To ask the Chairman of the Accommodation and Works Committee for how many days in the last six months the water feature in Portcullis House has had no water in it; and if he will make a statement. [10465]

No record has been kept of the number of days but I recognise that they have been too many.The contractor has had to carry out a number of tasks during the defects period. After the original contractor for the courtyard stone (which included the water feature) went into liquidation, there was some delay to the work but during the summer the inadequate chemical dosing pumps were replaced and the spread of algae has been stopped. A leak in the tank under the stone table is now awaiting repair. Discussions are taking place with the company that has taken over the business to arrange for all the outstanding snags to be put right under the terms of the contract.

To ask the President of the Council what percentage of (a) House of Commons staff and officers and (b) hon. Members' staff are in receipt of Working Families Tax Credit. [10627]

The costs of House of Commons staff is borne on the Administration Vote, which is the responsibility of the House of Commons Commission and the cost of Members' staff is borne on the Members Vote.I am informed the figures for September 2001 are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions regarding the establishment of a single all-Wales rail franchise; and if he will make a statement. [8641]

My right hon. Friend meets regularly with the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions to discuss a range of issues affecting Wales.The Assembly Minister for the Environment, Sue Essex, and I have also met the Minister for Transport to discuss the future structure of rail services in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what discussions he has had with the Education Minister of the National Assembly for Wales regarding the recommendations of the Rees report on student finance; [8639](2) what representations he has made to the Department for Education and Skill's review of student finance in the context of the Rees report on student finance; and if he will make a statement. [8640]

Discussions on the report have taken place at ministerial level between the Assembly and UK Government Departments.Following the Rees report the Assembly took immediate action to tackle student hardship in Wales by putting £20 million into student access and hardship funds for this year. The Assembly is giving further consideration to the other recommendations in the report.The Government are committed to reforming the student funding system. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills has announced a review of student support arrangements which will look at student support and tuition fees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what measures are in place to improve the capacity of (a) doctors and (b) nurses to communicate with and understand patients in hospitals in the Principality; [9492](2) what recent assessment he has made of the capacity of

The health service in Wales is the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales.On 2 February 2001 the Assembly published "Improving Health in Wales", which sets a programme of action for the next 10 years. It includes a commitment that training will be made available to staff in effective communication with patients and handling their concerns positively.The Assembly is also committed to ensuring that there is continuous feedback from the public about the services they receive from the national health service in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate the total running costs for buildings used, owned or rented by his Department for each nation and region of the UK, and estimate the average cost per square metre for properties used by his Department as a whole, and by region and nation of the UK. [6813]

The Wales Office rents accommodation in Cardiff Bay which, over the last 12 months, has cost some £99,000 or about £355 per sq m. The Department also owns Gwydyr House in London which, in 2000–01, cost some £420,000 or about £670 per sq m. The figure for Gwydyr House includes a major refurbishment project carried out during the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what (a) the overall wastage level from the Territorial Army and (b) the target level was in each of the last 5 years; and if he will make a statement; [8910]

	Wastage			Numbers Fit for Role (FFR)
	Overall wastage	Target wastage	Percentage	Numbers assessed as FFR	Target FFR level	Percentage shortfall
2001	10,834	10,077	25	23,857	24,185	1.4
2000	13,084	10,861	25	19,589	26,068	25
1999	15,530	12,610	25	24,914	30,245	18
1998	12,444	13,893	25	n/a	33,344	n/a
1997	15,010	16,860	30	n/a	33,722	n/a

Notes:1. Outflow and FFR numbers are calculated annually on 1 April.2. FFR data for 1997 and 1998 are not available.3. The outflow target was revised in 1998, at the start of the SDR TA re-structuring exercise.4. The shortfall in FFR numbers is due to SDR reductions in the TA.The numbers of TA personnel who were assessed as "Fit for Role" in 1997 and 1998 are not available at this time. Officials are investigating this and I will write to the hon. Member once I know the outcome and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House. In terms of bounty, the numbers of TA personnel who achieved their bounty in training years 1998–99, 1999–2000 and 2000–01 are as follows:

	Numbers
1998–99	31,721
1999–2000	26,005
2000–01	24,019

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) trained strength and (b) trained requirement is of the (i) Army, (ii) Naval Service and (iii) Royal Air Force. [10599]

I refer the hon. Member to the Tri Service Personnel monthly publication "UK Armed Forces Strengths and Requirements—TSP3" which is held in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to make a statement on the implications of the case of Lt. Colonel Surinder Nath Saggar of Brompton on Swale, North Yorkshire. [10501]

[holding answer 19 October 2001]: The Ministry of Defence defines Territorial Army (TA) Personnel who have passed all their annual individual and collective training requirements as "Fit for Role". Figures showing the strength of the TA are reported quarterly to the House of Commons Defence Committee and are available in the Library of the House.Wastage figures and the numbers of TA Personnel who are assessed as "Fit for Role" are presented in the table.

The Tribunal's written decision was received on 12 October 2001 and legal advice has been sought on the implications. Once that advice has been considered the position is clearer, I will write to the right hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases have been brought against the Ministry of Defence under the Race Relations Act 1976 by service men serving on sovereign bases overseas; and what the outcome of each case was. [10504]

There has been only one such claim. This claim was brought by Lt. Colonel Surinder Nath Saggar and was dismissed by the Thornaby on Tees Employment Tribunal for lack of jurisdiction on 18 September 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service men are from (a) Commonwealth countries and (b) the Republic of Ireland. [10394]

The table details the current nationality of those serving in the Army at 1 September 2001 from Commonwealth countries and the Republic of Ireland.

