To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the prospects for criminal prosecutions being started relating to the Paddington rail disaster. [104709]

The British Transport Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the train collision in the vicinity of Ladbroke Grove on Tuesday 5 October 1999. As the police complete aspects of their inquiries, they intend to submit for advice reports, together with supporting evidence, to the Crown Prosecution Service. The prospects for criminal proceedings by the CPS are dependent on evidence derived from the police investigation, and not, for example, from evidence given to the public inquiry to be conducted by Lord Cullen, as that inquiry has an entirely different function. It is plainly not possible to anticipate, nor is it appropriate to speculate on, what evidence will be obtained by the police. When police inquiries conclude, the decision on whether or not to institute criminal proceedings will be made by the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Crown Prosecution Service, in consultation with the Law Officers. I understand that the HSE will also be considering the possibility of bringing a prosecution.

To ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the decision to offer immunity to railway companies offering evidence to the inquiry into the Ladbroke Grove accident. [104629]

To ask the Solicitor-General what recent representations he has received relating to immunity from prosecution for those giving evidence before a tribunal with special reference to the Paddington rail disaster; and if he will make a statement. [104710]

On 29 November 1999 the Attorney-General authorised Lord Cullen to provide potential witnesses to his inquiry with the following undertaking:

"To undertake in respect of any person who provides evidence to the inquiry that no evidence he or she may give before the inquiry (whether orally or by written statement) nor any written statement made preparatory to giving evidence nor any documents produced by that person to the inquiry will be used in evidence against him or her in any criminal proceedings, except in proceedings where he or she is charged with having given false evidence in the course of this inquiry or having conspired with or procured others to do so".

The purpose of authorising Lord Cullen to provide an undertaking in these terms was to enable him to begin his inquiry immediately, and to ensure that it would be fully effective. It was certain that without such an undertaking being given potential witnesses would be inhibited from providing Lord Cullen with full assistance. The public interest clearly favoured Lord Cullen undertaking his inquiry as soon as possible, and thereafter proceeding quickly, so that lessons can be learned from the circumstances that led to this tragedy. The undertaking is not the same as an immunity from prosecution: it has a much more limited effect.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the environmental improvements agreed by Ofwat for the Mersey Basin for the next price review to be completed in 2005. [104292]

I have placed in the House Libraries a list of the schemes allowed for in the final determination of water industry price limits announced by Director General Ofwat on 25 July 1999, which will improve the waters in the Mersey Basin. The list is made up of 60 continuous discharges and 516 intermittent discharges. These were proposed by the Environment Agency and approved by me as part of my guidance to Ofwat on the provision to be made for investments by water companies to achieve environmental improvements. The Environment Agency is exploring in more detail the benefits of a further five schemes to allow us to assess these against improved information on costs from Ofwat and North West Water.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has made to (a) the European Commission and (b) other EU member states in respect of a common basis of charging for IPPC throughout the EU; and what response he has received. [104114]

The IPPC Directive makes no provision for a common charging scheme; in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, charging is a matter for individual member states.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is forecast to be the total level of investment in the London Underground in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02. [104230]

(a) Planned investment in the Underground in 2000–01 totals £753 million (in outturn prices). This comprises investment of £535 million in the core Underground and a projected £218 million in payments to JLE contractors for investment that took place in previous years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the regulations covering domestic plumbing will come into force; and if he will take steps to ensure toilet flushes using valves do not waste more water than those using syphon systems. [104424]

The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations came into force on 1 July 1999. They prevent the contamination and waste of water supplies. A WC Suite Performance Specification, made under the Regulations, will come into effect on 1 January 2001. This will require all new WC suites, whether they use valve or syphon flushing mechanisms, to perform to the same high standards of durability and water conservation.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what measures he has (a) taken and ((b) proposes to implement the commitment in the Transport White Paper to a more peaceful countryside. [104576]

My Department is an active participant in the Countryside Agency's Countryside Traffic Measures Group, and its Quiet Roads and Greenways Network Co-ordination Meetings. We provide support in the form of advice when required on traffic signing, and on highways and traffic matters. Research is in place, and more is planned, to monitor the success of schemes in these initiatives.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to support the adoption of a biosafety protocol allowing Governments to prohibit imports of genetically modified organisms. [104586]

Yes. The Biosafety Protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity would establish Advanced Informed Agreement (AIA) procedures, whereby a Party of import could accept or refuse imports of certain living (genetically) modified organisms (LMOs) on the basis of the impacts on biodiversity.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to support the adoption of a biosafety protocol making companies that produce genetically modified organisms legally liable for any future damage to the environment or public health resulting from the import of those GMOs by another country. [104584]

In the negotiations on the Biosafety Protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity resuming in Montreal later this month, we will continue to support an enabling provision that would adopt a process elaborating international rules and procedures in the field of liability and redress for damage resulting from transboundary movements of living (genetically) modified organisms, and endeavour to complete the process within four years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to support the adoption of a biosafety protocol requiring the separation of genetically modified grain from other grain. [104585]

The draft text of the Biosafety Protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity does not require separation. However, EU Ministers have agreed that information exchange and documentation requirements are needed under the Protocol and should ensure satisfactory transparency and monitoring of movements of LMOs as well as their identification, which would also enable traceability.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what progress has been made with the train operating companies in respect of installing train protection systems; [104597](2) what timetable has been agreed for the installation of train protection systems in all rolling stock, including the final date for completion. [104665]

The Railway Safety Regulations, laid before Parliament on 10 August 1999, requires train protection systems to be introduced and operational across the railway network by the end of 2003 at the latest.At the Rail Safety Summit on 30 November the train operators announced that they have agreed a timetable to fit 33 per cent. of trains by the end of 2001, 75 per cent. of trains by the end of 2002 and all trains by the end of 2003. Also at the Summit, Railtrack agreed to aim to install train protection at 12,000 sites by the end of 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what decision he has reached about the preferred system of train protection. [104628]

