To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the incorporation into UK legislation of the OECD convention on bribery and corruption. [12909]

I have been asked to reply.The United Kingdom ratified the Organisation for Economic Development (OECD) convention in December 1998 and a review of its legislation was published by the OECD in 2000. The Government's White Paper "Raising Standards and Upholding Integrity: the Prevention of Corruption", issued in June 2000 (Cm 4759), took account of that review and made two major proposals which reflect OECD recommendations:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many cases of computer (a) hacking, (b) fraud and (c) theft her Department recorded in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2001; and on how many occasions in those years computer systems have been illegally accessed by computer hackers (A) within and (B) outside her Department. [13135]

There were no reported cases of either computer hacking or computer fraud in DFID during 2000 to 2001.In 2000, four cases of laptop computers being stolen from DFID premises or personnel were reported, and in 2001 five laptop computers were reported stolen. The total value of the loss amounts to about £9,900.DFID is not aware of any occasions during the last two years of computer systems being accessed illegally by hackers from either inside or outside of the organisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total expenditure was on (a) advertising, (b) polling, (c) focus groups, (d) design consultants, (e) caterers, (f) production of departmental publications and (g) photographs/photographers by her Department for each year since 1995 in (i) cash and (ii) real terms; what was (A) the annual percentage increase in spending on each category and (B) spending on each category as a percentage of the total departmental running costs; and if she will make a statement. [6930]

Expenditure in relation to publications, opinion polling and photography in the years in question is as follows.

£000
	Publications1	Opinion polling	Photography
1995–96	352	—	4
1996–97	318	—	4
1997–98	166	43	21
1998–99	347	—	23
1999–2000	570	45	10
2000–01	639	58	5
1 Including design costs

We do not hold a separate advertising budget. However the bulk of our advertising is in relation to recruitment, on which we spend around £1 million to £1.2 million per year.It would involve disproportionate effort to calculate the total cost of catering services in the years in question since these are not charged to a single budget.The majority of the expenditure set out in the table is charged to programme budgets, and so it is not possible to make a meaningful calculation of its share of our running cost budget.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her policy on trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights. [12903]

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to the statement my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry made on 7 November 2001,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of (a) military and (b) civilian casualties as a result of coalition forces bombing in Afghanistan. [11436]

[holding answer 30 October 2001]: It is impossible to know for certain how many casualties, either military or civilian, there have been as a result of coalition action in Afghanistan. The Taliban's claims of casualties cannot be taken at face value.Military action inevitably carries risks, but as I have made clear in the House, our targeting and weapons selection processes are rigorous. Every effort is made to avoid civilian casualties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason HMS Ocean has been recalled to the UK; if it is being sent to Devonport for repair; what the (a) nature and (b) cost is of the repair; and to what extent the repair is (i) planned maintenance and (ii) a consequence of failure while on its last operation. [13127]

HMS Ocean is returning to the UK as part of the drawdown of forces following completion of Exercise Saif Sareea 2.Due to current operational circumstances, the docking period planned for January next year has been deferred. HMS Ocean will, instead, return to Devonport for a shorter assisted maintenance period (AMP), during which some maintenance and defect rectification work will be carried out. The only repair work arising from failure during her last operation will be to some aviation fuel pumps. At this time it is estimated that the AMP will cost in the region of £0.8 million to £1 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the failure rate was of Clansman radios on Challenger II main battle tanks during exercise Saif Sareea 2 in Oman; [13118](2) what the failure rate was of army radios during Exercise Saif Sareea 2 in Oman; and if he will make a statement. [13119]

[holding answer 7 November 2001]: The limitations of the Clansman radio are well known, hence the current action on procuring a replacement. Information on failure rates of individual radios employed during Exercise Saif Sareea 2 is not available. But indications are that Clansman performed somewhat better than we might have expected during Saif Sareea 2, despite the harsh environmental conditions experienced during the exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Sea Harrier ferry will leave Yeovilton; what discussions he has had with the RAF Association about the move; what the overall cost of the move will be; and how many Sea Harrier pilots resigned their commissions in (a) 2001, (b), 2000, (c) 1999, (d) 1998, (e), 1997 and (f) 1996. [13422]

[holding answer 8 November 2001]: Following the strategic defence review, the Sea Harrier force is scheduled to relocate to RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering in the second half of 2003. The Ministry of Defence has had no discussions with the RAF Association about the move. The cost of the move is estimated to be approximately £21.5 million. The number of Sea Harrier pilots who have taken premature voluntary retirement (PVR) are set out in the table:

Year	Premature Voluntary Retirement (PVR)
1996	5
1997	2
1998	2
1999	6
2000	4
2001	4

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what types of vehicles are used by the armed forces in connection with NBC defence; and of these, how many are operational. [13283]

[holding answer 8 November 2001]: There are three types of vehicles currently in use by the armed forces that have a specific NBC defence role. The current vehicle holdings are as follows:

Vehicle type	Vehicles held
FUCHS NBC survey vehicle	11
Prototype biological detection system (PBDS)	9
Multi-purpose decontamination system (MPDS)	17

There are other, mainly armoured, vehicles that have a defensive NBC capability. Soldiers can operate within these vehicles in a "collective protection" environment thus avoiding exposure to external biological or chemical threats for a set period of time.I am withholding the information relating to operational availability under exemption 1 of the code of practice on access to government information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 31 October 2001, Official Report, column 662W, on drug testing, if he will make a statement about the actions that follow when a service man or woman tests positive to a compulsory drugs test. [13123]

