To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the official visits made by executive and non-executive members of the Northern Ireland Police Authority outside Northern Ireland in the past three years, indicating in each case (a) who authorised the visit, (b) the cost of the visit to public funds and (c) if non-members' costs were borne by the taxpayer. [103566]

[holding answer 20 December 1999]: During the three years referred to in the question, the number of executive members of the Police Authority have averaged around 3,300, many of whom will have subsequently retired, resigned or been transferred to other Government Departments. Information on official visits made by executive members outside Northern Ireland is not readily available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.Official visits made by non-executive members of the Police Authority in the past three years are summarised in the table. All visits were authorised by the Police Authority and the associated costs met from public funds.

Location	Number of individual visits	Total cost (£)
England	44	15,647
Scotland	1	540
Republic of Ireland	1	116
Europe	3	4,298
USA	5	20,994
Canada	2	6,300
Australia	2	6,835

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's response to the White Paper, "Legislation Against Terrorism". [108530]

A consultation paper "Legislation Against Terrorism" (Cm 4178) was published by the Government in December 1998 and was followed by a period of consultation. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission responded in April 1999. In all, the Government received a total of 80 responses from interested groups, practitioners and members of the public.The Human Rights Commission's response was considered closely as were all the responses to the White paper and an analysis of the responses was set out in a brief summary compiled by the Home Office, excluding 29 respondees whose representations were to remain confidential. The previous Secretary of State also met Professor Dickson, Chief Commissioner, in July 1999 to discuss their response and particularly their proposed approach to counter-terrorist legislation.The Government published the Terrorism Bill on 2 December 1999. In preparing this it drew on the advice Lord Lloyd of Berwick gave in his report on the future of Counter-Terrorism Legislation published in December 1996, and took into account the views expressed by those who responded to the consultation paper. My officials and legal advisers have also met with the Human Rights Commission following introduction of the Bill to discuss the new legislation in detail and address any ECHR compatibility issues they have raised.In parallel with the passage of the Terrorism Bill, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has commissioned a review of the Diplock Court system. This was announced during the Bill's Second Reading on 14 December 1999. The Diplock Review Group has invited comment from legal and human rights bodies and I have written to Northern Ireland political parties for their views. Any responses will be considered by the Group in preparing its report for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many letters he has received since 1 May 1997 on (a) constituency matters and (b) other matters of Government policy from each of those Members of the House who have not taken the oath of allegiance. [108406]

[holding answer 3 February 2000]: I am unable to provide this information on the basis that correspondence, including the number of letters sent, between Members of the House and Government Departments is a confidential matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions in each of the past five years he has received written representations from each of the three sections of the Police Association. [108488]

This information is not readily available and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he has given the Disability Rights Commission on discharging its functions. [109354]

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written to Bert Massie, the Chair of the Disability Rights Commission, to offer broad guidance on how we see the body discharging its functions and priorities and the tasks to which the Government attaches particular importance in its first year of operation. We will look to the Commission to ensure that its first set of strategic priorities, and subsequently, its first corporate plan, reflect the guidance in the letter. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the time currently taken, in the context of pensions mis-selling, for the Teachers Pensions Agency to complete the reinstatement process once the Agency has been notified; and if he will make a statement. [109223]

The average time taken to complete a re-instatement case is 14 weeks, measured from the time Teachers' Pensions are notified that mis-selling has taken place. Cases which take longer than the average are frequently the result of the personal pensions provider failing to act on the re-instatement quotation within the three month period for which the quotation is guaranteed. Some 25 per cent. of restoration quotations have to be re-calculated for this reason.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps are being taken to reduce the time taken to rectify pensions mis-selling to teachers in England and Wales. [109222]

A number of initiatives have been introduced by Teachers' Pensions to streamline the reinstatement processes. These include improvements to their computer systems; the introduction of a dedicated e-mail address; regular contact between Teachers' Pensions staff and personal pension providers; and monthly productivity targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many staff have been allocated by (a) the Teachers Pensions Agency and (b) the Government Actuary's Department solely to rectify the mis-selling of pensions to teachers. [109224]

The administration of the teachers' pension scheme is undertaken under contract by Teachers' Pensions, part of Capita Business Services Ltd. Sixteen staff within Teachers' Pensions work exclusively on the restoration of pension benefits of those teachers who have been mis-sold a personal pension. The Government Actuary's Department does not have any staff dedicated solely to this work. Advice on mis-selling cases is provided by staff who carry out a range of functions on behalf of this Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the annual cost of the Quality Assurance Agency Subject Review for Universities. [109207]

The Higher Education Funding Council for England has a statutory duty to make provision for assessing the quality of education provided in institutions for whose activities it provides financial support. It currently contracts with the Quality Assurance Agency to carry out subject reviews on its behalf. In 1998–99 QAA carried out 233 subject reviews in England at a cost of £4.2 million. For 1999–2000 QAA is contracted to carry out 375 subject reviews in England at a cost of £5.6 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what is the total number of person hours that the Quality Assurance Agency Subject Review assessors spent away from their own universities and colleges on work for the review in the last 12 months for which figures are available; [109204](2) what was the total number of person hours spent by Quality Assurance Agency Subject Review assessors on work for the Review in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [109205]

The information is not held in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the (a) names, (b) departments and (c) educational establishments of the assessors employed by the Quality Assurance Agency for its subject review for universities. [109206]

The information is not available in the form requested.At the end of each cycle of reviews a subject overview report is published which includes the names of all assessors involved in that cycle. Copies of overview reports have been placed in the House of Commons Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will publish an annual report on the performance, costs and profit of the contractor appointed to run Islington's education service. [108875]

