To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the visits outside Britain made by his Department's permanent secretary on official business since 1 January 1999, indicating the date and purpose of the visit in each case. [130491]

The MAFF permanent secretary has made 12 visits outside Britain since 1 January 1999. The date and purpose of each visit are set out in the following table.

Date	Destination	Purpose
18–19 January 1999	Brussels	Agriculture Council
16 February 1999	Brussels	Bilateral with German Presidency
22–26 February 1999	Brussels	Agriculture Council
5 March 1999	Brussels	Agriculture Council
9–11 March 1999	Brussels	Agriculture Council
17 May 1999	Brussels	Agriculture Council
30 May-1 June 1999	Dresden	Informal Agriculture Council
27–28 September 1999	Brussels	Agriculture Council
15 November 1999	Brussels	Agriculture Council
14–15 December 1999	Brussels	Agriculture Council
24–25 January 2000	Brussels	Agriculture Council
6 March 2000	Brussels	Bilateral with Commissioner Byrne

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the response was to the consultation on non-food crops launched by his Department on 7 April. [132014]

Thirty-seven replies were received to this consultation, and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House, and also to be made available for public inspection in the Ministry library at Whitehall Place. The proposal for a Government-industry forum on non-food crops was widely welcomed. My Department is now studying the responses in detail and considering how to put the proposals into effect.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the 1999–2000 Annual report of the Pesticides Safety Directorate. the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, [132015]

The 1999–2000 Annual Report and Accounts for the Pesticide Safety Directorate were laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts and the European Commission in respect of plans to establish a European Food Authority. [130926]

I have been asked to reply.The proposal to establish a European Food Authority and associated work has been discussed in various Councils this year. Department of Health Ministers and the Chairman of the Food Standards Agency have also had informal meetings with the Commission.

To ask the Solicitor-General if he will order an inquiry into the handling by the Essex Crown Prosecution Service of a case of alleged careless driving in respect of a fatal accident at Colchester on 6 May 1999; and if he will make a statement. [131076]

I shall be speaking to the Chief Crown Prosecutor for Essex to discuss the circumstances of this case and will be seeing the hon. Member within a week.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what specific grants are available to help inventors start up businesses. [130974]

Last year the Government introduced the Smart Micro Project grant, worth up to £10,000, specifically to help lone inventors—including those starting up in business—and micro firms develop simple, low-cost prototypes of new products or processes which involve technological advance or novelty. Investors may also apply for other elements of the Small Business Service Smart scheme, which offer grants of up to £45,000 for technical and commercial feasibility studies into innovative technology or up to £5,000 for technology consultation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list each departmental initiative since May 1997 requiring bids for funding together with the total resources available, the number of successful bids and the proportion this represents of total bids received; and what data he collects on the average expenditure of organisations bidding for funding through each initiative. [131084]

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 18 July 2000, Official Report, columns 219–29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the proposed universal bank will be expected to operate on an arm's-length commercial basis without subsidy. [130648]

[holding answer 17 July 2000]: Until a business case has been completed and approved, it is too early to say what, if any. Government contribution may be required.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the proposed universal bank operating through sub-post offices will be competing with the Alliance and Leicester Girobank in the provision of certain services. [130649]

[holding answer 17 July 2000]: A major strength of the Post Office is the extensive reach of the post office network and its ability to provide access to a wide range of banking products on behalf of its clients. The extent to which the universal bank may compete with certain services offered by Alliance and Leicester Girobank or other banks will depend on the range of basic banking services these banks wish to make available through the post office network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations have taken place between his Department, the Post Office and Alliance and Leicester Girobank about the establishment of a universal bank operating through sub-post offices. [130695]

[holding answer 17 July 2000]: Consultations are in progress between the Post Office and a wide range of banks including Alliance and Leicester Girobank, about the establishment of a universal bank operating through the post office network.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 4 July 2000, Official Report, column 136W, on electricity pylons, if the replacement of trees felled as a result of the proposed construction of the Lackenby to Shipton overhead transmission line is intended (a) to mitigate the impact of consented development or (b) as an environmental measure. [131344]

The replacement tree planting scheme is intended to serve both purposes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 4 July 2000, Official Report, column 136W, on electricity pylons, who is responsible for the payment of compensation to farmers and landowners affected by the tree planting scheme. [131343]

Compensation for actions which the National Grid Company carries out on other people's land is a matter for the company.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements his Department has made to purchase the electricity supply from renewable energy sources for its main headquarters building; and what percentage of its electricity is supplied from such sources. [131403]

As part of the annual tendering exercise for electricity supply, energy from renewable sources was procured for one of our buildings on the London HQ estate. This supply amounts to 26 per cent. of the electricity purchased for the London HQ buildings.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the time it would take to get new computers running in the wake of a major computer disaster in his Department. [130970]

The Department and our Agencies have a range of computer systems in use to support our day-to-day work. The responsibility for support of these is in the main outsourced to the private sector. For each of them disaster arrangements are in place to enable recovery of each system appropriate to the criticality of the business it supports. This includes the basic IT infrastructure on which each of these systems operates. The arrangements include built-in resilience, aimed at minimising loss of service generally. In the event of a major disaster impacting DTI's building, priority users have also been identified so that vital services can be restored first to these key personnel in the event of such a disaster.The Department's disaster recovery programme covers appropriate testing of arrangements and any lessons learned are applied to strengthen the supporting processes and procedures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the current postal workers dispute in London. [131422]

This is an operational matter for the Post Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the size of the backlog of delayed post caused by the current postal workers dispute in London. [131423]

None. This is an operational matter for the Post Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets he has set his Department's Insolvency Service Executive Agency for 2000–01. [131887]

