To ask Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects legislation to be introduced to implement the recommendations of the "Time for Reform" consultation exercise. [19449]

We remain fully committed to the policies set out in the White Paper "Time for Reform" and intend to introduce legislation to reform and modernise the alcohol and public entertainment licensing laws as soon as parliamentary time permits.

To ask the Secretary of or Culture, Media and Sport how many times since November 2000 Ministers from her Department have visited (a) the Teesside area and (b) Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency to meet with locally based businesses. [19070]

Ministers from this Department visited the Tees Valley area on four occasions since November 2000 and met a number of individuals and organisations which included locally based businesses. None of these visits were to the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East constituency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent action she has taken to support and develop the UK film industry. [19068]

The Government set up the Film Council in October 1999 to develop a sustainable UK film industry. It has since launched the following initiatives:

£60 million of lottery funding for investment over a three year period in film development and production.

A new £1 million a year training fund making awards for schemes targeting writers and development executives, and producers and business executives.

9 regional screen agencies to develop film regionally.

A £1 million scheme to teach young people to make short films using digital technology.

The Cinema Marketing Agency, a co-funded venture between the Film Council and the All Industry Marketing Committee, to market and promote cinema to all audiences in order to increase the frequency of cinema-going.

The new MEDIA Desk backed by the Film Council, providing information about the MEDIA Plus programme to the UK film, television and new media industry.

A research and Statistics Unit for the first time able to provide comprehensive and authoritative data and information on the film industry for the benefit of the industry itself, Government and the media.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer about tax relief for community and amateur sports clubs. [18494]

My Department has been in regular dialogue with HM Treasury and the Inland Revenue following my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's announcement in his Budget speech of his intention to consult on a tax relief for community amateur sports clubs. My officials have also been in close dialogue with representatives of Sport England, the Central Council of Physical Recreation and the National Playing Fields Association on this issue.Following the pre-Budget report this week, the Government are pleased to announce that the Treasury is today launching a consultation document on the best way for tax relief to help community amateur sports clubs that make a positive contribution to their local communities. The Charity Commission has also today announced that it will recognise as charitable community amateur sports clubs that promote participation in healthy recreation by the provision of facilities for the playing of particular sports. This development should enable many community amateur sports clubs to obtain charitable status and the tax relief that goes with it. My officials have been in discussion with the Charity Commission about the potential impact of this development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the UK will pay to NATO as its share of NATO's overall costs in (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–;04; and what the equivalent figures are for other NATO member countries. [19822]

The Ministry of Defence pays the UK's contributions to NATO's Military Budget and Security Investment Programme. It also makes a very small payment towards the Civil Budget, to which the major contributor is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The estimated net expenditure for the current financial year is £113 million. Subject to exchange rate and other technical variations, we would expect the next year's payments to be of the same order. In the subsequent year, ceilings have still to be agreed for NATO's budget year 2003 which is the major influence on our financial year 2003–04 payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how often the NATO-ESDP Working Groups on capabilities have met; and if he will make a statement. [19823]

The NATO-EU Ad Hoc Working Group on Capabilities has met eight times, including its inaugural meeting on 28 July 2000.The group was set up following the Feira European Council in June 2000. The group has enabled useful exchanges of information and dialogue between the two organisations on capability development issues, in addition to the extensive staff contacts that have taken place on the development of the Headline Goal and the Defence Capabilities Initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to publish a report on his Department's performance during financial year 2000–01. [20351]

Information about the Ministry of Defence's (MOD's) performance during the last financial year is contained within the MOD Performance Report 2000–01, which will be laid before the House on 30 November, as Cmd 5290. Copies of this report will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he expects that the extra £100 million allocation announced in the Chancellor's pre-Budget report will fully cover the costs associated with Operation Veritas in the current financial year. [19827]

