To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the electronic databases created for No. 10 Downing Street since June 1997 for the purpose of storing parliamentary questions and answers, stating in each case (a) the office or unit concerned, (b) who has access to it, (c) the software employed and (d) the date and cost of its creation. [56250]

The No. 10 parliamentary section uses the same database software that was used under previous Administrations, and uses it according to the rules in the civil service code.All my staff have access to a general information database which includes parliamentary questions for ease of reference and was established in 2000 at no additional cost to my office.

To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Second European-Latin American and Caribbean Summit. [58364]

I attended the EU-Latin American and Caribbean Summit in Madrid on 17 May, with my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.The summit was a significant further step towards closer relations with Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. We discussed important issues, notably terrorism and sustainable development, which affect us all and on which inter-regional co-operation is essential. The summit also made good progress on liberalising trade between Europe and Latin America, welcoming completion of negotiations on an EU/Chile Association Agreement, and agreeing to press forward with an EU/Mercosur Association Agreement. In addition, the summit decided to take concrete new steps in the development of EU/Andean and EU/central American relations.I was also pleased to see Caribbean concerns recognized—the result of effective engagement in the summit and its preparations by many Caribbean countries. We have worked with the Caribbean to ensure that they are now playing a full part in the summit and that their voice is heard.

To ask the Prime Minister which Departments have lead responsibility for (a)(i) Royal, (ii) Church and (iii) hereditary issues and (b) lords-lieutenant. [57970]

In England and Wales, the Lord Chancellor's Department has lead responsibility for these matters. Lords-lieutenant and certain Church and royal household posts are Crown appointments and are therefore made by Her Majesty the Queen on my advice.

To ask the Prime Minister what the (a) names and (b) responsibilities are of parliamentary advisers appointed to serve his Department. [56899]

I have made no such appointments.

To ask the Prime Minister when he last met the Spanish Prime Minister to discuss Gibraltar. [58552]

I met the Spanish Prime Minister on 20 May for discussions on a range of EU and foreign policy issues. We held talks on Gibraltar in a positive and constructive atmosphere.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Standing Committee on propagating material and ornamental plants is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [57489]

The mandate of the Standing Committee on propagating material of ornamental plants is to consider and adopt measures to facilitate implementation of Council Directive 98/56/EC on the marketing of propagating material of ornamental plants. The committee has met on three occasions over the last 12 months. The UK is normally represented by an official from my Department. The cost of the committee's work to public funds, including travel expenses which are met from Community funds, is estimated at around £1,500 annually.Agendas and reports of meetings are available on the Commission website. Links to those reports are provided in the DEFRA website at http://defraweb/planth/oldnews.htm#links. The agenda of the last meeting included: discussions about the scope of the directive; whether further implementing measures were needed in relation to specific pests and diseases; the approach in relation to imports from third countries and future arrangements for Community trials which are used to take stock of the quality of materials being marketed within the Community. The committee also had an initial discussion to consider how to take forward work in relation to a recently adopted standard under the International Plant Protection Convention concerning Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for Community protection of plant variety rights is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [57486]

The mandate of the Committee for Community protection of plant variety rights is to assist the Commission in the administration and regulation of Community plant variety rights. The committee has met once over the past 12 months. The cost of representation by one official was de minimis as it was held on the same day as another meeting.The item discussed was the preparation of a report in accordance with Article 116(4) of Council Regulation (EC) 2100/94 on an arrangement which permitted individual farmers who had farm saved seed of varieties established before the Community plant variety rights regime came into force to continue to do so free of charge for a transitional period.Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission.As an obligation to this decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (Com(2001) 783 Final).As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Standing Committee on plant health is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [57485]

The mandate of the Standing Committee on Plant Health (harmful organisms) is contained within Council Directive 2000/29 concerning protective measures against the introduction into and spread within the Community of organisms harmful to plants and plant products. The committee gives opinions on amendments to the lists of harmful organisms, on other amendments to the technical annexes to the directive, and on proposed emergency measures against new plant health risks. The committee has met eleven times in the last twelve months. The UK is usually represented by an official and a scientist from my Department assisted by a Forestry Commission official when necessary.The direct cost of the committee's work to public funds, including travel expenses some of which are met from Community funds, is estimated at around £40,000 annually. UK risk assessments and survey results are presented to the committee but these are prepared partly to inform national policy and operational activities. The elements directly related to the work of the committee cannot be separately costed.Agendas and reports of meetings are available on the Commission website. Links to those reports are provided in the DEFRA website at http://defraweb/planth/oldnews.htm#links. The agenda of the last meeting included: a discussion, at the UK's request, of the situation with

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Standing Committee on propagating material and plants of fruit genera and species is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [57488]

The mandate of the Standing Committee on propagating material and plants of fruit genera and species is to consider and adopt measures to facilitate implementation of Council Directive 92/34/EEC on the marketing of fruit propagating material and fruit plants intended for fruit production. The committee has met on three occasions over the last 12 months. The UK is normally represented by an official from my Department. The cost of the committee's work to public funds, including travel expenses which are met from Community funds, is estimated at around £2,500 annually.Agendas and reports of meetings are available on the Commission website. Links to those reports are provided in the DEFRA website at http://defraweb/planth/oldnews.htm#links. The agenda of the last meeting included: discussions about the effectiveness of current implementing measures; the scope of those measures and whether additional rules were needed; the approach in relation to imports from third countries and future arrangements for Community trials which are used to take stock of the quality of material being marketed within the Community. The committee also had an initial discussion to consider how to take forward work in relation to a recently adopted standard under the International Plant Protection Convention concerning Regulated Non-Quarantine Pests.Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". The Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of the committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (Com(2001) 783 Final).