The Insolvency Service's planning assumption is that compulsory insolvencies will total 26,500 in the year to 31 March 2001. On that basis and with the resources allocated to it, I have set the following performance targets:

To complete sufficient bankruptcy and compulsory liquidation case administrations so that the number of open current cases at 31 March 2001 are no more than 17,225 cases—that is, equivalent to no more than eight months of new case input; with no more than 5 per cent. of those cases being more than 36 months old;

To maintain in real terms the unit cost of administering bankruptcy and compulsory liquidation cases over the period 1999–2002 at the level of 1998–99, taking account of the additional shorter-term costs of its new IT infrastructure and the delivery of improvements in its services to users;

To reduce in real terms the unit cost of its investigation of bankruptcy and liquidation cases by 10 per cent. over the period 1999–2002, also taking account of the additional shorter-term costs of its new IT;

To continue to achieve the level of disqualification proceedings and orders against unfit directors as in 1999–2000;

To continue to submit reports of criminal misconduct at a level consistent with the Service's investigative caseload and resources;

To report to creditors on assets and liabilities within eight weeks in at least 97 per cent. of all cases: and within 12 weeks in 98 per cent. of all cases;

To hold the initial meetings of creditors within 12 weeks in 96 per cent. of all appropriate cases, and within four months in 98 per cent. of all appropriate cases;

To submit reports within 10 months in at least 90 per cent. of bankruptcy cases and at least 80 per cent. of compulsory liquidation cases where there is evidence of criminality;

To submit disqualification reports within 12 months in at least 65 per cent. of cases and within 15 months in at least 80 per cent. of cases where there is evidence of unfit conduct by directors; and

To check and action at least 97 per cent. of Insolvency Services Account payment requisitions within four days or by the due date.

Service is expected to action 100 per cent. of invoices for payment within 30 days of receipt and the Agency Chief Executive is expected to reply within 10 days to all Members of Parliament delegated to him for reply.I have asked the Agency Chief Executive to develop for 2001–02 and beyond one or more outcome-based targets for the Service's activities; and to review its quality of service performance in the light of its experience of its new IT infrastructure and the views of its users.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure that the regulations relating to sunbeds and their use are reviewed; and if he will make a statement. [128334]

I have been asked to reply.There are no current plans to amend legislation as it applies to sunbeds and their use but the situation is kept under review.The use of sunbeds is a matter of personal choice. However, people should be aware that their use entails exposure to ultraviolet radiation and that there is strong evidence that this is a cause of skin cancer.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the benefits of the Audit Commission proposal for the creation of a multi-agency helpline to relieve pressure on the existing 999 emergency number; and if he will make a statement. [128533]

[holding answer 5 July 2000]: I have asked officials, in consultation with the Association of Chief Police Officers, to develop proposals for a new call handling strategy. Relieving pressure on the 999 service and using new technology to receive from and provide information to the public will be considered as part of that strategy.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total number of police officers and police civilian staff was (a) in England and Wales and (b) in each force on (i) 31 March 2000, (ii) 30 September 1999 and (iii) 31 March 1997; and if he will make a statement. [130027]

The information is set out in tables. At the end of March 2000, the total number of police officers in England and Wales was 124,418 and there were 53,227 civilian support staff in the police service. Table VI additionally compares the percentage change in police numbers over the 12 month period 31 March 1999 to 31 March 2000, against the percentage increase in police budgets for 1999–2000 in both cash and real terms.A reduction in police numbers for March 2000 was forecast in the projections on police numbers in the reply my hon. Friend the Minister of State gave to the hon. Member on 15 March 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are aged over 60 years; and what arrangements are made to meet their needs. [130642]

On 30 June 2000, there were 1,266 prisoners who were aged 60 and over. There are no separate arrangements for this group of prisoners. The Prison Service aims to assess each prisoner in order to identify their individual needs.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Charity Commission will publish the report of its investigation into Integrate Services in Warrington; and if he will ensure that a copy of the full report is placed in the Library. [130704]

[holding answer 18 July 2000]: I understand that the Charity Commissioners expect to complete their Inquiry into Integrate Services and publish a report in September. A copy of the report will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the basis is for the statement on page 35 of the Government's Annual report 1999–2000, that tagging and curfews are more effective ways of punishing offenders; to what Government initiatives this statement refers; and if he will make a statement. [131379]

[holding answer 18 July 2000]: The introduction of curfew orders enforced by electronic monitoring as a sentence to all courts in England and Wales on 1 December 1999 built on four years of successful trials. Home Office research has shown that the successful completion rate of 82 per cent. during the first two years of the trials of the sentence compared favourably with other community sentences (the completion rate for probation orders was also 82 per cent., while that for community service was 71 per cent.).The evaluation of the trials found that curfew orders were more strictly enforced than other community sentences, a fact that places greater value on rate of completion. The primary reason for this is the fact that the electronic monitoring contracts leave little discretion in the enforcement of breaches. The monitoring equipment ensures that violations of curfew are detected immediately, and offenders in breach of their order are very quickly returned to court by the contractors.Curfew orders enforced by electronic monitoring provide the courts with a flexible sentencing option for use in respect of those offences for which the sentence is not fixed by law. Firstly, as a stand-alone sentence, it provides the punitive element of restricting an offender's liberty during the period of the curfew, while enabling those who have families to support to continue to do so. A curfew order can also be used in conjunction with another community sentence to help structure the times of attendance at, for example, probation or drug rehabilitation appointments. The trials of the sentence demonstrated that in this way, electronic monitoring could help to address the chaotic lifestyle of some offenders.Given the operational effectiveness of curfew orders enforced by electronic monitoring, the sentence can also be shown to provide a cost-effective alternative to a custodial sentence.The operation of the sentence in England and Wales is the subject of an evaluation by the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate. The findings of the evaluation of the first two years of the trials of curfew orders enforced by electronic monitoring are published in Home Office Research Study 163 and 177.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he had made of the compatibility of Government legislation enacted in the 1997–98 parliamentary session with the Human Rights Act 1998; and if he will make a statement; [131383](2) what estimate he has made of the number of declarations of incompatibility that will be made by the courts under the Human Rights Act 1998

