I have today published for consultation draft orders and papers on the arrangements for the forthcoming regional and local referendums:The consultation on registration and spending limits discusses how those wishing to campaign in the referendums (permitted participants) should register and how much money they should be able to spend. This paper will be accompanied by the draft Regional Assembly Referendums and Local Government Referendums (Referendum Expenses Limits for Permitted Participants) Order 2004.The consultation on combining regional and local referendums and on local referendum rules discusses the provisions being made for the combination of polls, the all-postal vote and other electoral issues. It is accompanied by the draft Local Government Referendums (England) Order 2004.Copies of the documents are available in the Libraries of both Houses. They will also be available on the website of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.The public consultation will run until 16 February and we would be very grateful for comments on these proposals.

I am today placing the report of the review of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 in the Library of the House.The Act came into force two years ago on 14 December 2001. The outrages committed on 11 th September meant that we faced a new and unprecedented threat. The nature of this threat has been further underlined by the terrorist outrages since then notably in Bali, Singapore, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and most recently Istanbul.The legislation introduced unique—though not unprecedented—powers. It was therefore right that a number of safeguards were put in place including an independent review committee made up of Privy Counsellors. This was established under the Chairmanship of Lord Newton of Braintree. I gave an undertaking that the Committee's report would be laid before Parliament and that both Houses would be able to debate the contents of their report. I am fulfilling the first part of that commitment today by presenting the report to the House at the earliest opportunity and look forward to debating the matters raised in the New Year.

I am pleased to announce the publication of the Government response to the Joint Committee on the Draft Corruption Bill.The Draft Corruption Bill, which was published for pre-legislative scrutiny on 24 March 2003, was based on proposals from the Law Commission, which were widely welcomed in consultations carried out both by the Law Commission and by the Government. It aims to consolidate and clarify the criminal law on corruption which currently consists of a patchwork of common and statute law, with the latter dating back to 1889.The Government are grateful for the attention given to this draft Bill by the Joint Committee within demanding deadlines. The response, which we are publishing today sets out our reactions to their comments. A revised Bill will be introduced when Parliamentary time permits.

On 8 December, the Daily Mirror published allegations about the management of Yarl's Wood removal centre including allegations that staff employed by Global Solutions Limited (GSL) at the centre had made racially derogatory remarks about detainees.I take these allegations very seriously. It is of the utmost importance that all staff at immigration removal centres should carry out their duties professionally and sensitively.GSL have mounted an internal investigation of the allegations by a senior manager, and I have asked for a report of the outcome of that investigation. In addition, the issues raised are such that I have concluded that it would be right to have a separate independent investigation, to establish whether there is any truth in the allegations and to assess the implications for the management of Yarl's Wood. Stephen Shaw, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, who is already inquiring into the events at Yarl's Wood on 14/15 February 2002, has agreed to undertake such an investigation, to report to me through the Director General of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. I have asked Mr Shaw to complete this investigation as early as possible in the New Year.

Ian Huntley has been found guilty of the horrific murders of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells. Maxine Carr has been found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.No one can imagine the pain which the children's families must have endured. I hope they will find some comfort in the murderer's conviction.I have concerns, however, about the way in which the police handled intelligence about Huntley's past and about the vetting process when he took employment in a local school. I am determined, speedily, to get to the bottom of this.I have asked Sir Michael Bichard, Rector of The London Institute and a former Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education and Employment, to lead an independent inquiry with the following terms of reference:

The fifth annual Overseas Territories Consultative Council, held in London on 8–10 December, provided an opportunity to review, with representatives of the UK overseas territories, progress in implementing the commitments made in the 1999 White Paper, "Partnership for Progress and Prosperity: Britain and the overseas territories" (Cm 4264).Several overseas territory representatives argued, in the context of constitutional reviews currently under way, for a greater devolution of responsibility and reduction in the powers of governors, in some cases amounting to full internal self-government and total abolition of the UK Government's reserved powers. Territory representatives also sought clarification of their rights of self-determination and free association under the terms of the United Nations General Assembly resolution 1541 of 1960.

