance he has issued to transport authorities regarding the safe number of hours for urban bus drivers to work without a break. [8671]

Most urban bus drivers are subject to the UK drivers' hours rules. These rules, including the break requirements, are explained in a guide book issued by my Department entitled "Drivers' Hours and Tachograph Rules for Road Passenger Vehicles in the UK and Europe (PSV375)" which can be obtained free of charge from the Area Offices of the Vehicle Inspectorate or downloaded from the Departmental website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the reliability and punctuality of train services between Worcester and Birmingham via Droitwich Spa; and if he will make a statement. [8985]

Performance statistics published by the Strategic Rail Authority show that 76.3 per cent. of Central Trains services arrived on time during the period 24 June to 21 July. This is a combined punctuality and reliability assessment. Services are deemed punctual if they arrived at their destination within five minutes of the timetable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with the Greater London Authority in the last six months regarding (a) the financial settlement for London and (b) the GLA precept on council tax; and if he will make a statement. [8954]

I and my ministerial colleagues have regular meetings with the Mayor to discuss many issues about London, including the financial settlement for the capital. The level of precept levied by the Greater London Authority is a matter for the Mayor and Assembly to discuss in their budget setting process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to introduce legislation to license houses in multiple occupation. [8717]

The Government have a long-established commitment to legislate for the licensing of houses in multiple occupation. Our plans for legislation are well in hand following consultations on HMO licensing and a new Housing Health and Safety Rating System to replace the current fitness regime. We envisage that the proposed legislation will extend to the Selective Licensing of Landlords in areas of low housing demand—on which we have just issued a consultation document.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action he is taking to encourage graduate recruitment in local government. [8637]

Local government plays a key role in delivering our public services, and the quality of its staff is critical to successful outcomes.The DTLR provides funding and support for the Local Government Employers' Organisation (EO) and the Local Government National Training Organisation (LGNTO). These organisations provide a number of products aimed at recruiting graduates, including:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those local authorities which have byelaws which prohibit public drinking; how many interventions there have been by the police; and how many successful prosecutions arising from these interventions have been recorded in each of these local authority areas in each year since the introduction of the byelaw. [9108]

The local authorities that have bye-laws to regulate the consumption of intoxicating liquor in designated places are listed. Information as to police interventions or prosecutions is not held centrally.

Byelaws—consumption of intoxicating liquor in designated places (118 authorities have adopted the alcohol byelaw as at 8 August 2001)
Local authority	Operative date of bye-law
Alnwick district council	27 June 1998
Amber Valley borough council	11 May 2000
Barrow-in-Furness borough council	8 July 1998
Basingstoke and Deane borough council	1 October 1996
Bath city council	15 March 1991
Bedford borough council	15 July 1994
Berwick-upon-Tweed borough council	10 June 2000
Bodmin town council	5 May 1999
Bolton metropolitan borough council	2 August 1993
Bournemouth borough council	23 November 1995

Byelaws—consumption of intoxicating liquor in designated places (118 authorities have adopted the alcohol byelaw as at 8 August 2001)
Local authority	Operative date of bye-law
Blackpool borough council	1 June 1998
Blaenau Gwent county borough	6 June 1997
Breckland district council	14 January 2000
Brighton and Hove council	23 August 2001
Calderdale borough council	22 June 2001
Canterbury city council	1 February 1998
Caradon district council	4 August 1995
Caerphilly county borough council	9 November 1998
Carrick district council	30 December 1995
Cheltenham borough council	1 August 1994
Chester city council	26 April 1991
Conwy county borough council	28 June 1999
Corby district council	20 July 1992
Coventry city council	1 November 1990
Derby city council	7 August 1995
Devizes town council	14 February 1998
Dover district council	26 September 1999
Dunstable town council	20 October 1997
Easington district council	27 January 1998
	10 August 2001
East Devon district council	9 March 2000
	22 June 2001
Eden district council	31 August 2000
Edmundsbury borough council	22 December 1997
Exeter city council	1 April 1995
Falmouth town council	30 December 1995
Farringdon town council	6 March 2000
Gloucester city council	4 August 2000
Guildford borough council	9 April 2000
Halton borough council	1 March 2001
Hastings borough council	25 August 2000
Harlow district council	6 March 2000
Hart district council	2 March 1998
Hartlepool borough council	14 August 1995
Hereford city council	22 June 1992
Kennet district council	1 November 1996
Kerrier district council	30 October 2000
Kettering borough council	13 August 1999
Lancaster city council	12 May 2000
Leeds city council	18 May 2001
Liverpool city council	27 March 2000
	14 July 2000
London borough of Lambeth	1 February 1999
Ludlow town council	1 August 1994
Luton borough council	21 January 1999
Malvern Hills district council	26 March 1998
Manchester city council	4 August 2000
Market Lavington parish council	20 April 2000
Market Raisen town council	30 September 1996
Maulden parish council	19 June 1997
Melbourne parish council	8 July 1998
Mendip district council	24 August 1992
Newbury district council	5 February 1997
Newcastle city council	9 August 2001
Newport county borough council	3 November 1997
Nottingham city council	8 January 2000
North Cornwall district council	5 May 1999
North Devon district council	19 May 1997
North East Lincolnshire district council	6 October 1997
North Somerset council	29 October 1998
North Tyneside borough council	24 May 1993
North West Leicestershire district council	2 January 1998
North Yorkshire county council	7 August 1995
Norwich city council	16 December 1996
Pembury parish council	26 February 1998
Penwith district council	1 February 1994
Peterborough city council	15 January 1997
Plymouth, City of	1 December 1997
	13 June 2001
Pulloxhill parish council	18 November 2000

