To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements have been put in place for the people of Gibraltar to participate in elections to the European Parliament.[11773]

We are actively working to ensure Gibraltar's enfranchisement in time for the 2004 elections to the European Parliament. We plan to consult the Government of Gibraltar soon about the precise detail of the necessary arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has made to the motion passed by the Gibraltar House of Assembly requesting Her Majesty's Government to seek a legal opinion from the International Court of Justice on the right of self-determination and the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713; and if he will make a statement.[11774]

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to a Gibraltar House of Assembly motion of November 1999. We have not been asked to respond to this motion.However, HMG's position on this issue has been consistent since the mid-1960s. We believe that Gibraltar's right of self-determination is not constrained by the treaty of Utrecht except in so far as Article X gives Spain the right of refusal, should Britain ever renounce sovereignty. Thus independence would only be an option with Spanish consent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when further talks will be held with the Spanish Government over the future of Gibraltar.[11813]

The Foreign Secretary and Spanish Foreign Minister Pique met on 26 July to re-launch the Brussels process. A further ministerial meeting will be held in Barcelona on 20 November. Both we and the Spanish Government hope that the Chief Minister of Gibraltar will participate in this meeting. Normal contacts between the UK and Spanish and the UK and Gibraltar Governments in preparation for these talks will continue. The Government stand by their commitments to the people of Gibraltar as set out in the preamble to the Gibraltar constitution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the talks in July under the Brussels process with Spanish officials regarding Gibraltar; what the agenda is for the discussions under the Brussels process; and what guidelines are being issued to officials leading up to the negotiations.[11814]

:I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. Trend) on 10 July 2001, Official Report, column 473W, regarding the Government's decision to resume talks with Spain under the Brussels process. In accordance with the terms of the Brussels communique issued in November 1984, the talks are aimed at overcoming all the differences between the UK and Spain over Gibraltar and at promoting co-operation on a mutually beneficial basis on economic, cultural, touristic, aviation, military and environmental matters. The communique establishes that issues of sovereignty will be discussed under the Brussels process.Through these talks we aim to build a better future for Gibraltar. Both we and the Spanish Government intend that Gibraltar should be fully engaged in this process, and hope that the Chief Minister will participate at the next ministerial meeting planned for 20 November in Barcelona. Normal contacts between the UK and Spanish and the UK and Gibraltar Governments in preparation for these talks will continue. The Government will stand by their commitments to the people of Gibraltar as set out in the preamble to the Gibraltar constitution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of statements from the Spanish Government relating to responsibility for the payment of increases in pensions to Spaniards who worked in Gibraltar prior to 1969; and if he will make a statement.[11775]

Spanish nationals who worked in Gibraltar before 1969 and who are now retired and living in Spain, are eligible to receive pension payments from the Gibraltar social insurance fund. Pension payments under the SIF are awarded to all beneficiaries in line with contributions made.After the decision was taken in 1988 to wind up the SIF, by 31 December 1993, the UK and Gibraltar Governments agreed in 1996 to set up a new 'closed' scheme to provide for on-going pension benefits to all beneficiaries of the old SIF scheme. Payments to all beneficiaries under the 'closed' scheme were fixed at the level payable at 31 December 1993. The Spanish authorities were kept informed of decisions regarding the dissolution of the Gibraltar social insurance fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has asked the European Commission to initiate legal proceedings against the Government of Spain on the grounds of its failure to allow the use of Gibraltar's internationally recognised dialling code by telephone companies in Spain.[11877]

We are in close contact with the Government of Gibraltar on this matter. We raise the question of Gibraltar's telecommunications situation with the Spanish Government, at both ministerial and official level, at every appropriate opportunity. Most recently, I raised the matter with my Spanish counterpart, Sr de Miguel, on 29 October.Two private competition complaints have been brought before the Commission by Gibtel and Gibraltar Nynex Communications. We have supported these complaints in our dealings with the Commission and we will continue to ensure that the Commission is fully aware of our concerns.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making to the European Commission and other relevant European Union institutions to ensure that citizens of Gibraltar are accorded the right to participate in elections to the European Parliament. [12016]

We are in close contact with the heads of both the Council and the Commission Legal Services on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the policy papers which he has produced relating to the objectives of the (a) action in Afghanistan and (b) international coalition against terrorism. [12146]

The Secretary of State placed the paper "Defeating International Terrorism: Campaign Objectives" in the House of Commons Library on 16 October 2001. This paper sets out the objectives of the international coalition against terrorism and our action in Afghanistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which countries are working with the UK Government to combat the trade in illegal drugs. [12082]

We work bilaterally and through the EU and the UN to combat the illegal drugs trade. The UK supports counter-drugs work and capacity-building in all of the key countries concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine to the UK and Europe. These include Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, the central Asian republics, Central Europe, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Jamaica and the countries of the eastern Caribbean. We also work closely with the United States and our European partners.Afghanistan's leading role in world opium production was the focus of a meeting of representatives of countries close to Afghanistan and of the main donor countries to the UNDCP, in Vienna on 11 October 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Burma regarding the continued imprisonment of Min Ko Naing (also known as Paw Oo Tun).[12031]

We take every opportunity to press for the release of all political prisoners in Burma through our embassy in Rangoon, visiting officials, the EU and also by supporting UN resolutions.We welcome the release so far this year of over 180 political prisoners, but many more remain in detention. We will continue to press for the early release of all political prisoners, including Miss Ko Naing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 484W, on Belize, if High Commission staff arranged calls to the two public investment companies in order to arrange meetings between the companies and KPMG; and what the result of these calls was.[11616]

I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 484W. The report is for disclosure only to the Governments of the UK and Belize.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to attend a Commonwealth Conference; and what issues he expects to be on the agenda.[12429]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary expects to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, originally scheduled for 6–9 October 2001 and now due to be held in Australia early next year. The dates and agenda for the meeting have not yet been set. But we expect Heads of Government to discuss the Commonwealth's response to terrorism as well as the high level group review of the Commonwealth.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will answer the letter from the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight, dated 8 October 2001, to the Secretary of State for Defence, which was passed to him.[12920]

I received the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight's letter of 8 October to the Secretary of State for Defence on 18 October and replied on 6 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many individual learning accounts have been taken up by residents of the Isle of Wight in each year since their inception, and what their total value was;[12562](2) how many individual courses funded by individual learning accounts have been provided on the Isle of Wight in each year since the inception of the scheme, what their total value was, and how many were completed; [12563](3) how many individual courses, funded by individual learning accounts, have been

