To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when (a) he, (b) his Ministers and (c) his officials next plan to meet the Chief Minister of Gibraltar. [21600]

Whenever this is mutually convenient.Ministers are always ready to meet the Chief Minister. I had hoped that he would meet me while he was in London last month. The Secretary of State hopes to visit Gibraltar early in 2002. The Governor of Gibraltar meets the Chief Minister on a regular basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what alternatives to the Brussels Process are under consideration to ensure participation in talks on the future status of Gibraltar by the Government of Gibraltar. [21653]

I refer my hon. Friend to my statement in Westminster Hall on 7 November 2001, Official Report, columns 88–92WH. The Government believe that talks under the Brussels Process represent the best way to ensure a more secure, stable and prosperous future for the people of Gibraltar.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the US Government on the future status of Gibraltar. [21655]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his proposals to consult the people of Gibraltar consequent on the completion of negotiations between Spain and the United Kingdom in relation to the terms whereby the consultative process shall be concluded by a referendum. [20537]

[holding answer 4 December 2001]: As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and the Spanish Foreign Minister announced following their meeting held in Barcelona on 20 November, the British and Spanish Governments aim to reach by the summer of next year an agreement covering all outstanding issues between them over Gibraltar, including those of co-operation and sovereignty. A copy of the press communiqué has been placed in the Libraries of the House.Should a comprehensive agreement affecting sovereignty emerge from these Brussels Process discussions, HMG are committed to asserting the wishes of the people of Gibraltar, as stated in the 1969 Order in Council establishing the Gibraltar Constitution. Since the result of such a referendum could trigger the introduction of a primary legislation in the UK, HMG will expect to oversee the organisation and timing of any such referendum, in consultation with the Government of Gibraltar.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Government of Georgia concerning Russian aerial bombardment of Georgian territory in November. [22166]

On 28 November the Georgian Deputy Foreign Minister briefed the British and other EU ambassadors about reported aerial bombardment in Georgia on 27 and 28 November. The Georgian embassy in London has also contacted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on this matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what inquiries his Department has made into allegations by the Government of Georgia that Russian aircraft bombarded the Pankisi Gorge. [22167]

We raised the matter with the Russian Government in Moscow on 4 and 7 December, and with the Georgian Government on 6 December. The Russian and Georgian Presidents have agreed to establish a joint commission to investigate the incident.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on Russian military action against Chechens located on the territory of other sovereign states of the former Soviet Union. [22168]

We recognise that groups of Chechen fighters located in other states in the former Soviet Union pose a threat to regional security. But Russia must respect the territorial integrity of other sovereign states and not take unilateral military action. We have told the Russians that to do so would be unacceptable and would not solve Russia's security problems or promote regional stability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on the post-conflict construction of strategic oil pipelines across Afghanistan. [22171]

The Government support multiple pipelines to create more secure, diverse energy markets, but decisions on individual pipelines are a matter for commercial judgment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy of creating a stable, inclusive Government in Afghanistan; and what the British contribution to this effort will be. [21881]

We have played an important role in encouraging the interested parties to agree at the Bonn Conference on 5 December, to a power-sharing government. We believe that this is the first step towards a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had a number of conversations with key figures to this end, the British Office in Kabul has engaged directly with United Front leaders, and a senior diplomat, Robert Cooper, attended the Bonn Conference. The Royal Air Force facilitated the travel of some of the delegates from Kabul.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how long in advance he receives agendas for meetings of the EU Council of Ministers. [21963]

In accordance with the Council's rules of procedure, provisional agendas are drawn up by the presidency and sent to other members of the Council and the Commission at least 14 days before the beginning of each meeting of the Council of Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in 2001 towards meeting the Public Service Agreement target of contributing to the Government's target to reduce Civil Service sickness absence rates. [22587]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is committed to reducing sickness absence by 20 per cent. (to an average of 6.5 days) by 2001. This figure was set against the 1998 baseline figure of an average of eight days. We now have a new reporting system in place, which allows us to monitor sickness absence in detail, and effectively manage individual cases. Figures for 2001 have not yet been collated, but early indications are that we are on course to meet the 2001 target.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many days were lost due to sickness absence in the Department in each of the last four years. [21265]

The following is the information:

Average number of days sickness absence per staff year
Year	Days
1997	18.9
1998	18.0
1999	2n/a
2000	6.1
1 Figures for 1997 to 1998 have been uplifted to account for different recording practices in different parts of the Department and its overseas Posts. These figures are based on the average number of days, including weekends, whereas later figures are based on the average number of working days only.
2 Figures for 1999 could be provided only at disproportionate cost: the method of recording changed part way through 1999.

