To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place in the Library a copy of the agreement reached between her Department and the National Union of Mineworkers in April on the equal value pay claim of ex-British Coal women workers; and if she will make a statement. [16093]

[holding answer 19 November 2001]: I have today placed in the Library of the House a copy of the letter of the Minister for Energy and Competitiveness in Europe, my right hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Peter Hain) of 23 April to the President of the National Union of Mineworkers setting out the details of the agreement reached on 9 April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will introduce targets for reducing the number of regulations issued by her Department over the next four years and for consequent financial savings. [14430]

The DTI keeps the regulations for which it is responsible under constant review and welcomes the comments of stakeholders on them. There are no plans to introduce numerical targets for the reduction of regulations.The Government's policy is to regulate only when necessary, ensuring that regulations are fair and effective, so that they protect the vulnerable but do not stifle competitiveness or productivity. New processes including the Regulatory Reform Act 2001 give us powerful tools to help cut down over-complex, overlapping and over-burdensome regulatory regimes.My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked all Whitehall Departments to identify by the end of this year areas of legislation that are ripe for reform under the Act and other procedures. A Government-wide action plan will then be published containing firm commitments to specific reforms and initiatives which will aid both businesses and the public sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many regulations were introduced by her Department in each year since May 1997. [14428]

Figures for the number of statutory instruments introduced each year are as follows (year from 1 April in each case, save 1997, where the figures run from May 1997 to 31 March 1998):

• 1997–98: 76 regulations
• 1998–99: 112 regulations
• 1999–2000: 172 regulations
• 2000–01: 127 regulations
• 2001 to date: 43 regulations.

Of these 530 regulations, we estimate that 9 per cent. reduced costs borne by businesses, charities and voluntary bodies, while over 75 per cent. had little or no effect on costs for businesses, voluntary bodies, and charities. Over 30 per cent. of all the regulations introduced by DTI since May 1997 have been orders licensing firms to provide public telecommunications services, increasing consumer choice and competition in this sector.Regulatory Impact Assessments (Compliance Cost Assessments for measures introduced before August 1998) have been completed in respect of all measures imposing or reducing costs and placed in the Libraries of the Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much her 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 she will make a statement. [12260]

For expenditure on information literature, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Tayside (Pete Wishart) on 17 October 2001, Official Report, column 1225W. Expenditure on advertising, excluding VAT through the COI has been as follows:

	£
1995–96	1,086,410
1996–97	3,087,350
1997–98	2,475,705
1998–99	14,154,738
1999–2000	12,620,476
2000–01	12,159,710

Expenditure on campaign materials is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what funds are available from the (a) EU and (b) UK Government to compensate the (i) industrial and (ii) service sector in Britain for losses caused by the weakness of the euro; and how much has been paid, by industry and service, for each of the last three periods for which figures are available. [15402]

No such funds are available from either Her Majesty's Government or the EU. No payments have therefore been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she has taken to encourage employers and trade unions to work in partnership to achieve equal pay. [15727]

The pay gap is now 18 per cent. for full-time hourly earnings. This has halved from 37 per cent. since the introduction of the Equal Pay Act in 1970 and is the smallest gap recorded, but is still far too high.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the purchase price paid by BNFL for each of the companies acquired in the US since 1990 was. [14862]

BNFL has informed me that BNFL Business Group has purchased five companies in the US since 1990:

• January 1995—Pajarito Scientific Corporation (now BNFL Instruments Inc.) for £3 million;
• December 1997—Manufacturing Sciences Corporation for £2 million;
• March 1998—Sierra Nuclear Corporation for £2 million;
• March 1999—Westinghouse Electric Company LLC for £607 million; and
• April 2000—nuclear power business of ABB for £291 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the annual throughput capacity is of the Sellafield MOX plant; and what the original design capacity was. [14860]

This is commercially sensitive information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the final cost of the Sellafield MOX plant constructed by BNFL was. [14861]

In BNFL's latest published annual report and accounts SMP is identified as a tangible asset in the course of construction with a carrying value of £462 million. This value was based on the assumption that there would be a positive decision on justification of the manufacture of MOX and that plutonium commissioning of the plant would proceed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) profit and (b) loss of BNFL Inc has been in each year since the company was established. [14863]

This is a commercial matter for BNFL.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value is of overseas contracts won by BNFL since 1990 for (a) reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, (b) shipping spent nuclear, vitrified waste and MOX fuel and (c) manufacturing MOX fuel. [14864]

This is a commercial matter for BNFL. Information about the financial performance of BNFL's spent fuel management business can be found in the company's annual report and accounts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many Atomic Energy police have (a) transferred to the police service and (b) been made redundant in each of the last three years; and what plans she has to merge the Atomic Energy police force and the MOD police force. [15162]

Eight officers resigned from the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) constabulary to take up appointment in other police forces in the last three years and four in the calendar year 2001 so far, two in 2000 and two in 1999. No officers have been made redundant over this period. The Quinquennial Review of UKAEA has considered a range of options for the future of the UKAEA constabulary including options involving working more closely with the MOD police force. An announcement will be made in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost was of operating the Atomic Energy police force in the last 12 months; and how many Atomic Energy police officers are employed. [15160]

The cost of operating the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority constabulary for the financial year 2000–01 was £21.1 million. There are currently 515 officers employed in the force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what (a) financial investment and (b) other assistance the North West Regional Development Agency has put into Blackpool, North and Fleetwood in each of the last three years. [16057]

The North West Development Agency is not able to provide the information in precisely the form requested as the Blackpool Challenge Partnership, which handles the Agency's Single Regeneration Budget investment in the town, cuts across constituency boundaries. During the last three years, investment in Blackpool via the Partnership has been as follows:

	£ million
Year
1998–99	3.9
1999–2000	3.9
2000–01	3.2

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to prevent the practice by companies of sending unsolicited marketing material by fax to (a) businesses and (b) individuals. [16449]