The Human Rights Act 1998 gives further effect in United Kingdom law to rights and freedoms in the European Convention on Human Rights. Successive Governments have sought to comply with the provisions of the Convention since 1951. Therefore we should not expect major changes to have to be made once the Human Rights Act is fully in force. Following its enactment, Departments have reviewed their legislation and procedures in the light of the Human Rights Act. Where changes have been judged appropriate, these have been made or are in hand.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he had made of the impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on (a) total Government and (b) individual department's spending in (i) 2000–01, (ii) 2001–02 and (iii) 2002–03. [131384]

I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne) on 23 May 2000, Official Report, column 401W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the potential hazards to disabled people of having domestic fire extinguishing sprinklers installed in their homes; [129023](2) what proposals he has to fund the installation of domestic fire extinguishing sprinklers in the homes of disabled people. [129024]

[holding answer 4 July 2000]: I have been asked to reply.Local housing and social services authorities have responsibilities for funding housing adaptations for disabled people under the Housing Grants, Construction and Redevelopment Act 1996 and the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. These responsibilities include making housing safe for disabled people. Decisions about the funding of adaptations in individual cases are taken at local level following an assessment of need. We have no plans to change these arrangements in respect of domestic fire extinguishing sprinklers. No specific research by either the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions or the Home Office has been conducted into the potential hazards to disabled people of having domestic fire extinguishing sprinklers in their homes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he intends to make to the presentation of information on the strength of the armed forces. [131788]

In order to provide a more accurate and relevant picture of the overall full-time manpower available to the Armed Forces, we plan to include in the definition of the strength of the Services all full-time personnel including Full-Time Reserve Service personnel and, in the case of the Army, Gurkhas. In view of their discrete and specialised task in a particular location the Royal Irish (Home Service) will be reported separately. This change will take effect from September 2000.The inclusion of Full-Time Reserve Service personnel is in line with our aim to make reserve forces more relevant and usable and is a natural consequence of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 which provides for the employment of reservists in place of full-time regular personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what discussions he plans to have with British Aerospace and the trade unions about the future of the Royal Ordnance factory in Nottingham; and if he will make a statement; [130508]

[holding answer 17 July 2000]: My ministerial colleagues and I meet representatives of BAe Systems regularly to discuss a wide range of business. Most recently I met Mr. John Weston of BAe Systems on 25 May, when he briefed me on a number of matters arising from the recent acquisition of the defence business of GEC Marconi. Mr. Weston confirmed then that the future of the site at RO Nottingham was under review and I understand that work on the review continues. My noble Friend Baroness Symons, the Minister of State for Defence Procurement, met Trade Union representatives on 6 July to hear their views on the future prospects for RO Nottingham and expects to meet Trade Union representatives again shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each departmental initiative since May 1997 requiring bids for funding together with the total resources available, the number of successful bids and the proportion this represents of total bids received; and what data he collects on the average expenditure of organisations bidding for funding through each initiative. [131078]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 17 July 2000, Official Report, column 93W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if, pursuant to the reply given to the hon. Member for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) of 10 July 2000, Official Report, columns 375–76W, on arms sales, memoranda of understanding of the type described apply to any arms sales in the Middle East; and if Memoranda of Understanding restrict the availability to third parties for training purposes of defence material exported from Government to Government. [130803]

[holding answer 17 July 2000]: Not all sales of defence material to the Middle East are subject to Government to Government Memorandum of Understanding arrangements.Where there are MOUs, restrictions on transfer would typically include transfers for training purposes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many parliamentary answers from his Department have been amended following publication using the mechanism of a pursuant answer in the past month. [131033]

[holding answer 17 July 2000]: The Ministry of Defence has used the mechanism of a pursuant answer on three occasions from 13 June to 17 July 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the locations of possible golf courses which have been provisionally selected to be sited on military land; which sites will be (a) leased and (b) sold to private operators; how many other sites (i) within the Colchester Garrison estate and (ii) elsewhere were investigated but will not be proceeded with; and if all revenue obtained from leasing or selling land for such golf courses will be retained by his Department. [131074]

The information requested is not held centrally. I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made in fitting flight data recorders to Lynx, Puma and Sea King helicopters. [130472]

Both the Royal Navy and Army Lynx aircraft are to undergo major upgrades: for the Royal Navy aircraft this will be through the Mark 8 Enhancement package, and for the Army aircraft through the Future Lynx programme. In both of these programmes, the aircraft will be fitted with a Health and Usage Monitoring System which includes Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorders (CVFDR). Work has been taking place to assess how to fit the equipment to the aircraft, and we aim to place a contract in the spring of 2001.A proposal to fit CVFDRs to our Sea King and Puma fleets is under consideration.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with financial institutions regarding disaster contingency measures. [131069]

Treasury Ministers frequently discuss a wide range of issues with representatives of financial institutions. The Financial Services Authority, as financial regulator, works closely with the institutions it supervises to ensure that their risk management processes follow good practice.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will investigate the feasibility of introducing different fuel duties in rural and urban areas. [130407]

[holding answer 13 July 2000]: The Government have no plans to do so.Differential fuel duties would be difficult and expensive to administer. No new arrangements for differential rates of road fuel duty have been sanctioned by the European Commission since the completion of the single market.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many, and what percentage of, 25 year endowment contracts (a) with profits and (b) unit linked purchased (i) one year ago, (ii) five years ago, (iii) 10 years ago, (iv) 15 years ago and (v) 20 years ago are still in force today; [129952](2) what research has been conducted in the last 10 years by

