To ask the Solicitor-General if she will list the functions of her Department that have been (a) market tested and (b) outsourced in each of the last five years, specifying the (i) money saving and (ii) percentage saving in each case. [42987]

[holding answer 18 March 2002]: In relation to the Departments for which the Attorney-General is responsible, the answer is as follows:

To ask the Solicitor-General what recent assessment she has made of whether the PSA target to reduce unit costs per case in real terms by 1.3 per cent. by March will be met. [47815]

[holding answer 10 April 2002]: Information about progress on PSA targets will be published in the Law Officers' 2002 departmental report.

To ask the Solicitor-General what new measures her Department took in 2001–02 to protect its property from theft or damage. [47322]

[holding answer 10 April 2002]: It is not the practice of the Law Officers to make public details of security arrangements for the Departments for which the Attorney-General is responsible.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many times Ministers in her Department have travelled abroad at taxpayers' expense since March 2001; what countries they visited; and what the total cost of each visit was. [47111]

[holding answer 10 April 2002]: Since 1999 this Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing £500 or more during each financial year. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the House. The 1999 list contained information on all such visits undertaken from 2 May 1997 to 30 April 1999. Details for travel undertaken in the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year.All travel is undertaken fully in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many times special advisers have accompanied Ministers on overseas visits in each of the last five years; which countries were visited; and what the total cost of each individual visit was. [47150]

[holding answer 9 April 2002]: Neither the Attorney-General nor I employ special advisers.

To ask the Solicitor-General how much was spent by departmental special advisers on food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for entertainment purposes in each of the last five years. [46832]

Nothing has been spent as neither the Attorney-General nor I employ special advisers.

To ask the Solicitor-General what the target has been in each of the last five years for efficiency savings as a percentage of total running costs for each of the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible; and if the target was met. [49647]

The Attorney-General is not responsible for any non-departmental bodies.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many people employed by the non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible under the New Deal for Young People in each of the last four years have subsequently (a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseekers' allowance or other benefits. [49612]

The Attorney-General is not responsible for any non-departmental bodies.

To ask the Solicitor-General on what time scale she expects to reach conclusions in relation to the inquiry by Wiltshire Police into experiments at Porton Down, with special reference to (a) the file submitted to the Attorney-General in January 2001 concerning L.A.C. Ronald Maddison and (b) the police reports referring to experiments on the common cold. [47732]

Wiltshire police commenced this inquiry in 1999.As regards a possible prosecution, files of evidence for consideration by the CPS have been sent in stages since September 2001. A large quantity of material has been submitted and is in the process of being reviewed.Further papers are expected from the police within the next few weeks. When all the evidence has been received, the CPS will conclude the review process promptly. There are no specific police reports referring to experiments on the common cold. These assertions are contained in numerous statements throughout the many evidential files and are being fully considered in conjunction with the other evidence.Separately, an application has been made by HM Coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon for authority to apply to the Hight Court for a fresh inquest into the death of Ronald Maddison at Porton Down. The application has been granted by the Attorney-General.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps will be taken to recover the £120 million of Lottery funding invested in the project should the decision be taken not to proceed with the development of a new national football stadium at Wembley after 30 April. [50928]

[holding answer 18 April 2002]: This would be a matter for discussion between Sport England and the Football Association, and Wembley National Stadium Ltd.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what plans she has to withdraw her Department's support for the National Stadium project; what assessment she has made of the effect withdrawal would have on the future of the project; and if she will make a statement; [51761](2) what assessment she has made of the impact of the FA's failure to satisfy the conditions she set out in her statement of 19 December 2001 on the future of the National Stadium project; and if she will make a statement. [51762]

I set out to the House on 19 December 2001, Official Report, columns 291–93, the requirements that would need to be addressed by the Football Association and Wembley National Stadium Limited, for the Government to be able to give support to the National Stadium project. That remains the Government's position and I understand the Football Association and Wembley National Stadium Limited are working towards meeting those requirements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she last attended a Nationwide Football League match. [R] [50848]

I attended the match between Norwich City and Stockport County on Sunday 20 April at Carrow Road.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for South-West Bedfordshire of 25 January 2002, Official Report, columns 1185–86W, on Government funding of the voluntary sector, if she will list the grant schemes and other mechanisms by which (a) her Department, (b) the Arts Council of England, (c) English Heritage and (d) Sport England distributes funding to voluntary sector organisations. [51404]

[holding answer 19 April 2002]: The Department has no grant scheme by which it distributes Government funding to the voluntary sector. However, during the financial year 2000–01 we provided the Community Service Volunteers £67,000 towards the cost of their Lending Time project. We have contacted the Arts Council of England, English Heritage and Sport England to request the information required, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the running costs were of each of the Lottery distributors in the last 12 months. [51210]

[holding answer 19 April 2002]: This information is not readily available. I will, however, write to the hon. Member as soon as it has been collated, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money has been distributed (a) in total and (b) to voluntary organisations by each of the Lottery distributors in each year of their existence. [51209]

[holding answer 19 April 2002]: We do not hold this information centrally. We have, however, contacted each of the Lottery distributors to ascertain whether they hold this information, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the (a) grant schemes and (b) other mechanisms by which each of the Lottery distributors distribute funding to voluntary sector organisations. [51207]

[holding answer 19 April 2002]: We do not hold this information centrally. We have, however, contacted each of the Lottery distributors to ascertain whether they hold this information, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available, placing copies of my letter in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times RAF aircraft (a) were fired upon and (b) responded with fire in Iraqi airspace in the last 12 months. [45135]

RAF aircraft undertake patrols in Iraqi airspace as part of the international coalition's No Fly Zone (NFZ) enforcement operations. A single coalition NFZ patrol involves multiple aircraft types in an integrated package. Surface-to-air fire by Iraqi air defence weapons is recorded as an attack on the whole, rather than against individual aircraft types.Between 1 March 2001 and 20 March 2002 attacks on coalition aircraft by Iraqi Air Defence weapons, including anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missiles, were recorded on 488 occasions.On four occasions RAF aircraft released ordnance in self-defence responses to these attacks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people employed by the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible under the new deal for young people in each of the last four years have subsequently (a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseeker's allowance or other benefits. [49597]

