To ask the Solicitor-General if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Manchester, Gorton constituency, of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [136167]

In October 1999, in line with national policy, the City of Manchester Branch of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), in liaison with the police and Manchester City Magistrates Court, introduced the Narey proposals. All defendants charged with a criminal offence now make their first appearance before Manchester City Magistrates Court within 72 hours. Present figures would suggest that between 40 per cent. and 45 per cent. of all defendants now have their cases finalised far more quickly than previously was the case. On 13 November 2000, the City of Manchester Branch will be altering its structures in line with the proposals in the Glidewell review. This will enable the CPS to place greater emphasis on more serious crime in Manchester Crown Court. The CPS, together with other agencies, has also helped to draw up procedures and protocols to speed up youth justice, particularly persistent young offenders.Since May 1997, the Crown Prosecution Service has successfully prosecuted a number of major cases arising in the Gorton area. In November 1997, James Patterson Smith was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of Kelly Ann Bates in Furnival Road, Gorton the previous year. This year the CPS has successfully completed prosecutions arising out of Operation Sydney, involving the supply of hard drugs in the Bennett Street area of West Gorton, and Operation Peking, where four men received substantial custodial sentences for violence and intimidation in Gorton.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contracts her Department is currently funding through the British Council. [136644]

DFID currently has 100 contracts with the British Council, 65 of which are consultancy type contracts. The remaining 44 are for the provision of training services and have been called down under a general Enabling Agreement for management of DFID's Technical Co-operation Training Programme.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the officials she met on her recent visit to Indonesia. [136625]

During my visit to Indonesia from 9–12 October, I held formal discussions with the following people:

• President Abdurrachman Wahid
• Lieut. Gen. (Ret.) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Co-ordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs
• Mrs. Erna Witoelar, Minister of Settlements and Regional Infrastructure
• Prof. Bungaran Saragih, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry
• Dr. Nur Mahmud Isma'il, Junior Ministry for Forestry
• Mr. Sarwono Kusumaatmadja, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
• Mr. Aspar Aswin, Governor of West Kalimantan
• Mr. Gusti Samsumin, Chairman, Regional Assembly, West Kalimantan
• Mr. Mark Baird, Country Director for the World Bank
• Mr. John Dodsworth, Resident Representative the International Monetary Fund
• Mr. Jan van Heeswijk, Resident Representative of the Asian Development Bank

In addition, I held informal discussions with a number of other Government representatives, Parliamentarians, donor representatives and representatives of civil society and other non-governmental institutions.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when her White Paper on globalisation will be published. [136624]

We are aiming to publish the White Paper before the Christmas recess.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the recent EC communication on "Accelerated action targeted at major communicable diseases within the context of poverty reduction"; and what plans she has to support it. [136766]

The UK Government were closely involved in the drafting of the EC policy framework for tackling poverty and major communicable diseases which strongly reflects our own developmental priorities. The communiqué represents an international consensus and is part of the wider process of building on the commitment to achieving the international health targets. A crucial next step is the forthcoming December G8 meeting in Japan, which provides an opportunity to ensure that the international architecture required to take forward the effective global partnership to tackle infectious diseases is in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in implementing the commitment increase by 50 per cent. spending on basic education, health care and clean water in sub-Saharan Africa. [137185]

At the G7/8 Denver Summit in June 1997 my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister committed the Government to increase by 50 per cent. spending on basic education, health care and clean water in sub-Saharan Africa over the next three years.To fulfil this promise my Department's target was to commit at least £360 million over the three years to 1997 to 2000 compared with £240 million in the previous three years.We achieved this at the end of October last year. In total, we have committed £452 million; some 25 per cent. over the target.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the future of the remaining bishops' palaces. [135369]

The hon. Gentleman may have in mind a report in 'The Sunday Telegraph' on 15 October, speculating on the possible recommendations of the Archbishops' Review of Bishops' Needs and Resources, chaired by Professor Anthony Mellows. That Review's report is expected early next year. We do not yet know what its recommendations will be. But we will of course pay careful heed to what it says.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will report on the contribution made by the Church Commissioners to clergy stipends and pensions. [135373]

In 1999 the Commissioners contributed £156.1 million in support of the Church's ministry, representing some 20 per cent. of the Church's overall running costs of approximately £760 million.That sum includes the Commissioners' expenditure of £87 million on clergy pensions and transitional relief of £17 million to help dioceses with the cost of the new funded pension scheme. It also includes £20 million paid towards the stipends of parish clergy, much of which is targeted specifically towards those dioceses most in need of financial help, and stipends paid to other clergy of nearly £7 million.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what changes have taken place in the past 10 years in the Church's spending on Bibles in ethnic minority languages. [135374]

The Church Commissioners' expenditure is committed to the support of clergy stipends, pensions and other legal commitments. Those commitments do not stretch to the publication of bibles.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the rights of congregations to purchase churches made redundant by Church authorities. [135372]

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 10 July 2000, Official Report, column 369W, in which I explained that the procedure for settling the future of redundant Church of England churches gives priority to dioceses seeking and achieving suitable alternative uses. Dioceses are also encouraged to keep informed the local parochial church council who are also given the opportunity to make representations for or against the proposed use.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on the conditions of service of the clergy. [135370]

Conditions of service will vary slightly from diocese to diocese but should include a stipend (based on a National Stipend Benchmark of £16,420), free accommodation (or a housing allowance), membership of a non-contributory pension scheme, and the full reimbursement of all working expenses.

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what account the Church Commissioners take of scripture in their investment decisions. [135371]

The Commissioners' ethical investment policy is exercised in the context of their duty to manage their inherited assets to provide financial support for the Church of England's ministry, especially in areas of need and opportunity.

To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission what discussions he has had with the Comptroller and Auditor General on the resources available to the NAO to review the effectiveness and economy of the privatisation of public assets. [135368]

Over the past 10 years the National Audit Office has published more than 50 reports on privatisations and a variety of public/private partnerships. The Public Accounts Commission last met on 18 July to consider and approve the National Audit Office's Corporate Plan for 2001–2002 and beyond. The resources to be made available to the National Audit Office will include provision to enable it to continue its work on this important area.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the size of the Territorial Army. [134414]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 October 2000, Official Report, column 271W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the state of seaworthiness is of each Trafalgar class submarine. [134918]

HMS Torbay, HMS Trenchant and HMS Talent are currently undergoing refit and repair at Devonport. The initial phase of the inspection programme for Trafalgar class submarines has shown that, of these, HMS Trenchant is clear of the defect affecting HMS Tireless, which is being prepared for repair in Gibraltar. Of the remaining submarines, HMS Trafalgar and HMS Turbulent show early signs of the defect and are alongside at Devonport. HMS Triumph has been found to be clear of the defect and will return to operational duties shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the occasions during May and June on which representatives of the Chinese armed forces visited the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the (a) purpose, (b) itinerary and (c) cost to his Department of each. [134428]

[holding answer 26 October 2000]: There were three visits to the United Kingdom by representatives of the Chinese armed forces in May and June this year. These were:

1. A PLA Logistics Delegation of six officers (led by a Major-General) visited the UK between 10–12 May in order to study the logistics organisation in the UK armed forces. The delegation visited the Defence Logistics Organisation in Bath, Andover and Yeovilton, and the Defence Procurement Agency in Bristol. The costs of the visit were met by the Chinese.