Islington Council have signed, and are therefore responsible for, the education services contract with Cambridge Education Associates (CEA at Islington). Their council papers have made known the fact that the cost of the seven year contract is fixed at £86.6 million and that CEA agreed to cap their target related management fee at £600,000 net per annum. CEA are working to clear specifications and if they do not deliver they will not be rewarded. 50 per cent. of their profit is linked directly to standards. All changes in standards will be reflected in the published performance tables.The London Borough of Islington is overseeing the tight contract monitoring arrangements with the assistance of DfEE officials. It is therefore up to Islington Council to decide whether they wish to publish an annual report regarding the monitoring of the contract.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what arrangements are offered to young people on disability benefits who wish to join the New Deal and who are recovering from drug and alcohol misuse. [108606]

Young people on incapacity benefits are not eligible for New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds which is designed for jobseekers actively looking for work. However, we are developing initiatives to ensure that all disabled people who want to work are given the help they need. For example, the New Deal for Disabled People offers personal adviser support in 12 pilot areas to people of all ages on incapacity benefits. The personal adviser offers an individually designed programme to tackle the specific needs of each client, including any who may need to overcome drug or alcohol misuse. We hope to make an early announcement about the next stage of the New Deal for Disabled People taking account of emerging findings from the pilots.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of the cost of introducing a maximum class size of (a) 30 pupils, (b) 28 pupils and (c) 25 pupils for (i) Key Stage 1, (ii) Key Stage 2, (iii) Key Stage 3 and (iv) Key Stage 4. [108866]

We have made available £620 million to reduce Key Stage 1 class sizes to 30 by September 2001.We have estimated that the cost of reducing class sizes to 25 for all primary school children would be around £3 billion.We have not made any other estimates of the costs which the hon. Member asks about.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to enforce minimum nutritional standards in school meals. [108442]

The Government believe it is very important that children should be able to have healthy and enjoyable school meals. We have consulted widely on the introduction of minimum nutritional standards for school lunches, and we are currently considering representations on our draft Regulations and guidance. Schools and local education authorities will be under a duty to comply with the Regulations, to be laid this year, which will set out the new standards. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will investigate any complaints that the standards are not being met and could issue a direction to ensure compliance with the statutory duties.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will estimate how many students from Argyll and Bute are currently attending universities in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland. [108578]

The information is given in the table.

Students1 from Argyll and Bute local authority area studying in higher education institutions 1998–99
Country of study	Number of students
England	246
Wales	12
Northern Ireland	2
1 Full-time and part-time students, excluding students on sabbatical or writing up theses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent reports he has received of homophobic bullying in schools; and if he will make a statement. [108313]

[holding answer 3 February 2000]: In March 1998 we received from Stonewall a copy of the report "Playing it Safe", which they commissioned with the Terrence Higgins Trust. This contains, among other things, evidence and recommendations on homophobic-related bullying. And in October 1998 the noble Lord Tope's unstarred question in the Other Place about bullying in secondary schools focused to a large extent on the problem of homophobic bullying.We attach a high priority to helping schools prevent and combat bullying in whatever form—be it racial, or as a result of a child's appearance, behaviour or special needs, or related to sexual orientation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the cost of the teachers' pay rise to West Sussex Education Authority. [109059]

In his written answer on 1 February 2000, Official Report, column 498W, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment made clear his assessment that the pay settlement would be affordable within the resources available to local authorities in 2000–01. The cost from 1 April 2000 will be 3.3 per cent., with assimilation costs of around 0.1 per cent. West Sussex will receive an increase in its Education Standard Spending Assessment of 6.11 per cent., which takes account of changes in local authority function. Its share of the £50 million special grant to support school budgets will add the equivalent of a further 0.2 per cent. to this. The rescheduling of increased employers' contributions to teachers' pensions will save the authority 0.7 per cent. of the cost of its teachers' pay bill.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what data he has collated on the extent of access by schools to sports playing fields since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [108118]

The Education (School Premises) Regulations 1999 (SPRs) prescribe minimum areas, as well as quality standards, for team game playing fields for which schools must have access. No data have been gathered on the extent of access which schools have to sports playing fields since May 1997, or before.Data being obtained through Asset Management Plans will eventually provide a comprehensive picture of the number and condition of school playing fields throughout England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the total cost of sport played in schools in the most recent year for which figures are available; what organisations other than his Department provide funds for sport in schools; and if he will estimate the amount of such other funding in the most recent year for which information is available. [108297]

Schools and Local Education Authorities (LEAs) decide how much to spend on sport in schools. We do not collect centrally information on this support. However there are a number of organisations which support sport in schools nationally, and many others which give support at a local level. Sport England, the Sports Lottery distributor, spent £14.4 million in schools and colleges in 1998–99. The National Sports Governing Bodies also contribute a great deal at national and local level through coaching and talent development schemes and competitions involving schools. We are working closely with DCMS, OFSTED, QCA and national PE and sport bodies to further develop and expand the range and quality of opportunities available to all young people.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to develop the Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant. [108517]

[holding answer 7 February 2000]: As part of the drive to raise the achievement of ethnic minority pupils, we are making available more money than ever before through the Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Grant. For 2000–01, £162.5 million will be available to LEAs to improve the attainment of ethnic minority, Traveller and refugee pupils, an increase of 7 per cent on the amount available for these purposes in 1999–2000. From April 2000, we are phasing in a needs-based formula for allocating the Grant for raising ethnic minority achievement. Increasingly, as we build up for the first time a national picture of achievement levels, we will target the Grant at those who need it most. In further developing the Grant we will seek to embed in local strategies the knowledge we are acquiring about good practice in raising achievement levels.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff were seconded from the private sector to her Department from (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999 to the latest date for which figures are available, stating in each case the companies from which staff have been seconded. [109069]

Secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiative which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. All sectors of the economy are involved: Voluntary, Education, Health, Public and Private. Interchange is a key component of the reform agenda. The Modernising Government White Paper committed us to increasing interchange, in particular by bringing in more people on secondment and sending more of our people out.During the respective periods, the numbers of staff seconded to my Department from the private sector, all from NRI/University of Greenwich, were:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what child care provision was made available in the financial year 1998–99 for use by (a) departmental staff and (b) employees of executive agencies under the control of her Department; what was the cost to parents of this child care; and how many parents used the facilities. [108859]

