To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions were held with Sport England on the establishment of the new opportunities fund for sport. [14108]

I and my officials have held a number of meetings and conducted detailed correspondence with Sport England about the new opportunities for PE and school sport initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the (a) start up and (b) operating costs are of the new opportunities fund for sport. [14107]

The new opportunities school sport initiative is one of 13 programmes operated by the fund in the areas of health, education and the environment. The estimated direct costs for this programme to 31 March 2002 are £767,600 of which £97,600 represents start-up costs. Over the lifetime of its programmes, the new opportunities fund aims to keep its running costs within 5 per cent. of its lottery income.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to merge the New Opportunities Fund for Sport organisation with Sport England; and if she will make a statement. [14106]

The new opportunities fund is the body designated in the National Lottery Act 1998 to distribute lottery funds to initiatives concerned with health, education and the environment, one of which is the new opportunities for PE and school sport initiative. I have no plans to merge the new opportunities fund with Sport England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 1 November 2001, Official Report, column 802W, on departmental assets, if he will estimate the value of the Government art collection; and if he will make a statement. [13125]

It is not possible to give an accurate estimate of the value of the Government art collection, which, as a non-operational heritage asset, has no current market valuation. The current monetary value of a work of art can be accurately assessed only at the time of its purchase or sale or by professional valuation. The collection is not actively traded, and it would not be a justifiable expenditure of public funds to have the whole collection valued professionally.However, from 1 April 2000 additions to the collection have been included at cost in the asset register of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, on the grounds that the purchase price provides a reliable basis for capitalisation. This accounting policy will apply to national museums and galleries and other collections from 1 April 2001. The value of purchased additions to the Government art collection as at 31 March 2001 is £124,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the Rough Sleepers Unit will compile information about the number of hotel places in major centers of population. [10780]

The Rough Sleepers Unit already compiles information on the hostel bedspaces that it funds. In addition, local authorities around the country hold information on hostel bedspaces in their area.The RSU required local authorities with significant numbers of rough sleepers to assess the provision of hostel accommodation in their areas in order to develop local rough sleeping strategies. This information is held and reviewed locally but has not been compiled centrally by the RSU.However, the RSU is now considering its future beyond April 2002 and information on hostel provision will be an important feature of any future work. Therefore such information will be compiled in the new year.Under the provisions of the Homelessness Bill, local housing authorities would be expected to review the resources available to the authority and its partners in their periodic homelessness reviews: this should include reviews of hostel and other accommodation available to homeless people.

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 west 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. [11505]

The following table from Railtrack shows the disruption to passenger and freight trains on the west coast main line caused by incidents involving overhead lines in 1999, 2000 and 2001. I understand that data are not separately available for passenger services only.

Disruption to WCML caused by incidents involving overhead lines 1 April 1999 to mid-October 2001
	Total minutes delay	Number of incidents
1999	67,019	358
2000	64,965	365
2001	111,971	371

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he has asked the National Audit Office to evaluate the PPP bids for the London Underground once the final bids have been prepared; and if he will make a statement. [11614]

The National Audit Office produced a report into the financial analysis of the London Underground PPPs in December 2000. The NAO has examined the further work London Underground and its advisers are undertaking on the financial analysis of the PPPs, and found that London Underground intends to take the issues raised by the NAO in its earlier report on board. I understand that, while the NAO will continue to monitor the situation, it does not believe that a further report at this stage would be useful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what assumptions regarding the cost to the public sector of cost overruns he is planning to include in the guidance for the public sector comparator for assessing the public-private partnership bids for London Underground; [12387](2) what plans he has to make changes to the assumptions underlying the public sector comparator for assessing bids under the public-private partnership for London Underground; and if he will make a statement. [12388]

The Government's plans for a publicly run, privately built tube will deliver around £13 billion of investment to improve the underground's infrastructure over the next 15 years. The Secretary of State has made clear that he will only be prepared for these plans to go ahead if he is content that they represent value for money.London Underground is carrying out a thorough evaluation of the value for money of bids, guided by the results of a public sector comparator. The detailed assumptions made in this comparator, including those on cost overruns, have been developed by London Underground, assisted by its engineering advisers Ove Arup and its financial advisers PricewaterhouseCoopers. I understand that London Underground, again assisted by its advisers, is currently reviewing the comparator to ensure that it represents a level-playing-field test for evaluating final bids.The value for money evaluation of the London Underground PPPs will be made publicly available, but not until London Underground has concluded its negotiations with bidders. To publish the value for money evaluation any earlier would reveal London Underground's negotiating position and so undermine its ability to achieve best value.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information he collates on the incidence of crime in underground stations. [13265]

This is a matter for the British Transport Police (BTP). The BTP collate all data in relation to incidences of crime on London Underground. They publish annual crime statistics for London Underground, using Home Office guidelines, within their annual report. A Crime and Disorder audit is carried out annually for underground stations and this is also provided to the Government, all boroughs in London and the Crime Director for London. The latest such report will be available very early in the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations have been made by the police in the past five years in respect of raising the maximum speed limit on motorways in the UK to 80 mph. [12328]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what external validation (a) will be and (b) has been applied to the use of New Earnings Survey statistical data used for distribution of the area cost adjustment for 2002–03; [12998](2) what steps he

The use of New Earnings Survey (NES) data for the purposes of calculating the area cost adjustment have been the same in every local government finance settlement since 1993–94. Ministers at the time, after extensive discussion with local government, decided that the current methodology was the most appropriate use of the data for distributing grant to local government. When the methodology was developed, there was consideration of sample sizes and whether to base the area cost adjustment on one or two years of NES data.We announced on 20 July that we do not intend to change this long established methodology for 2002–03, while we review the grant distribution formulae as a whole in time for 2003–04. We have made careful checks that we are using the NES data in the usual way for 2002–03. This includes confirming that the NES data supplied to us by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) are correct, and validating the area cost adjustment calculations by ensuring that at least two members of our grant distribution team independently derive the same results. External validation by those outside Government is not possible because of the need to ensure the confidentiality of those included in the survey.We have also been party to discussions between the ONS and the Association of London Government (ALG), who asked the ONS for an explanation of the movements in the data since last year. The ONS reply to the ALG confirms that the data that underpin the area cost adjustment for 2002–03 are correct. The reply is also a helpful contribution to our formula grant review. For example, it has a bearing on whether we should address possible volatility around small samples by using an average of two or three years of NES data for the area cost adjustment. Smoothing the area cost adjustment in this way is one of the options we are currently discussing with local government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent guidance he has given to local councils on the treatment of dry rot and which chemicals are permitted for its treatment. [12892]