Following the Ladbroke Grove train accident the Government asked Sir David Davies, the President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, to report on the effectiveness, practicability and cost of train protection systems, and on how best to reduce the present incidence of signals passed at danger (SPADs). Ministers expect to receive his report shortly.This information will be available to Lord Cullen (who is conducting the Public Inquiry into the Ladbroke Grove accident) and Professor Uff (conducting the Southall Inquiry), and they will jointly consider train protection systems. The Health and Safety Commission will advise the Government on any recommendations they make.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what time scale has been agreed with the train operating companies and Railtrack to install the confidential telephone reporting system; and what is the final deadline for its implementation. [104596]

At the second Rail Safety Summit on 30 November 1999 Railtrack and the train operating companies agreed that the independent and confidential incident reporting system, which will allow all staff to phone in any safety concerns, will be extended throughout Great Britain by the end of 2000. Regional contracts are to be let by April 2000. The system will be fully operative by the end of 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has to provide funding for (a) enforcing and overseeing corrective action at leaking underground storage tank sites and (b) clean-ups (i) where the owner or operator is unknown, or is unwilling or unable to respond and (ii) which require emergency action. [104638]

The main responsibilities for regulating underground storage tanks, including enforcing and overseeing corrective action when they are leaking, are held by the Environment Agency, the Health and Safety Executive and the petroleum licensing authorities. The legal powers available to these bodies, and the detailed allocation of responsibilities between them, varies according to what is stored in the tank and the type of pollution incident involved. The Environment Agency is funded through grant-in-aid paid by my department as well as by charges paid by those seeking permits and licences. The Health and Safety Executive is also funded through grant-in-aid as well as from charges for certain activities which are recovered from industry. The petroleum licensing authorities are part of local government, and as such are funded through a combination of council tax, non-domestic rates and revenue support grant paid by my Department.In cases where leaks have occurred and clean-up action is necessary, responsibility for paying for the work generally falls on the owner or operator of the tank. Depending on what was stored in the tank, and the nature of the problems which the leak has caused, this responsibility may be enforced under a number of legal powers. These include the works notice system in sections 161–161D of the Water Resources Act 1991, under which the Environment Agency may itself carry out works in an emergency or where it appears after reasonable inquiry that no person can be found on whom to serve a works notice; the statutory nuisance regime in Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990; and the Groundwater Regulations 1998. These powers will be supplemented in April by a new regime for remediating contaminated land, under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (which was inserted by section 57 of the Environment Act 1995). An additional £12 million per year has been added to Standard Spending Assessments for local authorities in England to support their role under the new contaminated land regime.The Contaminated Land Supplementary Credit Approval programme also provides capital expenditure support for local authorities in England to deal with cases where land contamination is causing unacceptable risks to human health and the environment, and where no-one else can be made to pay for the necessary remediation. This could include circumstances where leaks have occurred from underground storage tanks. The total provision in the current financial year for this programme is £12.082 million. A further £1.958 million has been provided to the Environment Agency as additional grant-in-aid to support equivalent work it is carrying out.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has for Ministers to attend the symposium, organised by the Institution of Highways and Transportation, on 20 January at Kegworth, Derby. [104579]

No invitation was extended to Ministers to speak at the symposium.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the increased contributions which local government employers will have to make to their pension schemes in order to offset the effect of the ACT charges in the 1997 Budget; and what these extra contributions are as a percentage of the total payroll costs. [104674]

The effect of the abolition of advance corporation tax on employer contributions to local authority pension funds was one of many factors taken into account in the 1998 actuarial valuation exercise. Information on increases to individual local authority employers' contributions specifically attributable to this aspect of the exercise is not collected centrally.The Local Government Association estimated that the average net impact of the 1998 valuation, including the effect of the ACT changes on employers' contributions in 1999–2000 was 1 per cent., or about £130 million nationally. We have honoured undertakings given at the time of the 1997 Budget to take into account this and all the other factors identified in the valuation exercise in determining the level of local authority provision in 1999–2000, and for subsequent years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if the river of fire on new year's eve worked according to plan; [104434](2) if he will make a statement on the public transport arrangements in London on new year's eve. [104435]

[holding answer 13 January 2000]: I refer the hon. Member to the oral reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 11 January 2000, Official Report, column 138. I would also add that the transport operators provided the absolute maximum service possible. Tube and DLR provided a peak level service from midnight to after 4 am (20 trains an hour for the tube). Train operators ran the maximum service possible from 1 am to after 4.30 am. LT ran nearly double the usual night bus service. We always warned that people should expect long delays. Most people were able to catch a train or tube before 2.30 am. Despite a very high level of attendance the transport operators were able to get people both safely to the event, and back home again after.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) who was responsible for planning and co-ordinating rail services and crowd control at central London stations, with particular reference to Waterloo, on new year's eve; [104611](2) if he will hold an inquiry into the planning and management of crowd evacuation from central London railway stations, with particular reference to Waterloo, on New Year's Eve. [104605]

[holding answer 13 January 2000]: A review of arrangements is an essential and routine part of any major event. All the organisations involved in key services on new year's eve already have them well in hand.ATOC worked with each of the train operating companies, along with the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority, to plan and deliver the train services on millennium night into and out of central London stations, including Waterloo.There were 250 police officers in the immediate vicinity of Waterloo specially tasked with crowd control and public safety (and supplemented by colleagues from elsewhere).

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much was spent by (a) his Department and (b) the Environment Agency on headhunters in the process of finding a new Chairman for the Environment Agency. [105287]

The appointment of a new Chairman for the Environment Agency is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, who has met all costs involved.Recruitment consultants were employed to assist in finding a new Chairman. Headhunting was only a part of their duties and is not separately identifiable. The total cost of their work, including expenses, was £26,402.26 plus VAT. Advertisements were placed in the national press at an additional cost of £5,569 plus VAT.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 10 January 2000, Official Report, column 4W, on driving licences, if he will make a statement on the reasons for the use of private opticians. [105416]