2. The PLA Air Force Command College visited the UK between 28 May-4 June in order to learn about UK defence policy, the organisation of the RAF and its concept of operations in a joint environment. The delegation consisted of eight college staff (led by a Major-General), twenty-eight students, five interpreters, and eleven aircrew. They visited the MOD in London, RAF Brize Norton, RAF High Wycombe, RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Cranwell and BAE Systems in Warton. There were also cultural visits to London and Edinburgh. The cost of the visit to the MOD was approximately £10,000.

3. General Cao, the Head of the Chinese General Equipment Department, and an accompanying delegation of twelve officers visited the UK between 18–25 June as part of an ongoing programme of senior military visits and ministerial exchanges. The General visited the MOD in London, the Defence Procurement Agency in Bristol, the Defence Logistics Organisation in Bath, BAE Systems in Farnborough and Warton, and Racal Electronics in Crawley. There were also cultural visits to London and Scotland. The cost of the visit to the MOD was some £15,700.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reserves there were in the Defence Medical Services in (a) the RAF, (b) the Army and (c) the Navy in (i) 1992–93, (ii) 1993–94, (iii) 1994–95, (iv) 1995–96, (v) 1996–97, (vi) 1997–98, (vii) 1998–99 and (viii) 1999–2000. [134294]

[holding answer 30 October 2000]: The numbers of reservists in the Defence Medical Services for the years 1992 to 2000 are set out in the tables. They comprise members of the Volunteer Reserve Forces and the Regular Reserve Forces. The latter are ex-Regular personnel who retain a specific liability to call-out on leaving the Regular Forces. The figures do not include ex-Regular personnel who are not in a Reserve Force, but who retain a general liability to recall to the Regular Services in a serious crisis as defined in the Reserve Forces Act 1996. RAF figures are available only from 1 April 1998 as prior to this date medical and non-medical reservist manpower figures were not recorded separately.

Volunteer Reservists
Year	Royal Naval Reserve	Territorial Army	Royal Auxiliary Air Force
1992	370	6,125	—
1993	340	5,955	—
1994	233	5,355	—
1995	328	5,086	—
1996	278	4,758	—
1997	256	4,475	—
1998	275	4,434	182
1999	276	4,223	231
2000	289	4,395	233

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how long his Department has given to BAE Systems RO Defence and Thomson Racal Defence to complete the radar counterstealth research; what response each company has made to the deadline; and if he will make a statement; [135702](2) how many industry proposals to conduct three-year research projects into the new innovative radar counterstealth technologies his Department is reviewing; what is the estimated cost of each proposal; and if he will make a statement; [135748](3) what targets his Department has set for Category B work to be undertaken for the purpose of inventive research; what percentage of the research budget is allotted for such research; what this represents in cash terms; and if he will make a statement; [135714](4) if

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 steps the Government have taken to protect war graves of the HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales; what further action is planned; what co-operation is taking place between the Governments of Malaysia and Singapore and the United Kingdom on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [135882]

As I informed the House on 1 November 2000, Official Report, columns 243–50WH, my officials in both Malaysia and Singapore have made representations to officials within the respective governments. Both Malaysian and Singapore Navies have been asked to keep my officials informed of reports of intrusive diving or salvage and to inform us of any untoward activity in the area of the wrecks.Furthermore, I am mindful that although designation of HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales may not present the degree of protection that is sought for these vessels, that designation would provide evidence of the wrecks' status and this Government's commitment to honour its war dead. For this reason I have asked my officials to look again at detailing what designation will entail and what it will provide and whether this can be linked effectively to ensure better protection. I will write to the hon. Member when this work is complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what percentage of the total cost (a) his Department, (b) BAE Systems RO Defence, and (c) the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency will pay to fund the study to assess future naval fire-support requirements for the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement; [135745](2) how much time his Department, BAE Systems, and DERA have allotted for the fire-support requirements study; what percentage of the time frame will be dedicated to the development programme of the 155 mm naval gun; and if he will make a statement. [136000]

Although some preliminary MOD funded studies are being conducted, we have yet to define a programme to assess future naval fire support requirements. A number of studies will be necessary ranging from operational analysis to technology research. Until this is done, it is not possible to estimate the scope or cost of the work. One study is about to start to examine the technical options for naval variants of the 155 mm artillery gun, one potential approach to meeting our requirement, and this has a 50/50 funding split between MOD and BAE Systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of development and subsequent production of the 155 mm naval gun; and if he will make a statement; [135747](2) what is the

The Type 45 Destroyer is being designed to allow the incremental incorporation of additional capabilities through life, to meet changing defence needs and to take advantage of technological developments. Some work is currently underway to consider what additional capabilities (including, potentially, enhanced naval fire support) we may need in the future but until it has been completed it would be inappropriate to prejudge its outcome. It is not therefore possible to estimate the value for money of a 155 mm gun or other potential solutions for Naval Fire Support for the Type 45.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he has made in developing the new extended-range guided munitions for use in land-based 155 mm artillery; what has been the cost to date of the development and production of ERGMs for the (a) land-based and (b) naval 155 mm gun; and if he will make a statement. [135999]

The Extended Range Guided Munitions programme is a specific US Naval project in which my Department has no direct involvement. The nearest UK equivalent programme is the Low Cost Guided Munition (LCGM) Research Programme. This is a research programme to develop new technologies and assess their application to land and maritime systems.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action his Department took to upgrade the Port of Gibraltar from category Z to category X for servicing nuclear submarines; and if he will make a statement. [136153]

The category Z berth in Gibraltar Naval Base has not been upgraded to a category X berth.To undertake the specific repair to the reactor coolant system of HMS Tireless, the Z berth in Gibraltar has been enhanced to the standard necessary to obtain approval from the regulatory authority to undertake the repair.This included enhancing the management organisation in Gibraltar and providing the additional equipment needed for the repair. This equipment will be removed when the repair is completed. The temporary enhancement to the Z berth occupied by HMS Tireless does not involve structural work and there are no changes required to the existing emergency planning arrangements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will implement joint flying rules for all three services in the Joint Helicopter Command; and if he will make a statement. [134308]