Byelaws—consumption of intoxicating liquor in designated places (118 authorities have adopted the alcohol byelaw as at 8 August 2001)
Local authority	Operative date of bye-law
Redcar and Cleveland borough council	18 December 1996
Redditch borough council	23 April 1997
Restormel borough council	18 March 1991
Rhondda Cynon Taf county borough council	21 January 1997
Rushmoor borough council	14 November 1991
Salisbury district council	1 July 1993
Scarborough borough council	12 March 1991
Sevenoaks town council	25 October 1993
Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council	16 February 2001
Somerton parish council	14 May 1999
South Bedfordshire district council	20 October 1997
South Derbyshire district council	1 August 1997
South Shropshire district council	29 July 1998
South Tyneside metropolitan borough council	29 July 1998
Southend-on-Sea borough council	26 June 1997
South Hams district council	24 August 1996
South Herefordshire district council	1 January 1998
South Shropshire district council	1 August 1994
South Lakeland district council	1 December 1996
Slough borough council	16 October 1999
Stockton-on-Tees borough council	30 May 1991
Stotfold town council	15 January 1998
St. Albans city council	30 May 1998
Suffolk coastal district	1 October 1997
Sunderland, City of	24 March 1997
Tameside metropolitan borough council	16 April 1999
Tamworth borough council	10 July 1998
Taunton Dean borough council	4 January 2000
Teignbridge district council	7 September 1992
Torbay district council	10 April 1995
Truro city council	30 December 1995
Tynedale district council	5 August 1999
Vale of White Horse district council	4 February 2000
Warwick district council	1 June 1995
West Wiltshire district council	17 December 1999
Weymouth and Portland borough council	5 June 2000
Windsor and Maidenhead, Royal Borough of	20 March 2001
Wirral, metropolitan borough of	3 December 1999
Woking borough council	29 May 1998
Worcester city council	17 May 1998
Wychavon district council	1 February 1997
Yarm town council	1 December 1995

Where two dates are shown against an authority's name, two separate alcohol byelaws are in operation in that authority's area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what has been the impact on safety in the construction industry of the Safety Summit; if she will make a statement on progress and plans in this area; what priority the Government accords to improving construction safety; and if she will make a statement. [9114]

The Government remain committed to ensuring that the construction industry achieves a step change in its health and safety performance. At the Summit in February the industry adopted challenging targets to achieve this improvement, and through its various representative organisations published action plans to deliver those targets. At the Revitalising Heath and Safety in Construction Conference in London on 18 October the industry reviewed progress, and debated how to maintain the momentum of turning concern into positive action. The Summit was always recognised as the start of a long process and this recent conference was one step along the way. It is too early to judge whether the undoubted activity taking place with action plans will achieve results in terms of the targets industry has set itself, but Ministers maintain an active interest and have asked to be kept informed of developments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions officials have had with Nottingham city council to discuss the speeding up of the process for eviction of antisocial tenants; and if he will make a statement. [9473]

My officials met Nottingham city council on 11 October to discuss possible approaches for speeding up the process of eviction of antisocial tenants. As part of taking this area of work forward they are setting up similar discussions with other local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when his Department will publish the decision on the planning inquiry for Terminal 5 at Heathrow; and if he will make a statement. [9359]

The decision on the planning inquiry for Terminal 5 at Heathrow will be published as soon as possible, consistent with full and careful consideration of the Inquiry Inspector's Report, the results of the recent consultation on BAA's revised proposals for the diversion of two rivers around the proposed Terminal 5 site and other post-inquiry representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will extend the remit of the Local Government Ombudsman to cover parish and town councils. [9251]