The requirement for the provision of visual field charts is an expensive undertaking adding to the cost of the driving licence as well as creating customer service problems due to the waiting times in NHS out-patients clinics.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will announce the result of his review of the contribution utilities should make to the cost of diverting their equipment for public transport schemes. [105675]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has reviewed the decision announced by the then Minister for Transport on 29 October 1998, following representations made to him and comments received during consultation earlier this year on draft regulations under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991.Ministers have concluded that the earlier decision strikes a reasonable balance between the legitimate interests of the parties involved. I can therefore confirm that the utilities' contribution to diversionary works for "major transport works" (which as defined under the 1991 Act include rail based public transport schemes) will be reduced from 18 per cent. to 7.5 per cent., except that works that are of the nature of "major highways works" or "major bridge works" will continue to attract 18 per cent., whoever the works are done by.I will shortly be laying regulations to implement this decision. The regulations will now come into effect after they have been laid and not from the date of the 1998 announcement, as stated at the time.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what percentage of heavy goods vehicles run on alternative fuels. [105022]

DETR receives comprehensive data on the vehicle stock in Great Britain from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. These include the method of propulsion used to power vehicles. For those vehicles in the goods tax class at the end of June 1999, over 99 per cent. run on diesel. A further 0.7 per cent. run on petrol and less than 0.02 per cent. are recorded as running on other fuels.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if the record of train operating companies in meeting punctuality and overcrowding targets will be taken into consideration when franchises for services are renewed; [105053](2) if he will make it a condition of awarding or extending rail franchises that passenger facilities including toilets, public telephones, CCTV, and park and ride, are provided at town centre railway stations. [105052]

The Franchising Director has been instructed by the Secretary of State to have regard to the prospects for greater investment when considering the replacement of franchises. In pursuit of these instructions the Franchising Director is paying close attention to prospective franchisees' proposals for improving all aspects of the customer experience, including station facilities, security and integrated transport measures.In examining proposals for renegotiated, extended or new franchises, the Franchising Director has also been instructed to give due weight to the commitment of existing franchise operators to performance, efficiency and customer services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will introduce a toll on foreign heavy goods vehicles entering the UK. [105024]

Any tolling scheme, or any form of levy, would have to apply to domestic vehicles as well as foreign. To discriminate against foreign vehicles would be illegal under Community law. The Transport Bill currently before Parliament contains enabling powers for local authorities to introduce charging schemes on their roads, but there are no plans at present to introduce widespread charging on the trunk road network.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of a reduction in vehicle excise duty for vehicles powered by alternative fuels. [105023]

The Government have taken a number of measures to promote the use of vehicles powered by alternative fuels. Gas powered lorries and buses already qualify for a vehicle excise duty concession of up to £1,000 and electrical vehicles are taxed at a concessionary rate of £40. The new graduated vehicle excise duty system for cars is being built in a flexible way which will allow scope to create additional incentives for vehicles using cleaner fuels and technology.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what regulations govern the levying of fines in relation to parking at motorway service centres. [105055]

We require the operators of motorway service areas (MSAs) to provide up to two hours free parking for all types of vehicle. Operators are allowed to charge for longer stays but whether to levy a charge and, if so, how to enforce it against drivers who do not pay, are matters for the operator.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take steps to prevent train operating companies from extending journey times advertised in timetables to allow for delays. [105054]

Train Operating Companies (TOCs) must set their timetables within the framework of the Passenger Service Requirements (PSR). The PSR sets minimum service frequency, stations to be served, times of first and last trains and maximum journey times, based on the service provided by British Rail at the time of franchising. TOCs can alter the journey times of services but only within the maxima allowed in the PSR. Temporary dispensations may be granted to TOCs by the Franchising Director to extend journey times during periods of bad weather and at times such as the annual leaf fall in order to provide a reliable service to passengers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the criteria for the sale of residual assets of British Rail which retain a potential public transport use. [105328]

Following a review by the British Railways Board/shadow Strategic Rail Authority of its property portfolio, the Government have agreed with the Chairman of the sSRA new marketing procedures which give priority to transport use. Under these arrangements the rail industry, local authorities and other transport interests are being informed of all the properties that BRB/sSRA have available including those judged to be of future transport potential. They are also being given prior notification of the intention to market all sites as they come up for sale and have the opportunity to seek a delay in order to work up a bid. All sites are to be sold at open market value in order to protect the taxpayers' interest. Full details are in the BRB's "Marketing Process" document which is available in the House Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to lay orders under schedule 3 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 before the House. [105283]

I signed the order identifying the constituency returning officers for the Greater London Authority elections on 17 December, and it came into force on 22 December (SI No3380). I will be making the election rules and laying the order setting limits on campaign expenses for the GLA elections in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whom he has decided to appoint as the Greater London Returning Officer for the Greater London Authority election on 4 May. [105841]

I am proposing to make an Order appointing Robert Hughes CBE as the Greater London Returning Officer. Mr. Hughes was the Chief Counting Officer for the Greater London Referendum in May 1998. He has wide experience of running elections and knows London well.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people have been prosecuted since 1997 as a result of enforcement action taken by the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency for possessing a vehicle without a road fund licence; and how much has been collected as a result of this action. [105285]

The numbers of vehicle excise duty offenders prosecuted by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency for the period in question, together with the revenue from penalties collected, is set out in the table. The table also shows the numbers of offenders who settled cases out of court and the penalty revenue collected.

	Number	Revenue £ million
Prosecutions
1997–98	233,000	38.8
1998–99	256,300	45.4
1999–20001	180,000	34.5
Out of Court Settlements
1997–98	268,200	14.4
1998–99	218,800	12.5
1999–20001	142,000	9.5
1April-December

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives have been taken by the Health and Safety Executive in relation to the marketing and use of Canadian chrysotile asbestos in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [104663]

Canadian and other chrysotile asbestos has been banned. From 24 November 1999, Regulations prohibit the importation of chrysotile (white) asbestos and products containing it into the United Kingdom. They also prohibit the supply and use of chrysotile and its products within Great Britain. Comparable Regulations are expected shortly which will prohibit supply and use in Northern Ireland. A number of specialised safety-critical uses are temporarily permitted until safe substitutes have been developed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will provide free or low-cost travel for those with a disability. [105163]

Local authorities outside London are enabled by the Transport Act 1985 to provide concessionary travel schemes for their resident disabled people, and many do so. Similar arrangements apply in London under different legislation. Financial assistance is provided through the overall support given to local authority expenditure in general. I have no plans to change these arrangements so far as my own responsibilities are concerned. In Scotland this is a matter for Scottish Ministers.All train operators are required to participate in the Disabled Persons Railcard which entitles holders to up to one third off a range of rail tickets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress that his Department has made on its review of the local government standard spending assessment system. [104817]

The review of revenue grant distribution is well under way. Central and local government officials are jointly discussing a wide range of options for improving the method of distribution, and many councils have contributed their proposals. We have conducted an extensive survey of the opinions of members and officers and undertaken research into overseas distribution systems.Decisions about the merits of the various options for reform will not be taken until we have consulted widely this summer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the shortlist of proposed uses for the Millennium Dome after the millennium celebrations will be announced. [105842]

The Government have announced the six proposals for the shortlist today. They are:

City of the Future, a theme park centred on the use of technology, proposed by Monex Leisure Ltd. and MEPC plc.

