To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which schemes will be completed within the period of the 10-Year Plan for rail; and if he will make a statement on the adequacy of funding of the programme. [8875]

The Government, through their 10-Year Plan, remain committed to delivering a better, safer and more reliable railway network for the 21^st century, and are prepared to spend over £30 billion over the next 10 years to achieve substantial improvements.We look to the Strategic Rail Authority's forthcoming strategic plan to prioritise investment projects that deliver the greatest value for money for both rail users and the taxpayer. Investment is continuing on the west coast route modernisation project, Channel Tunnel Rail Link and the installation of the train protection warning system, each of which is integral to the Government's objectives for rail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the A449 in Worcestershire will cease to be a trunk road; and if he will make a statement. [8983]

The de-trunking of the A449, previously programmed by the Highway Authority for April 2004, is on hold pending the outcome of the west midlands area multi-modal study.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will publish a list of submissions by local authorities to participate in electoral pilot schemes in local elections or local by-elections in the forthcoming 12 months; [8957](2) what steps his Department is taking to minimise electoral fraud in the pilot schemes for new electoral arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [8960]

Local authorities have been invited to submit details of proposed electoral pilot schemes for approval by the Secretary of State by 31 December 2001. We intend to publish a list of those applications as soon as possible after that date.The invitation to local authorities indicates that the Secretary of State will approve only schemes which meet a number of criteria, one of which is that they must maintain or increase current levels of security.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the effects of implementing EEVC-WG17 on (a) child and (b) adult pedestrian casualties in absolute and in percentage terms. [9049]

The Transport Research Laboratory is currently examining this issue on our behalf, and as soon as figures are established we will make them available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will ensure that there is continuity of service throughout the day between Belfast International and London Heathrow; and if he will make a statement. [9340]

This Government recognise the importance of air links between Belfast and London. There are 29 air services scheduled for each weekday between Belfast and London operating on a commercial basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action has been taken by his Department to introduce Public Service Obligation protection for the slots used for services to and from the UK regions at Heathrow and Gatwick airports; and if he will make a statement. [9341]

The use of Public Service Obligations is governed by EC Regulation 2408–92 on access for Community air carriers to intra-Community air routes. Any application for the imposition of a PSO from the relevant authorities will be carefully considered while taking the criteria set out in the regulation into account.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the White Paper for UK Aviation will include proposals for at least one new runway at (a) Heathrow and (b) Gatwick and that such a runway be designed for and a significant proportion of the slots created by such an additional runway capacity be designated for UK regional air services; and if he will make a statement. [9346]

The South East and East of England Study (SERAS) is examining a wide range of options at existing airports and new sites. We expect the study to be completed towards the end of this year, and to be followed by a full public consultation on the short-listed options early next year. Decisions made following the consultation will feed into an Air Transport White Paper which we aim to publish in the second half of next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who the representative of the Scottish Executive is on the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. [9013]

[holding answer 19 October 2001]: Neighbourhood renewal is a devolved matter for Scotland. The National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal applies only to deprived areas in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what evidence his Department has received concerning the link between speed cameras on roads and improved road safety; and if he will make a statement. [9051]

The results of the first year's operation of the speed camera funding scheme provide further evidence of the link between the presence of speed cameras and improved road safety. The number of people killed or seriously injured dropped by 18 per cent. across the eight pilot areas as a whole and by 47 per cent. at the camera sites compared with the average over the previous three years. On average the number of drivers speeding at camera sites dropped from 55 per cent. to 16 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if it is his policy that National Air Traffic Services operated at Manchester will be moved to Atlantic House, Prestwick; [9440](2) if he will list the options being considered by National Air Traffic Services to rationalise its functions throughout the United Kingdom; [9438](3) if the Civil Aviation Radar Installation Service will be moved from Prestwick to Gatwick Airport as part of the engineering review of National Air Traffic Services. [9439]

As part of its long term investment plan, NATS intends progressively to move to a two-centre strategy with modern facilities at Swanwick in Hampshire and Prestwick in Ayrshire. As part of that strategy, the existing area control centres at West Drayton and Manchester will close in the latter part of this decade. The current plan is that the majority of the task undertaken by Manchester will be moved to Prestwick, with the remainder moving to Swanwick. These plans are under detailed evaluation to find the optimum division of operational tasks between Swanwick and Prestwick.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many representations the Government have received from (a) individuals in the coastguard service and (b) others calling for greater coastguard cover around south-east Scotland in the last 12 months. [9662]

Other than from the hon. Member on behalf of a constituent there have been no representations to the Government in the last 12 months for greater coastguard cover around south-east Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps the Government will take to maintain a comprehensive coastguard service for south-east Scotland. [9663]

There is already a comprehensive coastguard service available for south-east Scotland, which includes a 24 hour search and rescue capability, 17 rescue teams, and the provision of appropriate helicopters and lifeboats.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the latest estimate is of the cost of building the next phase of the channel tunnel rail link between Ebbsfleet and King's Cross. [8694]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Streatham (Keith Hill), to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin) on 10 April 2001, Official Report, column 502W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what funding will be made available from the Government for the planned improvements to Bexhill and Cooden Beach stations; [9861](2) when the refurbishments to Bexhill station will be completed. [9862]

The internal structural repairs at Bexhill station have been completed. South Central are negotiating with Railtrack start dates and costs for the next phase of the refurbishment work: replacement of windows and refurbishing the waiting room. It is hoped to complete this phase in late spring 2002. South Central is also in discussion with Railtrack about improvements to the platform ramps and reglazing work at Cooden Beach, as well as the funding arrangements for the work at both stations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the impact of the recent Railtrack developments on the timetable and content of GoVia's existing franchise and the timetable and content of GoVia's proposed franchise. [9894]