We have no plans to bring parish councils within the jurisdiction of the Local Government Ombudsman. In the case of parish councils there is a direct line of accountability provided by the right of local electors to raise any concerns about the business or conduct of their parish council at the annual public meeting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the re-franchising of railway services operating on the Cotswold line between Oxford and Worcester. [9503]

Oxford-Worcester services are predominantly provided by Thames Trains. The current franchise is not due to expire until April 2004. On 16 July the Secretary of State asked the Strategic Rail Authority to consider how improvements for passengers could be secured within existing franchises, or by negotiating short extensions. The Strategic Rail Authority has reviewed its franchise replacement programme in light of that statement and will announce its plans as agreed with Ministers in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what initiatives he has taken to (a) renovate and (b) clear decaying private sector housing stock in (i) England and (ii) east Lancashire since 1997. [9388]

The responsibility for renovating or clearing decaying private sector housing lies primarily with local housing authorities. But in our Housing Policy Statement "The Way Forward for Housing", published last April, we set out a number of ways in which local housing authorities may make better use of their powers."The Way Forward for Housing" announced relaxations to the rules governing the declaration of renewal areas and group repair schemes. These came into force immediately. The Housing Policy Statement also set out major new changes to allow authorities far greater freedom in renovating or clearing private sector stock. Subject to parliamentary approval of an order under the Regulatory Reform Act 2001, local authorities will be given a new general power replacing the present detailed grant regimes. These reforms, planned to come into force in 2002, will broaden authorities' present loan-giving powers, enable payments to be made to third parties to lever in private finance, and enable help to be offered to people to move to a new home as an option to renovating their existing one.These reforms are in addition to a wide range of regeneration programmes pursued by this Government, including the Single Regeneration Budget, the New Deal for Communities and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund which can be used for decaying private sector housing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many ministerial decisions were made where authority for the same derived from the royal prerogative for the most recent calendar month for which information is available. [9372]

Records are not kept of the individual occasions on which powers under the royal prerogative are exercised nor could it be practicable to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects GoVia to take over the South Central rail franchise. [9066]

The Strategic Rail Authority announced the transfer of the South Central franchise to GoVia on 24 August. Negotiations are continuing between the two parties to put in place a new 20 year franchise as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he made of the impact on the timetable and content of GoVia's recently awarded franchise and the timetable and content of GoVia's proposed new franchise of his decision on Railtrack before the announcements on its future. [9895]

The current condition of the rail network and the need for investment are clearly relevant to the future of the South Central franchise, and my right hon. Friend's announcement was intended to pave the way for those issues to be better addressed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list (a) the promotional material relating to airport security prepared by his Department, its predecessors or agencies offered for potential broadcast on TV, radio or in cinemas since 11 September, indicating which have been broadcast by whom and when and (b) programmes, companies and organisations which have refused to broadcast such material; and if he will make a statement. [9467]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: No such material has been offered for potential broadcast on TV, radio or in cinemas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will publish the report he commissioned on the impact of the Government's area-based initiatives. [9856]

I anticipate the report on "Collaboration and co-ordination in area-based initiatives" will be published in mid to late December 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the decision made after the events of 11 September to re-route flights away from central London. [8306]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: Following the tragic events in USA on 11 September, the Government took immediate steps to restrict flying over the United Kingdom as a precautionary measure while the new terrorist threat was evaluated. Two Restriction of Flying Orders were put in place. These measures were kept under constant review and as a consequence there was a gradual relaxation of restrictions. The first order banning all general aviation flying was lifted at midnight on Wednesday 12 September. The second order banning flights over central London was amended at midnight on 13 September to reduce the amount of London airspace restricted and enable London City airport to reopen (while still protecting central London including Canary wharf). Although this order lapsed at midnight on Saturday 16 September the Government continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to impose further restrictions should they become necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the responses to the consultation paper on development of the needs indices, used in the allocation of housing capital resources to local authorities and registered social landlords, will be published. [9903]

The responses received, which total around 80, are currently being analysed. They will be available for MPs and others to see when the announcement is made on how the proposals for changes to the needs indices will be taken forward. This announcement will be made shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) how many sets of traffic lights there were on West Quay road, Southampton, between Mountbatten way and Weston Esplanade in (a) October 2001 and (b) 1997 for (i) westbound and (ii)) eastbound traffic; [9783](2) what the average journey time was for

These are issues for Southampton city council to answer, as local planning authority and local transport authority. I have asked the council to write to the hon. Member. The Secretary of State does not approve local plans. They are adopted by the local planning authority, following a public inquiry. It is for local authorities preparing development plans to ensure they consult all those with an interest in the plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the Chief Executive, RAF Personnel Management Agency for financial year 2001–02. [10240]