[holding answer 2 November 2000]: Joint Flying Regulations have been in place for some time for all Service aircrew, including those in the Joint Helicopter Command although each of the three services retain individual regulations specific to their aircraft type and role. A review of regulations applying to military flying operations is currently under way and this work is due to be completed by January 2003. Other work, in parallel to the study, is being carried out to identify the areas where joint regulations need to be expanded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Lynx helicopters are available for operational duty in (a) the Royal Navy, (b) the Army and (c) the RAF; for each service how many of those are flying beyond the 500-hour deep-servicing requirement; and if he will make a statement. [134298]

[holding answer 2 November 2000]: On 26 October, the Army had 39 fully serviceable Lynx aircraft in units. As at 24 October, the Royal Navy had 17 Lynx aircraft allocated to current operational duty and a further 21 aircraft are carrying out training and support activity and could be made available for operations although at penalty to their primary activity. The RAF does not have any Lynx helicopters.'Deep' scheduled maintenance for Army Lynx aircraft is every 800 and 2,400 flying hours. The Royal Navy does not carry out block maintenance. Scheduled maintenance of Royal Navy Lynx aircraft is carried out on a rolling calendar basis throughout the life of the aircraft. Currently no Lynx aircraft is operating beyond authorised maintenance limits.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the relative contribution to the outcome of the conflict in Kosovo of (a) air power and (b) other factors. [136254]

The success of the air operations, although a critical element, is unlikely to have been the sole reason why Milosevic eventually agreed to the international community's demands. Although it is certain to have had a substantial effect, we believe that it was the cumulative effects of international pressure on all fronts, diplomatic, economic (trade and financial) and military, that achieved the aims of the international community.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which British companies were asked to tender for the vehicle for the Theatre Wide Area Communications System; and if he will make a statement. [136784]

Our procurement strategy has been to seek a prime contractor for the entire Theatre Wide Area Communications Network for the Joint Rapid Reaction Force. The two competing companies (Nortel Networks Global Professional Services (Defence) and Thomson Racal Defence) for the prime contract were invited to propose the most suitable means, including communications equipments and vehicles, to meet the capability requirement. My Department has therefore not sought any tenders directly for vehicles to meet this requirement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the expected cost is for of the (a) Theatre Wide Area Communications System and (b) the vehicle to be used for the system; and if he will make a statement. [136788]

In the absence of the selection of a preferred contractor and finalisation of negotiations, a firm figure is not available, but we expect the cost of the Theatre Wide Area Communications Network manufacture contract, including vehicles and the first three years support, to be around £120 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Bucher-Guyer Duro vehicle is used by (a) British and (b) NATO forces; and if he will make a statement. [136786]

The Bucher-Guyer Duro vehicle is not currently used by British forces. I understand a total of some 3,500 of these vehicles are in service with the armed forces of Belgium, Switzerland and Malaysia.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the Bucher-Guyer Duro vehicle for use with the Theatre Wide Area Communications System; and if he will make a statement. [136782]

Against the overall capability sought for the Theatre Wide Area Communications Network (TWACN) for the Joint Rapid Reaction Force the Bucher-Guyer Duro vehicle has been proposed as the most suitable vehicle by both companies competing for the prime contract. Assessment continues of both companies' offers for TWACN, including the vehicles, against the capability sought.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what specification of vehicle was prepared for the Theatre Wide Area Communications System; and if he will make a statement. [136785]

The requirement sought from industry was in the form of the capability required for the entire Theatre Wide Area Communications Network (TWACN) for the Joint Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF). In broad terms this included a requirement for a vehicle capable of being deployed, including by air, and used in accordance with the needs of the JRRF. The detailed requirements applicable to the vehicle are classified and I am withholding them under paragraph la of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what tests the Bucher-Guyer Duro vehicle has undergone for use in the British Army; and if he will make a statement. [136787]

The Bucher-Guyer Duro has been subjected to date to a range of tests including airportability; human factors integration; Theatre Wide Area Communications Network box body fit and integration with the Duro chassis; and, initial recovery assessment. We have received copies of reliability trials reports from both the Swiss Ministry of Defence and from Germany, plus a technical evaluation report from the Czech Republic. UK type approval from the Vehicle Certification Agency has been confirmed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when contracts will be placed for the Theatre Wide Area Communications System; and if he will make a statement. [136783]

We expect to place the prime contract for the entire Theatre Wide Area Communications Network for the Joint Rapid Reaction Force by the end of December 2000, subject to the satisfactory outcome of final contract negotiations with the preferred contractor, a decision on which is expected to be taken around the middle of November.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what grounds he decided that Lee Clegg could be paid retrospectively for loss of salary while in prison; and by what contractual arrangement he was required to make such a payment. [134885]

The Army Pay Warrant (1964) directs the terms under which Army personnel are paid. In accordance with this Royal Warrant, pay was forfeited for the period of imprisonment awarded to Corporal (Cpl) Clegg. Following successful appeals, Cpl Clegg's convictions were quashed. As a result Cpl Clegg has no convictions against his name, and there are no regulations to prohibit the award of the pay that had been previously withheld.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the costs were of his attempts to prevent the Sunday People publishing articles concerning the activities of the Force Research Unit and allegations of collusion and loyalist paramilitaries. [134886]

The Ministry of Defence's costs for this case are currently estimated at approximately £28,000. The Sunday People is paying its own costs.The Ministry of Defence made an application to the Court because there was good reason to believe that the

To ask the Chairman of the Catering Committee when the Refreshment Department's facilities in Portcullis House will be available for use by hon. Members and staff. [136289]

I fully understand the disappointment of hon. Members who had expected to be able to make use of refreshment facilities in Portcullis House as soon as the offices were ready for occupation.I am pleased to advise the hon. Member that "the debate" self-service restaurant and "the adjournment" brasserie on the ground floor of Portcullis House are expected to be handed over to the Refreshment Department on Monday 6 November. Thereafter. the Refreshment Department will require a period of three to four weeks to move their equipment and produce onto the site, complete staff training and conduct trial runs for the restaurant facilities.It is also expected that the first floor areas will be handed over to the Refreshment Department on Monday, in which case services to the meeting and conference rooms will be able to commence within the next two weeks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will discuss with the suppliers of gas to industry measures to offset major price increases of gas in the near future, which will have an effect on manufacturing industry; and if he will make a statement. [135264]