On the basis of recorded postcode information available, 5,506 people from the Isle of Wight became an individual learning account member through the national framework, launched on 4 September 2000. The figure given is up to 31 October 2001. As a result, 3,038 episodes of learning have been funded so far on behalf of these members, resulting in £825,393 total learning costs. Individual learning accounts funded £533,477 of these costs.The corresponding figures for England up to 31 October 2001, are 2,529,609 people opened an individual learning account, and 1,380,370 episodes of learning have been supported.Information is not maintained relating to course completion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information is collected on the (a) size, (b) capitalisation, (c) corporate status, (d) qualifications of staff and (e) range of courses offered by providers under the individual learning account scheme.[12561]

Learning providers registered with the individual learning account centre are not required to provide information about the size, capitalisation, corporate status or qualifications of staff. They do provide information about the range of courses offered to individuals. They are also required to provide health and safety and public liability certification.New registrations to become a learning provider with the ILA centre ended on 28 September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures are being taken to guarantee the quality of (a) the learning providers and (b) the courses on offer, through the individual learning account scheme. [9686]

ILAs were designed to encourage more people into learning by helping tackle the financial barriers to learning. It was a key principle of the design that people were able to take responsibility for learning they felt to be most appropriate and most beneficial to themselves. ILAs are not and were not intended to be a guarantee of quality for learning or learning providers.Of course the Government do not want ILAs to be used for poor value learning or by providers that cause concern. In July of this year, the Department started to receive increasing numbers of complaints from individuals and local trading standards officers. In response the Department took positive actions to tighten up the ILA system to address these problems. We re-registered all learning providers, withdrew blank application forms, suspended all new provider registrations, introduced a revised learning provider agreement that made it harder for providers to act against the ethos of the programme, and made changes to the applications process, for the same purpose. While we have taken this action the first safeguard remains an informed public looking for learning of value to them.However, it became clear that these changes were not sufficient by themselves to prevent the mis-selling of ILAs. At that point we decided we had no option other than to withdraw the programme, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 24 October that ILAs are to be suspended from 7 December. The programme has exceeded the Government's expectations in encouraging very large numbers of people to take a new interest in learning, and has quickly expanded beyond its capacity. The programme has attracted over 2.5 million account holders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what information is collected on the (a) age, (b) gender, (c) employment record, (d) academic/ vocational attainment, (e) social class and (f) location of users of individual learning accounts.[12560]

Characteristic information on age, gender, employment, academic attainment and location of the 1,246,449 individual learning account members who had activated their accounts in England, since the launch of the national framework on 4 September 2000, is given in the following tables. Although social class information is not routinely collected, the Department commissioned an evaluation earlier in the year and arranged for a question to be included in this. The report determined that the most frequently represented social class among ILA account holders was C 1 which includes non-managerial and non-professional administrative and sales staff as well as nurses and technicians.

Table 1: Analysis of active individual account members—England
By gender	Number
Male	531,799
Female	710,707
Not supplied	3,943
Total	1,246,499

Table 2: Analysis of active individual account members—England
By age group	Number
19–30	382,181
31–40	365,328
41–50	253,120
51–60	157,243
60+	88,577
Total	1,246,449

Table 3: Analysis of active individual account members—England
By employment status	Active ILA Members
Self-employed	98,560
Employed	765,167
Employed and self-employed	3,662
Not employed	91,130
Retired	49,749
Unemployed	144,565
Student	30,452
Other	34,814
Data not supplied	28,350
Total	1,246,449

Table 4. Active ILA members by academic attainment at point of entry to ILAs
Highest qualification	Number
Degree/NVQ4 or equivalent	181,491
A-level/NVQ3 or equivalent	162,381
GCSE/NVQ2 or equivalent	271,455
NVQ1	58,699
Other	4,498
Data not supplied	567,925
Total	1,246,449

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what approaches have been made to her Department by groups wishing to (a) establish new faith schools and (b) bring independent faith schools into the maintained sector in the last 12 months.[12780]

Since 1 November 2000, 26 approaches have been made by groups inquiring about the possibility of establishing new faith schools in the maintained sector, including nine about bringing independent schools into the maintained sector. Previous experience suggests that relatively few inquiries become firm proposals to a school organisation committee to establish a new school.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the performance and size specifications are of (a) the Thales Defence Systems Bowman personal radio and (b) the CDC Systems personal radio system, with particular relevance to the size of the (i) radio, (ii) microphone and (iii) ear-piece; if a smaller ear-piece design was explored by Thales Defence Systems; what assessment he has made of whether the Thales Defence Systems Bowman personal radio wiring restricts a soldier's range of motion; and if he will make a statement.[11785]

There is no "personal radio system" supplied as part of the Bowman programme. For the purpose of this answer, I have assumed the intended subject to be the Bowman Personal Role Radio (PRR).PRR was separated from the total Bowman requirement in October 1999 to ensure delivery of these radios to the front line earlier than would otherwise have been the case. The PRR Invitation to Tender was issued in March last year and eight responses were received. CDC Systems did not take part in the competition.Thales (then trading as Thompson CSF) did submit a bid. However, as it did not win the competition and is no longer involved with Ministry of Defence on the PRR programme, it would be inappropriate for MOD to release commercial information that was obtained as part of the competitive process. I am therefore withholding the performance and size specifications requested in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the payments made to British armed forces service men and women who are engaged in theatres of operation; what assessments he has made of payments made to members of armed forces from other countries engaged similarly; and if he will make a statement. [12458]

[holding answer 5 November 2001]: All payments made to service personnel are regularly reviewed, the majority of them by the independent Armed Forces Pay Review Body. These include basic pay; the X-factor, which takes account of the unique demands and circumstances of service life over a whole career; and allowances to compensate for particular disadvantages such as prolonged separation from home life. In addition a recent review of welfare support to service personnel on operations led to the introduction earlier this year of a new comprehensive operational welfare package. Where personnel receive this package, an overseas cost of living allowance is not usually payable.A comparison of operational conditions of service in a wide range of NATO and non-NATO countries was undertaken by the UK last year. This showed that payments to UK service personnel over the course of a military career bear favourable comparison with those of any of our allies. While some countries pay their personnel more when deployed on operations, this is more than offset by lower levels of remuneration at other times.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many members of the maintenance team responsible for servicing RAF Chinook ZD576 at Aldergrove on 1 and 2 June 1994 had completed a full Chinook MK2 trade course and held the appropriate Trade Qualification Annotation prior to 2 June 1994; [13033](2) if he will place in the Library copies of