Each compulsory drug test case is treated on its own merits and the individual concerned may make a representation about the circumstances surrounding the positive result. If it is concluded that the individual misused drugs knowingly, he or she would normally be discharged unless there were exceptional grounds for retention.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of compulsory drugs tests in the armed forces were positive in 2000. [13124]

The percentage of compulsory drugs tests in the armed forces that were positive in 2000 were:

Service	Percentage
Royal Navy	0.36
Army	0.52
Royal Air Force	0.12

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer on ballistic missiles on 6 November 2001, Official Report, column 129W, if he will place a copy of his draft international code of conduct on ballistic missiles in the Library. [13698]

Yes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what conclusions have been drawn on the consultation process into the protection of wrecked military vessels, with special reference to military maritime graves. [14305]

The consultation process on the protection of military vessels, in particular, military maritime graves, ended in August. Following that consultation process it was decided that a small number of wrecks within UK jurisdiction, which are representative of all those lost, will be designated as controlled sites. This means that any activity within a controlled area will require a licence. All other military vessels which meet the criteria as set out in the consultation document, including those in international waters, will be designated as protected places. Those who contributed to the consultation process have been informed of this. A copy of the report will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will itemise the additional direct current financial year costs arising from decisions in response to the events of 11 September; and if they will be met from the existing defence budget. [13472]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 114W, to the hon. Member for Lewes (Mr. Baker).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what formations will be responsible for securing the logistical echelon for the Apache helicopter; and if he will make a statement regarding US studies of this matter in Kosovo. [9677]

The Apache helicopter will be deployed as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade, the UK Army's Air Manoeuvre Formation. Responsibility for protecting units in support of Apache operations will fall to the operational commander. The composition of 16 Air Assault Brigade includes Infantry and Air Defence units, both of which may be used for this purpose.We always maintain close liaison between US and UK forces. Lessons learned from operations are studied and refinements, where necessary, are made to the way our armed forces operate. Specific lessons learned from US Apache operations in Kosovo are being considered and, where appropriate, used to refine the British Army's doctrine and operating procedures for the training and deployment of Air Manoeuvre units.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 is applicable to service personnel serving on sovereign bases overseas. [12733]

The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate on sex grounds against an employee in relation to employment at an establishment in Great Britain. In this context sovereign bases do not form part of the territory of Great Britain.Sections 6 and 10 of the Sex Discrimination Act provide that employment will be regarded as being at an establishment in Great Britain unless the employee does his work wholly outside Great Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what security is offered to UK forces in the Balkans to protect them from possible asymmetric assault. [13280]

[holding answer 8 November 2001]: Appropriate measures are in place to protect all deployed UK forces. These measures are kept under constant review in order to respond to emerging situations on the ground, but are not made public for reasons of operational security.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) military and (b) civil air traffic control movements have been handled by the air traffic control centre at MOD West Freugh, Wigtownshire, in each of the last five years. [13686]

The total air traffic control movements are set out in the table:

	Total movements
1997	11,640
1998	11,844
1999	8,388
2000	5,976
20011	3,540
1To date

The split between military and civil movements over the last five years is not available as the information is not held in the form requested. It should be noted, however, that civilian flights make up only a small portion of the overall number of movements at the airfield each year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has taken to provide for the enforcement of no-fly zones around nuclear power stations. [13834]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are being taken to enforce no-fly zones around nuclear installations. [13476]

Security of nuclear installations is a matter for the Department of Trade and Industry. The Royal Air Force has an established and well-practised air defence capability which is ready to detect, deter or destroy aircraft intending to attack any target within the UK, including nuclear installations. Adjustments have been made to our air defence posture since 11 September, but, for obvious reasons, I do not propose to go into detail on the nature of these changes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what stocks of the armour piercing Charm 3 round are held. [13763]

Charm 3 is the armour piercing round fired by the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank. Information relating to the stock levels of operational ammunition are withheld under exemption 1 of the code of practice on access to Government information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if local overseas allowances were made available to all personnel in Exercise Saif Sareea 2; [13837](2) if concessions were offered in lieu of local allowances overseas in Exercise Saif Sareea 2; and what these concessions were; [13838](3) how many of the personnel in Exercise Saif Sareea 2 who were entitled to local overseas allowances or concessions in lieu received them; how many did not and to what units they belonged. [13839]

Personnel deploying on Exercise Saif Sareea 2 were not entitled to Local Overseas Allowances (LOA) or to concessions in lieu of them. Although neither a concession nor a substitute for LOA, a comprehensive Operational Welfare package was made available to deployed personnel. This was in accordance with my predecessor's announcement on 19 March 2001, Official Report, column 12, which covered the welfare arrangements for exercises lasting for two months or more. The package included shower and laundry facilities, 20 minutes of free telephone calls a week, access to free electronic aerograms and free e-mail, television, videos, DVDs, newspapers, books, sports equipment and a Combined Service Entertainment show.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans the Government have to review the eligibility criteria for pensioners' cold weather payments. [13840]

Cold weather payments provide extra help towards heating costs for the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society in periods of exceptionally cold weather. Pensioners on low incomes are not the only people to benefit from the payments. They are also paid to people receiving income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance who have children under the age of five or who have a premium for disability or long-term sickness. We have no plans to change the eligibility conditions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans the Government have to increase the pensioners' Christmas bonus. [13842]

We have no plans to increase the level of the Christmas bonus.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans the Government have to review the eligibility criteria for pensioners' winter fuel payments. [13841]

There are no plans to change the existing regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what response he has sent to the RNID report "Can't Hear, Can't Benefit" in relation to take-up of disability living allowance by people who are deaf or have hearing difficulties. [11313]

