Written Answers

                    The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.
                

Written Answers To Questions

Monday 15 July 2002

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Post-War Expulsions

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library legal opinions on the (a) Benes and (b) Polish expulsion decrees of 1945 that have been delivered to (i) his Department and (ii) Communities institutions. [68316]

This question requires a detailed search of FCO records which may take some time. I shall write to the hon. Member when the appropriate research has been completed.

European Community Treaty

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he would list those occasions since 1 May 1997 where use has been made of Articles 308 and 95 TEC. [68338]

Based on information from the European Commission's Eur-Lex database, since 1 May 1997 Article 308 of the Treaty on European Union has been used on 71 occasions and Article 95 on 82 occasions. I have placed copies of documents listing these occasions in the Library of the House.

Gibraltar

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what element of the Gibraltar economy Spain asked to be modified during the talks on 26 June on the future status of Gibraltar. [R][68457]

None.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues will be discussed during the talks under the Brussels Process planned for 12 July in Madrid. [68310]

No meeting took place on 12 July 2002.

Democratic Republic Of Congo

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the humanitarian impact of fighting between the RCD and dissident Banyamulenge forces on the Minembwe plateau in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. [68446]

The heavy fighting and resulting insecurity in the Haut Plateaux area has made it difficult to find reliable reports about the humanitarian situation there. However, the few reports we have received indicate that there has been some displacement of the local population, leading to fear of further humanitarian

problems. We have raised our concerns about the situation with the Government of Rwanda, the United Nations Mission to the DRC and at the security Council.

British Overseas Prisoners

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British prisoners have been incarcerated abroad for more than two years without trial, broken down by country. [68466]

We are aware of six British nationals who have been detained overseas for two or more years without trial. All six are held in Spain. Spanish law states that a detainee must come to trial within two years, but this period can be extended to four years 'under exceptional circumstances'. All six detainees have legal representation and have been offered full consular assistance throughout their detention.

Uk Peacekeeping Missions

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for UK peacekeeping missions of a US withdrawal from peacekeeping forces. [68543]

On 30 June the US vetoed the UNSC resolution renewing the UNMIBH/SFOR mandate for Bosnia. The Council has decided to extend the UNMIBH mandate until 15 July, to allow for further efforts to resolve the issue. We continue to work for a solution which meets the concerns of all Security Council members.The US have reassured the Security Council and peacekeeping partners that it is not their intention to withdraw from peacekeeping operations in the Balkans.Outside the Balkan region, the US contribute 153 personnel to United Nations peacekeeping missions. Were they to decide to withdraw from these peacekeeping missions, the impact on the UK would be negligible.

Comprehensive Spending Review

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review. [68691]

The Spending Review involves a comprehensive assessment of the Department's performance priorities and resource requirements and a range of staff make a contribution.

Public Service Agreements

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what proportion of the public service agreements of his Department set out in the document "Public Services for the Future, 1998" have been met; and if he will make a statement. [68710]

[holding answer 10 July 2002]: Information relating to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Public Service Agreement targets can be found in the FM's 2002 departmental report.

Rwanda

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Rwanda; and if he will make a statement. [69190]

There are some signs that, at an institutional level, the Government of Rwanda is willing to put in place initiatives which if correctly implemented could have a positive impact on the human rights situation in the country e.g. grass roots consultations, decentralisation and reconciliation processes. But there are also some worrying signs of a treat to some political and civil rights, particularly freedom of expression and association. We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to raise issues of concern about human rights with the Government of Rwanda at the highest level.

Turkey

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Turkish Government regarding the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [69189]

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary periodically meets with senior members of the Turkish Government to review a range of issues. His last substantial discussion with the Turkish side about the EU was during a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Cem at the time of the EU/OIC forum held in Istanbul in February.

Future Of Europe

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the report made to the convention on the future of Europe on the outcome of the UK national debate on the future of Europe. [68990]

The report submitted to the future of Europe convention outlines the public consultation activities in the UK on the future of Europe so far, and the main issues that have emerged. A copy is available in the Library. It is also on the websites of the FCO and the European convention (www.fco.gov.uk and http://european-convention.eu.int/).

Indonesia

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken to monitor the use of Hawk jets by the Indonesian air force. [68923]

The FCO pays close attention to the use of Hawk jets in Indonesia and, through the British embassy in Jakarta, follow up any allegations of improper use with the Indonesian Government. To date, there has been no evidence of Hawk jets being used in counter-insurgency operations in either Aceh or Papua.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if British-made Hawk jets have been deployed by the Indonesian air force in Aceh; and if he will make a statement. [68917]

Our Ambassador in Jakarta recently discussed the use of Hawk aircraft with the Indonesian Co-ordinating Minister for Security, Bambang Yudhoyono and the commander of the Indonesian air force. They confirmed that no fixed wing aircraft were being used by the air force in operations against GAM in Aceh. Bambang Yudhoyono also reconfirmed Indonesian Government policy that no British military equipment would be used in counter-insurgency operations in Indonesia.

Zimbabwe

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visa applications to travel to the UK have been refused by the British High Commission in Zimbabwe in the last six months for which figures are available. [69082]

The statistical data on the number of applications refused each month in the last six months for which figures are available are as follows:

November 2001—44
December 2001—49
January 2002—58
February 2002—49
March 2002—37
April 2002—49.

Overseas Security Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what privileges and immunities are enjoyed by members of the security services of other countries operating in the UK. [69551]

No privileges and immunities are enjoyed by members of the security services of other countries operating in the UK unless they hold them by virtue of their status as diplomats.

Drug Enforcement Training (Iran)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will review the type and level of hardware and training support given to Iranian law enforcers tackling drug smuggling on the Iran/Afghanistan border. [66986]

Iran is very successful in disrupting the drugs trade: it accounted for 85 per cent. of the world's opium seizures and 47 per cent. of the world's heroin seizures in 1999. Iran is the largest recipient of UK anti-drugs assistance: around £3.5 million since 1998, including £650,000 announced by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary during his visit there last September. Much of it is spent on training and equipment for law enforcement which bears the brunt of the fight with the drugs trade; over 3,000 law enforcement officers have been killed in clashes with armed traffickers in the past 20 years.

We continually review the type of equipment and training we give to those engaged in tackling the drugs trade including Iranian law enforcers operating on the Afghan-Iranian border.

Departmental Statements

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance his Department provides to its personnel regarding statements made in the public press. [70036]

FCO officials who deal with the press are governed by the Civil Service Code and are guided by Cabinet Office advice to Government information and communication officers (Guidance on the Work of the Government Information Service), both of which can be found on the Cabinet Office website (www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk). UK Heads of Mission abroad are encouraged to develop good relations with local media as part of the UK's public diplomacy strategy and to use their discretion as to media appearances.

Trinidad And Tobago

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the constitutional position within Trinidad and Tobago. [68857]

A general election was held in Trinidad and Tobago in December 2001. The result was an unprecedented tie of 18 seats each to the ruling United National Congress Party (UNC) and the People's National Movement (PNM). President Robinson appointed Patrick Manning, leader of the opposition PNM, as the new Prime Minister. We understand that this decision, once taken by the President, cannot be challenged.Parliament has to be called within six months of a new Administration being sworn in to elect a speaker. PM Manning called Parliament on Friday, 5 April 2002. They failed to elect a speaker and Parliament was prorogued. Under the constitution, elections have to be called if Parliament has not reconvened within six months of its last sitting. This is an internal matter for the President and Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

Privy Council

Public Consultations

To ask the President of the Council if he will list the public consultations undertaken by his Department since 8 June 2001, indicating the (a) length and (b) number of responses received in each case. [68703]

There have been no public consultations undertaken by my Department since 8 June 2001.

Comprehensive Spending Review

To ask the President of the Council how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review. [68694]

Three members of staff made a significant contribution to my Department's input to the Spending Review.

Transport

Public Transport (Safety)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have been injured on (a) buses and (b) trains in each of the last five years through being unseated by (i) sudden braking and (ii) fast cornering. [65635]

[holding answer 1 July 2002]: Information on the number of people injured through being unseated in buses and trains through (i) sudden braking and (ii) fast cornering is not available.The numbers of bus and coach passengers who were injured while

(a) seated and (b) standing when the vehicle was either stopping or turning left or right are given in the table.

Number of bus and coach passengers who were seated when injured in a road accident
	Bus/coach manoeuvre
Accident year	Stopping	Turning left or right
1997	610	423
1998	674	441
1999	689	524
2000	670	493
2001¹	663	415

¹ Figures for 2001 are provisional

Number of bus and coach passengers who were standing when injured in a road accident
	Bus/coach manoeuvre
Accident year	Stopping	Turning left or right
1997	552	85
1998	523	82
1999	516	91
2000	518	122
2001¹	499	89

¹ Figures for 2001 are provisional

West Coast Main Line

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the projected costs are of upgrading the West Coast main line to allow trains to run at 140 mph. [67582]

The SRA is carrying out a strategic review of the West Coast project. The precise costs of the project will not be known until the final outputs have been determined.

Devolution

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the EU Restricted Committee of the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and other Extractive Industries is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement. [67747]

The restricted committee of the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and other Extractive Industries is due to meet next on 11 December 2002.Officials from the Health and Safety Executive, which is sponsored by my Department, represent the UK on the Committee as policy responsibility for health and safety is a reserved matter. However, officials consult the Scottish Executive on agenda items in which it might have an interest in accordance with our Concordat with the devolved Administrations.

Road And Bridge Maintenance

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library copies of (a) guidelines and regulations and (b) statutory requirements issued and published within the last two years with regard to improving the co-ordination of road and bridge maintenance in urban areas. [68307]

The Highways Act 1980 places a duty on local authorities to maintain highways, but this does not extend to the co-ordination of road and bridge maintenance.In DfT's guidance on the Local Transport Plan Annual Progress reports for 2002–03, local authorities are encouraged to adopt an integrated highway maintenance policy and to ensure that this policy contributes towards delivering the vision for towns and cities contained in the Urban White Paper.The Code of Practice for Maintenance Management "Delivering Best Value in Highway Maintenance", published in July 2001, is an advisory code for local authorities and contains guidance on integrated highway network management.Copies of these publications are being placed in the Libraries of the House.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made as to the quality of road and bridge maintenance in urban areas over the last two years. [68308]

In July 2000 all local highway authorities in England produced local transport plans (LTPs), which set out the condition of their roads and bridges, as well as work planned over a five-year period (2001–6). These documents were examined by the then DETR, in order to calculate authorities' funding requirements for road and bridge maintenance, over the five-year period.

Authority	Title of bid approved	Wards specified
Blackpool	Lifestyle line	Park, Clifton.
Bristol	Lawrence Weston Transport Group	Kingsweston.
Essex	Harlow Community Transport dial a ride	n/a
Greater Manchester	Wythenshawe demand response service	Baguley, Benchill, Brooklands, Sharston, Woodhouse Park.
	Call centre	n/a
	Oldham bus service	Werneth, Hollinwood.
Halton	Daresbury Park bus service	n/a
	Accessible Transport	n/a

Last year, all highways authorities submitted annual progress reports (APRs), which included any supplementary road and bridge maintenance funding requirements, as well as progress made in this area since the previous year.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made as to the disruption to traffic caused by road and bridge maintenance in London in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1999. [69183]

During the period in question, my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions, through the Highways Agency, was highway authority for trunk roads in London. It was then—and still is—the Highways Agency's practice to assess the likely traffic impacts of maintenance projects before they start and plan them so as to minimise disruption. In 1998 and 1999, the planning of highway maintenance on other roads in London was the responsibility of the relevant authority.

Comprehensive Spending Review

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff have contributed to his Department's input to the Spending Review. [68693]

A range of staff make a contribution to the Spending Review process.

Significant Accidents

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how he defines a significant accident in the context of MAIB investigations. [68749]

The Secretary of State for Transport is guided by the criteria laid down in the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1999. These define "accidents" but do not categorise them in degrees of severity. There is no definition of "significant" accident.

Urban Bus Challenge

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 1 July 2002, Official Report, column 104W, on the Urban Bus Challenge Fund, if he will list the wards served by the projects which were given awards as part of the Urban Bus Challenge. [69181]

Over 120 wards will benefit from projects to be supported following success in last year's Urban Bus Challenge competition. The information on wards served contained in the bids submitted is as shown in the table. In some cases, as indicated, the area to be served is not specified in terms of ward boundaries.

Authority	Title of bid approved	Wards specified
Hampshire	Leigh Park Links	Warren Park.
Hartlepool	Improved transport and infrastructure	St. Hilda, Brus, Hart, Dyke House, Stranton, Rosmere, Jackson Brinkburn, Rift House, Seaton.
Lancashire	Skelmersdale demand responsive transit	Tanhouse, Digmorr, Moorside.
Leicester	Community service for Braunstone	Braunstone North.
Merseyside	Atlantic Gateway demand response service; Huyton/Prescot demand response service; Kirby/Gillmoss demand response service	Cantril Farm, Cherryfield, Halewood East, Halewood South, Halewood West, Kirkby Central, Kirkby Park, Knowsley Park, Longview, Northwood, Prescot East, Prescot West, Princess, Roby, St. Gabriels, St. Michaels, Tower Hill, Whiston North, Whiston South, Allerton, Anfield, Arundel, Breckfield, Childwall, Church (Liverpool), Clubmoor, County, Croxteth, Dovecot, Everton, Gillmoss, Granby, Kensington, Melrose, Netherley, Picton, Pirrie, Smithdown, Speke, St. Mary's, Tuebrook, Valley, Vauxhall, Warbreck, Church (Sefton), Derby, Ford, Linacre, Litherland, Netherton, Orrell, St. Oswald, Rainhill.
Norfolk	(Joint proposal with Suffolk) Lowestoft corridor bus	n/a
Northumberland	Connecting Blyth	Cowpen, Plessey, Kitty Brewster, Croft.
Nottinghamshire	Mansfield access to employment	Forest Town, Lindhurst, Oak Tree, Ravenscroft.
Plymouth	East/West corridor link	City Centre, Cattedown, Hoe.
South Yorkshire	Parson Cross community bus service	Southey Green, Owlerton, Nethershire.
Stoke on Trent	Health demand response	Burslem Central, Burslem Grange, Turnstall North.
Telford and Wrekin	Integrated Taxi Network	n/a
Thurrock	Demand response service	Tilbury Riverside, Tilbury St. Chads, Grays Riverside, Grays Thurrock, Ockendon, Corringham West, Corringham and Fobbing, Belhus, West Thurrock, Chafford Hundred, Stanford-le-Hope East, Stanford-le-Hope West, Little Thurrock Blackshots, Little Thurrock Rectory.
Transport for London	Improved access for staff, patients and visitors to Hammersmith, Queens Charlotte and Charing Cross Hospitals	North Fulham, White City and Shepherds Bush.
Tyne and Wear	West Newcastle better access to employment opportunities	Elswick, Newburn, Blakelaw.
Warwickshire	Camp Hill provision to employment opportunities	Camp Hill.
West Midlands	Birchfield provision of community bus	Aston.
	Community transport for prison visitors	n/a
	Dudley, provision of school mini bus service	Castle and Priory, St. Thomas's, Netherton and Woodside.
West Yorkshire	East Leeds access to employment opportunities	Richmond Hill, Hunslet, Seacroft, Whinmoor.
	Leeds Buddying scheme	n/a
Worcestershire	High frequency cross-city bus service and demand responsive orbital minibus	n/a

Bus Services, London

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average frequency of buses in London during (a) peak, (b) off-peak and (c) night bus services was in (i) 1998 and (ii) 1999. [69182]

Bus services in London are now the responsibility of the Mayor and Transport for London

(TfL). I understand from TfL that the information regarding average service frequency is not available in the form requested.

Car Tax

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people whose cars were untaxed had enforcement action taken against them in each of the last five years. [69175]

The table details the number of vehicle excise duty evaders against whom enforcement has been taken in each of the last five years. The table breaks down the enforcement action into three categories—those who have settled out of court, those who have been prosecuted, and those who have been encouraged to relicense as a result of enforcement action.

Year	Out of court settlements	Prosecutions	Voluntary relicensing	Totals
1997–98	268,163	233,036	110,074	611,273
1998–99	218,786	256,332	125,952	601,070
1999–2000	209,678	239,291	163,822	612,791
2000–01	303,665	226,643	169,542	699,850
2001–02	392,416	249,545	157,844	799,805

Search And Rescue Helicopter, Portland

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what risk assessment has been made regarding the safety of sub-aqua divers from Portland and Weymouth should the search and rescue helicopter at Portland be moved to Lee-on-Solent. [69072]

The Maritime and Coastguard agency has carried out an operational risk assessment with regard to the possibility of moving the Coastguard helicopter based at Portland to Lee-on-Solent.This analysis has demonstrated that the national criteria for response to all incidents, including sub-aqua divers, would still be met for the very high, high and medium risk areas within the Portland and Weymouth area. However, no decisions have been made about the future location of the helicopter.

Vehicle Registration (Data Access)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes have been recently made to restrictions on public access to the personal details of the registered owner of a vehicle; and if he will make a statement. [69428]

No recent changes have been introduced. The vehicle register remains a semi-open record.The law allows keeper details to be made available to the police, to local authorities, for enforcement activities and to anyone who can demonstrate 'reasonable cause' for their request. All 'reasonable cause' applications must be in writing and be supported by witness details, police crime numbers, insurance claim details and repair bills.

Road Safety

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which local authorities have carried out child road safety audits as part of their road safety plans; and what measures have been taken to implement them. [69384]

We do not have information from local authorities categorically stating that they conduct child safety audits. However, it is unlikely that many do not conduct the principles of audit. At its simplest, it means that local authorities should know where their child casualties are occurring, take measures to address the problem and monitor the results. Authorities are required

to set local casualty reduction targets which should reflect the national targets. How they meet those targets are for local determination and the precise measures employed will depend upon local circumstances.

M11

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans exist for a relief road between the A1055 and theM11 extension near Leyton; and if he will make a statement. [69122]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: There is a proposal for such a scheme, the Lower Lea Valley Spine Road. This is the London borough of Newham's responsibility, not the Government's. Further information may be obtained from:

John Henman
Head of Environmental Engineering Services
The Environment Department
London Borough of Newham Council
25 Nelson Street
East Ham
London E6 6EH.

Strategic Rail Authority

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Strategic Rail Authority will announce the preferred bidder for the Trans-Pennine Express franchise. [69435]

The Strategic Rail Authority has received Best and Final Offers from the three short-listed counterparties: Arriva, Connex, and the FirstGroup/Keolis consortium. The authority is evaluating those proposals and will make an announcement in due course.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the accounting subsidiaries of the SRA. [69945]

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 2 July 2002, Official Report, column 214W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date the SRA first made a payment to Network Rail as a legal entity. [69943]

No payments have been made so far by the SRA to Network Rail.

Maritime And Coastguard Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Maritime and Coastguard Agency will offer a contract for a satellite tracking system to monitor oil spills; and if the contract will include night-time flying. [69687]

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has concluded a trial on the potential for the use of satellite tracking systems to monitor oil spills and is currently evaluating the results. The MCA is also liaising with the Department for Trade and Industry on the best way forward for future satellite surveillance for the detection of marine oil spills in UK waters.

To improve detection of oil spills during hours of darkness, the MCA has recently ordered increased night-time flying of its contracted aerial surveillance aircraft.

Consultations

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people (a) were invited to respond

Consultation	(a) Organisations and interested parties consulted	(b) Responses
(i) Joint DTLR, DTI, DEFRA and Treasury consultation on the draft Powering Future Vehicles Strategy	157	77
(ii) Road traffic consultation concerning the draft Road Traffic (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2002	251	59
(iii) Electromagnetic compatibility consultation	274	107

Software

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in his Department. [69306]

The Department for Transport sets out the specific business requirements that software is required to meet. Suppliers are free to propose open source software to meet these requirements.The Department's use of open source software will follow the Government's policy when published, currently planned for summer 2002. The draft policy may be viewed at http://www.govtalk.gov.ukhfc/rfc_document.asp?docnum=429.At present, less than 1 per cent. of departmental software is open source.

School Transport

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list (a) the allocation of funding and (b) the number of schemes under Safe Routes to Schools by LEA. [69486]

Aside from major local transport schemes (ie those with a gross cost exceeding £5 million) capital funding to local authorities for road maintenance and smaller scale integrated transport measures such as safe routes to school are provided in the form of a single block allocation. It is for the authorities to decide upon the use of such funds in line with the priorities and objectives established in their plans.We therefore do not allocate funding for specific safe routes to school projects. However, the table shows the information provided within the local transport plan Annual Progress Reports submitted in August 2001 by those English authorities outside London who estimated the number of schools implementing their first safe route scheme, established wholly or partly using local transport plan capital funding.

Authority	2001–02	2002–03	2003–04	2004–05	2005–06
Bath and NE Somerset	4	6	6	6	6
Barnsley	4	3	2	3	3
Bedfordshire	3	4	5	5	5
Birmingham	31	15	16	15	15

and (b) responded to his consultation on (i) joint consultation with DTI and DEFRA, (ii) road traffic and (iii) electromagnetic compatibility. [69459]

As well as the individually directed invitations to comment that are counted in the table, full consultation papers were available on the Department's website and supplied to enquirers on request.

Authority	2001—02	2002—03	2003—04	2004—05	2005—06
Blackburn	4	2	2	2	2
Blackpool	2	2	2	2	2
Bolton	3	2	3	3	3
Bournemouth	2	2	2	2	2
Bracknell	7	7	6	5	2
Bradford	30	6	8	8	8
Brighton	1	2	3	3	2
Bristol	8	8	8	9	10
Buckinghamshire	9	11	10	10	10
Calderdale	6	6	6	6	6
Cambridgeshire	14	13	10	10	10
Cheshire	15	20	30	30	30
Cornwall	8	8	10	10	10
Coventry	11	11	11	11	11
Darlington	4	2	2	2	2
Derby	4	5	5	5	5
Derbyshire	0	4	3	2	2
Devon	5	9	9	8	8
Doncaster	2	2	2	2	2
Dorset	6	6	6	5	6
Dudley	3	3	3	3	3
Durham	15	15	20	20	20
East Sussex	2	2	2	2	2
East Riding	0	2	2	3	3
Essex	58	40	40	40	40
Gateshead	12	12	12	12	12
Gloucestershire	4	4	2	2	2
Halton	2	2	2	2	2
Hampshire	12	9	8	6	5
Hartlepool	5	5	5	6	6
Herefordshire	4	4	4	4	4
Isle of Wight	6	7	8	9	10
Kent	3	3	3	3	3
Kingston upon Hull	9	10	10	10	10
Kirklees	0	2	2	4	6
Knowsley	6	12	18	24	30
Lancashire	5	15	20	20	20
Leeds	1	0	0	0	0
Leicester	11	4	4	4	5
Leicestershire	29	28	27	27	30
Lincolnshire	2	2	2	3	2
Liverpool	3	3	3	3	3
Luton	7	6	6	6	6
Manchester	20	20	20	20	20
Medway	2	2	2	4	4
Middlesbrough	2	4	3	3	3
Milton Keynes	6	10	10	10	10
North East Lincolnshire	1	2	3	1	1
North Lincolnshire	2	2	2	2	5
North Somerset	3	6	6	6	6
North Tyneside	14	10	10	10	10
Newcastle	10	10	10	14	14
Norfolk	10	10	10	6	6
Northamptonshire	16	21	21	21	21
Northumberland	7	10	10	10	10
Nottingham	8	10	10	10	10
Nottinghamshire	6	19	20	21	21
Oldham	16	0	0	0	0

Authority	2001–02	2002–03	2003–04	2004–05	2005–06
Oxfordshire	19	29	0	0	0
Peterborough	4	3	3	3	3
Plymouth	4	4	4	4	4
Poole	4	4	4	0	0
Portsmouth	2	2	2	2	2
Reading	4	5	5	5	5
Redcar and Cleveland	2	4	4	4	4
Rochdale	4	2	2	1	1
Rutland	7	4	5	5	0
South Gloucestershire	4	5	7	10	15
South Tyneside	9	7	6	6	6
Salford	—	1	1	2	2
Sandwell	6	6	6	7	7
Sefton	7	4	4	4	4
Sheffield	6	0	0	0	0
Shropshire	12	14	14	17	12
Slough	2	4	5	5	6
Solihull	3	2	4	5	5
Somerset	8	0	0	0	0
Southampton	2	9	5	5	5
Southend	6	6	6	6	6
St. Helens	3	4	4	4	4
Staffordshire	4	4	4	4	4
Stockton on Tees	1	2	2	2	2
Stoke on Trent	12	8	8	8	8
Suffolk	13	13	13	13	13
Sunderland	9	5	5	5	5
Surrey	12	19	28	35	37
Swindon	12	5	5	5	5
Tameside	2	2	2	2	2
Telford and Wrekin	3	4	4	4	4
Thurrock	10	5	5	5	5
Torbay	4	4	4	4	4
Trafford	20	10	10	10	10
West Sussex	21	13	17	23	17
Wakefield	10	10	10	10	10
Warrington	3	4	4	5	5
Warwickshire	19	20	20	20	20
Wiltshire	19	20	12	12	12
Wirral	10	10	10	10	10
Wokingham	8	15	15	10	10
Wolverhampton	3	3	3	3	3
Worcestershire	30	60	60	60	60
York	10	10	10	10	10

Source:

LTP Annual Progress Reports 2001

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will make it a requirement that transport for schoolchildren and pre-school children should be fitted with seat belts. [69545]

All minibuses and coaches used specifically for school transport have since 1998 been required to be fitted with seat belts. This requirement would also apply to pre-school transport for children over three.In addition, all new cars and buses (apart from buses designed for urban use and standing passengers) are now required to be fitted with seat belts.

Rural Bus Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 8 July 2002, Official Report, column 667W, how much has been (a) made available and (b) spent through the rural bus subsidy grant in each of the last five years, broken down by region; and if he will provide a regional breakdown of those services established through the rural bus subsidy grant scheme. [69351]

[holding answer 12 July 2002]: The first table shows the annual amounts of rural bus subsidy grant allocated for local authorities in each region. It also shows by region the amount of grant paid to authorities

in each year which was dependent on their estimates of annual expenditure taking account of any grant unspent from a previous year. In 1998–99, the first year of this scheme, grant not required was reallocated and added to the amount distributed to schemes successful in that year's Rural Bus Challenge competition.

£ million
Region	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
South East
Allocation	6.18	6.18	6.18	7.89	9.03
Paid	4.55	6.14	6.04	7.77	NA
South West
Allocation	6.36	6.36	6.36	8.12	9.29
Paid	6.19	6.35	6.46	7.83	NA
East
Allocation	5.61	5.61	5.61	7.16	8.20
Paid	4.00	5.59	5.31	7.01	NA
West Midlands
Allocation	3.40	3.40	3.40	4.34	4.97
Paid	2.16	3.33	3.32	4.12	NA
East Midlands
Allocation	4.09	4.09	4.09	5.22	5.98
Paid	3.02	4.04	3.84	5.21	NA
North West
Allocation	2.65	2.65	2.65	3.38	3.87
Paid	1.97	2.55	2.58	3.22	NA
Yorkshire and Humberside
Allocation	2.88	2.88	2.88	3.68	4.21
Paid	1.17	2.88	2.86	3.59	NA
North East
Allocation	1.33	1.33	1.33	1.70	1.94
Paid	1.07	1.12	1.29	1.65	NA

The second table shows the regional totals of new or improved services being supported by the grant in 2000–01, including those started in previous years. This has been compiled from local authority returns. Data are still being collected on 2001–02.

Regions	Services
South East	233
South West	389
East	147
West Midlands	259
East Midlands	242
North West	168
Yorkshire and Humberside	183
North East	111

Transport For London

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's grant has been to Transport for London each year for the last four years. [69763]

Transport for London was created in July 2000.In the nine months between July 2000 and March 2001, grant paid to the GLA for the purposes of Transport for London was £297,811,000. For the 2001–02 financial year, this grant was £720,053,000. For 2002–03, grant has been determined at £1,023,018,000.

Network Rail

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 984W, on what basis the details of the notification to the European Commission are confidential. [70082]

Details of the notifications of potential state aid are confidential between the Commission and the member state. But once the Commission has reached a decision, it issues a letter and this is published on the Commission's web page, though the member state to whom the letter is addressed can request that any commercially sensitive information is removed from the letter before publication.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 984W, what is the total amount of public sector grant to Network Rail which will be securitised; and what funding guarantees will be required to secure such a securitisation. [70081]

This will be a matter for Network Rail to take a judgment upon based on future discussions with potential lenders.

