To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of the retrospective recognition of pre-1975 military service for pension purposes. [10433]

Before 1975, and currently, pensions were awarded to Service personnel who completed at least 22 years' reckonable service (or 16 years' reckonable service in the case of officers). Gratuities were awarded to those who did not qualify for a pension but had completed 12 years' reckonable service (or nine years in the case of officers).It has been the long-standing policy of successive Governments that changes to improve benefits from public service pension schemes should normally be implemented from a current date for future service only.In the case of the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, in order to calculate the precise cost of awarding pension rights retrospectively, my Department would have to identify and assess the potential entitlements of all service men who left service before April 1975 without completing enough service to qualify for a pension. There are probably several hundred thousand if not more than a million former service men in this category. An accurate estimate could, therefore, be provided only at disproportionate cost.None the less, we can be clear that the cost of awarding pensions retrospectively would be considerable. In addition, such a retrospection could not be applied solely to former service men, and would require a change for all public service pension schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the overall standard of Single Living Accommodation. [9796]

The condition of Single Living Accommodation has been examined in detail to underpin decisions on the major investment programme announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 14 March 2001, Official Report, column 600W, in particular the Single Living Accommodation Modernisation prime contract which we plan to award by the end of 2002. Recent surveys indicate that roughly half of the Single Living Accommodation is sub-standard. The Ministry of Defence's objective is to improve all Single Living Accommodation to single bedrooms with en suite shower, wash hand basin and toilet facilities. To this end, an additional £1 billion worth of investment is planned over the next 10 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made in publicising and demonstrating assistance offered to veterans of the armed services by central and local government. [10215]

Since my appointment as Minister for Veterans' Affairs on 14 March significant progress has been made in publicising and demonstrating the aims of the Veterans' Initiative. The Ministry of Defence has established a Veterans' Affairs Secretariat and I have chaired two meetings of the Veterans' Forum comprising the Confederation of British Service and Ex-Service Organisations (COBSEO) executive committee members, and officials from Government Departments with an interest in veterans' affairs. I also chaired the first meeting of the Forum in Plenary session on 16 October, which was attended by 158 delegates from veterans' organisations, welfare providers and pressure groups. The Plenary programme included a presentation from the DTLR's National Housing Federation which gave veterans advice on how to get the most out of the "Supporting People" initiative currently being taken forward by local government. The Veterans' Forum has fully endorsed the Strategic Action Plan to take forward the Veterans' Initiative and I will now present the plan to my ministerial colleagues at the Veterans' Task Force on 6 November.A short press release was issued after each forum meeting and minutes of forum and task force meetings, including a copy of the Strategic Action Plan, have been widely circulated among the veterans' community and are available on the MOD website: http://www.mod.uk/vau

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list (a) by date and (b) by aircraft serial number, all incidents of uncommanded flight control movements in Chinook helicopters since 1 January 1999: and what their cause was. [10638]

Uncommanded movements are defined as an unusual movement of flying controls or rotors that are not caused by pilot inputs.The table lists the incidents of uncommanded flying control movements in Chinook helicopters since 1 January 1999 and their determined causes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each occasion on which pilots have temporarily lost control of RAF Chinook helicopters during an uncommanded flying control movement. [10637]

No such instances have occurred. Aircrew have retained full control of the aircraft whenever an uncommanded flying control movement has taken place by successfully mitigating the effects of the control movement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is (1) of the level of UK defence spending as a share of UK gross domestic product for each year from 1973–74 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement; [10493](2) UK defence spending as a share of gross domestic product for each of the last 25 years; and if he will make a statement. [10631]

[holding answer 29 October 2001]: Following the introduction of resource accounting and budgeting (RAB) in the Ministry of Defence on 1 April 2001, future financial planning, management and reporting is conducted on the new resource basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the status of Sovereign Bases under UK law. [10502]

The legal status of the UK Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus is as set out in the Cyprus Act 1960 and the 1960 Treaty of Establishment. Under the Act, the Sovereign Base Areas were retained as UK sovereign territory when the Republic of Cyprus achieved independence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the predicted total number of frigates and destroyers will be in the Royal Navy after the final type 45 destroyer comes into service. [10116]

On current plans and based on the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review, the number of frigates and destroyers in service after the final type 45 destroyer comes into service will be 32.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made by his Department in implementing each of the decisions of the NATO Defence Capabilities Initiative. [11454]

I am pleased by the progress achieved by NATO in improving military capabilities in line with the 59 Decisions of the Defence Capabilities Initiative (DCI), although I acknowledge that much still remains to be done.A number of DC1 Decisions propose action for the Alliance as a whole, rather than for individual nations. Often these address standards and procedures rather than specific capabilities. The UK is working with Allies and the NATO International Staffs to achieve success in these areas.The UK's own DCI performance has been relatively strong. It compares well with the Alliance average and reflects capability enhancements such as the introduction of the C17 strategic transport aircraft, the acquisition of a greater sealift capability and development and procurement of new precision guided munitions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent fatal helicopter accident in Kenema, Sierra Leone. [11451]

At approximately 7.15 am local time on Friday 19 October, a HIND helicopter belonging to the Sierra Leone armed forces crashed about fives miles south west of Kenema, Sierra Leone. Regrettably, a British Army Officer, Major Vanessa Lang, sustained head injuries in the crash, and subsequently died of her injuries in hospital in Kenema. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I extend our deep condolences to Major Lang's family.Major Lang was working from the British Military Headquarters in Freetown as a media adviser to the Sierra Leone armed forces. She was travelling in the helicopter to provide advice to the Sierra Leone Army on their information strategy in relation to a planned border security operation. The other five occupants of the helicopter included a British Non-Commissioned Officer and an Australian Major: none received serious injuries in the accident. British accident investigators are assisting the Government of Sierra Leone in the investigation into the precise cause of the accident.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many additional appointments are to be made to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and on what date these appointments will be made. [10560]