Key Targets have been set for the RAF Personnel Management Agency for the financial year 2001–02 and are as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what key targets have been set for the chief executive, Training Group Defence Agency for financial year 2001–02. [10241]

	Target
Key Target 1: Training Output1
KT1a: Quantity of Output (ab initio flying training)
Fast Jet Pilots	65
Multi-Engine Pilots	57
Rotary Wing Pilots	33
Fast Jet Navigators	28
Multi-Engine Navigators	9
Rotary Wing Navigators	10
Airman Aircrew	104
KT1b: Quantity of Output (ab initio ground training)
Officer Initial Specialist Training	273
RAF Tradesman Training	2,167
RAF Regiment Gunner Training	282
Key Target 2: Training Places2
KT2a: Training Places (Flying)
Flying Training Courses—RN	202
Flying Training Courses—Army	374
RAF Flying Instructor Courses	150
RAF Refresher and Orientation Courses	170
RAF Specialist and Operational Courses	240
Flying Training (F&C)	92
KT2b: Training Places (Ground)
Pre-Employment Training	18,791
Career Development Training	7,106
Key Target 3: Quality of Output
Satisfaction with the quality of graduate trainees as measured by the Agency's customer satisfaction matrix:
Reports from the Aircrew Training Standards Sub-Committees Quantitative reports from the Owners' Customer Advisory Committee Quantitative reports on the satisfaction level of graduate trainees	Satisfactory rating
Key Target 4: Cost Management
Output based management		Deliver an Agency wide prototype of the planned financial management and accounting system
Key Target 5: Efficiency
KT5a—Efficiency Index	Deliver an Agency wide prototype of the planned financial management and accounting system to include efficiency
KT5b—Efficiency Savings	Deliver the savings (£4.399 million) that accrue from planned efficiencies
1 The number of RAF trainees who graduate
2 The number of training course places provided

Key Targets have been set for the chief executive of the Training Group Defence Agency for the financial year 2001–02 and are as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what quantities of intermediate and low level nuclear waste are stored at (a) HMNB Clyde Faslane, (b) the Rosyth Royal Naval Base, (c) Dounreay and (d) the Chapelcross Tritium Processing Plant. [9199]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: Quantities of intermediate and low level radioactive waste currently stored at HMNB Clyde; Rosyth Dockyard (a nuclear licensed site operated by Babcock Rosyth Defence Ltd.); the Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment, Dounreay; and the Chapel Cross Tritium Processing Plant are as follows:

	Quantity
Intermediate level waste
HMNB Clyde	nil
Rosyth Dockyard	38.86m3
Vulcan NRTE, Dounreay	5.06m3
Chapel Cross Tritium Process Plant	11.14m3
Low level waste
HMNB Clyde	16m3
Rosyth Dockyard	74m3
Vulcan NRTE, Dounreay	nil
Chapel Cross Tritium Processing Plant	32.26m3

Full details of MOD radioactive waste are published in the NIREX United Kingdom Radioactive Waste Inventory which is available through their website www.nirex.co.uk. The 2001 inventory is currently being compiled and is expected to be published in spring next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what recent representations he has received regarding the availability and adequacy of assistance being afforded to the NHS by his Department in respect of preparations to deal with a chemical or biological attack; [9539](2) what recent assistance has been sought by the NHS from his Department in order to prepare for a chemical or biological attack; [9542](3) what assistance and expertise is being afforded to the NHS concerning preparations to treat victims of chemical and biological attack. [9540]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: I am not aware of any representations specifically on the issue of availability and adequacy of assistance being afforded to the NHS by my Department regarding preparations to deal with a chemical or biological attack.To date, there have been no chemical or biological attacks on the UK although a number of suspect packages have been identified. The Department of Health (DoH) has responsibility for the effect on public health of any attack, should it occur. The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the DoH and other Government Departments and agencies, all of whom would contribute advice and expertise to any response to a chemical or biological attack or the consequent management of such an attack.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) establishment and (b) strength is of each Territorial Infantry Battalion; and if he will make a statement. [R][9673]

The latest available official figures as at 1 July show the establishment and strength of each Territorial Army Infantry Battalion as follows:

Territorial Army Infantry Battalion	Establishment	Strength
51 Highland Regiment	637	724
52 Lowland Regiment	454	436
3 Prince of Wales Royal Regiment	358	345
Royal Rifle Volunteers	455	462
London Regiment	612	606
Lancastrian and Cumbrian Volunteers	422	421
Tyne Tees Regiment	553	632
West Midlands Regiment	550	499
Kings and Cheshire Regiment	454	464
East of England Regiment	549	649
Rifle Volunteers	550	548
East and West Riding Regiment	519	538
Royal Welsh Regiment	457	413
Rangers	240	230
4 Parachute Regiment	324	454