None of the non-departmental bodies sponsored by the Ministry of Defence have to date employed people on the new deal for young people scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on overtime payments for staff in his Department. [49125]

Within the Ministry of Defence the policy for additional compensation to civil servants for hours worked in excess of normal conditioned hours differs depending on the grade of the employee and the duties that they routinely perform. The authorisation of overtime working has been delegated to responsible line managers and their associated finance staff.Senior civil servants are not eligible for overtime payments. A few senior non-industrial staff are classed as non-overtime grades, but are entitled to payments for long hours once a monthly threshold of 10 hours has been passed. Other non-industrial and industrial staff are entitled to overtime payments normally on the basis of time and a half for Monday to Saturday overtime working, and double time for attendance on Sundays and public and bank holidays. Although not obliged to do so, staff are encouraged to take time off in lieu.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the cost was to his Department of answering written parliamentary questions in 2001; and how that cost was calculated; [49095](2) how many staff were involved in each of the last three years in preparing draft answers to written parliamentary questions. [49137]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 17 April 2002, Official Report, column 929W, by the President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons, my right hon. Friend the Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units of the Army are trained for mountain warfare; and if he will make a statement. [49327]

There are two Army units that are trained for mountain warfare; 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery and 59 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers. In addition, Army personnel attached to the Commando Logistic Regiment and the Commando Medical Squadron are similarly trained. All these units are affiliated to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, which is part of the Naval Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) where the incident that led to the death of Private Cheryl James in 1995 within the Deep Cut Army Camp took place; where the death took place; and if he will make a statement; [51030](2) if he will make a statement on

I will write to the hon. Member and copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) where the incident that led to the death of the soldier Shaun Benton in 1995 within the Deep Cut Army Camp took place; where the death took place; and if he will make a statement; [51025](2) if he will make a statement on

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) where the incident that led to the death of Private James Collinson in 1995 within the Deep Cut Army Camp took place; where the death took place; and if he will make a statement; [51032](2) if he will make a statement on

Private James Collinson, Royal Logistic Corps, died from a gunshot wound to the head while on guard duty at the Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut, on 23 March 2002. The circumstances surrounding Private Collinson's death are still the subject of a police investigation and it would, therefore, be inappropriate to comment further at this stage. A date for the coroner's inquest has yet to be set. Only after the inquest has concluded can an Army Board of Inquiry into Private Collinson's death be convened.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK military personnel are stationed in Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [51016]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 November 2001, Official Report, column 669W, to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch).

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the RAF station in Gibraltar. [51013]

There are no current plans to change the role of the RAF station in Gibraltar.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his Spanish counterpart regarding the future of the Headquarters British Forces Gibraltar under the Brussels Process; and if he will make a statement. [51015]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has had no such discussions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when drawings and specifications of the Blue Danube atomic bomb were placed in the Public Records Office; and if he will make a statement. [51024]

The file containing this information about Blue Danube was transferred to the Public Record Office in August 1994.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the US Government regarding publication of details of the Blue Danube atomic bomb. [51022]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the maximum number of warheads loaded on to the individual Trident D5 missiles currently deployed; and what is the maximum number of warheads that could be deployed on each of the United Kingdom's Trident D5 missiles. [51137]

A maximum of 12 nuclear warheads could be deployed on each of the United Kingdom's Trident D5 missiles. The number of warheads loaded on to each missile currently deployed is withheld under Exemption 1 (Defence, Security and International Relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps were taken to ensure that the bidding process for contractors in respect of QinetiQ was conducted in accordance with his Department's rules; and if he will make a statement. [50680]

An advert was placed in the Financial Times (European edition) on 8 March 2002 seeking expressions of interest in becoming a strategic partner to QinetiQ in writing to UBS Warburg by 15 March 2002. Almost 40 parties expressed an interest and were forwarded a pre-qualification questionnaire for response by 28 March. 16 completed responses have been received and these are at present being assessed with the intention of selecting those parties to receive the information memorandum.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 552W, on senior members of the armed forces, how many officers of the rank of general and above in each service attended (a) independent and (b) state schools. [51228]

I have nothing to add to my earlier reply. This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) service family accommodation and (b) single living accommodation units were of (i) grade one, (ii) grade two, (iii) grade three and (iv) grade four standard in each year between 1997 and 2001; and if he will make a statement. [51168]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) married quarters and (b) single living accommodation quarters have been inspected for health and safety in the last 12 months; how many have failed health and safety inspections; and if he will make a statement. [51166]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many repairs have been made to (a) service family accommodation and (b) single living accommodation in each year between 1997 and 2001; how many of these have repeated repairs conducted in the previous year; and if he will make a statement. [51167]

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the steps taken by his Department to protect staff rights in connection with service with ABRO, with special reference to the case of Mr. Alan Ely of Linlithgow. [46924]

ABRO staff are Ministry of Defence civil servants and enjoy the same employment rights as all other staff employed in the Department. With particular regard to the dismissal case of Mr. Alan Ely, the appropriate departmental procedures were followed by ABRO.Legal proceedings in this matter are currently on-going. On legal advice the MOD has appealed against the level of the Employment Tribunal's compensation award, made to Mr. Ely for unfair dismissal.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the annual cost of inspections of the Donna Nook range conducted by Explosives Ordnance Disposal personnel from RAF Coningsby has been in the last five years; and what his estimate is of the one-off cost of permanently disposing of munitions contained in this dump. [48661]

Information on costs over the last five years is not available but, in the last financial year, the cost of RAF Coningsby-based personnel clearing RAF Donna Nook air weapons range was estimated to be £97,000. This figure does not include the cost of training, incidental expenses or the cost of replacing specialist bomb disposal equipment. Those personnel who undertake the clearance of the air weapons range also inspect the munitions dump weekly. No estimate has been made of the one-off cost of disposal of the munitions contained in this dump.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many military aviation accidents involving RAF and other countries' air forces occurred in the UK (a) from 1990 to 1997 and (b) from 1997 to the present, broken down by region and by air force; and if he will make a statement. [51726]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what official guidelines there are concerning travel time for service personnel returning to their home base from overseas; and if he will make a statement. [51732]

