---

Zimbabwe

Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to President Mugabe of Zimbabwe over (a) the revocation of the national reconciliation policy and (b) threats to arrest Ian Smith and other former Rhodesian Government members. [135838]

Mr. Hain: Although President Mugabe has announced to supporters that he intends to revoke the National Reconciliation Policy and arrest members of the former Rhodesian Government, he has taken no steps to do so. We are concerned by any action or statement which might threaten stability and political reconciliation in Zimbabwe, and will follow developments closely.

31 Oct 2000 : Column: 368W

Jordan

Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his most recent discussions with King Abdullah of Jordan. [135837]

Mr. Hain: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs met King Abdullah of Jordan in Amman on 12 October and in London on 25 October. The main topic of discussion at each meeting was the continuing crisis in the Middle East and the Peace Process. The Foreign Secretary praised King Abdullah for his constructive efforts to bring peace to the region and reaffirmed Britain's strong commitment to close co-operation and friendship with Jordan.

Departmental Employees

Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what capacity Peter Penfold is employed by his Department. [135919]

Mr. Hain: Mr. Peter Penfold is a member of the FCO's Senior Management Structure. He has now returned to the UK after completing his posting in Sierra Leone, and in accordance with normal procedure is being considered for further appointments.

Sierra Leone

Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the UN about the new commander of the UN peacekeeping force in Sierra Leone. [135917]

Mr. Hain: The withdrawal of the Indian contingent in UNAMSIL will leave the Force Commander post open. We have encouraged the UN Secretary-General to consider carefully all suitable candidates for this key position.

Savings Tax

Mr. Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on proposals by the European Commission relating to tax rates on savings. [135380]

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.

At the Feira European Council in June, the Prime Minister and the Chancellor persuaded the EU to accept exchange of information rather than a withholding tax on cross-border savings income as the way forward. This illustrated the success of the Government's policy of constructive engagement on EU issues.

SCOTLAND

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Mr. David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Fourth Annual report and Accounts for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency will be published. [136033]

Dr. Reid: The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has published its fourth Annual Report and Accounts today. The report contains details of the

31 Oct 2000 : Column: 369W

progress made by SEPA during the period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000, the Agency's fourth year of operation. A copy of the Annual Report and Accounts has been placed in the Library.

EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

Employment Statistics

Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on progress made in the current review of the most effective way to measure (a) employment and (b) unemployment statistics. [135445]

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

Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Llew Smith, dated 31 October 2000:

The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question about the progress made in the current review of the most effective way to measure employment and unemployment statistics. I am replying in the his absence. (135445)

There is no general review of employment or unemployment statistics taking place currently. However, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is involved with a project, including public consultation, for the Labour Market Theme Working Group. This includes a question on the public's requirements with regard to sub-national unemployment rates. In addition, ONS is currently reviewing the unemployment rate measures.

The review began in 1999 and the public consultation stage is currently underway. This was launched in September via an article published in Labour Market Trends. The article was also posted on the National Statistics website and sent out to members of the Central and Local Government Information Partnership sub-group. Users are invited to comment on its proposals. The closing date for contributions to this consultation process is 31 October 2000.

A report is planned early in 2001 summarising the responses received and outlining the next steps. Details of the implementation timetable for the various work programmes will also be included.

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

Correspondence

Sir Brian Mawhinney: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the right hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire will receive a reply to his letter of 12 April on behalf of his constituent Mrs. Eddy. [127374]

Mr. Nick Brown [holding answer 23 June 2000]: I replied to the letter from the right hon. Member on 19 July 2000.

Mr. McLoughlin: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for West Derbyshire, dated 6 June and 17 May, regarding Mr. Ian Cannon and Armillatox. [132444]

Mr. Nick Brown [holding answer 25 July 2000]: My noble Friend the Baroness Hayman replied to the letters from the hon. Member on 23 June 2000, but due to a regrettable failure in recent months by the external courier firm contracted by MAFF to deliver certain mail to Parliament, the replies were not delivered when originally

31 Oct 2000 : Column: 370W

despatched. The Department's contract with the courier firm has been terminated, and a full investigation of the incident is now under way, including a review of our mail tracking system to ensure that this cannot occur again. The replies were re-sent on 29 September. I apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Mrs. Browning: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will reply to the letter of 10 May from the hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton requesting a meeting on behalf of Mrs. A. Barnes. [131751]

Mr. Morley [holding answer 21 July 2000]: I replied to the hon. Member on 26 July.

Mr. Burns: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the hon. Member for West Chelmsford will receive a reply to his letter of 14 April on behalf of his constituent Mr. H. E. Biggs. [131755]

Mr. Nick Brown [holding answer 21 July 2000]: My noble Friend the Baroness Hayman replied to the letter from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford on 31 May 2000, but due to a regrettable failure in recent months by the external courier firm contracted by MAFF to deliver certain mail to Parliament, the replies were not delivered when originally despatched. The Department's contract with the courier firm has been terminated, and a full investigation of the incident is now under way, including a review of our mail tracking system to ensure that this cannot occur again. The reply was re-sent on 19 October. I apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Mrs. Shephard: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for South-West Norfolk of 31 August. [134293]

Mr. Nick Brown [holding answer 26 October 2000]: I replied to the right hon. Member on 27 October 2000.

Crop Contamination

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he was informed first of the import of GM-contaminated oil and rape seeds into the United Kingdom. [128497]

Mr. Nick Brown: I was sent advice on the position on 19 April.

Abattoirs

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent representations he has received on (a) the future of small abattoirs and (b) the level of meat hygiene charges. [132891]

Mr. Nick Brown: I have received a large number of representations on this subject. They will be taken

31 Oct 2000 : Column: 371W

into account before decisions are reached on the recommendations of the Meat Inspections Charges Task Force.

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the future of small abattoirs; and if he will make a statement. [132889]

Mr. Nick Brown: I am well aware of concerns about the future position of small and medium enterprises. That is why the Agriculture Strategy launched in March set up a Task Force to review the issue of meat inspection charges as they bear on this sector. My colleagues and I are now considering the Task Force recommendations.

---