	Commonwealth countries	Republic of Ireland
Officers	160	22
Soldiers	1,535	195
Total	1,695	217

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has put in place to protect his Department's and armed services personnel from mail that may be contaminated with chemical or biological weapons. [10601]

In common with other Government Departments, the Ministry of Defence has for many years had guidance in place on how to recognise and deal with suspect letters and parcels containing explosive devices. In the wake of current events in the United States, the Cabinet Office has prepared additional guidance on the handling of suspect CB-contaminated mail. This guidance has been widely disseminated within MOD to civilian and service personnel. The potential threat, and the guidance and other precautionary measures required, are being kept under constant review, and full account is being taken of the developing situation in the United States.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the fully trained and operational requirement is for (a) RAF pilots to fly Sea Harriers and (b) Fleet Air Arm pilots to fly Harrier GR7; and how many there are at present in each case. [10598]

Joint Force Harrier (JFH) operates Harrier GR7 flown by RAF pilots and Sea Harrier FA2 flown by RN pilots. GR7 is a ground attack aircraft, whereas FA2 is predominantly air defence. Each complements the other so that JFH has a rounded operational capability. Both RN and RAF aircrew are capable of operating from aircraft carriers in their own aircraft type, and both work closely together when embarked in carriers and when ashore. There is, though, no operational requirement for pilots of one Harrier aircraft type to fly the other. If there was a requirement for GR7 pilots to fly the FA2 or vice versa this could be achieved once operational conversion training had been completed. However, there exists an RAF/RN-wide pilot exchange programme which shares operational experience by providing flying tours with the other service. On this programme, currently there are (a) two RAF pilots flying the Sea Harrier, both from the Tornado F3, and (b) one RN (but non-Sea Harrier) pilot training to fly the Tornado GR4.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the sum provided was for the Defence Logistics Organisation at the start of the current financial year; and what the latest projected outturn figure is. [10602]

Under Resource Accounting and Budgeting, the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) was issued with two Expenditure Limits at the start of the current financial year: for Current Expenditure and Capital Expenditure. Together they amount to Estimates provision of £4,033 million for the logistic support of the armed forces. In the normal course of business there are adjustments to these limits as the year unfolds, which will be finalised in time for inclusion in the spring Supplementary Estimates. We would expect the DLO expenditure to be within the Estimates provision at the year end.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many former service men who served in the Gulf are in receipt of war pensions; and if he will indicate the rank of the pensioner and the number in receipt of pensions who were injured by enemy action. [7101]

As at 31 August, 4,111 awards of disablement pension had been made to Gulf War Veterans, although of these, only 1,038 were awarded for Gulf-related illnesses. The remaining 3,073 were for conditions that either occurred during the Gulf veterans' service career elsewhere than the Gulf or were for conditions not particular to the Gulf.Statistics are not held on either the former rank of the war disablement pensioner or whether the award of the pension was as a result of enemy action.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 4W, on the Apache helicopter programme, (a) how many personnel are being trained in the US, (b) what training is being provided and (c) what the cost is to the defence budget. [10483]

Sixteen army helicopter pilots are undergoing what is known as conversion training in the US at a cost of £3.15 million. This training, including the use of simulators, will qualify them to fly the US Apache AH-64A model; they will then undertake a short conversion in the UK to the UK's Apache AH Mk1 model. The cost of this US training is being met from liquidated damages the Department has received from its training contractor and from existing funds that would otherwise have been paid to that contractor for training courses which it cannot yet produce (as a result of the delay to the Full Mission Simulator).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will identify the components which make up the Future Rapid Effects System; [10225](2) if he will make a statement on the Army's future light armoured capability. [10158]

The Army's light-armoured vehicle capability will be provided within the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES). The exact components of FRES have yet to be decided, but it is likely to include such platforms as an armoured personnel carrier, guided weapons platform, command vehicle, reconnaissance platform, ambulance and repair and recovery vehicle. FRES will draw heavily on a number of technologies developed through the TRACER programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will provide a substantive reply to the question from the hon. Member for South-East Cornwall, to which a holding reply was sent on 9 July. [9689]

The Department did not issue any holding replies to the hon. Member on 9 July. The only named day question tabled by the hon. Member for answer on 9 July was to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs about the artificial reef project off Whitsand Bay. That question was answered by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 10 July 2001, Official Report, column 485W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans her Department has made to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first successful wireless transmission across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas. [8713]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister for E-Commerce and Competitiveness on 24 October 2001, Official Report, columns 250–51W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many responses she has received following publication of Sir Alan Budd's gambling review; and how many of these refer to recommendation 70. [9968]

The consultation period for the report of the Gambling Review Body closes on 31 October. We have so far received about 1,500 responses, the great majority relating to recommendation 70.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the likely impact of implementing recommendation 70 in Sir Alan Budd's gambling review. [9969]

We shall make such an assessment following the closure, on 31 October, of the consultation period on the report of the Gambling Review Body.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what dates (a) she and (b) other Ministers in her Department have visited the Millennium Dome since 8 June. [10621]

Neither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor any other DCMS Minister has visited the Millennium Dome since 8 June 2001. Responsibility for the Dome passed from the New Millennium Experience Company to English Partnerships on 1 July 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how the foot and mouth disease relief funding announced on Thursday 18 October will be allocated; [10096](2) which Regional Development Agencies will receive additional funding as part of the extension of the Business Recovery Fund announced on 18 October. [10099]

[holding answer 25 October 2001]: Five Regional Development Agencies will receive a share of the extra £15 million extension of the Business Recovery Fund provided by DEFRA:

	£ million
North West	7.0
North East	1.5
Yorkshire	2.0
West Midlands	1.5
South West	3.0

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when farmers who have been promised compensation relating to foot and mouth disease will receive it; when outstanding monetary payments in respect of contracts with his Department will be made; and what formula is used for calculating such payments. [8155]

The Department aims to pay compensation to farmers for animals slaughtered for foot and mouth disease control as soon as possible, subject to the checks necessary to protect public funds. At present there are just 33 payments outstanding at HQ.Turning to contractors, our target is to pay those we employ within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice. Given the large number of suppliers of goods and services which the Department has contracted—all of whom expect to be paid promptly—this target has proved difficult to meet. However, the time taken to process invoices is being reduced.There is a duty to ensure proper, effective and efficient use of public money. This means that the Department cannot pay invoices for goods and/or services that are not accompanied by accurate supporting information as to the nature and extent of the goods and services supplied. Unfortunately this information is not always provided by some of the suppliers we have employed. This has made the Department's task much harder, and is often one of the main reasons for delays.Invoices submitted to DEFRA by contractors are scrutinised individually to assess their validity. There is no standard formula to calculate payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will provide financial help to assist farmers with feeding animals over the winter period on farms affected by foot and mouth disease. [6208]

My officials are in touch with the Arthur Rank Foundation and with industry bodies about the work of the ARF's National Fodder Bureau and Government match funding for this charitable work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps English Nature is taking (a) to ensure that Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve is not damaged by the Lunesdale Hunt and (b) to control the effects of hunting. [9602]