We provide holiday playschemes at both our Headquarter sites.The site in East Kilbride operates under partnership between DFID and the Inland Revenue. The site in London is part of the Whitehall Holiday Playscheme, run by the Cabinet Office at three sites in Central London and open to a large proportion of Government Departments. The figures requested are as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made concerning the use of the oil revenue from the Sudanese oil fields being used for development projects. [108799]

Oil was first exported from Sudan in August 1999 and the Government of Sudan has a 5 per cent. stake. We have pressed for revenues to be used for development projects and for transparency in the oil account. The Government of Sudan has made public assurances that this will happen. We look to them to honour them. But the key issue for Sudan's development is the ongoing civil war. We are encouraging all sides to play a constructive part in current peace talks.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent representations she has received concerning the Dervish anti-personnel land mines clearance project. [108617]

In December 1999, we invited proposals for UK based institutions and individuals for consideration under the Humanitarian Mine Action Knowledge Generation and Research Programme. The University of Edinburgh's Department of Mechanical Engineering submitted an application entitled 'Extending Dervish Mine Detonating Vehicle Capability'. All bidders will be assessed later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effectiveness of methods currently in use for anti-personnel land mines clearance. [108619]

(a) My Department is funding, at the request of the United Nations, a study which will examine the effectiveness and suitability of existing capabilities in current mine action programmes. We are also funding a review and revision of international mine clearance standards.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to increase the application of the Know-how Fund to Estonia. [108581]

1. Our plans for technical assistance to Estonia are set out in the published Baltic States Country Strategy Paper (CSP), which covers Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. A copy of the CSP has been placed in the Library of the House.2. The strategy focuses on:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in meeting the target of (a) 75 per cent. of bilateral country programme resources being allocated to low income countries by 2002, (b) reducing under-6 mortality rates to no higher than 70 per 1,000 live births by 2002 and (c) reducing maternal mortality rates to no higher than 240 per 100,000 live births by 2002. [109192]

Substantial progress has been made towards achieving these targets. By 1998–99 our expenditure in low income countries had increased to 71 per cent., and is expected to rise to 75 per cent. in 1999–2000. The average under-5 mortality rate across the top 30 recipients of DFID assistance has fallen to 69 per 1,000 births, and the average maternal mortality rate across the same countries has declined to 316 per 100,000 live births.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress made towards meeting the target of 75 per cent. of projects assessed as likely to fully or largely achieve their objectives by 2002. [109200]

We are well on track towards achieving this target. Of all the projects assessed in 1997 and 1998, over 74 per cent. had fully or largely achieved their objectives. Information is not yet available on results for 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on his proposals to streamline the home buying and selling process. [107323]

On 11 October last year we announced our intention to take forward a package of complementary measures aimed at making the home buying and selling process in England and Wales faster, more transparent and consumer-friendly. The package is based on extensive research and consultation, and requires action by everyone involved in home buying and selling.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has had from local councils which wish to retain the committee system. [107324]

We receive many representations from councils about all aspects of the modernisation agenda.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to address the concerns of people living in rural areas about the impact of his Department's transport policies. [107325]

My Department's transport policies are tackling the impact of decades of underinvestment and neglect for transport in both rural and urban areas. Most of the proposals in the Integrated Transport White Paper apply to rural areas just as much as other areas of the country. But we recognise that people living in rural areas have particular needs. That is why we have made available an additional £170 million for rural transport measures over the three years to March 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to improve rural transport. [107332]

Most of the proposals in the Integrated Transport White Paper apply to rural areas just as much as other areas of the country. But we recognise that people living in rural areas have particular needs. That is why we have made available an additional £170 million pounds for rural transport measures over the three years to March 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on negotiations towards a public private partnership for the London Underground. [107326]

Excellent progress has been made. Bids for the two deep-Tube PPP contracts are due back by the end of next month. There has been strong interest in the Sub-surface lines and property PPP competitions as well. Submissions to pre-qualify for those contracts are due back later this month.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the regional economic strategy prepared by the Eastern regional development agency. [107327]

The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) submitted its strategy for the East of England, "Moving Forward," to Ministers on 26 October. The Government responded to EEDA and the other RDAs on 12 January. Copies of the responses have been placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the rates of pay offered to the chairmen of regional development agencies. [109434]

I refer to the reply given by the Minister for Trade, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn) on 23 July 1998, Official Report, columns 668–69W, on the rates of pay offered to board members of Regional Development Agencies. When appointed in December 1998 the Chairmen were contracted for two days per week with an annual remuneration of £44,000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government are taking to regenerate the north-west. [107328]

One of the main steps that the Government have taken is in establishing the North West Development Agency on 1 April 1999. With a total budget of over £176 million for 1999–2000, it has developed and is starting to implement a strategy for regenerating the north-west.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government are taking to promote the regeneration of disadvantaged areas in the eastern region. [107310]

The Government are supporting regeneration of the disadvantaged areas of the east of England through a number of area-based and other initiatives including the Single Regeneration Budget, Land and Property and Rural programmes, and Skills and Competitiveness Development Funds, all managed by the East of England Development Agency; the New Deal for Communities and Sure Start programmes; and European funding via the current Objective 5b programme and the new Objective 2.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he last met representatives of Virgin Trains to discuss the west coast main line service. [107329]

The Secretary of State has not met representatives of Virgin Trains to discuss the West Coast Main Line service. The Franchising Director and his staff have regular meetings with Virgin Trains as part of their monitoring of the franchise agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on future investment plans for the rail system. [107330]

We have made it clear that we want to see much higher levels of rail investment. We are confident that the next ten years will see the largest investment in the railways for 100 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to encourage train operating companies to make the necessary long-term investment in their rail services; and if he will make a statement. [107953]