The extra £100 million has been made available by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to cover new equipment and immediate operational requirements needed for operations in Afghanistan and the campaign against international terrorism.We are at a relatively early stage of Operation Veritas. The financial data on the costs of the operation are still being gathered. I hope to be able to provide the information in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which defence projects in the EU have been (a) initiated and (b) brought forward as a result of the aspiration to achieve the objectives of the European Security and Defence Policy. [19829]

Decisions to initiate or accelerate defence projects are driven by a wide range of factors. These encompass both national priorities and the relevant commitments of nations towards international bodies such as NATO and the EU.The European Council has agreed that the capability objectives of the European Security and Defence Policy and those of NATO will, for the countries concerned, be mutually reinforcing. It is therefore neither practical nor necessary to categorise project initiatives solely under a European Security and Defence Policy or NATO heading.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the EU member states which are increasing their defence spending in real terms over the next three years. [19830]

The UK is committed to increasing its defence expenditure in real terms between financial years 2000–01 and 2003–04. Other countries' defence spending plans are a matter for them. EU member states have committed themselves to real increases in defence capability over the next few years, in particular at the Capabilities Improvement Conference in Brussels on 19–20 November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the reasons were for the timing of the decommissioning of Squadron 819 at RNAS Prestwick. [17655]

The planned date for the reduction of HMS Gannet to a Forward Operating Base remains 31 March 2002. In order to achieve this drawdown in practical terms it has been necessary to reduce the supporting infrastructure and move the Anti-Submarine Warfare helicopters based at HMS Gannet in stages, at the same time re-appointing the personnel of 819 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) associated with these aircraft. This resulted in the decommissioning of 819 NAS on 1 November 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy personnel are based at HMS Gannet; and what was the cost of their (a) accommodation and (b) subsistence for each of the last 12 months. [17656]

There are 210 service personnel serving in HMS Gannet. The total accommodation and subsistence costs for the past 12 months are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Royal Navy personnel will be based at HMS Gannet, Prestwick from April 2002; and how they will be accommodated. [17657]

The Scheme of Complement for the HMS Gannet Forward Operating Base, from 1 April 2002, will be 82 RN personnel. They will be accommodated in either Service Family Accommodation (Married Quarters) for married and accompanied individuals, or Substitute Single Service Accommodation for those who are either unmarried or are married but are serving unaccompanied.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is of the lease of the HMS Gannet site at Prestwick airport; and how long the lease has to run. [17658]

There are two leases at the HMS Gannet site—one for the domestic site, known as Greensite and one for the operational site. The current leases for these two sites are due to expire in November 2013 and July 2019 respectively. Because the cost of the leases is commercially confidential, I am withholding the information requested under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many employees of (a) his Department and (b) agencies

[holding answer 19 November 2001]: The number of permanent and casual civil servants employed by DTLR(C) at 1 October is given in the table. The numbers for the agencies are based on the Departmental annual report for 2001. The information on the number of staff working in areas benefiting from EU objective 1 and objective 2 status is unavailable due to the disproportionate cost of collection.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which areas in London were successful in their bids under the street warden scheme; and which were unsuccessful. [17775]

The Government Office for London received 45 street wardens bids. 18 bids, totalling more than £4.2 million, were approved.Organisations other than local authorities, for example, housing associations, were eligible to apply under this DTLR funded pilot scheme. The table shows the successful and unsuccessful bids, the lead agency and the bid area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his statement of 20 November, on Terminal 5, if he will set out the terms of reference of the research study to reassess attitudes to aircraft noise. [17792]

[holding answer 23 November 2001]: The initial terms of reference are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proportion of lettings were made available to homeless households in priority need by local authorities; what proportion of lettings were made available to homeless households in priority need by housing associations; and how many homeless households were in temporary accommodation by region at the end of each year from 1991–92 to 2000–01. [18301]

The available information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list (a) by region and (b) by size of property in terms of number of bedrooms the proportion of (i) secure lettings made available by local authorities to homeless households and (ii) lettings made available to homeless households by housing associations in 2000–01. [18299]