I intend to announce the outcome of the recent competition for appointment to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission in the near future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the criteria are for the granting of a licence for a semi-automatic weapon in Northern Ireland. [7836]

Firearms licensing in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Chief Constable under the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and is generally more restrictive than in Great Britain. For example, all firearms, including shotguns and air guns, require a firearm certificate. The Chief Constable shall not permit a person to hold a firearm certificate unless he is satisfied of certain statutory criteria—that a person is not prohibited by law from possessing a firearm and that the requirements in respect of fitness, good reason and public safety have been met.The Chief Constable has advised us that the term "semi-automatic weapon" is not specifically defined in the legislation and can therefore be open to wide interpretation, eg shotguns (including pump action), .22 rifles and handguns (not revolvers), target weapons and prohibited weapons. To provide an answer to this question would require an in-depth search of police records and incur disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many applications have been registered for semi-automatic weapons in the last 12 months in Northern Ireland; [7834](2) how many licences for semi-automatic weapons were granted in the last 12 months in Northern Ireland. [7835]

The Chief Constable has advised us that the term "semi-automatic weapon" is not specifically defined in the legislation and can therefore be open to wide interpretation, eg shotguns (including pump action), 22 rifles and handguns (not revolvers), target weapons and prohibited weapons. To provide an answer to this question would require an in-depth search of police records and incur disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much public money has been invested in the railway network in each of the last 10 years. [8877]

The information requested is contained in the latest (September 2001) edition of the Strategic Rail Authority bulletin "National Rail Trends".

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the timetable of the Thameslink investment programme will be affected by Railtrack going into administration. [9378]

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Mr. Jamieson) on 24 October 2001, Official Report, column 222W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was (a) the itinerary for and (b) the cost of the Minister for Housing's visit to Brazil of 4 to 8 November 2000. [9891]

I led a successful trade mission to Brazil and Chile from 5–10 November. We visited Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Santiago. Accompanying me were around a dozen representatives from the British construction industry. The purpose of the mission was to promote British construction exports.In Rio de Janeiro we met with the Municipal Secretary for Housing, representatives of Town Hall's Favela Bairro Programme, representatives of the UK and Brazilian Oil and Gas companies, the President of SINICON (Association for Heavy Construction), the British Chamber of Commerce, the State Secretary for Sanitation and Water Resource, representatives from CEDAE (local water company), and ABES (sanitary engineers), a group of top architects from Rio, and local British and Brazilian businessmen. I also visited the Copa D'Or Hospital where I met with the President of D'Or Group.In São Paulo we met with SABESP (Water Company) the Brazilian Trade Association for the Construction Industry, PINI Publishers, the Brazilian British Centre, ABRAS (retail association), the State Secretary for Transport and the President of Cia do Metropolitano de São Paulo Metro. We also made a site visit to a major road construction scheme with Rodanel and contributed to a PFI Seminar for representatives of the construction and finance sector in Brazil.The total cost to the public funds of the mission to Brazil was approximately £9,800. This covered the cost of my travel and accommodation, local transportation, incidental expenses, interpreters' fees and that of my Private Secretary who accompanied me.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has conducted into the impact a not-for-profit Railtrack will have on rail safety, reliability, ability to raise funds for investment purposes, and its own public acceptability. [9892]

Our proposed company limited by guarantee (CLG) would be able to make an operating surplus, which would be re-invested in establishing reserves and in developing the network. Our proposals are now being developed and we will work to ensure that the CLG would be able to raise funds for investment and have a positive impact on rail safety and reliability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he made of the financial position of Railtrack before deciding to apply for an administration order. [9833]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given today by the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Mr. Jamieson) to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban), Official Report, column 572W, and to his answer of 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 195W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what meetings he held with officials from the IPPR to discuss their model for a not-for-profit trust prior to his decision to take Railtrack into administration. [9835]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Mr. Jamieson) to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 18 October 2001, Official Report, column 1319W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the Safety and Standards Directorate of Railtrack will be transferred to the new railway industry safety body. [9824]

On 1 January this year the industry-wide functions of Railtrack's Safety and Standards Directorate were incorporated into a separate, non-profit making company, within the Railtrack Group—Railway Safety. Lord Cullen has recommended that most of the functions carried out by Railway Safety should be undertaken by the new Rail Industry Safety Body.We shall publish in this parliamentary Session our plans to take forward Lord Cullen's recommendation to establish a fully independent industry safety body.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he has received confirmation from the European Commission that his plans for Railtrack are compatible with European law. [9829]

The Secretary of State will ensure that any proposals for restructuring the railway industry are compatible with European law.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if Railtrack's administrators will be permitted to dispose of non-operational assets and return the proceeds of any such disposals to Railtrack's shareholders. [9828]

The administrator is required to manage the transfer, as a going concern, of as much of Railtrack plc's undertaking as it is necessary to transfer in order to ensure that the relevant activities may be properly carried on. The administrator's proposed transfer scheme must then be passed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for consideration and approval. It is then for the administrator to determine whether any residual value can be distributed, and on what basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information was given by his officials to Railtrack executives in their meeting on 3 October about his intentions to take Railtrack into administration. [9840]

None. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State took the decision to refuse Railtrack's proposal for additional funding on 5 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place in the Library (a) a copy of written statements from Railtrack substantiating its requests for extra subsidy and (b) an analysis of the decisions of the Regulator on such funds. [9837]

Documents provided to my Department by Railtrack relating to the company's requests for extra funding remain commercially confidential. These documents have not been analysed by the Rail Regulator.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when and how he informed the Strategic Rail Authority of his decision (a) to put Railtrack into railway administration and (b) to replace it with a Government-owned non profit-making company. [9830]

My officials informed the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) on 6 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received from City firms about future private investment in the national railway network since 11 September. [9858]

My officials and my Department's advisers have had a number of contacts with financial institutions since Railtrack plc was placed into administration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, if he will provide Railtrack plc with sufficient funds to complete the modernisation of train protection systems. [9827]