[holding answer 31 October 2001]: We have noted the issues and concerns raised by the RNID in this report. On 19 October, the president of the Appeals Service and a number of senior officials from the Department for Work and Pensions attended by invitation the RNID' s "Breaking The Sound Barrier" Conference. They took part in a session on the "Can't Hear, Can't Benefit" report, and discussed many aspects of it with delegates, including the question of DLA take-up.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what his latest estimate is of expenditure during the financial year 2001–02 on working families tax credit; and what expenditure was on (a) family income supplement and (b) family credit during their final years of operation at (i) current prices and (ii) 2001 prices; [11674](2) how many households are in receipt of working families tax credit; what the take-up rate is; and what the take-up rate was of

I have been asked to reply.The number of families in receipt of working families tax credit (WFTC) is published in the WFTC Quarterly Enquiries, copies of which are in the Library.Estimating the take-up rate for working families tax credit requires, among other things, detailed household survey data for 2000-01. These are not yet available for analysis.Estimates of take up rates for income-related benefits for Great Britain are published in the annual statistical series "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up", which is available in the House of Commons Library. Family income supplement (FIS) was introduced in 1971. Estimates of its take-up rate for 1986 and 1987 are available in the 1987 publication, combined with selected earlier combined years back to 1974–75. FIS was replaced by family credit in 1988. Estimates of its take-up rate in 1988 and 1989 were published in the 1989 edition. Estimates for the final year of family credit were published in the 1998–99 edition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent assessment she has made of the impact of the local cost of living on teacher recruitment and retention. [11125]

These factors are under constant review as part of our on-going interest in teacher recruitment and retention. They are also kept under review by the School Teacher's Review Body, which makes recommendations to the Government on school teachers' pay and conditions. London area allowances increased by 30 per cent. in April this year, and schools have wide discretion to pay recruitment and retention allowances.We are aware of the effect that high accommodation costs, especially in the south-east of England, has on the recruitment and retention of teachers. To help develop a solution, last year, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, in what was then the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, set out policies on home ownership, including proposals for a new initiative to help certain key public sector workers, including teachers, into low cost home ownership. The Government recently announced details of the starter home initiative, funded by £250 million over the years 2001–02 to 2003–04. This scheme will benefit over 10,000 key public sector workers, including 3,500 teachers, helping them to buy homes in urban and rural areas where high prices would otherwise prevent them

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average starting pay for higher education lecturers was in each year of the last 10 years. [10913]

The information is not held centrally. Available figures from the Universities and Colleges Association for the minimum pay of lecturers, senior lecturers and principal lecturers in the pre-1992 universities and in the post-1992 universities and colleges are shown in the following table. However, starting salaries do not necessarily equate with minimum pay, and not all appointments are made to the Lecturer and Lecturer A scales.from living in or near to the communities they serve. Registered landlords, local authorities and other interested parties were invited to bid for a share of this funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many qualified teachers left the profession, having completed between three and seven years of service in (a) 1999–2000 and (b) 2000–01. [12687]

[holding answer 8 November 2001]: About 6,200 qualified full and part-time regular teachers (headcount), who had completed at least three but less than seven years service, left the maintained schools sector in England in 1999–2000, the most recent year for which data are available. The figures exclude 10 per cent. to 20 per cent. of part-time teachers not included on the Teacher Pension Scheme records. Some teachers who left service will return after a career break.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance is given to education authorities on the rights (a) parents and (b) step-parents have to send their children to the same school as older siblings. [13653]

None. Local education authorities are responsible for setting and publishing the admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools, following local consultation each year. These arrangements must include the criteria for allocating places if a school is oversubscribed. There is no requirement for local authorities to use sibling links as an admission criterion, although many choose to do so, deciding their own definition of 'sibling'.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what work the social exclusion unit has carried out in relation to child homelessness. [13756]

The Prime Minister has asked the social exclusion unit to make recommendations to reduce the number of young people running away and ensure that runaways' short and long term needs are met. Approximately 129,000 young people run away each year and one quarter sleep rough. Running away is also a strong predictor of later homelessness. The project will report its recommendations to the Ministerial Committee on Children and Young People at the end of the year.The social exclusion unit report on rough sleeping published in 1998 found that there were very few rough sleepers aged under 18. None the less, it identified a range of measures specifically aimed at young people. Many of these have now been taken forward by the rough sleepers unit, set up in April 1999 as a result of the SEU report. Examples of this have been work on the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and the setting up, in partnership with the Department of Health and funded by the National Children's Bureau, of a 'Care Leaving Support Service'.In addition, part of the SEU report on the national strategy for neighbourhood renewal—the Policy Action Team 12 on Young People—looked at how Government could improve co-ordination of policies affecting children and young people and improve services, developing them to help prevent social exclusion. This led to the establishment of the children and young peoples unit in July 2000, based in the Department for Education and Skills. This unit supports cross-Government work on child poverty and youth disadvantage, looking across the full 0 to 19 age range, and is also responsible for implementing and managing the children's fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what meetings her Department's officials and Ministers have had since March about drawing up the code of practice for retailers' behaviour in relation to their suppliers; what the dates of meetings with external organisations and companies were; and who attended the meetings; [12098](2) when the latest version of the draft code of practice for retailers' behaviour in relation to their suppliers will be circulated for consultation; to which organisations and companies it will be sent for comment; and if she will place a copy in the Library. [12097]