Us-Uk Air Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to discuss the agreement of a liberalised US-UK air services agreement with the United States; and if he will make a statement. [70060]

The Government are keen to liberalise the UK-US air services agreement to provide increased competition on fair terms and improved access by UK airlines to the world's largest market. All the options open to the Government are being reviewed before a decision on the best way forward is taken.

Singapore Airlines

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what decision he has made on an open skies agreement with Singapore to enable Singapore Airlines to commence services between London Heathrow and the US. [70061]

The Government's overall objective in negotiating air service agreements is to negotiate fully liberal agreements where possible. Singapore is one of a number of countries with which the Government intend to discuss the possibility of full liberalisation. The aim of such discussions would not be restricted to enabling a

particular airline to operate to a particular destination, but would be to provide benefits to the consumers, airlines and economies of both countries.

Light Dues

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received on the subject of light dues; what the nature of those representations were; and if he will make a statement. [70059]

We have received representations on light dues from the maritime industry in response to our Consultation Paper entitled 'Light Dues Review: Meeting the Costs of Marine Aids to Navigation' published on 10 May. The Independent Light Dues Forum and Maersk Sealand have, in addition to their formal response, written separately on the scope and format of the Consultation Document.We will review the representations received following the end of the consultation period on 31 July.

Fire Service

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the Chief Executive of the Fire College Moreton-in-Marsh was suspended; when he will tell him what specific allegations he faces; and what guidance has been given to the acting Chief Executive as to how long his services will be required. [58734]

I have been asked to reply.Staffing and disciplinary matters are handled within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in accordance with the appropriate Staff Handbook. Within that framework personnel matters relating to individuals are a confidential matter between them and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Defence

Defence Estates

17.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the property disposal programme of Defence Estates. [66974]

The Ministry of Defence disposal programme is driven by the operational requirements of the armed forces. We keep the estate under regular review to ensure that it is no larger than is required for operational purposes. The principles under which we manage the estate are set out in our Estate Strategy published in 2000.Land and property is regularly released for disposal, usually on the open market. At present, some 3,000 hectares of land, covering more than 70 sites across the United Kingdom are either in disposal or will come forward for disposal in the next 12 months. Further rationalisation and consolidation of the estate is likely to lead to additional sites and properties becoming surplus.

Infantry Manning Levels

19.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on manning levels in the infantry. [66978]

The number of trained infantry in the Army has been increasing gradually and the current strength (as at 1 June 2002) of 25,526 is at the highest level for over five years.

British Commitments

20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the extent to which British commitments are stretching Army capacity. [66979]

We do not believe that the armed forces are overstretched, but they are very busy. The announcement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 20 June about the contribution of British forces in operations in Afghanistan demonstrates our commitment to withdraw service personnel from operations at the earliest possible opportunity, in order to ease the demands placed on them.Currently around 25 per cent. of the Army is committed to operations compared to 44 per cent. at the height of the campaign in Kosovo. The latest assessment of the average unit tour interval is around 24 months, which is consistent with the Strategic Defence Review target.

Warship Building

21.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on building Royal Navy warships in the United Kingdom. [66980]

It remains our policy that all warships for the Royal Navy will continue to be built in the United Kingdom. The major programme of new naval procurement that is currently in progress will create or secure several thousand jobs in the United Kingdom shipyards and their ancillary industries throughout the country.

34.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on MOD orders for shipbuilding in the United Kingdom. [66994]

The Ministry of Defence is undertaking the largest programme of warship building in this country for decades. In the last two years, 15 new warships have been ordered for service with the Royal Navy, comprising six type 45 destroyers, four Alternative Landing Ships Logistic, two survey vessels and three offshore patrol vessels.In addition, our plans include the purchase of two new aircraft carriers, further ASTUTE class submarines and type 45 destroyers, the future surface combatant, and a number of support vessels.It remains our policy that all warships for the Royal Navy will continue to be built in the United Kingdom. This major programme of shipbuilding will create or secure several thousand jobs in UK shipyards and their ancillary industries throughout the country.

Shoeburyness (New Ranges)

22.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future use of the new ranges in Shoeburyness. [66981]

As I answered on 17 June, the Shoeburyness ranges are included in the arrangements being negotiated with QinetiQ for the delivery of a long-term test and evaluation capability to the Ministry of Defence.

Ordnance Production

23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the future production of ordnance in the United Kingdom. [66982]

The Ministry of Defence considers achieving value for taxpayers' money, as well as security of supply, to be the key criteria in the procurement of safe and reliable munitions. In 1999, the MOD entered into a 10-year Framework Partnering Agreement with Royal Ordnance Defence, the United Kingdom's major producer of munitions. This agreement provides the company with a schedule of business and visibility of MOD's potential future requirements such that the company can provide the MOD with munitions at world benchmark prices.

Territorial Army

24.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future role of the Territorial Army in the war on terrorism. [66983]

The Volunteer Reserves have important roles in both overseas operations and the defence of the United Kingdom. In overseas operations, they already have essential and well-defined duties, and the nature of their involvement is unlikely to change. The changed security threat could, however, involve the Volunteer Reserves in taking on additional roles. I announced on 12 June the publication of a discussion document, "The Role of the Reserves in Home Defence and Security", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. This contained specific proposals to enhance the support that the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces, including the Volunteer Reserves, could provide to the civil authorities. This included a proposal to create reaction forces formed from Volunteer Reservists that could be called upon to assist the police in dealing with the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack.

36.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Territorial Army. [66996]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. Edwards).

Personnel (Religions)

25.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements exist for armed forces personnel from non-Christian groups to practise their faith. [66984]

The armed forces are committed to giving all individuals the opportunity to practise their faith wherever possible. Where practical, areas for worship are

made available in all service establishments, including ships and submarines at sea and, in most circumstances, arrangements can be made for daily prayer. Every effort is made to enable personnel to celebrate religious festivals and holidays, to comply with specific religious dress codes or dietary requirements, and to fast when required. However, there may be some circumstances when, in the interests of health and safety or operational effectiveness, some flexibility may be required on the part of the individual.

Eurofighter

26.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Eurofighter aircraft and the date of its entry into service. [66985]

The first Eurofighter aircraft is now expected to enter into service by the end of this year.

Afghanistan

27.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress made in the war against terrorism in Afghanistan. [66987]

The coalition has destroyed the Taliban regime and inflicted serious damage on al-Qaeda. Although remnants of both groups continue to pose a threat, coalition forces—including strong contingents from the United Kingdom—have had considerable success during recent operations. They destroyed weapons caches and bunker positions, obtained valuable intelligence material and denied ground to the Taliban and al-Qaeda in advance of the Loya Jirga, whose outcome was very welcome. We have made clear that the tempo and location of the campaign will vary according to the situation on the ground.

35.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security situation in Afghanistan. [66995]

Overall the security situation in Kabul has greatly improved since the ISAF began its operations there last December. The security situation elsewhere in Afghanistan is more uncertain. But we were pleased with the outcome of the Loya Jirga, and are confident that President Karzai will strive to address these security concerns. The international community is also working to assist the Afghan Islamic Transitional Administration with security sector reform. This includes work on a national police force, border control force and judiciary as well as the Afghan Army.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the involvement of British personnel in southern Oruzgan in Afghanistan for the week of 26 June to 1 July; [68924](2) whether British

(a) troops and (b) support services were involved in gun battles in southern Oruzgan in Afghanistan during the week of 26 June to 1 July. [68925]

British personnel were not involved in southern Oruzgan at that time.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strength of the combined ISAF force will be after the planned summer withdrawal of troops. [64528]

On 23 May 2002 the United Nations' Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1413 renewing the authorisation for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to operate only in Kabul and its immediate environs. The combined strength of the force is determined by that requirement. The reduction in the United Kingdom's contribution to the ISAF following Turkey's adoption of the Lead Nation role on 20 June 2002 is offset by the consequent increase in the size of the Turkish contingent. The overall strength of the ISAF will therefore remain at around 5,000 personnel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on contact between the US gunship AC-130 and British personnel on 1 July; [68926](2) if he will make a statement on contact between US bomber planes and British personnel on 1 July in Afghanistan. [68922]

I assume this question refers to the regrettable bombing of a wedding party on 1 July in Afghanistan. United Kingdom personnel had no contact with the US AC-130 or bomber planes at that time.

Service Personnel

28.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he is taking to improve support for service personnel on their return to civilian life. [66988]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he is taking to improve support for service personnel on their return to civilian life. [66976]

I refer my hon. Friends to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friends the Members for Rhondda (Mr. Bryant) and for Ribble North (Mr. Borrow).

Fleet Air Arm

29.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Fleet Air Arm. [66989]

32.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Fleet Air Arm. [66992]

The future of the Fleet Air Arm is assured as an integral part of the Royal Navy, under Flag Officer Maritime Aviation and CINCFLEET. Maritime aviation capabilities are provided on a tri-service basis, but led by seasoned Royal Navy and Royal Marines aviators in all three Service Commands. The three pillars of the Fleet Air Arm are the battlefield helicopters of the Commando Helicopter Force in Land Command, fixed-wing squadrons in Strike Command, and naval helicopters in the Fleet.Plans to build two large aircraft carriers are well advanced, with selection of a prime contractor expected in early 2003. Two of the four planned Harrier GR9 squadrons in the Joint Force Harrier will be predominately manned by Fleet Air Arm personnel, the other two predominantly by RAF. The first Merlin Mark 1 helicopter squadron is already in HMS Ark Royal, and plans are in hand to replace Maritime Lynx helicopter

beginning in 2007. The first upgraded AEW Sea King flight will go to sea later this year, and the Joint Strike Fighter will be introduced from 2012.

European Defence Capabilities

30.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on improving defence capabilities among European partner countries in the last three years. [66990]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for North Durham (Mr. Jones).

18.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in improving defence capabilities among other allied European countries in the last three years. [66975]

We are working within both NATO and EU structures to improve European defence capabilities. NATO's Defence Capabilities Initiative has made significant progress in a number of areas since its launch in 1999. The creation of new High Readiness Force headquarters shows that, with sufficient commitment, allies can make real improvements in capabilities. In parallel, contributions from EU member states have so far met 104 of the 144 capability requirements underpinning the Helsinki Headline Goal agreed in December 1999. The remaining targets are being addressed through the European Capabilities Action Plan.We expect to launch a new capabilities initiative at the Prague summit in November. This will be designed to be more focused than DCI; to incorporate clear commitments from allies to making good key capability shortfalls, and to complement the EU's Headline Goal process.

Gurkha Regiments

31.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Gurkha regiments. [66991]

We recognise that Gurkhas make a very important contribution to the Army and we intend to maintain the two existing Royal Gurkha Regiments and the current force level of trained Gurkhas in the British Army.I am pleased to say that we plan to create two additional permanent Gurkha sub-units—a Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Squadron, which will be part of 10 'Transport Regiment RLC, and a Queen's Gurkha Signal Squadron, which will be part of 21 Signal Regiment. This move will ensure that the Army is able to deliver enhancements envisaged under the Strategic Defence Review.

Raf Engineers

33.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he is taking to improve retention of engineers in the Royal Air Force. [66993]

Improving retention across all Branches and Trades is one of the Royal Air Force's highest priorities.

The common thread in areas experiencing retention difficulties is the employability of and the opportunities available to highly trained specialists in the civilian work place. A buoyant market place acts as a significant pull.

A number of measures have been introduced across the RAF to improve retention. These include monitoring and managing levels of separated service, enhanced and more personalised career management, improvements to welfare support services, such as child care facilities, and a re-engagement package for junior ground trade personnel.

A review of the RAF's Engineer Branch structure is currently taking place. Among other things, the Review will consider measures to address any recruiting and retention issues. It is due to be completed by the end the year.

Armed Services Housing

37.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the Deputy Prime Minister on the housing needs of former members of the armed services. [66997]

There has been no direct discussion on this issue between my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Defence and the Deputy Prime Minister. However, under the auspices of the Veterans Task Force, the Ministry of Defence continues to work in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, other Government Departments, Veterans' organisations and other non-Governmental organisations on ways to tackle problems of homelessness among the veterans' community. Recent examples of partnership initiatives in this area include the establishment of the Single Persons Accommodation Centre for the Ex-Services (SPACES) at Catterick, which is managed by the English Churches Housing Group, and enhanced co-operation between the charity "Shelter" and the Military Corrective and Training Centre in Colchester through the appointment of a Shelter Project Officer at the Centre. These initiatives were originally funded as pilot schemes by the Homelessness Directorate of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. In the light of their success, the MOD has assumed continuing funding responsibility from April 2002. In addition, the Homelessness Act places a new duty on local authorities to conduct a homelessness audit and prepare a strategy to prevent future homelessness. A new Order under the Act will be issued shortly to extend the groups of homeless people considered to be in priority need of housing. This will cover those who are vulnerable to homelessness as a result of their institutionalised background, including those who have served in the armed forces. I believe that these and other initiatives will provide significant additional help to those veterans likely to be the most vulnerable to homelessness.

Imber

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many requests for access to the village of Imber his Department has received in each of the past five years. [69237]

In recent years the roads that cross Salisbury Plain training area have been opened on about 25 days each year in order to give the general public access

to Imber village. Once a year, two services are also held at St. Giles Church, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. These occasions are well publicised and certainly obviate many requests for access. In addition, however, we have received both written and telephone requests to provide access to Imber village on days other than those when the roads are already open. As far as possible, these requests are accommodated. Unfortunately, no records are kept of the telephone requests, but the number of written requests in each of the past five years are shown in the following table:

Year	Number of written requests
1998	1
1999	1
2000	5
2001	7
2002 to date	8
Total	22

Munitions

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the (a) estimated sale proceeds, (b) estimated redundancy lump-sum payments, (c) Ministry of Defence police transfer costs, (d) staff transfer costs, (e) costs of movement of stock, (f) cost of replacement facilities,(g) operating costs transferred to other locations and (h) T and H storage reprovision relating to the closure of Dean Hill Munitions Depot. [68907]

Although the Ministry of Defence has assessed the disposal value of the West Dean site this is likely to be sold on the Open Market. To release our estimates of value could influence the eventual receipt. This information is therefore withheld under exception 7 of the Code of Practice to Government Information.The other information requested is as follows:

	Number
Estimated redundancy lump-sum payments	2,097,465
Ministry of Defence police transfer costs	440,000
Staff transfer costs	160,000
Costs of movement of stock	50,000
Cost of replacement facilities	¹570,000
Operating costs transferred to other locations	²86,000
T and H storage reprovision relating to the closure of Deal Hill munitions depot	450,000

¹ including 86,000 per annum

² per annum

All of these aspects plus others were taken into account in the Investment Appraisal supporting closure.

Weapons Of Mass Destruction

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether a timetable has been established for the completion of the WMD response initiatives suggested by the US on the 6 to 7 June meeting of the NATO Defence Ministers; what the estimated cost is of the initiatives; and if he will make a statement. [69071]

Following the Defence Ministers' meeting, the NATO military authorities are conducting detailed work to develop and finalise the NBC Defence Initiatives

for endorsement at NATO's forthcoming summit meeting in Prague in November. It is therefore too soon to estimate any costs. However, it is intended to implement all of the initiatives by 2004.

The United Kingdom strongly supports these initiatives, which will enhance Alliance capability in this important area. We shall be taking a full part in the detailed development work.

Missile Defence

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to meet the official US delegation that is visiting NATO capitals next month with the aim of launching a round of discussions on co-operation in the US Missile Defence Programme; [68669]

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he plans with the missile defence delegation from the US shortly to visit the UK. [68772]

An inter-agency delegation of United States officials is visiting London later this month for discussions with British officials on missile defence. This is one leg of a tour of a number of NATO capitals as part of the United States' continuing dialogue with allies on ballistic missile defence. I have no plans to meet the delegation

Joint Rapid Reaction Force

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the full capability of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force has been established; and if he will make a statement. [69095]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The full capability of the Joint Rapid Reaction Forces is due to be established by 2005. Initial capability was achieved, as planned, in 1999 and elements of the Joint Rapid Reaction Forces have already been successfully deployed on a number of operations and exercises.

Hms Bridport

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the operational status of HMS Bridport is; and when the vessel entered service. [69520]

HMS Bridport is currently held at Extended Readiness at her base port, Faslane. She was first commissioned in 1993.

Hms Nottingham

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the repair of HMS Nottingham; and for how long he anticipates the ship will be out of service. [69519]

Repair options for HMS Nottingham are being considered. It is too early to say how long she will remain out of service.

Environment, Food And Rural Affairs

Communication Masts

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she will take in relation to the planned erection of masts in areas of outstanding natural beauty by each of the emergency services. [68120]

The Airwave service which is currently being rolled out for the Police is being provided by the operator mmO2. Other emergency services are also being invited to join the network. The network has no special planning status and mm02 will need to seek planning permission for the base stations and associated masts in the normal way.Although my Department does not have a role in the planning process for the masts, my officials have held a meeting with officials From the Home Office and the Department for Trade and Industry to discuss co-ordination of masts policy. They plan to hold a further meeting with officials from the Office of The Deputy Prime Minister to discuss the need for sensitive sighting of masts in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural beauty.

Energy Efficiency Programmes

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what was the advertising budget for her Department's energy efficiency programmes for each of the (a) past five years and (b) next two years. [64349]

DEFRA does not have a specific advertising budget for energy efficiency programmes. Instead we provide funding to a number of organisations to provide a range of energy efficiency activities/programmes. These organisations use funding in a number of ways to promote energy efficiency, including advertising schemes, events, marketing and awards. These activities and their funding tend to be very inter-related with other energy measures, rather than stand alone. The main organisations which manage programmes to promote energy efficiency are:The Energy Saving Trust (DEFRA funding of about £22 million pa) encourages the sustainable use of energy in the domestic and small business sectors. Work includes an Energy Efficiency Campaign to encourage domestic consumers to take up energy efficiency measures.The Carbon Trust (DEFRA funding of about £26 million pa) aims to enable UK business and public sectors to move towards a sustainable, low carbon economy whilst maintaining business competitiveness.The Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme (DEFRA funding of about £17 million pa) provides energy efficiency information and advice to the public and business sectors. The programme has now been transferred to the Energy Saving Trust and the Carbon Trust.The Government's main programme for tackling fuel poverty in England is the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, (DEFRA funding of over £600 million for the

period 2000–2004) now marketed as the Warm Front Team. It is operated and marketed on the Department's behalf by scheme managers

In addition energy efficiency has formed an element of my Department's Are You Doing Your Bit programme.

Landfill

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the likely date for the introduction co-disposal practices under the landfill directive; what change to (a) guidance from her Department and (b) legislation (i) has taken place and (ii) is planned as a result; and if she will make a statement. [65627]

The Landfill Directive bans the co-disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste at existing landfill sites from 16 July 2004. This requirement has been transposed into domestic legislation through the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 which came into effect on 15 June.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will list the addresses of landfill sites that have successfully complied with Landfill Directive 99/31/EC in order to operate beyond 16 July; [65538](2) what proportion of existing landfills have demonstrated that they can comply with the Landfill Directive 99/31/EC in order to operate beyond 16 July. [65539]

[holding answer 1 July 2002]: This information is not yet available. Operators of landfill sites who wish to continue to accept waste for disposal beyond 16 July 2002 must submit a site conditioning plan to the Environment agency by that date setting out how that site will meet the requirements of the Landfill Directive. On the basis of the information contained in the plans the Agency will make a decision on whether the site can or cannot meet those requirements. Sites which cannot meet the requirements will be closed. Sites which the Agency judge should be able to meet the requirements will be given a date by which they must submit an application for a Pollution Prevention and Control permit as part of the phased re-permitting of all landfill sites which will be complete by 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what training programmes she has run for operators and staff at existing landfills to ensure that they are technically competent to manage the site and have the financial provisions to cover the maintenance and aftercare requirements of the site according to Landfill Directive 99/31/EC; how many staff have been made available; and if she will make a statement. [65540]

[holding answer 1 July 2002]: The department does not run training courses for landfill operators and staff. Technical competence is assessed through the system of Certificates of Technical Competence awarded by the Waste Management Industry Training and Advisory Board. The Environment agency cannot issue a permit for a landfill unless they are satisfied that the management of the site is in the hands of a technically

competent person and that final provision adequate to discharge the obligations arising from the permit has been made.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what change to (a) guidance from her Department and (b) legislation (i) has taken place and (ii) is planned as a result of changes required under the EU Landfill Directive; and if she will make a statement. 165628]

The Department has issued an amended version of 'Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control—A Practical Guide' to reflect the requirements of the Landfill Directive and is currently preparing guidance to accompany the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002. In addition, the Environment agency has published a wide range of guidance on the regulatory and technical requirements of the Directive.The regulatory and technical requirements of the Landfill Directive have been implemented through the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 which came into effect on 15 June. We will bring forward primary legislation to introduce a Tradable Allowance scheme that will assist Local Authorities in meeting their targets for the diversion of biodegradable waste from landfill, as set out in the Directive, as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Sheepmeat

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what volume of sheep or lamb intestines were imported into (a) the EU and (b) the United Kingdom in each of the last three years for which figures are available from (i) China, (ii) Turkey, (iii) Iran, (iv) New Zealand, (v) Australia, (vi) USA, (vii) Syria, (viii) Pakistan, (ix) Lebanon, (x) Uruguay, (xi) Chile, (xii) Morocco, (xiii) India and (xiv) all other countries. [68497]

(holding answer 9 July 2002]: Overseas trade statistics are not collected at a sufficient level of detail to separately identify sheep or lamb intestines, either on an EU or UK basis.

Animal Feed

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to ban the use of waste cooking oil as an additive in animal feed. [68487]

The proposed Commission Regulation on health requirements for animal by-products includes a ban on the feeding of catering waste to livestock. The Commission interprets the definition of "catering waste" to include used cooking oils.The Government opposed a total ban on cooking oils as a disproportionate method of removing the small risk of contamination, and following negotiation it is likely that we may be granted a transitional period to provide the industry with time (we have asked for a period of two years) to adjust.

Swill Feeding

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it

her policy to ban the import of pig meat and other products from countries which have not banned swill feeding. [68490]

Imports of pig meat and other products are governed by European Community rules. These do not prohibit swill feeding but do require that products imported from third countries are produced to standards at least equivalent to those applied to Community production. The products must come from approved establishments in approved countries and must be accompanied by agreed veterinary certification confirming that public and animal health requirements for import have been complied with. All imported consignments are subject to veterinary checks at an authorised Border Inspection Post to ensure that import requirements have been complied with. Consignments that do not comply are rejected and will be re-exported or destroyed.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects an EU-wide ban on swill-feeding to come into force. [68491]

The proposed EU Regulation on health requirements for animal by-products includes a ban on the feeding of catering waste to livestock.To secure adoption of the EU Regulation, expected this year, and to apply in member states six to seven months thereafter, it is likely that Germany and Austria, who opposed the ban, will be granted a transitional period in which to phase out swill feeding. The length of that period and the controls to apply during it will be proposed by the European Commission.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she plans to compensate swill feeders for the financial losses caused by the ban on swill-feeding. [68486]

Farmers have not under previous Governments been compensated for changes in feed material available for their livestock, and the Government do not consider it should alter this position in the light of the ban on feeding swill.

Bse In Sheep

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she plans to implement the recommendations of the Food Standards Agency's report on BSE and Sheep, May 2002 relating to the (a) content and (b) timing of the National Scrapie Plan; and if she will make a statement. [64115]

I assume the hon. Member refers to a report by the Food Standards Agency's Core Stakeholder Group on BSE and Sheep. The report does not recommend any changes to the content of the national scrapie plan. It recommends that the Food Standards Agency should support acceleration of the plan and should encourage sheep farmers to participate. The recommendations were directed at the Food Standards Agency itself, and I understand that the Agency's board adopted them at its meeting on 13 June. The recommendations are in line with existing Government policy.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will commission and publish an assessment of the impact on British industry of adding the intestines of all sheep to the list of specified risk material. [64114]

We have no immediate plans to commission such an assessment. The proposal to add the intestines of all sheep to the current list of specified risk material arose in a recent report from a core stakeholder group commissioned by the Food Standards Agency. The group's recommendations have since been endorsed by the Board of the Agency. Before such a measure could apply in the UK, it would need to be agreed on a European Community-wide basis. To that end, the Agency has formally written to the Commission, to register the recommendation. We will keep the situation under review. If the European Commission make a proposal for regulation we would commission a regulatory impact assessment.

Greenhouse Gases

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate the Government have made of the contribution that the devolved Administrations in the United Kingdom will make to the reduction of greenhouse gases required for the United Kingdom to meet its (a) Kyoto targets and (b) domestic goal of a 20 per cent. cut in carbon dioxide emissions. [68322]

Since the Kyoto target and domestic goal apply to the whole of the UK it was agreed between the devolved Administrations and the Government that no specific targets would be allocated. The devolved Administrations have agreed to make an equitable contribution towards achieving both our Kyoto target and domestic goal and are implementing broadly the same policies as in England to achieve this end. These policies are outlined in the UK climate change programme, a copy of which can be found in the House of Commons Library.Between 1990 and 1999 (the latest year for which figures at devolved Administration level are available), carbon dioxide emissions fell in all countries except Wales, where emissions increased by 1 per cent. The

Date>	Organisation
To EC Directorates
15 September 2000¹	Enlargement
15 September 2000¹	Health and Consumer Protection
24 September 2001 to 28 February 2002	Health and Consumer Protection
1 March 2002¹	Health and Consumer Protection
6 May 2002¹	Health and Consumer Protection
16 September 2001 to 30 April 2002	Health and Consumer Protection
1 September 2001¹	Agriculture
1 October 2001¹	Research
18 February 2002 to 5 July 2002	Research
19 February 2001 to 1 August 2001 (2)	Environment
17 September 2001 to 18 February 2002	Environment
16 May 2001¹	Environment
1 January 2000¹	Environment
16 October 2000¹	Environment
16 February 2002¹(2)	Environment
1 January 2002¹	Competition
18 February 2002¹	Fisheries
1 September 2000¹	Fisheries
17 January 2000¹	Fisheries
1 October 1999¹	Legal
1 July 1993¹	Technical Assistance Information Exchange Office

increase in Wales largely reflects the growth in the production of iron and steel. This off-sets significant reductions in other manufacturing areas. Over the same period, emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto target fell in all countries. The table gives a full breakdown of how emissions of carbon dioxide and the basket of six greenhouse gases collectively have changed for each of the devolved Administrations between 1990 and 1999.

Table 1
	Percentage change between 1990 and 1999
Country	CO ₂	Greenhouse gases
England	-11.5	-17.5
Northern Ireland	-7.3	-3.3
Scotland	-3.3	-4.8
Wales	1.3	-1

Secondments

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 2 July 2002, Official Report, column 251W, on secondments, if she will list the dates of those secondments and the Government offices, European Commission Directorates and organisations in which they took place. [68775]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: Details of the secondments referred to in the answer of 2 July 2002, Official Report, column 251W, are set out in the following tables.

To Government offices
Date	Government office
1 April 2001¹	East
1 April 2001¹	East Midalnds
1 April 2001¹	London
1 April 2001¹	North East
1 April 2001¹	North West
1 April 2001¹	South East
1 April 2001¹	South West
1 April 2001¹	Yorkshire and Humberside

¹ On-going

Date	Organisation
To organisations abroad
September 2001¹	Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) Prague
19 November 2000¹	UN Nairobi
26 March 2001 to 27 March 2002	MoA France
10 September 2001 to 9 January 2002	MoA Lisbon
16 July 2001¹	Government of Gibraltar
5 February 2001¹	UN USA
8 January 2001¹	National Audit Office Budapest
1 October 2001¹	MoA Latvia
To other organizations
1 May 1998¹	Oslo and Paris Commissions
28 February 2001¹	Oslo and Paris Commissions
20 November 2000¹	English Partnerships
25 May 2000 to 24 April 2002	South East Environment Development Agency
1 August 2000 to 10 June 2002	Shell
4 December 2000¹	Rural Stress Information Network
1 November 2001¹	National Farmers Union
1 November 2001 to 1 February 2002	National Farmers Union
2 April 2001¹	Carbon Trust
24 April 2001 to 17 December 2001	Carbon Trust
2 April 2001 to 9 July 2001	Carbon Trust
May 2001 to January 2002	Carbon Trust
1 May 2001 to 13 October 2001	Carbon Trust
8 October 2001 to 11 January 2002	English Heritage
1 October 2001¹	Green Alliance
6 April 1998¹	Fanning and Wildlife Advisory Group
12 March 2001 to 11 June 2001	Carillion Ltd.
26 July 2001¹	South West Regional Assembly
12 June 2000 to 12 December 2001	Institute of Grocery Distribution
26 June 2000¹	Institute of Grocery Distribution
27 May 2002¹	Institute of Grocery Distribution
From other organizations
16 October 2000¹	Halcrow Ltd.
9 July 2001¹	Glaxco Smith Kline
14 March 2001¹	Environmental Resource Management
15 September 2000¹	English Nature
16 January 2001¹	English Nature
1 January 2002¹	English Nature
15 January 2001¹	English Nature
1 February 2002 to 31 March 2002	Environmental Campaigns
5 February 2001 to 4 February 2002	Environment Agency
2 July 2001 to 1 July 2002	Environment Agency
5 October 2000¹	Environment Agency
30 May 2001 to 29 May 2002	Environment Agency
10 October 2001 to 10 April 2002	Environment Agency
7 January 2002¹	Countryside Agency
15 January 2002¹	Countryside Agency
1 March 2002¹	World Wildlife Fund
1 October 2001 to 1 April 2002	Natural Environment Research Council
5 November 2001¹	Forestry Commission

¹ On going

Gmos

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the scientific assessment of GM issues announced on 31 May relates to existing regulatory processes for GM crops; and whether the findings will be submitted to (a) Action with Communities in Rural England and (b) the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes. [65516]

The Government announced on 31 May that they will encourage a full and open debate on GM issues, including GM crops. We are promoting a genuine debate and dialogue, to identify the questions which the public has and provide information in response.