Arrangements for preventing the sending of unsolicited marketing material by fax to individuals are already in place. The Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 1999 ban the sending of unsolicited marketing faxes to private individuals and sole traders in the UK, as well as to partnerships in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.The Regulations also establish an "opt-out" scheme—The Fax Preference Service (FPS)—for corporate subscribers who do not wish to receive such faxes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list, in real terms, for each year since 1979 (a) the total sums of money spent directly by her Department in Scotland and (b) the total sums of money allocated by her Department for spending in Scotland through (i) the Scottish Office, (ii) the Scotland Office and (iii) the Scottish Executive. [16183]

Public expenditure information by territory and function is available in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2001–02 (Cm 5101) for the years 1995–96 to 1999–2000, and earlier years are available in previous PESA publications (copies of which are in the Library of the House). Further information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is regarding consultations prior to the publication of proposals involving the transfer of powers to the Scottish Executive by (a) primary legislation and (b) Order in Council. [13820]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland on 14 November 2001, Official Report, column 748W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will discuss with the Chairman of Consignia the impact on (a) rural and (b) other local sub-post offices of the sale by major retailers of postage stamps at a discount to their face value; and if she will make a statement. [15472]

Operational issues such as these are a matter for Consignia from whom I understand that, in addition to the post office network, over 65,000 retail outlets sell stamps. While stamps cannot be sold above their retail price, there is no restriction preventing retailers from selling stamps at less than face value.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made since 1999 of the effectiveness of the Scottish Consumer Council. [15548]

The National Consumer Council regularly monitors the performance of the SCC to ensure that it meets its performance and work-related objectives. The SCC, in its annual report, includes a report on its activities and how well it has achieved its objectives.In 1999 the Department carried out a thorough review of the role, objectives and performance of the NCC and its country committees, including the SCC. This was followed in late 2000 by a Governance review (completed early 2001) of the NCC. This review recommended changes to the NCC board and as a result a new board was appointed as of 1 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the textile sector on the WTO talks. [16084]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry met the Director General of the British Apparel and Textiles Confederation and the General Secretary of the National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades on 19 October. The forthcoming Fourth WTO Ministerial meeting in Doha was among the issues discussed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information she has collated, broken down (a) by member state and (b) by industry, on state subsidies currently authorised by the European Commission (i) annually and (ii) for the current year. [14795]

The information requested can be found on the European Commission website www.europa.eu.int. The website has the 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, 8^th and 9^th Surveys on State Aid in the European Union. Copies of the 5^th, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th surveys are already in the Libraries of the Houses. A copy of the 9^th survey, which has recently issued and covers 1998–99, will also be placed in the Libraries of the Houses. The Commission is at present collating figures for 2000–01.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many statutory instruments have been laid before Parliament; and what ministerial guidance notes have been issued to implement the commitment in the Utilities Act 2000 on energy supplies from renewables. [15644]

Under section 67 of the Utilities Act 2000 the following statutory instruments (SIs) have been made:

• The Electricity from Non-Fossil Fuel Sources Saving Arrangements Order 2000 (S.I. 2000/2727)
• The Electricity from Non-Fossil Fuel Sources Saving Arrangements (Amendment) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/3268)
• The Electricity from Non-Fossil Fuel Sources (Scotland) Saving Arrangements Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/3269 (S.17)).

These SIs ensure the preservation of arrangements which were made under section 32 of the Electricity Act 1989 to secure the availability of capacity from non-fossil fuel sources. It was necessary to take such measures on the coming into effect of the New Electricity Trading Arrangements and on the splitting of Public Electricity Suppliers into separate supply and distribution companies.Ministerial guidance notes have not been issued on these SIs, but they are accompanied by any necessary explanatory notes.It is proposed that further SIs will be made under section 62 of the Utilities Act 2000 in order to introduce the Renewables Obligation. Drafts of those SIs have recently been put out to statutory consultation and the Department is in the process of considering the responses given.It is also proposed to make a further SI under section 67 of the Utilities Act 2000 in order to permit locational flexibility for certain NFFO projects. A draft of this proposed SI is out for informal consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on progress in the (a) development of and (b) support for thin film solar photovoltaic renewable energy technology. [15573]

Thin film photovoltaic technology (largely amorphous silicon) currently accounts for about 20 per cent. of total world shipments of all PV products but its market share is increasing. Several countries and companies are investing heavily in research into and development of existing and new thin film technologies. Although thin film modules and tiles tend to be less efficient than the more established crystalline silicon products, they have the potential to be much cheaper, because they are more suited to automated processing and use much less of the basic PV material, such as silicon.In the UK, the Government have supported a number of research and development projects for thin film technologies, including several large projects with the UK's only thin film cell producer. The DTI is also supporting the deployment of thin film products under its Domestic Field Trials, and the recently announced Large Scale Field Trial for Public Buildings will be open to all PV technologies. Budgets for these trials amount to some £8.4 million. In addition to this the Government have allocated £20 million to the first phase of a major PV demonstration programme over the next two to three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in (a) decommissioning redundant facilities and (b) decontamination of radioactively polluted land at the Dounreay nuclear site. [15580]

Dounreay is being decommissioned. In October 2000 UKAEA published the Dounreay Site Restoration Plan, a comprehensive blueprint for restoring the site. Most of the radioactive hazards will be removed over the next 25 years. The plan is available on the UKAEA website (http://www.ukaea.org.uk/sites/dounreay/rplan.htm).Work is currently in progress on the Prototype Fast Reactor, the Dounreay Fast Reactor and redundant plants within the Fuel Cycle Area. New and upgraded facilities have also been commissioned for the management of wastes and discharges.The programme includes the decontamination of areas of land where low levels of radioactive contamination has occurred in the past. The majority of identified areas have already been decontaminated.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in decommissioning the Windscale plutonium production piles at Sellafield; and what is her estimate of the cost of decommissioning these piles. [15579]

