To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average cost to the police of applying for an antisocial behaviour order. [9480]

Based on a survey of 21 cases conducted in April this year, the average cost of an antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) was calculated to be £4,800. This is the cost to either the police or the local authority and includes the staff costs associated with evidence gathering, preparing the case and attending court. It does not include dealing with appeals and breaches. Fuller details will be included in the review of ASBOs which we are aiming to publish by the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for what reason no statement was made at Home Office questions on 22 October in respect of the under-reporting of antisocial behaviour orders; and when he plans to make a statement; [11794](2) if he will make a statement on the reasons underlying the under-reporting of antisocial behaviour orders. [11793]

[holding answer 1 November 2001]: In response to a written question on 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 71W, I did in fact state that there had been some under-reporting of antisocial behaviour orders, and that we would be undertaking a one-off reconciliation exercise to establish its extent. I intend to announce its results in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on plans to change the status of plain-clothed police officers to uniformed officers; and if he will make a statement. [5786]

We want to enhance the visibility of the police in a common-sense way as part of our programme for police reform. This means that, on some occasions, officers will be in plain clothes and, on others, in uniform. The decision on how this should be applied rests with local management.Officers in uniform and in plain clothes are equally important and valued in their different roles: uniformed duties should not be regarded as of lesser status.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have (a) retired and (b) joined since 1997 in (i) east Sussex and (ii) the Senlac division. [9864]

The Sussex police are unable to provide information on either recruitment or retirement at divisional level since 1997. East Sussex is an integral part of the Sussex police. Information on recruitment and retirements is therefore for the force area as a whole for the four years to March 2001.The table sets out recruitment and retirement figures for the Sussex police. Information on retirement and recruitment for the first six months of 2001–02 will be available in December.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the criminal law relating to common purpose with reference to the issues of (a) terrorism and (b) the activities of Islamic fundamentalist extremists; and if he will make a statement. [10084]

I have no such plans at present. I outlined the legislative steps necessary to counter the threat from terrorism in my statement to the House on 15 October 2001, Official Report, column 923. However, the Law Commission is conducting a major review of the whole area of inchoate offences and secondary liability, which will include this area.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will outline the type approval process for speed cameras and publish the operational guidance he has given to the police to avoid motorists being punished for errors caused by camera malfunction. [11217]

Any manufacturer wishing to seek type approval for a new speed camera device may approach either the Home Office or the Association of Chief Police Officers. The device in question will need to meet an operational need and either represent a technical advance or introduce greater competition into the market.The Association of Chief Police Officers' Road Policing Enforcement Technology Committee considers representations from manufacturers seeking type approval. Where the Committee is satisfied that basic requirements are met, field tests are carried out and the Home Office, working with independent laboratories, conducts rigorous technical tests to ensure that the device is robust and reliable and that it can produce accurate readings or images under a variety of extreme conditions. The Home office has published handbooks for manufacturers about the procedures for type approval, outlining the requirements and specifications.The Home Office provides a type approval order for any device which fully meets the specifications, and the device is approved for police use from the date of the order.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the impact of CCTV on the level of crime in Northampton. [11279]

Police operational experience and various research studies show that Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) has considerable crime reduction and detection potential, particularly when used as part of a wider strategy.The Home Office has made no formal evaluation of the effectiveness of CCTV in Northampton. However, the Northampton Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership consider that CCTV has contributed to the 5.9 per cent. overall fall in recorded crime in Northampton last year.Northampton's existing CCTV system was recently expanded, with £155,000 funding from the Crime Reduction Programme CCTV Initiative, to include Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology. According to figures provided by the Partnership, since the introduction of ANPR, vehicle-related crime in Northampton has decreased by 21.6 per cent. against the same period last year. The scheme has led to 346 arrests as well as the recovery of 31 stolen vehicles and property worth £150,000.In the first six months of the introduction of CCTV at Sixfields Leisure Park car park, Northampton, last year, there was a 40 per cent. reduction in theft of cars and a 50 per cent. reduction in theft from cars.Further funding of £148,000 to expand the Northampton CCTV system to cover three residential areas has recently been approved under Round 2 of the CCTV Initiative, to target burglary, vehicle crime, antisocial behaviour, drugs offences and youth crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance has been issued to police who stop people who are using a hand-held mobile phone when driving. [11787]

[holding answer 1 November 2001]: There is no specific offence of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving, and accordingly no guidance has been issued. Existing legislation places the responsibility on drivers to have proper control of their vehicles at all times. Any motorist who fails to do so, for whatever reason, is liable to be prosecuted by the police. Drivers may be charged with failing to exercise proper control of a vehicle, careless and inconsiderate driving, or even dangerous driving, if using a mobile phone causes them to drive in such a manner.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the goal to increase by 100,000 the number of recorded crimes for which an offender is brought to justice has not been met; if he has plans to revise this target; and if he will make a statement. [11796]