We now have a new reporting system in place, which allows us to monitor sickness in detail and effectively manage individual cases. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is committed to reducing sickness absence by 20 per cent. (to an average of 6.5 days) by 2001 and by 30 per cent. (5.6 days) by 2003. These figures were set against the 1998 baseline figure of eight days. Early indications are that we are on course to meet these targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the First Secretary about the role of EU structural funding in the National Assembly's economic development plan. [20045]

I meet the First Secretary regularly to discuss economic development in Wales, among other issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with other Government Departments and the First Secretary of the National Assembly on measures to improve access to training in Wales. [20046]

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with other Government Departments and the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales about measures to improve access to training in Wales. [20063]

My right hon. Friend and I have regular meetings with ministerial and Assembly colleagues to discuss a range of issues.My right hon. Friend the Chancellor announced new measures in the Budget to improve access to training and enable employees to attain basic and level 2 skills.In addition, the National Assembly is committed to supporting and developing access to learning in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many households in Wales have benefited from the working families tax credit; and if he will make a statement. [20048]

The Inland Revenue estimates that 76,000 families were receiving this benefit at 31 May 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with other Government Ministers and the First Secretary of the National Assembly about steps to promote innovation and enterprise in Wales. [20049]

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with other Ministers and the First Secretary of the National Assembly about steps to promote innovation and enterprise in Wales. [20064]

I have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues in Government and with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales, to discuss a range of issues, including innovation and enterprise.The Chancellor's recent pre-Budget report announced a number of measures which build on existing programmes to promote innovation and enterprise in Wales and across the UK. These include the extension of research and development tax credits to all UK companies and support for small businesses, which will benefit 140,000 small and medium enterprises in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussion he has had with the First Secretary on prospects for manufacturing growth through inward investment in Wales. [20050]

I meet the First Secretary regularly to discuss a range of issues including manufacturing and inward investment in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary about the method of calculating the Barnett formula. [20051]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales regarding the availability of free-to-air television programming throughout the whole of Wales. [20052]

My right hon. Friend and I have discussed the availability of free-to-air television with Assembly Ministers.I am aware that four channels are receivable by analogue terrestrial means from Welsh transmitters (BBC One Wales; BBC Two Wales; HTV Wales; S4C). About 98 per cent. of the population can receive these services. Alternatively, many households near the English border can receive services from England, including Channel 4 and Channel 5 (as well as English regional variants of the other channels). About 40 per cent. of the population live in areas where signals from England are being received. Two aerials are generally required in order to receive both Welsh and English signals clearly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many statutory instruments dealing with Welsh matters have been passed by Committees of the House since devolution became effective; and if he will make a statement. [20053]

I refer the hon. Member to the responses I gave him at the Westminster Hall adjournment debate on 5 December 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Welsh Language Board regarding the use of the Welsh language by Westminster Government Departments and UK-level public bodies when providing services to people in Wales. [20054]

None. This is a matter for the Welsh Language Board which is a National Assembly for Wales Sponsored Public Body.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has made to the National Assembly for Wales regarding its review of the future of the Welsh language. [20055]

This is a review by the Culture Committee of the Assembly. It is a matter for that Committee to conduct its investigation as appropriate, and so far there has been no approach to this office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Health Secretary of the National Assembly regarding the length of waiting lists in Welsh hospitals. [20057]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I meet regularly with the National Assembly First Secretary and Health Minister to discuss a range of issues including the length of waiting lists.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with other Government Departments about progress made in tackling child poverty in Wales. [20058]

My right hon. Friend and I have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues to discuss a range of issues including matters that affect children in Wales.The Government are tackling the causes of poverty, not just the symptoms to ensure all children are given the best start in life. They have pledged to halve child poverty by 2010 and end it by 2020.The National Assembly is seeking to complement UK measures with a range of polices and programmes designed to meet the specific circumstances and priorities of Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales on the failure of Blaenau Gwent CBC to obtain objective 1 funding for the conversion of the Metropole theatre, Abertillery. [20059]

The administration of structural fund programmes in Wales and individual project approvals under those programmes are matters for the National Assembly for Wales and its executive agency, the Welsh European Funding Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary about workers' safety at Port Talbot steelworks. [20060]

I regularly meet the First Secretary to discuss a wide range of issues, including the steel industry in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with other Government Departments about progress made by the Government in reducing pensioner poverty in Wales. [20061]

I regularly meet ministerial colleagues to discuss a range of issues including matters that affect pensioners in Wales.The UK Government are committed to developing policies which enable pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity and which tackle pensioner poverty. New measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor will benefit thousands of pensioners in Wales.The National Assembly is seeking to complement UK measures with a range of polices and programmes to tackle pensioner poverty in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions has he had with other Government departments about progress made by the Government in reducing pensioner poverty in Wales. [20036]

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with other Government Departments about progress made by the Government in reducing pensioner poverty in Wales. [20041]

I regularly meet ministerial colleagues to discuss a range of issues including matters that affect pensioners in Wales.The UK Government are committed to developing policies which enable pensioners to share in the country's rising prosperity and which tackle pensioner poverty. New measures announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will benefit thousands of pensioners in Wales.The National Assembly is seeking to complement UK measures with a range of polices and programmes to tackle pensioner poverty in Wales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to meet small business leaders to discuss inward investment in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [20062]

I have regular meetings with business leaders in Wales to discuss a range of issues affecting their businesses.Inward investment makes a significant contribution to the Welsh economy by bringing in new products, new skills and new ideas. Since December 2000, Wales has attracted capital investment of £633 million, promising 5,346 new jobs and the safeguarding of 4,335 existing jobs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many antisocial behaviour orders have been made in Wales. [20065]

Four. The Minister of State with responsibility for crime reduction, policing and community safety, my right hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham), recently participated in a Wales-wide seminar to promote ASBOs. I anticipate that this well attended event will result in greater exchange of best practice and lead to an increase in the number of ASBOs being applied for in Wales.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make an official visit to Totnes. [20077]

I have no plans at present to do so.