The recent Railtrack developments will not impact on the existing or new franchise. The Strategic Rail Authority will negotiate a new franchise agreement with GoVia in line with the heads of terms that have already been signed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will ask Lord Cullen to review his recommendations set out in "The Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry, Part 2" report to take account of Railtrack plc being replaced by a Government-owned non profit-making company. [9825]

No. The future ownership of Britain's railways was not part of Lord Cullen's remit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he informed Lord Cullen of the possibility of Railtrack being placed in railway administration and being replaced by a non profit-making company prior to the publication of "The Ladbroke Grove Rail Inquiry, Part 2" report. [9826]

No.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how he intends to deliver the planned private investment in the railway set out in the 10-year transport plan. [9838]

The Government intend to propose that a private sector company limited by guarantee should succeed Railtrack. This new company would be financially sound and structured so that it would achieve at least a BBB—and potentially higher investment grade credit rating. We are confident that this credit rating, combined with income from track access charges and network grants, would enable the new company to deliver the 'Railtrack elements' of private investment included within the 10-Year Plan.We are confident that private sector investment will continue to be raised as planned for the completion of the channel tunnel rail link and for substantial new investment in rolling stock. We have envisaged for some time that major enhancement projects would be taken forward by standalone special purpose vehicles. The Government are continuing to develop their framework for establishing these vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what has been the total cost of the Stingray camera system for combating vehicles excise duty evasion. [9884]

The cost of 11 Stingray camera systems, the vans in which the systems are housed, plus a fault monitoring and security system was £1.1 million. Use of the systems is expected to result in recovery of some £9 million per annum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much land owned by English Partnerships designated for affordable housing units has been sold without a requirement for the same number of affordable housing units to be built; how much of such land has been designated for affordable low cost housing in Chorley; and how much of such land has been sold for housing in Chorley in each of the last three years. [10095]

There is no difference between the number of affordable housing units earmarked for a particular English Partnerships (EP) site and those actually built. This is because the housing provider has a contractual obligation to provide the same number of affordable housing units as initially agreed between EP and the local authority.No land has been designated for affordable housing in Chorley over the last three years. EP's main land ownership in Chorley is at Eaves Green. Chorley borough council considers the site unsuitable as a location for affordable housing as it is on the urban edge and remote from the town centre. EP's other land holdings in Chorley are currently "safeguarded" under the current local plan which means that development on them is precluded for the timeframe of the plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the organisations consulted by his Department in the recent consultation on pedestrian protection; and if he will place in the Library a summary of the responses received. [9975]

We consulted the following:

• Association of Chief Police Officers
• Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland)
• Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.
• Automobile Association
• Bentley Motors Ltd.
• BMW (GB) Ltd.
• BRAKE
• Bristol Cars Ltd.
• British Medical Association
• British Motorcyclists Federation
• Caterham Cars Ltd.
• Child Accident Protection Trust
• Chrysler Jeep
• Chrysler Jeep Imports UK
• Citroen UK Ltd.
• Colt Car Company Ltd.
• Consumer Association
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
• County Surveyors' Society
• Cyclists' Touring Club
• Daewoo Cars Ltd.
• Daihatsu UK Ltd.
• Department for Education and Skills
• Department of Health
• Department of Trade and Industry
• Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee
• DoE Northern Ireland
• Driving Standards Agency
• Fiat Auto UK Ltd.
• Ford Motor Co. Ltd.
• Freight Transport Association
• General Motors
• Hawk Cars
• Health and Safety Executive
• Highways Agency
• Home Office
• Honda UK
• Hyundai Car UK Ltd.
• Isle of Man
• Jaguar Cars Ltd.
• KIA Cars (UK) Ltd.
• Lada Cars
• Lamborghini Cars
• Land Rover
• Local Authority Road Safety Officers Association
• Local Government Association
• Lotus Cars Ltd.
• Mazda Cars (UK) Ltd
• McLaren Cars Ltd.
• Mercedes Benz Ltd.
• MG Rover
• Morgan Motor Co. Ltd.
• Motor Industry Research Association
• Motor Schools Association
• Motorcycle Action Group
• Motorcycle Advisory Group
• Motorcycle Industry Association
• National Assembly for Wales
• NG Cars Ltd.
• Nissan Motor GB Ltd.
• Parliamentary Council for Transport Safety
• Pedestrian Association
• Perodua
• Peugeot Motor Company Ltd.
• Porsche Cars (GB) Ltd.
• Professor Richard Allsop, University College London
• RAC Foundation of Motoring
• Reliant Motors Ltd.
• Renault UK Ltd.
• Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd.
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
• SAAB (GB) Ltd.
• Scottish Executive
• Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
• States of Jersey
• Suzuki GB plc
• Toyota GB Ltd.
• Trades Union Congress
• TRL Ltd.
• TVR Engineering Ltd.
• Ultima Sports Cars Ltd.
• Vauxhall Motors Ltd.
• Vehicle Certification Agency
• Vehicle Inspectorate
• Volkswagen Group UK Ltd.
• Volvo Cars UK Ltd.
• Welsh Local Government Association.