Information for 2000–01 is not yet available. Information on 1999–2000 lettings reported by local authorities on their 2000 Housing Investment Programme (HIP) returns, and corresponding data in respect of registered social landlord lettings collected through the CORE data systems are given in the tables:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many homeless people there are in the Buckingham constituency. [20132]

The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many (a) permanent and (b) temporary homeless people there were in rural areas broken down by local authority in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1998, (iv) 1999, (v) 2000 and (vi) 2001. [19647]

I have placed the information requested in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to provide for the subsidisation of public transport use for ME sufferers. [18830]

The Transport Act 2000 guarantees that disabled people are entitled to at least half fares or better on local bus services, with a free bus pass. In addition the Transport Act 1985 (outside London) and the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (London) give local authorities the discretion to provide concessionary travel for their resident disabled people on public transport services.The provisions in all three Acts extend the concessions to a wide range of disabled people. It is for local authorities to decide whether a person is eligible for concessionary travel given the definitions of the Acts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many home zones are (a) in force and (b) under preparation or development, broken down by local authority. [18854]

We are currently monitoring nine pilot home zone projects in England and Wales. The pilot schemes are in Ealing, Lambeth, Leeds, Manchester, Monmouthshire, Nottingham, Peterborough, Plymouth and Sittingbourne. A number of local authorities have implemented home zones outside of the pilot project.A £30 million challenge fund for home zones in England was announced by the Prime Minister in April. 237 bids were received from 110 local traffic authorities. We hope to announce details of the successful schemes before Christmas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the home search and survey process in the house sale market; and what plans he has to improve the system. [18914]

Surveys and searches are intended to tell prospective home buyers about the condition of the property they are buying and about registered title, charges, planning high ways and other matters directly affecting the property. Nearly all prospective home buyers have searches carried out, but only a minority commission a professional survey. Most of the remainder rely on a valuation inspection carried out on behalf of a lender. This is often a false economy since a valuation inspection is not a condition survey.Searches and survey information are of key importance to home buying decisions and yet, under the present home buying and selling process, they become available only after terms have been agreed between buyer and seller. This is a major cause of uncertainty, delay and transaction failure. Our research showed that 28 per cent. of transactions failed after terms had been agreed, and that in 43 per cent. of those cases the reason was problems revealed by either an independent survey or a lender's valuation inspection. This failure rate costs consumers in the region of £350 million each year in wasted expenditure.Our package of measures to improve the home buying and selling process will address this problem. Home sellers will be required to make key information available in the form of a "seller's pack" before terms are agreed, rather than the buyer having to uncover the facts later under the current system.Modernising the process of carrying out searches is also a crucial part of the reform package. The National Land Information Service (NLIS) will provide a fast, one-stop, on-line national searches service.As soon as parliamentary time allows, we will introduce legislation to make it easier for people buying and selling homes through a seller's pack.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many planning applications were subject to an appeal against refusal; what percentages of appeals were (a) wholly allowed, (b) partially allowed and (c) dismissed; and in how many cases costs were awarded against the relevant council in respect of planning applications submitted to (i) Lewes district council and (ii) Wealden district council for each year from 1990 to date. [19087]

[holding answer 29 November 2001]: The provision of information on planning appeals is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the time scale for introducing high speed trains on the west coast main line. [18918]

[holding answer 29 November 2001]: High-speed trains currently operate on the route at 110 mph. 125 mph running is expected from 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the upgrade of the west coast main line. [18919]

[holding answer 29 November 2001]: The Government remain committed to providing a revitalised rail network, and the west coast main line upgrade is an integral part of that commitment. It is clear from our discussions with the Strategic Rail Authority, the Railway Administrator and Virgin that parts of the project are subject to uncertainties over cost increases and timetables. We are in discussion with the parties on the issues involved and the options. At this stage we cannot predict the outcome of those discussions, but we are working hard to reach agreement on a project which is value for money and can be delivered to a clear timetable, subject to the need to obtain any planning consents.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 26 November 2001, Official Report, column 693W, on social housing, if he will list the proportion of social housing stock in rural areas that has transferred from local authority ownership under (a) the right-to-buy scheme and (b) registered social landlords in (i) 1996, (ii) 1997, (iii) 1998, (iv) 1999, (v) 2000 and (vi) 2001. [19906]

