To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the properties acquired by the Angel Group and its subsidiaries from the Department and its agencies and the (a) dates and (b) costs of their acquisition. [118833]

No properties have been acquired by the Angel Group or any of its subsidiaries from my Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the actions his Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are taking to comply with the requirements of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002; whether he has made an estimate of the cost of compliance; and if he will make a statement. [117709]

My Department has recently commissioned independent specialist consultants to carry our asbestos surveys in all the buildings the Department occupies and manages. These surveys will provide us with up to date information on the location, type and, most importantly, the condition of asbestos. Appropriate risk assessments have also been carried out, asbestos control measures confirmed and a programme of regular reviews and updates has been scheduled.All these procedures are being incorporated into an updated Departmental Health and Safety Management Plan. This will incorporate specific job responsibilities for building safety managers to maintain asbestos registers, undertake appropriate reviews and risk assessments and address all other statutory requirements to effectively manage the risks from asbestos in departmental buildings. These measures are being progressed in cooperation with the Health and Safety Executive and will result in the Department complying fully with the new Regulations.Accurate costings for compliance with the new Regulations are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in which subjects (a) rural and (b) countryside issues feature in the National Curriculum at (i) primary and (ii) secondary level. [119150]

Rural and countryside issues are covered within the National Curriculum through citizenship and geography.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 10 June 2003, Official Report, column 785W, on synthetic appliances, if he will list the international research over the last 30 years on which the teaching of phonics in the National Literary Strategy is based; how many schools have adopted the Jolly Phonics programme; and when he will publish the report on the seminar of 17 March 2003. [119912]

The teaching of phonics in the National Literacy Strategy (NLS) is based on a wide range of research, and can be found in Roger Beard's "Review of Research and Other Related Evidence", which is available on the Department for Education and Skills Standards website at: www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/literacy/publicationsThe Department does not collect information on the number of schools who have adopted the Jolly Phonics or any other commercial programme. Schools are able to choose from a range of phonics programmes, including the NLS Progression in Phonics, as well as other commercial schemes. It is up to individual schools and teachers to decide which scheme is most effective in meeting the needs of their pupils.The report on the phonics seminar of 17 March 2003 will be published shortly.

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment has been made of the function of the two vehicles suspected of being biological weapons laboratories that were discovered in Iraq. [120497]

Investigations into their role are continuing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the people appointed to ad hoc posts within his Department bearing the titles of advocate, tsar, adviser, champion and comparable titles since May 1997; what their job title is or was; what their role is or was; whether they were or are being paid; what the total cost of each such person was in each financial year, including expenses and benefits; what the expected cost of each such person is in 2003–04; to whom they are accountable; and if he will make a statement. [112468]

The Special Advisers currently in post, appointed by the Secretary of State for the Department for Transport are Andrew Maugham and Tom Restrick.The above are paid appointments. Under exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, details of individual salaries are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individual concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 3 June 2003, Official Report, column 166W, on drink driving, what plans he has to amend police powers to allow evidential breath-testing at the roadside and to increase penalties; when he plans to introduce these changes; and if he will make a statement. [119993]

As stated in our Road Safety Strategy, the Government intend to create a power for police to carry out evidential breath-testing at the roadside. This measure requires primary legislation and will be introduced as soon as parliamentary time permits.With regard to penalty changes, the Criminal Justice Bill, currently before Parliament, provides for an increase in the maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs from 10 to 14 years' imprisonment. We are planning to implement further penalty changes referred to in the report on the Review of Road Traffic Penalties (July 2002), including those applying to repeat drink-drive offenders, when a suitable legislative opportunity arises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what body co-ordinates the national strategy for freight grants. [120074]

The Government support the movement of freight by rail and waterways as a key part of our sustainable distribution policy. The freight grants programme is a demand-led scheme, which encourages the movement of goods by these means.Following the Transport Act 2000, the programme is administered by the Strategic Rail Authority (for rail freight) and by the Department for Transport (for inland waterways and sea freight). There is regular consultation between the Department and the SRA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much track access grant aid was paid to freight operators in each year since 1992 (a) at current prices and (b) at outturn prices, broken down by location of company. [120075]

Track Access Grants became available in 1994, with the first payment being made in 1996. The table below excludes grants made by the Scottish Executive, which is a matter for the Scottish parliament. Track Access Grant is awarded only to freight train operators, who operate throughout the network.

£ million
	Value of TAGs	Value of TAGs at 2002–03 prices
1996–97	12.2	14.3
1997–98	21.3	24.3
1998–99	19.3	21.4
1999–2000	17.2	18.6
2000–01	13.9	14.7
2001–02	19.9	20.5
2002–03	20.7	20.7

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many meetings his Department has held in the last five years with the Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority and Executive to discuss the Mersey Tunnels Bill. [120136]

There have been five meetings between the Department and the Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority and Executive to discuss the current Mersey Tunnels Private Bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial contribution (a) Her Majesty the Queen and (b) His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is making to the redecoration and refurbishment of Clarence House. [115778]

The information requested is as follows:

(a) Her Majesty the Queen is not paying anything towards the redecoration of Clarence House; and

(b) His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is paying £78,000 including VAT towards the decoration costs. In addition, he is paying about £1.6 million for the soft furnishings, including carpets, light fittings and curtains.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department's vote in the Council of Ministers against a legislative proposal (a) was sufficient and (b) was not sufficient to achieve with other member states a blocking minority. [117214]

Cultural matters are not subject to Qualified Majority Voting: matters are voted unanimously. Audiovisual matters are subject to Qualified Majority Voting, but DCMS Ministers have not voted against proposals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department abstained in the Council of Ministers on a legislative proposal that was passed by Qualified Majority Voting. [117237]

