Written Answers of 23 January 2003

TREASURY

  New Taxes
  Mrs. Roe
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual cost to business of new taxes introduced since May 1997. [92747]

  John Healey
  The net effect of the Government's Corporation Tax changes introduced since 1997 is to reduce the corporate tax burden on business. We now have the lowest corporation tax rates in UK history. We have introduced a series of targeted measures, including tax credits for R&D to reward entrepreneurship.

  Tax Credits
  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the costs of introducing tax credits. [92748]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Through the new tax credits the Government is investing £13 billion in supporting families of which £2.7 billion is additional to what is already available. No government has spent so much on children and families.

  Interest Rates
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the recent effect of interest rates upon the balance of payments. [92749]

  Ruth Kelly
  It is difficult to isolate the specific effect of interest rate movements on the balance of payments. However, the Government's strong macroeconomic framework has delivered economic stability and historically low interest rates so that the UK economy is well placed to benefit as the pace of global recovery picks up.

  Manufacturing
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the annual cost to manufacturing businesses of taxes and regulations introduced since May 1997. [92751]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The net effect of the Government's Corporation Tax changes introduced since 1997 is to reduce the corporate tax burden on business. We now have the lowest corporation tax rates in UK history. We have introduced a series of targeted measures, including tax credits for R&D to reward entrepreneurship.

  The Government is committed to ensuring that regulations are fair and effective, so that they protect the vulnerable but do not stifle enterprise or productivity.
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  In August 1998, the Government introduced Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) to develop a more open system of assessing the risks, costs and benefits of new legislative proposals. A thorough regulatory impact assessment is required for all new regulations that impact on business, charities or the voluntary sector.

  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the trends in manufacturing industry throughout the United Kingdom in the last year. [92753]

  John Healey
  After achieving its fastest rate of output growth for six years in 2000, the past two years have clearly been difficult for the manufacturing sector, not just in the UK but across the industrialised world. Nonetheless, the domestic macroeconomic stability that this Government's policies have put in place, together with our wide range of policies designed to improve productivity and enterprise, offer solid foundations for manufacturers to build on when the recovery in the world economy gathers pace.

  European Stability and Growth Pact
  Mike Gapes
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his policy concerning reform of the European Stability and Growth Pact. [92754]

  Ruth Kelly
  This Government has consistently made clear that it supports a prudent interpretation of the Stability and Growth Pact, which takes into account the economic cycle, sustainability and the important role of public investment. A prudent interpretation of the Stability and Growth Pact will provide a long-term solution and strengthen fiscal discipline. We continue to discuss this with our EU colleagues.

  South America
  Brian White
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the International Monetary Fund has made of the current economic situation in South America. [92755]

  Ruth Kelly
  The latest IMF assessment of economic developments and prospects in Latin America was in its 'World Economic Outlook', published in September 2002. That showed 2002 was a difficult year, with an estimated fall in GDP of 0.6 per cent. for the region, but a recovery is expected during 2003. Growth rates experienced in 2002 varied widely, but countries with sound policy frameworks were generally better able to withstand the period of uncertainty.

  Global Economy
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent discussions he has had on the participation of the poorest countries in the global economy; and if he will make a statement. [92752]

  John Healey
  Overcoming economic marginalisation and integrating the poorest countries into the global economy is vital to securing the economic growth required to meet our Millennium Development Goal of halving the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2015.
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  We will continue to engage the international community on this issue as we have done over the past year through the G7 and G8, the EU, and the IMF and World Bank—supporting their proposals for high-level dialogue between potential investors and developing country governments. Yesterday, the Chancellor of the Exchequer addressed key corporate figures as well as NGO leaders and developing country representatives, when he spoke at a Chatham House conference on the role of the private sector in developing countries through increased levels of investment, improved accountability and strategic and consultative engagement in the wider development context.

  Today, the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for International Development are publishing their detailed proposals for an International Finance Facility to release $50 billion a year in additional aid flows for investment in developing countries. This additional support will help poor countries put in place the reforms required to attract increased private sector investment.

  Annuities
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to bring rules governing investment-linked annuities into line with those already in operation for pensioners in income drawdown. [91556]

  Ruth Kelly
  On 17 December the Government published, for consultation, simplification proposals for the pension tax rules. The consultation paper, "Simplifying the taxation of pensions: increasing choice and flexibility", is available in the House of Commons Library. The consultation is to allow people the opportunity to put forward their views before final decisions are taken.

  The consultation paper puts forward a proposed framework of general benefit rules within which new retirement products can be developed consistent with the requirement to annuities by age 75. These rules will apply to both annuities and drawdown products.

  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will take steps to enable new providers to take over the payment of conventional annuities; [91557]

  (2) if he will make it his policy to enable with-profits annuitants to transfer to other annuity providers. [91555]

  Ruth Kelly
  Tax legislation does not prevent the transfer of liability to pay an annuity to a different provider so long as the terms of the annuity are not altered. It is a matter of contract between the parties whether this can occur at the request of the annuitant.

  Bank of England
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the value of the Bank of England's land and buildings at(a) Threadneedle Street, London. (b) other London addresses and (c) other UK addresses, based on (i) the valuation for existing use and (ii) the highest valuation for alternative use; and if he will make a statement. [92515]
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  Ruth Kelly
  As at 30 November 2002. the existing use value of the Bank of England's land and buildings (including fixed plant) in the respective locations is:

  (a) £172.4 million

  (b) £40 million

  (c) £17.2 million

  These figures reflect a professional valuation as at 28 February 2001 by Insignia Richard Ellis, plus the cost of subsequent additions, less depreciation.

  Valuations for alternative uses are not available. These figures are unaudited.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the value of the fixed assets of the Bank of England; and what date these estimates were made; and if he will make a statement. [92516]

  Ruth Kelly
  A valuation of the tangible fixed assets of the Bank of England, as at 28 February 2002, was included in the Bank's Annual Report, laid before Parliament on 23 May 2002.

  Census
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what margin of error is officially regarded as acceptable for the 2001 census in(a) inner city areas and (b) rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [92496]

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

  Letter from L. Cook to Mr. E. Pickles, dated 23 January 2003:
  As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking what margin of error is officially regarded as acceptable for the 2001 Census in (a) inner city areas and (b) rural areas. (92496)
  I published the margins of error, also known as confidence intervals, when the first results from the 2001 Census were released on 30 September 2002 for England and Wales (and inner city and rural areas.)
  For England and Wales as a whole, the 95 per cent confidence interval (the range within which the true population would fall for 95 per cent of the times the sample was repeated) was plus or minus 0.2 per cent or 104,000 people. For local authority areas the percentage margins of error are larger, ranging from 6.1 per cent in Luton to 0.6 per cent in Dudley, East Dorset and Redcar and Cleveland.
  All Census population estimates have been subject to rigorous quality assurance which followed an agreed strategy which had been the subject of wide consultation with census users. The population of each local authority by age and sex was considered in a consistent and detailed manner—this involved comparison against diagnostic ranges derived from rolled-forward population estimates and aggregated administrative sources (such as Birth Registration and Pensions data).
  The quality assurance process means that the census figures are the best estimates we can provide for the population and they are all within acceptable confidence intervals.

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  Of importance also to confidence in census results is that we can explain changes and unusual results. There is insufficient cohesion between the measures of the various contributors to intercensal change in the United Kingdom. This is not acceptable to many users.
  We are reviewing at present our methods of measuring external migration, and I have initiated a review to identify what we can do to estimate more effectively the population between censuses in areas of large change from sources we cannot measure well.

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many civil servants have been employed by(a) his Department and (b) each of its agencies and non-departmental bodies in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [92370]

  Ruth Kelly
  Figures for HM Treasury and its agencies at 1 April for the period 1994–2001 are published in Civil Service Statistics copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library. Figures for 2002 will be published in due course.

  Economic Inactivity
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many working-age people not in full-time education were economically inactive in each year since 1997. [91978]

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

  Letter from L. Cook to Mr. David Willetts, dated 23 January 2003:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about economically inactive people not in full-time education. (91978)
  The attached table give the information requested. These estimates are from the Labour Force Survey (LFS).

  Economically inactive people of working age' who are not in full-

  time education United Kingdom: 1997–20022

  Thousands

  December to November

  1996–97

  6,316

  1997–98

  6,320

  1998–99

  6,215

  1999–2000

  6,271

  2000–01

  6,327

  2001–02

  6,342

  1Men aged 16–64 and women aged 16–59.

  2Average for the twelve month period ending November of each year.

  Note:

  These Labour Force Survey (LFS) estimates are Not Seasonally Adjusted (NSA) and have not yet been adjusted to take account of the recent Census2001 results.

  Source:

  Labour Force Survey (ONS)

  EMU
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he plans to publish the 14 supporting studies on euro convergence before his Department's assessment of the five tests for entry to EMU. [92818]
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  Ruth Kelly
  I refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 20 January 2003,Official Report, column 54W.

  Equity Release
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the regulatory regime applicable to equity release products and providers. [92567]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government is giving the Financial Services Authority responsibility for regulating mortgage business, including mortgage based equity release arrangements. In August last year, the FSA published its consultation paper, CP 146 setting out its approach to regulating mortgage sales including lifetime mortgages (the FSA's term for regulated equity release mortgages). It is expected that regulation of lifetime and other mortgages will come into force in October 2004.

  As for home reversions, the Government announced in its Green Paper on Pensions that it would be looking at options to create a level playing field for the regulation of equity release and home reversion plans to protect consumers and make the market work better. The Government is gathering evidence of consumer detriment to decide the appropriate level of regulation. If the Government decides to go ahead and regulate home reversions the likely timescale would be a consultation later in the year, and the Government would decide on the basis of legal advice whether secondary or primary legislation was necessary.

  EU (Economic Reform)
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government's strategy is for economic reform in the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [91198]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government's White Paper on European economic reform (Realising Europe's Potential; economic reform in Europe, February 2002) sets out the Government's strategy for economic reform in the European Union and describes the next steps in this process. These include:further reform of labour markets to meet EU employment targets and establish employment opportunity for all;
  less and better targeted state aid;
  continued improvement of the EU competition regime;
  work to deliver a genuine single market in services, including financial services, as well as in manufacturing; and
  the full opening up of gas, electricity and telecoms markets.

  Heritage and Antique Assets
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sales of heritage assets and antique assets have been made by his Department since May 1997; if he will list such assets; and if he will estimate the total sales proceeds. [92372]

  Ruth Kelly
  HM Treasury did not hold or dispose of any heritage assets over this period.

  HM Treasury's Resource Accounts (1999–2000, Cm 5062 and 2000–01, HC 573) include a disclosure of all asset disposals including separate figures for

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  antiques. Accounts for 2001–02 will be published shortly. Resource accounts were not compiled for years before 1999, and so data are not available in the form requested.

  Home Insurance
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 14 January 2003,Official Report, column 514W, on home insurance, if he will publish the guidelines set out for the Financial Services Authority for their consultation on home insurance. [93035]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Government have not issued guidelines to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) on the content of their consultation on mortgages and whether it should include requirements in relation to fees charged for switching home insurance.

  Investment Growth
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on whether the Pre-Budget Report predictions of fixed investment growth will be fulfilled. [92817]

  Ruth Kelly
  As normal, the Government will update its forecasts for the UK economy in the forthcoming Budget.

  Migration Statistics
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of net international migration of population of working age is assumed in his trend growth projections for 2002–03 to 2007–08; and if he will make a statement. [90983]

  Ruth Kelly
  The Treasury's neutral trend growth projections for 2002–03 to 2007–08 assume net inward migration to the UK of 104,000 people of working age a year.

  Pension Contribution Tax Relief
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer after(a) five years, (b) 10 years and (c) 20 years, of the Government's proposals to give people a lifetime limit for pension contribution tax relief. [91091]

  Ruth Kelly
  The cost of the proposed regime will depend on behavioural effects and the final design of the new regime, which will be decided in light of the consultation process.

  Public Sector Workers (Retirement)
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to allow all staff in his Department to retire at age 65; what proportion of staff retire at or before age 60; and if he will make a statement. [92553]

  Mr. Boateng
  Retirement policy is a matter for individual public sector employers and detailed numerical information is not held centrally. Government policy as set out in last year's pensions green paper, "Simplicity, security and choice: Working and saving for retirement (Cm 5677)" is to encourage people to work up to the age of 65 and beyond if they 428W
  wish. Public service employers are reviewing their retirement policies to take account of that. In local government, the normal pension age is already 65 for new entrants. Longer serving staff may have rights to an earlier normal pension age, between 60 and 65, depending on their length of service.

  As set out in the Green Paper, the Government proposes to increase the normal pension age from 60 to 65 for new entrants to pension schemes such the NHS, teachers and civil service. Some 75 per cent. of civil servants already have the option to retire at age 65 and the numbers able to serve beyond age 60 are expected to increase. NHS staff are generally encouraged to continue to work beyond age 60 and those retiring on age grounds typically leave well after age 60. In the state education sector, teachers can normally work until age 65 if they wish and they can work beyond 65 by mutual agreement between the individual and the employer.

  In the armed forces, police and fire services the great majority of people leave before age 60 and pensions for those retiring are payable well before 60. There are a few posts in these services where individuals may be retained beyond age 60. There are a few posts in these services where individuals may be retained beyond age 60.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether the figure of 87 per cent. in Annex B of the Treasury Autumn Performance Report for the proportion of PSA performance targets met is based on the same calculation as the figure of 87 per cent. contained in Annex A2 of the Departmental Report; [87634]

  (2) if he will place in the Library the calculations on which he based the statement that 87 per cent. of PSA performance targets have been met or partly met by 2002, as stated in Annex A2 of HM Treasury Departmental Report 2002; [87635]

  (3) if he will place in the Library the calculations on which he based the statement that 87 per cent. of PSA performance targets have been met or partly met, as stated in Annex B of HM Treasury Autumn Performance Report, Cm 5665; [87636]

  (4) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) of 27 November 2002, Official Report, column 343, if he will place in the Library his calculations for his statement that 93 per cent. of PSA performance targets have been met. [87842]

  Mr. Boateng
  [holding answer 17 December 2002]: Both reports gave the latest position available at the time of publication, and are based on the same calculation: the number of targets met or partly met, divided by the total number of targets assessed. The Autumn Performance Report is therefore more up to date, and is based on 169 targets met or partly met out of 194 targets assessed. 11 targets have subsequently been met or nearly met, giving 180 targets out of 194, which is how the 93 per cent. figure is derived.

  Public Service Pension Schemes
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of further savings that will be made if the rules of public service pension schemes are changed so that new members receive an unreduced pension from age 65. [91084]

  Ruth Kelly
  As noted in Cm 5677, "Simplicity, security and choice: Working and saving for retirement", the Government envisages that the higher pension age might be introduced in most schemes as part of a package of changes to pension arrangements. This would allow for improvements to benefits which employers and staff value and have a positive impact on staff recruitment and retention, including greater flexibility in the transition from work to retirement, and help the financial sustainability of public service pension schemes. Also, while it is envisaged that the new pension packages will be introduced for new employees, the Government will also be consulting on how and to what timescale the higher pension age and any associated enhancement to benefits could be extended to existing employees while protecting rights already accrued. Against that background there are too many uncertainties to give estimates of any likely net costs or savings and these will only become available as proposals are worked up for individual public services after full consultation with staff representatives. The effects of increasing pension ages would also vary considerably from scheme to scheme and build up gradually over time.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total amount of money that was spent on research and development by small and medium-sized companies in(a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01 and (d) 2001–02. [91020]

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

  Letter from C. Mowl to Mr. Howard Flight, dated 23 January 2003:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning what estimate has been made of the total amount of money that was spent on research and development by small and medium sized companies in (a) 1998–99, (b) 1999–2000, (c) 2000–01 and (d) 2001–02.1 am replying in his absence. (91020)
  The answer requires extensive new analysis, using historic information from ONS's interdepartmental business register (IDBR), in order to apply the current definition of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) based on the Commission Recommendation (96/280/EC) of 3 April 1996. This analysis is in hand as a matter of urgency.
  An answer will be provided shortly.

  Royal Mint
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the recommendations made by Grant Thornton in its Action Plan on the Royal Mint had been addressed by 31 December 2002; if he will place a report on the actions in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [90952]
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  Ruth Kelly
  Of the 70 recommendations contained in the above report, 67 have been completed. Of the remaining three, one is being addressed as part of a new Code of Practice for the Royal Mint and will be put in place by the end of March 2003 (Grant Thornton recommendation 14); one is on schedule to be completed by the agreed date of end March 2003 (Grant Thornton recommendation 32); and one has been found to be impracticable as there is no software available for our current systems (recommendation 62).

  Tax Rises
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the annual cost to businesses of tax rises announced in the last Budget. [92750]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Budget 2002 introduced measures to modernise the corporate tax environment, providing longer-term stability and the best possible environment for investment. A series of targeted measures, such as tax credits for R&D and an exemption for capital gains on substantial shareholding, were introduced; as well as cutting the starting rate of corporation tax to zero and a reduction in the small companies rate to 19 per cent.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the annual cost to businesses of new tax rises announced in the last Budget. [92835]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Budget 2002 introduced measures to modernise the corporate tax environment, providing longer-term stability and the best possible environment for investment. A series of targeted measures, such as tax credits for R&D and an exemption for capital gains on substantial shareholding, were introduced, as well as cutting the starting rate of corporation tax to zero and a reduction in the small companies rate to 19 per cent.

  Taxation
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue yield of a 49 per cent. income tax rate on(a) taxable income and (b) gross incomes exceeding £100,000 per annum; if he will estimate in each case the (i) income tax and (ii) capital gains tax yield; and if he will make a statement. [92775]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The full-year yield in 2003–04 of making the changes are set out in the table.