Both Piles are in a safe, stable condition and pose no threat to the public or the environment.Progress on decommissioning the Pile 1 and Pile 2 reactors is as follows:The air and water ducts of Pile 1 have been cleared and a contract for dismantling the core of the reactor for treatment and storage was awarded to a consortium in 1997. A comprehensive technical review is currently in progress to ensure that the project arrangements are robust before proceeding. Pile 2 is currently in safe care and maintenance pending decommissioning at a later stage.UKAEA's detailed cost estimates for decommissioning both Piles will be completed when the plans for their removal are finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when a decision will be made on how many customers the Universal Bank should serve. [10129]

Our policy is to encourage benefit recipients to use the accounts that will best meet their needs. This matter is being considered further within the context of an overall migration and marketing strategy on which detailed work is in progress.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received about the establishment of no-fly zones around nuclear power stations. [13474]

[holding answer 9 November 2001]: My officials and I have received a number of representations from hon. Members on behalf of their constituents, from the public, and from the nuclear industry. On 2 November, British Energy contacted my officials to raise concern about a recent number of flights over its nuclear power stations. In response to the concerns expressed, the system of flying restrictions over nuclear installations has now been extended to apply to all nuclear power plants with immediate effect. Restrictions were already in place for a number of nuclear installations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of Fair Trade goods. [15215]

[holding answer 16 November 2001]: As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development has stated, it is Government policy to promote fair trade products, subject of course to the need to obtain best value for money from public funds. In my own Department, for example, our caterers provide fair trade beverages.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what provision will be made to protect SMEs which are unable to pay the aggregates levy; [16088](2) what assessment she has made of the ability of SMEs to fund the aggregates levy; [16087](3) what assessment she has made of the effect of the aggregates levy on small and medium-sized companies. [16086]

[holding answer 15 November 2001]: I have been asked to reply.A Regulatory Impact Assessment for the levy was published as part of Budget 2000. The aggregates levy will be payable only by those who commercially exploit aggregate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 114W, to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), on Operation Enduring Freedom, when he will place a copy of his letter in the Library. [15241]

I expect to provide the information requested in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many appointments he has made to public bodies since 7 June; and how many are in his gift. [15487]

Information on the numbers of ministerial appointments to public bodies is included in the Cabinet Office's annual report, "Public Bodies". Copies of this are placed in the Library of the House and the report is published on the Cabinet Office internet website. The next edition of "Public Bodies", which will include numbers of appointments at 31 March 2001, will be published around the end of the year.Since the current edition of "Public Bodies" was published, the War Pensions Agency (and its 14 public bodies) has transferred to the Ministry of Defence, and we have re-classified two existing committees as non-departmental public bodies (the Nuclear Research Advisory Committee and the Advisory Group on Medical Countermeasures). As a result, MOD currently sponsors 33 non-departmental public bodies, with a total of 423 public appointments. Since 7 June 2001, 31 appointments have been made to these bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions the Government have had with the Commission for Racial Equality concerning the applicability of the Race Relations Act 1976 to service personnel serving on sovereign bases outside the European Union. [15641]

There have been no such discussions to date.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will amend the UK armed forces policy statements on equal opportunities to make it clear that service personnel serving wholly on sovereign bases outside the European Union are not covered by the Race Relations Act 1976 and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. [15637]

The armed forces policy statements on equal opportunities are kept under review and will be updated if necessary once the legal position for service personnel serving on sovereign bases outside the European Union is clarified.In addition I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 8 November 2001,

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many S10 NBC suits his Department has in stock and what is the average life expectancy from first use. [16159]

The current in-service NBC suit is the Mk4. There are sufficient stocks of the suit to meet defence planning assumptions. I am withholding the information relating to specific quantities under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.The Mk4 NBC suit has a shelf life, vacuum packed, of eight years. Once unpacked, the suit remains operational for 28 days. In adverse biological and chemical environmental conditions this time would be considerably reduced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) academic and (b) military staff are employed at the Defence Academy. [15349]

[holding answer 16 November 2001]: It is expected that in April 2002, the Defence Academy will employ some 190 academic and 280 military staff. The academy will also employ some 240 Ministry of Defence civil servants and 740 contractors' staff. Apart from the head of the academy and his personal staff, the small HQ support staff will be found from within current resources of the existing colleges.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) to which top level budget holder in his Department the head of the Defence Academy reports; [15347](2) what is the administrative and budgetary relationship between the head of the Defence Academy, the Commandant of RMC Shrivenham, the Commandant of the Joint Service Command and Staff College and the Commandant of the Doctrine Centre. [15348]

[holding answer 16 November 2001]: The Head of the Academy will be responsible and accountable to the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff for the work and development of the Academy. He will manage the academy's budget, for which he will be accountable directly to the joint managers of the Ministry of Defence Central Top Level Budget. The components of the Defence Academy such as RMCS Shrivenham and the Joint Services Command and Staff College will become cost centres of the academy and will report financially to the Head of the Academy. The Joint Doctrine and Concepts Centre will not be a part of the Defence Academy and will continue to report to the Policy Director.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the pension entitlement of those second wives of ex-servicemen who become widows who are not entitled to a pension. [15759]

The Government have no plans to increase the current Armed Forces Pension Scheme provisions for post retirement widows. Following longstanding practice, improvements to the armed forces and other public sector pension schemes do not apply retrospectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what analysis of the threats to UK airports requiring military protection he has made; and if he will make a statement. [16157]

Security at airports is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. The threat of a terrorist attack on UK airports is constantly monitored by the appropriate authorities. There are, in place, a series of robust measures and contingency plans to guard against a range of different threats. These include the provision of military support, should it be required. These plans have been reviewed in the light of events of 11 September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the Defence Acquisition 2001 report. [16156]