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the Fisheries and Aquaculture sector is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [56743]

The Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture was set up to enable the Commission to consult representatives of the EU fishery products and aquaculture industry, and of related interests such as consumers and environmentalists, and to take their views on the drafting and implementation of relevant EU measures. It is not attended by officials of Her Majesty's Government. The questions raised would be for the European Commission, or for the European organisations who send representatives, to answer.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the adaptation to technical and scientific progress of the Directive on the quality of fresh waters needing protection or improvement in order to support fish life is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [56798]

This committee has never met. Therefore the question of UK representation has not been addressed, no items are under consideration and it has not drawn on public funds. The role of the Committee, if it should meet, is set out in article 12 of the Directive. It is to deliver its opinion on amendments proposed by the Commission to the G values and to the methods of analysis set out in the Annexes to the Directive where amendments are necessary to adapt the Directive's provisions to technical or scientific progress. The Committee has equivalent functions in relation to Directive 79/923/EC on the quality required of Shellfish Waters.Together with Member States, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". Consequent to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (Com (2001) 783 Final.As part of the review process, the UK Government has encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on veterinary training is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [56760]

The last meeting of the Advisory Committee on Veterinary Training (ACVT) was held on 16 June 2000 and it was abolished later that year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Management Committee of the common organisations of agricultural markets for seeds is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [55669]

The mandate of the Seeds Management Committee is to facilitate stability in the market for seeds and to ensure a fair income for producers through the payment of appropriate levels of production aid. The Committee has met four times over the past 12 months. UK representation at the Committee has been two officials for each meeting, and the cost of representation has been around £5,300.The major item under discussion this year has been the introduction of a stabiliser mechanism to constrain EU expenditure on seed production aid.Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee on the supply of agricultural products to the population of the former Soviet Union is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [55657]

The Department has no record of such a committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee on the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [55659]

The purpose of the Committee on the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture is to advise the Commission draft measures made under Council Regulation 1467–94 on:

(a) assisting the co-ordination, at Community level, of certain national measures for the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture to permit the rational organisation of the means employed within the Community and the efficient utilisation of the results and to achieve an approach in line with the aims of the Common Agricultural Policy;

(b) the development and implementation of programmes of measures for the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture at Community level to support or supplement action taken in the member states; and

(c) other relevant questions.

Regulation 1467–94 established a programme for the conservation, characterisation, collection and utilisation of genetic resources in agriculture for a period of five years. The Commission has made proposals for a successor regulation, which is currently under consideration.The Committee met once in the last 12 months. It was attended by DEFRA officials from my Department. The cost of representation at that meeting and related work was about £2,000.Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". The Commission published an annual report on the working of such committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com (2001) 783 Final)). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (CREST) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [56731]

I have been asked to reply.The Scientific and Technical Research Committee (CREST) is a standing advisory committee to the Council and Commission which was established pursuant to a Council Resolution of 14 January 1974 on the co-ordination of national policies and the definition of projects of interest to the Community in the field of science and technology.A Council Resolution of 28 September 1995 defined the current role of CREST:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the mandate of the Committee for the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [56819]

I have been asked to reply.The mandate of the Standing Committee is contained in Article 18 of the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors Directive, 2000/14/EC. In essence it is convened to consider matters of interpretation which are brought to its attention by member states. It has, however only met in its capacity as an advisory committee. Officials of the European Commission chair these meetings with a view to providing advice based on consensus in order to ensure that there is uniform interpretation of the directive throughout the European Union and also to ensure that any technical barriers to trade within the Single Market are removed. The committee, in particular, assists the Commission in the adaptation to technical progress of methods of measurement of airborne noise emitted by equipment for use outdoors by means of amendments to the technical annexes of the directive.In the last 12 months this committee has met twice. Representation from the United Kingdom is led by officials from the Department of Trade and Industry. It is not possible to calculate the cost to public funds of the work of the committee without incurring disproportionate cost.Items under consideration vary from meeting to meeting but usually include issues of standardisation and interpretation. Current issues include a possible amendment to the directive in respect of noise limits of lawn mowers.Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (COM(2001)783Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research (a) her Department and (b) its predecessors have undertaken in the last five years to assess and measure the commercial impact of genetically modified foodstuffs; and if she will place copies in the Library. [54589]

Neither DEFRA nor its predecessors have undertaken any research on the commercial impact of GM foods.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many consultation documents and consultative drafts of legislation have been issued by her Department since January 2001; and what proportion of these have observed Criterion 5 of the Code of Practice on Written Consultation. [57006]

The following table shows up-to-date information regarding consultation documents issued by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs since 1 January 2001.

	Number of consultations issued	% of consultations observing Criterion 5
1 January to 31 December 2001	50	50
1 January 2002 to date	29	69
Total	79	57

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he will respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Eastleigh dated 18 March, regarding the funding for supply chain companies constructing the A380. [57521]

I am sorry, but we are unable to trace the correspondence referred to by the hon. Member.As the correspondence would appear to be on constructing the A380, a new wide body twin jet, perhaps this is a matter for the Department for Trade and Industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer on 19 April 2002, Official Report, columns 1192–93W, if she will investigate the whereabouts of the Bale Us Out correspondence. [56186]

As I have stated in my earlier reply to the hon. Member, we are unable to trace the correspondence referred to.I am sorry, but diverting resources in our correspondence section to investigating the whereabouts of this correspondence would not be cost-effective, as we have no record of having received your correspondence. If you send us another copy of your correspondence we will reply.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of cattle presented to the over-30-months scheme were rejected for lack of proper document in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [57557]

1 per cent. of all animals entering the scheme during the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 were rejected because of either documentation or animal ineligibility. Figures relating solely to the number of animals rejected because of documentation are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much over-30-months scheme compensation has been paid in each year since its inception. [57531]

The information requested is as follows:

	£ million
1996–97	670
1997–98	288
1998–99	264
1999–2000	265
2000–01	240
2001–02	185

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on steps being taken to prevent the spread of the Colorado beetle. [57558]

The United Kingdom has protected zone status for Colorado beetle, making it an offence for the beetle to be moved into the country. To support this the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate in England and Wales and the similar inspectorates in Scotland and Northern Ireland inspect imports of plants and plant produce to ensure that the beetle, as well as many other pests and diseases, are not present. Added to this is the long-running campaign to promote and maintain a high level of public awareness of the beetle. This is instrumental in ensuring that members of the public, as well as importers and port operators, report findings of the beetle. These measures have all helped to prevent the Colorado beetle entering and establishing in the UK. Should an outbreak be detected, the Department has contingency plans to contain and eradicate the pest.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated level of losses to fraud and corruption was in (a) her Department's vote 1 budget and (b) her Department's vote 2 budget for (i) 1999–2000 and (ii) 2000–01. [54701]