We are finalising a summary of responses received and will place it in the Libraries of the House when available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the additional manufacturing costs for each vehicle if all new cars were to meet the four tests developed by the European Enhanced Safety of Vehicles Committee; and what scientific advice he has received on the proposal for a two-stage negotiated agreement on this subject. [9976]

Previous estimates have indicated a manufacturing cost increase of between £110 and £330 per vehicle to meet the full EEVC tests. However, we believe that this cost would reduce appreciably as manufacturers gain experience of pedestrian design, and as improved technological solutions become available.Past research has indicated that the benefits obtained from the full EEVC proposals (as proposed for the second phase of a negotiated agreement) would be in the range of an 8 per cent. reduction in pedestrian fatalities and a 21 per cent. reduction in pedestrian serious injuries. Although the first phase of the negotiated agreement would lead to appreciable casualty reductions, the second phase offers greater protection against head injuries and reduced likelihood of leg injuries, a particular aspect being reduced knee injuries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Parliamentary Council for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 892W, on east-west transport links, if the London to South. Midlands multi-modal study is considering east-west rail links between Cambridge and Bedford, and Bedford and Milton Keynes. [10065]

The London to South Midlands multi-modal study will concentrate on three north to south transport corridors (Ml/WCML, Al/MML/ECML, Mll/W Anglia) but will also look at east-west movements in the study area. The east-west rail link will be considered in this context.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many empty homes there are in east Sussex broken down by sector. [10398]

The numbers of vacant local authority and Registered Social Landlords' dwellings in each local authority area in east Sussex on 1 April 2000 (the latest available data) are set out in the table alongside the local authorities' estimates of private and other public sector dwellings.

Number of vacant residential dwellings in East Sussex on 1 April 2000, by local authority and tenure
	1Local authority	2RSL	1Other public	1Private	Total
Brighton and Hove	196	81	28	2,178	2,483
Eastbourne	33	37	0	1,240	1,310
Hastings	0	102	0	3,184	3,286
Lewes	42	11	0	520	573
Rother	0	130	1	2,106	2,237
Wealden	50	25	6	937	1,018
East Sussex total	321	386	35	10,165	10,907
1 Housing Investment Programme (HIP) 2000: Operation Information returns.
2 Annual Regulatory and Statistical Returns (RSR 1).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many wheeltappers were employed by the railway industry in (a) 1990 and (b) 2000. [10379]

We do not hold this information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what criteria were assessed when deciding to sign the European Single Sky Agreement; and if he will make a statement. [11068]

The European Commission presented its legislative proposals on the European Single Sky to the Transport Council on 16 October.The Government are considering their response to these proposals, but have not signed any agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in what way (a) new and (b) existing social tenants will have greater choice over their housing in the choice-based lettings pilot scheme. [10166]

The 27 local authority-led pilots were chosen to test different choice-based approaches to lettings, operating in a variety of circumstances.Nearly all the schemes are designed to give greater choice to new and existing tenants by moving away from bureaucratic, points-based, allocation schemes to schemes where applicants select directly from available vacancies.There is a strong emphasis on partnership working between the pilot authorities and Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) operating in their area; and in some cases the intention is to bring private landlords on board as well, to offer as wide a choice as possible to new and existing tenants. Some of the pilots involve a consortium of authorities and RSLs working together. Some include links between areas of high and low demand. These schemes offer the opportunity to test the potential for promoting mobility across local authority boundaries,

Area covered by successful bid	Successful bidders	Total amount of SHI funding allocated £ million
London
All London boroughs1,2	Keys to the Capital Consortium: Tower Homes, Metropolitan Home Ownership, Notting Hill Home Ownership, Boleyn and Forest Housing	95.818
All London boroughs	Keys to the Capital Consortium: Tower Homes, Metropolitan Home Ownership, Notting Hill Home Ownership (NHHO), Boleyn and Forest Housing	15.312
Camden	NHHO	0.713
Hackney1	Unitary Ltd.	1.033
Newham1,2	St. George plc (NHHO will manage the scheme)	1.400
Hammersmith and Fulham1	Bush Housing Association	0.983
Hammersmith and Fulham1,2	St. George plc (NHHO will manage the scheme)	1.050
Islington1	NHHO	1.760
North/West London1	Peabody Trust	3.106
Wandsworth	Wandsworth council (NHHO will manage the scheme)	1.380
Brent1,2	Northcote Housing Association	1.821
Brent1,2	NHHO	0.322
Brent1	Sutherland HA	1.139
Ealing2	Northcote HA	1.658

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many new housing construction programmes since 1997 have built houses on (a) brownfield sites and (b) greenfield sites. [10165]

Information on the proportion of new homes built on previously developed land in England is available from the Department's land use change statistics. Between 1997 and 2000, 57 per cent. of new dwellings were built on previously developed land (including new dwellings provided from the conversion of existing buildings, which account for three percentage points).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 19 October 2001, Official Report, column 1367–68W, what the successful bids from (a) local authorities and (b) other bodies under the key worker housing grant scheme involving (i) NHS staff and (ii) social services staff were; and what the amounts were. [11024]

The allocation of £230 million Starter Home Initiative funding to 95 schemes was announced on 6 September. This will help around 4,000 nurses and other essential health workers, 2,800 teachers, 900 police, and 300 other key workers including social workers.The successful bids and the total amount of funding allocated to each bid are shown in the table. The table also indicates which schemes include assistance to health staff and social services staff (see notes to the table).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will urge the highway authorities for Portsmouth and Southampton to consult with the Isle of Wight council on highway projects on trunk road access to the Isle of Wight. [11097]

The Government's Guidance on Full Local Transport Plans, published in March 2000, advises all local highway authorities to have effective liaison arrangements with neighbouring authorities and to agree a common or complementary approach to cross-boundary issues. I am aware that there are regular consultation meetings on transport issues between the Isle of Wight council, Portsmouth city council, Southampton city council and Hampshire county council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on progress with the Light Rapid Transit scheme for Fareham-Gosport-Portsmouth, with particular reference to (a) costings and (b) the timetable to completion. [10714]

We understand that the promoting authorities, Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council, hope to commence construction in 2003 with completion in 2006–07. The scheme is estimated to cost £190 million but the precise amount will not be known until tendering process has been completed.