GM crops have to go through a detailed safety evaluation before they can be approved for release. As one element of the debate there will be an assessment reviewing the current state of scientific knowledge in this area. This will contribute to the wider discussion and will be made freely available. If significant new evidence comes forward during the debate which is pertinent to the regulatory status of a particular GM crop or food it will be considered by the relevant Government advisory committee. The safety of GM crops is considered by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment and the safety of GM foods by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes.

Diseases And Pests

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what outbreaks of serious (a) animal, (b) fish and (c) plant diseases and pests there have been in the UK since 1997; and if she will make a statement. [69094]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The information is as follows:

(a) animal diseases

There were outbreaks of classical swine fever in 2000 and foot and mouth disease in 2001.

	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Rhizomania (disease of sugar beet)	10	33	68	¹
Ralstonia solanacearum (potato brown rot)	0	2	1	0	0
Bemisia tabaci (tobacco whitefly)	26	20	32	19	3
Liromyza huidebrensis (South American leaf miner)	53	42	36	13	2
Thrips palmi	0	0	1	0	0
Viteus vitifoliae (Grape phylloxera)	0	0	0	1	1
Pepino mosaic virus (on tomatoes)	0	3	6	6	0
Soil borne wheat mosaic virus	0	1	2	0	2
Phytophthora ramorum (cause of sudden oak death)	0	0	0	0	73

¹ No longer subject to statutory control after 1 April 2002.

Further information is available on the plant health pages of the DEFRA website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/planth/ph.htm.

Committee Mandates

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the EU Committee on the Monitoring Mechanisms of Emissions of CO² and other greenhouse gases in the Community is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [68557]

The next meeting of the EU Monitoring Mechanism Committee is scheduled for 17 September 2002. Places per member state at this committee are limited, so officials from the Department usually represent the UK having consulted the Scottish Executive and the other devolved Administrations on the UK line.

Recycling

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition of recycling her Department uses to measure the statutory recycling rate for local authorities. [69113]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The definition of recycling used by the Department for measuring local authority recycling rates is that contained in the Best Value Performance Indicator 82a, under which local authorities are requested to report the percentage of household waste which has been 'sent for recycling'. `Recycled' is defined as "reprocessed in a production process for the original purpose, or for other purposes, but excluding energy recovery".In this context, household waste includes:

waste collection rounds (including separate rounds for collection for recyclables);

street cleansing and litter collection;

(b) fish diseases

There was an outbreak of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) in Scotland between May 1998 and May 1999. ISA is a serious fish disease which, in the event of an outbreak, is required to be controlled in accordance with measures specified in the Diseases of Fish (Control) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No. 1447) as amended.

(c) plant diseases and pests

Statutory action has been taken is shown in the following table. This includes figures for Northern Ireland and Scotland provided by the devolved Administrations.

bulky waste collections;
hazardous household waste collections;
household clinical waste collections:
garden waste collections;
drop-off/bring systems;
any other household waste collected by the authority.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what advice her Department provides to assist local authorities to calculate their level of recycling; [69114](2) how her Department defines community recycled programmes of household waste, as set out in Best Value Performance Indicator 82a. [69115]

[holding reply 11 July 2002]: Guidance on the calculation of household waste, including items that should be excluded from the calculation, is set out in the guidance on "Best Value Performance Indicators", first published in December 2000. This guidance underpins the DETR's "Guidance on Municipal Waste Management Strategies", which was published in March 2001.The Department has not defined the 'community recycling programmes' that may be included in this calculation. If there is any uncertainty about whether a particular approach should score in an authority's calculation, we would expect the relevant authority to raise this with their external auditor in the first instance.

Gm Foods

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received regarding GM foods; and if she will make a statement. [69213]

This year the Department has received over 40 representations on the subject of GM foods, from various organisations and individuals, including consumer groups. environmental groups, industry and members of the public.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent talks she has had regarding GM foods with members of the European Parliament; and what the conclusions from those talks were. [69015]

In line with normal practice for reports passing through the European Parliament, written briefing setting out the UK Government's views on the Commission's proposals on the traceability and labelling of GMOs and on GM food and feed was sent to all UK Members of the Parliament in advance of the Parliament's discussions on these proposals. Officials from DEFRA and the Food Standards Agency spoke with and visited Members of the European Parliament interested in obtaining further information about the Government's view.

Software

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in her Department. [69303]

DEFRA's IT technical policies do not indicate the use of open source software. The vast majority of DEFRA software requirements are currently met by commercial off-the-shelf software; open source software usage is insignificant in overall percentage terms. DEFRA's use of open source software will follow the Government policy when published. The draft policy can be viewed on http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/defaultasp. It is understood that there are plans to publish the policy in summer 2002.

Extraction

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many licences have been issued for sand extraction in (a) the UK, (b) Wales and (c) Ceredigion in each of the last 10 years; [67030](2) what volume of sand was extracted through licences issued by her Department in

(a) the UK, (b) Wales and (c) Ceredigion in each of the last 10 years. [67029]

I have been asked to reply.Sand extraction above mean low water comes within the planning powers of Local Minerals Planning Authorities. There are no central UK-wide, English or Welsh records of numbers of planning permissions issued for such extraction. Over the past 10 years, successive Secretaries of State with responsibility for planning have granted planning permission on appeal and in respect of called-in planning applications in England and Wales for a number of sand extraction proposals but there are no central UK-wide, English or Welsh records of the total tonnage of sand only permitted on a year-by-year basis.

Nearly all sand extraction below mean low water is licensed by the Crown Estate, which owns most of the seabed around the UK coast. The Crown Estate advise me that:

(a) it has granted the following numbers of aggregate (including sand) dredging licences in the UK and Wales over the past 10 years:

	UK	Wales
1991	0	0
1992	1	0
1993	1	0
1994	0	0
1995	3	0
1996	0	0
1997	2	1
1998	1	1
1999	1	0
2000	2	0
2001	1	0
Total	12	2

(b) the following tonnages of aggregates (including sand) were extracted from UK and Welsh waters through licences that it has issued in each of the last 10 years:

	Total extraction UK (tonnes)	Total Extraction Wales (tonnes)
1991	18,418,044	2,015,721
1992	19,271,492	2,354,782
1993	17,962,785	2,133,668
1994	20,792,887	2,211,015
1995	20,953,624	2,235,543
1996	19,392,937	1,948,028
1997	19,959,782	2,030,693
1998	20,471,191	1,878,373
1999	20,910,185	1,717,428
2000	23,056,885	1,602,394
2001	21,151,015	1,549,431
Total	222,340,827	21,677,076

and that

(c) it has granted no licences in waters off Ceredigion.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to (a) increase and (b) reform sand extraction in (i) the UK, (ii) Wales and (iii) Ceredigion; and if she will make a statement. [67028]

I have been asked to reply.The rates of production from areas with the benefit of planning permission for extraction of sand from the land and areas subject to marine minerals dredging licences at sea depend on demand from the market, although marine consents and some planning permissions for extraction from land specify maximum annual tonnage that can be removed. Policies for the supply of sand, administration of the development control system, and determination of applications for marine minerals dredging licences are devolved matters which are, in Wales, for the Welsh Assembly Government.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made with reducing the UK's carbon dioxide emissions in the last five years. [68187]

The table shows the UK's carbon dioxide emissions over the five year period of 1996–2000 (2000 being the last year for which confirmed figures are available). During this period the UK's carbon dioxide emissions fell from 159.1 million tonnes of carbon to 152.1 million tonnes of carbon, a reduction of 4.4 per cent. The rise in emissions between 1999 and 2000 were mainly due to an increased use of coal in the energy mix, because of maintenance and repair at nuclear and combined cycle gas turbine stations and higher gas prices at the end of the year.

	Emissions of carbon dioxide (as million tonnes of carbon)	Percentage change from previous year
1996	159.1	—
1997	152.5	-4.1
1998	153.2	+0.5
1999	150.8	-1.6
2000	152.1	+0.9

Rural Development Plan

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much modulated match funds have been allocated to each devolved Administration within the UK to fund the Rural Development Plan each year since the programme commenced. [695711

Budgets have been provided to the devolved Administrations to allow for the spending of modulation receipts to be match funded, with the match funding occurring at the point that the modulated funds are spent. In 2001, the first year of modulation, the level of match funding was £3.3 million in England, £323,000 in Scotland and £53,000 in Northern Ireland. There were no modulation funded payments in Wales in 2001 and hence no match funding.

International Development

Global Environment Fund

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the replenishment of the global environment fund; and what criteria have been adopted for allocations of finances from this fund. [70000]

The UK has taken the lead in arguing for a substantial replenishment of the Global Environment Facility. Along with the vast majority of other contributors to the Facility, we believe new money of between $2.5 to $2.7 billion over the next four years would be a satisfactory outcome. The final meeting of the replenishment process is scheduled for 6 August and 7 August in Washington.

Criteria for funding, and funding proposals themselves, are approved by the GEF Council, which meets twice-yearly, and has representatives of all GEF participants. These criteria change in the light of experience, but include how incremental environmental costs and benefits should be defined; and how funds should be most effectively deployed in the GEF's operational areas, such as climate change, biodiversity, desertification and eliminating persistent organic pollutants.

Public Consultations

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the public consultations undertaken by her Department since 1997, indicating for each consultation (a) if copies were available online, (b) if copies were available in print, (c) the date the time period given for responses opened and (d) the date the time period given for responses closed. [69803]

We do not keep a record of all consultations held since 1997, and it would involve disproportionate cost to compile such a list. However, all current consultations are now featured on DFID's website as well as being available in printed format.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the length was of each public consultation undertaken by her Department since 8 June 2001. [68741]

Since June 2001 the Department for International Development has completed one public consultation process on a strategy paper for achieving the Millennium Development Goal on hunger. More than 1,000 people outside Government, in the United Kingdom and internationally, were sent copies of the consultation paper, which was also placed on the DFID website, between February 2002 and 31 March 2002.The consultation for a DFID-wide research policy study, "Research For Poverty Reduction", commenced April 2002 and ended 10 May 2002. The consultation for "Better Livelihoods for Poor People: The Role of Agriculture" commenced November 2001 and ended 24 June 2002.The following consultations are currently under way, with information available in print form and electronically:

"Energy for the Poor" (commenced May 2002, ends 31 July 2002)

"Making connections: Infrastructure for poverty reduction" (commenced May 2002, ends 31 July 2002).

The Department pursues more focused consultation exercises with outside bodies and experts on particular issues. The Department also regularly makes available, via its website and through civil society networks, briefing notes on major international meetings in which it is involved, such as the United Nations Financing for Development Conference in Monterrey in March, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children in May, International Monetary Fund and World bank meetings, and European Union Development Council meetings.

The Department has just finished its third round of Development Policy Forums across the UK, to share thinking and ideas on key development issues. Over 2000 representatives from across society—including from NGOs, trade unions, private sector, faith organisations and universities—participated in the 11 one-day forums, between 6 February and 8 July 2002. The forums focused on globalisation and its potential to reduce world poverty, with participants invited to debate the specific themes of trade, environment and the private sector.

Bilateral aid to low income countries 1995–96 to 2000–01
	Total bilateral programme (£ million)	of which, country specific aid (£ million)	of which, to low income countries £ million)	Percentage of total bilateral programme	Percentage of country specific aid
1995–96	1,123	869	602	54	69
1996–97	1,075	855	575	53	67
1997–98	1,043	824	536	51	65
1998–99	1,164	920	666	57	72
1999–2000	1,323	1,056	710	54	67
2000–01	1,414	1,167	886	63	76

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what priority is given to the quality of governance in determining the allocation of financial assistance to overseas countries. [68812]

The primary determinants of our allocations between countries are the extent of poverty and our judgments about where we can be most effective. The quality of governance is an important factor in assessment of our potential effectiveness, alongside such issues as the policies, commitment and capacity of Government and other institutions and the adequacy of alternative sources of finance.

Somalia

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what impact the ban on livestock exports is having on the humanitarian situation in Somalia. [68819]

The livestock trade is a very important sector for the Somali economy. The current trade restrictions are having a negative impact on people's livelihoods and on the revenue of regional administrations. We continue to lobby for the lifting of restrictions.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what difficulties have arisen in the provision of humanitarian assistance in Somalia as a result of the recent violence in the country. [68814]

Insecurity in Somalia has hampered the provision of humanitarian assistance over the past decade, particularly in the south. United Nations agencies and international non-government organisations (through whom the UK and EU make their contribution) provide support through cross-border operations. Violence in the regions of Bay, Puntland and Gedo continues to make humanitarian access difficult.

Overseas Aid

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of the Government's overseas aid budget was spent on low income countries in each year since 1995. [68817]

The percentage of my Department's bilateral assistance programme spent on low income countries since 1995 is set out in the table. However, the more commonly used indicator is the proportion of country specific DFID programme going to low income countries in each year so these figures have also been included.

Mozambique

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what impact the recent dry weather has had on the production of food in Mozambique; and if she will make a statement; [68815](2) what steps her Department is taking to ensure the adequate provision of food supplies to people living in the northern and central provinces of Mozambique; and if she will make a statement. [68816]

The Crop and Food Supply Assessment undertaken jointly by the Government of Mozambique, WFP and FAO (available on www.fao.org) concluded in June and severe dry weather during the 2001–02 cropping season had sharply reduced crop yields in southern and parts of central Mozambique. In the main cereal growing areas of the northern region and remaining parts of the central region, abundant and well distributed rains led to increased production of cereals. Overall, 2002 cereal output is estimated at 1.77 million tonnes, 5 per cent. above last year, and maize output at 1.24 million tonnes, an increase of 8 per cent. The exportable maize surplus in northern and central areas is projected at 100,000 tonnes, but this cannot be transported economically to the South due to long distances, poor infrastructure, and the proximity of markets in Malawi.Approximately 515,000 people in poor households in 43 districts of the Southern and Central regions are affected by the drought. This is about 15 per cent. of the total population of the two regions but less than 3 per cent. of the country's total population. Immediate food aid needs for these areas have been estimated at 50,000 tonnes.Food aid is important, but measures are also needed to ensure that seeds and other agricultural inputs are available to enable drought-affected farming families to restart

agricultural production during the main planting season 2002–03. Working through the Ministry of Agriculture, DFID and other donors have already supported the provision of inputs to affected households. Our latest information is that immediate food aid needs are covered by other donor countries, but we are monitoring the situation closely. We are discussing with Government and other donors how the additional £1 million allocated for Mozambique as part of DFID's regional response to the drought during the period to March 2003 can be used to best effect, particularly to facilitate access to inputs and to improve food security over the next harvest.

Syria

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department has given to the Government of Syria for the rehabilitation of the country's irrigation system since the collapse of the Zeyzoun dam. [68813]

My Department has not provided any direct assistance to the Government of Syria for the rehabilitation of the country's irrigation system following the collapse of the Zeyzoun dam. Information from agencies on the ground, including the Red Cross and the EC, indicate that the immediate needs of the affected population have been well attended to.

Programme/project	£Expenditure
Commonwealth Science Council	258,425
SciDevNet Pilot: Pilot to increase access to scientific news and information and more informed debate by scientists, policy makers and users of science and technology.	77,017
GDNet Pilot: Pilot for Internet project to strengthen the capacity of research institutes	72,254
Other knowledge activities:
1. Research report	1,200
2. Research guide	5,373
3. Knowledge management and international development workshop	35,471
4. Workshop on China and Clean Development Mechanism	26,777
Other activities:
2. Wilton Park Conference WP644	45,000
3. LDC3 meeting	25,073
4. White Paper team	43,984
5. Information and Communication Technologies Study	11,209
6. Greater Donor Harmonisation	44,144
7. Utstein Meeting	5,203
8. Sector-wide Approaches training consultancy	20,000
Total	671,130

Overseas Visits

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the overseas trips on departmental business that have been undertaken in each of the last five years by officials in her Department; and what the (a) cost, (b) purpose and (c) result was in each case. [68734]

The detailed information requested is not readily available and to compile it would involve a disproportionate cost. DFID has some 25 country and regional offices located overseas, and this, as well as the

Tanzania

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to resume giving aid to Tanzania. [69241]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend for Blackpool, North and Fleetwood (Mrs. Humble) on Monday 8 July, Official Report, column 616W.

International Development Targets

To ask the Secretary of State For International Development if she will make a statement on progress towards international development targets. [68762]

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Mr. Wyatt) on 7 May 2002, Official Report, column 15W.

Knowledge For Development Challenge Fund

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will provide a breakdown of her Department's expenditure since 2000–01 on the Knowledge for Development Challenge Fund. [67525]

Our latest estimate of DFID expenditure in 2001–02 on the Knowledge for Development Challenge Fund was £671,130. The breakdown was:international nature of our activities, makes overseas travel a normal part of our business.

Deputy Prime Minister

Local Government Finance

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will announce the details of the new system of local government finance due to be introduced in the next financial year; and if he will make a statement. [66162]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Paul Clark) on 8 July 2002, Official Report, columns 680–81W.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received from unitary authorities in respect of changes to the standard spending assessment formula. [68888]

We have received written representations from a number of unitary authorities recently, as well as discussing SSA-related issues with councils face-to-face on occasion. As my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions announced to Parliament on 8 July, we are now in a period of formal consultation on options for the new grant distribution system. We will carefully consider all of the responses to the consultation before taking decisions.

Infrastructure Projects Green Paper

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what communications took place between his Department and Mr. Richard Everitt with regard to the preparation of and drafting of the Government's recent planning Green Paper on major infrastructure projects. [68247]

None.

Council Tax

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what the average amount of Council Tax charged per household is in each (a) metropolitan area, (b) Government office region and (c) local authority; [68895](2) what the average amount of Council Tax paid per household at Band D is in each

(a) metropolitan area, (b) Government office region and (c) local authority. [68896]

Households accepted as unintentionally homeless and in priority need: Local authorities in England
Financial year totals
	1996–97	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02
North East	5,430	4,380	4,460	4,850	5,220	5,580
Yorkshire and The Humber	8,940	9,130	8,260	8,370	9,150	10,820
East Midlands	8,940	7,550	7,770	7,120	7,370	7,230
Eastern	8,380	8,120	8,680	8,720	9,800	10,120
London	25,930	24,570	26,470	28,440	29,630	31,130
South East	13,540	12,170	12,690	12,810	14,760	14,430
South West	9,450	9,000	8,920	9,790	11,210	11,200
West Midlands	15,510	14,670	13,970	13,210	13,860	14,600
North West	14,690	13,060	12,930	12,820	13,350	13,260
England total	110,810	102,650	104,150	106,130	114,350	118,360

Notes:

1. Figures prior to January 1997 reflect decisions under the 1985 Housing Act; subsequent decisions are under the 1996 Housing Act, plus any residual 1985 Act cases.

2. Totals may not equal the sum of components because of rounding.

Source:

ODPM P1(E) quarterly housing activity returns.

Transport Works Authorisation Branch

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the current applications for orders to the

Figures for the average council tax payable per dwelling and the average council tax payable per Band D property in 2002–03 are given in the DTLR News Release on "Council Taxes in England—2002/03" (2002–0124, 21 March 2002).Figures for each government office region are given in Table 1, and those for each local authority area—including each metropolitan district area—are given in Table 2.Copies are available in the Libraries of the House and from the website of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister at http://www.local.dtlr.gov.uk/finance/ctax/ctax023.htm.

Urban Allotments

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the total acreage of urban allotments in (a) 1972, (b) 1990 and (c) the latest year for which figures are available. [68882]

Based on the "English Allotments Survey—1997", commissioned by the then Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, estimates are that the area of allotments in England in 1970 was 54,000 acres and in 1996 was 25,393 acres. The figures for 1972 and 1990 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Rural Housing

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to the answer of 2 May 2002, Official Report, column 902W, on rural housing, how many households were identified as being in priority need for housing in (a) 1996, (b) 1997, (c)1998, (d) 1999, (e) 2000, (f) 2001 and (g) 2002 in English local authorities by region. [68757]

National and regional information on the number of households accepted by local authorities under the homelessness provisions of Housing Acts, as being unintentionally homeless and in priority need, is published in a quarterly Statistical Release. Latest figures, issued on 17 June 2002, are as follows:Transport Works Authorisation Branch of his Department, giving for each

(a) the date the application was made, (b) the expected date the order will be made and (c) for what reason the order has not yet been made. [69497]

Current applications for orders under the Transport and Works Act 1992 are listed in the table. The expected date of the decision is shown, rather than

Title of proposed order	Date of application	Expected date of decision	Reason for no decision to date
London International Freight Exchange (LIFE). (Two consolidated applications)	¹28 June 1999	August 2002	Inspector's report under consideration. Further information had to be sought from parties after close of inquiry
Railtrack (Thameslink 2000) (Two consolidated applications)	¹23 September 1999	Autumn 2002	Inspector's report under consideration. Major case raising complex issues
Alconbury Airfield (Rail Facilities and Connection to East Coast Main Line)	30 December 1999	Within six months of receipt of inspector's report	Awaiting inspector's report. Inquiry closed 16 October 2001
Railtrack (West Coast Main Line)	29 February 2000	By January 2003	Inspector's report just received (5 July 2002)
Fawley Branch Line Improvements	2 October 2000	Within six months of receipt of inspector's report	Part of ongoing inquiry into proposed Dibden Bay deep water terminal
Yorkshire Marina (Bridlington)	9 October 2000	Within six months of receipt of inspector's report	Inquiry continuing.
Railtrack (West Coast Main Line) (No.2)	28 February 2001	Within six months of receipt of inspector's report	Awaiting inspector's report. Inquiry closed 28 March 2002
Strand Road, Preston Railway	31 October 2001	August 2002	Decision being finalised
Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Thames Tunnel Approach)	9 November 2001	July 2002	Decision imminent
Greater Manchester (Leigh Busway)	31 January 2002	Within six months of receipt of inspector's report	Public inquiry to open on 10 September 2002
London Gateway Logistics and Commercial Centre	14 February 2002	Within six months of receipt of inspector's report	Public inquiry to be arranged
River Tyne (Tunnels)	31 May 2002	See next column	Objection period continuing; procedure yet to be determined
Docklands Light Railway (Woolwich Arsenal Extension)	10 July 2002	See next column	Application just received; procedure yet to be determined

¹ Date of amending application

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff work in the Transport Works Authorisation Branch of his Department. [69484]

13.

Telecommunications Working Group

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the representatives of (a) the mobile phone network industry, (b) central and local government and (c) other organisations sitting on the Telecommunications Working Group. [R][69483]

Members of the Telecommunications Working group are:

Name	Department/organization
Christopher Bowden	Office of Deputy Prime Minister
Charlotte Sewell	Office of Deputy Prime Minister
Jim Davies	Department for Trade and Industry
George Hooker	Department for Health
Russell Kent-Smith	Radiocommunications Agency
Kevin O'Dell	Department for Education and Skils
Peter Roberts	National Assembly for Wales
Lee Searles	Local Government Association
Gerry Ansell	London borough of Waltham Forest
Ian Fletcher	Wycombe district council
Graham Jones	London borough of Harrow
Phil Joyce	Leeds city council
John Walker	City of Westminster
Jane Evans	Hutchison 3G
Peter Foster	02
Alan Freeman	02 (also Airwave)
Nick Greer	Vodafone
Adrian Manger	T Mobile
Adrian Reeve	Orange
Saleem Shamash	Crown Castle
Nicole Hughes	Federation of Electronic Industries

that for the making of the order, because I cannot prejudge that an order will be made in any particular case.

In addition, the following people do not attend meetings but receive and comment upon working group papers:

Name	Department/organization
Alan Cameron	Scottish Executive
John Linden	Department for the Environment Northern Ireland
Normal Smith	Health and Safety Executive

Right To Buy

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria he plans to use for the redistribution of the pooled right to buy receipts from local authorities; and if they will include land value and development costs. [69257]

We will be consulting on the operation of the new arrangements for pooling a proportion of future local authority housing capital receipts shortly.

Social Services

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the standard spending assessment was for each social services authority in England in each year from 1990–91 to 2001–02; and what it is projected to be for the financial year 2002–03, adjusted for inflation at current values. [69714]

A table showing the information requested for both total SSA and personal social services SSA has been placed in the Library of the House.

House Of Commons

House Of Commons Journal

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the House of Commons Commission is collaborating with the History of Parliament Trust and the Humanities Research Institute of the University of Sheffield in producing an electronic version of the House of Commons Journal. [68885]

I understand that in February 2001 the Trustees of the History of Parliament commissioned the Humanities Research Institute of the University of Sheffield to create a searchable electronic text of Volume 1 of the House of Commons Journal, covering the period 1547 to 1628. This was intended as a pilot study in digitising the contents of the early Journals of the two Houses, which are of great historical value but have hitherto suffered from lack of an adequate index. The electronic text of Volume which has now been submitted to the Trustees, will be of particular use in the preparation of the 1604–1629 section of the History.I also understand that, as a follow-up to the pilot study, the Trust has collaborated with the Institute of Historical Research and the Victoria County History in a successful bid to the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for funding for a larger pilot project in digitisation of historical sources; this project will include the digitisation of a further volume of the Journal of this House.

History Of Parliament Trust

To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission (1) if he will make a statement on the size of the House of Commons Commission's grant in aid to the History of Parliament Trust for each year since 1995–96; [68883](2) if he will provide a specific grant to subsidise the retail cost of "The History of Parliament: The House of Commons 1690–1715". [68884]

The House of Commons Commission provides funds for the work of the History of Parliament Trust in line with the Trust's three-year financial plans and annual estimates. These plans allow for the work of the Trust to proceed at its present level of activity. Since 1999, the House of Lords has also provided support for the Trust. These grants in aid cover the whole of the Trust's running costs, and represent a significant subsidy.The table shows the grant in aid made to the Trust since 1995–96:

Grant in aid
£
Year	House of Commons	House of Lords	Total
1995–96	947,000	—	947,000
1996–97	1,077,000	—	1,077,000
1997–98	1,057,000	—	1,057,000
1998–99	1,058,000	—	1,058,000
1999–2000	968,000	200.000	1,168,000
2000–01	1,017,000	210,000	1,227,000
2001–02	1,056,500	260,000	1,316,000

The retail price charged for the Trust's publications represents only the cost of printing and distribution of the volumes, rather than the costs of the research, which are met by the grant in aid from the Houses of Parliament. This mechanism provides more certainty of support for the research work, while indirectly subsidising the cost of the publications. I understand that there are no plans for a specific retail price subsidy. The pricing policy has always been governed by the need to strike a balance between affordability and the need to make some financial return on sales, recognising that the great majority of sales are likely to be to institutions rather than to individuals. By the standards of academic publications, the History's volumes are reasonably priced and are affordable by university libraries, country record offices and public libraries.