[holding answer 1 November 2001]: As the White Paper "Criminal Justice: The Way Ahead" made clear, the criminal justice system-wide target to increase by 100,000 the number of recorded crimes ending in an offender being brought to justice has been set to be met by 2004.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make changes to the definition of "brought to justice" for the purposes of departmental targets; and what factors will be taken into account in his decision. [11795]

[holding answer 1 November 2001]: I have no plans at present to change the definition of "brought to justice" used in the attrition target.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what statutory powers govern the rights of UK citizens to serve with foreign armed forces; [11972](2) what statutory powers he has to take action against British citizens serving with foreign armed forces. [11980]

There are a number of offences for which a person serving with a foreign armed force could be prosecuted. Whether an offence has been committed and a prosecution is justified in an individual case, and, if so, what the appropriate charge is, are matters for the Crown Prosecution Service to decide after a full police investigation.There are a number of protections under international instruments for those serving with armed forces, whether foreign or United Kingdom.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the level of support within ACPO for his police reform programme, with particular reference to proposals relating to the responsibility for charging suspects. [12002]

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I have regular discussions with members of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) on a variety of policing issues. It is evident from those meetings that there is broad support within the Association for the police reform programme.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission (1) when the Commission (a) decided and (b) announced that a Commissioner for Standards would not necessarily be invited to accept a first re-appointment without open competition; [11111](2) when the conclusions of the studies of staff overloading in the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner were sent to the

On (a) I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 2 May 2001, Official Report, columns 640–41W. On (b) staffing issues are a matter for the House of Commons Commission: no official report on the staffing of the Commissioner's office has been made to the Select Committee on Standards and Privileges.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the Commissioner will seek the views of the Commissioner for Public Appointments on the timing and substance of their decisions on open competition for the post of Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. [11112]

The appointment of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is not within the remit of the Commission for Public Appointments. However, the House of Commons Commission is applying the general principles set out by the Commission for Public Appointments, so far as they are applicable to the circumstances of this appointment.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, when the advertisement for the post of Commissioner for Standards will be published; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [11177]

The House of Commons Commission has agreed that an advertisement should appear in the national press on Sunday 4 November. A copy will be placed in the Library.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, when the Commission (a) decided and (b) told the Commissioner for Standards that she would be invited to re-apply for her post. [11110]

The matter was considered by the Commission on 15 October. The Commissioner was told of its decision the next day.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, when, and by what means, the former Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards was consulted about possible re-appointment; and what advice he was given about the nature of the competition. [11495]

The first Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Sir Gordon Downey, indicated before the expiration of his term that he intended to retire. The matter did not therefore arise.

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make available to hon. Members the (a) agendas and (b) minutes of proceedings of the Commission. [11105]

The Commission meetings are deliberative and its papers are not published. The Commission publishes considerable details about management and services in its annual report, the last of which was published on 18 July 2001. The Commission is at present considering what information it could usefully place on the parliamentary intranet.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his policy is on the renewal of Premier Christian Radio's analogue licence and its replacement by a digital licence. [1575]

Premier Christian Radio has now withdrawn its judicial review proceedings challenging the Radio Authority's decision that it is disqualified from holding a digital multiplex licence and/or a digital sound programme licence.The Radio Authority advertised Premier's local analogue licence on 18 September with a closing date for applications on 8 January. All MPs with constituencies in Greater London (111 of them) have been written to inviting their comments. The date of the award will depend on whether or not the Authority receives any competition for the licence, but will probably be in March or April.Under the current legislation, the Radio Authority is prevented from awarding religious bodies a local digital sound programme licence. The Government are committed to bringing forward legislation in the forthcoming Communications Bill which would remove this prohibition. The position in relation to local multiplex licences is still under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much of the expenditure by her Department in each of the years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1999–2000, (e) 2000–01, (f) 2001–02 and (g) 2002–03 (estimated) was allocated with reference to the Index of Multiple Deprivation; which expenditure programmes are allocated with respect to this Index and other measures of relative geographic deprivation; and if she will make a statement. [8937]

[holding answer 25 October 2001]: There are two major schemes for which my Department has made expenditure allocations during the period with reference to the Index of Multiple Deprivation.The Department allocated £75 million from the Capital Modernisation Fund for Space for Sport and Arts. Expenditure will start this year and extend into 2003–04. This scheme, sponsored with the Department for Education and Skills, seeks to provide in the areas of greatest need around 300 new sports and arts facilities in primary schools for use by both pupils and the wider community. This funding is being supplemented by Lottery funding of £25 million from Sport England, £25 million from the New Opportunities Fund and £5 million from the Arts Council of England. The Department invited 65 local education authorities to participate in the scheme. These were selected using a number of indices of educational, socio-economic, sporting and cultural deprivation—including the DTLR's indices of deprivation 2000; meeting the criteria for other programmes such as Education Action Zones, Excellence in Cities, Sports Action Zones and Health Action Zones; nomination by Regional Arts Boards; and being within the Arts Council of England's priority regions.The Department has also allocated £40 million (£15 million in 2002–03 and £25 million in 2003–04) to the Arts Council of England for the establishment of 16 pilot Creative Partnerships in deprived areas to provide exciting and challenging opportunities for young people to experience, learn from and enjoy artistic and creative activities. The partnerships, which will be run by the Arts Council, will focus on bringing together schools, arts and other creative organisations and commercial creative industries to provide enhanced opportunities for every school child in the chosen areas of deprivation. DTLR's Index of Multiple Deprivation, was used in determining these areas. Other measures of economic and educational deprivation and an assessment of cultural deprivation were also taken into account. The Department also considered the capacity of the areas selected to deliver Creative Partnerships, the need for balanced geographical spread and the inclusion of rural and coastal areas as well as urban ones.In addition, many programmes and initiatives run by Lottery distributors are targeted at deprived areas, using the Index of Multiple Deprivation and a variety of other indicators.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action her Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week. [11510]