I will write to my right hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what arms control measures he proposes to take to tackle the potential threat from ballistic missiles; and if he will make a statement;[11324](2) what defensive measures are available to tackle the potential threat from ballistic missiles; and if he will make a statement.[11325]

We currently assess that as of today there is no significant ballistic missile threat to the UK. We do, however, continue to monitor developments closely. We also remain concerned by the potential ballistic missile threat to our armed forces when deployed to certain parts of the world. We believe it is important to tackle the potential threat from weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery with a comprehensive strategy that encompasses diplomacy, non-proliferation, export control, counter-proliferation, conflict prevention, deterrence and defensive measures. We will continue to work closely with our allies, partners and friends in all of these areas.Beyond our wide-ranging arms control efforts to tackle the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, we have been working closely to establish a set of international norms dealing specifically with ballistic missiles. As a first step, a draft International Code of Conduct (ICOC) on ballistic missiles, based on an original text prepared by the UK, has been developed by members of the Missile Technology Control Regime. This draft will now be negotiated through an open multilateral process with a view to eventual signature during 2002. We hope that it will form the basis of a new international consensus against the destabilising spread of ballistic missiles, and we strongly support efforts to gain wide adherence to it.We have a range of capabilities for passive defence of deployed forces against weapons of mass destruction delivered by ballistic missiles. Detection, identification, warning and reporting of possible attacks, physical protection, hazard management and medical countermeasures are all key elements of our force posture. We continue to believe it is premature to decide on acquiring a specific active ballistic missile defence capability, either for defence of the UK or deployed forces. This is based on our assessment of the threat, the rapidity with which defensive technologies are changing, and the need to evaluate further the potential role of missile defences as one element of a broad-ranging defence response to missile proliferation. We will continue to support NATO work in this area, as well as our own national work and bilateral dialogue with the US. Our future options remain open.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK military personnel are serving overseas, broken down by (a) unit and (b) country in which they are serving. [12080]

The following table shows the number of UK regular forces serving overseas as at 1 September 2001 broken down by service. To break down the figures to unit level could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

	Navy	Army	RAF	Total
Overseas total	4,551	33,116	5,435	43,102
Continental Europe	441	17,423	2,006	19,870
Cyprus	8	2,053	1,089	3,150
Gibraltar	217	70	114	401
Other Europe	490	2,986	106	3,582
Near and Middle East	396	2,586	819	3,801
Far East	18	239	23	280
Others	2,981	7,759	1,278	12,018

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what Italy's financial contribution was to the A400M consortium; [12224](2) what recent discussions he has had with the Italian Defence Minister about the A400M.[12223]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence last met the Italian Minister of Defence on 12 October when he was informed that Italy had reached the decision not to continue, at present, with the A400M programme. However, I understand that this is being reviewed and I expect the situation to become clearer in the near future.Italy had been expected to procure 16 of these aircraft out of a total initial order of 212 aircraft and their financial contribution would have been commensurate with this. It would not be appropriate to release financial details while commercial negotiations are still under way.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with DEFRA and the water companies about the protection of water supplies from chemical and biological attack. [12338]

All aspects of the UK's resilience to terrorist attack are being reviewed following the events of 11 September. The Ministry of Defence and DEFRA are both involved in that work, and there are well-established arrangements for military assistance to the civil authorities when required. Government responsibilities in relation to the water companies are a matter for DEFRA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what improvements are being made to overseas accommodation for armed forces personnel and their families.[13008]

In accordance with the Department's aim to improve the condition of living accommodation in overseas locations, there is an extensive programme of works projects currently under way. I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what improvements are being made to accommodation for armed forces personnel and their families in Gibraltar.[13009]

1 will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what criteria he uses to determine whether Territorial Army units are fit for role.[13024]

The term "fit for role" is applied to individual members of the Territorial Army (TA) and not to units. TA units are required to achieve a level of collective performance that depends on the role and specified readiness of the unit. Readiness is defined as the time within which a unit can be made ready to deploy for operations from its normal peacetime location. The performance of TA units is measured in the same way as regular Army units, through the measurement of fighting power, which assesses units against a number of criteria, such as manning and equipment levels and the amount of training conducted.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what standards Territorial Army service personnel must meet in order to obtain the annual bounty.[13025]

In order to obtain the annual bounty, the standard requirement is for Territorial Army (TA) personnel to pass a set number of Individual Training Directives (Army); attend unit annual camp (15 days); and attend a specified number of out of camp training days. This requirement is 12 days for independent TA and four days for specialist TA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultations with ex-servicemen's organisations have taken place about the site and form of the memorial to members of the armed forces killed in conflicts since 1945; and if he will make a statement.[12637]

A project office was appointed in January this year to consult the Services and ex-Service organisations on the criteria for inclusion on and siting of the proposed memorial to Service personnel killed since the end of the Second World War. Consultation is continuing with the Confederation of British Service and ex-Service Organisations (COBSECO) before a final decision is made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on confining military action against terrorism to targets in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.[11648]

I have been asked to reply.Coalition military action is focused on Osama bin Laden, the Al Qaeda network and their Taliban allies in Afghanistan.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress is being made in the Government's target to reduce the number of people worldwide living in extreme poverty by 2015.[12420]

The goal of reducing by half the population of people living on less than $1 a day was recently endorsed by 147 heads of state at the UN Millennium summit, and the UN have stated a commitment to monitoring progress towards this, and the other Millennium development goals, on a regular basis.The most recent published figures from the World bank show that in 1990 29.0 per cent. of the population of developing countries lived on less than $1 a day. By 1999 this had fallen to 22.7 per cent. World bank projections indicate that by 2015 the proportion living on less than $1 a day will fall further to 12.3 per cent. meaning that the 2015 target will be achieved overall but will be missed in some countries and some regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what action she plans to take in order for the volume of food aid reaching Afghanistan to increase substantially;[12682](2) what assessment she has made of the increase needed in the volume of food aid reaching Afghanistan in order to guarantee adequate stockpiles for the winter.[12681]