  The full-year yield in 2003–04

  (i) Income Tax yield £billion

  (ii) Capital Gains Tax yield £million

  (a) 49 per cent. rate for taxable incomes

  over £100,000

  4.5

  100

  (b) 49 per cent. rate for gross incomes

  over £100,000

  4.6

  100

  The Income Tax estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the November 2002 Pre-Budget Report. These estimates exclude any behavioural response to the tax change.

  Capital Gains Tax estimates take into account the likely effect on yield of changes in the volume of disposals in a full year caused by taxpayers' behaviour.

  Underspending
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what procedures are in place to ensure that revenue underspend by other Government Departments are(a) recognised by HM Treasury and (b) factored into decision making in future spending reviews. [92980]

  Mr. Boateng
  Spending is monitored by the Treasury. The End Year Flexibility (EYF) system allows Departments to carry forward unspent budgets within departmental expenditure limits. Departments' EYF entitlements are published every year in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper. Departmental allocations in the Spending Review take account of all relevant factors.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Closed Circuit Television
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost has been of installing CCTV cameras in North Belfast for security purposes. [90161]

  Jane Kennedy
  The PSNI commenced installation of CCTV cameras at various interface locations in North Belfast in early summer 2002. The installation costs associated with this project are £681,400.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost has been of damage to CCTV equipment in north Belfast installed for security purposes. [90162]

  Jane Kennedy
  It is wholly regrettable that cameras and associated equipment installed to protect the local community have been attacked. The cost to date of replacing damaged CCTV equipment is £23,800. This does not include the costs to the PSNI (and the army) of supervising the replacement of damaged equipment.

WALES

  Departmental Expenditure (Newsprint)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what the total expenditure of his Department was on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002. [90540]

  Mr. Touhig
  The expenditure by the Wales Office in 2002 on newspapers, magazines and periodicals was £9,389.09.

  Mining
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will ensure that the Welsh mining industry is provided with financial assistance on a basis similar to the English Partnerships National Coalfield Programme; and if he will make a statement. [84189]

  Mr. Touhig
  I understand that there are no plans to establish a Welsh equivalent to the English Partnerships National Coalfield Programme in Wales.

  However, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust in Wales was allocated £3.462 million over three years by the UK Government since its launch in late 1999.
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  The next tranche of funding for the Coalfield Regeneration Trust in Wales, which will be funded by the National Assembly for Wales, has been agreed and will be spread over 2002 to 2005 as follows:

  £million

  2002–03

  1.157

  2003–04

  1.420

  2004–05

  1.420

  The funding for 2003–05 is conditional on the Coalfields Regeneration Trust reaching agreed operational targets.

  Public Spending
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his estimate is of public spending per head from all sources in Wales in the last year for which figures are available, originating from(a) local councils, (b) devolved Government and (c) central Government. [90008]

  Peter Hain
  The latest estimates of public expenditure for Wales were published in the annual Treasury publication "Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2002–03". The next edition of this publication is expected in the spring of this year.

  Table 6.9 shows local authority expenditure in Wales for 2000–01 as £4,414 million, equivalent to £1,520 per head of Wales' population.

  Table 8.7 shows total identifiable expenditure by the National Assembly for Wales in 2000–01 as £7,980 million, equivalent to £2,748 per head of Wales' population.

  Table 8.7 also shows identifiable expenditure by other central Government Departments in 2000–01 of £7,642 million, equivalent to £2,632 per head of Wales' population.

  In addition there is £40,436 million of non-identifiable expenditure where it is not possible to allocate the expenditure to a specific country of the United Kingdom.

  Welsh Office Expenditure
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his estimate is of total spending by the Welsh Office in each year from 1999–2000 to 2005–06; and if he will make a statement. [89960]:

  Mr. Touhig
  Estimated Wales Office spending for the years in question:

  Year

  £000

  1999–2000

  1,485

  2001–01

  3,011

  2001–02

  3,526

  2002–03

  3,696

  2003–04

  4,196

  2004–05

  4,196

  The figure for 1999–2000 is for expenditure after the establishment of the Wales Office in its present form on

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  1 July 1999. These figures are spending on the Wales Office and do not include the payments made to the National Assembly for Wales to fund its budget.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Annual Report
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much producing her Department's latest Annual Report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge. [90881]

  Alun Michael
  The Defra Departmental Report 2002 cost Defra £17,512.00 plus VAT. This cost was for designing, typesetting and proofing the report.

  The printing of the document was handled by The Stationary Office Limited. They bore the full cost of printing and publishing of the document.

  Defra does not have information on how many copies were printed while the Stationary Office is not obliged to give us this information. I understand that the Stationary Office has sold 404 copies of Defra's Departmental Report.

  Defra has distributed 750 copies free of charge. The bulk of these have been made available to our staff, 25 sent to our International Relations and Export Division, 25 to the Forestry Commission and seven to the Office of Water Services.

  Bovine TB
  Ms Atherton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the incidence of bovine TB in cattle in Cornwall. [92826]

  Mr. Morley
  At the end of November 2002, the most recent date for which we have raw data, some 493 or 13 per cent. of the cattle herds in Cornwall were under TB movement restrictions. Of those around 380 were placed under restrictions in 2002; disease has been confirmed in 218 of these herds. This number will certainly rise as culture results come through over the next few months. Statisticians have advised that the backlog of overdue TB tests will have to reduce further before conclusions can be drawn about the changes in TB incidence between 2000 and 2003. This likely to be in summer of 2003.

  Health and Safety
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether her Department and its agencies have met the commitment arising from Action Point 13 of the June 2000 strategy statement on Revitalising Health and Safety to summarise health and safety performance and plans in annual reports from the year 2000£01 onwards; [89511]

  (2) what information she has collated on the application to her Department and its agencies of the checklist, circulated by letter by Sir Richard Mottram,
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  referred to under Action Point 12 of the Revitalising Health and Safety strategy statement; and if she will make a statement; [89513]

  (3) which senior officials within her Department and its agencies take responsibility for health and safety at board or equivalent level; and where their names are publicised. [89512]

  Alun Michael
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr. Nicholas Brown) on 20 January 2003,Official Report, column. 86W.

  Livestock Movements
  Tony Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will abolish the 20 day rule. [92882]

  Mr. Morley
  I announced earlier today that we intend to reduce the whole farm standstill to six days from 4 March, subject to satisfactory further consultation with the livestock industry on a package of measures to improve biosecurity and disease surveillance.

  New Forest National Park
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the cost of the public inquiry into the creation of a New Forest National Park. [91695]

  Alun Michael
  Defra has allocated £1.2 million for the costs to the Countryside Agency and Planning Inspectorate of the New Forest National Park inquiry. We do not expect an overspend. Other parties at the inquiry are bearing their own costs.

  Organic Produce
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of(a) fruits and (b) vegetables sold in the UK were organic, in the last year for which figures are available. [91000]

  Mr. Meacher
  Figures published by the Soil Association1 estimate that the organic market accounted for 1 per cent. of the total food and drink market in the UK in 2001–02. Defra estimates that the organic market for fruit and vegetables accounted for approximately 2 per cent. of the total market for fruit and vegetables in the UK, in the same period. Detailed information on retail sales figures for organically produced fruit and vegetables is not currently available, however, to enable such a comparison to be made.

  The collection, collation and publication of information on the production, manufacture and wholesale and retail marketing of organic foods on a sector by sector basis is one of the many initiatives being further developed under the Organic Action Plan, published on 29 July 2002.
  1Soil Association organic food and farming report 2002

  Plastic Carrier Bags
  Mr. Kevan Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government policy in relation to taxation of plastic carrier bags. [89830]
  435W
  Mr. Meacher
  Taxation is a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. As was announced in the Pre-Budget Report on 27 November 2002, the Government currently does not have any plans to introduce a plastic bag tax, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is still considering the use of economic instruments for the better waste management of this and other items in the waste stream.

  Recycling
  Mr. Beith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she has taken to promote the recycling of plastic bottles. [89808]

  Mr. Meacher
  [holding answer 22 January 2003]:We have set all local authorities statutory performance standards to increase recycling and provided additional funding to deliver these standards. It is for local authorities to decide whether to focus on particular parts of waste stream such as plastic bottles. However, I would expect increasing numbers of local authorities to put in place a collection infrastructure for these as standards increase.

  The Producer Responsibility Regulations we have in place require relevant businesses to recover and recycle packaging waste including plastic. That framework also generates income that is used for collection capacity, end use markets and reprocessing capacity.
  436W
  The Government has also established the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to create more stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products, and to tackle the barriers to increased reuse and recycling. WRAP has identified plastics as a priority area in its business plan to 2003–04 and one of its aims is to achieve a 20,000 tonne increase in the mixed plastics processing for industrial products by 2003–04.

  WRAP has completed a research project on plastic bottle recycling, funded regional workshops on plastic recycling and has announced that it is considering whether to part fund an automated plastic bottle recycling plant.

  Stray Dogs
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the obtaining of temporary kennels for stray dogs collected by local authority dog wardens from(a) local police forces and (b) other sources when temporary police kennels are not available. [92589]

  Alun Michael
  Section 149 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires every local authority to appoint an officer to deal with stray dogs. In addition, under section 3(8) of the Dogs Act 1906, the local authority officer, police, or any other person having charge of a stray dog, are required to feed and maintain a dog until the owner has been given a reasonable opportunity to claim it back. Also, under the Protection of Animals Act it is an offence to cause any unnecessary suffering to a captive or domestic animal. It is therefore for local authorities to decide how they will meet the statutory requirements placed upon them.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND

  Departmental Expenditure (Newsprint)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Advocate-General what the total expenditure of her Department was on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002. [90522]

  The Advocate-General for Scotland
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland,Official Report, 23 January 2003, column 491W.

CABINET OFFICE

  Paper Supplies
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office who the suppliers are of his Department's(a) paper and (b) paper products. [91898]

  Mr. Alexander
  Cabinet Office operates framework agreements with the Stationery Office Ltd. and Hewlett-Packard Ltd. for the supply of all standard photocopier and printer paper. The Cabinet Office is also party to framework agreements with the James McNaughton Group, the Robert Home Group, the Howard Smith Paper Group and the Premier Paper Group for the provision of paper for printed publications. Self-adhesive message notes are provided under a framework agreement with Guilbert UK Ltd.

  Further information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  National Lottery
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the amount raised through the National Lottery for good causes in Northern Ireland; and if she will list those good causes. [92943]

  Mr. Caborn
  To date the National Lottery has raised over £13 billion for the good causes. Over £137 million of this has been raised for distribution by the Northern Ireland Arts and Sport Councils, and additional amounts have been made available to Northern Ireland through the six UK wide distributors. At 31 December 2002 over £371 million of Lottery funding had been awarded to projects in Northern Ireland.

  The National Lottery etc. Act 1993 established five good causes to benefit from the Lottery: these are sport; the arts; heritage; charities and projects to mark the year 2000 and the beginning of the third millennium. The National Lottery Act 1998 Act introduced a new good cause of health education and the environment.
  438W
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the total value of National Lottery ticket sales in Northern Ireland has been since its inception; and what analysis has been undertaken as to the social class of those buying tickets. [92944]

  Mr. Caborn
  The total value of National Lottery ticket sales in Northern Ireland since 1994 to date is £991 million. Research carried out by the National Lottery operator in 2001–02 indicated the following breakdown, taking the adult population of the United Kingdom as a whole who play the National Lottery regularly.

  Percentage

  Saturday players

  Wednesday players

  AB

  17

  16

  C1

  29

  28

  C2

  26

  28

  DE

  27

  27

  Male

  45

  49

  Female

  54

  50

  Entertainment
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of the total spending of his Department on entertainment in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and if she will make a statement. [92395]

  Dr. Howells
  The following table shows expenditure on entertainment by my Department. The figures do not include the Department's agencies and NDPBs.

  All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Government Accounting.

  £

  DCMS expenditure

  1994–95

  14,967

  1995–96

  25,563

  1996–97

  41,000

  1997–98

  17,230

  1998–99

  28,688

  1999–00

  32,533

  2000–01

  50,891

  2001–02

  28,657

  2002–03 spend todate

  35,990

  Focus Groups
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she has taken to implement the findings from the focus groups research run by her Department since June 2001; and what recent discussions and representations she has had with stakeholders and industry to deliver policies arising from those findings. [92719]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 22 January 2003]: Since June 2001, the Department has made use of focus group research in two cases.
  439W
  (1) Research into consumer attitudes to digital television

  The findings from the three focus groups conducted as part of this MORI research have been fed into the work of the Digital Action Plan task groups. The Technical and Equipment Group, which have consumer representation including the RNIB and RNID, has identified key areas in which blind/partially sighted viewers and deaf/hard of hearing viewers can benefit from digital television and made recommendations to increase universal user accessibility. The group is taking these findings forward, and will also work with the Independent Television Commission on the "Easy TV" project which is aimed at making the new interactive facilities offered by digital TV easy to use and accessible by all viewers. Ministers are in regular contact with stakeholders and industry through the steering board of the Digital Action Plan.

  (2) Regional Data Framework Project

  The findings of the focus groups, which were run during 2002, were incorporated into the report and user guide documents. The framework is now being tested by stakeholders so that comments on content and usability can be built into the final version of this guidance documentation on data sources and methodologies.

  Health and Safety Regulations
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what discussions she has had with local authorities on the effect of the proposed licensing bill on health and safety regulations; and if she will make a statement; [92333]

  (2) what discussions she has had with local authorities on the (a) implementation, (b) monitoring, (c) effect and (d) fee-setting of the proposed entertainment licences; and if she will make a statement. [92334]

  Dr. Howells
  [holding answer 21 January 2003]: Ministers and officials have discussed all aspects of licensing reform with the local authority associations. We are continuing this discussion as the Bill undergoes Parliamentary scrutiny. The Local Government Association and the Association of London Government are represented on the Advisory Group on the Bill.

  Under the proposed reforms there will no longer be a separate entertainment licence. Instead a single premises licence for each place where licensable activities are to take place will set out the activities that are permitted there, including entertainment.

  Heritage Assets
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what sales of heritage assets and antique assets have been made by her Department since May 1997; and if she will list such assets; and if she will estimate the total sales proceeds. [92396]

  Dr. Howells
  The Department has made no sales of heritage assets or antique assets since May 1997.

  Sport (Community Access)
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to enable greater community access to school and local authority sports facilities and equipment; and if she will make a statement. [89994]

  Mr. Caborn
  As part of its £1 billion commitment to investment in sport and physical activity, the Government are allocating £750 million across the UK—including £581 million in England—from the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) to support projects designed to bring a step change in the provision of sporting facilities for young people and for the wider community. This funding has been provisionally allocated to local education authority areas, and each LEA was invited to be the lead organisation for its area and work with schools and other partners, including community organisations, to determine the priorities for spend in their areas and submit a balanced portfolio of projects. Initial revenue funding is being made available from the allocations to support the development and promotion of the facilities for wider community use. Space for Sport and Arts, a joint DCMS-DfES initiative providing £130 million towards creating new, and rebuilding existing, primary schools, is also paying particular attention to developing facilities that can also be used by the community out of school hours.

  Local authorities are key providers of sport and recreation and play a central role in the delivery of sport in and for the community. The majority of local authorities continue to recognise good value for money represented by spending on sport and recreation for people of all ages in the communities they serve, and they have made considerable progress in investing in quality sports facilities after so many years of neglect in that area. This Government have embarked on an unprecedented investment in sport and recreation across the board, and has to date, through the National Lottery, invested over £660 million into improving local authority sports facilities in England.

  Sports Clubs
  Mr. David Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what Government funds are available for modernisation of sports clubs; and by what means she channels modernisation funds to sports clubs. [91915]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government is making available £60 million over the next three years to enhance sports clubs' facilities. The programme will commence on 1 April this year. Its aims are to create a sustainable and viable sports club infrastructure in England that meets the needs of local communities particularly in deprived areas, to provide appropriate support and pathways for identifying and developing talented individuals and to increase club membership amongst young people, women, ethnic groups and people with disabilities.
  441W
  The Programme will be managed by Sport England and overseen by a Project Board comprising representatives of the Department, Sport England and the national governing bodies of sport. Funding will be distributed to the national governing bodies, against bids to Sport England, who will manage a portfolio of projects with individual clubs. The governing bodies for football, cricket, tennis and rugby union have been given indicative allocations of £9.3 million each over the three years and 11 other governing bodies will be able to submit bids for awards from a £20 million fund over the three years.

DEFENCE

  Amport House
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the(a) infrastructure and (b) training costs of Amport House were in each of the last five financial years. [92678]

  Dr. Moonie
  The infrastructure and training costs of Amport House in the last five financial years are as follows:

  Amport House infrastructure and training costs

  £million

  Financial year

  Infrastructure

  1998–991

  1.847

  1999–20001

  0.857

  2000–01

  0.599

  2001–02

  0.633

  2002–032

  0.628

  Training

  1998–99

  0.515

  1999–2000

  0.547

  2000–01

  0.656

  2001–02

  0.673

  2002–032

  0.764

  1 Costs include capital works funding for new Chapel.

  2 Forecast of expenditure.

  Amport House Conferences
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many chaplains have attended each conference at Amport House in each of the last five financial years; [92674]

  (2) how many personnel were employed at Amport House in each of the last five financial years, broken down by (a) service personnel, (b) civilians and (c) rank and grade. [92677]

  Dr. Moonie
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many conferences were held for chaplains at Amport House in each of the last five financial years. [92679]
  442W
  Dr. Moonie
  The information requested is shown in the table:

  FY

  Number

  1997–98

  17

  1998–99

  18

  1999–2000

  20

  2000–01

  21

  2001–02

  18

  The Armed Forces Chaplaincy Centre (AFCC), based at Amport House supports all three services and all three of the major ecclesiastical groupings (Church of England (CofE), Roman Catholic (RC) and Church of Scotland and Free Churches (CSFC)) and other faith groups. The above figures include conferences, lectures, structured discussions and Continuing Ministerial Education (CME) as mandated by the sending church authorities, which areattended primarily by service chaplains. It does not include other courses or training activities held at the AFCC which service chaplains may also attend.