To ask the Prime Minister what new conditions an applicant will be required to agree to before appointment as (a) head of the Civil Service and (b) Cabinet Secretary. [20399]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 26 November 2001, Official Report, column 626W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the number of (a) civilians and (b) members of military organisations killed in Afghanistan in the last two months; [22130]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many bombing raids in Afghanistan did not hit their intended targets; and how many civilians he estimates have been (a) killed and (b) wounded by these raids. [21880]

The coalition has from the outset of the campaign gone to very great lengths to minimise the risks to civilians from air strikes, which have been conducted against exclusively military targets. Although extensive battle damage assessment is routinely conducted after each strike, we cannot know for sure how many bombing raids may not have hit their intended targets, nor how many civilian casualties may have been caused as a result. While we investigate all such claims carefully, most cannot be verified.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many armed forces personnel applications for a war pension from the War Pension Agency are outstanding; and if he will make a statement. [22198]

As at 30 November 2001, there were 4,549 applications for a war pension outstanding from ex-services personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the definition of British as it applies to civilian former prisoners of the Japanese differs from that applied to armed forces personnel. [22309]

[holding answer 11 December 2001]: Under the former Far East prisoners ex-gratia payment scheme, the eligibility criteria for former service personnel are based upon the unit in which an individual was serving. Hence the main eligibility criterion is to have been taken as a prisoner of war while serving with our armed forces. In addition, certain other former military personnel who were taken as prisoners of war while serving in the colonial forces, the old Indian Army, or the Burmese armed forces and who received compensation in the 1950s under UK auspices under Article 16 of the Peace Treaty with Japan are also eligible for the scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what estimate he has made of the additional cost of extending his scheme of ex gratia payments to all surviving British passport holders and their spouses who were interned by the Japanese; [20321](2) what estimate he has made of the numbers of surviving civilian internees of the Japanese and their spouses who do not qualify for payments under the rules of his scheme. [20322]

No estimate has been made of the number of surviving civilians who were interned by the Japanese during the Second World War or of the number of them who were British passport holders at that time. We believe that the available data are too poor to be able to make such estimates.

To ask the President of the Council what provisions for hon. Members' pensions were in place in 1974; and what provisions there were in relation to former members of the armed forces in the House. [21491]

Pension provision for hon. Members is made from the Parliamentary Contribution Pension Fund, established by the Ministerial Salaries and Members' Pension Act 1965. The provisions in place for hon. Members' pensions in 1974 were made under the Parliamentary and other Pensions Act 1972. This provided for pensions based on one-sixtieth of the final year's salary for each year of reckonable service on completion of a minimum of four years reckonable service when they retired on or after age 65. The Act also provided for a death in service lump sum, typically of one year's pay. Members were required to pay contributions of 5 per cent. of pay.No special provisions are made for former members of the armed forces in the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the Draft Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Material Substances Forming Part of the Telecommunications System) Regulation 2001 on the Government's fuel poverty strategy. [22357]

Representations were received from manufacturers of energy saving devices operated by power line technology as part of the Regulatory Impact Assessment consultations in the summer of 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the draft Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Material Substances forming part of the Telecommunications System) Regulation 2001 on the viability of the UK powerline technology industry. [22359]

The Department undertook widespread consultations on this matter in the summer of 2000. All representations have been taken into account in developing the Government's policy on this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she has prepared a regulatory impact assessment on the impact of the draft Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Material Substances forming part of the Telecommunications System) Regulation 2001 on the introduction of micro-CHP boiler systems to the UK market. [22360]

No representations about such boiler systems were received during consultations for the regulatory impact assessment carried out in summer 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints her Department has received about radio interference from products compliant with standard EN50065–1. [22274]

There are none recorded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research she has undertaken into systems that allow people to opt out from receiving unsolicited commercial e-mail; and what evaluation she has made of their effectiveness. [20831]

In response to proposed or adopted European legislation, my Department has consulted publicly on the effective regulation of unsolicited commercial e-mail on a number of occasions over the last few years. This consultation has covered existing and potential self-regulatory, co-regulatory and statutory approaches towards schemes for both opting in and opting out, but has not produced a consistent consensus in favour of one solution over another.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employment tribunal cases there were in the Buckingham constituency in each year since 1997; and what was the total level of compensation paid. [22644]

It is not possible to tell from the database of the Employment Tribunals Service how many employment tribunal cases there were in the Buckingham constituency in each year since 1997, nor the respective total level of compensation paid.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of the voluntary code agreement regarding the sale of fireworks. [21475]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Stourbridge (Ms Shipley) and for Jarrow (Mr. Hepburn) on 5 December 2001, Official Report, columns 305–06W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what level of Government financial assistance is paid to manufacturing industries in (a) Worcestershire and (b) Herefordshire. [20655]

Businesses in Worcestershire and Herefordshire can be eligible for assistance under the smart scheme as follows:

• All SMEs (fewer than 250 employees)
• Exceptional Projects—up to 30 per cent. of eligible project costs to a maximum of £450,000.
• Development Projects—30 per cent. of eligible project costs to a maximum of £150,000.
• Technology Reviews—up to a maximum of £2,500.
• Technology Studies—up to a maximum of £5,000.
• Small Enterprises (fewer than 50 employees)
• Feasibility Studies—75 per cent. of eligible project costs to a maximum of £45,000.
• Small Enterprises (fewer than 10 employees)
• Micro Projects—50 per cent. of eligible project costs up to a maximum of £10,000.