I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how she proposes to modify the voluntary status of the UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme 2002 to comply with the mandatory status of the EU Trading Scheme when the latter comes into force in 2005. [48981]

[holding answer 15 April 2002]: The Government welcome the principles of EU trading to encourage European industry to gain early experience of trading in advance of international trading under the Kyoto protocol. The Commission's proposal for a EU emissions trading scheme does differ in some respects from the UK scheme; one significant difference is that the Commission's proposal is for a mandatory scheme whereas the UK scheme is voluntary. The Government are working with the Commission and other member states during the negotiation process to develop a less rigid emissions trading scheme for the EU that takes account of existing national trading arrangements and provides for them to run their course. It has always been the Government's intention that the transition between the UK scheme and any EU or international trading scheme will be as seamless as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she intends that the use of sinks and forest sequestration will be allowed as part of the UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme 2002. [48983]

[holding answer 15 April 2002]: Although the Government recognise that carbon sinks can provide environmental and other benefits, they believe that the UK's current priority should be actual emissions reductions, rather than carbon sequestration (either as sinks or storage) because of the complexities and uncertainties involved in forestry projects and other carbon sinks. For the time being, therefore, sinks and forest sequestration projects are not eligible for entry into the UK Emissions Trading Scheme. This approach to sinks and sequestration will be kept under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the rules her Department has drawn up to ensure that the UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme 2002 delivers emission reductions additional to those required by regulation will be published. [48976]

[holding answer 15 April 2002]: The Government have already made further details on the treatment of regulatory requirements in the UK Greenhouse Gas Trading Scheme available on request. The Government intend to formally publish these details later this week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress with the UK Emissions Trading Scheme. [51943]

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme went live on 2 April with the opening of the innovative, web-based Emissions Trading Registry, which records the transfer of allowances from buyer to seller. A number of trades have already taken place.A total of 34 organisations successfully joined the Scheme through a competitive auction held in March. In return for taking on legally binding emissions reduction targets, these organisations will each receive a share of the financial incentive that the Government are making available over the five years of the Scheme. They can choose to meet their annual targets by reducing emissions themselves or by buying surplus allowances from other participating organisations. To date, over 50 other organisations have opened trading accounts so that they can buy and sell allowances.We expect the volume of trades and number of participants to increase in the autumn and beyond when participation in the Scheme widens as some of the 6,000 companies in Climate Change Agreements begin buying allowances to enable them to meet their targets or selling any over-achievement to other participants. Projects that produce quantified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will also be able, in time and subject to prior approval from the Government, to earn credits that can then be traded through the Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will state the baselines for the average emissions in (a) 1998, (b) 1999 and (c) 2000 for each of the direct participants of the UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme 2002. [48977]

[holding answer 15 April 2002]: Direct participants in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme are currently in the process of having their baseline emissions independently verified by organisations accredited for this specific purpose by the UK Accreditation Service. These independent verification organisations will provide the Government with a verified baseline (an average of emissions in 1998–2000 unless there are regulatory requirements to take into account) for each direct participant. Once they have done so, the Government will make the baseline emissions for each direct participant publicly available. The Government expect to publish the first independently verified baselines at the end of this month. They will be available on www.defra.gov.uk/etr.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which of the direct participants of the UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme 2002 fall under (a) integrated pollution control and (b) the flare consents regime for offshore installations; and what reduction in emissions for these companies is stipulated by the conditions set in their IPC authorisations and flare consents. [48980]

[holding answer 15 April 2002]: Three direct participants (DuPont UK Ltd, Ineos Fluor Ltd and Rhodia Organique Fine Ltd) in the UK Emissions Trading Scheme are subject to regulation under Integrated Pollution Control, and two (British Petroleum plc and Shell UK Ltd) that are subject to the Department of Trade and Industry's flare consent regime. The terms of these regulatory requirements under IPC are already available on the public register at the following local Environment Agency offices: Coverdale House, York for DuPont, Richard Fairclough House, Warrington for Ineos Fluor and Rivers House, Bridgewater for Rhodia. The 2002 flare consents for British Petroleum installations and fields in the Emissions Trading Scheme allow 1,132.55 thousand standard cubic metres of natural gas flared per day. For Shell, the comparable number is 698.17 thousand standard cubic metres of natural gas flared per day.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps are being taken to develop mechanisms (a) to prevent an increase in GM presence in conventional seeds and produce and (b) to prevent GM contamination of organic seeds and produce; and with whom this responsibility lies. [46622]

The European Union has agreed interim measures to limit adventitious presence of approved GMOs in non-GM seeds to 0.5 per cent. More specific proposals are under discussion within the European Union. These would set cross-pollination thresholds ranging from 0.3 per cent. to 0.7 per cent. (depending on the species) in seed, in order broadly to keep GM presence in the resulting produce below the 1 per cent. threshold set for food. The Government are also considering what measures might be required to facilitate the co-existence of ordinary (non-seed) GM and non-GM crops and who should be responsible for such measures. For seed production, the grower of the seed crop is normally responsible for observing rules to achieve the desired level of seed purity. With organic seeds and produce, as with conventional seeds and produce, it is not possible to guarantee that GM cross-pollination will not occur, but we would like to aim for the lowest practical level, bearing in mind relevant factors, including the need to protect non-GM produce, the views of stakeholders, the practicalities of detection at low levels, and the costs involved.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the external organisations set up by her as part of the Government's strategy to combat climate changes indicating (a) their remits and (b) their sources at funding. [54448]

The Department, together with the Devolved Administrations, set up the Carbon Trust in April 2001. It is a private, not for profit organisation whose remit is to recycle around £100 million of climate change levy receipts over three years to accelerate the take up of cost effective, low carbon technologies by business and levy payers. It receives funding from my Department and the Devolved Administrations.In 1997, the Department also established the UK Climate Impacts Programme to help the public and private sector assess the impacts of climate change and plan how to adapt to it. We currently provide around £0.5 million a year to fund the (UKCIP).Many other organisations from both the private and public sectors also assist the Government with it's climate change strategy. These include the Emissions Trading