  British Army of the Rhine
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the size is of the British Army of the Rhine; what its size was in(a) 1997, (b) 1993 and (c) 1983; and what British forces remain in Germany. [91854]

  Mr. Ingram
  As a result of the drawdown of British troops in the early 1990s the British Army of the Rhine was disbanded on 1 April 1994. The present establishment of British Army (Germany) is 22,500.

  In the period between the years 1983 and the commencement of the drawdown of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) in 1992 there was little change in the establishment figure. In 1983 it would have been approximately 59,000.

  Following the commencement of the drawdown this figure had reduced to 35,000 by the end of 1993 and to 23,500 by 1997.

  In addition to the British Army (Germany) establishment, there are a small number of Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel currently stationed in Germany.

  Call-out Notices
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many call-out notices have been issued in 2003; what percentage of those fit for active duty this represents; and if he will make a statement. [92138]

  Dr. Moonie
  As at 21 January 1,909 call-out notices had been issued. This represents 0.85 per cent. of the total number of volunteer and Regular Reserves available. At any one time it is not possible to state how many members of the Reserve Forces will be fit for active duty because their state of health will change from day to day. This will only become apparent either when the Reservists report for service or if they make an application for revocation, exemption or deferral of call-out based on their health. This is one reason why we
  443W
  issue a larger number of call-out notices so that we can ensure that we achieve the number of Reservists that we require.

  Challenger
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made with the desertisation of Challenger II tanks; when he expects the work to be complete; and if he will make a statement. [91047]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to the hon. Member for Newark (Mr. Mercer) on 10 December 2002,Official Report, column 218W.

  Clansman
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what medical equipment is(a) possessed by his Department and (b) being shipped to the Gulf; and if he will make a statement. [92139]

  Dr. Moonie
  The Ministry of Defence holds a vast range of medical equipment, ranging from pharmaceutical items through to mobile operating theatres. To list all the medical equipment held by the MOD, and that which is currently being moved to the Gulf, would be impracticable and could be done only at disproportionate cost. Sufficient medical equipment would be deployed to provide the level of medical support required in the event of military action against Iraq.

  Continuous Attitude Surveys
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the responses given by naval personnel to questions no. 30 and 31 of the most recent Royal Navy Continuous Attitude Survey; how many personnel responded to questions 30 and 31; and what percentage of respondents to the survey this represents. [92799]

  Dr. Moonie
  Details of the responses to questions 30 and 31 of the Royal Navy's most recently published Continuous Attitude Survey report are provided as follows.

  Q30—Please indicate your own morale in the service (morale in this context is a combination of contentment, motivation and a sense of well being)

  Number

  Very Good

  69

  Good

  328

  Average

  344

  Poor

  170

  Very Poor

  41

  Total

  952

  The number responding to this question, 952, represents over 99 per cent. of the 957 responses to the survey as a whole.

  Q31—Having now had the opportunity to give your views on various aspects of service life, please give your overall view of your conditions of service.
  444W

  Number

  Very satisfied

  40

  Satisfied

  417

  Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

  229

  Dissatisfied

  230

  Very dissatisfied

  33

  Total

  949

  The number responding to this question, 949, represents 99 per cent. of the responses to the survey as a whole.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the next continuous attitude surveys for the(a) Army, (b) Navy and (c) Air Force will be (i) conducted and (ii) published; whether the questions to be asked will differ in any way from those asked in the last survey; and if he will make a statement. [92800]

  Dr. Moonie
  The next continuous attitude survey for the Royal Navy will be issued at the end of January with a report expected at the end of May. For the Army the next survey is scheduled to be sent out in June with a report scheduled for publication in September. For the RAF the next questionnaire will be issued on 3 February and the report will be published in August.

  The questions in the Royal Navy and the RAF surveys are the same as those asked in the last surveys. For the Army some of the questions will be slightly different from last time. All of the Army surveys have common themes but, within each theme, the type and number of questions is re-examined on each occasion. For the forthcoming survey in June the existing diversity and discipline sections will be re-balanced against a different subject, yet to be decided.

  Defence Bodies
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) names and (b) employers of the members of the (i) National Defence Industries Council, (ii) National Defence Industries Council Research and Technology Group, (iii) National Defence and Aerospace Systems Panel, (iv) Research and Technology Task Force and (v) Defence Task Force. [91918]

  Mr. Ingram
  The membership details, both from industry and Government, are as follows:

  National Defence Industries Council (NDIC)

  Membership

  Industry

  Sir Richard Evans

  Chairman. Defence Industries

  Council and BAE Systems plc

  Mr. David Singleton

  Defence, Intellect

  Mr. Martin Jay

  Society of Maritime Industries

  Sir David Lees

  GKN plc

  Mr. Nick Prest

  Defence Manufacturers

  Association

  Mr. Gordon Page

  Society British Aerospace

  Companies

  Mr. David Marshall

  Defence Industries Council

  Mr. Simon Frost

  Claverham Group

  Mr. Alex Dorrian

  Thales Defence Ltd

  Government

  The right hon. Mr. Geoffrey

  Secretary of State for Defence

  Hoon MP

  445W

  National Defence Industries Council (NDIC)

  Membership

  Industry

  Lord Bach of Lutterworth

  Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Defence Procurement

  The right hon. Mr. Adam Ingram MP

  Minister of State for the Armed Forces

  Mr. Alan Johnson MP

  Minister of State for Employment Relations, Industry and the Regions, DTI

  Sir Kevin Tebbit

  Permanent Under-Secretary

  Sir Robert Walmsley

  Ministry of Defence Chief Executive Defence Procurement Agency

  Air Chief Marshal Sir

  Ministry of Defence Chief

  Malcolm Pledger

  Defence Logistics

  Professor Sir Keith O'Nions

  Ministry of Defence Chief Scientific Adviser

  Mr. Alan Garwood

  Head of Defence Export Services

  Mr. David Gould—DTI Director TBC

  Defence Procurement Agency

  National Defence Industries Council Research and Technology

  Group (NDIC R&T)

  Membership

  Industry

  Mr. David Marshall

  Society of British Aerospace Companies Ltd

  Mr. Andrew Sleigh

  QinetiQ

  Dr. Andy Low

  Thales UK

  Mr. Derek Marshall

  Defence Industries Council

  Mr. Lambert Dopping Hepenstal

  BAE Systems

  Mrs. Linda Pike

  Defence Industries Council

  Brigadier Louis Wilkes (Ret'd)

  Defence Manufacturers Association

  Mr. Ken Maciver

  National Defence and Aerospace Systems Panel

  Mr. Mike Steeden

  Society of British Aerospace Companies Ltd

  Mr. Bill Bardo

  AMS

  Mr. Phillip Goddard

  Westland Helicopters Ltd

  Mr. Ric Parker

  Rolls-Royce

  Mr. Robert Limmergard

  Intellect

  Professor Terry Knibb

  BAE Systems

  Government

  Mr. Graham Jordan

  Chairman. Ministry of Defence

  Dr Dai Morris

  Ministry of Defence

  Mr. David Way

  Department of Trade and Industry

  Ms Fiona Strens

  Ministry of Defence

  Mr. Mike Markin

  Ministry of Defence

  Mr. Nick Helbren

  Defence Science and Technology Laboratories

  Cdre Nigel Raby RN

  Ministry of Defence

  Richard Westgarth

  Ministry of Defence (Seconded from QinetiQ

  Mr. Robert Beckham

  Ministry of Defence

  National Defence and Aerospace Systems Panel (NDASP)

  Membership

  Industry

  Mr. W. K. (Ken) Maciver, CBE

  Chairman

  Mr. Ric Parker

  Vice Chairman. Rolls-Royce plc

  Dr. David Clark, OBE

  EPSRC

  Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman, CBE, FRA

  Department of War Studies—Kings College London

  446W

  National Defence and Aerospace Systems Panel (NDASP)

  Membership

  Industry

  Mr. Phil Goddard

  Consultant to Westland Helicopters

  Mr. Iain Gray

  Airbus UK

  Professor Terry Knibb

  BAE Systems

  Professor Philip Lawrence

  Aerospace Research Centre

  Mr. Andrew Little

  Royal Aeronautical Society

  Mr. David Marshall

  Society of British Aerospace Companies Ltd

  Mr. Alan Sharman. CBE

  Defence Manufacturers Association

  Mr. Andrew Sleigh

  QinetiQ

  Mr. Adrian Smith

  SciSys

  Mr. Paul Wrobel

  Thales Naval Systems

  Government

  Mr. Mike Markin, OBE

  Ministry of Defence

  Professor Damien McDonnell, OBE

  Ministry of Defence

  Dr. Graham Coleman

  Defence Science and Technology Laboratories

  Mr. David Way

  Aerospace and Defence Technology, DTI

  National Defence and Aerospace Systems Panel (NDASP)

  Research and Technology Task Force

  Membership

  Industry

  Mr. Ric Parker

  Chairman. Rolls-Royce plc

  Mr. Geoff Byham, MBE

  Westland Helicopters Ltd

  Mr. Andrew Bourne

  EPSRC

  Mr. Ian Risk

  Airbus

  Professor Cyril Hilsum, CBE

  Professor Terry Knibb

  BAE Systems

  Mr. Andrew Little

  Royal Aeronautical Society

  Professor Jim McGuirk

  Department of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering, Loughborough University

  Dr. John Tunnicliffe

  QinetiQ

  Mr. Paul Vangasse

  BAE Systems

  Government

  Mr. Nigel Chew

  Ministry of Defence

  Dr. Graham Coleman

  Defence Science and Technology Laboratories

  Dr. Ray Kingcombe

  Aerospace and Defence Technology Business Group, DTI

  National Defence and Aerospace Systems Panel (NDASP)

  Defence Task Force

  Membership

  Mr. Paul Wrobel

  Chairman. Thales

  Depleted Uranium
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the use of ammunition containing depleted uranium by British armed forces. [92711]

  Mr. Ingram
  United Kingdom forces have two types of depleted uranium (DU) ammunition; 120 mm antitank rounds (CHARM 3), fired by the Army's Challenger tanks, and 20 mm rounds used by the Royal Navy's Phalanx Close-in Weapon System (a missile defence system).
  447W
  DU rounds are the most effective kinetic energy penetrators against armour and the British Army will use them if the need arises.

  The Royal Navy's Close-In Weapon System does not require anti-armour properties and in recent years, a new tungsten round has been developed for it. Since 1996, all replacement ammunition for the Phalanx system has been of the tungsten variety. Some ships still carry the 20 mm DU round, however, and would fire it should the need arise.

  Discharges
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers subject to manning control in the last 10 years submitted a redress to the Army Board against being discharged; and how many were(a) discharged and (b) retained after the redress. [92699]

  Dr. Moonie
  Central records for those who have submitted a Redress of Complaint to the Army Board have only been maintained since 1997.

  Since then there have been two applications for Redress of Complaint relating to the Manning Control Point policy, which were resolved before submission to the Army Board. In these cases, manning control action was terminated and the individuals concerned continue to serve on their original engagement.

  Infantry Soldiers (Discharges)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many infantry soldiers who were subject to manning control in the last five years were discharged. [92698]

  Dr. Moonie
  The number of infantry soldiers subject to manning control in the last five years who were discharged under Queen's Regulations 9.413 cNot required for a full Army career', is shown in the following table:

  Yearly totals

  1998

  46

  1999

  40

  2000

  55

  2001

  44

  2002

  2

  Total

  187

  Iraq
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security of supply for armed forces equipment and munitions should forces be committed to military action in Iraq. [92035]

  Mr. Ingram
  Security of supply is one of the many factors taken into account in the procurement of equipment and munitions. We maintain a close dialogue with our key contractors and international partners to ensure the early identification of any difficulties that may arise so that we can address them accordingly.
  448W
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of munitions released over Iraq were precision guided in each of the last five years. [92534]

  Mr. Ingram
  All of them. RAF aircraft have employed only precision guided munitions when forced to defend themselves while monitoring the No Fly Zones.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2002,Official Report, column 293W, on Iraq, when figures for ordnance released over Iraq for the whole of 2002 will be published. [92517]

  Mr. Ingram
  Between 5 and 31 December 2002 RAF aircraft released 11.8 tonnes of ordnance while responding in self defence to attacks from Iraqi air defences. The total released in 2002 was 67.6 tonnes.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent by the UK in enforcing the no-fly zone over Iraq in each year since its introduction. [91530]

  Mr. Ingram
  Our records do not separately identify expenditure incurred in maintaining the no fly zones. However, the following table sets out the overall additional expenditure incurred by the Ministry of Defence as a direct result of operations in the Gulf from 1992–93 onwards.

  Year

  £million

  1992–93

  551

  1993–94

  179

  1994–95

  58

  1995–96

  14

  1996–97

  6

  1997–98

  16

  1998–99

  35

  1999–2000

  28

  2000–01

  25

  2001–02 (estimate)

  122

  2002–03 (estimate)

  126

  1Denotes figure calculated on a resource basis; all previous figures are cash-based

  I will write to the hon. Member concerning expenditure in 2001–02 and 2002–03.

  Medical Reservists (NHS)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with Health Ministers about the removal of medical reservists from NHS hospitals for service in(a) RFA Argus and (b) other Royal Fleet Auxiliary or Royal Navy vessels in the next 12 months. [89879]

  Dr. Moonie
  Currently, there is no requirement for the employment of medical Reservists in Royal Fleet Auxiliary Argus or other Royal Fleet Auxiliary or Royal Navy vessels over the next 12 months. However, if such a requirement arose, the Ministry of Defence would liaise with the Department of Health and, together, we would work closely with the NHS Trusts concerned to minimise any disruption as far as possible.

  Operational Deployments
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the last three operational deployments and the length between each has been for(a) 1 Para, (b) 2 Para,(c) 3 Para, (d) 7th Armoured Brigade, (e) 1st Armoured Brigade and (f) 161 Ambulance Regiment RLC; and how many personnel have been medically downgraded in each. [92140]

  Dr. Moonie
  Details of the last three operational deployments of each of the units listed, and the length between each of those deployments, are shown in Table 1. 1st Armoured Brigade does not exist. The details for 161 Ambulance Regiment RLC have also been excluded as the unit was disbanded last year, and no longer exists. 161 Ambulance Regiment RLC was a specialist TA unit, and never deployed as a formed unit.

  Table 1

  Unit

  Date

  Location

  Interval (months)

  1 PARA

  June–August 1999

  Kosovo

  -

  May and August 2000 (two short deployments)

  Sierra Leone

  9

  January–June 2001

  Northern Ireland

  4

  2 PARA

  September–October 2001

  Macedonia

  -

  January–March 2002

  Afghanistan

  2

  September 2002–March 2003

  Northern Ireland

  6

  3 PARA

  September 1997–March 1998

  Northern Ireland

  -

  January–June 2000

  Northern Ireland

  21

  January–June 2002

  Northern Ireland

  18

  7 Armd

  April–October 1997

  Bosnia

  —

  Brigade

  May–November 2000

  Kosovo

  31

  May–November 2001

  Kosovo

  6

  The details of those personnel classed as Non-FE, as at 1 December 2002, are included in Table 2. Non-FE status signifies some form of temporary medical downgrading, although it should be noted that while an individual is considered to be medically downgraded, they may still be liable for deployment, depending on the reason for the downgrading, the nature and location of the deployment, and medical advice.

  Table 2

  Unit

  Non-FE total

  Establishment total

  Percentage of establishment

  1 Para

  30

  620

  4.8

  2 Para

  20

  687

  2.9

  3 Para

  30

  687

  4.3

  7 Armd

  Brigade

  350

  6,576

  5.3

  Overstretch
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's definition is of overstretch. [89277]

  Mr. Ingram
  There is no formal definition of overstretch. It has however been referred to in the past as that operational loading of military formations or individuals which is excessive.

  Royal Naval Vessels
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Royal Naval vessels which have entered service in each of the past five years. [92962]

  Mr. Ingram
  Details of Royal Navy vessels entering into service in each of the past five years are:

  1998

  HMS Raider

  HMS Tracker

  1999

  HMS Ocean

  HMS Pembroke

  HMS Penzance

  2000

  HMS Grimsby

  HMS Vengeance

  HMS Bangor

  HMS Kent

  2001

  HMS Ramsey

  HMS Portland

  HMS Blyth

  2002

  HMS Shoreham

  HMS St. Albans

  Royal Ordnance
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is supplied from each of the ROD sites in the UK. [92033]

  Mr. Ingram
  Royal Ordnance Defence (ROD), part of BAE Systems, supply a variety of munitions to the Ministry of Defence under the terms of the MOD/ROD Framework Partnering Agreement. This work is undertaken by ROD at five main sites: Radway Green, Cheshire (supplies Small Arms Ammunition and manufactures components for 20mm and 30mm ammunition for other RO sites); RO Birtley, Co Durham (manufactures metal components); RO Bridgwater, Somerset (produces explosives); RO Chorley, Lancashire (produces a variety of components such as Small Arms Primers, Tube Vent Electric L4 and other initiating devices); and RO Glascoed, Gwent (undertakes assembly, fill/ pack activities and supplies finished munitions to the Department, including 20mm and 30mm ammunition, tank ammunition, 4.5 inch Naval shells, 105mm and 155mm Artillery rounds).

  S-type Contracts
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 8 January 2003,Official

  451W
  Report, column 226W, on S-type contracts, what the rank is of those soldiers serving on S-type contracts. [92702]

  Dr. Moonie
  The breakdown by rank of those soldiers who are employed on an S-type engagement following termination of their notice or open engagement after a manning control review, is shown in the following table.