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the Major Project Report (MPR).The Ministry of Defence's annual progress report on the acquisition of major defence equipment, the MPR, was submitted to the Committee of Public Accounts in October. The Comptroller and Auditor General plans to publish his report on this year's MPR on 23 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the criteria which have shaped the review of the logistic stockholdings following 11 September. [16161]

Logistic stockholdings are reviewed on a regular basis to take account of experience gained during exercises and operations, and to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, more formal reviews of logistic planning are conducted from time to time in the light of the strategic military and political situation. The most recent review was considered over a 12 month period that ended last month. Though September 11 has not led to any further formal general reviews, in keeping with sound military practice logistic plans and availability have been carefully considered as an integral part of military response planning.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will announce the replacement to the proposed Trigat anti-tank guided weapon programme. [16155]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Grantham and Stamford (Mr. Davies) on 17 July 2001, Official Report, column 148W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken to prevent the illegal trapping of migrant birds in the sovereign base areas within Cyprus; if he will make more resources available to control this activity; and if he will make a statement. [15731]

The Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) Administration and Police already devote significant resources to the control of illegal trapping of migrant birds. In this autumn's migration season wardens from the Republic of Cyprus's Game Service have joined the SBA Police in a number of large scale patrols, involving up to forty officers, while the SBA Police have carried out smaller anti-poaching patrols on an almost daily basis. Over 500 mist nets, nearly 300 limesticks and many other items of trapping equipment have been seized and will be destroyed. Nine people have been arrested and charged with trapping offences. They now face prosecution in the SBA Court, which can and does impose heavy fines for trapping offences. An extensive publicity campaign has been undertaken by the SBA Police in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area aimed at discouraging local people from engaging in trapping and spelling out the consequences if they are caught. This autumn's anti-trapping campaign has had a significant impact on the level of trapping activity in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area and the SBA Administration will pursue similar campaigns in the future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the battlefield light utility helicopter programme; and what is its in-service date. [16553]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 16 October 2001, Official Report, column 1140W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Chief Executive of DARA first met the First Secretary to discuss the relocation of the fixed wing aircraft repair business from RAF St. Athan to Cardiff International Airport. [16390]

The Defence Aviation Repair Agency records show that the Chief Executive of DARA first met with the First Secretary on 5 May 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the German Defence Minister on providing troops for the international coalition in Afghanistan. [15822]

I have spoken with my German colleague on a number of occasions on a range of issues associated with the international response to the events of September 11, including options for the use of armed forces in support of the international coalition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he is making of the siting of Army units at RAF St. Athan. [16459]

The Ministry of Defence is looking at the possibility of locating two major Army units on the West Camp site after 2004. This is subject to further detailed study.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 13 November 2001, Official Report, column 630W, if he will publish the terms of reference he has agreed on policy development for veterans' affairs. [15539]

The terms of reference for the task force responsible for the development of our policy on veterans' affairs have now been published on the Ministry of Defence website "www.mod.uk", together with other information about the initiative. They can be found under Contacts—Veterans' Advice Unit. The terms of reference are as follows:

To ensure that the policies of individual Government Departments and of devolved administrations are co-ordinated to produce a coherent and integrated response to veterans' needs and concerns.

To identify and prioritise areas of particular need within the veterans' community and develop policies to address these as appropriate, focusing in particular on the most vulnerable.

To improve co-operation between government and veterans' organisations, seeking to ensure that Government policies address the reasonable concerns of veterans and that the work of veterans' organisations is supportive of, or at least consistent with, government policies.

To ensure that the Government's current support and future plans for veterans is effectively understood by them.

To ensure that the contribution of ex-Service personnel is appropriately recognised at the national and the individual level within the country.

To ask the President of the Council if he will increase the time allocated for the Christmas, Easter and summer Adjournment debates. [15410]

The introduction of Westminster Hall has greatly increased the number of Adjournment debates available, and, indeed, returned the pre-Adjournment debates to the Floor of the House.The Modernisation Committee may look at them when it examines the future of Westminster Hall, but I see no need for immediate change.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many appointments she has made to public bodies since 7 June; and how many are in her gift. [15480]

I have made no appointments to public bodies since 7 June. I have 21 appointments in my gift.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with the Albanian Government on their policies concerning the (a) welfare and (b) protection of children. [15304]

We have assisted the Government of Albania with the preparation of its recently completed poverty reduction strategy and with the complementary process of developing a Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The poverty reduction strategy includes targets to reduce infant mortality and improve school enrolment. The MTEF has already led to increased Government spending on health and education.We are responding to these policies by supporting several projects that have both direct and indirect benefits for children, from our bilateral programme of £3 million per year. These include a £2 million project to reform social service delivery and to target resources better, including services for children; help for reforms to policy development, planning and financing of health care; and a project to improve rural livelihoods in the poorest rural communities.We are also contributing £4.3 million to the EU programme for Albania in 2001, which includes measures that benefit children and their protection, such as local community development and strengthening of policing and public order.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assurances he can give that the stockpiles of IRA weapons and explosives have not been transferred into the possession of the Real IRA and Continuity IRA. [11399]

I receive daily reports on the security situation from my security advisers and would be advised of any information that came to light indicating that IRA arms had been passed on to dissident republican groups.The international arms inspectors, Martti Ahtisaari and Cyril Ramaphosa, had stated in their reports that the arms dumps they inspected had not been tampered with and remained secure. Subsequently we have had actual decommissioning of IRA weapons.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about future acts of decommissioning; and by what date he expects the process of decommissioning to be completed. [11398]

Future decommissioning events are a matter for the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning and the representatives of the various paramilitary organisations.Decommissioning is only one part of the Good Friday Agreement of which we can now say that implementation of every aspect is underway. Full implementation of the Good Friday agreement in all its aspects is a task that will take some time to accomplish.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what age and in what condition the illegally held weapons and explosives were which were decommissioned by the IRA; and if they can be quantified according to type; [11397](2) what quantities of weapons and explosives have been decommissioned by the IRA