The estimated level of losses to fraud and corruption are:

£
Departmental vote	1999–2000	2000–01
Former MAFF	27,409	18,616
Former IBEA	0	0

The machinery of Government changes in 2001–02 saw the creation of two votes, one for Rural Payments Agency and the other for the remainder of DEFRA. Prior to that period both former MAFF and IBEA had separate votes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans the Government have to claim agrimonetary compensation in the next six months. [53451]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) on 2 May 2002, Official Report, column 935W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will make a statement on the price of milk that dairy farmers receive in Lancashire; [57451](2) if she will make a statement on the change in milk prices in the last two months for dairy farmers in Lancashire; [57453](3) what support and assistance she will provide to dairy farmers in

In Lancashire, in common with the rest of the country, the farmgate price of milk has been falling for the last two months. The most recent official figures show that for milk delivered in March the average farmgate price of milk in the UK had fallen to 18.04 pence per litre. However, we expect the average milk price paid to farmers (in May) for milk delivered in April to fall substantially, reflecting the price cuts announced by many purchasers and reported widely in the trade press.The reasons for this fall are complex, but it is principally due to unusually high production in the UK so far this year, which has lead to severe competition between milk purchasers to find customers, at a time of weak world and Community markets for dairy commodities. The Government cannot, of course, prevent such overproduction and negotiations between farmers and purchasers, purchasers and their customers, or indeed, processors and supermarkets, are a commercial matter in which the Government cannot get involved. The Government can, however, influence the environment in which price negotiations take place through the Milk and Milk Products Management Committee and we have supported measures taken in Brussels to support EU markets and encourage exports.The Department received representations from the industry on the payment of agrimoney aid to the dairy sector. While we acknowledge the difficulties that the sector is facing and are working with them on the recommendations of the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food, and the Milk Task Force, we decided not to make a claim for these funds given the many competing demands on the Exchequer at present.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Review of the London Markets. [56253]

Preparations are in hand for a review and I expect to make a further statement as soon as the necessary arrangements are in place.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what planning legislation exists to protect tidal flows in rivers from the construction of barrages and weirs. [54033]

Tidal barrages and other structures to control river flows, as for other development projects, will generally require planning permission in addition to consent from the relevant flood defence operating authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement about the safety of Atrazine. [56257]

All pesticides used in this country, including Atrazine, must be approved by Ministers. Approval is only granted following thorough scientific evaluation of the risk that the pesticide might pose to people, wildlife and to the wider environment. Only if this evaluation shows that there is no unacceptable risk will approval be granted.Both the UK and the EU systems for regulating pesticides contain routine review programmes of older pesticides to ensure they meet current safety standards. Atrazine is currently being reviewed as part of the EU programme with the UK acting as Rapporteur Member State. The review covers both the possible effects of Atrazine on human health and the environment. The UK's report on Atrazine is currently being considered by the EU Standing Committee on Plant Health with particular attention being given to the levels of Atrazine found in ground water.In the UK restrictions were placed on the agricultural uses of Atrazine in 1992 as there had been widespread breaches of the EU Drinking Water Directive's limit. However, the levels found did not endanger the health of consumers or damage the environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate she has made of the extent of the use of Atrazine as a fertiliser. [56258]

I have no information on the use of Atrazine as a fertiliser. Atrazine is a herbicide and should not be used as a fertiliser.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the level of strategic reserves of staple foodstuffs in the UK; and how many weeks supply of such foodstuffs are available. [55183]

The Government no longer holds strategic reserves of food. The availability of staple foodstuffs and plans to handle emergency situations are kept under review at regular meetings between officials and food industry representatives. The fuel crisis of 2000 was a good example of Government and industry working together to ensure the distribution of food in an emergency situation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received from Eurostar on pet passports and guide dogs. [56906]

Eurostar has been in touch with the Department about the Pet Travel Scheme in the light of representations that it has received from, amongst others, the Royal National Institute for The Blind. Eurostar has made it clear that while it has not been its policy to date to permit the animals of any kind on its trains, it is keenly aware of the assistance that guide dogs bring to visually impaired passengers. The company has, for some time, been considering whether, and how, it might allow the carriage of assistance dogs on its trains. The Department is ready to advise it on how the company could meet the requirements of the Pet Travel Scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many veterinarians are employed by the state veterinary service in Scotland; and where they are based. [56293]

A total of 61 veterinarians were employed by the state veterinary service in Scotland on 13 May 2002. Their disposition is illustrated by the following table:

SVS staff in Scotland on 13 May 2002
	Number
Scottish Veterinary Policy Unit	6
Scottish Field Service HQ	2
Divisions
Ayr	11
Galashiels	14
Inverness	8
Inverurie	10
Perth	10
Total	61

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many laboratories are operated by the state veterinary service in Scotland; and where they are located. [56294]

The State Veterinary Service (SVS) does not directly operate laboratories.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the amount of coley (saithe) that was discarded back in the sea by British registered vessels during 2001. [46394]

There is no reliable basis for estimating quantities of saithe discarded by all British registered vessels during 2001. On the basis of partial information, we believe that the amounts of saithe discarded or slipped by UK vessels landing into Great Britain during 2001 may be in excess of 12,000 tonnes.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State what steps he is taking to improve co-ordination of Government policy in respect of civil emergencies. [55929]

The Civil Contingencies Secretariat at the Cabinet Office was established last June to support the Civil Contingencies Cabinet Committee, and provide the central focus for the Government's commitment to deal effectively with disruptive challenges, crises and emergencies.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State if he will make a statement on Government support for local authority emergency planning. [55948]

The Government provides financial support by the provision of civil defence grant, with £18.97 million being allocated to local authorities in England and Wales for 2002–03.Support is also provided through the issue of guidance documents and training at the Cabinet Office emergency planning college.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State what role his Department has (a) in providing guidance to other Departments on the answering of parliamentary questions and (b) in providing them with briefings on parliamentary questions. [55939]

In response to a Report of the Public Administration Select Committee on Ministerial Accountability and Parliamentary Questions, the Cabinet Office issued revised "Guidance to Officials on Drafting Answers to Parliamentary Questions". Departments can liaise with each other from time to time where parliamentary questions cut across departmental boundaries.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State if he will make a statement on the future role of Government offices for the regions. [55941]