SME businesses in certain local authority wards in Herefordshire and Worcestershire may be eligible under the enterprise grant scheme for grants of up to £75,000 or 15 per cent. of eligible project costs for projects involving fixed capital expenditure of up to £500,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the implications for trade with (a) the United States of America and (b) other non-European Union countries of the forthcoming EU food supplements directive. [21692]

Officials have looked into the trade implications of the forthcoming EU food supplements directive. In negotiations the Government argued for a safety based approach to regulation of these products that ensured any adverse impact on trade was kept to a minimum. We have received no adverse comments from the US or other non-EU countries about the trade implications of the directive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the rates of VAT are in each EU member state on mobile phone (a) handsets and (b) services. [21555]

Information on the topic is published by the European Commission in a document entitled "VAT Rates Applied in the Member States of the European Community" (DOC/2905/2001), a copy of which is available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she has responded to the Ethnic Minority Business Forum's report to her of 18 September. [23033]

I have today put a copy of my response to the Ethnic Minority Business Forum's report in the Library of the House.The Government welcome the report and look forward to working with the Ethnic Minority Business Forum to ensure that our policies and business support address the needs of ethnic minority businesses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many person days per annum safeguards inspectors from (a) Euratom and (b) the International Atomic Energy Agency have spent at Sellafield since December 1993; if she will list the facilities inspected; and if she will list the reports arising from the application of safeguards at Sellafield over this time. [19886]

The safeguards provisions of the Euratom Treaty apply to all civil material in the UK and the Euratom Safeguards Office therefore inspects all parts of the BNFL Sellafield facility where such material is located. Since 1994 these inspections have involved between 1,400 and 1,750 person days of inspection each year. Reports on Euratom Safeguards Office activities are published periodically by the European Commission, most recently in July of this year (report reference COM(2001)436 final, accessible at the website of the European Parliament—Department of Trade and Industry Explanatory Memorandum 11669–01 refers).In addition to ongoing Euratom Safeguards Office inspections, civil material at UK nuclear facilities is subject to the terms of the tripartite safeguards agreement between the UK, Euratom and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), under which the IAEA designates certain civil UK nuclear facilities, or parts of them, for inspection. In the period in question, the IAEA has chosen to inspect the following parts of the BNFL Sellafield facility: the THORP Fuel Receipt and Storage area, the Special Nuclear Materials Store 9, the Oxide Fuel Storage Ponds, and the THORP Plutonium Store. The number of person days of inspection effort involved in these inspections has reduced from some 290 per year in 1994 to about 190 in 2000—reflecting moves by the IAEA to focus its efforts on the facility's major plutonium storage areas. Reporting on IAEA safeguards activities is included in the IAEA' s Annual Reports (accessible at the IAEA' s website).

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 29 November 2000, Official Report, column 1039–40W, on venture capital funds (RDAs), which companies SEEDA has invested in using the regional venture capital funds. [22330]

Regional Venture Capital Funds (RVCFs) are being established to ensure that appropriate small businesses in each of the English regions are able to access equity based finance in amounts below £500,000 and to demonstrate to institutional investors that robust returns can be made in this sector. All RVCFs will be commercially focused and experienced private sector fund managers will make all investment decisions.Following a competitive bidding process a SEEDA sponsored proposal to establish a fund in the south-east region received a conditional offer of support from the Small Business Service (SBS). The fund in the SEEDA region is expected to begin investing in spring 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment she has made of the gender pay gap in the private sector for women in (a) full-time and (b) part-time employment; [21780](2) if she will publish the most recent figures to show women's mean hourly earnings as a proportion of men's broken down by occupation. [21777]

I have been asked to reply.The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will publish the results of the review of enterprise grant areas; and if she will make a statement. [21783]

The enterprise grant scheme is being considered as part of the wider review of DTI business support. Any further changes to the geographical coverage of the scheme will not be decided until after the end of the wider review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will table a motion under Standing Order No. 117(6) to refer (a) the progress made by regional development agencies in fulfilling their objects, (b) the role of regional chambers in scrutinising RDAs, (c) the contribution made by RDAs in addressing strategic transport issues, (d) the progression made with economic regeneration of EU Objective 1 regions, (e) the issues and concerns raised about the forthcoming Regional White Paper and (f) other matters, to the Standing Committee on Regional Affairs. [19266]

I have been asked to reply.A motion was agreed by the House on 5 December that the Committee meet to discuss 'Regional Governance in England' on 18 December.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 276W, on Railtrack, if he will place in the Library advice he has received on contingency plans if the Company Limited by Guarantee fails to achieve a credit rating of A/A2. [19190]

Miles of rails replaced per year by Railtrack Zone and nationally
Zone	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
Southern	57.6	53.6	85.2	55.3	31.5	32.1	49.2	54.3	45.4	21.3	31.4
Great Western	19.1	29.1	28.4	47.7	22.6	12.7	32.7	30.1	29.2	48.2	36.7
Midlands	36.7	24.4	12.8	28.0	23.4	19.6	16.8	32.2	39.1	31.2	31.0
North West	50.3	47.0	43.3	21.8	23.3	10.4	42.5	11.1	19.0	15.8	13.7
London North Eastern	52.0	18.5	28.2	38.6	35.6	19.3	26.9	36.0	28.5	39.7	81.3
East Anglia	12.6	11.5	13.9	7.4	11.9	10.4	17.9	16.9	20.3	23.3	24.9
Scotland	8.4	5.3	11.3	7.6	2.5	4.7	10.9	8.9	25.4	30.6	29.5
National	236.7	189.4	223.1	206.4	150.8	109.2	196.9	189.5	206.9	210.1	248.5