Following incidents at Gait Barrows National Nature Reserve in February this year, which were brought to the attention of the Lancashire constabulary, English Nature wrote to the chairman of the Lunesdale Hunt requesting a full explanation of the incidents, and withdrew permission for the Hunt to enter the Reserve. A meeting with the chairman of the Hunt in March was postponed due to the foot and mouth outbreak. English Nature hope this will be held shortly, and will discuss the operation of the Hunt in the vicinity of National Nature Reserves generally and Gait Barrows in particular.I understand the physical damage to the site has since recovered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the overall improvements in energy efficiency as reported by each energy conservation authority in England for the last year for which figures are available. [10212]

The latest reported figures by energy conservation authorities in England for the overall percentage improvements in domestic energy efficiency were given in my reply to my hon. Friend on 30 November 2000, Official Report, columns 757–58W.Energy conservation authorities have now reported on their overall improvements to 31 March 2001. We are currently analysing this information and will make it available at the earliest opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to take further steps to control the spread of bovine TB. [9805]

In its response to the First Report of the Agriculture Select Committee session 2000–01, the Government stated that they were

"minded to develop a range of policy options. If appropriate these might be tested out possibly on a 'pilot' basis in areas outside the present trials, in order to gain experience that would help Ministers reach an eventual decision on a national TB policy".

Future policy options will be discussed with stakeholders at the January meeting of the stakeholder group, the TB Forum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment her Department has made of the implications for the Government's Climate Change Strategy of electricity generation from combined heat and power. [9937]

Combined heat and power continues to play an important role in the UK's climate change programme. The UK's current installed CHP capacity of around 4,700 MWe is estimated to save around 4 million tonnes of carbon equivalent (MtC) per year. The carbon savings from increased use of CHP are reflected within those for a range of other policies within the programme, particularly the climate change levy, climate change agreements and community heating.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase the use of biomass as a fuel for energy production. [9946]

We support the development of short rotation coppice and miscanthus for energy production through the Energy Crops Scheme. This is one of the integrated set of measures in the England Rural Development Programme and the scheme makes £29 million of funding available to farmers over seven years. In addition we promote the use of forest material, for example through planting grants under the Woodland Grant Scheme and the Farm Woodland Premium Scheme, and woodland maintenance grants under the WGS. Market opportunities are key to future uptake and we are working closely with Government Departments and other bodies to develop power generation, combined heat and power and heat markets in order to increase the use of biomass.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much (a) meat and bone meal, (b) coppiced wood and (c) other biomass was burnt in order to provide a direct source of useful energy (i) five years ago and (ii) at the present time; and how much he predicts will be used for this purpose in five years time. [9272]

Five years ago the use of these materials for industrial-scale energy production was minimal. Current estimated usage in England is as follows:

• 650,000 tonnes of meat and bone meal (over the next three years)
• short-rotation coppice from 1,500 hectares of farmland
• 200,000 tonnes of straw, 720,000 tonnes of chicken litter and
• 330,000 oven dried tonnes of forest biomass per annum.

Usage in five years' time will depend on market developments and the success of a range of Government and other initiatives. For example, the Energy Crops Scheme, which is part of the England Rural Development Programme, could support the establishment of 20–25,000 hectares of short-rotation coppice and miscanthus on farmland over the seven years of the programme. The Government see biomass as playing an important and increasing role in the development of renewable sources of heat and power generation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to use the methane gas emitted from landfill sites as a potential fuel source. [9948]

The Landfill Directive requires landfill gas to be collected from all landfills receiving biodegradable waste, and for the collected landfill gas to be treated and, where possible, used. If the collected gas cannot be used to produce energy it must be flared.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assistance is available to businesses to reduce electricity consumption; and if she will make a statement. [9204]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: There are a number of measures available to assist business consumers to reduce their use of energy, including electricity. The Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme offers best practice advice and support to organisations in the private and public sectors, in turn helping them to reduce their electricity consumption.Combined heat and power is one example of a high energy efficiency technology which almost doubles the overall efficiency of fuel utilisation and can help business reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. Measures were introduced in April 2001 to help encourage investment in new combined heat and power.An important component of the UK's Climate Change Programme is the Carbon Trust. Set up as a not-for-profit organisation by the Government and the devolved Administrations, the trust is encouraging the use of low-carbon technologies and resources in the business sector. The trust is expected to recycle approximately £100 million of climate change levy revenue over a three year period. The Carbon Trust will develop programmes to support new and emerging low-carbon technologies. It will also take on management of the Government's Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme and the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme that provides a fiscal incentive to businesses to improve energy efficiency. This scheme gives 100 per cent. first year capital allowances for companies which invest in approved energy saving equipment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is towards bye-law applications seeking to ban dogs from (a) beaches, (b) public parks and (c) other areas; and if she will make a statement. [9667]

Local authorities are able to apply to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the confirmation of bye-laws to control dogs. These bye-laws can ban dogs from (a) beaches, (b) public parks and (c) other areas.In considering bye-laws for confirmation the Secretary of State must be satisfied that the proposals are reasonable. All dog ban areas must be fully enclosed and gated. This should not only prevent stray dogs from entering, but provide a physical barrier to make it clear to dog owners where the ban area begins and end. The maximum fine under bye-laws is £500.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many bye-law applications from local authorities her Department has turned down that sought to ban dogs from (a) beaches, (b) public parks and (c) other areas, for each of the last five years, indicating her reasons for those decisions. [9668]

Details on the number of bye-law applications from local authorities that have been turned down that sought to ban dogs from (a) beaches, (b) public parks and (c) other areas is only available since July 1999. Since this time, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has rejected three dog ban bye-law applications on procedural grounds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many incinerators have been built in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement. [8087]

There are many hundreds of incinerators for sewage sludge, hazardous waste, clinical waste, production waste from factories, etc. Generally, the larger plant are regulated by the Environment Agency and details of their locations are available on the Environment Agency's public register. Other plant that are part of another process regulated by the Agency may not be shown separately on the register. Smaller plant are regulated by local authorities.The Environment Agency reports that there are 11 municipal waste incinerators currently operational in England. Some of these are newly built and some were refurbished to meet new emission standards introduced in 1996. The Environment Agency does not keep records of when plant are built but it is believed that in the last five years the numbers of incinerators starting or restarting (following refurbishment) are:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans the Government have to change the amount of household municipal waste generated in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [8083]