  Pte

  LCpl

  Cpl

  Sgt

  Army total

  Rank totals

  82

  76

  162

  31

  351

  SA80
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many modified SA80 rifles are(a) issued to personnel and (b) held in stock; and if he will make a statement. [92141]

  Mr. Ingram
  The modified SA80 is being issued to units at a rate of 4,000 weapons each month, in order of operational priority. 50,000 weapons have been issued to units to date. Weapons are issued to units as they become available following modification; consequently no modified weapons are currently held as stock.

  Sea Harriers
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision his Department has made to fill the capability gap which will result from the withdrawal of the sea harriers. [92899]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Baillieston (Mr. Wray) on 5 December 2002,Official Report, column 930W. This provided an update to the

  Royal Navy1

  Army2

  RAF3

  Uniformed

  Civilian4

  Uniformed

  Civilian

  Uniformed

  Civilian

  Church of England

  39

  10

  88

  98

  48

  19

  Roman Catholic

  11

  12

  24

  26

  10

  29

  Church of Scotland

  9

  3

  20

  23

  5

  5—

  Methodist

  6

  5

  11

  12

  7

  5—

  United Reform Church

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  5—

  Baptist

  4

  1

  —

  —

  2

  5—

  Presbyterian

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  5—

  United Board

  —

  —

  6

  8

  —

  5—

  Total

  71

  32

  149

  167

  73

  76

  1As at 20 January 2003.

  2As at 1 December 2002.

  3As at 1 January 2003.

  4Figures include both officiating and honorary officiating chaplains.

  528 various denominations (breakdown of figures not readily available).

  The term civilian chaplain is misleading. Support to serving chaplains in the Royal Navy and RAF, and on many Army units, is provided by 'officiating chaplains'. These are not full-time ministers but local clergy who in addition to their parochial duties will provide part-time support to military units without a chaplain, cover when the serving chaplain is deployed, and help and advise members of other denominations when a suitable commissioned chaplain or representative of the appropriate denomination is not available.
  452W
  answers I gave on 26 September 2002, Official Report, column 328W, and on 21 May 2002, Official Report, column 164W, to the hon. Member for Portsmouth. South (Mr. Hancock).

  Service Chaplains
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the ratio is of(a) uniformed and (b) civilian chaplains to service personnel, broken down by service. [92675]

  Dr. Moonie
  The ratio of chaplains to service personnel is as follows:

  Ratio of service chaplains to service personnel

  Ratio of civilian chaplains to service personnell

  Royal Navy

  1:594

  1:1318

  Army

  1:746

  1:665

  RAF

  1:725

  1:697

  1The ratio of civilian chaplains to service personnel has been calculated on the basis that chaplains are in full time employment. However, there are no full time officiating chaplains in the Royal Navy and RAF. Officiating chaplains are local clergy employed on a part time basis (usually half day a week) to assist with duties in the absence of a service chaplain.

  Note:

  Ratios are based on January 2003 strengths, with the exception of the Army figures which are as at 1 December 2002

  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) uniformed and (b) civilian chaplains there are in each of the three services, broken down by denomination. [92680]

  Dr. Moonie
  There are currently 293 service chaplains and 275 civilian 'officiating' chaplains serving with the armed forces. The table provides a breakdown by denomination.

  Service Discharges
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 27 November 2002,Official Report, column 324W, what was the breakdown by rank of those discharged under QR9.413 in the last 15 years. [92701]

  Dr. Moonie
  The breakdown by rank of those discharged under Queen's Regulations 1975 Paragraph 9.413 'Not required for a full Army career' in the last 15 years is shown in the following table.
  453W

  Year

  Rank

  CPL + above

  LCPL

  PTE

  Year total

  1988

  69

  174

  249

  492

  1989

  97

  130

  240

  467

  1990

  34

  49

  57

  140

  1991

  28

  25

  47

  100

  1992

  116

  128

  87

  331

  1993

  47

  45

  65

  157

  1994

  1

  0

  13

  14

  1995

  0

  0

  7

  7

  1996

  58

  83

  61

  202

  1997

  85

  93

  53

  231

  1998

  67

  57

  51

  175

  1999

  33

  35

  25

  93

  2000

  11

  24

  31

  66

  2001 and 2002

  5

  14

  31

  50

  Total

  651

  857

  1,017

  2,525

  Due to the low numbers involved, the figures for 2001 and 2002 have been combined and the information is not broken down by rank above Corporal (Cpl.), because this could identify individuals and breach disclosure and confidentiality policy.

  Service Personnel (Discharges)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers subject to manning control in the last 10 years then elected their right to discharge and were discharged under QR9.373. [92700]

  Dr. Moonie
  The number of soldiers who were subject to manning control, then elected their right to discharge, and were subsequently discharged under Queen's Regulations, paragraph 9.373 'By right having given the appropriate notice' is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Storm Shadow
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Storm Shadow will enter service with the RAF. [91034]

  Mr. Ingram
  Due to technical problems experienced in the development of Storm Shadow we are reviewing the programme's timescales with MBDA.

  We are working hard with MBDA to ensure that the RAF gets this important capability into service as soon as possible, while not jeopardising the long-term performance of the system.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Affordable Housing (Infrastructure Provision)
  Helen Southworth
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he is taking to ensure that planning of the siting of affordable housing takes into account infrastructure provision with special reference to(a) transport, (b) schooling (c) medical and (d) other local service needs of the residents. [93003]

  Mr. McNulty
  Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: "Housing" (paragraph 31) advises that in deciding which sites to allocate for housing, local planning authorities should assess their potential and suitability 454W
  for development having regard to a number of matters such as the capacity of existing and potential infrastructure, including public transport, and social infrastructure (such as schools and hospitals); and the ability to provide sufficient demand to sustain appropriate local services and facilities.

  Brent Cross Shopping Centre
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to make a decision on the planning issues concerning the proposed extension of Brent Cross shopping centre; and if he will make a statement. [93072]

  Mr. McNulty
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister is currently considering the responses received to his reference back letter of 29 November 2002 and hopes to issue a decision shortly.

  Container Ports
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on approving the development of non-brownfield sites for container port use. [91698]

  Mr. McNulty
  The general policy of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in respect of development for which planning permission is necessary is to encourage the use of previously developed land for development in preference to building on greenfield land. Each planning application has, however, to be considered on its merits and there may be circumstances in which the use of brownfield sites for container port use is not appropriate.

  Departmental Expenditure Limit
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what reasons underlay the technical adjustment of £1,000,000 to correct the treatment of an Ordnance Survey interest payment in his departmental expenditure limit. [92510]

  Mr. McNulty
  This adjustment was to correct an inputting error in the budgeting treatment for Ordnance Survey in the Main Estimates 2002–03. It did not reflect any alteration to scheduled net interest transactions made by Ordnance Survey in 2002–03. These were in respect of:interest receivable from the National Loans Fund in respect of Ordnance Survey's cash deposits there;
  interest payable by Ordnance Survey to the National Loans Fund, on its deemed loans. These loans were in respect of 50 per cent. of net assets on the vesting of Ordnance Survey as a trading fund on 1 April 1999, repayable over the period 1999–2012.

  I refer the hon. Member to Notes 5 and 12 on pages 63 and 67 of Ordnance Survey's Annual Report and Accounts 2001–02, which refers to these transactions for the two previous years. The Ordnance Survey's Annual Report and Accounts 2001–02 have been placed in the Libraries of the House

  Empty Homes (Select Committee Report)
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to have completed his evaluation of the
  455W
  report in the previous session of Parliament of the Transport, Local Government and Regions Select Committee on Empty Homes. [92646]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister sets out our evaluation of the Select Committee's report on Empty Homes in our response which were presented to Parliament in May 2002 (Cm 5514), copies of which were placed in the Library.

  We are taking forward a number of recommendations made in the report as part of our programme of work.

  Environmentally Protected Sites (Planning Permission)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria he applies in deciding to overrule public inquiry reports refusing permission for industrial development of environmentally protected sites. [91696]

  Mr. McNulty
  Decisions on every planning application are made on their merits, taking account of the facts of the application, national planning policy, development plans, the recommendations of a public inquiry inspector and any other material considerations.

  Fire Station Equipment
  Mr Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will take up the offer from Mike Bennett of Vantage Point, Mitcheldene, Gloucestershire, to make available fire station premises with two modern fully-equipped red fire engines. [85182]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is very grateful for all offers of assistance during the current fire dispute. We understand that in December officers from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and the Army examined Mr. Bennett's fire appliances but decided not to use them. Since then two members of the Fire Service College have examined the appliances, with a view to using them in training, to replace appliances from the college that are currently being used by those providing emergency fire cover.

  Geographic Information
  Mr. Liddell-Grainger
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment the Intra Governmental Group on Geographic Information has made of the size of the geographic information market in the UK. [92511]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Intra Governmental group on Geographic Information (IGGI) has made no estimate of the size of the UK Geographic Information market.

  Green Belt
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he has taken to address the concerns about the protection of green belt land from speculative development expressed in Early Day Motion 1236 in the previous Session of Parliament. [92648]

  Mr. McNulty
  Government policy on the green belt is set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 2, which states that protecting the countryside from encroachment is one of the main purposes of including land in the green belt. In addition to the usual strict controls on development in the countryside, in green 456W
  belts there is a "general presumption against inappropriate development", which is by definition harmful to the green belt and conflicts with the purposes of including land in it.

  The Government reaffirmed their commitment to the protection and enhancement of the green belt in my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister statement on sustainable communities, housing and planning in the House of Commons on 18 July 2002.

  Housing (Stock Transfer)
  Virginia Bottomley
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities have taken forward large scale voluntary transfer, broken down by party control; and what assessment he has made of the benefits of Large Scale Voluntary Transfer. [192010]

  Mr. McNulty
  The list shows local authorities that have completed large scale voluntary transfers of their housing stock broken down by current party control. My right hon. Friend The Deputy Prime Minister will shortly announce the Government's comprehensive long term programme for sustainable communities. This will include an outline of how the Government sees stock transfer as contributing to the delivery of the decent homes target.

  Local Authorities That Have Completed LSVT Broken Down by Current Party Control

  Conservative

  Chiltern

  Sevenoaks

  Swale

  Broadland

  Mid Sussex

  East Dorset

  South Bucks

  Christchurch

  Suffolk Coastal

  Tunbridge Wells

  London Borough Bromley

  Surrey Heath

  Breckland

  Hambleton

  Havant

  Hart

  Hertsmere

  Wychavon

  Mid Beds

  Cherwell

  Malvern Hills

  Maldon

  Kennet

  Rushmoor

  Spelthorne

  East Hampshire

  Wyre

  Stratford

  South Staffs

  Lichfield

  West Somerset

  Rother

  South Hams

  London Borough Enfield

  Huntington

  457W

  Test Valley

  London Borough Richmond

  Horsham

  East Northamptonshire

  Torbay

  Chichester

  West Oxfordshire

  Shrewsbury and Atcham

  Mid-Bedfordshire

  Derbyshire Dales

  East Hertfordshire

  Reigate and Banstead

  Carlisle

  Labour

  Thanet

  Hastings

  Manchester1

  London Borough Bexley

  London Borough Merton1

  London Borough Tower Hamlets1

  London Borough Hackney1

  London Borough Brent1

  Tameside 1

  London Borough Hammersmith and Fulham1

  Telford and Wrekin

  London Borough Greenwich1

  Allerdale

  Birmingham1

  Burnley

  Coventry

  East

  Staffordshire Sunderland

  Blackburn with Darwen

  Vale Royal

  St. Helens

  Redcar and Cleveland

  Knowsley

  Liberal Democrat

  Newbury2

  East Cambs

  Vale of Whitehorse

  Eastleigh

  West Wiltshire

  Liverpool1

  South Somerset

  Worthing

  London Borough Islington1

  North Devon

  No overall control

  Bedford

  Medina3

  Rochester4

  South Wight5

  Tonbridge and Mailing

  Ryedale

  West Dorset

  South Shropshire

  Leominster6

  South Ribble

  Penwith

  North Dorset

  Basingstoke and Deane

  458W

  Royal Borough Windsor and Maidenhead

  North Wiltshire

  Walsall

  Cotswold

  South Oxfordshire

  London Borough Lambeth1

  Congleton

  Oldham1

  Kerrier

  Basildon1

  Stoke-on-Trent1

  Tewkesbury

  Wirral1

  West Devon

  Bath and North East Somerset

  Preston Borough Council1

  West Lindsey

  Boston

  Tynedale

  Newcastle Under Lyme

  Restormel

  Weymouth and Portland

  Fylde

  Chester

  Staffordshire Moorlands

  Calderdale

  Mendip

  Chelmsford

  St. Edmundsbury

  London Borough Waltham Forest

  London Borough Harrow

  Herefordshire

  Independent

  Epsom and Ewell

  Eden

  East Lindsey

  Elmbridge

  Wyre Forest

  Notes:

  1Includes Estates Renewal Challenge Fund transfers

  2Now West Berks

  3Now Isle of Wight

  4Now Medway

  5Now Isle of Wight

  6Now Herefordshire

  Islington
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with Islington council on the disposal of the freehold of buildings which house Government-funded regeneration programmes; and if he will make a statement. [92326]

  Mr. McNulty
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has held no discussions with Islington council on the disposal of the freehold of buildings which house Government-funded regeneration programmes.

  London Ambulance Service
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many cycle response units are in service with the London
  459W
  Ambulance Service; in which London boroughs they are situated; how many are due to be introduced in 2003; and if he will make a statement. [91654]

  Mr. Hutton
  I have been asked to reply.

  The London Ambulance Service has one cycle response unit comprising three cycles staffed by a team of up to six technicians or paramedics.

  At this time the unit covers only the highly pedestrianised and congested area around Covent Garden and Leicester Square. There are no current plans to introduce cycle response units elsewhere in London.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many vacancies there are within the London Ambulance Service for frontline paramedics; and if he will make a statement. [91676]

  Mr. Hutton
  I have been asked to reply.

  The London Ambulance Service (LAS) has 2,181 staff in post, out of an establishment of 2,298. There are therefore 117 vacancies. The LAS is training staff to reach the establishment figure. The LAS is on target with its recruitment programme for 2002–03, made possible by an increase in funding from commissioners.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what percentage of frontline London ambulance staff have been issued with anti-stab vests; and if he will make a statement. [91677]

  Mr. Hutton
  I have been asked to reply.

  The London Ambulance Service (LAS) has taken the decision to equip all front line staff with stab vests, given the very real threat of violence towards staff. Extensive trials have taken place and a suitable vest has now been selected. The LAS anticipates that all front line staff will have been issued with a personal made to measure stab vest by June of this year.

  Planning Appeals
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to introduce the same rights of appeal for objectors and applicants within the planning system. [92710]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no plans to introduce a right of appeal for objectors against the decision of a local planning authority in determining an application for planning permission. The views of interested parties are taken into account in drawing up development plan policies and when reaching decisions on individual planning applications. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill contains measures which will make the planning system more accessible and transparent, and give greater opportunities for local residents and third parties to participate more effectively in the planning process as a whole.

  Planning Guidance
  Helen Southworth
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he will take to ensure that the PPG 3 sequentiality guidance is effectively applied to protect 460W
  greenfield sites in the light of the judgment in the Court of Appeal in Rowlinson v. Warrington Borough Council [93004]

  Mr. McNulty
  Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: "Housing" makes clear the Government's commitment to meet the country's future housing needs in the most sustainable way, by giving priority to re-using previously-developed land within urban areas, bringing empty homes back into use and converting existing buildings, in preference to the development of greenfield sites.

  It is normally for local planning authorities to determine planning applications made to them. In doing so they are required to take account of all considerations which may be material, including the guidance in PPG3.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is not convinced that it is necessary to take any further action in the light of the decision in Rowlinson v. Warrington, which was determined on the facts of the case.

  South East Region
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people are employed by(a) SEEDA, (b) SEERA, and (c) GOSE; and what has been the annual budget of each organisation since its inception. [91694]

  Mr. Leslie
  People currently employed (full and part-time):

  GOSE: 267

  SEEDA: 185

  South East Regional Assembly: 23

  Year

  GOSE

  SEEDA

  South East England Regional Assembly

  1995–96

  8.3

  1—

  1—

  1996–97

  8.4

  1—

  1—

  1997–98

  8.5

  1—

  1—

  1998–99

  8.6

  20

  1—

  1999–2000

  8.7

  5.2

  0.3

  2000–01

  9.0

  6.3

  0.4

  2001–02

  9.7

  7.1

  1.0

  2002–03

  10.8

  311 2

  1.3

  1Organisations not in existence

  2Set up costs were incurred by GOSE and therefore came out of GOSE budgets

  3Forecast spend from single capital pot allocation

  Thames Crossings
  Mr. Fallon
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the proposals for new Thames river crossings east of Tower Bridge; what their current status is; what the timetable is for consideration; and which public authorities will be responsible for promoting and determining each case. [92086]

  Mr. McNulty
  Proposals for new East Thames River Crossings within the London boundary are a matter for the Mayor of London and Transport for London. These are:Thames Gateway Bridge, at Galleons Reach linking Barking and Thamesmead—two lanes each way for general traffic and one lane each way dedicated for use by public transport

  461W
  vehicles; a business case is being prepared for the scheme; the Mayor of London and Transport for London are responsible for timetabling and promotion.
  Silvertown Link—a road bridge or tunnel between the Greenwich peninsula and Silvertown; Transport for London are continuing to develop the scheme as part of their river crossings package; the Mayor of London and Transport for London are responsible for timetabling and promotion.
  Docklands Light Railway extension to Woolwich; a draft Transport and Works Act Order for the DLR scheme has been deposited; the Mayor of London and Transport for London are responsible for timetabling and promotion.