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport did not take any specific actions for Energy Efficiency Week but continued with longer-term projects to meet, and exceed, the Government targets in respect of energy saving. Through the Royal Parks Agency projects to produce electricity through wind power, water power and solar energy are being planned at Bushey Park. Those projects, together with a combined heat and power project using managed forestry and the produce from normal land management as fuel, will heat a swimming pool, supply electricity to some parts of the park and, possibly, export some power to the national grid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many publications were issued by her Department in each of the last four years. [11839]

The number of publications issued by my Department in each of the last four years was:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with Fakhdar Brahimi, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Afghanistan, regarding the involvement of women in the talks involving interested parties to a post-Taliban Government for Afghanistan. [11301]

I met Ambassador Brahimi on 9 October and reiterated our support for his efforts to develop a broad-based and representative Afghan Government. Ambassador Brahimi has demonstrated a commitment to addressing the human rights dimension of the governance of Afghanistan. The involvement of women in those discussions and the use of expertise on gender issues will help to ensure that the rights of the entire population of Afghanistan are protected and promoted, particularly recognising the complexity of gender issues in Afghanistan. We will continue to provide whatever assistance we can to Ambassador Brahimi and support the crucial role he plays in Afghanistan's future.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans the Government have to reduce third world debt; and what information she has collated on those of other European Union member states. [11776]

The Government have been at the forefront of global initiatives to tackle the unsustainable debt burden facing some developing countries, and led the way in securing the revision of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, which was agreed at the annual meetings of the World Bank and the IMF in September 1999. So far, 23 countries have qualified for this exceptional relief. More than $23 billion of debt relief has been agreed for those countries, which together owe $74 billion, so a major part of their debt has been written off.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many (a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by her Department during the summer recess. [9229]

My Department issued five press notices and no consultation documents during the summer recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the direct costs are of the security normalisation measures he announced on 24 October. [11071]

[holding answer 1 November 2001]: I have been asked to reply.The normalisation measures announced on 24 October 2001 were the closure of two observation towers on Camlough and Sturgan mountains, the sangar at Newtownhamilton, and an Army base at Magherafelt.Initial demolition work at all four sites has commenced with Royal Engineer manpower and helicopter support using assets already available in Province. Additional costs of some £10,000 have been incurred to date covering the hire of additional equipment such as cranes and skips.Further work will be required at each of the sites, and in many cases this will be done by civilian contractors. The scope and cost of these contracts is still being assessed.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the policy of the Duchy of Lancaster is towards drainage works on tenanted agricultural land where those works are the responsibility of the landlord; and if he will make a statement. [11727]

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has asked me to reply.Responsibility for the drainage of tenanted agricultural land is laid down in farm tenancy agreements. The Duchy's policy is to abide by its contractual obligations under such agreements.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the budget of the Duchy of Lancaster is in respect of the maintenance, repair and replacement of drainage systems on Duchy agricultural land. [11728]

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has asked me to reply.The budget of the Duchy of Lancaster for the maintenance and repair of agricultural property for the year to March 2002 is £173,100 which is not allocated to specific types of repair.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he last met the Chairman of the Better Regulation Task Force. [11830]

My right hon. Friend Lord Macdonald is the Minister responsible for regulatory reform. He last met Lord Haskins, Chairman of the Better Regulation Task Force, on 23 October.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to (a) reduce and (b) limit the number of regulations affecting industry. [11828]

The Government are committed to minimising the burden of regulation on business.A Regulatory Impact Assessment is required for each new proposal for regulation affecting business to ensure it is necessary and that the benefits justify the costs. The Panel for Regulatory Accountability, now given Cabinet Committee status, meets regularly to discuss regulatory performance with departmental Ministers.The Regulatory Reform Act 2001 now provides a useful tool for reforming over-burdensome, over-complex and outdated primary legislation.A draft Regulatory Reform Order (relaxing licensing in pubs and clubs for the forthcoming new year's eve) has already been laid before Parliament for scrutiny, and consultation exercises on a further eight proposals have now finished. There is one consultation exercise on reform of credit unions currently under way.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the improvements being carried out to accommodate him at the Cabinet Office indicating the cost of each item of improvement; and when he expects the improvements to be completed. [12000]