My Department does not provide local councils with guidance on the treatment of dry rot in timber but refers such inquiries to authoritative sources of information such as the Building Research Establishment and the British Wood Preserving and Damp Proofing Association.Chemicals permitted for treatment of dry rot are approved under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986. The labels of approved pesticidal products will state which of these can be used specifically against dry rot. A list of all approved products is published in "Pesticides 2001"; this annually updated publication can be found in the Research Section of the House of Commons' Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the operation of the working time directive in respect of HGV drivers. [10307]

[holding answer 6 November 2001]: There are two working time proposals that will affect drivers of large goods vehicles. First, parts of the horizontal amending directive (EC2000/34)—due to be implemented by 1 August 2003—will introduce some changes. Drivers will be subject to the 48 hour average working week, four weeks paid annual leave, health checks for night workers and a provision for adequate rest. As with existing working time legislation, workers will be able to sign an individual opt-out if they want to work longer than the 48 hour average.The second proposal concerns mobile workers in the road transport sector and is still subject to negotiation in Brussels. The directive will only apply to drivers of large vehicles who are currently subject to EC drivers' hours rules (EC3820/85). It is clear that there will be no individual opt-out from the 48 hour average working week, but other significant issues have still to be resolved with the European Parliament. Negotiations should be complete by the end of this year, and we expect the new directive will be adopted in early 2002. Implementation in the UK will be in a further two to three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what (a) proportion of seriously and fatally injured pedestrians received their injuries from being hit by the fronts of cars and (b) the main types of impacts for pedestrian deaths in serious injuries are. [13417]

It is estimated that, in 2000, 53 per cent. of all pedestrians fatally or seriously injured in road accidents received their injuries from being hit by the front of a car.73 per cent. of pedestrians suffering fatal or serious injury in 2000 were hit by a car in a single vehicle accident; 19 per cent. were hit by other vehicles (i.e. not cars) in single vehicle accidents; and 8 per cent. were hit in accidents which involved more than one vehicle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will publish the timetable for the implementation of the ring-fenced budget for noise mitigation measures. [13217]

The Government's policy of reducing the effects of traffic noise is being implemented through two programmes.The Government's "Transport 2010: The 10 Year Plan" gives a commitment to surface at least 60 per cent. of the trunk roads, including all the concrete trunk roads, with quieter materials by 31 March 2011. We have a policy of using quieter surfaces as a matter of course whenever a road needs to be resurfaced and I recently announced the criteria to be used for prioritising the concrete trunk roads to be resurfaced with quieter materials.The second programme, with an annual £5 million ring-fenced budget, is to provide noise mitigation measures in the most serious and pressing cases where practical and cost-effective measures can be provided.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which light rail projects have received support from the Strategic Rail Authority since it was established. [13146]

While it is not for the SRA to support particular light rail projects, they have co-operated with franchise operators and local authorities in furthering the development of light rail schemes for Tyne & Wear Metro, Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit and the West Midlands Metro. The SRA are also working to facilitate development of the currently proposed project in Bristol.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information he has collated on the number of US states which have banned the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether; and what discussions he has held with his US counterparts in the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether as a petrol additive. [13253]

The Department does not hold details on the use of MTBE in the United States. I understand that the US Federal Government is proposing to reduce significantly or eliminate MTBE in petrol due to public concern about MTBE in groundwater. MTBE is used significantly less in the UK and there is no evidence to indicate that contamination of groundwater presents a significant risk here.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his policy is on the use of methyl tertiary buty1 ether; what plans he has to review the policy; and if he will make a statement. [13227]

Directive 98/70/EU (enacted by Statutory Instrument 1999 No. 3107) sets a limit of 15 per cent. on ethers containing five or more carbon atoms per molecule—which includes MTBE. For the UK as a whole, usage typically averages less than 0.5 per cent., with most production having none.The main risk identified with MTBE, particularly in the USA, is to groundwater. In the UK public consultation has recently finished on a draft groundwater protection code for petrol stations and underground storage tanks to be made under Regulation 21 of the Groundwater Regulations 1998. This will provide advice on what processes/precautions need to be in place at petrol stations and other underground fuel storage areas to ensure protection of groundwater and compliance with the Groundwater Regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what translation services he ensures are available to local authorities in (a) England and (b) Staffordshire. [13500]

No such services are made available centrally to local authorities. It is up to each local authority to provide such services as are necessary in the light of their local circumstances.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to re-introduce legislation to make a seller's pack compulsory. [13807]

Legislation will be introduced when parliamentary time allows. In the meantime we are pressing ahead, in consultation with consumer representatives and the professional bodies, with developing the detailed contents of the seller's pack.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the airline and aerospace industries. [11335]

[holding answer 8 November 2001]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Mr. Jamieson), on 8 November 2001, Official Report, column 339W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of services provided by Central Trains in the last 12 months ran on time. [13460]

Over the last 12 months 72.5 per cent. of services provided by Central Trains ran on time. Services are deemed punctual if they arrive at their destination within five minutes of the timetable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many households in (a) council housing and (b) registered social landlord having in each local authority area in London will have target rents set as a consequence of the Government's rent restructuring proposals (i) less than £20 above current rents, (ii) £20 to £30 above current rents and (iii) £30 or more above current rents. [14072]