Tackling the amount of waste produced is the first priority in the hierarchy for waste management decisions set out in the Government's Waste Strategy 2000. Measures aimed at encouraging waste minimisation include Government support for the National Waste Awareness Initiative to encourage householders to reduce their household waste and guidance to local authorities on their powers under the Waste Minimisation Act 1998.The Government have implemented the Packaging Directive and a voluntary agreement on newsprint. Further legislation on electrical and electronic equipment and batteries will follow and a voluntary agreement on direct mail and promotions (junk mail) is planned. These are all designed to reduce the amount of waste arising from these products and their impact on the household waste stream.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to (a) strengthen regulations and (b) transpose European Community directives with regard to waste incineration; and if she will make a statement. [9121]

The Waste Incineration Directive (2000/76/EC) requires transposition by 28 December 2002. The Directive sets challenging targets which will apply to new incinerators from 28 December 2002 and to existing incinerators from 28 December 2005. Options for implementation, including proposals for amending regulations, are being developed, and will be consulted on in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to alter paragraph 19 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994; and if she will make a statement. [8609]

We are currently reviewing several of the exemptions provided in Regulation 17 of and Schedule 3 to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, including two exemptions subject to allegations of abuse (paragraphs 9 and 19). We propose to amend these exemptions to encourage genuine waste recovery operations, to preclude their use for "sham recovery", and to ensure that human health and the environment are protected.We intend to issue a consultation paper with draft regulations later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the implications are for her policy on waste disposal of the recent court case against London Waste. [9249]

Neither the Environment Agency nor my Department are aware of any court cases against London Waste in the last three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on proposed EU plans to prohibit the recycling of milk bottles. [9073]

We are not aware of any such proposals.The EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste 94/62/EC, as well as requiring certain recovery and recycling targets to be met, also encourages re-use of packaging. This includes drinks containers such as milk bottles. The UK Regulations implementing the Directive also encourage re-use by allowing obligated businesses to exclude from the calculation of their tonnage recovery and recycling obligation, tonnages of packaging that are being re-used. Milk bottles are re-used for between 10 and 40 trips, so this provision will apply to the proportion of milk bottles that are being reused.We expect a proposal from the European Commission next month for revised targets in 2006. A further review may also address, among other things, ways of further encouraging re-use of packaging. We are not aware that the proposed revisions will in any way threaten the UK doorstep milk delivery service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to encourage the use of reconstituted building materials. [9947]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: I have been asked to reply.The Government published their strategy for more sustainable construction, "Building a Better Quality of Life", in April 2000. Last week we published a review of progress 'Building a better quality of life—a strategy for more sustainable construction: Report on Progress 20001', which is available on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/construction/sustain/sustainableconstruction.htmOne of the priorities identified in the strategy is the need to minimise the impact on the consumption of natural resources through the reduction in waste. The re-use and recycling of waste, often as building materials, is encouraged through a number of economic instruments such as the landfill tax, the forthcoming aggregates levy and the climate change levy. These measures promote the use of reconstituted building materials in construction by encouraging the minimisation of waste going to landfill and reducing the demand for primary aggregates.My Department also commissions research—much of it in collaboration with the industry—into the re-use and recycling of waste materials in construction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of retailed chickens were positive for (a) campylobacter and (b) campylobacter serotypes of public health significance in the last 12 months. [9607]

I have been asked to reply.A survey of chicken on retail sale in the United Kingdom conducted this year on behalf of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) found 50 per cent. of retailed chickens were positive for campylobacter. Preliminary results of the survey can be found on the FSA's website (www.foodstandards.gov.uk/news/chicken.htm). The identification of the campylobacter serotypes will not be complete until spring 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on how food products from those parts of the EU where regulation is poorly applied will be inspected by the relevant UK authority when breaches of food safety are found. [9432]

I have been asked to reply.Food products from the European Union, which are freely distributed within the Community, are not subject to any special checks within the United Kingdom. Foods imported from the EU are subject to the same controls and enforcement activity as UK produced food. Where problems are known, checks can be made on EU goods in transit (including at the border) and at destination. Where foods produced within the EU are found to be in breach of EU law, the Community and "competent authority" in the producer's member state is informed via the rapid alert or single liaison arrangements of the Official Control of Foodstuffs Additional Measures Directive (93/99/EEC).In the case of meat and meat products, which are subject to veterinary checks, any breaches of EU law are reported in a letter to the Chief Veterinary Officer of the producer's member state, which is copied to the Community, under Directive 89/662.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) secondments there were from her Department to a business in the private sector; and (b) secondments there have been from the private sector to her Department in each of the last five years; and if she will provide a list of (i) the companies involved and (ii) the location of the companies. [8345]

From the records held centrally in the Department, the total number of inward secondments from the private sector and outward secondments from my Department to the private sector commenced in each of the last five years from 1 May 1997 up to the current date, together with the names of the companies involved in each year are in the table that has been placed in the Library.It is not possible from central records to give the location in each case and attempting to do so from other sources would first require individual checking of each of the 341 record files, many of which are now in archives. If there are specific companies on which the hon. Member would like information regarding their location I would be happy to help.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the expenditure by her Department in each of the years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000, (e) 2000–01, (f) 2001–02 and (g) 2002–03 (estimated) was allocated with reference to the Index of Multiple Deprivation; which expenditure programmes are allocated with respect to this Index and other measures of relative geographic deprivation; and if she will make a statement. [8939]

[holding answer 25 October 2001]: The Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) was announced by the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on 22 August 2000. The following expenditure programmes by my Department are allocated with reference to this index:

£ million
Programme	2000–01	2001–02	2002–031
Phoenix Fund	1.748	215	19
SBS Core Services funding3	n/a	7.5	10
RDAs4	n/a	n/a	430
1 The figures for 2002–03 are estimates
2 The 2001–02 figure for the Phoenix Fund is an estimate
3 The SBS Core Services funding is delivered through the Business Links network. The amount shown is solely that part of the budget referring to the IMD; the majority of the budget is determined by the number of local businesses. SBS Core Services funding was not allocated on a deprivation basis in 2000—01
4 DTI will have effective responsibility for all grant in aid to Regional Development Agencies from November 2001. Certain RDA expenditure programmes remain with DTLR until April 2002.