[holding answer 6 November 2001]: The Director General of Fair Trading consulted with the major supermarkets and over 100 representatives of suppliers on the drafting of the code of practice on supermarkets' relations with their suppliers earlier this year.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry announced on 31 October that she had accepted the Director General's advice on the code and had asked him to seek to obtain undertakings from the four leading supermarket chains to comply with the code. Copies of her announcement and the code have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.Ministers and officials at the Department of Trade and Industry have had no meetings since March with interested parties about drawing up the code of practice on supermarkets' relations with their suppliers.The Director General of Fair Trading was given responsibility for drawing up the code.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what guidance and training has been given to trading standards officers to enable them to implement Stop Now Orders; and if she will make a statement; [12989](2) how many Stop Now Orders have been issued since June; and if she will make a statement; [12987](3) what extra resources have been given to local authorities to enable trading standards departments to implement Stop Now Orders; and if she will make a statement. [12988]

Stop Now Orders require traders to cease conduct which is contrary to a wide range of consumer protection legislation and harms the collective interests of consumers. The Orders were introduced in June of this year.Two local authorities have secured written undertakings under the regulations, and other cases are under consideration.DTI has agreed with the Department for Transport. Local Government and the Regions, the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales a transfer of resources to cover the additional costs associated with the enforcement of the Stop Now Order Regulations.DTI has also funded a series of seminars to train trading standards officers in the legal and administrative requirements of the regulations. Six events were held across the country during September and October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements have been made to consult on the OFT report on the legal profession; how many representations have been received (a) in support and (b) against the OFT recommendations; and if she will make a statement. [12621]

No final arrangements have yet been made to consult on the OFT report. The Government remain committed to ensure that the professions are properly subject to competition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what UK patents relating to genetically engineered animals and processes for creating such animals have been (a) applied for and published since 9 July 1999 and (b) granted since 28 July 2000. [12568]

Since 9 July 2000, 17 UK patents relating to genetically engineered animals and processes for creating them have been applied for and published. These were GB 2358865 A, GB 2358400 A, GB 2357768 A, GB 2355718 A, GB 2355459 A, GB 2353282 A, GB 2351496 A, GB 2351494 A, GB 2351152 A, GB 2350613 A, GB 2349885 A, GB 2349150 A, GB 2348701 A, GB 2344344 A, GB 2344107 A, GB 2340493 A and GB 2337519 A.Since 28 July 2000 there have been 10 UK patents granted relating to genetically engineered animals and processes for creating them. These were GB 2351496 B, GB 2351494 B, GB 2351152 B. GB 2349150 B, GB 2348701 B, GB 2344344 B, GB 2344107 B, GB 2335193 B, GB 2331752 B and GB 2331301 B.This information does not include applications filed at the European Patent Office which may have the effect of UK patents if granted by that office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action her Department is taking to ensure that fireworks are not sold to those under the age of 18 years. [12374]

[holding answer 5 November 2001]: The Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 prohibit the supply of most fireworks to persons under the age of 18 years. The exceptions to this prohibition are low hazard fireworks, that is caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches and party poppers, which, under the Explosives Act 1875 can be sold to persons over the age of 16 years. We provide information to consumers and retailers reminding them of these restrictions. We also work closely with local authority trading standards departments whose responsibility enforcement is.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Government have to review the law on the sale of fireworks; and if she will make a statement. [13184]

[holding answer 8 November 2001]: The Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 introduced new controls on the types and sizes of fireworks which can be sold to the public. The situation regarding firework safety continues to be carefully monitored.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much public money the South West Regional Development Agency has received in each of the last three years. [12298]

The South West Regional Development Agency received grant in aid of 344,514,000 in 1999–2000, £62,951,000 in 2000–01 and has a grant in aid allocation of £84,663,000 in 2001–02.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letters of the hon. Member for West Derbyshire dated 18 July and 20 September, concerning the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. [7971]

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Environment replied to the hon. Member's letter on 18 October 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of correspondence received by her Department from hon. Members did not receive a substantive response within (a) one month, (b) two months, (c) three months, (d) four months, (e) five months and (f) six months in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [9953]

[holding answer 25 October 2001]: The specific information sought by the hon. Member in relation to DEFRA could be provided only at disproportionate cost.However, since the creation of DEFRA in June 2001 to the end of October the average length of time taken for the Department to provide replies to letters from hon. Members was 29 working days. Although this is longer than the departmental target of 15 working days we are working hard to ensure that this record is improved and the target met. The Department has suffered severe disruption due to allocating top priority to defeating the foot and mouth epidemic. I accept this is not an excuse for not giving hon. Members good service, and now that normality is returning to the Department one of our urgent priorities is to rectify any weakness in our service delivery.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter of 6 August from the hon. Member for North Shropshire concerning the extension to the burning of cattle at Sleap, Shropshire. [12630]

[holding answer 6 November 2001]: I replied to the letter from the hon. Member for North Shropshire on 7 November 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) when she will reply to the letter of 26 June from the hon. Member for North Shropshire concerning his constituent Mr. Michael Hendry; [12634](2) when she will reply to the letter of 12 August from the hon. Member for North Shropshire regarding the access inquiries into foot and mouth will have to confidential documents; [12635](3) when she will reply to the letter of 6 August from the hon. Member for North Shropshire concerning his constituent, Piers Bratton. [12631]

[holding answers 6 November 2001]: I replied to the letters from the hon. Member on 7 November 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter of 5 September from the right hon. Member for South-West Norfolk (Mrs. Shephard), on the creation of a large disposal site in Norfolk. [13238]

[holding answer 8 November 2001]: I replied to the right hon. Member on 7 November 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she has taken to identify the source of foot and mouth imported into the United Kingdom. [9429]