Recycling

To ask the Chairman of the Administration Committee (1) if she will state the total volume of paper purchased by the House in the last 12 months; what proportion of this comes from recycled sources; and what plans there are to increase this proportion: [65616](2) if she will state the

(a) policy on and (b) total value and volume of the purchase and use of goods and materials from renewable or recycled sources by the House in the last 12 months; and what plans there are to (i) update the policy and (ii) increase the proportion of goods and materials used from such sources. [65617]

The Administration Committee has oversight of the provisions of stationery for use by Members. The House's policy is to use recycled products where practicable and cost-effective; there are no plans to change the policy.The House does not keep central records of paper used by the six House Departments; but we estimate that some 80,000 reams (200 tonnes) were used during 2001–02 at a cost of approximately £1.5 million. Over 50 per cent. of the paper used was recycled and chlorine-free. Within these figures, major users were the Vote Office (9,100 reams) and the Serjeant at Arms Department (45,000 reams).The Serjeant at Arms Department has been providing recycled stationery to Members of Parliament for a number of years. All Members' stationery purchased through the House's central stationery contract (both paper and envelopes) is made from recycled paper. During 2001–02 approximately 162 tonnes of stationery were purchased at a cost of around £1 million. The amounts were:

Description	Quantity	Volume (tones)
Bespoke paper	¹15,000	47
Photocopier paper	¹30,000	75
Envelopes	6,500,00	40

¹ Reams

In 1998, on the recommendation of the Committee, recycled paper was introduced for all letterhead paper and envelopes purchased by Members of Parliament. All virgin pulp papers were withdrawn. Recycled photocopier paper has been supplied for a number of years.

As part of the "local paper for London" scheme organised through the BioRegional Development Group, Evolve Business photocopier paper has been introduced. Members now use this paper in their parliamentary and constituency offices and in photocopiers on the parliamentary estate.

For information on the purchase and use of other goods and materials from renewable or recycled sources, I refer the hon. Member to replies given by the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), representing the House of Commons Commission, to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on 11 July 2002, Official Report, columns 1116–17W.

Culture, Media And Sport

North Taunton Sports Centre

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps are taken to monitor the spending of grants awarded by the Sports Lottery Fund to local authorities, with specific reference to those made to the North Taunton Sports Centre. [68467]

All projects supported by the Sport England Lottery Fund are subject to compliance procedures during construction and are monitored once the project has been completed and has been operating for a year. The compliance procedures provide for payments only on receipt of invoices and architects' certificates and for retention of the final 10 per cent. of the award until completion of the project. Post completion monitoring involves a site visit by a team of architects and independent consultants where the award is greater than £500,000. This investigation assesses all aspects of the project, including the design of the facility, its management and financial viability, coaching and sports development opportunities, and the project's impact on target groups. The applicant's views on Sport England and the application process are also monitored.A proportion of projects receiving awards of less than £500,000 receive a site visit as follows:

£250,000 to £500,000 75 per cent. of projects receive a site visit

£100,000 to £250.000 50 per cent. of projects receive a site visit

under £100,000 10 per cent. of projects receive a site visit.

Projects which are not initially selected for a site visit receive a questionnaire. Cases where questionnaires are not returned or where the contents of a questionnaire raise concerns are followed up by further contact from, initially, the monitoring team at Sport England, and, if appropriate, with a site visit.

Taunton Deane borough council was awarded £2,383,020 in October 1999 for the building of The Wellspring Centre (now called North Taunton Sports Centre). So far Sport England has made payments to the Council in February, June, September, October and November 2001 amounting to 90 per cent. of the award. It is aware through discussions with Taunton Deane council that completion of the project has been delayed due to problems with the original contractor but it is understood that management consultants have now been appointed by the Council and it expects the building to be completed by the end of the year.

Criminal Records Checks

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what assessment she had made of the cost to voluntary sports organisations of undertaking Criminal Records Bureau information checks; and if she will make a statement; [68873](2) if she will issue guidelines to voluntary sporting organisations who lack funding to undertake Criminal Records Bureau disclosure information checks; [68832](3) what discussions she has had with voluntary organisations and non-Governmental bodies on the cost of Criminal Records Bureau disclosure information checks for volunteers; and if she will make a statement. [68869]

The Department was involved in discussions on the potential costs of the Disclosure service provided by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and supported successful representations to the Home Office that fees should be waived for higher level disclosures for volunteers. The CRB has been fully operational only since 11 March 2002 so hard data on actual costs is not yet available. The CRB itself and the Child Protection in Sport Unit both provide comprehensive guidance on requesting disclosures from the CRB which can be found on their respective websites (www.crb.gov.uk and www.sportprotects.org.uk). The costs to sports organisations deploying volunteers will be minimised because a) the CRB has waived fees on higher level disclosures for volunteers and b) Umbrella Bodies, such as governing bodies, can commission disclosures on behalf of other organisations, enabling them to keep down internal administrative costs. The Department is keeping track of developments in this area through its link with the child Protection in Sport Unit (jointly funded by the NSPCC and Sport England) and other bodies.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what additional funding has been made to enable sporting organisations to implement the Criminal Records Bureau disclosure information checks on the use of volunteers. [68872]

No additional funding has been made available by this Department to sporting organisations to pay for Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure information checks.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what the status is of (a) referees and umpires, (b) referees' assistants, (c) match officials and (d) others who receive remuneration for their involvement in sports matches with regard to Criminal Records Bureau disclosure information checks; [68870](2) what her definition is of a volunteer for whom Criminal Records Bureau disclosure information checks are necessary. [68871]

The Home Office announced in February of last year that Standard and Enhanced Disclosures will be issued free of charge to volunteers. The Police Act 1997 (Criminal Records) Regulations 2002 define a volunteer as a person engaged in an activity which involves spending time, unpaid (except for travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses), doing something which aims to benefit some third party other than or in addition to a close relative. Those persons in the categories mentioned who met the criteria for these levels

of disclosure which are set out in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and section 115 of the Police Act 1997 and whose remuneration amounted only to travel and other approved out-of-pocket expenses would, of course, be entitled to a free disclosure.

Racing Industry

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport for what reasons the racing industry was charged for the acquisition of the Tote; and what account was taken of historic funding by the racing industry of the Tote when setting the sale price. [693691

The Government have announced their intention to introduce legislation to enable them to sell the Tote to a racing trust but no sale price has yet been set. It is appropriate for a price to be paid because there is a legitimate taxpayer interest in the Tote business.

Child Protection

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent meetings she has had with Ministers in other Departments with regard to (a) child protection in sport and (b) inter-agency working on child protection in sport. [688331

While there have been no ministerial meetings specifically on this issue recently, officials regularly discuss this important issue with colleagues in other Government Departments and other agencies. The Department is a member of the Steering Group of the Child Protection in Sport Unit which brings together stakeholders from within and outside Government to influence the unit's future direction, work and priorities.

Education And Skills

Departmental Energy Use

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the estimated (a) level and (b) cost of energy use in her Department and associated agencies was in each year since 1997; what proportion of energy was generated from renewable sources; and if she will make a statement. [65953]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 3 July 2002, Official Report, column 385–86W.

University Students (Low Income Families)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Department has to ensure more young people from low-income families enter university. [66584]

We are determined to encourage more young people from lower income backgrounds to enter higher education. Our secondary school reforms will help raise participation and attainment levels so that more young people will be eligible to benefit from HE. We have committed over £190 million over three years to the Excellence Challenge to raise aspirations and attainment of young people in some of the most deprived areas of

the country. This includes making available 25.000 Opportunity Bursaries to encourage young students from low-income families into higher education. Young people in schools and FE colleges in Excellence Challenge areas will also benefit from the Aimhigher road show, which was launched earlier this year to promote higher education.

School Science Lessons

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills under what circumstances animals are killed specifically for use in school science lessons. [67627]

[holding answer 8 July 2002]: Animals are principally used for whole mammal dissection purposes and may be used in nerve/muscle physiology demonstrations.Teachers also buy organs from butchers, for example livers from animals eaten by humans, for science lessons. There is no requirement in the national curriculum for dissection to be carried out, although individual teachers may choose to use dissection to illustrate various aspects of the science curriculum. In the Key Stage 3 schemes of work which have been published recently by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, organ dissection is suggested as one of a range of possible teaching activities in some contexts.Where dissection is used, teachers must always take account of potential threats to the well-being of pupils, particularly in relation to health and safety, religious or ethnic background and individual sensitivities.

National Child Care Strategy

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 1057W, on the National Child Care Strategy, if she will break the figures down by London borough. [67761]

The available information is shown in tables 1, 2 and 3. Figures for new child care places were first collected at a local authority level from April 1999. Between April 1997 and December 2001, some 66,600 new child care places were created in London helping 122,000' children. Of these places, 9,784 places helping 18,379 children were created between April 1997 and March 1999.The available information is shown in tables 1 and 2 and 3.

Table 1: New child care places and children helped in London between April 1999 and December 2001
London borough	New places	Children helped
Barking and Dagenham	1,283	2,378
Barnet	3,314	5,961
Bexley	1,906	3,352
Brent	2,145	3,927
Bromley	2,496	4,526
Camden	1,463	2,665
City of London	614	1,204
Croydon	2,460	4,332
Ealing	2,847	5,027
Enfield	2,013	3,495
Greenwich	2,832	5,505
Hackney	1,641	2,981

Table 1: New child care places and children helped in London between April 1999 and December 2001
London borough	New places	Children helped
Hammersmith and Fulham	1,556	3,001
Haringey	2,591	4,726
Harrow	887	1,624
Havering	599	1,096
Hillingdon	2,112	3,663
Hounslow	915	1,655
Islington	1,484	2,635
Kensington and Chelsea	682	1,252
Kingston upon Thames	1,709	3,039
Lambeth	2,971	5,609
Lewisham	840	1,530
Merton	893	1,598
Newham	1,850	3,438
Redbridge	1,035	1,932
Richmond upon Thames	1,823	3,278
Southwark	2,612	4,845
Sutton	1,631	3,003
Tower Hamlets	691	1,179
Waltham Forest	2,210	4,144
Wandsworth	986	1,813
Westminster	1,716	3,190
Total	56,807	103,594

Table 2: Child care grant funding for 2002–03
£
London borough	Total revenue allocation
Barking and Dagenham	427,080
Barnet	673,750
Bexley	480,940
Brent	574,580
Bromley	570,250
Camden	420,020
City of London	143,600
Croydon	705,260
Ealing	647,610
Enfield	613,560
Greenwich	561,600
Hackney	557,520
Hammersmith and Fulham	371,240
Haringey	541,380
Harrow	456,060
Havering	460,180
Hillingdon	528,420
Hounslow	486,380
Islington	439,030
Kensington and Chelsea	368,240
Kingston upon Thames	337,330
Lambeth	637,910
Lewisham	594,300
Merton	408,230
Newham	719,300
Redbridge	511,050
Richmond upon Thames	383,220
Southwark	614,800
Sutton	395,700
Tower Hamlets	584,740
Waltham Forest	545,650
Wandsworth	511,240
Westminster	422,750
Total	16,692,920

Table 3
Borough	Total DIES revenue allocation(£)	Total capital allocation(£)	Total place target
Barking and Dagenham	1.780,019	746,400	400
Barnet	341,047	149,280	80
Bexley	1,015,621	429,180	230
Brent	1,556,801	653.100	350
Bromley	626,913	261,240	140
Camden	1,346,621	578,460	310
City of London	0	0	0
Croydon	1,028,205	447,840	240
Ealing	1,465,426	615,780	330
Enfield	1,513,531	634,440	340
Greenwich	2,001,326	839,700	450
Hackney	2,441,802	1,026.300	550
Hammersmith and Fulham	1,022,584	429,180	230
Haringey	1,967,046	839,700	450
Harrow	0	0	0
Havering	888,725	373,200	200
Hillingdon	288,675	130,620	70
Hounslow	957,287	410,520	220
Islington	1,868,253	783,720	420
Kensington and Chelsea	936,490	391.860	210
Kingston upon Thames	0	0	0
Lambeth	2,188,580	933,000	500
Lewisham	1,966,147	839,700	450
Merton	292,385	130,620	70
Newham	2,530,851	1,082,280	580
Redbridge	1,092,386	466,500	250
Richmond upon Thames	0	0	0
Southwark	2,301,424	970,320	520
Sutton	582,176	242.580	130
Tower Hamlets	2,375,606	1,007,640	540
Waltham Forest	1,853,303	783,720	420
Wandsworth	617,139	261,240	140
Westminster	1,055,181	447,840	240
Total	39,901,550	16,905,960	9,060

¹ The figure of 122,000 quoted in the earlier answer refers to number of children helped by new places rather than the number of new places created.

Eu Schools Materials

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had on the (a) development and (b) use of EU-funded Socrates material in schools. [68649]

[holding answer 9 July 2002]: The material produced in the Socrates programme is a matter for the participants, working within the parameters of the programme, and the Department is not involved in its development, or in consultation on its use.Schools are free to use any material in their teaching, subject to Section 407 of the Education Act 1996. This article requires school governing bodies, head teachers and local education authorities to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that where political or controversial issues are brought to pupils' attention, they are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views.

School Admissions

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many first preferences for (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools were not met in the last five years in (i) Boston and Skegness, (ii) Lincolnshire and (iii) England. [68661]

My Department does not collect this information.

Morley And Rothwell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students from Morley and Rothwell have their tuition fees paid for them (a) in full, (b) in part and (c) not at all since 1997. [69366]

Data on tuition fees for the constituency of Morley and Rothwell are not collected centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students in Morley and Rothwell (a) receive full or part entitlement to Education Maintenance Allowance and (b) how that compares to other pilot areas. [69364]

We do not ask the local education authorities who administer the EMA scheme to classify recipients by constituency. However, 4,624 young people in Leeds have received an allowance in this academic year. Of these, 2,579 (56 per cent.) received the full allowance and 2,045 (44 per cent.) received a part allowance. Recently published evaluation reports show that the average proportion of EMA recipients across the 56 pilot areas receiving the full allowance is 63 per cent.

Graduate Teacher Programme

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions she has had with the TTA on the reduction in the number of designated recommending bodies for the graduate teacher programme; and if she will make a statement. [69863]

My right hon. Friend has held no such discussions with the Teacher Training Agency. The agency announced the creation of the first 80 designated recommending bodies on 24 June. There has consequently been no reduction in their number, and at least as many trainees are expected to enter the Graduate Teacher Programme next year as did so in 2001–02.

Teacher Vacancies

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teacher vacancies there are in each (a) Government office region and (b) local education authority. [68902]

The tables show provisional vacancy numbers by region for January 2002 and final vacancy numbers by local education authority for January 2001. Figures are not yet available for 2002 at local education authority level.

Vacancy¹ numbers in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools in England by Government office region: January 2002
Government office region	2002²
North East	140
North West	320
Yorkshire and the Humber	370
East Midlands	270
West Midlands	470
East of England	680
London	1,320
South East	770
South West	170
Total vacancies	4,480

¹ Advertised vacancies for full-time permanent appointments (or appointments of at least one term's duration). Includes vacancies being filled on a temporary basis of less than one term.

² Provisional.

Vacancy numbers in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools by LEA¹ and Government office region: January 2001
	Number of vacancies
North East
Gateshead	6
Newcastle upon Tyne	19
North Tyneside	14
South Tyneside	0
Sunderland	20
Hartlepool	5
Middlesbrough	20
Redcar and Cleveland	18
Stockton on Tees	15
Darlington	8
Durham	37
Northumberland	0
Total	162
North West
Cumbria	6
Cheshire	25
Halton	6
Warrington	11
Bolton	7
Bury	4
Manchester	0
Oldham	16
Rochdale	5
Salford	4
Stockport	25
Tameside	23
Trafford	0
Wigan	11
Lancashire	61
Blackburn with Darwen	19
Blackpool	5
Knowsley	12
Liverpool	0
St. Helens	8
Sefton	15
Wirral	20
Total	283
Yorkshire and the Humber
Kingston-Upon-Hull, City of	8
East Riding of Yorkshire	6
North East Lincolnshire	20
North Lincolnshire	10
North Yorkshire	12
York	6
Barnsley	20
Doncaster	10
Rotherham	1
Sheffield	14
Bradford	0
Calderdale	7
Kirklees	10
Leeds	47
Wakefield	14
Total	185
East Midlands
Derbyshire	45
Derby	16
Leicestershire	30
Leicester	42
Rutland	0
Lincolnshire	20

Vacancy numbers in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools by LEA¹ and Government office region: January 2001
	Number of vacancies
Northamptonshire	20
Nottingham	41
Total	214
West Midlands
Herefordshire	18
Worcestershire	8
Telford and Wrekin	5
Staffordshire	40
Stoke-on-Trent	20
Warwickshire	42
Birmingham	83
Coventry	24
Dudley	align="right">28
Sandwell	align="right">49
Solihull	32
Walsall	17
Wolverhampton	32
Total	402
East of England
Cambridgeshire	3
Peterborough	7
Norfolk	71
Suffolk	89
Bedfordshire	76
Luton	63
Essex	220
Southend-on-Se	24
Thurrock	69
Hertfordshire	50
Total	672
London
City of London	0
Camden	0 59
Greenwich	63
Hackney	101
Hammersmith and Fulham	49
Islington	56
Kensington and Chelsea	36
Lambeth	51
Lewisham	71
Southwark	100
Tower Hamlets	157
Wandsworth	53
Westminster	49
Barking and Dagenham	24
Barnet	100
Bexley	85
Brent	23
Bromley	63
Croydon	77
Ealing	66
Enfield	65
Haringey	43
Harrow	58
Havering	38
Hillingdon	52
Hounslow	18
Kingston upon Thames	23
Merton	18
Newham	103
Redbridge	40
Richmond upon Thames	30
Sutton	10
Waltham Forest	7
Total	1,788

Vacancy numbers in maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools by LEA¹ and Government office region: January 2001
	Number of vacancies
South East
Bracknell Forest	16
Windsor and Maidenhead	34
West Berkshire	10
Reading	37
Slough	62
Wokingham	18
Buckinghamshire	59
Milton Keynes	21
East Sussex	43
Brighton and Hove	17
Hampshire	175
Portsmouth	59
Southampton	50
Isle of Wight	7
Kent	196
Medway	51
Oxfordshire	16
Surrey	104
West Sussex	82
Total	1,057
South West
Isles of Scilly	0
Bath and North East Somerset	9
City of Bristol	25
North Somerset	7
South Gloucestershire	7
Cornwall	0
Devon	47
Plymouth	1
Torbay	9
Dorset	18
Poole	19
Bournemouth	7
Gloucestershire	14
Somerset	11
Wiltshire	19
Swindon	20
Total	213
England total	4,976

¹ Advertised vacancies for full-time permanent appointments (or appointments of at least one term's duration). Includes vacancies being filled on a temporary basis of less than one term.

Source:

DfES annual 618G survey.

Child Care (Regulation)

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many professional staff she estimates need to be transferred from local authorities to Ofsted as a result of the transfer of responsibility for the regulation of child care to Ofsted. [69141]

In September 2001, 1,431 staff transferred from local authorities to the Office for Standards in Education. No further transfers are envisaged.

Public Consultations

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the length was of each public consultation undertaken by her Department since 8 June 2001. [68740]

The following table provides a list of written consultations with the public carried out by this Department since 8 June 2001 including the duration of

Title of consultation	Start date	End date	Duration (in days)
Teachers' Professional Development—Standards Framework Consultation	11 June 2001	20 July 2001	39
Teachers' Professional Development Division—Development Portfolio Consultation	11 June 2001	20 July 2001	39
Consultation on Professional Duties of Advanced Skills Teachers	26 June 2001	21 August 2001	56
July European Commission Memorandum on Lifelong Learning	26 June 2001	28 September 2001	94
Education Development Plans from 2002—Consultation on draft guidance	27 June 2001	19 September 2001	84
Consultation on Extending the Use of Parenting Orders	9 July 2001	9 October 2001	92
Inspection of Local Education Authorities	11 July 2001	11 October 2001	92
Employment of Teachers who have successfully completed their course of teacher training but have not passed their skills test	24 July 2001	8 August 2001	15
Standards for the awards of qualified teacher status—initial teacher training	26 July 2001	2 November 2001	99
Consultation on Inspection arrangements—initial teacher training 2002–03	26 July 2001	2 November 2001	99
Draft Regulations Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 as Amended by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001	30 July 2001	22 October 2001	84
The Way Forward—A Modernised Framework for School Governance	5 September 2001	7 November 2001	63
Better Beginnings—Improving quality and increasing provision in early years education and childcare	5 September 2001	7 November 2001	63
Consultation on School Admissions	5 September 2001	7 November 2001	63
Consultation on Exclusion Appeal Panels	5 September 2001	7 November 2001	63
Registration and Monitoring of Independent Schools	5 September 2001	9 November 2001	65
Schools Achieving Success	5 September 2001	7 November 2001	63
Improving inspection, improving schools	10 September 2001	10 November 2001	61
Consultation on targets for English and mathematics at Key Stage 2 in 2004	18 September 2001	14 December 2001	87
16–19 Organisation and Inspection: A consultation document	24 September 2001	7 November 2001	44
Expert support for the development of Foundation Stage Practice	5 October 2001	28 December 2001	84
City Academies: Arrangements for Pupils with SEN and Disabilities	8 October 2001	29 December 2001	82
Consultation on Proposals arising from the Treasury Review of teachers' Ill Health Retirement	2 November 2001	25 January 2002	84
Excellence Fellowship Awards	6 November 2001	14 December 2001	38
Teachers' Pay Reform—Performance Pay Progression Grant	23 November 2001	4 January 2002	42
Building a Strategy for Children and Young People	25 November 2002	1 March 2002	96
Consultation on Review of Learning Partnerships	17 December 2001	16 February 2002	61
Consultation on Review of Arts and Humanities Research Funding	18 December 2001	2 February 2002	46
Quinquennial Review of Investors in People UK	1 January 2002	28 February 2002	58
Consultation on Accessible Schools: Planning to increase access to schools for disabled pupils	14 January 2002	25 March 2002	70
Revised Guidance on Exclusion from School—Draft for Consultation	24 January 2002	19 April 2002	85
Quinquennial Review of Qualifications and Curriculum Authority	1 February 2002	15 March 2002	42
Consultation on Raising Standards—Training and Development for Leaders and Managers	4 February 2002	1 May 2002	86
14–19: Extending Opportunities, Raising Standards	12 February 2002	31 May 2002	108

each consultation. The Department has complied with the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultation in each case, applying exemptions where appropriate.

Title of consultation	Start date	End date	Duration(in days)
National Centre for Excellence in Science Teaching	18 February 2002	8 May 2002	79
The Adult Common Basic Data Set	25 February 2002	17 May 2002	81
Early Years and Childcare Regulations	27 February 2002	24 May 2002	86
14–19: Extending Opportunities, Raising Standards: A Summary	1 March 2002	31 May 2002	91
Investors in Children Consultation Paper	14 March 2002	6 June 2002	84
Proposals to introduce a mandatory requirement for first-time headteachers to hold the (NPQH)	15 March 2002	28 June 2002	105
Consultation on Publication of School and College Performance Tables in 2002	19 March 2002	24 May 2002	66
Electronic Communications in Education: an Order under the Electronic Communications Act 2000	8 May 2002	31 July 2002	84
STRB report on teacher workload	8 May 2002	3 July 2002	56
Performance Pay Progression: Reconsultation on Revised Special Grant Report	14 May 2002	13 June 2002	30
Together From the Start—Practical guidance for professionals working with disabled children (birth to 2) and their families	28 May 2002	23 September 2002	118
Developing Early Intervention/Support Services for Deaf Children and their Families	28 May 2002	23 September 2002	118
Department for Education and Skills—Race Equality Scheme: Draft Consultation May 2002	31 May 2002	30 August 2002	91
Supporting the cost of home-based childcare	7 June 2002	30 August 2002	84
Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications	1 July 2002	30 September 2002	91

Treasury

Regeneration Funding

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money was allocated to reviving (a) coalfield communities, (b) steel communities, (c) rural communities, (d) inner-city areas and (e) seaside towns in each of the last 10 years. [68937]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: A large number of different funding sources support the revival of vulnerable communities and it is not possible to provide the information in the form requested. However, our strong record on support for these types of communities includes:

coalfield regeneration by English Partnerships of £385 million over 10 years to 2006–07;

Coalfield Regeneration Trust of £90 million over seven years to 2004–05;

£60 million since 2000–01 on rural programmes by the Countryside Agency;

some £120 million of support from the Regional Development Agencies for rural development and communities;

New Deal for Communities partnerships will receive £2 billion over 10 years;

Neighbourhood Renewal Fund is £900 million over three years; and

Single Regeneration Budget partnerships that cover coastal areas have been allocated some £440 million since 1995.

Regeneration programmes in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in devolved areas are a matter for their devolved Administrations.

Equity Shares

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the real rate of return on equity shares quoted on the London stock exchange has been since 1 May 1997. [70075]

Between 1 May 1997 and 30 June 2002, the total real return for the FTSE Index was 6.2 per cent. The total real return from the All-Share Index over the same period was 7.7 per cent.

Ministerial Salaries

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the annual cost was of ministerial salaries in his Department in (a) 1997–98 and (b) 2001–02. [60948]

The level of ministerial salaries are recommended by the Senior Salaries Review Body. All details are already published.From May 1997, in this Department there was the First Lord of the Treasury on an annual salary of £58,557; two Cabinet Ministers at an annual salary of £43,991; two Ministers of State, one at an annual salary of £31,125 and one unpaid; one Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, at an annual salary of £23,623. In addition, there was also a Chief Whip for the House of Commons at an annual salary of £36,613, a Deputy Chief Whip at an annual salary of £31,125 and 14 Government and Assistant Government Whips at an annual salary of £20,029. There was also Chief Whip for the House of Lords at an annual salary of £51,838, a Deputy Chief Whip at an annual salary of £43,632 and a further five Lords in Waiting at an annual salary of £39,462.

From June 2001, in this Department there was the First Lord of the Treasury on an annual salary of £113,596; two Cabinet Ministers at an annual salary of £68,157; two Ministers of State, at an annual salary of £35,356; one Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, at an annual salary of £26,835. In addition, there was also a Chief Whip for the House of Commons at an annual salary of £68,157, a Deputy Chief Whip at an annual salary of £35,356 and 14 Government and Assistant Government Whips at an annual salary of £22,753. There was also a Chief Whip for the House of Lords at an annual salary of £68,283, a Deputy Chief Whip at an annual salary of £59,961 and a further five Lords in Waiting at an annual salary of £54,224.

Inflation

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what investigation National Statistics is making into evidence of appreciable differences in inflation rates between regions; and if he will make a statement. [69245]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 15 July 2002:

The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question on what investigation National Statistics is making of evidence of appreciable differences in inflation rates between regions. I am replying in his absence. (69245)

There is currently no official research being conducted into the differences in inflation rates between regions. The data required to make such calculations to an appropriate degree of accuracy are not currently available to National Statistics from either the national Retail Price Index (RPI) or other official sources.

Exchange Rates

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the effect on the UK economy of long-term exchange rate stability. [69372]

It is difficult to separate the effect of exchange rate movements on the economy from the effects of other factors. The most recent assessment of the UK economy was published in Budget 2002, and the next assessment will be published in PBR 2002.

Consumer Complaints

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what actions are available to consumers when the FSA and PIA Ombudsman bureau do not take action on their individual grievance. [69315]

Firms that have been authorised by the FSA are required to have their own internal complaints arrangements for their customers. Where a firm is unable to resolve a complaint itself, the customer can pursue the complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service, which replaced the PIA Ombudsman Bureau on 1 December 2001. An ombudsman's decision is binding on the firm if the customer accepts it. If the FOS is not able to resolve the complaint to the customer's satisfaction, this does not affect the customer's legal rights to go to court.

Software

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in his Department. [69320]

It is planned to publish the Government's policy for open source software in summer 2002. The draft policy was made available for consultation from December 2001 until 12 March 2002.The Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and the Treasury use of open source software will follow the Government policy when it is published. The policy references the European Commission's initiative "eEurope—An Information Society for all".At present there is minimal use of open source software in the Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and Treasury although the new technical architectures in IR and C7E are substantially compliant with the e-Government Interoperability Framework (e-GIF) which mandates open standards and specifications.The policy of all three Departments is to select the most appropriate software to support its business needs taking account of functionality, cost, reliability and ease of support. IT procurements will include open source software solutions alongside proprietary ones.The draft Government policy can be viewed at http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/rfc/rfc_document.asp?docnum=429

National Statistics Code Of Practice

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to (a) publish and (b) implement the final version of the National Statistics Code of Practice; and if he will make a statement. [69243]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 15 July 2002:

As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on when the National Statistics Code of Practice is expected to be published and implemented. (69243)

I published my first draft of the Code of Practice in December 2001 to mark the start of a three-month public consultation. I will submit my proposals for final publication within a month. These will reflect both the broad level of support received for the first draft, as well as more detailed suggestions for change.

Pisa 2000

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if pupils in a pupil referral unit (a) were eligible for selection for PISA 2000 from their original school and (b) permitted by their original school to sit the test. [69992]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 15 July 2002:

As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning if pupils in a pupil referral unit (a) were eligible for selection for PISA 2000 from their original school and (b) if selected, permitted by their original school to sit the test. (69992)

The rules for school and student level exclusions in PISA are published in Appendix A of the ONS report, published in May 2002: Student Achievement in England-Results in reading, mathematical and scientific literacy among 15-year-olds from the OECD PISA 2000 study and will be more fully treated in the OECD Technical Report on PISA.

The report is available free at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vInk=8169&More=N

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures were undertaken to ensure that the list of pupils provided by the schools selected for the PISA 2000 survey was the full list. [70010]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 15 July 2002:

As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning what measures were undertaken to ensure that the list of pupils provided by the schools selected for the PISA 2000 survey was the full list. (70010)

The sampling frame contained information on the numbers of students in a school who were within scope for PISA. Where the list provided differed significantly from the number expected this was investigated with individual schools. All sampling procedures were subject to approval by the international sampling referees.

The report on PISA is available free at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?v1nk=8169&MorN.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will break down the figure of 927 into refusals and absentees in the PISA 2000 survey. [70011]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 15 July 2002:

As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if the figure of 927 for refusals and absentees in the PISA 2000 survey could be broken down. (70011).

The information requested is currently unavailable. I will write to you in the near future.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will break down the figure of 233 pupils in the category labelled left/no longer attending school or exempt from PISA between (a) left/no longer attending and (b) exempt from PISA. [69993]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Nick Gibb, dated 15 July 2002:

As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking if the 233 figure of pupils in the category labelled left/no longer attending school or exempt from PISA between (a) left/no longer attending and (b) exempt from PISA could be broken down. (69993)

The information requested is currently unavailable. I will write to you in the near future.

Employment Statistics

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the number of jobs that have been

created over the past six years in (a) Leeds, (b) Yorkshire and the Humber and (c) London expressed as a percentage of the work force in each of those areas. [69949]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Cohn Challen, dated 15 July 2002:

As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the number of jobs created in Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber and London. (69949)

There are no figures for job gains or job losses but an indication can be obtained by comparing the annual surveys of employee jobs. The latest available figures are from the 2000 Annual Business Inquiry. The 2001 results are due to be published in December 2002. No annual survey was undertaken in 1994 so the 1995 Annual Employment Survey has been used. The percentages requested are as follows:

Number of jobs created in Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber and London
Area	Net percentage change between 1995 and 2000
Leeds	7.6
Yorkshire and the Humber	6.5
London	17.4

Sterling Coin Types

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's plans are for dealing with the sterling coin types that will be withdrawn in the next five years. [69783]

There are no current plans to withdraw any UK coins.

Investor Confidence

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to raise investor confidence in the stock market. [69751]

The Government are committed to securing macroeconomic and financial stability. This is the best long-term basis for promoting investor and business confidence.The Government have also reformed the regulation of the financial sector by establishing the Financial Services Authority (FSA) as the single, independent regulator, and introduced a new framework which brings together the FSA, the Bank of England, and the Treasury, to pursue financial stability.The Government have established a joint DTI-Treasury chaired group to co-ordinate the analysis of and response to the auditing and accounting issues raised by recent US corporate failures.

Basic Bank Accounts

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of his reply to the letter from the FSA Consumer Panel on their report into basic bank accounts. [70266]

Colin Brown, chairman of the Financial Services Consumer Panel, wrote to me on the subject of basic bank accounts and enclosed the panel's research on 23 April this year. I have placed a copy of my reply, dated 16 May, in the Commons Library.

Private Companies (Grants)

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which private companies received grants over £1 million from his Department in each of the last three years, indicating the (a) amount and (b) purpose. [70262]

HM Treasury has not made any grants to private companies in the last three years.

Devolved Administrations

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the funding rules for the devolved administrations applied in the 2002 Spending Review. [70607]

Copies of the updated Statement of Funding Policy, which sets out the funding arrangements for the devolved administrations, have today been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.

Life Instrument

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the EU Committee on the Financial Instrument for the Environment is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if he will make a statement. [68561]

I have been asked to reply.The Financial Instrument for the Environment, commonly known as the "LIFE Instrument", provides co-financing for actions both in nature conservation (LIFE-Nature) and in other fields of the environment (LIFE-Environment), as well as specific environmental actions outside the EU (LIFE Third Countries).Decisions on funding of projects submitted under the LIFE Nature component are made by the European Commission with the assistance of the Habitats Committee. The Habitats Committee is next due to meet at a date to be arranged in November 2002. UK representation ordinarily consists of an official from my Department together with a scientific adviser from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. However, wider representation on the Committee depends on the agenda items under discussion. Officials from the Scottish Executive attend as necessary in accordance with their interests and have attended all recent Habitats Committee meetings. The Scottish Executive is kept fully informed of developments and has the opportunity to make an assessment of all projects involving Scottish participation. Decisions on funding of projects submitted under the LIFE-Environment and LIFE Third Countries components are made by the European Commission with the assistance of the LIFE Committee. This Committee is next due to meet at a date to be arranged in early 2003. UK representation ordinarily consists of an official from my Department. However, officials from the Scottish

Executive have attended as necessary in accordance with their interests, most recently in February 2002. The Scottish Executive is kept fully informed of developments and has the opportunity to make an assessment of all projects involving Scottish participation.

Customs And Excise

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the custom houses in the south of England; on what date each opened; and how many staff are based in each; [67624](2) what plans he has to

(a) reorganise and (b) close custom houses in the south of England; and if he will make a statement; [67626]

(3) if he will list the custom houses in the south of England which have closed since 1997; when each (a) opened and (b) closed; and how many staff were based in each in that year. [67625]

[holding answer 8 July 2002]: Only a small proportion of existing Customs and Excise properties are known as Custom Houses. The name is usually an historical one and does not relate to the specific functions carried out in the buildings.Custom Houses in the South of England are located at Avonmouth, Falmouth, Gravesend, Heathrow, Isles of Scilly, London, Newhaven, Plymouth and Shoreham.I regret that information on the dates they opened, and on buildings that have been closed in the last five years, is not readily available.Customs and Excise keep their accommodation under constant review to ensure that it continues to meet their operational needs and is organised in the most cost-effective way. Of the Custom Houses listed above the only ones where plans for change are under active consideration are Falmouth, where the lease is due to expire, and the Isles of Scilly, following the proposed withdrawal of the Customs permanent presence there in September.We do not provide information on staffing levels at specific locations for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member of 10 June 2002,

Official Report, column 837W.

Conception Statistics

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) conceptions, (b) maternities and (c) abortions have been recorded for girls (i) over 16 and (ii) in each age cohort under 16. [69004]

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Len Cook to Andrew Turner, dated 15 July 2002:

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many (a) conceptions (b) maternities and (c) abortions have been recorded in each year since 1992 for girls (i) under 16 and (ii) in each age cohort under 16. (69004)

Figures based on conceptions occurring in 1992–2000 to girls aged under 16 are shown in the attached table.

Conceptions at ages under 16 by outcome, age cohort and year of occurrence 1992–2000 England and Wales

Year of conception

Age cohort-year of birth/Conceptions leading to:

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000¹

1976

Maternity

²1,663

²—

Abortion

²1,340

²—

All conceptions

²3,003

²—

1977

Maternity

1,604

²1,565

²—

Abortion

1,575

²1,352

²—

All conceptions

3,179

²2,917

²—

1978

Maternity

375

1,611

²1,627

²—

Abortion

509

1,636

²1,404

²—

All conceptions

884

3,247

²3,031

²—

1979

Maternity

402

1,758

21,808

²—

Abortion

561

1,814

²1,424

²—

All conceptions

141

963

3,572

²3,232

²—

1980

Maternity

³—

409

1,922

²2,072

²—

Abortion

³—

607

1,787

²1,713

²—

All conceptions

³—

126

1,016

3,709

23,785

²—

1981

Maternity

³—

435

1,916

²1,828

²—

Abortion

³—

525

1,923

²1,557

²—

All conceptions

³—

158

960

3,839

²3,385

²—

1982

Maternity

³—

432

1,885

²1,798

²—

Abortion

³—

615

1,891

²1,680

²—

All conceptions

²—

131

1,047

3,776

²3,478

²—

1983

Maternity

³—

376

1,749

²1,600

²—

Abortion

³—

558

2,031

²1,565

³—

All conceptions

³—

169

934

3,780

²3,165

³—

1984

Maternity

³—

402

1,680

1,655

Abortion

³—

613

1,953

1,714

All conceptions

³—

163

1,015

3,633

3.396

1985

Maternity

³—

404

1.604

Abortion

³—

586

1,989

All conceptions

³—

158

990

3,593

1986

Maternity

³—

394

Abortion

³—

567

All conceptions

³—

²—

127

961

1987

Maternity

³—

Abortions

³—

All conceptions

³—

²—

134

1988

Maternity

³—

Abortion

³—

All conceptions

³—

1989

Maternity

³—

Abortion

³—

All conceptions

³—

Conceptions at ages under 16 by outcome, age cohort and year of occurrence 1992–2000 England and Wales

Year of conception

Age cohort—year of birth/Conceptions leading to:

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000¹

1990

Maternity

³—

Abortion

³—

All conceptions

³—

1991

Maternity

³—

Abortion

³—

All conceptions

³—

All conceptions at ages under 16

Maternity

3,707

3,643

3,875

4,218

4,498

4,164

4,023

3,762

3,729

Abortion

3,510

3,624

3,920

3,833

4,359

4,107

4,429

4,183

4,382

All conceptions

7,217

7,267

7,795

8.051

8,857

8,271

8,452

7,945

8.111

¹ Figures for 2000 are provisional.

² Any conceptions at ages 16 or over are excluded from the figures presented.

³ Figure suppressed to prevent disclosure of counts of three or less.

Development Assistance

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will produce a timetable for raising UK official development assistance to the UN target of 0.7 per cent. of GNP. [68818]

The Government remain fully committed to the UN 0.7 per cent. oda/GNI target. The Chancellor announced in the Spending Review that UK official development assistance as a proportion of Gross National Income will rise to 0.40 per cent. in 2005–06, from a level of 0.33 per cent. in 2003–04 and 0.26 per cent. in 1997, taking the ratio to its highest level since 1981. As a result, the UK will exceed the average EU target for oda/GNI of 0.39 per cent. by 2005–06 and be more than double the current G7 country oda/GNI average of 0.18 per cent. and current OECD ratio of 0.22 per cent.The UK will continue to use international meetings, such as G7/8 meetings, and bilateral meetings to encourage other partners to follow our lead.

Global Poverty

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the steps he is taking to reduce global poverty. [68769]

In recent months, the UK Government have been at the forefront of efforts to mobilise the international community to tackle global poverty by promoting a global new deal between developed and developing countries—a new development compact building the foundations for a virtuous circle of debt relief, poverty reduction and sustainable development.This effort focused on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including halving the proportion of people living in extreme poverty, ensuring all children can attend school, and dramatically reducing child and maternal mortality rates.Pledges from the US and the EU made at Monterrey in March will, from 2006, raise an extra $12 billion each year for achieving the MDGs with—following the G8 summit in Kananaskis in June—possibly half or more of these funds going to Africa.

Furthermore, following the outcomes of the Spending Review 2002, announced by the Chancellor today, the UK has increased its aid commitments to developing countries from 0.33 per cent. of national income in 2002–03 to 0.4 per cent. by 2005–06. This is the largest ever rise in UK aid, and a 93 per cent. real terms increase since 1997, which makes clear the Government's commitment to the United Nations 0.7 per cent. target. The increase means the UK's aid to national income ratio will be more than double the current G7 country average, and far ahead of the current OECD average of 0.22 per cent. In addition, the Department for International Development has announced, for the first time, a £1 billion annual bilateral programme for Africa by 2005–06.

On debt relief an extra $6 billion is being provided so far this year—taking the total to $62 billion across 26 HIPCs. At the G8 summit, leaders agreed to fund the financial shortfall in the HIPC Initiative, pledging an extra $1 billion. In return for good governance, prudent new borrowing and sound debt management, the G8 will take action to secure the participation of all creditors, and ensure a robust exit from debt.

The UK Government have endorsed the World bank's education fast tracking initiative, launched in May 2002, which provides the first focused financing framework for achieving the Education for All goals. In addition, at the G8 summit in June, Heads of Government agreed to increase significantly bilateral assistance for countries that have demonstrated a strong and credible policy and financial commitment to these goals. In the coming months the UK will work to take forward this agreement and urge other donor Governments and the multilateral development banks to join our renewed effort to ensure that, by 2015, every child can go to school.

Just as the UK Government are committed to significantly increasing investments in education, so too we should accelerate support to build universal and equitable health care systems. The UK is encouraging the World bank, UN agencies and other donors to work together to ensure that developing countries with credible policy commitments have the resources necessary to strengthen health systems. In 2002 the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria was launched. To date more than $1.9 billion has been pledged to the fund, of

which the UK has committed $200 million over five years. And in addition to on-going commitments to combat these three killer diseases, the G8 Heads of Government have committed to provide sufficient resources to eradicate polio by 2005. The UK has also introduced a tax credit to encourage companies to increase research and development into vaccines and medicines for the prevention and treatment of malaria, TB and those strains of AIDS which predominantly affect people in developing countries.

In the months ahead and at the annual meetings of the IMF and World bank in October, the UK will press for further joint action in meeting the Millennium Development Goals.

Prime Minister

Departmental Waste

To ask the Prime Minister what proportion of waste produced in his Office was (a) recycled, (b) composted and (c) re-used, broken down into (i) paper, (ii) plastics, (iii) aluminium cans and (iv) other in each year since 1997; what plans there are to increase these proportions; and if he will make a statement. [65691]

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to her by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 11 July 2002, Official Report, columns 1100–01W.

Future Of Farming And Food

To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received about implementing the recommendations of the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food; and if he will make a statement. [69572]

I have received over 100 letters this year about farming, including ones on the recommendations of the Policy Commission report on the Future of Farming and Food. I have also hosted a seminar with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Sir Donald Curry, key industry and other players, to discuss how we can deliver the recommendations of the commission.The Government's discussion document, "Sustainable Food and Farming: Working Together", invited views on how to take forward the Policy Commission's recommendations. Responses will help inform the construction of the new strategy for food and farming, to be launched in the autumn.This strategy will announce details of the policy measures that we will put in place to deliver the vision identified in the Policy Commission's report. Today's spending review settlement demonstrates our commitment to this vision. It invests £500 million in sustainable farming, including a programme rising to £200 million in 2005–06 with which to address the report's key recommendations. And it allows for the rolling out of the proposed broad and shallow agri-environment scheme, financed through increased modulation and Exchequer matched funding in 2005–06.

Scotland

Performance Targets

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the performance targets that her Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies are required to meet, apart from those set out in the public service agreements for 1999–2002 and 2001–04; and if she will specify for each target (a) who sets it and (b) who monitors achievement against it. [60459]

My Department sponsors the Boundary Commission for Scotland. The Scotland Office has no public service agreements and no dditional performance targets have been set for the Commission.

Broadband

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment she has made of the benefits of access to broadband services for Scotland; and if she will make a statement; [61795](2) what targets she has set for the roll out of broadband services across Scotland; and if she will make a statement. [61796]

The Government believe that the roll out and adoption of broadband across the UK can make an important contribution to delivering social and economic benefits. In "UK Online: The Broadband Future", published in February 2001, the Government set a target for the UK to have most extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005. The Scottish Executive are taking forward the roll out of broadband in Scotland and have published "Connecting Scotland: Our Broadband Future", which aims to make broadband connections more affordable and available.

Basle Ii

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions she has had with the Treasury about the effect on the Scottish financial sector of the current terms of Basle II. [66091]

I have regular discussions with Treasury Ministers on a wide range of issues.The Treasury are closely following the on-going discussions on the Basle II Accord which has yet to be finalised and I am kept informed of developments. The Treasury are aware of the potential impact on the financial industry, including that of Scotland, when Basle II is transposed into an EU directive. The UK will negotiate to ensure that the directive is flexible, effective and proportionate.

Scottish Boundary Commission

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she intends to introduce orders into the House to implement the recommendations of the Scottish Boundary Commission in time for the next general election. [67114]

I am required by the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 to lay the Boundary Commission for Scotland's report before Parliament, together with the draft of an Order in Council giving it effect, with or without modifications, as soon as may be after the Commission

submits its report. The Boundary Commission is required to submit its report between December 2002 and December 2006. It is a matter for the Commission when, within that time scale, it does so.

Scottish Electoral Process

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will set up a joint commission between the UK Parliament and Government and the Scottish Executive and Parliament to discuss the Scottish electoral process. [67113]

There are no plans to set up a joint commission for this purpose.

Trade And Industry

Military Export Licences

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many standard individual and

SIELS and OIELS issued
	January 2001	February 2001	March 2001	April 2001	May 2001	June 2001	July 2001	August 2001	September 2001
SIELS
Bahrain	4	3	—	2	1	2	1	2	2
Ethiopia	—	—	—	2	—	3	1	2	1
Georgia	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—
India	68	67	60	45	61	71	49	47	71
Israel	—	46	26	25	—	—	—	—	—
Jordan	6	6	5	11	5	—	26	2	5
Kenya	3	1	3	3	3	2	5	4	1
Kyrgyzstan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—
Oman	4	5	7	10	8	11	8	6	4
Pakistan	2	6	16	5	16	18	7	9	15
Philippines	—	—	1	—	—	2	2	2	1
Tajikistan	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Turkey	27	14	14	7	19	10	6	12	16
Uzbekistan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Yemen	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—
OIELS
Bahrain	2	1	—	—	4	2	5	1	2
Ethiopia	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Georgia	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—	—
India	7	4	6	5	6	3	3	4	4
Israel	—	—	1	1	1	—	2	4	5
Jordan	—	1	2	1	2	—	2	3	1
Kenya	—	2	—	3	2	3	3	1	3
Kyrgyzstan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Oman	5	5	4	5	6	9	7	2	8
Pakistan	—	1	1	1	—	1	3	1	—
Philippines	2	—	1	5	2	1	2	2	2
Tajikistan	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Turkey	7	5	4	5	9	12	3	3	5
Uzbekistan	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	1
Yemen	—	—	—	—	1	—	—	—	—

All relevant export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case by case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at the time and taking account of other relevant factors.

Departmental Energy Use

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated (a) level and (b) cost of

open individual export licences have been granted to (a) Georgia, (b) Uzbekistan, (c) Kyrgyzstan, (d) Tajikistan, (e) Turkey, (f) the Philippines, (g) Kenya, (h) Ethiopia, (i) Djibouti, (j) Bahrain, (k) Oman, (l) Jordan, (m) Yemen, (n) India, (o) Pakistan and (p) Israel in each month from January 2001 to September 2001; and if she will make a statement. [65097]

[holding answer 8 July 2002]: The number of Standard Individual Export Licences (SIELs) and Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) issued where the end users are in Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, the Philippines, Kenya, Ethiopia, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Yemen, India, Pakistan and Israel in each month from January 2001 to September 2001, is set out in the table. During that same period no SIELs or OIELs were issued where the end user was in Djibouti.For information on SIELs issued to end users in Israel between May 2001 and October 2001 I refer the right hon. and learned Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Kelvin (Mr. Galloway) of 23 November 2001,

Official Report, columns 558–59W.

energy use in her Department and associated agencies was in each year since 1997; what proportion of energy was generated from renewable sources; and if she will make a statement. [65952]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 2 July 2002, Official Report, columns 245–46W, by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs.

Eu Committees

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Management Committee for the Control and Production of Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [68556]

I have been asked to reply.The next meeting of the Management Committee established under Article 18 of EC Regulation 2037–2000 on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is scheduled for 18 and 19 September 2002. Places per EU member state at this committee are limited so the UK delegates to the meeting represent the interests of the Scottish Executive. As with other committees of this type, the Department consults the Scottish Executive and the other devolved Administrations on the UK line.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the Implementation of the Directive on the Incineration of Hazardous Waste is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [68560]

I have been asked to reply.There have been no meetings of such a committee. None is now likely, since that directive (94/67/EC) has been superseded by Directive 2000/76/EC on the incineration of waste and is to be repealed from 28 December 2005.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the application of the regulation authorising voluntary participation by undertakings in the industrial sector in a Community eco-management and audit scheme is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [68562]

I have been asked to reply.The next meeting is scheduled for October 23 and October 24 this year. The European Commission has not yet circulated a final agenda.As all foreign policy issues are non devolved, relations with the European Union are the responsibility of the Parliament and Government of the United Kingdom, as member state.The UK is represented at the committee by DEFRA and accompanied by a representative from the designated Competent Body for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Representatives from the Scottish Executive have not attended. Other Departments and devolved Administrations are consulted prior to meetings of the committee on matters that are of direct interest to them. The Competent Body liaises with each of the devolved Administrations on routine matters concerning the operation of the scheme within the UK.We actively support EMAS, whose aims are to encourage organisations to commit to legal compliance and continuous improvement in their environmental

performance and to publish an environmental statement. The scheme was set up in 1993 by EU Regulation 1836–93 and became fully operational in April 1995. The regulation was revised in 2001 by Regulation 761–2001 which among other things widened participation from industrial sites to all forms of organisation. To register for EMAS an organisation must have its environmental management system verified and its environmental statement validated by an independent and accredited "verifier". The Competent Body for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland maintains a public register of participants together with information about the scheme at www.emas.org.uk. Similar information at the EU level is also held on the European Commission's website at http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/emas/.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the Implementation of the Directive on Concerning Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [68559]

I have been asked to reply.There is no committee of that precise title. However, the European Commission has convened since 1998 five annual meetings of an 'Expert Group' on integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) in relation to the 1996 directive concerning that subject. The most recent meeting was in February this year and the next is expected, although not yet scheduled, in the early part of 2003. Members of the Scottish Executive have not so far attended, although they would be welcome to join officials of the Department in doing so.

Directives (Trade Barriers)

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the adaptation to technical progress of directives on the removal of technical barriers to trade in the sector of motor vehicles and their trailers is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [66420]

I have been asked to reply.No date has yet been fixed for the next meeting of this committee but we expect it to be held in the autumn. Officials from my Department represent the UK on the committee as policy responsibility for motor vehicle and trailer technical standards is a reserved matter.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the EU Committee for the Adaptation to Technical Progress of Directives on the Removal of Technical Barriers to Trade in the Sector of Agricultural and Forestry Tractors is next due to meet; whether representatives of the Scottish Executive (a) have been and (b) are members of it; and if she will make a statement. [66419]

I have been asked to reply.

No date has yet been fixed for the next meeting of this committee. Officials from my Department represent the UK on this committee as policy responsibility for agricultural and forestry tractor technical standards is a reserved matter.

Health And Safety

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action she is taking to improve corporate attitudes to health and safety. [69173]

I have been asked to reply.The Government and the Health and Safety Commission will continue to pursue measures, launched in 2001 to implement key aspects of the Revitalising Health and Safety strategy, aimed at promoting greater corporate responsibility for health and safety. These include voluntary measures to improve the reporting of the management of health and safety by top companies from the current level of 50 per cent. and increase board and directors' responsibility for, and involvement in, managing the risks to occupational health and safety.

Lord Chancellor's Department

Magistrates Courts

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of magistrates court cases were adjourned in each year since 1992 (a) in total, (b) through non-attendance of witnesses and (c) through non-attendance of defendants. [68221]

This information is not available. Data on adjourned cases in magistrates courts were not collected on a national basis (England and Wales) until April of this year. The first quarterly figures will he available later this year. Figures from the pilot scheme which ran for three months in nine magistrates courts committee areas (April to June 2001) show that out of a total of 6,213 trials, 1,176 were logged as adjourned trials. 338 (29 per cent.) of these adjourned trials were caused when the witnesses (prosecution and defence) failed to attend and 260 (22 per cent.) were adjourned due to the non-attendance of the defendants.

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the estimated cost was of cases adjourned in magistrates courts in each year since 1992. [68222]

This information is not available. Data on adjourned cases in magistrates courts did not start to be collected on a national basis (England and Wales) until April of this year. This new collection exercise started as a result of the National Audit Office report in December 1999 which identified that over £41 million a year was wasted on cracked and ineffective hearings. Pilot work was then undertaken and a scheme developed with the Crown Prosecution Service and other criminal justice agencies before the full national data collection scheme started in April 2002. The first quarterly figures are due to be available later this year.

Fines

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of fine-defaulters on income support and income-related jobseeker's allowance were subject to three or more attachment of benefit orders for any period since 1990 for which figures are available. [65124]

This information is currently not collected centrally but we are examining whether it would be possible by research or sampling to estimate the data requested, as well as new ways to collect information on defendant means.

Union Jack

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Government will introduce legislation to ensure that it is always lawful to display the Union Jack. [68049]

The Government see no need to introduce such legislation. There are no restrictions under the general law on the display of the Union Flag on land in England and Wales other than those imposed by the provisions of the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 and the Trade Marks Act 1994, which relate to the reproduction of flags in trade marks. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport issues guidance, in consultation with the Lord Chamberlain's Office, as to the days The Queen has approved for flags to be flown from Government buildings.British ships are entitled to fly the Red Ensign, which includes a Union Flag in the corner. This is internationally recognised at sea as the flag of a British ship.

Judge Hutton

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to the answer of 8 January 2002, Official Report, column 610W, when she will make her final decision about the conduct of Judge Hutton; and if she will make a statement. [69131]

The Lord Chancellor has now received his officials' report about the conduct of Judge Hutton, who was alleged to have fallen asleep in court last December. He is considering the contents and expects to make a public statement about his final decision shortly.

Public Inquiries

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what her policy is on using 0870 telephone numbers for inquiries by the public to the Department and its agencies. [66203]

None of the telephone lines made available by the Lord Chancellor's Department for public inquiry currently use 0870 telephone numbers.

Contact Orders

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what evidence she has received from (a) Women's Aid, (b) the NSPCC and (c) other children's organisations regarding unsupervised contact; and will she make a statement. [68214]

I have received information from the Women's Aid Federation of England, the NSPCC, Barnardos and NCH on unsupervised contact. Specifically I have received information in which it is alleged that 15 children have been killed during unsupervised contact. I have undertaken to investigate these cases in partnership with the Home Office and Department of Health.

E-Voting

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people voted by (a) text-mail in the Sheffield area and (b) e-mail, telephone and mobile in St. Albans; and what plans there are to extend e-voting to other parts of the UK. [68118]

I have been asked to reply.In the three wards in Sheffield where the electoral pilot scheme was conducted in the May 2002 local election, 1,327 people voted by SMS text message. In addition, 2,833 people used the internet to vote, 61 people used electronic kiosks, 912 people used postal votes and 7,978 voted in conventional polling stations.In the two wards in St. Albans where the electoral pilot scheme took place, 825 people voted using the internet and 744 voted by telephone (landline or mobile). In addition, 377 used postal votes and 1,095 people voted at electronic kiosks in polling stations or a local supermarket.We intend in September to issue a prospectus inviting local authorities to participate in further pilot schemes in the May 2003 elections. Our prospectus will take account of the Electoral Commission's formal evaluation of each of the May 2002 electoral pilot schemes, which will be presented to the Deputy Prime Minister shortly.

President Of The Council

Members' Pensions

To ask the President of the Council, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane) on 7 May 2002, Official Report, column 74W, on Members' pensions, when the statutory instrument to give effect to the recommendations of the SSRB will be tabled. [70293]

In July of last year the House voted to increase the accrual rate of the parliamentary pension from one-fiftieth to one-fortieth. The Government did not accept the proposal in the resolution that all the cost should fall on the Exchequer. I therefore announced on 7 May that I had referred the cost of this improvement to the SSRB.

The SSRB has now reported. In brief, they recommend that the cost of the faster accrual rate, which is estimated at 5.1 per cent. of pay, should in the short-term be split with Members contributing 3 per cent. and the Exchequer contributing 2.1 per cent. The SSRB further recommends that this additional Exchequer contribution should be taken into account in subsequent reviews of MPs pay so that eventually the full cost of the accrual rate is borne by MPs.

The Government accept these recommendations of the SSRB. I am therefore today laying an Order giving effect to the new accrual rate and also to other recommendations of the SSRB which the House approved last July

There are two remaining issues, whether survivor pensions should be extended to unmarried adult dependants and whether survivor pensions should continue if a spouse remarries. It is the Government's policy that neither the cost of extending pensions to surviving adult dependants, nor that of the SSRB recommendation to pay pensions to surviving spouses for life, should fall on the taxpayer. Following the vote last year, the trustees of the pension scheme were asked to consider how these proposals could best be implemented at no cost to the Exchequer. The trustees only reported on 5 July. There has not therefore been sufficient notice for the Government to reach a view on these proposals and whether they do protect the taxpayer against any additional cost. I expect to bring forward proposals to the House in the autumn. Changes will be backdated to today's date.

The new contribution rate for Members will be 9 per cent. of pay. The statutory instrument provides that contracting into the new accrual rate will be optional for existing members of the scheme.

I hope this sensible compromise will be welcome. I believe it fairly recognises the decline in the average length of service of MPs, which has had the effect that only a handful of Members now achieve the maximum pension entitlement.

Cabinet Office

Software

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what his policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in his Department. [69318]

It is planned to publish the policy on the use of open source software within the UK Government in summer 2002. The Cabinet Office will implement this policy. A draft version of the policy went out to consultation between December 2001 and March 2002 and is available for viewing on Govtalk (www.govtalk.gov.uk). There are no statistics currently available on the percentage of open source software use in the Cabinet Office.

Home Department

Sentencing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to strengthen the guidelines for judges for sentencing criminals. [57414]

[holding answer 11 June 2002]: Sentencing is a matter for the judiciary. A review of the Sentencing Framework was established by the Home Secretary on 16 May 2000 and published its proposals on 5 July 2001. The review was asked to consider what principles should guide sentencing decisions and what type of disposal should be made available to the courts so as more effectively to reduce re-offending. Public consultation ended formally on 31 October 2001.One of the recommendations of the review is for the creation of new, codified guidelines for the use of discretion in all criminal courts, and the establishment of a new body to draft the guidelines and be responsible for monitoring their application.The Government are considering the options for taking this recommendation forward and will set out final proposals in a White Paper due for publication shortly.

Number of violent crimes¹ recorded by police force area by quarter, from January 2000 to March 2001; with 2000–01 total
Police force area	January 2000 to March 2000	April 2000 to June 2000	July 2000 to September 2000	October 2000 to December 2000	January 2001 to March 2001	April 2000 to² March 2001
Avon and Somerset	4,973	4,576	4,583	5,246	4,666	19,071
Bedfordshire	1,477	1,583	1,548	1,540	1,675	6,346
Cambridgeshire	1,661	1,926	1,869	1,730	1,894	7,419
Cheshire	1,592	1,584	1,646	1,538	1,722	6,490
Cleveland	1,151	1,087	1,013	1,023	1,107	4,230
Cumbria	1,227	1,243	1,012	1,111	1,048	4,414
Derbyshire	2,690	2,936	2,627	2,572	2,401	10,536
Devon and Cornwall	3,350	3,352	3,677	3,233	3,093	13,355
Dorset	1,096	1,191	1,294	1,086	1,024	4,595
Durham	1,343	1,473	1,486	1,325	1,365	5,649
Essex³	1,853	3,303	3,152	2,918	2,859	12,232
Gloucestershire	1,239	1,418	1,440	1,463	1,388	5,709
Greater Manchester	12,278	13,650	12,964	12,511	12,799	51,924
Hampshire	4,452	4,692	4,859	5,102	4,627	19,280
Hertfordshire³	1,121	1,394	1,388	1,301	1,307	5,390
Humberside	2,430	2,567	2,812	2,829	2,582	10,790
Kent	3,473	4,172	4,028	3,765	3,131	15,096
Lancashire	2,734	2,877	3,236	3,845	3,912	13,870
Leicestershire	3,086	3,115	3,215	2,937	3,135	12,402
Lincolnshire	962	1,040	1,090	1,075	1,010	4,215
London, City of	138	150	159	162	134	605
Merseyside	4,515	4,794	4,920	4,966	4,562	19,242
Metropolitan police³	50,408	52,544	51,708	49,905	50,870	205,027
Norfolk	1,583	1,632	1,718	1,617	1,504	6,471
Northamptonshire	1,469	1,479	1,498	1,501	1,573	6,051
Northumbria	4,194	3,933	3,777	3,617	3,907	15,234
North Yorkshire	1,337	1,425	1,356	1,289	1,303	5,373
Nottinghamshire	4,491	4,622	4,297	4,362	4,560	17,841
South Yorkshire	2,338	2,360	2,514	2,646	2,557	10,077
Staffordshire	4,408	4,448	4,604	4,648	4,893	18,593
Suffolk	1,402	1,839	1,880	1,493	1,781	6,993
Surrey³	1,458	2,268	2,333	2,156	2,257	9,014
Sussex	4,550	5,112	5,461	4,391	4,541	19,505
Thames Valley	2,090	4,427	4,450	4,480	4,598	17,955
Warwickshire	646	696	687	770	965	3,118
West Mercia	2,268	2,216	2,053	1,904	2,592	8,765
West Midlands	13,673	15,303	15,669	15,513	15,812	62,297
West Yorkshire	5,426	5,582	5,611	5,571	5,572	22,336
Wiltshire	1,120	1,245	1,311	1,287	1,199	5,042
Dyfed-Powys	1,371	1,444	1,578	1,342	1,387	5,751

Violent Crimes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many violent crimes were committed in each police authority area in each (a) month and (b) year since 2000; and if he will make a statement. [66614]

[holding answer 2 July 2002]: The available figures for recorded crime relate to quarter years from the beginning of 2000 to the end of March 2001, and are given in the table.It should be noted that recorded violent crime is subject to changes in reporting and recording. For example, the 2001 British Crime Survey found that, over England and Wales as a whole, reporting to the police of common assault rose from 29 per cent. in 1999 to 39 per cent. in the year 2000. Also, the British Crime Survey has shown that, in England and Wales as a whole, the number of common assaults recorded in the survey decreased by 14 per cent. between the 1999 and 2000 calendar years, whereas common assaults recorded by the police increased by an estimated 9 per cent.From April 2002 the Home Office has started collecting recorded crime data from the police on a monthly basis. These data will be made available in due course, although the format and frequency of publication has yet to be decided.

Number of violent crimes¹ recorded by police force area by quarter, from January 2000 to March 2001; with 2000–01 total
Police force area	January 2000 to March 2000	April 2000 to June 2000	July 2000 to September 2000	October 2000 to December 2000	January 2001 to March 2001	April 2000 to² March 2001
Gwent	3,545	3,954	3,891	3,855	3,182	14,882
North Wales	1,545	1,610	1,485	1,384	1,448	5,927
South Wales	3,441	3,378	3,643	3,544	3,697	14,262
England and Wales total	172,604	185,640	185,542	180,553	181,639	733,374

¹ Violent crimes comprise offences of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery.

² Financial year total.

³ Some Metropolitan police areas were transferred to Surrey, Essex or Hertfordshire on 1 April 2000.

Drugs

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people were (a) found guilty, (b) cautioned and (c) imprisoned for drugs offences in respect of (i) cannabis, (ii) amphetamines, (iii) LSD, (iv) cocaine, (v) ecstasy, (vi) heroin and (vii) crack in each year since 1981; [66667](2) how many drugs seizures there were by the police and Her Majesty's Customs of

(a) cannabis, (b) amphetamines, (c) LSD, (d) cocaine, (e) ecstasy, (f) heroin and (g) crack in each year since 1981; [66661]

(3) what quantities of (a) cannabis, (b) amphetamines, (c) LSD, (d) cocaine, (e) ecstasy, (f) heroin and (g) crack were seized by the police and by Her Majesty's Customs in each year since 1981. [66666]

The information requested on the number of drug seizures and the quantities seized by the police and Her Majesty's Customs is given in the Supplementary Tables volume of the annual Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, United Kingdom". Information on people cautioned or found guilty (including custodial sentences) of drug offences is contained in the main publication volume. Copies of these volumes, together with the Area Tables volume, are available in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the United Kingdom aged (a) 34 years and younger and (b) 35 years and older are estimated to have taken (i) cannabis, (ii) amphetamines, (iii) LSD, (iv) cocaine, (v) ecstasy, (vi) heroin and (vii) crack. [66665]

The most up-to-date estimates currently available are from the 2000 British Crime Survey. Data are only available for England and Wales.

Table 1: Estimates of the number of 16 to 34-year-olds having ever used various drugs in their lifetime, in England and Wales in 2000
	Best estimate	Lower estimate	Higher estimate
Cannabis	5,526.000	5,305,000	5,746,000
Amphetamines	2,624,000	2,807,000	2,451,000
LSD	1,345,000	1,216,000	1,486,000
Cocaine	1,217,000	1,094,000	1,352,000
Ecstasy	1,427,000	1,294,000	1,571,000
Heroin	206,000	157,000	269,000
Crack	247,000	193,000	315,000

Table 2: Estimates of the number of 35 to 59-year-olds having ever used various drugs in their lifetime, in England and Wales in 2000
	Best estimate	Lower estimate	Higher estimate
Cannabis	3,208,000	3,035,000	3,390,000
Amphetamines	1,047,000	943,000	1,161,000
LSD	489,000	419,000	570,000
Cocaine	385,000	323,000	458,000
Ecstasy	154,000	116,000	203,000
Heroin	93,000	65,000	132,000
Crack	71,000	47,000	107,000

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department succeeded in reducing access to drugs for those aged between 5 and 16 years between 1998 and 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [66290]

[holding answer 4 July 2002]: Results from the 2001 Survey of Drug use, Smoking, and Drinking among school children aged 11 to 15 years in England (published in a Statistical Press Notice by Department of Health on 15 March 2002) show that 42 per cent. have ever been offered at least one or more drugs.A revised method of measuring the prevalence of drug use was introduced in 2001 and the questions used in 2001 provide new estimates of drug use and are not strictly comparable with results from previous years. The results from previous surveys are 34 per cent. in 1998, 35 per cent. in 1999, and 35 per cent. in 2000.Information regarding younger children is not available centrally.

Overstayers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 9 November 2001, Official Report, column 498W, to the hon. Member for Hornchurch (John Cryer), how many applications have been made under the regularisation scheme for overstayers; how many applicants have had their cases decided; how many cases are (a) under consideration and (b) awaiting action; and how many applicants have had their cases refused. [65239]

[holding answer 9 July 2002]: A total of 17,120 applications were received for consideration under the Regularisation Scheme for Overstayers. During the last financial year (2001–02) a sift of the cases yielded a total of 1,288 easily identifiable grants under existing policy concessions. During the current financial year significantly more caseworking staff and resources are being devoted to the more detailed

consideration of the remaining cases. To date 341 further grants have been identified together with 111 refusals. This leaves 15,380 cases to be decided. Of these 10,895 cases are currently awaiting consideration in Integrated Casework Directorate (North). Work is also under way to validate the status of the remaining 4,485 cases, which are currently being dealt with in other areas of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND). Of all the applications received, 1,629 applications have been granted.

The intention is to complete consideration of all outstanding cases by April 2003.

Yarl's Wood Fire

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who took the decision not to install sprinklers at Yarl's Wood; and on what advice that decision was based. [168634]

[holding answer 9 July 2002]: The Minister responsible at the time made the decision based upon advice from a number of different expert sources.

Crime And Disorder Partnerships

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 102W, on crime and disorder partnerships, what sanctions he can impose if the police do not discuss with their local partners significant changes in policing practice which might affect how the partnership delivers its crime and disorder reduction strategy. [67778]

Each police force is required under section 96 of the Police Act 1996 to obtain the views of the community on policing in that force area and their co-operation in crime prevention. The police authority for that area is responsible for making arrangements for this in consultation with the chief officer. If it appears to the Secretary of State that these arrangements are inadequate, he may ask for a report. Having considered that report, he can require the arrangements to be reviewed and a further report submitted.The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 further places a statutory requirement on the police and the local authority jointly to develop and implement a strategy for tackling crime and disorder. There are no specific sanctions under the 1998 Act but this does not preclude Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary from examining and, if necessary, criticising the police if they fail to work effectively with other agencies.The Local Government Act 1998 places a duty on police authorities, as best value authorities, to ensure continuous improvement by undertaking reviews of all the service's functions. All best value reviews must follow a process of challenge, compare, compete and consult. Any best value review which focuses on performance in service delivery to the public will therefore include consulting the users of the service. Police authorities publish information about best value reviews completed in the previous year and projected for the coming year in their annual Performance Plans.

Asylum Seekers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children seeking asylum have arrived in the United Kingdom in the last five years. [67609]

I regret that reliable information on the entry routes of asylum seekers, including when asylum seekers first enter the United Kingdom, is not available. Information on the numbers of unaccompanied children who applied at port and in-country during the last five years available, is given in the table.

Unaccompanied^1,2,3 children aged 17 or under applying for asylum in the United Kingdom, 1996 to 2000
Year of application	Applied at port	Applied in-country	Total
1996	477	154	631
1997	671	431	1,102
1998	1,083	1,954	3,037
1999	1,498	1,851	3,349
2000⁴	1,394	1,339	2,733

¹ Unaccompanied at the point of their arrival and not known to be joining.

² May exclude some cases lodged at local enforcement centres.

³ Figures exclude disputed age cases.

⁴ Provisional figures.

Corresponding data for 2001 will be published in the annual statistics bulletin 'Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 2001' on 31 July, available from the Library or via the RDS website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Reliable information on the number of children who have entered the United Kingdom as asylum seekers, accompanied by an adult, could only be obtained by examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons applied for political asylum in 2001; how many of those applicants came to the UK from France; and how many of the asylum seekers who came to the UK via France in 2001 had first applied for asylum in France. [69273]

Provisional figures show that in 2001, 71,700 principal applicants applied for asylum in the United Kingdom. Including dependants, the number of applicants was estimated to be 88,300.I regret that reliable information on the entry routes of asylum seekers from their country of origin to the United Kingdom, or on whether applicants have previously applied for asylum outside the United Kingdom, is not available. In 2001 over a third (36 per cent.) of applications were made at United Kingdom ports, while most applications (64 per cent.) were made in country.Information on asylum applications is published quarterly. The next publication will be available from 30 August 2002 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are living in the Greater London area. [68440]

The information is not available in the form requested. We currently only have statistics on the number of asylum seekers supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).As at the end of March 2002 the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) supported in NASS accommodation in London was 1,870, and the number of asylum seekers (including dependants) receiving subsistence only support in. London was 21,370

¹ .

Statistics on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS in each region are available on the Home Office's Immigration and Asylum Statistics website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Figures exclude cases where the asylum seeker's support has been ceased.

Asylum seekers are only allocated accommodation in London in exceptional circumstances i.e. medical reasons.

¹ Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what European countries his Department are in discussions with to ensure there is co-operation in relation to asylum procedures being followed by the United Kingdom. [68442]

We are in discussion with all European Union states on a broad range of measures designed to establish minimum standards for asylum procedures and policies across the European Union. The European Council in Seville set a timetable for their completion by the end of 2003. This includes negotiations on a revised proposal concerning asylum procedures within the European Union.The United Kingdom will continue to play a leading role in the process through active participation in negotiations with other member states. We have done so already with regard to adopted measures, such as the directive establishing minimum standards for temporary protection or where a general approach has been agreed, as is presently the case for the reception conditions directive.In addition, we co-operate with other member states in procedural terms in order to implement the Dublin Convention to determine the state responsible for examining an application for asylum. Although unable to accede to the Dublin Convention such co-operation has also extended to Norway and Iceland since 1 April 2001, as a result of a separate agreement between those countries and the European Union member states to apply the Dublin Convention criteria.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the proportion of asylum claimants who lose contact with his Department; what research this estimate is based upon; and if he will make a statement. [68075]

I regret that the information requested is not available and no such estimate has been made. Asylum applicants do not always inform the Immigration Service prior to leaving the United Kingdom. We are making improvements in the area of contact management as detailed in the current Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill.

This states that those in the proposed accommodation centres may be required to report on a daily basis within the accommodation centre. We will seek to maintain contact with those asylum seekers who are dispersed. Those who do not require National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation will also be required to report at the NASS address, at reporting centres or at police stations attended by staff from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. During the induction process asylum seekers will be advised of their obligations to notify any change of address and to report as required. Provision of support will be made conditional on asylum seekers reporting as required.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the research paper published by South Bank university in June on "Maintaining Contact: What Happens after Detained Asylum Seekers get Bail". [68206]

We welcome the contribution the research conducted by South Bank university makes to the on-going debate about the use of immigration detention powers. We are aware of its conclusions and currently studying the whole report.We are making improvements in the area of contact management as detailed in the current Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill. This states that those in the proposed accommodation centres may be required to report on a daily basis within the accommodation centre. We will seek to maintain contact with those asylum seekers who are dispersed. Those who do not require National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation will also be required to report at the NASS address, at reporting centres or at police stations attended by staff from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. During the induction process asylum seekers will be advised of their obligations to notify any change of address and to report as required. Provision of support will be made conditional on asylum seekers reporting as required.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of asylum seekers detained and subsequently released on bail lost contact with his Department's authorities in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [68077]

I regret that the information requested is not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 22 November, Official Report, column 444W, on asylum seekers, when the study was commissioned; and if he will publish its conclusions. [68800]

A study to review methods used in different countries to attempt to estimate the size of their illegally resident populations was commissioned by the Home Office in January of this year. This work will assess the applicability of those methods to the United Kingdom context. The study is still on-going and will be published later this year.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated cost to public funds is of the failure to achieve the target to increase to

85 per cent. the percentage of appealed asylum decisions applied by the Immigration Appellate Authority at Adjudicator level. [68796]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Witnesses

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research since 1992 has been conducted into interviews with (a) witnesses and (b) vulnerable witnesses; who conducted the research; and when it was published. [67654]

In 1995 the Home Office published a report entitled "Videotaping Children's Evidence: An Evaluation" by Graham Davies, Clare Wilson, Rebecca Mitchell and John Milsom.It published a further report in 2001 entitled "National Evaluation of the PEACE Investigative Interviewing Course" by Colin Clarke and Rebecca Milne. This covers the interviewing of suspects as well as witnesses and victims of crime. It includes a literature review.

Police net pensions costs in England 1999–2000 to 2001–02
	1999–2000 Net pensions		2000–01 Net pensions		2001–02 Net pensions
Police	Costs£000	As a proportion of net expenditure Percentage	Costs£000	As a proportion of net expenditure Percentage	Costs£000	As a proportion of net expenditure Percentage
Avon and Somerset	25,869	14.84	29,290	16.16	31,585	16.65
Bedfordshire	7,595	11.94	8,292	12.48	9,078	12.84
Cambridgeshire	9,255	12.33	10,285	12.98	10.674	12.69
Cheshire	12,539	11.07	12,895	11.25	16,599	13.63
City of London	8,211	14.19	9,052	15.36	9,578	16.05
Cleveland	12,339	14.47	12,993	15.18	13,478	14.85
Cumbria	9,577	14.78	10,361	15.37	10,765	15.25
Derbyshire	11,969	11.34	14,862	13.41	14,473	12.37
Devon and Cornwall	25,008	14.29	25,535	13.96	28,313	14.81
Dorset	11,183	14.53	11,343	14.00	12,728	15.05
Durham	10,070	12.64	10,327	12.04	10,991	12.54
Essex	20,162	12.00	20,853	11.30	25,211	12.94
Gloucestershire	8,808	13.40	9,755	14.20	10,301	14.26
Greater Manchester	59,681	15.92	60,833	15.21	66,792	16.25
Hampshire	22,675	11.48	21,960	10.84	24,537	11.35
Hertfordshire	11,721	11.22	11,854	9.80	12,308	9.51
Humberside	15,189	13.33	16,963	14.15	18,572	14.49
Kent	21,132	11.35	24,134	12.50	26,759	12.94
Lancashire	23,004	12.64	25,753	13.54	28,568	14.35
Leicestershire	12,376	11.54	13,342	12.11	14,706	12.63
Lincolnshire	10,634	15.33	11,821	16.25	12,820	16.86
Merseyside	38,079	15.33	40,246	15.65	43,542	16.43
Metropolitan	215,071	11.70	243,511	13.25	254,767	12.87
Norfolk	10,141	11.63	11,570	12.64	12,354	12.55
North Yorkshire	12,901	16.50	13,657	16.31	14,757	17.19
Northamptonshire	7,425	10.74	8,706	11.91	8,484	10.83
Northumbria	29,508	13.87	31,170	14.27	32,794	14.41
Nottinghamshire	17,847	13.79	18,346	13.66	21,457	15.30
South Yorkshire	18,791	10.68	19,165	10.59	22,805	12.18
Staffordshire	19,796	15.59	18,843	14.84	22,866	17.03
Suffolk	10,479	14.86	10,029	13.54	11,130	14.34
Surrey	10,331	10.32	11,191	9.32	11,605	9.48
Sussex	24,538	14.82	27,578	15.99	29,312	15.94
Thames Valley	20,961	9.23	23,169	9.78	24,971	9.90
Warwickshire	7,983	14.47	9,000	15.25	10,300	16.51

The Home Office commissioned BMRB, an independent research company. to produce the "Witness Satisfaction Survey 2000" arid the "Vulnerable Witness Survey". Both were published in 2001.

Air Weapons

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of armed response team call outs were to (a) air weapons and (b) replica weapons incidents in the last 12 months. [67832]

I am advised by the Association of Chief Police Officers that this information could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

Pensions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each police authority in England. the amount spent on pensions in (a) each of the last three years and (b) the current year, and the percentage each figure represents of that authority's total revenue spending in each of those years. [67659]

The information is set out in the table. Figures for 2002–03 are not yet available.

Police net pensions costs in England 1999–2000 to 2001–02
	1999–2000 Net pensions		2000–01 Net pensions		2001–02 Net pensions
Police	Costs£000	As a proportion of net expenditure Percentage	Costs£000	As a proportion of net expenditure Percentage	Costs£000	As a proportion of net expenditure Percentage
West Mercia	13,603	12.21	16,665	13.26	18,183	13.65
West Midlands	43,192	11.32	46,959	11.89	51,133	12.45
West Yorkshire	40,259	14.07	43,114	14.18	47,066	14.98
Wiltshire	7,776	11.14	8,000	11.11	9,272	12.26
Total	897,678	12.69	973,422	13.26	1,055,634	13.63

Note:

Actual expenditure for 1999–2000, estimates for 2000–01 and 2001–02.

Source:

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (police statistics)

Street Crime

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on requiring the prioritisation of street crime by chief constables; and what statutory power he has to require them to prioritise specified categories of crime. [68022]

Finding effective means of tackling street crime is a Government priority following a rapid rise in such offences in recent years (including a 13 per cent. rise in robbery offences in the year up to March 2001). To achieve this, the Government are working jointly with the 10 forces which account for over 80 per cent. of such offences, and who have agreed collectively to make street crime a priority as part of this multi-agency initiative.

Chief Constables

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory power he has to require chief constables to attend meetings with him on crime. [68023]

The Secretary of State does not have, nor does he need, a statutory power to have a meeting with a chief constable to discuss any topic. The Secretary of State may, however, require a chief constable to submit a report to him on any matter concerned with the policing of the chief constable's police area under s.44 of the Police Act 1996.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory power the Government have to require the dismissal of chief constables; and what powers he exercised in respect of the dismissal of the chief constable of Sussex. [68020]

Under current provision, a police authority has the powers to call upon its chief constable to retire in the interests of the effectiveness and efficiency of the force. Exercise of that power is subject to the safeguard of requiring the approval of the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State has a reserve power to direct the police authority to take action; where be does so, he is required by statute to appoint an inquiry to consider the circumstances. These powers are contained in sections 11 and 42 respectively of the Police Act 1996, which carried forward powers established under the Police Act 1964.

The Police Reform Bill, currently before Parliament, contains clauses designed to improve these existing powers, and to make them operate more effectively for all concerned.

The Secretary of State did not exercise his formal powers under the 1996 Act in relation to the chief constable of Sussex.

Crime Reports

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory power the Government have to require the submission of (a) weekly and (b) other reports on specified categories of crime to (i) the Prime Minister, (ii) his Department and (iii) other Ministers. [68021]

Although sections 45(1) and 58 of the Police Act 1996 enable the Secretary of State to require a range of information to be provided by chief officers, the use of this power has not been considered. The Street Crime Initiative benefits from the committed participation of the 10 police forces involved.

Work Permits

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many work permits were granted in 2001, broken down by category. [67927]

A total of 117,386 work permit applications were approved in 2001. The table provides a breakdown by category:

Type of permit	Number issued
Business and commercial	105,016
Sports and entertainments	5,532
Training and work experience	6,838
Total	117,386

Chief Constable, Leicestershire

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the Chief Constable of Leicestershire in his official capacity. [68015]

I last met the Chief Constable of Leicestershire Constabulary on Monday 28 January 2002 when I visited his force.

Antisocial Behaviour

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measurements are used to assess antisocial behaviour; and what targets are given for the police to tackle antisocial behaviour. [66891]

[holding answer 10 July 2002]: Antisocial behaviour is assessed using information from the British crime survey which provides a measure of the public's perception of the level of disorder and antisocial behaviour in their area. The police's contribution to the overall target of reducing antisocial behaviour is measured using Best Value Performance Indicator 122, feelings of public safety. This is a subset of the British crime survey data broken down by police force area.

Criminal Records Bureau

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent communications he has had with voluntary organisations and non-governmental bodies with regard to the cost of Criminal Records Bureau disclosure information checks for volunteers; and if he will make a statement. [69130]

[holding answer 18 April 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Leigh) on 10 July 2002, Official Report, column 1079W.

Hiv/Aids

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is towards granting leave to remain on compassionate grounds to people who are receiving NHS treatment for HIV or AIDS. [69017]

The United Kingdom is a signatory to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), now given effect in domestic law by the Human Rights Act 1998. Policy for cases involving HIV/AIDS or other serious medical conditions was recently reviewed to ensure compatibility with the Human Rights Act and recent developments in ECHR case law; to ensure a consistent approach in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) towards cases involving consideration of medical issues; and to take account of developments in drug therapy used to treat HIV/AIDS.The new policy came into effect for applications made on or after 19 December 2000, and applies to all cases where an applicant is seeking to stay in the United Kingdom because they are suffering from a serious medical condition. Under this policy the United Kingdom's obligations under Article 3 of the ECHR will be engaged where the following requirements are satisfied:

(i) the United Kingdom can be regarded as having assumed responsibility for a person's care; and

(ii) there is credible medical evidence that return, due to a complete absence of medical treatment in the country concerned, would significantly reduce the applicant's life expectancy; and

(iii) subject them to acute physical and mental suffering.

All applications to stay on medical grounds are given careful individual consideration of their particular circumstances.

Crime (Wandsworth)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) burglaries, (b) violent crimes, (c) drug offences and (d) thefts of vehicles were recorded by the Wandsworth police division of the Metropolitan police in each of the last five years; and what the total numbers of crimes committed in the division were in those years. [68443]

Numbers of recorded crimes for some offences and groups of offences have been collected centrally by police basic command unit since 1 April 1999, and the data for the years ending March 2000 and 2001 have been published in Home Office Statistical Bulletins 12–00 and 12–01.The available details for the Wandsworth Basic Command Unit (BCU) are as follows:

Number of recorded crimes
Offence/offence group	Year ending March 2000	Year ending March 2001
Domestic burglary	3,379	2,716
Violent crime¹	6,798	6,580
Theft of vehicle	1,835	1,955

¹ Violent crime consists of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery.

The figures for the year ending March 2002 are due to be published on 12 July 2002.

Passports

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the reasons underlying his decision to abolish passport exit controls in 1997. [68083]

A detailed study of the residual embarkation control was undertaken against the background of the decision by the Government in 1994, to abolish checks on passengers travelling from sea ports and small airports to continental destinations.The residual embarkation control did not contribute to the overall effectiveness of the immigration control but was resource intensive. In 1997, 8 per cent. of the Immigration Service's operational duties were deployed to the operation of the embarkation control. After a lengthy period of consultation with interested parties, the Government decided in March 1998 to replace the routine presence of immigration officers with a new arrangement where the control could be set up at short notice in response to specific operational need. This was combined with an increased use of closed circuit television technology.The reconfiguration of the embarkation control means that the Immigration Service can now use its resources more flexibly, concentrating on crucial areas such as clandestine entry, removals and secure border control.

Uk Airwave Project

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the UK Airwave Project, stating (a) its agreed cost, (b) how cost overruns will be dealt with and (c) how many suppliers will be able to supply operating equipment to the programme over its lifetime. [68067]

The projected cost of the Airwave framework arrangement over the next 19 years is £2.9 billion, at 1999 prices.Airwave is a private finance initiative (PFI), hence the main contractor, 02, will be required to compensate police authorities for delays or failures on their part that undermine the service or cause additional expense to forces. The contract is structured such that additional costs will only fall to the public sector if changes are made to the agreed specification within the framework arrangement at the request of the contracting authority, the Police Information Technology Organisation.It is very difficult to estimate how many suppliers of the relevant equipment there are likely to be over the lifetime of Airwave. In such a market, and with a contract of this length, it is important to maintain an open and competitive supply of equipment, which offers the opportunity to realise future technological advances.

Operation Lancet

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the Independent Review of Operation Lancet. [70608]

I am publishing today Operation Lancet—A Case Study Review report. Copies are available in the Library.

999 calls, 1993 to 2000–01
	1993		1994–95		1995–96		1996–97
Force	Target time (seconds)	Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time	Target time (seconds)	Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time	Target time (seconds)	Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time	Target time (seconds)	Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time
England and Wales	13	83	13	87	12	87	12	84
Durham	10	95	10	95	10	98	10	97
West Midlands	15	96	15	97	15	95	15	97
Humberside	15	68	15	80	15	80	15	77
Gloucestershire	10	77	15	84	15	86	15	93
Derbyshire	30	—	15	—	15	88	15	90
Suffolk	10	97	10	99	10	89	10	88
Gwent	6	98	6	99	6	99	6	99
West Mercia	10	95	10	93	10	89	10	92
Cumbria	15	99	15	99	10	99	10	99
Essex	10	88	10	85	10	90	10	91
North Wales	10	86	10	88	10	84	10	82
Norfolk	10	86	10	84	10	86	10	73
Warwickshire	15	89	15	92	15	90	15	75
Dyfed-Powys	10	95	10	95	10	96	10	—
Nottinghamshire	20	82	20	87	20	92	15	90
Leicestershire	15	84	15	80	15	69	15	76
Sussex	10	80	10	90	10	91	10	93
Avon and Somerset	10	86	10	88	10	91	10	86
South Yorkshire	30	82	30	84	20	80	20	78
Greater Manchester	15	94	15	96	15	94	15	78
Northamptonshire	10	—	10	93	10	95	10	97
Cambridgeshire	12	94	12	74	12	80	12	82
Merseyside	6	78	6	77	6	57	10	70
Wiltshire	15	93	15	92	15	93	15	88
Thames Valley	—	—	10	86	10	88	10	92
West Yorkshire	15	77	15	79	15	78	15	77
Lancashire	10	91	10	87	10	93	10	96
Surrey	15	85	15	95	15	87	15	93
Cheshire	15	—	15	91	15	94	15	92
South Wales	10	87	10	81	10	80	10	84
North Yorkshire	5	66	5	78	5	78	5	82
Bedfordshire	10	84	10	86	15	86	15	85
Kent	10	92	10	95	10	89	10	92
Hertfordshire	20	96	20	95	20	92	10	76
Devon and Cornwall	10	89	10	89	10	84	10	93
Metropolitan police	15	86	15	81	15	89	15	90
Staffordshire	15	92	15	93	15	93	15	92
Dorset	10	84	10	85	10	82	10	77

The review contains helpful recommendations about good practice in the investigation of police misconduct and lessons which can be applied in the development of the new police complaints system. We will ensure that the recommendations are taken forward as part of that work.

I am very grateful to William Taylor and the review team for completing up the review following the sad death of its initial leader, Sir John Hoddinott.

Emergency Calls

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of 999 calls was not answered within 10 seconds in each police force in each year from 1990–91 to 2001–02, ranked from best to worst performance for the most recent year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement. [66887]

[holding answer 8 July 2002]: The information requested is available from 1993 for all police force areas in England and Wales. A complete set of 2001–02 data is not yet complete, but it will be published in Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary's annual report in October, a copy of which is placed in the Library. The information which is available is set out in the table. City of London calls are handled by the Metropolitan police. Police authorities set their own target times for responses to 999 calls and these are given in the table.

999 calls, 1993 to 2000–01
	1993		1994–95		1995–96		1996–97
Force	Target time (seconds)	Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time	Target time (seconds)	Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time	Target time (seconds)	Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time	Target time (seconds)	Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time
Northumbria	15	85	15	91	15	94	15	93
Cleveland	20	97	20	98	15	96	10	91
Hampshire	10	85	10	88	10	86	10	—
City of London	¹—	¹—	¹—	¹—	¹—	¹—	¹—
Lincolnshire	10	92	10	93	10	95	10	95

¹ Data collected by the Metropolitan Police Service

	1997–98		1998–99		1999–2000		2000–01
Force	Target time (seconds)	Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time	Target time (seconds)	Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time	Target time (seconds)	Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time	Target time (seconds)	Percentage of 999 calls answered within target time
England and Wales	12	89	11	89	12	84	11	87
Durham	10	97	10	98	10	98	10	99
West Midlands	15	98	15	98	15	97	15	97
Humberside	15	86	15	96	15	94	15	96
Gloucestershire	12	97	12	94	12	95	12	95
Derbyshire	15	94	10	86	10	92	10	94
Suffolk	10	96	10	98	10	95	10	94
Gwent	6	99	6	98	6	93	6	93
West Mercia	10	92	10	94	10	93	10	92
Cumbria	10	98	10	99	10	98	10	92
Essex	10	79	10	78	15	86	15	92
North Wales	10	86	10	89	10	88	10	92
Norfolk	10	70	10	87	10	93	10	91
Warwickshire	15	77	15	82	15	91	15	91
Dyfed-Powys	8	92	8	80	8	92	8	91
Nottinghamshire	15	88	15	89	15	90	15	90
Leicestershire	15	86	15	92	15	90	15	90
Sussex	10	89	10	86	10	81	10	90
Avon and Somerset	10	86	10	92	10	90	10	90
South Yorkshire	15	77	15	86	15	88	15	90
Greater Manchester	15	81	15	86	15	85	15	90
Northamptonshire	10	97	10	98	10	95	10	89
Cambridgeshire	12	82	12	81	12	90	12	89
Merseyside	10	87	10	90	10	90	10	89
Wiltshire	15	89	15	96	15	96	10	88
Thames Valley	10	92	10	92	10	89	10	88
West Yorkshire	15	89	15	90	15	86	15	86
Lancashire	10	95	10	93	10	92	10	86
Surrey	15	95	15	94	15	86	15	86
Cheshire	14	90	14	89	15	84	15	86
South Wales	10	81	10	80	10	79	10	86
North Yorkshire	5	87	5	88	5	86	5	85
Bedfordshire	15	79	15	77	15	77	15	85
Kent	10	92	10	93	10	95	10	85
Hertfordshire	10	84	10	72	10	83	10	84
Devon and Cornwall	10	93	10	93	10	86	10	84
Metropolitan police	15	91	15	87	15	71	15	84
Staffordshire	15	89	15	87	15	79	10	83
Dorset	10	76	10	78	10	81	10	80
Northumbria	15	89	10	86	10	80	10	79
Cleveland	10	95	10	95	10	92	10	79
Hampshire	10	83	10	83	10	80	10	74
City of London	¹—	¹—	¹—	¹—	¹—	¹—	¹—	¹—
Lincolnshire	10	95	10	95	10	92	10	n/a

¹ Data collected by the Metropolitan Police Service

Robbery

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the most recent estimated annual cost to (a) public funds, (b) private citizens and (c) insurance companies is of robbery. [68790]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The most recent publicly available estimates of annual costs of robbery were published in Home Office Research Study 217 "The Economic and Social Costs of Crime" in December 2000.

(a)The annual cost to public funds of robbery

The estimated annual cost of robbery to public funds in 1999–2000 is £770 million. This figure includes costs to both the criminal justice system and health services.

(b) The annual cost to private citizens of robbery

The estimated annual cost of robbery to private citizens in 1999–2000 is £1.5 billion. This includes the value of property stolen and the physical impact of the crime on the victim.

(c) The annual cost to insurance companies of robbery

A rough estimate of the annual insurance administration costs associated with robbery is £19.6 million. Insurance administration costs are harder to estimate than costs to public funds or private citizens.

Mentoring Projects

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the mentoring projects in receipt of grant funding over the next three years. [68793]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The information requested is given in the table.

£
Name of organisation	Amount of grant 2002–03	Amount of grant 2003–04	Amount of grant 2004–05
African Family Support Centre	40,112	46,312	NIL
Age Concern Cambridgeshire	49,999	53,138	NIL
Age Concern Ledbury and District	19,498	20,044	NIL
Big Brothers and Sisters	200,000	200,000	NIL
Bishop Creighton House	24,421	28,604	NIL
Bolton Lads and Girls	57,400	59,398	NIL
Carlisle Mencap	12,028	12,392	NIL
Chance (UK) Ltd	47,089	48,548	NIL
Dines Green Streets Ahead	29,649	30,505	NIL
Enfield Business Education Partnership	21,500	22,800	NIL
Family Service Units	26,117	32,139	NIL
FOCUS	38,712	38,712	NIL
Fun in Action for Children	30,000	40,000	NIL
Home Start Bournemouth	24,500	25,113	NIL
Home Start Nottingham	31,368	32,151	NIL
Home Start Sittingbourne and Sheppey	12,715	13,034	NIL
Home Start Stoke-on-Trent	35,811	37,259	NIL
Home Start Wisbech	28,250	29,500	NIL
Lambeth Wellcare	30,157	31,033	NIL
NECA Services Ltd	50,319	51,384	NIL
Northorpe Hall Trust	35,661	37,490	NIL
One to One Youth Befriending	58,187	60,916	NIL
PACT Community Projects	30,938	31,711	NIL
RAMP- The Renewal Programme	48,435	65,622	NIL
REACH	43,900	46,425	NIL
RPS Rainer	51,413	54,413	NIL
SCOPE (Ref M452)	50,000	50,000	NIL
SCOPE (Ref M384)	44,803	45,982	NIL
Second City, Second Chance	16,125	15,430	NIL
SENSE	16,830	26,775	NIL
Somerset Youth Voluntary Network	45,000	45,000	NIL
SOVA	49,447	49,797	NIL
Swindon Education Business Partnership	27,000	27,000	NIL
Terence Higgins Trust	25,337	26,096	NIL
The Befriending Network	40,000	42,500	NIL
The Kings Cross Project	28,354	29,204	NIL
The Leonard Cheshire Foundation	58,369	59,267	NIL
The London Connection	12,161	NIL	NIL
Those on the Margins of Society	50,000	50,000	NIL
National Mentoring Network¹	600,000	601,500	NIL

¹ (Mentor points) 25 per cent. costs funded by Department for Education and Skills.

Police Recruitment

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects (a) the project establishing national recruitment standards for the police service to be completed and (b) the national recruitment standards to come into effect for all police services in the United Kingdom; and (c) what representations have been made by the Durham Constabulary regarding their eyesight criteria to the project establishing national recruitment standards. [68315]

The information is as follows:

(a) it is the intention to complete the work of the National Recruitment Standards Project during 2003.

(b) national recruitment standards on eligibility criteria and fitness have already been introduced.

New job related medical and eyesight standards are expected by the end of 2002.A new recruitment application form for the police service is expected to be introduced by January 2003.A new national assessment and selection process for police recruits is due to be phased in later this year and over 2003.

(c) The Home Office provides guidance to forces on eyesight standards. The present guidance for eyesight is that candidates' unaided vision must be 6/24 or better in either eye and aided vision must be 6/12 or better in either eye, 6/6 or better binocularly. All forces were asked to apply the standards consistently pending the outcome of the research to develop new job-related eyesight standards.

Durham Constabulary informed the Home Office of a pilot scheme which they had run. During this pilot they had lowered their unaided vision to 6/60, provided candidates could achieve a vision of 6/6 with the assistance of contact lenses. This had allowed them to recruit seven additional people. However, in order to co-operate with the Home Office request, the pilot scheme was terminated on 1 August 2001.

Drug Treatment And Testing Orders

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason the target for the number of referrals to drug treatment through drug treatment and testing orders in 2000–01 was not met. [68784]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTOs) were rolled out from October 2000. No formal target for the number of Orders was set for 2000–01. 2001–02 was the first full year of their operation and saw 4,835 DTTOs—over 80 per cent. of our target of approximately 6,000. Some DTTO programmes were affected by local implementation problems, mainly relating to treatment capacity to handle referrals. Arrangements are now in place to ensure any difficulties are closely monitored and dealt with as they arise. Our ability to maintain effective operation is enhanced by the good working arrangements in place with the Department of Health and the National Treatment Agency to address problems quickly. The rate of the upward trend in DTTOs indicates that we should be on track to meet our target of 6,000 Orders in 2002–03.

Psa Targets

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he will announce the outcome of his review of the PSA target to reduce the availability of class A drugs by 25 per cent. by 2005 and by 50 per cent. by 2008; [68797](2) when the review of the target for the proportion of people under 25 using class A drugs will be completed. [68781]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The hon. Member for Buckingham has asked two questions about the drugs strategy targets. The reply to each question is the same and I am therefore responding to them together.The review of drugs strategy targets forms part of the current spending review (SR2002).

Mrs Zakir Ahmadyar

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will inquire into the case of Mrs. Zakir Ahmadyar to deal with the questions raised in the letter of 27 June, from the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable); and if he will make a statement; [69426](2) when he will reply to the letter of 27 June from the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on Mrs. Zakir Ahmadyar; and if he will make a statement. [69425]

The issues summarised in the hon. Member's letter of 27 June were the subject of communications between the hon. Member and my Private Office between 7 June and 17 June.My letter to him dated 8 July sought to apologise for those aspects of the handling of this case that were not satisfactory, as well as to explain the reasons for my decision.I am meeting the hon. Member soon to discuss this matter further.

Speeding Convictions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers have lost their licence to drive as a result of speeding convictions in each of the last five years. [64213]

Information for England and Wales for the years 1996 to 2000 (latest available) is given in the table.

Disqualifications imposed	Number of offences
1996	9,587
1997	10,061
1998	12,215
1999	12,050
2000	11,283

Police Standards Unit

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Police Standards Unit was established; how much it cost in 2001; how many staff it employs; and what its remit is. [62347]

[holding answer 17 July 2002]: The first members of the Police Standards Unit started in post on 9 July 2001. The staffing compliment of the Unit is 29. To date £709,000 has been spent on the Unit.The Unit's terms of reference, as set out in the White Paper Policing a New Century: a blueprint for reform' are as follows:

The Standards Unit exists to deliver the Government's commitment to raise standards and improve operational performance in the police and in crime reduction generally in order to maintain and enhance public satisfaction with policing in their area.

Its core objective will he to identify and disseminate best practice in the prevention, detection and apprehension of crime in all forces in order to reduce crime and disorder as well as the fear of crime.

The Unit will:

Work with forces and Basic Command Units (BCUs) to ensure the most effective use of intelligence, detection and successful prosecution procedures;

Identify BCUs or forces performing below their best based on Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) reports, statistical information, or particular cases of concern;

Engage directly with the BCU or force to establish the nature of the problems, the extent to which best practice may be lacking, and the remedial action required;

Engage similarly with other local agencies where it is apparent that they are contributing significantly to the causes of poor performance;

Identify where, in exceptional circumstances, combined cross-cutting measures engaging other agencies are required to focus on and achieve early change within a specific geographic area or BCU boundary;

Draw validated best practice from HMIC, National Police Training, the Crime Reduction College and other agencies, spread its use through local engagement, and identify for professional evaluation any new examples or techniques it comes across;

Have a capacity to provide short-term funding to support the remedial action it has identified and which could not otherwise be undertaken;

Identify cases in which the Home Secretary should consider the use of powers under the Police Act (1996), the Local Government Act (1999), or other relevant legislation;

Identify issues which raise policy, technical or legal questions for the Home Office to address.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work carried out to date by Dr Kevin Bond in respect of the Police Standards Unit. [61181]

[holding answer 13 June 2002]: Dr. Kevin Bond took up post on 7 January 2002. Under his leadership, the Police Standards Unit (PSU) is now developing a number of projects related to police performance management and the identification and dissemination of good practice in key areas.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many staff were involved in each of the last three years in preparing draft answers to written parliamentary questions; [49136](2) what the cost was to his Department of answering written parliamentary questions in 2001; and how that cost was calculated. [49094]

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend, Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. Cook) on 17 April 2002, Official Report, column 929W. The Home Office answered 4,067 written questions in 2001, at an approximate cost of £516,195.

Imported Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many documented cases his Department have received from the Professional Contractors Group relating to employers in the technology sector importing labour from abroad in an effort to reduce employment costs; and what steps are being taken by his Department to ensure that the work permit system is not abused in this way. [66015]

In March 2002, the Professional Contractors Group (PCG) provided Work Permits UK (WPUK) Allegations team a dossier of 85 cases (relating to 61 separate employers) specifically relating to the replacement of United Kingdom Information Technology contractors with lower paid employees from overseas.Most of the cases are complaints about employment policies of employers, rather than specific allegations of abuse of the work permit arrangements, and as such it does not warrant any further action by Work Permits (UK). 12 cases contained specific information about abuse of the work permit arrangements, and these are being pursued by WPUK. A list has been returned to PCG setting out whether cases continue to be investigated.The overall aim of the work permit arrangements is to strike the right balance between enabling employers to recruit or transfer skilled people from abroad while safeguarding the interests of the resident work force. However, the arrangements cover only those vacancies which are to be filled by an employee working on a PAYE basis, and as such, there are safeguards to ensure that resident workers willing to work on such a basis are not disadvantaged.In the cases provided by the PCG, it is apparent that the majority refer to a 'contractor' being replaced by an incoming 'employee' (under PAYE). It is a commercial decision by the employer whether they offer employment terms on a self-employment, contractual or direct PAYE basis.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many work permit applications have been (a) granted and (b) refused by Work Permits UK on the grounds of shortage occupations criteria in each month since June 2001: [66014](2) how many permit applications Work Permits UK have approved on the grounds of shortage occupations criteria when the specific skills possessed have been described as IT skills. [66012]

Work Permits UK currently operates shortage occupation lists in respect of the Information Technology (IT), health care and engineering sectors and a fourth list in respect of other miscellaneous shortage occupations, which currently includes actuaries, Civil Aviation Authority licensed aircraft engineers, teachers and veterinary surgeons.

The following table sets out the number of work permits approved and refused in each month in the period between 1 June 2001 and 30 June 2002 under shortage occupations criteria and those approved specifically under shortage occupations criteria in the IT sector in the same period:

	Work permit applications under shortage occupation criteria (all)		Work permit applications under shortage occupation criteria (IT sector)
	Approved	Refused	Approved	Refused
2001
June	4,381	72	1,139	30
July	4,979	120	1,126	27
August	4,420	99	1,197	32
September	3,617	117	1,142	55
October	4,428	97	1,315	40
November	3,975	95	1,188	28
December	3,393	142	926	33
2002
January	4,392	211	1,476	72
February	4,082	303	1,543	99
March	4,617	321	1,596	148
April	4,439	253	1,270	149
May	4,606	255	1,136	122
June	3,916	150	834	71
Total	55,245	2,235	15,888	906

Civil Contingencies Secretariat

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 619W, on the Civil Contingencies Secretariat, if he will list (a) the members of the civil contingencies committee and (b) what reports it has made in the last five years; and if he will place the reports in the Library. [66064]

The only standing member of the Civil Contingencies Committee is the Chairman, the (Home Secretary). Others, including Her Majesty's Treasury and the devolved Administrations, are invited to attend, depending on the contingency.The Terms of Reference of the Civil Contingencies Committee are:

"to co-ordinate the preparation of plans for ensuring in an emergency the supplies and services essential to the life of the community; to keep these plans under regular review; and to supervise their prompt and effective implementation in specific emergencies".

The Civil Contingencies Committee has therefore made no reports in the last five years. However, I did update parliamentary colleagues by letter on this work on 1 November last year.

Correspondence

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 30 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton to Mrs. Vida Obiri. [66210]

I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 12 July 2002.

Pathology

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the (a) functions and (b) terms of reference of the Policy Advisory Board for Forensic Pathology are; how, and for how long, the board was appointed; what the membership is and who the officers of the board are; how it is serviced; and how many times it has met in the last year; [41103](2) how many pathologists are approved for working with the police and coroners on suspicious deaths; what qualifications are required for a pathologist to be approved; in what circumstances a pathologist may be removed from the approved list; on how many occasions the disciplinary tribunal has met in the past 10 years; and what the results were of its deliberations. [41104]

[holding answer 18 June 2002]: The Police Advisory Board for Forensic Pathology, advises the Home Secretary on forensic pathology matters with particular reference to the national aspects of forensic pathology services in England and Wales, such as appointment and accreditation, quality assurance, training and Research and Development. The Board was set up by the then Home Secretary in 1990; there was no specified time limit to the Board.A copy of the Terms of Reference of the Board and a list of the current numbers has been placed in the Library.Officers of the Board are Anthony Whitehead (chair) who is also the head of Science and Technology Unit (STU) in the Home Office and Trevor Rothwell (Secretary). The Board is served by the two officers and STU. The Board meets annually. It last met in January 2001.There are currently 48 pathologists on the Home Office Register of Forensic Pathologist approved for working with the police on suspicious deaths.Before applying to be put on the register pathologists must:

have a medical degree

be a member of the Royal College of Pathologists

have at least six months experience at an approved centre for training.

In addition they must also have either

the Diploma in Forensic Pathologists (through the Royal College of Pathologists)

or

the Diploma in Medical Jurisprudence (through the Society of Apothecaries).

A pathologist not found to be performing appropriately in the first two years of his or her time as a Registrant, can be removed from the Register as the initial approval is time limited. Otherwise pathologists can be removed from the register by invoking the Board's Complaints and Disciplinary Procedures. Suspension or removal from the register is dependent on the outcome of a hearing of a Disciplinary Tribunal.

In the last 10 years a disciplinary tribunal has been convened once. This Tribunal recused itself before the completion of the hearing.

Work And Pensions

Press Subscriptions

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the newspapers subscribed to (a) Monday to Saturday and (b) on Sunday by his Department, stating for each subscription (i) the number of copies taken, and (ii) the annual cost. [52835]

[holding answer 26 April 2002]: The information requested is in the table.

DWP Library subscription to Newspapers as of 26 April 2002— cost showing annual average figure
Newspaper	Number	Cost (£)
Monday-Friday
Financial Times	27	6,480.00
Times	21	2,016.00
Daily Telegraph	18	2,160.00
Guardian	19	2,280.00
Independent	18	2,160.00
Daily Mail	13	1,248.00
The Express	8	672.00
Daily Mirror	12	844.80
Sun	11	792.00
Eastern Daily Press	1	240.00
Le-Monde	1	240.00
Daily Star	7	504.00
Daily Record	3	252.00
Evening Standard	8	756.00
Evening Standard—News extra	10	840.00
Scotsman	4	480.00
Morning Star	2	288.00
Liverpool Echo	2	480.00
Manchester Evening News	1	240.00
Total number and (annual costs)	186	22,972.80
Saturday
Times	2	67.20
Daily Telegraph	2	—
Guardian	2	96.00
Independent	2	86.40
Daily Mail	1	28.80
The Express	2	24.00
Daily Mirror	1	21.60
Sun	1	19.20
Le-Monde	1	48.00
Daily Star	1	16.80
Daily Record	1	19.20
Scotsman	1	48.00
Total number and (annual costs)	17	475.20
Sunday
Sunday FT	8	384.00
Sunday Times	2	115.20
Sunday Telegraph	2	96.00
Sunday Observer	2	115.20
Sunday Independent	2	115.20
Mail on Sunday	1	52.80
The Sunday Express	1	48.00
Sunday Mirror	1	48.00
News of the World	1	31.20
Sunday People	1	31.20
Sunday Post	—	31.20
Scotland on Sunday	—	38.40
Sunday Business	1	24.00
Total number and (annual costs)	22	1,130.40

Ministerial Meetings

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which Ministers and officials had meetings with representatives of (a) the Confederation of British Industry, (b) the Engineering Employees Federation, and (c) the Engineering Marine Training Authority during the last year; who they met; and what the subjects and outcomes of their discussions were. [62208]

During the last year Ministers and officials have met with all three of these organisations on a number of occasions.

New Deal

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many New Deal schemes (a) he and (b) his Ministers have visited since 7 June 2001; and if he will make a statement. [63447]

Since 7 June 2001, Ministers in this Department have made over 30 visits to New Deal schemes and related events.

Carers

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid to carers through benefits and services in each of the last five years. [65138]

The requested information about benefit expenditure on carers is in the table.Carers can also be supported by services provided by local authorities and the NHS. In addition, local authorities in England were given powers to make direct payments to carers and people with parental responsibility for disabled children in April 2001. Information about the amount of money disbursed as direct payments was not collected centrally. Expenditure on such payments made by local authorities in Scotland and Wales are matters for the Scottish Executive and for the National Assembly for Wales, respectively.

Benefit expenditure in Great Britain on carers—1996–97 to 2001–02
	£ million
1996–97	18,300
1997–98	16,950
1998–99	18,650
1999–2000	19,400
2000–01	19,400

Notes:

Based on estimates from the Family Resources Survey (FRS), 1996–97 to 2000–01, applied to actual benefit expenditure.

1. Figures are estimates based on the Family Resources Survey (FRS), applied to outturn expenditure on each benefit. 2000–01 is the latest year for which data are available.

2. Carers are those who give help on an informal basis, not as part of a paid job. This includes children who care for others.

3. On the FRS survey, what should be counted as care is not prescriptively defined. Respondents are asked about care between household members, and about care given to those outside the household.

4. The estimates are based on sample counts that have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors that control for region, council tax band and a number of demographic variables. Estimates are subject to sampling error and to variability in non-response.

5. Benefit receipt on the FRS is based on self-assessment and therefore may be subject to misreporting.

6. Figures are rounded to the nearest £50 million.

The carer status is a result of what the respondent says rather than the application on an objective definition.

Castle Award

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if his Department has applied for a Castle award for equal pay. [65223]

The Department for Work and Pensions has not applied for a Castle award for equal pay. The Department is however, fully committed to ensuring that equal pay remains a priority. To achieve this objective, an equal pay review was commissioned in 2001–02, undertaken by independent consultants. The review was completed earlier this year and the findings are currently under consideration.

Attendance Allowance (Scotland)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions where he allocated the money for attendance allowance in Scotland following the decision of the Scottish Executive to implement free personal care for older people. [67151]

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Perth (Annabelle Ewing), on 21 January 2002, Official Report, column 633W.

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the section of his Department's guidance note on replying to written parliamentary questions requiring parliamentary questions to be answered fully, and pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 22 January 2002, Official Report column 808W, for what reason the information requested on 10 June 2002, Official Report, columns 872–73W, was not held in the format requested. [66475]

The answer to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood) on 22 January 2002, Official Report, column 808W, was in response to his question regarding the cost of administering child benefit and working families tax credit. The estimated cost of administering child benefit was taken from the 1998–99 financial year. The estimated cost of administering working families tax credit was provided by Inland Revenue.The answer provided on 10 June was in response to the hon. Member's request for a variety of individual items, including some sub-components of retirement benefit. The estimated cost of administering benefits is not maintained at such a detailed level. Consequently, it was not possible to provide a reply covering every item listed.However, in an attempt to be as helpful as possible, the answer given on 10 June 2002,

Official Report, columns 872–73W also explained that the Department for Work and Pensions now accounts for its administrative and programme expenditure in accordance with its key objectives, which are published in the Department's

Public Service Agreement (PSA), and the individual Requests for Resources (RfRs), which are published in the Department's Main Estimate.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many written parliamentary questions to his Department have been tabled in each month since May 1997. [68481]

Such information as is available is in the tables.

Month	Written questions tabled
2001
June	108
July	291
September	9
October	371
November	579
December	294
2002
January	432
February	337
March	453
April	249
May	239
June	240

Year (ending April)	Case load as at 30 November (thousand)	Number of appeals cleared at hearing	Number of appeals found in favour of the appellant	Percentage of appeals found in favour of the appellant
(i)Attendance Allowance
2000	1,291.3	7,640	3,420	44.8
2001	1,295.4	10,830	5,030	46.4
(ii)Disablity Living Allowance
2000	2,197.7	62,815	30,090	47.9
2001	2,298.0	86,325	45,150	52.3
(iii)Incapacity Benefit
2000	2,310.4	42,285	16,660	40.4
2001	2,342.9	33,910	14,185	41.8

Figures are not available prior to 2000, as a change in the method of recording the type of appeal in the Generic Appeals Processing System as part of the introduction of Decision Making and Appeals regulations resulted in certain benefits being mapped incorrectly.I hope this is helpful.

Asperger's Syndrome

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to support and develop the work of Prospects, the employment scheme for people with Asperger's syndrome. [68190]

The Department has a contract with the National Autistic Society's Prospects service to develop and test ways of helping people with Asperger's syndrome into work.This project provides us with a valuable opportunity to support a group of disabled people with entrenched problems resulting from their disabilities, and to learn about the provision of a specialist employment service for people with disabilities by a small voluntary organisation working in partnership with the public services.

Parliamentary session	Written questions tabled
2000–01	1,097
1999–2000	2,593
1998–99	1,980
1997–98	3,384

Appeals

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 26 June 2002, Official Report, columns 941–42W, on appeals, (a) how many appeals were heard, (b) how many appeals were found in favour of the appellant and (c) what percentage of appeals were found in favour of the appellant, in each of the last four years for (i) attendance allowance, (ii) disability living allowance and (iii) incapacity benefit. [66837]

This is a matter for Neil Ward, Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Neil Ward to Mr. Paul Holmes, dated 11 July 2002:

The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your recent parliamentary questions on the subject of appeals against attendance allowance, disability living allowance; and, incapacity benefit. The available information is as follows:

Evaluation of the project will improve our knowledge of how to support people suffering from this condition and will help the National Autistic Society in further developing the service for its clients.

State Pension

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 19 June 2002, Official Report, columns 407–08W, why the Government decided that the higher uprating of the basic state pension should apply to basic state pension increments from April 2002. [68607]

The decision was taken in order for the increments to maintain their proportionate value.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many self-employed people receive the full basic State Pension; and what percentage of the total this is. [69196]

We do not collect information on the number of formerly self-employed people who have given up work and now receive a State Pension.The number of people working in a self-employed capacity and aged above State Pension age (60 for women; 65 for men) is in the table.

	Number
Females over the State Pension age	94,000
Males over the State Pension age	120,000
Total	214,000

Notes:

1. Figures in the table are from the Labour Force Survey—Winter 2001.

2. The latest total number of people in Great Britain in receipt of a State Pension is 10.3 million—September 2001 administrative data.

The total of 214,000 represents about 2 per cent. of the total number of people receiving a State Pension.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of (a) men and (b) women had contributed to national insurance for under 25 per cent. of the years required to receive the full basic State Pension in the latest 12 months for which figures are available. [69197]

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

Percentage
	Proportion of single people and couples over State Pension age and receiving a State Retirement Pension 2000–01
All single pensioners and pensioner couples
Pensioner couples	99
Single male pensioners	98
Single female pensioners	98
Total	98
Recently retired single pensioners and pensioner couples^1,2,3,4
Pensioner couples	98
Single male pensioners	96
Single female pensioners	94
Total	97

¹ It is possible to defer claiming State Pension for up to five years. Therefore, particularly among the recently retired pensioners, there will be people with entitlement to a State Pension who do not yet receive an income from their pension.

² These results are based on Table 8 of the Pensioners' Incomes Series 2000–01.

³ Figures for Retirement Pension also include the other contributory benefits for the elderly, Widows' Benefits and Incapacity Benefit.

⁴ Recently retired pensioner units are defined as: single women aged 60–64; single men aged 65–69; and couples in which the man is aged 65–69.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of (a) men and (b) women receive the full basic State Pension. [691981

The percentages of males and females who are entitled to a Basic State Pension and who receive the full basic State Pension are as set out in the table.

Percentage of males and females who are entitled to a basic State Pension and who receive the full basic State Pension

Male

Female

Notes:

1. The figures are rounded to the nearest percentage point.

1. The figures are taken from administrative data on 30 September 2001.

2. Figures are for Great Britain.

3. The table includes everyone in receipt of a Category A, AB, ABL, B, BL, or D State Pension.

4. Full pension refers to people in receipt of the maximum amount of basic State Pension that applies to the category of pension they receive.

Child Support Agency

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many times the Child Support Agency has requested information from the Inland Revenue regarding the income of self-employed non-resident parents; and if he will make a statement. [69021]

The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 15 July 2002:

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply by me.

You have asked how many times the Child Support Agency has requested information from the Inland Revenue regarding the income of self employed non-resident parents.

In the year to 31^st March 2002 the Child Support Agency issued 19,182 self-employed earnings enquiries to the Inland Revenue's Tax Information Distribution Office. In the immediately preceding year 9,121 enquiries were made.

I hope this is helpful.

Benefits (Promotion)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2002, Official Report, column 629W, what the total cost was of advertising and promoting benefits in 2000–01, broken down by each campaign. [70069]

The total cost of advertising social security benefits in 2000–01 was £4.4 million. Production, distribution and other costs totalled a further £3 million.The breakdown of spend is shown in the following table:

£
Campaign	Advertising and media	Other costs
Minimum Income Guarantee	3,365,000	176,000
Inherited SERPS	340,000	345,000
Winter Fuel Payments	616,000	294,000
Bereavement Benefits	155,000	90,000
Benefits information leaflets for customers and advisers—production and distribution	¹—	2,132,419.

¹ Promoted through posters, exhibitions, conferences and the Internet. Individual spends could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Health

Taiwan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support he has provided to the Government of Taiwan in support of Taiwan's application for observer status at the World Health Organisation. [65215]

Taiwan's relationship to the World Health Organisation was discussed at the world health assembly general committee in May 2002. There was no consensus in the committee for the matter to be discussed in the main assembly session.

Foster Carers

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many foster carers there are in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) the North-east and (c) England; how many foster carers there were in each year from 1997 to 2001 in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) the North-east and (iii) England; and what his Department is doing to address the need for foster carers. [67041]

There is no central statistical collection in this area. Foster carer data are collected through the training support grant (TSP), and this relates to approved foster carers. Data can be found in the table shown. Figures are available from 1998 only.Foster carer recruitment is a very important area, in which a lot of work is being taken forward. The Department is currently undertaking a major review ("Choice Protects") of the commissioning of placements, with a special emphasis on foster care services—so that choice and stability of placements may be improved for children in care. Within this, we will be examining:

Role and status of foster carers;
Recruitment and retention;
What support services are required;
Best ways to reward foster carers;
The training needs of foster carers.

Details of the numbers of approved foster carers taken from the TSP application forms for the five years 1998–99 to 2002–03
Local authority names	Directly Contracted by local council	contracted via Independent agency	Total number of foster carers
1998–99
LAs covered by Jarrow and Hebburn
Gateshead	133	0	133
South Tyneside	142	0	142
North East
Darlington	48	0	48
Durham	237	1	238
Gateshead	133	0	133
Hartlepool	72	1	73
Middlesbrough	110	0	110
Newcastle upon Tyne	230	0	230
North Tyneside	140	0	140
Northumberland	17	0	170
Redcar and Cleveland	70	0	70
South Tyneside	142	0	142
Sunderland	218	0	218
England totals	29,805	845	30,650

Details of the numbers of approved foster carers taken from the TSP application forms for the five years 1998–99 to 2002–03
Local authority names	Directly Contracted by local council	contracted via Independent agency	Total number of foster carers
1999–2000
LAs covered by Jarrow and Hebburn
Gateshead	120	2	122
South Tyneside	142	0	142
North East
Darlington	54	8	62
Durham	256	1	257
Gateshead	120	2	122
Hartlepool	69	3	72
Middlesbrough	70	2	72
Newcastle upon Tyne	203	25	228
North Tyneside	185	2	187
Northumberland	160	2	162
Redcar and Cleveland	65	0	65
South Tyneside	142	0	142
Sunderland	218	0	218
England totals	30,166	1,085	31,251
2000–01
LAs covered by Jarrow and Hebburn
Gateshead	120	0	120
South Tyneside	142	0	142
North East
Darlington	59	7	66
Durham	215	0	215
Gateshead	120	0	120
Hartlepool	67	0	67
Middlesbrough	77	3	80
Newcastle upon tyne	270	37	307
North Tyneside	135	0	135
Northumberland	140	2	142
Redcar and Cleveland	70	0	70
South Tyneside	142	0	142
Sunderland	218	0	218
England totals	30,645	1,532	32,177
2001–02
LAs covered by Jarrow and Hebburn
Gateshead	130	0	130
South Tyneside	97	15	112
North East
Darlington	49	12	61
Durham	215	0	215
Gateshead	130	0	130
Hartlepool	67	0	67
Middlesbrough	86	11	97
Newcastle upon Tyne	321	19	340
North Tyneside	140	0	140
Northumberland	172	2	174
Redcar and Cleveland	70	0	70
South Tyneside	97	15	112
Sunderland	238	0	238
England totals	30,342	2,023	32,365
2002–03
LAs covered by Jarrow and Hebburn
Gateshead	130	0	130
South Tyneside	61	0	61
North East
Darlington	51	0	51
Durham	225	0	225
Gateshead	130	0	130
Hartlepool	54	1	55
Middlesbrough	99	9	108
Newcastle upon Tyne	290	28	318
North Tyneside	155	0	155
Northumberland	172	2	174
Redcar and Cleveland	61	0	61
South Tyneside	61	0	61
Sunderland	301	0	301
England totals	30,353	1,206	31,559

Birth Statistics

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to address women's health issues regarding (a) premature birth, (b) still birth and (c) miscarriage. [67064]

In order to improve the wellbeing of pregnant women and outcome for babies, the Department has:

Commissioned the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to issue clinical guidelines on:
use of electronic fetal monitoring—this helps evaluation of fetal wellbeing in labour with the aim of reducing perinatal mortality and cerebral palsy of the newborn.
induction of labour—which provides safe clinical practices to reduce perinatal mortality.
use of Anti D prophylaxis for rhesus negative mothers—which helps prevent Haemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN) and still births.

Further guidelines are awaited on antenatal care and caesarean sections, both of which will further help reduce fetal risks.

Extended the Sure Start programme which helps families in disadvantaged areas to support to women in the antenatal period as well, since women in these areas are more likely to have still births, pre mature births and miscarriages.
Invested to increase the number of midwives to provide additional support throughout pregnancy and childbirth.
Commenced the development of a children's national service framework (NSF) including maternity services. The overarching aim for the NSF is to enable childbearing women, children and young people to develop healthy lifestyles. The NSF will set national standards of care to cover pre conception, antenatal and intra partum services.

Social Services

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to direct resources towards under-performing social service authorities. [67823]

Poor performance will not be rewarded with additional resources. In four of the 10 councils rated as zero where we do not believe they have the capacity to improve by themselves, we are providing external assistance from the performance fund.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to add an ethnicity element to the foster care adjustment in the children's personal social services formula grant. [67821]

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government (Mr. Raynsford) launched a consultation on options for the reform of the local government finance system on 8 July. This included options on possible changes to the foster care adjustment in the children's personal social services formula grant. One of the options includes an ethnicity element. No decisions have yet been taken and we would welcome representation from all interested parties.

Laming Report

To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the Laming report has not been published; when and by what mechanism it will be published; and when he will respond to the report. [67779]

Lord Laming continues to receive and to consider evidence, and intends to complete his report later this year. It will be published, following its receipt by the Secretaries of State for Health and the Home Department, and will be made widely available. We will respond to the report once its findings and recommendations has been considered.

Neonatal Intensive Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his policy is on the co-ordination of neonatal intensive care with the paediatric surgical sub-specialisation of (a) cleft lip and palate, (b) ophthalmology and (c) otolaryngology; [67662](2) what his policy is on establishing a set of national care standards for neonatal intensive care; [67671](3) what his policy is on the recruitment, retention and career progression of neonatal intensive care nurses; [67672](4) what assessment he makes of the staffing levels for doctors and nurses in neonatal intensive care; and what plans he has to increase these; [67667](5) how the needs of sick or premature new-born infants are categorised in the NHS; and what changes he proposes to make to these; [67668](6) what assessment he has made of the availability of capacity to meet demand in neonatal intensive care; [67675](7) what his policy is on the co-ordination of neonatal intensive care with the paediatric sub-specialisation of

(a) cardiology, (b) neurosurgery, (c) neurology, (d) nephrology, (e) radiology, (f) hepatology, (g) gastroenterology, (h) endocrinology and (i) haematology; [67663]

(8) what arrangements he will make to build networks to facilitate and exchange information on research into neonatal intensive care; [67664]

(9) what assessment he makes of the impact of restrictions on hours of work for junior doctors on the provision of neonatal intensive care; [67673]

(10) what action he plans to make available statistics on types of treatment given and outcomes in neonatal intensive care other than mortality; [67674]

(11) what action he intends to take to improve the co-ordination between neonatal intensive care facilities and general maternity facilities in the NHS; [67669]

(12) what provisions are made in the NHS for parents of sick or premature new-born infants who require neonatal intensive care; [67670]

(13) what assessment he has made of the changes needed in the organisation of neonatal intensive care; and if he will make a statement. [67661]

A review has been undertaken of provision for neonatal services which addresses the issues raised by the hon. Member. I have received a report following the review. This is currently under active consideration. I expect to determine the next steps in this process shortly.

Care Home Beds

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of nursing and care home beds in Surrey which have closed since June 2001. [68041]

The information is not available centrally.

Prescription Charges

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to review the list of medical conditions exempt from prescription charges; [68071](2) whether the list of medical conditions exempt from prescription charges has been reviewed since 1998. [68072]

The list of medical conditions conferring prescription charge exemption has not been reviewed since 1998 and we have no plans to do so. Our policy is to give priority to helping people who may have difficulty in paying charges, rather than extending the exemption arrangements to people with other medical conditions.

Young Disabled People

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action has been taken since 1997 to help remove barriers to young disabled people achieving an independent social life. [68181]

The Government are committed to maximising support to disabled young people so that they have the same chance to succeed and participate in society as their non-disabled peers. As part of the Government's Quality Protects programme we have set national objectives to improve family support and inclusive sport and leisure services for disabled children and young people. We have earmarked £60 million over three years from the children's special grant—£15 million in 2001–02 and 2002–03 and £30 million in 2003–04. The 2001 national overview report of local authority's Quality Protects Management Action Plans shows that councils are improving services by providing more: family support; accessible after-school activities; supported access to leisure facilities; transport to facilities and specialist support workers. Through the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000, we have introduced direct payments for 16 and 17-year-old disabled young people. This will increase choice, flexibility and access to services of their choice.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance he gives to disabled people who are moving into adulthood. [68183]

In "Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21' Century", issued in 2001, the Government set a national objective to improve transition services for young disabled people as they enter adulthood and in particular to ensure continuity of care and support. We have taken action to improve services in a number of ways:

Learning disability partnership boards have been asked to identify a member with lead responsibility for transition issues. Person-centred planning is being introduced for all young people moving from children's to adult's services by 2003.

The new Connexions personal advisers will identify disabled young people in their area and will work with the school and other relevant agencies to draw up the transition plans.

New guidance on improving multi-agency transition support for young disabled people leaving school has been included in the revised SEN Code of Practice.

For disabled young people leaving care, the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 places a duty on councils to provide young people aged 16 and over in and leaving care with support.

Dermatology

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to fill vacant dermatology positions in the NHS; and what plans he has to increase the trainee posts in dermatology. [69517]

The national health service vacancy survey collects information on the number of posts, which trusts are actively trying to fill which have been vacant for three months or more. As at 31 March 2002 there were 20 posts (6.0 per cent. vacancy rate) that had been vacant for three months or more in dermatology.Increased vacancies are to be expected at a time when we are trying to dramatically increase the size of the work force. New investment enables NHS trusts to create new posts however there can be a delay in providing sufficient staff for all the posts. The number of consultants in dermatology increased from 343 in September 1999 to 387 in March 2002. This is an increase of 13 per cent.In the short-term we are looking to boost the number of doctors through measures such as increasing progression through training, improved recruitment and retention measures, recruiting internationally and promoting flexible retirement. In the longer term we are substantially increasing the number of doctors in training.As at 30 September 2001 there were 265 specialist registrars in dermatology in the NHS in England. These increases, together with existing specialist registrar training places are expected to result in a consultant expansion in dermatology of 47 per cent. by 2010.

Kosmed System

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the Kosmed system of treatment produced by Eumedic Ltd.; [66795](2) what plans he has to assess the Kosmed system of treatment produced by Eumedic Ltd. [66796]

[holding answers 4 July 2002]: None.

Child Welfare

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) intends to commission into the cost savings which could be achieved for the NHS relating to effective measures to prevent the physical and emotional abuse of children; [67951](2) what recent assessment he has made of the mental health consequences and the costs to the NHS associated with mental health problems consequent upon the physical and emotional abuse of children. [67950]

[holding answers 8 July 2002]: No such research has been commissioned or is currently planned. Child and adolescent mental health services would be expected to assess the mental health problems of physically or emotionally abused children who are referred to them and to provide an appropriate service response.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement concerning his evaluation of the 24 CAMHS innovation projects. [68163]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: Each child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) innovation project is required to submit an annual report, receive annual monitoring visits and be individually evaluated. These individual evaluations are now approaching completion. The Department is working with YoungMinds on an overall evaluation of the programme and this overview report is due to be published in autumn 2002. This report will be launched at a national conference as part of the overall dissemination plan for the CAMHS innovation programme.

Looked-After Children

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 23 April 2002, Official Report, column 240W, on looked-after children, if he will set out his definition of (a) children in care and (b) children looked-after; and if he will make a statement. [67175]

[holding answer 8 July 2002]: Children in care are those who are being looked after by the local authority as the result of a care order made by the court under section 31 of the Children Act 1989.Children looked after is a term used to include both those children defined in

(a), and those provided with care by a local authority and placed in accommodation under section 20 of the Children Act (voluntarily accommodated).

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have looked-after children status in (a) the Isle of Sheppey, (b) Kent and (c) England. [67703]

At 31 March 2001 there were 58,900 looked-after children in England, and 1,770 in Kent. These figures exclude children who were accommodated under an agreed series of short-term placements.Figures for the Isle of Sheppey are not available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 8 February 2002, Official Report, column 1229W, on examination results (children in care), how many of those children who obtained (a) no GCSEs and (b) fewer than five GCSE passes at grade A to C went on to take resits. [67623]

[holding answer 8 July 2002]: The Department's data on the educational qualifications of looked-after children does not separately identify those children who re-sat GCSE examinations.

Working Minds

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has evaluated the Working Minds programme. [67954]

[holding answer 8 July 2002]: An evaluation of the 'mind out for mental health' campaign, including the Working Minds programme, has been undertaken by an independent research company. We are currently considering the findings of this evaluation. A summary of the results has been shared with campaign partners and stakeholders.

High Secure Hospitals

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have moved from high secure hospitals to more appropriate accommodation since 1 April 2001. [68058]

[holding answer 8 July 2002]: 238 patients considered to no longer require care and treatment in the high security hospitals have moved to more appropriate settings since 1 April 2001. This includes patients moving to other national health service or private hospital facilities, returning to prison or being discharged into the community.

Mycobacterium Bovis

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of mycobacterium bovis were found in humans in the United Kingdom in (a) 2000 and (b) 2001. [68506]

[holding answer 9 July 2002]: Information provided by the Public Health Laboratory Service show the number of cases of mycobacterium bovis (bovine TB) in humans for 2000 was 28. Data for 2001 are still being collected.

Acute Capacity

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the funding given to the NHS in 2002–03 to expand acute capacity was used to pay for the consequential costs in social care. [68517]

[holding answer 10 July 2002]: In 2002–03, health authorities received an average increase of 9.9 per cent. in their unified allocations. From this growth in funding it is for local organisations to decide how much to invest in the consequential costs in social care depending on local circumstances.

Henoch Schonlein Purpura

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children broken down by age, have been diagnosed with Henoch Schonlein Purpura in each of the last 10 years. [68932]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Care Homes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the questionnaire that is being sent to residents in care homes as part of the annual residents' report by the NCSC; and if he will make a statement on the cost of the questionnaire. [68776]

Smith [holding answer 11 July 2002]: The National Care Standards Commission is consulting service users and representative organisations as part of its inspection process.This is a considerable challenge to a new organisation, given the wide range of service users receiving care in care homes.Service user feedback is essential to ensure that the Commission's approach is right and a range of survey material will be produced to meet different needs. One of the approaches currently being used is a simple feedback card with six 'tick box' questions. This is based on similar cards used in the past, although it is subject to review and change.The pre-paid method of returning these cards is currently being costed.

Local Government Finance

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what ring-fenced grants were made available to local authorities in financial year 2001–02. [68291]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The table shows what ring-fenced grants were made available to local authorities by the Department in the financial year 2001–02.

Grant	£000
AIDS Support Grant	16,500
Drugs and Alcohol Specific Grant	8,850
Mental Health Grant	149,443
Training Support Programme	47,500
Children's Services Grant	291,750
Secure Accommodation Grant	6,228
Promoting Independence Grant	296,000
Carers' Grant	70,000
Care Direct Grant	2,000
Deferred Payments Scheme	15,000
Improving Information Management Grant	3,000
Young People's Substance Misuse Planning Grant	4,500
Building Care Capacity Grant	100,000
Invest to Save Grant	1,330

Children's National Service Framework

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timetable is for the mental health component of the children's national service framework; and if he will make a statement. [68164]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The acute care module of the children's national service framework (NSF) will be published later this year. A timetable has yet to be finalised for publication of the rest of the children's NSF.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what further meetings are planned in 2002 of the child and adolescent mental health working group of the children's national service framework. [68105]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The next meeting of the child and adolescent mental health working group of the children's national service framework will be held on 11 and 12 September.

Mental Health

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many inmates in British prisons were suffering from (a) severe and (b) other mental illness on the latest date for which figures are available; and how many there were in each of the previous six years. [67704]

This information is not available in the form requested.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health crisis resolution teams have all five required characteristics. [68133]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The numbers and configuration of crisis resolution teams are being monitored by the mental health mapping project. Data from autumn 2001 have recently become available. Copies of a mental health mapping atlas, which contains this information, have been deposited in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health crisis resolution teams provide a 24 hour service; and what proportion they represent of the total number of each team. [68132]

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether (a) he and (b) his Ministers have met Ministers in the Department for Work and Pensions to discuss ways of helping those with mental health problems to find work. [68150]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 25 February 2002, Official Report, column 941W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much extra money for child and adolescent mental health services is allocated for 2002–03 and each of the next three years. [68162]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: In 2002–03 we are investing a further £20 million in funding to local authorities via the child and adolescent mental health services mental health grant. This represents an increase of £5 million over the funding allocated in 2001–02. No decisions have been made on funding for the next three years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent reports he has received concerning the involvement of churches in working with health and social services to promote mental health; and if he will make a statement as to his assessment of the effectiveness of such involvement. [68104]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The Department has received no reports recently concerning involvement of churches in working with health and social services to promote mental health.I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him on 13 November 2001,

Official Report, column 679W, on the role of the church and mental health.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health assertive outreach teams have all seven required characteristics. [68131]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: The numbers and configuration of assertive outreach teams are being monitored by the mental health mapping project. Data from autumn 2001 have recently become available. Copies of a mental health mapping atlas, which contains this information, have been deposited in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many crisis resolution teams for mental health there are in (a) Worcestershire, (b) County Durham and (c) Darlington. [68134]

[holding answer 11 July 2002]: There are currently no crisis resolution teams operating in Worcestershire, County Durham or Darlington.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of assertive outreach teams provide a 24 hour on-call service available to service users known to the team. [68130]

Hospital Trust Boards

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what his policy is on the (a) minimum and (b) maximum age requirement for appointment as members of hospital trust boards; [69354](2) if he will make a statement on the recommended retirement age for members of hospital trusts. [69355]

[holding answers 12 July 2002]: There is no minimum or maximum age for chairs or non-executive members of national health service boards. Candidates are appointed on their merits, and their age is not taken into account.

Medical/Dental Education

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental education programmes in Scotland include infection control and anti-microbial prescribing. [61318]

[holding answer 13 June 2002]: I have been asked to reply.Both the Government and the Scottish Executive want to see good training in this area. On 25 June this year, the Executive made available £100,000 to promote and enhance undergraduate teaching in Scottish Medical Schools of issues relating to anti-microbial resistance.

Child Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is given to parents to help with child care costs. [68255]

I have been asked to reply.

Working parents, subject to the level of their income, may receive support through the child care tax credit element of the working families tax credit or the disabled person's tax credit for eligible child care costs. This offers help with up to 70 per cent. of costs up to £135 a week for one child or £200 a week for two or more children. Support is also available through various grants and access funds for parents studying further and higher education, for participants on the New Deals and those receiving job seekers allowance.

Students in higher education in England may be entitled to the HE child care grant, which provides—during term time and short vacations—an 85 per cent. contribution towards the costs of 'approved' care up to a maximum of £135 per week for one child and £200 per week for two or more children. In the long vacation a 70 per cent. rate applies. Students in further education can apply to colleges for funding from a ring fenced national FE child care support fund of £30 million in 2001–02. £25 million was available in 2000–01.

Lone parents participating in the New Deal for lone parents programme, can receive assistance with the costs of registered child care while attending job interviews, approved training or meetings with their personal adviser.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been allocated for the National Childcare Strategy; and what measures there are to monitor spending. [68253]

I have been asked to reply.Since 1998, £498 million has been allocated to Early Years Development and Childcare Partnerships (EYDCPs) under the NCS. The bulk of the funding is paid quarterly in arrears, based on claims submitted by the relevant local authorities for expenditure in line with their approved plans.Payments are offset against the funds allocated to each Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) and expenditure is monitored against the relevant targets in their agreed plans.NCS questions for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland should be taken up with the appropriate assembly.

National Service Framework For Older People

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been made available to support (a) the National Service Framework for Older People and (b) the provision of chiropody services within the National Service Framework for Older People in the current financial year. [69406]

[holding answer 12 July 2002]: By 2003–04, an extra £1.4 billion is being made available for the overall development of health and social services for older people, including resources to support the introduction of the national service framework for older people, which includes actions for the development of chiropody services.The Government are making the biggest ever investment in the history of the national health service. There will be an annual average increase of 7.5 per cent. above inflation over the next five years 2003–04 to

2007–08. This is now the largest ever sustained increase in NHS funding and older people—the biggest users of the NHS, will be among the principal beneficiaries.

Free Personal Care

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to evaluate the implementation of free personal care; and whether the views of self-funding residents will be sought. [69553]

[holding answer 12 July 2002]: The decision to make personal care free was taken by the Scottish Executive, and the evaluation of that policy will be a matter for the Scottish Executive.

Mid-Essex Hospital Trust

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people (a) were waiting for in-patient

treatment, (b) had been waiting for over 12 months for in-patient treatment and (c) had been waiting over 15 months for in-patient treatment, in the Mid-Essex Hospital Trust area in the last two months for which figures are available. [69029]

[pursuant to his reply, 11 July 2002, c. 1208W]: I regret that my previous reply was incorrect. It should read:The latest available information on in-patients and day cases waiting for treatment at the Mid-Essex Hospital National Health Service Trust are shown in the table:

	End of April 2002	End of May 2002
For in-patient treatment and day case treatment	9,874	9,986
Waiting over 12 months	269	232
Waiting over 15 months	0	0

Source:

DHSC monthly fast track figures

Volume 389: debated on Monday 15 July 2002

Written Answers To Questions

Foreign And Commonwealth Affairs

Post-War Expulsions

European Community Treaty

Gibraltar

Democratic Republic Of Congo

British Overseas Prisoners

Uk Peacekeeping Missions

Comprehensive Spending Review

Public Service Agreements

Rwanda

Turkey

Future Of Europe

Indonesia

Zimbabwe

Overseas Security Services

Drug Enforcement Training (Iran)

Departmental Statements

Trinidad And Tobago

Privy Council

Public Consultations

Comprehensive Spending Review

Transport

Public Transport (Safety)

West Coast Main Line

Devolution

Road And Bridge Maintenance

Comprehensive Spending Review

Significant Accidents

Urban Bus Challenge

Bus Services, London

Car Tax

Search And Rescue Helicopter, Portland

Vehicle Registration (Data Access)

Road Safety

M11

Strategic Rail Authority

Maritime And Coastguard Agency

Consultations

Software

School Transport

Rural Bus Services

Transport For London

Network Rail

Us-Uk Air Services

Singapore Airlines

Light Dues

Fire Service

Defence

Defence Estates

Infantry Manning Levels

British Commitments

Warship Building

Shoeburyness (New Ranges)

Ordnance Production

Territorial Army

Personnel (Religions)

Eurofighter

Afghanistan

Service Personnel

Fleet Air Arm

European Defence Capabilities

Gurkha Regiments

Raf Engineers

Armed Services Housing

Imber

Munitions

Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Missile Defence

Joint Rapid Reaction Force

Hms Bridport

Hms Nottingham

Environment, Food And Rural Affairs

Communication Masts

Energy Efficiency Programmes

Landfill

Sheepmeat

Animal Feed