I refer the hon. Member to the Deputy Prime Minister's statements to the House on 20 July 2000, Official Report, column 549, and 24 October 2000, Official Report, column 136.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much private money was invested in equity share issues by Railtrack; what is the cumulative value of dividends paid out on that equity; and if he will estimate the cumulative interest payable on the same amount of gilt edged stock. [10147]

The flotation of Railtrack Group Plc on 20 May 1996 raised gross proceeds of f1.93 billion from equity investors.Since 20 May 1996, Railtrack Group Plc have paid out £709 million in cash, or equivalent, dividends.The amount of interest payable on gilt edged stock is dependent on the coupon and maturity of the stock that is bought.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent meetings he has had with the Strategic Rail Authority to discuss recent developments affecting Railtrack. [10173]

My officials are in regular contact with the Strategic Rail Authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions under the new arrangements proposed for Railtrack and the railway sector, to what extent (a) train operating companies and (b) Railtrack would have responsibility for safety. [10174]

The successor company to Railtrack plc would need to meet the same safety requirements as its predecessor. Train operating companies' safety responsibility would not be affected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications for the planned improvements to the east coast main line of the decision to put Railtrack into administration. [10172]

The decision to put Railtrack into administration will have no immediate implications for the planned improvements to the east coast main line (ECML). The development studies for the ECML upgrade are being jointly carried out and funded by the Strategic Rail Authority and Railtrack. This will continue unchanged until the end of this financial year. The review of the upgrade objectives is a continuous process as part of the project's development. Decisions on planned improvements will be subject to the outcome of these reviews regardless of whether or not Railtrack is in administration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to compensate Railtrack employees holding shares in Railtrack plc. [9906]

[holding answer 24 October 2001]: The Government will do their utmost to ensure shareholders get fair value for money but they will not use additional taxpayers' money to create value.As my right hon. Friend made clear in his statement on 15 October, no further taxpayers' money will be put into Railtrack to compensate shareholders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place in the Library the calculation supporting the statement he made on 15 October that Railtrack would be in deficit by £700 million by 8 December this year and £1.7 billion by the end of March next year. [10195]

[holding answer 25 October 2001]: The figures are those stated in the report at Exhibit "DR3" in the bundle of High Court papers, copies of which have already been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his estimate is of the cash needs of Railtrack plc (a) between now and its next year-end and (b) for the following year; and how much of this will be supplied by the Treasury. [9780]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: The Government have committed to provide the Railway Administrators with the financial support necessary to ensure that the rail network can remain fully operational throughout the administration of Railtrack Plc. The Administrators, who are currently undertaking a thorough review of Railtrack's business and cost base, will determine the overall case needs of Railtrack Plc during this period.In respect of the funding arrangements, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Lawrie Quinn) on 17 October 2001,

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if local authorities are obliged to adhere to a minimum standard of service provision with regard to providing interpretation services for deaf residents. [9878]

Part three of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 applies to services to the public provided by local authorities. Where access to a service is impossible or unreasonably difficult for a disabled person, a local authority will be under a duty to make a reasonable adjustment to the way the service is provided. This might involve providing British Sign Language interpretation for a deaf person.We would expect local authorities to consult deaf people as necessary over the provision of all services as part of best value reviews. Statutory guidance emphasises the need to consult all groups: these will include those who are deaf and their representative bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to implement a London-wide translation service for deaf residents. [9877]

There are no current plans to implement a London-wide translation service for deaf residents. The provision of services is a matter for the London boroughs in the light of local needs. We are actively encouraging authorities jointly to review services under best value, and there is nothing to prevent a review being carried out London-wide, perhaps co-ordinated through the GLA or the LGA. However, this is ultimately a matter for the boroughs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much funding is necessary to provide the signalling and safety equipment suggested by the Cullen Inquiry into the Ladbroke Grove accident; and over what period he expects this funding to be delivered. [9839]

I refer the hon. Member to the Deputy Prime Minister's statements to the House on 20 July 2000, Official Report, column 549 and 24 October 2000, Official Report, column 136.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much investment has been made in the (a) east coast main line and (b) west coast main line in each of the last 15 years. [10128]

Figures for infrastructure expenditure on the east coast main line and west coast main line are only readily available since 1998, when Railtrack first published its Network Management Statement (NMS).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will introduce greater freedom for local councils to charge for mandatory services. [10071]

In the Green Paper "Modernising Local Government Finance" (September 2000) we said that in addition to extending local authorities' power to charge for services they provide at their discretion, we would, in the longer term, review the policy on charges for mandatory services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proposals he has to allow local authorities to borrow against the value of their housing stock; and if he will make a statement. [10127]

We announced on 21 March 2001, Official Report, column 250W, our intention to abolish the present system of local authority capital controls. This will be replaced by a system under which local authorities would be free to borrow without obtaining Government approval; the new arrangements will apply to borrowing for housing expenditure. Legislation will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time allows.The amount of borrowing that an authority can undertake will depend on the resources available to service debt and be subject to a Prudential Code which is currently being developed. The impact of the new freedom will, therefore, depend on what revenue resources an authority can make available for this purpose while meeting other liabilities.There is no proposal to remove the present prohibition on the mortgaging of local authority capital assets. Loans by authorities are secured on all the revenues of the authority and that will remain the position.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what meetings were held by officials of his Department to discuss (a) Project Ariel and (b) not-for-profit public interest trusts; and when these were held. [10192]

[holding answer 25 October 2001]: Under paragraph 2 of Part 11 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it is not the practice to disclose details of internal communications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish a chronology of (a) research undertaken by and (b) proposals for pedestrian protection standards for cars for the Transport Research Laboratory. [11137]

A major programme of research into pedestrian protection was carried out by TRL between 1992 and 1999 under project S220C/VF. This project covered TRL's input into the work of EEVC Committees WG10 and WG17 including the development of test tools, an early cost-benefit analysis, and some work on the additional problems caused by pull bars. The completion of this work coincided with the presentation of the final report of WG17 to the European Commission, covering recommendations for test tools and procedures for assessing the pedestrian protection offered by cars.A copy of the final report of this work, "Pedestrian protection test procedures and design: Final report (April 1992 to March 1999)—TRL report 480", which gives full chronological details is being placed in the Library.Since 1999 further work by TRL in the area of pedestrian protection has concentrated on further refinement of the test tools, some analysis of the Honda

