Written Answers of 28 April 2003

PRIME MINISTER

  Iraq
  Adam Price
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what discussions he has had with the US Administration regarding the longer term plans for the oversight of the oil industry in Iraq; [110014]

  (2) if he will make a statement on his policy on the long-term plans for the oversight of the oil industry in Iraq.[110013]

  (3) what his policy is on whether Iraqi oil, following the conflict in the Gulf, should be sold in (a) dollars and (b) euros; and what discussions he has had with the US Administration on this issue.[109382]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave the hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) and for Blyth Valley (Mr. Campbell) in the House on 14 April 2003,Official Report, columns 627 and 630–31.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had on lifting UN sanctions on Iraq.[110039]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) in the House on 14 April 2003,Official Report, column 620.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had on a debt restructuring conference for post-war Iraq.[110041]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr. Duncan Smith) in the House on 14 April 2003,Official Report, column 620.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the US Government on deployment of international civilian police force in Iraq following the conflict to(a) assist in civil security needs and (b) help train and monitor Iraq's civilian police. [110043]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the statement I gave in the House on 14 April 2003.

  President Bush
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister on which occasions since 11 September 2001 he has held meetings with President Bush; what the venues were; and on which occasions the production of oil from middle eastern countries was discussed. [110266]
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  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Matthew Taylor) on 8 April 2003,Official Report, columns 126–27W, and the answer I gave the hon. Member for Halifax (Mrs. Mahon) in the House on 14 April 2003, Official Report, column 627.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Afghanistan
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much opium(a) was produced by Afghanistan in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2002, (b) has been produced this year and (c) is predicted for 2004 on present trends.[108012]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. This reported that 185 tonnes of opium was produced in 2001 and 3,400 tonnes in 2002.

  The UNODC is in the process of carrying out the 2003 survey. Its results will be published in the autumn. The 2004 survey is likely to start at the end of this year.

  In March 2003 the UNODC published an Opium Rapid Assessment Survey for Afghanistan. This gave an early insight into the pattern of opium poppy cultivation for the 2002–03 growing season, but did not predict the level of opium production for 2003 or beyond.

  The 2002 increase was no surprise. The Taliban's cultivation ban in 2001 was driven by short-term motives and inherently unsustainable. It was imposed with bribery and threats, including in some cases, death. It also did not cover trafficking, processing or stockpiling. Indeed the Taliban's profits from these activities grew as, after two bumper harvests, the ban drove up opium prices. Sustained reductions in cultivation will only follow from a long-term process to build up Afghan drug law enforcement and encourage alternative livelihoods for farmers.

  Al-Qaeda
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on al-Qaeda terror activity in(a) the Middle East and (b) the rest of the world.[109325]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Al-Qaeda continues to pose a significant threat in the Middle East and globally, despite some very considerable success against their leaders and operations. Al-Qaeda and related groups will only be overcome through sustained international effort and co-operation. The UK will continue to play a leading role in the fight against international terrorism.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on evidence of al-Qaeda links to the ricin plant found in Iraq.[109326]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have received a number of reports on facilities in north-east Iraq in territory controlled by Ansar al Islam, and their links to al-Qaeda. It is the practice of successive Governments
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  not to comment on intelligence matters. The Security and Intelligence Agencies are not within the scope of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Paragraph 6, Part I)

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) funds and (b) personnel have been allocated to the war in Iraq which would otherwise have been directed at the al-Qaeda threat.[109327]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  None. Coalition action in Iraq has not been at the expense of the campaign against international terrorism, which has continued unabated. There has never been a question of choosing between the two threats. The downfall of the regime in Iraq will reduce the threat of terrorists gaining access to weapons of mass destruction.

  Assisted Suicide
  Mr. Plaskitt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidelines he has issued to his staff on dealing with inquiries from UK citizens seeking an assisted suicide overseas.[107576]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Consular staff guidelines provide that British nationals seeking assisted suicide abroad should be given the same consular services as all our consular customers. They also state that consular staff should not provide advice or assistance to British nationals seeking information about the law or practice relating to assisted suicide in other countries, but should explain that it is contrary to UK law. Our staff should advise that British nationals should obey the laws of any country to which they travel, and that local legal advice should be sought if appropriate.

  Bangladesh
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent discussions he has had with the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on the actions of her Government in Operation Clean Heart; and if he will make a statement; [108282]

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Bangladesh Government on the complaints of harassment of members of opposition parties in Bangladesh; and if he will make a statement.[108284]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We were concerned by reports of mistreatment of detainees associated with "Operation Clean Heart", and by the simultaneous arrests and reported harassment of opposition politicians. We have discussed both issues with the Bangladesh Government on a number of occasions, including when my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Development (Ms Keeble), met the Bangladesh Home Minister in Dhaka last December. We look for the due process of law to be followed in all cases. We also urge the Government and opposition parties to work together in the interests of democracy.

  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the British High Commissioner in Bangladesh on the human rights situation in Bangladesh.[108283]
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  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary sees the High Commissioner's reports on human rights and other developments in Bangladesh and has discussions with him at Heads of Mission meetings. We continue to raise our concerns on human rights with the Bangladesh authorities. The FCO Director for South Asia and our High Commissioner discussed human rights with the Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in London in January. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Development (Ms Keeble), also took up the issue with the Bangladesh Home Minister when she visited Dhaka last December.

  British Detainees (Guantanamo Bay)
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2003,Official Report, column 741W, what the response of the US Government has been to his request for formal consular access to Guantanamo Bay. [108057]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave her on 24 March 2003,Official Report, column 70W. As Guantanamo Bay is outside a recognised consular district, the US does not consider that we are entitled to formal consular access there. However, British officials have visited on four occasions to check on the welfare of the British nationals and ask questions relating to national security. We were the first country to visit its nationals.

  Burma
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the effect of EU sanctions on human rights violations in Burma; and if he will make a statement.[108446]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The EU Common Position has been effective in keeping up international pressure for the Burmese regime to improve its unacceptable record of human rights violations. There have been some very minor improvements since 2000 such as the release of some political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and improved co-operation with the United Nations. However, the overall situation remains of grave concern. UK policy will remain firm until the military regime irreversibly commits to national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with EU colleagues concerning future action against the Burmese Government in the event of continuing human rights violations in Burma.[108447]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The EU Common Position comes up for renewal before 29 April 2003. Discussion within the European Union is ongoing including at ministerial level, concerning the European Union's assessment of the situation in Burma. The human rights situation is an important part of this discussion and a key factor in deciding if/how the European Union Common Position should be amended to best press for political change in Burma.
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  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of(a) the State Peace and Development Council and (b) the National League for Democracy concerning political repression in Burma. [108448]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  On 7 March I met the Burmese Ambassador to the UK to express my concern over the deteriorating political, economic, humanitarian and human rights situation in Burma. I explained that UK policy may have to toughen unless the military authorities take action to move the political process forward.

  I am in regular telephone contact with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. We have agreed that the overall level of repression in Burma remains a cause of grave concern and that the military regime must act quickly to move Burma towards national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have received from supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi concerning her(a) current condition and (b) treatment at the hands of the Burmese Government. [108449]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I am in regular telephone contact with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. She remains resolute and hopeful that democracy in Burma is achievable. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is able to travel and operate relatively freely. On 6 April she undertook a visit to Chin State where large crowds met her. There have been some instances where local authorities have obstructed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's visits, most notably in Northern Rakhine State in December 2002. As a result of the problems encountered in Northern Rakhine State, the UK and EU have issued statements expressing concern and calling for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's freedom to travel and operate.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what efforts are being made by the British Government to encourage a reduction in regional border tensions between Burma, Bangladesh and Thailand. [108450]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The EU co-sponsored a resolution on Burma at the United Nations General Assembly in November 2002 that pressed for the peaceful end to all conflicts in Burma. We are also in regular contact with the Governments of Bangladesh and Thailand to press the case for political progress in Burma. It is in the best interests of all Burma's neighbours that national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy is rapidly achieved.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on co-operation between the British and Burmese authorities to stem the trade in illicit drugs produced in Burma. [108451]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The primary source of opium that is trafficked to the UK is from Afghanistan. There is no evidence of illicit drugs originating from Burma being trafficked to the UK in significant quantities.
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  Despite some co-operation with the United Nations on drug related issues, the Burmese authorities' response to the continued production and distribution of illicit drugs from the territory of Burma remain insufficient.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the State Peace and Development Council concerning the denial of full citizenship to ethnic and religious minorities in Burma. [108452]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In keeping with its attitude towards other human rights problems, the State Peace and Development Council does not accept that it has a problem concerning the denial of full citizenship rights to Burmese citizens. However, there is ample evidence that this is a serious problem, in particular given the refusal to grant full rights to many of the Muslim Rohinghyas who live in Rakhine State.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made concerning access for the UNHCR to all parts of Burma. [108453]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There has been some modest progress in access for UNHCR staff in Burma, such as in Northern Rakhine State. However, many areas of Burma remain off-limits to the United Nations and non-government organisations, in particular parts of the Thai/Burma border. I place a high priority on action to press for unhindered access to all parts of Burma for the United Nations and non-governmental organisations.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the number of internally displaced people in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [108454]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Definitive figures are not available because international access is restricted in large areas of Burma. However, some estimates from non-government organisations have indicated that over 600,000 may be internally displaced in Burma. Despite the lack of accurate statistics, it is clear that this is a major problem and that the Burmese authorities must take action to stop fresh displacement of people and allow the safe resettlement of those currently internally displaced.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of any developments in the human rights situation in Burma since the adoption of the most recent UN Resolution in November 2002; and if he will make a statement. [108455]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Regrettably, we have not seen any substantive improvements in the overall human rights situation in Burma since the November 2002 resolution at the United Nations General Assembly. The military authorities have allowed a delegation from Amnesty International to visit Burma. But this has not yet led to an improvement in human rights adherence. I am also
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  concerned that the pace of the release of political prisoners has slowed markedly and that there has been a significant increase in new detentions and arrests for political reasons.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department intends to take in response to human rights violations and continued breach of UN resolutions on the part of the Burmese Government; and if he will make a statement. [108456]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The EU is currently drafting a resolution on the human rights situation in Burma for adoption at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights later this month. The UK is playing an active role in producing the draft. I believe it is important that the international community continues to make clear its abhorrence of the human rights violations in Burma and maintains pressure for the situation to be rapidly improved.

  The human rights situation will also be a key factor in the European Union's discussions concerning the renewal this month of the European Union Common Position on Burma. The Common Position contains a range of measures designed to bring pressure to bear on the military authorities to move towards national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy in Burma.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from(a) ASEAN nations, (b) NGOs and (c) UN member states concerning possible action to promote human rights in Burma; and if he will make a statement. [108457]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The FCO is in regular contact with ASEAN nations, non-governmental organisations and other members of the United Nations concerning the human rights situation in Burma. The successive resolutions passed on Burma at the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Commission on Human Rights confirm the international community's view that the situation is unacceptable and that rapid action is needed by the Burmese military authorities to improve their human rights record.

  HMG will continue to work for a collective approach within the international community to reduce and eliminate human rights violations in Burma.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to address the use of forced child labour in Burma. [108458]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The UK has been at the forefront of support for the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) effort to eliminate the use of forced labour in Burma. At the meeting of the ILO Governing Body in March 2003, the Presidency of the European Union, on behalf of the UK and other EU countries, expressed continuing concern that the Burmese regime had not made further progress on this issue and said that it was a lack of political will on behalf of the Burmese authorities that was the root cause of this. The UK fully supports the decision taken by the ILO to call for a plan of action to be agreed before the next meeting of the ILO Liaison 120W
  Officer and the Burmese authorities on the steps required to reduce and eliminate forced labour in Burma.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has received from the Burmese Government concerning human rights violations; and if he will make a statement. [108459]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Burmese military regime has not signed up to many of the United Nations instruments covering acceptable standards of human rights adherence and does not share our concern about the unacceptable level of human rights violations in Burma. We will continue to press bilaterally with the Burmese regime and in international fora for a rapid improvement in the situation. As part of this we will continue to press for democratic reform in Burma. It is only through the return of democracy and the rule of law that the underlying problems contributing to the human rights violations can be adequately addressed.

  Chechnya
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the numbers of people who have fled the conflict in Chechnya, and subsequently returned. [109345]

  Mr. MacShane
  The security situation in Chechnya ha.s made it very difficult to obtain accurate data. The Danish Refugee Council, a respected NGO working in the area, estimates the population of Chechnya to be 675,000 of whom 143,000 are internally displaced within the republic. They also estimate that a further 95,000 Chechens are living in the neighbouring republic of Ingushetia and that 40,000 more are living further afield. According to official sources, the current population of Chechnya is 1,088,000. We believe that more than 180,000 people fled to Ingushetia during the peak of the fighting in late 1999/early 2000. Approximately half of them have now returned to Chechnya.

  Civil Servants (Overseas Missions)
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the employment rights of locally-engaged British civil servants who serve abroad for a diplomatic mission; and what complaints procedure is open to them. [108635]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In FCO missions abroad the rights of all employees are protected by local law.

  Every mission is required to have complaints procedures set out in Terms and Conditions of Service given to each employee on appointment.

  Procedures in each mission will vary. There would be disproportionate cost involved in obtaining copies of procedures from every post in the world.

  Democratic Republic of the Congo
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to promote peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [108902]
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  Mr. Rammell
  The UK is actively engaged with our African, EU and UN partners in promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Government have supported the implementation of both the Lusaka Peace Agreement and the Pretoria Agreement of July 2002 as providing the most viable way forward.

  We warmly welcome the agreement signed in Sun City on 2 April on the establishment of a transitional government with a view to democratic elections in two years time. We will play our part as a member of the International Support Committee which is tasked with supporting the transitional process in DRC.

  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the latest situation in the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; what steps his Department is taking to address this situation; and if he will make a statement. [101772]

  Mr. Rammell
  Agreement was reached on 2 April in Sun City (South Africa) on the establishment of a transitional government in the Democratic Republic of Congo. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary issued a press statement on 3 April warmly welcoming this development. I have placed a copy in the Library of the House.

  The UK is actively engaged with our African, EU arid UN partners in promoting a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Government have supported the implementation of both the Lusaka Peace Agreement and the Pretoria Agreement of July 2002 as providing the most viable way forward. It will continue to play its part, as a member of the International Committee for Support to the Transition, which is tasked with supporting the transitional process in the DRC.

  Employment Relations Act
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department have taken time off from work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999. [108350]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office do not record this information centrally so we are unable to provide this information without incurring disproportionate costs.

  EU Enlargement
  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 1 April 2003,Official Report, column 653W, if he will undertake a fresh analysis of the costs and benefits to the United Kingdom of EU enlargement. [108135]

  Mr. MacShane
  Figures for the positive economic benefits of enlargement for the current EU, including the UK, have been supported by other independent studies, including, most recently, the Report of Wim Kok to the European Commission "Enlarging the European Union: Achievements and Challenges (March 2003)". This estimates that enlargement will 122W
  provide a one-time gain of 0.2 per cent. of GDP for the current EU, and create 300,000 jobs (http://www.iue.it/RSCAS).

  Michael Fabricant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 1 April 2003,Official Report, column 653W, if he will undertake an analysis of the costs and benefits to the United Kingdom of EU membership; and if he will make a statement. [108136]

  Mr. MacShane
  The costs and benefits to the UK of EU membership are regularly discussed in Parliament and revealed in oral and written questions. This is a continuing process and the FCO has no plan to publish a specific report at this time on this subject.

  Family Visa Applications
  John McDonnell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the reasons for the increase in the refusal rate since August 2002 for family visa applications in(a) India, (b) Tehran, (c) Cairo, (d) Nicosia and (e) Nairobi. [109121]

  Mr. Rammell
  All applications are decided on their merits and in accordance with the Immigration Rules. Globally the monthly refusal rate in 2002 follows a similar pattern to the monthly refusal rate in 2001. The fee for family visitor appeals was abolished on 15 May 2002 but there is no evidence that ECO decision making has been influenced by the abolition of the fee. Work is now in hand on the final report of the interdepartmental review of family visitor appeals, which we expect to publish in June.

  Ian Hook (Israel)
  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department made to the Government of Israel following the shooting of UNRWA worker Ian Hook; and what response has been made to those representations. [107486]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have made our concerns clear at the highest levels. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to the then Israeli Foreign Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, on 22 November 2002. Mr. Netanyahu promised an immediate investigation and gave an undertaking to share the results as soon as he had them. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary followed up with Mr. Netanyahu on 20 December 2002. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister raised the matter with Prime Minister Sharon on 29 November 2002. I have also raised it on a number of occasions with the Israeli Ambassador, Mr. Shtauber.

  There has also been frequent contact between our embassy in Tel Aviv and the Israeli authorities and between senior officials in London and the Israeli embassy. The Israelis have assured us that the investigation would be rigorous and comprehensive.

  We are in touch with the Hook family who are considering next steps.
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  Richard Burden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has been given by the Government of Israel concerning the results of inquiries undertaken into the circumstances of the death of Ian Hook. [107487]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Israelis have reported privately to Mr. Hook's family on the findings of their investigation. We are in touch with the Hook family, who are considering next steps.

  India/Pakistan Relations
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the current state of relations between India and Pakistan; and if he will make a statement. [109177]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We remain seriously concerned at the continuing unstable stand-off between India and Pakistan. The reductions in military deployments by both sides in late 2002 were welcome. But these were not unfortunately followed by further de-escalatory moves or movement towards the resumption of political engagement.

  We face a significant risk of a renewed crisis between India and Pakistan over the coming months. It is in neither side's interests to provoke or initiate a military conflict that could escalate to the use of nuclear weapons. Pakistan should fulfil its commitments to stop infiltration across the Line of Control and discourage any acts of violence by militants in Kashmir. Both sides should consider immediately implementing a cease-fire and take other active steps to reduce tension. The United Kingdom stands ready to help both countries start a process aimed at building confidence, normalising bilateral relations and resolving outstanding differences, including Kashmir. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary made these points clearly in his joint statement with US Secretary Powell at Camp David on 27 March.

  International Criminal Court
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which the International Criminal Court could intervene to prosecute UK citizens in cases where the British judicial system was unwilling or unable to do so. [103780]

  Mr. Rammell
  In accordance with the complementarity provisions of the Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Criminal Court Act 2001 (which gave domestic effect to the Statute), the relevant UK authorities will, where appropriate, exercise jurisdiction in respect of allegations against UK service personnel, UK Citizens or residents.

  Iraq
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with Iraqi opposition groups about the nature of a post-war Iraq Government. [107823]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We hold regular consultations with the Iraqi community in the UK and elsewhere and are actively seeking their input into a representative post-Saddam Government in Iraq.
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  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the participation of pro-independence Kurdish political parties and pro-Iranian Islamic fundamentalist parties in elections in post-war Iraq. [107971]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 2 April 2003, "We want Iraq to be run by the Iraqi people for the Iraqi people". And we want to get to this point as soon as possible.

  In order to facilitate this, we hold regular consultations with the Iraqi community in the UK and elsewhere and are actively seeking their input into discussions on a representative post-Saddam Government in Iraq.

  We hope that any post-Saddam representative authority in Iraq will include all sections of Iraqi society. However, as we have made clear on many occasions, we condemn terrorism and terrorist organisations and do not expect recognised terrorist organisations to be part of the process leading to a representative authority in post-Saddam Iraq.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the content of the 1994 US Senate Riegle Report, with particular reference to Chapter 1, Part 2, US Exports of Biological Materials to Iraq. [108536]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The section of the report dealing with US exports of biological materials to Iraq contains details of a number of exports of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic materials in the 1980s. These exports were licensed by the relevant US authority at the time, on the basis that they were for legitimate scientific research purposes.

  Mr. David
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has collated on whether the President of Ukraine authorised arms shipments to Iraq last year. [109096]

  Mr. MacShane
  In September 2002 the United States authenticated a recording of President Kuchma in 2000 authorising a transfer of arms to Iraq. A US-UK team of experts visited Ukraine in October 2002 to investigate. The team concluded that they were not satisfied that the arms could not have been transferred. The matter has therefore remained open.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the(a) names and (b) organisations of those attending the meeting in Nassiriya on 15 April; and which of them are women. [110184]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The US organisers of the Nassiriya meeting issued invitations to individual Iraqis, not organisations. It would be inappropriate to name these individuals without their consent. Six Iraqi women were invited. At least four are reported to have attended and three spoke publicly. Eight US female staff were also invited. The Government welcome the commitment made at the meeting, that"Iraq must be built on respect for diversity including respect for the role of women".
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  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the coalition forces have to increase Iraqi oil production to pre-1991 levels. [108900]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The coalition will limit itself to emergency maintenance and repairs, and other short term measures, which might allow production at or above last year's level, itself about the same as in 1990. But my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made it quite clear on numerous occasions that Iraqi oil belongs to the people of Iraq. All major investment decisions should be taken by the Iraqis themselves, not the coalition.

  Lusaka and Pretoria Agreements
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions(a) he and (b) his Department has had with the Governments of (i) Rwanda, (ii) Burundi, (iii) Uganda, (iv) the Democratic Republic of Congo and (v) the United Nations Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo regarding (A) the implementation of the Lusaka Ceasefire and Pretoria agreements and (B) recent developments in the Ituri region. [109226]

  Mr. Rammell
  FCO officials have regular discussions with all regional Governments listed and with the UN (both in New York and in the Great Lakes region) about the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the implementation of the Lusaka and Pretoria Agreements. We warmly welcomed the agreement signed in Sun City on 2 April on the establishment of a transitional government with a view to democratic elections in two years time. This concluded the Inter-Congolese Dialogue provided for under the Lusaka Agreement. We will continue to be involved in the peace process as members of the International Committee for Support to the Transition.

  We were shocked to learn of the appalling massacre of civilians by militia in the DRC's Ituri Province on 3 April. My noble Friend, the Baroness Amos, issued a statement on 7 April strongly condemning this tragedy. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. We are concerned about the effect of the situation in Ituri on relations between Rwanda and Uganda. We have urged Rwanda and Uganda to exercise restraint and not to become engaged in direct confrontation on Congolese soil.

  Middle East
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of cumulate origin for industrial products in advancing economic and political stability in the Middle East region. [108646]

  Mr. MacShane
  The EU envisages cumulative rules of origin in cooperation with its trading partners in the Middle East who are participants in the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. These rules are being implemented and Euro-Med trade ministers have asked for an update on progress in implementation at their next meeting in the second half of 2003. A subsequent assessment of their impact will then be possible.

  Montserrat
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with the Secretary of State for International Development regarding humanitarian aid to Montserrat. [108657]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My noble Friend, Baroness Amos, the Minister for Overseas Territories, meets regularly with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development to discuss the Overseas Territories, including Montserrat. The last meeting was on 27 March.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost will be to public funds in 2003–04 of the rise in national insurance contributions on the salary bill of his Department. [107905]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We estimate that the changes to employers' national insurance contributions announced in the Budget will increase pay costs on average by 0.7 per cent. next year.

  North Korea
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to help to bring about a peaceful resolution to the situation in North Korea; and if he will make a statement. [109007]

  Mr. Rammell
  We believe that multilateral diplomatic efforts can bring about a peaceful settlement. Her Majesty's Government are working closely with key international partners to find a peaceful and durable solution to this issue. We continue to engage directly with the North Korean Government on this matter through our embassy in Pyongyang, and with DPRK officials based in London.

  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of China on the repatriation of North Korean refugees. [108696]

  Mr. Rammell
  We regularly raise the issue of North Korean refugees with the Chinese, including at the biannual UK/China Human Rights Dialogue. At the last round of the dialogue, on 21 November 2002, we urged China to allow the UNHCR access to the border areas and to observe its obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention.

  We will continue to encourage greater co-operation between China and UNHCR on this issue.

  Overseas Territories
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the(a) population and (b) total electorate was of each British overseas territory on 1 January. [108660]
  127W
  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The populations and electorates at 1 January 2003 were:

  Population

  Electorate

  Anguilla

  11,500

  6,780

  Bermuda

  62,999

  37,454

  British Virgin Islands

  20,942

  9,432

  Cayman Islands

  41,900

  11,489

  Falklands Islands

  2,927

  1,500

  117,874

  Gibraltar

  28,231

  220,675

  Montserrat

  4,500

  2,950

  Pitcairn

  43

  28

  St. Helena and Dependencies

  5,763

  3,372

  Turks and Caicos Islands

  20,020

  6,260

  12000 Election

  22002 Referendum

  Pakistan
  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of(a) the ability of the new Pakistani Government to curb religious fundamentalism and terrorism in Pakistan and (b) the impact of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) opposition on Pakistani Government policies, with particular reference to the frequent public calls for jihad against non-Muslims made by the MMA. [109045]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We welcomed President Musharraf's courageous decision to join the international coalition against terrorism and the steps taken thus far to clamp down on terrorist groups in Pakistan, including the banning of five such groups. We will continue to urge him and the new Government to continue with this vital task. Pakistan continues to be a staunch ally in the continuing campaign against al-Qaeda. It is too early to assess the impact that the MMA will have on Pakistan's policies. We have no reason to doubt Pakistan's continuing commitment to act against terrorism and extremism wherever it occurs.

  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Pakistani Government concerning(a) the closing of training camps for militants, (b) the banning of militant organisations, (c) the regulating of Islamic religious schools and (d) support for inter-faith initiatives in Pakistan. [109059]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We regularly raise such issues with the Government of Pakistan. We welcomed commitments made by President Musharraf in January and May 2002 to curb terrorism and the action he has taken thus far, including the banning of five terrorist groups. We will continue to urge him and the new Government to continue their efforts to promote a tolerant society free of extremism and militancy. We stand ready to assist. Education is a major focus of Britain's expanding development programme in Pakistan and our bilateral discussions have included the role of religious schools and inter-faith issues.

  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan concerning the 128W
  continuing imprisonment of (a) Parvez Masih, (b) Aslam Masih, (c) Anwar Kenneth and (d) Augustine Ashiq `Kingri' Aslam Masih. [109061]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We regularly raise our concerns about sectarian violence and wider human rights issues with the Pakistani authorities. On 7 February 2003 the Greek Presidency of the European Union delivered a demarche to the Minister of State (Law, Justice and Human Rights). The demarche explained our concerns about cases where religious minorities, notably those from the Christian and Ahmadi communities, have been sentenced to death under the blasphemy laws. Cases raised included those of Parvez Masih, Aslam Masih and Augustine Ashiq `Kingri' Aslam Masih.

  We will continue to take appropriate opportunities, including with our European Union partners, to raise our concerns.

  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan in relation to(a) the growth of Islamic militancy in the country, (b) the need to bring to justice perpetrators of past and current terror attacks on Christians and (c) the introduction of the Shari'ah Bill in the North West Frontier Province. [109062]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We regularly raise our concerns about sectarian violence and wider human rights issues with the Pakistani authorities both bilaterally and through the EU. On 7 February 2003 the Greek Presidency of the EU delivered a comprehensive demarche to the Minister of State (Law, Justice and Human Rights). The EU underlined our concerns at the recent attacks against Christian targets and urged the authorities to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice. The EU also urged the Pakistani Government to provide greater protection to minority groups.

  It is too early to make an assessment on the Sharia Bill. The North-West Frontier Province has yet to consider draft legislation proposing the adoption of Sharia law in the province. This law cannot be fully enacted until approved by both the federal and provincial Parliaments.

  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what actions Her Majesty's Government have taken to advise and assist the Government of Pakistan on the provision of adequate protection for Christians and other non-Muslim communities against potential attacks from Islamic extremists. [109063]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  On 7 February 2003 the Greek Presidency of the EU delivered a demarche to the Minister of State (Law, Justice and Human Rights). The EU underlined our concerns at the recent attacks against Christian targets and urged the authorities to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice. The EU also urged the Pakistani Government to provide greater protection to minority groups. We will continue to take every appropriate opportunity, including with our European Union partners, to urge Pakistan to protect Christians and other religious minorities against discrimination, intimidation and attacks.
  129W
  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Government(a) have taken and (b) will take to ensure that the war in Iraq is not perceived by Islamic extremists in Pakistan as a crusade against Islam. [109064]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The British High Commission in Islamabad has been in regular contact with the full range of political parties in Pakistan to ensure that they understand the reasons for coalition action in Iraq. These contacts will continue. All have welcomed the opportunity for dialogue.

  All our diplomatic missions take every opportunity to get the message across to host governments, local media and civil society.

  Andy King
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan in relation to(a) retaining the joint electoral system and (b) strengthening and empowering minority representation in the National Parliament. [109065]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We welcomed President Musharraf's decision to restore the joint electoral system for the 2002 elections. It is a step towards integrating Christian and other religious minorities into mainstream Pakistani society. We are actively funding projects to support National Assembly members in their parliamentary work to protect Human Rights in Pakistan.

  Palestinians
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the number of Palestinians detained by the Israeli army since 27 March. [108798]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We do not have figures for the number of Palestinians detained by the Israelis since 27 March. But a reputable Palestinian human rights non-governmental organisation, Mandela Institute for Human Rights (www.mandela-palestine.org) has reported that as of 31 March around 5,759 Palestinians and Arabs had been detained since the start of the second intifada. This includes over 1,000 in administrative detention.

  Parental Leave
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department have used their leave entitlement under the parental leave directive since it came into force. [108413]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office do not at present record parental leave centrally so we are unable to provide this information without incurring disproportionate costs.

  Peter Devlin
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent contact British consular staff have had with the Spanish authorities regarding the case of Peter Devlin; what guidelines the Government issues to consular staff concerning intervention when a British national is 130W
  arrested by Spanish authorities but awaits formal charge while the case is under investigation; what plans he and consular staff have to raise the case of Mr. Devlin with the Spanish authorities again; and if he will make a statement. [108594]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Our Honorary Consul spoke with the Spanish court on 9 September 2002, and was informed that, except for certain items relevant to the investigation, the court agreed to release all of Force 9 Salvage's equipment. Our Honorary Consul spoke to the presiding judge again on 11 April 2003. The judge confirmed that the investigation was ongoing but would not release further information about the case. Our consular staff cannot intervene in the judicial system of another country. Our own judicial system is similarly protected. Our consular team in Spain will continue to monitor this case, but as my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary noted in his letter of 20 November 2002, this is a legal matter and the company should continue to be guided by its lawyer.

  Press Office
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people are employed in his Department's press office; and how many were employed on 2 May 1997. [108394]

  Mr. Rammell
  The staffing figures for the Press Office for 1997 are listed in Appendix 11 of the 6th report by the Select Committee on Public Administration of the GICS (1998). They show a total of 15.5 Press Officers.

  The current staffing figure is 22 Press Officers. In addition there are seven support administrative staff.

  Property Portfolio
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the estimated value is of the property portfolio held by his Department. [108373]

  Mr. Rammell
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 25 February 2003,Official Report, column 430W.

  Russian Federation
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Russian Federation's compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. [109378]

  Mr. MacShane
  The UK Government agree with the assessment published on 21 March 2003 by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination of Russia's implementation of the Convention. The Committee welcomed positive steps taken by the Russian Federation to improve the legislative framework and adopt other positive measures to combat discrimination. The Committee also noted a number of concerns, including: the absence of a definition of racial discrimination in domestic legislation; reports of racially selective inspections by law-enforcement officials, particularly against those from the North Caucasus; and reports of violence by, inter-alia, extremist groups against ethnic minorities.
  131W
  The UK Government support this assessment. We regularly raise the issue of racial discrimination with the Russian authorities, most recently during the bilateral human rights talks in September 2002 and March 2003.

  Secondments
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many individuals have been seconded to his Department from(a) the private sector, (b) NGOs and (c) other, in each case listing (i) from which organisation and (ii) dates of secondments in each year since 1997–98. [108104]

  Mr. Rammell:

  Private Sector Secondments

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the then Minister of State at the FCO (Mr. Battle) to the hon. Member for Bath (Mr. Foster) on 29 June 2000, Official Report, column 581W, and to his letter of 5 July 2000 to the hon. Member for Bath which has been placed in the Libraries of the House, which set out a full list of private sector secondments from 1997 to February 2000.

  Since then, there have been a further 26 secondments to the Department, and details are set out in the following table.

  Secondments and attachments are part of the Interchange Initiative, which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the civil service and other organisations. Before an Interchange can occur all parties must be satisfied that no conflict of interest arises.

  Non-Private Sector Secondments

  Under Cabinet Office Interchange procedures, the term secondment relates solely to movement of staff to and from the private sector and other non-civil service organisations.

  The table below shows secondments to the FCO from other non-civil service organisations. The FCO does not hold comprehensive records for the year 1997, so the information attached begins from 1998. In addition, some FCO departments and posts organise secondment-type placements directly with relevant organisations. No central records of these exist and they are therefore not included.

  Appendix A

  Secondments from the private sector to FCO

  March 2000 to April 2003

  Company

  Start date

  End date

  Mouchel

  March 2000

  October 2000

  British Airways

  June 2000

  February 2001

  Price Waterhouse Coopers

  April 2000

  April 2001

  Rolls Royce

  October 2000

  April 2001

  CMC and Admiral

  November 2000

  April 2001

  Wood Group Engineering Ltd

  November 2000

  May 2001

  Independent Consultant

  November 2000

  August 2001

  Wood Group Engineering Ltd

  March 2001

  November 2001

  Standard Chartered Bank

  May 2001

  January 2002

  BG plc

  June 2001

  February 2002

  Anglia Water

  January 2002

  March 2002

  Teeside College

  June 2001

  April 2002

  Shell

  May 2001

  May 2002

  KPMG

  June 2000

  June 2001

  BP

  June 2000

  June 2002

  Rolls Royce

  April 2001

  June 2002

  132W

  Secondments from the private sector to FCO

  March 2000 to April 2003

  Company

  Start date

  End date

  EC Harris

  January 2002

  December 2002

  Unilever

  August 2001

  August 2003

  BAe Systems

  April 2002

  November 2002

  Advantica

  June 2002

  November 2002

  Ove Arup

  October 1999

  October 2003

  KGP

  May 2002

  December 2005

  Michael John Trust

  December 2001

  May 2006

  AESSeal

  June 2002

  November 2002

  Thames Water

  September 2002

  March 2003

  Chamber of British Industry

  October 2002

  April 2003

  Note:

  TPUK refers to Tradepartners UK, the trade development arm of British Trade International.

  Appendix B

  Seconded from non-private sector

  Start

  End

  Metropolitan Police

  1 April 1998

  23 June 2002

  German MFA

  1 June 1998

  1 July 1999

  US State Dept

  1 August 1998

  1 August 1999

  German MFA

  1 August 1998

  1 July 1999

  National Air Traffic Systems

  1 October 1998

  1 July 2001

  Financial Services Authority

  1 January 1999

  31 July 2001

  Ecole National d'Amin (ENA)

  1 January 1999

  7 January 1999

  French MFA

  1 February 1999

  1 July 1999

  New Zealand MFA

  1 April 1999

  1 July 1999

  German MFA

  1 August 1999

  1 June 2000

  US State Department

  1 August 1999

  1 August 2000

  ENA

  1 August 1999

  1 January 2000

  Metropolitan Police

  1 August 1999

  6 November 2000

  Save the Children

  1 September 1999

  2 July 2001

  Canadian MFA

  1 September 1999

  1 September 2000

  German MFA

  1 September 1999

  8 December 2000

  French MFA

  1 September 1999

  15 August 2001

  National Institute of EC and Social Research

  1 September 1999

  1 September 2003

  House of Commons

  1 September 1999

  1 September 2001

  World Wildlife Fund

  1 December 1999

  30 November 2002

  ENA

  1 January 2000

  1 July 2000

  NGO: Interights

  9 January 2000

  9 January 2001

  Brazilian MFA

  21 June 2000

  8 November 2000

  German MFA

  26 June 2000

  27 May 2001

  Czech MFA

  1 December 2000

  1 December 2001

  US State Department

  1 December 2000

  1 December 2001

  NGO: Asian Family Counselling

  1 January 2001

  1 January 2004

  Metropolitan Police

  1 May 2001

  1 July 2004

  ENA

  1 July 2001

  15 January 2002

  US State Department

  30 July 2001

  30 July 2002

  Office of Fair Trading

  10 October 2001

  15 October 2003

  BBSRC (Research Council)

  22 October 2001

  19 October 2002

  ENA

  21 January 2002

  21 January 2003

  New Zeland MFA

  13 May 2002

  30 August 2002

  City of London Police

  1 June 2002

  1 June 2004

  German MFA

  17 July 2002

  17 July 2003

  Sport England

  1 August 2002

  1 August 2003

  German MFA

  12 August 2002

  12 August 2003

  French MFA

  2 September 2002

  1 September 2003

  BBSRC (Research Council)

  20 December 2002

  1 November 2005

  Lord Chancellor's Dept

  10 February 2003

  10 August 2003

  Notes:

  The FCO grading system equates as follows:

  SMS = Senior Civil Service

  D7 = Home Civil Service 6

  D6 = Home Civil Service 7

  C5 = Senior Executive Officer

  C4 = Higher Executive Officer

  B3 = Executive Officer

  Secret Intelligence Service
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress the Secret Intelligence Service has made in releasing its archives into the public domain since 1 May 1997; and how many files from its archives have been transferred to the Public Record Office since 1 May 1997. [107400]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Livingston (Mr. Cook) on 12 February 1998,Official Report, column 324. The policy set out in the first part of that answer has not changed. Since 1 May 1997, the Secret Intelligence Service has transferred to the Public Record Office five batches of files which it inherited from the wartime Special Operations Executive (SOE), in PRO classes HS5 to HS9, comprising some 4,954 pieces.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the salary bill was for special advisers in his Department in 2002–03; and what it is expected to be in 2003–04. [108504]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The pay package for special advisers is:

  (a) 2002–03: two, at a cost of £165,289, including salary and pension contributions.

  (b) 2003–04: pay for special advisers is still under review.

  Sudan
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the UN's decision not to re-appoint Mr. Gerhart Baum as Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Sudan. [108755]

  Mr. Rammell
  We are actively working for agreement to continue the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Sudan during the current session of the Commission for Human Rights in Geneva. The UN will decide the appointment only after the mandate has been agreed.

  We take a close interest and play an active role in the promotion of human rights in Sudan. This includes our strong support for the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Khartoum, to which the UK is the main contributor of funding. As a member of the EU, the UK has co-sponsored with EU partners successive resolutions at the UN Commission on Human Rights and the UN General Assembly and we did so again at the Commission for Human Rights on 16 April.

  Western Sahara
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Government of Morocco's recent statements on the proposals of Mr. James Baker on Western Sahara. [108753]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We understand that at this point, responses to the proposals of James Baker have been kept private. However, I welcome the views of King Mohammed VI of Morocco in his message (read by 134W
  Driss Jettou, the Moroccan Prime Minister) of 14 March, to the 5th CEN-SAD summit (the Community of Sahel and Sahara states). This renewed the Kingdom of Morocco's readiness for dialogue and negotiation with a view to finding a political solution' to this dispute.

  The United Kingdom supports fully the efforts of the UN Secretary General (UNSG) and his Personal Envoy, James Baker to find a just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the Western Sahara dispute that provides for self-determination for the people of Western Sahara.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on human rights abuses in Western Sahara. [108754]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  FCO officials and I call regularly upon the parties to the Western Sahara dispute to take action on human rights issues. In February this year, I called for the immediate release of the remaining 1,160 Moroccan prisoners of war held by the Polisario Front, some held for over 25 years and some are in poor physical and mental health. In April this year officials took action to bring to the attention of the Moroccan authorities concerns over the trial, sentencing and prison conditions of Ali Salem Tamek, a Saharawi activist. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, taking action with the appropriate authorities where necessary.

  World Health Organisation
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he plans to have with fellow European Union Ministers on the request by the Government of Taiwan ROC to be granted observer status in the World Health Organisation; and if he will make a statement. [107949]

  Mr. Rammell
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 26 March 2003,Official Report, column 260W.

  FCO officials are in contact with their EU counterparts about the common policy towards Taiwan's relationship with the WHO.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the Government of Zimbabwe regarding the detention of members of the Movement for Democratic Change; and if he will make a statement; [109168]

  (2) what information he has collated on the number of Members of Parliament and other members of the Movement for Democratic Change currently detained by the police or other government security forces in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [109167]

  Mr. Rammell
  Since the nationwide stayaway on 18 and 19 March, over 600 opposition supporters have been arrested. Many have been beaten and tortured. Recent arrests include those of Gibson Sibanda, Parliamentary Leader of the MDC; Paul Themba Nyathi, the party's spokesman; Fidelis Mhashu, the Shadow Education Minister; Giles Mutsekwa, Shadow Defence Minister and numerous MDC MPs. The trial of
  135W
  MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai; Secretary General Welshman Ncube; and Agriculture Spokesman Renton Gasela also continues.

  The EU has condemned the violence and sponsored a resolution on Zimbabwe at the UN Commission on Human Rights.

  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he has collated on state-sponsored torture in Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement. [109169]

  Mr. Rammell
  We receive many credible reports from trustworthy sources, including Amnesty International, the Zimbabwean NGO Human Rights Forum, the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition and Physicians for Human Rights, testifying to the Government of Zimbabwe's use of torture. Evidence suggests that torture is often used with the tacit or explicit approval of the ruling party and agents of the state, including the police force, army and intelligence services.

  We have condemned ZANU (PF) for its use of torture and have called on the Government of Zimbabwe to ratify the UN Convention on Torture.

  Mr. Moore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Cuba regarding the recent arrest of pro-democracy and human rights activists; and if he will make a statement. [109165]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Under-Secretary of State my hon. Friend the Member for The Harlow (Mr. Rammell) summoned the Cuban Ambassador to register concern following the recent arrests of dissidents in Cuba. EU partners issued a Statement calling for immediate release of all the prisoners. We urge the Cuban Government to respect international human rights.

TRANSPORT

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total cost to his Department was for accountancy services in 2002–03. [109498]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Airport Noise
  Mr. George Osborne
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been provided by Central Government funds to(a) all UK airports and (b) each UK airport for noise abatement measures in each of the last 10 years. [110412]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Nil. Each airport is responsible for funding its own noise abatement measures, including noise insulation schemes. This applies irrespective of whether the noise abatement measures are specified by the Secretary of State (i.e. at airports designated under section 80 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982) or determined locally.

  Concessionary Travel
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of pensioners use concessionary travel in Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement on the availability of concessionary travel for pensioners in Shrewsbury and Atcham. [109685]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The percentage of pensioners in Shrewsbury and Atcham who claimed concessionary travel in the financial year 2002–03 was 73 per cent.

  From 1 June 2001 the Government have ensured that all pensioners have been entitled to a free bus pass allowing half-fare travel on local buses, as a minimum. Local authorities may also run more generous schemes if they wish. On 1 April 2003 local authority travel concessions were extended to men aged between 60 and 65.

  Shrewsbury and Atcham Council's Concessionary Travel Scheme offers pensioners and disabled people a choice of:

  (a) Borough Half Fare Bus Card (statutory minimum), which entitles the recipient to half fare travel on local bus services in Shrewsbury and Atcham; or

  (b) Half Fare Countywide Bus Card for which the recipient pays £16 and is entitled to half fare travel on local bus services in Shropshire and to certain towns just outside the county; or

  (c) Unlimited Travel Bus Card for which the recipient pays £120 and is entitled to free travel on local bus services in Shrewsbury and Atcham and half fare travel in the rest of Shropshire; or

  (d) Travel Tokens to the value of £25; or

  (e) Senior Railcard for which the recipient pays £5 and is entitled to one-third off most rail fares nationwide. This option was only introduced from 1 April 2003.

  With all of the Bus Cards listed above there are no time restrictions placed on the use of the card.

  Crabbe Yard, Wadborough
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures his Department is taking to ensure that all heavy goods vehicles depositing rubble and other materials at Crabbe Yard, Wadborough, Worcestershire(a) comply with necessary regulations and (b) are properly licensed for the activity. [109855]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The goods vehicle operator licensing system is administered by statutorily independent Traffic Commissioners. Users of heavy goods vehicles carrying goods for hire or reward or in connection with their own trade or business normally require a licence for each traffic area in which they are based. A licence authorises the vehicles and each operating centre. It is an offence to use an unauthorised vehicle or operating centre.