A great deal of epidemiological research has been conducted into the origins of this outbreak. The current epidemic has been caused by a specific strain of the foot and mouth virus (PanAsian Strain O) which has occurred in a number of countries around the world. The precise means of introduction of the virus is unknown and subject to continuing investigations, but is most likely to have been introduced in illegally imported meat or meat products. It would not be appropriate to comment further on the specific question of the source or sources of the outbreak until all investigations are complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what basis she formulated her policy on implementing a public and independent inquiry into the foot and mouth outbreak. [9268]

The Government have already announced the independent "Lessons Learned" inquiry chaired by Dr. lain Anderson and the Royal Society Study chaired by Sir Brian Follett. along with the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food chaired by Sir Don Curry.We are satisfied that these two inquiries and the Policy Commission will provide rigorous investigation of the issues in the foot and mouth outbreak and will allow us to identify the best wary forward, quickly and efficiently and that this approach is in the best interests of the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the contribution that livestock markets made to the spread of FMD infection. [12295]

[holding answer 2 November 2001]: Prior to 23 February 2001, infected sheep are known to have been traded through a number of markets in England and Wales resulting in the initial dissemination of disease to farms, dealers and slaughterhouses. Epidemiological investigations indicate that potentially infected sheep passed through six auction markets between 13 and 23 February. Investigations into the role of other markets have not been conclusive but are continuing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress he has made on adopting the regulations based on the Copenhagen charter on safer chemicals. [8316]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: The Copenhagen charter is a set of principles that a group of European environment and consumer organisations believe should form part of a new European Union chemicals policy. The UK is working to ensure that the regulations which implement the EU Strategy achieve the improvements in protection of people and the environment that the Copenhagen charter seeks.While the Government support the aims of the charter, we do have reservations about the practicality of some of its proposals. For example, we believe that a system which involved approving all uses of all chemicals should not delay action on the chemicals of most concern. The charter also does not take into account other issues that are important to the UK, such as the need to minimise the extra animal testing that will result from the EU Strategy.The UK and other EU member states agreed a set of conclusions at the Environment Council in June which incorporated many of the elements of the Copenhagen charter. A copy of the Environment Council conclusions is available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of arrangements made by British Waterways to manage flood control on its rivers; and if she will make a statement. [11554]

Where appropriate the Environment Agency has agreements in place with British Waterways on the operation of the latter's navigation infrastructure for flood control purposes. I understand that these arrangements have operated satisfactorily.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish data on volatility and volumetric flows on rivers managed by (a) British Waterways and (b) the Environment Agency. [11556]

This information is not collected by this Department but comprehensive information on river flows is published by the centre for Ecology and Hydrology (formerly the Institute of Hydrology and British Geological Survey) in their publication "Hydrological Data UK: Hydrometric Register and Statistics 1991–95". Information covering the period 1996–2000 will be published next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs what proposals she has to introduce a compulsory system for dealing with the issue of waste non-packaging farm plastics. [11780]

We will be addressing the question of how to deal with waste non-packaging farm plastics in the forthcoming consultation document on agricultural waste. We will consider whether a statutory scheme should be introduced in the light of responses to this consultation exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of damage to livestock by fox predation during the suspension of hunting with dogs due to foot and mouth disease; what account has been taken of this in the determination of the time scale for the publication of the Veterinary Risk Assessment report on hunting; and if she will make a statement. [12024]

The Department has received no evidence of such consequences from the suspension of hunting. Consideration of the time scale for resumption of hunting is based entirely on the veterinary risk assessment and how best to help the countryside return to normal while doing all we can to eradicate foot and mouth disease.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial help she gives to farmers who wish to switch to organic production. [12078]

Aid is available under the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), which is part of the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP), to help farmers convert to organic farming. £140 million has been committed to funding the OFS over the life of the ERDP.Aid under the OFS is paid over five years according to the category of land being converted. The rates of aid are as follows:

£ per hectare
	Land eligible for arable area payments and land in permanant crops	Other improved land	Unimproved land
Year 1	225	175	25
Year 2	135	105	10
Year 3	50	40	5
Year 4	20	15	5
Year 5	20	15	5
Total	450	350	50

In addition, each organic unit being converted under the OFS is eligible for payments totalling £600 towards the initial cost of advice and training.As well as financial assistance for conversion, we also provide other support, for example, through the Department's R and D programme, which includes a large component dealing with research on organic farming, and through the provision of free advice to prospective organic farmers by the Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with her counterparts in central and eastern Europe concerning the effect of enlargement of the European Union on agriculture in the United Kingdom. [12805]

So far this year, my ministerial colleagues and I have had meetings with our counterparts from Poland, the Czech Republic, and Lithuania. Over the next few months we hope to build on these, and to have dialogue with our counterparts in Hungary and Estonia

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the complement of staff working at her Department's regional office at Exeter was on (a) 1 November 2001 and (b) 1 August 2001. [12826]

Two parts of the Department operate from Clyst House, Exeter: namely the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) and the Foot and Mouth Disease Office.The RPA office at Exeter had 395 staff on 1 August 2001 and 429 staff on 1 November 2001. The staff numbers were increased over this period to deal with work that was transferred to Exeter from RPA offices at Bristol, Worcester and Reading.Precise figures for the number of staff at the Foot and Mouth Disease Office at Exeter on the dates specified are unavailable. However, the number of staff was broadly unchanged over the period in question at around 300, approximately two thirds of whom were casual appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will provide aid for the English fishing industry in similar terms to that operated in Scotland. [12811]

Grant aid is available in England for similar schemes to those available in Scotland, under the terms of the EU Structural Fund for fisheries including grant for decommissioning fishing vessels.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase the area of farmed land subject to Countryside Stewardship schemes. [12810]