To ask the Chairman of the Information Select Committee if he will make arrangements for the al-Jazeera television channel to be available on television monitors in hon. Members' offices; and if he will make a statement. [10422]

[holding answer 26 October 2001]: There are at present no spare channels on the Parliamentary Video Network as the 24th channel, earmarked for the Scottish Parliament when a transmission becomes available, is being used for technical purposes. It may be helpful to add that the al-Jazeera channel is an Arabic-speaking channel with no English spoken and no English subtitles.

To ask the President of the Council what proposals he has for making the dates of parliamentary Sessions more family friendly. [10484]

Like Leaders of the House before me, I recognise the practical arguments for more closely aligning adjournments with school holidays. There are obvious difficulties in that half-term holidays vary accordingly to region and the Scottish school summer holidays differ markedly from those in England and Wales. However, I hope we can make progress on this issue through the Modernisation Committee.I also hope that we will announce the dates of parliamentary recesses further in advance than has been usual in the past. The dates of the Christmas recess were announced during the first business statement in October. I hope to continue and extend this practice so as to allow MPs to plan their constituency work and family engagements more effectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the annual administration costs were in the last financial year of (a) each of the national museums and galleries sponsored by her Department, (b) the Arts Council of England, (c) Sport England, (d) UK Sport, (e) the regional arts boards, (f) English Heritage, (g) the Heritage Lottery Fund, (h) the New Opportunities Fund, (i) the Football Foundation, (j) the Communities Fund, (k) the English Tourism Council, (l) the British Tourist Authority, (m) regional tourist boards and (n) the Film Council; and what proportion of employees of these organisations are (1) from ethnic minorities and (2) registered disabled. [7567]

[holding answer 15 October 2001]: Comprehensive figures for the last financial year are not yet available, so the figures given, taken from published accounts and the Departmental Annual Report, are for the 1999–2000 financial year. The calculation of the figures depends on how each body presents its published financial information, and therefore the figures are not directly comparable. Where possible administration costs figures are given, but in some cases (asterisked) the published information only covers total operating expenditure. As Museums and Galleries are direct service providers, the operating expenditure covers their entire income.The Football Foundation is not sponsored by DCMS, so the Department does not hold information on its expenditure. Nor does it hold the information requested on the employees of all of the organisations listed in the question.

£ million
	Administration costs
(a) Museums and Galleries
British Museum	*45.8
Imperial War Museum	*19.9
National Gallery	*20.1
National Maritime Museum	*13.7
National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside	*14.4
National Museum of Science and Industry	*30.8
National Portrait Gallery	*6.8
Natural History Museum	*34.6
Royal Armouries	*7.2
Tate Gallery	*23,1
Victoria and Albert Museum	*34.1
Wallace Collection	*3.0
(b) Arts Council of England (includes lottery and grant in aid functions)	30.6
(c) Sport England (includes lottery and grant in aid functions)	28.2
(d) UK Sport (includes lottery and grant in aid functions)	3.05
(e) Regional Arts Board
Eastern	*1.6
East Midlands	*1.7
London	*2.3
Northern	*1.3
North West	*1.7
Southern	*1.4
South East	*1.5
South West	*1.8
West Midlands	*1.5
Yorkshire	*1.5
(f) English Heritage	*65.3
(g) Heritage Lottery Fund	14.2

£ million
	Administration costs
(h) New Opportunities Fund	13.8
(j) Community Fund	27.8
(k) English Tourism Council	3.5
(i) British Tourist Authority	6.8
(m) Regional Tourist Boards
Cumbria	*1.4
East of England	*2.0
Heart of England	*2.6
London	*5.3
Northumbria	*1.5
North West	*2.7
South East	*1.6
Southern	*4.1
South West	*2.6
Yorkshire	*4.1
(n) Film Council	*7.4

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the policy relating to broadcasts in the UK of statements by al-Qaeda through the al-Jazeera network. [8275]

Al-Jazeera is a Qatar-based broadcaster licensed by the French authorities for transmission within the European Union. I understand that it is the only TV broadcaster allowed by the Taliban to operate on a permanent basis out of Afghanistan. We have urged broadcasters to be cautious in their use of material from Afghanistan and to ensure that viewers are aware of the source of material and how reliable it might be.Under the Television Without Frontiers Directive, 89/552/EEC, as amended by 97/36/EC,

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much new Government investment funding was given to galleries and museums in each of the last three years. [10266]

In 1998–99 the Government provided £203 million in grant-in-aid for DCMS's sponsored museums and galleries in England. In 1999–2000 we increased this to £219 million. In 2000–01 the figure rose to £229 million, and in 2001–02 the figure will rise to £246 million.These figures do not include Resource, the Council for Museums, Archives and Libraries, and the Designated Museums Challenge Fund awards, both of which are funded by DCMS. Figures for these are as follows.

£ million
	Resource1	DMCF
1998–99	9.8	—
1999–2000	13.0	2.5
2000–01	13.5	4.5
2001–02	12.5	8.0
1Also for archives and libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what public funds were provided for the production and distribution of the film "Enigma". [10229]

No public funds were provided for the production or distribution of the film "Enigma".

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funds she provides for the distribution of UK-produced films in the UK. [10230]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 18 October 2001, Official Report, column 1287W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much she forecasts will be spent in the current year by her Department as a direct result of measures associated with the war on terrorism. [10619]

[holding answer 26 October 2001]: The Department does not expect to have any additional costs as a direct result of measures associated with the war on terrorism. However, I have been co-ordinating work to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place in the UK to support the families of victims of the events of 11 September.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many successful prosecutions for incitement of racial hatred there have been. [9967]

Records for prosecutions for incitement of racial hatred under part III of the Public Order Act 1986 have been kept only since 1988. Since then 42 defendants have been successfully prosecuted under the provisions of the Act. The number of applications for consent to prosecute for each year since 1988, the number of prosecutions arising and the convictions obtained are as summarised.