In addition, while Structural Funds are not allocated on the basis of deprivation, eligibility for the urban strand of Objective 2 of the European Structural Funds in 2000–06 was in part designated using the 1998 Index of Local Deprivation (the predecessor of the 2000 IMD). Areas eligible for the Structural Funds used this index as one of a series of indicators (e.g. unemployment rate, industrial decline, etc) in designating Objective 2 status. Also within the Structural Fund Programmes, the IMD was used to target resources to meet the needs of the most needy communities in urban and rural area.Some DTI programmes take account of factors which are associated with deprivation: for example, the Regional Innovation Fund of £54 million allocated to RDAs in 2001–02 took account of unemployment, GDP and R&D spending.From April 2002, the RDAs will be funded through a single pot, which will take account of the IMD as well as related factors such as labour market indicators. The figure shown here for 2002–03 is for the roughly 28 per cent. of the £2,550 million single pot which depends directly on the IMD.As part of the Government's fuel poverty strategy a working group was set up to look at issues surrounding extension of the gas network. This working group is currently considering how the Index of Multiple Deprivation may be used in combination with other information to prioritise areas where serious consideration should be given to extending the gas network, or taking other measures to improve domestic heating and energy efficiency, with a view to alleviating fuel poverty.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what role the Institute of Management and the Institute of Directors play in contributing to policy decisions. [10094]

Both institutes are regularly consulted by my Department about policy issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many stem cell lines are available for research in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the United States of America. [8178]

The National Institute of Health in the US has published a list of 64 potential human embryonic cell lines that can be used in the US to conduct research using public funds. These cell lines were derived in the US, Sweden, Australia, India and Israel. A small number of these lines are being actively studied by researchers in the UK, although information about the import and use of stem cell lines in the UK is not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from the Liberalisation of Trade in Services Committee in the last 12 months. [10277]

The Liberalisation of Trade in Services Committee, a committee of International Financial Services, London (an independent member-based organisation funded by UK-based financial and related services firms), was established in 1982 as a means for the Government to consult the private sector on international trade in services. Over the past 12 months the committee has met twice at chairman/CEO level and four times at working level. Officials from the Treasury, DTI and FCO have attended as observers. Members of the Committee, one of several private sector bodies that have made representations to my Department calling for liberalisation in this area, also met my noble Friend the Minister for Trade and Investment in early September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for each year between 1979 and 2001, what was (a) the total and (b) the proportion in world terms of accumulated foreign investment in (i) Britain, (ii) the eurozone and (iii) the remaining developed countries. [10132]

The two tables show the value of inward direct investment into the UK, the eurozone and other developed countries, and also the percentage these values represent of total world investment.

Inward direct investment position
$ million
Year	UK	Eurozone	Other developed countries	World
1980	63,014	115,639	196,315	605,805
1985	64,028	164,534	317,719	893,567
1990	203,894	514,014	680,075	1,888,672
1995	199,760	876,778	975,201	2,937,539
1999	367,598	1,357,010	1,629,093	5,196,046
2000	482,798	1,764,299	1,963,197	6,314,271

Inward direct investment position
Percentage of world total
	1980	1985	1990	1995	1999	2000
UK	10	7	11	7	7	8
Eurozone	19	18	27	30	26	28
Other developed countries	32	36	36	33	31	31

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many full-time staff are employed by each of the English regional development agencies. [8634]

The average number of staff employed by each of the English regional development agencies is as follows:

	Number
One North East	244
North West Development Agency	237
Yorkshire Forward	220
East Midlands Development Agency	124
Advantage West Midlands	164
East of England Development Agency	83
South East of England Development Agency	122
South West of England Development Agency	167
London Development Agency	77

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from the firework industry regarding illegal storage of fireworks in (a) the west midlands, (b) Lancashire and (c) Leicestershire; and what action she has taken in response to those reports. [9793]

[holding answer 24 October 2001]: The Department has received no representations from the fireworks industry regarding illegal storage of fireworks in the west midlands, Lancashire and Leicestershire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what checks are undertaken (a) at ports of entry to ensure that bulk supplies of fireworks entering the UK are destined for licensed storage facilities and (b) to ensure that such supplies reach those facilities. [9790]

[holding answer 24 October 2001]: HM Customs and Excise is responsible for undertaking intelligence-led, risk-based checks at ports of entry. Where it has concerns about fireworks reaching licensed storage facilities, it notifies the Health and Safety Executive and/or the relevant local authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from (a) the firework industry and (b) local authorities on (i) the 14-day rule allowing storage of fireworks for private use and (ii) the enforcement of fireworks safety and storage regulations. [9792]

[holding answer 24 October 2001]: The Department has received no representations on the 14-day rule nor the enforcement of fireworks safety and storage regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Government are taking to protect (a) dementia sufferers and (b) other vulnerable groups from door to door and telephone salespeople. [10154]

The Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations 1987 (as amended in 1998)—known as the Doorstep Selling Regulations—and the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 protect all consumers when goods or services are sold door to door or over the telephone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations the Government have received from (a) organisations and (b) individuals, calling for greater protection of (i) dementia sufferers and (ii) other vulnerable groups from door-to-door and telephone salespeople. [10153]

During the past year (i) no representations have been received for greater protection of dementia sufferers in respect of door to door and telephone sellers; (ii) one representation has been received from an individual for greater protection of vulnerable groups generally from pressure selling; (iii) no other representations have been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are planned to ensure that food imported into the United Kingdom meets UK standards on food labelling. [8430]

Food labelling rules are harmonised at European level and implemented here by the Food Labelling Regulations 1996. They apply to all food sold in the United Kingdom, wherever it comes from, and are supplemented by a range of guidance notes that aid consistent application and enforcement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients have been treated in European countries under the NHS international scheme this year. [8668]

Under European Commission Regulation 1408/71, it has long been possible for individual patients to be referred to all countries of the European Economic Area for specific treatment, at the expense of the sending country. A system of prior authorisation applies. Between 1 January 2001 and 16 October 2001, 920 such referrals were authorised.Following recent rulings of the European Court of Justice, national health service bodies now have the power to commission treatment overseas, as part of their wider efforts to reduce waiting times. However, as far as we are aware no contracts have yet been signed to fund treatment for NHS patients in mainland Europe.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what finance his Department is able to make available to NHS patients travelling to EU countries for treatment under the NHS international scheme in the current financial year. [8669]