The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning stated in their report that they have witnessed an event in which the IRA has put a quantity of arms completely beyond use. They confirm the material in question includes arms, ammunition and explosives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the percentage of the IRA's arsenal which has been put beyond use. [15272]

The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning reported on 23 October that it had witnessed a quantity of IRA arms being put beyond use according to the terms of the decommissioning schemes and regulations. However, in the interest of furthering the process of putting all arms beyond use, the Commission declined to provide further details. Accordingly, it has not been possible to assess the percentage of the provisional IRA's weaponry involved.The Commission's mandate under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement is to facilitate the decommissioning of all paramilitary arms. The Government have every confidence in General de Chastelain and his colleagues and respects their wishes on how best to proceed to fulfil their mandate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library copies of the DHSS leaflets NP32 and NP27 dating from 1983. [7573]

Copies of the DHSS leaflets are not routinely held by the Department for Work and Pensions and any which were current in 1983 may have been discontinued or subsumed into other leaflets. However, we have obtained copies of ones which were current in 1983 and they have been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many members of staff working in (a) benefit offices and (b) jobcentres were assaulted while at work in (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01. [8610]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many reported incidents of an aggressive nature against Benefits Agency workers there were in each of the past five years for (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland. [11115]

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many attacks on Benefits Agency staff were recorded in each year since 1997; and how many successful prosecutions were brought against the perpetrators of such attacks; [14227](2) how many assaults on Benefits Agency staff were

The information available is in the tables. The information requested on the number of successful prosecutions is not available.The increase in the number of reported incidents in 2000 can be attributed to awareness raising activities with Benefits Agency staff about the importance of reporting incidents and to a poster issued by the PCS Union advising staff that all incidents of customer aggression should be reported.

Benefit Agency
			Total assaults
Year	Physical assaults	Non-physical assaults	England	Scotland	Wales
1997	100	3,426	2,959	278	289
1998	41	3,092	2,579	313	241
1999	98	2,357	2,071	186	198
2000	163	5,144	4,467	398	442
20011	92	3,567	2,990	283	386

Employment Service
	19994	2000	20011
Number of staff reporting a physical assault	166	232	166
Number of staff reporting a non-physical assault	2,530	4,146	2,850
Total number of reports received2	2,696	4,378	3,016
Total number of incidents occurring3	2,481	4,044	2,729
1 Information to date. These figures are based on the reports so far received; other incidents may have occurred but may not yet have been reported.
2 This figure represents the number of individual reports completed.
3 This figure relates to the number of individual incidents that have occurred. This number is lower than the number of reports as several individuals can report the same incident if they feel that they have been a victim of it.
4 The figures shown for the Employment Service for 1999 record the number of incidents that occurred between April and December. Prior to this date the information was collated on a separate database which did not provide data in compatible categories. During the period January to March 1999, 1,115 reports were filed and 1,106 incidents occurred but these figures include 'other' incidents between clients where no staff were involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the long-term unemployed in the pilot areas for the new deal for the long-term unemployed found (a) jobs and (b) sustained jobs in (i) each of the three years prior to the inception of the new deal pilots and (ii) in each year since their inception. [9334]

In the new deal 25-plus pilots, the proportion of long-term unemployed participants who left the programme for sustained jobs was 33 per cent. in 1999 and 34 per cent. in 2000 and 2001 to date. Equivalent figures for years prior to the new deal 25-plus pilots are not available. However, evaluation of the new deal 25-plus pilots showed that long-term unemployed participants were over 70 per cent. more likely to move into work than those participating in the pre-April 2001 national programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many people joined the voluntary section option of the new deal for young people between July 1999 and October 2001; and how many of these (a) completed their course before leaving the new deal and (b) left their course before completing the new deal; [11598](2) how many people have joined the

The latest results for the new deal for young people are contained in the Statistical First Release which is available in the Library. Information on numbers completing options is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefit sanctions were imposed on participants in the New Deal for Young People in each year since its introduction (a) nationally and (b) by region, broken down into each of the four options. [11601]

The information requested is published in the Employment Service Labour Market Statistics: Analysis of Sector Decision Making, copies of which are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will answer the question (No. 7981) of 8 October from the hon. Member for Hertsmere concerning the number of persons on the new deal for young people recruited by Government Departments. [15775]

[holding answer 19 November 2001]: I answered the question on Monday 19 November 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on (a) the number of participants in the new deal for young people from the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency in the last 12 months, (b) the destination of people leaving the scheme and (c) the cost involved. [16433]

The information is in the tables:

Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency
Month	Number of new deal for young people participants
2000
August	509
September	491
October	477
November	459
December	447

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much additional funding was awarded to the Appeals Service relating to the increase in Disability Living Allowance appeals in 2000–01. [9807]

The Appeals Service was awarded an additional £2.809 million for 2000–01 in respect of disability appeals. This represents the total for Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance combined, where funding is provided by tribunal type rather than benefit.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will make a statement on the Employment Service job entries of people who are included within the Welfare to Work definition in 2000–01, with reference to the annual performance agreement target; [14065](2) if he will make a statement on the number of jobless people helped into work by the Employment Service in 2000–01, with reference to the annual performance agreement target; [14016](3) if he will make a statement on Employment Service job entries of people with disabilities in 2000–01, with reference to the annual performance agreement target; [14054]

The information is contained in the Employment Service Annual Report and Accounts 2000–01, which is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the public service agreement targets were for the Employment Service placings of the New Deal for (a) lone parents and (b) young people participants in 2000–01; and if they were achieved; [14216](2) what efficiency savings were achieved by the Employment Service in

The information is contained in the Employment Service Annual Report and Accounts 1999–2000 and 2000–01, which are in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on his policy towards the establishment of a Community action plan to combat social exclusion at EU level. [14828]

A five-year EU action programme to encourage co-operation between member states to combat social exclusion is expected to be formally adopted shortly and to come into force on 1 January 2002. This programme will include provision for financial support totalling 75 million euro to support:

• analysis of characteristics, processes, causes and trends in social exclusion;
• policy co-operation and exchange of information and best practices;
• participation of the various actors and support for networking at European level.