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on how many occasions he has met the Railtrack administrator since 7 October. [21942]

Officials meet him regularly and report to Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions his Department has held with the Treasury on the treatment of Railtrack while in administration in the national accounts. [22066]

[holding answer 10 December 2001]: My Department discusses a range of issues with the Treasury. They include the possible treatment of Railtrack plc in the national accounts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many road schemes costing more than £5 million were commissioned between 1992 and 1997. [21496]

Work started on 70 local and 76 trunk major road schemes between the financial years 1992–93 and 1996–97.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many speed restrictions on railways there were for each month between January 2000 and November 2001 (a) in total, (b) subdivided by zonal area and (c) subdivided by train operating company area. [21036]

The credit rating of the proposed Company Limited by Guarantee would depend upon its structure and financial framework.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total length of track on the rail network which has been replaced was (a) in each month between January 2000 and November 2001 and (b) in each year between 1990 to 2001 (i) in total, (ii) subdivided by zonal area and (iii) subdivided by train operating company area. [21039]

The following table from Railtrack shows for each calendar year between 1990 and 2000, the annual totals of rails replaced nationally and by Railtrack Zone. I understand that data are not available according to calendar month or train operating company area.

Railtrack reports that the number temporary speed restrictions in place across its network in Great Britain for each month was:

	Number
October 2000	504
November	626
December	1,100
January 2001	1,045
February	964
March	1,188
April	908
May	779
June	773
July	742
August	753
September	696
October	675
November	659

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much money has been spent on repairs and renewals on the District line in each of the past six years. [20124]

This is an operational matter for London Underground. London Underground, however, advise that the following has been spent on repairs and renewals on the District Line:

	£ million
1996–97	47.4
1997–98	49.5
1998–99	64.4
1999–2000	61.5
2000–01	77.5

Reliable data for 1995–96 are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what percentage real terms increase in each year he predicts for formula rents for (a) registered social landlords and (b) council tenants in Barnet until 2011. [20837]

We estimate that council rents in Barnet would rise by an average of 1.6 per cent. in real terms in 2002–03 and 2.2 per cent. a year in real terms thereafter until 2011–12 if rents are adjusted in line with our proposals. Over the period 1991–92 to 2001–02, council rents in Barnet rose on average 2.5 per cent. a year in real terms. Estimates for future years are based on property valuations and other data provided by the London Borough of Barnet which may be subject to amendment. The figures for 2003–04 and later years may also be adjusted as a result of Spending Reviews.We do not hold data on the registered social landlord rents at the individual authority level. Nationally, our rent restructuring proposals would result in RSL rents rising by RPI plus 0.5 per cent. a year until 2011–12. This figure is subject to periodic reviews by the Housing Corporation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what proportion of residents from each English region travelled from airports in the Manchester International Airport Group in the last year for which estimates are available; [21427] (2) what proportion of residents of the North West Region travelled from airports in the Manchester International Airport Group in the last year for which estimates are available. [21428]

The figures are not available in the form requested. The information that is available about the use of UK airports relates to the number of passenger journeys made to and from each airport, and not to the number of individual passengers who use each airport. The number of passenger journeys is as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement about the local finance settlement for the London borough of Havering. [21431]

We announced the provisional local government finance settlement for 2002–03 to the House on Tuesday 4 December 2001. Havering will receive £202.869 million in their provisional Standard Spending Assessment for 2002–03, an increase of £10.357 million (or 5.4 per cent). This translates into £143.003 million in provisional grant for 2002–03, an increase of £7.605 million (or 5.6 per cent). These increases are on a like for like basis, adjusted for changes in functions. The final settlement will be announced early in the new year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 29 November 2001, Official Report, column 1067W, on council tax benefit, for what reasons the announcement on the council tax benefit subsidy limitation scheme has not been made; and if he will hold consultations for this year's settlement for Poole unitary authority. [22338]

We have announced the abolition of the council tax benefit subsidy limitation scheme with effect from 2002–03 in the White Paper "Strong Local Leadership—Quality Public Services."My officials sent a consultation paper on the local government finance settlement for 2002–03 to local authorities on Tuesday 4 December. Under the proposals, Poole unitary authority receives an increase in general grant of £2.9 million, or 4.4 per cent. The covering letter to the consultation paper invited local authorities to make written representations on the proposals in time for them to be received by Thursday 10 January.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to allow local authorities to register private landlords; and if he will make a statement. [21781]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wansbeck (Mr. Murphy) on 4 December 2001, Official Report, column 284W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what consultations he has had with the National Assembly for Wales when preparing the forthcoming White Paper on regional government in England. [22074]