The Government Offices have an important role in strengthening the English regions as set out in our White Paper published on 9 May. They will bring together key Government bodies in their regions. They will also be given extra responsibilities to strengthen regional decision-making.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State what recent representations he has received on declarations made under the ministerial code of conduct. [55942]

Last year the Public Administration Select Committee published a report on the ministerial code and from time to time I receive the occasional representation from hon. Members.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State what proportion of public appointments were filled by women over the last five years. [55944]

At 31 March 2001, as set out in "Public Bodies 2001", women held 34 per cent. of all of the appointments concerned, compared to 31 per cent. on 1 September 1996.The Government remain committed to the principal that women and men should hold an equal proportion of all appointments. To this end, each Department has published plans for increasing diversity in public appointments by 2005 and, specifically, increasing the proportion held by women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds and disabled people. These plans are contained in "Public Bodies: Opening up Public Appointments 2002–2005", copies of which are in the Libraries of the House.If the targets set out in these plans are met, this will mean that, by the end of 2005 and for the majority of Departments, women should hold 45–50 per cent. of the appointments to the bodies they sponsor.In addition, the Women and Equality Unit is currently running a series of regional seminars, which aim to encourage women who currently hold a local or regional public appointment to apply for a national appointment. Additional seminars have been planned for ethnic minority women, business women, women in journalism and the trade unions.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State what representations he has made on the marine environment for the consideration of the world summit on sustainable development. [55946]

My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State has made many representations on the UK priorities for the World summit. The conservation of the marine environment is one of those priorities, given the importance of marine resources for maintaining sustainable livelihoods across the world.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State what co-ordinating role his Department is taking in the implementation of the European employment directive in respect of age discrimination. [55949]

I am co-ordinating the implementation of the European employment directive, which covers discrimination in employment and vocational training on three new equality strands, one of which is age.We are working closely with key stakeholders both in and outside Whitehall, as we take forward the implementation of the employment directive.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State what his policy is for dispersing Government Departments to the regions. [55951]

Individual Departments and agencies are free to make their own decisions about location and facilities on the basis of operational requirements and value for money.However, the existing dispersal of many civil service functions across the UK has worked well, and the Government believe that the administration of public service benefits from this national and regional diversity. Following the publication on 9 May 2002 of the White Paper on regional governance, we will aim to:

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State if he will make a statement on the percentage increase in civil service pensions in each of the past three years; and on which basis the increase was calculated. [55952]

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 10 May 2002, Official Report, column 408W.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State what plans he has for travelling abroad to represent the United Kingdom at conferences in his capacity as Deputy Prime Minister. [55953]

I have no immediate plans for travel.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State what progress is being made with the implementation of the joined-up Government project. [55954]

Joined-up working is key to meeting the Government's delivery agenda. We have introduced a number of initiatives. These include the dissemination of cross-Government policy tools; of good practice across the public sector; the co-ordination of area based initiatives in Government offices; and the creation of cross-cutting public service agreements.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the mandate of the Committee for the implementation of the action programme to tackle discrimination is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55239]

I have been asked to reply.The Community Action Programme to Combat Discrimination (2001–06) supports the development of practical solutions to combat discrimination on grounds of racial and ethnic origin, disability, age, religion and belief and sexual orientation. The programme encourages the exchange of best practice on policies and practices which have been shown to work well in combating discrimination across Europe.The Committee has met four times over the last 12 months.The current UK representative is the responsible official from this Department's Diversity and Equality Branch.It is not possible to calculate the cost to public funds of the work of the Committee without incurring disproportionate cost.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) names and (b) responsibilities are of parliamentary advisers appointed to serve his Department. [56987]

Ministers in this Department have made no such appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what benefits he estimates regional government will bring to the regions of England. [55943]

The Government's policy on establishing elected assemblies in the English regions was set out in the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice" (Cm 5511), which was published on 9 May. The benefits of such assemblies are summarised in chapter 3 of the White Paper and elaborated in the following chapters.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which body is responsible for (a) the regulation and (b) the auditing of expenditure of the regional assemblies. [58071]

The arrangements for funding elected regional assemblies are described in chapter 5 of the White Paper, "Your Region, Your Choice", published on 9 May. Regional assemblies' financial responsibilities will be set out in the primary legislation which will be needed before assemblies can be established. Assemblies will be subject to appropriate audit arrangements. We are discussing with the National Audit Office and the Audit Commission what form these should take.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the arrangements for internal and external auditing of local councils. [57651]

I am aware of the need to ensure that external and internal audit arrangements for local councils are appropriate. For this reason, the Audit Commission has introduced a new "lighter touch" audit framework for local councils, with the aim of making the external audit process more proportionate to the size and circumstances of local councils. We plan to consult later this year on proposals to make explicit the need for authorities to follow existing relevant best practice when carrying out their internal audit role.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to review the operation of road traffic law in relation to the use of mobile telephones by drivers of road vehicles. [58741]

In accordance with our road safety strategy, we are keeping the need for new legislation on the use of mobile phones by drivers under review.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the number of road accidents in which the use of mobile telephones by the driver has been a contributory factor. [58740]

Detailed investigation is needed to establish he cause of any accident. Two research projects currently under way will help to establish the likely numbers of road traffic accidents involving mobile phones. One project involves carrying out in-depth analysis of police fatal road accident reports that identify distraction as a possible contributory factor. The other involves on-the-spot studies of accidents in order to improve the understanding of the influences of human involvement, vehicle and highway design on accident causation and injury mechanisms. Nevertheless, international research has provided clear evidence of an increased risk of an accident when using a mobile phone while driving.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what Her Majesty's Government's policy is for reducing population growth in the south east of England relative to other regions. [55930]

The Government's policy is to achieve high and stable levels of growth and employment throughout the UK, with all regions and communities having the opportunity to share in the nation's prosperity. Our target is to improve the economic performance of all regions, measured by the trend in growth of each region's GDP per capita. We believe this is best done by tackling the causes of regional under-performance in some regions rather than by restraining economic development in others.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether the medical assessment procedure set up under the compensation scheme for pneumoconiosis may be accessed by mesothelioma claimants, irrespective of whether they may be able to sue their former employer or not. [58260]