The Personal Investment Authority collects and publishes information on the persistency of endowment contracts, but only for terms of up to four years after the contract is effected. The latest figures were published in October 1999 in the Personal Investment Authority's "Fifth Survey Of The Persistency of Life And Pensions Policies", a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library. Persistency data are collected on endowments generically without distinguishing endowments used to repay mortgages from endowments used for savings purposes and without distinguishing with-profits endowments from unit linked endowments. There has been no specific research commissioned into the persistency of mortgage endowments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on (a) the Indian peacekeepers detained by the RUF in Sierra Leone and (b) the UN personnel surrounded by the RUF in the south east of Sierra Leone; and what the conditions for their release are. [127657]

The 21 Indian peacekeepers detained by RUF at Pendembu in Sierra Leone were released unconditionally during the last week in June. We are pleased that the 233 UN personnel surrounded by RUF in the south east of Sierra Leone at Kailahun are now safe following the successful action by UNAMSIL forces on 14–15 July.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the nature of the support offered by British officials observing the Lomé peace negotiations. [130788]

British officials were present in Lomé in order to observe the peace negotiations. They were in close touch throughout with the negotiators and other observers helping to facilitate the negotiations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the application of Article XVIII of the Lomé Peace Agreement to the Government of Sierra Leone's helicopter support. [130831]

The application of Article XVIII of the Lomé Peace Agreement to the Government of Sierra Leone's helicopter support is a matter for the Government of Sierra Leone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 23 June 2000, Official Report, column 318W, if the Commonwealth Secretariat was used as a medium to transmit the views of Her Majesty's Government on the best method to reach a settlement in the Lomé Peace Accord; and if he will make a statement. [130853]

We remained in close touch with the Commonwealth Secretariat throughout the Lomé peace negotiations, as well as with other observers and the negotiators themselves. The decision on reaching a settlement rested with the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 26 June 2000, Official Report, column 400W, on Sierra Leone, if he will identify the (a) Cabinet positions and (b) Deputy ministerial positions occupied by RUF members; and what their present positions are. [130839]

The Cabinet positions occupied by members of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) were the Ministry of Trade and Industry; the Ministry of Energy and Power; and the Ministry of Lands, Housing, Country Planning and the Environment. The Deputy ministerial positions occupied by members of the RUF were in the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government; the Ministry of Transport and Communications; and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Marine Resources.None of these positions is now occupied by members of the RUF. We have made clear our view that, after the attacks by the RUF on United Nations peacekeepers and the RUF's clear violation of the Lomé Peace Agreement, there can be no role for members of the RUF in the present Government of Sierra Leone.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 26 June 2000, Official Report, column 400W, on Sierra Leone, if the Government persuaded negotiators in the Lomé Accords to modify their negotiating position to (a) take account of the Government's position, and (b) to facilitate the reaching of a peace agreement. [130837]

Sir John Kerr, permanent under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has made the following official visits since 1 January 1999
	Date
France
For the Franco-British Colloque in Versailles	14–16 January 1999
Nigeria
For talks in Lagos and Abuja with senior Nigerian officials	10–13 February 1999
Korea
For talks with the Korean Government in Seoul	9–11 March 1999
France
To attend Club of Three conference in Paris, and for talks at the Quai D'Orsay	5–6 March 1999
Germany
To attend the Konigswinter Conference in Cologne	18–20 March 1999
Japan and China
Talks with senior Japanese and Chinese officials in Tokyo and Beijing	23–27 May 1999
Austria
To attend a meeting of other EU Secretaries-General in Vienna	10–12 June 1999
Germany
For talks with senior German officials in Bonn	16–17 May 1999
Hungary and Slovakia
For talks with the Governments in Budapest and Bratislava	12–14 September 1999
Norway and Sweden
For talks with senior officials in Oslo and Stockholm	16–20 September 1999
Romania and Ukraine
To deliver the opening address at a Wilton park Conference in Romania, and for talks with the Governments in Bucharest and Kiev	26–29 September 1999

The Lomé Peace Agreement was negotiated and entered into by the Government of Sierra Leone and the Revolutionary United Front. Negotiating positions were a matter for the parties concerned.Observers in Lomé, including Britain, remained in close touch with the negotiators throughout, and were able to offer advice in order to help facilitate the negotiations where requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 26 June 2000, Official Report, column 401W, on Sierra Leone, for what reason the Commission for the Management for Strategic Resources, National Reconstruction and Development was not fully established by the end of April; and if all the Commission's funds are accounted for. [130838]

A number of factors hampered the establishment of the commission for the Management of Strategic Resources, National Reconstruction and Development. The United Nations Secretary-General's report dated 19 May states that the Commission, chaired by Foday Sankoh, had not produced a plan of action, and that there appeared to be a lack of political consensus on the role of the Commission vis-a-vis existing Government Ministries.As far as we are aware, the Commission had received no direct funding, although at least one donor had indicated a willingness to provide funds to help it to become established.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the visits outside Britain made by his Department's Permanent Secretary on official business since 1 January 1999, indicating the date and purpose of the visit in each case. [130492]

The information is as follows:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on UN Resolution 520. [131171]