Ministers in the DCMS have not abstained in voting on audiovisual matters that are subject to Qualified Majority Voting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department has been outvoted by Qualified Majority Voting in the Council of Ministers; and if she will list the legislation by year. [117241]

This Department has not been outvoted by Qualified Majority Voting in the Council of Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department indicated dissent from a proposal in the Council of Ministers but did not register a vote or abstention. [117256]

On no occasion has this Department registered dissent from a proposal that has been voted on in the Council of Ministers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from what budget the salary for the leader of the London Olympic Bid comes; and how many days a week the leader of the Bid will be contracted to work. [120171]

The salary for the leader of the London Olympic Bid will come from the joint provision set aside by the Government and the London Development Agency to cover the costs of the bid. It is envisaged that the leader of the Bid will be contracted to work a two to three-day week, although this is likely to be flexible to reflect changing pressures of work and to meet priorities and needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money has been allocated for redundancies and early retirement at (a) Sport England and (b) UK Sport for (i) 2002–03 and (ii) 2003–04. [119950]

The figures requested are shown in the following table:

£
	2002–03 (Actual)	2003–04 (Plans)
Sport England	—	7,236,000
UK Sport	767	25,000

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding programmes are operated by her Department to support voluntary organisations working with young people; and what the level of support has been in each of the last three years. [120531]

We will be paying £134,000 this year, as we have done for each of the previous two years, to Community Service Volunteers (CSV) for the Lending Time project—involving volunteers in public libraries. The Home Office will also be putting in £134,000 for each of these years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he offered on the designation of officials in his Department in (a) correspondence and (b) communications issued on Friday 13 June. [120676]

None.

To ask the Solicitor General what plans she has to change the way in which the criminal justice system deals with mothers accused of murdering their children; and if she will make a statement. [119933]

The Crown Prosecution Service will continue to apply the two-stage test set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors—namely, whether there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of a conviction and whether a prosecution is required in the public interest. In the light of the Sally Clark judgment the Crown Prosecution Service is issuing guidance to all Chief Crown Prosecutors instructing that the defence should be made aware of the criticisms of the Court of Appeal should any future case involving Dr. Williams or Professor Meadow arise. The CPS is also involved in a number of working groups that are considering the work of expert witnesses.

To ask the Solicitor General how many staff were employed by her Department in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [106971]

A holding reply was given on 7 April.I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley, South (Mr. Alexander) on 4 April 2003,

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to visit south Cumbria to discuss the operation of the fallen livestock disposal scheme. [119337]

[holding answer 17 June 2003]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans to visit south Cumbria for this purpose. However we have regular meetings with stakeholders to discuss this issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact on developing country producers of EU enlargement, with particular reference to the payment of production-related subsidies to accession country farmers under the Common Agricultural Policy. [119007]

[holding answer 16 June 2003]: Enlargement will bring important benefits for developing countries. The new member states will take on EU partnership and co-operation agreements, and will therefore provide expanded access for developing countries under preferential and free trade arrangements, the EU's Generalised System of Preferences and the "Everything But Arms" scheme. Overall, enlargement will give access to a larger single market of up to half a billion people, with one set of rules and regulations applying throughout.However, enlargement will not alter the conclusion that the CAP as it stands has a detrimental impact on developing countries. The government are committed to CAP reform as a key element towards their goal of a more sustainable agriculture. A fundamentally reformed and market-oriented CAP would benefit developing countries, as well as farmers, consumers, the environment, and taxpayers in both old and new EU member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) computers, (b) computer printers and (c) other computing equipment were (i) purchased, (ii) disposed of by (A) landfill, (B) incineration and (C) other means, (iii) recycled and (iv) reused, broken down by households and businesses in the last year for which figures are available. [119066]

These figures are not collected centrally. However, a report by the Industry Council for Electronic Equipment Recycling (ICER) suggests that in 1998, 225,000 tonnes of IT and LAN equipment were discarded. Of that, about 20 per cent. by weight was sent for reuse or recycling. This report is currently being updated and revised figures will be available shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what powers she has to accept or reject the advice of the Advisory Committee on Releases into the Environment with respect to proposed GM releases into the environment. [119076]

The Advisory Committee on Releases into the Environment is the statutory committee appointed under section 124(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 to advise my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on the exercise of her powers in granting consents for the release of genetically modified organisms and other relevant matters. The Secretary of State may accept or reject the advice of the committee, but decisions must be based on an assessment of risks to human health or the environment and other criteria set out in the legislation and are open to challenge through the courts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received regarding the licensing of GM crops for commercial use from (a) farming organisations, (b) supermarkets, (c) other Governments and (d) others. [119257]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, and Defra Ministers and officials regularly receive representations on GM crops from a wide range of stakeholders, including farming organisations, supermarkets, other Governments and others. No central record is kept of these communications.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what licence modification in respect of the landfill site operated by Harry Sanders Ltd. at Ingram Works in Leeds is now under consideration; and how many applications for licence modifications have been received from that applicant in the last month. [119583]

[holding answer 16 June 2003]: Harry Sanders Ltd. do not hold the licence for the landfill site at Ingram Works, Leeds. I understand the licence is held by Peter Saunders and the Environment Agency has not received any application to modify the licence over the last month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (a) GLS bulbs, (b) fluorescent tubes, (c) halogen bulbs, (d) low energy bulbs and (e) other lighting bulbs were (i) purchased, (ii) disposed of, by (A) landfill, (B) incineration and (C) other means, (iii) recycled and (iv) reused, broken down by households and businesses in the last year for which figures are available. [119067]

The Lighting Industry Federation, which accounts for the majority of lighting manufacturers in the UK, estimates the figures for its members are as follows.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy that all official (a) correspondence, (b) reports and (c) documentation from her office uses the English spelling of words where this differs from the US version. [118872]