Dome Europe, a high technology leisure, business and retail destination, proposed by the Principal Finance Group of Nomura International plc.

Greenwich Media World, a high profile mixed use leisure and business destination focused on media and communications, proposed by a consortium comprising Pell Frischmann. London Merchant Securities, Sir Robert McAlpine, WestLB Panmure Ltd. and The Tussauds Group.

International Merchandise and Cultural Centre, a global one-stop shop for exchanging goods, services and tourism promotions, proposed by a consortium comprising Country Heights Holdings Berhad, Sunrise Berhad and Maccon Investment Holdings (Proprietary) Ltd.

Legacy plc, a high technology industrial campus of workspace, leisure and retail uses, proposed by Robert Bourne.

Sports Dome 2001, an advanced multiple sports facility, proposed by a consortium comprising John Taylor International Ltd., Chelsfield Plc, Collard Grosvenor and Price Nicholson.

The Dome has been instrumental in focusing regeneration activity on the Greenwich Peninsula and the Thames Gateway, and this is set to continue as a result of the response to this competition.English Partnerships, the Government's regeneration agency, has transformed one of the largest tracts of derelict land in Europe, on the Greenwich Peninsula. The proposals emerging from this competition, together with other developments on the Peninsula and key public transport improvements, will take forward the major regeneration of this area.I have placed details of the shortlisted proposals in the Libraries of the house.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what date it was decided that the consultation mechanism relating to business rating revaluation proposals in Wales should be transferred to the National Assembly for Wales from his Department; and on what date he announced this decision. [103738]

I have been asked to reply.The functions of the Secretary of State for Wales in respect of business rates in the Local Government Finance Act 1988 were transferred to the National Assembly for Wales on 1 July 1999, by virtue of the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 No. 672 which was approved by the House of Commons on 24 February 1999.The process of consultation on various aspects of the business rating revaluation began before 1 July 1999 and was led by officials of the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions with Welsh Office involvement. On and after 1 July, the National Assembly for Wales continued to take part in the consultation process in place of the Welsh Office, relying on its powers in section 23(2) of the Government of Wales Act 1998 to continue anything being done by a Minister of the Crown in respect of a transferred function.The UK Government did not need to make any formal decision or announcement about this, which was among the consequences of the approval by the House of the Transfer of Functions Order. It is one of many examples of work that continued in the transition from the Secretary of State to the National Assembly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans he has to review the Government's options under trade agreements to safeguard access by developing countries to essential drugs; [104589](2) what plans he has to review Government policy on the trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights agreement and public health in developing countries. [104590]

The Government are aware of concerns among some developing countries. However, the Government believe that there is nothing in the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement which undermines the ability of developing countries to provide appropriate healthcare. Although the Agreement came into effect in 1995, developing country members have only to implement its provisions from this year and the least developed countries do not have to implement until 2006. The effects, benefits and problems arising from the agreement have therefore yet to emerge.A review of the implementation of the TRIPS agreement by WTO members will begin in June of this year and the Government will listen carefully to the views of other WTO members during the Review. It is, however, only in the context of a comprehensive new Round of negotiations that significant changes to the TRIPS agreement will be possible and it would be in that context that the Government would carry out a full review of their own policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on the extension of the deadline for complying with the provisions of the TRIPS Agreement applicable to developing countries and to countries whose economy is in transition. [104587]

The Government believe that all signatories to the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement and other WTO agreements should fulfil their commitments in full and on time. They recognise, however, that some developing countries have genuine problems of capacity. In such cases, they would be ready to support alongside its EU partners sympathetic consideration in the relevant WTO Committee of a request for the extension of deadline, if this were accompanied by a work programme aimed at full implementation of the WTO agreement in question.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 10 January 2000, Official Report, column 31W, on the Ilisu Dam, if the representations from (a) the Syrian Ambassador and (b) the League of Arab States were (i) in favour and (ii) against the proposed dam. [105081]

The Syrian Ambassador expressed concern that proper account had not been taken of the impact of the project on the Syrian economy, people and relations with Turkey or of legal obligations, and stressed the general sensitivity of water issues in the region.The League of Arab States expressed concern at the lack of information and consultation on the project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to make a decision on ECGD support for UK participation in the Ilisu Dam project. [104897]

The application for ECGD support for the UK participation in the Ilisu Dam project has given rise to a number of social, political, environmental and cultural issues requiring further consideration between ECGD, the other export credit agencies involved, the Turkish authorities and the contractors. We will only agree support if these issues are addressed to our satisfaction. In any event no decision on support will be made until a revised Environmental Impact Assessment has been produced. This is expected in late March or April.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) men and (b) women in each of the standard age groups were employed in his Department in (i) 1979 and (ii) 1999. [104019]

In April 1999 the numbers of men and women employed in DTI Headquarters by age group were as follows:

Age	Men	Women	Total
16–19	1	5	6
20–24	36	41	77
25–29	204	247	451
30–34	414	450	864
35–39	486	356	842

Age	Men	Women	Total
40–44	389	243	632
45–9	405	203	608
50+	658	296	954
Total	2,593	1,841	4,434