At the Fifth World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Cancun (10-14 September 2003), WTO Members agreed to discuss issues further on the 15 December in Geneva.Since Cancun, all WTO members have reiterated their commitment to a successful conclusion to the Doha Development Agenda but it has not been possible for WTO members to bridge their differences. At the meeting in Geneva on 15 December officials from WTO Members agreed to further negotiations in the new year to discuss how to proceed with the Doha Development Agenda.This Government remain fully committed to securing a successful conclusion to the Doha Development Agenda. We will continue to work with our EU partners, the European Commission, and others, taking particular account of the views of developing countries. We are committed to ensuring free and fair trade rules which provide developing countries with the opportunity to trade themselves out of poverty and deliver on our commitments to reduce global poverty and remove trade distortions.

I am pleased to confirm that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and the Competition Commission on the one hand and Milk Marque and the National Farmers Union on the other, have resolved the litigation between them concerning the recommendations of the Competition Commission and the decisions of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry relating to the supply of milk in the United Kingdom, which preceded the break up of Milk Marque in 1999.The recent ruling by the European Court of Justice in this litigation (Case C 137/00) has clarified the law as regards the relationship between the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the application of English law, in particular the Fair Trading Act 1973 and competition law more generally, in the agricultural sector.The European Court of Justice judgment makes clear the freedom of Member States to apply competition law in the agriculture sector. However, the Court explained that, when they do, Member States must respect the objectives of the CAP, reconciling any conflicts, in such a way that none of the objectives is rendered impossible by any decision taken pursuant to domestic law. As the agricultural and dairy industries seek to come to terms with the effects of CAP reform on future business structures, I believe that all parties consider that the judgment will provide useful guidance for both industry and the UK authorities.Taking into account both this judgment and development in the milk market since 1999, I understand that Milk Marque and the National Farmers Union will not be pursuing their claims further.

The Government are today publishing a response to the DTFs consultation document "Liberalising trade in services—a new consultation on the World Trade Organisation GATS negotiations". Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses, and are being sent to all who sent us their comments. The response can also be accessed via the DTI website http://www.dti.gov.uk/ewt/. Our response addresses the many issues raised in nearly 800 submissions and explains how they have been and will continue to be taken into account when negotiations resume in the WTO in the New Year.

The Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education, Alan Johnson and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, Lord Sainsbury of Turville are pleased to announce the establishment of our Higher Education Research Forum to be chaired by Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London. The membership has been drawn together through nominations from higher education representative bodies and key sector stakeholders and is set out as follows:ChairSir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of LondonUniversities UKProfessor Malcolm Grant, Vice-Chancellor, University College LondonProfessor Sir Kenneth Caiman, Vice-Chancellor, University of DurhamProfessor David Eastwood, Vice-Chancellor, University of East AngliaProfessor Diana Green, Vice-Chancellor, Sheffield Hallam UniversityProfessor Adrian Smith, Principal, Queen Mary University of London

In a Written Statement on 5 February 2003, Official Report, columns 11-12WS, I informed the House that the Government had agreed to a US request to upgrade the early warning radar at RAF Fylingdales as part of the US missile defence programme. The Assistant Chief of the Air Staff, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, has today signed an agreement setting out the management and financial arrangements and responsibilities for the radar upgrade. This agreement is made under the framework memorandum of understanding on missile defence that I announced to the House on 12 June 2003, Official Report, column 57WS, and comes into immediate effect. Design work for the upgrade is already in hand, and upgrade work on site is expected to start in spring 2004, lasting for some 30 months, including testing of the upgraded system and removal of old equipment. I am placing in the Library of the House a copy of this agreement, although one section relating to a technical point on the operation of the radar has been withheld at the request of the US authorities.