Directive number	Title	Published in official journal	Expected transposition date	Transposed
97/49	The conservation of birds	29 July 1997	—	29 July 1997
97/62	The conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora	27 October 1997	—	30 January 1998
98/11	Energy labelling of household lamps	27 January 1998	—	1 July 1999
98/15	Amending Council Directive 91/271/EEC with respect to certain requirements established in Annex 1 thereof (Urban waste water treatment)	27 February 1998	—	27 August 1998
98/83	Water Intended for Human Consumption	3 November 1998	September 2002	—
99/9	Energy labelling household dishwashers	26 February 1999	—	8 July 1999
99/13	Solvents	11 March 1999	December 2002	—
99/22	Keeping Wild Animals in Zoos	29 March 1999	May 2003	—
99/30	Limit Values of Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen	22 April 1999	1 May 2002	—
99/31	Disposal of Waste by Landfill	26 April 1999	June 2002	—
99–32	Sulphur Content of Liquid Fuels	26 April 1999	—	11 March 2002
99/51	The marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations	26 May 1999	November 2002	—
2000/55	Energy efficiency requirements for ballasts for fluorescent lighting	18 September 2000	21 May 2002	—
2000/60	Establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy	23 October 2000	December 2003	—
2000/76	Incineration of Waste	4 December 2000	December 2002	—
2001/18	Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 March 2001 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and repealing council Directions 90/220/EEC	12 March 2001	17 October 2002	—
2001/80/EC	Limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants	23 October 2001	27 November 2002	—
2001/81/EC	National emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants	23 October 2001	27 November 2002	—
2002/3/EC	Ozone in ambient air	12 February 2002	9 September 2003	—
2002/31/EC	Energy Labelling of household air conditioners	22 March 2002	1 January 2003	—

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost is of her Department's two-year pilot project for regional marine conservation in the North sea. [46990]

The Department has a service level agreement with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee to carry out the regional seas pilot in the Irish sea. The project should be completed by March 2004 and is planned to cost £397,200.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of noise pollution in the London borough of Havering. [49694]

No specific assessment has been made of environmental noise across the whole of the London borough of Havering. The Government announced in their

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she has collated in respect of the time taken to implement European environmental directives since May 1997. [49266]

The table lists environment directives published since May 1997 alongside their transposition or expected transposition date.Rural White Paper (November 2000) the decision to consult on a national ambient noise strategy. The consultation on the development of this strategy—Towards a National Ambient Noise Strategy—closed on 15 March this year, the results of which will be published in due course. A significant contribution to the development of the strategy will be the determination of exposure to environmental noise through noise mapping. The London borough of Havering will be considered in this exercise.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the World Wildlife Fund about the protection of endangered species; and if she will make a statement. [50469]

[holding answer 16 April 2002]: The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have contacted me about the trade in endangered species twice in recent months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what radioactive and toxic waste was dumped in the Irish sea from I May 2001 to 28 February 2002; what the origin of this radioactive and toxic waste was; and if she will make a statement. [47049]

The UK ceased all sea dumping of radioactive waste in 1982, and all sea dumping of industrial waste in 1992. The only material now licensed for disposal at sea is dredged sediment from ports, harbours etc., and small amounts of fish waste. All such disposal is rigorously controlled under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 to ensure that the marine environment and ecosystems are protected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government will publish the DEFRA consultation paper on farm waste. [48304]

We are preparing the regulations necessary to apply the provisions of the Waste Framework Directive to those types of agricultural waste which are not excluded from control under Article 2. A regulatory impact assessment (RIA) is also being prepared. On completion, the draft regulations and RIA will be issued for consultation with the farming industry and other interested groups. A firm date for publication of the consultation paper has not yet been set but our aim is to publish it later in the spring. I will ensure that a copy of the consultation paper is sent to the hon. Member when it is issued.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to reduce radioactive waste from the British Nuclear Fuels, Sellafield plant. [49326]

All radioactive discharges from the UK are within national and international dose constraints. The UK has made substantial progress in reducing these discharges over the last 25 years. Discharges now are less than 1 per cent. of what they were then. In making these reductions we have concentrated on the most harmful radionuclides. However, we accept that more needs to be done to deliver further reductions.At a ministerial meeting of the OSPAR Commission at Sintra, Portugal in 1998, OSPAR members including the UK undertook to reduce radioactive discharges. Contracting parties must produce national plans by 1 July 2002 showing how they are going to achieve these reductions. The UK Radioactive Discharges Strategy will demonstrate how we are going to meet the targets for reducing radioactive discharges agreed at Sintra. The UK consulted about its draft strategy in June 2000 and we intend to publish the final version in time to meet the July 2002 deadline. Copies of the strategy will be placed in the House of Commons Library. We have also consulted on draft guidance to the Environment Agency which will help ensure that decisions on discharge authorisations for nuclear licensed sites in England are consistent with the UK strategy.The Environment Agency has also carried out a public consultation on its review of Sellafield authorisations. The agency will put its recommendations to Ministers later this year. The agency carried out a fast-track review of Technetium-99 discharges ahead of the main Sellafield review. Their recommendations are currently with DEFRA and DoH Ministers for consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the threat to the rhinoceros population in Zimbabwe from illegal poaching. [48846]

Most rhinoceros species are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). This means that international trade in wild-taken rhinos and their products is prohibited. The UK goes further, however, in that it has banned trade in all raw rhino horn from whatever source.My officials have contacted the CITES Secretariat who confirm that although there are reports of an increase in poaching in general in Zimbabwe, they do not have any detailed information to support this. While there may be an increased risk of poaching, there is as yet no evidence to indicate that this is leading to a decline in rhino populations. We will keep the situation under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the implementation of Local Agenda 21; what steps her Department is taking to promote its introduction by local authorities; and to what extent agreements on Local Agenda 21 signed at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 have been enacted. [46565]