Since the spring, the wholesale price of gas has risen sharply and this has had an effect on many industrial and commercial customers, especially those who have contracts tied to the spot price. The main reason for this rise has been increased trade across the GB-Belgium interconnector reflecting high oil-related gas prices, particularly in north-west Europe.The Government are concerned about this rise. Work is already in hand to boost liberalisation and competition in Europe and thus break the link between gas and oil prices which keeps European prices higher than would otherwise generally be the case. This is the most effective long-term means of ensuring the competitive gas prices industry seeks. However, it is likely to take some time.Meanwhile, the Government are already in dialogue with participants in the industry about the gas price rise and this is being intensified. However, it is not the role of the Government to influence the prices charged by individual companies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements have been put in place to ensure that those who choose to draw pensions in cash will continue to be able to do so at post offices. [135866]

The Government are committed to ensuring that all state benefit and pensions recipients who wish to do so will continue to be able to access their benefits in cash in full, at a post office counter both before and after the changeover to payment of benefits by automated credit transfer. The Post Office and the banks are currently discussing arrangements for the provision of Universal Banking services at post offices to facilitate this.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received on his industrial policy for the electronics industry in relation to job losses announced by Panasonic and Sony in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [135650]

[holding answer 30 October 2000]: I have not received any representations from the electronics industry in relation to the recent announcements by Panasonic and Sony.With the transfer of devolved powers to the National Assembly for Wales, such representations would be referred to them.Of course, I very much regret the job losses. The NAW is working closely with local partners and the Department for Education and Employment to provide assistance to those affected.Michael German (National Assembly Deputy First Minister) and David Rowe Beddoe (Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency) met with senior managers from Panasonic on 27 October 2000 and Mr. German attended the meeting of the Welsh Electronics Forum on 31 October 2000. The Forum has established a special taskforce to deal with the after effects of job losses in the consumer electronics sector in Wales which will meet in the very near future.The Government were alerted to the announcements prior to their publication on a confidential basis. Such decisions are ultimately commercial ones for the companies to take themselves to ensure their long term future. It is not the Government's policy to intervene in such decisions. In such a competitive sector as consumer electronics where companies operate on a global scale, costs are under constant review. It would be surprising, and rather worrying, if companies did not feel the need to re-assess and re-structure their operations from time to time.Both companies are still employing around 3,000 people in Wales between them and are committed to continuing their presence in Wales. Both are hoping to bring new higher value, more sophisticated production to their Welsh plants in the near future, and are investing heavily in their research and development facilities in Wales. This demonstrates the confidence that both companies have in the UK.The best contribution that the Government can make is to secure long term economic stability based on low inflation and sound public finances. This will allow business to invest and plan ahead with confidence.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the proposed establishment of a shipbuilding communities campaign modelled on the Coalfields Campaign. [136555]

We have received no representations about such a proposal. However, as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, we already have a very active and successful group for addressing the industry's concern, i.e. the Shipbuilding Forum. The Forum—which brings together industry, Government and the unions—has played a very constructive role in producing pragmatic solutions to the industry's concerns over the past two and a half years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce his decision on managing PFR fuels at Dounreay. [136104]

[holding answer 2 November 2000]: A public consultation was undertaken as part of this decision-making process. This raised a number of very different points of view. It has taken longer than expected to assess these. A decision will be announced as soon as this assessment is complete.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans he has to improve access for ex-miners in Somerset to the Medical Assessment Process from a centre nearer to the area; [136459](2) what provision has been made to enable ex-miners in Somerset to access the Medical Assessment Process from a test centre in Bristol. [136460]

There are currently 321 registered claims in the Somerset area. To date, Healthcall has received 79 completed sets of claims documentation—including claims questionnaires; financial and other losses questionnaires; and the Mandates required to access claimants medical records. Of these, 11 have been tested, and Healthcall is searching for the medical records of the remaining 68 cases.Healthcall currently has premises in Bristol that originally accommodated a set of COPD testing equipment. Due to the current lack of claimants ready to test in the Somerset area with completed claims documentation, this set of equipment was moved to meet demand in the South Wales area. The Bristol centre will be re-opened shortly to accommodate the claimants in the surrounding area.Healthcall is currently considering establishing a centre nearer to the bulk of the claimants in the Somerset areas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the number of new businesses established in rural areas in each of the last five years. [136629]

When providing assistance to businesses, the Small Business Service (SBS) has historically recorded only the size of the business helped. Age of the business is not reported.Information on assistance given to farmers by Business Links is being collected this year as a result of the recent introduction of the Farm Business Advice Service. This is one of the measures introduced this year to help farming and horticultural industries within the Government's Action Plan for Farming announced this year on 30 March.Information on the number of farmers receiving assistance under these measures is not expected to be available until February 2001 as the initiative was introduced only in September.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many companies were established in each of the last three years whose directors have employment tribunal compensation awards against them in respect of their actions as directors of previously liquidated companies. [135331]

It is not possible to provide an answer to this question without incurring disproportionate cost. There is no requirement for this information to be submitted on the part of directors of newly incorporated companies under the Companies Acts; and Companies House has no ready way of correlating information on directors with such information as might be abstracted from employment tribunal records about the defined sub-set of former directors.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases have been recorded of companies failing to make payments awarded by employment tribunals due to the company having been liquidated, in each of the last three years. [135332]

Enforcement of Employment Tribunal awards is generally a matter for the county courts, though where an employer is insolvent, payment of a limited range of awards may be made from the National Insurance Fund.Records are not kept of the total number of Tribunal awards unpaid because of an employer's insolvency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the number of employers in breach of regulations relating to the national minimum wage during 1999–2000. [135330]

The independent Low Pay Commission monitored the impact of the national minimum wage in the Second Report published earlier this year. They reported that the early indications were that the vast majority of businesses are meeting their obligations to pay the national minimum wage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what impact he estimates the creation of the Universal Bank will have on the rate of bank branch closures. [136927]

No such estimate has been made. However, proposals for the provision of Universal Banking services through the post office network, which the Post Office and the banks are currently developing, will substantially increase the volume of banking activity at post offices and will restore banking services to many areas where bank branches have closed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to review the inspection mechanism under which licences are granted in the UK continental shelf for oil and gas exploration, where no development has taken place. [136308]

Fallow blocks and fallow discoveries are monitored on a regular basis.One of the results of the most recent fallow initiative, which was concluded in July, is that 18 previously fallow discoveries are to be developed. In addition, PILOT's Undeveloped Discoveries Workgroup has identified six areas on the UK Continental Shelf where the licensees involved are being urged to find innovative ways of working together, with the hope that at least three additional projects will have plans for development by mid-2001.Further steps will be taken as necessary to ensure the timely development of the UK's petroleum resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in achieving the statement of business principles as set out in the Department's mission status review; and whether he expects the deadline to be met. [136767]