Our plans for a major expansion of the Countryside Stewardship budget are well known. As part of the England Rural Development Programme (ERDP), expenditure on agri-environment schemes is scheduled to increase from £119 million this year to £197 million in 2006–07. From the total ERDP budget of £1.6 billion, £500 million has been allocated to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme over the period. As a result, each year we will be accepting roughly double the number of applications compared to 1999 and we expect to add over half a million hectares of land to that already covered by the scheme (currently about a quarter of a million hectares) over the last 10 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to publish scientific advice to Ministers relating to BSE and scrapie. [12798]

In all matters relating to BSE and scrapie, the Government have been open and transparent. We will continue to put scientific advice to Government in the public domain, encouraging a culture of openness, trusting the public and stimulating informed public debate. To this end the Government's advisory committee on BSE matters (the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC)) publishes summaries of all its meetings. These aim to explain the reasoning behind SEAC advice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will conduct an inquiry into Southern Water Services Ltd. supplies to Fulston Manor and Higham grammar schools since November 1999. [12423]

[holding answer 5 November 2001]: Any customer who has a complaint against a water undertaker should refer it to the Ofwat Customer Services Committee for the appropriate region, although I understand that the problems at Fulston Manor and Higham grammar schools relate not to the supply of water to the premises by Southern Water, but to pipes within the premises, which are the responsibility of the customer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to encourage environmentally friendly disposal of domestic refrigerators; and if she will make a statement. [11664]

[holding answer 5 November 2001]: The disposal of domestic refrigerators is subject to waste management controls, under Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which are designed to prevent harm to human health and the environment. From 1 January 2002, the EC Regulation on Ozone Depletion Substances will require "controlled substances" (including CFCs) in coolants and in insulating foam to be removed before recycling or reclamation of domestic refrigerator units. The Department will finalise shortly guidance on CFC extraction plant and guidance on the storage of waste refrigeration equipment, prior to CFC extraction.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial assistance she makes available for livestock movements; and if she will make a statement. [12350]

[holding answer 5 November 2001]: The current foot and mouth disease movement controls require that all animals to be moved are inspected by a local veterinary inspector (LVI). These veterinary inspections are carried out at DEFRA's expense.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what investigation she has made into the operation of the single occupancy movement licences scheme; and if she will make a statement. [12347]

[holding answer 5 November 2001].: Sole occupancy movement licences were introduced on 8 October to provide for the regular movement of livestock between premises in the same ownership and occupation within a maximum diameter of 20.0 kms. Licences are issued under the authority of the divisional veterinary manager only after an assessment by a local veterinary inspector. These arrangements were welcomed by the industry and demand for licences was high in the first month of operation. After some initial delays applications are being processed within four to five days and often more quickly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much public money was spent on flood (a) defences and (b) prevention measures in the last 12 months, brokendown by (i) county. (ii) local authority and (iii) in London. [12886]

Information is not collected in the format requested and could not he obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much public money has been spent on flood warning systems in the last 12 months. [12887]

The Environment Agency is responsible for flood forecasting and dissemination of warnings in England. I understand the Agency spent £23.4 million on this during the last 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from the Environment Agency regarding flood (a) prevention and (b) defences. [12884]

The Environment Agency has asked the Government to recognise and commit to meeting the need for a significant further increase in funding on a planned basis to (a) improve flood warnings and (b) maintain and improve the overall standard and extent of flood defence. This will be considered alongside other evidence through the Spending Review 2002 process. Current plans are for this Department's spending on flood and coastal defences for all operating authorities to increase from last year's outturn of £66 million to £114 million in 2003–04.The Agency has also asked the Government to consider alternative institutional arrangements for delivering the flood and coastal defence service. We are already doing so as part of the present review of funding arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much private money was spent in the last four years on flood defences and flood prevention. [13021]

The Government do not collect information on the work undertaken by private individuals to protect their properties against flooding. In some cases beneficiaries of flood defence works undertaken by the operating authorities will make a contribution to those works. Comprehensive information on such contributions is not available in respect of works undertaken by local authorities or internal drainage boards but contributions to the Environment Agency in England were as follows:

£ million
Year
1997–98	0.2
1998–99	0.3
1999–2000	0.5
2001–01	0.3

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much public funds were spent, broken down by local authorities, agencies and other relevant organisations on flood defences and flood prevention in the last four years; how much public spending on flood defences/prevention is planned for the next two years; and how much additional money she promised in 2001 for flood defences and flood prevention on top of that pledged in the last spending review. [13102]

Flood defence is provided by the Environment Agency, local authorities and internal drainage boards. The following table shows expenditure, from all sources, by the different operation authorities.

£ million
Year	Environment Agency	Local authorities	Internal drainage boards1	Total
1997–98	255.2	13,0	40.0	308.2
1998–99	247.2	15.0	40.3	302.5
1999–2000	260.3	15.4	40.7	316.4
2000–01	270.4	220.1	41.0	2331.5
1Estimated
2Provisional

The great majority of this expenditure is provided by Government in the form of DEFRA grant (for approved capital and other works) and by DTLR through revenue support grant (which is used by local authorities to fund levies to the Environment Agency, special levies to internal drainage boards and to finance their own spend on flood and coastal defence).The Spending Review 2000 provided for an increase in DEFRA grant of £10 million in 2002–03 and £20 million in 2003–04. It also provided for local authority Standard Spending Assessments for flood and coastal defence to increase by some 4.4 per cent. annually over the period.A further £51 million of DEFRA support was announced by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 4 November 2000. This was allocated as follows: £2 million in 2000–01; £17 million in 2001–02; £17 million in 2002–03 and £15 million in 2003–04. A further £6.6 million to assist the Environment Agency to meet its emergency costs was announced in January 2001 and allocated in 2001–02.The following table sets out total Government funding of flood and coastal defence for the last four years and forecast expenditure for the current and next two years:

Year	£million
1997–98	312.4
1998–99	315.9
1999–2000	326.3
2000–01	331.7
2001–02	376.9
2002–03	393.5
2003–04	414.2

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she has taken to streamline the agencies that have a responsibility for flooding matters, with particular reference to (a) the Environment Agency, (b) the internal drainage boards, (c) local authorities, (d) British Waterways and (e) other boards. [13415]

The Government are considering this issue as part of the current review of funding arrangements for flood and coastal defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans the Government have to ensure that flood prevention is not paid for exclusively from council tax. [13385]

It is already the case that the great majority of expenditure on flood and coastal defence is currently met out of general taxation.In the current year DEFRA expects to provide direct funding of some £92 million to the operating authorities while some £264 million is provided to local authorities through DTLR's standard spending assessments which are largely supported by central grant and non-domestic rate income. Local authorities use this to fund levies to the Environment Agency, special levies to internal drainage boards and their own spend on flood and coastal defence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received regarding the level of Warm Front grants in England; and what plans she has to change the level of the grant. [12438]

[holding answer 6 November 2001]: The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, marketed as the Warm Front Team, is managed under contract by the Eaga Partnership Ltd. and TXU Warm Front Ltd. Both companies provide regular advice to the Department about the average cost of work under the scheme. This is then used to review the appropriate maximum level set for grant paid to individual householders.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations the Environment Agency has made with respect to the building of homes at Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne. [12891]

I have been asked to reply.The Environment Agency has responded to consultations by Eastbourne borough council about planning applications for proposed residential development in the area between the sea defence and the inner harbour. The Agency's responses to such consultations can be viewed at Eastbourne borough council's offices.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many signal passed at danger events there were on the London Underground lines in the past five years for which figures are available. [7448]

London Underground take SPADs very seriously and are constantly working to reduce the number on their network. Information on the number of SPADs is regularly placed in the Libraries of both Houses. The most recent information, which includes data for SPADs since 1993, was placed in the Library on 7 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how

£
		Advertising
	Television	Radio	Press	Other1	Total
1995–962	—	—	—	—	9,300,000
1996–97	3,836,887	461,937	1,741,197	1,178,979	7,219,000
1997–98	3,154,027	926,232	1,559,001	860,740	6,500,000
1998–99	3,449,938	1,048,951	861,097	640,014	6,000,000
1999–2000	7,457,172	661,303	1,059,974	2,821,551	12,000,000
2000ߝ01	13,475,335	1,932,364	971,796	1,314,395	17,693,890
1e.g. posters, leaflets
2A breakdown into separate categories would only he possible at disproportionate cost

The increased expenditure on advertising in 1999–2000 resulted from:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to ensure (a) Arriva in West Yorkshire and (b) other train operating companies recruit and retain sufficient drivers to fulfil their timetable commitments. [12533]

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) expects all train operators to recruit sufficient staff, including drivers, to run a reliable train service and meet their timetable commitments.The SRA has in place performance regimes under which train operators are penalised if they fail to meet certain standards. The SRA can also issue enforcement orders and penalties against operators for continuing poor performance, as it proposes with Arriva Trains Northern.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the implications of the judgment in the case of Kane v. New Forest DC. [12968]

The Department's financial year starts 1 April and runs to 31 March. For each financial year from 1995 the advertising spend, broken down by category, is set out in the table.

The case was an appeal against the summary dismissal of a claim for damages for personal injuries caused by negligence. The appeal succeeded, so that the substantive claim can now proceed. Pending its conclusion, the matter is sub judice and I cannot comment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of the investment outlined in the Government's 10-Year Plan is allocated to Light Rail schemes. [12750]

Light Rail schemes account for about 1.7 per cent. of total spending in our 10-Year Plan for Transport.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on how and when the proposed extension of trains and platforms on suburban lines into Waterloo will be financed. [12749]

Investment in new trains for the Waterloo suburban lines is being made by Angel Trains under a £1 billion deal, announced on 24 April 2001, between the company, Stagecoach Holdings plc and Siemens. It will be recovered through leasing charges paid by the train operator, South West Trains, which will be in receipt of franchise payments from the Strategic Rail Authority. No agreement has yet been reached with Railtrack or with other private investors on the financing of station improvements, including platform extensions, but the investment is similarly likely to be recovered through access charges paid by the train operator.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 October 2001, Official Report, column 395W, on Railtrack, it he will list the actions that will be required to secure investment grade ratings for the debt of the company limited by guarantee. [12986]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 31 October 2001, Official Report, column 671W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his reply of 22 October 2001, Official Report, column 94W, on Railtrack, when he met Mr. Alun Evans to discuss release of the document proposing changes to the Parsons Brinckerhoff report; and to what extent the propriety of the conduct of Ms Jo Moore in respect of the release of this document was discussed with Mr. Evans. [12993]

This information is exempted from disclosure under Part 2 of Section II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on the crossrail project of Railtrack being placed into administration. [12695]

Work on the development of a crossrail project will continue on the same basis as before Railtrack administration. It has always been expected that a special purpose vehicle would be created to take forward any scheme which might be developed as a result of the current project definition work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect on the rail services to and from the Beckenham constituency of the decision to place Railtrack into administration. [12670]