Civic and a preliminary comparative benefit analysis of phase 1 of the ACEA proposals. This work will be incorporated in the final project report in late 2002. The following interim reports are being placed in the Library:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what parliamentary procedure he will adopt for (a) the proposed mandatory test standards for vehicles protection for pedestrians and (b) the voluntary proposals; and what procedure will be adopted by the European Parliament. [11133]

There is no formal proposal from the European Commission for the introduction of mandatory pedestrian protection test standards for vehicles. The proposal for a negotiated agreement with manufacturers is subject to full parliamentary scrutiny, and an Explanatory Memorandum was submitted on 10 October. The proposal is also currently being considered by the European Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when COREPER will discuss pedestrian protection standards for vehicles; what the UK objectives are at COREPER on this issue; when Ministers will next meet in the European Council to discuss it; and if he will make a statement. [11132]

COREPER plan to discuss pedestrian protection on either 7 or 9 November. Our objective at COREPER is to bring about improvements in pedestrian protection in Europe. The issue will next be discussed by Ministers at the Internal Market, Consumer Affairs and Tourism Council on 26 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make it his policy to adopt the highest proposed standard for pedestrian protection standards for vehicles. [11136]

Our policy is to bring about the introduction of effective European measures to make car fronts safer for the benefit of pedestrians. In practical terms this means finding a reasonable balance between the technical standards proposed in the initial stages and ensuring early implementation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which major road schemes each highway authority has included in its full local transport plan and first annual progress report where funding is not being sought in the Local Transport Settlement 2001. [10487]

Not all local authorities have included in their full local transport plans or first annual progress reports information on those road schemes for which they are considering making a bid for LTP funding in future years. In many cases they have yet to make decisions on whether to make such a bid. We know of a number of schemes where the authority has forewarned us that they may be making a bid and in some cases has provided us with some information. These include:

• A171 Burniston/Cloughton Bypass
• A19 Shipton/Beningbrough Bypass
• A24 Ashington to Southwater Route Safety Strategy
• A228 Leybourne and West Mailing Bypass
• A228 Ropers Lane (Phase 2)
• A260 Hawkinge Bypass
• A38/A390 Link Dobwalls
• A391 Corridor
• A418 improvements including a Rowsham Bypass
• A418 Wing Bypass
• A605 Stanground Bypass
• A684 Leeming/Aiskew/Bedale Bypass
• Botley Bypass
• Chickenhall Lane Link Road
• East Kent Access (Phases 2 and 3)
• Newhaven Port Access Road
• North-West Relief Road, Shrewsbury
• Tunstall Northern Bypass.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when (a) English Nature, (b) the Countryside Agency and (c) English Heritage (i) were and (ii) will be consulted on local road schemes being considered for funding in the Local Transport Settlement 2001. [10485]

Local authorities bidding for road schemes under the Local Transport Plan system are required to consult the four statutory bodies—English Nature, English Heritage, the Countryside Agency and the Environment Agency—before submitting their bids. In addition, once the bid documents were received by my Department in August the Appraisal Summary Tables for all road schemes were sent to the four bodies to seek their further views on the schemes. The bodies have been kept informed of alterations to the tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he is presented with appraisal summary tables for each of the options before deciding whether to approve a major road scheme; [10633](2) if his Department requires appraisal summary tables to be submitted for more than one option when a local authority seeks funding for a major road scheme. [10634]

Before major local road schemes can be accepted for funding, local authorities need to demonstrate that they have considered alternative approaches. Submission of appraisal summary tables for each alternative is not required but decisions will only be taken once we are satisfied that these have been subject to proper consideration. Decisions are based on all of the evidence available to the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the major new road schemes submitted by local authorities for funding (a) by 31 July and (b) after 31 July. [10488]

The following major new road schemes were submitted for funding by (a) 31 July:

• A1 South East Northumberland Link Road
• A1198 Papworth Everard Bypass
• A182 East Durham Link Road
• A228 Main Road to Ropers Lane (Phase 1)
• A24 Horsham-Capel Improvement
• A34 Alderley Edge Bypass
• A350 Westbury Bypass Town Centre Scheme
• A36 Codford-Heytesbury Improvement
• A52 Grantham East-West Bypass
• A57(T) M1 Junction 31-Todwick Crossroads
• A6096 Ilkeston Awsworth Link
• A612 Gedling ITP Scheme
• A628 Cudworth and West Green Bypass
• Aston Northern Bypass (Phase 2)
• Bletchley Link
• Central Route, Sunderland
• Central Somerset Access Package
• East Middlesbrough Corridor
• Junction 11 M4 Improvement Proposals
• Kiln Lane Link, Surrey
• Markham Employment Growth Zone
• Northern Gateway Stage 2, Newcastle
• Oakham Bypass
• Poole Bridge Regeneration Initiative
• Roscommon Way Extension, Essex
• Selly Oak Relief Road

• Luton East Corridor.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the New Approach to Appraisal applies to (a) national and (b) local major road schemes which are financed by private capital. [10486]

The New Approach to Appraisal (NATA) applies to all trunk and local major road schemes that have some element of public funding. For developer-funded trunk road highway works, the principles of NATA apply, though the form of application may vary. For developer-funded local road schemes, local highway authorities have scope to decide on the appropriate approach and may apply NATA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to reach a final decision on the renewal of the Chiltern line franchise; and if he will make a statement. [11449]

The Strategic Rail Authority is, I understand, close to concluding negotiations and will then seek the Secretary of State's consent to their entering into a new agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will include travel concessions on Isle of Wight ferries in forthcoming legislation; [11463](2) what further provision he proposes to make for travel concessions for elderly people in forthcoming legislation. [11462]