The information is not currently available. Social landlords will only have completed their property valuations and calculated their target rents under the reforms around the end of this calendar year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what assessment his Department has made of the level of overcrowding on trains on routes between Blackpool and Birmingham; [13920](2) what assessment he has made of the adequacy of powers to ensure train operating companies take action to address overcrowding on trains. [13916]

No specific assessments have been made but all train operators have a general obligation in their franchise agreements to provide sufficient capacity to avoid excessive crowding. In the Metropolitan areas, Passenger Transport Executives specify overcrowding controls for the services they require. One of the aims of the new franchise policy announced by the Secretary of State in July was to instruct the Strategic Rail Authority to reduce overcrowding and negotiate new franchises or extensions to secure the necessary improvement in capacity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the latest estimate is of (a) the number of empty homes and (b) the number of homeless; and what steps the Government are planning to improve these figures. [13760]

[holding answer 9 November 2001]: From the latest available information it is estimated that there were 763,900 empty residential properties at the beginning of 2000–01. The majority of these are classified as transitional vacancies.The number of households accepted by local authorities in England under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 and 1996 Housing Acts as being eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, in the first six months of 2001 was 59,530.The Government have introduced a number of measures to reduce the number of empty homes including a reduction in VAT and changes to the way local authorities plan for housing. We will consult shortly on proposals to allow local authorities discretion to remove or reduce the 50 per cent. council tax discount for long-term empty homes.Homeless acceptances represent households in need who are helped by local authorities into accommodation. The provisions of the Homelessness Bill will:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to submit proposals to the European Commission in relation to regulations 248/92 and 95/93 governing slot (a) allocation and (b) ring fencing at Heathrow and Gatwick. [13697]

[holding answer 9 November 2001]: The Government are currently reviewing whether they should seek to ensure that slots are reserved at London airports for regional services. One possible means of achieving this could be the utilisation of Article 9.1.a of Regulation 95–93. The Government have received a PSO application for the Inverness-Gatwick route from the Scottish Executive and this is under consideration. If the Government decided to impose a PSO, they would need to inform the Commission in accordance with Regulation 2408–92.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on demand for slots at Heathrow and Gatwick over the next five years. [13693]

[holding answer 9 November 2001]: The Department has commissioned the South East and East of England Regional Air Services study (SERAS), which is considering all aspects of airport capacity in the area, having regard to future forecasts of demand. The study is looking up to 30 years ahead. Consideration of demand for runway capacity at Heathrow and Gatwick forms part of the work.We expect the study to be completed towards the end of this year. Public consultation on the shortlisted options is due in early 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the costs of the Health and Safety Laboratory's estates in Sheffield and Buxton in 2001–02. [13934]

The Health and Safety Laboratory's estates costs for the current year are estimated to be £3,693,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the annual costs of the Health and Safety Laboratory's estates under the proposed PFI scheme on the Buxton site. [13933]

Commercial negotiations for the Health and Safety Laboratory PFI collocation project have not been concluded with the preferred bidder. Any proposed costs relating to this project are therefore commercially confidential and cannot be made available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) how many do-it-yourself shared-ownership scheme purchases there were by each housing association in each of the last five years; [12463](2) which housing associations participated in the do-it-yourself shared ownership scheme; and how many

Assistance under the do-it-yourself shared ownership (DIYSO) scheme led to 6,712 purchases in the years 1996–97 to 2000–01. Tables showing these purchases by housing association in each year have been placed in the Libraries of the House.The number of transactions by DIYSO purchasers in respect of the purchase of additional shares and staircasing to outright ownership is not identified separately by housing associations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what contingency plans he has made to improve transport services in the west midlands if a national stadium is placed there. [13533]

The capability of the transport system to deal with the potential demands of a national stadium in the west midlands are being considered by the project teams and the Government. There are a number of current projects which will improve the performance of the existing network, including the M6 Toll and Active Traffic Management on the M42. If implemented, the recommendations from the West Midlands Area Multi- Modal Study will also significantly improve the transport system. The Football Association have yet to decide whether or not they want a national stadium.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many hotels in (a) London and (b) the UK have failed health and safety inspections in the last 12 months; and what mechanisms there are to ensure that health and safety guidelines are adhered to. [13535]

We do not have any information in respect of the number of hotels in London and the UK that have failed health and safety inspections. Local authorities (LAs) are responsible for the enforcement of health and safety law in hotels throughout GB and LA inspectors will take appropriate enforcement action to ensure that health and safety guidelines are adhered to.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many vacancies there are for fire personnel in the UK; and what steps he has taken to encourage more people into the service in the last five years. [13536]

Based on annual returns to HM Fire Service Inspectorate, the provisional figures for the establishment and actual strength of the fire service in England and Wales as at 31 March 2001 were as follows:

	Establishment	Strength	Variation
Whole-time	33,640	33,376	-264
Retained	14,960	12,033	-2,927
Control	1,428	1,440	+12
Non-uniformed	6,474	6,071	-403
Totals	56,502	52,920	-3,582

Local fire authorities are responsible for the recruitment and selection of fire service staff. In general the fire service is a popular career choice and applications far exceed the number of vacancies available each year. However, in some areas fire authorities and brigades do experience difficulties in recruiting to the retained (volunteer) sections of the fire service. For more than 10 years the Home Office, which had responsibility for fire service matters prior to the transfer to DTLR in June this year, has helped to encourage people to join the fire service both in a full-time and voluntary capacity by providing recruitment literature and advertising posters for local use. Over the last two years the Home Office, and now DTLR, have been encouraging. Fire authorities to review their recruitment practices in order to ensure they reach groups that are currently under-represented in the service. To help authorities to do this DTLR has developed new national recruitment literature which will be launched shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what regulations exist to oblige train operating companies to make working toilets available to passengers on trains; and what plans his Department has to make the provision of toilets on trains an obligation in future train operating franchises. [14706]