The office of the Deputy Prime Minister will move to the Ripley building when renovations are completed next summer. A very small number of modifications to the original plan will be made to accommodate ministerial offices (for example blocking off and opening up doorways).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent action the Government have taken to address concerns about the UK gas market; and if she will make a statement. [12658]

The Government are very aware of concerns about the operation of the GB gas market in the light of rising gas prices. While we remain convinced that the primary reason behind the increase is arbitrage across the interconnector with high oil related gas prices in the European market, we are aware of the need to consider the impact of the operation of the other parts of the gas chain on the downstream market. Indeed, this forms an integral part of our strategy to address gas prices.The Government have therefore today published a consultation document entitled "A Consultation On Concerns About Gas Prices And Possible Improvements To Market Efficiency", which considers the various concerns made about the gas market. The document also considers the wider benefits to the gas market of increased information flows between the onshore and the offshore. This builds on a joint workshop with the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association held on 10 September.The intention behind the document is to stimulate debate and to see if the concerns stand up to scrutiny. If we find any evidence of actual anti-competitive behaviour we shall bring it to the attention of the appropriate competition authority.Copies of the consultation document can be found on the Department of Trade and Industry's website at www.dti.gov.uk/energy

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Minister of State intends to meet with parliamentary colleagues to discuss the Government's response to the Herriot-Watt report on mineshafts. [9348]

[holding answer 22 October 2001]: I am pleased to confirm that a meeting with parliamentary colleagues to discuss the Herriot-Watt University report on mineshafts has been arranged for 15 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she has taken to review the implications of (a) US and (b) EU competition policy rulings for Microsoft's operations in the UK, with particular reference to Microsoft's contracts with the Government and their agencies. [10453]

The implications of the US and EC competition inquiries for Government contracts with Microsoft are being carefully considered.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the cost of purchasing vehicles in (a) the UK and (b) the rest of Europe; what recent measures have been introduced to reduce the cost of cars in the UK; and what plans she has to take further measures. [10114]

[holding answer 30 October 2001]: Both the Competition Commission, in its April 2000 monopoly report, and the European Commission, in its six-monthly surveys of prices, report prices in the UK to be significantly higher than in comparable countries in Europe.The Competition Commission blamed the high prices of cars in the UK on practices associated with the selective and exclusive distribution system used by manufacturers, and allowed under the EC block exemption on vehicle distribution.The Government's view is that competition is the best safeguard of consumer interests and that the current block exemption is not satisfactory.The block exemption is due to expire in September 2002 and the European Commission is expected to publish draft proposals for reform around the turn of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is in respect of the use of sunset clauses in legislation. [11876]

The Government's policy is always to consider whether sunset clauses ought to be included in legislation we bring forward.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what the estimated cost to British businesses is of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive; [11858](2) what assessment she has made of the effects of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. [11860]

The directive is currently in draft form and a full assessment of the costs and effects will not be possible until it is published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.The Department of Trade and Industry submitted a partial Regulatory Impact Assessment on a previous draft of the proposal to the House on 2 October 2000. A copy of this was placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received regarding the future of the Ineos Chlor Chemicals plant in Runcorn; and if she will make a statement. [11762]

The Department is in discussion with Ineos Chlor about its plans for the future of the Runcorn plant and with other interested parties. I met representatives of Ineos Chlor on 30 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is towards granting Government assistance to the Ineos Chlor Chemicals group; and if she will make a statement. [11763]

The primary mechanism for giving direct financial assistance to companies in the Assisted Areas is Regional Selective Assistance (RSA). Companies have to meet the criteria applicable to the scheme before an offer can be made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information she has collated on the proportion of electricity supply met by (a) nuclear power, (b) coal-fired generation, (c) gas-fired generation, (d) oil-fired generation and (e) renewables for (i) each member country of the EU, (ii) the USA, (iii) Canada, (iv) Australia, (v) Russia, (vi) India and (vii) China. [11764]

Available information gives the proportion of gross electricity production in each country met from each fuel source. Some of the electricity produced may be exported while some countries may import electricity. The data are the latest available and relate to 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she last met the chairman of the better regulation task force. [11829]

I met Lord Haskins on 5 September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the holding answer of 22 October, ref: 2001/664, when the hon. Member for Walsall, North will receive a substantive reply to his question. [12096]

I have answered my hon. Friend's question today, PQ No. 9348.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what checks are carried out by the Health and Safety Executive prior to the (a) registration and (b) licensing of premises for the storage of fireworks. [11506]

I have been asked to reply.HSE licenses all explosives factories and stores holding more than 7,200 kg of fireworks. Stores holding less than 7,200 kg must either be licensed by the local authority or, depending on the quantity held, registered with it.Where HSE is the licensing authority it considers a range of issues including the nature of the processes, the layout of the site and the construction of the buildings. In particular it will wish to ensure that adequate separation distances are maintained between explosives buildings and other buildings both on and off site. The draft licence is then submitted to the local authority for its assent. HSE will also make an inspection visit before operations start to ensure that the factory or store complies with the licence conditions.Where the local authority is granting a licence it will normally check on the construction of the store and whether the distance between it and neighbouring inhabited buildings meets the minimum requirements. Registered premises are also subject to legal requirements. However due to the relatively small quantities involved local authorities would not normally undertake checks prior to registration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to merge the Defence Procurement Agency and the Defence Logistics Organisation; and if he will make a statement. [9394]