	Number of applications for Attorney General consent1	Withdrawn	Not granted	Prosecuted	Convicted2
1988	3	—	1	2	2
1989	1	—	—	1	1
1990	2	—	—	2	2
1991	4	—	1	3	1
1992	5	—	2	3	2
1993	2	—	—	2	2
1994	2	—	—	2	2
1995	8	1	—	7	6
1996	13	—	1	12	9
1997	12	—	2	10	9
1998	2	1	—	1	1
1999	4	—	—	4	3
2000	5	—	—	5	32
20014	7	—	—	7	5—
1 Per defendant
2 Not necessarily in the same year
3 Two results outstanding
4 To date
5 Results awaited

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to offset the effect in Wales of the worldwide economic slowdown. [9262]

The Government's economic policy of low inflation, sound public finances and steady growth means that Wales should be well placed to withstand worldwide fluctuations in economic cycles.The block grant for Wales that I negotiated with the Treasury last year allows the National Assembly to match fund objective 1 programmes and, more recently, I have worked closely with colleagues in the Department of Trade and Industry and in the National Assembly to help fund and support areas affected by steel closures.I will continue to work closely with my colleagues in Government and in the National Assembly to ensure that Wales has the opportunity to build on the stable foundations laid by the Government's economic policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many secondments there were from his Department to a business in the private sector; how many secondments there have been from the private sector to his Department in each of the last five years; and if he will provide a list of the companies involved and the location of the companies. [8346]

Since 1 July 1999, my Department's staff have been seconded from the National Assembly for Wales and have access to the full range of development opportunities offered to Assembly employees, including secondment to businesses in the private sector. Given this arrangement, it is not practicable to attribute individual outward secondments to the Wales Office. There have been no inward secondments from the private sector to the Wales Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the measures his Department is taking to improve its record in the prompt payment of accounts, with special reference to small contractors and suppliers. [11122]

I have already taken measures which have resulted in 97 per cent. to 98 per cent. of our bills being paid on time over the last few months.My Department's bills are paid by the National Assembly for Wales under a service level agreement; I will ensure that the present standard is maintained.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her policy is towards (a) the operation of non-governmental organisations in Bangladesh, (b) NGOs promoting western concepts of the role of women in Bangladesh and (c) the substitution of western for local cultural norms by NGOs in Bangladesh. [7203]

The UK Government do not have a general policy towards NGOs in Bangladesh. My Department works with a number of NGOs to help advance a range of our objectives, as set out in our published Country Strategy Paper for Bangladesh.One of these objectives is improvements in the position of women in society. DFID's overall strategy is set out in a published paper on 'Poverty Elimination and the Empowerment of Women'. In accordance with that strategy we work with NGOs and the Government of Bangladesh to help implement Bangladesh's international commitments.The UK Government do not promote any particular policy on cultural norms in Bangladesh. The majority of our funding to NGOs in Bangladesh goes to indigenous Bangladeshi organisations. Most of these have a commitment to internationally recognised human rights including women's equality.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department during the summer recess. [9232]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: (a) The news department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued 78 press releases during the parliamentary recess. This figures includes the daily bulletin of ministerial engagements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on changes to the budget for the British Council between 1997 and 2001. [9971]

In 1997–98 the British Council received grant-in-aid from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of £96 million and £30 million from DFID. Subsequently the DFID grant-in-aid was transferred to the FCO, which provided some £127 million in 1998–99, £133 million in 1999–2000 and £137 million in 2000–01. Under the current Spending Review settlement the British Council is receiving £143 million in 2001–02, £151 million in 2002–03 and £159 million in 2003–04.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which laws prohibit the use, production, possession and transfer of nuclear, chemical, biological and radiological materials which could be used as weapons of mass destruction; and if he will make a statement. [9904]

The specific legislation which applies to weapons of mass destruction, in addition to the general criminal law of the United Kingdom, is as follows:

The Chemical Weapons Act 1996 prohibits the use, development, production, possession and transfer of chemical weapons, and preparations of a military nature to use such weapons. Chemical weapons are defined as including toxic chemicals and their precursors, except where used for permitted purposes. Permitted purposes are peaceful purposes, purposes related to protection against toxic chemicals, legitimate military purposes, and purposes of enforcing the law;

The Biological Weapons Act 1974 prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition or retention of any biological agent or toxin of a type and in a quantity that has no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes. "Biological agent" means any microbial or other biological agent; and "toxin" means any toxin, whatever its origin or method of production;

The Radioactive Substances Act 1993 prohibits the possession of radioactive material (including nuclear material) less exempt quantities outside a licensed nuclear site without an authorisation;

The Nuclear Installations Act 1965 prohibits the separation of plutonium or the enrichment of uranium without a permit and certain large scale nuclear activities without a nuclear site licence;

The Nuclear Material (Offences) Act 1983 relates to certain offences involving nuclear material;

The Nuclear Explosions (Prohibitions and Inspection) Act 1998 will make it an offence knowingly to cause a nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion, except in the course of an armed conflict. This Act is not yet in force, since it is intended to give effect to certain provisions of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty which is yet to enter into force;

The Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 allows regulations to be made relating to the safety/security of radioactive material. Radioactive material other than nuclear material cannot be used to construct a weapon of mass destruction;

Other health and safety regulations are also relevant in requiring certain procedures and safeguards over the use, storage and transport of hazardous materials which will contribute to containing the risk of their misuse as weapons of mass destruction;

Export of nuclear, chemical and biological and radioactive goods is controlled by the Export of Goods (Control) Order 1994, as amended, Council Regulation (EC) No. 1334/2000, as amended and the Dual-Use Items (Export Control) Regulations 2000, as amended.