ECGD has posted a draft statement of Business Principles on its website www.ecgd.gov.uk and sought comments from interested parties as part of the consultation process. ECGD is on schedule to publish its statement of Business Principles by the end of this year.Copies of the draft statement have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts concerning the reform of export credits agencies. [136768]

I have not held direct discussion with my EU counterparts on the reform of export credit agencies. However I attach great importance to the various initiatives ECGD is actively pursuing in the international forum at the OECD aimed at improving standards and disciplines applied by export credit agencies in project impact assessments, and in the areas of the environment, bribery and productive expenditure.These initiatives are in line with the outcome of the recent Review of ECGD's Mission and Status announced in Parliament by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on 25 July, 2000

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government defines as a rural post office. [136681]

The Government definition of a rural post office is one located in a community of up to 10,000 inhabitants.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will announce the membership of the Postal Services Commission. [125067]

[pursuant to my reply, 6 June 2000, c. 186W]: The Postal Services Commission has today become a statutory body created under the Postal Services Act 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what guidance he will issue to the Mayor of London on the exercise of his development control powers in relation to waste management developments with a capacity of more than 50,000 tonnes per annum; and if he will publish such guidance. [134056]

[holding answer 23 October 2000]: GOL Circular 1/2000 "Strategic Planning in London" published in June 2000, provides advice and guidance for the Mayor and London Boroughs on their responsibilities for strategic planning. The circular includes guidance on the relationship between the Borough's Unitary Development Plans, the Mayor's spatial development strategy and municipal waste management strategy, and the Mayor's role in decisions on planning applications. The circular also requires that the spatial development strategy should take account of Planning Policy Guidance Note 10—Planning and Waste Management, which provides advice on providing new waste management facilities consistent with sustainable development.Furthermore, in preparing the Municipal Waste Management Strategy the Mayor shall have regard to the National Waste Strategy (Waste Strategy 2000, CM 4693). We therefore have no plans to offer the Mayor further guidance on the exercise of his development control powers in relation to waste management facilities.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what procedures exist in his Department for a civil servant to report an action which (a) is illegal, improper or unethical, (b) is in breach of constitutional convention or a professional code, (c) may involve possible maladministration and (d) is otherwise inconsistent with the Civil Service Code. [134461]

Civil servants working in DETR have, at any time, the statutory right to express concerns under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. Moreover, DETR employees also have a contractual obligation to report alleged breaches of the Civil Service Code in accordance with the procedures set out in the DETR Staff Handbook. The procedures require individuals, in the first instance, to approach a senior line manager and to ensure that evidence of criminal or unlawful activities by others are reported to the appropriate authorities. If the individual considers this to be inappropriate or they wish to take the matter further, they have the right to make a formal report to the Director of Human Resources, or other designated senior officer. It will always be assumed that the individual has made the report in good faith. A formal response will advise the individual that they have further rights to submit a written appeal to the Permanent Secretary and a further appeal to the Civil Service Commissioners.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives he is pursuing to encourage water conservation. [135230]

My Department is pursuing a number of initiatives to promote water conservation across a wide range of end users. Our 'Are You Doing Your Bit' campaign is encouraging individuals to make lifestyle changes to conserve water and to benefit the environment. Also, from 1 January 2001, the maximum flush volume of all new WCs will be reduced by 20 per cent. due to measures introduced by the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. To help businesses reduce their environmental impact and improve their competitiveness the Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme provides information and best practice advice on efficient water use. My Department is also working closely with the Environment Agency and the Buying Agency on projects to reduce water use in schools and other public sector buildings.We are also taking steps in the Water Bill to prevent damaging over-abstraction.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives he is pursuing to promote energy efficiency in (a) the business environment and (b) the home. [135233]

For business, we are introducing the Climate Change Levy and a new system of Enhanced Capital Allowances for energy saving products. We are continuing to support the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme and are also creating a new body (the Carbon Trust) with a specific brief to help business move towards an energy efficient economy.To promote energy efficiency in the home, my Department funds the Energy Saving Trust. The Trust runs a series of programmes which aim to improve awareness of energy efficiency, provide information and advice and to work with the market to develop and market energy efficient goods and services in the domestic and small business sectors.My Department also funds the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, which provides comprehensive packages of heating and insulation improvements for the homes of those households who are most at risk from cold-related ill health—the elderly and families on low income and the disabled or chronically sick.In March this year my Department issued consultation proposals for a new and extended programme of Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance to run from 2002–05. These standards, to be set by Government, will require gas and electricity suppliers to encourage and assist consumers to make energy savings. Like earlier programmes, the new scheme will focus strongly on low-income groups, helping the Government's attack on fuel poverty. Provisional conclusions on the level and format of the scheme will be issued shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what initiatives he has taken to promote Energy Efficiency Week. [135440]

Energy Efficiency Week is part of the Energy Efficiency campaign run by the Energy Saving Trust, and funded by my Department. Activities during the week included the launch of a television and radio advertising campaign, a new energy efficiency website and the energy efficiency recommended logo. Events were staged on a national and regional level, with activities taking place around the country to promote the energy efficiency message to consumers.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many people on low incomes living in private sector homes in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Devon have had energy efficiency measures implemented and central heating and security devices installed in their homes as part of the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme; and how many are waiting for such work to be carried out; [135930](2) if he will make a statement on progress on the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, with particular reference to the rate of installation of

[holding answer 2 November 2000]: The new Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) for England was launched on 1 June 2000. It replaced a more basic scheme that had operated since 1991, providing low income and disabled households with a single insulation improvement such as window and door draught-proofing.New HEES provides packages of insulation and heating measures, linked to the condition of the property and the type of householder. To provide these packages the grant maximum has been raised from the previous £315 to up to £2,000 in the case of low-income households aged 60 years or more. The latter may also receive a package of basic security measures, funded through the Home Office 'Locks for Pensioners' initiative, if they live in an area experiencing above the national average burglary rate for England.The scheme is managed by two regional scheme managers. They are responsible for marketing the scheme and surveying homes to identify the improvements required. Once these are agreed with the householder, a works order is placed with local contractors.The table sets out the number of households that have had work completed and those where orders have been, or are about to be, placed. Due to the package approach taken, it is not possible to break down the individual insulation and security measures that will be provided to households.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects consultations upon concessionary fares for bus travel to be completed. [135741]

[holding answer 31 October 2000]: We issued last December a consultation paper on the implementation of the statutory minimum concessionary fares commitment. The consultation is now complete, and is being taken into account in consideration of implementation of the provisions in the Transport Bill, which is at present before Parliament.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which local authorities operate a concessionary fare travel scheme for senior citizens that are not part of a Passenger Transport Authority; and if he expects these schemes to continue when the Government scheme for half fare travel is introduced. [135214]