The hon. Member will note that the strength figures are healthy—matching or exceeding the establishment in more than half of the battalions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if soldiers in the Territorial Army are designated casual workers in respect of pension entitlement. [R][9391]

The term "casual workers" is not used by the armed forces, and soldiers in the Territorial Army (TA) have not been formally designated as such. However, members of the TA are not eligible for membership of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme because of the terms of their employment. In the part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000 service in the TA (as set out under sections 22 and 27 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996) is specifically excluded.None the less, since 8 October 2001 members of the TA have had the option of joining the Armed Forces Stakeholder Pension Plan. The Ministry of Defence has designated. Scottish Widows plc to provide this facility to all eligible members of the armed forces. MOD and Scottish Widows are involved in an exercise to inform all members of the armed forces of this new facility.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what support he will provide to the armed forces so that they do not suffer from overstretch. [8423]

We remain determined to balance operational commitments. We will commit personnel to operations for no longer than is necessary to achieve the military aim. Recent operations in Macedonia demonstrated this well. We are introducing systems to monitor the amount of separated service undertaken by each individual in the armed forces which will help us to target our efforts on the most hard-pressed branches and trades. For operations overseas, a new and comprehensive package of welfare support was introduced worldwide in April 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the threat from the use of genetically modified organisms for biological warfare purposes. [8623]

We continuously monitor all threats to the UK and our armed forces. We judge there is currently no specific threat from biological warfare using genetically modified organisms. We are, of course, aware that biological warfare agents can be modified by methods such as genetic manipulation; such factors are taken into account in formulating our approach to biological defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the Otterburn public inquiry report; and when the approvals for the future development of the training area will be given. [9269]

I welcome the announcement of 4 October 2001 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) that he is minded to agree the development of Otterburn Training Area.We have now examined the detail of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's letter and the report and are content with them. We have therefore responded accordingly to the Government Office for the North East.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will announce the outcome of the review of his Department's retirement age policy. [9648]

We expect to conclude our review and make an announcement about its outcome before Christmas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the possible uses of depleted uranium in respect of British Forces' engagements in the conflict in Afghanistan. [8238]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: No British forces currently engaged in operations around Afghanistan are armed with depleted uranium ammunition. However, we do not rule out the use of depleted uranium ammunition in Afghanistan, should its penetrative capability be judged necessary in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with US counterparts regarding the implementation and capability of the US Domestic Preparedness Programme. [R][9670]

The Ministry of Defence has, for a number of years, actively engaged with the US Administration on all aspects of homeland security. Following the events of September 11, we have continued our regular dialogue and have made clear that we stand ready to assist should the US require our help.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the future of the integrated inquiry service; how much has been spent on the system; and if he will make a statement. [7475]

The integrated inquiry service project was established to examine the feasibility of providing local authorities which administer housing benefit with wider access to the Department's benefit data. This would build on the existing data available through remote access terminals linking local authorities to the Department systems. Our aim is to speed up the processing of claims and improve customer service by reducing authorities' dependence on clerical processes.A software application was developed by the project and tested in seven local authorities at an estimated cost of £800,000. An evaluation of these trials showed that there remained substantial technical problems to overcome before the tested application could satisfy the Department's and local authorities' business requirements. No assured solutions to these problems could be identified and we have therefore closed the project.We have commissioned a study to explore the feasibility of an alternative solution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the relative sales of (a) stakeholder pensions and (b) personal pensions in the first quarter of this financial year; and if he will make a statement. [8965]

Figures from the Association of British Insurers show that 535,000 single premium and regular premium pensions were sold in the April-June quarter of 2001, of which over 200,000 were stakeholder pensions. The volume of regular premium pensions sold represented an increase of 55 per cent. over the same period last year, and the volume of single premium pensions sold represented an increase of 192 per cent. over the same period last year.Initial indications are that stakeholder pensions have made an encouraging start and that they are also helping to increase the overall coverage of private pensions provision, but it will be some time before the impact becomes clear.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many ministerial decisions were made where authority for the same derived from the royal prerogative for the most recent calendar month for which information is available. [9365]

Records are not kept of individual occasions on which powers under the royal prerogative are exercised nor could it be practicable to do so.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the comparative values of pension funds of typical 60-year-old males each year since 1997, in cash and real terms. [9950]

There are no available data on comparative values of pension funds of 'typical' 60-year-old males.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Blyth Valley district council. [10553]