  In addition, the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) Thames Tunnel, a twin-bore railway tunnel between Swanscombe and West Thurrock, is currently under construction and is due to open with the rest of CTRL Section 2 in 2007.

  There are no other formal proposals for new crossings at this time.

  Transfer of Undertakings
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to extend TUPE regulations to local authorities who transfer staff to contractors following contractual agreements. [92546]

  Mr. Leslie
  Clauses 101 and 102 of the Local Government Bill will confer new powers on the Secretary of State and the National Assembly of Wales to require best value authorities in England and Wales, when engaged in contracting-out exercises, to deal with staff matters in accordance with directions. It is intended that the direction-making powers will be used to ensure that contracting exercises are conducted either on the basis that TUPE will apply or, in circumstances where TUPE does not apply, that staff involved should be treated no less favourably than had the regulations applied, unless there are exceptional circumstances. The clauses also ensure that TUPE transferees from local authorities will be offered either retention of the Local Government Pension Scheme or a broadly comparable scheme.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Education Staff (Herefordshire)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) secondary school teachers, (b) primary school teachers and (c) classroom assistants are employed in Herefordshire. [91735]

  Mr. Miliband
  The following table provides full-time equivalent (FTE) January 2002 figures for maintained schools in Herefordshire.

  Full-time equivalent (FTE)January 2002 figures for maintained

  schools in Herefordshire

  Nursery/primary

  Secondary

  Regular teachers FTE

  690

  630

  Teaching assistants FTE1

  100

  50

  Other non-teaching staff FTE2

  250

  130

  Notes:

  Includes nursery assistants, special needs support staff, minority ethnic pupil support staff and non-teaching assistants.
  462W
  Includes administrative staff, technicians and other education support staff, and child care staff in boarding schools.

  All figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

  Source:

  Annual 618G Survey of Teachers in Service (teacher numbers) and Annual School's Census (non-teaching staff).

  Examination Papers
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what actions he has taken to ensure that examination papers are marked and returned on time to schools and colleges. [92012]

  Mr. Miliband
  On 3 December, we announced to the House that we were making an additional £6 million available to QCA to support the public examination system in 2003. The money will be spent on ensuring that the 2003 examinations are delivered accurately and effectively and particular attention will be paid to ensuring that there are sufficient examiners. The Examinations Task Force, chaired by the QCA with representatives from the awarding bodies and the teaching profession, will oversee delivery of the examinations.

  Excluded Pupils
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of children excluded from mainstream schooling were in an alternative form of education in the last period for which figures are available. [90913]

  Mr. Miliband
  All local education authorities were committed to offering a full timetable to permanently excluded pupils from September 2002. In targeted schools in 34 local authorities, provision is also being made for those excluded on a temporary basis. These arrangements will be extended to a further 27 local authorities in the coming year.

  The most recent information on type of provision for permanently excluded pupils is for September 2001 and is shown in the table.

  Distribution of mode of provision of education for permanently

  excluded pupils—England, September 20011

  Key Stage of pupil

  Key Stages 1 and 22

  Key Stage 33

  Number of pupils excluded

  Percentage of the total number of exclusions4

  Number of pupils excluded

  Percentage of the total number of exclusions4

  PRU

  289

  44.7

  1,057

  51.0

  Home tuition

  199

  30.8

  421

  20.3

  Voluntary Sector

  0

  0.0

  17

  0.8

  FE college

  —

  —

  2

  0.1

  Work related

  —

  —

  2

  0.1

  Mixed provision

  33

  5.1

  99

  4.8

  other provision

  72

  11.1

  186

  9.0

  No provision

  53

  8.2

  288

  13.9

  Total

  646

  100.0

  2,072

  100.0

  463W

  Key Stage of pupil

  Key Stages 45

  Total

  Number of pupils excluded

  Percentage of the total number of exclusions4

  Number of pupils excluded

  Percentage of the total number of exclusions4

  PRU

  2,452

  46.6

  3,798

  47.6

  Home tuition

  504

  9.6

  1,124

  14.1

  Voluntary Sector

  78

  1.5

  95

  1.2

  FE college

  671

  12.8

  673

  8.4

  Work related

  268

  5.1

  270

  3.4

  Mixed provision

  393

  7.5

  525

  6.6

  Other provision

  402

  7.6

  660

  8.3

  No provision

  489

  9.3

  830

  10.4

  Total

  5,257

  100.0

  7,975

  100.0

  1Based on replies from 146 out of 150 local education authorities.

  2Generally ages 5–10 at the start of the school year.

  3Generally ages 11–13 at the start of the school year.

  4The number of exclusions expressed as a percentage of the total number of exclusions within that Key Stage.

  5Generally ages 14–15 at the start of the school year.

  Source:

  Education of Permanently Excluded Pupils 2001 survey

  Leadership Incentive Grant
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of new consultants needed to assess applications for the Leadership Incentive grants; and if he will make a statement. [91524]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 20 January 2003]: We have offered each partnership formed for the purposes of the Leadership Incentive Grant the cost of 5 days of consultancy to facilitate collaborative working between groups of schools receiving the Leadership Incentive Grant. The number and composition of collaboratives of schools receiving the Leadership Incentive Grant will be determined according to local circumstances, but we estimate that there will be some 200 collaboratives. It will be possible for a Leadership Consultant to facilitate up to three collaboratives.

  There is no requirement for schools to complete an application for the Leadership Incentive Grant. Leadership Collaboratives will be required to produce a collaborative plan to be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. Plans will be assessed within the Department, using existing resources.

  Literacy and Numeracy Strategies
  David Wright
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the development of the literacy and numeracy strategies.[R] [92988]

  Mr. Miliband
  The literacy and numeracy strategies, which have helped teachers to deliver the highest ever standards in English and maths, will remain at the heart of our continuing drive to raise achievement in primary schools within a broad and enriched curriculum. We will 464W
  continue to develop the strategies' approach to teaching and learning in the light of good practice and in consultation with schools.

  Non-governmental Organisations
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to his answer of 26 November 2003,Official Report, column 189W, on non-governmental organisations, if he will list the voluntary and private organisations to which the Department makes grants directly. [89334]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Department's current accounting system does not distinguish between payments made as grants and those made through contractual arrangements, nor does it identify the status of the organisation to which payments have been made. We have explored how this information could be held centrally and have taken action to include this type of information in the design of the Department's future accounting system, which is planned to be in place from April 2004.

  The information could, therefore, be provided in the form requested only at disproportionate cost. I have, however, placed in the Libraries a list of organisations that either received a grant or to whom the Department made a contract payment from programme funds during 2001–02. Specific details of what is covered by the list are set out in the material placed in the Libraries.

  Paper Supplies
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills who the suppliers are of his Department's(a) paper and (b) paper products. [91901]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The Department has three suppliers of paper and paper products:

  Banner Business Supplies (via the Stationery contract)

  Alphagraphics (via the personalised printed business stationery contract) and

  Dixon and Roe (via the bulk paper contract).

  The Government's policy is that all public procurement of goods and services is to be based on value for money, having due regard to propriety and regularity. Each Department is responsible for its own procurements.

  School Spending
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money per(a) secondary and (b) primary school pupil is allocated in the local government education spending formula as a top-up to reflect additional costs for recruitment and retention of staff in (i) Staffordshire and (ii) other shire counties, for the year 2003–04. [91886]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 21 January 2003]: Staffordshire is not amongst those shire counties which will receive this top-up in 2003–04. The Area Cost Adjustment is given to those areas whose average wages are above a threshold. The average amount per pupil that shire counties will receive to reflect the additional

  465W
  costs of recruitment and retention through the Area Cost Adjustment is £57 for primary pupils and £72 for secondary pupils.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money per(a) secondary and (b) primary school pupil is allocated in the Local Government Education spending formula as basic entitlement in (i) Staffordshire and (ii) other shire counties, for the year 2003–04. [91887]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 21 January 2003]: The amount allocated for each secondary and primary pupil as the basic entitlement in 2003–04 is the same for all authorities. For a primary pupil it is £2,006 and for a secondary pupil it is £2,659.

  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money per(a) secondary and (b) primary school pupil is allocated in the Local Government Education spending formula as a top-up to reflect deprivation among pupils in (i) Staffordshire and (ii) other shire counties, for the year 2003–04. [91888]

  Mr. Miliband
  [holding reply 21 January 2003]: The additional amount allocated for each secondary and primary school pupil in deprived circumstances is the same for all authorities—in 2003–04 it is –1,300 per pupil.

  Taken as an average over each category of pupil, whether they are deprived or not, the average additional amount for deprivation for each pupil in 2003–04 is as follows:

  £

  Primary

  Secondary

  Staffordshire

  40

  39

  Shire counties average

  43

  41

  The average for Staffordshire is lower than that for all shire counties because Staffordshire has a lower proportion of pupils in deprived circumstances than some other counties.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Access (Children)
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many representations he has received from UK nationals who are being prevented from making contact with their children in Germany and in other EU nations following divorce settlement in the UK which gave them the entitlement to have regular contact with their children; and if he will make a statement. [93066]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  There are five UK nationals who have contacted the FCO because they are experiencing difficulties in getting access to their children in other EU nations, following divorce settlements in the UK which entitled them to regular access. Two of these cases are in Germany, two are in France and one case is in Finland. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on 6466W
  November 2002, Official Report, columns 624–25W, which outlined cases we have dealt with in Germany in the last 5 years.

  All EU nations are signatories to the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction, which the Lord Chancellor's Department (LCD) leads on. If a parent contacts us for advice on a child abduction case in a Hague Convention country we refer them to LCD. We can also offer practical help and support through our Posts overseas, such as providing lists of English speaking lawyers, attending court hearings etc.

  Afghanistan
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the interim Government of Afghanistan on human rights. [92854]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last discussed human rights with the Afghan Transitional Administration when he met President Karzai at the Bonn talks on Afghanistan in December 2002. I raised human rights with Vice-President Khalili when we met in London today.

  Bangladesh
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Bangladesh concerning the violation of human rights and persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh. [92658]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Our High Commission in Dhaka monitors closely reports of human rights abuses in Bangladesh. We are concerned by reports of mistreatment of detainees, including deaths in custody, associated with "Operation Clean Heart". We have urged the Bangladesh Government to follow the due process of law in all cases. We have raised allegations of attacks against minorities on several occasions with the Bangladesh Government, both at a senior level in Dhaka and with regional government officials, encouraging them to investigate all allegations fully.

  Departmental Refurbishment
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many offices in his Department have been refurbished in the last three years, and what has been the cost to public funds. [86727]

  Mr. Rammell
  In the FCO home estate the only office building refurbished within the past three years is the Old Admiralty building. The cost was £63 million and the project was part of the FCO's strategy to concentrate its London staff into two buildings in order to reduce home estate running costs by 50 per cent.

  The FCO has committed approximately £300,000 per annum for the past three years (2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03) to the refurbishment of its offices that form part of the UK estate. This refurbishment covers routine works to general office space, corridors and common parts together with fine rooms and conference rooms.
  467W
  In the overseas estate major office refurbishments were completed in Riga (£918,000) Tehran (£977,000), Tel Aviv (£384,000), Istanbul (£557,000), and Rangoon (£280,000).

  Other, smaller, projects will have been completed through funds devolved to overseas posts. We maintain no central record of these and it is not possible to obtain full details without incurring disproportionate cost.

  Dubai
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions in the past 12 months the Government has made an approach to the Government of Dubai in relation to specific cases of Britons imprisoned there who may be considered for amnesty. [90028]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  In the last year our consular officers in Dubai have forwarded, but did not support, two pleas for clemency to the Dubai authorities on behalf of relatives and MPs of convicted British nationals.

  Health and Safety Strategy
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which senior officials within his Department and its agencies take responsibility for health and safety at board or equivalent level; and where their names are publicised. [89494]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  As with all Departments, the Permanent Under-Secretary takes overall responsibility for health and safety. At departmental board level, the Director General for Corporate Affairs has been given particular responsibility and is designated the FCO's Health and Safety 'Champion'. New entrants to the FCO are notified of the DG Corporate Affairs' responsibility during their induction. His role is also identified in the new health and safety policy statement, soon to be issued.

  Special Advisers/Press Officers
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) special advisers and (b) press officers have been employed by his Department in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and at what cost in each year. [92440]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office employs two special advisors at any one time, the full cost of which is listed in the tablet. All press officers employed are civil servants whose salary is appropriate to their grade.

  £

  1997–98

  76,762

  1998–99

  86,992

  1999–2000

  89,188

  2000–01

  94,697

  2001–02

  138,593

  2002–03

  131,062

  1It was not possible to ascertain the cost prior to 1997 without incurring disproportionate costs.

  Weapons of Mass Destruction
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those countries which intelligence indicates may be in possession of weapons of mass destruction. [93101]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Under exemption 1(a) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it is not generally our policy to publish intelligence information.

  However, under the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the United States, Russia, China, France and the United Kingdom are legally entitled to possess nuclear weapons.

  Additionally, India and Pakistan have tested nuclear devices. We continue to urge Israel to resolve international concerns about its nuclear status by acceding to the NPT as a non-nuclear weapons state. We also know that Iraq has significant biological and chemical weapons capabilities and, were UN sanctions to be lifted, we believe it could develop a nuclear weapon within five years. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has admitted to US officials that it has been pursuing a programme for the enrichment of uranium. We believe that they have the capability to use this material to manufacture nuclear weapons. We also believe that they have previously diverted sufficient such material to manufacture at least one nuclear weapon.

  There are four States Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (the US, Russia, India and one other State Party) that have declared possession of chemical weapons. They are currently in the process of destroying them in accordance with their obligations under the Treaty.

  In the past there have been public statements of concern about reports that Iran, Libya and Syria pursuing programmes to develop WMD and the means for their delivery.

  Zanzibar
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when his Department was first informed of the increased threat to visitors to Zanzibar; [92169]

  (2) when the British high commission in Dar es Salaam responded to the increased terrorist threat to visitors to Tanzania, especially Zanzibar; and what action was taken; [92170]

  (3) what reports his Department received from the (a) Russian and (b) US authorities concerning the increased terrorist threat to visitors to Zanzibar, and when. [92172]

  Mr. Straw
  We learnt that the US were changing their travel advice for Zanzibar on the evening of 10 January. Our existing advice already gave a robust warning to British travellers of the risks involved in going to Tanzania—including Zanzibar. Following discussions between missions locally and between FCO officials and the US State Department on why they had changed their travel advice and an assessment of the latest available intelligence, we amended our travel advice for Tanzania on 15 January. I cannot, of course, comment on the
  469W
  specifics of intelligence matters. However, the Agencies receive a large number of reports on a daily basis from a range of foreign liaison services. Relationships with these liaison services, which include the Americans and the Russians, are strong and positive.

  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department updated the FCO travel advice concerning the increased terrorist threat to visitors to Zanzibar; and if he will make a statement. [92171]

  Mr. Straw
  The FCO travel advice for Tanzania, which includes Zanzibar, was last up-dated on 15 January 2003.

  The Travel Advice notice already gave appropriate warnings to British travellers of the risks involved in going to Tanzania—including Zanzibar. The revised advice included additional information about the risks on Zanzibar but did not change the advice.

  Our advice throughout this period has been in line with that of both the Americans and the Australians—all of us warned that there were dangers in travelling to east Africa in general and to Zanzibar specifically; none of us advised against travel. Australia up-dated its advice on 16 January in line with changes in UK and US advice. The French amended their advice on 17 January.

HEALTH

  Acute Services
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made comparing the level of provision in services at acute hospitals and the recommendations of the Royal colleges about minimum volumes of service for different kinds of acute services to maintain professional standards. [88287]

  Mr. Hutton
  New evidence about safety and quality of services is emerging all the time. Levels of provision in different services are reviewed from time to time in the light of new evidence, including the recommendations of Royal colleges.

  Where evidence between volume and outcome is clear, appropriate action will be taken; for example, through the development of particular standards as part of a national service framework.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the availability through the NHS of drugs to combat Alzheimer's disease. [91415]

  Jacqui Smith
  The three main drugs available through the national health service for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Reminyl). They are available on the NHS to all who meet the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) criteria and NHS bodies are under a statutory obligation to provide funding.
  470W
  In addition, memantine (Ebixa) was launched in October 2002. While it is available for prescription on the NHS, NICE has yet to assess it for clinical and cost effectiveness, so for the moment, NHS bodies across the country have to access the publicly available evidence about this new drug and determine local policies for its use.

  Ambulance Station, Stacksteads
  Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the future of the ambulance station in Stacksteads, Rossendale, Lancashire; when a decision was taken that it is surplus to NHS requirements; and who took that decision. [91860]

  Jacqui Smith
  According to our available records, there have been no representations on this issue. The approved estates strategy of Lancashire Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust have confirmed that the ambulance station at Stacksteads is functionally unsuitable and that options should be explored for its relocation to an alternative site in the locality. However the trust has not declared the existing site surplus to requirements.

  Cancer Waiting Times
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the audit of cancer waiting times recommended in the report of the working group on cancer waiting times was undertaken; and if he will place a copy in the Library. [89648]

  Ms Blears
  A cancer waiting times survey was undertaken by the health services management centre at the University of Birmingham in April/May 1998.

  The survey looked at cancer waiting times between general practitioner referral and first outpatient appointment and GP referral and first treatment of all cancers diagnosed in October 1997.

  The findings were reported in the British Medical Journal, 320: 838–839 25 March 2000.

  Child Protection
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is given to health and social services professionals regarding the retention of unsubstantiated allegations on child protection issues. [92292]

  Jacqui Smith
  "Working Together to Safeguard Children" (1999), the Government's guide to interagency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, includes guidance to agencies and professionals in relation to record keeping.

  "Working Together to Safeguard Children" states that, in cases where child protection inquiries do not result in the substantiation of referral concerns, case notes should be retained in accordance with agency record retention policies. These policies should ensure that records are stored safely and can be retrieved promptly and efficiently.