The White Paper will be about regional governance in England. However, meeting in Cardiff on 30 October 2001, the annual plenary meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (which brings together Ministers of the UK Government and of the devolved Administrations) noted the progress on the Government's White Paper on English regional governance. The devolved Administrations expressed their support for extending the benefits of devolution where there was a regional demand for this, and offered to assist the process based on their experience of devolution to date.The National Assembly for Wales will be consulted in the usual way on any issues arising in or from the White Paper which will affect its responsibilities or operations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the role of regional development agencies has been considered in the preparation of the White Paper on English regional government. [22061]

The role of the regional development agencies is being considered in the preparation of the White Paper.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment has been made of devolution in other EU member states when preparing the forthcoming White Paper on regional government in England. [22060]

We are looking at a wide range of information sources during the preparation of the forthcoming White Paper. The Department's own review of research on international experience, published in October 2000, shows that EU member states have a wide variety of approaches to devolution.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many haulage (a) firms and (b) vehicles have moved from UK registration to overseas registration in the past three years. [21943]

The information on the number of firms that have registered abroad is not available. It is estimated that around 200 vehicles were registered in other member states while still specified on British operators' licences. Following a Transport Tribunal ruling in January 2001 the UK licensing authorities deemed it no longer acceptable for foreign registered vehicles to be used under the authority of a British operator's licence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many different point-to-point rail routes were operated in (a) 1993, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. [21944]

This would depend on the definition of a point-to-point rail route. The relevant National Rail timetables contain all the planned services for particular years. Copies are in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many buses have been registered to operate in England and Wales in each of the past seven years. [21947]

The information is available for the years 1997–98 to 2000–01:

Total number of buses1 registered to operate in England and Wales
	Number
1997–98	49,400
1998–99	51,200
1999–2000	51,200
2000–01	51,600
1 Having nine or more seats

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many different bus routes there were in England and Wales in (a) 1997 and (b) 2001. [21946]

This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the figures for total vehicle kilometres operated by local bus services in England and Wales during the period are as follows.

	Million kilometres
1996–97	2,270
1997–98	2,259
1998–99	2,284
1999–2000	2,247
2000–01	2,269

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many bus routes in Cornwall have benefited from Government funding in the last 12 months. [21757]

Monitoring information supplied by Cornwall county council shows that a total of 99 routes were supported by them using rural bus subsidy grant in 2000–01. In addition, the council receives revenue support grant to assist in meeting its expenditure needs, including the provision of other subsidised bus services.Rural Bus Challenge funding was provided in 2000–01 for the Helston-Redruth Branchline Bus Service and the Gorran and District Ring-and-Ride projects. Another project to improve a number of services in the Bodmin Moor area was also approved in the 2000 challenge competition.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the outcome was of the Transport Council held in Brussels on 6 and 7 December; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including their voting record; and if he will make a statement. [22183]

The Transport Council met in Brussels on 7 December. I represented the United Kingdom.The main focus of the Council was on the Galileo satellite navigation project and on aviation security. I am pleased to say that on both issues the outcome was satisfactory from our point of view.On Galileo, Ministers were asked to agree to the release of funding from the Trans-European Networks (TENs) budget to enable the project to proceed to its next phase, and to agree on the management structure that the project would have. I was among Ministers to press for deferral of decisions on the project. I drew attention to the concerns which the recently issued PricewaterhouseCoopers report had raised, on public sector funding, overall cost and lack of commercial benefits. The report made clear that any decision on the joint undertaking would have funding implications, so I argued that a decision on this should not be taken while funding issues were not sufficiently clear. There was also some discussion of the details of the draft Regulation to establish the joint undertaking, but a majority of member states declined the Commission's request for a vote to agree the text. Decisions on the next phase of Galileo were deferred and no formal conclusions were agreed. The Presidency indicated that the Galileo project might be discussed further at the European Council at Laeken later this month.The Council reached political agreement on a regulation establishing a Community framework for airport security standards and monitoring. The Commission had initially insisted on arrangements to oversee member states who were operating more stringent security measures. But in response to concerns which I and others expressed about the need for freedom to respond to perceived security threats it accepted that member states should be free to apply additional measures, provided they were in accordance with Community law. This important measure should ensure that high standards are in place throughout the EU and create a safer environment for air passengers using EU airports.There was discussion of a draft directive on occurrence reporting in civil aviation, on the transposition of JAR-OPS standards into EC law, and on a draft directive on the training of aviation cabin crew. No decisions were reached on the first two issues, and the Presidency concluded that no progress was possible on the third. The UK view is that provision for cabin crew training should be included in the JAR-OPS legislation.The Council noted the difficult economic situation faced by the air transport sector. On war-risk insurance, member states wished to return to a market approach, but the industry was not ready for that yet. In the interim the Commission was prepared to continue to approve state aid measures up to end March 2002, subject to monthly reviews. Ministers also noted the need to consider urgently ways to address possible unfair competition from third country carriers; the Commission will present a proposal in the near future.The Council noted the importance of making early progress on the recent proposal for a Directive to replace the hushkits regulation.The Council reached political agreement on the regulation to establish a European Maritime Safety Agency, which was proposed as part of the ERIKA II package of maritime safety proposals. We are content with the text as agreed.The Council agreed the text of a Directive to simplify reporting formalities for ships leaving and entering Community ports. It was able to accept the European Parliament's position on the proposal, and therefore reached agreement at the First Reading.I and the French Minister, with support from the Commissioner, stressed the need for member states to make quick progress on ratifying the Hazardous and Noxious Substances convention and other maritime pollution compensation Conventions, as the December 2000 Council Conclusions had urged.The Council noted a Presidency progress report on the proposal to update Regulation 3820/85 on commercial drivers' hours and rest periods. Further consideration of this will pass to the Spanish Presidency.I maintained the UK's opposition to the proposal to extend the fitting of speed limiting devices to goods vehicles above 3.5 tonnes and to coaches/buses with over eight passenger seats regardless of weight. I argued that we were not in favour of a threshold below 7.5 tonnes, but that an extension of European regulation to 7.5 tonnes would be in line with UK law. I expressed my doubt that the safety and environmental consequences of fitting limiters to lighter vehicles would be beneficial. The Presidency concluded that Council adopted the proposal by qualified majority. The proposal will now be considered by the European Parliament early in the new year.The Council reached political agreement on a draft directive setting out initial and ongoing training requirements for professional drivers.Following the recent fires in Alpine road tunnels, the Commission reported to the Council that it would propose legislation early in 2002 to improve safety. The proposals will address issues relating to technical equipment, driver information, traffic controls and training of operational staff. We await further details of the proposals, and will need to examine them carefully.The Presidency presented its conclusions on the Commission's White Paper on transport policy, published earlier this year. The Presidency largely agreed with the White Paper's assessment of the negative impact of uneven development of different transport modes, and believed that modal shift and enhancement of quality should be promoted. It hoped the Council would further examine the White Paper and looked forward to Commission proposals to implement the priorities emerging from further discussion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many elderly persons' homes there were in the (a) county of Essex and (b) unitary boroughs of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea in (i) 1971, (ii) 1981, (iii) 1991 and (iv) 2001. [21754]