The Department's personnel database was set up in 1985 and does not include data on staff who left the Department before that date; full data on the age profile of staff in 1979 is not therefore available. However, the annual publication, "Civil Service Statistics", provides a departmental breakdown of staff by gender and Service-wide data by age for that year. In addition the Equal Opportunities Data Summary 1998 provides average age by responsibility level and gender across the Service.The figures exclude DTI staff in Government Offices and the DTI's Executive Agencies who have delegated responsibility for personnel issues.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the Government's assessment of the outcome of the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations, including the conclusions it has drawn concerning future trade negotiations. [104358]

An assessment of the outcome of the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations was published in May 1994 by the Government in a White Paper, "The Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations 1986–94" (Cm 2579). In relation to future trade negotiations, the Government published a consultation paper in May 1999 entitled "The UK and the World Trade Organisation: An Introduction to the Next Round" (DTI/Pub4140/5k/5/99/NP. URN 99/875). Both documents are available in the Libraries of both Houses. The Government's position in supporting the launch of a comprehensive Round of trade negotiations has been discussed in Parliament, most recently in the debate in European Standing Committee C on 22 November 1999. The Government's position is well reflected in the position of the EU and its support for the launch of a comprehensive Round remains strong since the failure of the Seattle Conference, as the Secretary of State said in the debate in the House on 9 December 1999, Official Report, columns 1022–94.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employees of his Department took early retirement packages, and at what total cost, in the financial year 1996–97. [104099]

Two hundred and twenty seven employees took early retirement packages at a cost of some £1.4 million in the financial year 1996–97. This represents 20 per cent. of the costs, the other 80 per cent. being met by the Treasury under the 80:20 Scheme in force at the time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was allocated from the social and regional funds of the European Union to the United Kingdom during the 1999 financial year; what was the value of match funding from United Kingdom sources; and from what sources these match funds were derived. [105124]

Allocations from the European Union's Structural Funds relate to multiannual programmes. Expenditure must be committed within the programme period, but may be spent up to two years after the end of the period. There are therefore no allocations for specific years, and expenditure during 1999 would be in the context of programmes approved during the 1994–99 financing period with expenditure allowed until the end of 2001.The level of match funding varies from programme to programme. The sources of match funding will depend on the nature of the many individual projects. It is the responsibility of applicants for funding to identify the sources of match funding for their projects. Programme secretariats can advise on this. There are many potential sources, e.g. central government, local authorities, the voluntary and private sectors. No central records exist of the sources of match funding used for individual projects.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if it is the Government's policy to support the expansion of the World Trade Organisation's remit to cover negotiations on (a) investment, (b) Government procurement and (c) guidelines for the behaviour of multinational enterprises. [105062]

It remains Government policy to support a comprehensive round of negotiations in the WTO, including investment and government procurement. The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are currently under review in the OECD with particular focus on their more effective implementation and wider dissemination. We believe that the review of the Guidelines will make them of greater relevance and use for business, other organisations and governments alike.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proposals his Department has in respect of the World Trade Organisation to enable multilateral trade agreements to work in concert with multilateral environmental agreements. [105060]

At the recent WTO Ministerial conference in Seattle, the UK and the EU pressed for a new Round of trade negotiations to include a clarification of the relationship between WTO rules and trade measures taken within multilateral environmental agreements. The Seattle conference was suspended without agreement on the terms for a new Round, but we continue to press for this subject to be included in future WTO negotiations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what applications for (a) grant or (b) other financial support he has received for a glass factory to be operated in the north west of England by Quinn Glass. [104767]

Any applications are commercially confidential, it is therefore not possible for me to provide this information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with the relevant Swiss electricity company and the Swiss nuclear regulatory authorities in respect of problems discovered with MOX plutonium fuel exported to Switzerland from Sellafield. [104698]

None. This is a matter for the companies and the national regulatory authorities concerned.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 16 December 1999, Official Report, column 235W, on plutonium fuel, if he is in a position to make public the details of the remedial measures being put in place to rectify safety management problems in MOX nuclear fuel manufacture at Sellafield; and what further meetings he has had with the HSE (N11) on this matter since 1 December 1999. [104726]

The work to address the issues associated with the falsification of quality assurance data at BNFL's MOX Demonstration Facility at Sellafield is still continuing. As I made clear in my reply of 16 December 1999, Official Report, column 235W, I have asked the company to make public details of the remedial measures being taken as soon as possible, consistent with the need to address these matters thoroughly and to satisfy the HSE fully as to the adequacy of the company's proposals. On 15 December 1999, I received a briefing from HSE's Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations on progress with HSE's independent investigation into this matter. I understand HSE intend to publish a report on their findings next month.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 7 December 1999, Official Report, column 457W, concerning eligibility of wards for assisted area status in Dumfries and Galloway, what is the nature of the personal information referred to in his answer. [104419]

Some of the information used in identifying areas of significant labour market weakness is confidential as it was collected under the provisions of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947, in particular the manufacturing activity within wards.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement about the membership of the Independent Assessment Panel for the Partnership Fund. [105515]

An independent Assessment Panel of nine members is to recommend to Ministers which projects should receive funding in the first round of the £5 million Partnership Fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the Government's target date for replacing the UK electricity pool system. [105421]

The target for the implementation of the new electricity trading arrangements is autumn 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment his Department has made of the impact on the electricity pool price of the fire at Drax Power Station in December; and if he will make a statement on the related discussions he has had with the industry on this subject. [105420]

As a result of a fire at Drax power station on 27 December I understand that part of the output of the station will be unavailable for a period. It is not uncommon for some generating plants to be unavailable for technical reasons and there is adequate generating capacity available on the system to cover such incidents. The incident at Drax affected only around 1 per cent. of the available generation on the England and Wales system and the impact on Pool prices is small.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the decision by the Japanese electricity company Kansai Electric Power to return nuclear fuel to Britain.[105266]

The Government have noted Kansai Electric's statement of 10 January that they will ask BNFL to return the eight fuel assemblies at the Takahama 4 reactor to the UK. This raises a number of issues which will need to be explored by the Japanese and UK Governments before Kansai and BNFL reach any conclusions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Part-time Work Directive. [105542]

I am today publishing a consultation document setting out the Government's proposals for implementing the Part-time Work Directive by means of regulations giving part-timers the right to be treated no less-favourably than comparable full-timers. The consultation lasts until 27 February, and I expect to lay Regulations soon afterwards.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans the Government have to help alleviate suffering in Sudan. [104359]