I have no plans to merge the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) and the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO). Both organisations are recently formed and have clear and distinct responsibilities, as set out in the Strategic Defence Review. The role of the DPA is to procure new equipment capability for the armed forces and to deliver this in accordance with agreed parameters for time, cost and performance. The DLO has been established to provide joint logistic support to the armed forces for training and operations, only one element of which is equipment support.Although I am not considering a merger of the two organisations, the Ministry of Defence continues to explore improvements to the way the DPA and DLO work together on the equipment programme. We are also introducing simpler, common processes and systems to improve interoperability. This is being pursued through a joint steering group set up to manage work under a number of approaches, key among which are finance management, human resources management, through-life management, e-business, key supplier management and common tools for integrated project teams.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions the Government have undertaken with NATO member states about the integration of NATO missile defence research with US plans to deploy a missile defence system. [10967]

No such discussions have taken place. The NATO feasibility studies for theatre missile defence, which started in July 2001 and will take 18 months to complete, are looking at options for protecting NATO forces. They are different from plans for a limited missile defence for the United States.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Government are intending to participate in the US's expressed plan to develop a missile defence to protect the US and its allies. [10965]

The President of the United States has made clear that he wants the US's friends and allies to be protected against the potential ballistic missile threat. But no specific proposals have been made. We have a long-standing dialogue with the US on missile defence, and are ready to discuss any specific proposals they might make.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's policy is on the development of a ballistic missile defence shield. [11076]

It remains premature to decide on acquiring a ballistic missile defence capability for the UK or our deployed forces. This is based on our current assessment of the threat, the rapidity with which defensive technologies are changing, and the need to address the threat through a range of measures. Our options for the future remain open.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what joint US-UK research projects are under development in support of the US missile defence plans; and if he will place an unclassified list of the projects in the Library. [10968]

Joint US/UK research projects in support of missile defence are undertaken under the auspices of the 1985 UK-US Strategic Defence Initiative Memorandum of Understanding. A list of the projects concerned was given in the answer I gave on 26 March 2001, Official Report, column 526W, to the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Mr. Taylor). No further agreements have been signed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether (a) US and (b) UK policy on missile defence has changed since 11 September. [11778]

UK policy on missile defence is unchanged. The United States Administration has made it clear that it remains committed to the deployment of a limited missile defence system for the United States, but they have not yet decided exactly what sort of system they will seek to deploy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many enemy lock-ons have been detected by British aircraft over Afghan airspace. [11015]

[holding answer 29 October 2001]: None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks of cluster bombs are held by UK armed forces in the Afghan theatre of conflict. [11434]

[holding answer 30 October 2001]: There are currently a number of BL/RB 755 type cluster munitions on board RFA Fort Victoria, which is in the Afghan theatre of conflict. These weapons are for use by the GR7 Harrier aircraft, which is not deployed with the task force. There are, therefore, currently no plans for their use.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost is of Exercise Saif Sareea II; how much the Government have spent in total in its operations against Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden; and if he will make a statement. [11965]

Our most recent estimate of the cost of Exercise Saif Sareea II is around £90 million. We are confident that when all bills are finally presented, the actual cost will be within that estimate. With respect to Operations in Afghanistan, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 114W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy not (a) to authorise and (b) to condone the use of cluster bombs in Afghanistan. [12296]

Cluster bombs are legitimate weapons that have not been prohibited by any Treaty or Convention. Those used in Afghanistan contain bomblets designed to detonate on impact and to destroy buildings and vehicles. They are not designed as anti-personnel weapons and do not contain any landmines. They are the most effective weapon against certain targets. The coalition will continue to use them, with discretion and proportionality, against legitimate and appropriate terrorist and military targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria are used to settle targets for bombing in Afghanistan; what definition of fixed military target is used; how many fixed military targets have been (a) identified and (b) attacked; how many such targets have been attacked more than once; and what assessment he has made of unintended damage to (i) property and (ii) people resulting from such attacks. [12245]

It is not UK policy to comment in detail on targeting issues. Attacks are limited strictly to military objectives, including those objects which by their nature, location, purpose or use make an effective contribution to military action and whose total or partial destruction, capture or neutralisation, in the circumstance ruling at the time, offer a definite military advantage. Every effort is made to avoid incidental loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects when selecting targets for attack.As of 31 October, the total number of targets attacked is somewhat in excess of 100, of which around one half have been attacked more than once.Following an attack on a target, Battle Damage Assessment is conducted to establish the success of that attack. Although we investigate all claims carefully, it is impossible to make a precise assessment of exactly how many civilians may have been killed or injured as a result of coalition action. Painstaking efforts are taken to minimise any unintended injury or damage but, regrettably, on occasion mistakes will happen and where we know this has happened, the coalition has said so publicly. However, we are clear that Taliban reports of civilian casualties are grossly exaggerated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what safeguards will be put in place to protect (a) UK and other military personnel and (b) civilians from hazardous residues from depleted uranium in the current conflict in Afghanistan. [12184]