In October, the World Food Programme reported that it managed to despatch over 27,000 metric tonnes of food into the country. This was less than their target but tonnage has improved and over 10,600 metric tonnes were despatched last week. WFP and other humanitarian agencies are working to maximise opportunities to get more food into the country as winter approaches. We are working with the international community to open up new land convoy routes into Afghanistan. As I announced in the House on 1 November 2001, Official Report columns 769-70W we have agreed to contribute £600,000 to Russian EMERCOM for a new convoy operation to deliver 9,000 metric tonnes of food from Tajikistan to northern Afghanistan.WFP is buying 17,000 metric tonnes of wheat from the Iranian Government, which will be transported by rail to Turkmenistan, and from there to north and west Afghanistan. WFP is also looking at the airdropping of food to vulnerable people living in remote mountainous regions of Afghanistan which are likely to be cut off by winter snows.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on international plans to deliver food aid to refugees in Afghanistan this winter.[12153]

As I said in my statement to the House of Commons on 24 October 2001, Official Report, columns 283-85, humanitarian agencies, especially the World Food Programme, are working under extremely difficult circumstances and continuing to get food and other relief items into Afghanistan. In October, WFP reports that it managed to despatch over 27,000 metric tonnes of food into the country. WFP and other humanitarian agencies will continue to maximise opportunities to get more food into the country as winter approaches. DFID has been assessing ways of maximising other routes of food delivery into Afghanistan, and as I announced in the House on 1 November, we have agreed to contribute £600,000 to Russian Emergency Ministry (EMERCOM) for a new convoy operation to deliver 9,000 metric tonnes of food from Tajikistan to northern Afghanistan over the next two months.WFP is buying 17,000 metric tonnes of wheat from the Iranian Government, which will be transported by rail to Turkmenistan, and from there to north and west Afghanistan. WFP is also looking at the airdropping of food to vulnerable people living in remote mountainous regions of Afghanistan which are likely to be cut off by winter snows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the working time directive proposals to increase night-time working restrictions will have on distribution and deliveries of basic goods to rural areas.[9659]

From our regular meetings with industry, we are fully aware of the problems that will result from an eight-hour limit for night workers. That is why the Government support the ten-hour figure included in the Council's common position.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list income and expenditure under the parking places revenue accounts of each local authority in London for the years (a) 1996–97, (b) 1997–98, (c) 1998–99. (d) 1999–2000 and (e) 2000–01.[10720]

The information requested for the periods (a) to (d) has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The figures for period (e) are a matter for the Mayor of London.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which areas of Scotland will be covered by the Stingray system. [11233]

The new mobile system will operate throughout Scotland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when construction will begin of the Manchester Airport eastern link road (western section).[11078]

The South East Manchester Multi Modal Study covers the Manchester Airport eastern link road (western section). The Secretary of State is awaiting the recommendations of the North West Regional Assembly on the Study and will announce his findings shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on conditions under which the new Railtrack company will be able to draw down the Government loan facility.[11266]

I refer the right hon. Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Hendrick) on 23 October 2001. Official Report, column 195W and to the right hon. Member himself on 31 October 2001, Official Report, column 671W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his estimate is of (a) the gross assets to be transferred to the new Railtrack company and (b) the debt to be set against those assets.[11092]

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 31 October 2001, Official Report, column 671W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will make a statement on the amount of Government money available for (a) Railtrack in administration and (b) the successor Railtrack company for the next three years.[11265]

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Lawrie Quinn) on 17 October 2001, Official Report, column 1230W.The successor company to Railtrack would be entitled to receive network grants to the profile and amounts set out in the Rail Regulator's October 2000 Periodic Review and the 2 April agreement between Railtrack and Government.The Government propose that a company limited by guarantee be established to succeed Railtrack. We would expect to put in place an arrangement by which the company could access a standby, subordinated loan facility. For details on this loan facility, I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Hendrick) on 23 October 2001,

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions his Department held with the Treasury regarding the financial situation at Railtrack and his plans for the company prior to the announcement of the administration order.[12151]

There were regular discussions between my Department and the Treasury prior to the announcement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which officials were involved in planning the press announcement by his Department of the Railtrack administration. [12150]

The announcement was prepared by my Department following normal procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what criteria he will use to assess proposals put to him by the administrators to resolve the future of Railtrack plc;[11801](2) by what process he will assess the solution proposed by the administrators to resolve the future of Railtrack plc.[11881]

[holding answer 1 November 2001]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) on 31 October 2001, Official Report, columns 669–71W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the implications of the decision to place Railtrack into administration for (a) all services between (i) London Euston and Wolverhampton, (ii) Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury and (iii) Shrewsbury and Chester and (b) the proposed sale of the Oswestry branch line from Gobowen to Llanymywech to the Cambrian Railways Trust.[12608]

The Government will ensure that the administrator has the funds to finance Railtrack's activities, including the full operation of the network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place the procurement documents relating to the Birmingham Northern Relief Road in the Library; and if he will make a statement in respect of health and safety of the project.[11237]

A copy of an edited version of the concession agreement prepared in accordance with the judgment of the High Court was placed in the Library in June 2000. I am also arranging for a copy of the OJEC notice that advertised the procurement of the BNRR construction contract to be placed in the Library of the House.Midland Expressway Ltd. and CAMBBA have health and safety obligations under the Health arid Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Construction Design and Management Regulations 1994 for the safe design, construction and management of the BNRR. They will continue to meet these obligations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to encourage and promote road safety for motorcyclists; and if he will make a statement.[11658]

In March 2000 the Government published their strategy for improving road safety in the next decade, "Tomorrow's Roads—Safer for Everyone", which is available in the House Library.On motorcycling, our strategy is:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government arid the Regions what application he has received from the Port of London Authority under section 14 of the Harbours Act 1964 concerning changes to their Act and proposals for a statutory instrument; what correspondence he has received from objectors or potential objectors to the proposed statutory instrument; what steps he has taken to ensure that those most likely to be affected have been consulted; and if he will make a statement on his intentions.[12168]

The Port of London Authority's application for a Harbour Revision Order was advertised in the London Gazette and various local newspapers. The Secretary of State received objections or representations from the following:

• St. Pancras Cruising Club
• Thames Boating Trades Association
• Residential Boat Owners Association
• TGWU South East and East Anglia
• Thames Passenger Services Federation
• London Tideway Harbour Company Ltd.
• The Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames
• Toughs Boatyard Ltd.
• Royal Yachting Association
• Royal National Lifeboat Institution
• Inland Waterways Association
• The Barge Association
• River Association for Freight and Transport
• British Marine Industries Federation
• Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs
• National Association of Boat Owners
• Commercial Boat Owners Association.