The Government look forward to implementation of this action programme, which follows the framework set by the Lisbon European Council of March 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when his Department applied for Investors in People; and if it has achieved it (a) in whole and (b) in part. [14857]

[holding answer 14 November 2001]: The Department for Work and Pensions is fully committed to Investors in People and is continuing to maintain the standard.All constituent parts of the Department are currently recognised as Investors in People. Officials are in discussion with Investors in People(UK), to agree a strategy for the future corporate recognition of the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many self-funders in (a) residential and (b) nursing homes are in receipt of attendance allowance; and what assessment his Department has made of the survey of self-funders undertaken by the Department of Health. [15774]

[holding answer 19 November 2001]: Estimates of the number of self-funders in residential care homes and nursing homes who are receiving attendance allowance are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to improve incentives for those with children to work; and how many people have availed themselves of them (a) in Middlesbrough and (b) in Redcar and Cleveland in the last year for which figures are available. [16429]

This Government believe that work is the best form of welfare for those who are able, We have introduced a wide range of measures including the Working Families Tax Credit to help make work pay and the National Childcare Strategy to help make work possible for people with children. Since April this year, lone parents can also get help with childcare payments if they take up part-time work through the New Deal for Lone Parents.We are also easing the transition to work through a range of benefit run-ons. Lone parents benefit run-on was introduced in 1999 and in the year 2000–01 helped over 50,000 lone parents nationally. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit run-ons have been available for a number of years and in 2000–01 were claimed by 140,000 people nationally. From April this year we have also introduced the Mortgage Interest run-on to help home owners moving from benefits to full time work. In the Middlesborough local authority district, 670 people claimed the Housing Benefit Run-on and 410 people claimed the Council Tax Run-on in 2000–01. Equivalent figures are not available for Redcar and Cleveland. The numbers of people taking advantage of other run-ons are not available broken down by area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many older people will receive winter fuel payments this winter (a) in the UK and (b) in Middlesbrough South, and Cleveland, East. [16431]

Last winter, nationally, over 11 million people aged 60 and over received a Winter Fuel Payment. Around 18,000 of these were in Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East. The figures for this winter will be similar.

To ask the. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will publish a summary of the responses to the public consultation on the draft Code of Practice on obtaining information under the Social Security Fraud Act 2001. [17153]

A summary of the responses has been placed in the Library and copies have been sent to all those who responded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the Beaumont Leys Stocking Farm scheme in Leicestershire; how many people obtained work as a result of the scheme; and what the cost was of the scheme. [15780]

[holding answer 19 November 2001]: I have been asked to reply.The Leicester North West SRB 5 Programme, which covers five housing estates, including Beaumont Leys and Stocking Farm, was agreed by Ministers as part of the SRB programme. To date 29 jobs have created, along with other outputs such as refurbishment of community buildings, CCTV provision, improvement of local advice services, projects to reduce crime, vandalism, domestic violence, and assist vulnerable youngsters. The programme received £1.9 million in the last financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the membership of the coalition against International Terrorism and the contributions they are making. [13383]

States across the world expressed their sorrow and outrage at the dreadful events of 11 September and there has been widespread acceptance of the need for an international coalition to tackle terrorism. UN Security Council resolution 1373 was passed unanimously on 28 September. It is the first resolution to impose obligations on all states to respond to a global threat to international peace and security. It focuses on two key areas: to suppress the financing of terrorism and to deny terrorists a safe haven from which to operate. All UN member states are bound by UNSCR 1373 to take measures against international terrorism. The present military campaign directed at Osama bin Laden and the Taliban regime has the support of all NATO allies who agreed unanimously to invoke Article 5 (the collective self-defence commitment at the core of NATO). A wide range of other countries also back the military campaign. For operational reasons we cannot disclose details of that support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation he has received on the impact of sanctions on the access of Iraqi citizens to clean water; and if he will make a statement. [16274]

We regularly receive parliamentary and public correspondence on all aspects of sanctions on Iraq, including the water and sanitation sector.Since 1990, the UK has donated over £100 million od humanitarian aid to Iraq (including £5.5 million this year) for projects which include the rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure. In addition, earlier this year the EU agreed a 13 million euro aid package for projects which include the provision of clean drinking water.By contrast, the Iraqi regime continues to hamper all aspects of the oil for food programme. At a time when around $2 billion lies unspent by Iraq in the UN escrow account, Iraq has, for example, cut spending in this sector by 18 per cent. in 2001 compared to last year. Iraq continues to refuse to allow UN officials to enter Iraq to dicuss a cash component for sectors identified by the UN Secretary-General as being critical, one of which is water and sanitation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the performance of the oil for food policy regarding Iraq and the attitude of the Iraqi Government towards this policy. [16230]

The oil for food programme is the UN's largest humanitarian programme ever, worth some $12.5 billion last year alone. In his most recent report (September 2001), the UN Secretary-General concludes that the oil for food programme has made a considerable difference to the lives of ordinary Iraqis and, in spreading beyond the food and medicine sectors, to the rehabilitation of Iraq's civilian infrastructure.These achievements have been made despite the continuing efforts of the Iraqi regime to hamper the oil for food programme. For example, around $2 billion of funds lie unspent, by Iraq in UN accounts and the Iraqi Central Bank consistently holds up the delivery of around $1 billion-worth of goods. Iraq continues to refuse to allow UN Officials to enter Iraq to discuss a cash component for sectors identified by the UN Secretary-General as being critical, such as health, education and water sanitation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussion he has had with the Iraqi Government on no-fly zones. [16231]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision he has made to increase intelligence on security matters since 11 September. [14946]