Additionally, under the Terrorism Act 2000, a person commits an offence if he provides instruction or training in the making or use of firearms, explosives or chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, receives instruction or training in the making or use of the same items.Provisions relating to these matters will be included in the Emergency Anti-Terrorism Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Liberalisation of Trade in Services Committee in the last 12 months. [10279]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 26 October 2001, Official Report, column 417W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the EU's "Everything but Arms" policy on those countries not classified as least developed. [10533]

[holding answer 26 October 2001]: The EC regulation which extends duty free access to products originating in the Least Developed Countries (the so-called "Everything but Arms" proposal) was adopted at the General Affairs Council in February 2001. The regulation came into force on 5 March 2001, and provides duty free access to EU markets for the world's 48 poorest countries for all goods except arms. Access for bananas, sugar and rice will be phased in, with full liberalisation for bananas from 2006, sugar from 1 July 2009 and rice from 1 September 2009.The Government believe the regulation represents the best available deal for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and non-LDCs, given the complex balance of interests involved. The impact of the measure is difficult to assess, particularly at this early stage. Much will depend on the response of producers, both in LDC and non-LDC countries, and on wider developments in trade and agriculture policy. The Government are committed to working with multilateral and other bilateral donors to ensure that non-LDCs receive help and advice during the necessary process of adjustment. We will monitor clearly the impact of the changes, on LDC and non-LDC countries' economies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek a report from the British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia on the response of the Embassy in Riyadh to information sought by the Joint Entry Clearance Unit about the family reunion case GV 100/67853/TD raised with JECU by the hon. Member for Manchester, Central. [10427]

I will raise this case with our Ambassador in Saudi Arabia and will write to my hon. Friend with my findings as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the pause on extradition proceedings mentioned in his statement of 24 October 2001, Official Report, columns 302–04, was at the recommendation of (a) the Chief Constable and (b) General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland. [11057]

The approach set out in the statement had been discussed with my security advisers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those enumeration districts which are in the top 5 per cent. measured by (a) reduction in population in the last 10, 20 and 30 years and (b) change of population in the last 10, 20 and 30 years for which information is available. [11055]

Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list those persons released from prison as a result of the Belfast Agreement, indicating for each (i) the date of release, (ii) the term for which sentenced, (iii) the period served as a percentage of (ii), (iv) the crime for which sentenced, (v) the paramilitary group with which they were associated and (vi) when recalled to prison. [11056]

It is not our policy to release information in relation to individual cases. However certain statistics are held on releases under the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998.Of 444 individuals released to date under the terms of the Northern Ireland (Sentences) Act 1998, 230 were released in 1998, 80 were released in 1999, 123 were released in 2000 and 11 have been released so far in 2001.In total, 153 were life sentence prisoners and 291 were determinate sentence prisoners.Under the terms of the Act, a life sentence prisoner was liable to serve about two thirds of the period he would have been likely to spend in prison and a fixed term prisoner was liable to serve a third of his sentence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with Sinn Fein on the Electoral Fraud (Northern Ireland) Bill. [11028]

My predecessor, the hon. Member for Knowsley, North and Sefton, East (Mr. Howarth), met with representatives of 10 Northern Ireland political parties (including Sinn Fein) between 20 and 23 November 2000. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the Government's proposal for a Bill to counter electoral fraud in Northern Ireland.The White Paper, "Combating Electoral Fraud in Northern Ireland" (Cm. 5080) was published in March 2001. It set out the Government's policy on electoral fraud in Northern Ireland and the legislative changes we intended to make to combat that fraud. A copy was sent to all the Northern Ireland political parties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the results are of his quantitative survey of the scale of electoral fraud in Northern Ireland; and if he will place his report in the Library. [8607]

A report, presenting the quantitative findings from a research project undertaken by Research and Evaluation Services for the Northern Ireland Office and the Electoral Office, was placed in the Library of the House on Tuesday 16 October.The purpose of the research was to inform the development of electoral policy in Northern Ireland. The results of the research will contribute to a wider discussion on the issue of electoral malpractice and provide feedback on the operation of the combined poll held on 7 June 2001.The research was comprised of surveys of the general public, presiding officers and count staff. A series of in-depth interviews and focus groups with presiding officers was also carried out. The report placed in the Library of the House on 16 October presents the quantitative survey elements of the project—these findings relate to people's general views and perceptions of the elections held on 7 June. The qualitative feedback from presiding officers will be included in a later report to be published as part of the Northern Ireland Office's Research and Statistical Series.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what additional resources have been allocated to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to support the consultation process they are undertaking on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; [7102](2) how many bids have been received from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for resources to support the consultation process on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland; and if these have been granted; [7103](3) how his Department intends to support the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in providing financial resources for it to run a consultation process on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland. [7104]

It was initially envisaged that the task of advising on the scope for a Bill of Rights was an integral part of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's functions, and would therefore he covered by the Commission's core budget. However, we made it clear from the outset that we would be prepared to consider bids for increased funding, provided they were accompanied by a properly costed business case.The Commission submitted an initial request for additional funds specifically for the consultation on the scope for a Bill of Rights in December 2000. Following discussion a revised bid was submitted in June 2001. In response to this, the Commission was granted a further £357,200 to fund the consultation process to inform their draft advice to Government on the scope for a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how his Department intends to respond to the consultation process on a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland as it relates to proposed criminal justice and security rights. [7105]

The consultation document published by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on 4 September this year represents its draft advice to Government. The Commission expects to issue its final recommendations to the Government in early 2002, and we look forward to receiving that.In the meantime, we will study carefully the contents of the draft as it currently stands.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if foreign employees of Europol are immune from prosecution while on duty in the UK. [9966]

Europol employees, whether or not foreign nationals, would be immune from prosecution for acts undertaken in the exercise of their official functions. These privileges and immunities, which are comparable with those routinely afforded to the staff of international organisations, are granted only in so far as they are necessary for the proper functioning of Europol. Europol is obliged to observe national laws and to waive immunities where possible in cases where the immunity would impede the course of justice.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visas for temporary stays in the United Kingdom (a) were issued and (b) have expired in each year since 1997; and of the latter (i) how many holders are known to have left the country and (ii) how many holders are known not to have left the country (A) because of applications for asylum, (B) for other lawful reasons and (C) for other unlawful reasons. [8465]

Information on the number of temporary visas issued is given in the table. This is the latest available published information. Data for 2000 are due to be published this year in the Command Paper "Control of Immigration Statistics United Kingdom 2000", a copy of which will be placed in the House of Commons Library.It is not possible to determine how many persons have left the country as the United Kingdom no longer has embarkation controls.Information on the number of visas which have expired is not currently available.