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 10 July 2001, Official Report, column 339W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information he has collated on the annual number of pensioner journeys (a) by train, (b) by coach, (c) by underground. (d) bus and (e) as foot passengers on ferries. [11464]

It is estimated that there were 10.5 million people of pension age (65 and over for men and 60 and over for women) in 2000.The number of annual journeys made by pensioners, averaged over the years 1998 to 2000, were

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what provision has been made for local road maintenance in the 10-Year Plan for Transport. [11643]

The Government are providing £30 billion for local road maintenance over the next 10 years, not £10 billion as I stated in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for The Wrekin (Peter Bradley) on 23 October 2001 Official Report, column 136.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received from councillors concerning housebuilding targets for Hertfordshire. [5570]

[pursuant to the reply, 23 October 2001, c. 132]: My right hon. Friend has received no representations from individual councillors since comments were invited in December 2000 (and not November 2000 as originally stated) on the proposed changes to housing distribution, although local authorities made representations.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the target, in tonnes, of the delivery of food to Afghanistan; by what means the food is being delivered; and what obstacles have to be overcome to increase the supply of food to Afghanistan. [10795]

The World Food Programme's monthly target for food delivery into Afghanistan is 52,000 metric tonnes. WFP is trucking food to Afghanistan by land routes from neighbouring countries. It continues to make progress on increasing the supply of food to Afghanistan, but obstacles do remain.In addition to the physical challenges of distributing food to distant villages on poor roads, obstacles include: a lack of hauliers willing to undertake the work; local NGO staff unable to show up for work to oversee secondary distribution; limited communication with local staff; and the fact that case load lists are becoming outdated due to further population displacement. The fear of harassment and looting of supplies by some elements of the Taliban is further compounding an already difficult situation.We are doing all we can to support WFP in overcoming these obstacles, so that food delivery can continue to increase now and over the winter. WFP is looking into all options for delivering food, including opening up new land routes from the north, as well as air operations, to support the people of Afghanistan in the coming weeks and months. We have already allocated £3 million to WFP for its response to the Afghan crisis.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the dietary content is of the foodstuff being delivered to Afghanistan; and who assesses it. [10793]

The food being dispatched to Afghanistan by the World Food Programme (WFP) to feed vulnerable people is primarily made up of wheat and wheat flour. This is being supplemented in some areas by other foodstuffs provided by local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as pulses, oils, and fresh foods where available. Individual agencies are responsible for assessing the dietary content of the food that they dispatch. Availability of food stocks and logistical constraints play a large part in determining what they are able to deliver.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. [8821]

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on humanitarian relief to Afghanistan and Afghan refugees in Pakistan and the surrounding regions. [9981]

I refer the hon. Members to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development to the House on 24 October 2001, Official Report column 283.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution her Department made to the World Food Programme and other agencies for famine relief and food distribution in North Korea in the last financial year. [9816]

The Department for International Development did not make any contribution to the World Food Programme (WFP) for North Korea in the last financial year. However we did provide a total of £500,000 towards famine relief and related activities in North Korea. This included £200.000 through World Vision for restoring the food production capacity of six co-operative farms under the United Nations Development Programme's Agricultural Recovery and Environmental Protection Programme. We also allocated £300,000 directly to UNDP in support of two parts of AREP.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures are taken by the World Food Programme and other multilateral agencies that distribute famine relief in North Korea to ensure that the food is consumed by those for whom it is intended. [9817]

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the only multilateral agency involved in the distribution of food aid in North Korea, apart from a small input through UNICEF. WFP's food aid programme is targeted at vulnerable groups including children under five, primary and secondary school children, orphans and children in other health institutions, pregnant women and the elderly. WFP work only in provinces to which they have access (currently 167 out of a total of 211). This is essential for carrying out assessments of need, and to undertake monitoring. WFP run an intensive programme of monitoring visits to beneficiaries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are taken to monitor the distribution of food for famine relief by the agencies responsible in North Korea. [9819]

The World Food Programme (WFP) is the lead UN Agency for food relief distribution within North Korea. WFP works with the Food Aid Liaison Unit within the Government's Public Distribution System which co-ordinates the work of non-governmental organisations involved in the sector. This includes the monitoring of food aid through these agencies. WFP monitors food both on its arrival in North Korea and at distribution points. The programme averages 300 monitoring visits per month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the economic impact on (a) the UK aerospace industry and (b) UK airlines of the events of 11 September. [9389]

Officials in the Department of Trade and Industry are in close contact with the UK industry and are continuing to evaluate and monitor developments in the aviation industry in co-operation with the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. When the economic impacts have been fully assessed, we will be in a position to consider the most appropriate response.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment the Government have made of the impact of the events of 11 September on the aerospace industry; [11181](2) what action the Government are taking to protect jobs in the aerospace industry. [11180]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle, (Mr. Prentice), question number 9389.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received from (a) the firework industry and (b) local authorities regarding fireworks being stored in unlicensed premises and sold illegally door to door. [9791]

[holding answer 24 October 2001]: The Department has received representations from the British Pyrotechnists Association regarding fireworks being stored in unlicensed premises, but no representations from local authorities. No representations have been received regarding door to door sales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which regulations issued by her Department since 27 November 2000 have been subject to a consultation period of less than 12 weeks. [8775]

The Code of Practice on Consultations announced by the Prime Minister on 27 November 2000 applies to all consultations launched after 1 January 2001.Two regulations introduced since 27 November 2000 were subject to a consultation period of less than 12 weeks launched since 1 January 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will outline the steps the Enterprise Insight Campaign will take to promote enterprise. [10163]