Depleted uranium-based ammunition has not been used in current operations in Afghanistan. We are not aware of any plans for it to be used in future.In the event that depleted uranium ammunition were to be used in Afghanistan and that UK service personnel might come into contact with it, appropriate guidelines would be issued to ensure that the already low risks to health were minimised.A great deal of information on depleted uranium has already been put into the public domain. Should the need arise, we would discuss with coalition partners and civil agencies what information needs to be made available to the Afghan civilian population. Regrettably, the activities of the Taliban authorities in restricting the flow of information into Afghanistan could make this unnecessarily difficult for UN and other agencies to achieve.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 24 October 2001, Official Report, column 242W, on the US Domestic Preparedness Programme, what aspects of US homeland security he plans to implement in the United Kingdom. [10964]

Following the events of 11 September, the Government embarked on a wide ranging review of all their established contingency plans to counter terrorism and manage the circumstances in the UK and the threat to UK security. While elements of the US response to terrorism could be relevant to the UK, our domestic security posture reflects the geography of the UK and the threat of terrorism here which are different from those of the US.We are conducting work, as I informed the House on 4 October, to ensure that we have the right concepts, force structures and capabilities in place to deal with asymmetric threats. This work will look both at the defence of the UK and our ability to counter and deter terrorism abroad. It is too early to say what measures we will implement as a result of this work, though consultation with the US and other Allies will make an important contribution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the overall expenditure by his Department in consultancy fees was in the financial years (a) 2000–01, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 1998–99, (d) 1997–98 and (e) 1996–97. [12166]

The Ministry of Defence's annual returns of expenditure on External Assistance, which include the payment of fees to consultants, for the years 1996–97 to 1999–2000, are available in the Library of the House.The expenditure return for 2000–01 is not yet available, but, in accordance with past practice, copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on the Tracer programme to date; and what further expenditure is planned to the end of the programme. [11619]

[holding answer 1 November 2001]: UK expenditure on the Tracer programme to 30 September 2001 is £108 million. A further £23 million has been committed for the planned completion of the current assessment phase in July 2002 when the collaborative programme will end.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made on the contractorisation of his Department's civilians at HMNB Clyde; and what the time scale is for the change. [12174]

Proposals have now been received from the Dockyard companies for partnering arrangements with the three Naval Bases at Portsmouth, Devonport and Clyde with the aim of modernising warship support. Alternative proposals have also been received from the joint Ministry of Defence Trades Unions and these are being assessed alongside the Company proposals. On current plans we would expect to announce the decision on the way ahead in the new year, with transition to any new arrangements anticipated to complete next summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the manufacture of ammunition for the Challenger II main battle tank. [11048]

The final batch of the armour piercing round (CHARM 3) has recently been manufactured and this completes current plans for the procurement of Challenger II ammunition other than the Squash Head Practise training round.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if disinfectants and repellents for use by HM forces in hot climates are hazardous to health; and to what extent the instructions for their use are clear to users. [12183]

The Ministry of Defence uses a wide range of disinfectants and repellents, many of which are subject to the requirements of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH). These regulations require that an assessment of the risks to health and of the actions that need to be taken when using such a substance are carried out before it is used. Among other things, the assessment must consider the circumstances of use—for example whether it will be used in a hot or cold environment, in windy conditions, or in a confined space—and the information, instruction and training that must be provided for the eventual user, MOD and HM forces have management systems in place to ensure that such COSHH assessments are undertaken, that their conclusions are implemented and that, among other things, clear information, instruction and training is provided for and to the user.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS Ocean came into service; how long her refit is scheduled to take; and when she will return to service. [12067]

HMS Ocean was handed over to the Royal Navy in March 1999 and her first refit is not planned to take place until 2008. However, in order to enable her to continue to operate until then, she will require a routine docking period. It had been planned to begin this work in January 2002 at Portsmouth, but due to current operational circumstances it has been decided to postpone the docking period. Instead, some essential maintenance work will be undertaken at her base port, Devonport, when she returns from the Gulf in late November. This will enable Ocean to be made available for operational programming early in 2002 rather than in late spring, which would have been the case had her docking period proceeded as planned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans Her Majesty's Government have made for the armed forces to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty's reign; and if it is proposed to issue medals. [12299]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 23 November 2000, Official Report, column 294W, to my hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Mr. Levitt), which detailed the plans for the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The then Home Secretary my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) announced on 15 February 2001 that there would be a Golden Jubilee Medal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is to be the cost of issuing the Queen's Jubilee Medal to members of the armed forces with five years service; what the cost of issuing the medal to all members of the armed forces would have been; and if he will make a statement. [12161]