We have made it clear that there must be more investment in the railways. Train operators have been told that we are willing to consider longer franchises in return for better services for passengers in terms of greater investment and improved performance, and value for money for the taxpayer. We have asked the Franchising Director, when considering requests for franchise replacements, to give due weight to commitments to new or earlier investment.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for the shipping industry. [107331]

The Government set out its plans for the shipping industry in its policy paper "Charting a new course". It sets out 33 inter-related actions designed to secure the future of UK shipping.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement about the future of parish councils. [107333]

Parish councils will continue to play a key role in many of our towns and villages.In our forthcoming rural White Paper, we intend to address further how we see parish councils playing their part in rural governance.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps are being taken to establish the Strategic Rail Authority; and what its impact will be in Scotland. [107334]

The Transport Bill makes provision for the establishment of the Strategic Rail Authority. In Scotland it will administer all passenger rail franchises including the making of franchise payments to the relevant train operating companies. The Authority will also receive directions and guidance for Scottish passenger rail services from the Scottish Ministers together with financial provision from the Scottish Consolidated fund to help meet the costs of these services.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what projects his Department has recently evaluated relating to schemes to improve the quality of life for people in disadvantaged communities in east London. [107335]

My Department places great importance on the thorough evaluation of its regeneration programmes and over the past two years we have received independent evaluations of the Stratford and Bethnal Green City Challenge Schemes, as well as an interim evaluation of the South Leytonstone Single Regeneration Budget Scheme. A mid-point review of Housing Action Trusts will be published in the spring, including those in Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. In addition, last year, an interim evaluation of the impact made by the East London and Lee Valley Objective 2 European programme on deprived communities was undertaken.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the support his Department makes available for increasing and improving shopping facilities in existing town centres. [107336]

Planning policy guidance for town centres and retail developments (PPG6) strongly promotes town centre management and makes particular reference to improving access to and within town centres, improving the pedestrian environment and addressing the needs of people with mobility difficulties. Through our funding of the Association of Town Centre Management and the Civic Trust, we have been assisting local authorities to promote town centre management by preparing and disseminating good practice.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to deal with extra traffic flows in areas of new greenfield developments. [107337]

Planning Policy Guidance note 13, a draft of which was issued for consultation in October last year, requires a transport assessment to be submitted with every major development which will include an assessment of traffic flows.In addition, local authorities are now required to address traffic flows in their local transport plans and set targets for reducing traffic growth, where they consider it appropriate, and the strategies for achieving these targets.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received concerning brownfield housing developments in the north-west. [107338]

The Secretary of State has received a number of representations in the course of his statutory planning functions and the review of the Regional Planning Guidance for the north-west.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on actions taken by his Department to tackle homelessness among young people. [107341]

Since coming to office, we have taken a number of positive steps to tackle youth homelessness and ensure better housing outcomes for young people. These include work on the promotion of local homelessness strategies and preventative initiatives; setting up the Youth Homelessness Action Partnership to look at the particular problems young homeless people face; and committing an integrated budget of £145 million until 2002 to tackle all aspects of rough sleeping.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made in implementing the recommendation of the Social Exclusion Unit to allow housing authorities to accept as being vulnerable under the provisions of homelessness legislation 16 and 17 year olds who have no family support. [108520]

Local authorities already have the power to accommodate young people whom they consider to be vulnerable and therefore in priority need, under the provisions of the Housing Act 1996. We recognise that young people who are leaving care may face particular difficulties in making the transition to independent living, as a consequence of institutionalisation and perhaps having limited back up support. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' revised draft Code of Guidance on the Allocation of Accommodation and Homelessness, due to be published in the Spring, will therefore recommend that local authorities treat young care leavers, and 16–17 year olds with little or no back up support, as being vulnerable under the homelessness legislation.In the revised Code of Guidance we will be recommending strategies for co-ordinated working between agencies, including the value of exploring joint assessments for those with multiple needs at an early stage. The Guidance will also explicitly refer to the need for this approach when assessing homelessness applications from vulnerable people and when dealing with the needs of young people between the ages of 16–18. The forthcoming Housing Green Paper is likely to include proposals for reform of the homelessness legislation to provide further protection for vulnerable people in priority need.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what follow-up action he has undertaken with developing countries on the proposals adopted at the Kyoto summit. [107343]

Climate change is a global problem which requires a global response. The Government are working with developing countries to promote ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions without compromising economic growth. This was a key theme during my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's visits to India and China.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the Greater Nottingham area rail development strategy. [107344]

Funding for the capital cost of heavy rail schemes is now generally a matter for the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SSRA). The SSRA is currently in discussion with Nottinghamshire County Council about the Strategy. I understand that the County Council will shortly be submitting a pre-qualification bid for funding to the SSRA under the Rail Passenger Partnership scheme for a new station at Ilkeston. The Strategy was however, also included as part of the proposals for local heavy rail network development within the Greater Nottingham Local Transport Plan, submitted in July 1999. It is open to the authorities to use their block allocations to support rail improvements associated with the Strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to review the method of calculating the spending needs of local authorities. [107339]

Assessment of the relative spending pressures faced by local authorities is an important step in the distribution of revenue grants from central to local government. The method of distributing grants is being reviewed, and discussions are well underway between central and local government officials on a range of options for improving the system. 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 what assessment he has made of the risk incurred in travelling as (i) a driver of a car, (ii) an adult passenger in a car, (iii) a child passenger in a car, (iv) a driver of a motorcycle, (v) an adult pillion passenger on a motorcycle and (vi) a child pillion passenger on a motorcycle; and if he will make a statement. [107131]

The risks incurred travelling are normally compared in terms of kilometres travelled by different users (passenger kilometres). The information requested is shown in the following table.