There are no regulations requiring train operators to provide toilets on trains, nor are there any plans for such regulations to be introduced. Train operators will only make the most of their commercial opportunities if they provide the facilities that passengers demand. The Strategic Rail Authority do not think it is a priority for investment to specify the provision of facilities which train operating companies are likely to provide of their own accord. Where train operators provide toilet facilities they are subject to the same environmental health requirements as any other provider of these facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what powers the Strategic Railway Authority has to oblige train operating companies to make working toilets available to passengers on trains. [14704]

The franchise agreements under which rail services are provided do not require toilets to be provided on trains. Any changes to a franchise agreement would have to be negotiated by the Strategic Rail Authority and the train operator concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessments he has made of security procedures as they apply to (a) general aviation and (b) regional airports within the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [13484]

My Department lays down the security requirements for the operators of public transport aircraft, both passenger-carrying and all-cargo, and the managers of the aerodromes they operate from. Following the attacks of September 11^th these requirements have been extended to general aviation. DTLR inspectors monitor compliance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the cost to industry in Hertfordshire of delays in the consideration of rating appeals in the last three years. [13243]

I have made no such assessment.The Valuation Office Agency (VOA), an executive agency of Inland Revenue, is responsible for compiling and maintaining the non-domestic rating lists. Since 1 April 1998, the VOA has received some 1,400,000 appeals challenging the rateable values entered in the rating lists compiled since 1990, including some 800,000 appeals against the rateable values shown in the list that came into force on 1 April 2000. Consideration of this number of appeals inevitably takes time. The VOA publishes programmes setting out when all appeals will be considered; these are reviewed in consultation with ratepayers. If, when an appeal is considered, the VOA and the ratepayer do not reach agreement on the valuation, the appeal will be heard shortly afterwards by an independent Valuation Tribunal. Appeals may be considered earlier than is set out in the programme, if a ratepayer is suffering financial hardship.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 6 November 2001, Official Report, column 135W, on Railtrack, what action he will take to ensure the administrators of Railtrack conclude the proposed sale of the Oswestry branch line from Gobowen to Llanymywech to the Cambrian Railways Trust. [13859]

I understand that Railtrack have proposed a meeting for 16 November with the Cambrian Railways Trust to discuss the proposed sale. The Trust has yet to confirm its availability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many (a) fatal and (b) serious, road traffic accidents involving monocular commercial drivers there were in each of the last five years where the monocular vision of the driver was a contributory factor. [14267]

The information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the (a) short-term, (b) medium-term and (c) long-term plans for the proposed Rosyth ferry terminal. [13937]

The proposal for the Rosyth terminal that was considered for Freight Facilities Grant purposes was the expenditure on works that the port expects to be completed in a matter of months. The service that these works will serve is designed to go on for several years, but no further development at Rosyth has been notified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place in the Library the proposals for the ferry terminal at Rosyth including (a) the initial investment plans and (b) the(i) short, (ii) medium and (iii) long-term plans. [13936]

All correspondence between DTLR and the grant applicants is commercially confidential.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many people at or above state retirement were placed in (a) bed-and-breakfast accommodation and (b) temporary local authority accommodation in the last year; how many were (i) permanently rehoused, (ii) placed in long-term residential care and (iii) found intentionally homeless, broken down by (A) sex and (B) age; and what the average length of stay was, in each responsible local authority, grouped by county. [13511]

This information is not collected centrally. Information on supported placements in long-term residential care and nursing homes is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimates his Department has made of the number of abandoned cars dumped in England in (a) 2000 and (b) 1997. [12571]

[holding answer 5 November 2001]: I have been asked to reply.Although the Department currently holds no central records of the number of vehicles abandoned each year we estimate that some 350,000 cars were dumped in the United Kingdom in 2000. We do not have an estimate of how many were dumped in 1997.More up to date information on the number of abandoned vehicles removed by local authorities is being collected in the Department's 2000–01 Municipal Waste Management Survey which should be published in July 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many consultation documents were issued by his Department from (a) 15 October to 14 January, (b) 15 January to 14 April, (c) 15 April to 14 July and (d) 15 July to 14 October in each year from 1996. [12896]

The FCO has issued consultation documents as follows:

(a) None

(b) None

(c) One, 1999

(d) Two, 1998 and 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the Indian Government since 11 September; and if he will make a statement. [13727]

India plays an important role in the international campaign against terrorism. As such, we have had a number of meetings with the Indian Government. The Prime Minister visited India on 6 October and met Prime Minister Vajpayee. Mr. Vajpayee visited London on 12 November for talks with the Prime Minister. The Foreign Secretary and his Indian counterpart, Jaswant Singh, met in London on 3 October and expect to meet again at the UN General Assembly in New York this week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the change in the internal stability of Pakistan since 11 September; and if he will make a statement on the control of Pakistani nuclear weapons. [14244]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Caernarfon (Hywel Williams) on 24 October 2001, Official Report, column 258W. We expect all countries, including Pakistan, to implement stringent safety and security measures at their civil and military nuclear facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy not to alter the sovereignty of Gibraltar without the consent of the people of Gibraltar. [13900]

I refer my hon. Friend to my statement on 7 November 2001, Official Report, columns 88–92WH. The Government will continue to 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 it is his policy to support the demands of the Serbian Government to write-off two thirds of the country's foreign debt. [13105]

I have been asked to reply.The UK Government strongly support the impressive economic reform efforts of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). As a result the UK will be seeking an agreement in the forthcoming negotiations between the FRY and its Paris Club creditors beginning on 13 November that reduces FRY' s debt to sustainable levels. On the basis of current IMF projects HMG will advocate debt reduction by official creditors of 75 per cent. Consistent with our policy towards other recipients of debt reduction, any deal should be designed to provide the incentives for continued economic reform in the medium term.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the serious violent incidents attributed to (a) the IRA and proscribed Republican groups and (b) proscribed Loyalist terrorist groups over the past 30 years, indicating in each case the (i) date, (ii) location, (iii) number of casualties and (iv) estimated cost of the damage. [12622]