We welcome the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon, in compliance with UNSCRs 425 and 426, as demanded by UNSCR 520. We look forward to the Lebanese Government taking measures to assert its authority throughout its territory. We support UNSCR 520's call for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and political independence of Lebanon to be respected. We also support the Resolution's reaffirmation of support for the rights of the civilian population of Lebanon.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list each departmental initiative since May 1997 requiring bids for funding together with the total resources available, the number of successful bids and the proportion this represents of total bids received; and what data he collects on the average expenditure of organisations bidding for funding through each initiative. [131086]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 17 July 2000, Official Report, column 93W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the (a) costs and (b) benefits to Israel of acceding to its agreement with the European Communities, 2000/384/EC (L147, volume 43, 21.6.2000); what benefits are denied to accedants of such an agreement which are granted to EU member states; and if he will make a statement. [130782]

It is primarily for Israel or any other third country to estimate the costs and benefits to their country of entering into agreements with the EU. The EU-Israel Association Agreement is a reciprocal agreement which confers specific benefits on both parties. It is in no way comparable to EU membership.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice has been given to the countries most recently given EU candidacy status about the need to have on their statute book a process providing for (a) restoration of property rights and (b) a compensation regime which is subject to both arbitration and judicial review, in relation to property arbitrarily seized during the period of totalitarian rule, after 1945. [130662]

[holding answer 18 July 2000]: The EU monitors applicants' progress in meeting the political and economic criteria for membership of the EU, including issues related to the restitution of property, in the Commission's annual progress reports and the EU's regular dialogue with the applicant countries concerned. However, property restitution is a bilateral issue for the states concerned and does not fall within the scope of the accession negotiations.We have not bilaterally offered advice to those countries recently given EU candidacy status but we have taken a particular interest in the situation in Poland, which affects a number of British nationals of Polish origin. We have continually made clear to the Polish authorities the need for a speedy resolution of the problem. At the end of last year the Polish Government presented its proposals to Parliament, which is still discussing them.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department will publish its Annual report on Human Rights. [131789]

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office annual report on human rights will be published as a Command Paper at 2.30pm on 20 July. Copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses and distributed throughout Parliament in the usual way. The report will be placed on the FCO websites www.fco.gov.uk and hrpd.fco.gov.uk and will be available through The Stationery Office.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UN Secretary-General's recent appointment of experts to look into breaches of UN sanctions against UNITA. [131486]

The UK has given full support to the ground-breaking work of Ambassador Robert Fowler, Chairman of the Angola Sanctions Committee, to ensure that UN sanctions against UNITA are made to bite. We financially supported the Angola Expert Panel to the tune of 200,000 US Dollars. The Panel investigated reports of sanctions breaking and reported to the UN Security Council on 15 March. The Security Council welcomed the Panel's report in UN Security Council resolution 1295, adopted on 18 April 2000.The report gave a detailed analysis of the problem of sanctions breaking. It reports the alleged involvement of a number of individuals. For example, it states that the central figure in UNITA's external procurement and diamond trade operations is Marcelo Moises Dachala, known as "Karrica", based in Ougadougou and that Imad Kabir

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on (a) the political settlement of the recent crisis in Fiji, including its racial aspects, and (b) Fiji's future membership of the Commonwealth. [131413]

We are relieved that all the hostages have now been released, but dismayed that George Speight and his supporters have been allowed to overthrow Fiji's democratically elected Government at the point of a gun, and that the 1997 Constitution has been abrogated. We continue to call for the restoration of a democratic and constitutional Government which respects the rights of all Fijians. Unless Fiji's new interim administration can demonstrate a clear road map for returning Fiji to democracy, the Commonwealth may wish to consider further measures at the next meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) in September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the fairness of the Ugandan referendum on the Movement System of 29 June; what discussions he has had with the Government of Uganda (a) during and (b) since the campaign; and if he will make a statement. [131414]

In its statement of 1 July, the International Donor Referendum Group, which includes the UK, concluded that although the voting had been peaceful and orderly, the Referendum campaign as a whole had not been conducted on a level playing field. While noting that it was not clear that these shortcomings were on a scale significantly to influence the result of the Referendum, the Group expressed its hope that the presidential elections scheduled for 2001 would resume momentum towards more inclusive Government.The Group has since met with President Museveni to discuss progress towards greater pluralism, good governance and democratic accountability.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with his plans to help train members of East Timor's civil and foreign service. [131467]

We are preparing to bring a group of East Timorese diplomats to the United Kingdom later this year for an intensive four-week tailor-made training course. These students will form the nucleus of East Timor's Diplomatic Service. We are also exploring other projects for East Timor's fledgling civil services, to be funded through our Support for Democracy Programme.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she will publish the accounts of the Central Office of Information Trading Fund. [131672]

I have arranged for the accounts of the Central Office of Information Trading Fund to be laid before the House today.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what work is being carried out on rural issues by (a) the Social Exclusion Unit, (b) the Performance and Innovation Unit, (c) the Women's Unit and (d) the Regulatory Impact Unit. [128046]

These units often carry out work on issues that are relevant to both rural and urban areas. Their recent work specifically on rural issues, or with a rural theme, includes:

(a) the Social Exclusion Unit's recent consultation framework document on a National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal;

(b) the Performance and Innovation Unit's reports on Rural Economies (published December 1999) and the Post Office network (published June 2000); and

(c) the work of the Women's Unit in ensuring that the preparation of the Rural White Paper takes account of issues of importance for rural women.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list for her Department and its agencies the approved list of manufacturers of (a) cars and (b) commercial vehicles; and if she will make a statement on her Department's leasing and purchasing policy. [128983]

The make and model of car which the Government Car Service (GCS) can offer to Ministers, senior officials and other approved customers are set out in the Prime Minister's guidance on ministerial travel. Currently, GCS can offer the following cars:

Make	Model
Ford	Mondeo
Jaguar	Sovereign, Daimler
Nissan	Primera
Rover	R45
Vauxhall	Omega, Vectra

Other than for the GCS, my Department does not operate approved lists of cars or commercial vehicles. Purchase, or leasing, decisions are taken on the basis of best value for money based on while life costs.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will list (a) the representations her Department has received and (b) meetings it has held on the proposed pesticides tax with the (i) UKASTA, (ii) NOAH, (iii) the National Farmers Union, (iv) the Country Landowners Association, and (v) agrochemical companies, indicating which companies; and what was the date and duration of each of the meetings. [131102]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary on 18 July 2000, Official Report, column 110W.