Most local authorities outside Passenger Transport Authorities operate a concessionary travel scheme for senior citizens. The Transport Bill, which is at present before Parliament, provides for a statutory minimum local authority scheme which will ensure travel for pensioners on local buses at half fare or better, with a free bus pass. Any existing schemes which do not meet that standard will need to be improved; there are no requirements for other schemes to be changed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the principal elements in the cost of car ownership in (a) 1970, (b) 1980, (c) 1990 and (d) the latest date for which figures are available, indicating in each year the percentage of these costs of average earnings. [135407]

The principal elements in the costs of car ownership are set out in the table with a baseline figure of 100 for 1970. A similar index for average earnings is included and all figures are adjusted for overall inflation:

	1970	1980	1990	1999
All motoring expenditure:	100	103	90	100
of which:
Motor vehicle purchase:	100	98	77	67
Maintenance:	100	120	124	149
Petrol and oil:	100	112	92	122
Tax and insurance:	100	71	83	113
Average earnings:	100	119	150	174

The information on changing costs comes from the Retail Prices Index, which monitors price changes over time for a standard collection of goods and services. Average earnings data are collected at April each year by means of a survey and represent the gross pay of adults working full-time whose pay is unaffected by absence. All figures are for Great Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what have been the changes in the costs of (a) private car ownership, (b) rail travel and (c) bus travel since 1970. [135396]

Information on relative price changes is collected by the Office for National Statistics for use in the Retail Prices Index (RPI). The DETR also collects specific information on changes to average bus fares. Setting indices to a base figure of 100 in 1970 changes, without allowing for inflation, are as follows:

	1970	1999
Motoring costs	100	877
Train fares	100	1,663
Bus fares	100	1,483
Overall RPI	100	880

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the (a) amount and (b) percentage was of (i) carbon dioxide and (ii) nitrogen oxide emissions in (1) 1970, (2) 1980, (3) 1990 and (4) the last year for which figures are available in the road transport sector. [135409]

Official estimates of the annual emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions in the UK since 1970 are contained in my Department's National Atmospheric Emission Inventory. The table shows road transport's contribution to national emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides by source category in 1970, 1980, 1990 and 1998. 1998 is the last year official data are currently available.

	1970	1980	1990	1998
CO2 emissions from road transport
Ktonnes1	16,299	21,221	29,776	31,529
Percentage of total UK emissions	8.8	12.9	18.7	21.2
NOx emissions from road transport
Ktonnes	769	989	1,328	799
Percentage of total UK emissions	30.8	38.2	47.6	45.6
1 As carbon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when information and advice from the Highways Agency will be available on the priorities for resurfacing concrete roads up to 2010. [136012]

Information on the initial priorities for resurfacing concrete roads will be available next spring after the Highways Agency has obtained and considered the views of local authorities on the approach they propose for prioritising the work.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what investigations he has instigated to ascertain the safety of Firestone tyres fitted to Ford Explorer vehicles imported from the United States of America. [135842]

[holding answer 31 October 2000]: There is a possibility that under certain circumstances and operating conditions that tread separation and rapid tyre deflation may occur in the case of Firestone P235/75 R 15 Radial ATX, ATX11 and Wilderness AT—all "S" rated tyres fitted to Ford Explorer vehicles.The Secretary of State's power in this respect is limited to checking compliance on the part of Bridgestone/Firestone UK Ltd. with the voluntary Code of Practice on the recall of tyres drawn up by the Department and the Tyre Industry Council.Vehicle Inspectorate Vehicle Safety Branch is satisfied that the company has taken the appropriate action in recalling Firestone P235/75 R 15 Radial ATX, ATX11 and Wilderness AT—all "S" rated—tyres fitted to Ford Explorer vehicles. In accordance with the terms of the Code, this action has been registered with the Vehicle Inspectorate.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people were killed in road accidents in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999 in Devon; and how many of these were children. [135814]

[holding answer 1 November 2000]: The number of children and adults killed in road accidents in Devon for the years 1997–1999 are shown in the table:

Fatalities in Devon, by age: 1997–1999
Casualties
Year	Child1	Adult	All
1997	4	52	56
1998	4	49	53
1999	2	46	48
Total	10	147	157
1 Aged 0 to 15

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if there is an exemption order for the fleet of new Class 170/3 trains to be introduced into service by South West Trains Ltd. in respect of the provisions of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998; and if he will make a statement. [137186]

We have received an application from South West Trains Ltd. relating to the new Class 170/3 trains they wish to introduce into service. The exemptions have been discussed with our statutory advisers, the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. An exemption Order relating to the exemption of these trains was laid before Parliament on 3 November 2000. Copies are available from the Library.Further applications for exemption from certain aspects of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations 1998 have also been received from Gatwick Express for their Class 460 vehicles, Chiltern Railways Ltd. for their Class 168/1 vehicles and South West Trains in relation to their Class 458 vehicles. The exemptions sought were also discussed with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. The exemption Order relating to the Gatwick Express vehicles was laid before Parliament on 1 September 2000 while the Orders relating to the Chiltern Railways and South West Trains vehicles were both laid before Parliament on 8 September 2000.The exemptions will not prevent disabled people from using the new trains. Indeed, we believe that their introduction will make a significant contribution to improving mobility opportunities for disabled people.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent representations he has received concerning the introduction of legislation to improve access to transport for disabled people; what has been his response; what proposals he has to improve access for disabled people; and if he will make a statement. [137005]

The Department has held widespread consultations with disability organisations and with the transport industries in the course of developing proposals to implement the transport provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.Regulations have been in place since the end of 1998 to require all new trains to meet detailed technical standards to guarantee accessibility. In the order of 250 trains in service are already DDA compliant. Regulations setting similar standards for buses used on local or scheduled services are also in place and will take effect from 31 December this year. A package of measures to introduce access requirements for licensed taxis is being finalised and will be subject to further consultation.In addition, we are also considering the recommendations of the Disability Rights Task Force as they relate to transport and I hope to make a statement in response to the recommendations shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what powers he has (a) to deal with the problem of smell from animal render plants and (b) to ensure that regulations are enforced by local authorities. [136438]