All of the objections and representations were copied to the PLA who are currently involved in discussions with a view to resolving the various concerns. The Secretary of State is awaiting the outcome of these discussions before deciding whether or not to call a public inquiry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent work has been undertaken to assess the effects of bull bars on pedestrians in vehicle accidents.[11986]

The Transport Research Laboratory has undertaken some test work for us comparing the likely effect on pedestrians of a range of typical bull bars and base vehicles. Its report, "Assessment and Test Procedures for Bull Bars", was published on 26 July last year, and copies were placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what amendments to GoVia's proposals for the new South Central franchise have been put forward since Railtrack went into administration with particular reference to (a) start date and (b) levels of investment.[12526]

The Strategic Rail Authority and GoVia have not agreed any changes to the Heads of Terms for a new South Central franchise, which was signed on 23 October 2000. However, items relating to Mark 1 rolling stock replacement contained in the Heads of Terms have been brought forward into the current Franchise Agreement. Progress in negotiations on the exact terms of the new franchise is commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will undertake a review of the regulations on the permitted number of standing passengers on local buses.[12318]

The recent agreement in the EU for common standards for the construction of buses will lead to a change in the regulations. However, in practice, the provisions of the EU Directive are broadly similar to our current requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will take steps to amend the Public Service Vehicle (Carrying Capacity) (Amendment) Regulations 1994 in order to end the practice of three seated children under the age of 14 years counting as two passengers.[12556]

Permitting three children sitting in the space provided for two seats is a concession, not a requirement, and applies only where the vehicle is not fitted with seat belts.Currently, there is no plan to amend the Carrying Capacity Regulations to abolish this concession. The responsibility for choosing an appropriate vehicle must rest with those who are making the arrangements for the transport of children.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the legislative basis is of the three for two rule in the carrying of pupils under 14 years on scheduled bus services; and what plans he has to abolish this rule.[12555]

The regulations that permit the three for two rule are the Public Service Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984. I have no plans to abolish this rule as it a concession and not a requirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment the Health and Safety Executive has made of passenger overcrowding on buses transporting pupils to school.[12444]

No assessment of overcrowding of buses has been made by the Health and Safety Executive. The responsibility for ensuring that a bus does not carry more passengers than it is certified for lies with the driver and, if applicable, conductor. Enforcement of regulations relating to carrying capacity and safety of buses rests with the Police and the Vehicle Inspectorate. I am not aware of any prosecutions for overcrowding on services involving school transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on congestion of the variable speed limit system in operation on the M25 motorway; and if he will make a statement.[12326]

Independent monitoring and assessment of the scheme by the Transport Research Laboratory during the first year of operation confirmed its success. The monitoring indicated that traffic flow had improved, with drivers reporting more "comfortable", less aggressive driving conditions, with fewer very short, dangerous spaces between vehicles and fewer long (inefficient) spaces and more even use of the carriageway. There were also indications of improved safety, and shorter and more reliable journey times.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the total budget for each regional chamber in England by region for (a) the last financial year and (b) this financial year; and what the projected figure is for next year.[12523]

The regional chambers have been established voluntarily by bodies representing the interests of each region. Their budgets are a matter for the chambers and their members. The Government have however allocated £500,000 this year to each regional chamber, with an additional £1 million for chambers to use collectively, to help them establish a stronger strategic and scrutiny role within the regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of funding for regional chambers in England came from central Government for (a) last year and (b) this financial year; and what the projected apportionment is for the next financial year.[12524]

The Government provided no funding to the regional chambers in 2000–01. For 2001–02 we have allocated £500,000 to each regional chamber, with an additional £1 million for chambers to use collectively, to help them establish a stronger strategic and scrutiny role within the regions. As the total budgets of the chambers are a matter for the chambers themselves, information on the proportion represented by Government funding is not available centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in respect of the unitary development plan process (a) what review he has undertaken of the process since 1989, (b) what potential improvements he has identified and (c) how these will be incorporated in guidance to local authorities.[12527]

I shall be issuing a Green Paper shortly setting out proposals for comprehensive reform of the planning system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which local authorities have applied to be considered for trial schemes for (a) congestion taxes and (b) work parking taxes.[12576]

[holding answer 5 November 2001]: Two schemes have been published for public consultation, one in central London and one in the City of Durham.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what additional central Government funding each local authority will receive for taking part in trial schemes for (a) congestion taxes and (b) work parking taxes.[12577]

[holding answer 5 November 2001]: The local transport capital settlement for 2001–02 announced in December 2000 did make specific funding available to local authorities in England for capital costs directly related to the implementation of a road user charging or workplace parking levy scheme as follows:

Authority	£000
Nottingham City Council (workplace parking levy)	1,500
Derbyshire County Council (road user charging)	400
Durham County Council (road user charging)	240

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what responsibility (a) Railtrack and (b) Virgin Rail have for the provision of disabled access at Lockerbie railway station. [12923]

Lockerbie station is owned by Railtrack and leased to ScotRrail who are the "Stations Facilities Owner" with responsibility for managing the station on a day to day basis. ScotRail would be responsible for overseeing the provision of enhanced facilities at the station.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport. Local Government and the Regions when he expects the completion of Phase II of the upgrade of the west coast main line; and when he expects trains will be able to operate at more than 140 mph on the line south of Crewe.[12922]

It is clear from our discussion with the Strategic Rail Authority, the Railway Administrator and Virgin that parts of the project are subject to uncertainties over cost increases and timetables. We are in discussion with the parties on the issues involved and the options. At this stage we cannot predict the outcome of those discussions, but we are working hard to reach agreement on a project which is value for money and can be delivered to a clear timetable, subject to the need to obtain any planning consents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will reply to the letters of 10 July and 21 August from the hon. Member for Doncaster, North regarding Manchester Airport and Finningley Airport.[13137]

I replied to my hon. Friend's letters on 1 August 2001 and 6 November 2001 respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will meet (a) hon. Members for Worcestershire, (b) representatives of the Worcestershire Education Authority and (c) head teachers and governors from the county, to discuss education funding in Worcestershire; and if he will make a statement.[12675]

I and my ministerial colleagues are certainly prepared to meet hon. Members to discuss the distribution of formula grant to local authorities, which the Government are currently reviewing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will revise the regulations governing the council tax benefits limitation scheme.[12609]

We review the regulations governing the council tax benefit subsidy limitation in advance of each year's local government finance settlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance he gives local authorities on the use of parking restrictions relating to (a) HGVs and (b) lighter commercial vans in residential areas.[12685]