The number of local authority dwellings in rural areas transferred from local authority ownership under the right-to-buy scheme and to registered social landlords (as reported by local authorities) in each of the years 1995–96 to 2000–01 as a proportion of the total authority stock at 1 April each year is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, of 26 November 2001, Official Report, column 319W, on the Rural White Paper, if he will list the proportion of social housing stock occupied in rural areas by local authority in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998, (d) 1999, (e) 2000 and (f) 2001. [19787]

I have placed the information requested in the Library. The table presents data showing the derived levels of occupied social stock as at 1 April in each year from 1996 to 2001, distinguishing between stock owned by local authorities and by Registered Social Landlords, in authorities categorised as either 'mixed rural' or 'deep rural' at local authority level. For comparison purposes information is shown based on post local govern reorganisation boundaries. Estimates of residential housing stock and vacancy levels are reported by local authorities annually on housing investment programme returns.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many of the planning issues called in last year were rejected. [19834]

127 planning applications were called-in in the last financial year (1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001). Of the 55 applications which have so far been determined planning permission was refused in 31 cases.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on how section 106 agreements can be made to encourage cross-boundary co-operation between authorities for the purposes of the delivery of affordable housing; and what guidance he gives on what reference should be made to (a) circular 6/98 and (b) Planning Policy Guidance 3. [19468]

Planning Policy Guidance Note 3 "Housing" advised that regional planning bodies may need to estimate the future balance between market and affordable housing, and identify and assess regional and sub-regional trends and factors which are likely to influence local housing need. In drafting regional planning guidance, they should also take into account regional housing statements which provide a regional context for local authorities when drawing up their housing strategies and support the development of more strategic approaches to tackling housing need.We intend to publish shortly a consultation document on our proposals for reforming planning obligations and how we might increase the provision of affordable housing through the planning system.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what checks his Department makes to ensure that there are consistent determinations through the planning process with particular reference to the provision of affordable housing through section 106 agreements. [19469]

Development plans form the framework within which decisions on proposals for development are taken. The Secretary of State is a statutory consultee in their preparation and can make objections when there are conflicts with national guidance, including on affordable housing, which do not appear to be justified by local circumstances. He has powers of intervention to direct that plan proposals shall be modified before adoption. He can also call in planning applications where the provision of affordable housing is at issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list those planning applications that have been agreed for development in the flood plains since the introduction of the revised Planning Policy Guidance 25; and what was the position of the Environment Agency in each case. [19467]

This information is not available centrally.The Environment Agency reports annually under the high-level targets published in 1999 on its response to planning applications, identifying cases where the agency sustained objections on flood-risk grounds and final decisions, by the local planning authority or on appeal,

were in line with or contrary to agency advice. The report for 1999–2000, covering the period from 1 October 1999 to 31 March 2000 was placed in the Library of the House by the then Minister for Planning on 21 December 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of the ability of the NATS PPP to provide for the (a) debt repayment and (b) capital investment contained in the business plan negotiated with the strategic partner; [17659](2) how the investment required by National Air Traffic Services in the next 10 years will be funded. [17662]

NATS are finalising their business plan, which will take into account the impact of the event of 11 September. The plan will be submitted to the Government shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if an application has been made to alter the strategic agreement for National Air Traffic Services; and if he will make a statement. [17660]

The Airline Group (the Government's strategic partner in the Public Private Partnership for National Air Traffic Services) has made application to alter the Strategic Partnership Agreement in relation to the deferral in the completion of the New Scottish Centre. The Strategic Partnership Agreement regulates the relationship between the Government and the Airline Group as shareholders in National Air Traffic Services.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to review the structure of the NATS PPP following the events of 11 September. [17661]