The information is as follows:

	1971	1981	1991	2001
County of Essex
Independent	1—	1—	260	210
Public Sector	1—	1—	55	12
Thurrock
Independent	1—	1—	2—	12
Public Sector	1—	1—	2—	2
Southend-on-Sea
Independent	1—	1—	2—	65
Public Sector	1—	1—	2—	2
1 Information not readily available
2 Included within "county" figure above

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what timescale there is relating to the removal of the roundabouts between Blythe and Peterborough on the A1. [21759]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday (PQ 3108).

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent guidance he has issued to local authorities on the procedure for considering major planning applications. [22290]

On Friday 2 November 2001, the Government announced new targets for 2002–03 for local authorities' handling of planning applications. The new targets for major planning applications are that 60 per cent. of major industrial, commercial and residential applications should be decided within 13 weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will give reasons for not calling in planning applications. [22731]

As part of our fundamental review of the planning system, we have decided that as from today we will give reasons for our decision not to call in planning applications. This decision, which forms part of the raft of measures in our Planning Green Paper published today, is in the interests of transparency, good administration and best practice. The Courts have established that there is no legal obligation to provide reasons for not calling in an application.It should be borne in mind that the issue before him for decision is not whether the application should be granted planning permission but whether or not he should call it in for his own determination. The Secretary of State's policy on calling in planning applications—which is to be very selective—is set out in the written reply by the then Minister for the Regions, Regeneration and Planning, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn) to a parliamentary question on 16 June 1999,

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Channel Tunnel Rail Link is due to be (a) completed and (b) operational. [22287]

Section 1 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL), which runs from the Channel Tunnel to Fawkham Junction in Kent, is expected to be completed and operational in 2003. Section 2, from Ebbsfleet in Kent to St. Pancras in London, is expected to be completed and operational in 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total costs up to 1 December associated with the negotiations for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link are. [22250]

The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions employs a number of consultants who advise on engineering, financial, legal and other issues related to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL). Their work has recently included the negotiations for finalising section 2 of the CTRL. and negotiations with Railtrack relating to their purchase of section 1. The total annual budget for CTRL advisers is around £7 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent research he has undertaken to assess the impact of aircraft noise and sleep disturbance; and if he will make a statement. [21816]

The Department of Transport in 1992 published the "Report of a Field Study of Aircraft Noise and Sleep Disturbance". This was and remains the largest UK study of the relationship between aircraft noise and physical sleep disturbance.More recently the following reports, commissioned by the DETR, have been published:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many motorists qualified for a VED rebate because they bought a licence for the year starting July 2000 with half yearly payments. [21803]

Licences taken out between July and October 2000 did not qualify for the rebate. The total number of six-monthly licences taken out in the period November 2000 to June 2001 was approximately 2.8 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many hon. Members have made representations to his Department about constituents who missed out on a VED rebate because they bought their licences for the year starting July 2000 with a single payment. [21804]

The number of such cases referred to the Department to date by hon. Members stands at 67.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research he has commissioned into the effectiveness of the goods vehicle excise duty relief scheme; and if he will publish the results of this research. [22252]

The rebate scheme for goods vehicle excise duty had two stages: a rebate of up to 50 per cent. of the cost of a licence against licences in force on 30 November 2000; and a similar rebate against all licences taken out between December 2000 and November 2001. Following these transitional arrangements a new structure of vehicle excise duty for goods vehicles came into effect on 1 December 2001.Rebates totalling £236 million were paid out in respect of some 250,000 goods vehicles against licences in force on 30 November 2000. Although the total amount rebated against licences taken out between December 2000 and November 2001 has yet to be finalised, it is expected to be of a similar order.The Government have not formally commissioned any research on the impact of these rebate schemes. The Road Haulage Forum gives Ministers and the haulage industry a regular opportunity to discuss, take account of and assess the impacts of fiscal and other factors affecting the haulage industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how the extra funding under the Winter Supplementary Estimates to the Supply Estimates 2001–02 for the Highways Agency is to be spent. [22246]