Adult/child car and TWMV casualty data: GB 1997
Casualty rate per 100 million passenger kilometers
	Adult
Severity	Driver	Passenger	Child Passenger
Car
Fatal	0.3	0.4	0.1
KSI1	4.0	4.6	2.0
All	36	40	27
TWMV2
Fatal	12	3—	3—
KSI1	145	3—	3—
All	554	3—	3—
1 Killed and seriously injured
2 Two Wheeled Motor Vehicles; includes mopeds, scooters and motorcycle combinations
3 Kilometres travelled by pillion passengers are not available

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve energy conservation standards required by the building regulations; and if he will make a statement. [108018]

Amendment proposals are being prepared with the aim of maximising the Building Regulations' contribution towards achieving our commitments under the Kyoto Protocol and our UK domestic target for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, while also meeting requirements for better regulation. I intend that a consultation paper setting out our proposals should be issued shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will take measures to enable local authorities to remove more promptly motor vehicles which have been abandoned on (a) public and (b) private land; and if he will make a statement. [108115]

We have no plans to shorten the period of notice a local authority must give before removing from public or private land any vehicle which it considers has been abandoned. The existing regulations are intended to provide owners with safeguards against a local authority prematurely assuming a vehicle is abandoned and having it towed away for scrap. They also ensure that local authorities do not have to go to the unnecessary expense of removing and storing vehicles that may not, in the event, have been abandoned.We believe that the current legislation provides a good balance between the powers of the police and local authorities to deal with abandoned vehicles and the rights of vehicle owners.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers are available to local authorities to impose crowd control and safety measures on the organisers of popular events which are held on private land; and what plans he has to strengthen them. [108114]

The Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 requires the organisers of popular events held on public land to control risks to workers or the public arising from work activities. These provisions are enforced by local authorities. There are no plans to strengthen these powers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the driver test centres in the Greater London area. [108171]

In the Greater London area, driving theory tests are conducted from six centres:

Croydon, Ilford, Kingston upon Thames, Palmers Green, Southwark and Uxbridge.

Practical tests for learner car drivers are conducted from 30 centres (moped and motorcycle tests are also conducted at those centres shown in

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 20 December 1999, Official Report, column 338W, what restrictions were placed on contractors carrying out research projects funded by his Department in 1999 in respect of them discussing their findings with journalists (a) before and (b) after publication. [108193]

I refer to the answer that I gave on 1 February 2000, Official Report, column 521W, on Departmental Research Contracts, when a copy of the standard research contract conditions in use by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, was placed in the Library of the House of Commons. Standard condition 13.6 requires that the contractor shall not communicate with representatives of the general or technical press, radio, television or other communications media unless specifically granted permission to do so in writing by the Department. This would apply to disclosure to journalists both before and after publication.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will lis the public-private partnership schemes currently in progress in Leeds. [108608]

There are currently three public-private partnership schemes in progress in Leeds:

1. Refurbishment and renovation of Swarcliffe Estate—Leeds City Council

2. Provision of replacement buildings for Cardinal Heenan Secondary School

Provision of a new primary school and refurbishment of four other primary and two secondary schools.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many zoos in England and Wales are situated next to (a) funfairs and (b) amusement or video arcades. [108629]

Information on the proximity of zoos in England and Wales to funfairs and amusement and video arcades is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect on Dacorum Borough Council of the changes in negative housing subsidy which he has proposed. [108582]

My Department is currently consulting on the detail of the proposals for changes in the Housing Revenue Account subsidy regime. Consideration of the outcome of that exercise will be required before any decisions are taken. It is too early to say what the financial impact of any changes will be. The financial implications for any authority will depend upon both the results of the consultation exercise and conditions pertaining nearer the time that any changes are made.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when his Department will publish its finalised guidance on land use planning and electro-magnetic fields. [108495]

My Department issued for consultation the draft of a joint circular with the Department of Health on land use planning and electro-magnetic fields. The guidance will be finalised as soon as practicable after the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones, set up at the instigation of the Government and chaired by Sir William Stewart FRS, FRSE, has reported in the spring.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to update the Code of Best Practice for Telecommunications Prior Approval Procedures; and what representations his Department has received on the code in the last 12 months. [108494]

My Department has reconvened the working group responsible for the preparation of the Code to update it to reflect the changes in planning policy and procedures set out in Circular 4/99 'Planning for Telecommunications'. The working group comprises representatives of local government and the main mobile operators.My Department has not received representations relating specifically to the Code in the last 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress has been made by the EU on plans to develop harmonised guidelines for GMO risk assessment for cosmetic products; and if he will make a statement. [108622]

Proposals for the development of such guidelines are still under consideration by the European Commission Scientific Steering Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent advice he has received about the use of antibiotic marker genes in genetically modified plants which provide raw materials for the production of cosmetics and perfumes. [108621]

I have received no additional advice further to that given in my answer of 17 June 1999, Official Report, column 200W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements he has in place to monitor the activities of the European Parliament's Environment Committee in respect of its (a) work on legislative oversight and amendment and (b) reports prepared by the committee, on matters relevant to United Kingdom environment and transport policy.[108692]

The Department receives regular information on the agenda and activities of the European Parliament and its Committees through the UK Representation to the European Union, and through contact between Ministers and Members of the European Parliament. The European Parliament and the European Commission's websites are a further source of information.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many press releases his Department has issued in each year since 1995. [108599]

[holding answer 4 February 2000]: The information is as follows:

	Number of press releases
Department of the Environment
1995	655
1996	579
19971	171
Department of Transport
1995	440
1996	410
19971	96
Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
19972	586
1998	1,121
1999	1,248
1 1 January 1997 to 30 April 1997
2 1 May 1997 to 31 December 1997

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many local authorities operate landlord registration schemes following applications to his Department for the special control scheme. [109188]

Nine authorities in England, mainly in coastal areas, have had registration schemes for houses in multiple occupation confirmed containing the special control provisions in Part II of the Housing Act 1996. One further scheme has been agreed in principle.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assumption about the number of asylum seekers staying in the United Kingdom is incorporated in the forecast of housing demand up to 2021 used by his Department. [109027]