I have no plans for such a review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how the costs of voluntary redundancies at NATS will be met; and what assessment he has made of the effects on the pension fund. [17663]

NATS has made provision for such restructuring costs as part of its Business Plan. The direct effect on the pension fund will be the injection of moneys to the fund to support the cost of pension enhancement for those fund members taking voluntary retirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if Service Level Agreements with NATS engineers will be guaranteed following the engineering review. [17666]

NATS has defined service levels for all its operational equipment systems. As part of its engineering review, the company has been reviewing the required levels of service for these systems, and these will continue to be included in Service Level Agreements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what report he has received from the Economic Regulator on cost cutting measures for NATS. [17667]

No such report has been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress has been made in replacing the oceanic system at Atlantic House in Prestwick; and what is his estimate of its operational date. [17664]

Procurement options are being investigated and, pending a decision on the way forward, it is not possible to predict the operational date of the new system. In the meantime the current system is subject to a sustained programme that will keep it fully operational and capable of meeting the forecast capacity demand at least until 2006. The existing system is currently enjoying its best performance since its introduction, with 100 per cent. availability in 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what is his estimate of the lifespan of the upgraded radar system being installed at Atlantic House, Prestwick. [17665]

The new radar data processing system at Prestwick is capable of displaying a maximum of 350 aircraft on a radar screen at any one time. The current maximum number being displayed is around 150. The system could he modified to display a greater number of targets if that were required. However, the project plan was based on the assumption that the system would not reach the capacity of 350 aircraft being displayed on a screen before 2012.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will make an announcement of the rough sleepers unit's progress towards meeting the target to reduce the number of people sleeping rough. [20409]

The latest figures on rough sleepers in England will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses on the morning of Monday 3 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will publish the inspection report of the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate in respect of Birmingham city council. [20453]

The Benefit Fraud Inspectorate report was published today in respect of Birmingham city council and copies of the report have been placed in the Library.BFI reports that the council's performance in benefits administration was poor and counter fraud activity was very weak at the time of inspection. Inspectors found claims processing backlogs and a very poor filing system. There was a significant risk of internal fraud with procedural weaknesses including flawed computer access control and management checking.BFI considered the council's overpayment administration was inadequate with some £3.5 million of overpayments outstanding for over two years without any recovery action being instigated. Overpayments were regularly reclassified as "fraudulent" without evidence of it—£2.2 million was reclassified in this way in 1999–2000.The report notes the council recognised its benefit administration inadequacies and restructured its service shortly before the inspection. This included the establishment of a central overpayment team.Inspectors found that a high level of WBS savings was claimed inappropriately. The council was failing to gather enough evidence and was not meeting subsidy order requirements. The report also notes other weaknesses in the council's counter fraud activity including a failure to analyse risks or use inspectors' powers.The report makes recommendations to help the council address weaknesses and to improve the administration of housing benefit and council tax benefit, as well as its counter fraud activities.My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is now considering the report and will be asking the council for its proposals in response to the findings and recommendations of the BFI.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the extent of benefit fraud in (a) Scotland and (b) the United Kingdom on an annual basis. [10754]

Our most recent estimate is that £2 billion is lost annually through benefit fraud in Great Britain. This estimate cannot be broken down by region.We have set firm targets for reducing the amount of fraud and error in income support and jobseeeker's allowance and we have already met our first milestone, of a 10 per cent. reduction, 18 months ahead of schedule.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library the legal advice received by his Department on the disclosure of databases of personal data held by third parties to benefit fraud officials, as covered by the anti-fraud social security legislation of 1997 and 2001. [17216]

We do not publish internal discussion and advice. This is in line with Part II, paragraph 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the manner in which the Government will provide information to individuals about combined state and private pension forecasts. [8410]

Combined pension forecasts are issued by private/occupational pension providers using information made available by the Department for Work and Pensions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what resources are being targeted to help people aged (a) 50 and over and (b) under 25 years who are not working, to set up their own businesses. [11652]