Animal rendering plants are regulated under the air pollution control regime established by Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Regulation is transferring to the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 over a transitional period.In accordance with the 1990 Act, rendering plant must be authorised and regulators must include in authorisations conditions aimed at ensuring the use of the Best Available Techniques Not Entailing Excessive Cost (BATNEEC) to prevent, minimise and render harmless emissions. "Harm" is defined in the Act as including offence to the senses and hence local authorities must address any odour issues. The statutory guidance issued to regulators concerning BATNEEC for animal rendering plant focuses especially on the odour issue and we updated and strengthened the guidance earlier this year.The 1990 Act gives regulatory responsibility for animal rendering plant to local authorities. It additionally provides the Secretary of State with a number of reserve powers which could be exercised in the event of regulatory failings. These include the power to direct what conditions should be imposed in a given case, to direct whether an enforcement notice should be served or whether an authorisation should be revoked, to direct that regulatory responsibility be transferred to the Environment Agency, and to direct that an application for authorisation be referred to him for determination.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what research he has evaluated as to the age groups most prone to drinking and driving; and if he will make a statement; [136505]

The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions has commissioned a wide-ranging programme of research into drinking and driving. This research has included trends in drinking and driving, and characteristics of drink drive offenders, including the age distribution. Research has also evaluated the drink drive rehabilitation scheme and reviewed the High Risk Offender scheme. Other research has considered drink drivers' attitudes to enforcement and penalties. Much of this research is reflected in the Government's Road Safety Strategy "Tomorrows Roads—Safer for Everyone". The following research reports, published by the Transport Research Laboratory, are relevant:

• Drinking and driving in Great Britain—a review. G. Maycock. TRL Report 232. 1997.
• The high risk offender scheme for drink-drivers. G. P. Davies et al. TRL Report 394. 1999.
• Drink/driver rehabilitation courses in England and Wales. G. P. Davies et al. TRL Report 426. 1999.
• Unlawful driving behaviour: a criminological perspective. C. Corbett et al. TRL Contractor Report CR 301. 1992.

Copies of these reports have been placed in the Library of the House of Commons.An analysis of drink-drive data, including trends in accidents involving illegal alcohol levels, casualty and accident characteristics and breath test outcomes is included annually in Road Accidents Great Britain.The Department also commissions market research into the attitudes of those who drink and drive so that its advertising can be effectively directed.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many (a) deaths and (b) serious injuries in the last 10 years have been attributed to drinking and driving. [136503]

The data required are given in the table.The estimated number of fatalities in accidents involving illegal alcohol levels in the years 1989–99 was 6,520, and the estimated number of serious injuries for the same time period was 35,170.

Table 2a: Estimates of casualties involving illegal alcohol levels and the consequent casualties adjusted for under reporting: 1988–99
Number
Year	Fatal	Serious	Slight	Total
1988	790	5,100	16,860	22,740
1989	810	4,790	16,620	22,220
1990	760	4,090	15,550	20,400
1991	660	3,610	13,610	17,880
1992	660	3,280	12,770	16,710
1993	540	2,660	11,780	14,980
1994	540	2,840	11,780	15,160
1995	540	3,000	12,450	16,000
1996	580	3,010	13,450	17,040
1997	550	2,940	13,310	16,800
1998	460	2,520	12,610	15,590
19991	420	2,430	13,980	16,830
1 Provisional data. Final fatality data from coroners are available for 1998 but 1999 estimates are based on around three-quarters of expected coroners' returns and may be biased. They remain provisional until more complete information for 1999 is available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research he has commissioned on the impact of insurance costs for drivers aged 17 to 25 on the rate of drinking and driving. [136504]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what changes he plans to make to the SSA methodology following the transfer of funding for 2001–02 for Adult Education, Nursery Education Grant and Care Leavers Grant. [137067]

We have consulted local government on whether adjustments were required to the SSA methodology to reflect the transfers of funding for Adult Education, Nursery Education Grant and Care Leavers Grant. Over 100 responses were received, the vast majority supporting our recommended approach.I therefore propose that we implement our recommended approach. That is, that we make no change to the SSA methodology for Other Education or Children's Social Services following the transfers for Adult Education and Care Leavers Grant, and that we make a small adjustment to the Under 5s SSA methodology following the transfer of funding for Nursery Education for four-year-olds. The purpose of the adjustment to the Under 5s SSA is to ensure that the distribution of this funding matches, as closely as possible, the previous distribution under specific grant.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's definition of a rural area. [136727]

The Government have no single definition of a rural area. But different definitions are used for different policy purposes to ensure that policies are sensitive to differing circumstances and to ensure administrative efficiency.The Countryside Agency, which is the Government's statutory adviser on issues relating to the environmental, economic and social well being of the English countryside currently uses a working definition of rural areas as those wards which lie outside settlements of 10,000 people.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many people in England live in settlements of between 2,000 and 20,000, and, of this number, how many live in settlements of 10,000 or more. [136719]

In 1991 the population living in settlements in England of the following size was:

• Settlements of 2,000–20,000: 6,890,253
• Settlements of 10,000–20,000: 2,682,336 (included in above)

These figures are taken from the 1991 Urban Area statistics. More recent information is not currently available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the Government have any plans to change the law on parish referendums. [136726]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply 1 gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) on 2 November 2000, Official Report, column 551W.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many new parish councils have been formed in each of the last 10 years. [136718]

The table shows the number of new parishes that have been created in each of the last ten years:

Year	Number of parishes created
1990–91	19
1991–92	10
1992–93	6
1993–94	10
1994–95	4
1995–96	18
1996–97	9
1997–98	1
1998–99	20
1999–2000	42

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what ports in the UK are included in the Trans-European Network transport network; and what (a) EU and (b) UK funds have been used for improving facilities at those ports in each year since 1994. [129466]

[pursuant to his reply, 12 July 2000, c. 561–62 W]:

£ million
Year	Ports receiving funds	EU funding
1995	None	—
1996	None	—
1997	Portsmouth, Great Yarmouth, Boston, Port of London, Southampton, Felixstowe, Heysham	0.70
1998	Portsmouth, Sunderland, Tyne, Humber, Heysham, Southampton, Harwich	1.60
1999	Great Yarmouth	0.24

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the (a) initial and (b) longer-term cargo-deck heights on the sprinter trains proposed by the winner of the recent rail freight competition; and if the layout of their longer-term sprinter-train design has been finalised. [129997]

[pursuant to his reply, 10 July 2000, c. 403–04W]: I would like to confirm that the deck-height of the Railtrack MPVC (multi-purpose vehicle container) used in the trials is 1,200 mm and of the intermediate container flats 1,000 mm and not as printed in the Official Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what will be the maximum cargo height on the piggyback trailer systems that have been proposed by the winner of the recent rail freight competition. [129996]

[pursuant to his reply, 10 July 2000, c. 404W]: I would like to confirm that the maximum cargo-height will be 3.4 m permitting the conveyance of the semi-trailer or 9'6" ISO containers in the wagon pockets or a C45 Swapbody over SBI-c cleared routes and not as printed in the Official Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in how many of his Department's PH contracts KPMG has been an adviser. [132868]

[pursuant to her reply, 27 July 2000, c. 773W]: I have now been advised that KPMG have also acted as a financial adviser and quality assurance to the Vehicle Inspectorate for the procurement process of the computerisation of MOT testing project. The contract was signed in April 1998.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will make further information available on the structure and resourcing of the Supporting People programme. [133617]

[pursuant to his reply, 27 July 2000, c. 778W]: I would like to confirm that we will be providing £153 million of revenue funding over three years to enable to implement the Supporting People programme and not £140 million as printed in the Official Report.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, pursuant to his answer of 12 June 2000, Official Report, column 491W, what steps have been taken to reduce the security presence consistent with the level of threat; and what steps will be taken in the next three months. [134883]

Further to the Secretary of State's statement in the House on 12 June 2000, Official Report, columns 491–92W, all the measures have now been completed except for the Cookstown base and the Fort George army base. These should be finalised this month and the beginning of December respectively.