I have asked officials to follow precisely this approach and I know they make considerable efforts to do so. It is a formal aim within Defra for all correspondence, reports and documentation to be written according to Plain English standards (allowing leeway in technical reports aimed at a specialist audience) and to avoid non-standard spelling. I have also asked officials to avoid use of initials except when they are in standard use, but this is even more difficult to achieve in practice. Publication of reports is carried out in line with Guidance on the Work of the Government Information Service.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations contained in the Performance and Innovation Unit's report "Resource Productivity: Making More with Less", published in November 2001. [119701]

The recommendations in this report were initially under consideration by an interdepartmental group of officials, formed in early 2002. However, this work has taken on a much broader context because of the agreement successfully reached last September at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) on the theme of sustainable consumption and production. The Government's intention now is to publish, later this summer, a strategic document on the broader WSSD theme. This will draw on the earlier work of the Performance and Innovation Unit on resource productivity, as well as on developments in the related areas of energy and waste, on which the PIU and then the Strategy Unit have also reported.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the quantified radioactive discharges, by terabecquerels, from Sellafield to (a) air and (b) water in each year from 1980 to date; and what the projected discharges are in each year to 2020. [117422]

[holding answer 9 June 2003]: Liquid and aerial discharge data for the years 1980 to 2002 inclusive, is provided in the following tables. For liquid discharges, the total alpha plus total beta (excluding tritium) measurements in table 1 provide a simple indication of past and future discharges that is representative of the overall discharge. Tritium in liquid discharges, which has very low radiological toxicity, despite being high in quantitive terms, is shown separately in table 2.For aerial discharges in table 3, the total alpha plus total beta measurements relate to particulate activity discharged to the atmosphere from the Sellafield site. In addition to the particulate activity there are low active radioactive gases and vapours discharged from the site which require specific sampling equipment dependent upon the gas to be measured. These measurements are separate from and in addition to the total alpha and total beta measurements and are provided in table 4 to give a more complete picture of past aerial discharges. Included in the gaseous measurements are the noble gases such as Krypton 85 and Argon 41 which are inert and consequently do not react with the environment through the normal pathways of rainwater or ground deposition. Their impact on man is through external exposure and as such their impact in terms of dose is relatively low, although in quantitive terms the discharges appear to be large.The projected results of liquid discharges in tables 5 and 6 are reproduced from the UK's Strategy for Radioactive Discharges, 2001–20, published in July 2002 and are shown as averaged 5-year predictions. Aerial projections are not currently available. These will be developed in the context of the first revision of the UK's Radioactive Discharges Strategy which is due to be published in 2005.

Table 1: Sellafield liquid alpha plus beta radioactive discharges, excluding Tritium 1980–2002 (TBq)
1980	4,345
1981	3,861
1982	3,556
1983	2,504
1984	1,204
1985	593
19861	123
1987	91
1988	83
1989	104
1990	73
1991	64
1992	59
1993	100
1994	127
1995	188
1996	143
1997	138
19982	86
1999	110
20002	77
2001	123
2002	113

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the locations broken down by (a) county and (b) region of (i) existing waste incinerators and (ii) pending planning applications for waste incinerators in England and Wales. [117482]

There are at present 16 Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) incinerators operating in the whole of the UK, two of which are in Scotland. Details of planning applications for proposed facilities that have yet to be

Location	MSW/year (kilotonnes)	Net capacity (MW) (megawatts)	Operator
Cleveland (Billingham)	245	20	SITA
SELCHP (Lewisham, London)	420	32	Onyx/SELCHP
Tyseley (Birmingham)	350	25	Onyx
Edmonton (north London)	600	32	SITA/London Waste
Coventry CHP	215	17.7	Coventry and Solihull
Dudley	90	7	Martin Engineering Systems
Wolverhampton	105	8	Martin Engineering Systems
Stoke	200	12.5	Martin Engineering Systems
Nottingham CHP	150	13	Waste Recycling Group Ltd.
Bolton (Manchester)	130	10	Greater Manchester Waste
Sheffield CHP	135	6.8	Onyx
Kirklees	135	12	SITA
Isle of Wight (RDF)	35	1.8	Biff a
Pebsham (RDF)	Z5	Z5	Slough Heat and Power

There are many hundreds of other incinerators for sewage sludge, hazardous waste, clinical waste, production waste from factories etc. In England and Wales, the larger plant generally is regulated by the Environment Agency and details of their locations are available on the Environment Agency's public register. Other plant, that is part of another process regulated by the Agency, may not be shown separately on the register. Smaller plant is regulated by local authorities. In Scotland all such plant are regulated by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.

Operator	Location	Size, t/yr	Planning status	Permit status
NEWLINCS Developments	Grimsby	56,000	Granted	IPC authorised. PPC application to be submitted
Onyx	Portsmouth	165,000	Granted after appeal	IPC authorised. PPC application expected this year
Onyx	Marchwood, Southampton	160,000	Granted	IPC authorised. PPC application being determined
Surrey Waste Management	Capel, Surrey	116,000	Granted, but there has been a successful legal challenge	PPC permit issued
Grundons	Slough	400,000	Granted	IPC authorised. PPC application expected
Onyx	Chineham, Surrey	110,000	Granted	PPC permit issued
HLC Waste Management Services	Neath, Port Talbot	85,000	Granted	PPC permit issued
Waste Recycling Group	Hull	150,000	Planning appeal turned down	PPC permit issued
Kent Enviropower	Maidstone, Kent	500,000	Granted	PPC permit being determined
Riverside Resource Recovery	Bexley, London	580,000 nominal capacity	Application submitted; public enquiry pending	IPC authorised; PPC application pending
Shanks	Milton Keynes	353,000	Application submitted	PPC application to be submitted if planning permission granted
Onyx	Sheffield	225,000	Application approved	PPC application determined
Sita	Ridham Dock, Kent	200,000	Subject to a planning appeal	No application
County Environment Services	Roche, Cornwall	64,000	Application submitted	No application