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what representations she has received from consumer and pensioner groups about the need to have in place effective disaster contingency measures; [130965](2) what recommendations she has made to the principal Departments of state about disaster contingency measures. [130966]

I have been asked to reply.I refer the hon. Member to a reply I gave to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Sayeed) on 5 July 2000,

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's programmes in Pakistan and Bangladesh. [130961]

The main goal of our programmes in Pakistan and Bangladesh is systematic reduction of the unacceptably high levels of poverty which prevail in both countries. In Bangladesh, Pakistan and elsewhere we work to help them move towards the achievement of the International Development Targets. Our plans for addressing this in Bangladesh are described in our relevant Country Strategy Paper, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. In Pakistan, where our work was disrupted by last year's military coup, we are providing technical assistance to the Pakistani administration to support action to reduce poverty and corruption and support the development of genuine democracy.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has held with the UK Executive Director of the World Bank since the findings of the Independent Inspection Panel's report on the Ilisu Dam became available. [131314]

I have had no discussions with our Executive Director about the findings of the Independent Inspection Panels on Ilisu Dam as neither my Department nor the World Bank is involved in the project.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on recent developments regarding the inspection of paramilitary weapons dumps. [129863]

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with General de Chastelain regarding decommissioning. [129865]

Mr. Ramaphosa and Mr. Ahtisaari have reported that they have completed their first inspection of several IRA arms dumps. We welcome this development—it represents substantial progress and an honouring of commitments given at the beginning of May I am confident the inspectors will report any further progress that has been made when they deem it appropriate to do so.Equally significant is the renewal of contact by the IRA's representative with General de Chastelain's Decommissioning Body, and they will resume their discussions so that IRA arms are ultimately put completely and verifiably beyond use.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with General de Chastelain about progress to date in decommissioning. [129875]

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the decommissioning of illegal arms and explosives in Northern Ireland. [129876]

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent representations he has received on progress towards decommissioning; and if he will make a statement. [129882]

Under the Good Friday Agreement, the Decommissioning Commission operates as an independent body to resolve the decommissioning issue. The Commission has provided written reports on progress on a number of occasions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects the decommissioning of illegal arms and explosives to begin. [129879]

We hope decommissioning will start as soon as possible.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Oversight Commissioner. [129867]

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Oversight Commissioner. [129883]

The Secretary of State last met with Mr. Tom Constantine, the Oversight Commissioner, on 31 May 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on recent violence at parades. [129868]

The Government condemn the violence which occurred during the past week. The behaviour we witnessed on occasions was nothing less than pure vandalism and thuggery. We should, however, congratulate the security forces for their efforts to maintain order and uphold the lawful ruling of the Parades Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had with the Parades Commission concerning the criteria it uses to determine parade routes. [129878]

The criteria used for making decisions are set out in legislation and in the guidelines and Code of Conduct produced under this legislation. It is for the Parades Commission to determine the appropriate factors to be taken into account, and to take the final decision.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland. [129869]

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the security situation in Northern Ireland. [129870]

The Government believe the main paramilitary groups are maintaining their ceasefires. There remains, however, a threat from dissident paramilitaries on both sides who are opposed to the Good Friday Agreement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress in respect of devolved Government in Northern Ireland. [129871]

Assembly Members resumed their positions quickly and Assembly procedures are operating efficiently. Two Bills—Appropriation and Members' Allowances—have already been passed by the Assembly and more legislation is expected to follow soon after the summer recess. The Executive Committee is now preparing its programme for Government. I have every confidence in the Assembly's continuing success and wish it well.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the range of schemes available to deal with young offenders. [129872]

The Criminal Justice Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 was introduced in January 1999 and brought in a new juvenile justice centre order of between six months and two years, half of which is spent in custody and half under close supervision in the community. The Community element of the sentence is delivered by the Probation Board for Northern Ireland.A range of programmes for young people, both in custody and in the community, has been developed. Programmes such as cognitive behaviour training to tackle offending and the associated causes and problems such as drugs and alcohol misuse, car crime, aggressive behaviour and sex offending, have been developed on a multi-agency basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consultation he has had relating to the future of EU structural funds allocated to Northern Ireland. [129873]

I met Commissioner Barnier on 18 May during the suspension of devolution in Northern Ireland. The allocation of EU structural funds is now a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the Irish Prime Minister to discuss progress towards peace. [129874]

I last met with the Taoiseach on 31 May in the course of a visit to Dublin to hold discussions with the Irish Foreign Minister.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the early release of terrorist prisoners. [129877]

The early release of prisoners is dependent on the continuation of the current ceasefires. The Secretary of State is in constant touch with his security advisers and keeps the security situation continually under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the current levels of recorded crime in Northern Ireland. [129880]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to the hon. Member for Epping Forest (Mrs. Laing), Official Report, column 363.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to encourage links between schools in Northern Ireland, the rest of the United Kingdom and the Irish Republic; and if he will make a statement. [129881]

Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly, and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met the police ombudsman. [129884]

The Ombudsman met with the Secretary of State on 1 November 1999.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress is being made on implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. [129885]

The Government are committed to the full implementation of the Belfast Agreement. The provisions for policing, criminal justice, equality and rights, prisoners and security are progressing with all due speed. The prospects for decommissioning are good. I am confident we will fulfil our commitment to implement the Agreement in full by June 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he is making on tackling crimes of violence in Northern Ireland. [129886]