There is no separate finance for national health service patients travelling to European Union countries for treatment. The E112 scheme allows NHS patients to travel abroad specifically to receive treatment in European Economic Area countries on the same conditions as the host country's own insured people, subject to a prior authorisation regime. There were 1,100 such authorisations in 2000. There is no set annual budget for this scheme.Following recent rulings of the European Court of Justice, NHS bodies now have the power to commission treatment in EEA countries, as part of their wider efforts to reduce waiting times. However, NHS bodies meet any costs arising from such commissioning from their own budgets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will delay consideration of the candidates for the chairmanship of the new strategic health authorities until after he has confirmed the boundaries of these authorities; and if he will make a statement. [8630]

The recruitment and appointment of chairs to the new health authorities is a matter for the National Health Service Appointments Commission. I understand that they have already begun the recruitment and selection procedure. However, they will not be able to make substantive appointments until the consultation period has ended, the boundaries of the authorities have been agreed, and the relevant Establishment Orders have been agreed by Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NICE's report on glatiramer acetate for multiple sclerosis. [9053]

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Appraisal Committee further considered the evidence on the use of beta interferon and glatiramer acetate for multiple sclerosis sufferers on 25 September 2001. NICE has subsequently issued a provisional appraisal determination (PAD) to interested parties for comment.The institute has stated that, to allow sufficient time to take proper account of the extensive comments received on the PAD, it now intends to issue the final appraisal determination to consultees towards the end of October this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he expects NICE to publish its final appraisal determination on the appraisal of glatiramer acetate and beta interferon for multiple sclerosis; [8709](2) when the Government expect NICE to publish its Final Appraisal Determination on the appraisal of glatiramer acetate and beta interferon for multiple sclerosis. [9415]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale, West (Mr. Brady) on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 1028W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total (a) revenue and (b) capital expenditure on the Read codes version 3 in each of the last five years. [9410]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: The detailed information required is not yet available and will be placed in the Library as soon as it has been obtained from both the National Health Service Information authority and Leicestershire health authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated (a) revenue and (b) capital expenditure planned to be spent on Read codes in financial years (i) 2001–02, (ii) 2002–03 and (iii) 2003–04. [9411]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: The estimated central revenue expenditure per year on Read codes is £600,000 for each of the years 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04. The estimated central capital expenditure over the same period is zero.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been agreed for financial compensation from SNOMED if the SNOMED CT coding system is not delivered to the NHS on time. [9399]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: There are no plans to seek compensation because the third and final payment will not be made in full until SNOMED CT Release: June 2002 is delivered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total expenditure on coding departments in NHS trusts in the last financial year for which figures are available. [9401]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: The information requested is not available centrally.Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 clinical coders are employed by national health service trusts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what stage of development SNOMED clinical terms project has now reached; when he expects the project to produce a final version; and if he will make a statement. [9409]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: SNOMED CT is being developed collaboratively with the College of American Pathologists. The terms of the agreement underpinning this work are such that overall responsibility for product delivery is with the SNOMED International Authority, a committee of the College of American Pathologists.An interim, internal product is scheduled to be delivered to the National Health Service Information Authority by 10 December 2001. SNOMED CT 'first release to support implementation testing' is scheduled to follow in January 2002. This first release is to enable a programme of evaluative work to be undertaken in the NHS and is synonymous with a beta release.A subsequent release is scheduled for June 2002. The naming convention for releases is month-year, for example, this would be referred to as the June 2002 release. It is synonymous with a version 1. This will be the final version of the joint development project. Further releases are planned to follow every six months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has made for compensation to be paid to NHS trusts and suppliers who have invested in Read based IT systems. [9414]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: No compensation is planned. National health service trusts have been forewarned that they will need to develop a strategy at local level for moving to the NHS preferred systems based on SNOMED CT. The pace of this migration will be the subject of further guidance as the results of the implementation testing programme become clear.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the target date for the SNOMED system to produce automatic mappings to ICD and OPCS codes. [9402]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: The development of SNOMED CT includes (for United Kingdom users) mapping tables from SNOMED CT to ICD10 and OPCS4 codes. It is intended that these tables will be fully populated for inclusion in the 'First Release' scheduled for January 2002.A feasibility study is being carried out as part of SNOMED development work to investigate automated cross mapping. Full automation from terms to codes requires additional contextual information held in the clinical record. As such, automation will be dependent upon establishing the rules base and sophisticated electronic records.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has given existing users of Read codes about the use of legacy data following their adoption of the SNOMED clinical terms system. [9412]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: Subject to successful development and testing of SNOMED, clinical terms users and suppliers have been advised not to develop new Read code based systems from April 2003 and that users of existing systems, based on other coding schemes including Read codes, should develop a strategy at local level for moving to the national health service preferred system based on SNOMED clinical terms. SNOMED CT "First Release" will include guidance (documentation) on the use of legacy data in the context of SNOMED CT.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total (a) revenue and (b) capital expenditure to date on (i) the SNOMED CT system, (ii) the SNOMED RT system and (iii) earlier version of the SNOMED system; and if he will make a statement. [9413]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: Involvement to date has focused on development of SNOMED CT and related expenditure is capital. The agreement commits the national health service to contributing $3 million for each of the three years beginning April 1999. The contribution is made up of the value of work supplied with any shortfall being a cash payment. Additional costs arise from funding NHS representatives on joint boards. For 2001–02 this was estimated to be approximately £160,000.SNOMED RT was released by the College of American Pathologists in May 2000. Their total revenue and capital expenditure on this product is not known.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Government received advice from CISCO about IT policy in the NHS; and if he will place copies in the Library. [9407]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: CISCO have, like other major national and international technology suppliers, been invited from time to time to provide advice to the Government. During the summer of 2001, CISCO carried out an "E-Compliant Network" study for the national health service. The report of this study was published on the website of the NHS Information Service. A copy will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS trusts he now expects to achieve EPR level 3 by 2004; how many have already purchased relevant systems; and how many have now submitted outline business cases. [9408]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: Currently five sites have full EPR level 3 functionality while many more have implemented elements of the EPR on route to meeting level 3.We are currently reviewing the way EPR level 3 can be assessed in the light of operational experience, which show that national health service trusts choose different routes to EPR based on local priority. It is important that these decisions are made on the basis of local circumstances. We are implementing an on-line performance management arrangement.There are some 62 outline business cases at various stages of the approval process and a further nine have already been approved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of GPs' surgeries were intended to be connected to NHSnet by the target date of March 2001; what proportion were connected; what proportion were connected at the latest date for which figures are available; what proportion of GPs now connected use the system in practice; and if he will make a statement. [9404]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: Our Information Management and Technology strategy for the national health service, "Building the Information Core—Implementing the NHS Plan", published in January 2001 gave the target of 95 per cent. of general practitioners practices in England to be connected to NHSnet by end of March 2001.At that date 93.6 per cent. of practices in England had an NHSnet line installed. At the latest date for which figures are available 97 per cent. of practices in England have an NHSnet line installed.Nationally, 77 per cent. of practices in England have completed acceptance tests which include demonstrating that local staff are able to use e-mail over NHSnet. Although usage of NHSnet is monitored centrally, the extent to which individual practices use e-mail depends on local work practices and information on usage is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when in the last year key services forming part of NHSnet failed for more than 24 hours consecutively; what the causes of such failures were; and if he will make a statement. [9405]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: There have been no failures of NHSnet services lasting more than 24 hours in the past year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the back up system for NHSnet performed to expectations during recent losses of service. [9406]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: Yes. On Saturday 1 September, NHSnet services were temporarily affected by a power surge at a data centre that damaged equipment. Backup systems were brought into use immediately and an operational service was restored within minutes. During the following week, configuration problems were identified that caused network congestion and delay to messages. Immediate corrective action was taken.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many quality marked community legal service providers are able to provide interpreting services for deaf clients; and what plans she has to increase this number. [9876]