The Minister for Defence Procurement (Lord Bach) announced on 19 February 2003, Official Report, columns WA 175-77, in another place, that the Government had reached an agreement with BAE SYSTEMS on the way ahead for the Astute Class Attack Submarine project. However, at that point, it was accepted that some additional time would be required to establish the underpinning commercial arrangements and we undertook to report back to the House at a suitable moment. I am very pleased to be able to announce that on 17 December, an amended contract implementing the February Agreement was signed by the Ministry of Defence and BAE SYSTEMS.This amended contract, which covers the design and construction of the first three boats, is designed to reduce risk while incentivising the company to improve its performance in delivering the programme. It also covers a number of project management improvements and oversight.Considerable progress has already been made in introducing these improvements and the MOD will be looking to the company to build on this as we jointly restore confidence in the programme. In February, we announced that the ISD for the first of class would be delayed. The company is now formally working to deliver HMS ASTUTE in 2008.

In compliance with Section 5(1) of the Sustainable Energy Act 2003,1 am specifying a target to source at least 15 per cent. of electricity for Government use from good quality combined heat and power by 2010. My officials will work with departments in early 2004 to agree how they will implement the target, taking into account the extent to which they use electricity generated from renewable sources. By the end of 2005, we will review the validity of the target to ensure it reflects the market's ability to deliver the level of capacity at the right price

at a document setting out the Purpose and Aims of the Northern Ireland Criminal Justice System (CJSNI) has been published today. Copies of the Purpose and Aims document have been placed in the Library.The Purpose and Aims were first published in 2001, and the document has been refreshed to reflect the significant work carried out by all the criminal justice organisations in working towards those aims, and towards implementation of the Criminal Justice Review.The publication of the Purpose and Aims demonstrates the commitment of the CJSNI towards delivering a criminal justice system which serves and protects the people of Northern Ireland and in which the whole community can have confidence.

On behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions I am announcing the publication of performance statistics for local authority administration of housing benefit and council tax benefit (HB and CTB) for the second quarter of 2003–04. A copy of the quarterly statistics for all local authorities in Great Britain has been placed in the Library and has been published on the Department for Work and Pensions web-site at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/other_stats.aspPublishing these statistics is part of our strategy for reforming housing benefit and for ensuring that local authorities are accountable for their performance in administration of housing benefit and council tax benefit.Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit performance statistics show that in the second quarter of 2003/4:

I have today published "Measuring Child Poverty". A copy has been placed in the Library.The Government issued a consultation document in April 2002 to promote debate on how best to build on their existing indicators to measure child poverty in the long term. The document published today outlines a long-term measure of child poverty for the UK. Our conclusions are based on a thorough analysis of the responses to the consultation document and further methodological work. None of this affects any of our existing PSA's which we remain committed to.Our new measure of child poverty will consist of: absolute low income—to measure whether the poorest families are seeing their incomes rise in real terms; relative low income—to measure whether the poorest families are keeping pace with the growth of incomes in the economy as a whole and material deprivation and low income combined—to provide a wider measure of people's living standards. Using this measure, poverty is falling when all three indicators are moving in the right direction.

I am announcing today firm allocations for the 116 local highway authorities and six Passenger Transport Authorities in England, outside London, for capital expenditure in 2004/05. This settlement amounts to a £1.86 billion package of funding for local transport, and approval for twenty new major local transport schemes. It will maintain and increase the momentum of our local transport investment programme, building on the £1.6 billion we announced for each of the two previous years.In December 2000 we provided five-year indicative allocations to enable authorities to implement smaller integrated transport and highway maintenance schemes under their local transport plans (LTPs). My announcement today honours those commitments for 2004–05 and also provides additional funds to the authorities that are delivering most effectively against national and local targets, and that have shown the most impressive year-on-year improvement. Only in the case of four authorities whose performance is relatively weak are we providing allocations less than the indicative figures. We are therefore providing the stable funding that is necessary to enable local authorities to deliver effective investment in local public transport and local roads. Authorities undertaking approved major schemes are also being given allocations to cover their spending on these schemes in 2004–05.