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress of Sir Michael Lyons' review into civil service relocation. [119986]

The Lyons Review was launched in the Budget 2003 statement on 9 April and Sir Michael intends to report his findings by the end of the year. The Review will identify the scope for relocating substantial determined by the respective local planning authorities, are not held centrally. The following table lists the 14 MSW incinerators in England and Wales.A new plant will need planning permission to start construction and a PPC permit to start operations. The table gives the number and status, as at 16 June 2003, of new Municipal Waste Incineration Plants in England and Wales. The table contains information shared with the Environment Agency by prospective applicants for pollution control permits. There may also be other planning applications or amendments which have been submitted to local authorities over which the Agency has not been consulted. The planning status may have been changed since the data were supplied.numbers of central Government and other public sector jobs from London and the South East to other parts of the United Kingdom Sir Michael has written to Permanent Secretaries and Heads of United Kingdom Government departments requesting asking them to submit proposals for relocating activity.Sir Michael will also consult a range of organisations at national, regional and local level. This consultation will begin before the end of June and will welcome responses until 12 September. It will also be accessible through the Treasury and ODPM websites.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to apply the same conditions to co-operative societies under industrial and provident society rules as to companies regarding (a) audit and accountants' reports and (b) publication of unaudited interim accounts. [119973]

The Government are keen to see, where appropriate, a level playing field between industrial and provident societies and companies. We are currently examining our options for taking forward this agenda. However, in order to provide for a strategic, consistent and up-to-date approach between companies and societies, the Government believe that the general modernisation of industrial and provident society legislation in this area should be considered in the light of the planned major reform of company law, announced in the "Modernising Company Law" White Paper, published in July 2002.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations were received from Ministers in Departments other than the Treasury on the document, "UK Membership of the Single Currency: An Assessment of the Five Economic Tests" (HM Treasury, Cm 5776), prior to its publication; and whether these were taken into account in the final draft of the document. [120329]

The assessment of the five economic tests was produced by the Treasury for the Government. The work on the assessment was undertaken by the Treasury, and it was then circulated to the Cabinet on 29 May 2003.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the length of time required, following structural reform in housing markets and other areas, before sustainable and durable convergence in relation to membership of the single currency can be judged to have occurred; [120330](2) what estimate has been made of the time required for the dynamic changes to come through before business cycles can be judged to have converged in relation to reforms to the housing market as set out in the Executive Summary of the document "UK Membership of the Single Currency: An Assessment of the Five Economic Tests" (HM Treasury, Cm 5776) [120343]

In his statement to Parliament on 9 June 2003, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced major reforms, right for the British economy, reforms which will be implemented over the next year and will greatly assist the process of achieving sustainable and durable convergence and the flexibility necessary for Britain to succeed sustainably within the euro zone and realise its potential for trade and investment.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will set out the analysis behind his conclusion in "UK Membership of the Single Currency: An Assessment of the Five Economic Tests" (HM Treasury, Cm 5776, paragraph 5.19), that over the long term, 2.5 per cent. for RPIX inflation corresponds to around 2 per cent. for HICP inflation; [120336](2) what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of including housing depreciation as a component of the inflation target; [120337](3) pursuant to his oral statement of 9 June 2003,

In his statement on 9 June 2003, the Chancellor said that the advantage of the internationally recognised index of consumer prices—HICP—is that it is a better measure, will improve the quality of our target, is in line with best international practice and is used by every other G7 nation but Japan, and by our neighbours in Europe. The Chancellor also said that, subject to confirmation at the time of the Pre-Budget Report, he intended to change the inflation target at that time.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when officials from his Department first had discussions regarding the planning of events to promote the UK's entry to a single currency after 9 June 2003. [120025]

Ministers will be holding a series of meetings around the country, campaigning for a pro-European consensus.The arrangements for any events taking place following the announcement on EMU will adhere strictly to the published Ministerial Code. The Code governs the boundary between the legitimate presentation of Government policy, for which Government resources can be used, and party political activities, for which they cannot.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if the expenditure on the promotion of UK entry to the European single currency will come from the budget of his Department; [120027](2) if he will list the projected costs of

The arrangements for any events taking place following the announcement on EMU will adhere strictly to the published Ministerial Code. The Code governs the boundary between the legitimate presentation of Government policy, for which Government resources can be used, and party political activities, for which they cannot.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions officials from his Department have had with representatives of Britain in Europe regarding a campaign to promote UK entry to the European single currency. [120028]

As the Chancellor said at the press conference on 10 June 2003,

"Tomorrow I'll be meeting Britain in Europe and discuss with them the changes we need in Britain and in Europe."

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the programme of events planned by his Department to promote UK entry to the European single currency. [120030]

Ministers will be holding a series of meetings around the country, campaigning for a pro-European consensus.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further work is being undertaken on the role of discretionary fiscal policy inside EMU, further to paragraph 2.215 of "UK Membership of the Single Currency: An Assessment of the Five Economic Tests" (HM Treasury, Cm 5776); and when this work will be completed. [120334]

The Treasury will conduct further analysis into these issues to ensure that the policy proposals deliver effective counter-cyclical stabilisation of the economy if the UK were to join EMU.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further work is being undertaken on the role of automatic fiscal stabilisers inside EMU, further to paragraph 2.196 of UK Membership of the Single Currency: An Assessment of the Five Economic Tests (HM Treasury, Cm 5776); and when this work will be completed. [120335]