The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report was published today in respect of Blyth Valley district council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.The BFI first inspected Blyth Valley district council in October 1999 and found significant weaknesses in the administration of Housing and Council Tax Benefit and counter fraud work. At its follow-up inspection, in April 2001, inspectors confirmed substantial improvements, with progress and developments in the vast majority of areas.The report notes that through the commitment and enthusiasm of members, managers and staff, the council has achieved a significant improvement in performance in combating fraud and error. This is highlighted by the fact that 42 of the 44 recommendations from the first report have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented.Inspectors consider that benefits administration and overpayment recovery now has the necessary resources and management information in place to enable the council to deliver an effective service, while the implementation of a comprehensive checking regime has enabled the council to identify and focus on priority issues and proactively manage its operations.The council has addressed the main issues identified in BFI's first report concerning its counter fraud activities. However, BFI considers it has focused too heavily on claiming Weekly Benefit Savings. It is now moving to a more sanction and deterrence based operation. As its Weekly Benefit Savings claims are fairly accurate, inspectors conclude there is a sound basis for this move, which will ensure the council provides a value-for-money deterrent to fraud.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Kerrier district council. [10552]

The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report was published today in respect of Kerrier district council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.During the inspection the council was implementing a new management structure and inspectors found a positive improvement in performance as a result. At the time of inspection, BFI found the longstanding backlog of work was significantly reduced.The report notes the standard of evidence in support of claims was variable. The council has now introduced the Verification Framework, which should address some of the previous weaknesses but inspectors consider management checking needs to be improved to underpin this.Inspectors report that the council failed to make payments of benefit on account where this was required and consider that improvements need to be made in the risk management of Housing Benefit claims, including the use of shorter benefit periods.BFI found evidence of improved performance in the work being carried out by fraud staff including tighter systems and management controls of investigation work. Inspectors found the council had implemented new procedures and set up a dedicated team resulting in high levels of overpayment recovery.The report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as its counter fraud activities.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea. [10554]

The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of the Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea was published on 21 August 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.BFI inspectors consider the standard of customer service provided by the council to those claiming benefit to be very good. Efforts are made to ensure that those who may be able to claim are identified and the council deals quickly with benefit callers. A customer satisfaction survey in July 2000 revealed an overall level of satisfaction of 82 per cent.Inspectors found no backlogs of work with 95 per cent. of claims paid within the timescale required by legislation. The BFI report notes that there is a high level of payment accuracy. The council is introducing the Verification Framework in stages to avoid a negative impact on performance.The report notes that the effectiveness of the management checks could be further improved if extended to cover all aspects of benefit processing.A number of weaknesses in the management and investigation of fraud work were identified by inspectors, but the report notes the council has recently taken steps to address these and has a good record of applying sanctions to those committing fraud.The BFI's report includes recommendations to help the council further improve its administration and counter fraud activity for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the borough of Broxbourne. [10555]

The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of the borough of Broxbourne was published on 26 July 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.BFI's first inspection of the borough of Broxbourne in March 1998 found significant weaknesses in the administration of Housing and Council Tax Benefit and counter fraud work. The follow-up inspection, in October 2000, confirmed substantial progress and developments in many areas of work, although inspectors also found scope for further improvement.Inspectors consider the council's implementation of the Verification Framework has been comprehensive. BFI found the council improved public access to benefits information and assistance, and now has effective joint working with BA. The report notes, however, that the previous problems of backlogs of work and slow processing were still in evidence.Inspectors found that the council's IT system did not provide adequate information on the management of overpayments; however, the report does note that the council has made substantial progress in its administration of overpayments since the first BFI inspection.The report makes particular mention of the council's strong focus of counter fraud work on the quality of investigation and sanctions.Inspectors consider that the council has sufficient systems in place to ensure the effectiveness and quality of the housing benefit and council tax benefit administration and counter fraud work. The previous lack of monitoring of the contractor has improved and inspectors conclude the council now has effective monitoring mechanisms in place.The report notes that since the BFI's last inspection, Members have been taking a close interest in the progress of the Housing Benefit section.The BFI's report includes recommendations to help the council further improve its administration and counter fraud activity for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Three Rivers district council. [10551]

The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of Three Rivers district council was published on 23 August 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.The BFI report notes the council has been working towards meeting the standards of the Verification Framework since February 2000. BFI found that some areas of verification of claims were good, although inspectors identified other areas that needed improvement.The BFI report notes the council's counter fraud activity is effective, with a well-resourced fraud team. As a result, it is able to produce high quality investigations. In contrast, the housing benefit team does not have enough staff to meet customer expectations.Inspectors consider that the introduction of the Customer Services Centre did not help the performance of the Housing Benefit team as anticipated. The team is also hindered by poor management information.The council has taken steps to improve overpayments collection by utilising the debtors' module of its benefits system.Overall BFI concludes that the council have done much to eradicate fraud, but needs to improve the verification of claims and recovery of Housing Benefit overpayments. The council is planning to address a number of the weaknesses identified in the report and demonstrated its commitment to improve the administration of HB and CTB in Three Rivers district council.The BFI's report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration and counter fraud activity of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of East Lothian council. [10549]