Traffic management and parking restrictions are best addressed by local traffic authorities, who are able to take account of particular local circumstances. We have not issued guidance to authorities on the exercise of their road traffic regulation powers in respect of parking of heavy goods vehicles and lighter commercial vans in residential areas.Two publications that do include advice on parking provision for lorries are "Transport in the Urban Environment" published in 1997 by the Institution of Highways and Transportation with support from the Department of Transport and "Lorries in the Community" a report based on a study sponsored by the Civic Trust, the County Surveyors Society and the Department of Transport and published in 1990.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if his Department's discussions with coach operators over concessionary pensioners' fares are intended to cover inter-authority journeys.[13036]

We have agreed in principle to a proposal from the Commission for Integrated Transport under which coach operators would offer half-price fares to older and disabled passengers on long distance scheduled coaches in England. In return for these fare concessions, operators would—for the first time—receive Fuel Duty Rebate. We shall be consulting the industry and others shortly on the details. Under the proposal concessionary fares on the services eligible, which of course cross local authority boundaries, would not be part of the local authority concessionary fares schemes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will extend eligibility for concessionary pensioners fares to inter-authority journeys.[13034]

I refer the hon. Member to my replies of 10 July 2001, Official Report, column 439W and 30 October 2001, Official Report, column 578W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those means of public transport for which he does not collect passenger information.[13037]

My Department collects and publishes data from operators on the total number of passengers carried by all means of public transport, including buses, coaches, rail, light rail and ferries.In addition, my Department collects data on the personal characteristics of passengers (including age) using the National Travel Survey. The number of people in the sample who record trips by less common means, including ferry, is too small to produce reliable estimates, and these trips are recorded in published NTS figures aggregated in the 'other public transport' category.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what (a) fuel tax rebates and (b) other subsidies are available to operators of buses, trains, taxis, passenger hovercraft, passenger ferries, coaches and other means of public transport on UK internal routes.[13039]

Operators of local bus services in England receive fuel duty rebate from my Department. For the fuel predominantly used in bus operation, ultra low sulphur diesel, this is equivalent to 80 per cent. of the duty paid. Following consultation in the spring, we will be introducing regulations later this financial year to extend this rebate to a wide range of community transport services. We have also announced approval in principle of a recommendation from the Commission for Integrated Transport under which operators of long-distance scheduled coach services would receive the rebate in return for offering half-price fares to older and disabled passengers. Operators of Licensed Hackney Carriages, who hold a Bus Operators Licence, can also receive Fuel Duty Rebate when operating Taxi-Bus services along registered routes.Local authorities outside London have powers under the Transport Act 1985 to subsidise bus services where transport needs are not being met by an existing commercial service. My Department also provides grants to local authorities to support bus services by means of the Rural Bus Subsidy Grant, Rural Bus Challenge and Urban Bus Challenge grant schemes.The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs provides grants, administered by the Countryside Agency, for a range of community-based transport initiatives in rural areas.Bus, coach and taxi operators can apply for grants towards the cost of converting to cleaner fuels or fitting emission reduction technologies through my Department's PowerShift and CleanUp programmes.Train operating companies (TOCs) receive support for passenger rail services (SPRS) from the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) to enable them to provide services which produce social, environmental and economic benefits that cannot be paid for through fares and charges. Similarly Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs) pay grants to those TOCs which provide rail services in their areas. Freight Operating Companies (FOCs) receive freight grants from the SRA to encourage the movement of freight by rail in order to maximise environmental benefits by removing lorries from roads.Since 1 April 2001, Railtrack has received network grants from the SRA. Various organisations also receive funding from the SRA under the Rail Passenger Partnership (RPP) scheme.My Department supports the work of Transport for London through the Greater London Authority Transport Grant which is paid under the Greater London Authority Act 1999. Transport for London's responsibilities include support for buses, light rail and the Woolwich ferry.Grant is provided to London Regional Transport using powers under the London Regional Transport Act 1984 to support London Underground.Under the Local Transport Plan system, my Department only provides capital support for light rail projects.Apart from its indirect support for the Woolwich ferry, my Department does not provide subsidies for operators of passenger hovercraft and passenger ferries. These are matters for local authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will lay before Parliament the model code of conduct for members of relevant authorities under the Local Government Act 2000: and if he will make a statement.[13166]

I have today laid before the House four model codes of conduct for members of relevant authorities. The four are:

The Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2000—which covers principal local authorities, the Greater London Authority, the City of London, the Scilly Isles Council. Fire and joint authorities;

The Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2000;

The National Parks and the Broads Authority (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2000: and

The Police Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) (England and Wales) Order 2000.

The Government have embarked on a radical programme to modernise local government and deliver better services. Strong and effective community leadership is at the heart of this vision. It is essential that communities trust those in local government and, equally, that members have clear guidelines under which they must operate.The code, published today, meets those two objectives. It will help safeguard and raise standards of conduct in local government—ensuring that the highest professional standards are met by those who run our councils and represent our communities.Authorities now have six months in which to adopt their own codes of conduct, which must contain the mandatory provisions set out in the relevant model codes.I believe the code is a considerable improvement on its predecessor. It is easier to understand, and easier for members to apply to their day to day duties. We need to keep the provisions under review, to ensure their workability and also to make sure that the public has the reassurance it needs that those they elect really are serving only the public interest. I shall from time to time ask the Standards Board for England to review the efficacy of the code, or specific provisions within it, and provide advice to Ministers on whether it can be improved.I will ensure that copies of all four codes are placed in the House Libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the cost of subsidies to the Woolwich ferry was in the last year in which they were paid; and what resources were made available by his Department to support such subsidies.[13038]

The Woolwich ferry is now the responsibility of Transport for London's Street Management Services. My Department paid just over £1 million for the ferry in the first quarter of 2000–01 before Transport for London took over. We took account of Transport for London's need to fund the ferry during the rest of 2000–01 in setting the level of GLA Transport Grant for that year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reason he does not collect information on the number of passenger journeys by ferry.[13035]

Information on number of passenger journeys by ferry is collected by my Department and the information is published annually in "Maritime Statistics".