Rail services will not be affected by the process of administration. The Government will ensure that the administrator has the funds to maintain the full operation of the network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the value of the railway stations within the ownership of Railtrack on 4 October was. [13214]

The balance sheet valuation of all of Railtrack Group plc's tangible assets as at 31 March 2001 is shown in their 2000–01 annual report and accounts. Separate accounts for Railtrack plc are held at Companies House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the occasions since 1997 when section 54 of the Railways Act 1993 has been used. [12740]

Since 1997, section 54 has been used five times as follows:

• March 2000 in respect of 120 vehicles for Connex South Central
• March 2001 in respect of 818 vehicles for South West Trains
• July 2001 in respect of 240 vehicles for South Central/GoVia
• October 2001 in respect of eight new trailer cars and five new four-car units for Arriva Trains Northern
• November 2001 in respect of five two-car vehicles for Arriva Trains Northern.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what contribution his Department is making to the light rapid transport scheme for Fareham-Gosport-Portsmouth; how the estimated cost of the scheme is to be financed; and if he will make a statement. [12664]

The agreement that the Government have reached with the authorities promoting the scheme provides for the public sector contribution to be shared between central Government and the authorities. This is in line with our general policy that about a quarter of the costs of a major public transport scheme of this kind should be met from local sources. The precise amounts involved will only be determined once the tendering process has been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what checks are made to ensure that affordable housing building takes place by house builders on former English Partnership land. [13004]

Each provider of affordable housing on English Partnerships land is contractually obliged to provide an agreed number of units, the delivery of which is confirmed upon practical completion of a particular development site or project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received from civil service unions about the conduct of his special advisers since 7 June. [12992]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received on (a) the deferred payment of air passenger duty, (b) the extra costs of airline and airport security and (c) maintaining insurance cover to airlines, since 11 September; and if he will make a statement. [R] [12975]

We have received various representations from the air transport industry on all of these issues. The Government moved quickly to underwrite, on a temporary basis, third party war risk insurance for UK airlines and service providers to the airline industry. The initiative has subsequently been widely copied elsewhere and was recently extended until 23 November. The European Commission has set out guidelines on emergency aid measures which were endorsed at the meeting of European Transport Ministers on 16 October. We will take these guidelines into account in considering whether further aid should be provided to the British airline industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures he is taking to ensure that house buyers are aware of the risks of purchasing a house built on a flood plain. [12889]

In September 1999 the Environment Agency published indicative floodplain maps using the best available current information. These were supplied to local authorities to inform the planning process and are updated annually. In December 2000 the Environment Agency placed these maps on the internet on their website www.environment-agency.gov.uk in the section entitled "What's in your backyard". Prospective home buyers can interrogate this site by postcode to see the area at flood risk. Further, more detailed information can be obtained by writing to the local Environment Agency area office.Under the Government's proposals for sellers' packs. prospective buyers will be provided with key information about homes marketed for sale. Flood risk information is one of the items being considered for inclusion in the seller's pack. In the meantime, the Environment Agency is engaged in advanced discussions with the Law Society on making an 'Environment Agency Property Search Report', a standard part of the domestic and commercial conveyancing process in England and Wales. A pilot trial is running in North Wales and work is under way to extend this. Each Environment Agency report will include information on flood risk as well as other environmental data for which the agency has responsibility.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received about the effectiveness of local authority standards committees; and if he will make a statement. [12323]

Table A: Number of waste management or recycling schemes in London SRB schemes during 1999–2000 and 2000/01
£
Name of Scheme	1999–2000	2000–01	SRB Lifetime Value1
Connecting Communities	1	3	2,099,800
Forest Gate and Plaistow	0	1	21,769,208
Stratford and Temple Mills	—	1	7,834,664
Creekside Renewal	—	2	8,273,500
Canning Town	1	1	21,501,000
Time for Greenwich	—	107	26,969,300
Hackney Wick	1	1	19,234,999
Mile End Park	—	1	2,330,000
New Horizons for Harold Hill	—	1	3,819,378
Northern Wards	—	6	2,814,851
Releasing Local Potential	—	1	29,920,000
South Wandle Regeneration Partnership	—	26	6,397,010
King's Cross Partnership	—	1	37,173,806
West Euston Partnership	—	4	6,546,000
Aylesbury Plus	1	3	4,798,237
Developing Park Royal's Offer	—	17	26,721,833

I have not received any representations about the effectiveness of local authority standards committees.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which London-based organisations have received grants from (a) the single regeneration budget and (b) other sources to promote waste recycling in the past two years; and what the value was of grants in each case. [13277]

[holding answer 8 November 2001]: Information on individual London-based organisations that received funding to promote waste recycling through the single regeneration budget is held by the SRB partnerships who distribute the funding. However, the London Development Agency, who are responsible for administering the SRB programme in London, have provided details of London SRB schemes that included waste management or recycling projects in their outputs in 1999–2000 and 2000–01. These are at table A. In addition, a SRB round 6 scheme "Re-engineering Secondary Materials for Thames Gateway" was awarded £5.4 million lifetime funding in summer 2000 but did not incur any project expenditure during 2000–01. This is run by London Remade, a strategic partnership between waste management companies, statutory authorities, London boroughs and community organisations, with the principal objective of promoting new markets and secondary industries based on reprocessing and reuse of London's recyclable materials.The Environmental Action Fund, operated by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), is designed to help voluntary groups advance the Government's environmental policies to London-based organisations to promote recycling and raise awareness of waste management issues. Table B lists the grants that were issued during 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02.The Spending Review 2000 established a fund of £140 million specifically for local authority waste management and recycling. DEFRA will be consulting shortly on proposals for the distribution and use of this fund.