Paragraph 5.32 of the Treasury discussion paper "Fiscal stabilisation and EMU" describes what further work will be required over time to assess the case for strengthening the automatic stabilisers if the UK were to join EMU.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on his proposal to change the inflation target. [120338]

The Chancellor has received a number of representations from Members of Parliament on behalf of their constituents seeking confirmation that pensions will continue to be increased in line with the RPI. In his statement on 9 June the Chancellor confirmed that pensions and benefits and index-linked gilts would be calculated on exactly the same basis as now.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what analysis he has made of the performance of the existing inflation target and its effect on the conduct and performance of UK monetary policy since 1997. [120339]

The Treasury published a paper in October 1999, "The New Monetary Policy Framework", which assessed the performance of the new framework in its first two years. This analysis was updated in the book "Reforming Britain's Economic and Financial Policy—Towards Greater Economic Stability", HM Treasury, published in 2002. In addition, the Government publishes regular commentary on, and analysis of, the performance of inflation and inflation expectations under the new monetary policy framework in Budget and Pre-Budget Reports. The analysis demonstrates that the new monetary policy framework has made a difference, in particular in closing the credibility gap between inflation expectations and the inflation target.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his oral statement of 9 June 2003, Official Report, column 412W, if he will make a statement on the consultation process on the new fiscal rule. [120333]

The Treasury discussion paper "Fiscal stabilisation and EMU" discusses how the new fiscal rule could be set up if the UK were to join EMU. In his statement to Parliament on 9 June 2003, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said, "to ensure stability inside the euro area we will consult on the case for an open letter system on fiscal policy and a new and additional fiscal rule." We intend to discuss the new fiscal rule with external experts. Given that decisions on how such consultation will be carried out have not yet been made, the draft answer quotes from the statement that "we will report on progress in the Budget next year"

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what conclusions he draws from the UK's correlation of business cycle to the euro area compared to Germany's as shown in Table 1.1 of "UK Membership of the Single Currency: An Assessment of the Five Economic Tests" (HM Treasury, Cm 5776). [120341]

I refer the hon. Member to paragraph 1.166 of "UK Membership of the Single Currency: An Assessment of the Five Economic Tests" which states:"On past performance, UK business cycles have been much less compatible with the euro area average than has been the case in other countries such as Germany and France. There is some evidence that compatibility may have increased in recent years, reflecting greater macroeconomic stability in the UK and increased convergence between the business cycles of all the advanced economies. Over the last five years, the UK output gap cycle has been more correlated with the German cycle than that in the US…"

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to "UK Membership of the Single Currency: An Assessment of the Five Economic Tests" HM Treasury, Cm 5776, paragraph 1.121, what conclusions he has drawn from his finding that the United Kingdom left the ERM at least in part because of a lack of convergence. [120342]

As the Chancellor said in his statement to the House on 9 June 2003,

"The discipline of the five tests is to ensure there will be no repeat of the experience of the ERM when Britain joined at the wrong rate and at the wrong time without either convergence or flexibility and the potential benefits could not be realised."

The Government believe there is a realistic prospect of making significant progress on this reform agenda over the next year. We will report on progress in the Budget next year.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement on his assessment of the effect of EMU membership on pensioners, and in particular his conclusion in "UK Membership of the Single Currency: An Assessment of the Five Economic Tests", HM Treasury, Cm 5776, paragraph 5.139 that overall the environment would be one of greater uncertainty. [120344]

As the Chancellor said in his statement,"we will do nothing to put stability and the national economic interest at risk."

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether officials from Departments other than the Treasury contributed to the final contents of the document "UK Membership of the Single Currency: An Assessment of the Five Economic Tests" (HM Treasury, Cm 5776). [120346]

This is a Treasury assessment produced for the Government. The work was undertaken by the Treasury.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the final changes were made to the document "UK Membership of the Single Currency: An Assessment of the Five Economic Tests" (HM Treasury, Cm 5776). [120347]

The assessment of the five economic tests was produced by the Treasury for the Government. The work on the assessment was undertaken by the Treasury, and it was then circulated to the Cabinet on 29 May 2003.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether officials from departments other than the Treasury contributed to the final contents of the 18 EMU studies accompanying the Treasury's assessment of the five economic tests, published on 9 June. [120349]

As stated in the EMU study "EMU and business sectors""This study has benefited from comments and analytical inputs from Department of Trade and Industry officials.… All content, conclusions, errors and omissions in this study are, however, the responsibility of HM Treasury alone."

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether ministers in (a) the Treasury and (b) other Departments made a contribution to the final contents of the 18 EMU studies which accompanied the Treasury's assessment of the five economic tests, published on 9 June. [120350]

The EMU studies are Treasury studies, and the work was completed by Treasury officials and, in some cases by external authors with specialist expertise.One EMU study, "EMU and business sectors""… benefited from comments and analytical inputs from Department of Trade and Industry officials.…. All content, conclusions, errors and omissions in this study are, however, the responsibility of HM Treasury alone".The EMU studies were then circulated to Cabinet on 17 May 2003.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what analysis he has conducted of the amount of unclaimed orphan funds in (a) banks, (b) building societies and (c) elsewhere; [120684](2) how much unclaimed money lay in orphan funds on 1 January in each year since 1973; and what records his Department has of unclaimed funds in years before 1973. [120685]

The Treasury does not hold this information.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the 2003–04 pay negotiations for the Probation Service in England and Wales will commence. [120597]

Under pay delegation, it is for the individual organisation, in this case the National Probation Service, to determine when negotiations with their unions will commence.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost of travel and subsistence allowances paid to Customs and Excise officers in the Law Enforcement South Region was in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002; and what estimate he has made of the total cost of travel and subsistence allowances payable to Customs and Excise officers in the Law Enforcement South Region in (i) 2003 and (ii) 2004. [120041]