Information on net levels of international migration assumed in the latest household projections can be found in Annexe C of the Department's publication "Projections of Households in England to 2021", a copy of which is in the Library of the House. This Annexe summarises the assumptions contained in the 1996-based national population projections which are published in "National Population projections: 1996-based" Office for National Statistics series PP2 No. 21.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans his Department has in place to protect coasts from oil slicks. [107317]

My Department's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) will shortly be publishing a revised National Contingency Plan for Marine Pollution from Shipping and Offshore Installations. The plan provides a framework for the UK's response to marine pollution from ships and offshore installations. The MCA implements the plan when marine pollution incidents involving ships and offshore installations occur in UK waters. The plan remains under constant review in the light of the experience gained from incidents and exercises.The MCA also inspects at least one quarter of ships calling at UK ports to ensure that they comply with international safety rules and standards and operates surveillance aircraft to patrol UK waters.In addition, my Department will shortly begin a consultative process that could lead to the setting up of Marine Environmental High Risk Areas (MEHRAs) to help protect sensitive marine and coastal environments at particular risk from pollution from shipping.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list for each London borough the number of (a) families on the housing waiting list, (b) families on the transfer list and (c) his estimates of the number of single people who need housing but are not accepted on to waiting lists. [108874]]

The latest information on the number of households on the housing registers of London boroughs was included in my reply to my hon. Friend on 1 December 1999, Official Report, columns 205-06W. Information on transfer lists, and estimates of single persons in housing need but not accepted on to housing registers, is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department is funding into the potential severity of 100 year climatic events due to global warming; and if the Environment Agency will take this into account in commenting on planning applications. [109012]

My Department supports a £7.8 million programme on climate prediction at the Hadley Centre, which is based at the Met Office. Part of this research programme considers how sea level is projected to rise as a result of climate change. Extreme climate events are characterised by their "return period", i.e. the 100-year water level is the water level which occurs once in every 100 years. The Hadley Centre projections have been used by the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory to calculate how the return period for the current 100-year water level might change by the 2050s at a number of UK ports. The projections are currently very uncertain because of incomplete understanding of the climate system, and do not allow for any changes in storminess which may result from climate change.The projections indicate that in England and Wales, a current high tide which would be expected to occur once in every 100 years will occur more frequently. This would be exacerbated if storminess were also to increase as a result of climate change.The Environment Agency considers new research (some of which it is actively involved in) as it emerges and uses it to inform procedures for responding to planning applications.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has to develop the safety management system operated by National Air Traffic Control Ltd; [108525](2) what plans he has to maintain safe levels in the volume of air traffic. [108527]

My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State for Transport and I had two meetings with the Institute of Professional and Managerial Staff and the Public and Commercial Services Union in December at which we made clear that the Government have the highest regard for the Safety Management System operated by NATS. We have indicated that the system will remain in place, subject only to such changes and improvements as are agreed with the Safety Regulation Group (SRG) of the Civil Aviation Authority.The new arrangements, proposed in the current Transport Bill, will lead to the separation of SRG as the regulator, from NATS as operator, as recommended by the Select Committee on the Environment, Transport and the Regions. Under these arrangements, SRG will continue to have robust oversight of all NATS operations. This oversight will include the approval of processes and procedures through the NATS Safety Management System to ensure that traffic flows are regulated and managed at safe levels, irrespective of increasing demand, and that staff are rostered in compliance with the Scheme for the Regulation of Air Traffic Controllers' Hours (SRATCOH), so as to deal safely with the resulting volume of traffic.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has had from representatives of the British Association of Air Line Pilots and the Institute of Professional and Managerial Staffs on proposed changes in the status and organisation of air traffic controllers; and if he will make a statement. [107552]

Since September, my right hon. and noble Friend the Minister of State for Transport and I have had four meetings with the Institute of Professional and Managerial Staffs and the Public and Commercial Services Union. The Deputy Prime Minister and the British Association of Air Line Pilots were present at one of these meetings. We propose to hold a further meeting with the unions shortly. Subjects discussed include the future of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. under the public-private partnership which the Government proposes to establish, and the vital importance of maintaining in full existing safety standards in the air traffic control industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to issue a licence allowing the de-zoning of the existing hackney carriage zones to form a single zone in Herefordshire; and if he will make a statement. [109075]

A request from Herefordshire Council to approve its resolution to amalgamate existing hackney carriage zones is being carefully considered and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) miles of track and (b) railway junctions in Scotland are controlled by (i) colour light signal systems, (ii) radio-electronic token signals and (iii) mechanical semaphore signals. [108652]

1,497 miles of track in Scotland are controlled by coloured lights systems, 400 miles by Radio Electronic Token Block Signalling and 700 miles by mechanical semaphore signalling. An equivalent figure for railway junctions cannot be given as it is dependent on the definition used.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the track mileage in Scotland which has electronic train protection, broken down by mileage of the system used; and how many (a) miles of track and (b) junctions in Scotland are not covered by electric or electronic train protection. [108653]

2,454 miles of track in Scotland are protected by the Automatic Warning System (AWS). 143 miles of track on the Ayr-Stranraer and Aberdeen-Inverness routes are without AWS, although they will be fitted later this year. The Train Protection Warning System (TPWS) will be fitted to 1,424 signals and 88 buffer stops by 2003. An equivalent figure for railway junctions cannot be given as it is dependent on the definition used.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his estimate of the number of sub-post offices which receive (a) 50 per cent, rates relief and (b) 100 per cent, rates relief; and what would be the estimated cost of extending rates relief at (i) 50 per cent, and (ii) 100 per cent, to all sub-post offices; and if he will make a statement. [108906]

The number of rural post offices receiving the 50 per cent, mandatory village shop rate relief and the number to which local authorities have granted discretionary relief of up to 100 per cent, are not collected centrally. However for 1998–99, the last year which figures are available, sole village stores and post offices in England received £2,022,332 in mandatory relief and £1,091,833 in "top up" discretionary relief.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he has approved the terms of reference for the South East and East of England Regional Air Services Study; and how he will ensure consistency in evaluating the demands for, and constraints on, airports and air service development in the South East and East of England Regional Air Services Study. [109353]