The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions administers a scheme under the Pneumoconiosis etc (Workers' Compensation) Act 1979. The Act provides compensation for sufferers (or their dependants) of certain dust-related diseases who are unable to claim damages from the responsible employers as they have gone out of business.Mesothelioma is one of the diseases covered by the Act. The three conditions of eligibility for a payment of compensation are that:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on 3G cellular telephony roll-out of different models of planning controls with regard to masts. [55143]

[holding answer 16 May 2002]: Different approaches to telecommunications planning apply in England and the devolved Administrations. In England, the installation of any telecommunications mast in protected areas, such as national parks, areas of outstanding natural beauty, sites of special scientific interest and conservation areas, and of masts above 15 metres in height elsewhere, is subject to an application for planning permission for determination by the local planning authority. The installation of masts up to 15 metres in height, elsewhere, would be subject to a prior approval procedure under Part 24 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (as amended). The planning arrangements do not distinguish between different generations of telecommunications equipment. The devolved Administrations have their own planning regulations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if new modular homes will be available to people on low wages in the private sector; [57274](2) how many new modular homes will be built; and what estimate he has made of their average price. [57273]

The Government recognise that there is an urgent and growing need to assist the number of key workers and others on intermediate incomes who cannot afford to rent or buy in high demand areas where house prices have risen sharply over the last few years. We are looking at a number of options for helping overcome this problem, including the potential to increase housing supply quickly by using the modular unit construction techniques as illustrated by the Peabody Trust scheme at Murray Grove, Hackney.The Government do not hold costings on modular build.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proposals there are to provide a link between the fire service national radio communications system and the police radio system (Airwave); how they will be reflected in the competitive tendering process; and what plans there are to use common approaches to masts and other equipment between the fire, ambulance and police forces. [58110]

[holding answer 21 May 2002]: It is intended that the requirement to provide effective interoperability between the fire service and the other emergency services will be included as part of the specification for a replacement wide-area radio system for the fire service. The design of a system which meets the requirements of the specification will be a matter for tenderers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions in relation to the fire service college, Moreton-in-Marsh, how many orders of over £1 million have been (a) won and (b) lost in the last three months; and on what date his Department took over responsibility from the Home Department. [57222]

During the last three months the FSC has neither won nor lost any orders whose value exceeded £1 million. The last order that the FSC received whose value exceeded £1 million was in January 2002. The largest order that the FSC has received in the last three months is valued at £0.85 million.The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions assumed responsibility for fire matters, including the fire service college in June 2001.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the status is of the review of the framework document on the fire service college, Moreton-in-Marsh; in drawing up financial targets for 2002–03, by how much in (a) number and (b) income he expects (i) domestic and (ii) foreign courses to change compared with 2001–02; and when he expects the 2001–02 reports to be presented to Parliament. [57224]

The review of the framework document for the fire service college will be an important undertaking for the task group announced in my written answer of today's date to my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington, South (Helen Southworth).Information on number and income of domestic and foreign courses is not held at the fire service college in the form requested. Therefore, such information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.The college expresses its targets in financial terms. The financial targets for 2002–03 as set out in the FSC business plan provide for a minimum increase in turnover over 2001–02 in the region of £1 million.The FSC expects to present its 2001–02 annual report and accounts to Parliament in July 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the studies and investigations, including audit investigations, instigated and commissioned by his Department on the fire service college, Moreton-in-Marsh; on what date they began; when each is due to report to his Department; if he will publish them; if he will make a statement on the areas in which he expects action to be taken as a result of these reports: and what plans there are to commission further reports. [57223]

DTLR have been conducting a review of financial regularity and propriety following the suspension of the Chief Executive on 31 January 2002. As there are a number of matters outstanding it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.Following the suspension and subsequent resignation of the college's Facilities Manager, the Department commissioned a surveyors' review of value for money and probity in the procurement of estates works. The review started on 8 March 2002. A completion date has not been set. There are no plans for publication.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to review the future direction and funding of the fire service college; and if he will make a statement. [59160]

I am today announcing the formation of a task group to report in September on short-term action to meet the current training requirements of the fire service and to make longer term recommendations.The fire service college has a well deserved reputation as a centre of excellence in providing national training for Britain's firefighters. But we need to ensure that the college is in a secure position to undertake this role for the future. We are therefore asking the task group to:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how he intends to ensure effective communication between regional assemblies, the devolved institutions of the United Kingdom and central Government. [55945]

The Government's proposals for ensuring effective working relationships between different tiers of government following the establishment of elected assemblies in the English regions are set out in chapter 8 of the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice" (Cm 5511), which was published on 9 May.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the EC-former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Joint Transport Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58414]

This committee is established under the provisions of Article 22 of the Agreement between the European Community and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the field of transport which was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 18 December 1997. The remit of the committee is to ensure the proper implementation of the Agreement. The committee would be made up of representatives appointed by the Community and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. But I am not aware that it has met since the conclusion of the Agreement or that there are any plans for it to meet in the immediate future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the EC-Hungary Joint Transport Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58412]

This committee is established under the provisions of the Agreement of 12 July 2000 between the European Community and the Republic of Hungary establishing certain conditions for the carriage of goods by road and the promotion of combined transport. The remit of the committee is to ensure the proper implementation of the Agreement. The committee would be made up of representatives appointed by the Community and Hungary. But I am not aware that it has met since the conclusion of the Agreement or that there are any plans for it to meet in the immediate future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on restrictive practices and dominant positions in air transport is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [55221](2) what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions in the Shipping Industry is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [55220](3) what the mandate of the Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions in the Transport Industry is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55219]

I have been asked to reply. The Advisory Committee on Restrictive Practices and Dominant Positions is the body through which the European Commission carries out its duty to consult member states on decisions and amendments to EC competition law which it proposes to adopt. For the UK, DTI and Office of Fair Trading officials and, where transport issues are under discussion, DTLR officials attend meetings of the committee.The committee meets only when there are decisions or legislative proposals to discuss. In the last 12 months, there have been four meetings on air transport matters and two on maritime transport. Issues currently on the agenda are a proposed extension of Air Transport Regulation 1617/93, the granting of clearance to a co-operation agreement between Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines and a review of Maritime Transport Regulation 4056/86.The process is transparent. The Commission publishes in the