In June 1997 the Prime Minister set a target for all local authorities in the UK to adopt Local Agenda 21 strategies by the year 2000. A Government Office survey showed that 93 per cent. of local authorities met this target.The Local Government Act 2000 placed a duty on local authorities to prepare a community strategy for promoting or improving the economic, social and environmental well-being of their area and contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom. The Government want to see sustainable development become a mainstream issue for local authorities, their partners, and local communities. It believes that the most effective way to achieve this is to subsume Local Agenda 21 strategies within community strategies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 3 April 2002, Official Report, column 1027W, on packaging waste, when the percentage levels of (a) business packaging waste recovery and (b) business packaging recycling in the United Kingdom in 2001 will be published. [49904]

We aim to publish the figures within the next week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the consultation on the recommendations of the Lead Shot Legislation (England) Review Group; and whether it is her policy that its proposals for changes to legislation should be implemented. [51939]

	2003–04	2004–05	2005–06
Modulation rate currently proposed (%)	3.5	3.5	4.5
Government match-funding1 (£ million)2	45	47	59
Modulation rate proposed by Policy Commission (%)	3.5	10	10
Government match-funding1 (£ million)2	45	124	133
Additional match-funding required if Policy Commission proposals adopted in full (£ million)	0	77	74
1 Assuming 100 per cent, match-funding.
2 Note that these estimates are based on forecasts of subsidy receipts and are therefore subject to some uncertainty—for example future euro-sterling exchange rates (the rate used here is Euro 1 = £0.62)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultation she undertook, and with whom, prior to determining the methodology for designating nitrate vulnerable zones. [48200]

[holding answer 10 April 2002]: Since adopting the Nitrates Directive in 1991, the Government have consulted extensively on all aspects of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone designation:

1992: First consultation on methodology for identifying NVZ areas in England and Wales;

1993: Second consultation on methodology for identifying NVZ areas in England and Wales;

1994: Consultation on proposed NVZ areas in England and Wales;

1995: Consultation on proposed Action Programme measures to apply in NVZ areas in England and Wales

1997: Consultation on draft regulations establishing Action Programme measures to apply in NVZ areas in England and Wales;

The Department has conducted a consultation exercise on the proposals put forward by the Lead Shot Legislation (England) Review Group. Over 1,800 consultation papers were issued. The response rate was low. The report contained proposals for some changes to the site list in Schedule 1 of the Lead Shot Legislation 1999, removing some sites not considered important for waterfowl and adding others which were considered important. It also contained proposals for the removal of Common Snipe and Golden Plover from Schedule 2. No respondents disagreed with the recommendations. The amendments recommended will therefore be implemented by Statutory Instrument under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the cost to public funds of implementing in full the proposals for moduletron contained in the report of the Policy Commission on Farming and Food. [48562]

[holding answer 10 April 2002]: In discussion with stakeholders, others in Government and the devolved administrations, DEFRA is considering the implications of the Policy Commission's proposals on modulation very carefully. The table below provides preliminary estimates, for the three years starting 2003–04, of the costs in England if the rate of modulation were increased as the Policy Commission propose. Any decision on whether to adjust the rate of modulation is subject to the Spending Review.

2002: Consultation on completing implementation of the Nitrates Directive in England.

All farmers potentially affected by each round of proposed designations have been invited to participate, as well as a broad range of stakeholder organisations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures the Government have put in place to reduce the levels of the air pollutants (a) sulpher dioxide, (b) NO, and (c) PM¹⁰. [48545]

Levels of all three pollutants have reduced significantly in recent years as emissions from industry and road transport have fallen. The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory shows that emissions of each pollutant fell by the following amounts between 1990 and 1999 (the latest year for which figures are available).

Kilotonnes
Pollutant	Emissions in 1990	Emissions in 1999	Percentage reduction
Sulphur dioxide	3,754	1,187	68
Oxides of Nitrogen	2,760	1,605	42
Particles (PM10)	305	186	39

In respect of sulphur dioxide, the most significant emissions reductions in recent years have come about as a result of changes in industrial practices as well as the regulatory controls we have imposed. We estimate, for example, that fuel switching from coal to gas in power stations (which began in 1992–93) has reduced sulphur dioxide emissions by one million tonnes from what it might otherwise have been. We also estimate that the fitting of flue gas desulphurisation to two large coal power stations in 1993–94 has reduced emissions by 0.2 million tonnes; and that the use of lower-sulphur coal has reduced emissions by about 0.15 million tonnes. In respect of particles and oxides of nitrogen, the most significant contribution has come from the reductions in road transport emissions which are largely the result of the progressively tighter European Union standards for new motor vehicles and fuels. The introduction of three way catalysts on petrol vehicles in the early 1990s, for example, is estimated to have reduced emissions of oxides of nitrogen in 1999 by about 30 per cent. compared to what emissions might otherwise have been. Improvements in diesel vehicle technology have also made a significant contribution to reducing emissions of oxides of nitrogen and particles. The UK Government have helped to incentivise the early uptake of clean fuels (such as ultra-low-sulphur diesel and petrol) by setting preferential duty rates for them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on progress with regard to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. [46559]

The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants was adopted on 22 May 2001 and has 124 signatories. To come into force 50 countries need to ratify, and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has set a target of 2004 at the latest. The Convention has been ratified by five countries, with work on ratification in progress in others including the UK. However, the use of all ten intentionally produced chemicals currently listed in the Convention has already been banned here.In June UNEP will convene a sixth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, which developed the Convention, to oversee implementation of international action during the interim period and to prepare for the first Conference of the Parties after entry into force.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will place in the Library copies of the (a) United Kingdom submissions and (b) submissions by other nations relevant to United Kingdom policies on sustainable development, made to the preparatory meeting in New York for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. [49269]

At the Third Preparatory Committee for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the UK Government worked with European Union partners in order to submit a joint EU position to the Chair. The submission addressed the Chair's document which was tabled at the end of the Second Preparatory Committee on 12 February. A copy of the document will he placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government plan to take (a) nationally, (b) Europe-wide and (c) internationally towards launching a mechanism to promote and develop international objectives for sustainable development in Johannesburg. [44414]