There are 1,276 quality marked community legal service providers able to provide interpreting services for deaf clients through a British sign language interpreter or text phone services. Most providers, particularly those providing specialist help, are able to appoint an external expert such as a sign language interpreter. We are working to increase the numbers of providers who offer such services. The Legal Services Commission is working with the London learning and skills council to help support small and ethnic groups achieve the quality mark. A pilot is being run in two London boroughs and includes disability groups. All Community Legal Service Partnerships' needs assessments are identifying where there is a need for improved access to services for the deaf.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much public money has been granted to Rai1track in total; and if he will make a statement. [7965]

In 1994—95 and 1995—96, when Railtrack was still in the public sector, grants of £32 million and £34 million were paid towards the cost of maintaining level crossings. Since its privatisation in 1996 the company has recovered those costs, and other costs, through access charges paid by passenger train operating companies (TOCs) and freight operating companies (FOCs). So, although no grant was paid direct to the company between 1996–97 and 2000–01, the company's profitability in those years was contingent on public money. Some 90 per cent. of its income is paid to it in access charges by TOCs and FOCs, most of which are supported by public money.In addition, in accordance with the terms of Railtrack's 2 April agreement with Government, Railtrack received £337 million of network grant on 1 October 2001; and the company, or its successor body, will receive £162 million of network grant in 2001–02 in respect of the (October 2000) final conclusions of the Rail Regulator's periodic review of access charges.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if Railtrack will honour its outstanding debts to its creditors; and if he will make a statement. [8992]

The Government have committed themselves to provide the railway administrators with sufficient funds to allow them to continue to pay trade creditors as invoices fall due for payment. We have also committed ourselves to provide sufficient funds to pay non-default interest, lease rentals and scheduled repayments to finance creditors for an initial period of 45 days. This will continue for the finance creditors who have signed up to certain standstill arrangements until a transfer scheme is proposed.We intend to enable a proposal to be made to the railway administrators which would, if accepted, result in the transfer of both the business of the company and the debt of the finance creditors participating in the standstill to a new company limited by guarantee. The new company would be financially sound and have a credit rating of at least BBB and potentially higher. Indebtedness would be transferred on broadly the same economic terms, applicable in the absence of default, as applied immediately before administration. Lenders should not lose any principal or interest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he has received an undertaking from the Treasury to guarantee finance required by the successor company to Railtrack to invest in the rail network. [8996]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not received, or asked for, such an undertaking.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the nature of the approaches made by West LB relating to Railtrack. [9002]

West LB has written to my Department setting out in broad terms its proposals for a scheme to take Railtrack plc out of administration. It will be for West LB to consider how to develop its proposals and whether or not to submit them to the railway administrator, who is responsible for making proposals on how to move the company out of administration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he first advised (a) Treasury officials and (b) officials in his Department that his preferred option was to put Railtrack into administration. [8696]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: Having reviewed all the relevant papers and considered all the options, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions decided not to accept Railtrack's proposal for additional funding on 5 October. Officials in my Department and in HM Treasury were subsequently informed of my right hon. Friend's decision and of his intention to petition for a Railway Administration Order.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date he first obtained legal advice regarding the possibility of putting Railtrack into administration. [8691]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: Since the date on which Railtrack made its request for additional funding, my right hon. Friend has taken a wide range of advice, including legal advice, on all the options available to him and their possible consequences.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what meetings his officials held with Ernst and Young to discuss whether Railtrack plc should be put into administration; and when these meetings were held. [10191]

[holding answer 25 October 2001]: My officials had regular meetings with representatives of Ernst and Young after an initial meeting on 23 August and their subsequent engagement as advisers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on plans to speed up the development of social housing in rural areas. [8529]

[holding answer 18 October 2001]: We recognise the importance of affordable housing in maintaining balanced and successful rural communities. We are taking a number of measures to improve the delivery of social housing in rural areas.Last year just under 4,400 homes were approved in larger rural areas and market towns through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development programme and local authority funding. This was in addition to 1,321 homes provided by the same means in small settlements of fewer than 3,000 people.Our overall strategy is to ensure that the housing needs of people living in rural areas are properly identified; to increase investment in new social housing; to maximum delivery of affordable housing through the planning system; and to make the best use of existing property. We expect to deliver around 9,000 affordable homes annually in rural areas by 2003–04 through these measures, as announced in the Rural White Paper.We expect all local authorities to develop housing strategies that address the need for affordable housing. In addition, we want local authorities to make better use of the planning system to secure more affordable homes as part of mixed developments in markets towns and villages. We will issue shortly a consultation paper on the review of the planning system. The fundamental objective of the review is to improve the efficiency of the system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will estimate (a) the number of council houses sold in south Gloucestershire in each of the last 10 years and (b) the number of new social rented houses built in South Gloucestershire over the same period. [10476]