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the EC-Slovenia Joint Transport Committee is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [58415]

The committee is established under the provisions of the agreement between the European Economic Community and the Republic of Slovenia in the field of transport which was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 29 July 1993. The remit of the committee is to ensure the proper implementation of the agreement. The committee would be made up of representatives appointed by the Community and Slovenia. But I am not aware that it has met since the conclusion of the agreement or that there are any plans for it to meet in the immediate future.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Standing Committee on the Harmonisation of National Legislation on Cableway Installations Designed to Carry Passengers is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [55372]

This committee is established under the provisions of Article 17 of Directive 2000/9/EC relating to cableway installations designed to carry persons. The remit of the committee is to assist the Commission in the implementation of the requirements of the directive and in coordination of all procedures. The committee would be composed of representatives of member states and chaired by the European Commission. But I am not aware that it has met since the adoption of the directive or that there are any plans for it to meet in the immediate future.Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Com(2001) 783 Final). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the (a) names and (b) responsibilities are of parliamentary advisers appointed to serve his Department. [56985]

Ministers in this Department have made no such appointments.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the (a) safety precautions in force and (b) material used to transport MOX fuel from Japan to Sellafield. [58574]

(a) The regulations in force concerning safety are:

Sea—The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No. 2367); Merchant Shipping Notice No. M 1755(M), "The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants in Packaged Form—Amendment 30–00 to the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code". The Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Packaged Irradiated Nuclear Fuel etc.) (Code) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No. 3216).

Rail—The Packaging, Labelling and Carriage of Radioactive Material by Rail Regulations (RAMRail) 1996 (SI 1996 No. 2090): Approved Requirements for the packaging, labelling and carriage of radioactive material by rail 1996 edition. The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations (CDGCPL) 1996 (SI 1996 No. 2092). The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 303).

Road—The Radioactive Material (Road Transport) (Great Britain) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996 No. 1350).

(b) MOX fuel may be transported in packages on UK flagged ships, respectively approved and certified in accordance with the regulations cited above.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the recommendations made by the Health and Safety Executive since 1997 which should have been implemented to date; what steps have been taken to ensure these recommendations will be implemented; when these recommendations are likely to be implemented; and if he will make a statement. [58193]

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) do not make recommendations to Ministers on railway safety matters, this is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Commission. Recommendations made by the Commission since 1997 were that the Secretary of State make regulations on train protection and Mark 1 rolling stock (1998), regulations to extend the scope of train operators' safety cases and transfer responsibility for the acceptance of safety cases from Railtrack to the Health and Safety Executive (2000) and regulations to make clear that safety cases cover escape from trains as well as organised evacuation in an emergency (2001) implementing a recommendation from Lord Cullen's part 1 report into the Ladbroke Grove train accident. All of these regulations have been made.HSE Railway Inspectors regularly make recommendations as part of their checks on dutyholders. Providing details of such recommendations would entail disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what evidence he has collated on UK airports as to the levying of differential handling charges for disabled travellers; and if he will take steps to prevent this practice. [57823]

There is general agreement across airports and airlines that the additional costs incurred in providing assistance to disabled passengers should not be passed on to those passengers. That principle will be reflected in a UK Code of Practice on air travel for disabled people that the Department is planning to publish this summer. Compliance with that Code will be on a voluntary basis, but we have said that we will take powers to place the Code on a statutory basis should the voluntary approach prove ineffective.Additionally, many UK airlines and airports have signed the European Air Passenger Rights Charter, which was launched on 14 February and which includes a similar commitment. The Charter covers a range of non-legally binding commitments to deliver defined standards of service to air travellers.The Charter was developed by European airlines and airports following extensive discussion with representatives of air travellers; the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC), representing European Governments; and the European Commission. My Department is also involved in discussions through the European Civil Aviation Conference to look at the mechanisms which have been established at different airports across Europe to cover the costs of assisting disabled passengers and to develop guidance on workable models for providing assistance and covering the costs on an equitable basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if Humber Pilots Limited were consulted in the preparation of the document The New Humber Pilotage Service. [58349]

The paper was prepared following extensive representations from and on behalf of former Humber pilots, and several meetings with them and officers of Humber Pilots Ltd. The paper is an account of the Department's independent assessment of the new pilotage arrangements—it was not prepared to represent the views of the former pilots or other parties, although those that were expressed to the Department are fully reflected in the concerns that the paper discusses.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to secure the restitution of normal freight services using the Channel Tunnel; and if he will make a statement. [57602]

[holding answer 21 May 2002]: The Government continues to press the French Government at the highest levels to provide adequate policing resources at Fréthun to support the anti-intrusion measures already being installed by SNCF in order to address the disruption to channel tunnel services caused by would-be illegal immigrants. We welcome the additional resources that have already been deployed. The Government also welcomes the recent announcement by the French Government of proposals to further strengthen the anti-intrusion measures at Fréthun, and the personal assurance from the new Interior Minister of his commitment to maintain policing resources.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of Regulation (EC) 417/2002 (OJ L64, 7/3/02), on the sales of oil tankers from the EU fleet to countries not covered by the regulation; and if he will make a statement. [57908]

The sale of oil tankers is a matter for the buyer and seller within the relevant regulatory framework.Last year the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed to accelerate the phasing in of double hull tankers so that by 2017 single hull tankers will no longer be in service anywhere in the world. Under the IMO agreement states may bring this deadline forward slightly and EU member states have chosen this option. Regulation 417/2002 provides that the final deadline by which a vessel flying an EU flag or using an EU port must be fitted with a double hull is 2015 rather than 2017.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much (a) private capital and (b) public money was spent on transport during the first year of the 10-year plan. [58013]

During the first year of the 10-year plan for Transport (2001–02), provisional figures indicate that around £6,550 million of public money was spent on transport, almost £500 million more than was envisaged in the published plan.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the proposed aviation White Paper will be published; and if he will make a statement. [57684]

As part of the process leading up to the proposed air transport White Paper we expect to publish a series of regional consultation documents on airports and air services in early summer. When the consultation has been completed we will analyse the responses before taking decisions on the policies for the new White Paper, which we aim to publish towards the end of the year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the latest estimated date is for the handover of the operation of the London underground to the Mayor of London; and if he will make a statement. [55810]