The estimated cost of awarding the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal to all those members of the armed forces, volunteer reserve forces and the royal fleet auxiliary who will have completed five years' qualifying service on 6 February 2002, is £3.8 million. The funding that would be required to include all those who are serving on that date would be an additional £1.8 million.The potential cost of the medal was not a deciding factor in determining the qualifying criteria. The requirement for a minimum of five years' qualifying service gives due recognition to those who have committed themselves to and completed a significant period of service to the Crown.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what plans exist to house Scottish regiments in Scotland; [12176](2) where the Scottish regiments are stationed; and where their postings will be in the future. [12178]

Scottish regiments are routinely based in Scotland. Currently, The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons) are stationed at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh and The Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment) at Fort George, Inverness. Such deployments will continue in future, as part of the Army's Arms Plot.The current location of the other Scottish regiments of the Foot Guards, Scottish Division and Royal Armoured Corps are as follows: Wellington Barracks, London (Scots Guards); Somme Barracks, Catterick (The King's Own Scottish Borders); Ballykelly, Northern Ireland (The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)); Belfast, Northern Ireland (The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)); and Fallingbostel, Germany (The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) and The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys)).During the next 12 months, it is planned that The Royal Scots will be posted to Dreghorn Barracks, Edinburgh.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what defence contracts are placed in Scotland; what is their total value; with what firms they have been placed; what is the value to each firm; and what is the timescale over which each contract will be paid to the contractors. [12175]

Information at the level of detail requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost. In addition, details of individual contracts and their values are withheld under Exemption 14 (Information given in confidence) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. However, in respect of contracts placed in Scotland. I draw the hon. Member's attention to the publication, "UK Defence Statistics 2001", a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. Table 1.9 contains information on defence expenditure on equipment in UK regions, including Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the defence agencies, the location of each of their headquarters, the staff totals of each, the numbers of each of their staffs in Scotland, their annual expenditure, and their annual expenditure in Scotland, in the last available year. [12179]

Information about Defence Agencies, including the location of their headquarters, the number of staff employed and their annual expenditure, have been given in Annexe K of the Ministry of Defence Departmental Performance Report 1999–2000, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. I will write to the hon. Member about the other aspects of his question and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the defence agencies that have trading status. [12177]

Currently, four defence agencies operate as Trading Funds. They are: the Meteorological Office, the UK Hydrographic Office, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, and the Defence Aviation Repair Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the vaccinations available to service personnel as protection against chemical and biological warfare have been (a) tested and (b) improved since the Gulf war; and if they are free from hazardous side effects. [12182]

The only immunisation used to protect UK service personnel against the possible use of biological warfare agents during the Gulf conflict, which is still in use, is an anthrax vaccine. No significant alterations to this vaccine as used by the Ministry of Defence have been made since the Gulf conflict. No serious side effects have been reported. No immunisations were or are used to protect against chemical warfare agents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if UK military personnel involved in the conflict in Afghanistan will be obliged to be vaccinated against exposure to chemical and biological warfare. [12181]

We take all measures necessary to ensure that service personnel are afforded appropriate protection against chemical and biological warfare agents commensurate with the perceived threat. The only licensed vaccine currently used to protect UK service personnel against exposure to biological warfare agents is an anthrax vaccine. The vaccine is offered to specific units of our armed forces on the basis of an assessment of the threat they face, which in turn depends on their deployment role. We continually review whether it is appropriate to offer anthrax vaccine to personnel who may be involved in new deployments, as part of their wider package of protective measures against chemical or biological attack. Vaccination of UK service personnel is not obligatory but voluntary, and is given on the basis of informed consent.It is not possible to vaccinate against chemical warfare agents.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of married or cohabiting couples with children where neither partner is a higher rate taxpayer whose combined taxable income exceeds the higher rate threshold by (a) less than £7,800 and (b) more than £7,800. [4075]

[holding answer 16 July 2001]: The number of married or cohabiting couples with children where neither partner is a higher rate taxpayer whose combined taxable income exceeds the higher rate threshold by (a) less than £7,800 is estimated to be 500,000 and (b) more than £7,800 is estimated to be 900,000.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to improve the reliability of the conventions, assumptions and sampling methods used to calculate the (a) direct and (b) indirect tax burden on typical households; and if he will make a statement. [4634]

The conventions and assumptions used to calculate (a) the direct tax burden are reliable and are set out in the Tax and Benefit Reference Manual. On (b), as the Tax and Benefit Reference Manual has made clear, estimates on the indirect tax burden on typical households are not made because spending patterns vary considerably between households of the same type and income.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what considerations underlay the policy of the FSA and the Treasury on informing Equitable Life insurance policy holders on the sufficiency of funds within the with-profit fund to cover guaranteed annuity rate liabilities. [7315]

Both Government and regulators are concerned to see that insurance and investment businesses comply with the statutory and regulatory requirements placed on them.Insurance companies are subject to statutory disclosure requirements under the Insurance Companies Act 1982 and the Companies Acts. Investment firms are also subject to prudential and conduct of business regulation.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average length of time taken by the contracted-out employment group of the National Insurance Contribution Office to provide figures for contracted out schemes to buy members back into the state system in the last five years; how many cases have taken longer than the average time; and what the length of period involved was. [10411]