It has long been the policy of this and previous Governments not to comment on details of intelligence and security matters. The events of 11 September, and the role of the intelligence and security agencies in responding to them, are being taken into account in considering their financial allocation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with King Abdullah of Jordan during his recent visit on (a) the middle east peace process, (b) terrorists living in Britain, (c) terrorism outside Britain, (d) Iraqi sanctions and (e) the present economic situation in Jordan. [15610]

The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary had talks with King Abdullah in London on 8 November. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary thanked the King for his leadership and determination in supporting the coalition against terrorism, agreed on the need to put the best humanitarian effort into dealing with the problems of displaced people and refugees and discussed how the international community could help reconstruct Afghanistan post-conflict. King Abdullah thanked the Prime Minister for his efforts during his travels throughout the middle east and the Islamic world to clarify the West's position that this is not a struggle between the West and Islam.The King and Prime Minister agreed the importance of moving forward the Middle East Peace process as quickly as possible. The Prime Minister praised King Abdullah's record of pushing for progress in that area. The King, Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary discussed the need to control Iraq's military capabilities, while minimising the effects on Iraqi citizens. They also discussed ways in which the UK could help Jordan to achieve its economic objectives through support of King Abdullah's economic reform programme and encouragement of inward investment. There was no discussion on the issue of terrorists in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made regarding the (a) religious make-up and (b) ethnic make-up of Afghanistan; and what is his policy on the role of each of the (i) religions and (ii) ethnic groupings within Afghanistan in a future Government of Afghanistan. [15607]

Afghanistan has an immensely complex social tapestry. That complexity has been increased by the disruption of almost 20 years of continual warfare involving the movement of population both within and out of the country and whose effects are not yet properly documented. Traditionally, the main communities have been described as Pashtun (c. 38 per cent.), Tajik (c. 25 per cent.), Hazara (c. 19 per cent.), Uzbek (c. 6 per cent.) with the balance being made up of a patchwork of smaller groups. About 99 per cent. of the population are Muslims divided between Sunni (c. 84 per cent.) and Shia (c. 15 per cent.) adherents: the Hazara constitute almost all the Shia population.The Government welcome the new UNSCR 1378 (2001) which sets out the international community's road map for a broad-based successor government to the Taliban regime, which should be multi-ethnic and fully representative of all the Afghan people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times he has met the (a) Head of the Cabinet's Defence and Overseas Secretariat, Robert Cooper, and (b) UN special representative for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, since 11 September; and what was discussed during each of these meetings. [15611]

The Secretary of State met the UN Special Representative for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, several times at the recent UN General Assembly (including at the open Security Council meeting on 13 November). They discussed the UN's role in a post-Taliban Afghanistan.Robert Cooper, the UK Co-ordinator for the Future of Afghanistan, has met the Secretary of State frequently since the 11 September attacks (most recently on 19 November). They discussed all aspects of the crisis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what occasions he has discussed the prospect of a United Nations monitoring force for Afghanistan with the Government of Turkey; and what was discussed. [15608]

During his visit to Turkey on 17–18 October, the Secretary of State discussed a wide range of issues related to the current crisis with the Turkish Foreign Minister Cem. He has since met Foreign Minister Cem at the UN General Assembly on 12 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the coalition against terrorism's proposals for UN intervention in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [15493]

We and the US have strongly supported a UN role in Afghanistan. We welcome the new UN Security Council Resolution 1378 (2001), which was unanimously adopted on 14 November and sets out the international community's vision for the future of Afghanistan.Inter alia, the resolution outlined the principles that should govern the formation of a new administration in Afghanistan. It affirmed that the UN would play a central role in supporting the efforts of the Afghan people to establish such an administration. And it encouraged UN member states to support efforts to ensure the safety and security of areas of Afghanistan no longer under Taliban control, and in particular to ensure respect for Kabul as the capital for all Afghan people, and especially to protect civilians, transitional authorities, United Nations and associated personnel, as well as personnel of humanitarian organisations.We have also discussed with the UN Secretary-General and his Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi, a number of other proposals, including for possible UN roles in security, which might be appropriate at some stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries that support the international coalition's actions in Afghanistan. [15824]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) today, Official Report, column 182W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the United Nations on the creation of a multi-national force to provide peacekeeping in Afghanistan. [15826]

During my visit to New York for the UN General Assembly from 10–16 November, I held consultations with the UN Secretary-General and his Special Representative for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, on the future of Afghanistan, including what possible security arrangements might be appropriate at some stage. We are fully supportive of Ambassador Brahimi's efforts to resolve these issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UN Security Council's role in relation to the international coalition's actions in Afghanistan. [15825]

In response to the 11 September attacks, the UN Security Council adopted resolution 1368 (2001) on 12 September 2001, in which it stated that it would hold accountable those indirectly responsible—those who aid, support or harbour the perpetrators—as well as those directly responsible. This resolution also reaffirmed the right of self-defence, enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. Coalition military action has been undertaken in self-defence to avert further terrorist attacks.We and the US both notified the Security Council of the action when it began in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.On 14 November, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1378 (2001), which sets out the international community's vision for the future of Afghanistan. Inter alia, the resolution encourages member states to support efforts to ensure the safety and security of areas of Afghanistan no longer under Taliban control, and in particular to ensure respect for Kabul as the capital for all the Afghan people, and especially to protect civilians, transitional authorities, United Nations and associated personnel, as well as personnel of humanitarian organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent consultations he has had with (a) the United Nations and (b) the International Red Cross about the use of cluster bombs. [15656]