  Mobile Phone Use
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to announce his response to the consultation on the use of mobile phones while driving. [110201]
  137W
  Mr. Jamieson
  The comments we received in response to consultation last year on a proposal to make it a specific offence to use a hand-held phone while driving are still being considered. An announcement about the results will be made as soon as possible.

  New Street Station
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on improving the capacity at New Street rail station in Birmingham. [109671]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority's (SRA) West Midlands Capacity Study recommended various enhancements that could proceed in two phases, including capacity improvements at Birmingham New Street station. Phase 1 of the study includes a proposal for the provision of two additional platforms at the station. Feasibility work on Phase 1 has already commenced. The terms of reference for Phase 2 are still being finalised. The SRA, working with local interests, expect to complete this work by the end of this year.

  Partnership UK
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what projects have been funded by Partnership UK since it was set up. [110205]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Partnerships UK has not funded or invested in any Department for Transport projects.

  Railways
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out his objectives for the new Greater Anglia rail franchise; and what steps he plans to take to achieve a fully integrated rail service in East Anglia; and east and north-east London. [109892]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority's goals for the new franchise are to provide a reliable, high-quality service, consistent with the overall needs of London and eastern England. The new franchise will provide an integrated service into London Liverpool Street by combining the services currently provided by Anglia Railways and First Great Eastern, and the West Anglian services of West Anglia Great Northern railways. A separate management focus for local East Anglia services will also be provided.

  Sir John Stanley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will be replying substantively to the letter of 25 November 2002 from the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling with regard to the Government's response to the report on personal safety on the railways produced by Soroptimist International of East England. [110200]

  Mr. Spellar
  A substantive reply was sent on 24 April.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the Railways (Safety Care) (Amendment) Regulations. [109957]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Secretary of State has not received any representations about the Railways (Safety Case) (Amendment) Regulations 2003.
  138W
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 8 April 2003,Official Report, column 154W, when he met Central Railway; which representatives of Central Railway were present; what subjects were discussed; and what the conclusions of the meeting were. [110064]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Ministers have met Central Railway on a number of occasions to discuss the progress, and key aspects of their proposals. We are continuing to consider these.

  Regions White Paper
  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress the Department has made towards the goal set out in the White Paper, "Your Region, Your Choice", of(a) ensuring that regional awareness and devolution feature strongly in Civil Service training and development, (b) increasing the mobility of civil servants between headquarters offices, regional offices, and the Government Offices and (c) encouraging interchange between the Civil Service and organisations in the regions. [108584]

  Mr. Spellar
  My Department is committed to improving awareness of regional issues and devolution among its staff as part of its overall strategy for training and development. Where appropriate this includes participation in training programmes offered by the Civil Service Training College (CMPS).

  The Department is revieving its induction package to reflect an appropriate emphasis on regional awareness and devolution. The Department's website includes a section on devolution and we brief staff on the regional aspects of the Department's work through internal publications.

  The mobility of staff between HQ policy and regionally based delivery directorates is a strategic priority and all moves are made in the best interest of the Department. To improve the mobility of staff, all permanent Department for Transport (DfT) central staff have access to, and are eligible to apply for, vacancies in the Department's Agencies and the Government Offices via an electronic job advertising system.

  Permanent staff below the Senior Civil Service in the Department for Culture Media and Sport, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Employment and Skills, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Department for Trade and Industry and the Home Office working in the Government Offices and permanent agency staff, are eligible to apply for advertised DfT posts. However we do not record centrally the resulting staff moves between headquarters and the regions.

  During 2002–03, around 20 staff undertook interchange postings with organisations in the regions from the then Department for Transport Local Government and the Regions (DTLR). Transport constitutes approximately one third of these postings, all of which are on-going. We aim to improve this. My Department's central interchange team will shortly be discussing the development of specific opportunities with our Agencies, all of whom have staff located outside London.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the salary bill was for special advisers in his Department in 2002–03; and what it is expected to be in 2003–04. [108503]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 28 April 2003,Official Report, column 45W. [108495].

  Strategic Rail Authority
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the amount, the other parties and date of out of court settlements to which the Strategic Rail Authority was a party during the last 12 months. [109500]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There have been no legal proceedings issued against the Strategic Rail Authority and there have been no out of court settlements.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information the Strategic Rail Authority has sought from Chiltern Rail to help assess the impact of the Central Railway proposals. [109836]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority is in regular contact with Chiltern, as with all franchise holders, regarding all aspects of its business.

  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what outside consultants are assisting the Strategic Rail Authority in its studies of the impact of the Central Railway proposals on existing rail services. [109839]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority has been assisted in its studies by Mouchel and Oscar Faber.

  Vehicles (Carbon Dioxide Emissions)
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the vehicles available to buy new in the United Kingdom with carbon dioxide emissions of 100 grammes/kilometre or less, which will qualify for the new low carbon vehicle excise duty band. [110239]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Government announced in Budget 2003 the introduction of a new low carbon VED band for cars with carbon dioxide emissions of 100 grammes/kilometre or less. This measure is designed to improve further the signals faced by motorists about their choice of vehicle.

  There are currently no cars on sale in the UK that fall into this new band. However, cars which fall into the band have been on sale in the UK before, and are currently on sale in other European countries. The Government expect more cars to fall into it in the near future. The new band demonstrates that the Government are taking a long-term approach to encouraging the use of cleaner vehicles. The Government set themselves a target in its Powering Future Vehicles strategy last year that by 2012, 10 per cent. of new cars sold should have carbon dioxide emissions of 100 grammes/kilometre or less. This is a positive step in that direction.

  Working Time Directive
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with representatives of the haulage industry concerning the implementation of the Working Time Directive. [110021]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Since the road transport directive (2002/15/EC) was adopted on 23 March 2002, DfT Ministers have held two meetings with representatives from both sides of the haulage industry, including the Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport Association and the Transport and General Workers Union. In addition, on-going discussions are taking place at official level to consider the technical and financial implications of the new directive.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Advertising Campaigns
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's total spending was on advertising and promotional campaigns between April 2002 and March 2003; and what the cost of each campaign was, broken down by costs relating to(a) television, (b) radio and (c) print media. [106435]

  Alun Michael
  The Department does not maintain records of its expenditure on advertising separately. Our expenditure for publicity, which includes advertising. publications, events, shows and direct information literature mailings in financial year 2002–03 is estimated to be £6.0 million. This includes communication on a very wide range of matters, much of it necessary or beneficial to the public and to the wide range of industries in which Defra has an interest, together with local government, voluntary organisations and other bodies.

  Agricultural Subsidies
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the occasions since 1997 when the Department(a) has attempted to reclaim and (b) successfully reclaimed overpayments relating to (i) the environmentally sensitive areas scheme and (ii) other agricultural-related schemes, giving in each case the name of the person or company involved and the amount reclaimed, expressed as a proportion of the original payment made by the Department or its agencies. [108946]

  Mr. Meacher
  Details of individual recovery cases are not kept in the format requested. To gather the information would require a significant diversion of resources. There are currently some 28,000 agreement, holders in these schemes, each with a 10 year agreement starting some time between 1993 and 2002.

  Horse Passports
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the evidential basis was for the statement in her
  141W
  Department's news release of 27 March, that any option other than passports for all horses would have resulted in under implementation of the EU legislation. [109317]

  Alun Michael
  The requirement is set out in Articles 3 and 4 of Commission Decision 2000/68/EC, which must be read in conjunction with Commission Decision 93/623/EC.

  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans other EU countries have to implement European Commission Decision 2000/68/EC; and if she will make a statement. [109318]

  Alun Michael
  We are seeking up-to-date information from other member states on how they are implementing Commission Decision 2000;68;EC. I will write to the hon. Member when the full picture is available.

  Pigs
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received about the Pigs (Records, Identification and Movement) (Interim Measures) (England) (No. 2) Amendment Order. [109435]

  Mr. Morley
  We are currently reviewing the representations we have received about the Government's proposals to review the pig identification and tracing requirements. Officials also met with pig industry representatives on 7 April to discuss the proposals further.

  Regions White Paper
  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made by the Department towards the aim in the White Paper, Your Region, Your Choice, of encouraging applicants to public bodies from all parts of England; and what change there has been in the geographical diversity of appointees to NDPBs and other public bodies sponsored by the Department since the publication of the White Paper. [108564]

  Alun Michael
  Defra seeks to reach as wide a range of applicants for its public bodies as possible. This includes advertising its public appointments vacancies in the national press and in trade or technical publications, if appropriate. Advertisements for regional bodies are also placed in the regional press. In addition the Department puts all public appointment vacancies on the Defra website at www.defra.qov.uk/corporate/appointments and on the Cabinet Office's new vacancies website at www.publicappts-vacs.gov.uk

  In 2002, Defra staff took part in the 8 regional seminars organised by the Cabinet Office's Women and Equality Unit (now part of DTI). These events were aimed at encouraging more women from the regions, including those from ethnic minority backgrounds and disabled women, to participate in public appointments. Defra's stand exhibited the range of its public bodies and the variety and number of its public appointment vacancies which would arise in the next year.
  142W
  All appointments to Defra's public bodies are made on merit. 138 appointments were made between 14 May 2002 and 31 March 2003. Those appointed live in the following Government Office regions:

  Government office region

  Number of appointments

  Percentage

  North West

  5

  13.6

  North East

  2

  1.4

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  9

  6.5

  East Midlands

  7

  5.1

  East of England

  25

  18.1

  West Midlands

  7

  5.1

  South East

  48

  34.8

  South West

  11

  8

  London

  8

  5.8

  Scotland

  11

  8

  Wales

  3

  2.2

  Others2

  2

  1.4

  1 Percentage of all appointees

  2 Outside UK

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Iraq
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what analysis she has made of the lessons that can be learned from the reconstruction of Afghanistan for Iraq. [110020]

  Clare Short
  DFID has built on lessons learned in each of the complex emergencies with which we have grappled since 1997. The need for communication and information sharing is one of the most important lessons.

  DFID has contributed £150,000 to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) based in Cyprus. The Government's response has been coordinated through a Cabinet Office committee. DFID is providing regular updates on humanitarian and reconstruction issues.

  Departmental and international co-operation has been enhanced by secondments of staff and advisors; DFID have seconded four advisors to UN agencies, two advisors to UK forces and an advisor to ORHA. Further secondments will take place over the coming weeks.

  We have focused our initial humanitarian efforts on the restoration of essential basic services such as power and water supplies and have made the creation of a permissive security environment a priority. This will allow humanitarian agencies to enter Iraq and facilitate further reconstruction activities.

  As in Afghanistan, we are committed to handing over power to the people of Iraq as soon as possible through a broad-based and representative Iraqi Interim Authority (IIA) selected by a process overseen by the UN.

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the war in Iraq upon the economies of(a) Eritrea, (b) Sudan and (c) Ethiopia. [109672]
  143W
  Clare Short
  The economic effects of the war in Iraq on world markets are unclear, but the economic impacts in the Horn of Africa look unlikely to be significant. If oil prices fall this can be expected to have some negative effect on Sudan, and some positive effects in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what resources have been made available to the International Committee for the Red Cross for its role in Iraq. [109700]

  Clare Short
  My Department has allocated £32 million to the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement for their work in Iraq, £16.5 million of which is for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans her Department has to establish offices in Iraq; what financial resources they will be allocated; and in what cities they will be situated. [109701]

  Clare Short
  DFID's humanitarian assistance to Iraq is managed from London. This is supported by DFID staff deployed in the region, two humanitarian advisers seconded to the UK military in Southern Iraq, staff visits from the UK, and close links with the UN system. Subject to the security situation, we expect staff visits to increase. However it is too soon to say when a longer-term presence will be established in Iraq.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her Department has had with the health ministries in surrounding states regarding the possibility of transferring acutely ill civilian casualties from Iraq to their hospitals. [109702]

  Clare Short
  DFID has not had any discussions on this issue with health ministries in surrounding states.

  It is preferable for medical assistance to the people of Iraq to be delivered in Iraq where there are large numbers of doctors with suitable facilities. Our priority is to support the work of the ICRC and others to get Iraqi health systems up and running.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many employees her Department has in Iraq. [109703]

  Clare Short
  At present my Department has two staff embedded with UK forces, and one staff member with the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA). We are reviewing our presence in the region on an on-going basis.

  Helen Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian situation in(a) Najaf, (b) Karbala and (c) Nasariyah; and if she will make a statement. [109705]

  Clare Short
  The International Committee for the Red Cross, UN agencies and NGOs, are now undertaking regular humanitarian assessments in Iraq. The results of these are summarised in our Iraq updates available from DFID's website at www.dfid.gov.uk.
  144W
  Humanitarian assessments by almost all agencies operating in Iraq are being logged by the UN Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC) and are available from www.agoodplacetostart.org

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) what discussions her Department has had with the Ministry of Defence regarding the humanitarian corridors providing aid into Iraq; [109708]

  (2) what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of the humanitarian aid corridors established in Iraq. [109709]

  Clare Short
  Aid agencies wish to operate in Iraq within a 'humanitarian space' made secure by the controlling forces rather than being escorted by military forces through 'humanitarian corridors'.

  DFID has had extensive discussions on the need for security with the Ministry of Defence. The military are already aware of the urgency of this issue. The situation is improving steadily. There are now an average of 20 humanitarian missions per day into Iraq, 40 per cent. by UN agencies. Most are into the south. In the north international UN staff are expected to return very shortly.

  Chris McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department has contributed to the appeal of $5 million for the next six months to support UNFPA in their work with pregnant women in Iraq. [109949]

  Clare Short
  DFID has not contributed to the UNFPA appeal. Our contribution of £65 million to the UN Flash appeal is focused on funding immediate humanitarian needs.

  DFID is a strong supporter of UNFPA. In the last financial year (2002–03) we increased our annual core support to £18 million.

  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her policy is on whether humanitarian aid should be delivered by(a) the UN and (b) coalition military forces in Iraq. [110040]

  Clare Short
  The coalition military are responsible for the provision of humanitarian assistance in the areas they occupy as set down in the Geneva Convention and Hague regulations governing armed conflict. The Treasury has allocated £30 million to the Ministry of Defence for this purpose. DFID is advising the Ministry of Defence on its humanitarian work.

  DFID is supporting the provision of humanitarian assistance in Iraq on the basis of greatest need. DFID has committed £115 million for this: £65 million to the UN Flash Appeal; £32 million to the International Red Cross/Red Crescent movements; £8 million to the World Food Programme (WFP); £5 million to NGOs; £2 million to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF); £1.75 million to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); £1 million to the World Health Organisation (WHO); £150,000 to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); £100,000 to the Office of the UN Security Coordinator (UNSECOORD). DFID has set aside £95 million to support emerging humanitarian needs.
  145W
  The UK is committed to humanitarian assistance being provided by civilian agencies wherever possible. The UK armed forces fully appreciate the need to hand over to humanitarian agencies as soon as the situation allows.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement about measures she is taking to support(a) hospitals in Iraq and (b) the provision of medical supplies. [110199]

  Clare Short
  Since the start of the current crisis DFID has supported the following agencies to provide assistance to the Iraqi health sector.International Red Cross/Red Crescent movement £32 million
  UNICEF £9 million (£2 million for contingency planning and preparedness measures, £7 million as part of the UN Flash appeal)
  WHO £6 million (£1 million for contingency planning and preparedness measures, £5 million as part of the UN Flash appeal)
  NGOs including Merlin, International Medical Corps, Save the Children UK and GOAL.

  Coalition forces are working to protect hospitals and restore order in the areas they control as part of their responsibilities under the Geneva Convention and Hague Regulations obligations.

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total cost to her Department was for accountancy services in 2002–03. [109488]

  Clare Short
  In 2002–03 DFID spent £540,000 on accountancy services for the development programme and £84,000 on support to our Accounts Department. These figures do not take into account lower value contracts, details of which are not held centrally.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department is taking to address the issue of age discrimination. [109457]

  Clare Short
  My Department has been committed to eliminating, and has a published Equal Opportunities Policy forbidding, discrimination on grounds of age for many years. Negative assumptions about age are being tackled as part of the Department's Diversity Action Plan and age will be included as an area for study in our continuing equal pay audit work. The implications of the EU Framework Directive on Equal Treatment will be kept under active review. Those implications are likely to centre mainly on the question of mandatory retirement ages. Within the last year DFID has implemented the recommendations of "Winning the Generation Game" and now allows staff below the Senior Civil Service to serve on to age 65.

  Bilateral Aid
  Chris McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list bilateral aid to the health and population sector, broken down by 146W
  (a) project, (b) programme, (c) technical, (d) grants, (e) humanitarian aid and (f) CDC investments, in 2002–03. [109945]

  Clare Short
  The following estimated amounts were spent by my Department during 2002–03 on bilateral aid to the health and population sector. This information is broken down by the nearest equivalents that we have to the types of aid specified. These figures are provisional. Final figures will be published in this years edition of Statistics On International Development.

  Provisional 2002–03 expenditure

  £000

  Project or sector aid

  62,777

  Programme aid

  3,500

  Technical cooperation

  178,108

  Grants and other aid in kind

  44,911

  Humanitarian assistance

  4,148

  Total DFID programme

  293,444

  CDC investments

  17,877

  Total gross public expenditure

  311,321

  An explanation is available in Statistics On International Development 1997–98 to 2001–02, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library. The figures in the table represent expenditure on projects specific to the sector but do not capture the full extent of our efforts in the area because they exclude multisector projects and programmes, strategic funding to civil society organisations and budget support and balance of payments. Also excluded are activities funded through multilateral channels.

  Departmental Grants
  Chris McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding her Department gave to(a) UNFPA, (b) WHO, (c) UNICEF, (d) UNAIDS, (e) IPPF, (f) MSI, (g) Population Concern and (h) IFH in 2002–03. [109944]

  Clare Short
  The following estimated amounts were given by my Department during 2002–03 to the organisations specified. Note that figures for amounts given to NGOs are not yet available for 2002–03. Figures for previous years can be found in back issues of Statistics On International Development, which is available in the House of Commons Library. The figures below are currently provisional. Final figures will be published in this years edition of Statistics on International Development in October 2003.

  Provisional 2002–03 expenditure

  £000

  UN Aids

  3,052

  UN Childrens Fund-UNICEF

  17,366

  UN Population Fund

  9,000

  World Health Organisation

  46,008

  International Planned Parenthood Federation

  4,500

  Eritrea
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions her
  147W
  Department has had with the European Commission for Humanitarian Aid and Development regarding the humanitarian situation in Eritrea. [109704]

  Clare Short
  We have regular discussions with the Commission. DFID officials visited Eritrea at the end of January and met representatives of the Commission, and discussed the humanitarian situation.

  Since August 2002 the EC has committed £16.3 million for humanitarian work in Eritrea. A consignment of 24,000 metric tonnes of wheat for free distribution is being delivered to the Eritrean Relief and Refugee Commission (ERREC). In addition the Commission's Humanitarian Office (ECHO) are expected to contribute a further £1 million. DFID funds about 19 per cent of EC programmes.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian situation in Eritrea. [109706]

  Clare Short
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Glasgow, Anniesland, on 1 April 2003,Official Report, column 656W.

  Poverty Reduction Strategy
  Chris McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the impact of her Department's adoption of SWAPs and the PRSP approach on the support made available by NGOs. [109947]

  Clare Short
  We have not undertaken an assessment of the impact of the adoption of SWAPS and PRSP approaches on support made available by NGOs. DFID provides Civil Society Organisation (CSO) funding through several means and for different purposes. The total given through UK CSOs has remained around £190 million for the past three years. More details are in the table which shows the amounts given over the past three financial years.

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Total

  195

  184

  191

  Of which

  Country Programme

  75

  50

  54

  Humanitarian assistance

  34

  73

  69

  Country Programme funds are those given to CSOs to undertake development activities on behalf of DFID channelled through individual bilateral and multilateral programmes. The full set of figures, recipients and an explanation of terms is shown in Statistics on International Development Table 14. Figures for 2002–03 will be published in this year's edition in October.

  Research and Development
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made since the publication of the Development White Paper in increasing commercial incentives to invest in research and development to meet the needs of poor people. [109546]
  148W
  Clare Short
  For medicines there is a range of innovative public options that can be employed. These were explored through a working group on Access to Medicines which was published in November 2002. DFID investment in public/private partnerships for research and development for medicines is of the order of £21.5 million which includes the Medicines for Malaria Venture and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. In addition, the Chancellor has introduced new tax credits to promote research and development into diseases that predominantly affect people living in developing countries.

  Prospects are also promising in rural and agricultural environments where new initiatives are being developed to connect developing country demand for technological improvements with relevant technologies in the public and private sectors.

  Sexual and Reproductive Health
  Chris McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list bilateral aid for sexual and reproductive health and rights, broken down by(a) project, (b) programme, (c) technical, (d) grants, (e) humanitarian aid and (f) CDC investments, in 2002–03. [109946]

  Clare Short
  In 2001–02, the latest year for which data are available, DFID's new commitments to working towards our reproductive health policy goals totalled £268 million. These included £140 million for the Global Health Fund. In total these commitments represent approximately 19 per cent. of all bilateral aid commitments recorded during 2001–02.

  Figures for 2002–03 will be published in Statistics On International Development in October. These figures will exclude the assistance in this sector that we provide through other multilateral channels.

  Chris McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding her Department gave to sexual and reproductive health through the CSCF in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03. [109948]

  Clare Short
  DFID has provided the following funding to sexual and reproductive health, some of which is also HIV/AIDS related support, through the Civil Society Challenge Fund (CSCF).

  £

  Funding through CSCF

  2000–01

  377,040

  2001–02

  1,084,496

  2002–03

  1,672,917

  Chris McCafferty
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department is supporting NGOs in(a) Afghanistan and (b) Iraq to deliver reproductive health care. [109950]

  Clare Short
  DFID provided approximately £1.5 million to NGOs in Afghanistan to deliver a variety of primary healthcare services, including reproductive healthcare during 2001–02 and 2002–03. Our humanitarian aid for 2003–04 will be focussed on the priorities identified in the Afghan Transitional
  149W
  Authority's National Development Budget, to assist refugees and internally displaced persons. Primary healthcare will be a component of this strategy.

  DFID is currently supporting a number of NGOs in Iraq working in the health sector, including reproductive health. These include Merlin, International Medical Corps, Save the Children UK and GOAL.

DEFENCE

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what British forces are engaged in Afghanistan; what plans he has to replace them; and if he will make a statement. [110026]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are currently some 340 British troops serving in Afghanistan, predominantly with the International Security Assistance Force, where our current commitment is to provide forces until August 2003. Decisions on their replacement will be taken over the coming months.

  Armed Forces Pay
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what discussions he has had with(a) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) the Armed Forces Pay Review Body concerning income tax exemptions for service personnel in the Gulf; [109550]

  (2) what estimate his Department has made of the cost of providing UK service personnel in the Gulf with a four-month income tax exemption; and if he will make a statement. [109547]

  Mr. Ingram
  There have been no discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer or the Armed Forces Pay Review Body concerning income tax exemptions for service personnel in the Gulf. The longstanding rule—recognised by successive Governments—is that Crown

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Naval Service

  22,130

  21,660

  20,880

  21,210

  20,690

  20,550

  19,900

  19,690

  19.080

  18,940

  Army

  65,120

  65,150

  63,700

  65,410

  65,060

  64,870

  65,740

  68,530

  66,420

  66,840

  Royal Air Force

  43,730

  43,840

  43,700

  42,390

  41,780

  41,240

  42,700

  43,730

  42,810

  43,540

  Information on the number of cadets recruited into each of the services over the last 10 years is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many applications his Department has received from(a) the army cadets, (b) the air cadets and (c) the sea cadets for processing for Criminal Record Bureau checks in the past six months; how many of those applications have been processed; and what
  150W
  servants, including members of the armed forces, are chargeable to income tax on their Government salaries wherever they are serving.

  No estimate has been made by the Ministry of Defence of the cost of providing United Kingdom service personnel in the Gulf with a four-month income tax exemption.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average level of pay is of British service personnel serving in the Gulf. [109551]

  Mr. Ingram
  The pay structure of the United Kingdom armed forces, has incremental scales for every rank and two separate pay spines for non-commissioned personnel, dependent on their trade. Many will also be in receipt of allowances and those personnel with specific skills, for additional pay. An average figure would therefore be misleading.

  However, rates of pay, additional pay and certain allowances are published annually in the Armed Forces Pay Review Body Report for all ranks up to Brigadier and equivalent, and the Senior Salaries Review Body Report for ranks above Brigadier. Copies of the 2003 Reports can be found in the House of Commons Library.

  Cadets
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has allocated to the marketing and promotion of the(a) army, (b) air and (c) sea cadets, in each of the last 10 years; and what plans he has to change the recruitment procedures. [109733]

  Dr. Moonie
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cadets there were in(a) the army cadets, (b) the air cadets and (c) the sea cadets in each of the past 10 years; and how many have been recruited to each in each of the last 10 years. [109734]

  Dr. Moonie
  The strength of the Cadet Forces at 1 April for the last 10 years was as follows:

  representations he has received on the time taken to process such applications. [109735]

  Dr. Moonie
  The number of applications made to the Criminal Record Bureau and the number of clearance certificates issued for the six month period ending 15 April 2003 are set out below:

  Cadet Force

  Applications to CRB

  Certificates Issued

  Sea Cadet Corps

  423

  314

  Army Cadet Force

  653

  260

  Air Training Corps

  125

  14

  Devonport Dockyard
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recent security measures implemented at Devonport Naval Dockyard. [109638]

  Mr. Ingram
  It is not Ministry of Defence policy to comment on specific security measures, although the security practices and procedures at all three HM Naval Bases are subject to regular review and are adjusted or enhanced according to assessed threats. Following the incident in November last year when two anti-nuclear demonstrators gained access to HMS Vanguard at the Devonport Dockyard, which is owned by Devonport Management Limited, a specialist Defence Logistics Organisation Team investigated the incident and made proposals aimed at preventing a recurrence. The details of these proposals are being withheld under Exemption 1 (Defence, security and international relations) of the Code of Practice on access to Government Information.

  Field Hospitals
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what have been the deployments of 33 Field Hospital and 202 Field Hospital (V) during 2003. [110077]

  Dr. Moonie
  During 2003, 33 Field Hospital deployed on Operation TELIC in Kuwait from 14 February to 10 April. 202 Field Hospital (V) also deployed on Operation TELIC in Kuwait on 12 March and will remain there for the time being.

  HMS Ark Royal
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when HMS Ark Royal will redeploy to the United Kingdom; [110080]

  (2) what have been the movement plans for HMS Ark Royal during 2003; and what changes there have been to these plans. [110079]

  Mr. Ingram
  Having successfully completed Operation TELIC tasking, in her Landing Platform Helicopter role, HMS Ark Royal, together with her escort, HMS York and RFA Fort Victoria are on passage to the United Kingdom. Following a period of work with FA2 Harriers in the Mediterranean, HMS Ark Royal and accompanying ships will anive in the UK in mid May.

  HMS Ark Royal originally deployed in January at the head of Naval Task Group 03, a long-planned deployment to the Gulf and Asia Pacific regions. NTG 03 formed part of the Royal Navy's contribution to Operation TELIC, but with the successful completion of the initial phases of operations, three of the NTG 03 units are able to re-deploy to meet some of their original commitments. It has however, been decided that the priority for HMS Ark Royal is to return to the UK to undertake necessary work to allow for her to be available as soon as possible for future tasking.

  Iraq
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of(a) the number
  152W
  of cluster bombs dropped and (b) the number of weapons incorporating low yield uranium used by British forces in the Iraq war. [108324]

  Mr. Hoon
  As at 17 April, United Kingdom Forces have dropped in the region of 66 clusterbombs in the Iraq conflict. These have been used against large troop concentrations, armour and artillery in the open. The UK has no weapons incorporating low yield uranium in our inventory.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1)what the status is of detainees held at Camp One, Umm Qasr; [109057]

  (2)how many prisoners were detained at Camp One, Umm Qasr in each week since its opening; what the capacity is of the camp; and what steps are being taken to establish further prison camps; [109048]

  (3)on how many occasions the military tribunal at Camp One, Umm Qasr has met; how many cases it has heard; what the breakdown is of its adjudications; and how many detainees have been released; [109040]

  (4)what arrangements have been made at Camp One, Umm Qasr to allow each detainee to exercise their freedom of religious belief and practice; and how many civilian and military persons are engaged to minister to each faith represented among detainees; [109052]

  (5)what statutory authority the tribunal system for detainees at Camp One, Umm Qasr has; by what means the panel adjudicators were appointed; what the rules and procedures of the tribunal are; and if he will place a copy in the Library; [109055]

  (6)what facilities have been made available for the welfare of detainees at Camp One, Umm Qasr; [109039]

  (7)how many UK legal experts and advisors are serving among coalition forces in Iraq; and how many are attached to Camp One, Umm Qasr; [109041]

  (8)how many prisoners captured by Her Majesty's Armed Services in Iraq have been handed over to the custody of the United States or other military authorities; [109043]

  (9)how many requests he has received from the United States for named persons in Iraq to be handed over or otherwise transferred to the custody of the United States in the event of their capture; [109044]

  (10)what provision has been made at Camp One, Umm Qasr for the segregated accommodation of different political factions and religious groups; [109036]

  (11)what measures are taken at Camp One, Umm Qasr to give effect to the right of detainees to family life; and what arrangements are in place for detainees to (a) be visited, (b) make telephone contact, (c) send and receive letters, (d) receive parcels and (e) receive Red Crescent packages; [109054]

  (12)what written materials are made available for detainees upon reception at Camp One, Umm Qasr: and in what languages these are made available; [109038]
  153W
  (13)which belligerent states recognise and have agreed to hand over prisoners into the military jurisdiction of Her Majesty's Government at Camp One, Umm Qasr; [109050]

  (14)how many civilian lawyers and human rights experts have been sent to Iraq with coalition forces; and how many are stationed at Camp One, Umm Qasr; [109042]

  (15)how many meals are served each day at Camp One, Umm Qasr; what steps have been taken to ensure the religious and dietary requirements of detainees are met; and what the average daily calorific intake is of each prisoner; [109051]

  (16)what steps he has taken to ensure that detainees at Camp One, Umm Qasr may exercise their right to select and be represented by legal counsel before the military tribunal; [109035]

  (17)how many service personnel are engaged in functions related to security, administration and maintenance of Camp One, Umm Qasr; [109049]

  (18)how many interrogation rooms are situated in the vicinity of Camp One, Umm Qasr; what the maximum number of hours each day a detainee may be interrogated is; what the guidelines and rules governing interrogation procedures are; and if he will place a copy in the Library; [109053]

  (19)what steps he is taking to establish an independent tribunal under a recognised legal authority to determine the status of detainees in Iraq; [109058]

  (20)what language groups are represented among detainees at Camp One, Umm Qasr; what proportion of detainees speaks each language; and how many translators are available for each language. [109037]

  Mr. Ingram
  I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list internal flights made by Ministers in his Department in 2002, including in each case the(a) cost, (b) departure location and (c) destination; and of these how many were (i) first class, (ii) business class and (iii) economy class. [103589]

  Dr. Moonie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 22 January 2003,Official Report, column 334W by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) and to my answer of 24 February 2003, Official Report, column 139W to the hon. Member for Chelmsford. West (Mr. Burns).

  Scotland
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times he has visited Scotland on official duties each year since 2000; and what meetings were held on each occasion. [103618]

  Dr. Moonie
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence visited Scotland on one occasion in 2001.
  154W
  I am withholding details of any meetings in accordance with Exemptions 2 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. It is not the normal practice of Governments to release details of specific meetings or their content, as some of these discussions may have taken place on a confidential basis.

  Service Accommodation
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what policy he has to ensure that the quality and size of service accommodation offered to families is superior to their previous billet; and if he will make a statement. [110388]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Defence Housing Executive (DHE) manages service families accommodation (SFA) in Great Britain and since its formation in 1995 has made significant progress in improving the general standard of service housing. About half of the long term core housing stock is now at Standard 1 for Condition (SlfC). The upgrade programme will continue with demanding targets set for the DHE each year, against the services' long term requirements for family housing. As a result many service families will move into better accommodation than they have experienced previously.

  Service Personnel (Gulf)
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on delays in delivering packages and mail to British forces serving in the Gulf. [109617]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are no delays in movement of mail into theatre from the United Kingdom. Collection from Forces Post Offices in theatre and final delivery to individuals is a unit responsibility, and timings will vary according to the operational tempo of individual units.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Bovine TB
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress made in Northern Ireland to eradicate bovine TB. [107935]

  Mr. Pearson
  Bovine tuberculosis is among the most difficult animal health problems facing Northern Ireland. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has a range of measures in place to control bovine TB. There is an extensive programme of identification and removal of infected animals, combined with control on movements. DARD test all animals annually and all animals that show a positive result to the test are slaughtered. More stringent rules are applied to tests where there is known infection in the herd. Animals may not be moved from infected herds until the problem is resolved. This prevents onward spread.

  DARD has also recently completed a policy review of all aspects of the existing control measures for this disease to identify what further or different measures are necessary to reduce the incidence of TB. The aim of the

  155W
  Policy Review is to reduce the incidence of TB substantially within five years and to achieve a year-on-year reduction in the meantime. An announcement on taking forward the policy review recommendations will be made shortly.

  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cattle were infected with tuberculosis in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months; what the average period of time taken to remove infected cattle from herds after receiving tuberculosis test results was in each of the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement on how the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is dealing with the problem. [108876]

  Mr. Pearson
  In the 12 month period from 1 April 2002 there have been 16,359 Bovine Tuberculosis reactors. The average time from completion of the Tuberculin test to slaughter of these reactors is 23.7 working days. The figures for each month are as follows:

  Month

  Number of TB reactors

  Working days test to slaughter

  April 2002

  1,291

  24.1

  May 2002

  1,117

  21.3

  June 2002

  655

  22.5

  July 2002

  706

  19.2

  August 2002

  1,310

  21.4

  September 2002

  1,062

  21.1

  October 2002

  1,199

  22.2

  November 2002

  2,182

  25.4

  December 2002

  1,456

  30.2

  January 2003

  2,313

  26.2

  February 2003

  1,745

  23.0

  March 2003

  1,323

  15.6

  Total

  16,359

  23.7

  Bovine Tuberculosis is among the most difficult animal health problems facing Northern Ireland today. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has a range of measures in place to control bovine TB, There is an extensive programme of identification and removal of infected animals combined with control on movements. DARD test all animals annually and all animals that show a positive result to the test are slaughtered. More stringent rules are applied to tests where there is known infection in the herd. Animals may not be moved from infected herds until the problem is resolved. This prevents onward spread.

  To facilitate the removal of reactor animals, additional livestock valuation officers have been recruited and additional capacity added for the slaughter of reactors, which are older than 30 months of age. The process from completion of the Tuberculin test to slaughter of a reactor is being closely monitored and efficiencies sought. It is important to appreciate that because of the current high levels of Brucellosis in Northern Ireland that the removal of reactors to this disease is given priority which has an effect on the removal of TB reactors.

  DARD has also recently completed a policy review of all aspects of the existing control measures for this disease to identify what further or different measures are necessary to reduce the incidence of TB. The aim of the
  156W
  Policy Review is to reduce the incidence of TB substantially within five years and to achieve a year on year reduction in the meantime. An announcement on taking forward the policy review recommendations will be made shortly.

  Brunei Citizens (Training)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what arrangements there are for the training of Brunei citizens in Northern Ireland. [110078]

  Jane Kennedy
  No specific arrangements have been made for the training of Brunei Citizens in Northern Ireland.

  Should a demand for such training emerge the Northern Ireland Department for Employment and Learning will respond as appropriate.

  Castlereagh break-in
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when Sir John Chilcot presented his report on the break-in at Castlereagh on 17 March 2002 to the Government. [105917]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Sir John Chilcot has not completed his report into the break-in at Castlereagh Police Station. I will inform the House when I have received the report.

  Departmental Finance
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money remained unspent at the end of each of the past five years in respect of financial allocations to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety; and how much of this unspent allocation has been returned to the Treasury in each of these years. [109211]

  Mr. Pearson
  With the introduction of Devolution in Northern Ireland in December 1999, NI Departments restructured and increased in number from six to 11, thus it is not possible to provide the information requested in respect of DHSSPS prior to 1999. In addition, information on 2002–03 will not be available until June and the table which follows therefore covers the period 1999–2000 to 2001–02.

  Underspend £million

  Amount returned to Treasury

  1999–2000

  113.8

  Nil

  2000–01

  1,217.6

  Nil

  2001–02

  349.1

  4Nil

  1 Cash basis.

  2 For the 2000–01 year, the departmental budget was planned, managed and controlled on a cash basis, with a retrospective adjustment to a resource basis to facilitate the transition to Resource Accounting and Budgeting. However, the cash figure better reflects departmental performance in managing spend for that year.

  3 Resource basis.

  4 In accordance with the Treasury End Year Flexibility Scheme, the original claim for 2001–02 was based on provisional outturn and amounted to £39.6 million. The difference between this and the final underspend figure of £49.1 million will be drawn down in

  157W
  2003–04, subject (as is always the case in respect of end year flexibility) to agreement by the Treasury of the necessary call on the Reserve.

  Fallen Stock
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the methods of disposal of fallen stock on farms in Northern Ireland. [107919]

  Mr. Pearson
  Guidance on the current methods of disposal of fallen stock is available from Divisional Veterinary Offices in Northern Ireland.

  Agriculture Departments will shortly be writing to all UK livestock farmers explaining the changes to disposal methods, pending the introduction of the EU Animal By-Products Regulation, which will ban the on-farm burial or burning of fallen stock with effect from 30 April 2003.

  Hilton Hotel Group
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list(a) the sums of public money allocated to the Hilton Hotel Group in each year since 1996 in relation to its Belfast hotel development and (b) the Northern Ireland agencies that allocated these monies. [108232]

  Mr. Pearson
  The information is as follows:

  (a) The sums of public money allocated to the Hilton Hotel Group in each year since 1996 in relation to its Belfast hotel development were as follows:

  £

  Funding

  DSD

  NITB

  1996

  4,000,000.00

  4,000,000.00

  —

  1997

  2,291,437.42

  2,000,000.00

  291,437.42

  1998

  608,562.58

  —

  608,562.58

  1999

  100,000.00

  —

  100,000.00

  Total

  7,000,000.00

  6,000,000.00

  1,000,000.00

  (b) The Northern Ireland agencies that allocated these funds were Laganside Corporation (£6 million) an Executive NDPB of the Department of Social Development and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (£1 million) an Executive NDPB of the Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment.

  Into the West
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Into the West audit report will be made public; if he will list the board members of Into the West; and what the role and title are of(a) public servants and (b) elected representatives who have served on the board of the Company. [109988]

  Mr. Pearson
  The propriety and value for money reports were made public on request on 27 March 2003, I have arranged for a copy of the reports to be placed in the Library of the NI Assembly and will make a similar arrangement in this House. Full details of the ITW Board representation are contained in an annex to the value for money report.

  Manslaughter and Reckless Driving
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been 158W
  convicted of (a) causing death by reckless driving and (b) manslaughter in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [105907]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The table presents the number of convictions for the offences of(a) causing death by reckless driving and (b) manslaughter, for the years 1995 to 1999. Data beyond 1999 are currently not available.

  Number of convictions for causing death by reckless driving

  Number of convictions for manslaughter

  1995

  10

  5

  1996

  6

  8

  1997

  7

  6

  1998

  9

  8

  1999

  9

  15

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average length of sentence handed down for the offence of causing death by reckless driving in Northern Ireland was in the past five years.[105911]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The table presents the average immediate custodial sentence length in months for the offence of causing death by reckless driving for the years 1995 to 1999. Data beyond 1999 are currently not available.

  Average sentence length in months (number of persons)

  1995

  20 (5)

  1996

  20 (3)

  1997

  36 (4)

  1998

  28(7)

  1999

  33(4)

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average length of sentence handed down for the offence of manslaughter was in Northern Ireland in the past five years. [105909]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The table presents the average immediate custodial sentence length in months for the offence of manslaughter, for the years 1995 to 1999. Data beyond 1999 are currently not available.

  Average sentence length in months (number of persons)

  1995

  52 (4)

  1996

  119 (8)

  1997

  65 (6)

  1998

  70 (7)

  1999

  63 (12)

  Mobile Homes Act
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if it is his policy to extend the Mobile Homes Act 1983 is to be extended to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [107918]
  159W
  Mr. Browne
  The 1983 Act covers mobile homes in designated areas that are generally referred to as Park Homes, As this is a unique type of tenure and there are no such areas in Northern Ireland it would be inappropriate to introduce equivalent provisions.

  Post Office Closures
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much time is allocated for public consultation on the proposed closure of post offices. [109989]

  Mr. Timms
  I have been asked to reply.
  Under the Code of Practice on proposed closures of post offices agreed between Post Office Ltd. and Postwatch, a public consultation period of not less than one month is stipulated.

  Primary School Funding
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much of the £1.4 billion recently awarded to primary schools in Northern Ireland was allocated to(a) each board, (b) the Council for Curriculum Examinations and Assessment, (c) the Catholic Council of Maintained Schools, (d) the RTU and (e) elsewhere; and whether each Education and Library Board retains the same percentage of allocated funds for administration costs. [109115]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Department of Education's 2003–04 resource budget for school-related expenditure amounts to some £1,485 million, of which £992.8 million has to date been allocated to the Education and Library Boards for recurrent costs. The specific information requested is as follows:

  (a) Allocations to individual Boards, and the amounts allocated by Boards in respect of primary schools:

  £ million

  Schools

  Of which:Primary schools

  BELB

  171.887

  59.765

  NEELB

  211.669

  76.692

  SEELB

  194.588

  77.839

  SELB

  226.899

  86.807

  WELB

  187.769

  72.038

  Total

  992.812

  373.141

  Resource allocation to CCEA: £11.672 million

  Resource allocation to CCMS: £2.384 million

  Resource allocation for RTU: £2.331 million (included in BELB allocation at (a) above).

  Elsewhere: some £478 million, not all yet allocated.

  The percentage of Education and Library Board recurrent budgets which relates to Headquarters Administration varies across individual Boards, principally because of the incidence of five-Board and lead Board services provided by individual Boards. The overall percentage of Department of Education funded Board budgets expended on HQ Administration costs has dropped in each of the last four financial years.
  160W
  Excluding provision for five-Board and lead Board services, the latest available information is as follows (percentage of recurrent budget spent on Headquarters Administration):

  Percentage

  Financial year 2002–03

  BELB

  2.42

  NEELB

  2.11

  SEELB

  1.79

  SELB

  1.78

  WELB

  1.97

  Total

  2.0

  Regional Paediatric Services
  Rev. Martin Smyth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on regional paediatric services. [107429]

  Mr. Browne
  A number of hospital services for children are provided on a regional basis because of the small case volume and the specialised staff, facilities or equipment required. Examples of regional paediatric services include paediatric cardiac surgery conducted at the Royal Victoria Hospital, paediatric intensive care, provided at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, paediatric neurosurgery services and paediatric pathology. Like other regional services, regional paediatric services are commissioned by the Regional Medical Services Consortium, a body comprising representation from each of the four Health and Social Services Boards.

TREASURY

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to improve the training of staff who deal with inquiries from members of the public who wish to make a claim for Working Families Tax Credit; what research his Department has commissioned to measure the level of customer satisfaction with the service provided; and if he will make a statement. [109005]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit were introduced on 6 April 2003 to replace Working Families' Tax Credit, Disabled Person's Tax Credit and Children's Tax Credit.

  Staff dealing with inquiries have received training covering all aspects of entitlement to Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit (including the child care element of the Working Tax Credit), as well as the mechanics of claiming and paying the new tax credits.

  Tax credits recipients are included within the Inland Revenue's annual survey of customer service performance indicators.

  Both training needs and levels of customer satisfaction are kept under constant review.
  161W
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much he expects to spend on overhead costs as a result of the introduction of the child and working tax credits in each year between 2002–03 and 2005–06. [106119]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The overhead costs of administering the child and working tax credits are expected to be £300 million per annum in line with the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), published in July 2002.

  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints have been received in respect of the helpline for the child tax credit and working tax credit. [108062]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 8 April 2003]: Details of the number of complaints received in respect of the helpline are not held centrally.