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on how many occasions in (a) 2001 (b) 2000 and (c) 1999 services on the east coast main line have been disrupted owing to collapse or other failure of the overhead power cables; and what average length of delay has been caused to passenger services as a result.[6652]

[pursuant to his reply, 23 October 2001, c. 191–92W]: The following corrected table from Rai1track shows the number of overhead line failures attributable to Rai1track and the train operators respectively in 1999, 2000 and 2001:

Minutes delay to ECML passenger services due to overhead line problems—period 11 (January) 1999 to end of period 6 (mid September) 2001
Year	Total minutes delay	Number of incidents	Average delay	Percentage of all delays ECML
Railtrack attributable (overhead line)
1999	19,328	157	123	5.4
2000	24,037	134	179	3.0
2001	17,797	100	178	2.9
TOC attributable (pantograph)
1999	—	—	—	—
2000	1387	15	177	10.2
2001	8,149	13	627	2.2
1Data relating to these were not collected until summer 2000

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provision she plans to make to (a) the Environment Agency and (b) East Riding of Yorkshire Council to protect properties at risk from flooding.[11963]

I have recently announced the allocations to flood and coastal defence operating authorities for 2002–03.The capital allocation, on which we have offered to pay grant, for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire is £19.6 million (compared with £12.5 million in 2001–02). The rate of grant is one of the highest in the country at 65 per cent.East Riding of Yorkshire Council have indicated that they intend to submit applications for funding for a number of schemes to reduce the risk of coastal erosion, but not to reduce the risk of flooding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will bring forward proposals to introduce an eco-system approach to the management of the oceans around the UK.[11503]

We are working through the European Commission and the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic for the sustainable management and conservation of the seas around the UK. The Government's Marine Stewardship Report will set out our overarching strategy. We are looking at adopting an eco-system approach in this context.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what stocks of (a) antiques, (b) paintings and (c) fine wines are held by her Department; if she will list such assets sold over the last three years together with the sale proceeds from such transactions; what plans she has to sell further such assets over the period of the current Comprehensive Spending Review; and if she will make a statement.[10845]

[holding answer 31 October 2001]: The National Asset Register gives full details of departmental asset holdings across all categories of assets, including heritage assets, along with details of major acquisitions and disposals since the publication of the last register in 1997. While DEFRA does not hold any stocks of antiques, paintings or fine wines, the National Asset register does contain a summary of DEFRA's asset holdings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the contribution of hunt staff to the control of foot and mouth disease; and if she will make a statement.[8987]

All our slaughter teams have provided a valuable contribution in the effort to control the disease. The first licensed hunt slaughtermen were engaged by the Department at the end of March on exactly the same basis as all licensed slaughtermen.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions she intends to impose on the sourcing of animals for restocking farms after foot and mouth has been eliminated.[5344]

From 5 November 2001, it will be possible for farmers in high risk counties, outside Infected Areas and restricted Infected Areas to bring stock into such counties from foot and mouth disease free and at risk counties for the purposes of restocking farms which have been culled. The arrangements for restocking will be kept under review as the disease situation changes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many confirmed foot and mouth cases occurred in 2001 in each of the borough council areas of Cheshire.[11083]

It is only possible to provide data from the DEFRA Disease Control System (DCS) database for Cheshire as a whole. As at 31 October, there have been 17 Infected Premises (IPs), 32 Dangerous Contacts (DCs) and three Slaughter on Suspicion (SOS) cases in Cheshire.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms included in the foot and mouth cull but not recognised as infected premises have had laboratory tests conducted for the presence of foot and mouth; and what proportion of these recorded positive results.[286]

[holding answer 25 June 2001]: As at 22 October a total of 7,294 Dangerous Contacts (DC) and 255 Slaughter on Suspicion (SOS) cases, which had not been recognised as Infected Premises, had laboratory tests conducted. Of these, five yielded positive results and subsequently became IPs and were recorded as such.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to apply for all available agrimonetary compensation in the 2001–02 financial year; and if she will make a statement.[8631]

As stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Pound) on 31 October 2001, Official Report, column 738W, we have decided not to pay the agrimonetary compensation currently available for the arable sector. Any future payments of agrimonetary compensation must be balanced against the needs of other sectors and taxpayers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much EU agrimonetary compensation is available to be applied for on behalf of UK arable farmers.[9845]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Pound) on 31 October 2001, Official Report, column 738W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will allow English farmers to access England Rural Development Programme funding on the same basis as Welsh farmers.[12610]

Separate Rural Development Plans/ Programmes have been prepared for England and Wales which reflect the particular characteristics of each country but this has been done within the common framework of measures and requirements laid down in the European Commission's Rural Development Regulation. Farmers in some parts of Wales also receive support for rural development through Structural Funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to accord Environmentally Sensitive Area status to all national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty.[11909]

Under the Agriculture Act 1986, Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) may be designated where the maintenance or adoption of particular farming methods is likely to contribute to the conservation or enhancement of natural beauty, biodiversity, features, buildings or historic interest. In England, a total of 22 ESAs were designated between 1987 and 1994, many of which overlap with National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Since 1996, this Department has also operated the Countryside Stewardship Scheme which provides payments for similar objectives outside designated ESAs. There are no plans to designate any further ESAs pending the review of all agri-environment schemes which is due to begin shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase the funding for Business Link schemes for three-day consultancy for farmers; and if she will make a statement.[12361]

[holding answer 5 November 2001]: We have recently reviewed the budget allocations for the Farm Business Advice Service. As a preliminary step, 10 per cent. of the enhanced (five-day) service budget has been switched to the core (three-day) service in order to help farmers who have been subject to Form D restrictions. Funding will not be increased this year. Consideration is being given to making further budget realignments in order that predicted demand can be met.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to encourage a broader availability of stewardship schemes under the modulation and environmental subsidies scheme; and if she will make a statement.[12358]

[holding answer 5 November 2001]: We are planning for a major expansion of the Countryside Stewardship budget as is now well known. Under the England Rural Development Programme, expenditure on agri-environment schemes is scheduled to increase from £119 million this year to £197 million in 2006–07. This expansion is partly funded by receipts from modulation. Subject to EU approval, we also plan to introduce a number of new arable options to Countryside Stewardship next year, which will provide greater opportunities for arable farmers to join the scheme. Over the longer term, we have started a major review of agri-environment schemes which will consider a range of issues, including the scope for further broadening of the schemes. This is consistent with the Department's policy of seeking further CAP reform to redirect expenditure from agricultural subsidies towards measures to support environmentally friendly farming and the wider rural economy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will increase veterinary resources in the south-west to help against the spreading of TB; and if she will make a statement.[12355]

[holding answer 5 November 2001]: Resources normally available to the State Veterinary Service in the south-west for TB testing are still, in part. diverted to foot and mouth disease control. The issue of whether extra resource will be needed in certain areas is currently being assessed within the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase rendering capacity; and if she will make a statement.[12351]