Customs and Excise Law Enforcement South Region was created in April 2001, as an entity did not exist prior to April 2001. Law Enforcement changes its structure from time to time in order to meet new business challenges. Over the period in question there have been some changes to regional management structures in the South, which together with accounting constraints, mean that no exact correlation of data is possible.For the fiscal year 2001–02 the total spend on travel and subsistence for the Law Enforcement South Region was £2.32 million, and covers the operations of all detection, intelligence and investigation officers.For the fiscal year 2002–03 the total spend was £2.42 million. The initial allocation of funds to cover travel and subsistence costs for this region for 2003–04 is £2.55 million.For 2004–05 we would expect similar expenditure to 2003–04 but would adjust accordingly at the time of allocation in the light of any new business developments or changes.The figure for 2003–04 does not yet take account of new activities related to anti-terrorism and Products of Animal Origin (POAO), which may result in higher spending on travel and subsistence allowances in the South Region.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what searches were carried out for surveillance devices during the refurbishment of the Treasury buildings in Whitehall; and if he will make a statement on the results of searches. [120139]

The Treasury does not comment on security matters of this nature. Exemption 7 of the Open Government Code applies.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what funds were made available through the Department and its predecessors for aid, expressed as a percentage of GDP, in each of the last 30 years. [120635]

Details of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) as a percentage of Gross National Income (GNI) from 1977 are available in "Statistics on International Development 1997/98–2001/02", Table 16.1 page 153; the document is available in the House of Commons Library. The table sets out the figures from 1973. The provisional figure for 2002 is 0.30 per cent.

	ODA as percentage of GNI
1973	0.34
1974	0.40
1975	0.39
1976	0.39
1977	0.44
1978	0.46
1979	0.51
1980	0.35
1981	0.43
1982	0.37
1983	0.35
1984	0.33
1985	0.33
1986	0.31
1987	0.28
1988	0.32
1989	0.31
1990	0.27
1991	0.32
1992	0.30
1993	0.31
1994	0.31
1995	0.29
1996	0.27
1997	0.26
1998	0.27
1999	0.24
2000	0.32
2001	0.32

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if she will make a statement on treatment of child labour on banana plantations in Ecuador. [119987]

There are some 6,000 children working on plantations in Ecuador and thousands more working on small farms. They do so because of the lack of earning opportunities available to their parents. There is no concrete evidence to suggest that children are being forced against their will to work in plantations. The only sustainable solution is to improve earning opportunities for poor people. We continue to encourage multilateral donors to focus their support on the needs of the poorest to help achieve this.DFID's Civil Society Challenge Fund is supporting a cross regional programme of assistance for banana workers in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras. This project is managed by the UK based NGO 'Banana Link' and aims to secure and maintain the freedom of plantation workers to organise themselves into independent trade unions and to participate in free collective bargaining.The British embassy monitors the compliance of Ecuador to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other human rights legislation to which Ecuador is a signatory. The UK Government are committed to helping eliminate child labour globally, particularly the worst forms such as child slavery, and all forms of abusive or exploitative child labour. The Government strongly supports the International Labour Organisation's work to fight child labour and the UK has ratified both of the ILO Child Labour Conventions.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what discussions he has had with the Coalition Authority regarding the role of women in the Interim Iraqi Administration; and when these discussions took place. [118477]

I have been asked to reply.Through the UK's Special Representative for Iraq, we are working closely with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and Iraqis to ensure that women play a full and equal role in the Iraqi Interim Administration.The UK's Special Representative, John Sawers, has consistently emphasised the importance of women being an integral part of Iraq's political process.A gender expert from the Women and Equality Unit has been seconded to the CPA and she is working with other secondees and Iraqi women to help facilitate women's involvement in the political process in Baghdad.John Sawers and Ambassador Bremer, the US civilian administrator of Iraq, met women on 25 May in Baghdad to listen to their views and concerns, as well as to discuss ways to ensure their full involvement in the reconstruction process.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what guidelines have been issued to the Coalition Authority concerning the appointment of women to the Interim Iraqi Administration; and what role the Department will have in the appointment of delegates to the Interim Iraqi Administration. [118478]

I have been asked to reply.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what measures the Department takes to ensure that advice given by departmentally funded Marie Stopes websites is legal. [119496]

DFID supports a number of Marie Stopes International (MSI) projects in developing countries, but this has not included specific funding for MSI's website. The Charity Commissioners are responsible for ensuring that charities operate within the relevant rules and laws that govern their activities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's total budget for Afghanistan has been in each of the last three financial years; what the projected budget is for the year ahead; and how funds have been allocated. [118589]

[holding answer 10 June 2003]: Separately identifiable costs apportioned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office budget for Afghanistan over the last three years are: 2000–01: £0.67 million, 2001–02: £1.77 million, 2002–03: £9.5 million. The forecast cost for 2003–04 is £22 million.These costs include:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the objectives of Government policy are towards Afghanistan. [120502]

The objective of British Government policy in Afghanistan is a stable and secure Afghanistan restored to its rightful place in the community of nations and enjoying mature relations with its neighbours. It should have a self-sustaining economy; strong institutions; and a broad-based, multiethnic regime committed to:

• eradicating terrorism
• eliminating opium production;
• reducing poverty;
• respecting human rights, especially those of women and minority groups; and
• honouring Afghanistan's other international obligations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the EU plans to take regarding the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma; and if the matter will be referred to the UN Security Council. [119476]

We are in regular contact with EU partners and are in discussion about what further steps we will take if the regime does not provide immediate satisfactory responses.The EU has already decided that the strengthened measures of the Common Position will now be implemented. The Common Position contains: an arms embargo; a ban on defence links; a ban on high-level bilateral government visits; a ban on non-humanitarian aid; a ban on the supply of equipment that might be used for internal repression or terrorism; an asset freeze and visa ban on regime members, the military and security forces and others who actively frustrate the process of national reconciliation.Whether the matter is to be referred to the UNSC is currently under discussion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations with China. [120504]