The handover will happen as soon as possible after completion of the PPP contracts. The contracts will take effect provided the Health and Safety Executive approve London Underground's Railway Safety Case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish the findings of the administrator as vendor on the condition of Railtrack assets. [58017]

This is a matter for the administrator.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what incentives he proposes for rail safety in the scheme for a company limited by guarantee to take over the railways. [58007]

Discussions are continuing on Network Rail's incentive proposals. Network Rail has made clear that if it succeeds in becoming network operator its work will be supported by an incentive scheme based on system-wide safety and performance measures.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to hold discussions with the Strategic Rail Authority concerning the re-routing of the main railway line between Paddington and Penzance away from the sea wall down the Exe Estuary and the coast at Dawlish and Teignmouth; and if he will make a statement. [55300]

Work has been carried out on flood defences and track re-laying to protect this section of the railway from wetting and erosion. However, there are no plans to re-route the main line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) if he will list the consultants and external advisers used by the Government in the last year on railway matters; [58012]

The consultants and external advisers, used by the Government in the last year on railway and underground matters, are as listed in the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member on 22 November 2001, Official Report, column 390W, except that: Finsbury Ltd., Herbert Smith, Linklaters and Alliance, Partnerships UK and Professor Andrew Evans should be added to that list; AEA Technology Rail, AON, Booz Allen and Hamilton, Deloitte and Touche and NERA should be deleted from it; and "Oscar Faber" should be altered to "Faber Maunsell".In the last year, the Government have paid those consultants and external advisers about £19 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many animals have been (a) killed, (b) injured and (c) retrieved from railway lines in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [58199]

The Health and Safety Executive's HM Railway Inspectorate only collect statistics on the number of trains which run into animals. Details are contained in the table. Further information may be found in HM Chief Inspector of Railways annual reports on railway safety, copies of which are in both House Libraries.

Trains running into animals 1996–97 to 2001–02
	Number of trains
1996–97	142
1997–98	124
1998–99	134
1999–2000	155
2000–01	129
2001–021	75
1 Provisional

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many incidents of motor vehicles colliding with trains on railway lines there were in each year since 1997; in which locations; and if he will make a statement. [58195]

Information held by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on the number of incidents where trains have collided with motor vehicles on railway lines (not at level crossings) since 1977 is contained in the table. This information is based on notifications the HSE has received from railway operators under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, 1995 (RIDDOR).Information for the period 1 April 2001 to date is under analysis by HSE and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Date	Location
3 February 1997	Ascott under Wychwood
15 March 1997	Morton Garage
8 June 1997	Burbage
9 September 1998	Thornton
16 November 1998	Slateford
22 January 1999	Firbeck
29 July 1999	Holton-Le-Moor
17 November 1999	Northumberland Park
18 August 1999	Drax Branch Junction

Date	Location
14 September 1999	Aberdeen
26 February 2000	Kiveton Bridge
20 August 2000	Micklefield
28 February 2001	Great Heck

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the final report into the rail accident at Hatfield in October 2000 was originally planned to be published; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement. [58194]

The Health and Safety Executive's final report will be published after the British Transport Police investigation and any possible criminal prosecutions arising from it have been completed. Safety critical information from the investigation has already been made available to the industry.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the extent is of the legal relationship between the Strategic Rail Authority and Network Rail; and if he will make a statement. [58155]

The Strategic Rail Authority is meeting the bid team's costs in order to ensure that there is at least one viable bidder for Railtrack plc. There is no other legal relationship between the SRA and Network Rail.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his oral answer of 13 May 2002, Official Report, column 508, on rail safety, if he will place in the Library a copy of the letter sent to the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission on 1 May asking him to report by the end of May on the progress made on Cullen's recommendations to which he refers in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [57724]

[holding answer 21 May 2002]: Normally the letter would be exempt from publication, however as I referred to it during my statement to the House on 13 May, I have placed a copy in the Libraries. I will also place a copy of the Health and Safety Commission's response when it is received.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how often (a) non-PSV minibuses and (b) PSV minibuses will be subject to a seat belt installation check. [57597]

A seat belt installation check is carried out on all new PSVs at the registration stage as part of the Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF) check.If additional seat belts are added to a PSV or non-PSV, the installation is checked at the first annual test after fitting.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures he intends to take to encourage wider take-up of the yellow bus transport to school schemes. [58594]

We would like to see more children travelling to school by bus, especially where it is too far for them to walk or cycle or it is not safe for them to do so. There are currently two first yellow school bus pilots running in England with a further one due to start shortly in Wales. Once these pilot schemes have been running for about a year, they will be comprehensively evaluated by consultants working for my Department. Depending on the results of this evaluation, we will then consider whether we wish to encourage wider take-up of yellow school bus schemes, and if so how we will go about doing it.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the grounds on which the identity of the individual acting as the Government's shareholder in the New Millennium Experience Company was decided. [54070]

[holding answer 2 May 2002]: The decision to appoint a Cabinet Office Minister as the first shareholder was made under the previous Government. The subsequent appointment of the right hon. Member for Hartlepool (Peter Mandelson) as shareholder was consistent with this, as was the appointment of Lord Falconer who was also a Cabinet Office Minister. The former Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the right hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Chris Smith) held the position in a temporary capacity on two occasions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to her answer of 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 578W, what was the method by which the shares in the New Millennium Experience Company were transferred from one shareholder to another. [54109]

[holding answer 2 May 2002]: With reference to the shareholders listed in my Written Answer of 25 March, the shares in the New Millennium Experience Company were transferred from one shareholder to another using, in each case, a stock transfer form.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the mandate of the Contact Committee for Implementation of the Television without frontiers Directive is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [56721]

The Contact Committee was established in Article 23a of the 1997 revision of the "Television Without Frontiers" Directive as an Advisory Committee to assist the European Commission in its supervision of the implementation of the Directive. In particular, it addresses problems arising from decisions on the licensing of broadcasters, and approves the listed events of major importance for society when submitted by a member state. It meets when required, and met once in the previous year, at a cost of approximately £600. Under its rules of procedure, some reports are available on the Commission's website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the mandate of the Committee for the implementation of the training programme for professionals in the European audiovisual programme industry and of the programme to encourage the development, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works (MEDIA III) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [57495]

The Media Plus programme 2001–05 is governed by two Decisions:

Council Decision 2000/821/EC of 20 December 2000 on the implementation of a programme to encourage the development, distribution, and promotion of European audiovisual works (MEDIA Plus—Development, Distribution and Promotion) (2001–2005). The legal basis is Article 157 (3) (Title XVI-Industry) of the treaty establishing the European Community.