As part of the review process of the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, the UK co-sponsored a working paper proposing a way ahead for future work on explosive remnants of war, including cluster bombs. The UK will continue to participate actively in the UN as discussions develop, aiming to work together with EU partners and other States' parties, towards a practical solution that addresses humanitarian concerns while safeguarding the UK's military requirements. UK officials have also participated in discussions, about cluster bombs, with the International Committee of the Red Cross, in the context of consultations about the ICRC' s proposals on explosive remnants of war.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of preparations for the forthcoming parliamentary elections in The Gambia. [15604]

The Gambian Independent Electoral Commission is in the preliminary stages of planning for parliamentary elections to be held on January 17 2002. Similar arrangements to the October Presidential elections will be used, including the unique marble system of voting. The voter education campaign is not yet finalised, but will also follow a similar course to the Presidential election, where the turnout was high (89 per cent.). The British observing team found the Presidential election well organised, fair and transparent on the day. I hope that the Parliamentary elections will be conducted in a similar manner. The Independent Electoral Commission has told us it will invite all those who observed the Presidential election, and others, to observe the parliamentary elections.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of existing international efforts to prevent ballistic missile proliferation, with particular reference to the MTCR; and what international plans there are to strengthen these efforts. [15642]

The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) has done a good job in countering the proliferation of missiles capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction through the co-ordination of the export controls of its 33 members. But it is not comprehensive in its membership or scope. The UK has therefore been active in the development of an International Code of Conduct (ICOC) against Ballistic Missile Proliferation. A draft text was agreed by MTCR members at their plenary meeting in Ottawa in September 2001, and will now be opened for wider negotiation. We hope the Code will become a universally accepted international agreement establishing global standards of practice in an area where currently there are none.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what response he has made to the Russian suggestion to engage permanent members of the Security Council in negotiations on nuclear weapons reductions. [15643]

The Foreign Secretary has received no formal Russian proposal that Permanent Members of the Security Council should engage in negotiations on nuclear weapons reductions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on arms control in outer space. [15649]

We are parties to the Outer Space Treaty and other treaties that place some important limitations on military activity in space, prohibiting the deployment of weapons of mass destruction in space and military activity on the moon and other celestial bodies. While we do not wish to see a general prohibition on the military use of outer space we do recognise that there are legitimate concerns about these issues and support further consideration of them within the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which places the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State visited during her recent visit to Zimbabwe with the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group; whom she met; and what discussions she has had since returning from the region. [15407]

My noble Friend Baroness Amos and the Commonwealth Committee visited Harare and toured two farms, one near Masvingo and one in Marondera in Mashonaland East. She met members of the Zimbabwe Government as well as groups and organisations representing chiefs, farmers, war veterans, ZANU(PF), the MDC, the churches, UNDP, NGOs, the media and the Electoral Supervisory Commission. Since the visit Baroness Amos has discussed Zimbabwe with Ministers from SADC countries and with senior US officials.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letter of 6 September from the hon. Member for Putney with regard to his constituent, Mr. M. Sandhu (GV100/69005/JS). [15073]

I am sorry that my hon. Friend did not receive my reply of 24 September to his letter of 6 September. Another copy was sent on 13 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Russian Government concerning human rights in Chechnya. [16680]

The Secretary of State has raised the human rights situation in Chechnya with the Russian Foreign Minister on a number of occasions, most recently during his visit to Moscow on 31 October.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings have been held with the US administration of Diego Garcia on the conditions relating to the return of the Ilois people to the islands; and if he will make a statement. [16677]

There have been no recent meetings with the US administration on this matter but it has been discussed once since my hon. Friend last asked this question on 26 April 2001, Official Report, columns 337–38W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings he has held with the Government of Morocco concerning their occupation of the Western Sahara. [16679]

We regularly discuss the issue of western Sahara with the Government of Morocco. I raised the issue during my visit to Morocco on 24 to 26 September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what he expects the UN administration in the Western Sahara to name a date for a referendum on the future governance of the territory. [16678]

The UK supported United Nations Security Council resolution 1359, which was passed unanimously on 29 June 2001. This reiterated full support for the on-going efforts of MINURSO to implement the settlement plan and the agreements by the parties to hold a free, fair and impartial referendum for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.The United Nations Security Council resolution made no provision for setting a date for the referendum and at this stage we do not know when it will be possible to set such a date.The resolution does, however, reaffirm the UN's commitment to assist the parties in achieving a just and lasting solution to the question of the Western Sahara. The personal envoy of the Secretary-General is currently engaged in an attempt to resolve the dispute. The special envoy is discussing with the parties the draft framework agreement (as set out in the United Nations Secretary-General's report of June 2001) which may offer a mutually agreed political solution to the dispute. He has also discussed with the Polisario their proposals to overcome the obstacles faced in the settlement plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the proposal of the Japanese Government to expand membership of the Security Council. [15828]

The UK is a strong advocate of Security Council reform, which is discussed at the Open-ended Working Group on Security Council Reform at the United Nations in New York. Since views differ widely on what the size and shape of the Security Council should be progress has been slow.Like Japan and a number of other countries, we support enlargement of the Security Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership. We believe that a Council along these lines could provide an acceptable balance between retaining effectivness and making the Council more representative of the modern world.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy not to accept at his meeting with his Spanish counterpart on 20 November proposals that (a) the Government and (b) the people of Gibraltar do not support. [16345]

The Government stand by the commitment set out in the preamble to the 1969 Gibraltar Constitution that we will not enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar will pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes.The Foreign Secretary met Spanish Foreign Minister Pique for talks under the Brussels Process in. Barcelona this morning. At the conclusion of the meeting, they issued the following statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what models of sovereignty he is exploring with the Spanish Government in the Brussels process. [16344]

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement issued in Barcelona earlier today by the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign Secretary, a copy of which is also being placed in the Libraries of the House.