We currently enjoy very good relations with China. These have been built on regular high level visits in both directions, as well as lower level exchanges on many different issues. We look forward to building relations with the new leadership.As part of our efforts to step up our dialogue with China on major international issues the Chinese Foreign Minister, Li Zhaoxing, will visit the UK next week for talks with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and other Government Ministers.We have welcomed China's support in the fight against terrorism. The strength of our relationship allows us to raise directly with the Chinese Government our concerns about human rights in China which we do on a regular basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of the stability and security situation in the Presevo Valley in the former Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement; [120117](2) what

[holding answer 19 June 2003]: In recent years, the Presevo Valley in the south of Serbia and Montenegro (formerly Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) has experienced clashes between the Serbian security forces and armed extremist elements from the local ethnic Albanian community. The security situation has now improved following a peace settlement in May 2001, and a political process which has incorporated the Albanian minority more fully into local government.Tensions re-emerged in February this year when there were renewed attacks on Serbian security forces from ethnic Albanian extremists, largely based in eastern Kosovo. With the support of the international community, the Serbian authorities brought the situation under control. There remains an increased security forces presence in the region but the situation is currently calm and stable, with only occasional isolated incidents.Progress on refugee returns to southern Serbia has been good. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) estimates that 90 per cent. of ethnic Albanian internally displaced persons (IDPs) or refugees from Presevo have returned, 66 per cent. from Bujanovic district, and 70 per cent. from Medvedja district. The principal obstacle to further returns is the poor economic situation in the region. We have received no reports of destruction or illegal occupation of properties in any area of the PresevoValley.The Serb authorities, through the Serbian Government's Co-ordinating Body for Southern Serbia (SGCB), and the International Community continue in their efforts to consolidate the rule of law and multiethnic democracy in the region. There are no international peacekeeping forces in southern Serbia itself. KFOR maintains a presence in Kosovo and in Macedonia, which borders with the Presevo Valley.United Nations agencies, the OSCE and the European Union Monitoring Mission operate in southern Serbia, as well as a large number of NGOs. These include:American Refugee Committee (ARC); Development Alternatives Inc (DAI); International Rescue Committee (IRC); Medecins du Monde (MDM); Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF); Belgian Red Cross; International Organisation for Migration (IOM); United Methodist Committee of Relief (UMCOR); OXFAM; Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI); CARE; CHF International; Action contre le Faim (ACF).The UK continues to take a close interest in the democratic development and the security situation in southern Serbia. We have contributed financial assistance to projects aimed at stabilising the region, including the OSCE's Multi-Ethnic Policing programme. The last visit by officials from the British Embassy in Belgrade took place on 19–20 March 2003. We look forward to seeing progress in tackling the economic problems of the region, and in integrating ethnic Albanians more closely into the local state structures, both of which will help to stabilise the region further.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received from British officials who have visited Guantanamo Bay about the health and welfare of the UK citizens detained there by the US. [119904]

British officials visited the British detainees in Guantanamo Bay for a fifth time in April. As part of their visit they checked on the welfare of the detainees, who appeared generally to be in sound physical health. The physical conditions of their detention appear to be broadly satisfactory. However, we have raised any welfare concerns we may have with the US authorities.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make representations to the Indonesian Government about the (a) destruction of churches and (b) killing of civilians in the West Papua regency of Wamena; and if he will make a statement; [119475](2) what reports he has received of the activities of the Laskar Jihad in West Papua; and if he will make a statement on the safety of Christians in that region. [119478]

The British Embassy in Jakarta is monitoring the situation in Wamena closely and has met NGOs and community leaders from the area. We are aware of reports of civilians being abused and buildings being burned, which the Embassy will raise with the Indonesian Government.Laskar Jihad announced that they were disbanding in October 2002. There is conflicting information about whether the group is now present in Papua, and if so in what numbers. The local authorities in Papua are investigating these reports. At the moment we are not aware of any particular threat to Christians in Papua.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights in the Indonesian province of Aceh. [119991]

We are concerned about recent reports of human rights abuses in Aceh. During my visit to Indonesia on 3–4 June I stressed to the Indonesian Government the importance of their Armed Forces using proportionate force, respecting human rights and acting in accordance with international law. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary issued a joint press statement with the Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, on 20 May calling on the Indonesian Armed Forces to ensure full respect for human rights and to show maximum restraint while they carry out operations in Aceh. We regularly raise with the Indonesian authorities the importance of upholding and promoting human rights and religious freedom throughout thecountry.The Indonesian Government have agreed to allow members of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas-HAM) to visit Aceh to investigate any alleged human rights abuses. There have also been two military tribunals at which military personnel have been sentenced to imprisonment for abusing civilians. We will continue to monitor the situation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Indonesian Government's special autonomy law for West Papua of January 2002, with special reference to President Megawati's decree of March 2003 splitting the province. [120129]

The UK, together with EU partners, supports Special Autonomy for Papua. We have encouraged the Indonesian Government fully to implement Special Autonomy as soon as possible.Following a successful visit.to Papua by a Scottish Devolution team in October 2001, HMG provided funding for a devolution expert to go to Jayapura and advise the Papuan authorities, academics and civil society on drafting the legislation required for Special Autonomy. He has been in Papua since September 2002 and will leave in September 2003.President Megawati issued Presidential Instruction 01/2003 in January 2003, which says that Papua should be split into three provinces. It is not clear how this Instruction relates to the Special Autonomy package of 1 January 2002, but the Indonesian Government said in February 2003 that the Instruction and Special Autonomy do not contradict each other and that both can be implemented. We are seeking further clarification on this from the Indonesian Government.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what his policy is on application of Article 16 of the Rome Statute; and if he will make a statement; [116910](2) what action the Security Council took, in passing Resolution 1422, to determine whether there was a threat to international peace and security that justified taking powers under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter;[116913]