The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of the East Lothian council was published on 18 September 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library. This is the second report on East Lothian council by BFI.The BFI expressed major concern with the lack of demonstrable commitment at senior manager level to address issues highlighted by the first BFI inspection. Relatively few of the major recommendations from the first inspection had been fully implemented in areas such as the provision of management information, system security and overpayment recovery where long standing weaknesses were identified.The report finds the council had made little or no attempt to tackle serious shortcomings in benefit administration. Inspectors found that it was extremely difficult to assess performance in benefit administration and overpayment management because the council was unable to provide any reliable data for the previous two financial years. Additionally, the BFI was particularly concerned that a number of matters which had been reported to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) (formerly Department of Social Security) as having been addressed were still found to be problematical. In particular, the report finds little evidence of sustained improvement in the council's strategic and operational management.The report recognises that some definite improvements have been made in areas such as day-to-day claims processing and fraud investigation. Also there is praise for the commitment of front line staff.The report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as its counter fraud activities.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the London borough of Haringey. [10548]

The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of the London borough of Haringey was published on 18 September 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.Inspectors report that the council has made considerable improvements in many areas, particularly in re-designing processes to improve performance. Quality improvements have been less dramatic and the report recommends that the council should now focus on these areas to make further gains in the effectiveness and security of its service.The speed of processing new claims was found to be very good but weaknesses in verifying evidence were identified and a similar pattern was found with renewal claims.The council's counter-fraud efforts are meeting with some success but inspectors consider further work is needed in controlling and recovering over-payments. The council had over £15 million in benefit over-payment debt which, at the time of the inspectors' visit, was continuing to rise. The report notes that there was evidence that serious efforts were being made to recover this. The Report makes recommendations that, when implemented, will strengthen these.The report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as its counter fraud activities.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of the London borough of Bromley. [10547]

The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of the London borough of Bromley was published on 12 September 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.Inspectors report variable standards of claim verification and identify improvements needed in this area and on the speed of processing claims. The report recommends more rigorous management and controls to improve the quality and consistency of checking and to ensure that guidance is followed.The report notes that the council has a strong culture of probity at officer and Member level and that it recognises the need to draw together existing policies on probity into a single fraud and corruption policy. The BFI's findings show that Bromley's performance in tackling fraud was found to be ineffective in its organisation and investigation quality. A number of recommendations to tackle this are contained within the report.The report notes the council welcomed the inspection as an opportunity to review and improve its benefit operations. The council has expressed its commitment to improving the security and integrity of the benefits system and modernising all its services using e-govenment.Since the inspection, Bromley has begun to implement recommended changes, such as increasing staffing in the client unit. Full implementation of the recommendations contained in the report should enable it to build a more secure and efficient benefits system.The report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, as well as its counter fraud activities.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate into the Benefits Agency's closer working arrangements with local authorities. [10550]

The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report in respect of the Benefits Agency (BA) was published on 28 September 2001 and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.Inspectors report that their investigation took place at a time when significant changes were taking place in the organisation with the start of a major project to focus substantial resources on supporting the frontline delivery of services to customers. There was also a great deal of work underway to develop and improve the relationship with local authorities.BFI found areas where the BA needed to make improvements in order to ensure benefit payments were free from fraud and error. These include training BA staff in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit issues, improving the recovery of Housing Benefit overpayments, and better checking of identities and more effective exchange of information with local authority counter fraud staff.Inspectors consider there needs to be a higher profile on closer working with local authorities within BA.The report notes that changes made in BA should have a positive impact on counter fraud activity, especially the appointment of a Chief Investigation Officer and Head of Profession for counter fraud activity. The appointments should lead to a clearer strategic direction and raise the profile of closer working on counter fraud.Inspectors also consider the introduction of BA's Performance Improvement Action Teams to support equalisation of performance amongst BA offices should also have a positive impact on several of the areas of weakness identified in the report.We are determined that we take every measure to bear down on fraud and error and we want to ensure that the work of the best is duplicated right through the organisation.The report makes 49 recommendations to help the Benefits Agency address weaknesses and to improve its closer working arrangements with local authorities.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the Agency for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to enhance the role of regional development agencies. [9619]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is continuing the process of enhancement of the RDAs started last year with the announcement of additional funding, more spending flexibility and a stronger economic focus. Implementation culminates on 1 April 2002 when the RDAs' existing programmes are brought together into a single, broader and more flexible programme managed through testing outcome and output targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what decisions she has made about the future membership of the boards of the regional development agencies outside London. [10239]