The new deal 50 plus, new deal for disabled people, new deal 25 plus, work based learning for adults and training for work, all provide a range of help for people over 50 who wish to set up in business. Support for the under 25s who wish to establish their own business is provided by two major initiatives: the self-employment route of new deal for young people and the youth enterprise initiative.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what alternative to individual learning accounts is offered to new deal 50 plus participants reaching the end of their 52 weeks on employment credit and in receipt of a training grant. [15845]

We are currently in the process of making alternative arrangements following the suspension of ILAs. In the meantime, people can still access the £150 new deal 50 plus contribution by contacting their local Jobcentre.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in East Devon are on the new deal programme, broken down by each category of the new deal. [17266]

The information is in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of working age households in each English region were receiving mortgage support through their income support in (a) March 1997 and (b) March 2001. [17772]

The available information is in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if his Department's regulations governing deduction of benefits for people admitted to hospital for six weeks or more include consideration or fixed costs incurred, with particular reference to standing charges for utilities. [18075]

The deduction is intended to reflect the fact that hospital in-patients do not have to meet all their day-to-day living expenses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what work his Department has carried out in dealing with child poverty in the last three years. [19835]

Child poverty and social exclusion are complex and multi-dimensional concepts, affecting many aspects of children's lives—including their living standards, health, housing, the quality of the environment, and opportunities to learn. The Government are committed to ending child poverty within 20 years. Our strategy for tackling child poverty and social exclusion is set out in the annual "Opportunity for all" reports. The third "Opportunity for all" report (Cm 5260) presents the latest information on the indicators used to monitor progress against this strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will make a statement on what plans he has for existing Child Support Agency customers to be progressed on to the new regulations from April 2002; [19899](2) if he will make a statement on the means by which individual CSA customers will be able to seek a review of their cases after the introduction of the new regulations; and what repayments will be backdated to the start of the new regime. [19900]

Changes to the child support scheme will take effect for new cases from April 2002. Existing cases will be transferred to the new scheme about a year later. The precise date will be announced when we are confident that it is working well for new cases.When CSA converts existing cases both parents will be notified of the decision and how it has been arrived at. For the vast majority of existing cases the new calculation will take effect from a common date. Either parent can ask the CSA to look at the decision again within one month of notification if they think that it is wrong. If the CSA accepts that the decision is wrong they will correct it straight away. If it turns out that the non-resident parent has overpaid maintenance in the meantime the sums involved may be refunded or offset against future liability.Either parent can also appeal against the CSA's decision to an independent tribunal who will consider whether the agency applied the law correctly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will outline his policy towards disclosure under CSA regulations; how he plans to change it after April 2002 in respect of departures; and what impact this will have upon the rights of a new partner to a parent with non-resident responsibilities. [19901]

The Child Support Agency treats the protection of personal information very seriously and it will only disclose information gathered for child support purposes in circumstances permitted by law.Changes to the child support scheme, which are to be introduced for new cases by April 2002, will not include any provision for departures. However, either parent will be able to apply for the child support rates to be varied in specified, exceptional cases. The decision making process for variations will be streamlined. Applications for a variation can be submitted before the maintenance calculation has been made, thus enabling the system to operate more quickly.The financial details of a NRP's new partner will not normally be relevant in the changed child support scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place copies of the responses to her Department's consultation paper on the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive in the Libraries of both Houses. [18469]

A list of those who responded and a summary of their responses will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses shortly. Copies of individual responses whose authors have not requested confidentiality will be placed in the DTI library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria she will use for the regulatory impact assessment of the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive; and if she will make a statement. [18468]