This financial year we have pledged £8 million to respond to humanitarian needs in Sudan. Though suffering in the country is not as severe as during the crisis of 1998 we are following the situation closely. Ending the war is the key to alleviating the suffering in Sudan and we are working hard with our international partners to support the current peace efforts sponsored by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports she has received concerning religious discrimination in Government-run peace camps in Southern Sudan. [104367]

The Peace Camps or Peace Villages set up by the Government of Sudan in the Nuba Mountain region have been accused of being part of the Government's alleged aim of islamisation of the people. However, given the scarcity of information from that region we are unable to determine the true situation. Last year's United Nations assessment mission to the region did not identify religious discrimination as a problem, but the subject was not part of the mission's terms of reference.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many applications for aid have been made by non-Governmental organisations concerning aid projects in Ethiopia; and how many have been (a) accepted and (b) rejected. [104679]

During the current financial year, DFID has received 10 applications from NGOs for humanitarian aid projects. Five of these have been accepted, four rejected, and one is currently under consideration.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement concerning the current humanitarian situation in Ethiopia and Eritrea. [104677]

In Ethiopia, recent estimates by the Government of Ethiopia, endorsed by the World Food Programme, give a total of 6.9 million people in need of food aid assistance due to adverse weather. An additional 385,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), from the war zone in the border area disputed with Eritrea, are also in need of assistance.In Eritrea, the results of the conflict with Ethiopia are the principal cause of the present humanitarian situation. Those affected include 250,000 IDPs, a similar number of war-affected (mainly those households who have taken in IDPs) and 64,000 people who have been deported from Ethiopia. There are also some rural areas which are drought affected, and FAO is currently conducting a survey with the Eritrean Ministry of Agriculture to assess the extent of this problem.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment her Department has made concerning the drought conditions in Ethiopia. [104678]

The Department for International Development (DFID) relies on the assessments of the United Nations, the Government of Ethiopia, NGOs and USAID in monitoring the drought conditions in Ethiopia. We do not seek to duplicate the work of these organisations. We employ a Field Manager in Addis Ababa who regularly participates in joint assessment missions with the Ethiopian Government and other donors, participates in food aid co-ordination meetings and visits areas identified for potential DFID assistance. The official is backed up by regular visits from a senior natural resources adviser based in London.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is her Department's policy on the provision of development aid to (a) Ethiopia and (b) Sudan. [104676]

The UK is completing current commitments in Ethiopia and continuing to provide humanitarian assistance but will not agree any new funding proposals until the war with Eritrea has ended.UK Development Aid to Sudan ceased in January 1991. Substantial humanitarian assistance to Sudan has continued since then.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what response her Department has made to the Ethiopian Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission's appeal, entitled Emergency Relief Needs in Ethiopia-January-March 2000. [104681]

The Department for International Development's (DFID) policy is to channel emergency food relief through NGOs or UN agencies.Current and planned projects which are relevant to this Appeal are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action is taken by the Government to ensure that developing countries are aware of the hazards of chrysotile asbestos and to discourage the dumping of this product in developing and third-world countries; and if she will make a statement. [104662]

Regulations prohibiting the import of chrysotile asbestos into the UK came into force in November 1999, meeting an EU Directive that requires all member states to introduce legislation banning asbestos by 1 January 2005.We will support the European Commission's intention to propose to the Rotterdam Convention's Interim Chemical Review Committee (ICRC) that the remaining asbestos fibres, including chrysotile, be added to Annexe 111 (Chemicals subject to the PIC Procedure) of the Convention. If the ICRC are content, then the proposal will be discussed later this year by the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee that negotiated the Convention.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with pharmaceutical companies on the financing of research to combat leishmaniasis and other sand-fly related diseases affecting poor people who sleep close to their cattle. [104422]

I have had no discussions with pharmaceutical companies on the financing of research to combat leishmaniasis or other sand-fly related diseases. We support research through the World Health Organisation's Tropical Disease Research Programme, which places great emphasis on forming partnerships with pharmaceutical companies to facilitate future drug development. Current treatment for leishmaniasis involves repeated injections, and is not effective in all cases. No oral treatment is currently available, although trials are underway.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what research reports she has received directed to the spread of malaria among people living in highland areas and its relationship with climate change; and if she will make a statement. [104664]

We are concerned at the potential spread of malaria into tropical highlands. Current scientific evidence is far from unanimous on the relationship with climate change. We are working with research institutes and ministries of health in affected countries to develop reliable systems for epidemic prediction, detection and response.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many (a) men and (b) women in each of the standard age groups were employed in his Department in (i) 1979 and (ii) 1999. [104025]

The following figures illustrate the number of staff in the core Scottish Office departments at 1 April 1999.

Number of staff at 1 April 1999
	Full-time equivalent
Age band	Men	Women	All staff
16–19	28.0	30.0	58.0
20–24	122.0	111.6	233.6
25–29	202.0	232.5	434.5
30–34	258.8	244.2	503.0
35–39	266.6	261.1	527.7
40–44	310.7	261.8	572.5
45–19	319.0	235.3	554.3
50 or over	512.7	310.2	822.9
Total	2,019.8	1,686.7	3,706.5

There are no comparable figures available for April 1979. However, some information may be found in Civil Service Statistics which is published annually and is available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the items in the National Assets Register sold by his Department since 8 March 1999, stating in each case the amount of money realised; if he will estimate the total amount raised from such sales to date; and if he will make a statement. [104498]

Those assets owned by The Scottish Office and its Executive Agencies listed in the National Asset Register which have been sold between 8 March 1999 to 30 June 1999 are as follows, together with the money realised:

	Proceeds realised £
The Scottish Office core fixed assets
Highland and Lowland Estates:
Lowland Estate	111,650
Highland Estate	14,505
Furniture and Fittings	935
IT Systems	30
Vehicles	42,929
Executive Agencies of The Scottish Office
Scottish Prison Service
Vehicles	17,974
Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency
Vehicles	6,109
Scottish Agricultural Science Agency
Plant and Machinery	1,765
Fisheries Research Services
Vehicles	3,478
Student Awards Agency for Scotland
IT Systems	25
Total	199,400