I have decided to implement a rolling programme of appointments to avoid a situation in future where all board appointments end on a common date. In order to achieve this I have re-appointed around two thirds of the membership of each board for periods of one, two or three years and asked one third of board members to stand down. I have also taken steps to ensure that business representation is strengthened on the boards. I have placed details of re-appointments in the Library of both Houses. Interviews are now being held in each region to find new members who will be appointed for a period of three years.Decisions on re-appointments have been made following consultations with RDA chairmen and key national and regional players. A similar consultation exercise will be undertaken before new appointments are made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on which areas of the United Kingdom do not have access to broadband technologies. [9277]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: Broadband services via leased line or satellite are widely available around the country. Around 66 per cent. of the population are able to access cable, ADSL or wireless technologies. A geographical breakdown can be found in "UK Online: the broadband future", published in February 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans have been put forward by (a) the Scottish Executive, (b) the Welsh Assembly and (c) regional development agencies for the fund designed to develop innovative schemes to extend broadband networks. [9278]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: The devolved Administrations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, plus the English regional development agencies, are all in the process of developing action plans for the £30 million fund, consulting with the Government and local stakeholders. The plans will be announced in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans his Department has made to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the first successful wireless transmission across the Atlantic ocean to the Americas. [8714]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: There are a number of celebratory events planned to commemorate the sending of the first transatlantic wireless transmission that was made on 12 December 1901 from Poldhu in Cornwall to St. John's in Newfoundland, by Guglielmo Marconi. The Government fully back these events, and have been in regular contact with those involved to assist with the arrangements. We have been instrumental in securing agreement from Her Majesty The Queen that she will send a commemorative message, which will be transmitted by amateur radio between Poldhu and St. John's on 12 December using equipment donated by the Radiocommunications Agency. The Radiocommunications Agency has also produced a booklet, "100 Years of Radio 1901–2001", commemorating the achievement, highlighting developments in radio during the subsequent 100 years, including the agency's contribution to those developments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) Crown post offices and (b) sub-post offices have closed in Sussex in each of the last 10 years. [9769]

I understand from Consignia that data on the post office network are not held on a county basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects to make a decision on the Ilisu Dam project. [8309]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: No date has been set for a decision regarding ECGD support for the Ilisu Dam project.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 for 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 what assistance is available to businesses eligible for grants from the business recovery fund once the regional development agencies have utilised the initial funding made available. [7802]

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a £24 million extension to the business recovery fund on 18 October 2001. This will enable RDAs to help hard hit but viable rural businesses in the worst affected areas survive the difficult autumn and winter period by helping eligible small businesses to adapt, restructure, access new markets and invest as part of a business recovery plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proposals she has for introducing consistent financial reporting in the light of responses to the consultation issued by her Department on 30 March. [10238]

A consistent financial reporting framework for schools shall be introduced from April 2002, as proposed in the consultation document. The consistent financial reporting framework, and guidance on the headings in the framework, is available on the Department's value for money website. A summary of consultation responses has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students were (a) entered and (b) completed higher education courses in each year since 1996. [6107]

[holding answer 16 October 2001]: The information requested is given in the following table. It is not possible to calculate completion rates from these figures because of the inclusion of part-time courses, which have variable course lengths. The latest figures published by HEFCE estimate that only 17 per cent. of students who started full-time first degree courses in the UK in 1997–98 will not obtain a qualification.In 2000, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published a table comparing estimates of non-completion rates in member countries. They showed an average of around a third of university students failing to complete their courses in OECD countries. The UK had the second lowest non-completion rate among the 30 OECD countries.

Higher Education Students1in the UK
	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–012
Entrants3
Postgraduate	172.7	180.9	189.4	197.9	198.6
Undergraduate	541.9	553.7	549.5	564.8	597.0
Completers4
Postgraduate	105.5	110.5	115.0	116.7	122.7
Undergraduate	312.7	321.4	322.6	331.9	337.8
1 Includes UK domiciled and overseas students, full-time and part-time, including the Open University.
2 Provisional.
3 Based on a census count as at 1 December.
4 Those gaining a qualification during the academic year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students were participating in higher education in each year since 1990, broken down by social class. [9589]

The available information on the social class of higher education students, as given in the following table, covers only those who apply to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and its predecessor organisations, the Universities Central Council for Admissions (UCCA) and the Polytechnic and Colleges Admissions Service (PCAS); data on the family background of students on postgraduate or part-time courses are not held centrally. Comparable figures for students entering in autumn 2001 will be released by UCAS in December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students have dropped out of (a) part-time and (b) full-time higher education course in each year since 1990. [9590]