  Children in Care
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer given to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham on 13 January 2003,Official Report, column 499W, on looked after children, how many of the 920 children who went missing from their usual place of residence are still missing; and what action has he taken to (a) reduce the numbers of runaways and (b) trace those runaways who have still not returned to local authority care. [92599]

  Jacqui Smith
  Of the 920 children who went missing from their usual place of residence at any time during the year 2000–01, 190 were absent from their agreed placement on 31 March 2001. Data on children missing from care during the year ending 31 March 2002 will be available at the end of March 2003.

  The Department issued guidance on 28 November 2002, "Children Missing from Care and Home—a guide to good practice", alongside the Social Exclusion Unit's report. "Young Runaways", which makes recommendations on:

  prevention of running away

  ensuring the safety of those that run away

  ensuring that there is appropriate help on return

  co-ordinating responsibilities at local and national level

  This guidance requires that where young people are missing from care, local authorities must demonstrate commitment to their safety and welfare and act to ensure that they are found as soon as possible:

  each children's home and foster carer should have written procedures that must be followed where a child is missing

  service managers must monitor patterns of absence from individual children's homes

  and foster carers

  reports about patterns of absence must be available to senior managers and to the National Care Standards Commission.

  Clozaril
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date he expects the drug clozaril to be available across all PCTs in England and Wales for the treatment of schizophrenia. [92552]

  Jacqui Smith
  The technology appraisal of the use of atypical antipsychotics in schizophrenia was published by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in June 2002 and included recommendations concerning clozapine (Clozaril).

  From 1 January 2002, the national health service has had three months from the date of publication of each technology appraisal guidance to provide funding, so that clinical decisions made by doctors involving NICE recommended treatments or drugs can be funded.

  Cot Deaths
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's strategy to prevent cot death. [92545]

  Jacqui Smith
  Our strategy is based on expert advice on the avoidance of factors associated with the tragedy of cot death. These are particularly related to position 472W
  and environment during sleep. This advice is promulgated through leaflets and literature on the care of babies. It is also the subject of discussion between families and the primary health care team.

  There is, however, need for further research relating to the precise sleeping environment of infants who die unexpectedly, and this is being undertaken.

  Data Protection Act
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to enforce compliance by individual health trusts in supplying information required under the Data Protection Act 1998. [92186]

  Mr. Lammy
  [holding answer 21 January 2003]: The responsibility for compliance with the Data Protection Act rests with individual national health service trusts. Enforcement is undertaken by the Information Commissioner.

  The Department supports the NHS in meeting data protection requirements through the provision of guidance and through performance management arrangements.

  Hospitals (Management)
  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether(a) the Secta Group Ltd., (b) Quo Health and (c) Sema Health have managed a hospital before. [89542]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 13 January 2003]: The independent panel set up by the National Health Service Appointments Commission assessed the general ability of each private sector organisation to run a hospital trust.

  The expertise and experience of every organisation which tenders for a national health service franchise and individuals leading any bid on behalf of that organisation will be thoroughly and rigorously assessed before any contract is awarded.

  Inventures
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis the Miller Group was selected as the preferred bidder for the property and trading arm at NHS Estates, Inventures. [92540]

  Mr. Lammy
  [holding answer 21 January]: A consortium of Miller Ventures and Bank of Scotland was selected as preferred bidder for the property and trading arm at NHS Estates because, following a comprehensive bid evaluation process, its bid was considered to offer best value.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what terms were offered by Miller Group and the William Pears Group in bidding for Inventures; and what assessment was made of the value of proposed clauses relating to claw-back profits on future land sales. [92541]

  Mr. Lammy
  [holding answer 21 January]: Both bidders offered a fixed price for Inventures, payable on completion. In relation to the property estate both bidders offered to make a substantial initial payment

  473W
  followed by"overage" or claw-back payments when the sites in the property portfolio obtain planning consent, or are sold.

  Overage payments were ascribed an estimated present value (on the same basis for each bid) by reference to risk factors including likelihood of obtaining planning permission, estimated value of the sites with or without planning permission, time at which overage payment is likely to be triggered, percentage overage offered and other relevant factors.

  In addition, both bidders also offered to explore ways of introducing a new element of claw back payment by entering into joint venture arrangements with house builders, the effect of which would be to include some development profit in the sums to be clawed back. Whilst this willingness to seek ways to include further sums into claw-back arrangements was assessed as being preferable to a refusal to contemplate such schemes, the degree of uncertainty surrounding this element of the proposals was such that hid evaluation was concentrated upon the standard contractual claw-back arrangements.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the chief executive of Inventures and other senior staff were told about incentive arrangements likely to be offered in the event of a successful bid from one or other of the final round bidders for Inventures. [92542]

  Mr. Lammy
  [holding answer 21 January 2003]: The management and staff of Inventures, which is being sold as part of the National Health Service Estates public-private partnership project, were not made aware of the contents of any bid in relation to incentives offered by the bidders.

  NHS Estates rules for bidders involved in the project also prohibits un-chaperoned meetings between the management team and bidders and, to the best of our knowledge and belief, no such meetings have taken place.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has launched an internal investigation into the bidding process for Inventures; and what discussions he has held with the National Audit Office over the bidding process for Inventures. [92543]

  Mr. Lammy
  [holding answer 21 January]: During the evaluation period, a review was undertaken in real time by an independent firm of consultants who concluded the process was satisfactory.

  A subsequent review by the private finance unit of the Department of health concluded that the bid evaluation process was properly conducted and the preferred bidder selection was correct.

  Following a complaint by an unsuccessful bidder, the National Audit Office is also reviewing the process, but this review has not yet been completed and so its conclusions are notavailable at the current time.

  Mental Health Bill
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to publish the responses to the draft Mental Health Bill consultation. [92579]

  Jacqui Smith
  The consultation responses received in respect of the draft Mental Health Bill will be made available to the public before introduction of the Bill, except where respondents have asked for confidentiality.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide a right to assessment of mental health needs for any individual making a reasonable request for such assessment in the new Mental Health Bill. [92580]

  Jacqui Smith
  The purpose of the Bill is to provide a legal framework for the treatment of someone with a mental disorder without their consent; it is not about rights to services. It does, however, create a duty to assess whether the conditions for compulsion are satisfied in individual cases, which may be triggered by any reasonable request where the conditions appear to be met. Once under compulsion, every patient must have a written care plan of treatment.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he plans to adopt the Joint Committee on Human Rights recommendation that the Code of Practice in the draft Mental Health Bill be given statutory force. [92581]

  Jacqui Smith
  We are pleased that the Joint Committee on Human Rights has welcomed the major improvements to the safeguards for patients' human rights proposed in the draft Mental Health Bill.

  We are currently considering very carefully all the recommendations contained in their Report on the draft Bill.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy that no person will be deemed as suffering from a mental disorder under the provisions of new mental health legislation solely for the purpose of preventing commission of illegal or disorderly acts. [92582]

  Jacqui Smith
  This already is the policy. The Bill will not allow the use of compulsory powers on any person solely to prevent them from offending. The powers of the Bill may only be used where the conditions are met. This means that there must be a diagnosis of mental disorder, and that there must be appropriate treatment available for the patient. Once under compulsion, every patient must have a written plan of treatment.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the proposals contained in the draft Mental Health Bill relate to the Government's strategy on alcohol. [92583]

  Jacqui Smith
  The proposals in the draft Mental Health Bill will remove the existing exclusion for alcohol dependency found in the Mental Health Act 1983. This will mean that there is no barrier to people being treated under compulsory powers when this is necessary because the conditions in the Bill are satisfied.
  475W
  The Bill will provide a legal framework for compulsory treatment, which will be compatible with developments in mental health services and other health implementation frameworks. This includes the Government's commitment to implementing the national alcohol harm reduction strategy by 2004. The recent consultation on the strategy included questions about the relationship between alcohol misuse and mental health problems and sought views on how services could be best provided. The consultation period ended on 15 January and an interim analysis will be published by the Cabinet Office strategy unit in the spring.

  Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there has been in the rate of death certificates showing methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus and related diseases as a cause of death since 29 March 2001. [92734]

  Ms Blears
  Information concerning methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on death certificates is not currently available from routine mortality statistics and has to be obtained by special research studies. The latest available figures for England and Wales cover 1993 to 1998 and were published in the British Medical Journal in December 2002.

  April 2001 saw the introduction of national mandatory surveillance of MRSA blood stream infections. The results for the first year of this scheme for every NHS Acute Trust in England were published in the Communicable Disease Report (CDR) Weekly on 20 June 2002. These data are available on the Public Health Laboratory Service's website www.phls.co.uk/publications/cdr/PDFfiles/2002/cdr2502.pdf.

  Mexico
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he next plans to visit Mexico; and how

  Applications

  Accepted

  Rejected

  On-going

  Withdrawn

  Nurse

  183

  69

  76

  36

  2

  Other

  392

  137

  195

  58

  2

  Total

  575

  206

  271

  94

  4

  The number of nurse applications relating to muscular skeletal conditions decided in the period 1 January 2002 to 31 March 2002 was:

  Number

  Applications

  67

  Accepted

  25

  Rejected

  42

  NSF for Older People
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the information about the progress in achieving NSF for Older People milestones. [89978]476W
  many Memoranda of Understanding have been signed between the UK Government and other governments since 1997. [83326]

  Mr. Milburn
  [holding answer 25 November 2002]: I visited Mexico between 4–6 December to participate in the Third Ministerial Meeting on Health Security and Bio-terrorism involving G7 nations and Mexico.

  The Department of Health has signed Memorandums of Understanding with the following countries:

  Indonesia, signed June 2002

  China, signed May 2000

  Mexico, signed November 2002.

  NHS Pensions Agency
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many(a) nurses and (b) health care workers applied to the NHS Pensions Agency for permanent injury benefit for a disorder in the year from April 2001 to March 2002; and how many were successful at (i) their first application and (ii) subsequent appeal; [89108]

  (2) how many (a) nurses and (b) health care workers applied to the NHS Pensions Agency for permanent injury benefit relating to muscular skeletal disorders in the year from April 2001 to March 2002; and how many were successful at (i) their first application and (ii) subsequent appeal. [89109]

  Mr. Hutton
  [pursuant to his answer, 9 January 2003, Official Report, c. 330W]: Information in the format requested is not readily available. The number of nurse and "other" permanent injury benefit applications in the financial year 2001–02 was:

  Number

  Total applications

  575

  Nurse applications

  183

  Others

  392

  The number of applications accepted or rejected in the financial year 2001–02 was:

  Jacqui Smith
  We hope to publish the information shortly.

  Nursing Vacancies
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the vacancy rate for nurses in each quarter in(a) each English health authority and (b) each English health trust in each year from 1996 to 2003; and if he will make a statement. [92560]

  Mr. Hutton
  Annual three month vacancy rate information between 1999 and 2002 has been placed in the Library.
  477W
  The Department of Health's survey of vacancies lasting three months or more has been collected only since March 1999, and is available on an annual basis.

  The three month vacancy rate was 3.1 per cent. in March 2002, a fall from 3.4 per cent. in March 2001 and the second successive fall in vacancies for qualified nursing staff.

  Paediatric Pathology
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health's recommendation of a nationally accepted information and consent form for hospital post mortem examinations. [92547]

  Mr. Lammy
  Following a recommendation by the Chief Medical Officer in 2001, we have consulted on and piloted consent forms and information leaflets for use throughout the national health service.

  We intend to issue the forms shortly as part of a broader package of measures to improve the handling of issues relating to the removal, retention and use of human organs and tissue. This will include a code of practice on families and post mortems.

  Public Service Pensions
  Mr. Portillo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether, under the Government's proposals for public service pension reform, a male doctor over 60 years of age and with 40 years' service, who decides not to retire before 2005, would still be able to retire before the age of 65; what rewards would accrue to him for working beyond the age of 60; and whether his accrual rate would move from to per year after 2005. [91861]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Green Paper sets out, for consultation, wide-ranging proposals for pensions and saving for retirement. We will want to consider its implications for the national health service scheme carefully and consult fully on proposals for change. In doing so, we shall take account of the work recently published in the stock-take report, "Pension Scheme Modernisation: A Millennium Health Check for the NHS Pension Scheme".

  Clearly, it will take some time to review the current scheme in the light of the Green Paper and the associated tax consultation document. The pace of change will depend on introducing new regulations, and changes for new entrants are likely to be in place before amending arrangements for existing members. However, the Green Paper makes no reference to retrospective age-related restrictions for a member already at age 60.

  Redundancy Payments
  Mr. Burns
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the(a) total and (b) average cost to the NHS was, over the last 12 months for which figures are available, of redundancy payments to managers and administrators in (i) primary care trusts and (ii) strategic health authorities. [91554]
  478W
  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 21 January 2003]: Information on national health service redundancy payments is not collected centrally.

  Specialised Health Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library a copy of the Department's survey on Arrangements for Commissioning Specialised Services in 2002–03. [82781]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 25 November 2002]: The survey on arrangements for commissioning specialised services in 2002–03 was an internal exercise designed to inform policy. However, a summary of the survey will be made public, and will be included in the forthcoming report on commissioning arrangements for specialised services consultation.

  Terrorism
  Patrick Mercer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many protective suits are available to NHS staff and ambulance crews in the event of a terrorist attack using chemical and biological agents. [88385]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department has funded the provision of 360 mobile decontamination units and 7,250 national specification personal protective equipment (PPE) suits, which allow the ambulance service and accident and emergency departments to treat people contaminated with chemical, biological, radio-active and nuclear material.

  Training Support Funds
  Tony Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being taken to ensure the take-up of increases in training support funds resourced from the Department of Health to local authorities; and how these funds are being targeted towards the voluntary sector. [92883]

  Jacqui Smith
  We are establishing two new ring-fenced grants linked to training for 2003–04—the National Training Strategy Grant and the Human Resources Development Strategy Grant. These were announced in the Local Authority Social Services Letter LASSL(2002)11. We will shortly consult with representatives of the statutory, private and voluntary sectors on the conditions and allocations for both grants.

  The National Training Strategy Grant is to be used to support the training of social care staff in all sectors, with the majority of the fund being spent on developing National Vocational Qualifications in social care.

  The Human Resources Development Strategy Grant will be used to support social care employers in all sectors as they develop the social care work force.

  Treatment Targets
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what methods are used to measure progress against the targets for increases in capacity of the equivalent of treatment for(a) 100,000 patients in

  479W
  2002–03 and (b) 200,000 in 2003–04; and what assessment he has made of progress towards these targets. [85343]

  Mr. Hutton
  The priorities and planning framework for 2002–03 required the national health service to make sure that plans were in place to achieve the major objectives of the NHS Plan. Data collection systems to monitor delivery are in place and in the first two quarters of 2002–03, elective activity increased by 4.9 per cent. compared to the same period the previous year. For future years Improvement, Expansion and Reform: The Next 3 Years for 2003–06, outlines the delivery programme and the planning requirement. Delivery of these programmes will be detailed in local delivery plans.

  West Midlands Hospitals (Military Treatment)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of armed forces personnel likely to be treated in hospitals in the West Midlands (South) Strategic Health Authority area in the event of conflict in Iraq; and what assessment he has made of the consequences for the continuing provision of health services to the resident population. [90346]

  Mr. Hutton
  No specific estimate of the possible impact on individual strategic health authorities has been made. The national health service has a responsibility to ensure that any military casualties are appropriately treated and cared for. If the need does arise, the service will meet this obligation in full while continuing to serve the local population.

  Table showing the number of self-inflicted deaths in prison establishments in England and Wales

  between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 2002

  Calendar year

  Establishment

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Total

  Acklington

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Albany

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Altcourse

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  3

  —

  —

  1

  6

  Ashwell

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Aylesbury

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  3

  2

  —

  1

  9

  Bedford

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  3

  8

  Belmarsh

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  4J

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  11

  Birmingham

  1

  —

  1

  2

  1

  1

  2

  2

  3

  3

  —

  16

  Blakenhurst

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  2

  8

  Blundeston

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  4

  Brinsford

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  3

  2

  —

  10

  Bristol

  1

  2

  —

  1

  1

  1

  3

  2

  1

  2

  2

  16

  Brixton

  1

  1

  3

  —

  1

  2

  1

  4

  2

  2

  2

  19

  Brockhill

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  1

  —

  5

  Buckley

  Hall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Bullingdon

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  3

  8

  Bullwood

  Hall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  Canterbury

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  Cardiff

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  1

  4

  1

  1

  3

  1

  13

  Castington

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  3

  Chelmsford

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  9

  Dartmoor

  —

  1

  1

  —

  2

  2

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  8

  Deerbolt

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Doncaster

  —

  —

  2

  2

  1

  —

  5

  1

  5

  —

  2

  18

  Dorchester

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  6

  Dovegate

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  4

  Dover

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Downview

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Durham

  2

  1

  —

  —

  1

  2

  2

  3

  1

  —

  6

  18

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Records Checks
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has received from(a) NGOs, (b) social services, (c) members of the public and (d) hon. Members regarding the financial implications for organisations of delays in Criminal Record Bureau checks. [91202]

  Hilary Benn
  The Criminal Records Bureau has received a number of communications from members of the public, employers, Registered Bodies and other organisations drawing attention to this matter, some of which have had the support of Members of Parliament. Some have sought compensation for individual applicants and others for employers.