The Government are working with their partners nationally, in Europe and internationally towards the development of proposals for the Johannesburg Summit that focus on the practical implementation of international sustainable development objectives. In particular we want to see a specific action programme agreed on resource efficiency, freshwater and sanitation, oceans, energy supply, sustainable development in Africa and to improve international governance. The UK has five initiatives in hand on energy, freshwater, forestry, finance, and tourism. We are urgently discussing with partners, especially within the EU, whether any of these could form an input into large scale global projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department's press office have received (a) termination and (b) redundancy payments in each of the last four years. [41077]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has established a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment: and what progress has been achieved. [44390]

No policy appraisal baseline has yet been established, other than the existing personnel-related targets for diversity. The FCO diversity strategy agreed in January 2002, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, sets out the strategic requirement to consult widely on the UK domestic implications of foreign policy. Action plans are under development as a result, including the future development of an appropriate cross-cutting structure for mainstreaming equality in foreign policy development.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by his Department since June 1997, indicating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published. [44388]

No gender impact assessments have yet been drawn up by the FCO. The FCO diversity strategy agreed in January 2002, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, sets out the strategic requirement to consult widely on the UK domestic implications of foreign policy. Action plans are under development as a result, including developing wider ideas for extending the FCO's consultative network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new data series separated by gender, race, disability and age have been commissioned by his Department since August 1997. [44389]

The FCO routinely monitors data on gender, race, disability and age as part of its diversity monitoring process. No new data series have been commissioned since August 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many members of staff at his Department are justices of the peace; and if he has a strategy for his Department to encourage members of staff to become justices of the peace. [44551]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has no strategy to encourage members of its staff to become justices of the peace. However, in accordance with section 50 of the Employee Rights Act 1996 (ERA), Heads of Department may grant special paid leave to officers required to attend court as justices of the peace. No central records are kept of which staff have been appointed to such positions, nor of leave granted to enable them to fulfil their duties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration the United Kingdom has given, in consort with European Union partners, to establishing sanctions against Israel, until Israel implements United Nations resolutions in full. [49483]

We are not aware of any formal proposal for the EU to consider sanctions. The idea of sanctions has been discussed before but there has not been a consensus in favour. The Government's view is that we should at this stage focus on achieving a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Israel in respect of the use of British-supplied military vehicles by the Israeli army in its invasion of the Palestinian territories in March and April. [49482]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to the right hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Mr. Campbell) on 15 April 2002, Official Report, columns 722–23W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost in 2001–02 was of the pay increase to staff in his Department, agencies and the non-departmental public bodies for which he is responsible; and what the cost of the forthcoming increase will be in 2002–03. [50410]

In 2001–02 the figure for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office was £4.5 million. For the British Council the figure was £0.93 million. The increase for our agency, Wilton Park, was £153,000. Information on our four other, much smaller, NDPBs is currently not available. I will write to the hon. Member shortly about them.The pay increase for 2002–03 has not yet been agreed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to clear the backlog of cases being sent by entry clearance officers. [50697]

It is not clear from the question to which backlog, if any, that my hon. Friend refers. I should be grateful for clarification of this and will ensure that my hon. Friend receives an early response.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when the appeal proposed in the case of Baljides Singh (post ref 819403/0115-New Delhi) arrived in London; [50696](2) on what date the explanatory statement in the case of Mr. Fuzal-Ur-Rahman post ref: ISB-/E4525 arrived from Islamabad in London. [50701]

It is not our practice to disclose details of individual entry clearance cases in a public forum. I will write to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester East about this case in the next few days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many contracts his Department has with consultants; what level of professional indemnity insurance is standard in contracts with small consultants; whether he can make exceptions to the level of professional indemnity insurance; and what recent discussions he has had with other Government Departments about the level of professional indemnity insurance. [50833]

[holding answer 18 April 2002]: Information on the number of contracts with consultants could be provided only at disproportionate cost.Decisions regarding the appropriate level of professional indemnity insurance are taken on a case-by-case basis. A common indemnity insurance limit for small consultancy work is £500,000. As with previous Administrations under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of discussions which form part of the process of policy development and analysis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has obtained an undertaking from the Government of Spain to abide by the results of referendums held in Gibraltar on its future status. [51450]

The Government of Spain are fully aware of the public statements made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers that in the event of the people of Gibraltar rejecting any joint proposals put forward by Britain and Spain, Her Majesty's Government will continue to stand by the people of Gibraltar politically, legally and morally. This is not a matter for negotiation with Spain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals are being discussed with his Spanish counterpart in relation to the future status of Gibraltar. [51451]

I refer my hon. Friend to the Foreign Secretary's statement in answer to my right hon. Friend the Member for Manchester, Gorton (Mr. Kaufman) on 5 February 2002, Official Report, column 735.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what percentage of policy entrants were educated at (a) public school, (b) Oxford university and (c) Cambridge university in each year since 1997; [50566](2) what percentage of the diplomatic service both operational and policy were educated at

The information is as follows:

	1997	1998	1999	2000
Policy entrants
Percentage from Oxbridge	48	65	44	57
Percentage from independent schools	64	61	60	64
Operational entrants
Percentage from Oxbridge	6	7	4	4
Percentage from independent schools	24	37	33	37

The recruitment section records Oxford and Cambridge jointly and records school information as independent (which includes public schools) or comprehensive. These figures are published in the departmental report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason no devolved administration Minister attended the 4121 European Union Council of Ministers (General) meeting on 15 April; which suggestions and matters of concern from the Scottish Executive were raised in their absence by the UK Government delegation: and what information and evidence was provided by his Department to enable effective post-council scrutiny by the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament. [51729]

Decisions on Ministerial attendance at Council meetings are taken on a case-by-case basis by the lead UK Minister. The Foreign Secretary attended this meeting, representing all parts of the UK.It is the responsibility of the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament to scrutinise the Scottish Executive's involvement in preparations for and follow-up to EU Council meetings. These arrangements are a matter for the Committee and the Scottish Executive. This Department provides information to Scottish Executive officials as part of that process.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff left the service of his Department and its agencies in the year ended 31 March 2001; how many left before attaining the formal retirement age of 60 years; and in respect of how many his Department and its agencies assumed responsibilities for making payments until retirement age. [37551]

314 staff left the department between 1 April 2000 and 31 March 2001. 56 people left before their formal retirement age. This Department is still making annual compensation payments to 49 of those until they reach formal retirement age.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which Bills introduced by her Department in the last five years have contained sunset clauses; and what plans she has for the future use of such clauses. [49626]