  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to publicise the take-up of tax credits on the internet; and if he will make a statement. [108803]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 11 April 2003]: The publicity campaign for the two new tax credits—child tax credit and working tax credit began in September 2002 followed by four further phases of advertising in October, November, January and March. These phases have included TV, radio, press and online advertising as well as direct mailings, posters and leaflets. The tax credit website was promoted in all activity, continuing the drive to encourage eligible claimants to claim online.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications were received for working families tax credit in each year since it was introduced; and if he will make a statement. [108825]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 11 April 2003]: Working families tax credit was introduced on 5 October 1999. The number of applications received in each year (April to March inclusive) was as follows:

  Number of applications

  1999–2000

  1,270,000

  2000–01

  2,700,000

  2001–02

  2,950,000

  2002–031

  2,260,000

  1 Awards terminating from 2 December 2002 were automatically extended to April 2003, so no applications were required to renew these awards.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how long it will take to reach a decision on applications for working families tax credit made in(a) January, (b) February, (c) March and (d) April 2003. [108828]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 11 Apri12003]: The Inland Revenue tries to process claims for tax credits as quickly as possible. But the date a decision is made depends on a number of factors other than the date on which the claim arrived, including whether the claimant provided all the information required, and whether the claim passed the various pre-award checks.
  162W
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of child tax credit awards for 2003–04 that will need to be reassessed owing to(a) rises and (b) falls in income between (i) 2001–02 and (ii) 2003–04. [109151]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The number of awards that are expected to be reassessed owing to rises in income above £2,500 and any falls in income are published in "The Child and Working Tax Credits". Copies are available on the HM Treasury website: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk

  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people he estimates in the Hemsworth constituency are eligible for the(a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit; and how many people he estimates will take up these credits in 2003–04. [109898]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle) on 10 April 2003,Official Report, column 506W.

  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many families are receiving(a) child tax credit and (b) amounts equivalent to child tax credit through income support or jobseeker's allowance and will be automatically transferred onto child tax credit before October 2004: [110241]

  (2) what the take-up rate was for working families' tax credit in each year since 1999; what target he has set for the take-up rate for working tax credit; and what estimate he has made of the likely take-up rate of working tax credit. [110243]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Working families tax credit (WFTC) replaced family credit (FC) on 5 October 1999.1999–2000 was therefore the transition year between FC and WFTC, and no estimates of the take-up rates of WFTC in that year are available. Estimates for 2000–01 are on the Inland Revenue website, at inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/wftc/takeup_rates.htm. No reliable estimates for 2001–02 can be attempted until the Family Resources Survey for that year is analysed.

  From 6 April 2003 WFTC was replaced by child tax credit (CTC) and working tax credit (WTC). It is expected that around 1.35 million families with and without children will receive WTC. Statistics on CTC and WTC awards will be published quarterly, beginning in August 2003.

  Around 1.3 million families with children are expected to benefit in 2003–04 from additional support for children though income support or jobseeker's allowance, until they move onto CTC in 2004.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the basis is for his estimate that nine out of 10 families with children are eligible for the Child Tax Credit; and if he will make a statement on the number of families represented by this estimate. [109611]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The basis for the estimate that nine out of 10 families with dependant children are eligible for the Child Tax Credit is the Family Resources Survey.

  Unemployment (Over 50s)
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of(a) men and (b) women aged over 50 is unemployed. [110181]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Nigel Waterson, dated 28 April 2003:
  As National Statistician. I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment rates for men and women aged over 50. (110181)
  The unemployment rate for men aged 50 or over is 4.1 per cent and the unemployment rate for women aged 50 or over is 2.4 per cent. These estimates are from the Labour Force Survey, for the three month period ending February 2003, and are seasonally adjusted.

  Working Population
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the working age population is over 50. [110182]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Nigel Waterson, dated 28 April 2003:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the percentage of the working age population who are over 50. (110182)>
  For the United Kingdom in mid-2001, 24.4 per cent of the working age population (16–64/59 for males and females respectively) are aged 50 and over (50–64/59 for males and females respectively).

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to address the issue of age discrimination. [109456]

  Ruth Kelly
  The provisions in the Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment are embedded within the Treasury's equal opportunities policies in accordance with the Performance and Innovation Unit's "Winning the Generation Game": report. Policies are in place to ensure that there are no unfair or unlawful barriers to employment or advancement in the Treasury. These policies are kept under constant review.

  Building Contracts
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether PFI and PPP building contracts have to meet environmental criteria set by his Department or by others, beyond the requirements of building regulations; [108853]

  (2) what arrangements are in place to ensure that PFI and PPP building contracts meet high environmental standards. [108852]

  Mr. Boateng
  Joint guidance promoting high environmental standards in PFI and PPP projects was issued in July 2002 by the Office of Government 164W
  Commerce; the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; the Department for Transport and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

  Moreover, by integrating the design, build and operational aspects of a project into a single financial package, PFI helps to maximise efficiency, including energy efficiency, over the whole life of the contract.

  Child Trust Funds
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether children eligible for the child trust fund but born before accounts are set up will receive interest on the Government's payments into the fund during that interim period. [110231]

  Ruth Kelly
  As stated in the Budget, the Government will publish its full proposals for the Child Trust Fund in summer 2003.

  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to take account of funds paid by the Exchequer into child trust funds in the future calculation of the savings ratio. [109426]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Graham Brady dated 28 April 2003:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on child trust funds.
  The treatment of child trust funds in the national accounts has not yet been decided.

  Climate Change Levy
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the Climate Change Levy (General) (Amendment) Regulations. [109438]

  John Healey
  Following the Chancellor's 2002 announcement to extend the current CCL exemption for good quality electricity produced in Combined Heat and Power (CHP) stations, a number of representations were received from trade associations and individual businesses commenting on a draft of the Climate Change Levy (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2003. After the Regulations were made and laid, one further representation was received from an organisation seeking to clarify its position in relation to simplified arrangements for small scale CHP.

  Company Employee Development Schemes
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether company employee development schemes remain exempt from being treated as a taxable benefit under the Budget proposals. [109081]

  Ruth Kelly
  If the hon. Gentleman has in mind employment training and skills development, there is nothing in the Budget proposals to affect any existing tax exemption for such employer provided training.

  Departmental Accommodation
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the value of purpose built office accommodation owned by the Office of National Statistics at Drummond Gate in London, referred to in the 2001 National Asset Register; what the value is of motor vehicles owned by the ONS; and if he will make a statement. [107444]

  Ruth Kelly
  [holding answer 8 April 2003]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Laws, dated 28 April 2003:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the estimated value of purpose built office accommodation owned by the Office of National Statistics at Drummond Gate in London, referred to in the 2001 National Asset Register, and what the value of motor vehicles owned by the ONS. (107444).
  The Office for National Statistics (ONS) rents Drummond Gate from the Metropolitan Police. However, ONS includes on its balance sheet the cost of building refurbishments at Drummond Gate, the written down value of which at 31 March 2003 amounts to £21,384,000.
  The written down value of motor vehicles owned by ONS at 31 March 2003 amounts to £96,000.

  Earnings
  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 16 December 2002,Official Report, columns 606—7W, on average earnings, how much more reliable the new earnings survey figures are for (a) the West Midlands region and (b) Herefordshire and Worcestershire than the figures for Worcestershire. [109355]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I have been asked to reply.

  The reliability of average earnings estimates can be gauged by looking at the coefficient of variation for that estimate. That is the standard error of the average, expressed as a percentage of the average. The smaller the coefficient of variation, the better the estimate. For the areas stated above the average weekly wage and coefficient of variation are as follows:

  Area

  Average Gross Weekly Earnings (£)1

  Coefficient of variation (%)

  West Midlands Government Office region

  427.30

  0.9

  Hereford and Worcester ACA area

  395.13

  1.6

  Worcestershire

  400.5

  1.9

  Hereford UA

  375.7

  3.0

  1 New Earnings Survey, April 2002, Full-time employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey period was unaffected by absence.

  The difference between the above figure for the Hereford and Worcester ACA area and that given on 16 December 2002, reflects the fact that unitary authorities are excluded from the published estimates of New Earnings Survey average wages in county areas. Therefore, the Hereford and Worcester estimate given previously corresponds to Worcestershire only.

  Economic Cycle
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to paragraph C4 of Budget 2003, if he will set out his assumption of the date, by quarter, for the ending of the current economic cycle. [110247]

  Ruth Kelly
  As shown in Chart B4 on page 226 of the 2003 Budget Report (HC500), the current economic cycle is projected to end in the fourth quarter of 2005.

  Employment Statistics (Hemsworth)
  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of working age people in the Hemsworth constituency were in employment in (a) 2002–03 and(b) 1996–97. [109900]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Jon Trickett, dated 28 April 2003:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about employment in the Hemsworth constituency. (109900)
  The working age employment rate in the Hemsworth constituency for the twelve month period ending February 1997 was 60.1 per cent. The rate for the twelve month period ending February 2002 was 65.5 per cent. These estimates are from the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Estimates of employment rates for Parliamentary Constituency areas for the twelve month period ending February 2003 are not yet available.

  EU Committees
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list(a) the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU Economic and Financial Committee, (b) the number of times, and the dates, on which it has met since January 2002, (c) the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, (d) the decisions it has made since January 2002 and (e) the means used to communicate the decisions to the House. [110307]

  Ruth Kelly
  The role and responsibilities of the Economic and Financial Committee are set out in Article 114(2) (ex 109c(2)) of the EU Treaty and in the Statutes of the Economic and Financial Committee, which were adopted by the ECOFIN Council on 31 December 1998.

  Since the start of January 2002, The Economic and Financial Committee has met on 20 occasions. In accordance with Article 114(2) of the EU Treaty, member states each appoint two members of the Committee: the UK is represented by one official from HM Treasury and one official from the Bank of England. Each of these representatives has one Alternate.

  The items considered by the Economic and Financial Committee since January 2002 were those discussed in the following months by the ECOFIN Council. The Government updates Parliament after each ECOFIN Council meeting in the form of a response to a written Parliamentary Question. Accountability and transparency to Parliament is further ensured by the regular EU scrutiny process.

  Financial Services
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the level of access to insurance, pensions and mortgage services among teenagers who are recovering from cancer. [109650]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Treasury has made no assessment of the level of access to financial services among teenagers who are recovering from cancer.

  Foreign Investment
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the value of a multi-national agreement on foreign private investment in developing countries. [103524]

  John Healey
  The UK government recognises that foreign direct investment (FDI) is important for developing countries. It establishes long-term commitments and lasting assets, which bring new technologies, skills and products into developing countries. The UK Government has made an assessment that a basic framework of multilateral rules on FDI will reinforce sound domestic policies to attract FDI. Such a framework would help developing countries send a positive signal to potential foreign investors about the permanence of policy changes and the expected standard of treatment afforded to foreign investors.

  Existing multilateral rules only partially cover FDI issues, and the proliferation of bilateral investment treaties does not provide a substitute for a coherent, basic framework of multilateral rules. Moreover, the UK government believes that the proposed agreement will have particular benefits for smaller developing countries which do not have the resources to negotiate numerous bilateral treaties or devise and implement an investment regime independently. We believe that the EU proposal under which WTO members would choose which sectors they wish to open up to FDI, offers a balanced and flexible approach, preserving countries' right to regulate in order to pursue national development objectives.

  Iraq
  Mr. Howard
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 1 April 2003, to the hon Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien),Official Report, column 616W, on Iraq, what representations he has received from aid agencies and other non-governmental organisations regarding the likely cost of humanitarian aid in Iraq; and what discussions he has had with (a) ECOFIN and (b) the UN regarding the funding of measures to meet humanitarian needs. [108544]

  John Healey
  The Chancellor has not received any formal written representations from aid agencies or other non-governmental organisations regarding the likely cost of humanitarian aid in Iraq.

  ECOFIN has not formally discussed the funding of measures to meet humanitarian needs. However the commission has reported to ECOFIN Ministers its preliminary assessment in relation to the allocation of
  168W
  funds for humanitarian aid from the EU budget at the Informal ECOFIN on 5 April. The Paymaster General attended this meeting for the UK.

  There have been no discussions between the Chancellor and the UN regarding the funding of measures to meet humanitarian needs in Iraq.

  The Chancellor announced on 27 March that a total of £240 million had been set aside for humanitarian assistance in Iraq. £90 million of this is from the Department for International Development budgets and £120 million from the Reserve. In addition, £30 million has been allocated for the Ministry of Defence to provide immediate assistance on the ground. In his Budget Statement on 9 April, the Chancellor set aside £60 million to back up the UN and the work of reconstruction and development in Iraq. This is additional to the funds already earmarked for Iraq.

  Market Research
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expenditure has been incurred by his(a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental bodies in 2002 on (i) opinion polling, (ii) focus groups and (iii) other forms of market research; and if he will list the surveys commissioned and the purpose of each. [106261]

  Ruth Kelly
  Detailed information in the form requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Marriage Ceremonies
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost of marriage ceremonies is for each of the registration districts in England and Wales, for(a) weekday and (b) weekend ceremonies. [109996]

  Ruth Kelly
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Registrar General. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Dr. Brian Iddon, dated 28 April 2003:
  As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the cost of marriage ceremonies for each registration district. (109996)
  The cost of a civil marriage ceremony at a register office in England and Wales is £34.00 for any day of the week. The fee for civil marriages in approved premises, which are buildings approved by local authorities for the solemnisation of civil marriages, are set by local authorities on a cost recovery basis. Marriage fees for the Church of England. Church in Wales and other religious denominations are determined by the religious body concerned. Information on the cost of marriage ceremonies outside register offices is not held centrally.

  New Business Creation
  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will make a further statement about the proposal to allow local authorities to share with Her Majesty's Treasury the benefits of new business creation outlined in the Budget speech. [109921]
  169W
  John Healey
  The Government will consult this summer on the detailed proposals for a scheme to allow local authorities to retain some or all of the increases in business rates revenue as a result of economic growth in their area.

  Public and Utilities Contracts
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the Public Contracts (Work Services and Supply) and Utilities Contracts (Amendment) Regulations. [109952]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have not received any representations about these Regulations.

  Public Liability Insurance
  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the level of premiums charged for public liability insurance in 2003–04 compared to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [109425]

  Ruth Kelly
  We do not collect regular information on UK public liability insurance premium costs, nor forecast changes in the level of premiums.

  Public Service Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what grades of officials are responsible for the monitoring of progress towards the public service agreement targets of the department. [109465]

  Mr. Boateng
  Monitoring progress towards the department's PSA targets is undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels of the organisation.

  Share Owning
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the UK population have held shares in each year from 1974 to date. [108950]

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the UK population have held shares in each year since 1973. [109338]

  Maria Eagle
  I have been asked to reply.

  Information is not available in the format requested. Such information for Great Britain is available in the table.

  Percentage of adults

  Type of saving

  Stocks and shares

  Stocks and shares,ISAs, PEPs,TESSAs, unit trusts

  1997–98

  22

  31

  1998–99

  21

  31

  1999–2000

  20

  32

  2000–01

  19

  34

  2001–02

  19

  37

  170W
  Notes:

  1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). A consistent series for assets and savings is available from 1997–98.2001–02 is the latest year for which data is available.

  2. Adults include all those aged 16 and over, except for 16 to 18-year-olds in full-time non-advanced education; all adults in the household are interviewed as part of the FRS.

  3. Figures for investment income are particularly problematic. Questions on assets are a sensitive part of the FRS questionnaire and have relatively low level of response, and hence higher levels of imputation, compared to other parts of the survey. Responses are imputed in around one in 10 cases.

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

  5. The final column of the table shows the percentage of adults reporting one or more of the categories: stocks and shares, unit trusts, TESSAs, PEPs and ISAs. Note that not all ISAs, PEPs, unit trusts and TESSAs will be share based.

  Source:

  Family Resources Survey (Great Britain).

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the salary bill was for special advisers in his Department in 2002–03; and what it is expected to be in 2003–04. [108498]

  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to him by the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 24 April.

  Suicides (Hemsworth)
  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many male suicides there were in Hemsworth in(a) 1992, (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. [109914]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Jon Trickett, dated 28 April 2003:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many male suicides there were in Hemsworth in (a) 1992 (b) 1997 and (c) 2001. (109914)
  The figures requested are given in the table below:

  Number of male deaths from suicide and injury undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted1, Hemsworth parliamentary constituency2, 1992, 1997 and 20013

  Year

  Number of deaths

  1992

  5

  1997

  7

  2001

  6

  1 The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes E950-E959 and E980-E989 excluding E988.8 for the years 1992 and 1997, and, for the year 2001, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84 and Y10-Y34 excluding Y33.9 where the Coroner's verdict was pending.

  2 Figures relate to deaths of people resident in Hemsworth parliamentary constituency based on its boundaries in 2001.

  3 Figures are for deaths registered in these years.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many award notices for the(a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit have been issued. [108480]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There is a single award notice for both child tax credit and working tax credit.

  By 9 April 2003, about 3.2 million award notices had been issued. This includes notices issued to single adults and to each partner in couples.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the targets for processing(a) child and (b) working tax credit claim forms and the performance against those targets. [108483]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue will be set targets for the future administration of the new tax credits system later this year once there is sufficient experience of live running to make those targets both challenging and achievable.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many calls have been made to the tax credit helpline in each month since it was established. [106142]

  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many telephone calls the Inland Revenue Children's and Working Tax Credits helpline dealt with in(a) February and (b) March 2003. [107556]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 1 April 2003]: A helpline was set up in August 2002 to handle detailed inquiries about the two new tax credits. The number of calls answered at the helpline in Great Britain in each month since then is set out in the following table.

  Calls received

  August 2002

  28,453

  September 2002

  179,484

  October 2002

  324,381

  November 2002

  394,205

  December 2002

  267,757

  January 2003

  851,851

  February 2003

  1,168,131

  March 2003

  2,486,846

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many phone calls the Child Tax Credit helpline has received over the last month. [107290]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The latest month for which complete information is available is March 2003. The Great Britain tax credit helpline answered 2,486,846 calls in this month.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many awards for the(a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit have been paid in Northern Ireland. [110366]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 19 March 2003,Official Report, column 760W.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the targets for processing child and working tax credit claim forms and the performance against those targets for Northern Ireland in the latest year for which figures are available. [110367]
  172W
  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue will be set targets for the future administration of the new tax credits system later this year once there is sufficient experience of live running to make those targets both challenging and achievable.

  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Northern Ireland(a) were entitled to and (b) received the children's tax credit in the last year for which figures are available. [110368]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Based on household survey data, it is estimated that about 125,000 families in Northern Ireland could benefit from the children's tax credit.

  No estimate can be made of the number of families in Northern Ireland actually benefiting from the children's tax credit for 2001–02 until the Survey of Personal Incomes is compiled towards the end of this year.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many applications were(a) made, (b) outstanding, (c) approved and (d) refused in each of the last six months for the working families tax credit; and what the cumulative backlog in applications was at 31 March. [108795]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 April 2003]: The figures requested are:

  Applications received in month

  Awards made in month

  Other disposals in month1

  Applications on hand2 at last Friday last Friday in month

  October 2002

  335,000

  303.000

  62,000

  75,000

  November 2002

  166,000

  182,000

  27,000

  32,000

  December 2002

  55,000

  52,000

  19,000

  20,000

  January 2003

  54,000

  40,000

  14,000

  19,000

  February 2003

  34,000

  27,000

  9,000

  18,000

  March 2003

  52,000

  13,000

  6,000

  253,000

  1 Estimated by subtracting from the number of applications received the number of awards made and the increase in the number of applications on hand.

  2 Excluding applications received but not yet registered—there were about 3,000 of these at the end of March 2003.

  Tax Relief Regulations
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received about the Community Investment Tax Relief (Accreditation of Community Development Finance Institutions) Regulations. [109437]

  John Healey
  The Government have received a number of representations about the Community Investment Tax Relief. Ministers and officials have also met interested parties to discuss the tax relief.

  11 community development finance institutions (CDFIs) were recently accredited for the community investment tax relief and have been enabled to raise over £35 million from private sector investors. Applications from a further seven CDFIs are currently being considered. Full details are available on the Small Business Service website.

  VAT (Charities)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the level of irrecoverable VAT levied on charities. [109669]

  John Healey
  Customs and Excise does not hold data about the level of irrecoverable VAT incurred by charities.

CABINET OFFICE

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the total cost to his Department was for accountancy services in 2002–03. [109489]

  Mr. Alexander
  My Department does not keep central record of this information, therefore the answer can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Age Discrimination
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps the Department is taking to address the issue of age discrimination. [109459]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Cabinet Office has integrated age into its equal opportunity policies and is committed to ensuring that there should be no unfair discrimination. It is the Department's policy that everyone should have equality of opportunity on the basis of their ability, qualifications and suitability for the work.

  The Department will continue to tackle any negative attitudes towards older staff particularly through the training and development of managers and through the monitoring of recruitment, selection and performance statistics.

  The Cabinet Office has reviewed its retirement policy for grades below the Senior Civil Service in line with the recommendations of the Cabinet Office report 'Winning the Generation Game'. The normal retirement age is 60 years but retention beyond this age up to age 70 is possible subject to departmental needs, regular attendance and effective performance.

  Civil Service
  Kevin Brennan
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) of 1 April 2003,Official Report, column 794, on the Civil Service, what the recruitment figures are for his Department. [108921]

  Mr. Alexander
  From 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 there were 79 new recruits to the Cabinet Office, which breaks down as follows:51 were female (64 per cent.)
  19 were from ethnic minorities (24 per cent.)
  one disabled person was recruited

  Code of Practice
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultation came into force; whether it applies to all legislation; if he will amend the Code of Practice to 174W
  ensure a 12-week period of pre-legislative scrutiny is included in all bills; and what plans he has to place the Code of Practice on a statutory footing. [109370]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Cabinet Office Code of Practice on Written Consultation came into force on 1 January 2001 and applies to all public consultations. It does not apply to parliamentary pre-legislative scrutiny, the arrangements for which are a matter for the two Houses. My Department has no plans to place the Code of Practice on a statutory footing.

  Part-time Workers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment he has made of the impact of the Part-time Workers Directive on staff in the Office. [109276]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Cabinet Office is committed to monitoring its policies and procedures to ensure there is no adverse impact on part-time staff.

  For example, the Department has undertaken an equality audit of its new pay procedure, which included a review of pay awards and working patterns. The results are to be published shortly.

  The Department promotes job opportunities for part-time staff by ensuring all departmental vacancies are open to part-time and job-sharing staff, unless there are justifiable business reasons why this is not possible.

  Additionally, support is also provided via a departmental network for staff with part-time and alternative working patterns. The Network also works as a consultative body and helps to shape new Human Resources policies.

  Regions White Paper
  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress his Department has made towards the aim in the White Paper, "Your Region, Your Choice", of assessing the balance of staff between the centre and the regions in terms of effective policy design and implementation; and what examples there have been since the publication of the White Paper of the Cabinet Office deciding between locating new streams of work(a) in and (b) outside London and the South East. [108575]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Cabinet Office has a network of offices outside London and the South-East, and considers the geographical location of its offices as part of its normal business planning activity. Recent reviews have, however, concluded that the majority of the Cabinet Office and new streams of work need to continue to be based in London to enable the Department to carry out its central coordinating role effectively.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

  Stalking and Harassment
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister for Women how many female victims of(a) stalking and (b) harassment there were in 2001–02. [97715]
  175W
  Ms Hewitt
  The 2001 British crime survey included a self-completion component on domestic violence, sexual victimisation and stalking. Analysis of data from this module is underway, and the Home Office hopes to publish the results this summer.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Arms Exports (Syria)
  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list UK arms sales to Syria from 1998 to 2002. [110249]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Department of Trade and Industry's Export Control Organisation records details of all export licence applications issued and refused, which are published by destination in the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls. Copies of the 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 Annual Reports are available in the Libraries of the House. The 2002 Annual Report will be published in due course.

  The granting of a licence does not necessarily translate into actual arms sales.

  Mrs. Ellman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list UK military licences granted to Syria in 2003. [110250]

  Nigel Griffiths
  Between 1 January 2003 and 7 April 2003, no Standard Individual Export Licences or Open Individual Export Licences were issued, where the end users were in Syria.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the additional costs that will be imposed on the care homes sector as a result of the increase in the national minimum wage. [109656]

  Alan Johnson
  The independent Low Pay Commission looked at this issue in their recent report to the Government. They estimated that their recommended increases in the minimum wage rates for 1 October 2003 would increase the wage bill in the social care sector by up to 0.5 per cent.

  Broadband
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many SMEs in(a) Suffolk, (b) Norfolk, (c) Essex, (d) Cambridgeshire and (e) the Bury St Edmunds constituency were connected to broadband in (i) 2000, (ii) 2001 and (iii) 2002. [109344]

  Nigel Griffiths
  These data are not available.

  Departmental Offices
  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the locations are of her Department's offices, including those of the Manufacturing Advisory Service, in the East of England. [109334]
  176W
  Alan Johnson
  The Manufacturing Advisory Service in the East of England has an administrative head office at the Centre for the Advancement of Manufacturing and Technology in Chelmsford. Its Chief Executive is based at Cranfield University.

  The offices of the Small Business Service, Trade Partners UK and the East of England Development Agency are located in Histon, near Cambridge.

  The Government Office for the East of England and Invest East of England are in Cambridge.

  The Business Link offices are in Huntingdon, St. Albans, Luton, Ipswich, Swaffham and Chelmsford.

  The Insolvency Service has Official Receiver offices in Cambridge, Ipswich, Norwich, St Albans and Southend on Sea.

  Oil and Gas Industry Development have an office in Great Yarmouth.

  Departmental Pay
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made with the pay review in her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible, with particular reference to the gender pay gap; and if she will make a statement. [106751]

  Ms Hewitt
  My Department, including the Small Business Service Executive Agency has completed a review of its pay system in line with the commitment given by this Government in response to the EOC Task Force's "Just Pay" report. An Action Plan setting out how the Department plans to address the issues identified will shortly be in place.

  Many of the NDPBs for which my Department is responsible have also completed reviews of their pay systems.

  Agency Chief Executives will be replying on behalf of their organisations.

  Letter from Dr. Roger Heathcote to Mr. John Bercow, dated 28 April 2003:
  You tabled a question on 1 April to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry asking what progress had been made with the pay review in her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible, with particular reference to the gender pay gap. I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS), which is an agency of the DTI.
  In response to the Equal Opportunities Commission's Task Force "Just Pay" report, the Government has agreed that all departments and agencies will review their pay systems by April 2003 and prepare action plans to close any equal pay gaps.
  The ETS is in the process of finalising its review and action plan and will forward this to the Cabinet Office by 30 April 2003. ETS will share the review and action plan with the DTI and the PCS Trade Union.

  Letter from Dr. J. W. Llewellyn to Mr. John Bercow, dated 28 April 2003:
  The Secretary for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply on behalf of the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) to your question on what progress has been made with the pay review in her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible, with particular reference to the gender pay gap; and if she will make a statement.

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  As a small specialist Agency of only 57 staff, NWML conducted an equal pay review in 2001, which did not identify any problems. We are currently in the process of completing a further review, which will be complete before the end of April.

  Letter from Mr. Desmond Flynn to Mr. John Bercow, dated 28 April 2003:
  The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question on pay reviews and "the gender pay gap" (2002/1997) insofar as it touches on the Insolvency Service Executive Agency.
  Following the commitment by the Government to ask all Departments and Agencies to respond to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) Task Force 'Just Pay' report, I can inform you that The Insolvency Service has completed a review of its pay system. An Equal Pay Action Plan designed to bridge any equal pay gaps, has been prepared and was provided to the Cabinet Office on the 31 March this year.
  The results of our review played a major role in designing the pay remit for the Insolvency Service for the years 2002/3 and 2003/4.

  Letter from Caren Fullerton to Mr. John Bercow, dated 28 April 2003:
  I am replying to this parliamentary question, tabled on 1 April 2003, about progress made on pay reviews.
  The Patent Office is in the middle of a three-year pay deal which was informed by the first of two Equal Pay Reviews that have been completed. The second was completed towards the end of 2002 in anticipation of the Equal Opportunities Commission Task Force "Just Pay" requirement to prepare an action plan by April 2003 and to test the effectiveness of the measures put in place by the pay settlement. A third Equal Pay Review will be completed before the submission of the pay remit for the Patent Office's next pay deal in Spring 2004.

  Letter from Claire Clancy to Mr. John Bercow dated 28 April 2003:
  I am responding to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on progress with pay reviews on behalf of Companies House, an Executive Agency of the DTI.
  Companies House is aware of the commitment made by the Government in response to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) Task Force 'Just Pay' report. We will meet the Government commitment to undertake an Equal Pay Review by the end of April 2003 and to prepare an action plan to address any gender gaps. Work is underway on this and on schedule.
  You may be interested to know that, over the last few years we have taken a number of steps to audit our pay and reward systems, for example the payment of special review awards. We have also been transforming our pay and reward systems to enable us to move to a system based on 'market rates'. In November 2002 the Trade Union accepted a 3-year pay deal which incorporated:
  the merger of job 'Ranges' to a broader based 'Band' structure;
  the removal of pay band overlaps;
  removal of pay allowances, supplements and enhancements for 'specialists';
  movement to the market rate within a defined period; and
  innovative reward systems based on targets, savings and individual contribution.
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  Letter from Ms R. J. R. Anderson to Mr. John Bercow, dated 28 April 2003:
  You asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, on 1 April 2003, what progress had been made with the pay review in her Department, agencies and non-departmental public bodies for which she is responsible, with particular reference to the gender pay gap. I am replying on behalf of the Radiocommunications Agency.
  The final analysis, together with an action plan will be submitted to the Cabinet Office by the end of April in line with the Government's commitment given in response to the Equal Pay Commission's Task Force "Just Pay" report.
  The action plan takes us to end 2003. By then, and subject to the passage of the Communication Bill, the Agency is expected to be merged into the new communication regulator, Ofcom. Pay of staff who transfer will then be a matter for Ofcom.

  Electronic Commerce Regulations
  Mr. Bercow
  To the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received about the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) (Extension) Regulations. [109953]

  Mr. Timms
  None.

  Environmental Targets (ACARE)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the Government policy is on the environmental conclusions, targets and programmes set out in the Advisory Council for Aeronautical Research in Europe's (ACARE) Strategic Research Agenda; and what action will be taken by Her Majesty's Government to implement the programmes recommended by ACARE in order to meet the environmental targets set out in ACARE's Strategic Research Agenda. [109099]

  Alan Johnson
  The reply I gave to the hon. Member on 3 February 2003,Official Report, column 20W, explains what action is being taken to implement the environmental programmes recommended by ACARE. Since that date, the DTI has held a UK dissemination event for the Strategic Research Agenda to increase awareness and participation in carrying forward the challenges. In addition, ACARE has set up an `Observation Platform' to monitor implementation of the Strategic Research Agenda by all the stakeholders across Europe. DTI will remain fully engaged in these activities.

  The Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team is taking particular note of the ACARE Strategic Research Agenda in preparing its environmental recommendations.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the EU directives and regulations which have been implemented by her Department since 17 April 2002. [106824]

  Ms Hewitt
  My Department has implemented 17 EU directives since 17 April 2002. They are as follows.
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  Number

  Title/subject mutter

  Directive 1994/33

  On the protection of young people at work

  Directive 1998/30

  1On the internal market in natural gas

  Directive 1998/71

  On the legal protection of designs

  Directive 1998/101

  1On batteries and accumulators containing certain dangerous substances

  Directive 1999/42

  On mutual recognition of qualifications

  Directive 1999/44

  On the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees

  Directive 1999/70

  Concerning the framework agreement on fixed-term work

  Directive 2000/31

  On certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce (e-commerce)

  Directive 2000/35

  On combating late payment in commercial transactions

  Directive 2001/41

  On the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations, as regards substances classified as carcinogens, mutagens or substances toxic to reproduction

  Directive 2001/90

  On the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (creosote)

  Directive 2002/21

  On a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services

  Directive 2002/22

  On universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services

  Directive 2002/34

  On the approximation of laws relating to cosmetic products

  Directive 2002/39

  On the opening to competition of Community postal services

  Directive 2003/1

  On the approximation of laws relating to cosmetic products

  Directive 2003/16

  On the approximation of laws relating to cosmetic products

  1 In Northern Ireland, completing implementation in the UK.

  Exports (Syria)
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what procedures are followed in respect of the approval of chemical exports to Syria.[110226]

  Nigel Griffiths
  All relevant export licence applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria and other previously announced Government policies.

  These are set out in Appendix F of the Government's 2001 Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls a copy of which is available in the Libraries of the House.

  Medical Research Council
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) how many of the unsuccessful alpha plus rated research grant applications to the Medical Research Council could have been awarded if an additional £8.1 million of funds were available; [107422]

  (2) what the definition of commercial exploitation is in the accounts of the Medical Research Council; and for what reason the level of commercial exploitation in the MRC account has increased by 40 per cent. [107421]

  Ms Hewitt
  The term "commercial exploitation" is used to cover all the activities concerning the exploitation of the intellectual property generated from research within the Medical Research Council's own institutes and units. It therefore covers the income received from licensing MRC's intellectual property and also any payments made in relation to these activities. The majority of expenditure reported in their accounts is covered under items 1 and 2 as follows and arises as a direct consequence of the revenues generated by MRC inventions, and received by the MRC, in the previous financial year. The main items of expenditure are:

  1. Payments to the budgets of "originating" MRC units and inventors under the "awards to inventors" scheme—a scheme similar in scope to those operated by most UK Universities and designed to provide incentives for MRC units and staff to assist in the identification, protection and exploitation of inventions.

  2. Payments of revenue shares to external bodies who have licensed rights to the MRC in return for share of income.

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  3. The management fee paid to MRC Technology (the company affiliated to the MRC which manages MRC intellectual property).

  4. Fees for patents and legal costs relating to MRC inventions.

  Overall, the MRC's exploitation activities are a net contributor to MRC funding in universities and MRC units.

  In 2001–02 there was a 40 per cent. increase in expenditure on commercial exploitation due to exceptional payments under MRC's revenue sharing schemes. This reflects, in part, the exceptionally high income in 2000–01 resulting from the sale of part of MRC's shareholding in Cambridge Antibody Technology.

  It is difficult to put a figure on the number of grants that could have been funded had an additional £8.1 million been available as grant applications vary considerably in length, cost per year and total cost.

  Mobile Phones
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to regulate the storage and transmission of picture messages generated by mobile phones; and if she will make a statement. [109564]

  Mr. Timms
  At present there are no plans to introduce specific regulations for the storage or transmission of images generated by mobile phones.

  One Northeast
  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what interests have been registered by the chair of One NorthEast. [108601]

  Alan Johnson
  John Bridge has been chair of One NorthEast since December 1998 and is currently paid £47,800 per annum for this role. He is also a Member of the Board of English Partnerships and receives remuneration of £11,259 per annum.

  I am advised that his other declared interests are as follows:

  Board member of Northern Sights;

  Chairman of Management Trustees of the Calvert Trust

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  Non-executive director of Kenmore UK Ltd;

  Board Member of the Institute for Automotive and Manufacturing Advanced Practice (AMAP);

  Non-executive director of e-comeleon plc;

  Chairman of North East Seedcorn Capital Fund;

  Chairman of Endeavour SCH plc;

  Board Member of Tees Valley URC;

  Chairman of the National Trust for North East and Yorkshire;

  Member of the European Government Business Relations Council;

  Visiting Professor of Newcastle Business School;

  Visiting Professor of Durham University Business School;

  Honorary Fellow of Sunderland University;

  Member of the Reform Club;

  Trustee of the Spirit of Enterprise;

  Vice Chair of the Regional Policy Forum;

  Chair of the Assessment Panel for SBS Incubator Fund;

  Member of the Treasury Advisory Council for Partnerships (UK);

  Member of the Urban Policy Sounding Board;

  Chairman of Alnwick Garden Trust;

  Vice Chair of the Over the Moon Appeal; and Chairman of Durham Cathedral Council.

  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much One Northeast spent on entertainment in(a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003. [108692]

  Alan Johnson
  The following information, which has been provided by One NorthEast, represents the total amount spent by the Agency on entertainment in the specified years:

  £

  Total amount spent on entertainment

  2001–02

  45,590

  2002–03

  66,368

  The majority of this expenditure relates to hospitality provided to inward investors and visiting Ministers and dignitaries, including a recent visit by a Select Committee.

  I am advised that figures for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 are not available as the accounting systems inherited by the Agency cannot provide this detail.

  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much One Northeast spent on external consultants in(a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003; which (i) companies and (ii) individuals were employed; and what fees were paid. [108693]

  Alan Johnson
  The following information, which has been provided by One NorthEast, represents the total amount spent by the Agency on consultancy work in the specified years:

  £

  Total amount spent on consultancy work

  (a) 1999–2000

  245,143

  (b) 2000–01

  111,170

  (c) 2001–02

  263,181

  (d) 2002–03

  250,528

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  These costs do not include the cost of consultancy provided in relation to construction and development work which is an intrinsic part of the budgeted costs of projects managed and delivered on the Agency's behalf.

  I am advised that it is not possible to provide detailed information on the number of different organisations employed or individuals employed. Furthermore, it is not possible to provide details of specific fees paid to individual firms of consultants as this would be in breach of commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much One Northeast spent on external legal advice in(a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003; which companies were engaged to provide such advice; and what fees were paid. [108694]

  Alan Johnson
  The following information, which has been provided by One NorthEast, represents the total amounts spent on external legal advice in the specified years:

  £

  Total amount spent on legal advice

  (a) 1999–2000

  295,260

  (b) 2000–01

  187,870

  (c) 2001–02

  122,918

  (d) 2002–03

  196,386

  The Agency's legal panel comprises three legal firms based in the north east region, namely Ward Hadaway, Eversheds and Robert Muckle. The Agency also obtained legal advice from Dickinson Dees in respect of discrete items of work that were tendered competitively outwith the panel arrangements.

  I am advised that it is not possible for the Agency to provide details of the specific fees paid to each firm of solicitors as this would be a breach of commercial confidentiality.

  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the costs of establishing the new headquarters of One NorthEast at Newburn Riverside were; and what estimate she has made of the annual running costs of the building. [108695]

  Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry gave One NorthEast approval to proceed with the construction of new headquarters following the submission of a detailed business case and the completion of a thorough and rigorous value for money appraisal by the Department. The net cost of the move amounted to £3.3 million. The cost of constructing and fitting out the new building amounted to £9 million, but this was offset by capital receipts of £3 million and £2.7 million respectively from the sale of the Agency's buildings at Great North House, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and St. George's House, Gateshead. The Agency also surrendered its lease of premises at Hadrian House Newcastle and, as a consequence, was able to achieve savings of £50,000 per annum relative to those premises. The new Headquarters uses solar water heating and recycles roof water and this has allowed the Agency to achieve a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) 'Excellent' rating. A cost v. savings analysis completed by the Agency has

  183W
  shown that the Agency's capital investment in the new building will pay for itself within six years. Annual running costs of the building are currently estimated to be £881,500 (less than 0.5 per cent. of total operating income), which is a significant saving against the operating costs of the three office premises in Newcastle and Gateshead, formerly owned or occupied by the Agency. The co-location of the Agency's core staff of more than 250 personnel in one building was not solely motivated by the clearly demonstrable financial benefits of doing so, but also by the desire to provide improved levels of customer service, and the benefits in terms of improved communication, both internal and external, by having key staff in one building.

  Pathfinder Broadband Project
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice she has received on the effect of the Competition Act 1998 on the Pathfinder broadband project in Scotland. [108958]

  Mr. Timms
  The Broadband Pathfinder project in Scotland is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive, which takes legal advice as appropriate to ensure that the project satisfies all the relevant legislative requirements.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of changes in(a) Post Office footfall, (b) Post Office profitability and (c) benefit take up rates in those areas where the 'Your Guide' pilot scheme operated and was subsequently withdrawn. [109884]

  Mr. Timms
  These are operational matters for Post Office Ltd. And I have asked the Chief Executive to write direct to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what elements of the Your Guide pilot scheme have been continued and remained in place as at 1 April. [109887]

  Mr. Timms
  None. The facility was discontinued at the end of the pilot period in March 2002.

  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent on supporting rural sub-post offices in Suffolk since 1997. [108778]

  Mr. Timms
  The rural network benefits from investment in the network generally. For example, the rural network benefits from the considerable investment in the Network's IT, and in new products, including universal banking services. On automation alone the Government has made the largest ever investment in the Post Office network—£480 million—much of it on the rural network. There is no breakdown of the proportion of this funding that has been spent on supporting rural sub-post offices in Suffolk since 1997.

  A number of measures are already in place to maintain the network of rural post offices. These include the formal requirement placed o n the Post Office in November 2000 to prevent any avoidable closures and the establishment of a £2 million capital start up fund to support volunteer and community initiatives to maintain or re-establish a post office facility where the
  184W
  traditional post office is under threat of closure or has recently closed. Under this scheme, grants of up to £20,000 are available to support the costs of relocating or refurbishing alternative premises. Of the £2 million fund to support community post office initiatives 165 grants have been approved, totalling £1,231,454, and payments totalling £931,478 paid as at end of March 2003. To end March 2003, grants from this fund to a total value of £16,933 had been approved in respect of four applications from Suffolk.

  Rural post offices in Suffolk will, of course, benefit from the £450 million package of financial support for the rural post office network that I announced on 2 December.

  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) post offices and (b) sub-post offices there were in the Hemsworth constituency in each year since 1996. [109910]

  Mr. Timms
  Except for a special exercise undertaken in 1999 to determine the numbers of post offices in each parliamentary constituency and how many of them derived more than 40 per cent. of their income from benefits work, Post Office Ltd. did not collate data on the numbers of post offices by parliamentary constituency until April 2002, when they compiled such a list of post offices classifying them as urban or rural offices. A copy of this list is held in the Libraries of the House.

  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) post offices and (b) sub-post offices there are in the Hemsworth constituency; and how many of them transact more than 40 per cent. of their work from paying benefits and pensions. [109911]

  Mr. Timms
  A special exercise was undertaken by the Post Office in 1999 to determine the numbers of post offices in each Parliamentary constituency and how many of them derived more than 40 per cent. of their income from benefits work. That information is set out in the reply given to the then hon. Member for Birmingham, Erdington on 29 November 1999,Official Report, column 22W, and remains the latest information available in that form.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the level of disabled access at Maesbrook post office in Shrewsbury. [109663]

  Mr. Timms
  This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to write direct to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the effects on(a) pensioners, (b) the disabled and (c) the unemployed of the closure of Meole Brace post office in Shrewsbury. [109662]

  Mr. Timms
  These are operational matters for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to write direct to the hon. Member. The proposal to close Meole Brace post office is subject to public consultation under the Code of Practice agreed between Post Office Ltd. and Postwatch.
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  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Post Office has taken to investigate(a) the long-term viability of Meole Brace post office and (b) alternatives to closing the post office. [109666]

  Mr. Timms
  These are operational matters for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to write direct to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post office staff based in Shrewsbury were subjected to(a) verbal and (b) physical attacks in the last year. [109667]

  Mr. Timms
  These are operational matters for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to write direct to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the(a) volume and (b) value of transactions was in the last year at the Meole Brace post office in Shrewsbury. [109668]

  Mr. Timms
  These are operational matters for Post Office Ltd. and I have asked the Chief Executive to write direct to the hon. Member.

  Radiocommunications Agency
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received on the Radiocommunications Agency's proposal to realign the 450–470 MHz spectrum band; and how many were opposed to the proposal. [109782]

  Mr. Timms
  RA received 17 e-mailed substantive responses, four written substantive responses and 22 telephone responses. These last were asked to respond in writing, but only one did so. In addition, there were 10 e-mail licensing queries and over 200 telephone licensing queries as a result of a follow-up letter sent to RA customers inviting them to respond to the consultation document.