The extra funding will be spent on local network management and technology schemes, the M42 active traffic management pilot, the system for managing project and on the civil service reform fund programme. The Winter Supplementary Estimates also include a reduction in funds that have been transferred to local authorities for roads that have been detrunked this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what research was commissioned prior to the decision to decrease the housing revenue account subsidy, as outlined on page 5 of the Winter Supplementary Estimates to the Supply Estimates 2001–02; and if he will publish this research. [22249]

The decision to decrease the housing revenue account subsidy provision for 2001–02 in the Winter Supplementary Estimates was informed by changes in the amounts claimed by local housing authorities for reimbursement of the rent rebate element on their second advance claim forms. These claims govern on-account payments for the second half of the financial year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent meetings Government Ministers have had with representatives of the New Local Government Network. [21984]

Colleagues and I meet up with representatives of the New Local Government Network and many other groups interested in local government from time to time. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and I met with representatives of the New Local Government Network on 20 June and on 18 July. The Minister for Local Government attended conferences held by the New Local Government Network on strategic partnering on 16 July and on procuring best value outcomes on 30 October. I spoke at an NLGN conference on best value on 3 December and met representatives of the NLGN at a conference on 29 October. Ministerial colleagues also hold meetings with NLGN representatives from time to time, the details of which are not recorded by this Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether the National Standards Board is investigating complaints on alleged breaches of the code of conduct by Lincolnshire county councillors; and if he will make a statement. [22217]

[holding answer 11 December 2001]: The Standards Board is not able to investigate any complaints about breaches of the code of conduct until the council has adopted a code as required under section 50 of the Local Government Act 2000.1 believe that Lincolnshire county council has yet to adopt such a code.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will publish his Green Paper on Planning. [22729]

Following our review of the planning system, I am today publishing a Green Paper "Planning: delivering a fundamental change" setting out our proposals for reform.A good planning system is vital to our quality of life. We need a system that fully engages people in shaping the future of their communities and local economies. The present planning system is too complicated, too slow and engages insufficiently with local communities. We need to make it more efficient and more accessible so that it better serves everybody with an interest in the growth and development of their community, whether individuals, businesses or representative organisations.The Green Paper sets out our proposals for simplifying the complex hierarchy of regional, county, unitary and local plans. We propose to replace local plans with new Local Development Frameworks that will have two main components: a set of core criteria that will allow local authorities to express a vision for the future of their areas and a strategy for its delivery; and action plans for specific areas where detailed planning is required. These include, for example, neighbourhoods, villages, town centres and major development sites. We intend that action plans should be a particular focus for community participation in the planning of local areas.The Green Paper proposes a much stronger emphasis on customer service, including delivery to business. New targets for processing planning applications by local authorities will distinguish business from householder applications in order that all applicants should have a clear and realistic expectation of the speed of decision. We propose that delivery contracts should be agreed between local authorities and business for the biggest planning applications that would include an agreed timetable for reaching planning decisions.The Green Paper proposes the introduction of business planning zones in which planning consent will not be necessary for certain businesses so long as strict quality standards are met. We propose that each region should have at least one zone to promote technology companies.The Green Paper seeks to put communities at the heart of the planning system. We propose better community participation in the preparation of our new Local Development Frameworks and action plans. A statement of community involvement will set standards for consultation on planning applications and plans. Master planning of major sites will help developers plan for higher quality development, in partnership with local people and local authorities. There will be a much clearer procedure for submitting planning applications and a new emphasis on openness and accountability within the planning process.I also propose to speed up the handling of planning applications that have been called in and appeals that have been recovered for my determination. I give reasons where applications are called in but, up to now, they have not been given when I decide not to call in an application. In the interests of greater openness I shall, from today, give reasons in both circumstances.Copies of the Green Paper are being sent to every Member representing an English constituency and they will be available in the Vote Office and in the Library. An electronic copy can be viewed at www.planning.dtlr.gov.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he will publish his consultation paper on Compulsory Purchase and Compensation. [22730]

Following the fundamental review of compulsory purchase procedures and compensation, I am publishing today a consultation paper setting out our proposals for major changes to the way that the compulsory purchase and compensation system operates. Our objective is to make the system simpler, fairer and quicker. We will:

• simplify the law
• clarify the powers available for acquiring land for planning and regeneration purposes
• speed up the confirmation process
• ensure that implementation follows promptly once an order is confirmed
• provide a fairer basis for assessing compensation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what evidence he has collated on how speed cameras have contributed to reducing road accidents in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [22231]

A Home Office study published in 1996 showed that accidents fell by 28 per cent. and speeds were reduced by an average of 4.2 mph at speed camera sites. Eight police force areas have been trialling a new funding system for speed cameras. Monitoring of the first year's operation of the pilots has shown a 47 per cent. reduction in those killed and seriously injured at camera sites and an 18 per cent. reduction in KSIs in the areas as a whole. The new funding system is now available nationally and I fully expect that, as more areas join, the numbers of those killed or seriously injured will decrease still further.