[holding answer 5 November 2001]: We have no immediate plans for increasing rendering capacity, but increases in rendering capacity will be thoroughly considered in our development of contingency measures for future disease outbreaks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will fund the provision of a pontoon bridge at Upton-upon-Severn which can be put in place in the event of flooding.[11660]

[holding answer 1 November 2001]: I am not aware of a proposal for a flood defence scheme at Upton-upon-Severn and none have been submitted to this Department. To secure DEFRA funding capital works must be technically sound, economically worthwhile and environmentally acceptable, and achieve an appropriate priority score (based on an assessment of Departmental priorities, urgency and benefit:cost ratio).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will compensate British horticulture businesses for subsidies granted by Spain for greenhouse fuels; and what measures she is taking to pre vent unfair competition caused by subsidy of greenhouse fuels in competition with the UK horticultural industry.[10675]

I am not aware of subsidies granted by Spain specifically for fuels used in horticultural production. In the UK, heating oil used in glasshouses is exempt from duty.The rate of Climate Change Levy applied to energy used in horticulture in the UK has been abated by 50 per cent. for five years and we have allocated up to £5 million over three years to provide energy efficiency advice to growers to help them adjust to the full rate of levy. These measures (which require Commission approval under the state aids rules) recognise the importance of energy costs to competitive production in this sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she received from the Arthur Rank Foundation and industry bodies about the price and availability of (a) fodder and (b) grazing for livestock (i) in the UK and (ii) on the Isle of Wight.[9910]

[holding answer 24 October 2001]: The Arthur Rank Foundation, ADAS and industry bodies have been examining the prices and availability of fodder and grazing throughout the country. We have received information on a broad regional basis but have no specific information on the Isle of Wight. The Department has been supporting a number of charities giving support to individuals and families suffering hardship as a result of foot and mouth disease, including the Arthur Rank Foundation. A total of £13 million has been provided to such charities up to September and we have now made available a further £2 million to the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement in respect of the requirement on manufacturing industries to prevent the release of hazardous substances into water and the policy of Ofwat in respect of contaminants penetrating underlying aquifers to significant depths.[11383]

Under various powers contained in the Water Resources Act 1991, the Water Industry Act 1991, the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and regulations made under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 2000, discharges from manufacturing industries to sewer and controlled waters require written authorisation from, respectively, the sewerage undertaker and the Environment Agency. Conditions in these authorisations are set in order to protect receiving waters from polluting substances. The Agency also has powers to prevent polluting activities. Ofwat has no direct responsibilities for discharge consents or associated standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to protect groundwater resources from known sources of contamination.[11379]

The Government have, through the Groundwater Regulations 1998 and the Anti-Pollution Works Notices Regulations 1999, increased the powers available to the Environment Agency to protect groundwater resources. In addition the Government have issued, under Regulation 21 of the Groundwater Regulations, a groundwater protection code of practice on the use and disposal of sheep dip. A draft code for petrol stations and underground storage tanks has been to public consultation and work is under way on codes for potential sources of contamination.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many on-the-spot fines were levied for litter offences in England in (a) 1997 and (b) the last year for which figures are available.[12418]

[holding answer 5 November 2001]: Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, litter wardens can issue a £25 fixed penalty to anyone who drops litter and refuses to dispose of it properly. These penalty notices are not on-the-spot fines but can be paid within 14 days of an offence occurring. If the money is not paid within 14 days the litterer can be prosecuted and if convicted face a maximum fine of £2,500.In the period 1997–98, 727 litter fixed penalties were issued by local authorities in England, of which 660 were paid. The last year from which figures are available is the period 1999–2000 where 2,970 fixed penalty notices were issued of which 1,563 were paid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will calculate (a) the number of sweet lambs awaiting entry into the national supply chain and (b) the amount of sweet lamb being processed in the supply chain as a result of the imposition of export control restrictions on British livestock and meat.[11417]

DEFRA figures for the week ending 13 October 2001 indicate that the volume of sheep being slaughtered in the UK for human consumption was about 73 per cent. of the level that would have been expected had foot and mouth not occurred. However, allowing for the impact of the export ban, the production of sheep meat for the UK market is approximately 99 per cent. of normal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what has been the average crop harvested of Bramley apples in (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) England since 1981.[11977]

[holding answer 2 November 2001]: Home production of Bramley apples marketed for the calendar years 1985 to 2001 was as follows:

thousand tones
	England and Wales	Scotland	Northern Ireland	UK total
1985	121.6	0.1	24.4	146.1
1986	123.0	0.2	24.6	147.8
1987	114.5	0.1	24.3	139.0
1988	100.9	0.1	29.4	130.4
1989	189.0	0.1	35.6	224.7
1990	118.6	0.1	34.3	152.9
1991	150.5	0.1	41.9	192.5
1992	155.5	0.1	41.4	197.0
1993	101.4	0.1	51.2	152.6
1994	87.8	0.1	35.6	123.5
1995	89.7	0.1	41.3	131.2
1996	75.2	0.1	39.7	115.0
1997	57.5	0.1	31.0	88.5
1998	54.7	0.1	27.6	82.4
1999	83.5	0.1	25.8	109.4
2000	59.5	0.1	45.5	105.1
20011	55.5	0.1	50.2	105.7
1Provisional

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will publish draft guidance on quality parishes.[13249]

I shall be publishing a consultation paper on Quality Parish and Town Councils tomorrow, Wednesday 7 November. This takes forward the commitment in the Rural White Paper to help town and parish councils develop a new role, give communities the opportunity to help shape their future and to make local government in the countryside more responsive to local people and local needs. Copies will be placed in the Library and the Vote Office in the morning. The consultation paper will be available on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' website www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/consultfrm.htm and from my Department on request. I shall also be writing to Members of Parliament individually with the document.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to stop ebola from entering the United Kingdom.[9433]

I have been asked to reply.Cases of ebola haemorrhagic fever are not infectious before the onset of symptoms and there are systems in place, based on the World Health Organisation's international health regulations, to ensure that individuals who appear to be ill on entry to this country are identified and are put in contact with health care services.We have issued guidance to the national health service on the management and control of viral haemorrhagic fevers to help in the identification and safe care of cases, including the monitoring of contacts. There are two high security infectious disease units in England that provide specialised isolation facilities on a United Kingdom-wide basis for people suffering from or suspected of suffering from highly infectious diseases such as viral haemorrhagic fever. Specialist laboratories, which provide early diagnosis of suspected cases, support these units.