Entry clearance applications granted for temporary purposes 1997–99
Year	Entry clearance issued
1997	1,243,450
1998	1,256,040
1999	1,309,210
Note:
Data rounded to the nearest 10

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how soon he would be able to bring forward legislation to legalise cannabis following a recommendation to that effect arising from current trials; [10541](2) when he expects to receive the findings of phase 3 of the clinical trials of the therapeutic properties of cannabis. [10540]

[holding answer 26 October 2001]: Detailed evidence about clinical trials with cannabis and derivatives was presented to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology Inquiry into therapeutic uses of cannabis. This information is recorded in the Committee's reports "Cannabis: The Scientific and Medical Evidence" (Ninth Report Session 1997–1998, HL Paper 151) and "Therapeutic Uses of Cannabis" (Second Report Session 2000–2001 HL Paper 50), copies of which are available in the Library. The timings relating to on-going trials are clearly a matter for the sponsors, but I understand that GW Pharmaceuticals hope to have completed phase 3 trials, which are a prelude to a licensing application, by next summer.The Government welcome these trials and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has made it clear that if a product licence is recommended by the Medicines Control Agency he would approve the necessary changes to the Misuse of Drugs legislation. These changes can be made swiftly, by way of secondary legislation subject to negative resolution, although it is not possible at this time to give precise timings.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if the Metropolitan Police intend to extend its policy on not arresting cannabis users in Lambeth to other parts of London; [8650](2) what estimate he has made of the effect of police policy in Lambeth on cannabis possession on the Government's targets on drug reduction; [8651](3) what indications he has received from chief constables outside London that they plan to introduce policies on cannabis possession similar to that in force in Lambeth; [8652](4) what indications he has given to chief constables outside London on introducing policies on cannabis possession similar to that in force in Lambeth. [8653]

Lambeth borough is currently conducting a pilot warning scheme for simple cases of possession of cannabis for personal use, running from 2 July to 31 December 2001.My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has announced his intention to reclassify cannabis, from Class B to Class C under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and has asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for medical and scientific advice. He will consider this advice in conjunction with the findings of the evaluation of the Lambeth pilot. The Home Secretary intends to take a final decision in the spring of next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers whose applications were refused during (a) 1999 and (b) 2000 have now left the country; and what proportion this represents of the total in each case. [10629]

It is not possible to say how many persons whose asylum applications were refused in 1999 and 2000 have subsequently left the country. Applicants may leave voluntarily without informing the Home Office, or may be in the process of preparing an appeal or awaiting the outcome of an appeal.The total number of asylum seekers who were removed (excluding dependants) from the United Kingdom in 1999 and 2000 is given in the table. Some of these removals will relate to decisions to refuse asylum in earlier years.

Year	Total asylum removals1,2
1999	7,665
2000	38,980
1Includes persons departing 'voluntarily' after enforcement action was initiated against them.
2Persons who sought asylum at some point, excluding dependants. Includes persons leaving under the Voluntary Assisted Returns Programme.
3Provisional.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce a system enabling the Government to monitor the whereabouts of asylum seekers who are not detained; and if he will make a statement. [9457]

There are a number of existing mechanisms by which the Government monitor the whereabouts of asylum seekers who are not detained. A number of options for improving these procedures are under consideration.My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will make a statement shortly setting out our proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the security threat posed by civil nuclear installations and processes as objects of terrorist attacks. [8372]

It is not our policy to disclose details of security measures taken at civil nuclear sites. All aspects of required security arrangements for civil nuclear sites are kept under continuing review by the Director of Civil Nuclear Security, who regulates security in the civil nuclear industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to make small businesses aware of their obligation to register the use of CCTV equipment under the Data Protection Acts. [8281]

The Small Business Service have agreed with the Office of the Information Commissioners that they will jointly produce guidance on the Data Protection Acts, including the use of CCTV, which meets the needs of small business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is a SMART award in relation to the Small Business Service; and how the 581 companies granted the award qualified for it. [10162]

Small Business Service SMART awards are grants to individuals or small and medium sized businesses to help with the costs of either engaging a technology consultant or researching and developing a technologically innovative new product or process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices (a) opened and (b) closed in Scotland in each of the last three years. [9219]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: am informed by the Post Office Ltd. that historical data on the numbers of post office openings and closures are not maintained separately. The numbers of post offices operating in Scotland over the last three financial years were as follows:

• End March 1998–2,051
• End March 1999–2,026
• End March 2000–1,999
• End March 2001–1,936

I am informed by the Post Office that an on-going revision of data has affected individual country totals. I also understand that, across the UK as a whole, of the closures in the year ending March 2001, the Post Office designate only four as permanent.A £2 million fund to support relocation and refurbishment initiatives by volunteer or community groups to maintain or reopen post office facilities in rural areas where the traditional post office is closing received parliamentary approval in July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the cost met from public funds of the legal action taken by the previous Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Tyneside, North (Mr. Byers) against Associated Newspapers. [10146]