  Prison Suicides
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what measures are being taken by his Department to ensure a decrease in the numbers of suicides by inmates of prisons in England and Wales; [90492]

  (2) how many suicides by inmates of prisons in England and Wales there were for the period January 1992 to December 2002 broken down by prison; and what estimate he has made of the numbers of suicides for the period January 2003 to December 2013. [90491]

  Hilary Benn
  The following table covers the 762 apparently self-inflicted deaths between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 2002.
  481W

  Table showing the number of self-inflicted deaths in prison establishments in England and Wales

  between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 2002

  Calendar year

  Establishment

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Total

  Eastwood

  Park

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  1

  1

  5

  Elmley

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  1

  —

  —

  5

  Erlestoke

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  4

  Everthorpe

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Exeter

  —

  4

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  —

  2

  2

  3

  17

  Featherstone

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  3

  Feltham

  2

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  7

  Forest

  Bank

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Frankland

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  Full

  Sutton

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  6

  Garth

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  3

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  9

  Gartree

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  Glen

  Parva

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  —

  9

  Gloucester

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  3

  1

  8

  Grendon

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4

  Haverigg

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  High

  Down

  —

  1

  —

  4

  2

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  11

  Highpoint

  (Men)

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Highpoint

  (Women)

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  Hindley

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  7

  Holloway

  1

  1

  —

  2

  1

  —

  1

  2

  1

  1

  1

  11

  Holme

  House

  —

  2

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  3

  1

  —

  5

  14

  Hull

  2

  1

  2

  1

  2

  2

  2

  —

  1

  1

  4

  18

  Kingston

  Portsmouth

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  3

  Kirkham

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Lancaster

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Latchmere

  House

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Leeds

  2

  2

  1

  1

  1

  1

  4

  5

  3

  1

  3

  24

  Leicester

  1

  3

  3

  1

  1

  —

  —

  3

  4

  2

  1

  19

  Lewes

  1

  1

  —

  1

  1

  2

  2

  3

  1

  3

  5

  20

  Lincoln

  —

  3

  1

  2

  2

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  10

  Lindholme

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Littlehey

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  5

  Liverpool

  1

  2

  5

  1

  3

  5

  1

  —

  2

  2

  2

  24

  Long

  Lartin

  1

  1

  1

  1

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  7

  Low

  Newton

  —

  —

  2

  2

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  6

  Maidstone

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  4

  Manchester

  —

  2

  2

  —

  4

  —

  4

  8

  1

  1

  1

  23

  Moorland

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  5

  The

  Mount

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  New

  Hail

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  2

  6

  Northallerton

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  2

  3

  Norwich

  2

  2

  —

  4

  1

  1

  5

  2

  1

  2

  1

  21

  Nottingham

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  2

  2

  2

  3

  3

  2

  17

  Parc

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  3

  1

  —

  2

  2

  9

  Parkhurst

  1

  1

  2

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  6

  Dentonville

  4

  —

  —

  2

  2

  —

  —

  1

  1

  3

  1

  14

  Portland

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  4

  Preston

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  3

  2

  3

  2

  1

  2

  17

  Prescoed/

  Usk

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Ranby

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Reading

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  1

  —

  4

  Risley

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  2

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  6

  Rochester

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Shepton

  Mallet

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Shrewsbury

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  4

  Stafford

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  1

  —

  —

  5

  Stocken

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  —

  3

  482W 483W

  Table showing the number of self-inflicted deaths in prison establishments in England and Wales

  between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 2002

  Calendar year

  Establishment

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Total

  Stoke

  Heath

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  2

  Styal

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  2

  5

  Swaleside

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  —

  4

  Swansea

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  4

  Swiften

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Hall

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3

  The

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Verne

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  Wakefield

  1

  3

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  —

  1

  10

  Wandsworth

  —

  2

  4

  —

  1

  —

  2

  —

  7

  1

  2

  19

  Wayland

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  1

  Wealstun

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  2

  Wellingborough

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  2

  Wetherby

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  —

  4

  Whatton

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  Whitemoor

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2

  Winchester

  —

  1

  1

  —

  2

  2

  5

  2

  4

  3

  1

  21

  Wolds

  —

  1

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  —

  1

  6

  Woodhill

  —

  1

  1

  —

  —

  1

  2

  1

  —

  2

  3

  11

  Wormwood

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Scrubs

  1

  —

  4

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  1

  1

  1

  10

  Wymott

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  1

  —

  —

  2

  Escort

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Custody

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1

  2

  —

  5

  —

  1

  —

  9

  Total

  41

  47

  61

  59

  64

  68

  83

  91

  81

  73

  94

  762

  There are no forward estimates of the number of prisoner self-inflicted deaths. The Government aim to reduce suicides in prisons as in the community generally. The Department of Health's National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England, which aims to support the 'Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation' target of reducing the death rate from suicide in the community by at least 20 per cent. by 2010, includes a target for the Prison Service of such a reduction (to 112.8 self-inflicted deaths per 100,000 prisoners) by April 2004.

  The Prison Service recognises that it has a duty of care for all prisoners. This is reflected in current policy and procedures in respect of identifying prisoners at risk of suicide and self-harm, and providing the subsequent care and support for such prisoners, and support for the staff who care for them. Prison Service Instructions make clear that it is the responsibility of all staff to initiate the self-harm at-risk procedures whenever they believe a prisoner is at such risk. These procedures ensure those caring for the at-risk prisoner consider the appropriate level of supervision, location and support for that prisoner. Each at-risk prisoner has an individual support plan drawn up by a multi-disciplinary review team, which will also involve the prisoner themselves.

  The general prison population contains a large number of prisoners with a combination of psychiatric disorders, alcohol and drug dependency, family background and relationship problems, histories of self-harm and previous abuse, all of which raise their risk of suicide. Good care and support from staff saves many lives but such instances go largely unreported.

  The Prison Service's approach, in close partnership with outside organisations such as the Samaritans, is to identify and better support those who seem at greatest risk and focus on staff/prisoner relationships and the physical environment. The Prison Service's suicide prevention and self-harm reduction programme
  484W
  includes a series of inter-related projects to improve pre-reception, reception and induction arrangements; interagency information exchange; prisoner care; detoxification; prisoner peer support, and the learning from investigations into deaths in custody.

  Piloting of these projects is focused on six establishments—Wandsworth, Feltham, Eastwood Park, Leeds, Winchester and Birmingham—although others are involved in aspects of the work. An investment of £21.69 million over the three year programme from April 2001 is allowing physical improvements to be made at these six sites, for example to reception and induction areas, and through the installation of more first night centres, safer cells, crisis suites and gated cells that enable staff to watch at-risk prisoners closely. The programme will be subject to an independent quantitative and qualitative evaluation.

  Wing staff will be increasingly supported in the work by in-reach mental health teams and by the establishment where possible of dedicated drug detoxification units. Between August 2001 and June 2002 new health care screening procedures have been piloted at six adult male remand prisons (Leeds, Wandsworth, Holme House, Liverpool, Manchester and Durham) two female remand prisons (Eastwood Park and New Hall) and two young offender institutions (Feltham and Glen Parva). The two female prisons include both adults and women aged 16–21 years. An evaluation of the pilot project supported implementation of the new reception screening arrangements across the estate, and a rolling programme is planned commencing in April 2003.

  Prisoner Demographics
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many males and females were in prison serving sentences of over four years in(a) June 1991 and (b) June 2002. [89545]
  485W
  Hilary Benn
  [holding answer 20 January 2003]: On 30 June 1991, there were 14,616 males and 498 females serving sentences of four years and over in prisons in England and Wales.

  On 30 June 2002, there were 26,283 males and 1,335 females serving similar sentences.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were given life sentences in(a) June 2002, (b) in 1998 and (c) in 1992. [89546]

  Hilary Benn
  [holding answer 20 January 2003]: In June 2002, 35 prisoners were received into Prison Service Establishments, with life sentences. In the whole of 1998, 413 prisoners were received with a life sentence, and in the whole of 1992, 236 prisoners were received with life sentences.

  Youth Crime
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juveniles held in young offenders institutions in England and Wales have(a) been previously excluded from school and (b) have a level of educational attainment below level 1 basic skills. [90486]

  Hilary Benn
  We do not collect information centrally on how many juvenile offenders in custody have been excluded from school. Early in 2001 the Howard League for Penal Reform found from a sample of 84 15 year olds in custody that 83 per cent. had been excluded. More recently—as part of its audit of education and training provision within the youth justice system (published in November 2001)—the Youth Justice Board interviewed 160 offenders aged between 15 and 18 and found that 45 per cent. had been permanently excluded.

  Basic skills screening of juvenile offenders received into custody between April and November 2002 indicates that 42 per cent. are below level 1 in reading, 51 per cent. in spelling, 59 per cent. in writing and 43 per cent. in numeracy.

  Investment so far in staff and buildings in the juvenile estate—particularly the appointment of a Special Needs Co-ordinator to each establishment and one Learning Support Assistant for every 10 juveniles—is already having a positive impact on achievement, as is the piloting of innovative teaching strategies. In the first half of 2002–03, juveniles in custody gained around 2,000 basic skills qualifications, almost three quarters of which were at entry level or level 1. And we expect achievement to improve further as a result of our enhancements.

  The Youth Justice Board is investing £40 million over this year and next in education and training across the 13 juvenile facilities, including £10 million in new buildings. These resources will enable implementation of the new National Specification for Learning and Skills, introduction of the PLUS literacy programme, and enhanced staffing. They will also address the recommendation in the Social Exclusion Unit's report Bridging the Gap that 16 to19 year olds should receive 30 hours per week of education, training and personal development.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  European Documents
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission how many demand forms for European printed papers were issued in 2002; and how many documents or papers were included in them, broken down by types or category of the papers listed. [92925]

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  Forty-eight demand forms for European printed papers were issued in 2002.

  The numbers of documents or papers included, broken down by types or category of papers listed are given in the table.

  Type or category

  Total number

  Official Journals

  1,195

  Tenders

  52

  Working Documents

  737

  Bulletins

  275

  Draft Legislation

  1,159

  Explanatory Memoranda

  901

HOUSE OF COMMONS

  Members' Biographical Details
  David Winnick
  To ask the Chairman of the Information Committee what progress is being made by the Library to bring out biographical details of hon. and right hon. Members in book form to replace Stanton and Lees publications; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the provision of(a) funding and (b) personnel for this purpose. [92994]

  Michael Fabricant
  The hon. Member will recall that I wrote to him on 24 January 2002, following consideration of this matter by the Information Committee. As subsequent progress is an operational question for the Library, I have asked the Librarian to write to the hon. Member.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Departmental Budget
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of her Department's budget remained unallocated at the end of the last financial year. [92659]

  Clare Short
  DFID's budget was fully allocated last year. Our initial budget for 2001–02 included a modest Contingency Reserve. This reserve was allocated to specific programmes during the course of the year.

  Global Fund
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what donations to the Global Fund(a) have been received and (b) are expected, broken down by donor country. [92657]
  487W
  Clare Short
  Total pledges to the fund to date (including disbursements already made) total US $2.157 billion. Donations received so far by the Global Fund (up to the end of 2002) amount to US $855.9 million and donations pledged specifically for 2003 amount to $605.5 million.

  The UK has pledged £138 million to the fund and has already paid in £50 million. A further £25 million will be contributed in calendar year 2003, depending on performance.

  A full breakdown of donor pledges is available at the Global Fund website and can be found at www.globalfundatm.org.

LORD CHANCELLOR'S DEPARTMENT

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Flook
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many civil servants have(a) been tested and (b) will be tested using psychometric testing in the last five years. [92602]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  All staff recruited on the Fast Stream Development Programme undergo some element of psychometric testing as part of the selection process. Records show a total of 39 new appointments under this programme since 1999. The table shows the breakdown on a year by year basis.

  Psychometric testing has also been used to help fill a number of senior and other civil service posts, both in external recruitment and internal selection campaigns. This statistical information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  My Department has also used, and continues to use, psychometric exercises in support of its leadership development programme. These exercises are not used to support selection, but are a development tool to assist managers at all levels in developing their leadership skills.

  HEODs appointed 1999 to current date

  Year

  Total

  1999

  4

  2000

  10

  2001

  16

  2002

  8

  2003

  1

  Total

  39

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what his estimate is of the total expenditure by his Department on mininsterial travel(a) in the UK and (b) abroad, in each year from 1995–96 to 2002–03 (estimated); and if he will make a statement. [92430]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley, South (Mr. Alexander) on 22 January 2003.

PRIME MINISTER

  Carlyle Group
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions and correspondence(a) he and (b) his Office has had with representatives of the Carlyle Group since 1 May 1997. [91529]

  The Prime Minister
  Ministers and Government officials have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings, under exemptions 2 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Iraq
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has for the development of a common European Union approach on the Iraq issue, in respect of(a) removing the threat of weapons of mass destruction, (b) regime change and (c) use of military force. [92927]

  The Prime Minister
  The European Union is united on this issue, as demonstrated most recently by the Declaration on Iraq agreed by the Copenhagen European Council on 13 December. This underlined the full and unequivocal support of the European Council for United Nations Security Council resolution 1441 and stated that the goal of the European Union remains the disarmament of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction in accordance with the relevant UN Resolutions. It also pledged the European Union's continuing full support to the efforts of the UN to ensure full and immediate compliance by Iraq with resolution 1441, and its full support for the inspection operations of UNMOVIC and the IAEA.

  I, my Ministers and officials continue to discuss Iraq frequently with all our EU partners.

  Ministerial Travel
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Prime Minister what his estimate is of the total expenditure by his Department on mininsterial travel(a) in the UK and (b) abroad in each year from 1995–96 to 2002–03 (estimated); and if he will make a statement. [92418]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office on 22 January 2003.

SCOTLAND

  Departmental Assets
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list each asset of the Scottish Office valued at £50,000 or more; and if she will make a statement. [90380]

  Mrs. Liddell
  The only asset of the Scotland Office with a value of more than £50,000 is the lease of Dover House in London.

  Departmental Expenditure (Newsprint)
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total expenditure of her Department was on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in 2002. [90520]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Expenditure on newspapers, magazines and periodicals purchased centrally by the Department in 2001–02 was £12,968.

  Dover House
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, who owns the Scotland Office headquarters at Dover House in Whitehall, what her latest estimate is of the total value of this building; and what her estimate is of its annual rental cost. [90378]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Dover House is owned by the Crown Estate and leased to the Scotland Office. The value of the building is a matter for the Crown Estate. The rental cost in 2001–02 was £10,500.

  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when and by whom Dover House, Whitehall, was valued for the purposes of the National Asset Register; what the latest valuation is; and if she will make a statement. [91699]

  Mrs. Liddell
  Dover House was re-valued prior to transfer by the former Scottish Office. On 31 March 1999, it was independently re-valued at £2 million by GVA Grimley, International Property Advisors, on the basis of Existing Use Value in accordance with the Appraisal and Valuation Manual of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Its current net book value (at 31 March 2002) is £1.675 million.

  Fishing Industry
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what part she will play in the co-ordination of financial assistance packages to the Scottish fishing industry between the Government and the Scottish Executive. [92294]

  Mrs. Liddell
  I am regularly involved in discussions with Government colleagues and the Scottish Executive on a range of subjects, and these have recently included issues concerning the Scottish fishing industry.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Tony Wright
  To ask the Solicitor-General when the Crown Prosecution Service's autumn performance report for 2002 will be published. [93157]

  The Solicitor-General
  I refer the hon. Member to my previous reply, 21 January 2003,Official Report, column 231 W.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Benefit Fraud
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of suspected(a) housing benefit and (b) council tax benefit fraud have been discovered through a residency check, in each of the last five years. [91979]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information requested is not available. Information held centrally on cases of suspected housing benefit or council tax benefit fraud does not identify the means by which the suspected fraud was detected.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the new system of assessment by the CSA will become operable; whether those who have been waiting for assessment or reassessment by the CSA will be assessed as if they were new claimants; and what plans he has to clear the back-log. [92549]

  Malcolm Wicks
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale (Peter Duncan) on 27 November 2002,Official Report, column 317W. The next Commencement Order to implement relevant provisions of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 will set out the classes of case to which the new scheme will apply.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 16 December from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Avril Curry. [92285]

  Mr. Andrew Smith
  I wrote to the right hon. Member on 16 January 2003.

  Employers' Liability
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the employers' liability insurance review. [85271]

  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  [holding answer 12 December 2002]: I refer my hon. Friend to the Written Ministerial Statement I gave on 12 December 2002, Official Report, columns 23–24WS.

  Free School Meals
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list for each year since 1997 the percentage of children for each local authority eligible for free school meals. [91983]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  I have been asked to reply.