Figures on violent crime for the period April 1999 to March 2000 show an increase of 12.6 per cent. on the number of offences recorded for the same period during 1998–99. The total number of violent crimes cleared during 1999–2000 increased by 25.3 per cent. compared with the previous year. Overall the clearance rate for violent crime rose from 55.7 per cent. in 1998–99 to 62 per cent. during 1999–2000. The ongoing progress being made by the RUC towards moving to `intelligence-led policing' will, it is believed, assist in tackling the problem of violent crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on access to abortion and contraceptive services for women in Northern Ireland. [129887]

Responsibility for this subject has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is therefore no longer a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with former members of the RUC concerning the Patten report on the future of the RUC. [129888]

During the three-month period of formal consultation on the Patten Report, and in discussions since then, Ministers have met a wide range of police representative groups to discuss the Patten Report and the future of the RUC. These have included retired officers, disabled officers, police widows and their families. Ministers have also received, and replied to, many letters from former RUC officers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people aged over 50 years are eligible for guaranteed minimum take-home pay under the New Deal for the over 50s in Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement. [131147]

New Deal 50 plus is a major new programme of personal advice, support and financial help for people over 50 who are looking for work. The programme is aimed at unemployed and economically inactive people in receipt of benefit for six months or more and their dependent partners. The following table shows the number of people who are directly eligible for New Deal 50 plus. However, in addition, dependent partners of these benefit recipients may also be eligible, as will be men aged 60–65 receiving National Insurance credits automatically.The £170 minimum income guarantee applies to those people going into full-time work and additionally receiving the Employment Credit of £60 per week. It is not possible to say how many people will be eligible for the Employment Credit, but our assumption is that about 90 per cent. of those who apply will be eligible for this important new support for people aged 50 or over.

Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance recipients aged 50 or over with a current claim duration of six months or more, as at February 2000
Thousand
	Shrewsbury and Atcham
Income Support	2.8
Jobseekers Allowance	0.1
Incapacity Benefit	1.4
Severe Disablement Allowance	10.2
1 Numbers are based on very few sample cases and are subject to a high degree of sampling error. These figures should be used as a guide to the current situation only.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the impact of the New Deals for (a) 18 to 24-year-olds and (b) lone parents in (i) Westminster and (ii) Kensington. [130230]

The New Deal for Young people is aimed at people aged 18–24 who have been claiming unemployment benefits for six months or more. Claimant unemployment among this group has fallen by 56 per cent. since April 1998 when the New Deal was introduced. Part of this is due to the delivery of a strong and stable economy, but the New Deal for Young People has helped unemployment to fall even faster. The 56 per cent. fall in youth long-term unemployment compares with a fall of 18 per cent. in total unemployment, 23 per cent. in total youth (18–24) unemployment and 26 per cent. in the total number unemployed for six months or more. The effect of the New Deal is confirmed by independent research from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.It is not possible to measure the New Deal effect exactly in each area of the country. However, in Westminster and Kensington the falls in unemployment among the New Deal client group have also been substantially faster than for other groups. In Westminster in the two years since April 1998 claimant unemployment amongst those aged 18–24, unemployed for six months or more, has fallen by 43 per cent. from 418 to 238. This compares with a fall of 16 per cent. in total unemployment, 25 per cent. in total youth (18–24) unemployment, and 18 per cent. in the total number unemployed for six months or more.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many (a) men and (b) women aged between 18–24 years have entered the New Deal within the Greater London Authority area to date. [130770]

The latest figures to April 2000 show that 47,850 young men and 24,200 young women have entered the New Deal in the Greater London area. 27,470 of these young people have gained jobs which is a significant contribution to our being on target to meet the manifesto commitment to help 250,000 young people into jobs through the New Deal. At the end of April we had reached a total of 216,200.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on youth unemployment in (a) Cumbria and (b) Carlisle. [131409]

There are currently (June 2000) 2,037 claimant unemployed people aged 18–24 in Cumbria and 447 in Carlisle. In the three years to June 2000 unemployment among young people has fallen by 36 per cent. in Cumbria and by 37 per cent. in Carlisle. The equivalent fall in the UK as a whole over this period is 36 per cent.Part of this improvement is due to the delivery of a strong and stable economy, but the New Deal for Young People has helped youth unemployment to fall even faster. The New Deal for young people is aimed at people aged 18–24 who have been claiming unemployment benefits for six months or more.In both Cumbria and Carlisle the fall in unemployment among the New Deal client group has been substantially faster than for other groups. In Cumbria, in the three years to June 2000, claimant unemployment among those aged 18–24, unemployed for six months or more, has fallen by 71 per cent., from 1,397 to 402. This compares with a fall of 31 per cent. in total unemployment and 51 per cent. in the total number unemployed for six months or more.In Carlisle, in the three years to June 2000, claimant unemployment among those aged 18–24, unemployed for six months or more, has fallen by 70 per cent., from 274 to 81. This compares with a fall of 31 per cent. in total unemployment and 46 per cent. in the total number unemployed for six months or more.The impact of the New Deal is confirmed by independent research from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, though it is not possible to measure the New Deal effect exactly in each area of the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many new pre-school places have been created in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East since May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [131205]

[holding answer 18 July 2000]: Since this Government came to office, 120,000 new, free, early education places have been created for three and four-year-olds nationally. Data on early years education places are not available by constituency, but we have provided sufficient funding to ensure that all four-year-olds and the majority of three-year-olds in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland receive a free, part time, early education place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the meaning is of the word (a) inappropriate, as used in (i) paragraph 8 of the introduction, (ii) paragraph 1.8 of and (iii) paragraph 1.14 of and (b) research, as used in paragraph 1.7 of, the Sex and Relationship Education Guidance issued in July 2000. [131195]