[holding answer 29 October 2001]: The Government strongly support Enterprise Insight, a 10-year private sector-led national campaign for enterprise. The campaign is led jointly by the British Chambers of Commerce, Confederation of British Industry and Institute of Directors in partnership with enterprise programme providers including Young Enterprise, Shell LiveWIRE and the Prince's Trust. Its aim is to promote enterprise by fostering an entrepreneurial spirit across the UK through four key initiatives: Enterprising Education, Enterprising Communities, Enterprising Media and Enterprising Business.The first step started with the launch of the Enterprising Education campaign in July 2001. Since its launch, 246 businesses have registered their interest in promoting enterprise within schools. A further 750 are expected to do so by 2002. The aim over the next two years is to get 40,000 more young people engaged in enterprise learning in schools and 5,000 new business people to support its delivery. This will be achieved through a number of activities including roadshows and the development of a website enabling businesses to register their interest online. In addition, the Entrepreneurs in Residence scheme, which matches businesses to local enterprise projects, is under way and the first five matches have already been made.Enterprise Insight also aims to promote enterprise positively across society and, in particular, plans to work with the media, using case studies and role models, to help spread knowledge about entrepreneurship and business.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the priorities are for the Small Business Service in the coming year. [10161]

[holding answer 29 October 2001]: The Small Business Service's strategic objectives for 2001–04 are set out in its strategy for 2001–04. They are to:

Be a strong voice for small business at the heart of government, ensuring that government is aware of the needs of Business;

Strive for a regulatory framework which minimises the burdens of business;

Develop and maintain a world class business support service to enhance competitiveness and profitability of small businesses;

Champion entrepreneurship across society particularly in under-represented and disadvantaged groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much funding has been made available to companies by the Small Business Service. [10091]

From April 2000, when it was set up, until September this year the Small Business Service programme expenditure amounted to £365 million. Of this, expenditure under the Phoenix Fund, the Enterprise Fund and the Smart scheme, whereby grants may be made directly to small businesses, amounted to £96 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the (a) high technology venture capital fund and (b) incubator workspace loan fund will assist business. [10164]

[holding answer 29 October 2001]: The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce legislation to combat age discrimination; if she will outlaw mandatory retirement ages; and what powers the authorities will be granted to enforce such legislation. [10112]

We shall introduce legislation to combat age discrimination in employment and training by the 2006 deadline set out in the EC's Employment Directive. That will give us the necessary time to resolve the complexities surrounding this issue, and to decide the right approach to retirement ages in the light of extensive consultation with employers, individuals, and expert groups on age good practice. We shall be issuing proposals for a first round of public consultation within the next three months. This will cover issues which are common to discrimination on grounds of age, sexual orientation, religion, disability and race, including enforcement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the impact of the climate change levy on British industry. [10990]

The climate change levy only became operational in April this year and the first payments are still being received by Customs and Excise. It is too early to assess its impact, but the levy is operating in the planned revenue neutral manner.The impact on any specific sector will depend on a number of factors including;

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received from industry about the effects of the climate change levy. [10639]

The Department has received many representations from businesses about the climate change levy, raising concerns about its impact on businesses' costs and competitiveness and arguing for amendments to its design. The levy has been introduced in line with the Government's Statement of Intent on environmental taxation to contribute towards the UK's commitments to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, while protecting business competitiveness. HM Treasury has made it clear that the levy will be kept under review, as with any other new tax measure. The Government are keeping in touch with business on the levy to monitor initial experience with its operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received about the climate change levy from the engineering sector. [10641]

The Department has received representations from the Engineering Employers Federation and others in the sector about the climate change levy, raising concerns about its impact on businesses' costs and competitiveness and arguing for amendments to its design. The levy has been introduced in line with the Government's Statement of Intent on environmental taxation to contribute towards the UK's commitments to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, while protecting business competitiveness. HM Treasury has made it clear that the levy will be kept under review, as with any other new tax measure. The Government are keeping in touch with business on the levy to monitor initial experience with its operation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations she has received from the Association of Electricity Producers concerning energy from waste in the renewables obligation; [10661](2) what representations she has received from the Renewable Power Association on waste in the renewables obligation. [10695]

We published our Statutory Consultation on the renewables obligation in August this year. The consultation period has just ended and we are now analysing the responses received. Over 150 responses were received, including one from each of the Association of Electricity Producers and the Renewable Power Association.Both responses can be viewed on our website at www.dti.gov.uk/renewable/consultationresponses.htm (see responses 150 and 57 respectively).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects gasification and pyrolysis plants to be ready to operate commercially using mixed waste as a fuel. [10660]

There are a number of pilot plants using pyrolysis and gasification which may advance to commercial scale operations in due course. There are also commercial operators in other countries who are interested in developing pyrolysis and gasification projects in this country. This was one of the subjects discussed on my recent visit with relevant officials to Japan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects gasification and pyrolysis plants, as specified in the draft Renewables Obligation Order, to be ready to operate commercially using mixed waste as fuel. [10900]

[holding answer 29 October 2001]: There are a number of pilot plants using pyrolysis and gasification which may advance to commercial scale operations in due course. There are also commercial operators in other countries who are interested in developing pyrolysis and gasification projects in this country. This was one of the subjects discussed on my recent visit with relevant officials to Japan.We propose to include pyrolysis and gasification in the Renewables Obligation to provide an incentive for the development of these technologies to help us meet our target for 2010.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what date she expects Norway will be unable to meet further UK demand for gas; and if she will make a statement. [9052]

Demand for gas is dependent on a number of factors, including energy prices, GDP growth and the impact of other measures such as the Climate Change Programme. Future demand levels are therefore uncertain and, consequently, the extent to which the UK will need to import gas from Norway or elsewhere cannot be accurately predicted. Against that background, current best estimates are that the UK is likely to become a net importer from around 2005–06 with the possibility of 90 per cent. of the UK's gas being imported by 2020.Figures from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate show that Norway has about 2,100bcm of remaining discovered gas resources in the North Sea and expects to be able to produce at least 90bcm of gas a year until 2050. The extent to which those resources might be available to meet further UK demand will depend on a number of variable factors, including movements in gas and oil prices, which may affect the anticipated level of production; any growth in Norway's domestic demand for gas; competition for Norway's gas from other purchasers in Europe and elsewhere; and the availability of capacity in infrastructure linking Norwegian supplies to the UK. Although there will be a point at which Norwegian gas will be unable to meet further UK demand, it is difficult to give a meaningful estimate of when that might be.I am, however, fully aware of the need to secure longer term security of supply from a range of sources and this is one of the issues under consideration as part of the Performance and Innovation Unit's current review of energy policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the members of the joint working group of her Department and Ofgem to monitor security of supply; and what its terms of reference are. [10236]