I have now approved the final terms of reference for the South East and East of England Regional Air Services Study, taking account of comments received following the consultation on draft terms of reference. Copies will be placed in the House Libraries. They will be circulated to interested parties, and will be on the DETR website.A consultation paper, "Appraisal Framework for Airports in the South East and Eastern Regions of England" was published today. This paper is about the development of an appraisal framework to be applied to the alternative ways of dealing with future demand for airport capacity in the South East and East of England. Putting a framework in place will mean that schemes to meet or restrain that demand can be compared on a consistent basis.The consultation paper has been circulated widely. Comments have been invited from transport groups, airport consultative committees, local authorities, environmental organisations and other interested parties and will be considered carefully before the Appraisal Framework is finalised.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research his Department has carried out into the contribution that the use of solar power in domestic dwellings can make to reducing energy consumption; and if he will make a statement. [108020]

I have been asked to reply.The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has funded a considerable amount of research into the exploitation of solar energy in the UK. This research can be divided into three technology sectors: Passive Solar Design—the direct use of solar heat gain and daytime light in buildings to display conventional energy demand—Solar Thermal Hot Water Heating—to displace energy from other conventional heating sources—and Photovoltaics—which produce electricity from the action of daylight on photovoltaic cells.To date most of the DTI funded PV research has focused on issues which are common to all applications of PV in buildings, and to research into aspects of PV integration into larger non-domestic buildings. The potential contribution that PV can make to UK conventional electricity demand has been estimated in "New and Renewable Energy Prospects for the 21st Century. Supporting Analysis. March 1999. ETSU R-122". This gave a theoretical estimate of around 270 TerraWatt hours a year (TWh/yr) if PV were installed on all available walls and roofs for the entire building stock. More realistically, if PV were to be installed on all south-facing roofs and facades this would yield an annual output of around 70 TWh, or a little over 22 per cent, of current electricity consumption, which stands at around 324 TWh/yr. Obviously, if we are looking only at the roofs of domestic properties, the theoretical potential would be proportionately less. Installing 2 kW systems on 50,000 homes would cost around £500 million at current prices, but would generate less than one half of one tenth of 1 per cent, of current UK electricity demand.In the short to medium term, up to 2010, the installed cost for PV on dwellings is expected to remain a major barrier to faster deployment of the technology. However, costs are expected to continue to reduce, and a market for domestic PV should develop accordingly, so that in the longer term PV has the potential to make a significant contribution to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.The DTI funded a demonstration project for a domestic PV roof in Oxford in the mid to late 90s. The 4 kW system cost in the region of £25,000, and showed that, over the year, output from the system could match demand from an energy-efficient home, with surplus electricity generated by PV during the day, particularly during the summer months, being exported to the grid, and being balanced by imports during the night and winter months.The DTI is contributing £1 million towards a field trial looking at the implementation of PV on clusters of domestic dwellings. It is hoped this will result in total investment of £2 million and the installation of PV systems on two to three hundred dwellings. Other ongoing work within the DTI Solar Programme is investigating the development of PV systems for domestic roofing.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on keeping medical records of personnel working in sensitive defence research establishments. [108469]

[holding answer 7 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the accountability to the taxpayer provided by Smart Procurement; and if he will make a statement. [108742]

My Department's accountability to Parliament and the taxpayer has not been affected by Smart Procurement. By applying Smart Procurement principles to the way we conduct business, the taxpayer should see increased value for money from every pound spent on defence equipment. It enables us to equip, train and support the armed forces as cost-effectively as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Government next intend to review with the Indian and Nepalese Governments the salaries and pensions payable to Gurkhas serving in the British Army; and what is the Government's policy on salaries and pensions payable to Gurkhas serving in the British Army. [108794]

Under the terms of the Tri-Partite Agreement (TPA) between India, Nepal and the UK, rates of pay and pensions are linked to the Indian Army pay code. Major reviews of pay and pensions are carried out by Indian Government Pay Commissions which report every 10 years. The next Pay Commission will report in 2006. Interim changes continue to be implemented as they are notified to us by India.British Gurkha pay is calculated in line with Indian Army rates although in 1997 a Universal Addition was introduced to take account of the cost of living outside Nepal; this is reviewed annually. These two elements combine to give salaries for British Gurkhas that are in line with comparable British servicemen.The recent examination of Gurkha pensions and gratuities has substantially increased Gurkha pensions to allow for a welfare related cash uplift that will double the pension payments for all Gurkha pensioners with effect from 1 April 2000. There are no plans for any further reviews of this nature. Pensions will continue to be paid immediately after 15 years service and index linked in accordance with cost of living in Nepal. These increases remain within the context of the TPA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if his Department permits the use of MoD land by the United States for activities contrary to the terms of the anti-ballistic missile treaty. [108896]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 November 1999, Official Report, column 83W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff were seconded from the private sector to his Department from (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999 and (c) May 1999 to the latest date for which figures are available, stating in each case the companies from which staff have been seconded. [109074]

Secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiative which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the civil service and other organisations. All sectors of the economy are involved: Voluntary, Eduction, Health, Public and Private. Interchange is a key component of the reform agenda. The Modernising Government White Paper committed us to increasing interchange, in particular by bringing in more people on secondment and sending more of our people out.The information requested on personnel on secondment from the private sector to my Department, excluding Trading Fund Agencies, is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what authority the US Government sought from his Department before commencing the construction of an anti-ballistic missile system at RAF Menwith Hill. [108893]

RAF Menwith Hill is the site for the European Relay Ground Station of the US Space Based Infra Red System (SBIRS). SBIRS is designed to detect and provide information on the launch of ballistic missiles. As Her Majesty's Government retain legal ownership and control of all sites made available to the United States Visiting Forces in the UK, it was necessary for the US to seek permission to construct the SBIRS European Relay Ground Station at RAF Menwith Hill. Permission was granted in March 1997.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations his Department has received from the French Government in respect of anti-ballistic missile developments at RAF Menwith Hill. [108897]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the anti-ballistic missile defence system being constructed at RAF Menwith Hill will provide protection from attack for the United Kingdom. [108895]