[holding answer 19 July 2000]: We have made it clear that head teachers and governors must not use teaching and materials which are inappropriate with regard to the age and the religious and the cultural background of the pupils concerned. In making their judgments, head teachers and governors should have regard to the Personal, Social and Health Education framework, which sets out what is expected at each Key Stage in education, and to the law.There is a variety of research that shows that effective sex and relationship education does not encourage early sexual experimentation. These are summarised in the Social Exclusion Unit's Report on Teenage Pregnancy. Copies are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he has taken to update school science laboratories in the constituency of Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East; and if he will make a statement. [131206]

[holding answer 18 July 2000]: Under the initiative "School laboratories for the 21^st Century", £60 million is being allocated from the Capital Modernisation fund to tackle deficiencies in secondary school science accommodation over the next two years. This will enable around 400 improvement projects to be carried out at those schools most in need.In line with the Department's policy of reducing bureaucracy and paperwork, grants are being allocated to local education authorities (LEAs) by formulae. LEAs will then distribute funding to schools according to need. Middlesbrough LEA is to receive £115,109 this year and a further £115,109 in 2001–02.Additionally, LEAs have been able to apply for funding from the New Deal for Schools (NDS) programme to improve the condition of school laboratories. So far, 151 such projects have been funded, at a cost of just under £37 million. They may also have incorporated improvements to science accommodation within larger schemes of school expansion or rationalisation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the time it would take to get new computers running in the wake of a major computer disaster in his Department. [130969]

Contingency plans exist for all of the major computer systems in the Department and they should be operational again within three working days.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list each departmental initiative since May 1997 requiring bids for funding together with the total resources available, the number of successful bids and the proportion this represents of total bids received; and what data he collects on the average expenditure of organisations bidding for funding through each initiative. [131080]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on 17 July 2000, Official Report, column 93W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what rights parents have to withdraw their children from the health and sex education element of National Curriculum Science at Key Stage 2 for religious reasons. [130976]

Section 405 of the Education Act 1996 gives parents the right to withdraw their children from any or all parts of a school's programme of sex education, but not those elements of health and sex education which are required by the National Curriculum Science Order. We encourage schools and governors to consult parents over their Sex and Relationship Education policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) how many Learning Support Units will be established in Nottinghamshire; [131068](2) what the timetable is for setting up the new Learning Support Units for disruptive pupils; and if he will make a statement. [130979]

The 223 Learning Support Units (LSUs) in the 24 Local Education Authorities (LEAs) in Phase 1 of the 'Excellence in Cities' (EiC) programme have been established progressively over the current academic year and are now operating. The LSUs in the 22 LEAs in Phase 2 of the EiC programme, which includes the City of Nottingham, will start to be set up from September 2000. Most should be operating from January 2001. We are currently assessing these LEAs' final plans. The LSUs in LEAs outside EiC areas, which includes Nottinghamshire, will be established progressively from September 2000. Most should come into operation between January and March 2001.The City of Nottingham is planning for all of its 21 secondary schools to have an LSU. Information about Nottinghamshire LEA' s plans is not yet available. The Authority was notified on 30 June of its allocation—a total of some £671,000 to cover both capital and recurrent expenditure over the financial years 2000–01 and 2001–02. It is now for the LEA in consultation with its schools to decide how many LSUs to establish within those resources and in which schools.Learning Support Units are a proven strategy for improving behaviour and reducing exclusions, and they are cost effective. They enable schools to get disruptive pupils out of the classroom quickly while not excluding them. We aim to have over 1,000 established by 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment which grammar schools have not provided to Electoral Reform Ballot Services the information required to determine the number of signatures needed for a trigger ballot within the time limit provided by the relevant regulations; and if he will make a statement. [130942]

One grammar school has not provided to Electoral Reform Services (ERS), within the time limit, all the information required to determine the number of signatures needed to trigger a ballot. This is the Latymer School in Enfield. The school raised queries before providing a list of feeder schools. ERS have written to the feeder schools and are processing replies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to carry out an assessment of the effectiveness of schools' organisation committees; and if he will take steps to give their role greater clarity. [131246]

We shall be reviewing the issues which arise for School Organisation Committees as they increasingly become involved in complex school organisation decisions. This review will help us determine whether further guidance or changes in the procedures governing the conduct of Committees would be helpful.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to the answer of 22 June 2000, Official Report, columns 269–70W, how many sales of school grass areas smaller than a sports pitch he has (a) approved and (b) rejected in each month since October 1998; what the acreage is of the school grass areas smaller than a sports pitch whose disposal he has (i) approved and (ii) rejected in each month since October 1998; and what has been the total sale value of such areas whose disposal he has (A) approved and (B) rejected in each month since October 1998. [131214]

The Department has approved the sale of 18 school grass areas smaller than a sports pitch of 2000m² between October 1998 and June this year. The following table shows the information requested.

Sale of grass areas smaller than a school sports pitch approved under section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 since 1 October 1998
	Number of sales approved	Number of sales rejected	Area (m2)	Total sale value (£)
1998
October	1	—	300	5,000
November	—	—	—	—
December	—	—	—	—
1999
January	1	—	1,250	72,000
February	—	—	—	—
March	1	—	600	115,000
April	—	—	—	—
May	2	—	1,680	3,300
June	3	—	2,100	241,000
July	—	—	—	—
August	2	—	1,870	97,250
September	—	—	—	—
October	1	—	640	50,000
November	—	—	—	—
December	—	—	—	—
2000
January	1	—	50	3,000
February	—	—	—	—
March	—	—	—	—
April	1	—	530	20,000
May	3	—	2,985	305,000
June	2	—	910	37,500