The Working Group comprises officials from my Department, Ofgem and the Performance and Innovation Unit. It is chaired jointly by the Deputy Director General of Energy in my Department and the Technical Director of Ofgem. Representatives of Transco and the National Grid Company will be invited to attend meetings when appropriate. The remit of the Working Group is:

To assess the available data relevant to security of supply, to identify the gaps in that data and develop appropriate indicators;

To monitor at a strategic level, over a timescale of at least seven years ahead,

(a) the availability of supplies of gas;

(b) the availability of supplies of electricity and fuels used for electricity generation;

(c) the adequacy of generating capacity; and

(d) the adequacy of the UK's gas and electricity infrastructure;

To assess whether appropriate market-based mechanisms are bringing forward timely investment to address any weaknesses in the supply chain that are anticipated;

To identify relevant policy issues and consider implications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received about the effects of the aggregates tax upon the construction industry. [10643]

A number of construction products companies and associated trade associations have made their concerns regarding the potential impact of the aggregates levy on their overall competitiveness and future level of performance known to me. My officials have drawn these representations to the attention of relevant Government Departments to ensure they are taken into account in the course of discussions between HM Customs and Excise and the industry over the form, implementation and mechanism of the levy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list which countries in the EU have decided on the start date for the implementation of the End of Life Vehicles Directive; and if she will make a statement. [9690]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: All EU member states are required to transpose the End of Life Vehicles Directive by 21 April 2002—18 months after it came into force. The directive mandates various dates when individual requirements (e.g. the new recycling standards) must come into force, and in some cases there are options (e.g. when producers must take responsibility for meeting the cost of take back of ELVs). Decisions on these optional dates have in most cases not yet been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to start implementing the end of vehicles life directive. [9597]

The Government are working to transpose the End of Life Vehicles Directive by 21 April 2002—the date by which all EU member states are required to do so—and to implement its various provisions in accordance with the dates and options specified in the text.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what approval her Department has given for the import of (a) depleted uranium and (b) products containing depleted uranium, over the last 10 years; what regulations apply to the import of depleted uranium into the UK; and if she will make a statement. [10544]

[holding answer 29 October 2001]: Imports of depleted uranium into the United Kingdom do not require the specific approval of my Department. All imports of armour piercing ammunition, whether or not containing depleted uranium, require an individual import licence granted by my Department under the Import of Goods (Control) Order 1954. No other product containing depleted uranium requires such an individual import licence.Information on imports of armour piercing ammunition containing depleted uranium over the last 10 years is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress his Department has made in the investigation of equal pay claims made by colliery canteen workers in Bassetlaw. [9880]

Of the 1,300 valid equal value claims made by former canteen ladies and workers, 115 are from the Nottinghamshire area, including those living in my hon. Friend's constituency of Bassetlaw. Of those, 99 have already received payment, and efforts are being made to locate the remaining 16.We also have details of some 175 women who do not have valid claims as they were not lodged with an Employment Tribunal in accordance with the terms of the Equal Pay Act 1970.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contingency plans she has to deal with an oil shortage. [9943]

Under EU Directive 93/1998 each European Union member state has an obligation to keep stocks of oil that can be made available in the event of any disruption to international oil supplies. As part of this, the UK has an obligation to hold stocks of oil products (including motor spirit) or crude oil equivalent equal to or above 67.5 days' worth of consumption at any one time. In addition, the UK is a member of the International Energy Agency. The 26 IEA member countries, which include the USA and Japan and all other EU member states, all hold emergency stocks of oil and have committed themselves to take effective measures in accordance with IEA plans to meet any international oil supply emergency. The IEA regularly holds exercises to ensure that procedures within the IEA and its member countries are kept up-to-date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for each year from 1990 to 2001, what proportion of commercial payments have been late. [10133]

The Department does not hold this information.The Credit Management Research Centre (CMRC) has produced a quarterly report on credit management practices in the UK since 1998.The CMRC reports show that there has been a fall of almost 7.5 per cent. in the percentage of payments that are reported as being late by the businesses that they survey. This fall relates to the period between their first survey and their most recent published survey, ie the quarter ending June 1998 and the quarter ending June 2001. During the same period their reports show that the number of debtor days for small businesses has fallen by almost 24 per cent. and that the mean number of debtor days for all businesses has fallen by almost 20 per cent.Finally, the "European Business Survey" for 2001, produced by the accountants Grant Thornton, shows the UK as having a payment period almost a week (five days) shorter than the EU average (52 days).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what are the latest estimates of the cost of the Universal Bank for (a) the predicted 2 million and (b) the 6 million prospective customers. [10130]

Universal banking services consist of two elements, namely access to the financial institutions' basic bank accounts at post offices and a Post Office Card Account (POCA) for the encashment of benefit and tax credits for those unable or unwilling to use even a basic bank account. The banking industry will meet the costs of providing post office access to their own accounts. The cost of the POCA, which will be met by Government, together with a fixed contribution from the financial institutions, is subject to commercial negotiations between Consignia and the Paying Departments and between Consignia and the potential supplier of the banking engine for POCA. The estimate of costs are confidential under

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in establishing the Universal Bank; and which commercial banks are collaborating with the scheme and in what way. [10756]