A partial regulatory impact assessment of options for implementing the directive was contained in a DTI Consultation Paper published on 10 August 2001. A further regulatory impact assessment will be carried out in the process of finalising the method of implementation. This will identify, and quantify as far as possible, the costs and benefits of implementation, and will be drawn up in accordance with the accepted practices and procedures outlined in the Cabinet Office's published guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) when she expects to appoint her Department's Strategy Board; and if she will make a statement; [18531](2) what criteria will be used to select the business members of her Department's Strategy Board; [18533](3) what the terms of appointment of the business members of her Department's Strategy Board will be; and if members will receive remuneration. [18532]

[holding answer 27 November 2001]: I am considering all issues connected with the establishment of the new Strategy Board, including the criteria to be applied, terms of appointment and remuneration. I expect to make the appointments before 1 April 2002, and will announce them when they are made. We will be adopting an open and transparent procedure for making these appointments and I shall be making an announcement on this procedure in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) for what reason the Countryside Agency Leisure Day Visits Survey (a) did not take place during 2001 and (b) will take place during 2002; [19600](2) pursuant to her answer of 22 November 2001,

The United Kingdom Day Visits Survey was not scheduled to take place in 2001. There is a biennial survey programme sponsored by 10 organisations. A survey did not take place in 2000 because of lack of resources. The 2002 survey will put the programme back on schedule.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the potential dangers of transmission of foot and mouth disease from the travelling of hunters from areas where hunting is still suspended to areas where the suspension has been lifted. [17970]

[holding answer 26 November 2001]: Participants in hunting whose main dwelling is not in an FMD free county, or those who have visited livestock premises in an at risk or high risk county within seven days of a hunt, will not be able to take part in hunting. Hunt organisers will be responsible for certifying that these and other rules are being followed to DEFRA's satisfaction and it is intended that records will be kept of participants to ensure that these rules are enforced.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the economic impact on the rural economy of the temporary suspension of hunting. [17966]

[holding answer 26 November 2001]: The Department has not carried out an assessment of the economic impact on the rural economy from the temporary suspension of hunting. Our priority has been to concentrate on the eradication of the foot and mouth outbreak.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information is required from landowners before permits are issued allowing the resumption of hunting with dogs on their land. [18383]

The arrangements for a temporary system of permits to regulate hunting with dogs in FMD free counties from 17 December were announced on 15 November and copies were placed in the Library of the House.For the proposed permit system, landowners will not be required to submit any information to DEFRA. It will be down to the proposed permit holder and the hunt secretary or person responsible for the hunt (if different) to supply all necessary information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 22 November 2001, Official Report, column 422W, on industrial action, if she will list the level of payments by category that have been delayed since the dispute began. [19905]

The major impact of industrial action has been on the arable area payments scheme where normally around 60–70 per cent. of payments are made in the first two or three weeks of the payment window, which runs from 16 November to 31 January. This year the figure is expected to be a little over 50 per cent.On the livestock schemes the industrial action has had minimal impact. To date industrial action has had limited impact on payments on England Rural Development Plan (ERDP) schemes, some targets on service standards are likely to be missed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 23 November 2001, Official Report, column 519W, on departmental costs, if she will list the representations she has received from the European Union concerning the late payment of support moneys to farmers. [19786]

The Rural Payments Agency is in touch with the European Commission and they are fully aware of progress on CAP payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research is being carried out by her Department for which moneys from the budgets for (a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03 have been committed. [19234]

Details of all on-going research funded by DEFRA—including the title, the contractor, the budget committed, and the start and scheduled end dates of individual projects—can be viewed on the Department's website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/research/projects. As research projects are commissioned, they are posted on the site.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 321W, on local education authorities, and of 26 November 2001, Official Report, column 690W, on educational attainment, what measures her Department plans to use to monitor headline indicator 3 on page 166 of the Rural White Paper. [19783]

The Rural White Paper headline indicator 3—better education for all—will be informed by the work of the Countryside Agency on the development of its own indicators on education and training.The agency currently reports on the attainment to national vocational qualification level 3 by those economically active within the Labour Force Survey and also pupils reaching Key Stage 2 within primary schools. The agency plans to continue working with these indicators but to supplement them by developing robust and consistent data on broader educational attainment—A levels, GCSEs—analysed and reported for rural areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes her Department is proposing on animal movement restrictions for those herds subject to 12-month test intervals for tuberculosis; and what (a) economic and (b) animal health and welfare assessments she has made. [19896]