The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the most recent recruitment campaign for the Police Service of Northern Ireland. [11493]

The second recruitment competition for the Police Service of Northern Ireland was launched on 12 October, and the closing date for applications is 16 November. By 5 November, Consensia had received 8,700 requests for application packs, and the response in terms of applications received to date has also been encouraging.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures will be taken in response to the European Court of Human Rights decision in favour of Francis Devlin on 30 October; what compensation he will pay to Mr. Devlin; how many cases contesting procedures relating to national security exemption certificates are outstanding, and what steps will be taken to settle those cases prior to any court hearing in Strasbourg. [12991]

The European Court of Human Rights delivered its judgment in the Devlin case on 30 October. The court found a breach of article 6(1) because Mr. Devlin had no effective way of challenging the certificate issued under section 42 of the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act 1976 in relation to his discrimination proceedings. The court rejected the Government's argument that Mr. Devlin could not rely on article 6(1) rights in the circumstances of his case. In rejecting this argument the court found a breach in the same terms as those found in the Tinnelly and McElduff cases. Following those judgments in 1998, the Government established a Tribunal, under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, to which an individual can appeal against a section 42 certificate. The remedial action required, should a similar situation to Mr. Devlin's case arise now, is therefore already in place. The court awarded £10,000 to Mr. Devlin and the Government are considering the terms of the judgment and their next steps in relation to this. The Government are aware of only one outstanding case in Strasbourg contesting procedures relating to section 42 certificates and are considering what steps should be taken to seek to settle the dispute.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the Government's response to the criminal justice review. [14740]

A draft Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill and implementation plan were published today and copies have been placed in the Library. Copies of both documents are also available on the Northern Ireland Office website, along with the outcome of an equality screening exercise.Many of the recommendations will be implemented through the legislation. The implementation plan sets out the programme of work required to implement the criminal justice review, the time scale for this and who will be responsible for taking it forward. It also states that the Government's target is to devolve policing and justice after the Assembly elections scheduled for May 2003.There will now be a period of consultation before the legislation is introduced in Parliament. Subject to the outcome of consultation, it is expected that the legislation will be introduced in this Session.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment has been made of the capability of each of the territorial infantry battalions to be deployed on operations as formed units. [R] [9672]

Under the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) the Territorial Army (TA) was restructured to make it more relevant and usable and more fully integrated into our armed forces and defence plans. As a result, more TA units are now held at a higher state of readiness than pre-SDR and we continue to assess that the TA infantry battalions have the capability to be deployed on operations as formed units. As such they are an essential part of the Army's order of battle.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment has been made of the capability of the TA to provide the framework for the rapid expansion of the forces; and if he will make a statement. [R] [9676]

The national footprint of Territorial Army (TA) units, created following the Strategic Defence Review, continues to provide a sound basis for generating formed units and individuals as an essential part of the Army's order of battle. We are looking at ways of increasing the contribution the TA makes to our defence plans. In line with the strategy for the Army (a version of which was placed in the House Library in March) a range of options is being considered including how the TA may be used in providing assistance to the civil community in an emergency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Territorial Army units he has available with anti-aircraft capability. [13835]

[holding answer 9 November 2001]: Within the Territorial Army, there are two Air Defence Artillery Regiments equipped with the Javelin air defence missile system, and one Air Defence Artillery Regiment trained in the use of the Rapier air defence missile system and the high velocity missile system. These are available at extended readiness to deploy on operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) press notices and (b) consultation documents were issued by his Department during the summer recess. [9235]

[holding answer 23 October 2001]: During the summer recess, the Ministry of Defence issued a total of 27 press releases (excluding operational notes). No consultation documents were issued during this period. Copies of press releases and consultation documents can be viewed on the MOD's website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment is being made of the impact of improved communications on the ability of subordinates to take the initiative; and if he will make a statement. [11498]

Much work has been done, and more is under way, to ensure that the full potential of improved communications is realised. New technology, including the Personal Role Radio and Bowman, is being introduced in such a way as to enhance the effective exercise of command. Army doctrine will continue to empower subordinates at every level to take the initiative within the framework of their commanders' intent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on information literature, advertising and campaign material in the financial years (a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97, (c) 1997–98, (d) 1998–99, (e) 1999–2000 and (f) 2000–01; and if he will make a statement. [12274]

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I am therefore unable to provide a substantive answer under the terms of exemption 9 (voluminous and vexatious requests) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.However, a breakdown of the Ministry of Defence's public relations' expenditure is published in the annual departmental performance report, broken down into categories of Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and civilian recruitment, PR, marketing and business support services, chief of PR, sales promotion, scholarships and national employers' liaison committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in full the Three Services Board of Inquiry report into medical preparedness prepared by the Surgeon General's Department; and if he will make a statement. [11621]

[holding answer 1 November 2001]: I assume the hon. Member is referring to the reports of the three Service Boards of Inquiry into medical preparedness for Op. Palliser. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 1 February 2001, Official Report, column 262W and to the comprehensive information which has already been provided on the conclusions and recommendations of the three Service Boards of Inquiry. Board of Inquiry reports are internal documents and, given their confidential nature, it is not the practice of the Ministry of Defence to publish them in full.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list Scottish firms that have had negotiations with the Defence Diversification Agency since its inception. [12187]

[holding answer 2 November 2001]: Defence Diversification Agency contacts with Scottish firms are listed. The list includes companies and private sector organisations where discussions are active, assistance has been provided, or discussions have been held but assistance could not be provided. The list covers the period from January 2000 (the agency having been established in the previous year) to date.