  None of the written or e-mailed responses were in outright opposition to the RA proposals, however most of the responses identified areas of concern that the respondees would wish RA to take into account in the implementation of the project. two of the telephone respondees were opposed to the proposals but these declined to provide written comments.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment of costs to British industry she has made of the Radiocommunications Agency's proposal to realign the 450–470 MHz spectrum band; and what cost-benefit analysis she has made. [109783]

  Mr. Timms
  Some preliminary costing information was included in the consultation document. More detail, including a cost-benefit analysis, will be included in the submission I will receive in early May.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the Radiocommunications Agency's proposal to realign the 450–470MHz spectrum band; and if she will make a statement. [109784]
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  Mr. Timms
  Responses to the consultation document are currently being analysed. A summary of the responses will be published on the RA website in May and a submission will be made to me in the same timeframe for a decision on the way forward. It is therefore too early to make a statement at this stage.

  Regions White Paper
  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress the Department has made towards the aim in the White Paper, Your Region, Your Choice, of assessing the balance of staff between the centre and the regions in terms of effective policy design and implementation; and what examples there have been since the publication of the White Paper of the Department deciding between locating new streams of work(a) in and (b) outside London and the South East. [108567]

  Ms Hewitt
  DTI has established teams in three locations outside London and the South East dealing with automotive and aerospace and defence issues in Birmingham, technical textiles and bioscience in Manchester, and materials and engineering in Leeds. These teams, which farm part of DTP s national business relations resource, will build better joint working links with regional partners to provide an improved service to business. They will enhance the way knowledge is pooled from both the national and regional levels to enhance the design and implementation of policy.

  The £30 million UK Broadband Fund was distributed to Regional Development Agencies and Devolved Administrations for them to develop regional and local pilots for extending access to broadband. The UK Broadband Taskforce, established in November 2002, has put a Regional Broadband Coordinator in each of the Regional Development Agencies to use the aggregated public sector demand for broadband connectivity as a mechanism to extend broadband availability.

  The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in the Budget plans to examine relocation of public services with the aim of achieving best value for money. He has asked Sir Michael Lyons—Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies at Birmingham University—to advise on relocation by the next Spending Review.

  Small Businesse
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of recent rent increases in the south east region on small retailers; and if she will make a statement. [109960]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The Department has not been asked to make such an assessment since rent increases incurred by small businesses are not subject to control by the Government.

  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans her Department has to provide assistance for small businesses facing closure as a result of rent increases; and if she will make a statement. [109961]
  187W
  Nigel Griffiths
  Rent increases incurred by small businesses are determined by market forces and are not subject to control by the Government

  Business Links can provide advice and support for small businesses facing difficulties or those wanting to diversify as a result of a crisis. Business Links can also advise small businesses on a number of disaster management strategies. Business Link services are either free or charged at affordable rates. Small businesses in difficulty can contact their local Business Link operator by telephone on 0845 600 9006 or via the website www.businesslink.org.

  Steel Industry
  Mr. Francis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether she has had discussions recently with employers and unions on the steel industry to rebuild confidence and partnerships in the industry. [110089]

  Alan Johnson
  I fully recognise how worrying the current situation must be for Corus employees and the communities involved. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is in close contact with the company and with the steel trade unions. She continues to encourage them to work together to ensure we have a strong viable steel industry in the UK.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Energy Policy
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement, in relation to her Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which her Department is responsible, on(a) the amount of energy consumed, (b) spending on (i) energy and (ii) energy efficiency measures, (c) the amount saved through energy efficiency measures and (d) energy policy in each of the last five years. [108871]

  Dr. Howells
  The information requested is not available for a five year period. For 2001–02 expenditure on energy, including water, was £133,210. During 2002–03 the Department signed-up Office of Government Commerce contracts to better manage energy and water usage and expects to see further reductions in use and cost of those utilities. Annual data for 2002–03 is still being collated. Information for 60 non-departmental bodies is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  National Lottery
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the licence to operate the National Lottery issued by the National Lottery Commission to the Camelot Group Plc needed the approval of the European Commission. [109615]

  Mr. Caborn
  The licence to operate the National Lottery issued by the National Lottery Commission to Camelot Group Plc did not need the approval of the European Commission.
  188W
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what steps she is taking to ensure that the bid process for the third licence term to operate the National Lottery(a) avoids the controversies of the last bid process and (b) attracts more than one serious bid; [109616]

  (2) what plans she has to nationalise the National Lottery; and whether she is examining alternative ways of operating the National Lottery. [109614]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government published a consultation document last year, which sought views on a number of options for changes to the statutory framework for the licensing of the National Lottery. The options included making the National Lottery Commission responsible for running the Lottery, rather than licensing a company to do so; and also included changes intended to secure more competition to run the Lottery, or for more companies to participate in it. We aim to announce conclusions shortly.

  Youth Development (Football)
  Mr. Frank Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Government will contribute its grant to The Football League's Youth Development Programme. [109781]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government have committed £6 million to the Football League's Youth Development Scheme for the seasons 2002–03 to 2005–06. The Government are working towards including this £6 million in a wider funding package for sport and the arts, which I expect will be finalised before the beginning of the next football season. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made this clear to the Chairman of the Football League when she met him on 20 March.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Benefits
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people collect benefits from post offices in(a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK. [103559]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Pursuant to my written answer given to Parliamentary Question 103559 of 20 March 2003,Official Report column 911W information available on the number of people that receive benefits by a method of payment collectable from post offices as at 25 January 2003 is in the table. Included in these figures are customers paid by Girocheque. Girocheques are encashable either at a post office or they can be paid into a bank or building society account.

  Some customers who are paid direct into an account can also collect their benefit in cash at post offices through network banking arrangements at the post office. There are no data available on the number of benefit claims collected in this way.

  189W

  Total benefit recipients

  Payable at post offices

  Jarrow constituency

  35,911

  26,511

  South Tyneside

  68,886

  51,931

  North East

  1,073,900

  747,964

  Great Britain

  21,641,051

  12,456,733

  Note:

  1. People in receipt of more than one benefit may have those benefits combined to a single benefit account. Figures are in terms of these accounts.

  2. Figures for Great Britain are for England, Scotland and Wales. Information for Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Office.

  3. The 'Payable at post offices' column represents customers who have their benefit paid either entirely by paper method, or at least one of their benefits is by paper if they are receiving a combination of benefits and some are being paid direct.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received about the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (State Pension Credit) Regulations. [109434]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Department began consultation with the Local Authority Associations on the draft Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (State Pension Credit) Regulations in mid-November. The consultation exercise ended on 7 January. Formal responses to the consultation were received from the Local Government Association and the Association of London Government.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the savings to public funds from ending benefit book payments to beneficiaries.[108326]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The move to payment directly into bank and building society accounts assures a safe, convenient, more modern and efficient way of paying benefits and will bring substantial savings in administration and encashment costs.

  However, the final figure will depend upon the choice made by the customer when choosing their payment method.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 4 April 2003,Official Report, column 912W, on the Child Support Agency, how many successful applicants did not name the other parent in a child maintenance case in each calendar year.[109118]

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

  Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 28 April 2003:
  The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
  You ask pursuant to his answer of 4 April 2003, Official Report, column 912W on the Child Support Agency if he will provide a breakdown for each calendar year of the total number of successful applicants who did not name the other parent in a child maintenance case.
  190W
  I am able to provide you with approximate figures, which are as follows:

  To 31 March

  1998

  23,000

  1999

  22,000

  2000

  20,000

  2001

  27,000

  2002

  14,000

  2003

  12,000

  Total

  118,000

  Lone Parents
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) if he will make a statement on the reasons given by lone parents in Hendon for(a) declining to participate in New Deal and (b) failing to retain employment obtained (i) through New Deal and (ii) otherwise; [109026]

  (2) what barriers to work he has identified as facing lone parents in Hendon; what he plans to do to overcome those barriers; and if he will make a statement. [109027]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  Research carried out to investigate the labour market participation of lone parents in London found that the three top barriers to employment were availability and cost of child care, concerns about financial uncertainty in moving from benefit into work and cost of housing and council tax to a lone a parent in work.

  Informal feedback is that lone parents in Hendon are reporting similar concerns as those identified by the research.

  The New Deal for Lone Parents offers advice and support tailored to the individual needs of each lone parent which takes account of any particular problems they face because of the area they live in.

  There are currently two New Deal for Lone Parents advisers working full-time at Hendon Jobcentre. Both work in outreach in the community and have surgeries at Hendon and Edgware Social Security offices. The local Jobcentre Plus district has a marketing strategy focused on lone parents which has included job fairs with children's activities, school breakfast clubs and outreach surgeries.

  The combination of the child care component of our new Tax Credits and the extra places created through our National Childcare Strategy are making child care affordable and accessible for parents moving into work. Lone Parents can also benefit from payments of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit at pre-work levels for four weeks following starting work to help them through what can be a difficult transition period. Combined with the national minimum wage and working tax credits, we are making work possible and making work pay.

  In addition, the Budget announced a number of measures to help overcome barriers to work, including Discovery Week pilots to boost and increase the familiarity of lone parents with the help and support available to them. From 2004 we will also introduce a new mentoring service across the country tailored

  191W
  specifically for lone parents; and from April 2004 child care tester pilots to allow lone parents to test whether formal child care suits their needs.

  New Deal 50 Plus
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proposals he has to make the New Deal 50 Plus Scheme available to over 50s on the first day they become unemployed.[109130]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  We have no plans for day one entry to New Deal 50 plus. New Deal programmes are aimed at those most in need of help to find sustainable employment and move from welfare to work. The majority of unemployed people, including those aged 50 and over, find work unassisted within the first six months of unemployment.

  Our Green Paper "Simplicity Security and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement", sets out our proposals to further increase the employment of older people and to widen choice and opportunity for older people to stay in work longer. The proposals include a package of more intensive back to work help for people aged 50 and over including extending the support available through New Deal 50 Plus so that individually tailored help for each customer can be drawn from a range of possible options.

  Pension Credit
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the age addition on the state pension is worth per week; if he plans to increase the pension credit; and if he will allow pensioners to claim mobility benefit.[106095]

  Maria Eagle
  The age addition for state pensioners aged 80 and over is 25 pence per week.

  Pension credit will be increased at least in line with earnings for the rest of this Parliament.

  There are no plans to change the rules governing entitlement to the disability living allowance mobility component.

  Pensioner Households
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average percentage difference between men's and women's pensions was in(a) 1973, (b) 1980, (c) 1990 and (d) 2000; what measures he is taking to reduce the gap; and if he will make a statement. [106128]

  Maria Eagle
  We have answered the question in relation to the average amounts of state pension paid to men and women. The available information is shown in the following table:

  Average amounts of state pension in payment

  All(£ per week)

  Men(£ per week)

  Women(£ per week)

  Women'spension as apercentage of men's

  December 1972

  6.34

  7.00

  5.99

  85.6

  November 1980

  25.27

  28.21

  23.64

  83.8

  September 1990

  46.04

  54.76

  41.36

  75.5

  September 2000

  67.40

  81.71

  59.05

  72.3

  192W
  Notes and sources:

  1. Figures for all years for women include pension paid on their own and their husband's contributions.

  2. 1990 and 1980 figures exclude increase for dependants.

  3. 1972 figures exclude old person's pension.

  4. Pension Strategy Computer System, 5 per cent. sample at 30 September 2000.

  Social Security Statistics September 1990, November 1980 and November 1972.

  We recognise that the majority of pensioners are women, and are committed to ensuring that our pension reforms improve women's pension rights.

  Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) was introduced in 1978 to assist people, especially women, who were precluded from work for periods by caring responsibilities, to maintain their entitlement to basic state pension. The state second pension introduced in April 2002 is of particular benefit to women, many of whom work part-time or as carers.

  We have announced that HRP will be extended to foster carers for each full tax year for which they are registered as an approved foster carer. This means that they will be covered for periods when they are awaiting a placement and will benefit emergency foster carers who are ready to take in a child at any time. It is expected that around 7,000 to 8,000 foster carers will benefit from this each year.

  In addition to changes to state pension, we have made other changes that will be of particular help to women. We introduced the winter fuel payment which is worth £200 per household and the minimum income guarantee which this year is £102.10 a week for a single pensioner and £155.80 for a couple. From October 2003, the new pension credit will benefit lower income pensioners further still. Two thirds of people receiving pension credit will be women, half of whom will be aged 80 or over. Also, in the 2003 Budget we announced that an extra £100 will be paid to households with someone aged 80 or over for the lifetime of this Parliament.

  In April 2001, stakeholder pensions were introduced as part of the long-term reforms to ensure that everyone has the chance to save for a decent income in retirement.

  So far, a series of leaflets have been produced to inform the public of the pension options open to them. One of these—"Pensions for Women"—outlines the pension options available specifically for women. Also in the recent Green Paper "Simplicity, security and choice: Working and saving for retirement" we have said that we propose to look at how best to ensure that women are aware of their pension position and the choices they make.

  Press Office
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are employed in his Department's press office; and how many were employed on 2 May 1997. [108390]

  Maria Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 23 July 2002,Official Report, column 1038.
  193W
  The Department of Work and Pensions was formed on 8 June 2001 from parts of the former Department of Social Security, parts of the former Department for Education and Employment, and the Employment Service.

  The Department currently employs 15 press officers. A further 15 press officers work in the regions (England, Scotland and Wales) providing specific advice on local services that are now being rolled out.

  For the year 1997, I refer the hon. Member to appendix 11 of the Report on GIGS by the Select Committee on Public Spending (28 July 1998) where Appendix 11 lists the number and cost of press officers per Department in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

  Sure Start
  Mr. Ivan Henderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what initiatives are being funded through the Sure Start scheme within the Harwich constituency. [107710]

  Maria Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 13 March 2003,Official Report, column 409W.

  Weekly Pension Payments
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the 25p weekly payment to pensioners over 80 will be kept as a distinct payment. [110272]

  Energy consumption1(GWh/y)

  Energy expenditure2(£m/y)

  Energy/m23(kWh/m2/y)

  Savings over 1997–984(percentage)

  Energy Efficiency Spend5 (£k/y)

  1997–98

  182.32

  5,218,420

  244.96

  —

  800,000

  1998–99

  186.82

  5,282,774

  251.37

  -3

  265,000

  1999–2000

  167.08

  5,021,175

  226.38

  8

  525,000

  2000–01

  163.98

  4,591,211

  223.14

  9

  321,000

  2001–02

  149.68

  4,983,831

  204.06

  17

  278,000

  1 Energy consumption: this is weather-corrected in the usual manner, using annual degree days relative to the 20 year average for 1990–01. The figures are those reported on for the central Government estate campaign, and generally include each Department's main estate plus all agencies, but not NDPBs.

  2 Energy expenditure: this is actual spend, and from April 2001, includes the Climate Change Levy.

  3 Energy/m2: this variable allows for changes in both weather and estate size on energy consumption. So annual changes will generally reflect efficiency changes.

  4 Savings over 1997–98: These have been expressed as percentage savings relative to the first year quoted here, and are based on the figures in the preceding column.

  5 Energy efficiency spend: Note that this is not necessarily a good measure of an effective energy efficiency policy. For example, when a new building is commissioned or an existing one refurbished, good design can actually reduce capital costs, eg by avoiding air conditioning. The costs of an effective energy management team may also not be included.

  This Department does not hold figures for its NDPBs and is not able to provide this without incurring disproportionate cost.

  The Energy White Paper, "Our Energy Future—Creating a Low Carbon Economy" made clear the importance the Government attaches to improving energy efficiency in its own estate. This is reflected in several targets. There is currently an interim target of a 1 per cent. per annum on-going reduction in weather-corrected carbon emissions, pending the development of new indicators and targets based on benchmarking the performance of each Department's largest buildings.
  194W
  Maria Eagle
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Bolton, South-East (Dr. Iddon) on 11 April 2003,Official Report, column 471W.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Child Protection Services
  Mr. Garnier
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimates the Department has made for local government expenditure on legal advice for child protection services for(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02 and (c) 2002–03.[110164]

  Jacqui Smith
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not held centrally.

  Energy Policy
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement, in relation to the Lord Chancellor's Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which the Department is responsible, on(a) the amount of energy consumed, (b) spending on (i) energy and (ii) energy efficiency measures, (c) the amount saved through energy efficiency measures and (d) energy policy in each of the last five years. [108867]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The amount of energy consumed, and spending on energy and energy efficiency measures as well as the amount saved through energy efficiency measures are summarised in the following table.

  These new targets are planned to be in place later this year. New targets for Government Departments' use of CHP generated electricity will also be established during 2003.

  In addition, the review of Government procurement has identified areas where procurement could reinforce the achievement of these targets, and arrangements are being made centrally for Departments to purchase goods with high energy efficiency standards and which provide good value for money.
  195W
  On the purchase of renewable electricity, Ministers agreed the following target in May 2001:
  "All departments will ensure that by 31 March 2003, at least 5% of their electricity comes from renewable sources that are exempt from the Climate Change Levy or from self generation, provided this does not entail excessive cost. This will rise to at least 10% supply from such sources by 31 March 2008, but will be reviewed after 31 March 2003 to take account of market conditions following the introduction of the renewables obligation. The review of 2003 will include consideration of increasing or bringing forward the target".

  European Working Groups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on progress with achieving transparency in respect of the European working groups for which the Lord Chancellor's Department is responsible. [105739]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Government have long been committed to greater openness in the EU Institutions. This was a key theme of the UK Presidencies in 1992 and 1998. Making it easier to gain access to non-sensitive documents is crucial to this. The Government welcomed Regulation 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents. As a result, more documents are released to the public, while genuinely sensitive documents are given the protection they need.

  Much of the Council's work takes place in preparatory bodies, including working groups.

  Accountability and transparency of Council business to Parliament are ensured by the scrutiny process, to which the Government are also firmly committed.

  We strongly supported the measures agreed at the Seville European Council to make the Council more open when in legislating mode. We remain committed to increasing transparency. The Future of Europe Convention is also looking at ways to make the EU more open.

  Exhibitions
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list events at which the Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which the Department is responsible have exhibited in each of the last three years, stating for each(a) the purpose of exhibiting, (b) the cost of exhibiting and (c) the number of staff attending for the exhibition. [107624]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information for this is not held centrally and is not readily available. It could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Legal Services
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations she has received regarding(a) abolition of the current cost of living increases for Community Legal Service contracts and (b) automatic annual uprating of funding for Community Legal Service contracts in line with the Retail Prices Index. [R][109390]
  196W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  My Department receives regular representations on remuneration rates for the Community Legal Service (CLS). However, we have has received no representations on the abolition of cost of living increases for CLS contracts. As at 16 April, my Department had received 28 letters and three parliamentary questions from Members; and 13 letters direct from members of the public on the automatic annual uprating of funding for CLS contracts.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals she has for improving access for socially excluded people to justice in civil law disputes in areas where there are no firms bidding for Community Legal Service contracts. [R][109391]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Through the on-going development of the Community Legal Service, the Legal Services Commission has introduced initiatives to improve access to specialist advice in civil matters for the socially excluded, including a number aimed at those who live in areas where there may be a shortage of contracted suppliers. The initiatives include telephone advice pilots in categories such as debt, employment, housing and welfare benefits, as well as outreach contracts through which law firms and other service providers deliver advice sessions at a range of venues such as community centres and GP surgeries. In addition, the first round of the Partnership Innovation Budget funds 76 projects utilising fresh methods of advice provision in areas where supply is limited.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consultations the Lord Chancellor's Department has undertaken on the appropriateness of placing duties on local government to(a) participate in Community Legal Service Partnerships and (b) include Community Legal Service coverage in their strategic plans. [R][109392]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  My Department has not formally consulted on the issue of a statutory duty either compelling local authority participation in Community Legal Service (CLS) Partnerships, or compelling the inclusion of CLS coverage in local authority strategic plans. From the outset of the CLS, local authorities have demonstrated a willingness to participate actively in the emerging CLS Partnerships. Their participation is regarded as central to the success of each CLS Partnership. These now involve over four hundred local authorities and cover over 99 per cent. of the population of England and Wales. The introduction of a Best Value Performance Indicator measuring the percentage of local authority expenditure on CLS quality marked services has provided an incentive for local authorities to include the CLS as part of their own strategic plans.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Lord Chancellor's Department has to carry out an evaluation of the Community Legal Service; and if she will make a statement. [R][109393]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  My Department will commission an independent review of the Community Legal Service (CLS) scheduled to begin in the autumn of 2003 and to report in April 2004. The terms of reference will be finalised shortly. It is likely that the review will
  197W
  assess how the CLS has impacted on the accessibility of legal advice services at a local level and the ways in which policy development has influenced the targeting of resources within communities. It is also likely that consideration will be given to the relationship between the CLS and the wider social exclusion agenda and the linkages that have been established with the social equity programmes of other Government Departments.

  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment the Lord Chancellor's Department has made of the effect of proposed changes to competition rules concerning the provision of legal services upon Community Legal Service contracts. [R][109394]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  My Department works with the Legal Services Commission to ensure that the Community Legal Service contracting regime complies with Government competition policy and regulations.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Burnett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment the Lord Chancellor's Department has made of the effect of the increase in national insurance contributions from April 2003 upon bidding for Community Legal Services contracts. [R][109395]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The resources presently available to my Department and the Legal Services Commission do not allow for any compensatory increases in relation to the new national insurance (NI) contributions. The additional NI contribution will need to be absorbed by publicly funded suppliers within their existing contractual resources.

  Part-time Workers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment she has made of the impact of the Part-Time Workers Directive on staff in the Department. [109271]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Following the implementation of the Part-Time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations (2000) the my Department introduced flexible working policies which enhanced part-time work options.

  Job-sharing and job-splitting opportunities, access to a job-share register; and a wide range of reduced-hours arrangements form part of a comprehensive package of
  198W
  flexible work options available to all staff. My Department actively supports part-time staff through a Work-Life Balance Champion; a website; and a Carers Handbook. Staff working flexibly can express their views directly to senior management by way of a network for carers and at corporate diversity events.

  19.4 per cent. of staff in my Department currently work part-time (86.7 per cent. of whom are women, the majority caring for dependants) compared with 16.0 per cent. in 2001. Figures are published annually. Work-life balance responses have shown the greatest year on year improvement in Staff Attitude Surveys in the last two years.

  Property Portfolio
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the estimated value is of the property portfolio held by the Lord Chancellor's Department. [108371]

  Yvette Cooper
  On 1 April 2003, my Department's property portfolio was valued at £1,491 million.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many staff in the Department were on long term sick leave in each of the last five years. [109251]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  My Department monitors the number of days lost to sickness year on year but cannot identify how many were attributable to long term absence without incurring disproportionate cost. 20 working days is the review point for considering whether a medical referral is appropriate, following which each case is judged on its own merits.

  The number of days lost to sickness absence throughout the civil service is published annually by the Cabinet Office in "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service", the most recent of which (for the calendar year 2001) was announced by ministerial statement on 19 December 2002, and copies placed in the Libraries of the House. The 1999, 2000 and 2001 reports are available on the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/civilservice/publications/sickness/index. htm.

  The figures for 2002 will be announced in due course.

  My Department is committed to managing sick absence effectively and in meeting the 2003 target for reducing sickness absence (to an average of 7.5 days per person annually).

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Asylum Treaties
  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the treaties governing asylum to which the UK is a signatory. [109761]

  Beverley Hughes
  We continue to work with UNHCR and others to support the effective operation of the 1951 Refugee Convention, and to implement domestic measures which ensure that protection is granted to those who need it and abusive claims are dealt with robustly.

  The nature and extent of migration is very different now to that which pertained 50 years ago and there is broad agreement that the Refugee Convention and ECHR need to be modernised to reflect the current circumstances. We are working with UNHCR and others to achieve this.

  Counter-terrorism Review
  Mr. Heath
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he has taken to implement the recommendation of Lord Carlile of Berriew's review on counter-terrorism. [109770]

  Hilary Benn
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will tomorrow place in the Library copies of his response to Lord Carlile, outlining progress on the recommendations made in his Report on the Terrorism Act 2000 and sections 21–23 in Part 4 of the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001.

  My right hon. Friend is grateful to Lord Carlile for the work that he has undertaken which has found that the Act is being applied properly, and fairly.

  Drug-related Crime
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the link between acquisitive crime and drug addiction. [109773]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Research confirms a strong link between problematic drug misuse and acquisitive crime. Approximately 65 per cent. of arrestees in The New English and Welsh Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-ADAM) research programme tested positive for one or more illegal drug. Early findings from compulsory testing on charge show similar links. For example in the Nottingham area, 50 per cent. charged proved positive for heroin or cocaine.

  Asylum Seekers
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he plans to visit the Appeals Processing Centre in the Home Office to discuss the backlog of cases. [109774]
  200W
  Beverley Hughes
  I have no immediate plans to visit the Appeals Processing Centre (APC). I visited APC in 2002 when I discussed issues relating to the processing of the backlog.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of asylum claims receive a decision within two months. [109771]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Government's targets for reducing the time taken for decisions on asylum claims have so far been met and most applicants can expect to receive an initial decision in two months.

  The latest quarter for which there are confirmed statistics is April to September 2002 when 76 per cent. of new substantive applications received initial decisions within two months.

  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been given permission to remain in the UK in each of the past three years. [109772]

  Beverley Hughes
  In 2002, 41,940 principal applicants were granted asylum or exceptional leave to remain at the initial decision stage, or had their appeal allowed by the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA), compared with 39,180 in 2001, and 35,535 in 2000, and include cases decided as part of the backlog clearance exercise. Cases granted exceptional leave to remain are reviewed at the end of the period of exceptional leave and may then be subject to removal.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been refused support by NASS on the basis of not having made their claim as soon as is reasonably practicable after arriving in the UK on each day since 8 January. [109570]

  Beverley Hughes
  It is planned to publish statistics on the operation of section 55 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, which came into force on 8 January 2003, by the end of May 2003, subject to quality assurance of the data.

  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the circumstances under which an asylum-seeking family would be detained if removal was not imminent. [110065]

  Beverley Hughes
  As we made clear in our White Paper "Secure Borders, Safe Haven", families may be detained in line with our stated policy on the use of Immigration Act powers of detention. As such, detention may be appropriate in the following circumstances: initially, whilst identity and basis of claim are being established; where there is a risk of non-compliance with the conditions of temporary admission or release; or to effect removal. In addition, families may also be detained as part of the fast-track asylum process at Oakington Reception Centre.

  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used by his Department to assess whether an asylum-seeking family poses a high risk of absconding. [110067]
  201W
  Beverley Hughes
  Immigration officers take a range of factors into account when assessing whether or not an individual or family is likely to comply with the terms of temporary admission or release. These factors include: evidence of previous absconding; evidence of participation in a determined attempt to breach immigration laws; previous history of compliance with the requirements of immigration control; ties with the United Kingdom; and any incentives to remain in contact. Each case is considered on its individual merits.

  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what medical screening is given to those seeking political asylum. [110076]

  Beverley Hughes
  Asylum seekers attending the Induction Centre at Dover are offered health screening. We will extend this as we develop a network of induction centres. The screening is undertaken by nurse practitioners and can include a check for TB. In addition, passengers, including asylum seekers, arriving at UK airports may be referred to the Port Medical Inspector.

  Asylum seekers housed in the proposed, trial accommodation centres will have access to on-site health care. On arrival at a centre, they will register with the on-site doctor; the extent of previous screening will be confirmed and arrangements made for any follow-up treatment.

  Special Constabulary
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his policy to restore the strength of the Special Constabulary to the number of officers who were in post at May 1997. [109775]

  Hilary Benn
  The Government are committed to increasing the size and effectiveness of the Special Constabulary so that forces and communities are working in partnership together to reduce crime. We have not set specific strength targets, but the good practice guidance being produced is designed to improve all aspects of the recruitment, management and deployment of specials.

  Police
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on police numbers in Somerset. [109776]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Police numbers in Avon and Somerset are at record strength. On 30 September 2002 the force had 3,119 police officers, 78 more than in September 2001. In March 2002 the force had 1,611 civilian support staff, 159 more than in March 2001.

  I also understand from the Chief Constable that the force has recruited 12 Community Support Officers.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what priority the Home Office attaches to rural policing. [109777]

  Hilary Benn
  We are very aware of the differing needs of police forces that cover predominantly rural areas. Following the consultation on the Police Funding Formula last summer my right hon. Friend the Home 202W
  Secretary decided to retain the £30 million Rural Policing Fund in its present form. Police forces that cover most sparsely populated areas continue to benefit from additional funding through this fund.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what actions are open to him upon receipt of reports of HM Inspector of Police. [109779]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary prepares reports on inspections of forces, Basic Command Units, Best Value Reviews and other aspects of police performance and efficiency. Those may be used by the force, the Police Authority and the Home Office to improve performance.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent by the Metropolitan Police on rental vehicles in the last 12 months. [107300]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that final figures are not yet available, but estimated expenditure on the hiring of vehicles for the whole of the Metropolitan Police Service for the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 is approximately £7 million.

  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the oral Answer of 2 December 2002,Official Report, column 500, on police, what discussions he has had with the Thames Valley police force in relation to housing. [108588]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  [holding answer 10 April 2003]: We have been working closely with Chief Constables and Police Authorities from a consortium of London and south east forces, including Thames Valley, to address retention problems.

  On 13 March we announced a package of measures including the allocation of £3.7 million of capital grant to Thames Valley police to provide housing assistance for officers.

  This package was welcomed by the consortium of forces and we shall continue to work with them to monitor the effectiveness of these measures and to consider any further steps that may be necessary.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many facilities have on-going arrangements for levy payments for police coverage, with particular reference to airports. [109387]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  This information is not in general collected. I understand that those airports which are designated under s25 of the Aviation Security Act 1982 have agreed Service Level Agreements with their local police force in respect of policing provision and their obligation under s26(3) of the Act to meet the cost. The current arrangements for designation are under review following recommendations made in Sir John Wheeler's Report on Airport Security.

  Where special police services are needed at other airports, sporting events and other events (such as pop concerts) the Police Authority and the Chief Officer of

  203W
  Police would negotiate an agreement and charge for the special police service in accordance with the charging provisions of s25 of the Police Act 1996.

  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to provide private sector funding for police forces. [109388]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Police authorities can submit proposals for capital projects for support through the Government's Private Finance Initiative, which encourages a partnership approach with the private sector to the delivery of public services.

  Section 18 of the Police Act 1996 allows police authorities to enter into agreements to supply certain goods and services.

  Section 25 of the Act charge allows authorities to charge for 'special police services'.

  Section 93 of the Act also provides that a police authority may, in connection with the discharge of any of its functions, accept gifts of money, and gifts or loans of other property, including commercial sponsorship.

  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers additional to the complement on 1 May 1997 were appointed to the Durham constabulary in each year since 1997. [108600]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The information is set out in the table. Police strength details are not collected in May.

  Year1

  Police strength

  Increase in strength

  Civilian support staff strength

  Increase in civilian strength

  1997

  1,461

  —

  583

  —

  1998

  1,515

  +54

  557

  -26

  1999

  1,568

  +53

  559

  +2

  2000

  1,558

  -10

  590

  +31

  2001

  1,595

  +37

  566

  -24

  2002

  1,614

  +19

  660

  +94

  20022

  1,655

  +41

  3—

  —

  1 At 31 March

  2 30 September

  3 Not available

  Durham Constabulary has a record number of police officers. The net increase in force strength since March 1997 is 194 officers, or 13.3 per cent. which is nearly four times the average increase for England and Wales (3.4 per cent.) over the same period.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police stations manned(a) 24 hours a day and (b) part-time have (i) opened and (ii) closed in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [91674]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Information in this format is not held centrally.

  Mr. Maude
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police stations have(a) opened and (b) closed in (i) West Sussex and (ii) the United Kingdom in each of the past five years. [92690]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Chief Constable of Sussex informs me that there are 15 police stations in West Sussex. This figure has remained the same for the past 204W
  five years. No police stations have opened/closed during this time. A new police station will open in Selsey around April 2003.

  Information on the number of police stations opened and closed in the United Kingdom is not available centrally.

  The Secretary of State is not responsible for policing in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

  Unlawful Residents
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his most recent estimate is of the number of persons unlawfully resident in the United Kingdom. [109778]

  Beverley Hughes
  There is currently no official estimate of the size of the illegal population in the United Kingdom. The Home Office has commissioned research into the methods used in other countries to estimate the size of their illegal populations, in order to define methods appropriate for the United Kingdom. On the basis of this information we will actively consider the next steps.

  Off-road Vehicles
  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what review he has undertaken of the powers to enforce fixed penalty notices since 1 August 1999 for contravention of section 72 of the Highways Act 1972 by off-road motorcycles; and what lessons have been learnt from the four years of the scheme. [108611]

  Hilary Benn
  Driving on the pavement contrary to Section 72 of the highways Act 1835 as amended became a fixed penalty offence on 1 August 1999. The offence applies to all driving on the pavement including by off-road motorcycles and no special review of the use of the measure has been undertaken.

  Driving on the pavement is recognised as a problem in some areas and one that presents a hazard to pedestrians. The fixed penalty provides an additional means of dealing with it. With effect from January 2003 the police may also use powers under the Police Reform Act to seize off-road motorcycles driven illegally on the footway in a manner that causes alarm, distress or annoyance.

  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many successful prosecutions have been brought against owners of off-road motorcycles under the amendment to section 34 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; [108675]

  (2) how many owners of off-road motorcycles have been prosecuted successfully for failing to comply with the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 when riding such motorcycles on the highway; [108605]

  (3) how many successful prosecutions there have been against owners of off-road motorcycles using their vehicles on the highway in contravention of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986; [108606]

  (4) how many successful prosecutions have been brought against the owners of off-road motorcycles using their vehicles on the highway in contravention of Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989; [108607]
  205W
  (5) how many successful prosecutions were brought against the owners of off-road motorcycles using their vehicles (a) on pavements or other pedestrian routes and (b) cycle paths under section 72 of the Highway Act 1835, in the 10 years prior to the implementation of fixed penalty notices on 1 August 1999; [108608]

  (6) how many successful prosecutions have been brought against the owners of off-road motorcycles using their vehicles in contravention of the Road Traffic Act 1991. [108609]

  Hilary Benn
  Information is not collected on the Home Office Court Proceedings database on the type of vehicle (i.e. motorcycle or car) involved in an offence unless specific to the legislation.

  In addition information collected centrally does not identify these offences separately from other summary motoring offences.

  Child Rescue Alert Scheme
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to implement the child rescue alert scheme piloted by Sussex Police nationwide. [109769]

  Hilary Benn
  The Government are very grateful to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) who sponsored Sussex Police to pilot this scheme. Fortunately, there has not been a case of child abduction in Sussex to test the system, but a number of different forces across the country are now interested in implementing child rescue schemes of their own.

  The ACPO Homicide Working Group has now agreed that it should be a locally delivered service with national standards and guidelines, and it will be implemented as soon as possible.

  Animal Experiments
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many animals were used for experiments in 2002; and what plans he has to reduce that number. [108630]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The latest relevant figures are published in "Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals in Great Britain 2001", Cm 5581. A copy has been placed in the Library. These show that in 2001 the number of animals used for the first time in scientific procedures was 2.57 million. This is a reduction on the previous year, and the number of procedures concerned is the lowest since the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 came into force.

  Corresponding data for 2002 are currently being collated and analysed, with publication planned for later this year.

  Under the 1986 Act the Home Office licenses the use of animals for scientific purposes where there is no non-animal alternative, and then only when both the number of animals and their suffering is minimised. This reflects the principles of the 3Rs—replacement, reduction and refinement.
  206W
  As the regulator of the use of live animals in scientific procedures the Home Office is demand-led—it has no control over the number of project licence applications which it receives. While we must seek to minimise the number of animals used in particular programmes of work, the Home Office cannot therefore influence the overall amount of animal research and testing which takes place—that is determined by many other factors, including the economic climate and global trends in scientific endeavour. There are current developments—such as advances in the use that can be made of genetically modified animals—which may lead in coming years to more rather than fewer animals being used overall.

  The Government fully support and encourage development and promotion of the 3Rs in a number of ways, and additional impetus has been given to its efforts to that end by the related recommendations recently put forward by the House of Lords Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures. This is not, however, an area where quick gains can be expected. In the longer term we must rely for any further significant reduction in animal use largely on the scientific community's own continuing efforts to develop, validate and accept non-animal alternative methods.

  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Written Statement of 20 January,Official Report, columns 1–2WS, on Animals (Scientific Procedures), when he expects to conclude his Department's consultations with the scientific community with a view to reaching a final decision on possible amendments to the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. [108811]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Government's response to the report of the House of Lords Select Committee on animals in scientific procedures, published on 20 January 2003 (Cm 5729), announced plans to publish details of programmes of work authorised under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, subject to safeguards for personal and confidential information and also acknowledged the significant concern within the scientific community about the possible repeal of section 24 of the 1986 Act, the "confidentiality clause". We, therefore, also announced our intention to consult further with scientific stakeholders and animal protection groups about section 24 before reaching final decisions on its future.

  As part of this consultation, a joint working group with scientific stakeholders has been set up to look at these issues and met for the first time on 5 March 2003. Separate discussions will be held with animal protection groups. I expect to receive the findings of these discussions in the autumn and to consider the options for the future of section 24 later in the year.

  Antisocial Behaviour/Curfew Orders
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) antisocial behaviour orders and (b) curfew orders have been made in the Buckingham constituency since the commencement of the scheme. [108513]
  207W
  Hilary Benn
  (a) Table A shows the number of notifications received by the Home Office of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) issued within Buckinghamshire (in which the Buckingham constituency is situated) and by local government authority up to 30 November 2002 (latest available).

  We are aware that the numbers of ASBOs made nationally have been under reported in returns made by magistrates' courts and are considering how reporting can be improved.

  (b) Table B shows the number of Curfew Orders with electronic monitoring made in the Buckingham constituency from 1999 to 2002.

  Table A: Number of anti-social behaviour orders reported to the Home Office which have been issued as from 1 April 1999 to 30 November 2002 for Buckinghamshire by local government authority area

  Police force area/MCC

  From 1April 1999 to 31 May 20001

  From 1 June 2000 to 30 November 2002

  Total

  Thames Valley2

  1

  10

  11

  Local Government Authority

  County of Buckinghamshire

  Aylesbury Vale DC

  —

  1

  1

  Milton Keynes BC

  —

  3

  3

  Wycombe DC

  —

  2

  2

  1 Total figure only available for Thames Valley police force area within this period. Local Government Authority not known.

  2 Includes total figure for countries of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire

  — Not available

  Table B: Number of Curfew Orders imposed in the Buckingham constituency 1999–2000

  Year

  Adult

  Juvenile

  1999

  117

  0

  2000

  130

  9

  2001

  200

  -7

  20021

  78

  10

  Total

  792

  37

  1 Up to March 2003.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the consultation processes which contributed to the anti-social behaviour White Paper; [107389]

  (2) how many representations he has received on the anti-social behaviour White Paper since its publication; from whom representations were received; and if he will place copies in the Library. [107390]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  [holding answer 8 April 2003]The White Paper "Respect and Responsibility", published on 12 March, set out the Government's vision for tackling anti-social behaviour.

  The White Paper sets out a cross-departmental agenda and draws on a wide range of views expressed by local authorities, voluntary organisations, the police and a variety of practitioners and members of the public up and down the country.

  We have received responses to the White Paper both public and informal, and expect to continue to do so.
  208W
  We will continue to work closely with local authorities, the police and others to ensure that effective action is taken to deal with anti-social behaviour.

  Crime and Disorder Act
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many council and housing association residents have been evicted from their homes as a result of powers under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. [106555]

  Mr. McNulty
  There are no powers to take possession action against social housing tenants in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Provisions for possession actions against social tenants are contained in the 1985, 1988 and 1996 Housing Acts. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently liaising with the Court Service to obtain a breakdown of the data collected on the number of possession actions and evictions.

  Behavioural Neuroscience
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the facilities will be for the accommodation and environmental enrichment of nonhuman primates at Cambridge University's proposed Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience; and if he will make a statement; [108731]

  (2) if he will list the types of research that Cambridge University plans to conduct at the proposed Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience; and if he will make a statement; [108733]

  (3) how the need for the Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience at Cambridge University was decided; whether a cost-benefit analysis was used; and if he will make a statement. [108732]

  Ms Hewitt
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Cambridge won an open competition for a share of the £750 million Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF). 150 bids from across the UK and across a wide range of scientific disciplines were successful. Cost benefit analysis was not part of the review process; rather, all bids to the fund were reviewed by an international panel of experts on the basis of scientific excellence. The Cambridge neuroscience project was judged to be one of the best in the biosciences field. The announcement of the JIF award to the Cambridge project was made in a joint HEFCE-OST-Wellcome Trust press notice on 7 December 1999. For details of this announcement see: http://www.gnn.gov.uk/gnn/national.nsf

  The Centre has not yet been built and is still going through the planning programme. Ensuring that both the housing and the environment of the animals is of the highest quality is integral to the planning. The UK also has one of the most stringent regimes in the world for regulating animal research; animals can only be used in scientific procedures licensed by the Home Office under the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The care and welfare of animals is closely regulated by this Act and Centres are routinely inspected to ensure that animals are treated humanely. This combination of

  209W
  planning and regulation will ensure that the Centre will operate under conditions providing the highest modern standards of animal welfare.

  Once complete, the Centre will improve the facilities for outstanding teams of researchers to carry out research into the causes and treatments of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and neurological disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Primates are an essential part of the work, as much of what we understand about the human brain derives from primate research. The exact nature of the research will depend on what type of research grants are obtained, but is likely to include non-invasive forms of brain imaging and behavioural testing of functions such as memory.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the clear up rate for Suffolk Constabulary was for(a) burglary of dwellings, (b) violence against the person, (c) vehicle crime, (d) robbery and (e) sexual offences in each year since 1997. [108780]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The requested information is given in the table.

  There was a change in counting rules for detections on 1 April 1999. The new instructions provide more precise and rigorous criteria for recording a detection, with the underlying emphasis on the successful result of a police investigation. Numbers of detections before and after this date are therefore not directly comparable.

  As a result of Suffolk police adopting the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) in advance of its official introduction across England and Wales on 1 April 2002, the number of detections recorded in 2001–02 may have been inflated.

  Recorded crime: Number of offences per 100,000 population for Suffolk

  Total

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Total violent crime

  Burglary

  19971

  5,387

  370

  60

  21

  452

  921

  1998–992

  5,987

  573

  61

  21

  655

  936

  1999–20003

  6,460

  790

  58

  33

  881

  926

  2000–01

  6,569

  948

  62

  26

  1,037

  851

  2001–02

  7,426

  1,082

  71

  43

  1,196

  933

  Theft and handling stolen goods

  Fraud and forgery

  Criminal damage

  Drug offences

  Other offences

  19971

  2,562

  169

  1,184

  4–

  99

  1998–992

  2,565

  315

  1,185

  237

  94

  1999–20003

  2,596

  325

  1,423

  210

  99

  2000–01

  2,549

  352

  1,505

  175

  102

  2001–02

  2,856

  357

  1,779

  190

  115

  1 Crime statistics were recorded on a calendar year basis up to 1997, and on a financial year basis thereafter.

  210W

  Recorded crime: Detection rates for Suffolk

  Percentage

  Violence against the person

  Sexual offences

  Robbery

  Burglary in adwelling

  Vehicle crime

  19971

  91

  83

  55

  33

  419

  1998–992

  87

  74

  43

  35

  522

  1999–20003

  83

  63

  53

  24

  613

  2000–01

  79

  54

  45

  20

  611

  2001–02

  77

  48

  40

  19

  612

  1 Crime statistics were recorded on a calendar year basis up to 1997, and on a financial year basis thereafter.

  2 Percentage detected using the expanded coverage and revised counting rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998.

  3 Revised detections guidance was implemented on 1 April 1999.

  4 This figure is based on aggravated vehicle taking, theft from a vehicle and theft of a motor vehicle.

  5 This figure is based on the offences included within 'note 4', plus vehicle interference/tampering and criminal damage to a vehicle.

  6 This figure is bases on the offences within 'note 5', plus racially aggravated criminal damage to a vehicle.

  7 Suffolk police adopted the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) on 1 April 2001, one year earlier than its official introduction across England and Wales. This may have affected the detection rates given for 2001–02.

  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the recorded crime rate in Suffolk was in each year since 1997, broken down by major category of crime. [108631]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The requested information is given in the table.

  There was a change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which would have the tendency to increase the number of offences counted. This will have had an effect on the number of offences recorded per 100,000 population. Numbers of offences before and after this date are therefore not directly comparable.

  As a result of Suffolk police adopting the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) in advance of its official introduction across England and Wales on 1 April 2002, numbers of offences recorded for 2001–02 may have been inflated.