In the last five years the Department for International Development has introduced the Commonwealth Development Corporation Bill (in 1998) and the International Development Bill (in 2001). Neither contained sunset clauses. The Department has no current plans for future legislation.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the Resource Centre for the Social Dimensions of Business Practice core contract. [49166]

Our contract with the International Business Leaders Forum to support the Resource Centre was awarded in 1999 following a competitive tendering process. The contract will end shortly. It has contributed to understanding of the role of business in poverty elimination and has also established a valuable business and poverty database.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the Mine Action Programme 2000 in the former Yugoslavia; [49188](2) what recent assessment she has made of the value for money achieved by the Mine Action Programme in Yugoslavia. [49196]

All DFID's programmes in the Former Republic of Yugoslavia are subject to regular in-country monitoring by DFID's humanitarian mines adviser. We are satisfied that these programmes represent good value for money.The Mine Action Programme for FRY Kosovo has been the subject of an independent evaluation for the UN by the PRAXIS Group Ltd., an international management consulting firm. The summary of the report concluded the mine action programme in Kosovo was a resounding success. The UK Government were also praised for responding quickly and effectively to the mines threat in Kosovo. The UK-funded part of the Kosovo programme was completed using a combination of NGO and commercial demining organisations which were selected on the basis of competency and value for money considerations. In the case of commercial organisations these were selected on a system of competitive tendering.In Bosnia the UK contribution to demining is made through an international trust fund. The UN oversees the fund and the UK's ambassador sits on the fund's advisory board. Contracts for demining are let on the basis of competitive bidding open to both commercial organisations and NGOs.In Croatia and Macedonia DFID made contributions to the UN system for mine clearance, awareness and support for capacity building. Contracts awarded by the UN are subject to their internal systems for competitive bidding and value for money considerations.

Programmes	Countries
Global
UNDP: Small Arms Project: Weapons Collection, Management and Destruction	Global
Small Arms Survey: Research and Analysis	Global
International Action Network on Small Arms Regional and Global Network Development programme	Global
Geneva Forum meeting in preparation for the UN Conference	Global
Funding the participation of experts from developing countries in the UN Conference on Small Arms	Global
Saferworld: Programme to Stem the Proliferation of Small Arms	Europe, east Africa, southern Africa, central, south and south-east Asia
International Alert: Monitoring and Implementing the Small Arms Light Weapons Controls	Europe, Latin America, west Africa
Regional
The African Conference on the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms: Needs and Partnerships	Africa wide
SaferAfrica: Arms Management and Disarmament	Africa wide
Latin America and Caribbean Initiatives on Illicit Trafficking in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects	Latin America
United Nations Regional Centre for Peace Disarmament and Development in Latin America and Caribbean: Implementing the OAS Convention	Latin America

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her answer of 6 March 2002, Official Report, column 341W, on catering services, for what reason there were increases from 1999 to 2000 of £44,767.18 and £6,935.57 in the costs of in-house canteen services and catering services, respectively. [50512]

The increase of £44,767.18 was largely due to the refurbishment and redecoration of the staff restaurant in our London offices at the start of 2000, involving the purchase of new catering equipment (freezers, cold counter and dishwasher), carpets and furniture. In addition, subsidies paid to catering contractors increased by £6,800 per annum in our East Kilbride office and by £7,300 per annum in London. The increase of £6,935.57 in catering services was a result of greater usage of hospitality services (i.e. teas, coffees, buffets etc.) on offer at both locations, principally as a result of the contractors advertising the facility more widely, coupled with a sharp increase in the number of meetings being held in both locations.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to her written answer of 26 March 2002, Official Report, column 885W, if she will list the projects which constitute her Department's programme that seeks to reduce the uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons; and in which countries each of these projects operates. [50595]

The United Kingdom is committed to combating small arms availability and misuse. In partnership with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, my Department has established a comprehensive UK Small Arms and Light Weapons Reduction Programme. Over the next three years we will allocate a minimum of £19.5 million to UN agencies, regional organisations, Governments and non-governmental organisations seeking to develop and implement local, national, regional and international measures to combat small arms problems. The table lists the programmes which the Small Arms and Light Weapons Reduction Programme has supported.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for South-West Bedfordshire (Mr. Selous) of 25 January 2002, Official Report, columns 1185–6W, on Government funding of the voluntary sector, if she will list the grant schemes and other mechanisms by which her Department distributes funding to voluntary sector organisations. [51411]

The principal funding mechanisms we use to support voluntary sector organisations and civil society more generally are as follows:

Partnership Programme Agreements (PPAs): strategic level agreements, which set an overall framework for DFID's work with the organisation linked to strategic funding.

Civil Society Challenge Fund: open to UK based organisations working in partnership with organisations in developing countries.

Development Awareness Fund: open to any UK based organisations for work to raise awareness and understanding of development issues.

In addition, DFID supports specific programmes or activities of voluntary organisations through its regional programmes, as well as, for example, our conflict and humanitarian aid budget. Voluntary organisations can also benefit from some of DFID's research funds, for example the Engineering Knowledge and Research programme. DFID funding for UK-based non-governmental organisations is typically close to £200 million per year.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many complaints were registered against her Department and its predecessor Departments in (a) 1990 to 1996 and (b) 1997 to 2002; how many are current; and what proportion were (i) taken up and (ii) upheld by the parliamentary ombudsman in those periods. [51585]

Detailed records of all complaints made against the Department are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.Details of cases taken up by the parliamentary ombudsman are contained in the ombudsman's annual reports, which are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on how the public spending plans of her Department have been affected by the Budget. [51734]

DFID's budget for 2002–03 remains as announced in the 2000 Spending Review. Allocations for 2003–04 to 2005–06 will be determined through the 2002 Spending Review over the next few months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle disorder and antisocial behaviour in the north-west. [47069]