Company	Location
Clariant	West Lothian
Gemini	Tayside
Ferranti Photonics	Tayside
ESL	Renfewshire
Kogg Caledonia	Tayside
MacTaggart Scott	Midlothian
Enfocast	London/Scotland
Reign of Sound	Livingston
NMT	Livingston
Motech	Livingston
Tannoy Ltd.	Lanarkshire
New Product Technologies	Lanarkshire
Meiklewall	Lanarkshire
Linn Products	Lanarkshire
REVIVO	Highlands and Islands
Weatherford	Grampian
Stenmar Sonavision	Grampian
Prosyst	Grampian
Leading Edge Advantage	Grampian
IES	Grampian
Westica	Glasgow
Realise	Glasgow
Q1 Biotech	Glasgow
Diagnostic Potentials	Glasgow
Buchanan International	Glasgow
Ascom IT	Glasgow
Adenco	Glasgow
Magnetic Mirror Energy	Fife
ZED Vu	Fife
Viscotest	Fife
Simclar International	Fife
Optima Enclosures Ltd.	Fife
Movi-mail	Fife
Mission Technology	Fife
Mine Ordance	Fife
Miller (Methil)	Fife
Milestone International	Fife
Logistic Systems Ltd.	Fife
IDS Ltd.	Fife
ICM Fortronic	Fife
HCS Fluid Power	Fife
Freeform Technologies	Fife
Forth Ports	Fife
Easy Park	Fife
DNA	Fife
Cyber Frontiers	Fife
Co-drive Technologies	Fife
Cipher Solutions	Fife
Calluna	Fife
Bonnybrae Ltd.	Fife
Babcock	Fife
Alcan	Fife
McGregor Traders	Edinburgh
Image Fusion	Edinburgh
Footle	Edinburgh
Dovetail	Edinburgh
Amey Vectra	Edinburgh
Acuid	Edinburgh
Biotrix	Borders
Vesion 7	Ayrshire
Provan Engineering	Ayrshire
Orcam	Ayrshire
Evolvon	Ayrshire
Chilton	Ayrshire
Alan West Wallacetown	Ayrshire

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many consultation documents were issued by his Department from (a) 15 October to 14 January, (b) 15 January to 14 April, (c) 15 April to 14 July and (d) 15 July to 14 October in each year from 1996. [12898]

Since January 2001, the Ministry of Defence has co-ordinated its written public consultation in line with the Cabinet Office's "code of practice" issued in November 2000. The Ministry of Defence issued six consultation documents during the period January 15 to April 14 and one document between April 15 to July 14. No documents were issued between July 15 to October 14. Prior to January 2001 these statistics were not held centrally and to establish accurate figures could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the criteria for determining the award of a defence medal for service personnel. [13178]

There are no plans to review the qualifying criteria for the defence medal which recognised non-operational service for armed forces personnel and certain specific categories of civilians during the Second World War.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will instruct the Adjutant General's Office to instigate a review of the rules covering the issue of the defence medal. [13543]

I do not believe there is a requirement for a review of the regulations surrounding the defence medal. In 1946, the Committee on the Grants of Honours, Decorations and Medals discussed the awards, and their qualifying criteria, that should be instituted to reward service in the campaigns, operations and defence commitments during the Second World War. Members of the Committee included senior military and Government officers who had first hand experience and thorough knowledge of the events throughout the war. The regulations governing the qualification requirements for all Second World War medals were finalised in 1948, following approval from His Majesty King George VI, and were announced on 11 June 1948. These regulations have been strictly adhered to ever since.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will create an accessible Board of Appeal for the award of defence medals, in order that evidence that is acceptable to a Court of Law is not disregarded. [13544]

I do not believe there is a requirement for a Board of Appeal. The authoritative source of an individual's medal entitlement is properly their service record. If an individual disputes the official record then the onus is on that individual to provide official contemporary documentary evidence as proof of entitlement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he delegates to the Officer-in-Charge, Army Medal Office, full authority for the decision making process for medal applications. [13542]

The proposed qualifying criteria for medals are submitted to the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (HD Committee) for consideration, after which their recommendation is passed to the Sovereign for approval. Following Royal assent the Officer-in-Charge of the Army Medal Office is responsible for ensuring that all applications for Army and Home Guard medals fulfil the relevant qualifying criteria by checking eligibility against official service records. The Navy, Royal Air Force and Royal Marines have their own medal offices with the appropriate delegated authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received to grant the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal to service men who were injured during World War Two; and if he will make a statement. [13225]

The Ministry of Defence has not received any representations requesting an amendment to the qualifying criteria for the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal to include those service men who were injured during the Second World War.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 28 June 2001, Official Report, column 132W, on war pensions, if he will state (a) how many expert caseworkers there are and (b) whether all the caseworkers are qualified medical doctors. [13745]

There are currently five expert caseworkers employed by the War Pensions Agency. All are medically qualified and hold full registration with the General Medical Council.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many missions or training packages involving UK armoured vehicles and tanks as part of Saif Sareea II were (a) cancelled and (b) reduced in package due to (i) serviceability shortfalls and (ii) technical malfunctions in the vehicles; what percentage of missions or training packages involving UK armoured vehicles or tanks this represents; and if he will make a statement. [11769]

[holding answer 8 November 2001]: Inevitably on occasions minor technical or mechanical problems temporarily required individual Challenger 2 tanks and other vehicles to undergo short periods of maintenance, but overall the armoured vehicles deployed on Exercise Saif Sareea 2 successfully completed the tasks required of them.The extent of the involvement of Challenger 2 was, however, adjusted during the exercise as further experience was gained in operating the tank in the harsh desert environment. Previous experience of operating other armoured vehicle types in desert conditions meant that maintenance could be more accurately programmed and no adjustment to their involvement was necessary.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason logistical aspects of Saif Sareea 2 were carried out in non-tactical settings. [11748]

The extent to which logistic support to a major exercise is conducted tactically requires a very careful balance to be made between the effective conduct of the wider exercise, the training benefit to be gained and the costs both financial and on military manpower. In the case of Exercise Saif Sareea, the vast majority of logistic support was conducted tactically throughout the exercise play.The sole major exception to this was third line logistic support to the deployed land forces: logistic support to land forces in the exercise area was conducted tactically, but was non-tactical along the 1,200 kilometre line of communication across Oman. To have deployed tactically at third line would have placed a major additional burden on army logistics staffs, with little or no gain in terms of training benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the cost of the munitions used in each week of the Afghanistan campaign. [13523]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of cluster bombs used in Afghanistan did not explode on impact. [14253]