  2 The number of crimes recorded in that financial year using the coverage and rules in use until 31 March 1998.

  3 The number of crimes recorded in that financial year using the expanded offence coverage and revised counting rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998.

  4 Prior to 1 April 1998, drug offences were recorded within the `Other offences' offence group.

  Note

  Suffolk police adopted the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) on 1 April 2001, one year earlier than its official introduction across England and Wales. As a result of this, the 2001–02 figures given in the table may be inflated.
  211W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders were dealt with for supply offences in respect of Class A drugs in the Buckingham constituency in(a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002. [108514]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The information requested is not available at constituency level.

  However, data from the Home Office Court Appearances and Cautions Drugs Database shows that the number of persons in the Thames Valley police force area who were dealt with for supply offences involving Class A drugs in 2000 was 224. These are the latest figures available at the present time.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of recorded crime in the Buckingham constituency was drug-related in(a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002. [108515]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Recorded crime figures include statistics on drugs offences, such as possession, and on acquisitive crimes, such as burglary, but do not record whether the latter are related to an offender's drug habits.

  However, the New English and Welsh Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (NEW-ADAM) research programme, which involves interviewing and drug testing those arrested by the police, confirms a link between drug misuse and crime, although the conclusions do not relate specifically to Buckingham. Analysis of the data from the first eight sites in the survey, collected during 1999–2000, shows that 65 per cent. of arrestees provided a urine sample that tested positive for one or more illegal drugs. The analysis also shows that up to 29 per cent. of arrestees tested positive for opiates (including heroin) and/or cocaine (including crack).

  As a guide to the proportion of crime that is drug-related, analysis of the NEW-ADAM self-report data indicates that while only 21 per cent. of non-drug using arrestees reported having previously offended in the past 12 months, this figure rises to 75 per cent. for those arrestees who use heroin and/or cocaine/crack. Moreover, while users of both hero in and cocaine/crack represented just under one quarter of all arrestees interviewed, they were responsible for more than three fifths of all the illegal income reported.

  In support of this, 55 per cent. of arrestees who reported using one or more drugs in the last 12 months and committing one or more acquisitive crimes, acknowledged a link between their drug use and their offending behaviour. This proportion rose to 78 per cent. for arrestees who said they had used heroin and cocaine/crack.

  Departmental Annual Report
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the annual report of the Department will be published. [107867]

  Beverley Hughes
  The spring 2003 Departmental Reports are to be published between 28 April and 16 May 2003. We will publish our Departmental Report within this period.

  Distraction Burglary
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Answer of 21 March, Official Report, column 969W, how many suspected incidences of distraction burglary have taken place in each of the last three years. [109192]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The figures for distraction burglaries received from police forces do not distinguish between suspected and other cases. Nor is it possible to provide a breakdown by whether the burglary was successful or an attempt.

  In the British Crime Survey, burglaries where entry was gained by false pretences are split between "with entry" and "attempts". The most recent results can be found in table 3a in "Crime in England and Wales 2001–02. Supplementary Volume", which was published in January 2003. This reports that there were 426,000 attempted burglaries and 565,000 burglaries with entry, of which 10 per cent. and four per cent. respectively involved the offender using false pretences to gain, or try to gain entry.

  Drug Treatment
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug treatment and testing orders have been made in(a) Derbyshire and (b) Amber Valley since they were introduced. [108734]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Between 1 October 2000 when the order was first rolled out to all courts in England and Wales and 28 February 2003 (which is the latest month for which figures are available) 303 Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTOs) were made in Derbyshire. Separate DTTO figures for Amber Valley are not held centrally.

  Drug-related Crimes
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to ensure effective treatment for offenders whose crimes are drug-related. [109296]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Research shows that appropriate treatment can reduce both drug use and offending. To get more offenders into treatment, the Government is developing a range of interventions at every appropriate stage in the criminal justice system, which provides opportunities to identify and engage with drug misusing offenders and helps them gain access to appropriate treatment.

  This programme will build on and expand existing interventions such as the Drug Treatment Testing Order (DTTO), a community sentence which has been available to courts in England and Wales since October 2000 following successful piloting in three areas, and arrest referral schemes. It will also introduce drug testing, initially into the 30 Basic Command Units (BCUs) with the highest levels of acquisitive crime, and develop throughcare and aftercare arrangements aimed at case managing offenders.

  At the same time, we are expanding our treatment provision to make it more accessible to all that need it, when they need it, which is essential to the success of the Government's National Drug Strategy as a whole. The

  213W
  Pooled Treatment Budget funding will increase from £191 million in 2002–03 to £236 million in 2003–04 rising to £299 million in 2005–06.

  The main treatment target is to increase the participation of problem drug users in drug treatment programmes by 55 per cent. by 2004 and by 100 per cent. by 2008, and to increase the proportion of users successfully sustaining or completing treatment programmes year on year.

  Energy Policy
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement, in relation to his Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible, on(a) the amount of energy consumed, (b) spending on (i) energy and (ii) energy efficiency measures, (c) the amount saved through energy efficiency measures and (d) energy policy in each of the last five years. [108859]

  Beverley Hughes
  The information held centrally on energy consumption and expenditure by the Home Office is given in the table:

  Main Home Office

  Year

  Energy consumption(GWh/y)

  Energy expenditure(£/y)

  Energy/m2(kWh/m2/y)

  Savings over 1997–8(percentage)

  1997–98

  73.27

  1,792,543

  392.86

  –

  1998–99

  73.58

  1,911,139

  380.83

  3

  1999–2000

  88.36

  2,378,335

  379.78

  3

  2000–01

  104.37

  2,853,523

  364.91

  7

  2001–02

  129.62

  3,499,541

  390.38

  1

  Her Majesty's Prison Service

  Year

  Energy consumption(GWh/y)

  Energy expenditure(£/y)

  Energy/m2(kWh/m2/y)

  Savings over 1997–8(percentage)

  1997–98

  1583.45

  23,868,557

  540.89

  —

  1998–99

  1197.81

  20,016,907

  452.93

  24

  1999–2000

  1454.30

  22,310,050

  473.10

  8

  200001

  1393.19

  23,778,727

  447.80

  12

  2001–02

  1400.64

  27,234,995

  436.61

  12

  1. Energy Consumption: this is weather-corrected in the usual manner, using annual degree days relative to the 20 year average for 1990–01. The figures are those reported on for the Central Government Estate campaign, and include the Home Office's main estate plus its agencies (except Prison Service, which is reported separately), but not Non-Departmental PublicBodies (NDPBs).

  . Energy Expenditure: this is actual spend, and from April 2001, includes the Climate Change Levy.

  3. Energy/m2: this variable allows for changes in both weather and estate size on energy consumption. So annual changes will generally reflect efficiency changes.

  4. Savings over 1997–8: These have been expressed as percentage savings relative to the first year quoted here, and are based on the figures in the preceding column.

  Information about energy consumption and expenditure by Home Office sponsored NDPBs is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Similarly year on year details of the amount spent on energy efficiency measures by my Department are not held centrally, however in the year 2001–2002 the Prison Service funded energy and water conservation schemes totalling £440,000.
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  The Energy White Paper, 'Our Energy Future-Creating a Low Carbon Economy' made clear the importance the Government attaches to improving energy efficiency in its own estate. This is reflected in several targets. There is currently an interim target of a one per cent. pa ongoing reduction in weather-corrected carbon emissions, pending the development of new indicators and targets based on benchmarking the performance of each department's largest buildings. These new targets are planned to be in place later this year. New targets for Government Departments' use of CHP generated electricity will also be established during 2003.

  In addition, the review of Government procurement has identified areas where procurement could reinforce the achievement of these targets, and arrangements are being made centrally for Departments to purchase goods with high energy efficiency standards and which provide good value for money.

  On the purchase of renewable electricity, Ministers agreed the following target in May 2001: "All departments will ensure that by 31 March 2003, at least five per cent of their electricity comes from renewable sources that are exempt from the Climate Change Levy or from self generation, provided this does not entail excessive cost. This will rise to at least 10 per cent. supply from such sources by 31 March 2008, but will be reviewed after 31 March 2003 to take account of market conditions following the introduction of the renewables obligation. The review of 2003 will include consideration of increasing or bringing forward the target".

  Europol
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the proposed changes to Europol's powers will affect its working relationship with domestic United Kingdom police and security forces; and if he will make a statement; [109146]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the working relationship between domestic United Kingdom police and security forces and Europol. [109145]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Europol supports the operations of the EU Member States' law-enforcement authorities in combating serious and organised cross-border crime, by collating and analysing intelligence provided by national authorities. At present national authorities can only liaise with Europol through the national unit designated in each Member State. The UK's national unit is based at the National Criminal Intelligence Service, through which an excellent working relationship has been developed between Europol and our police and security forces. This is demonstrated by the fact that the UK continues to have the highest total number of investigations supported by or through Europol among all the Member States.

  The current proposed amendments to the Europol Convention would allow Member States to permit their law-enforcement authorities to liaise directly with

  215W
  Europol, provided that national un its are kept involved and simultaneously informed of any exchanges of information. This arrangement may provide a degree of extra flexibility and efficiency in certain cases, but will not significantly change the working relationship between Europol and the UK police and security forces.

  Firearms
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many crimes involving firearms have occurred in each of the last five years in the(a) the Bury St. Edmunds constituency, (b) Suffolk, (c) Norfolk, (d) Essex and (e) Cambridgeshire per head of population; [109341]

  (2) how many firearms have been handed in to police in each of the past five years in (a) the Bury St. Edmunds constituency, (b) Suffolk, (c) Norfolk, (d) Essex and (e) Cambridgeshire in each year since 1997; [109342]

  (3) how many deaths by firearms have occurred in each year since 1997 in (a) the Bury St. Edmunds constituency, (b) Suffolk, (c) Norfolk, (d) Essex and (e) Cambridgeshire. [109343]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Available published data on the total number of recorded crimes in which firearms (including air weapons) were reported to have been used are given in the following table.

  Suffolk

  Norfolk

  Essex

  Cambridgeshire

  1997

  17

  75

  269

  134

  1998–99

  34

  59

  317

  141

  1999–2000

  69

  56

  344

  186

  2000–01

  136

  57

  356

  146

  Numbers of firearms offences were published on a calendar year basis up to 1997, and on a financial year basis thereafter.

  There was a change of counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which will have the effect of increasing the number of crimes counted. Numbers of recorded crimes before and after this date are therefore not directly comparable.

  Available published data on the number of recorded homicide offences in which firearms were reported to have been used are given in the following table.

  Number of homicide offences involving firearms

  Suffolk

  Norfolk

  Essex

  Cambridgeshire

  1997

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1998–99

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1999–2000

  0

  1

  1

  1

  2000–01

  1

  1

  1

  1

  Details of firearms offences have not been collected by parliamentary constituency.

  Information on the number of firearms that have been handed in to police are not routinely collected centrally.

  Fixed Penalties
  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty notices have been issued under section 72 of the Highways Act 1835, in each year since 1 August 1999, broken down by(a) police and (b) local authority area. [108610]

  Hilary Benn
  The regular collection of data on fixed penalties for motoring offences does not identify separately offences peculiar to driving a motor vehicle on a footpath (section 72 of the Highways Act 1835), from other motoring offences of neglect of pedestrian rights. Fixed penalty data are not collected centrally on the number of pedal cyclists driving on a footpath (also under section 72 of the Highways Act 1835). Information by local authority is not collected centrally.

  The table shows information collected as part of a special exercise conducted in 2001 on the number of fixed penalties issued by police force area, under section 72 of the Highways Act 1835, in 1999 and 2000 only.

  Fixed penalty offences—number of substantive tickets issued,England and Wales, August to December 1999 and January to December 2000 for cycling and driving on the footpath(pavement) offences under section 72 of the Highways Act 1835 by police force area

  Cycling on the footpath (pavement)

  Driving on the footpath (pavement)

  Police force area

  1999

  2000

  1999

  2000

  Avon and Somerset

  19

  34

  16

  42

  Bedfordshire

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cambridgeshire

  1—

  1—

  1—

  1—

  Cheshire

  6

  14

  2

  6

  Cleveland

  5

  5

  —

  —

  Cumbria

  12

  20

  4

  24

  Derbyshire

  3

  8

  3

  11

  Devon and Cornwall

  28

  34

  4

  43

  Dorset

  7

  17

  7

  1

  Durham

  7

  11

  1

  1

  Essex

  76

  55

  5

  7

  Gloucestershire

  25

  47

  6

  4

  Greater Manchester

  38

  78

  2—

  2—

  Hampshire

  52

  52

  —

  4

  Hertfordshire

  11

  6

  3

  13

  Humberside

  19

  64

  1

  14

  Kent

  48

  44

  39

  92

  Lancashire

  8

  20

  41

  11

  Leicestershire

  13

  5

  2

  1

  Lincolnshire

  15

  4

  3

  2

  London, City of

  10

  3

  10

  —

  Merseyside

  18

  20

  5

  7

  Metropolitan Police

  29

  66

  8

  22

  Norfolk

  38

  14

  31

  3

  Northamptonshire

  2

  7

  —

  —

  Northumbria

  21

  27

  9

  58

  North Yorkshire

  18

  16

  53

  191

  Nottinghamshire

  5

  1

  2

  3

  South Yorkshire

  11

  34

  61

  111

  Staffordshire

  33

  4

  3—

  5

  Suffolk

  53

  30

  —

  —

  Surrey

  13

  1

  4

  16

  Sussex

  15

  9

  —

  —

  Thames Valley

  8

  6

  2

  3

  Warwickshire

  2

  3

  2

  2

  West Mercia

  36

  17

  5

  6

  West Midlands

  4

  9

  1

  17

  West Yorkshire

  4—

  2

  42

  —

  Wiltshire

  6

  23

  1

  7

  Dyfed-Powys

  7

  3

  1

  —

  Gwent

  —

  1

  1

  —

  North Wales

  1—

  51

  34

  51

  South Wales

  4

  6

  38

  60

  Total (42 forces)

  665

  821

  377

  788

  217W
  1 Not available.

  2 Included within cycling on the footway (pavement).

  3 October to December 1999 only.

  4 November and December 1999 only.

  5 October to December 2000 only.

  Government Intelligence Agency Network
  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the(a) establishment and (b) functioning of the Government Intelligence Agency Network. [107296]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  It is understood that this question refers to the work being done to reduce crime.

  The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 established partnerships between the police, local authorities, probation service, health authorities, the voluntary sector, and local residents and businesses. These Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships now include other groups including police authorities.

  These partnerships are working to reduce crime and disorder in their area by:
  consulting widely with communities to make sure that the partnership's perception matches that of local people, especially minority groups, such as members of ethnic minorities, young people or gay men and lesbians.
  devising a strategy containing measures to tackle those priority problems. This is to include targets, and target owners for each of the priority areas.

  The strategy lasts for three years, but must be kept under review by the partnership.

  Stemming from the strategy are various projects and schemes, some of which will be very local and some of which will be borough, area or even region-wide. Funding is provided to support this work. Over £3.2 million has been allocated to Northumbria for 2003–04 with £269,920 going to Gateshead Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and £226,489 to the Police Basic Command Units covering Washington and Gateshead East.

  Police numbers have also increased. In September 2002 Northumbria had 329 more officers than in March 1997, an overall total of 4,006. This was a record number.

  In addition to local initiatives there are also a number of national initiatives, which help to tackle local crime problems such as those on street crime, drugs including drug treatment and vehicle crime.

  Greater Manchester Police Force
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps were taken to review the safety of convictions dependent upon the evidence of corrupt officers(a) following the 1977 report by Superintendent Topping into the Greater Manchester Police force and (b) following the Court of Appeal decision to quash the conviction of Mr. Robert Brown. [108210]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  I am advised by Greater Manchester Police that the report of Superintendent Topping's investigation found no allegation or evidence to suggest that any of the officers who where subject to the investigation had falsified evidence to secure a218W
  conviction against any individual. Therefore no review of cases or prosecutions involving these officers was conducted. The Court of Appeal decision with regard to the conviction of Mr. Robert Brown does not change this position.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make the 1977 report of Superintendent Topping into the Greater Manchester police force more widely available to interested parties; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [108211]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  I am advised by Greater Manchester Police that this report related to a two year investigation launched in 1979 into allegations of corruption involving detectives working from the Platt Lane police station. Any decisions regarding the report's disclosure are a matter for the Chief Constable but I understand that Greater Manchester Police have no plans to make it more widely available.

  Money Laundering
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Failure to Disclose Money Laundering: Specified Training) Order. [109972]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Home Office is working closely with representatives of the regulated sector on the effective implementation of the anti-money laundering regime introduced by the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The implications of the Act for the regulated sector have been discussed extensively, but no representations have been made specifically about the money laundering training requirements.

  Parenting Orders
  Judy Mallaber
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many parenting orders have been made in(a) Derbyshire and (b) Amber Valley since they were introduced. [108735]

  Hilary Benn
  28 parenting orders were made in Derbyshire between their introduction in April 2000 and 31 December 2002. The figures collected by the Youth Offending Team are not broken down by individual local authority area.

  Part-time Workers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the Part-time Workers Directive on staff in his Department. [109263]

  Beverley Hughes
  The Home Office is committed to helping its staff balance their home and work life. A range of flexible and alternative working patterns, including part-time working, provides staff with the opportunities to adapt their hours to suit their commitments outside the workplace.

  The latest figures from the Equal pay Review 2003 show that 23 per cent. of staff in the non-Agency Home Office work part-time. Part time working in the Criminal Records Bureau and Forensic Science Service

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  is seven per cent. and in the Prison Service averages at five per cent. The United Kingdom Passport and Records Agency has 27 per cent. of staff working part-time.

  The impact of the Part Time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000 has not been assessed but many initiatives are in place to ensure that part-time staff are not treated less favourably than full time staff. Part-time staff have the same opportunities for career development, promotion and training. The great majority of posts within the Department are now advertised as open to part-time staff and the Home Office job share database was launched in September 2002 to facilitate an increase in more job share arrangements.

  RAF Fairford
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) stop and searches and (b) arrests have been made as a result of policing at RAF Fairford. [108787]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  [holding answer 11 April 2003]I understand from Gloucestershire Police that during the period 21 February to 11 April, there have been 68 arrests, mainly for aggravated trespass and public order offences, and 995 stop and searches under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the regulations under which RAF Fairford is being policed. [108788]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Policing operations at RAF Fairford are being undertaken in accordance with established police powers and procedures and a protocol setting out the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Defence and Gloucestershire police forces.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under which powers demonstrators at RAF Fairford are being body searched; and if he will make a statement. [108954]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  Stop and search operations have been undertaken in accordance with section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 and section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. A constable exercising the power under these sections may not require a person to remove any clothing in public except for headgear, footwear, an outer coat or jacket or gloves.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in his Department were on long term sick leave in each of the last five years. [109243]

  Beverley Hughes
  Information about long term sickness absence is not held centrally. As part of the process for effective monitoring and managing sickness absence, the Department and its Agencies have introduced a range of clear trigger points with advice on action to take to ensure that timely and appropriate 220W
  action is taken. We are also currently revising operational practice to see what further action might be appropriate.

  The Department and its Agencies have introduced guidelines, policies and procedures with a view to meeting its target to reducing sickness absence, published in its Service Delivery Agreements for April 2001 to March 2004.

  Victims of Crime
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of people who reported a crime to the police in 2001 were(a) sent or otherwise given a copy of the Victim of Crime leaflet and (b) visited by a volunteer from Victim Support or telephoned by Victim Support. [107306]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  In general the police do not record statistics about the number of victims of crime who are given a copy of the Victims of Crime leaflet. However, all personal victims of reported crime should be given or sent a copy of the leaflet and, in 2001, some 2¾ million copies of the leaflet were distributed to police forces for that purpose.

  It is not known how many personal victims of crime reported the crime to the police. But in 2001–02 the total number of recorded crimes (all categories e.g. including fraud and public order offences) was 5,527,082. 1,257,089 victims were referred to Victim Support by the police, other agencies or self-referred. Victim Support contacted 295,658 victims by telephone; 159,693 were contacted by a home visit and 45,978 by an office visit.

  Violence against Women
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the efficiency of the crime reductions strategy in reducing violence against women. [108158]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  The Government is committed to reducing all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence on which I will shortly publish a consultation paper.

  Evaluation of the Violence Against Women Initiative projects under the Government's Crime Reduction Programme is due to be finished in the summer. The first findings will be published by the Home Office from the autumn onwards.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Child Care
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to ensure that individuals employed to look after children register as childminders with the relevant social services. [107479]

  Maria Eagle
  Since September 2001, all childminders looking after children aged under eight have been required by law to register with the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). Ofsted takes appropriate enforcement action if unregistered childminding is found.
  221W
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to change the arrangement that allowed child carers to obtain a free Criminal Records Bureau check. [108603]

  Maria Eagle
  The current subsidy, which enables child care workers to obtain free Criminal Records Bureau checks, will continue until we have completed a review of all the charges that child care providers have to meet as part of the Ofsted registration arrangements. We plan to consult on any changes that are proposed as a result of this review.

  Capita Contracts
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the(a) value and (b) nature is of each contract his Department has with Capita. [110057]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  My Department has a number of contracts with Capita for a range of different services. These are as follows:

  Teachers' Pensions

  This contract is for the administration of the Teachers' Pensions Scheme. The current contract worth £70 million over seven years expires at the end of September 2003. The Department has just awarded Capita a new contract from October 2003, also for seven years, with a value of £62 million.

  Connexions Card

  This contract is to develop and deliver the Connexions Card. It is a seven-year contract, with an option to extend for a further three years, with a value of £109.7 million.

  Consultancy Framework Contracts

  Framework contracts provide for general management consultancy and consultancy support for LEA interventions. Information on the use and value is not held centrally.

  Executive Recruitment and Search

  A framework contract to provide executive recruitment services. Information on the use and value is not held centrally.

  Children's Centres
  Stephen Hesford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects the first children's centres to be established. [108290]

  Maria Eagle
  We expect the first children's centres to be announced in June 2003. These early designations will be existing settings that already meet the core offer for children's centres now. Local authorities will submit their strategic plans for rolling out children's centres by 15 October and we expect further announcements to follow throughout the autumn.

  Early Years Provision
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills where early excellence centres have been set up; and if he will make a statement. [108805]

  Maria Eagle
  [holding answer 11 April 2003]The information requested has been placed in the Library.
  222W
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the benefits of Sure Start programmes; what reviews of outcomes have taken place; and if he will make a statement. [107818]

  Maria Eagle
  A major evaluation of Sure Start began in January 2001. It will examine the impact of Sure Start on children, families and communities, both in the short, medium and long-term by tracking a sample of 8,000 children and their families over time. The first information on impact and effectiveness will become available over the next 12 to 18 months.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how long Surestart programmes for children last. [107819]

  Maria Eagle
  Sure Start local programmes have guaranteed funding up to March 2006 and there is an in principle commitment to support them until 2013–14. This would mean each local programme is funded for a period of 10 years. Over this time we expect good practice developed in these programmes to be disseminated widely so that mainstream services become more responsive to the needs of young children and their families.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children have benefited from(a) a Homestart and (b) a Surestart programme in the last three years, broken down by local authority. [107820]

  Maria Eagle
  The information requested is contained in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many places(a) in pre-school playgroups, (b) in private nurseries, (c) with childminders, (d) in holiday play schemes and (e) in after school clubs were provided in each LEA area at 31 March (i) 1999 and (ii) 2002. [105971]

  Maria Eagle
  The information requested is contained in tables, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 12 March 2003,Official Report, column 301W, on Sure Start, what the values of (a) [x] and (b) [y] in the technical note are; and if he will make a statement. [104373]

  Maria Eagle
  In the published technical note on Sure Start's Public Service Agreement, x and y have been used to denote that percentages have not yet been set but will be when baseline information becomes available. For example, as the technical note indicates, the target per cent. increase in the proportion of young children in Sure Start local programme and Children's Centre areas with normal levels of personal, social and emotional development will be set by the end of 2003–04 when the first data from the Foundation Stage Profile becomes available.

  Education Maintenance Allowance
  Mr. Paterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students in the North Shropshire constituency have received the Education Maintenance Allowance. [110071]

  Margaret Hodge
  Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is currently running as a pilot scheme in 56 local education authority (LEA) areas in England. Shropshire LEA is not one of the pilot areas. Therefore, no young people living in North Shropshire have benefited from the scheme.

  However, young people in North Shropshire will be able to apply for EMA from September 2004, when the national EMA scheme is launched, The first tranche of eligible students will be those who reach compulsory school leaving age in the 2003–04 academic year.

  Educational Psychologists
  Mr. Breed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the system for the provision of funding for the training of educational psychologists; and if he will increase the number of funded placements to over 124 placements per year; [108171]

  (2) if the Government will provide additional funds for the training of educational psychologists in addition to the top-slice funding in time for the September intake; and if he will make a statement. [108172]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Funding for postgraduate training of those wishing to become educational psychologists is currently provided via the Educational Psychology Clearing House and Grant Scheme, using funding drawn from within the top-sliced Rate Support Grant provision, allocated by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in accordance with recommendations of the Local Government Association. The Grant Scheme is administered by the Employers' Organisation on behalf of the Local Government Association.

  The Department is facilitating on-going discussions with a range of partners, including the LGA and Employers' Organisation, on developing a new shorter entry training route for educational psychologists. We have commissioned an implementation study which has been looking at issues such as the operation of existing arrangements, future funding arrangements and the number of places to be supported for the foreseeable future.

  European Working Groups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on progress with achieving transparency in respect of the European working groups for which the Department is responsible. [105734]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Government have long been committed to greater openness in the EU Institutions. This was a key theme of the UK Presidencies in 1992 and 1998. The Government welcomed Regulation 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents. As a result, more documents are released to the public, while genuinely sensitive documents are given the protection they need.
  224W
  Much of the Council's work takes place in preparatory bodies, including working groups.

  Accountability and transparency of Council business to Parliament are ensured by the scrutiny process, to which the Government are also firmly committed.

  We strongly supported the measures agreed at the Seville European Council to make the Council more open when in legislating mode. We remain committed to increasing transparency.

  The Future of Europe Convention is also looking at ways to make the EU more open.

  My Department represents the UK Government at the Education, Youth and Culture Councils and the associated working groups, where proposals for EU legislation are discussed. It also currently represents UK Government at the Establishment and Services Working Group where the draft proposal for a directive on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications is being negotiated. All proposals before these working groups are subject to the scrutiny of UK Parliament, which is kept fully informed of developments.

  Flexible Learning
  Dr. Francis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures he plans to introduce(a) to support part-time students and (b) to encourage flexible learning in higher education. [108271]

  Margaret Hodge
  On our plans for improving the financial support offered to part-time students, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Daventry on 14 April 2003, Official Report, column 562–63W.

  The Government is firmly committed to encouraging more flexible ways of learning to attract people with different demands and responsibilities into higher education. E-learning has the potential to provide interactive, individualised learning at the pace, place and level most suited to the learner. We have provided £62 million to set up the UK e-Universities project to make higher education more widely available over the Internet for both individuals and businesses.

  Since September 2001, foundation degrees have been available offering flexible study methods such as distance learning and e-learning to suit the individual needs of both employed and unemployed students. Both full and part-time courses are offered at universities or colleges of further and higher education.

  The Higher Education Funding Council for England is about to start a two year programme of work with other partners in the HE sector to identify and build upon good practice in the use of credit systems. This work will include a number of pilot schemes to encourage the use of credit to support flexible progression and transfer between institutions and qualifications.

  Further Education
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of 16 to 18-year-olds in(a) Suffolk and (b) Bury St. Edmunds in education have gone on to further education in each of the last five years. [108779]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The percentage of 16 and 17-year-olds participating in full-time education for Suffolk LEA in each of the last five years for which data are available is set out in the table. Data on the percentage of students participating in post-compulsory education are not calculated for areas smaller than LEAs as reliable estimates cannot be made. Participation rates at sub-national level are available only for 16 and 17-year-olds. Bury St. Edmunds is part of Suffolk LEA.

  Participation in full-time education in Suffolk LEA

  Percentage of age group

  End 1996

  End 1997

  End 1998

  End 1999

  End 2000

  16-year-olds

  71

  69

  71

  70

  72

  17-year-olds

  59

  59

  58

  59

  57

  Participation in education and training

  1Percentage

  Full-time education

  Total education and training2

  LEA

  End 1998

  End 1999

  End 2000

  End 1998

  End 1999

  End 2000

  16 year olds

  Stoke-on-Trent

  52

  58

  60

  68

  73

  78

  Staffordshire

  68

  70

  70

  86

  85

  85

  17 year olds

  Stoke-on-Trent

  38

  41

  46

  63

  64

  65

  Staffordshire

  57

  57

  59

  79

  77

  77

  16 and 17 year olds combined

  Stoke-on-Trent

  45

  50

  53

  66

  69

  71

  Staffordshire

  63

  64

  64

  82

  81

  81

  1 Percentage of age group.

  2 Includes full and part-time participation in education and Government Supported Training, counting those in both education and Government Supported Training only once. Participation rates by LEA for 16 and 17 year olds are published in an annual statistical bulletin, 'Participation in Education and Training by 16 and 17 Year Olds in Each Local Area in England'.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average net expenditure on(a) support and (b) tuition of a higher education student was in each year since 1997. [105942]

  Margaret Hodge
  Students entering higher education under the student support scheme since 1998 have been required to make a contribution to their tuition and

  Average loan and average assessed student contribution towards tuition fees1,2,3

  £

  Academic year

  1998/991

  1999/2000

  2000/014

  2001/02(Provisional)

  Average maintenance loans5

  2,580

  3,150

  3,100

  3,120

  Average assessed student contribution towards tuition fees: all students on courses subject to income assessment 6, 7, 8

  n/a

  470

  510

  n/a

  n/a = not available
  226W
  Participation rates by LEA for 16 and 17-year-olds are published in an annual statistical bulletin, "Participation in Education and Training by 16 and 17-year-olds in Each Local Area in England". This bulletin is available on the departmental website: www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of 16 to 18 year olds in(a) Staffordshire and (b) Stoke on Trent in education have gone on to further education in each of the last three years. [108145]

  Margaret Hodge
  The percentage of 16 and 17 year olds participating in education and training for Staffordshire LEA and Stoke-on-Trent LEA in 1998, 1999 and 2000, is set out below. Separate figures are shown for those in full-time education, and for those in education and Government Supported Training. There are no figures available beyond 2000. Participation estimates for 18 year olds are not available at a local level due to unavailability of information regarding term-time residential addresses for students in Higher Education.

  support, depending on their family income. The average assessed student contribution towards tuition fees is presented in the following table. As we do not have up to date and reliable data on the amount students actually spent supporting themselves, we have presented the average loan taken out by students in the table.

  Available data on average assessed student contributions toward fees, and the average loan taken out by higher education students are given in the table.
  227W
  1 New student support arrangements in higher education came into effect in September 1998. For the first year of the new scheme, eligible new entrants received support for living costs through both grants and loans. Grants, which were assessed against family income, on average formed about a quarter of the support available. All students were entitled to a non income-assessed loan, which comprised the remaining three quarters of support available.

  2 New entrants to higher education in 1999/2000, together with those who started in 1998/99, received support for living costs mainly through loans which are partly income-assessed. Grants for living costs are no longer available except for some limited allowances, e.g. for students with dependants; single parent students; and disabled students. Grants for students with dependants and single parent students are income-assessed but the Disabled Students' Allowance is not. Any student contributions towards income-assessed maintenance grants for students in these circumstances are not included.

  3 Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

  4 Latest year for which tuition fee data are available.

  5 Student loans are available to most 'home' students on full-time undergraduate HE courses (and students on full-time and part-time postgraduate courses of initial teacher training) normally domiciled in the United Kingdom

  6 Data relate to students domiciled in England and Wales and studying in the United Kingdom. Data are not available for 1998/99.

  7 From 1998/99 most new students were expected to contribute towards the cost of their tuition depending on family income. The maximum contribution (£1,075 in 2001/02, £1,050 in 2000/01, £1,025 in 1999/2000 and £1,000 in 1998/99) represents only about 20 per cent. to 25 per cent. of the average cost of the course. The balance is met from public funds.

  8 Includes students on their placement year in sandwich courses and part-time courses of ITT.

  Source:

  Student Loans Company; F503G survey a local education authorities.

  Dr. Francis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions he has had with the devolved administrations on widening participation in higher education. [108269]

  Margaret Hodge
  We are in regular contact and meet regularly with our colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to discuss a range of issues, including widening participation in higher education.

  Learning and Skills Councils
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills why the Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire LSC rejected funding applications(a) for e-learning and ICT and (b) for basic skills from Jamia Rehmanic in 2002. [110202]

  Margaret Hodge
  This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  National Skills Strategy
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to incorporate the development of(a) disabled people and (b) the socially excluded within the proposed National Skills Strategy. [107715]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The National Skills Strategy will set out our approach to helping people who face particular difficulties in becoming part of the effective labour force, including disabled people and others affected by social exclusion.

  Part-time Workers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact of the part-time workers directive on staff in his Department. [109279]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  My Department welcomed the introduction of the part-time workers directive in July 2000 as supporting its commitment to family-friendly policies and helping its employees to achieve a better balance between work and home life. Its introduction had no particular impact on terms and conditions for 228W
  staff in the Department, as part time and full time workers have equitable treatment on a pro-rata basis, dependent on hours worked.

  Part-time working is one of a wide range of flexible working arrangements that the Department offers.

  At 1 January 2003, 12.5 per cent. of my Department's permanent staff worked part-time, an increase of 1 per cent. from 1 January 2002.

  School Budgets
  Mr. Brady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of maintained schools carrying forward a budget deficit into the current financial year; and if he will list such schools which are known to his Department. [109424]

  Mr. Miliband
  Information on the balances carried forward by maintained schools at the end of the financial year 2002–03 will be contained in the outturn statements for that year produced by local education authorities under section 52 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. The deadline for production of these statements is 10 October 2003, and until then we do not know the number of schools in deficit at the start of 2003–04.

  Science Technicians
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress has been made, in conjunction with the Royal Society and the Association for Science Education, on the development of a career structure for science technicians; and if he will make a statement. [108310]

  Margaret Hodge
  Since the Royal Society and Association for Science Education published their report in January 2002, we have been working closely with them and with the Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services to develop a career structure for science technicians. We have extended this work to include Design and Technology technicians and two guides with recommendations on career structure and induction have been produced. We are developing induction training for science technicians as part of our drive to enhance the role of support staff. Continuing
  229W
  professional development will be provided by the national network of science learning centres, a joint Department for Education and Skills and Wellcome Trust initiative.

  Secondments
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many individuals were seconded to his

  Start date

  End date

  Organisation

  Type

  1 September 2002

  28 February 2003

  Building Research Establishment Ltd. (BRE)

  Private

  12 January 2000

  26 February 2003

  Little Acorn Nursery

  Private

  15 July 2002

  31 March 2003

  Price Waterhouse Coopers

  Private

  11 September 2002

  11 November 2002

  Institute for Public Policy Re search (IPPR)

  Private

  14 January 2002

  12 July 2002

  Centre for Schools Standards

  Private

  5 September 2001

  4 September 2002

  Nationwide Building Society

  Private

  15 July 2002

  31 March 2003

  Manor and Castle Development Trust

  Private

  1 February 2002

  31 December 2002

  Greenwich Education Action Zone

  Private

  1 November 2001

  1 November 2003

  Deloitte and Touche

  Private

  4 January 2001

  31 March 2002

  The Design and Technology.Association

  Private

  21 October 2002

  20 October 2004

  Social Market Foundation

  Private

  8 October 2001

  30 September 2003

  Student Loans Company

  NDPB

  1 July 2002

  30 June 2003

  National Children's Home

  Other

  5 November 2001

  4 November 2002

  Brent Education Service

  Other

  11 November 2002

  10 November 2003

  Thames Valley University

  Other

  23 April 2001

  31 March 2002

  London borough of Harrow

  Other

  1 January 2003

  31 August 2003

  Northamptonshire LEA

  Other

  1 April 2003

  30 September 2003

  Essex county council

  Other

  17 September 2001

  30 September 2002

  Sheffield Hallam University

  Other

  15 January 2003

  14 January 2004

  Slough borough council

  Other

  5 November 2001

  31 March 2003

  Telford and Wrekin council

  Other

  30 July 2001

  29 July 2003

  London borough of Ealing

  Other

  1 September 2001

  31 March 2003

  Derby City LEA

  Other

  1 November 2000

  30 November 2003

  Walsall LEA

  Other

  1 September 2001

  31 March 2002

  North Derbyshire health authority

  Other

  3 February 2003

  2 August 2003

  Cambridge Regional College

  Other

  1 April 2001

  30 June 2002

  Southampton city council

  Other

  1 April 2000

  31 March 2003

  Birmingham city council

  Other

  1 June 2001

  31 May 2003

  Cambridgeshire county council

  Other

  4 June 2001

  31 May 2003

  London borough of Newham

  Other

  1 July 2000

  30 June 2003

  The Childrens Society

  Other

  15 October 2001

  31 March 2002

  Essex Police HQ

  Other

  19 June 2000

  31 March 2003

  Unemployment Unit Youth Aid

  Other

  25 April 2000

  24 April 2003

  Rastrick High School

  Other

  1 November 2001

  31 October 2003

  London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

  Other

  7 October 2002

  6 October 2003

  Centre for Economics of Education

  Other

  30 April 2001

  31 March 2003

  Huddersfield New College

  Other

  1 January 2001

  31 May 2002

  Leeds city council

  Other

  1 October 2001

  30 September 2003

  Loughborough University

  Other

  10 September 2001

  14 December 2002

  Birmingham Race Action Partnership

  Other

  1 October 2002

  30 June 2003

  West Nottinghamshire College

  Other

  15 April 2002

  14 April 2004

  Cranford Infants and Nursery School

  Other

  1 January 2000

  31 March 2003

  Litherland High School

  Other

  1 April 2000

  31 March 2003

  North Tyneside council

  Other

  3 September 2001

  2 September 2002

  West Sussex county council

  Other

  7 January 2002

  6 January 2004

  London borough of Lambeth

  Other

  5 June 2002

  5 June 2003

  Nottinghamshire county council

  Other

  4 January 2001

  31 March 2002

  Federation of City Farms

  Other

  1 October 2001

  30 September 2003

  Nottinghamshire county council

  Other

  9 July 2001

  8 July 2003

  Hastings College of Art and Technology

  Other

  17 June 2002

  13 June 2003

  Camden council

  Other

  8 January 2001

  7 January 2002

  London borough of Richmond

  Other

  1 November 2001

  31 October 2003

  Cityof Wakefield

  Other

  10 September 2001

  31 January 2002

  Japan Ministry of Health, and Welfare

  Other

  1 January 2002

  31 March 2003

  Kent county council

  Other

  5 February 2001

  31 March 2002

  Croydon Advisory and Inspect ion Centre

  Other

  30 September 2002

  30 April 2003

  Children's Play Council

  Other

  1 September 2001

  31 August 2003

  North Tyneside council

  Other

  30 October 2000

  29 October 2003

  Kirklees LEA

  Other

  1 September 2000

  31 March 2003

  South Gloucestershire LEA

  Other

  1 April 2000

  30 September 2003

  Westminster Student Support

  Other

  230W
  Department from (a) the private sector, (b) NGOs and (c) other, in each case listing (i) from which organisation and (ii) dates of secondments, in 2002–03. [108081]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Information on secondments to this Department in the period April 2002 to March 2003 is set out in the table.
  231W

  Start date

  End date

  Organisation

  Type

  3 February 2003

  2 February 2004

  NACRO

  Other

  1 October 2001

  30 September 2003

  Birmingham city council

  Other

  1 November 2002

  31 August 2003

  Zaccheus Centre

  Other

  1 April 2001

  31 March 2003

  City of Hackney Primary Care Trust

  Other

  1 December 2000

  31 March 2003

  National Children's Bureau

  Other

  27 February 2002

  31 March 2003

  City of Bristol LEA

  Other

  1 July 2002

  1 July 2003

  City of Nottingham LEA

  Other

  14 October 2002

  13 October 2003

  Royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea

  Other

  5 November 2001

  4 November 2003

  London borough of Sutton

  Other

  1 November 2000

  31 October 2002

  Camden council

  Other

  1 October 2002

  30 March 2003

  Bexley Education and Leisure Department

  Other

  20 January 2003

  19 January 2004

  NSPCC

  Other

  24 January 2000

  23 January 2003

  Leeds city council

  Other

  1 May 2001

  31 March 2002

  Institute of Employment Studies

  Other

  1 November 2001

  31 October 2003

  Derbyshire county council

  Other

  2 May 2000

  30 April 2003

  North Tyneside council

  Other

  1 September 2001

  31 August 2003

  New Zealand Department of Labour

  Other

  2 December 2002

  1 December 2003

  New Zealand Department of Labour

  Other

  26 February 2001

  22 February 2002

  Council for Environmental Education

  Other

  27 January 2003

  26 January 2004

  West Thames College

  Other

  1 September 2001

  31 August 2002

  Manchester city council

  Other

  1 September 2002

  31 August 2005

  The Open University

  Other

  10 May 2002

  9 May 2004

  Herefordshire county council

  Other

  1 April 2001

  31 March 2003

  Lincolnshire county council

  Other

  1 October 2001

  30 September 2003

  Leeds city council

  Other

  1 September 2001

  30 August 2002

  West Kent College

  Other

  30 April 2001

  29 April 2003

  North Somerset council

  Other

  5 November 2001

  7 November 2003

  Nottingham city council

  Other

  2 August 2002

  1 June 2003

  Raleigh International

  Other

  1 December 2001

  30 November 2003

  Nottingham city council

  Other

  22 July 2002

  22 July 2003

  Wirral MBC

  Other

  15 October 2001

  14 October 2002

  Middlesbrough council

  Other

  13 March 2001

  28 February 2003

  Save the Children

  Other

  2 September 2002

  31 August 2003

  Southwark College

  Other

  3 April 2001

  30 June 2003

  Thomas Coram Research Unit

  Other

  4 June 2001

  29 April 2003

  London borough of Barking and Dagenham

  Other

  22 October 2001

  30 September 2002

  Tameside College

  Other

  2 April 2001

  1 April 2003

  University of West England

  Other

  10 March 2003

  9 June 2004

  Hull city council

  Other

  5 May 1997

  31 May 2002

  London University

  Other

  4 November 2002

  30 April 2003

  CFBT

  Other

  13 January 2001

  3 October 2003

  Scarman Trust

  Other

  2 July 2001

  1 July 2003

  London Guildhall University

  Other

  1 April 2002

  31 December 2004

  ES

  Other

  30 October 2000

  31 October 2002

  Suffolk county council

  Other

  1 November 2000

  31 October 2003

  Bradford city council

  Other

  7 October 2002

  6 October 2003

  Bournemouth local education authority

  Other

  1 October 2002

  31 March 2003

  Tameside MBC

  Other

  22 July 2002

  30 September 2003

  Doncaster CSV

  Other

  23 September 2002

  30 June 2303

  West Nottinghamshire College

  Other

  22 July 2002

  30 September 2003

  Doncaster CSV

  Other

  1 February 2000

  30 August 2002

  Manchester Metropolitan University

  Other

  4 October 1999

  31 October 2002

  National Audit Office

  Other

  14 May 2002

  13 May 2003

  London borough of Ealing

  Other

  1 September 2001

  31 March 2003

  Somerset county council

  Other

  1 February 2002

  31 March 2003

  Croydon Social Services

  Other

  1 February 2002

  31 March 2003

  Croydon Social Services

  Other

  21 January 2001

  31 July 2003

  Sheffield Hallam University

  Other

  23 September 2002

  31 August 2003

  Royal Forest of Dean College

  Other

  3 September 2001

  2 September 2002

  London School of Economics

  Other

  1 January 2003

  30 September 2003

  Cornwall and Devon Connexions Partnership

  Other

  1 January 2003

  30 September 2003

  Cornwall and Devon Connexions Partnership

  Other

  2 April 2001

  31 March 2003

  Hastings College of Art and Technology

  Other

  3 December 2001

  2 December 2002

  Nottingham city council

  Other

  20 May 2002

  19 May 2003

  Ministry of Education New Zealand

  Other

  7 April 1999

  7 April 2002

  DT: Small Business Service

  Other

  1 September 2002

  31 August 2004

  Stantonbury Campus

  Other

  7 October 2002

  28 March 2003

  Sheffield Hallam University

  Other

  5 November 2001

  4 November 2003

  Rochdale Metropolitan borough

  Other

  5 June 2002

  4 June 2003

  CEDC

  Other

  232W

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the salary bill was for special advisers in his Department in 2002–03; and what it is expected to be in 2003–04. [108491]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 24 April 2003.