Article 16 of the Rome Statute provides for the deferral of investigations or prosecutions by the International Criminal Court when the UN Security Council determines that such action would not be in the interests of international peace and security. On such occasions Security Council members, including the United Kingdom, would consult and act collectively.Security Council Resolution 1422 was adopted by unanimity under Chapter VII after intensive consultations within the Security Council. As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said in his press release of 13 July 2002, the Security Council acted to ensure that the International Criminal Court was not undermined; to ensure that UN operations, in Bosnia and elsewhere, were able to continue and to ensure that the US would remain engaged in providing personnel and support to peacekeeping operations around the world. In short, to protect the Court and preserve peacekeeping.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken in Iraq to ensure that (a) individuals are subject to justice before the law and (b) a programme for justice has been implemented that incorporates a method of partnership, such as mixed tribunals. [118972]

The Coalition Forces continue to maintain basic law and order and, accordingly, continue to arrest and detain individuals suspected of criminal activity.Judges, police and prosecutors are being called back to work and it is expected that local courts will take on increasing numbers of cases in the coming weeks.The Coalition Provisional Authority is undertaking an assessment of the capacity and needs of the Iraqi justice sector, through analysis of the situation on the ground and listening to the wishes of the Iraqi people. The results and recommendations of this exercise will result in key capacity building measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken to ensure that (a) no Iraqi civilians are expelled from Iraq without tribunal and (b) no Iraqi citizen in exile is forcibly returned to Iraq from the UK. [118974]

International law prohibits the expulsion of Iraqi nationals from Iraq except in limited circumstances for security or imperative military reasons. There are no plans to expel Iraqi nationals from Iraq and, in any event, the UK will continue to act in accordance with its international legal obligations.The UK and other EU member states are working with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to establish an international framework for safe and managed returns to Iraq. We support the UNHCR's aim to put in place a voluntary repatriation programme for Iraqis as soon as possible. We are not currently enforcing the return of failed Iraqi asylum seekers, although we will review this when we consider it appropriate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken to ensure that Iraqis charged with human rights violations under the Geneva Convention are (a) given legal representation, (b) protected from coercion, torture and ill treatment and (c) have the legal right to appeal against their detention. [118980]

Individuals who are detained by Coalition Forces will be treated in accordance with our international legal obligations.The Coalition Provisional Authority is currently undertaking an assessment of the capacity and needs of the Iraqi justice sector. The recommendations of this exercise will result in key capacity building measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to ensure the implementation of UN Resolution 57/232 to deploy human rights monitors in Iraq. [118981]

The fall of Saddam Hussein's regime brought to an end a long period of violations of the Iraqi people's human rights. As requested in UN Security Council Resolution 1483, the UN Secretary-General has appointed a Special Representative whose responsibilities include promoting the protection of human rights.The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) is taking this forward and has requested an initial US$1.5 million for the provision of Human Rights Officers. The UK has agreed to allocate £400,000 (US$650,000) towards the UNHCR's request. Our allocation will fund sixty percent of the immediate start-up costs of deploying Human Rights Officers and supporting their work.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the objectives are of Government policy towards North Korea. [120500]

The UK maintains a policy of engagement with North Korea in order to encourage it to become a responsible member of the international community. We use our regular opportunities for direct dialogue with the North Korean Government to urge it to end missile exports, respect the integrity of the international non-proliferation regime, address the serious concerns about its human rights record, and commit to a multilateral dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to the nuclear issue.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department's strategy for sustainable development will be published; and how he will take forward the actions outlined in it. [120050]

The FCO has incorporated its work on sustainable development into its overall strategy. This is reflected in the FCO Business Plan 2003–6, which has been recently published. This sets out the Public Service Agreements and the plans to deliver them. Our policy work on sustainable development is spearheaded by PSA 7 to "make globalisation work for sustainable development in the UK and internationally, particularly Africa". The FCO also has a programme to improve the sustainable development of its estate, which is available on the FCO website (www.fco.gov.uk).The FCO is currently reviewing its overall strategy. In this process it is examining the development of a related sustainable development strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department's procurement policy includes measures relating to timber used on and in the construction of Foreign and Commonwealth building projects; and if he will make a statement. [120053]

Our procurement policy is that timber must be obtained from legal and sustainable sources. Detailed guidance has been issued to departments responsible for major construction projects. We are considering the practicalities of extending this guidance to cover minor building works which our Posts overseas fund from their devolved budgets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the difference was between the amount the Estates Department in Croydon gave on the value of the Consul General's apartment in New York and the amount it was sold for. [120282]

[holding answer 19 June 2003]: The decision in principle to replace the Consul General's previous residence with a more modern apartment was taken in July 2001. At that time the valuation of the property was US$15 million, although brokers advised that a price of US$17 million was a possibility.We concluded negotiations for the new residence in November 2001. Advice from brokers before the former residence went on the market in January 2002 provided sale price estimates ranging between US$15.5 and US$20 million.I am withholding details of the provisionally agreed sale price for the former residence, under exemption 7

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department received for the sale of the Consul General's apartment in New York. [120283]

[holding answer 19 June 2003]: A sale has been agreed subject to contract and subject also to the approval of the purchaser by the managing board of the cooperative of apartment owners in the block. I am withholding details of the provisionally agreed price under exemption 7 (a) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, as the matter is commercially sensitive. Once the sale is completed, I will be in a position to answer as to the sale price.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights in Uzbekistan. [119989]