No final bill for legal costs has yet been presented by the solicitors acting for my right hon. Friend the Member for Tyneside, North (Mr. Byers).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the difficulties faced by the deaf population with regard to the use of public telephone kiosks, with special reference to the 999 emergency telephone service; and what plans she has to look at improvements which could be made. [9875]

The regulation of telecoms operators is the responsibility of Oftel. Oftel is working with those operators that provide public call box services, such as British Telecom, and with disabled groups to ensure that more public text phones are made available to enable deaf people to have improved access to telecoms services, including 999 services. Oftel has also implemented regulations which require other operators of public call boxes to offer a text relay service. All textphones at public call boxes provide access to the emergency services through the dialling of a dedicated access code. The text is then relayed on to the emergency services. BT has installed 1,950 public textphones at airports, railway stations and motorway service centres too. These offer BT's newly launched text relay services called 'TextDirect'. A hearing customer will now be able to directly dial a customer who is deaf by using an access code and vice versa.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of the Transport and Telecommunications Council held in Brussels on 15 October; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including their voting record; and if she will make a statement. [9363]

I represented the UK for the posts and telecoms aspects of the Transport and Telecoms Council in Luxembourg on 15 October.The Council, with the support of almost all member states, reached political agreement on a common position on postal services liberalisation which would safeguard the continued provision of universal service and provide for UK licensing arrangements. The UK supported the political agreement having secured adjustments to meet these points. Under the agreement, the level of services that may be reserved will reduce to 100 grams in 2003, to 50 grams in 2006 but leave the final step in 2009 to a Council/European Parliament decision in 2006 following a Commission assessment of universal service.The Presidency gave information on the proposed Communications Data Protection Directive. At the UK's initiative in the light of the measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 15 October 2001,

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of first class mail was delivered the next day by postcode for the most recent quarter for which figures are available. [8248]

Operational issues are a matter for Consignia.However, I have been advised by the company that postcode area performance for the first quarter of the current financial year 2001–02 is as follows:

Postcode area performance (April to June 2001)-first class stamped and metered
Postcode area	All posted
AB Aberdeen	91.3
AL St. Albans	81.1
B Birmingham	86.9
BA Bath	89.1
BB Blackburn and Burnley	83.2
BD Bradford	95.4
BH Bournemouth	88.3
BL Bolton	87.8
BN Brighton	91.8
BR Bromley	87.8
BS Bristol	86.4
BT Northern Ireland	86.9
CA Carlisle	87.9
CB Cambridge	88.7
CF Cardiff	87.6
CH Chester and Deeside	80.9
CM Chelmsford	85.3
CO Colchester	88.7
CR Croydon	89.0
CT Canterbury	90.5
CV Coventry and Warwickshire	91.7
CW Crewe	89.6
DA Dartford	88.1
DD Dundee	88.9
DE Derby	91.2
DG Dumfries	91.3
DH Durham	91.1
DL Darlington	91.2
DN Doncaster	93.1
DT Dorchester	88.7
DY Dudley	84.7
E London East	73.4
EC City of London	83.2
EH Edinburgh	88.2
EN Enfield	74.9
EX Exeter	87.9
FK Falkirk	87.2
FY Fylde	86.7
G Glasgow	85.4
GL Gloucester	86.6
GU Guildford	85.2
HA Harrow	78.5
HD Huddersfield	92.1
HG Harrogate	86.7
HP Hemel Hempstead	85.1
HR Hereford	87.0
HS Hebrides	79.6
HU Hull	89.0
HX Halifax	92.6
IG Ilford	86.1
IP Ipswich	81.2
IV Inverness	89.4
KA Kilmarnock	88.0
KT Kingston upon Thames	90.2
KW Kirkwall	84.2
KY Kirkcaldy	91.9
L Liverpool	82.4

Postcode area performance (April to June 2001)-first class stamped and metered
Postcode area	All posted
LA Lancaster	86.0
LD Llandrindod Wells	88.5
LE Leicester	92.2
LL North Wales	80.8
LN Lincoln	91.5
LS Leeds	89.4
LU Luton	80.8
M Manchester	82.5
ME Maidstone	88.5
MK Milton Keynes	85.1
ML Motherwell	84.2
N London north	81.3
NE Newcastle	88.5
NG Nottingham	89.3
NN Northamptonshire	86.6
NP Newport	84.7
NR Norwich	88.2
NW London north west	79.5
OL Oldham	86.1
PA Paisley	86.0
PE Peterborough	83.7
PH Perth	89.7
PL Plymouth	87.7
PO Portsmouth	89.9
PR Preston	86.5
RG Reading	85.2
RH Redhill	89.6
RM Romford	87.7
S Sheffield	93.2
SA Swansea	90.7
SE London south east	81.7
SG Stevenage	89.6
SK Stockport	86.0
SL Slough	83.2
SM Sutton	92.4
SN Swindon	83.2
SO Southampton	87.9
SP Salisbury	83.4
SR Sunderland	93.2
SS Southend-on-Sea	82.1
ST Stoke-on-Trent	86.1
SW London south west	77.4
SY Shrewsbury and mid Wales	84.7
TA Taunton	86.6
TD Borders	90.2
TF Telford	86.9
TN Tonbridge	86.0
TQ Torquay	86.5
TR Truro	90.7
TS Teeside	92.2
TW Twickenham	91.4
UB Uxbridge	80.1
W London west	79.2
WA Warrington	87.8
WC London west central	79.8
WD Watford	78.2
WF Wakefield	86.6
WN Wigan	91.3
WR Worcester	90.3
WS Walsall	88.1
WV Wolverhampton	88.1
YO York	89.6
ZE Lerwick	85.6

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many claims for compensation for Icelandic trawlermen have been rejected: and how many remain to be decided. [9977]