  Special Education Needs Tribunal
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many cases concerning schools in the Buckingham constituency were heard by the Special Education Needs Tribunal in 2001–02; and in how many cases the Tribunal ruled that additional support should be provided for children with special needs. [108490]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Tribunal does not collate statistics based on the location of schools named in appeals or attended by children who are the subject of appeals. Of 28 appeals against Buckinghamshire LEA in 2001–02, seven concerned the school to be named in the child's placement. Parents requested a special school placement in two of these appeals and a mainstream placement in three. In the other two the parents requested home tuition.

  Parents withdrew 17 of the 28 appeals and the LEA conceded a further five. The remaining six all concerned the detailed provision to be made for children, and in four of these the Tribunal ordered amendments to the provision specified in the statements.

  Student Debt
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total level of student debt was in Shrewsbury and Atcham in each year since 1997. [108274]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested is not available centrally in respect of student loans. Data on debts for which there is no public subsidy, such as overdrafts, credit cards, and informal debts to family and friends, are not collected centrally.

  Students (Maintenance Grant)
  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his estimate is of the total annual cost is of the maintenance grant payable to poorer students. [109094]

  Margaret Hodge
  We estimate the steady state cost of the new Higher Education Grant to be almost £300 million. The grant will be targeted at those students from the households with the lowest income. We aim to provide the full £1,000 grant to approximately 30 per cent. of students.

  Tuition Fees
  Jonathan Shaw
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the estimated cost is of paying the tuition fees of students from poorer backgrounds as detailed in the Higher Education White Paper. [109093]
  234W
  Margaret Hodge
  The cost to the Government of the public contribution to existing tuition fee remission arrangements for home and ED undergraduate students from low-income families at institutions in England is estimated at:

  (£ million)

  FY

  2003–04

  2004–05

  2005–06

  456

  467

  479

  No estimates have been made of Government contributions beyond that but we have said in the White Paper that we intend to continue fee remission for students from low-income families.

  University Admissions
  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills based on latest admissions, whether he estimates that the universities of(a) Oxford, (b) Cambridge, (c) The London School of Economics, (d) Bristol and (e) The Royal Veterinary College would be allowed to charge top-up fees from the start if his proposals for higher education were implemented. [108690]

  Margaret Hodge
  That would be a matter for the Office for Fair Access, and would depend on its consideration of their access agreements. Individual universities' admission policies will be a matter for universities themselves to decide.

  University Exchange Programmes
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many British university students participated in international exchange programmes, where at least one term of a full academic year was spent at an institution abroad, in(a) 1995, (b) 1997, (c) 1999, (d) 2001 and (e) 2002; [103931]

  (2) which British university had the highest percentage of students spending at least one term abroad at a foreign university institution as part of an exchange programme in the last year for which figures are available. [103928]

  Margaret Hodge
  The latest available information, showing the number of students who are on exchange programmes for the year as a whole, is given in the table. The data for 2001/02 show that the University of Lancaster had the highest proportion of full-time UK domiciled first degree students studying abroad as part of these programmes.

  A number of measures have been taken recently to encourage more students on UK higher education courses to study abroad as part of their course. These include giving access to higher loans for all students who study abroad; simplifying the student support arrangements; offering funding incentives to higher education institutions with mobile students; and wider and better publicity for the Socrates-Erasmus and other programmes.

  235W

  Full-time UK domiciled first degree students on exchange programmes who were studying overseas for the whole of the academic year

  Students

  1995–96

  3,271

  1997–98

  3,703

  1999–2000

  5,464

  2001–02

  4,934

  Source:

  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

  Work and Community-based Learning
  Dr. Francis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures he plans to introduce to encourage(a) work-based learning and (b) community-based learning. [108268]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Modern Apprenticeships (MA) provide young people in England with quality work-based learning in craft, supervisory and technician skills. We and the Learning and Skills Council are implementing Modern Apprenticeship Advisory Committee recommendations to ensure the highest standards and to encourage take-up by employers and young people. We have adopted a challenging Public Service Agreement (PSA) target for MA entrants by 2004–28 per cent. of young people to begin an MA by the age of 22. A new Modern Apprenticeship Task Force is now taking a key role in promoting MA to employers and thereby contributing to increased take-up.

  From August this year, the Government is introducing Entry to Employment (E2E), a work-based programme for those young people not yet ready or able to enter a Modern Apprenticeship. It will enable young people to progress on to Foundation Modern Apprenticeships, sustained employment or further vocational learning opportunities.

  The Government continues to encourage community-based learning. For example, in my speech at NIACE's Autumn Annual Conference on 10 December I reaffirmed my commitment to the breadth of purpose of adult and community learning, from fostering social inclusion to learning for leisure.

  In June, we will be publishing the Skills Strategy and Delivery Plan, setting out a wide ranging agenda for raising skill levels amongst young people and adults to meet employers' skill needs.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Accountants
  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what evidence he has collated on the difference in the cost of employing accountants in(a) Worcestershire County Council, (b) Warwickshire, (c) Gloucestershire County Council and (d) Birmingham, (e) Coventry, (f) Dudley, (g) Sandwell, (h) Solihull, (i) Walsall and (j) Wolverhampton Metropolitan District Councils; and if he will make a statement. [109223]
  236W
  Mr. Raynsford
  The New Earning Survey (NES) contains information on the occupation and workplace of participants. Management accountants and chartered or certified accountants are two of the occupations into which NES participants are categorised. At a more aggregate level, information on the occupation of NES participants is one variable that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister analyses in calculating each area cost factor. Full details of the ACA calculation are available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website at http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/0304/ acatechs.pdf

  Affordable Housing
  Helen Southworth
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he will take to ensure that the definition of affordable housing used by his Department and local authorities reflects local pay levels rather than local housing market values. [109579]

  Mr. McNulty
  For the purposes of securing affordable housing through the planning system, affordable housing encompasses low-cost market and subsidised housing (irrespective of tenure, ownership—whether exclusive or shared—or financial arrangements) that will be available to people who cannot afford to rent or buy houses generally available on the open market. Local authorities are expected to define through their local plans what they consider to be affordable. Circular 6/98, "Planning and Affordable Housing", advises that definitions should be framed through references to the level of local incomes and their relationship to house prices or rents, rather than to a particular price or rent.

  Area Cost Adjustment
  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what New Earnings Survey data separating fringe and non-fringe areas in shire counties were used in his calculation of area cost adjustment. [109360]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister uses a number of different pieces of information from the New Earnings Survey in calculating the area cost adjustment in the fringe and non-fringe areas surrounding London. These are as follows:

  gross hourly earnings excluding overtime

  age

  sex

  industry

  occupation

  whether the worker is part time or full time

  whether the worker is employed in the public or private sector

  the year in which the earnings took place

  loss of pay marker (whether the employee lost pay due to absents etc.)

  adult rate marker (whether the employee is paid an adult rate for the job)

  upper tier local authority

  lower tier local authority.

  A full guide to the ACA calculation is available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website at http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/0304/acatechs.pdf
  237W
  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reasons he identified a separate area cost adjustment factor for fringe and non-fringe areas in shire counties.[109359]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The new area cost adjustment (ACA), recognises that authorities in the fringe areas around London face significantly higher wage costs than those in non-fringe areas. Examples of these increased costs are the inner and outer fringe payments made to teachers and other staff on national pay scales. These increased costs are mirrored in the ACA factors calculated by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

  Council Tax
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the 30 district councils in England with the largest rise in council tax for 2003–04.[110315]

  Mr. Leslie
  The 30 English non-metropolitan district councils with the largest percentage increase in their own Band D council tax (excluding local precepts) between 2002–03 and 2003–04 are, in descending order:

  Stratford-on-Avon,

  Weymouth and Portland,

  West Oxfordshire,

  Eastbourne,

  Fenland,

  Cherwell,

  Runnymede,

  Purbeck,

  Daventry,

  South Staffordshire,

  Elmbridge,

  Derbyshire Dales,

  Hertsmere,

  South Ribble,

  Rossendale,

  South Kesteven,

  North Dorset,

  Welwyn Hatfield,

  West Dorset,

  Three Rivers,

  Bassetlaw,

  Waveney,

  Chorley,

  Surrey Heath,

  Hastings,

  West Lindsey,

  Rushmoor,

  Mole Valley,

  Kennet,

  Cheltenham.

  Crime and Disorder Act
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 4 April 2003,Official Report, columns 925–26W, on the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, what plans he has to discuss with the Home Office the issue of extending guidance to local authorities on evicting tenants of social landlords who have been involved in criminal activity. [109108]
  238W
  Mr. McNulty
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister works closely with the Home Office on matters to do with crime and anti-social behaviour, and will continue to do so. There are no plans to issue specific guidance to social landlords on evicting tenants who have been involved in criminal activity.

  Departmental Creche Facilities
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what creche facilities are provided by his Department and at what cost. [104298]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (central) currently provides three subsidised child care places in one of the central London nurseries, run by Westminster Children Society, costing overall approximately £16,588.69 per year. This includes administration charge internally and administration charge by the Home Office for managing the contractual aspect of the childcare contract. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister also participates in the Westminster Holiday Playscheme, which provides holiday care for children of school age. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister subsidises 50 per cent. of the £26 per day cost of each place.

  In addition the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has inherited responsibility for the provision of child care vouchers for two former members of the Cabinet Office at a rate of £21.42 per week for 48 weeks a year.

  Fire Service Staff (Shrewsbury)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many Fire Service staff based in Shrewsbury fire station were subjected to(a) verbal and (b) physical attacks in the last year. [109675]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The information is not available centrally about individual fire stations, but in 2000–01, there were five incidents involving firefighters in the Shropshire Brigade. These were:

  Number

  Missile throwing

  1

  Criminal damage

  1

  Assaults

  2

  Other1

  1

  1 Fireworks thrown at a crew.

  None of the assaults resulted in injury requiring absence from work and none of the incidents resulted in prosecution or conviction.

  Heath Fires
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department has issued guidelines to fire brigades on naturally ignited fires on heath and common land.[109646]

  Mr. Raynsford
  No specific guidance has been issued regarding naturally ignited fires on heath and common land. However, following the drought of the summer of 1976, a Joint Working Party was set up to review the experience of the Fire Service during this period. The Report of the group was issued under cover of Dear Chief
  239W
  Officer Letter 28/1978 and made 61 recommendations that may be relevant to the management of such fires. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library.

  Home Condition Reports
  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions his Department has had on establishing a certification scheme to regulate the proposed home condition reports.[109982]

  Mr. McNulty
  Discussions have been held with representatives of consumers and the main industry stakeholders, and this dialogue continues. In addition, these organisations have formed a steering group which is providing advice and assistance with the evaluation and development of the home condition report and the arrangements for certification schemes.

  Homebuy Scheme
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people in the Bury St. Edmunds constituency have received interest free equity loans under the Homebuy scheme; and what the total amount of funding was. [108781]

  Mr. McNulty
  Within the Bury St. Edmunds district, 15 units have been bought through interest free equity loans under the Homebuy scheme covering the financial years 1999–2000 to 2002–03. A further 10 units are likely to be purchased during this current financial year. The total amount of funding for all 25 units is £649,635.

  Housing Bill
  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will publish his response to the consultation on the draft Housing Bill; and when the Housing Bill will be introduced. [109981]

  Mr. McNulty
  The consultation on the draft Housing Bill ends on 9 June 2003. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will then consider all the responses and produce a Government response to the consultation during the autumn. The Housing Bill will be introduced when parliamentary time is available.

  Human Rights Act
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 10 February 2003,Official Report, column 577W, on the Human Rights Act, by what means inspectors are made aware of the application of the Human Rights Act 1998 to their work; and if he will place copies in the Library. [109528]

  Mr. Leslie
  Training for all Audit Commission inspectors includes a session covering the application of the Human Rights Act to their work.

  Gas Safety
  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with the Department for Work and Pensions about gas safety. [109983]

  Mr. Leslie
  None. However, officials of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister maintain contact with colleagues in the Health and Safety Executive and elsewhere to ensure that the Building Regulations are 240W
  consistent with legislation specifically covering the safety of gas appliances and installations, and that legislation collectively addresses the hazards associated with gas installations in buildings satisfactorily.

  New Dimensions
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what(a) decontamination equipment and (b) provisions for the shelter of victims of terrorist attack and how many (i) boiler suits and (ii) thermal blankets he will make available to Wycombe firefighters under the New Dimensions proposals. [110204]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's New Dimension programme will provide 80 special purpose vehicles for carrying mass decontamination equipment. These Incident Response vehicles will carry decontamination units, each capable of decontaminating large numbers of people and ancillary equipment, including temporary clothing for affected members of the public. This equipment will be deployed flexibly, on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of risk, to meet the needs of all fire authorities, including Wycombe firefighters. The new equipment being purchased includes 4,400 additional gas tight suits, doubling the fire service capability, to enable firefighters to work safely. The new decontamination Disrobe and Re-robe packs contain insulated clothing which provides good protection from inclement weather.

  Official Residences
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on how many occasions since his appointment he has made use of each of his official residences for official purposes. [103229]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden (David Davis) on 28 March 2003,Official Report, columns 485–86W.

  Parish Councils
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what requirement there is for parish councils to appoint independent internal auditors; what advice the Audit Commission gives to parish councils on this matter; and if he will make a statement. [109713]

  Mr. Leslie
  A statutory requirement for parish councils and other local authorities to maintain an adequate and effective system of internal audit, in accordance with proper internal audit practices, is set out in Regulation 6 of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003. There has been a legal requirement for local councils to maintain a system of internal audit for many years. Guidance on good practice in carrying out internal audit is available in "Governance and Accountability in Local Councils in England and Wales. A Practitioners' Guide". This publication is issued by the National Association of Local Councils and the Society of Local Council Clerks, in consultation with an advisory group including local council representatives, relevant Government Departments and the Audit Commission. The Guide is currently being updated.

  Post Offices
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost is of subsidy proposals to keep(a) rural and (b) urban post offices in areas of deprivation open.[108327]

  Mr. Timms
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government regards it as most important that all communities have good access to postal and Government services and we are committed to doing all we can to support the management of the company to ensure a viable Post Office network for the future. We are investing very substantial sums in supporting this transformation of the network—some £2 billion in total over the next five years, including £450 million funding to support the rural network as a whole until 2006.

  A number of measures are already in place to maintain the network of rural post offices. These include the formal requirement placed on the Post Office in November 2000 to prevent any avoidable closures and the establishment of a £2 million capital start up fund to support volunteer and community initiatives to maintain or re-establish a post office facility where the traditional post office is under threat of closure or has recently closed. Under this scheme, grants of up to £20,000 are available to support the costs of relocating or refurbishing alternative premises. Of the £2 million fund to support community post office initiatives 165 grants have been approved, totalling £1,231,454, and payments totalling £931,478 paid as at end of March 2003.

  On the urban network, the Government have provided £210 million for the urban reinvention programme, and provided £15 million for a scheme to support offices in deprived urban areas throughout England, through grants for capital investment. Similar schemes have been launched in Scotland and Wales.

  Public Service Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many and what grades of officials are responsible for the monitoring of progress towards the public service agreement targets of the Department. [109467]

  Mr. Leslie
  Monitoring progress towards the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Public Service Agreement targets is undertaken by a wide variety of staff at all levels throughout the organisation.

  Regional Assembly (Referendum)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his assessment of the level of interest in holding a referendum on establishing an elected regional assembly will be determined by the assessment of the responses to the Soundings Process; how it will take into account the number and range of individuals and organisations within the region; what public opinion surveys will be(a) commissioned and (I)) considered in making the decision; and how local authorities will be consulted.[110402]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The results of the soundings exercise will be a major factor in ascertaining the level of interest in each English region in holding a referendum about establishing an elected regional assembly.
  242W
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister will consider all relevant views, information and evidence drawn to his attention by the soundings exercise when he decides in which region(s) to conduct a local government review. Ultimately, the decision is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister's judgment, for which he will be accountable to Parliament.

  No public opinion surveys have been commissioned by the Government about the level of interest in a referendum about an elected assembly. However, we made it clear that the responses of organisations would be strengthened if they could show that they had consulted widely. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received a number of surveys and opinion polls in response to our soundings exercise. We will consider them alongside other relevant responses and published material, taking into account how robust, reliable and representative they are.

  The Government wrote to all principal local authorities on 2 December 2002 inviting them to respond to the soundings exercise. Local authorities were written to again on 8 April 2003 to inform them of amendments made to the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill in the House of Lords and giving them the opportunity to add to or change their response to the exercise if they so wished.

  Regions White Paper
  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made towards the aim in the White Paper, "Your Region, Your Choice", of encouraging applicants to public bodies from all parts of England; what change there has been in the geographical diversity of appointees to NDPBs and public bodies sponsored by ODPM since the publication of the White Paper; and what the outcome was of the regional seminars held by the Cabinet Office for women interested in serving on a public body. [108563]

  Mr. Raynsford
  All vacancies on NDPBs sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister are advertised:on our own website
  on the Cabinet Office Public Appointments new vacancies website
  on the "Just Do Something" website
  on the "Research Research" website and the publication Research Fortnight

  Vacancies on some of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's larger bodies will normally be advertised in a variety of newspapers and other publications, including those specifically targeted at under-represented groups in public bodies such as The Voice, The Asian Times and Disability Now.

  It would be premature to try to establish a meaningful trend in the nature of appointments since May 2002, but the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is committed to a policy of encouraging diversity in the race, gender and location of appointees.
  243W
  Before the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was set up, as part of DTLR, officials attended all of the regional seminars organised by the then Cabinet Office's Women and Equality Unit during that period.

  The breakdown of new appointments to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's NDPBs by region between 14 May 2002 and 31 March 2003 is as follows:

  Region

  New appointees

  London

  9

  South East

  3

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  2

  North West

  1

  Wales

  1

  South West

  1

  West Midlands

  1

  East Midlands

  1

  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress has been made towards the aim in the White Paper, "Your Region, Your Choice", of encouraging Whitehall Departments to consider the balance of their staff between the centre and the regions in terms of effective policy design and implementation; and what examples there have been since the publication of the White Paper of Departments deciding between locating new streams of work(a) in and (b) outside London and the South East. [108576]

  Mr. Raynsford
  As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said in his Budget statement, the Government sees a strong case for relocating more civil service and wider public sector jobs away from London and the South East. Sir Michael Lyons has been asked to review departmental strategies in this regard and make recommendations for relocation across Government as a whole. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, as one that already has a strong regional presence, will be happy to give evidence.

  Right-to-buy Scheme
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the level of discounts paid under the right-to-buy scheme was in the financial year 2002–03. [108625]

  Mr. McNulty
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Ludlow (Matthew Green) on 17 March 2003,Official Report, columns 614–15W.

  At present, information on the value of discount allowed is only available for the first two quarters of 2002–03.

  Secondments
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many civil servants have been seconded from his Department to(a) the private sector, (b) NGOs and (c) other, broken down by (i) grade of civil servants seconded, (ii) location and (iii) dates of secondments in each year since 1997–98. [108096]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. The following table shows the information requested.244W

  Start

  End

  Grade

  Organisation

  Year

  Month

  Year

  Month

  England

  G7

  NGO

  2002

  December

  2005

  December

  G7

  Other

  2002

  July

  2003

  July

  G7

  Other

  2002

  November

  2004

  October

  SEO

  Other

  2002

  July

  2004

  June

  HEO

  Other

  2002

  July

  2003

  May

  EO

  Other

  2002

  August

  2004

  August

  International

  G7

  Other

  2002

  October

  2006

  October

  G7

  Other

  2002

  August

  2004

  February

  G7

  Other

  2002

  August

  2004

  February

  SIO

  Other

  2003

  February

  2003

  August

  HEO

  Other

  2002

  September

  2003

  5 September

  EO

  Other

  2002

  September

  2004

  March

  Information for Government Offices is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Shared Ownership Homes
  Helen Southworth
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he will take to increase the number of shared ownership homes in areas of(a) high housing demand and (b) high housing cost in the north-west. [109580]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister recognises that shared ownership has an important role to play in areas of high housing demand and cost. As announced in "Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future" on 5 February 2003, we have increased the funds available for housing to around £1.5 billion in 2003–04 through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme (ADP), providing homes for both rent and low cost home ownership. The funding includes £300 million for the Challenge Fund to tackle issues of high demand areas within London and the wider south-east of England.

  Within the north-west region, over £9 million from the ADP has been approved for shared ownership schemes in 2003–04. As with all approvals, these are based on the regional priorities set within the regional housing statements jointly produced by the Government Offices and Housing Corporation regional offices in consultation with local partners and stakeholders.

  From 2004–05, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is strengthening the role of the regions to ensure that housing investment is targeted more effectively on local and regional investment priorities. Regional housing boards will advise on the best use of resources to support identified priorities in regional housing strategies.

  Helen Southworth
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he will take to ensure that shared ownership homes continue to provide low cost ownership options for subsequent owners. [109582]

  Mr. McNulty
  Some restrictions on a shared owner's ability to purchase 100 per cent. equity in their home already exist in rural areas to ensure that the property remains affordable for local people. In addition, housing associations have discretion in certain circumstances to restrict the purchase of further shares
  245W
  in shared ownership properties provided under the Housing Corporation's Challenge Fund for key workers.

  Irrespective of any restrictions, the proceeds from the sale of shared ownership properties and the purchase of further shares by shared owners are recycled by housing associations to help others in priority housing need.

  The Home Ownership Task Force, announced in "Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future" on 5 February 2003, and launched on 18 March 2003, is looking at the schemes currently available to potential homeowners on low or modest incomes and identifying the most effective ways of promoting sustainable homeownership. The task force's terms of reference include shared ownership. Their report is expected in the autumn.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff in his Department were on long term sick leave in each of the last five years. [109256]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 27 January 2003,Official Report, column 629W.

  Sustainable Communities Fund
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much funding from the Sustainable Communities Fund will be made available to projects that owing to their nature do not have clearly defined financial returns. [108999]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects all of the funding allocated in the Sustainable Communities Plan to provide good value for money. In some cases the benefits that will be delivered can be valued in financial returns. In others the benefits cannot be measured in that way, but this does not mean that they are any less valuable. No distinction was made between benefits that can be valued in financial terms and other benefits in allocating funding to deliver sustainable communities.

  Technical Advisory Bodies
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what funding his Department allocated in(a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003 to the regional technical advisory bodies in the (i) South East, (ii) South West, (iii) North East, (iv) North West, (v) East Midlands, (vi) West Midlands, (vii) Yorkshire and the Humber and (viii) East of England Region. [110220]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Regional Technical Advisory Bodies on waste (RTABs) are funded by their constituent authorities. In addition, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has provided the following ad hoc funding to assist RTABs in the preparation of their regional waste strategies.246W

  £

  2001–02

  North East

  23,960

  2002–03

  South East

  25,000

  East Midlands

  26,610

  West Midlands

  825

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister also has a request for £25,000 before it from the South West RTAB

  Telecommunications/Broadband Services
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what bilateral meetings his Department has had with(a) the Valuations Office and (b) the Department of Trade and Industry with regard to the impact of rateable value taxation on telecommunication companies. [107022]

  Mr. Leslie
  Officials of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister as a matter of course, discuss rating issues with the Valuation Office Agency and the Department of Trade and Industry, and these discussions do include representations made by various ratepayers, or groups of ratepayers including the telecommunications industry.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the reasons why telecommunication rateable values are(a) calculated on a system of network revenue for BT and (b) based on network assets for other fixed line telecommunication companies. [107023]

  Mr. Leslie
  All telecommunication network rateable values are calculated in accordance with the definition of rateable value contained in schedule 6 of the local Government Finance Act 1988. The choice of valuation methodology which is not defined, depends on the circumstances of each case and can be challenged on appeal against the assessment.

  The choice of valuation method depends on the evidence available and reliability of the evidence in each case but all rating valuation methods seek to determine the same standard of rateable value as defined in schedule 6.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his forecast for the next financial year of rateable value taxation receipts from(a) BT, (b) other fixed line telecommunications operators,(c) cable TV operators, (d) cellular and wireless network operators and (e) broadcasters. [107024]

  Mr. Leslie
  No forecast is made centrally of the amounts of rates to be paid by individual companies. Each company will be separately billed in respect of each property it occupies which is shown on a rating list.

  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his assessment of the impact of rateable value taxation on(a) alternative telecommunication companies and (b) the level of investment in new broadband infrastructure. [107025]
  247W
  Mr. Leslie
  No assessment has been made. However, the Government, in their response last month to the Broadband Stakeholders Group second annual report, undertook to review the business rating system as it applies to communications infrastructure.

  Telephones
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) mobile telephones and (b) car telephones were held by (i) his Department, (ii) his Department's agencies and (iii) his Department's non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997. [104178]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many(a) mobile telephones and (b) car telephones were recorded as (i) lost or (ii) stolen by (A) his Department, (B) his Department's agencies and (C) his Department's non-departmental public bodies in each year since 1997; how many were reported to the police in each case; how many resulted in an insurance claim; and what the outcome was in each case. [104185]

  Mr. Leslie
  Lost phones are dealt with as a local matter by the holding group and no central records are readily available to answer the question. It is the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's general policy, not to take insurance cover, in line with Government Accounting recommendations.

  Tenancy Deposit Schemes
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will publish a response to the consultation exercise on making tenancy deposit schemes mandatory. [108742]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister hopes to announce the results of the consultation in the next month or two.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to make it his policy to introduce enabling clauses for mandatory tenancy deposit schemes in this Session. [108743]

  Mr. McNulty
  When the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announces the results of the recent consultation into "Tenancy Money: Probity and Protection", it will make clear the means that will be used to implement the decision on the way ahead.

  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effects on users of closing the pilot project on the tenancy deposit schemes. [108744]

  Mr. McNulty
  A full research assessment of the pilot tenancy deposits scheme was published soon after the consultation on tenancy deposits was begun last November. The future of the pilot will be announced at the same time as a decision on the results of the consultation.

  Travellers
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he last met(a) local authority leaders and (b) Home Office Ministers to discuss extending police powers to remove travellers to senior council enforcement officers. [109107]

  Mr. McNulty
  The proposals to enable police services to have an additional power to move unauthorised gipsy/traveller camps on to authorised sites has yet to be worked up by the Home Office. Local authorities will be informed once a legislative vehicle has been identified to take the proposals forward.

  Tunbridge Wells and Kent Councils
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of central funding provided to(a) Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and (b) Kent County Council was ring-fenced in each year since 1997. [104693]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I refer the hon. Member to the pursuant answer given on 14 April 2003,Official Report, columns 511–13W.

  Websites
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the(a) cost of and (b) number of visitors to each website operated by his Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible in each year since its establishment. [107661]

  Mr. Leslie
  For details of the cost of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's main website (www.odpm.gov.uk), I refer the hon. Member to the answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 11 April 2003,Official Report, column 426W.

  During the period 1 July (when individual statistics were first available for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website) to 31 March 2003 the total number of page impressions was 16,298,604.

  Calculation of the cost of, and the number of page impressions for, every website operated by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, each agency and non-departmental public body for which the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is responsible could be done only at disproportionate cost.

PRIVY COUNCIL

  Accountancy Services
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Council what the total cost to his Department was for accountancy services in 2002–03. [109493]

  Dr. John Reid
  The total net cost for accountancy services in 2002–03 was £14,250.00.

  Annual Report
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Council when the 2002 annual report of his Department will be published. [107876]
  249W
  Dr. John Reid
  The Department does not separately publish an annual report. However, details of the annual report are published as part of the 'Privy Council Office Resource Accounts 2001–02' and can be purchased through The Stationery Office: ISBN 0/0 2920524.

  Cinematic Co-production (Amendment) Order
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Council what representations he has received about the European Convention on Cinematographic Co-production (Amendment) Order. [109968]

  Dr. John Reid
  None

  Energy consumption

  Energy costs

  2 Carlton Gardens

  Judicial Committee1

  2 Carlton Gardens

  Judicial Committee2

  Electricity(kWh)

  Gas (kWh)

  Electricity (£)

  Heating (£)

  Electricity (£)

  Gas (£)

  2002–03

  132,719

  165,230

  n/a

  9,760.85

  3,179.39

  10,014.33

  2,3715.28

  1998–99 to 2001–02

  3—

  3—

  n/a

  3—

  3—

  3—

  3—

  1 Cabinet Office provides this accommodation and calculates consumption and costs.

  2 The Privy Council Office are billed by the Cabinet Office for these costs.

  3 This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Energy efficiency and savings

  The Department has introduced two main energy saving measures—(i) the introduction of energy saving light bulbs in both 2 Carlton Gardens and Downing Street. These light bulbs last twelve times longer than a standard bulb although exact energy savings have not been calculated and (ii) on three occasions since 1999 the Department has lowered the temperature of heating by one degree with an estimated financial saving of over 10 per cent. of our annual costs.

  Energy policy

  The Department is committed to working towards the Government's targets on energy efficiency. Figures provided are raw data and are not adjusted for either weather or estate changes.

  National Minimum Wage
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Council what the estimated cost is in 2003–04 to his Department of the increase in the national minimum wage from £4.20 per hour to £4.50 per hour. [110439]

  Dr. John Reid
  The Privy Council Office will not be affected by the increase in the national minimum wage. All staff, including temporary and casual ones, are paid at above this level.

  Part-time Workers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Council what assessment he has made of the impact of the Part-time Workers Directive on staff in his Department. [109272]

  Dr. John Reid
  The Privy Council Office is committed to helping its staff achieve a reasonable work-life balance. Part-time working is an option within my Department's flexible working scheme, which was in place before the Directive came into force. The scheme guarantees that all staff are treated equally favourably as regards their contractual terms and conditions, whatever their preferred working pattern.

  Energy Policy
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the President of the Council, if he will make a statement, in relation to the Privy Council and each agency and non-departmental public body for which the Office is responsible, on(a) the amount of energy consumed, (b) spending on (i) energy and (ii) energy efficiency measures, (c) the amount saved through energy efficiency measures and (d) energy policy in each of the last five years. [108857]

  Dr. John Reid
  The information requested on energy consumption and savings for the Privy Council Office (PCO), where available, is as follows:

  Primary and Secondary Legislation
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Council if he will arrange for the annual publication of a compiled list of primary and secondary legislation which has come into force in the previous year, with the dates on which they came into force, and including commencement dates for sections of Acts coming into force in that same year other than on the day of Royal Assent. [110273]

  Dr. John Reid
  No. Monthly and annual lists of Statutory Publications are compiled for the Queen's Printer and published by The Stationery Office Ltd. which include details of all new primary and secondary legislation. The information provided includes the coming into force date for all secondary legislation. The commencement dates of primary legislation are set out in either primary or secondary legislation, and are therefore already published by the Queen's Printer (and accessible via www.hmso.gov.uk).

  There are also a variety of commercial publications which distil and re-present the information published by the Queen's Printer, and there seems to be no need to supplement them.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the President of the Council if he will arrange for the annual publication of a compiled list of primary and secondary legislation which has been repealed in the previous year, including the dates on which they were repealed. [110274]

  Dr. John Reid
  No. Her Majesty's Stationery Office already produce tables which show the effects of legislation on previous legislation. Full details of repeal dates are set out in the legislation referred to in the tables and this is published on the HMSO website (www.hmso.gov.uk).

  Privy Council
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the President of the Council for which countries the Privy Council remains the highest court of law. [109643]
  251W
  Dr. John Reid
  The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is the court of final appeal for United Kingdom overseas territories, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man and the following countries:

  Antigua and Barbuda

  Bahamas

  Barbados

  Belize

  Brunei

  Dominica

  Grenada

  Jamaica

  Kiribati

  Mauritius

  New Zealand

  St. Christopher and Nevis

  St. Lucia

  St. Vincent and the Grenadines

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Tuvalu.

  In the case of Brunei the Judicial Committee advises the Sultan of Brunei as to how the appeal should be determined, and in the cases of the Republics of Dominica, Kiribati, Mauritius and Trinidad and Tobago the Judicial Committee itself determines the appeal. In all other cases the appeal lies to Her Majesty in Council, to whom the Judicial Committee gives its advice.

  In the case of Brunei, appeals lie to the Judicial Committee in civil cases only, and in the case of Kiribati appeals lie only in constitutional cases affecting a Banaban.

  Public Service Agreement
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Council(a) how many and (b) what grades of officials are responsible for the monitoring of progress towards the public service agreement targets of his Department. [109471]

  Dr. John Reid
  Owing to the nature of Privy Council Office business, and with the agreement of HM Treasury, my Department does not have a Public Service Agreement.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the President of the Council what the salary bill was for special advisers in his Department in 2002–03; and what it is expected to be in 2003–04. [108507]

  Dr. John Reid
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 24 April 2003,Official Report, reference 108495.

  University Charters
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the President of the Council which establishments have had university charters conferred on them since 1973. [109644]
  252W
  Dr. John Reid
  Only two universities have been incorporated by charter in the relevant period, but charters have also been granted to a number of other higher education institutions. Full details are given in the following table:

  Institution

  Date

  Universities (two)

  University of Buckingham

  11 February 1983

  University of Ulster

  31 July 1984

  Cambridge (six)

  Darwin College, Cambridge

  9 June 1976

  Wolfson College, Cambridge

  27 October 1976

  Clare Hall, Cambridge

  12 September 1984

  Robinson College, Cambridge

  30 October 1984

  Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge

  22 July 1997

  St. Edmunds College, Cambridge

  22 April 1998

  Oxford (five)

  Wolfson College, Oxford

  18 February 1981

  Linacre College, Oxford

  5 June 1986

  Mansfield College, Oxford

  11 April 1995

  Templeton College, Oxford

  11 April 1995

  Manchester College, Oxford

  23 November 1995

  University of London (four)

  Queen Mary and Westfield College

  2 August 1989

  Goldsmith's College, University of London

  1 November 1989

  University of London Institute of Education

  10 June 1987

  King's College, London1

  13 February 1980

  Others (seven)

  College of Law

  12 November 1975

  London Graduate School of Business Studies

  8 July 1986

  College of Ophthalmologists

  23 March 1988

  The Henley Management College

  21 May 1991

  Royal College of Anaesthetists

  11 February 1992

  The College of Optometrists

  28 June 1995

  College Paediatrics and Child Health

  23 July 1996

  1 First awarded charter in 1829 then a new charter in 1980.

HEALTH

  Ritalin
  Mr. Battle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of school children taking the drug Ritalin; and if he will make a statement] [110187]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information is not collected centrally on the number of children taking Ritalin. Ritalin is one of the proprietary names for methylphenidate hydrochloride. In 2001, 208,500 prescription items of methylphenidate hydrochloride were dispensed in the community in England.

  Rheumatologists
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the need for more consultant rheumatologists. [109237]

  Mr. Hutton
  The NHS Plan recognises that the National Health Service needs more staff and commits the Government to increasing the size of the NHS workforce. By 2004, the NHS Plan states that there will be 7,500 more consultants and 1,000 more specialist registrars than in 1999. These targets are not specialty specific.
  253W
  The workforce review team meets annually with specialty representatives to discuss training capacity and particular workforce issues. Based on these meetings and other intelligence, the review team makes recommendations on the required expansion of training opportunities in the specialty.

  We are increasing specialist registrars (SpR) numbers. For 2003–04, trusts will have scope to create up to 40 locally funded SpR training opportunities in rheumatology.

  Current workforce projections indicate that by September 2004, there will be around 80 additional trained specialists in rheumatology over a September 2000 baseline. As at 31 March 2002, there were 430 consultants in rheumatology.

  Community Equipment Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) undertaken and (b) commissioned on the uses to which the integrated community equipment stores budget has been put; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [109368]

  Jacqui Smith
  Additional funding for the integration of community equipment services has been made available to social services and health services as a result of both the 2000 and 2002 spending review settlements. It has been distributed to councils, health authorities and recently primary care trusts as part of their baseline allocations. The Department has not commissioned any research into the uses to which the additional funding has been put.

  AAT Deficiency
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to give babies the heel prick test for AAT Deficiency in the near future. [106606]

  Jacqui Smith
  The United Kingdom National Screening Committee provides advice to Ministers on all aspects of screening policy. To assess the evidence for any proposed new screening programme, the NSC uses criteria covering, for example, the nature of the condition, the effectiveness of the test, and the diagnostic and treatment options. There are no plans at present to introduce a heel prick test in babies for alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, as there is not yet research evidence to support a universal programme.

  Accident and Emergency Services
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of accident and emergency admissions were admitted to hospital in each of the past three years. [109199]

  Mr. Lammy
  The proportion of accident and emergency admissions who were admitted to hospital in each of the last three years is 100 per cent.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of accident and emergency patients were(a) admitted to hospital and (b) discharged in the past year. [107727]
  254W
  Mr. Lammy
  17 per cent. of patients attending the accident and emergency (A&E) or minor injury service were admitted to hospital in 2001–02.

  Only patients admitted to hospital can be classed as having been discharged. Therefore, A&E patients not admitted to hospital are not classed as discharged patients.

  Agency Social Workers
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many agency social workers, who have worked for local authority social services departments, have been found to be unable to speak English; when he last met social services departments to discuss agency social workers unable to speak English; and what guidance he has issued to local authorities regarding the use of agency social workers who are unable to speak English. [109109]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information about the ability of agency social workers to speak English is not collected centrally. I have not met with social services departments to discuss agency workers ability to speak English.

  The Department of Health does not publish specific guidance in relation to the ability of agency staff to speak English, but there are relevant sections in the Care Homes Regulations and the Department has published a range of National Minimum Standards documents, all of which set out standards in relation to staff competence and qualifications in social care provision.

  Regulations 18 and 19 of the Care Homes Regulations 2001 require all staff to be suitably qualified, competent, experienced and fit to work in the care home.

  The National Minimum Standards expect that residents will be communicated with in a language or format appropriate to them, which would in most cases mean English.

  Alzheimer's Disease (Memantine)
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when will decide whether the drug Memantine should be made available on the NHS to treat Alzheimer's disease; and if he will make a statement. [106520]

  Jacqui Smith
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) will appraise memantine, for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease, as part of the eighth wave of its work programme. Until NICE has made its recommendations, local decisions are being made about its availability on the National Health Service based on each area's interpretation of publicly available effectiveness data.

  Arthritis
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when variations in access to services for arthritis sufferers across England will be eliminated; and if he will make a statement. [109236]
  255W
  J acqui Smith
  We have made clear our commitment to cut National Health Service waiting times for all patients. Patients in need of orthopaedic procedures are already benefiting from this. Between December 2001 and December 2002, the number of people waiting longer than 12 months fell by 60.3 per cent. The NHS is on target to reduce maximum waiting times to six months by the end of 2005.

  Our policies to improve general hospital care, especially through the new single assessment process, will ensure that the health care needs of older people—who are the main sufferers from arthritis—will be properly targeted. This will ensure that the services that are provided are most appropriate to older people's needs, including people with arthritis.

  In the past year, two new classes of drugs, Cox II inhibitors and anti-TNF therapy have been made available to arthritis patients, following reviews by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). In addition, NICE is reviewing the drug, Anakinra, for its clinical and cost effectiveness in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

  We have issued directions obliging strategic health authorities and primary care trusts to provide appropriate funding for treatments recommended by NICE. This is in line with our manifesto commitment to ensure that patients receive drugs and treatments recommended by NICE on the NHS if considered appropriate by their clinicians.

  We are determined to ensure that the obligation of health bodies to follow NICE guidance is carried out. The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) and NICE have agreed a methodology for CHI to incorporate the monitoring of NICE guidance in its clinical governance reviews. Specifically, CHI now looks to see if NHS trusts have mechanisms in place to implement and comply with NICE guidance. CHI will also support and facilitate clinicians to discuss when NICE guidance is and is not followed on an individual patient basis.

  NHS Staff (Shrewsbury)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many ambulance workers based in Shrewsbury were subjected to (a) verbal and (b) physical attacks in the last year;[109674]

  (2) how many (a) verbal and (b) physical attacks there were on NHS staff working at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in the last year.[109684]

  Mr. Lammy
  At the Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals National Health Service Trust from 1 April 2002 until 31 March 2003, there were 14 physical assaults and 35 incidents of verbal abuse on staff. Figures are collected by organisation and therefore are not available for ambulance workers based in Shrewsbury.Source:
  Royal Shrewsbury Hospitals NHS Trust.

  Audiology Tests
  Mr. Archie Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of waiting times for audiology tests in NHS hospitals in(a) West Kent and (b) England.[109080]
  256W
  Jacqui Smith
  We do not collect waiting times centrally for non-consultant led specialities such as audiology.

  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of waiting times for audiology tests in NHS hospitals in(a) the Hemsworth constituency and (b) England.[109875]

  Jacqui Smith
  We do not collect waiting times centrally for non-consultant led specialities such as audiology.

  We know that demand for hearing aids rises when local services begin to provide digital hearing aids as part of a modernised hearing aid service, and this, combined with a recognised shortage of audiologists, can affect waiting times. The Royal National Institute for the Deaf project team and the Modernisation Agency Team are working with services as they modernise, to help them tackle increased demand and keep waiting lists as low as possible. We are introducing a new, more streamlined patient process in modernised sites, are looking at ways to increase the number of trained audiologists in the longer term and are exploring the role that the private sector can play in boosting national health service capacity and reducing waiting times.

  Blood
  Mr. Havard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much NHS money has been paid out in each of the last five years to people as a result of(a) clinical errors from blood transfusions and (b) infection from contaminated blood and blood product.[103981]

  Ms Blears
  Information is not collected separately on compensation for clinical errors from blood transfusions and infection from contaminated blood and blood products arising in National Health Service hospitals. However, the NHS Summarised Accounts in England specify that the gross figure for all claims for clinical negligence in 2001–02 was £446 million.

  The National Blood Authority (NBA) has settled seven claims in the past five years, which involve either clinical errors from blood transfusions or infection from contaminated blood or blood products. The table shows the total payments made by the NBA in respect of these claims including the legal costs of both sides.

  Year

  Clinical errors from blood transfusions

  Infection from contaminated blood and blood products

  1998–99

  7,131

  0

  1999–2000

  0

  0

  2000–01

  0

  99,188

  2001–02

  29,320

  485,739

  2002–03

  0

  1,098,147

  Total

  36,451

  1,683,074

  In addition, the NBA has made payments of:

  Year

  £

  2001–02

  5,114,035

  2002–03

  6,105,277

  257W
  following Mr. Justice Burton's judgment of 26 March 2001 under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 in respect of patients infected with hepatitis C through blood transfusions between March 1988 and September 1991.

  Cancer Services
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to tackle the shortage of radiologists needed for breast cancer screening. [108297]

  Mr. Hutton
  Consultant numbers in the radiology group have risen by 14.3 per cent., from 1,473 in September 1997 to 1,683 in 2001. In 2003–04, central funding is available to support the implementation of 78 additional training posts in clinical radiology. This will support further increases in consultant numbers. In addition, the Department's global recruitment campaign and the International Fellowship Scheme have encouraged consultants, including radiologists, to apply for work in the National Health Service.

  Action to address shortfalls not only includes increasing numbers in training but also modernising roles and developing new ways of working for doctors alongside other staff.

  A specific component of the current skill mix projects in radiography is developing the role of the radiographer into both advanced and (non medical) consultant practice.

  These new and innovative ways of working have been tried, tested and evaluated in breast screening and are now being implemented across the service. In addition to the advanced radiographer roles, a new grade of assistant practitioner, who will also undertake some of the tasks currently carried out by radiographers, will be introduced, providing them with the capacity to develop and enhance their role.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government have achieved their targets in increasing the numbers of(a) diagnostic radiographers, (b) therapeutic radiographers and (c) radiologists as set out in the Cancer Plan.[108299]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Cancer Plan set targets for diagnostic radiographers to increase by 4 per cent., therapeutic radiographers to increase by 16 per cent., and consultants in radiology to increase by 17 per cent., by 2006 over 1999 levels.