RAF Menwith Hill is the site for the European Relay Ground Station of the US Space Based Infra Red System (SBIRS). SBIRS is designed to detect and provide information on the launch of ballistic missiles, but offers no physical protection. It will upgrade the detection and warning capabilities that currently contribute to the defence and security of the UK and NATO.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list for the financial year 1998–99 the number and total value of contracts let by his Department with external consultants and advisers that have (a) been put out to competitive tender, (b) not been put out to competitive tender and (c) been let on a non-commercial basis, stating in each case the names of the individuals or organisations that have carried out the work. [109065]

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what supervisory arrangements are operated to monitor the use by foreign military forces of Garvie Island, Sutherland, as a target. [108992]

Any use of ranges at Garvie Island is governed by UK regulations and is directly supervised by UK military personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has approved the use of Garvie Island in Sutherland for shelling by US warships; and if he will make a statement. [108991]

I have not approved Garvie Island in Sutherland for any use by US warships.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if depleted uranium-based ammunition is authorised for use at Garvie Island, Sutherland, by (a) UK forces and (b) overseas forces; and if he will make a statement. [108993]

Depleted uranium is not authorised for use at Garvie Island either by UK or overseas forces.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence under what arrangements exercises by non-UK forces are conducted involving the (a) shelling and (b) bombing of Garvie Island, Sutherland; and if he will make a statement. [108990]

The range at Garvie Island is open to use by members of NATO. All exercises are conducted under UK regulations and are under the direct control of UK military personnel. Garvie Island is used only by aircraft. There is no shelling of the island.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the PPP project for the Army Foundation College at Harrogate. [109357]

I am pleased to be able to say that a contract has been let to Defence Training Services Ltd., a joint venture between Jarvis Projects Ltd. and Halifax Bank, to provide and run a modern residential Army Foundation College at Harrogate, with the associated accommodation and infrastructure support services, for a period of 30 years. The military element of the training at the college will continue to be delivered by uniformed personnel. This investment of private finance and expertise will create a flagship college where young people will have a unique opportunity to gain qualifications combining vocational education with military leadership skills.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress has been made on strengthening links between the Royal Navy and the French Navy. [109358]

I am pleased to announce that HMS Victorious will shortly conduct a port visit to France. She will arrive in Brest on 11 February. This is the second visit of its kind, the first having taken place at Gibraltar in November 1998. The visit has been made possible as a result of the reduced operational tempo of our SSBN fleet, as implemented in the Strategic Defence Review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which vessel his Department plans to be used as a landing platform for helicopters over the next 10 years during the times when HMS Ocean is in refit. [108803]

On current plans HMS Ocean's first full refit will take place in about seven years' time. It is anticipated that the new Landing Platform Docks, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, currently being built, will cover the period of refit, along with an Invincible Class aircraft carrier in the Landing Platform Helicopter role.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military actions carried out by Iraqi forces against Kurds and Sh'ia Muslims between 18 November and 15 December 1999 which required operational sorties by UK forces. [108434]

It is not for us to account for the actions of the Iraqi military over a specific period of time. It is clear, however, that Saddam's internal security organisations continue to persecute all opponents of the regime on the ground. Coalition patrols of the no fly zones prevent Saddam Hussein from using his air force to repress the Iraqi people in the north and south of Iraq. Previously he has made extensive use of helicopter gun ships to repress the Kurdish population in the north, as well as both fixed wing aircraft and helicopter gun ships to repress Sh'ia Muslims in the south. Given the extensive history of brutality by Saddam Hussein's regime, there is no reason to believe that he would not resume these tactics were we to cease patrols. Coalition patrols of the no fly zones remain an essential humanitarian task in support of UN Security Council Resolution 688; without our continued presence in the air, he would be free to use his air force to return to an all out assault.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the change of Chief Executive at the Millennium Dome. [109501]

Jennie Page has done a sterling job seeing the Millennium Dome through from its inception to opening, on time and on budget, on 31 December. The scale of this achievement should not be underestimated. However, it is the view of the NMEC Board, supported by the Shareholder on behalf of the Government, that a different approach and different skills are now needed to manage the project successfully during its year of operation. Jennie Page has resigned as Chief Executive of NMEC. The NMEC Board have appointed Pierre-Yves Gerbeau to succeed her. He took up his post yesterday. A copy of the Press Notice has been placed in the Libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money from National Lottery funding has been directed to projects in parliamentary constituencies in the London Borough of Wandsworth; and for what projects this funding has been used. [109052]

I have placed a table showing National Lottery awards directed to projects based in parliamentary constituencies in the London Borough of Wandsworth (correct to 7 February 2000) in the Libraries of the House. This information is taken from the National Lottery Awards database which uses information supplied by the Lottery distributing bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement about the UK Athletics report into the drug nandrolone. [107655]

UK Sport's review into the anabolic steroid nandrolone which I initiated in August last year, reported on 18 January after an intensive period of expert study and discussion lasting three months.UK Sport has accepted the conclusions of the Review Committee and has already consulted the International Olympic Committee and the International Amateur Athletic Federation—both of whom co-operated with the review and who have received the report favourably. National governing bodies are also being consulted. Comments on the report have been invited by the end of February.The report has also generated substantial interest among members of the public, media, legal and scientific communities. I have placed a copy in the House Libraries.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions he has held with local education authorities on the increased provision of facilities for sporting groups. [105544]

My right hon. Friend and I are in regular contact with ministerial colleagues in the Department for Education and Employment, and through them, local education authorities, on a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including the important issue of improving the provision of sports facilities in schools.I have also discussed this with local authorities in my travels around the country and have met with the Local Government Association.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had with the Department for Education and Employment on increasing the number of playing fields and extending sporting facilities at schools. [105102]