Barclays, Lloyds TSB, RBS/NatWest, HSBC, Abbey National, the Halifax, Alliance and Leicester, the BOS, NAG, the Co-operative Bank, and the Nationwide Building Society have signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing that they will make their PAT 14 basic bank accounts accessible through post offices, commit to simple and straightforward opening of those bank accounts at a post office and contribute £180 million to the costs of the Post Office Card Account (POCA).Implementation of universal banking services is making good progress as detailed commercial negotiations continue between the banks, the Paying Departments and Consignia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will make a decision on granting export licence application 27282, submitted on 10 September, by P.W. Allen and Company, Tewkesbury. [10593]

[holding answer 26 October 2001]: A decision on the export licence application in question has been taken. The company was informed of this decision on 25 October 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the population in Lancashire were employed in the (a) manufacturing sector and (b) service sector for each of the last five years. [10087]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what change there has been in the incidence of fly tipping following the increase in the level of the landfill tax since April; and if she will make a statement. [7726]

The Department does not collate statistics on fly tipping. The Government's review of the tax in March 1998, led by HM Customs and Excise, showed that out of 530 local authorities, only 78 felt that there had been an increase in fly tipping since the introduction of the tax.In addition, a Tidy Britain group report, "Effects of the Landfill Tax on Flytipping" (published in 1998), did not establish a clear link between the tax and increased fly tipping. The report showed for 1997–98 that domestic waste was, overall, the type of fly-tipped waste most frequently collected by local authorities. The landfill tax would not make a difference to such waste as householders do not directly meet increases in the cost of the tax.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the regulations arising from the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 will be introduced which enable an authority to make a special extinguishment order and special diversion order. [9079]

The regulations will be introduced as soon as possible once the necessary preparatory work has been completed. New sections 118B (special extinguishment order) and 119B (special diversion order) of the Highways Act 1980, to be inserted by schedule 6 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act, require an order to be made by the Secretary of State prior to commencement. The order must designate the areas where the power to make special extinguishment and special diversion orders, for the purposes of crime prevention, will be available to local highway authorities. The exercise of the power in relation to school security will apply throughout England.Officials from my Department and the Home Office are working jointly to establish the most appropriate means of identifying areas to be included in the designation order. I am seeking to implement new sections 118B and 119B in advance of the rest of schedule 6, to ensure these provisions are available at the earliest possible date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out the latest position on (a) the research programme and (b) current monitoring of sheep brains for evidence of BSE infection. [9605]

DEFRA is funding a great deal of work in relation to BSE in sheep. This includes experiments to assess susceptibility, infectivity and possible transmission in sheep, particularly in relation to different genotypes and breeds. This work will underpin the national scrapie plan.At their meeting in September 2001, the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee reviewed the latest data from the current programme of strain typing work to assess whether BSE is present in the current sheep flock. To date, about 180 individual scrapie brains have been inoculated into mice. Results for 163 brains have reached a point where the mice might have been expected to display signs characteristic of BSE, if the disease was present. This has not happened. However, it is too soon to draw firm conclusions from these on-going experiments. Work is also in hand to develop molecular methods of differentiating BSE from scrapie to enable many more brains to be screened rapidly.During the development of a molecular method at Veterinary Laboratory Agency (VLA), 460 sheep brains have been screened. None has indicated the presence of BSE, but the test is not yet fully validated and it is therefore too early to draw firm conclusions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to ensure that the planned increase in funding for organic conversion will keep up with the projected increase in demand for organic produce. [9804]

The England rural development programme already allocates funding for conversion to organic farming, which would triple the organic area by 2006. We intend to produce a strategy for the future direction of organic farming when we have the report of the Commission on the Future of Farming and Food, taking account of any recommendations it makes for this sector. The strategy will assess potential growth both for UK production and for the organic market, and will need to take account of the large variation between different products. It is likely, for example, that UK production of organic fruit and vegetables can take a significantly higher share of the market for these products, while the scope for increasing organic milk production will be much more limited given the relatively slow growth of this market.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to increase accessibility to the countryside for those living in inner cities. [10001]

The new statutory right of access to open countryside will open up new areas of land close to where people live. We expect local authorities to give priority to links between town and country in their rights of way improvement plans and local transport plans, and to consider town to country journeys for leisure purposes, as well as those from the country to the town for work, shopping and education. We are also encouraging local authorities to develop and promote public transport links for people wishing to go to the countryside.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department took in recognition of energy efficiency week. [11520]

The Government have provided funding to the Energy Saving Trust since 1996–97 to run a wide-ranging programme of work to promote energy efficiency. The Department is providing over £22 million in support of the trust's programme this year. Energy efficiency week is an important part of that programme. I warmly welcome this initiative, and spoke at a parliamentary reception to mark the launch of energy efficiency week on 22 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action has been taken in respect of allegations made by the "Newsnight" programme on 3 July concerning the dioxin content of ash used for construction from the Edmonton incinerator; and if she will make a statement. [11812]

I am grateful for this opportunity to clarify the answers I gave on 11 July 2000, Official Report, columns 496–97W, and on 27 March 2001, Official Report, column 565W. Until August 2000, the Edmonton incinerator mixed bottom ash and precipitator ash. From August 1998 to May 1999, this mixed ash was reprocessed and used in the production of concrete building blocks. This ash has also been used as an aggregate.As the reply to the first of these two questions said, neither the Department nor the Environment Agency routinely held information on the dioxin content of ash from incinerators. However, in July 1998 the Environment Agency was given an estimate of the dioxin content of the mixed ash, based on a 1997 analysis of the fly ash. I was not advised about this when I replied to the second of these questions and regret any consequent inaccuracy in my answer. I have written to both Members and have placed a copy of the letter and the analysis in the fax in the Library of the House.The Environment Agency is currently carrying out a full and thorough investigation into the destination of ash from incinerators, the environmental implications of its use and what steps may be needed in the light of these findings. This thorough investigation will establish the true picture for all municipal waste incinerators. Its results will be made public and any necessary action will be taken.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the total cost of nuclear production. [9941]

I have been asked to reply.There is a range of estimates for the cost of producing nuclear power. The performance and innovation unit at the Cabinet Office is currently producing a report on the UK's energy policy and is looking at the cost of potential future energy options, including new nuclear build.