From 1 July 1999, The Scotland Office has not sold any assets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to create an Equality Unit within the Northern Ireland Office to co-ordinate the work relating to equality schemes of United Kingdom departments and other bodies designated by the Secretary of State under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. [103814]

The Human Rights Unit in the Northern Ireland Office advises the Secretary of State on all issues relating to equality schemes for which the Secretary of State is responsible.The Equality Commission is required by the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to produce statutory guidelines on equality schemes (subject to approval by the Secretary of State) and these guidelines will be given to all public authorities designated under section 75. United Kingdom Government Departments and other bodies designated by the Secretary of State under section 75 will submit their equality schemes to the Commission for approval. The Secretary of State is responsible for approving public authority equality schemes which have been referred to him by the Equality Commission. The Commission cannot refer the equality schemes of United Kingdom Government Departments to the Secretary of State.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision has been made within the Northern Ireland Office to ensure that it, and the voluntary and community sectors with which it works, have been provided with sufficient resources to ensure that they are able to comply with the statutory duty to promote equality of opportunity. [103815]

No additional financial resources have been provided to ensure that the Northern Ireland Office and the voluntary and community sectors with whom it works are able to comply with the statutory duty to promote equality of opportunity. However the Government believes that these public authorities have sufficient resources to ensure that they are able to comply with the statutory duty to promote equality of opportunity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the reasons why the report of the Criminal Justice Review established under the terms of the Good Friday agreement has not yet been published; and when he expects it to be published. [103816]

The extended consultation process which the Review Group engaged in, together with the range and complexity of the issues which the Group was invited to address, meant that the analytical phase of their work began later and has taken longer than the Group expected. I understand, however, that the report is now at an advanced stage of preparation and that it is hoped to publish it as soon as possible.

To ask the Prime Minister what subjects have been referred to the Performance and Innovation Unit. [104591]

I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Illsley) on 10 December 1998, Official Report, columns 277–78W; to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Kidney) on 21 October 1999, Official Report,column 630W; and to my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, South-West (Dr. Starkey) on 24 November 1999, Official Report, column 162W.

To ask the Prime Minister what is the remit of the Performance and Innovation Unit. [104592]

The remit of the Performance and Innovation Unit is to improve the capacity of Government to identify and address strategic, cross-cutting issues and promote innovation in the development of policy and in the delivery of the Government's objectives.

To ask the Prime Minister (1) when he expects the Performance and Innovation Unit to report on post offices; [104593](2) what is the membership and remit of the Performance and Innovation Unit study of post offices. [104594]

As I indicated in my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford (Mr. Kidney) on 21 October 1999, Official Report, column 630W, I expect the Performance and Innovation Unit's work on the Post Office network to be completed this spring.The Performance and Innovation Unit project team is drawn from both inside and outside Government, to ensure new thinking and a wide range of experience is brought to bear on the issues. The remit of the project is to identify the contribution made by post offices to the vitality of local communities, consider how the Post Office network can best contribute to the Government's objectives in the future and the process to formulate objectives for the Post Office.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will publish documents sent to the European Union Fundamental Rights Charter Drafting Body; when he expects the Charter Drafting Body to consider a draft; and how the Government will consult (a) Parliament and (b) the public on this draft. [105126]

The Charter drafting process is designed to be transparent. The Charter website, which will contain the various working documents, can be reached through http://ue.eu.int. Parliament will also have access to all the papers through its two delegates. In addition, the meetings of the Charter drafting body are televised.Drafting will probably begin after the next plenary on 1–2 February, which will be the first opportunity for a general discussion of the substance.

To ask the Prime Minister what plans Her Majesty's Government have to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's accession to the throne. [104809]

Planning for The Queen's Golden Jubilee is at a very early stage. A programme of celebrations will be announced in due course.

To ask the Prime Minister how much was spent on official entertaining at 10 Downing Street in the periods (a) 1 May 1997 to 31 March 1998 and (b) 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999. [104885]

The total cost to my office of official hospitality, including official entertainment, at 10 Downing Street and Chequers in 1997–98 and 1998–99 was as follows:

• 1997–98: £43,777
• 1998–99: £53,639

This compares with total expenditure on entertainment at 10 Downing Street during 1996–97 of £50,126.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the President of Syria on the construction of the Ilisu Dam. [105453]

I have had no discussion with the President of Syria on the construction of the Ilisu Dam.

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the impact of the construction of the Ilisu Dam on the Kurdish People. [105451]

A report, "Stakeholders' Attitudes to Involuntary Resettlement in the Context of the Ilisu Dam Project in Turkey" has been prepared by an independent social development expert following a visit to the region to ascertain the views of the local population likely to be affected by the dam. Copies of this report are in the Libraries of both Houses.

To ask the Prime Minister which EU states have joined with the UK Government in providing financial support for the construction of the Ilisu Dam. [105450]

No financial support has yet been provided by any EU state for the construction of the Ilisu Dam.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had with the Heads of Government of the EU at Helsinki on the future of the Ilisu Dam. [105452]

I have had no discussion with the Heads of Government of the EU on the future of the Ilisu Dam.

To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had with the Turkish Prime Minister at the Helsinki Summit concerning the construction of the Ilisu Dam; and if he will make a statement. [105477]

I have had no discussion with the Turkish Prime Minister on the construction of the Ilisu Dam.