Decision No. 163/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 January 2001 on the implementation of a training programme for professionals in the European audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA Training) (2001–05). The legal basis is Article 150 (4) (Chapter 3 of Title XI—Social Policy, Education, Vocational Training and Youth) of the treaty establishing the European Community.

In the last 12 months the Media Plus management committee has met five times. The UK is represented by officials from my Department and from the Film Council, the lead strategic body for film in the United Kingdom.The annual cost borne by my Department in contributing to the work of the committee covers both the cost of officials' time in preparing for, and attending committee meetings as well as carrying out resultant action. The cost incurred by my Department in this work over the last 12 months is estimated to be £15,000. To disaggregate the costs of the committee from the UK's total contribution to the EU budget would involve disproportionate costs.The management committee is currently considering a range of items. These include formulating new guidelines for appraisal of pilot and innovative projects, approving the results of calls for projects within a number of the programme's measures and keeping budgetary and procedural matters under review.Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to the Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February 2002 (Com (2001) 783 Final. As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the mandate of the Committee for the implementation of the programme establishing a single financing and programming instrument for cultural co-operation (Culture 2000) is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement. [57494]

The mandate of the Culture 2000 Management Committee is to assist the European Commission in the management of the Culture 2000 programme. It was established by a European Parliament and Council Decision (No 508/2000/EC, Article 5) on 14 February 2000.The committee has met five times over the last 12 months and the UK has been represented on each occasion by officials from my Department. The costs incurred by my Department in attending these meetings are limited to travel and subsistence. To disaggregate the overall costs of the committee's work from the UK's total contribution to the EU budget would involve disproportionate cost.The issues currently under consideration by the committee are the selection of cultural projects to be supported by the programme in 2002, and the publication of the call for applications for 2003.Accountability and transparency to Parliament is ensured by the submission of Commission and Council documents to parliamentary scrutiny. Together with member states, the Commission is currently conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of comitology committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, "to simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission". As an obligation to this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of committees. The first report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 26 February (Commission Document 5685/02). As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every comitology committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to create an accurate record of playing field losses and their cause over the last five years. [57631]

[holding answer 20 May 2002]: Data on playing field losses are not available. My Department has established a Playing Fields Monitoring Group which will shortly be publishing combined figures for (a) applications from schools submitted to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for the disposal or change of use of school playing fields (which are already published monthly), and (b) figures from Sport England giving details of planning applications affecting playing fields which have been referred to them as statutory consultee (which are already published quarterly), along with (c) relevant data from the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Playing Fields Monitoring Group first met; how often it has met; and when the details of playing field losses will be published. [57627]

[holding answer 20 May 2002]: The Playing Fields Monitoring Group first met on 10 July 2000 and has met on eight occasions. Data on playing fields losses are not available. The Playing Fields Monitoring Group which will shortly he publishing combined figures for (a) applications from schools submitted to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for the disposal or change of use of school playing fields (which are already published monthly), and (b) figures from Sport England giving details of planning applications affecting playing fields which have been referred to them as statutory consultee (which are already published quarterly), along with (c) relevant data from the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to promote tourism in (a) Greater London and (b) Enfield; and if she will make a statement. [57921]

Since 2001–02, the Greater London Authority (GLA) has been responsible for tourism in London. The Mayor has delegated responsibility to the London Development Agency (LDA), who have been working closely with the London Tourist Board (LTB). The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is granting the GLA £1.9 million for 2002–03. This is to be used predominantly on marketing London overseas, including £250,000 for marketing London as a gateway to the rest of the UK. Up to £100,000 may be used for domestic marketing and £400,000 for improving tourism infrastructure. The Mayor is currently producing a three-year strategic tourism plan for London, with DCMS encouragement, which is in the final stages of development.The London borough of Enfield also carries out varied promotional work as part of over £90 million spent by local authorities around the country on developing and marketing tourism. They are conducting a full programme of promotional campaigns for 2002–03 in conjunction with Enfield Hoteliers and Hospitality Association and attraction providers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the management of Channel 5 television as to the feasibility of extending the range of their analogue television service since the collapse of ITV Digital. [57940]

I had no specific discussions on this topic with the management of Channel 5 television. The priority for the use of scarce frequency channels is to develop digital terrestrial television across the UK, including digital Channel 5, rather than to extend analogue Channel 5 services. Therefore the multiplexes used by ITV Digital have been re-advertised by the ITC.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of the (a) population and (b) land mass of (i) Scotland, (ii) Wales, (iii) Northern Ireland and (iv) England are able to receive Channel 5 television by means of the analogue signal. [57941]

The information is not available in the form requested. The Independent Television Commission advise that analogue Channel 5 services are transmitted from 50 transmitters across the UK of which: 11 are located in Scotland; three in Wales; two in Northern Ireland and 34 in England. These transmitters provide coverage to 80 per cent. of the UK population. Coverage details can be found on Channel 5's website at www.channel5.co.uk.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the answer of 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 306W, what the (a) names and (b) responsibilities are of unpaid advisers who have assisted the work of her Department since June 1997 but are not included in the Cabinet Office's annual report "Task Forces, Ad Hoc Advisory Groups and Reviews 2000–01. [57042]

As my answer to the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) of 10 April 2002. Official Report, column 306W made clear, Ministers in this Department have not appointed any unpaid advisers other than those accounted for in the list of task forces, reviews and other ad hoc advisory groups.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the subject of each gender impact assessment drawn up by her Department since June 1997, indicating in each case whether the outcome has been (a) put out to consultation and (b) published. [58179]

The guidelines on gender impact assessments, issued by the Home Secretary, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment and the Minister for Women in November 1998, are incorporated into the Department's central guidance on policy formulation. However, the Department does not keep a central register of gender impact assessments, and the answer could be given only at disproportionate cost.