The cluster bombs used in Afghanistan have not been prohibited by any treaty or convention and they are employed only against legitimate terrorist and military objectives where they are the most effective weapon to attack the target concerned. All types of munitions can fail in various ways and cluster bombs are no exception. However, it is not for Her Majesty's Government to comment on the performance of US weapons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communications have taken place between his Department and operational commanders involved in military actions in Afghanistan in respect of the clear labelling of yellow cluster bombs and yellow food parcels; and what plans there are to halt the use of cluster bombs by the Allied coalition forces involved in operations in Afghanistan. [14265]

We are in close touch with the US on all aspects of the response to the 11 September attacks, including at the military planning level. I understand that the US authorities have recognised that there is a problem with bomblets from cluster bombs and food parcels both being yellow. They have, therefore, dropped leaflets with diagrams of the two explaining which should be approached and which avoided.Cluster bombs are legitimate weapons that have not been prohibited by any treaty or convention. There are no plans to halt their use against legitimate terrorist and military targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 29 October 2001, Official Report, column 519W, which categories of nuclear weapons contain depleted uranium; and what the purpose is of including depleted uranium in these weapons. [14271]

The UK Trident warheads for our nuclear deterrent contain depleted uranium. The purpose of this material is ultimately associated with the functioning of the warhead and the details are classified. For this reason I am withholding this information under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with how many small and medium enterprises his Department has signed procurement contracts. [14115]

The information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Ministry of Defence places around 50,000 contracts annually with a total value of around £9 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what levels of smallpox antidote are held by his Department. [14120]

The Ministry of Defence does not hold a supply of smallpox vaccine.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by whom the review of military supplies will be conducted; and if he will make a statement. [14124]

The Ministry of Defence has been conducting an extensive review of all its logistic stockholdings to ensure consistency with defence planning assumptions. This work started over 12 months ago. In light of September 11, and as a standard military practice, we have reviewed the validity of that original work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date he expects the Bowman personal role radio to be in service. [14121]

Following the successful employment of personal role radios by 45 Commando RM on Exercise Saif Sareea 2, we expect to meet the declared in-service date by the end of this year, some three months earlier than planned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the UK's nuclear warfare strategy. [14117]

The Government's nuclear weapon policy was set out in the Strategic Defence Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Indirect Fire Precision Attack project. [14116]

The Indirect Fire Precision Attack (IFPA) project will provide the Army with all-weather, 24-hour Indirect Fire System for the precision attack of targets at extended range. BAE Systems has been selected, after competition, as the preferred bidder to manage the Assessment Phase contract, which is expected to be placed in early 2002.On current plans we expect to decide whether to proceed into the demonstration and manufacturing stage in 2005. If so the first IFPA capability would be delivered in 2010 and full IFPA capability would then enter service after 2015, incrementally under Smart Acquisition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military protection is being offered to UK airports; and if he will make a statement. [14125]

Responsibility for airport security rests with the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR), who are currently working on this issue in consultation with other Departments, including the Ministry of Defence. There are long-standing arrangements for the armed forces to provide support to the DTLR, should a specific threat arise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to deploy (a) armed forces personnel and (b) reservists to protect critical elements of the civil national infrastructure, other than nuclear power installations. [14118]

Security of the critical elements of the civil national infrastructure rests with a number of Government Departments. The police may request the support of the armed forces to guard key installations should other resources prove insufficient. While we maintain close contact with the police, there have been no recent requests for this support.The possible deployment of the Territorial Army and reservists in this role will be considered during the development of the new chapter of the Strategic Defence Review, announced in the House on 4 October. This work will consider the requirement for additional resources, should this and/or other roles be identified, and the cost-effectiveness of the armed forces playing a greater part in this work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which divisions of his Department are contributing to the Forces Review; and if he will make a statement. [14119]

As I have made clear, the work we are conducting is not a new Strategic Defence Review. It is more the adding of a further chapter to the existing SDR to ensure that we have the right concepts, forces and capabilities in place to meet the additional challenges posed by asymmetric threats of the kind that we saw on 11 September.A wide range of individuals are taking part in the work from many areas of the Ministry of Defence, because of their current responsibilities and/or their wider knowledge and expertise. We are also involving other Government Departments and other experts. At this stage, the work is being led by the policy area within the MOD.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many desert combat suits are held at command ordnance depots. [14031]

There are currently 53,647 pairs of desert trousers (across 27 sizes) and 118,490 desert jackets (across 13 sizes) held in UK ordnance depots. The Ministry of Defence does not hold information on the number of desert combat suits held in the Commonwealth depots.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which MOD sites are under consideration for the siting of a new Army Foundation College. [13932]

The Army is currently examining options for improving its system of initial training, including the establishment of a second Army Foundation College, together with the provision of improved facilities that are appropriate for the future and for a range of abilities and age groups, to build in the success of the existing college at Harrogate. These options include the provision of a college through partnership with the private sector. As part of this process, the Army is considering options that include existing Ministry of Defence sites, to select a Public Sector Comparator for the project. I am withholding the details of the MOD sites in question in accordance with exemption 7 (Effective Management and Operations of the Public Service) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. If it were decided to pursue the partnership option, this would be announced

Year	Category of equipment	Quantity
1997	Spares: grenade sight caps	Information not held centrally
	Small arms ammunition	In the order of 25 million rounds of ammunition
1998	Manual loader for air-to-ground missile	60
1999	No contracts placed
2000	Concept Study	Not applicable
2001	Anti-tank missile hardware for assessment trials	14 missiles and associated equipment

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the (a) acts and (b) costs of artists performing for UK forces overseas, in the past five years. [14122]