The Government are taking urgent action to tackle antisocial behaviour and disorder across the country and in the north-west. This includes the new measures contained in the Police Reform Bill as well as action by Crime and Disorder Partnerships with young people to divert them away from crime and nuisance crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to tackle antisocial behaviour. [47094]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Angela Eagle), earlier to the similar question from my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been approved in Lancashire; and what recent representations he has received on their implementation. [47099]

From the introduction of antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) in April 1999 to the end of September 2001 (the last point to which data are available), 16 orders had been granted in Lancashire.A number of individuals and groups have made representations on the implementation of antisocial behaviour orders. They have been taken into account in formulating improved guidance for practitioners, which is being prepared, and the legislative changes proposed in the Police Reform Bill which include the introduction of interim ASBOs to stop antisocial behaviour more quickly; enabling county courts to make ASBOs in particular circumstances and empowering registered social landlords and the British Transport Police to apply directly for ASBOs to deal with the particular problems of antisocial behaviour they face.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he collates on the proportion of police officers involved in patrolling public places on (a) foot and (b) in vehicles. [47074]

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary collects data on the proportion of police officers who are predominately assigned to operational patrol in uniform, either on foot or in a vehicle (including bicycles and motor cycles). Traffic and motorway patrols and dog sections are excluded from these figures. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's data do not differentiate between time spent patrolling on foot or in vehicles.In 2000–01, 48.3 per cent. of police officers in England and Wales were assigned to operational patrol. For Hertfordshire, 54.3 per cent. of officers were assigned to this function.However, we know from the PA Consulting report, "Diary of a Police Officer", that too much time is spent in the police station on paperwork. We are determined to find a solution to this so that officers can spend more time out of the station.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the role of police stations in fighting crime. [47077]

It is important that the police service responds to the needs of the public by being accessible and visible. Strategic location of police stations as part of a whole range of methods of police presence, is key to this approach.This year we have allocated to police authorities £179 million grant and credit approval for capital expenditure with a further £20 million to be allocated specifically for premises renewal, compared with £157 million in total last year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy on the sale of dedicated police housing by police authorities. [47078]

The management of police property is entirely a matter for police authorities. Decisions relating to the sale of housing and other properties are not ones in which Ministers have any power to intervene. I would expect police authorities to take likely future needs into account when considering what approach offers best value.The Audit Commission in its report entitled "Action Stations Improving the Management of the Police Estate" recommended that police forces identify and dispose of buildings that were unsuitable or had maintenance liabilities which were beyond the forces' means and rationalise their remaining estate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to reduce delays in bringing criminal cases to trial. [47079]

The Government have introduced a number of procedural reforms to ensure that criminal cases are brought before the courts with the minimum of delay. These include bringing charged cases before magistrates courts at the first available hearing; sending indictable only cases straight to the Crown court following first appearance in the magistrates court; and reducing by more than half the time taken to deal with persistent young offenders from arrest to sentence (from 142 days to 67 by December 2001).Looking ahead, the Government are also formulating a set of exacting targets to further reduce delay; running pilot schemes involving extended court sitting hours and closer Crown Prosecution Service/police liaison prior to charge.Her Majesty's chief inspectors of the Court Service and the Crown Prosecution Service are also conducting a national inspection of listing, to seek to identify how courts can manage their case loads most efficiently, and we look forward to making use of their findings and recommendations in order to make continued progress in reducing delay.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the number of initiatives and targets in relation to the police since 1997. [47081]

Since 1997, the police in England and Wales have been involved in a number of initiatives. Some relate only to the police, while others, such as the introduction of Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, bring together a number of partners to concentrate on those issues of greatest concern to the communities they serve.Police authorities are required to set targets for reductions in domestic burglary, vehicle crime and, in five major cities, robbery. This month the Street Crime Action Team was set up to help deliver these robbery targets. The police service also has a key role to play in delivering Government targets relating to, for example. drug misuse and persistent young offenders.The House is also aware of the radical programme of work being taken forward following the White Paper "Policing a new Century", much of which is contained in the Police Reform Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the procedures for screening applications to enter the United Kingdom. [47082]

In 2001, 71,700 people applied for asylum on arrival in the United Kingdom. This represents an 11 per cent. fall in applications compared with a 2 per cent. fall for the European Union generally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on (a) Operating Safer Streets and (b) the Robbery Reduction Initiative as they affect London, with particular reference to the London borough of Wandsworth. [470831

The first phase of Operation Safer Streets, the Metropolitan police's anti-street crime initiative in London's nine worst affected boroughs, ran for eight weeks from 4 February until the end of March. The force statistics show that the operation has had a marked impact on street crime offences. In week eight of the operation, street crime allegations in the nine boroughs were 21 per cent. down on the corresponding week last year. The second phase began on 15 April and will run until March 2003. It will be extended to include a further six London boroughs, including Wandsworth.The Metropolitan police force area is one of the 10 areas included in the Government's wider street crime initiative, which involves a concerted response to street crime across all the criminal justice and social agencies.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on police morale. [47085]

There is no established direct method of measuring the level of morale in the police service.We are determined to tackle those elements of police officers' working lives that can create frustration and detract from their ability to do their jobs in the way that they would wish. We are committed to investment in scientific and technological support and to reducing the burden of unnecessary bureaucracy.We are seeking agreement on a package of reforms to police pay and conditions of service which would leave the vast majority of officers better off. The package is now subject to conciliation in the PNB.We have turned around the decline in police numbers that started under the last Government. By 31 January the police service was at record strength and we are on course for our target of 130,000 officers by spring 2003.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of changes in the levels of violent crime in the last 12 months. [47086]

The latest survey of violent crime is contained in the 2001 British Crime Survey, which indicated that violent crime fell by 19 per cent. between 1999 and 2000. Recent recorded crime statistics produced by the Metropolitan Police show a rise in recorded street robbery. That is why we have launched an initiative aimed at reducing the level of street crime in the 10 areas of England and Wales with the highest levels of street robbery. The programmes will focus on curbing the rise in street robberies and the number of illegally held weapons, as well as the adoption of fast track prosecutions to ensure that offenders are brought to justice speedily. The budget contained £180 million in new money and a further £100 million to be drawn from the Criminal Justice Reserve. These funds will be used for extra police, extra support staff, an increase in police operations and an additional 2,300 additional prison and remand places.