The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what are the administrative costs of (a) regional development agencies, (b) Government offices for the regions and (c) regional chambers are for each region, (i) this year and (ii) projected for the next financial year. [8955]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Employment and the Regions on 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 137W.We have not issued the RDAs with allocations for next year. The RDAs will be submitting proposals for their administration to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in their corporate plans.The Cabinet office oversees the work of the Regional Co-ordination (RCU) and the Government offices, for which the total administrative running cost budget for the financial year 2001–02 is £101.63 million and £98.63 million for 2002–03. There is an annual resource planning exercise that will allocate the sums between individual Government offices and the RCU. This has commenced and is due for completion in December. Programme budgets administered by the Government offices are the responsibility of the Secretaries of State for the relevant sponsor Departments.The regional chambers were designated by the Secretary of State following the establishment of regional development agencies in 1999. They have been established voluntarily by bodies representing the interests of each region. Their running costs are a matter for the chambers and their members. The Government have however allocated £500,000 this year to each regional chamber, with an additional £1 million for chambers to use collectively, to help them establish a stronger strategic and scrutiny role within the regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the consultation for Regional Air Services and the South East and East of England Air Services reviews will be published; and when he expects to issue the White Paper on Government Policy for UK Aviation. [9358]

We expect consultation to commence early next year on both the Regional Air Service programme and South East airport options.Responses to the major public consultation exercise outlined, along with responses received on the future of Aviation National Consultation document published last December, will inform the preparation of the Air Transport White Paper. We plan to issue the White Paper in the second half of next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will made a statement on the NATS investment programme and the safety of the UK air traffic management system. [9339]

NATS are reviewing their long-term investment plan to take account of the impact of the 11 September terrorist attacks on the aviation industry. They are due to report on the new Business Plan, which includes the long-term investment plan, in November 2001. Safety will remain paramount for NATS in producing the Business Plan and long-term investment plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will made a statement on the timetable for opening the new NATS en-route centre at Swanwick; and if the project is within budget; [9338](2) if NATS has enough qualified air traffic controllers for the transition from West Drayton to Swanwick. [9342]

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Chief Executive of NATS about whether the Airline Group has sufficient financial resources to meet NATS' present and future investment requirements; and if he will make a statement. [9343]

My officials are having regular discussions with the NATS Chief Executive about the financial resources available to NATS.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will ensure that subsidies paid to Bombardier in Belfast cannot be used by that company to cross-subsidise its Belfast City Airport subsidiary; and if he will make a statement. [9350]

This would be an issue for CAA or the competition authorities to investigate in response to any complaint.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will take steps to control aircraft noise at night from East Midlands airport by designating the airport under section 80 for the purposes of section 78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 in line with the request from North West Leicestershire district council. [10481]

The representations received in relation to the request from North West Leicestershire district council are currently being considered and I shall announce the decision in due course, following further representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to amend the rules covering borrowing against public assets; and if he will make a statement. [10408]

We announced on 21 March 2001, Official Report, column 250W, our intention to abolish the present system of local authority capital controls. The new system will permit authorities to borrow without prior Government approval. Each authority will decide how much to borrow, taking account of the revenue resources it can afford to make available to service debt, and acting in accordance with a professional code being developed by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. This increased flexibility to invest in their communities will allow authorities to deliver better value for money over the whole range of services, including housing. There is no proposal to remove the present prohibition on the mortgaging of local authority capital assets. The potential seizure of the property by a creditor would threaten the delivery of essential services. Loans are secured on all the revenues of the authority and that will remain the position. Legislation will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the annual gross cost of the Driving Instructors Agency is; and what the income generated by the agency in test fees and other income was in the latest year for which figures are available. [10604]

The Driving Standards Agency's annual report and accounts for 2000–01 show:

£ million
Annual gross cost (expenditure)	76.849
Income (test fees)	78.222
Income (other)	2.115

Copies of the annual report and accounts are available in the House Libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to review the capping of the discount available to residents wanting to buy their homes; and if he will make a statement. [10537]

We have no plans to alter the Right to Buy discount limits introduced in February 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the timetable for (a) publication and (b) implementation of the Boundary Commission proposals for England and Wales. [10418]

The Boundary Commissions for England, and for Wales, are independent bodies who will submit separate reports to the Secretary of State on completion of their general reviews of parliamentary constituencies in England and Wales.The Boundary Commission for England has indicated in its annual report for 2000–01 that it expects to complete the fifth general review between five and six years after the February 2000 start. The Boundary Commission for Wales, in its annual report for 1999–2000, indicated its intention to commence the review in February 2003 and complete it in 2005.As soon as possible after the Boundary Commission has submitted its reports to him, the Secretary of State is required to lay the reports before Parliament. If the reports recommend alterations to the existing constituencies, a draft Order in Council giving effect to the recommendations, with or without modifications, must also be laid. The order is subject to affirmative procedure of both Houses of Parliament. The new constituencies take effect at the following general election. On the basis of the Commissions' intentions, the Secretary of State does not expect to lay the reports before Parliament before 2006.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussion has taken place with business about the proposed EU Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive; and if he will make a statement. (10300]

The Health and Safety Executive has consulted widely with business on the Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive, including with the CBI and the TUC. It has also had discussions with several industry associations and has responded to a large number of inquiries from individual businesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the Government's policy is towards the EU Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive; and if he will make a statement. [10301]

The Government welcome the Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive and support the common position reached by the Council of Ministers on 25 June. We believe implementation of the directive will result in significant improvements in health. The Government intend to defend the common position against amendments proposed by the European Parliament which would cause significant problems for industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what non-financial requirements will be made of the purchaser of the Millennium Dome; [10624](2) what criteria have been established to determine the success of bids to buy the Millennium Dome. [10625]

We want to get the best deal for the taxpayer. Therefore, any sale of the Dome will be required to provide a worthwhile and sustainable future for the Dome and value for money. We will also want to be assured that bidders' proposals can be successfully delivered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what his estimate is of the value of the Millennium Dome and site; [10623](2) when he will publish details of plans to sell the Millennium Dome. [10626]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 25 June 2001, Official Report, column 21W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the costs of the Millennium Dome since the closure of the Millennium Experience. [10622]

Since the closure of the Millennium Experience on 31 December 2000, the expenditure incurred on the Dome by the New Millennium Experience Company (NMEC) and English Partnerships (EP) is as follows:

• Dome running costs¹—£3.3 million
• Decommissioning²—£9.6 million.

The lease of the Dome site to NMEC ended on 30 June 2001, and reverted to English Partnerships (EP) as planned. All costs incurred by NMEC following the end of the Millennium Experience will be paid from the grant already approved by the Millennium Commission. EP will recover their Dome related costs from eventual sale proceeds.