Information in the precise format requested is not held by the Ministry of Defence. Officials are, however, establishing with the Services Sound and Vision Corporation who organise "Combined Services Entertainment" details of the number of shows performed in each of the past five years, the overall cost for each in the normal way through the Official Journal of the European Communities. It would then be open for any proposals for the college, including its location, to be put forward for consideration as part of the competitive process. We anticipate a variety of sites, including existing MOD and other locations, to be proposed.A decision on the way forward is unlikely before next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procurement spending commitments implicit in the Strategic Defence Review he will meet. [14123]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave on 29 October 2001, Official Report, columns 513–14W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (John Mann).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at what stage is the proposed purchase from Israel of the Gill-Spike anti-tank missile; what the results are of the tests of the missile by his Department in the UK and Canada; and if he will make a statement. [13667]

Gill-Spike is already in service with the Israeli Ministry of Defence. The UK is currently evaluating Spike along with the US Javelin weapon to assess the most appropriate system to meet our requirement for medium range anti-tank guided weapons. The results of the trials will be considered, along with all other relevant factors including cost and time scales, before reaching a final decision. We expect to do so late next year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the (a) quantity and (b) category of defence equipment purchased from Israel for each year from 1997. [13671]

Since 1997, five contracts have been placed with prime contractors based in Israel:show and examples of artists who have performed. I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House. I am withholding costs of the artists performing for reasons of commercial confidentiality in accordance with Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the security of personal items of service men at RAF Coltishall, Norfolk; and if he will make a statement. [14325]

No assessment has been made of the security of personal items of serving personnel at RAF Coltishall, Norfolk. Service personnel are routinely briefed on how to ensure the security of their personal items.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if halt drills for Challenger 2 require filters to be cleaned. [13764]

The halt drills for the Challenger 2 main battle tank do not require filters to be cleaned. There is, however, a requirement to check the warning light for the filter indicators and replace filters as required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes in halt drills have taken place since the introduction of Challenger 2. [13765]

There have been some very minor changes to the halt drills since the introduction of the Challenger 2 main battle tank. These relate to checking the light source for the muzzle reference system and inspection of the main armament at periodic intervals.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people of pensionable age there are in the Buckingham constituency. [14210]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of unemployment was in the Buckingham constituency in (a) September 2000 and (b) September 2001. [14204]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the NIRS2 computer system to be fully operational. [11686]

The NIRS2 computer system is fully operational.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional VAT revenue was secured by shadow economy teams in (a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02 to date. [12206]

[holding answer 6 November 2001]: The information is as follows:

Additional VAT revenue
	£ million
1999–2000	43.6
2000–01	1—
2001–02	1—
1 Data not yet available

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average case value was of cases of VAT fraud investigated by HM \plain\f3\fs18 Customs and Excise under the civil penalty procedure in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02 to date; and if he will express the figures both in actual cash terms and in constant prices. [12211]

[holding answer 6 November 2001]: The average values for VAT civil evasion cases are as follows:

Year	Number of cases	Actual average value (£)	At constant 2000–01 prices (£)
1997–98	898	28,000	30,000
1998–99	902	32,000	33,000
1999–2000	861	35,000	37,000
2000–01	729	49,000	49,000

These figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. Figures for 2001–02 are not yet available.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what additional budget allocations have been made since 11 September to (a) the UK security services, (b) the Ministry of Defence, (c) the Department for International Development and (d) other Departments; and if he will make a statement; [9952](2) what allocations have so far been approved out of the reserves for the financial years

[holding answer, 25 October 2001]: The Chancellor has made it clear that the Government will meet the costs of measures related to our response to international terrorism, while continuing to deliver our spending plans within the fiscal rules. Any additions to departmental expenditure limits will continue to be reported to Parliament through the supplementary estimates process in the normal way.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the basis is for the policy of allowing tax deducted from bank and building society deposits to be reclaimed, but not from dividends paid on shares and unit trusts; and if he will make a statement. [14085]

Income tax is deducted at source from bank and building society interest, and the tax deducted can be reclaimed where a saver is not liable to pay it. There is no tax deduction at source from dividends, and so no tax to reclaim. Dividends carry a tax credit which satisfies the tax liability of investors with income up to the basic rate limit, but non-taxpayers cannot claim payment of this tax credit.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received as to the effect of fuel duties on businesses in the Greater London area in the last 12 months. [13441]

The Chancellor receives many representations covering a wide range of issues including the impact of fuel duties upon the economy. These are given due consideration in the context of the Budget judgment.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if part-time employees or ex-employees who have been awarded backdated access to their occupational pension schemes, will be permitted to take the relevant tax relief for the year in which the contribution applied; and if he will relax sections 592 and 594 of the Taxes Act 1988 to permit such persons to make a one-off tax-free contribution of greater than the annual permitted amount. [13652]

Part-time employees have always been able to join and contribute to tax approved pensions schemes on the same basis as other employees. Any restriction on the participation of part-time employees in an occupational pension scheme is as a result of scheme rules.It is up to employers and employees to settle how to give part-timers' rights to retrospective membership in occupational pension schemes, or agree equivalent compensation. In such cases there are no limits on the amounts of contributions which employers and employees may make to defined benefit occupational pension schemes. Employee contributions of up to 15 per cent. of the pay of the year of payment of contributions qualify for tax relief, as do all employer contributions.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Customs and Excise officers are suspended over allegations relating to a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice; and in which areas of the country they were based. [13715]

Eight officers are suspended: at Leeds (six), Brighton (one) and London (one).

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much heroin seized in the last year in the United Kingdom was supplied from Pakistan; and whether this includes controlled deliveries by Customs and Excise from Pakistan to the United Kingdom. [13714]

The complexity of smuggling routes means that Customs does not know the country of origin of all drug seizures. Of the heroin seized in the UK by Customs during the financial year 2000–01, 83 kg is recorded as having Pakistan as the known country of origin. It is not policy to give details of investigative techniques as that could prejudice the investigation and detection of crime.