Veterinary risk assessment suggests that there is an increased risk of spread of bovine TB from herds where the test is overdue and that the risk is greatest in areas with a higher historic incidence of TB.One way to minimise this risk would be to place such herds under movement restrictions until tested clear. This would entail financial losses for some of the farmers affected. Coming so soon after FMD such a decision would not be taken lightly.DEFRA officials are assessing the levels of risk that attach to different types of herd and whether placing some herds under restriction would be proportionate. As part of this exercise officials are discussing proposals with the NFU and other stakeholders. No decision has yet been reached.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made in the last six months of the threat of tuberculosis to (a) human and (b) animal health. [19897]

Tuberculosis in cattle is caused by the organism M. bovis and this can also cause tuberculosis in humans. Most tuberculosis in humans is caused by a different organism M. tuberculosis.There remains a growing threat to cattle health from

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress on the Organic Action Plan; what organisations she has met to discuss the Organic Action Plan; and if she will outline the (a) aims, (b) objectives and (c) targets set by the Government to meet the Organic Action Plan. [19721]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced the Government's intention to set up an Action Plan for Organic Farming in her speech to the Green Alliance on 24 October 2001. On 26 November I was joined by the Environment Minister, the Rural Affairs Minister, and the Food and Farming Minister, Lord Whitty, for exploratory talks with representatives of the organic food and farming sector with a view to launching the Organic Action Plan next year.Organisations involved in the discussions included the National Farmers Union, the Soil Association, Country Land and Business Association, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Environment Agency, English Nature, Sustain, Food and Drink Federation, British Retail Consortium, the Institute of Grocery Distribution and representatives from organic certification and research bodies. The industry's response to the Government's initiative was very positive, which I welcome.The plan will look at how the organic sector will consolidate gains already made and will set out a strategy for its future direction. Work will begin once the independent Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food has reported. This will allow the Policy Commission's recommendations to be taken into consideration in drawing up the Action Plan's detailed aims and objectives.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what steps her Department is taking to encourage UK supermarket companies to increase the level of purchasing of domestically produced organic food and produce; [18200](2) what cross-departmental discussions she has had to encourage organic food consumption in

On 24 October, in a speech to the Green Alliance, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced our intention to establish an action plan to set out the future direction of the organic food and farming sector. Work on the plan will begin when the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food has reported so that any recommendations the Commission might have can be taken on board. An important issue for the action plan will be how to maximise our farmers' and growers' share of the expanding market for organic produce. We hope that all sectors involved, including the major retailers, will work together in taking this initiative forward.In addition the high-level Sustainable Procurement Group, also announced on 24 October, will investigate and make recommendations on how procurement officials on the Government estate can more fully support the Government's sustainable development objectives, including those on food.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will calculate (a) the area of fully organic UK farmland and (b) the number of companies licensed to produce organic foodstuffs. [18201]

As at June 2001, the area of fully organic land in the UK was 351,000 hectares. A further 271,000 hectares was in conversion. 3,876 farmers and 2,063 processors (including importers) were registered with the organic inspection bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the profitability of organic enterprises. [17932]

Indicative net margin figures for typical enterprises can be found in the booklet on conversion available from the Organic Conversion Information Service, which we fund. I will arrange for a copy to be sent to the hon. Gentleman.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications she has received for interest for late payment of foot and mouth compensation. [18643]

The Department's foot and mouth disease claims unit has received 307 claims for interest on delayed compensation payments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made about when Devon will be given disease free status from foot and mouth. [18332]

Devon attained FMD free status on 27 November once all outstanding serological testing had been completed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will pay interest for the late payment of foot and mouth compensation to Mr. Whittal Williams, a constituent. [18642]