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will place in the Library a copy of the report published by the Northern Ireland Department of Education, 'The Effects of the Selective System of Secondary Education in Northern Ireland'. [135825]

A copy of the report will be placed in the Library shortly.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps have been taken to prevent disruption by fuel protests in Wales. [136614]

I have been asked to reply.My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary published on 29 September a memorandum of understanding signed by all members of the Fuel Supply Task Force aimed at putting in place more robust systems to avoid disruption of fuel supplies throughout the United Kingdom. He also made a statement to the House on 2 November 2000, the details of which are contained in the

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of the troops trained to drive fuel tankers in the event of fuel protests will be stationed in Wales. [136615]

I have been asked to reply.Should the armed forces be asked to provide assistance, their precise disposition will be determined at the time in consultation with the relevant civil authorities. This will take into account a number of factors, in particular the relative need for military support for the delivery of fuel in different parts of the country.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many (a) applications for degree courses were received and (b) vacant university spaces there were in each of the past five years in Wales. [134913]

The numbers of applications to Welsh higher education institutions¹ are shown in the table:

Year of admission	Number of applications2
1995	116,455
1996	88,131
1997	91,173
1998	89,548
1999	88,247
1 The number of higher education institutions in Wales, within the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), was 15 for the years 1995 to 1998, rising to 16 in 1999.
2 In 1995 up to eight selections were available to each applicant, subsequently reduced to six.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives are being pursued by his Department to attract foreign investment in Wales; and if he will make a statement. [134899]

Since primary responsibility for promoting Wales as a location for inward investment now rests with the National Assembly for Wales, my Department is pursuing no specific initiatives to this end. However, I maintain close contact with the First Minister and his Cabinet and with the Chairman of the WDA. I and my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State also emphasise the attractions of Wales for foreign investment when our duties involve meetings with people from overseas.The National Assembly, in conjunction with its "Team Wales" partners, continues to enjoy considerable success in securing projects from foreign investors. Important developments announced during the current year have included:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much foreign investment Wales received in the last 10 years. [135226]

Between April 1990 and March 2000, capital expenditure reported by overseas-owned companies at the time of the investment decision was £8,603 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the number of (a) junior and (b) secondary school closures by constituency in Wales in each of the last five years. [135221]

Information is not available by constituency. Local education authorities (LEAs) notified the Welsh Office of the following school closures between 1 January 1995 and 30 June 1999. On 1 July 1999, responsibility for education transferred to the National Assembly for Wales.

LEA	School
Primary1
1995
Dyfed	Blaenau CP School
Dyfed	Llanddeusant CP School
Clwyd	Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr CP School
Dyfed	Crugybar CP School
1996
Mid Glamorgan	Ferndale Junior School
Mid Glamorgan	Dyffryn Infants School
1997
Ceredigion	Brongest CP School
Conwy	Ysgol Llwydgoed
1998
Pembrokeshire	Barham VC Primary School
Pembrokeshire	Rosemarket VC School
Carmarthenshire	Llandyfaelog VCP School
Conwy	Ysgol Cadnant
Conwy	Ysgol Bodlondeb
Conwy	Ysgol Babanod Gyffin
Caerphilly	Brithdir Primary School
1999 (to 30 June)
Rhondda Cynon Taff	Dunraven Primary School
Rhondda Cynon Taff	Blaenrhondda Primary School
Rhondda Cynon Taff	Blaenycwm Primary School
Secondary
1995–97
No closures	—
1998
Blaenau Gwent	Glanyrafon Comprehensive School
1999 (to 30 June)
No closures	—
1 it is not possible consistently to distinguish junior schools

In addition, there were 17 amalgamations of infant and junior school during the period covered by these figures. Some amalgamations might have resulted in the closure of premises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the average class sizes in (a) junior and (b) secondary schools in each local education authority in Wales in each of the last three years. [135224]

The following is the available information for 1997–98 and 1998–99. Responsibility for education transferred to the National Assembly for Wales on 1 July 1999.

Average class sizes for registered Key Stages 2 classes in maintained primary schools
	1997–98	1998–99
Isle of Anglesey	24.6	24.2
Gwynedd	25.0	24.9
Conwy	27.2	27.2
Denbighshire	27.7	27.6
Flintshire	29.8	28.0
Wrexham	28.6	28.0
Powys	24.1	23.7
Ceredigion	22.4	21.9
Pembrokeshire	24.6	25.0
Carmarthenshire	23.5	23.9
Swansea	28.6	29.1
Neath Port Talbot	26.8	27.1
Bridgend	30.5	29.7
Vale of Glamorgan	28.6	28.2
Rhondda Cynon Taff	28.8	28.0
Merthyr Tydfil	28.9	28.3
Caerphilly	29.2	28.9
Blaenau Gwent	30.1	29.8
Torfaen	30.4	28.5
Monmouthshire	29.4	29.5
Newport	30.1	29.3
Cardiff	28.9	28.6

Average class sizes for registered classes in maintained secondary schools
	1997–98	1998–99
Isle of Anglesey	19.5	20.5
Gwynedd	17.7	18.1
Conwy	20.8	22.1
Denbighshire	19.9	20.3
Flintshire	20.1	19.8
Wrexham	22.0	22.7
Powys	17.7	17.8
Ceredigion	19.7	18.2
Pembrokeshire	21.5	20.5
Carmarthenshire	20.9	20.8
Swansea	21.0	20.8
Neath Port Talbot	20.9	21.1
Bridgend	21.7	20.7
Vale of Glamorgan	22.4	21.0
Rhondda Cynon Taff	20.5	20.6
Merthyr Tydfil	19.2	20.2
Caerphilly	20.5	20.9
Blaenau Gwent	19.3	19.5
Torfaen	21.0	21.2
Monmouthshire	20.2	21.2
Newport	21.4	21.8
Cardiff	22.5	23.2