[holding answer 26 October 2001]: The information requested is not available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths there were in (a) absolute numbers and (b) per capita of the whole population; and what the five year survival rate was of sufferers of colorectal cancers in each region and nation of the UK in (i) 1998, (ii) 1999 and (iii) 2000. [10938]

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

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the proposed date for a referendum on euro entry. [11099]

The Government's policy on the euro remains as set out by the Chancellor in his statement to Parliament in October 1997 and restated by the Prime Minister in February 1999. The Government have said they will complete an assessment of the five tests within two years of the start of this Parliament. Once the assessment has been completed, the Government will make a decision on UK membership of the single currency. If the Government recommend UK entry, it will be put to a vote in Parliament and then to a referendum of the British people.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to undertake a review of the operation of individual learning accounts to ensure that the introduction of the child trust fund or saving gateway does not give rise to fraud. [R] [11889]

The Government launched consultation on further proposals to encourage saving and asset-building, especially among households with low incomes, in "Saving and Assets for All" published by HM Treasury in April 2001. The consultation is focused on proposals for the child trust fund and the saving gateway. The Government intend to report back on the results from the consultation and on their further intentions for these initiatives around the time of the pre-Budget report in autumn 2001. The Government will continue to develop these proposals, including through consultation with interested parties such as financial services providers, to ensure that concerns, including the possibility of fraud, are properly addressed.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action his Department took in recognition of Energy Efficiency Week. [11509]

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him by the Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 30 October 2001, Official Report, column 592W.HM Treasury is continually looking to introduce saving schemes to the Department. For example, we registered with the Watermark Project to reduce water consumption in the Parliament street building and have implemented all their recommendations and have taken advantage of a shared saving scheme.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many publications were issued by his Department in each of the last four years. [11821]

Official documents produced since 1997 for external distribution by or on behalf of the Treasury are listed in the Department's annual report, "The Chancellor of the Exchequer's Departments: The Government's Expenditure Plans 2001–03 to 2003–04 and Main Estimates 2001–02", published in April 2001 and on the Treasury's public website.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish details of each Department's performance against its public service agreement targets. [11843]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 25 October 2001, Official Report, column 373W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) in the first year that child trust funds are available, if he will state his target for (a) the total number of people who will take advantage of a saving gateway scheme and (b) the total number of people who will take advantage of a saving gateway scheme with (i) no previous savings and (ii) a level of savings consistent with the lowest decile of average per head saving levels; [11897](2) what assessment he has made of the calculation of the likely cost effectiveness of the child trust fund and saving gateway proposals; [11925](3) what his target is for

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 23 October 2001, Official Report, columns 207–08W.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there are members of the Council of Economic Advisers on contracts that are (a) permanent, (b) temporary and (c) secondments. [11608]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister on 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 467W.The Council of Economic Advisers are temporary civil servants appointed under Article 3 of the Civil Service Order in Council 1995 (as amended).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the yield of inheritance tax in each of the last four years. [11853]

Figures on inheritance tax yield are contained in table 1.2 of Inland Revenue Statistics 2000, which is available, updated to 2001 on the Inland Revenue website: www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/menus/stats.htm.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases, in each of the last four years, the proceeds of the estates of deceased persons reverted to the Inland Revenue. [11852]

Where a deceased person dies intestate and without entitled blood relatives the estate falls to be dealt with by the Treasury Solicitor on behalf of the Crown. In each of the last four years an average of 1,700 estates have been referred to the Treasury Solicitor, but not all of these revert to the Crown as in about a third of cases a will or relatives are traced.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in Bassetlaw have received working families tax credit and child credit to date. [11585]

The number of families in each constituency receiving working families tax credit (WFTC) are shown in "The WFTC Quarterly Enquiries", copies of which are in the Library.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to revise the targets contained in the service delivery agreements published in autumn 2000. [11827]

The Government will be reviewing Departments' service delivery agreements, as part of the 2002 spending review. Departments will publish new ones after the review.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to change the law relating to civil registration of marriages to permit reference to parents of the bride or groom to include mothers. [11587]

In 1998, the then Economic Secretary to the Treasury commissioned the Registrar General to carry out a fundamental review of the Civil Registration service in England and Wales. This was in recognition of the fact that much of the Civil Registration system is outdated and does not meet the needs of today's society.In September 1999, the Registrar General published a consultation paper, "Registration: Modernising a Vital Service". The consultation period ended on 6 December 1999. The responses have been used to set out options for the future development of the registration service, so that it can adapt to the changing needs and attitudes of a modern society.Many of the responses to the consultation document were in support of equality of treatment for men and women in the records of births, deaths and marriages. Proposals on how this could be achieved are now being formulated and the intention is to publish a policy paper in due course.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list secondees in his Department from the private sector to (a) the Inland Revenue, (b) the Office of Government Commerce and (c) Customs and Excise. [11610]

Details of the seconding private sector companies and the secondees' Departmental responsibilities are shown in the table: