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Intelligence Sources

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place a copy of the Blelloch Report on the handling of intelligence sources in the Library. [111466]

Mr. Paul Murphy: I have been asked to reply.

The Blelloch Report deals with matters of national security and its sensitivity precludes publication.

Justice and Home Affairs Council

Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held on 8 May; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement. [113102]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: My noble Friend Lord Filkin represented the United Kingdom at the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council in Brussels on 8 May.

The A points were approved as in document PTS A 21 (8922/03) (a copy of which has been placed in the Library). This included adoption of the Protocol amending the Convention on the use of information technology for customs purposes as regards the creation of a customs files identification database (known as FIDE) which Ministers subsequently signed in the margins of the Council.

Ministers discussed the Directive on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third-country nationals and stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection

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with a view to resolving the outstanding reservations. However, one member state in particular maintained reservations on the text, including the definition of a refugee and on the right and benefits to be accorded to those with subsidiary protection status. The Presidency reiterated its intention to seek agreement to the Directive at the June JHA Council.

The Council agreed to exclude refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection from the scope of the Directive concerning the status of third country nationals who are long-term residents. This followed confirmation by the Commission that it would table by early 2004 a separate proposal for a Directive addressing the needs of those groups.

The Presidency summarised progress on the follow up to the Seville European Council in view of the report to be submitted to the Thessaloniki European Council. The Commission reported on the implementation of the Afghan Returns Programme and the feasibility study on the Visa Information System which would be discussed at the June JHA Council. The Commission also confirmed that a Communication on international protection regimes would be prepared in time for that meeting. Lord Filkin urged member states to consider future priorities,—asylum (including recent UK ideas); reduction of flows of illegal migrants into the EU; more effective co-operation with source countries on returns; and better financing for JHA external action, including proper integration of JHA needs into other EU programmes.

The Presidency and Commission reported on the negotiations with Switzerland on participation in the Schengen Acquis and asylum measures, noting that they

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would be remitted to the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) and then discussed at the General Affairs and External Relations Council.

The Presidency reaffirmed its intention to seek adoption at the June JHA Council of the Council Decision authorising signature of the Agreements between the EU and USA on extradition and mutual legal assistance, with signature to take place at the EU-US Summit on 25 June. However, it noted that domestic parliamentary scrutiny was on-going for several member states, including the UK. A number of member states, including the UK, also indicated that they were considering the need to make constitutional statements in accordance with Article 24 TEU. One member state sought further amendments to the Extradition Agreement.

The Council reached a general approach on the Framework Decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties. The Presidency said that the European Parliament would need to be re-consulted on the text and further discussions were required on the recitals and accompanying certificate. Five member states, including the UK, maintained parliamentary scrutiny reservations.

The Council agreed the appointment of two Europol Deputy Directors, including a UK candidate.

Under any other business, Ministers also took note of the Commission's proposal for a Common Position on notifying the Council of Europe of the forthcoming application of the Framework Decision establishing the European Arrest Warrant between the member states. The Council received an update on recent discussions in the G8 which had reviewed progress made in the fight against terrorism and organised crime. Finally, the Netherlands drew the Council's attention to its contribution to the discussions on judicial cooperation in the Future of Europe Convention.

Meat Imports

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what tonnage of legally imported meat was imported to the UK from (a) France, (b) Argentina and (c) Uruguay in 2002. [118022]

Mr. Morley: I have been asked to reply.

Community legislation does permit imports of meat from France, Argentina and Uruguay. The table shows the tonnage of imported meat and meat preparations to the UK from (a) France, (b) Argentina and (c) Uruguay in 2002. Data on illegal imports are not available.

Tonnage thousands

Country	2002
France	143,276
Argentina	24,652
Uruguay	16,592

Note:

2002 EU data is provisional and subject to amendment.

Source:

HM Customs and Excise. Data prepared by Statistics (Commodities and Food) Accounts and Trade, ESD, DEFRA

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TREASURY

Cash Machines (Charges)

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will commission an assessment of the impact fee-charging cash machines have on those on low incomes. [118943]

John Healey: The Government are not currently planning to commission an assessment of the impact fee-charging cash machines have on those on low incomes.

Issues regarding cash machines will, however, be considered as part of the Government's ongoing monitoring of payment system issues.

Mr. Gardiner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will regulate fee-charging for ATM withdrawals. [118944]

John Healey: The Cruickshank report of March 2000 rejected the idea of directly regulating the retail charges for ATM cash withdrawals or banning such charges. The Government agrees with this finding and currently has no plans to regulate fee-charging for ATM withdrawals.

The costs of providing unrestricted access to cash, 24 hours a day at thousands of locations around the country are considerable. It is a matter of commercial judgment for ATM owners whether to pass these costs on to customers in the form of retail charges. Such charges allow ATMs to be located where otherwise it would not be cost effective to do so. Nevertheless, the Government do not think that it would be appropriate for ATM owners to charge customers in excess of reasonable costs.

Recent years have seen a large increase in the number of ATMs—over 32 per cent. since March 2000. This expansion in the UK's network of ATMs has been to the benefit of consumers.

The Government remain committed to introducing legislation to give the Office of Fair Trading new regulatory powers to promote effective competition in payment systems—and aims to do so as soon as parliamentary time allows. Issues relating to ATMs will be considered as part of this process.

Child Tax Credit

Mr. Peter Duncan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of eligible families are in receipt of child tax credit. [119341]

Dawn Primarolo: Statistics on awards of child and working tax credits will be published when figures are available.

Heroin

Mr. George Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of the UK heroin trade which originated in Afghanistan in each of the last 10 years. [118704]

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John Healey: HM Customs and Excise estimates that in the last three years up to 95 per cent. of the heroin consumed in the United Kingdom originated from opium produced in Afghanistan. No estimate has been made for the years prior to that.

Mortgage Interest Relief

Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to revise the regulations governing mortgage interest relief for people who took out a mortgage prior to October 1995 but have since remortgaged their property with a different lender. [118954]

Mr. Boateng: Mortgage Interest Relief was withdrawn with effect from April 2000. This tax relief is now only given on loans, taken out before 9 March 1999, and used by people aged over 65 to purchase life annuities. These loans have to meet certain conditions—for example, the loan must be secured on the borrower's main residence. Loans replacing such loans may also qualify for relief. There are no plans to change the rules governing this relief.

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