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the compliance of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury with the Ministerial Code in relation to his shares declared in the Register of Members' Interests. [105288]

Guidance to Ministers on the handling of financial interests is set out in section 9 of the Ministerial Code.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he will publish the prospectus for the new youth support service. [105352]

We shall be publishing shortly a document to announce the key functions that we expect the new youth support service to perform. We expect to publish a specification for tender for the new service in March.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with other Government Departments regarding continuity of funding for services to be provided under the proposed arrangements for the combined Youth Support Service. [104696]

We are working closely with other Government departments, to identify the contributions which their existing services will make to the Youth Support Service. This includes the funding which will be available. An inter-departmental steering group has been set up to assist in this process, which has met a number of times. Funding for the Youth Support Service will be settled as part of the Government's Year 2000 spending review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list for each regional development agency (a) the amounts granted and (b) the companies facing closure or large-scale redundancies to which the sums have been allocated under the rapid response scheme. [104811]

The information requested is contained in the following table. Where no money has been awarded in a particular region this is because no firm proposals have been received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what support has been given to schools to reduce the level of unauthorised absences. [104119]

Our objective is to reduce the learning time lost due to truancy and exclusion by one third by year 2002. Over three years we are investing £500 million across England on projects tackling truancy and school exclusion, and other initiatives to get children back into school and learning. Projects supported include the purchasing of electronic equipment to monitor attendance, additional staff to chase-up truants, and reward schemes for acknowledging regular attendance. We are also encouraging schools to set up pupil mentoring schemes and to develop home-school liaison through the implementation of home-school agreements. All of these activities are designed to help schools reduce unauthorised absence.On 1 November 1999 we issued our strategy document "Tackling Truancy Together" which sets out our further proposals for helping to reduce unauthorised absence from school. We are currently considering the many responses we received to the proposals in that document, and will make an announcement soon on what further action we want to take to help reduce unauthorised absence from school.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the withdrawal by Kent County Council of match funding from the Single Regeneration Budget funded Inclusion Unit at Minster College on the Isle of Sheppey. [105200]

I understand that discussions are continuing between Kent Local Education Authority and Minster College about the future of the Inclusion Unit at the School. I have asked my officials to keep in touch with the discussions and will write to you as soon as possible with further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the changes to the Standard Fund Grant 19 and their impact on match funding for the Single Regeneration Budget funded Inclusion Unit at Minster College on the Isle of Sheppey. [105201]

Kent Local Education Authority's Standards Fund Grant 19 allocation for secondary schools and LEA initiatives has been increased from £950,000 in 1999–2000 to £2.8 million for 2000–01. Nearly £2.2 million of the grant must be devolved directly to Kent secondary schools and colleges to help combat truancy and exclusions. Kent are consulting on how the funds will be distributed. I understand that discussions are continuing between Kent Local Education Authority and Minster College about the future of their Inclusion Unit. I have asked my officials to keep in touch with the discussions and will write to you as soon as possible with further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will take steps to secure the future of the Inclusion Unit at Minster College on the Isle of Sheppey. [105202]

I understand that discussions are continuing between Kent Local Education Authority and Minster College about the future of the Inclusion Unit at the school. I have asked my officials to keep in touch with the discussions and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible with further details.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what was the cost to English local education authorities of maintaining sixth forms in schools in the last year for which figures are available. [105351]

The Standard Spending Assessment mechanism includes an unhypothecated element for post-16 education. Information on the cost to local education authorities of maintaining sixth forms in schools is not collected.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what methods are used to monitor the quality of training services provided under the New Deal by private sector companies. [104103]

In line with our continuing commitment for ensuring quality, the Employment Service has worked in partnership with the Training Standards Council (TSC) to develop a framework for the assessment of the quality of New Deal training provision. By March 2002, every New Deal Unit of Delivery will have been inspected by the Council. This framework is the basis for each New Deal partnership to carry out an annual self assessment. These inspections and self-assessments cover the quality of all training provision including that delivered by the private sector.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding he will make available to enable schools and colleges to improve facilities for people with disabilities. [104272]

We have significantly increased the funding available under the Schools Access Initiative to enable local education authorities to improve access to mainstream schools and the curriculum for pupils with disabilities. We recently announced that £30 million will be available in the 2000–01 financial year. This is a 50 per cent. increase on the previous year's level of funding and 200 per cent. increase on funds available in 1996–97. We expect to allocate £100 million for access schemes in the three years to 2002.In the Further Education sector the Further Education Funding Council's (FEFC) funding methodology allows for additional units of funding, to be allocated to support provision for students with disabilities, or learning difficulties. This is used to fund a range of support for individual students, including care assistants and signers. In addition, £12 million capital funding has been allocated over three years (1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02) specifically to improve access and facilities for students with learning difficulties and or disabilities. Capital projects supported under the general widening participation and skills agenda will also have the potential to improve access for disabled students. Responsibility for funding of further education will pass to the Learning and Skills Council from April 2001 and a consultation document on the new Council's funding arrangements will be issued early in 2000.Improving access and facilities for disabled people in education was a key feature of the recommendations of the Disability Rights Task Force, who published their report "From Exclusion to Inclusion" in December 1999. We will be introducing legislation later this session to address its recommendations for education and consider longer term costs as part of the Year 2000 Spending Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if the TUPE regulations will apply to staff in the Careers Service as a result of the creation of the new combined arrangements for the Youth Support Service. [104697]

Decisions have yet to be taken about the structure of the Youth Support Service and how Careers Service companies will be affected. It is therefore too early to consider the extent to which TUPE regulations will apply to Careers Service staff. We indicated in the White Paper "Learning to Succeed" that the best of the Careers Service companies will play a major role in the new Service together with a range of other local partners. We have established a Transitional Issues Group with Careers Service National Association (CSNA) that will be considering the implications for Careers Service companies and providing them with guidance.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many school headships in each London Borough are held by (a) men and (b) women from an ethnic minority background. [104796]

This information is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make it his policy that metropolitan boroughs eligible for EU Objective One status on account of their poverty and social deprivation do not receive per pupil education standard spending assessment allocations below the national average. [104838]

The Government announced in November 1998 a three year review in partnership with local government to look for a way of distributing revenue support grant which is simpler, more stable, more robust and fairer than the present arrangements for SSAs. While the review is taking place there will be no further changes to the method of distributing funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with the Office for National Statistics with regard to the production of an assessment of each of the New Deal programmes; and if he will make a statement. [102101]

[holding answer 9 December 1999]: Officials from both the Department for Education and Employment and the Office for National Statistics liaise regularly to discuss and analyse the impact that New Deal programmes have had on unemployment figures and other economic indicators published by the Office for National Statistics. Evaluation is carried out independently by outside contractors and the Department's internal analysis and monitoring uses Government Statistical Service figures and internal data.