  The Government has made significant progress towards these targets. As at September 2001, there were 11,160 diagnostic radiographers and 1,540 therapeutic radiographers employed in the National Health Service, increases of 3 per cent., or 320 and 3 per cent., or 50, respectively since the baseline. As at March 2002, there were 1,680 consultants in radiology, an increase of 11 per cent., or 173, since the 1999 Cancer Plan baseline.

  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there is a teenage cancer unit in the Solihull constituency.[108528]

  Mr. Lammy
  There is no teenage cancer unit in Solihull. Teenage and other cancer sufferers are likely to be referred to either the University Hospitals
  258W
  Birmingham National Health Service Trust or the Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Trust, the providers of specialist cancer services for the area.

  Care Homes
  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health who pays the monetary difference when there are shortfalls between care home fees and local authority contributions for people who are in need of long term care but(a) have no income or third-party financial help and (b) have capital wealth below the lower capital limit set out in Local Authority Circular (LAC(2003)8).[110010]

  Jacqui Smith
  It is rare for individuals to have no income whatsoever. However, the majority of care home residents do not have sufficient income to meet care home fees and have assets below the upper capital limit. In these situations, they can approach their local council for financial support. Residents should contribute to care costs according to the National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992, and neither they nor third parties should be asked to make top-up payments in addition to the resident's assessed contribution in order to meet assessed needs.

  If there is a difference between what a council would usually expect to pay for residential care and care home fees, the burden of meeting the shortfall should not be borne by residents or third parties if the residential services are necessary to meet assessed need. It is the council that should make up the difference. These matters are fully set out in the National Assistance Act 1948 (Choice of Accommodation) Directions 1992 ("The Direction on Choice") and the amending Direction, the National Assistance Act 1948 (Choice of Accommodation) (Amendment) (England) Directions 2001.

  Where residents choose to enter more expensive accommodation than the council would usually pay, it is appropriate for residents, in limited circumstances, or third parties to make up the difference between the care home fees and the sum of the resident's assessed contribution and the council's contribution up to its usual cost.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what measures he took to consult care home owners before the recent increase in fees paid by care providers for registration to the National Care Standards Commission;[109939]

  (2) if he will make a statement on his policy towards fee increases for care providers registering with the National Care Standards Commission.[109940]

  Jacqui Smith
  It has always been the Government's policy that the recurrent regulatory costs of the National Care Standards Commission should be borne by providers and purchasers of care.

  The Government undertook a wide-ranging, public, consultation on the framework for registration fees during the summer of 2001.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on (i) care home

  259W
  accommodation prices and (ii) nursing care prices for the last five years in (A) St Helens and(B) Merseyside; and if she will make a statement.[110006]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department has not commissioned or evaluated research on care home accommodation prices and nursing care for the last five years in St Helens and Merseyside.

  Recent research on care homes issues can be found in the document titled The Residential Care and Nursing Home Sector for Older People: An Analysis of Past Trends, Current and Future Demand, published on 8 August 2002, copies of which are available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/careanalvsis/residentiakarept.pdf

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is provided to the elderly to negotiate contracts with care home owners if they are considered financially able to pay under the guidelines set out in Local Authority Circular (LAC(2003)8).[110009]

  Jacqui Smith
  Where individuals have the capacity or the support of their families to enter residential accommodation themselves, and are not entitled to public funding, councils should nevertheless carry out assessments of their needs if requested and provide general information on residential care and specific information on care homes in their areas. It will be up to individuals or their families to negotiate their own contracts. In doing so they should be directed to Standard 2 of the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People, Much sets out the terms and conditions that should underpin such contracts.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the improper use of personal expense allowances (PEA) by care homes; what means exist to ensure patients receive their PEA; and if he will make a statement.[110011]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department of Health has not commissioned research into the use of the personal expenses allowance. However, the Department has been grateful for the research conducted by Help the Aged into this matter and the subsequent report "Friday is pay day"published in December 2001.

  On the basis of the Help the Aged report, dialogue with other national organisations and correspondence received by the Department, Local Authority Circular LAC(2002)11 reminded councils in March 2002 that personal expenses allowances should not be spent on aspects of board, lodgings and care that have been contracted for by the council and/or assessed as necessary to meet individuals' needs by the council or the national health service. This advice was repeated in Local Authority Circular LAC(2003)8.

  Mr. Woodward
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the ratio is of registered nurses to residents in care homes in(a) Merseyside, (b) St Helens, (c) Wigan and (d) Warrington.[110008]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is not centrally available.

  Chemical Attacks (Preparations)
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of(a) providing and (b) withdrawing defective equipment aimed at protecting NHS staff from chemical, biological and radiological hazards in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.[104158]

  Mr. Hutton
  Between October 2001 and March 2002, the Department issued interim personal protective equipment to trusts in key locations at a cost of £1 million, pending the issue of a new protective suit for ambulance and accident and emergency staff.

  Supplies of the new protective suit arrived towards the end of 2002. This was part of a £5 million capital procurement programme.

  No information is available centrally about the cost of equipment obtained by trusts prior to the national procurement programme as this was based on each organisation's local risk assessment.

  The new suit is designed to a new specification because of the new kind of risks and threats we now face post 11 September 2001. The design is based on expert advice and testing—including from the Defence Science Technology Laboratory at Porton Down—and the garments comply with the relevant European Community standards.

  Following its introduction into service, further modifications were necessary. The garments are currently being returned to the manufacturer in a phased way for modification of the foot seams and will be further improved by adding an outer gaiter to prevent water getting into boots. The cost of the modification is being met by the manufacturer and the improvement is expected to incur direct costs of £130,000 plus VAT.

  Child Protection Units
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met child protection units in(a) Newham, (b) Haringey and (c) Lambeth concerning the shortfall in child protection social workers in these local authorities.[109110]

  Jacqui Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him on 7 April 2003,Official Report, column 95W, with regard to discussions my Department has with local authorities on the matters of recruitment of social care workers, which would also apply to the three local authorities named in the question.

  The Government are well aware of the recruitment and retention challenges that face the employers of social workers in some parts of the country. This is why we are conducting a national recruitment campaign for social care workers to support employers in attracting staff. The national social work recruitment campaign was launched in October 2001. It is aimed at informing the public about social work and social care, and encouraging recruitment and retention. The £1.5 million campaign includes both national and local press and radio advertising and particular efforts are being made in some areas, such as London and the South East, that face more serious problems with recruitment and retention of social workers.
  261W
  In addition to the recruitment campaign, we have also announced a major new specific grant. The Human Resources Development Strategy Grant is set at £9.525 million for 2003–04. One of the central purposes of the grant is to enable social care employers across the statutory, private and voluntary sectors to tackle problems of recruitment and retention.

  Child Trafficking
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the effectiveness of the safe house operated by West Sussex county council in meeting the needs of children who have been trafficked to the UK; if he will issue good practice guidance to other local authorities on the care of children who have been trafficked; and if he will discuss with the Home Secretary the implications of the safe house project for proposals to establish a safe house for trafficked adults.[109308]

  Jacqui Smith
  I am aware of the important work undertaken by the West Sussex Safe House—a resource for unaccompanied asylum seeking children for whom West Sussex county council has responsibility. I understand that a proposal has been put to West Sussex county council to replace the safe house with training and support packages to carers of young people assessed as being at risk of being trafficked. It is the intention of West Sussex county council to refocus their delivery of protection and support, making it more flexible while building on the progress they have undoubtedly made.

  The White Paper, "Secure Borders, Safe Haven: Integration with Diversity in Modern Britain" contained a commitment to develop a best practice toolkit to raise awareness of trafficking and to help those who deal with illegal immigrants and trafficking victims to distinguish victims in genuine need and to deal with them appropriately. The toolkit, which was launched on 10 March 2003, aims to provide useful information for those dealing with both child and adult victims of trafficking. It also identifies ways in which enforcement officers may be helped to identify traffickers and obtain better evidence.

  Under the provisions of the Victims of Trafficking pilot scheme, which the Home Office also launched on 10 March, a range of support services, including safe accommodation at a number of locations, will be available for the adult women victims of trafficking who meet the criteria for the scheme.

  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are made by local authorities, in which(a) Heathrow airport, (b) Gatwick airport, (c) Manchester airport and (d) the Port of Dover are situated, to provide services for (i) unaccompanied children seeking asylum and (ii) children who are being trafficked.[109311]

  Jacqui Smith
  When a child enters the country alone and claims asylum, Immigration Services refer him/her immediately to the relevant local authority's social services department. The social services department will undertake a needs assessment according to the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and 262W
  their Families and will provide services accordingly. These services should be tailored to the individual needs of the child, just as they should be for any child in need.

  The provision of assistance and support to child victims of trafficking should be provided by local statutory services in response to identified needs, whether directly or through specialist agencies. Child victims of trafficking are likely to be in need of welfare services and, in many cases, protection under the Children Act 1989. Social services have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of these children following an assessment of their circumstances.

  Children's Care
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has undertaken into the impact of the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 on local authority decisions on whether to accommodate children under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 or to support them under section 17 of the Children Act 1989; what plans he has to undertake such research in the future; and if he will make a statement.[109309]

  Jacqui Smith
  None.

  The Department collects annual statistics on the numbers of children who become looked after by local authorities, the age at which they become looked after and the age at which they cease to be looked after. Analysis of these figures provides trend data and we shall be examining data post-dating the October 2001 introduction of the Children (Leaving Care) Act with an eye to any impact it may have on patterns of care.

  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) children and (b) children seeking asylum were (i) accommodated under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 and (ii) offered support under section 17 of the Children Act 1989, broken down by local authority, in the latest 12-month period for which figures are available.[109310]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information on children looked after under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 will be available in the form requested for 2002–03 when the annual statistics are published in spring 2004. Information currently available on annual figures for children looked after by local authorities is not broken down in this way. However, the snapshot figure for children looked after on 31 March 2002 does provide such information. This information has been placed in the Library.

  The Children in Need in England survey, published by the Department in October, provides information about numbers of asylum seeking children receiving a service as children in need—so including help provided under section 17 of the Children Act 1989—in a sample week in September/October 2001. However this survey does not distinguish between unaccompanied children and those with their families. Nor does it give details of the type of support provided. The information is available on the Department's website at http://www.doh.gov.uk/cin/cin2001 latables.htm

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what specialist services are trained to deal with infant mental health.[109124]
  263W
  Jacqui Smith
  Child and adolescent mental health services do provide services to families with children aged up to 16 years and increasingly, aged up to 18 years.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what care is available for children of parents who are in need of mental health care.[109125]

  Jacqui Smith
  Under Section 17 of the Children Act, social services departments can provide support and advice to children under the age of 18 who have caring responsibilities for another family member. This includes providing help to adults, where this will promote the welfare of the child. The Government have prioritised services for young carers as set out in both the "Quality Protects programme' (launched in 1998) and "A National Strategy for Carers" (1999). The Government aim to ensure that young carers gain maximum life chance benefits from educational opportunities, health care and social care and are not expected to carry inappropriate levels of caring responsibility. The Government believe that young carers are best helped as part of their family, so that they can enjoy as normal a childhood as their peers.

  To that end we:
  are committing 20 per cent. of the carers grant for children's services, including young carers, which will include helping young carers to have a break.
  are supporting the development of over 100 young carer projects across the country where young carers can go for advice, information and support or leisure.
  are funding Youth Clubs UK to raise awareness of young carers and their needs among youth workers and others working with young people.
  issued guidance on supporting young carers in schools in July 1999. It requires councils to identify children with additional family burdens and to provide services
  that are geared to ensure these children's education and general developments do not suffer.
  funded The Children's Society to take forward "The Young Carers Initiative", which consulted with young carers and disseminated relevant information to local authorities and voluntary sector groups who work with young carers.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide assistance to parents with mental health difficulties to engage with their children; and if he will make a statement on the role of health visitors in this.[109126]

  Jacqui Smith
  The mental health national service framework (NSF) and the NHS Plan require mental health services to work beyond the individual level into the family. The mental health NSF sets out how modern mental health services will be delivered. Services will be much more accessible; intervene more quickly to offer help and support; seek out those who are difficult to engage; involve users and carers in planning developments; use effective care processes and be delivered in partnership across health and social care as well as other key agencies.

  The process of the care programme approach (CPA) is intended to deliver care to meet the individual needs of service users. It should also address an individual's needs if they have parenting responsibilities. The CPA should take account of the needs of children and carers
  264W
  of people with mental health problems, and must comply with the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 and the NSF standard on caring for carers.

  A three year national development programme is supporting health visitors in tackling health priorities—including mental health—and in targeting vulnerable families such as those experiencing mental health problems. Standards for health visitor education and training courses explicitly include promotion of psychological well being. It is for primary care trusts and the work force development confederation to determine additional training required to meet local health needs. In many areas health visitors will have to undergo additional training in family support and assessment and support of mothers experiencing post-natal depression.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to ensure that all employees who work with children have the necessary qualifications and training; and if he will make a statement.[109128]

  Jacqui Smith
  The national minimum standards for children's homes that the National Care Standards Commission is using to regulate services include standards on training and qualifications. These start with the induction training that new members of care staff should have within six weeks of joining the home. They also state that 80 per cent. of all care staff should have completed their Level 3 Caring for Children and Young People National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) by January 2005. The standards also state that the registered manager of a children's home must have either a Care NVQ Level 4 or the Diploma in Social Work (or an equivalent qualification) by January 2005.

  Funds are available through the Training Support Programme Grant, the Training Strategy Implementation Fund and the new National Training Strategy Grant to enable child care staff working in any setting to undertake the above qualifications. For 2003–04, the National Training Strategy Grant includes £17.8 million to support social care employers in meeting the training and qualification requirements in the national minimum standards.

  Funds are also available through the Training Support Programme Grant to support social workers who undertake the post qualifying child care award. This award has been developed specifically to give those social workers who work with children and families the required level of knowledge, understanding and skills to carry out the full range of duties in contemporary children's personal social services. There is a target of 7,000 social workers to be trained in the award by 2006.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures have been taken since 1997 to improve(a) pre-and (b) post-natal care; how many mid-wives have been in employment in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.[109129]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Government have pursued a programme of work for continuous improvement of antenatal and post-natal care since 1997. For example, the Department of Health is currently developing a maternity module of the children's national service
  265W
  framework (NSF), with two sub groups specifically looking at standards to improve antenatal and postnatal care.

  The Department commissioned the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce two crucial sets of guidelines, the use of electronic fetal monitoring and induction of labour, designed to minimise the risk of damage to babies during birth.

  Further sets of guidelines to improve maternity services are being developed by NICE. These are clinical guidelines for routine antenatal care, clinical guidelines for intrapartum care (birth) and clinical guidelines for the management of the post natal period. The NICE guidelines will play an integral part in helping shape future service delivery.

  The Department commissioned a survey of caesarean sections. The report of this National Sentinel Audit of caesarean sections was published in October 2001 and has been referred to NICE in order that national guidelines on the use of caesarean sections can be developed.

  In 2001, an extra £100 million capital investment was announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, to be allocated over two years (2001–02 and 2002–03) to fund improvements in the country's maternity units. This new investment was an important opportunity to modernise facilities and improve the environment in which care is provided. Over 200 maternity units across England received a share of this investment.

  The United Kingdom National Screening Committee is taking steps to ensure that, in line with the NHS Plan commitment, there are effective appropriate screening programmes for women by 2004 to reduce inequalities and improve standards.

  Under the NHS Plan, there is a commitment for 'increased support for breastfeeding'. Through the NHS Priorities and Planning Framework 2003–06, a target has been set to increase breastfeeding initiation rates by two percentage points per year, focusing especially on women from disadvantaged groups. Since 1999, the Department has undertaken a range of activities to support and promote breastfeeding. This work will be further developed in the context of the children's NSF.

  The Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths continues to be a vital tool in improving the care that pregnant and recently delivered women receive. The latest report, "Why Mothers Die" (1997–99), showed maternal death rates to be the lowest ever, reflecting improvements in the standard of care and the implementation of recommendations made in earlier reports. This report addresses for the first time the major issues of inequality and social exclusion. The findings are valuable for future policy development and will feed into the maternity module of the children's NSF.

  There are 700, or 3 per cent., more midwives working in the national health service today than there were in 1997.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is available to health visitors if they wish to seek additional postgraduate training in infant mental health.[109127]
  266W
  Jacqui Smith
  A three-year national development programme enables health visitors to be supported in tackling health priorities, including mental health, and in targeting vulnerable families such as those experiencing mental health problems. Standards for health visitor education and training courses explicitly include promotion of psychological well being. It is for primary care trusts and workforce development confederations to determine additional training required to meet local health needs. In many areas, health visitors will have undergone additional training in family support and assessment and support of mothers experiencing post-natal depression.

  Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection
  Dr. Fox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection will be able to levy a fee from(a) NHS hospital trusts, (b) NHS foundation trusts and (c) independent hospitals in relation to its reviews and investigations functions; and if he will make a statement.[106644]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill allows for the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI) to levy fees from National Health Service hospital trusts and foundation trusts where it carries out a review or investigation.

  Independent hospitals will continue to pay fees under the Care Standards Act, in respect of CHAI's regulatory activity.

  Community Pharmacies
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community pharmacies in(a) the Jarrow constituency, (b) south Tyneside, (c) the north-east and (d) England were (i) closed and (ii) opened in each year since 1997.[108738]

  Mr. Lammy
  The tables give the available information on the number of pharmacies opening and closing for the six years to 31 March 2002. Such information for the constituency of Jarrow is not held centrally.

  Gateshead and South Tyneside health authority

  Year ending 31 March

  Number of NHS pharmacies opening

  Number of NHS pharmacies closing

  1997

  1

  0

  1998

  0

  0

  1999

  0

  0

  2000

  1

  0

  2001

  0

  0

  2002

  0

  1

  North East England

  Year ending 31 March

  Number of NHS pharmacies opening

  Number of NHS pharmacies closing

  1997

  3

  0

  1998

  2

  2

  1999

  3

  3

  2000

  2

  0

  2001

  0

  3

  2002

  2

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  Year ending 31 March

  Number of NHS pharmacies opening

  Number of NHS pharmacies closing

  1997

  63

  49

  1998

  46

  42

  1999

  46

  51

  2000

  24

  33

  2001

  36

  37

  2002

  28

  33

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community pharmacies have(a) opened and (b) closed in each of the past five years.[109285]

  Mr. Lammy
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend, the Member for Jarrow (Mr. Hepburn) today.

  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many community pharmacies in(a) the Hemsworth constituency and (b) England were (i) closed and (ii) opened in each year since 1997.[109869]

  Mr. Lammy
  The information requested for the constituency of Hemsworth is not held centrally. For information on England, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend, the Member for Jarrow (Mr. Hepburn) today.

  Congestion Charge
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there has been a change to the rate of resignations among staff at hospitals and other NHS facilities within the London congestion charging area since its introduction.[109194]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department does not collect this information.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Gordon Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter dated 28 October 2002 from the hon. Member for Blackpool, South on behalf of Mr. FW about planning issues (regulatory reform-care services), transferred to his Department by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 11 November 2002, ref LR/031546/02.[104074]

  Jacqui Smith
  A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 11 April.

  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Witney on behalf of Alison Richards, a constituent, on 17 February.[109826]

  Jacqui Smith
  A reply was sent to the hon. Member on 28 April.

  Coughlan Judgment
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the findings and data he has received from strategic health authorities in respect of their audits of past and current compliance with the Coughlan judgment and departmental guidance.[110148]
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  Jacqui Smith
  Strategic health authorities have considered whether continuing care criteria in use in their area since 1996 were consistent with the Coughlan judgment. Some are taking further legal advice and will be reporting on this to the Department of Health by the end of May.

  Dentists
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much dentists are paid for each type of procedure they carry out; what plans he has to change the level of charges; and which categories of people are exempt from NHS dentist charges.[109207]

  Mr. Lammy
  For dentists in the general dental service, the fees are set out in the Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR). This is available in the Library and on the Department of Health'swebsite at www.doh.qov.uk/sdr/. The patient charges are also shown; for most treatments, the patient charge is 80 per cent, of the dentist fee, subject to a maximum charge. The maximum charge for dental treatment or appliance provided on or from 1 April 2003 is £372.

  The fees contained in the Statement of Dental Remuneration are regularly updated, basedon the recommendations of the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body (DDRB). Final fees for2003–04 will be set when the DDRB has completed its current review and the Government has considered its recommendations. Patient charges based on the new fee rates will apply from the date of publication of the new SDR.

  People in the following groups are exempt from dental charges:

  Aged under 18

  Aged under 19 in full time education

  Expectant mothers

  Women who have had a baby in the last 12 months

  In addition, the following groups have their dental charges remitted:

  Those receiving income support, and their partners Holders of an NHS low income scheme HC2 certificate

  Holders of an NHS low income scheme HC3 certificate (partially remitted only)

  Those receiving job seekers allowance, and their partners

  Those receiving child tax credit, and their partners

  Those receiving working tax credit, and their partners

  Dual Diagnosis
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 8 April 2003,Official Report, column 236W, on dual diagnosis, what other categories of dual diagnosis have had detailed guidance for treatment published; what resources are allocated to these and the drug misuse proposed treatments; and if he will make a statement.[110223]

  Jacqui Smith
  The "Dual Diagnosis Good Practice Guide" (2002) provides guidance on services for people with a diagnosis of severe mental illness and substance misuse.

  "Models of Care" (2002) sets out a national framework for the commissioning of an integrated drug treatment system for adult drug misusers in England. It

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  includes detailed guidance on provision of services for psychiatric co-morbidity. It also describes the evidence to support appropriate approaches to assessment, risk assessment, treatment and care planning to inform commissioning of service provision for adults with concurrent substance misuse and severe as well as common mental health problems or personality disorders.

  Funding for commissioning services for people with a dual diagnosis is provided from mainstream national health service budgets and from the pool treatment budget, a fund that is used specifically for commissioning drug services. In 2003–04, the money available is £236.1 million, which represents a 23 per cent. increase over the previous year.

  The implementation of the dual diagnosis good practice guidance is being supported as part of a comprehensive programme of work in the National Institute for Mental Health in England with a budget of £400,000 for 2003–04.

  In addition, policy and good practice guidance has been produced for the provision of services for people with learning disabilities, personality disorders and deaf people with mental health problems.

  Employment Relations Act
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in his Department have taken time off from work in order to attend to domestic incidents as provided for by the Employment Relations Act 1999.[108351]

  Mr. Lammy
  The information required is not held centrally. Responsibility for authorising and monitoring such leave is devolved to individual management units and is treated as a personal issue between line management and staff.

  The right to time off is contained in section 57A of the Employment Rights Act 1996 as amended by the Employment Relations Act 1999. The section came into effect on 15 December 1999. The right to time off is available to all those who have a contract of employment with an employer, whether they work full or part time.

  Special leave policy rests with individual departments and agencies, who are free to decide on the amounts of special leave and the circumstances for which it is granted, including whether such leave is paid or unpaid.

  Eye Care
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many eye specialists there are in the UK; what their salary rates are; and what proposals he has to increase their number.[109205]

  Mr. Lammy
  At March 2002 there were 687 consultants in ophthalmology in England.

  As at 30 September 2001 there were 359 registrars for ophthalmology in the national health service in England. The output from these existing registrar training places, together with other increases through improved recruitment and retention, international recruitment and promotion of flexible retirement after
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  allowing for expected retirements in the specialty is expected to result in around 821 trained specialists being available in ophthalmology by 2004.

  In addition, since last year, trusts have been given the flexibility to fund additional specialist registrar posts where they choose to do so, up to a maximum in each specialty. This is enabling trusts to build a workforce capable of meeting local demand and improve the delivery of patient care. In 2003–04 this could amount to an additional 40 training opportunities nationally in ophthalmology.

  The current salary range for consultants is £52,640 to £68,505. Decisions on the level of remuneration for 2003–04 will be taken in the light of the report from the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body when this is available. In addition, consultants can also receive consolidated pay through two other sources. These are discretionary points from their employers for above average contribution to local NHS services, or distinction awards for contributions to the wider NHS at regional, national or international level.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been spent on research on eye conditions since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the progress made.[109203]

  Mr. Lammy
  The main Government agency into the causes and treatments of disease is the Medical Research Council (M RC), which receives its funding from the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology. Between 1997–98 and 2001–02, the MRC spent a total of £24.4 million on research into vision. This research was into eye function and eye disorders, the causes of visual defects including blindness, short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and squints; reduced visual field; cataracts and glaucoma; retinal disease such as macular degeneration and problems with eye movement control.

  As an example of progress made, the gene that controls development of the eye has been found by researchers at the MRC's human genetics unit. Mutations in a gene called SOX2 have been identified as one of the causes of babies born without eyes. Identifying very rare disease-associated genes provides an important stepping stone to understanding the biological networks involved in other, sometimes more common, related diseases. The research team has explored the role of SOX2 in the development and the adult maintenance of the lens and the retina. Genes that regulate eye development also play a role in eye maintenance after birth, so understanding their function may help in the management of later onset sight problems such as macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma.

  The Department funds research to support policy and delivery of effective health and social care. The Department and the Chief Scientist's Office, Scotland, together spent about £2million on projects covering a wide range of eye conditions. The Department has asked the national Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to conduct an appraisal of photodynamic therapy for age-related macular degeneration and provide guidance on its use on the National Health Service. NICE has not yet issued any guidance to the NHS on this.
  271W
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with organisations which assist those with sight loss.[109204]

  Jacqui Smith
  There have been two meetings between Department of Health Ministers and organisations interested in sight loss in the past six months. On 4 October 2002, the then Under-Secretary of State, my noble Friend the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, met Mary Bairstow, an optometrist working with the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) on low vision services. On 21 February 2003, my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State (John Hutton) opened a low vision centre at the headquarters of the Royal National Institute for the Blind in London.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Department has to reduce availability of eye tests for children through school medical services.[109031]

  Mr. Lammy
  [holding answer 14 April 2003]: The United Kingdom National Screening Committee is currently considering the role of routine vision screening in schools and I look forward to receiving the Committee's views in due course. In the meantime, there are no plans to reduce eye tests undertaken at school.

  Foundation Hospitals
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he will compensate the central NHS funding pool for the loss of the value of assets sold for their own use by foundation hospitals.[108430]

  Mr. Hutton
  The establishment of National Health Service foundation trusts will not reduce the amount of capital available for developing NHS services for NHS patients, so no compensation will be necessary.

  General Practice
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population in England are registered with a GP.[106883]

  Mr. Hutton
  At 30 September 2001, the latest published data, 51,249,672 people were recorded asregistered with a general practitioner or with a provider of personal medical services in England. However, it is not possible to express this accurately as a percentage of the population because of "list inflation". This arises where a patient moves his or her registration and for a transitional period may be registered on two lists. Similarly, an individual who dies or moves outside England may remain on a list for a time.

  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed GP contract on the confidentiality of patient records; and if he will make a statement.[109963]

  Mr. Hutton
  Everyone working in the national health service, in any capacity, has a contractual obligation to respect and protect patient confidentiality. Clinicians are additionally bound by professional obligations. Nothing in the proposed new contract for general medical services will change this.
  272W
  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on access rights to the contracts containing the terms and conditions of individual GPs.[110002]

  Mr. Hutton
  The new contract for general medical services negotiated between the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association and the NHS Confederation is now with the profession for their consideration.

  Under the new contract details of financial transaction between the national health service and practices will remain confidential, but patients will have a new Patient Services Guarantee (by which patients are assured that they will continue to be offered at least the range of services that they currently enjoy), and a Practice Leaflet including the services available and how to obtain them, patients' rights and responsibilities, opening hours and appointments systems and other essential information.

  Haemophilia
  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many haemophilia patients there are in England.[107960]

  Ms Blears
  Figures from the United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation indicate that there are 5,804 haemophilia patients in England.

  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many suppliers of recombinant clotting factor for haemophilia patients there are in the UK.[107961]

  Ms Blears
  There are five global companies which supply recombinant clotting factor products to the national health service in England. The companies are Bayer PLC, Wyeth/Genetics Institute, Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Novo Nordisk Limited and Aventis. Behring.

  Health Care Criteria
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which strategic health authorities have found that the local NHS continuing health care criteria used at some point since 1996 in each of their areas has not complied with(a) NHS continuing health care guidance and (b) the Coughlan judgment.[110047]

  Jacqui Smith
  Strategic health authorities have considered whether continuing care criteria in use in their area since 1996 were consistent with the Coughlan judgment. Some are taking further legal advice and will be reporting on this to the Department of Health by the end of May.

  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people each strategic health authority estimates have been wrongly assessed under local eligibility criteria that did not comply with the Coughlan judgment and have therefore had their care paid by themselves or social services.[110048]

  Jacqui Smith
  Strategic health authorities will report to the Department by the end of May with an estimate.

  Health Professionals (Salaries)
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the salary is of(a) health visitors and (b) midwives; by how much this has changed since 1997; and what plans he has to increase this further. [109122]

  Mr. Hutton
  Nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff directly employed in the National Health Service have their pay determined by an independent pay review body. The Government has accepted in full and implemented the recommendations on pay for the last four years.

  Midwives and health visitors are currently paid in accordance with the nationally agreed clinical grading structure. Newly qualified midwives enter at scale E with a 2002–03 salary range of £17,105 to £23,690. The minimum for health visitors is scale G with a 2002–03 salary range of £22,385 to £26,340. Full details of the current salary scales are contained in Advance Letter (NM) 1/2002. Copies are available in the Library.

  Pay has increased across the board for all midwives and health visitors directly employed in the NHS in England by at least 26 per cent in cash terms since 1997.

  A proposed agreement on pay modernisation for NHS non medical staff, Agenda for Change, was published on 3 March. NHS staff organisations are currently consulting their members on the proposed agreement.

  The information in this answer relates to England only. Pay for midwives and health visitors in Scotland and Wales is a matter for the devolved administrations. Whilst the institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.

  Health Protection Agency
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) budget, (b) staffing levels and (c) aims have been set for the Health Protection Agency; and what percentage of the Health Protection Agency's budget will be dedicated to bio-defence.[109319]

  Ms Blears
  The details of the budget distribution between the various activities of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are currently being considered by the HPA Board and it is not possible to say what percentage will be dedicated to bio-defence.

  The fine details of the budget allocation from the Department of Health are still being finalised but we expect it to be in the region of £112 million. Added to this will be contracts—from both the private and public sectors—to the value of around £70 million.

  The HPA has a staffing establishment of 2,516.

  The functions of the HPA as set out in the Directions from the Secretary of State are:

  (a) to advise the Secretary of State, National Health Service bodies and such other persons or bodies as the HPA sees fit on matters relating to health protection and health emergency planning;

  (b) to conduct surveillance, and develop and improve existing systems of surveillance, of infectious disease and chemical and radiation hazards;

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  (c) to co-ordinate data from systems of surveillance relevant to the protection of public health;

  (d) to support primary care trusts in the discharge of their functions of:

  (i) providing a health protection service (including investigation and management of outbreaks of infectious disease and chemical and radiation hazards and incidents);

  (ii) carrying out health emergency planning; and

  (iii) providing clinical care for patients who have, or may have, taken toxic substances;

  (e) to provide the following services:

  (i) specialist public health and reference microbiology services including food, water and environmental microbiology for local authorities;

  (ii) designating yellow fever vaccination centres for the purpose of complying with the World Health Organisation's International Health Regulations; and

  (iii) advising and supporting the Department of Health's regional directors of public health in their task of ensuring that effective health protection and health emergency planning systems are maintained and developed in their regions; and

  (f) to provide such clinical microbiology services as the Secretary of State requests.

  Its aims and targets in fulfilling these functions will be detailed in its business and corporate plans, which are currently being finalised.

  Human Tissue Typing
  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether human tissue typing is available in England.[108539]

  Mr. Lammy
  Tissue typing is a method of identifying a person's tissue type and is important to some forms of organ transplantation. Human tissue typing has been available in England since the late 1960s.

  Intensive Care
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on how the money to improve intensive care services announced in September 2002 has been spent.[108224]

  Jacqui Smith
  Since 1997 we have steadily increased investment in the improvement of paediatric intensive care services. The announcement in September of an extra £10 million increased these additional funds to a total of £25 million, now available annually. The funding has been spent on capacity building for lead centres providing intensive care to the most critically ill children, ensuring greater access to these centres and to local high dependency care for children recovering from serious illness.

  Iraq (Casualties)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment his Department has made of the impact of casualties from the war in Iraq upon the NHS; and if he will make a statement.[105099]
  275W
  Mr. Hutton
  The National Health Service has a responsibility for treating any military patients brought back to the United Kingdom. All trusts have effective contingency plans in place to ensure NHS services are not affected.

  Laser Eye Surgery
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what information he has collated on the success rate of(a) Lasik and (b) other laser eye surgery procedures;[109153]

  (2) what plans he has (a) to regulate providers of laser eye surgery treatments and (b) to record individual surgeons' success rates and history;[109154]

  (3) what measures are in place to ensure that people offering laser eye surgery are adequately qualified and to require them to inform patients of possible side-effects of any treatment.[109152]

  Mr. Lammy
  Establishments where Class 4 laser treatment is provided are required to be registered with the National Care Standards Commission as independent hospitals, under the Care Standards Act 2000 and must comply with the Private and Voluntary Health Care Regulations. Regulation 42(1) requires that the registered person has in place a professional protocol drawn up by a trained and experienced medical practitioner or dentist from the relevant discipline in which treatment is to be provided.

  Providers are also required to meet two sets of national minimum standards—core standards and service-specific standards. The core standards apply to all health care providers and include standards on the information that must be provided for patients. The provider must make available to prospective patients a patient's guide, reviewed annually, expressed in clear, relevant language and in a format suitable for the patient profile with regard to language and sensory or learning disabilities. The information provided must be accurate, not misleading and any claims made must be justified.

  The standards specific to laser treatment set out in detail all the issues to be addressed by the professional protocol and mandatory written policies and procedures, including the operator's responsibilities, technique, biological effects of treatment, procedures, qualifications, training, access, environment, maintenance, management, safety, adverse incidents, hazards, contra-indications, pre-treatment tests, post-treatment care and records.

  The vast majority of laser eye surgery takes place in private practice. The Department of Health does not collect information about such procedures by individual surgeons.

  Lay Assessors
  Dr. Richard Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many lay assessors to the Social Services Inspectorate were in place in March 2002; how many are working now; and which local authorities use them.[108998]
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  Jacqui Smith
  In March 2002, the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) had a pool of 84 trained lay assessors available for deployment in appropriate inspections. In March 2003, the number was 77. Local authorities do not themselves use these lay assessors; they are deployed by the SSI, with the agreement of the local authority being inspected.

  Long-term Care
  Mr. Ruffley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department will issue guidance to(a) primary care trusts, (b) strategic health authorities and (c) local councils on how to respond to the Health Ombudsman's report on NHS funding for long term care.[108775]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Government are already working with the national health service and local authorities to respond to the Ombudsman's report on NHS funding for long-term care and ascertain the numbers of people who may have been wrongly assessed under criteria not consistent with the Coughlan judgment.

  The Government will review the national guidance on continuing care carefully and once this process is complete decide whether further action is necessary.

  Matrons
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what procedures have been put in place to ensure that the funding allocated for modern matrons cannot be used for other purposes;[109075]

  (2) to which budget holders the additional funding allocated to modern matrons will be distributed; [109072]

  (3) when modern matrons will receive the additional funding announced by the Government;[109074]

  (4) for how many financial years the new payments to modern matrons will be paid.[109073]

  Mr. Lammy
  The details of the fund are currently being finalised. We will issue the funding shortly and it will be accompanied by clear guidance setting out the options of how to spend the money on improving the patient experience in accident and emergency. Modern matrons will take the lead in deciding, in consultation with colleagues and patients, on which option to choose.

  Medical Records
  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to ensure that medical practitioners in the UK have speedy access to medical records of new patients who are from overseas outside the UK, but within the EU; and what discussions have been held with the Home Office to minimise delay in obtaining such records, particularly in cases where there are serious mental health problems and illnesses.[108634]

  Mr. Lammy
  Under European Data Protection legislation, United Kingdom medical practitioners have
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  no right to request access to medical records from non-UK administrations. Where treating clinicians are aware of a previous medical history, they can only request it with the patient's authorisation.

  There have been no discussions with the Home Office on this subject.

  Mental Health Services
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when mental health service improvements announced in the National Service Framework for Mental Health and the NHS plan in respect of(a) crisis teams, (b) assertive outreach programmes, (c) home treatment, (d) early intervention in psychosis and (e) primary care mental health teams will be launched in Shrewsbury and Atcham. [109373]

  Mr. Lammy
  Shropshire County Primary Care Trust is developing crisis resolution, early interventions in psychosis and home treatment services in 2003. The Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency already has an assertive outreach team and several primary care teams locally have specific mental health services, such as psychologists, counsellors and cognitive behavioural therapists. Primary care also has access to specialist counselling agencies such as Confide and Axis.

  Mr. Simmonds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time to see a consultant psychiatrist was in(a) England and Wales, (b) each county, (c) each primary care trust and (d) each health authority in each of the last three years. [108633]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information is collected centrally on waiting times to see a consultant psychiatrist. The information is collected by consultant's main specialty and includes the specialties mental handicap, mental illness, child and adolescent psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, psychotherapy and old age psychiatry. Information is collected for England only and can be broken down by health authority and primary care trust, but not by county. These data are available at www.doh.gov.uk/waitingtimes/and give a breakdown of waiting time-bands.

  The table shows the median waiting time for patients waiting to see a consultant as an out-patient first attendance or an elective in-patient admission. Data for England was sufficiently large enough to give a reliable estimate, but the numbers for health authorities and primary care trusts were too small to give reliable estimates of the median for these levels of organisations.

  Between March 2001 and March 2002, the number of people waiting over 26 weeks for their first out-patient appointment for the above specialties fell from 400 at end March 2002 to less than 20 at end March 2002 and less than 10 at end December 2002.

  Over the same period and for the same specialties, the number of people waiting over six months for in-patient admission has fallen to less than 10 at end December 2002.
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  Median waiting times in weeks: psychiatric specialties

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  In-patients

  England at 31 December

  7.9

  8.9

  8.7

  Out-patients

  England: Financial year

  3.7

  3.9

  3.9

  Note:

  2002–3 for out-patients is only for three Quarters

  Sources:

  In-patients: Department of Health form QF01

  Out-patients: Department of Health form QMO8R

  Neonatal Care
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many neonatal nurses there are; how many are nearing retirement; and what is being done to tackle staff shortage. [108226]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department's workforce census collects data about numbers of paediatric nurses and this includes neonatal nurses and other nurses involved in the care of children. As at 30 September 2001, there were 17,640 paediatric nurses working in the national health service in England, of which 1,924 were aged 50 years or over. Separate information is not collected centrally on the number of neonatal nurses employed in the NHS, nor is information on the number nearing retirement.

  The Government are committed to increasing the overall nursing workforce, from which neonatal nurses can be drawn, as at March 2002 there were an estimated 28,740 more nurses employed in the NHS than in 1999.

  The "Review of Neonatal Intensive Care Services", published for consultation on 10 April 2003, offers a blueprint for moving to a modernised service through the formation of clinical networks and addressing recruitment, retention and skills issues.

  The Department recognises the need to focus on developing the neonatal nursing workforce. We have in place successful initiatives to recruit and retain the nursing workforce and a professional lead has recently been appointed to work on the recruitment and retention strategy for neonatal nurses.

  NHS Car Parks
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what central guidance is issued for the level of car parking charges at NHS hospitals. [108984]

  Mr. Hutton
  Central guidance on car parking charges was issued to national health service hospitals in March 1996. It is a matter for individual hospitals to decide whether or not to charge for car parking and the cost of such charges in the light of local circumstances. Where charges are introduced, patients who are eligible to claim reimbursement of travelling expenses under the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme may have the charges reimbursed.

  NHS Complaints
  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has published the results of his review on the NHS complaints procedure; and if he will make a statement. [109994]
  279W
  Mr. Lammy
  We published "NHS complaints reform—Making things right", on Friday 28 March. It describes reforms to the national health service complaints procedure and sets out a programme to improve management of the whole complaints system, elements of which will be subject to the passage of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill.

  The programme builds on the existing NHS complaint procedure, as well as wider initiatives, to introduce operational improvements focused on:
  Making the system more flexible so that there are a range of ways in which people can express concerns about the services they have received
  Improving the local resolution stage so that formal complaints are more likely to be resolved, reducing the need for them to escalate unnecessarily
  Radical reform to the independent review stage, subject to primary legislation—by placing responsibility for it with the new Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection
  Making sure information about complaints and their causes are an integral part of the system that assures safe, high quality care, which is constantly improving.

  NHS Inspection Staff
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) staff and (b) staff engaged in inspection work have been employed by (i) the Commission for Health Improvement, (ii) the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, (iii) the National Care Standards Commission and (iv) the Social Services Inspectorate in each year since 1997. [105868]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is as follows:The Commission. for Health Improvement (CHD):

  The CHI came into being on 1 November 1999 and began to conduct a rolling programme of clinical governance reviews in 2001. The number of staff and number of staff engaged in inspection work in each year since 1999 is shown in the table.

  Year

  Staff employed

  Staff engaged in inspection work

  1999–2000

  111

  15

  2000–01

  248

  44

  2001–02

  330

  50

  2002–03

  334

  51

  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE):

  The NICE was established in April 1999. It is a special health authority, set up to give advice on best clinical practice to National Health Service clinicians, to those commissioning NHS services and to patients and carers. None of NICE's staff are involved in inspection work. The number of staff is shown in the table.

  Year

  Staff employed

  Staff engaged in inspection work

  1999–2000

  17

  Not applicable

  2000–01

  32

  2001–02

  40

  2002–03

  59

  280W
  The National Care Standards Commission (NCS0):

  The NCSC became fully operational on 1 April 2002. It is responsible for registration and inspection of health and social care services in England. The number of staff and number of staff engaged in inspection work in each year since 2002 is shown in the table.

  2002–03

  Number

  Staff employed

  2,285

  Staff engaged in inspection work

  1,350

  The Social Services Inspectorate (SSI):

  The SSI is a division of the Department of Health. The structure and functions of both the Department and the SSI have changed over the period covered in the following table. The SSI inspects councils with social services responsibilities in England and from this and other evidence, it assesses and reports on councils' performance, and where necessary makes recommendations for improvement. The number of staff and the number of staff engaged in inspection work, in each year is shown in the table.

  Year

  Staff employed

  Staff engaged in inspection work

  1997–98

  156

  92

  1998–99

  156

  91

  1999–2000

  156

  91

  2000–01

  198

  108

  2001–02

  229

  127

  2002–03

  236

  120

  The number of SSI staff involved with inspection reduced in 2002–03 because inspections of voluntary children's homes transferred from the SSI to the NCSC. SSI took on additional non-inspection work relating to the star ratings of local councils with social services responsibilities and contributing to the comprehensive performance assessments of councils. The SSI continued its programme of children's service inspections during 2002–03. The additional work following the publication of the Victoria Climbie Inquiry report at the end of January 2003 will impact on the SSI's workload in 2003–04.

  NHS Operations
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether current employment arrangements in the NHS provide for breaks for non-medical staff involved in providing support to operating theatre teams to be taken during operating time. [1091981

  Mr. Hutton
  It is the responsibility of National Health Service employers to adhere to the requirements of the Working Time Regulations, which provides for rest breaks.

  General guidance (HSC 1998/204) was issued to employers on the implementation of the Regulations in the NHS.

  The aim is to provide quality patient care by ensuring minimum standards of rest for all staff in the NHS.

  NHS Prescriptions (Fraud)
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of fraud in relation to NHS prescribing and NHS prescription charges in the last 12 months. [110177]

  Mr. Lammy
  The National Health Service Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (NHS CFSMS) has an on-going programme of highly accurate risk measurement exercises (accurate to plus or minus one per cent.) designed to reveal levels of losses and, through repeated exercises, reduction in such losses. Phase one of these exercises included patient prescription charge evasion fraud. The information is shown in the table.

  Pharmaceutical patient fraud

  £ million

  Year data selected

  Fraud losses

  1998–99

  117

  1999–2000

  69

  A statistically valid sample of those prescriptions prescribed during March 2003 is being taken for a further measurement exercise to be conducted. Further fraud reductions are anticipated and the figures will be produced later this year.

  Phase two of the programme will focus on contractor fraud within the NHS. As the measurement programme extends, it will enable NHS CFSMS to accurately assess the totality of NHS fraud.

  NHS Services (Durham)
  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the individuals appointed to NHS trusts who live in the North Durham constituency; [108595]

  (2) if he will list the individuals appointed to NHS trusts and primary care trusts in Durham who have neither previously served on NHS trust boards nor held any other public appointment. [108597]

  Mr. Lammy
  The following individuals, who live in the North Durham parliamentary constituency, are currently serving on national health service boards:Rachel Burton (non-executive, Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust)
  Thomas Conery (non-executive, North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust)
  Brian Ebbatson (non-executive, Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust)
  Vera McEwan (Chair, Gateshead Primary Care Trust)
  Keith Murray-Hetherington (Chair, Derwentside Primary Care Trust)
  Heather Scott (non-executive, Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust)
  Peter Smith (Chair, Gateshead Health NHS Trust)
  282W
  The following individuals are currently appointed to NHS trusts and PCTs in Durham and have neither previously served on a NHS trust board or held any other public appointment:
  Rachel Burton (non-executive, Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust)
  John Dixon (non-executive, County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust)
  Kathleen Duggan (non-executive, Derwentside Primary Care Trust)
  Andrew Gray (non-executive, Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust)
  John Griffiths (non-executive, County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust
  David Hall (non-executive, County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust)
  Judith Lund (non-executive, Derwentside Primary Care Trust)
  Collette O'Byrne (non-executive, Derwentside Primary Care Trust)
  James Owens (non-executive, Derwentside Primary Care Trust)
  Heather Scott (non-executive, Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust)
  Paul Taylor (non-executive, Durham Dales Primary Care Trust)
  Karen Veitch (non-executive, Durham Dales Primary Care Trust)
  Wendy Westmorland (non-executive, Easington Primary Care Trust)
  Penelope Young (Chair, Easington Primary Care Trust)

  NHS Treatments
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of(a) cancer patients and (b) heart disease patients were successfully treated in (i) the London borough of Havering, (ii) other London boroughs and (iii) the County of Essex in the last three years. [108664]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not collected centrally.

  Nursing Care Fees
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of nursing homes failing to pass on the free nursing care contribution to former preserved rights residents. [109002]

  Jacqui Smith
  The nursing care of former preserved rights residents of care homes, as for other residents supported by councils, only became the responsibility of the national health service from 1 April 2003. These residents are placed under contracts made by councils and the NHS.

  They are not charged directly by providers for the nursing care that they receive. There is therefore no need for providers to pass on any contribution to them.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 7 April 2003,Official Report, column 96W, on care homes, whether the care home providers the Minister wrote to (a) passed the contribution on to residents and (b) reduced their fees according to the banding that residents were placed in. [109017]
  283W
  Jacqui Smith
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 25 April 2002,Official Report, column 457W. It should not be assumed that all the providers who were written to had, in every case, failed to pass on any financial benefit arising from the national health service funding part of their care.

  Nursing Care Payments
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what alterations the Government plans to make to example 4 in the NHS funded nursing care practice guidance and workbook used by nurses in making their determinations about the correct band of NHS payment towards nursing care, in response to case E 420/00–01 ('Mrs. N') in the Health Ombudsman's recent report, NHS funding for long term care; [110050]

  (2) what alterations will be made to the criteria used by nurses in their determinations in relation to (a) the higher band and (b) the middle band of NHS payment towards nursing care in the relevant guidance (HSC 2001/17) in order to ensure that they do not impose a higher test for nursing care payments than the Court of Appeal indicated in the Coughlan case was required for NHS continuing care. [110049]

  Jacqui Smith
  The case studies that are set out in the Practice Guide and Workbook assume that a continuing care assessment has already been carried out. These are Fictional examples that do not identify needs for other therapeutic or medical input. It is therefore not meaningful to compare these to cases identified in the Ombudsman's report, and I do not consider that there is any need to amend either the guidance or the guide.

  The recently issued guidance on NHS Funded Nursing Care (HSC 2003/6: LAC (2003)7) emphasised the distinction between National Health Service funded nursing care and NHS continuing healthcare very clearly. It stresses that all the individual's needs for medical and nursing care, as well as therapeutic and personal care, should be examined. Based on this examination, it highlights the need in every case to consider whether the person meets the criteria for fully funded NHS healthcare, before there is any consideration of NHS funded nursing care as part of a mixed package of care.

  Osteoporosis
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress made by the NHS in tackling osteoporosis since the publication of the Green Paper, Our Healthier Nation. [109089]

  Jacqui Smith
  Since the publication of the Green Paper in February 1998, a number of steps have been taken to tackle osteoporosis. In June 1998, we launched a strategy aimed at reducing the number of fractures caused by osteoporosis. The strategy is evidence-based; prioritises treatment for those at higher risk of developing the disease; is easily accessible and encourages people to think about how they can play a part in preventing fractures and accidents and ultimately to prevent osteoporosis. Health authorities were recommended to use the strategy as a basis for developing their own local strategies.
  284W
  Osteoporosis has been included in the falls standard of the national service framework (NSF) for older people. This standard requires each local health system to have a falls service in place by April 2005. These services must include appropriate interventions and advice to prevent osteoporosis.

  We have asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to undertake an appraisal of pharmacological treatments for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis with a view to giving doctors the latest evidence based information on the most effective treatments for their patients. NICE expects to publish towards the end of the year. NICE is also drawing up clinical guidelines for the prevention and treatment of this disease. Although the guidelines are being developed to support the NSF for older people, they will have an effect on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis at all ages.

  Towards the end of 2002, we announced the first three pilot schemes for pre-retirement health checks for people approaching retirement, including one on osteoporosis. Pre-retirement is a good time to make people aware of lifestyle changes they can adopt to prevent the onset of this disease. These checks can also identify those in need of immediate treatment for established osteoporosis.

  Overmedication (Older People)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the overmedication of older people in NHS hospitals. [109001]

  Jacqui Smith
  No information is available at national level about overmedication in national health service hospitals. Implementation of the medicines management supplement of the older people's national service framework will ensure the best use of medicine for older people and will, therefore, prevent overmedication.

  Parental Leave
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in his Department have used their leave entitlement under the parental leave directive since it came into force. [108414]

  Mr. Lammy
  The information requested is not held centrally. Responsibility for authorising and monitoring parental leave is devolved to individual management units and is treated as a personal issue between line management and staff.

  The Department is committed to supporting its staff to work flexibly around their family responsibilities and has a flexible working pattern policy. This benefits the Department, as parents are able to work in an organisation where they feel supported and are able to work flexibly around their family responsibilities.

  Part-time Workers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the part-time workers directive on staff in his Department. [109268]
  285W
  Mr. Lammy
  The Department of Health is committed to work-life-balance for its staff and so offers a range of flexible working patterns and actively supports staff and managers who wish to work flexibly. Part-time working is one of the ways in which the Department offers its staff flexibility. Others are job sharing, home working and working compressed hours.

  As at 1 April 2003 there were 560 staff recorded as part time. This represents 11 per cent, of the total staff in post (4,933).

  Patient Care (Inquiries)
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether it is his policy that no inquiries into failures in patient care can be initiated by his Department whilst legal action is pending from patients affected. [108961]

  Mr. Lammy
  Inquiries set up by the Secretary of State for Health are usually in accordance with the provisions of section 2 or section 84 of the NHS Act 1977. There are no express restrictions on setting up inquiries under these sections while legal action is pending or taking place. These inquiries usually involve wider serious systemic service failures often involving a number of patients across a longer time frame. They are not normally regarded as the appropriate method for investigating an individual incident unless it is so serious as to have implications for National Health Service services more generally or raised health policy issues which have not been satisfactorily addressed before. These incidents are usually investigated under the NHS complaints procedure. Complaints made under the NHS complaints system will be suspended if the subject of the complaint and the case for legal action are the same.

  Patient Transfers
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in each regional health authority have been(a) transferred to a private hospital or other private medical centre and (b) transferred to have medical treatment abroad as a result of staff shortages following the deployment of medical staff to Iraq; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the health service of these transfers. [108988]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of patients who have been treated in private hospitals or abroad rather than in National Health Service facilities as a result of staff shortages following the deployment of medical staff to Iraq has not been collected.

  The main impact has been at the five Ministry of Defence hospital units (MDHUs) and the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust. All these have lost significant numbers of regular service medical and nursing personnel to the conflict in the Gulf. The five MDHUs are based at the following NHS trusts:

  Peterborough Hospitals

  South Tees Hospitals

  Plymouth Hospitals

  Portsmouth Hospitals

  Frimley Park Hospital

  286W
  We have provided so far about 18 million to these hospitals to help offset the impact of deployments and maintain NHS work. As far as we are aware, no patients have been sent abroad as a result of reduced staffing because of conflict in the Gulf.

  Of this 18 million, five million is being used to pay for an overseas orthopaedic team to be based at Portsmouth Hospitals to treat about 1000 patients at Portsmouth, Frimley Park and Plymouth Hospitals.

  Personal Medical Services Regulations
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the National Health Service (Out of Hours Provision of Personal Medical Services and Miscellaneous Amendments) (England) Regulations. [107790]

  Mr. Hutton
  As part of the process for making these Regulations, the Department consulted key stakeholders on both the policy and on a draft of the Regulations themselves. Comments were received on the draft Regulations from the General Medical Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association. Those comments were taken into account in finalising the Regulations, which were laid before the House on 10 January 2003.

  Pharmacists
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many pharmacists will complete training in the current year; and how many have completed training in each of the past five years. [107752]

  Mr. Hutton
  To qualify as a pharmacist students are required to gain a pharmacy degree, successfully complete a one-year period of pre-registration practice based training and pass the registration examination. In 2001, the most recent year for which collated information is available, the intake of new students to schools of pharmacy in Great Britain was 15 per cent. higher than in 1997. The numbers of pharmacy degrees awarded by those schools over the same period are shown in the following table.

  Number

  1997

  1,268

  1998

  1,369

  1999

  1,567

  2000

  322

  2001

  1,239

  The numbers of trainees passing the registration examination in the last five years are shown in the following table.

  Number

  1998

  1,188

  1999

  1,217

  2000

  1,438

  2001

  447

  2002

  1,533

  These figures include overseas pharmacists who have to pass the registration examination to register in Great

  287W
  Britain. The move from a three to a four-year degree in 1997 gave rise to low graduation numbers and registration examination passes in 2000 and 2001 respectively.

  This year, in 2002–03, there are 1,327 United Kingdom graduates undertaking their practice based pre-registration training in Great Britain.

  Physiotherapy
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the provision of physiotherapy services available on the NHS(a) nationally and (b) in Gloucestershire, with particular reference to (i) waiting times and (ii) the range of services available. [106140]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 1 April 2003]Primary care trusts now have the responsibility of improving the health of the community, securing the provision of high quality services and integrating health and social care locally. They have the resources to commission services and to identify the number of professional staff that they need to deliver those services. This process provides the means for addressing local needs within the health community including the provision of physiotherapy services.

  Prison Doctors
  Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prison doctors are suspended from duties. [109556]
  Jacqui Smith
  Decisions concerning suspension of doctors employed by the prison service are made locally by prison governors in accordance with prison service conduct and discipline procedures. Information on the number of prison doctors suspended from duties is not held centrally.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prison doctors have been dismissed in the last five years. [109557]

  Jacqui Smith
  Two doctors have been dismissed from the prison service in the last five years.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 3 March 2003,Official Report, column 890, on prison doctors, how many of those doctors not qualified to general practitioner level are working without appropriate supervision; what form supervision takes; and what guidance has been issued to prisons on the supervision of under-qualified doctors. [1095581

  Jacqui Smith
  There are 25 doctors who do not hold vocational training qualifications in the Prison Service, five of whom are in full-time training. Of the remaining 20, 10 are providing mental health services and 10 are working in primary care. One doctor has left the service since the answer provided on 3 March 2003.

  The form of supervision provided varies dependent on the individual's needs assessed in a number of ways including interviews with post-graduate deans and interviews with the medical director in prison health.
  288W
  Guidance on supervision has been issued to prisons in a number of forms, including the booklet 'Unlocking the Jargon' and direct communications from the medical director. Doctors have also been on mentorship training, have been provided with personal learning plans and will shortly be subject to appraisal equivalent to that introduced in the national health service for general practitioner principals. Further guidance on models of supervision is planned to be issued shortly.

  Prisoners
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of prisoners(a) suffer from mental health problems, (b) smoke, (c) have taken illegal drugs, (d) have chronic pulmonary heart disease, (e) have coronary heart disease, and (f) have diabetes. [109699]

  Jacqui Smith
  A survey of psychiatric morbidity among prisoners in England and Wales, undertaken in 1997 by the Office for National Statistics, showed that around 90 per cent. of prisoners sampled displayed evidence of at least one of the five disorders, personality disorder, psychosis, neurosis, alcohol misuse and drug dependence, considered in the survey. The same study showed that 85 per cent. of men on remand, 78 per cent. of sentenced men, 83 per cent. of women on remand and 81 per cent. of sentenced women smoked. It also indicated that 85 per cent. of men on remand, 81 per cent. of sentenced men, 77 per cent. of women on remand and 69 per cent. of sentenced women had ever taken an illegal drug.

  No similarly wide-ranging studies have been undertaken to ascertain the prevalence of chronic pulmonary heart disease, coronary heart disease or diabetes among the prison population of England and Wales.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prisoners who have been diagnosed with a functional psychosis are receiving treatment. [109555]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information is not collected centrally in the form requested. We estimate that around 5,000 prisoners at any one time suffer from a severe mental illness. Under NHS Plan commitments, by 2004 every prisoner with a severe mental illness will be in receipt of appropriate treatment.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prisoners underwent a course of(a) methadone maintenance and (b) methadone reduction in the last year for which figures are available. [109535]

  Jacqui Smith
  Prison service establishments reported that 41,916 drug arid alcohol detoxifications were carried out between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002. Information is not collected centrally on the number of uses of particular methods of clinical management of substance misusers in prisons.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned into the public health risk posed by prisoners engaging in unprotected sex; and what discussions he has had with the Home Office on reducing this risk. 109559]
  289W
  Jacqui Smith
  The risks to individuals' and the public health from unprotected sex are already well understood by the prison service, which has already issued advice to prison doctors about the circumstances in which they should make condoms available to prisoners.

  Prisons
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mental health professionals are employed(a) full-time and (b) part-time in prisons in England and Wales. [109536]

  Jacqui Smith
  Detailed information on professional specialisation among healthcare professionals working in the prison service in England and Wales is not kept centrally.

  As of March 2003 there were 42 functioning national health service mental health in-reach teams, comprising over 155 staff, working with prisoners.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 7 April 2003, Official Report, column 110W, on prisons, if he will place a copy of the prison service standard for clinical services for substance misusers in the Library. [110035]

  Jacqui Smith
  Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Property Portfolio
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated value is of the property portfolio held by his Department. [108374]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer the hon. Member to the national asset register, published in April 2001. This lists the assets held by this Department and their valuation.

  The estimated current value of the Department's administrative estate is £65 million.

  Prostate Cancer Advisory Group
  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he will take to ensure that the recommendations of the Prostate Cancer Advisory Group will be implemented at Primary Care Trust level. [109913]

  Ms Blears
  The overall remit of the prostate cancer advisory group is to facilitate collaboration between the Department of Health, the voluntary sector, patient and professional groups and to advise Ministers, the National Cancer Director and the Department of Health on the development of policy on prostate cancer. Ministers will then make final decisions on the direction of national health service policy.

  Public and Patient Involvement Forum
  Mr. Simon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether foundation hospitals will have a Public and Patient Involvement Forum; and whether such a forum for a trust will be abolished when that trust is given foundation status. [109239]
  290W
  Mr. Hutton
  Subject to Parliamentary approval, the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill, Clause 29, sets out the position regarding patients' forums in National Health Service foundation trusts.

  Regions White Paper
  Joyce Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made by his Department towards the aim in the White Paper, Your Region, Your Choice, of encouraging applicants to public bodies from all parts of England; and what change there has been in the geographical diversity of appointees to NDPBs and other public bodies sponsored by his Department since the publication of the White Paper. [108560]
  Mr. Lammy
  All vacancies for national upper tier bodies sponsored by the Department are advertised in the national press, as well as in ethnic minority and disability publications. For lower tier bodies, advertisements are either placed in national publications in the same way, or otherforms of publicity are used such as alerting relevant professional bodies to vacancies. Vacancies on the boards of National Health Service trusts, strategic health authorities and primary care trusts are all advertised in the press local to the body involved. Board members can normally only be appointed if they live in the area served by the body.

  Vacancies for all local and national bodies are also now advertised on the recently established Cabinet Office vacancies website. In addition, the Department publicisedvacancies on Department of Health public bodies at the regional seminars organised in 2002 by the Women and Equality Unit.

  The Department does not collect separate information on the regions in which candidates appointed to bodies reside.

  Residential Care
  Mr. Paul Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 2 April,Official Report, column 778W, regarding residential care, what steps he is taking to ensure that supply and demand for care is brought into balance in each region; and if he will make a statement. [110149]

  Jacqui Smith
  It is for local councils to consider how to balance the supply and demand for residential care in their areas in the light of local circumstances. The balance should be determined following consultation with service users and local providers.

  Residential Social Workers
  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many residential social workers were employed in(a) the public sector and (b) the private sector in each local authority area, in each of the last five years. [109224]

  Jacqui Smith
  Information on residential social workers employed in either the public or private sector is not available centrally. The available information on staffing in councils with social services responsibilities in England is available at www.doh.gov.uk/public/psstaff.htm.

  Ronkswood Hospital (Asbestos)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that rubble removed from the Ronkswood hospital site, Worcester, is not contaminated with asbestos; and if he will make a statement; [109857]

  (2) whether he owns the freehold of the former Ronkswood hospital site in Worcester; and who is responsible for the redevelopment of the site; [109860]

  (3) what measures he is taking to ensure that the rubble and other materials from former NHS hospitals that are demolished is disposed of in accordance with the legal requirements and that all landfill tax is paid where necessary; and if he will make a statement. [109859]

  Mr. Lammy
  The freehold for the Ronkswood Hospital site was transferred to Robert Hitchens Ltd. in May 2002 by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals National Health Service Trust. Thereafter all responsibility for the land and the buildings thereon passed to this company and it is understood they will be redeveloping the site. When NHS land is sold to the private sector, all responsibility for that land is also transferred. Before a sale is completed, a trust should hand over its records to the proposed purchaser on any known presence of asbestos or other hazardous material located on the site. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the new owners to ensure that they carry out their own surveys and comply with all relevant legislation on the disposal of rubble and other material together with the payment of any potential landfill tax.

  SARS
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what service level agreements are in place between the Health Protection Agency and former Public Health Laboratory Service laboratories to monitor the outbreak of SARS. [109068]

  Ms Blears
  The principal role in monitoring the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is for the Health Protection Agency's (HPA) Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre and for its specialist and reference laboratories. There is, accordingly, no requirement for service level agreements on this topic between the HPA and the former laboratories of the Public Health Laboratory Service. The HPA is in the process of agreeing service level agreements with relevant National Health Service trusts for the surveillance and response activities of these laboratories.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role the former Public Health Laboratory Service laboratories are playing in monitoring the SARS outbreak. [109069]

  Ms Blears
  The role of the former Public Health Laboratories Service laboratories is to isolate and identify micro-organisms from clinical samples, report results to the Health Protection Agency's Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (CDSC) and refer samples and isolates to specialist and reference laboratories as appropriate. The CDSC has the leading 292W
  role in monitoring the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and managing the outbreak.

  Secondments
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals have been seconded to his Department from the private sector, in each case listing(a) from which organisation and (b) dates of secondments in 2002–03. [108101]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department has no records of any secondments from the private sector.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals have been seconded to his Department from NGOs, in each case listing(a) from which organisation and (b) dates of secondments in each year since 1997–98. [108102]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department has only maintained detailed records of secondments from Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) since 2001.

  The number of staff seconded into the Department of Health from NGOs and the organisations from which they came is shown in the table.

  Number of people

  (a)Organisation

  (b)Date of secondment

  1

  Social Services Department

  2002–04

  1

  London Borough of Croydon

  2002–03

  1

  Birmingham Social Services Department

  2002–03

  1

  London Borough of Lewisham

  2001–03

  1

  South London and Maudsley NHS Trust

  2002–03

  1

  London Borough of Islington

  2002–03

  1

  Age Concern England

  2001–03

  1

  Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

  2002–04

  1

  Staffordshire County Council

  2002–03

  1

  Gateshead Council, Community Based Services

  2002–03

  1

  Help and Care

  2002–04

  1

  Nottingham City Council

  2002–04

  1

  Brighton and Hove City Council

  2000–04

  1

  London Borough of Ealing

  2002–03

  1

  London Borough of Lambeth

  2002–03

  1

  Hillingdon Primary Care Trust

  2003–05

  1

  Warrington Borough Council

  2002–04

  1

  Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

  2003–03

  1

  London School of Economics

  2002–04

  1

  Calderdale Primary Care Trust

  2002–04

  1

  Leeds North West Primary Care Trust

  2002–04

  1

  Barnet Primary Care Trust

  2003–04

  1

  Hampshire Ambulance Services Trust

  2003–03

  1

  Harrow Primary Care Trust

  2000–01

  1

  Brighton and Sessex NHS Trust

  2001–02

  1

  St. George's Hospital

  2001–02

  1

  St. Mary's Hospital

  2002–03

  1

  Public Health Laboratory Service

  2002–03

  1

  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

  2002–03

  1

  1

  Trust for the Study of Adolescence

  2002–03

  1

  Brent Primary Care Trust

  2002–03

  1

  Drugscope

  2002–03

  1

  Islington Primary Care Trust

  2002–03

  1

  National Children's Bureau

  2002–03

  1

  Salford Primary Care Trust

  2003–04

  1

  Health Advisory Service

  2003–04

  1

  Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust

  2003–04

  1

  National Heart Forum

  2003–04

  1

  Wirral Hospitals NHS Trust

  2001–03

  Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals

  2000–04

  NHS Trust

  2

  University College London

  1999–04

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many civil servants have been seconded from his
  293W
  Department to (a) the private sector, (b) NGOs and (c) other, broken down by (i) grade of civil servants seconded, (ii) location and (iii) dates of secondments in each year since 1997–98. [108103]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department has only maintained detailed records of secondments from the Department to other business organizationsߞprivate sector and non-government since 2001.

  To obtain accurate information on the dates for each secondment would incur disproportionate costs.

  Information on the number of staff seconded from the Department of Health to "other" sectors is shown in the table.

  Number of staff

  Grade

  Location

  5

  SCS (Senior Civil Servant)

  England

  1

  IP4 (G6/7)

  EC

  36

  IP4 (G6/7)

  England

  18

  IP3 (HEO/SEO)

  England

  13

  IP2 (EO)

  England

  4

  IP I (AA/AO)

  England

  One member of staff at IP2 level has been seconded from the Department to the private sector since the year 2001.

  One member of staff at IP3 level has been seconded from the Department to a non-government organisation since the year 2001.

  Shrewsbury Prison (Dental Treatment)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision has been made for prisoners from HM Prison Shrewsbury to receive dental treatment. [109697]

  Jacqui Smith
  At present two and half hours of dental time are made available to prisoners each week at Shrewsbury prison. This has led to average waiting times to see a dentist of 14 days for a prisoner who is experiencing dental pain and 95 days for a routine appointment. Both waiting times are unacceptable and action will be taken in the near future to bring about reductions.

  The implementation, shortly, of the strategy to modernise dental services for prisoners will provide the prison's dentist and healthcare manager with clear recommendations about what types of dental treatment should be carried out in a local prison. Shrewsbury is one of a number of prisons which will receive additional funding this financial year to procure extra dental sessions to reduce excess waiting times. Funding is also being made available to prison health's regional development teams to purchase dental expertise to ensure that advice and assistance is available to accompany implementation of the dental strategy, in order to ensure that unacceptable dental waiting times do not build up again.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff in his Department were on long term sick leave in each of the last five years. [109248]
  294W
  Mr. Lammy
  We have defined long-term sick leave to be —absence from work due to sickness for a period of ninety days and over. The information requested is shown in the table.

  Financial Years

  Number of staff on long sick term leave

  1998–1999

  49

  1999–2000

  59

  2000–2001

  71

  2001–2002

  47

  2002–2003

  22

  Staff members whose absence spans from one year to another are counted again in the second year.

  The Department has agreed with Cabinet Office and Her Majesty's Treasury, public service agreement targets for reducing its levels of sickness absence. The Department aims to bring absence levels down to 6.8 days per staff year by 2003.

  Smallpox Inoculations
  Mr. Waterson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's guidance is for those wishing to have smallpox inoculations. [108986]

  Mr. Hutton
  Smallpox vaccination is not being offered to the general population at present. Smallpox vaccine has a much higher rate of serious complications than vaccines that are in regular use today. Certain groups are at even higher risk, such as those with weak immune systems or with eczema. We are following World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance — and plan to "ring vaccinate" in the event of a smallpox outbreak. Our contingency plans for dealing with smallpox are detailed in the draft guidelines on smallpox available on http://www.doh.gov.uk/epcu/cbr/biol/smallpoxplan. htm.

  A small number of key frontline national health service staff and a small number of military personnel, who would provide the first response in the event of a confirmed, suspected or threatened release of smallpox, are being vaccinated. The Department of Health programme is under way on a regional basis, coordinated by the regional directors of public health.

  We have sufficient stocks of smallpox vaccine, which would be rapidly deployed to contain any outbreak. We have taken steps to considerably increase our supplies. We are planning for every eventuality and this includes the ability to vaccinate the entire population if necessary.

  In addition, guidance for individuals wishing to have smallpox inoculations is available in the information pack, "Smallpox Vaccination of Regional Response Groups—Information for health care workers administering or receiving the vaccine". This guidance is available on www.doh.gov.uk/smallpox/vaccination.

  Social Workers
  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost of employing social workers in(a) Worcestershire County Council, (b) Warwickshire County Council, (c) Gloucestershire

  295W
  County Council, (d) Birmingham, (e) Coventry, (f) Dudley, (g) Sandwell, (h) Solihull, (i) Walsall and (j) Wolverhampton Metropolitan District Councils. [109358]

  Jacqui Smith
  The information requested is not held centrally by the Department of Health.

  Specialist Registrars
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of hospitals in England in which there are(a) fewer than six and (b) fewer than 10 established specialist registrars. [109136]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  England 30 September 2001

  Standard Chuster

  Registrar group (total number of staff)

  Number of trusts with fewer than 10 registrars

  Number of trust with fewer than 6 registrars

  Acute specialist

  567

  1

  1

  Acute specialist (children)

  319

  0

  0

  Acute teaching

  5,361

  0

  0

  Large Acute

  2,525

  0

  0

  Large Multi-service

  446

  0

  0

  Medium Acute

  1,263

  0

  0

  Medium Multi-service

  348

  3

  0

  Priority single service1

  479

  10

  7

  Small Acute

  899

  2

  2

  Small Multi-service

  37

  2

  1

  Specialised community2

  561

  48

  36

  1Priority single service consists of learning disability & mental health hospitals.

  2Specialised community cluster consists of community hospitals with mental health and care trusts.

  Note:

  Excludes organisations with no staff in the registrar group.

  Source:

  Department of Health Medical & Dental workforce census.

  Sustainable Policies (NHS)
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what progress have been made in reducing energy use in the NHS; [108683]

  (2) what progress has been made on embedding sustainable practice in the National Health Service; [108652]

  (3) what progress have been made in producing a low carbon economy in the NHS. [108653]

  Mr. Hutton
  The National Health Service has been highly successful in meeting the energy efficiency target of 20 per cent, reduction in energy use from 1990 to March 2000.

  In April 2001, in accordance with the Government Climate Change Programme, the Department of Health introduced mandatory targets for NHS organisations in
  296W
  England with the aim or reducing the level of primary energy consumed and also carbon emissions produced by the NHS. The targets are:
  To reduce the level of primary energy consumption by 15 per cent, or 0.15 million tonnes carbon from March 2000 to March 2010.
  To achieve a target of 32–55 Gigajoules per 100 cubic metres (Gj/1OOcu.m) energy efficiency performance for the healthcare estate for all new capital developments and major redevelopments or refurbishments; and that all existing facilities should achieve a target of 55–65 Gj/lOOcu.m.

  The Department does not differentiate between energy efficiency and carbon efficiency targets.

  To assist the NHS work towards meeting these targets and embedding sustainable practices in the NHS, NHS Estates issued the "New Environmental Strategy for the NHS" in 2002 together with the guidance document, "Sustainable Development in the NHS" and the software tool, "NHS Environmental Assessment Tool (NEAT)". NHS Estates is also working closely with Action Energy and the Carbon Trust to support the NHS and provide them with best practice advice and guidance on sustainable practices and improving energy efficiency.

  Teenage Health Services
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will recognise teenagers as a separate category for the delivery of health services. [109412]

  Jacqui Smith
  We recognise that teenagers have particular needs, as far as their health and wellbeing are concerned, that differ from those of younger children or adults. Furthermore, they have different educational and social needs that should also be considered in the design and delivery of health services.

  On 10 April 2003, we published the first part of Getting the right start: the national service framework for children, young people and maternity services, covering the standard for hospital services. Throughout the NSF, the particular needs of different age groups, including teenagers, will be addressed, as will periods of transition between different stages of childhood from pre-birth to adolescence and subsequently into adulthood. The hospital standard recommends that the needs of adolescents are given careful consideration in hospital, such as their need for privacy. We have consulted widely with teenagers, as well as younger children and parents, during the development of the NSF.

  Trust Boards (Hemsworth)
  Jon Trickett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list people appointed to(a) NHS trusts and (b) primary care trusts in the Hemsworth constituency who have previously neither served on NHS trust boards nor held any other public appointment; [109871]

  (2) if he will list the persons appointed to NHS trusts who live in the Hemsworth constituency. [109870]
  297W
  Mr. Lammy
  There are currently no people living in the Hemsworth constituency serving on the boards of national health service trusts. However, the following people who live in the constituency are currently serving on other national health service boards.William Barker—chair, Wakefield West Primary Care Trust (PCT)
  David Bond—non-executive, Eastern Wakefield PCT
  Roger Grasby—non-executive, West Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority
  Sandra Handy—non-executive, Wakefield West PCT
  Roy Hirst—non-executive, Eastern Wakefield PCT
  Donald Marshall—non-executive, Eastern Wakefield PCT
  Roy Widdowson—chair, Eastern Wakefield PCT

  The following people who are currently serving on NHS boards which provide services to the Hemsworth constituency have neither previously served on a local NHS board nor held any other public appointment.
  Jane Beesley—non-executive, Eastern Wakefield Primary Care Trust
  Aysha Divan—non-executive, Mid Yorkshire Hospitals HNS Trust
  Anita Fatchett—non-executive, Wakefield West Primary Care Trust
  Janette Firth—non-executive, Wakefield West Primary Care Trust
  Sandra Handy—non-executive, Wakefield West Primary Care Trust
  Stephen Hardy—non-executive, Wakefield West Primary Care Trust
  Thiruvenkatar Krishnapillai—non-executive, South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust
  Donald Marshall—non-executive, Eastern Wakefield Primary Care Trust
  George Nairn—Briggs—non-executive, Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
  Nabeela Yasin-lannelli—non-executive, Eastern Wakefield Primary Care Trust

  Tube Feeding/Hydration
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the guidelines for doctors issued by the British Medical Association and the General Medicial Council on withdrawing or withholding tube feeding and hydration from patients who are not dying. [108537]

  Mr. Lammy
  Artificial nutrition and hydration are a form of medical treatment and are subject to the same principles as those governing medical treatment. There is no lawful justification for giving or continuing treatment that is not in the best interests of a patient who is unable to consent. The guidance from the British Medical Association and General Medical Council is in line with this legal position.

  Dr. Iddon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he issues on action relatives may take should they wish to dispute a decision taken by doctors to end a patient's life by withdrawal of food or fluid when this action has not been requested by the patient. [108662]

  Mr. Lammy
  Any decision to withdraw artificial nutrition and hydration where the patient lacks the capacity to consent must be made in the best interests of 298W
  that patient, based on a judgment that this treatment is of no curative or beneficial effect. Professional guidance states that those close to the patient should be involved in the assessment of the patient's best interests. Where relatives wish to dispute a decision taken about the treatment of a patient who lacks the capacity to consent, they can take this up through the national health service complaints procedure or seek a court judgment. The Department of Health does not issue guidance for relatives specifically on this issue.

  Tuberculosis
  Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions his Department has had with (a) the London Boroughs of (i) Newham and (ii) Brent and (b) the Department for Education and Skills on tuberculosis. [106560]
  Ms Blears
  The London TB Group, which includes representatives front the London Boroughs of Newham and Brent, meets on a regular basis.

  One of the aims of the Newham scrutiny commission on tuberculosis is to improve awareness of tuberculosis (TB) through education in conjunction with the Department for Education and Skills. Newham hosted a World TB Day conference on 24 and 25 March this year with the theme 'People with TB'.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to help local health authorities in(a) improving early referral and (b) proactive screening of high risk groups for tuberculosis; and what form proactive screening of high risk groups for tuberculosis by local health authorities will take. [106561]

  Ms Blears
  Primary care trusts (PCTs) have their own arrangements in place for screening and referral of patients in high-risk categories for tuberculosis (TB).

  The forthcoming TB Action Plan aims to issue standardised advice for all PCTs to follow.

  Union Flag
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what figures he collates on how many NHS hospitals fly the Union Flag on a daily basis. [108668]

  Mr. Hutton
  This information is not collected centrally.

  University College Hospital
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect on the(a) Whittington Hospital and (b) Royal Free Hospital of the granting of foundation status to University College Hospital. [110263]

  Mr. Hutton
  As outlined in chapter 7 of "A Guide to NHS Foundation Trusts", the second stage application process for prospective national health service foundation trusts will require applicants to demonstrate the support of key stakeholder groups and proposals for how local communities will be encouraged to exercise ownership and control within the new organisation.

  Waiting Times
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients had been waiting for longer than 26 weeks for a first out-patient appointment at the end of March 2003; [107725]

  (2) how many patients had been waiting for more than 15 months for in-patient treatment at the end of March 2003. [107723]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information by time-band on the number of patients waiting for in-patient treatment and a first out-patient appointment at the end of March 2003 will be published on 16 May 2003.

  Websites
  Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the (a) cost of and (b) number of visitors to each website operated by his Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which his Department is responsible in each year since its establishment. [107635]
  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health's website (www.doh.gov.uk) was established in June 1995. The cost of the Department's website is shown in the table.

  Financial year

  Total cost (£000)

  1998–99

  219.8

  1999–2000

  313.7

  2000–01

  457.1

  2001–02

  658.9

  2002–03

  722.6

  These figures include hosting and maintenance, development and estimated staff costs (based on agreed Civil Service staff costs including salaries, common services etc.). Costs for earlier years are not available separately from the total information technology costs.

  The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) provided hosting until the end of June 2002. While its website was hosted at OGC, the Department used page impressions rather than hits as a measure of usage. The figures for the years 1996 to 2001 are shown in the table.

  Calendar year

  Page impressions

  1996

  (estimated) 200,000

  1997

  (estimated) 520,000

  1998

  4,533,775

  1999

  16,485,398

  2000

  37,504,218

  2001

  48,337,144

  Notes:

  1. These figures include both static HTML content and Domino database content.

  2. Website usage for 1995–97 is estimated (based on average weekly figures).

  Since June 2002, EDS Ltd. has been the hosting provider for the Department's website. Comparable usage figures for the calendar year 2002 are unavailable. EDS provides a monthly service report that includes a web performance return in which traffic to the Department's website is measured in 'visits'.
  300W
  The number of visits to the Department's static HTML website between July 2002 and March 2003 averaged 885,123 visits per month. In each month of this year to date the number of visits has been over one million. It should be noted, however, that this figure does not include visits to any of the 65 Domino databases, which form part of the Departments' site. Visit counts for these databases are currently unavailable.

  To identify the costs and the number of visitors to each agency and non-departmental public body website associated with the Department of Health, which are not all directly operated by the Department, would incur disproportionate costs. However, the available information about each of the Department's Executive Agencies' websites is listed as follows:

  NHS Pensions Agency (www.nhspa.gov.uk)
  Information on visitors to and costs of the site is shown in the table.

  £

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Total visitors to internet site

  1—

  110,016

  48,240

  Total visitors to NHSnet site

  —

  275,706

  2779,275

  Capital costs of the site

  344,100

  3,4—

  3,4—

  Annual budget for running the site

  50,500

  3,4—

  3,4—

  1Prior to March 2002, the above information was not analysed and no logs are available.

  2The site did not go fully live until March 2002, and at present, covers Employing Authorities and not GPs. A range of applications for NHS Employers, an extension of web-based forms for updating, were developed in late 2002 and released early in 2003, which accounts for the increased level of traffic. Currently, for security reasons this is only available on the NHSnet version of the site, but it is planned to extend to the public internet site when security can be assured.

  3IT FM and Development services were outsourced from January 2002 to Envision and most of the costs are absorbed within their overall contract price for all services over the lifetime of the contract and are therefore difficult to apportion.

  4Capital costs: Development costs are included and cover the running and supporting of three sites: Internet, Intranet and NHSnet. We did not have time to apportion equipment costs and post 31 December 2001 they are built into the overall contract price and not separately identified. The costs included prior to 31 December 2001 are for site development using outsourced staff.

  The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (www.pasa @doh.gov.uk)

  The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency was established on 1 April 2000. Information on visitors to and cost of the site is shown in the table.

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total cost (£)

  30,000

  87,000

  121,000

  Total visitors

  288,000

  384,000

  468,000

  Notes:

  1. Total costs include cost of staff salaries.

  2. 'Visitors' is the number of people entering the website via the home page (excluding those who have bookmarked favourite pages), and is not the number of hits on the site (which would be far higher).

  3. Costs exclude externally hosted website applications.

  The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) (www.mca.gov.uk)

  The MCA is unable to isolate the cost of the website from general IT costs and only has website usage figures available from November 2001. These are shown in the table.
  301W

  Calendar year

  Page impressions

  2001 (2 months)

  38,919

  2002 (12 months)

  9,542,720

  2003(3 months)

  3,233,937

  The Medical Devices Agency (MDA) (www.medicaldevices.gov.uk)

  The MDA's website was set up in 1998. The cost of the MDA's website is shown in the table. They include hosting and maintenance, development and staffing costs based on agreed Civil Service staff costs (including salaries, common services, etc).

  Financial year

  Total Cost (£000)

  1998–99

  15.1

  1999–2000

  15.2

  2000–01

  70.0

  2001–02

  33.7

  2002–03

  82.6

  The increase in hosting and maintenance charges between 2002 and 2003 was caused by the OGC's decision to drop its role as an Internet service provider, requiring MDA to transfer its website to a commercial provider. The current hosting supplier is Interliant.

  In 2000 a major redevelopment was initiated to prepare the site as the primary mechanism for meeting the e-government target of 2005 for delivery of services electronically. The announcement of the merger of MDA and the MCA to form the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) from 1 April 2003 has resulted in a new site for MHRA, which links to the existing MCA and MDA sites. A fully integrated website for MHRA is planned.

  The OGC provided hosting until the end of February 2002. While its website was hosted at OGC, MDA used page impressions rather than hits as a measure of usage. With the move to Interliant, other statistics have become available but the page impressions statistic is used in the following table to allow comparison. The figures for the five years from 1998 to 2002 are shown.
  302W

  Calendar Year

  Page Impressions

  1998

  203,195

  1999

  398,475

  2000

  698,175

  2001

  1990,963

  2002

  3,970,174

  1Partial estimate—figures not available for end of year.

  NHS Estates (www.nhsestates.gov.uk)

  The NHS Estates website was created in September 2000. At 31 March 2003, the total cost of establishing the site and maintaining it was £267,100. During the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003, the total number of hits to the site was 16,783,592. Earlier figures are not available.

  Young Carers
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of young carers have been assessed for their ability to provide for the person they care for; [109936]

  (2) what measures have been taken since January 2002 to improve the conditions of young carers. [109933]

  Jacqui Smith
  Young carers are assessed in line with the "Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families", in the same way as other potential children in need. The Government's aim is to ensure that young carers are not expected to carry inappropriate levels of caring with emphasis on helping the family as a whole, rather than focussing exclusively on the needs of individuals within it, whether these be disabled adults or young carers.

  The Carers Grant, worth £100 million in 2003–04, provides money for local councils to help carers which can include providing short breaks to support them in their caring role. Following my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State's announcement in July 2002, the Grant will continue until 2006, during which time it will more than double to £185 million to provide extended care and 130,000 further breaks to carers.

  In addition, we are supporting the development of over 100 young carers' projects across the country to give carers of school age access to appropriate advice, information and support or leisure.

  High Court Judges: Judicial Robes
  High Court Judges: Judicial Robes
  Illegal Meat Imports
  Illegal Meat Imports
  Zimbabwe and China: Human Rights
  Zimbabwe and China: Human Rights
  Afghanistan: Witness Protection
  Afghanistan: Witness Protection
  Unlawful Combatants
  Unlawful Combatants
  Gujarat: Freedom of Religion
  Gujarat: Freedom of Religion
  United Nations Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia
  United Nations Emergencies Unit for Ethiopia
  Sudan
  Sudan
  Guantanamo Bay
  Guantanamo Bay
  Russia
  Russia
  Nigeria
  Nigeria
  Zimbabwe: Arms Embargo
  Zimbabwe: Arms Embargo
  Democratic Republic of Congo: Exploitation of Natural Resources
  Democratic Republic of Congo: Exploitation of Natural Resources
  Russia: Violence Against Women
  Russia: Violence Against Women
  Thailand: Unresolved Killings
  Thailand: Unresolved Killings
  Iraq: Protection of Cultural Property
  Iraq: Protection of Cultural Property
  Iraq: Guidance to Civil Servants and Service Personnel
  Iraq: Guidance to Civil Servants and Service Personnel
  Iraq: Surrender of Weapons
  Iraq: Surrender of Weapons
  Army Trained Strength
  Army Trained Strength
  Middle East
  Middle East
  Iraq: Support for Coalition
  Iraq: Support for Coalition
  Gibraltar
  Gibraltar
  UK and US: Treaties and Agreements
  UK and US: Treaties and Agreements
  Iraq: Possibility of Terrorist Repercussions
  Iraq: Possibility of Terrorist Repercussions
  Boris Berezovsky
  Boris Berezovsky
  Passports
  Passports
  Asylum Applicants
  Asylum Applicants
  Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act: Section 55 Decisions
  Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act: Section 55 Decisions
  Sex Offender Treatment Programmes: HM Prison Albany
  Sex Offender Treatment Programmes: HM Prison Albany
  Heavy Goods Vehicles: Weight Limits
  Heavy Goods Vehicles: Weight Limits
  FirstGroup plc
  FirstGroup plc
  Rail Passenger Franchises
  Rail Passenger Franchises
  High Speed North-South Passenger Line
  High Speed North-South Passenger Line
  Rail Levy
  Rail Levy
  Gypsies
  Gypsies
  Disabled Facilities Grant
  Disabled Facilities Grant
  Planning Policy: Town Centres and Retail Developments
  Planning Policy: Town Centres and Retail Developments
  NHS: Patient Charges
  NHS: Patient Charges
  Nurses
  Nurses
  Cancer Plan
  Cancer Plan
  NHS Trusts: Finances
  NHS Trusts: Finances
  NHS: Congestion Charge
  NHS: Congestion Charge
  Special Educational Needs
  Special Educational Needs
  Shipbuilding
  Shipbuilding
  Software Piracy
  Software Piracy
  Hull: Human Rights
  Hull: Human Rights
  Medical Compensation: Conditional Fee Agreements
  Medical Compensation: Conditional Fee Agreements
  European Social Fund Objective: 3 Co-Financing
  European Social Fund Objective: 3 Co-Financing
  Funeral Services: Costs
  Funeral Services: Costs
  Budget
  Budget
  Export of Live Horses for Slaughter
  Export of Live Horses for Slaughter