  The available information is shown in the table.
  491W

  Maintained nursery, primary, secondary and all special schools1: school meal arrangements

  Position in January each year

  Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free meals2

  By local education authority, by Government office region

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  England

  20.2

  19.1

  18.4

  17.8

  17.1

  16.4

  North East

  25.8

  24.9

  24.1

  23.4

  23.1

  21.4

  Darlington3

  5—

  21.0

  19.7

  18.3

  17.2

  17.2

  Durham4

  21.3

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Durham3

  5—

  20.8

  20.2

  19.5

  19.5

  19.3

  Gateshead

  25.9

  24.5

  23.6

  24.4

  23.4

  22.6

  Hartlepool

  30.9

  28.6

  26.6

  26.8

  25.6

  24.7

  Middlesbrough

  35.2

  34.5

  32.1

  32.1

  32.0

  31.8

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  34.9

  33.4

  32.2

  31.1

  30.7

  28.9

  North Tyneside

  23.0

  22.8

  21.7

  21.5

  19.7

  20.1

  Northumberland

  15.6

  14.0

  14.2

  13.5

  13.3

  12.4

  Redcar and Cleveland

  28.2

  26.1

  26.6

  25.4

  23.5

  23.8

  South Tyneside

  32.7

  30.9

  29.6

  28.2

  27.4

  26.9

  Stockton-on-Tees

  25.1

  23.8

  22.4

  21.9

  20.7

  19.6

  Sunderland

  28.4

  29.3

  29.3

  28.4

  31.1

  20.7

  North West

  25.1

  21.6

  20.7

  22.5

  21.4

  20.6

  Blackburn with Darwen3

  5—

  5—

  27.6

  27.5

  25.8

  25.1

  Blackpool3

  5—

  5—

  26

  25.3

  24.6

  24.4

  Bolton

  20.7

  18.7

  18.0

  17.7

  17.1

  16.8

  Bury

  17.5

  16.2

  16.2

  15.8

  14.8

  14.0

  Cheshire4

  16.0

  15.5

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Cheshire3

  5—

  5—

  12.0

  12.4

  11.3

  10.9

  Cumbria

  15.9

  15.4

  14.3

  14.6

  13.7

  13.1

  Halton3

  5—

  5—

  27.8

  27.1

  25.9

  25.4

  Knowsley

  47.9

  46.3

  44.8

  42.9

  40.4

  38.0

  Lancashire4

  22.2

  21.5

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Lancashire3

  5—

  5—

  18.8

  16.9

  16.0

  15.5

  Liverpool

  41.7

  40.3

  38.7

  38.4

  37.1

  34.8

  Manchester

  46.7

  45.5

  44.5

  44.6

  43.4

  43.0

  Oldham

  26.0

  24.5

  23.5

  24.2

  23.0

  22.9

  Rochdale

  28.2

  26.9

  27.1

  25.8

  24.5

  24.4

  Salford

  33.2

  31.6

  30.2

  29.7

  28.7

  27.2

  Sefton

  24.7

  23.9

  22.4

  21.1

  19.7

  19.1

  St. Helens

  22.1

  22.0

  26.5

  20.8

  20.3

  20.1

  Stockport

  17.3

  16.5

  14.9

  14.3

  13.7

  13.3

  Tameside

  23.4

  21.6

  20.8

  20.1

  19.9

  18.8

  Trafford

  20.1

  18.1

  18.4

  18.0

  15.2

  12.6

  Warrington3

  5—

  5—

  12.7

  11.5

  11.0

  10.5

  Wigan

  18.8

  17.8

  17.4

  16.9

  16.1

  15.8

  Wirral

  28.7

  27.1

  28.5

  29.2

  28.9

  27.7

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  21.2

  20.3

  19.6

  19.1

  18.1

  17.5

  Barnsley

  25.8

  25.2

  24.7

  24.2

  23.0

  21.3

  Bradford

  28.0

  27.1

  26.4

  25.9

  24.1

  24.2

  Calderdale

  19.0

  18.2

  18.1

  17.3

  17.4

  16.4

  Doncaster

  25.2

  23.2

  22.4

  20.9

  19.7

  18.4

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  10.8

  9.6

  10.6

  10.6

  9.7

  9.3

  Kingston Upon Hull, City of

  28.5

  27.5

  27.5

  27.5

  26.5

  26.2

  Kirklees

  21.7

  20.5

  20.2

  19.5

  18.7

  18.2

  Leeds

  21.5

  20.9

  20.1

  19.9

  18.8

  18.5

  North East Lincolnshire

  23.0

  22.8

  21.6

  22.8

  22.6

  21.3

  North Lincolnshire

  17.8

  16.4

  15.7

  14.5

  14.7

  13.8

  North Yorkshire

  9.3

  8.9

  8.6

  8.5

  7.9

  7.3

  Rotherham

  22.0

  21.0

  20.1

  19.8

  18.4

  17.8

  Sheffield

  27.3

  26.6

  24.2

  22.5

  21.2

  20.6

  Wakefield

  19.5

  18.8

  18.3

  18.7

  17.6

  17.7

  York

  13.9

  12.8

  12.0

  11.0

  10.5

  9.8

  East Midlands

  16.0

  15.1

  14.3

  14.0

  13.4

  12.8

  Derby3

  5—

  22.9

  21.7

  20.8

  20.4

  20.1

  Derbyshire4

  16.2

  12.8

  12.3

  12.5

  12.1

  11.8

  Derbyshire3

  16.2

  12.8

  12.3

  12.5

  12.1

  11.8

  Leicester3

  5—

  24.9

  23.7

  23.5

  23.6

  23.7

  492W 493W

  Maintained nursery, primary, secondary and all special schools1: school meal arrangements

  Position in January each year

  Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free meals2

  By local education authority, by Government office region

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Leicestershire4

  15.0

  8.5

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Leicestershire3

  5—

  5—

  8.3

  7.9

  7.6

  7.0

  Lincolnshire

  9.8

  9.4

  8.1

  7.8

  7.7

  7.3

  Northamptonshire

  12.7

  11.9

  11.6

  11.4

  10.5

  10.2

  Nottingham3

  5—

  5—

  35.4

  34.8

  34.1

  32.3

  Nottinghamshire4

  22.5

  21.3

  15.0

  14.3

  13.2

  12.4

  Nottinghamshire3

  22.5

  21.3

  15.0

  14.3

  13.2

  12.4

  Rutland3

  5—

  6.4

  6.2

  5.4

  5.0

  4.5

  West Midlands

  21.0

  19.6

  19.1

  18.8

  18.6

  18.1

  Birmingham

  35.6

  34.3

  33.7

  33.1

  33.1

  32.7

  Coventry

  22.4

  21.0

  21.7

  19.6

  20.1

  19.2

  Dudley

  18.0

  16.9

  16.2

  15.9

  14.9

  14.6

  Hereford and Worcester4

  10.1

  8.1

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Herefordshire3

  5—

  5—

  8.1

  7.3

  8.1

  7.5

  Sandwell

  26.6

  24.9

  23.2

  24.4

  24.0

  22.9

  Shropshire4

  15.2

  14.5

  9.9

  9.7

  9.3

  9.1

  Shropshire3

  15.2

  14.5

  9.9

  9.7

  9.3

  9.1

  Solihull

  14.3

  13.7

  12.4

  12.6

  12.6

  11.3

  Staffordshire4

  16.8

  12.6

  12.0

  11.7

  11.1

  10.9

  Staffordshire3

  16.8

  12.6

  12.0

  11.7

  11.1

  10.9

  Stoke-on-Trent3

  5—

  26.9

  27.3

  27.7

  27.2

  25.8

  Telford and Wrekin3

  5—

  5—

  20.9

  21.3

  20.5

  20.2

  Walsall

  23.8

  21.3

  19.8

  19.1

  18.0

  17.6

  Warwickshire

  11.4

  10.9

  9.9

  9.6

  9.4

  8.9

  Wolverhampton

  24.7

  22.6

  22.0

  21.8

  22.7

  21.5

  Worcestershire3

  5—

  5—

  9.0

  9.8

  10.0

  9.8

  East of England

  14.9

  13.5

  12.9

  12.5

  11.7

  11.1

  Bedfordshire4

  19.4

  12.5

  11.7

  11.2

  10.8

  10.5

  Bedfordshire3

  19.4

  12.5

  11.7

  11.2

  10.8

  10.5

  Cambridgeshire3

  15.4

  13.8

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Cambridgeshire3

  5—

  5—

  10.1

  9.5

  8.9

  8.2

  Essex4

  15.4

  14.4

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Essex3

  5—

  5—

  12.7

  12.0

  11.1

  10.6

  Hertfordshire

  11.5

  10.0

  9.4

  9.1

  8.5

  8.0

  Luton3

  5—

  26.3

  23.9

  23.7

  23.5

  23.5

  Norfolk

  14.3

  13.7

  13.8

  13.8

  13.0

  12.3

  Peterborough3

  5—

  5—

  22.2

  21.4

  20.2

  18.6

  Southend-on-Sea3

  5—

  5—

  19.1

  18.3

  16.8

  16.0

  Suffolk

  14.8

  13.1

  12.3

  12.1

  11.3

  10.6

  Thurrock3

  5—

  5—

  17.7

  16.9

  15.4

  15.0

  London

  29.5

  28.3

  27.4

  27.0

  26.1

  25.3

  Inner London

  45.3

  43.3

  41.6

  41.2

  39.8

  38.4

  Camden

  37.2

  36.0

  35.6

  36.2

  35.9

  35.2

  City of London

  51.4

  37.7

  38.4

  35.9

  33.8

  6

  Hackney

  55.5

  50.1

  46.3

  44.1

  41.3

  42.1

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  42.3

  41.3

  38.4

  39.6

  39.2

  38.2

  Haringey

  41.0

  40.0

  39.5

  39.4

  38.2

  36.1

  Islington

  52.3

  44.5

  45.4

  44.2

  42.8

  40.5

  Kensington and Chelsea

  44.0

  42.0

  38.5

  38.6

  35.8

  34.6

  Lambeth

  47.1

  45.0

  42.5

  41.1

  39.3

  37.9

  Lewisham

  38.5

  38.4

  35.2

  35.8

  35.3

  31.5

  Newham

  39.1

  38.7

  39.1

  39.6

  37.9

  37.7

  Southwark

  48.9

  44.8

  43.5

  43.2

  41.0

  39.8

  Tower Hamlets

  61.1

  60.8

  59.2

  60.0

  58.7

  55.7

  Wandsworth

  36.1

  34.9

  32.2

  29.7

  28.6

  28.0

  Westminster

  43.8

  42.3

  39.6

  36.8

  35.2

  34.9

  Outer London

  21.1

  20.4

  19.9

  19.5

  18.9

  18.4

  Barking and Dagenham

  26.5

  26.3

  25.3

  25.5

  24.3

  23.9

  Barnet

  17.1

  16.1

  16.2

  16.7

  16.6

  15.9

  Bexley

  15.6

  14.8

  14.9

  14.1

  13.6

  12.9

  494W 495W

  Maintained nursery, primary, secondary and all special schools1: school meal arrangements

  Position in January each year

  Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free meals2

  By local education authority, by Government office region

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Brent

  27.8

  27.5

  27.6

  27.2

  26.2

  25.7

  Bromley

  16.7

  15.7

  14.3

  13.6

  13.1

  12.7

  Croydon

  24.6

  23.4

  22.1

  21.8

  20.6

  20.8

  Baling

  27.3

  26.5

  26.1

  26.3

  26.7

  25.9

  Enfield

  21.8

  21.4

  21.5

  22.5

  21.5

  21.3

  Greenwich

  39.3

  38.2

  37.3

  36.4

  35.2

  34.2

  Harrow

  13.3

  13.3

  13.7

  13.9

  13.9

  14.4

  Havering

  13.8

  13.1

  12.9

  12.4

  11.7

  11.0

  Hillingdon

  13.6

  14.3

  14.0

  13.6

  14.7

  13.9

  Hounslow

  25.1

  24.8

  24.1

  22.4

  21.2

  20.9

  Kingston upon Thames

  8.6

  8.2

  8.3

  7.9

  8.1

  8.1

  Merton

  19.5

  18.5

  17.6

  16.8

  15.7

  15.7

  Redbridge

  19.0

  18.2

  17.7

  16.7

  15.7

  15.6

  Richmond upon Thames

  15.5

  14.5

  13.8

  13.0

  12.6

  12.2

  Sutton

  11.9

  11.6

  11.3

  10.9

  10.3

  9.9

  Waltham Forest

  32.7

  31.3

  29.8

  28.5

  28.2

  26.9

  South East

  13.3

  12.3

  11.6

  10.9

  10.3

  9.9

  Berkshire4

  11.3

  10.0

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Bracknell Forest3

  5—

  5—

  7.2

  6.8

  6.2

  5.8

  Brighton and Hove3

  5—

  22.4

  21.7

  20.7

  18.6

  17.8

  Buckinghamshire3

  9.4

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Buckinghamshire3

  5—

  6.4

  6.6

  6.6

  6.4

  6.4

  East Sussex4

  19.6

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  East Sussex3

  5—

  16.6

  15.2

  14.8

  14.3

  13.3

  Hampshire4

  13.5

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Hampshire3

  5—

  9.6

  8.9

  8.5

  8.2

  8.2

  Isle of Wight

  21.5

  20.6

  19.7

  19.2

  17.8

  17.2

  Kent4

  16.4

  15.4

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Kent3

  5—

  5—

  14.4

  12.7

  11.9

  11.3

  Medway3

  5—

  5—

  14.1

  12.9

  11.7

  11.2

  Milton Keynes3

  5—

  14.4

  13.7

  13.7

  13.2

  12.2

  Oxfordshire

  10.5

  9.6

  9.4

  9.5

  9.5

  8.9

  Portsmouth3

  5—

  20.0

  18.1

  17.6

  17.1

  16.8

  Reading3

  5—

  5—

  15.5

  14.2

  14.5

  14.3

  Slough3

  5—

  5—

  17.3

  16.6

  15.8

  15.5

  Southampton3

  5—

  22.5

  21.7

  21.8

  20.7

  19.9

  Surrey

  9.4

  8.6

  8.0

  7.8

  7.1

  6.9

  West Berkshire3

  5—

  5—

  5—

  6.2

  5.8

  5.8

  West Sussex

  11.4

  10.5

  9.8

  8.6

  7.6

  7.2

  Windsor and Maidenhead3

  5—

  5—

  6.7

  6.6

  6.4

  5.9

  Wokingham3

  5—

  5—

  4.8

  4.4

  4.6

  4.3

  South West

  14.5

  13.4

  12.6

  11.8

  11.2

  10.8

  Bath and North East Somerset

  13.3

  12.0

  11.1

  10.3

  9.4

  8.7

  Bournemouth3

  5—

  13.9

  13.0

  11.1

  10.5

  10.1

  Bristol, City of

  26.4

  25.5

  24.1

  22.5

  22.2

  22.4

  Cornwall

  17.8

  15.0

  14.3

  13.6

  12.8

  11.9

  Devon4

  16.7

  15.9

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Devon3

  5—

  5—

  12.3

  11.4

  11.6

  11.0

  Dorset4

  10.1

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Dorset3

  5—

  7.9

  7.5

  6.5

  5.6

  6.4

  Gloucestershire

  12.2

  11.0

  10.1

  9.5

  8.7

  8.8

  Isles of Stilly

  11.3

  6.4

  4.4

  5.1

  6.4

  3.4

  North Somerset

  12.5

  11.2

  10.3

  9.8

  9.2

  9.0

  Plymouth3

  5—

  5—

  19.6

  19.2

  18.0

  16.5

  Poole3

  5—

  10.0

  9.3

  8.4

  7.0

  6.3

  Somerset

  11.4

  11.6

  10.8

  10.6

  10.1

  9.5

  South Gloucestershire

  11.8

  10.5

  9.4

  8.4

  8.1

  7.7

  Swindon3

  5—

  14.5

  13.4

  12.5

  11.6

  11.4

  Torbay3

  5—

  5—

  20.2

  19.1

  17.1

  16.9

  Wiltshire4

  12.1

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  5—

  Wiltshire3

  5—

  9.2

  8.7

  8.2

  7.9

  7.4

  1Includes Maintained and Non-Maintained special schools.

  2Day pupils, excludes boarding pupils.

  3After local government reorganisation.

  4Before local government reorganization

  5Not applicable.

  6Not available.

  Pensions
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on how his Department can protect employees' pension schemes if their employer goes into administration or bankruptcy. [92732]

  Mr. McCartney
  If a salary-related occupational pension scheme starts to wind up as a result of its sponsoring employer going into administration or-bankruptcy, the members of the scheme are protected by measures contained in legislation.

  The Statutory Priority Order sets out how the assets of the scheme are to be applied towards meeting the scheme's liabilities for pensions and other benefits. It aims to ensure that scheme assets are divided among scheme members as fairly as possible.

  The employer debt provisions place a debt on an insolvent company's estate to cover any deficiency in the pension fund. The calculation of the debt is based on an estimate of the costs of winding up the scheme, the notional costs of buying annuities for pensioners and cash equivalent transfer values for people who have not retired.

  The independent trustee provisions require insolvency practitioners to make sure that schemes that are winding up have one trustee who is independent. Trustees are required to report their progress regularly to Opra, which aims to ensure that schemes are wound up as quickly as possible.

  Additionally, a compensation scheme was established to provide compensation for losses caused by dishonesty where the employer is insolvent. The compensation scheme acts as a safety net for members if their scheme suffers from a reduction in assets through dishonesty and their employer is not around to make good the shortfall.

  Nonetheless, we are still concerned about instances when the sponsoring employer becomes insolvent and the pension scheme winds up under-funded. We are aware of the impact this has, and are determined to protect the long-term security of pensioners and other scheme members in occupational pension schemes.

  This is why the pensions Green Paper, "Simplicity, Security and Choice" (Cm 5677), published on 17 December 2002, includes proposals to further protect members' pensions, including proposals to share out scheme assets more fairly, introduce some form of insurance and strengthen protection for members whose solvent employer chooses to wind up its scheme.

  We are seeking views on our proposals and additional suggestions, and are therefore holding a wide ranging consultation on the Green Paper.

  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to simplify the overlap of stakeholder and additional voluntary contribution pension arrangements where a person's earnings are such to allow concurrent membership of an occupational and a stakeholder pension arrangement. [92315]

  Ruth Kelly
  I have been asked to reply.
  498W
  On 17 December the Government published, for consultation, simplification proposals for the pension tax rules. The consultation paper, "Simplifying the taxation of pensions: increasing choice and flexibility", is available in the House of Commons Library. The consultation is to allow people the opportunity to put forward their views before final decisions are taken.

  The consultation paper puts forward a proposed framework of general benefit rules. It is proposed that these rules would apply to all qualifying pension arrangements.

  Post Office Card Account
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many personal invitation documents for post office card accounts have been issued; [92873]

  (2) how many applications have been received for a post office card account; [92874]

  (3) how many post office card accounts have been successfully processed. [92875]

  Malcolm Wicks
  As at 10 January, around 26,000 child benefit and veterans agency customers had requested a post office card account. The Government have decided to build up the number of benefit customers and pensioners that we pay through the post office card account gradually, starting from April 2003. This is to ensure that the systems supporting the post office card account are reliable and robust, and have proved themselves in live running, before we start to pay large numbers of customers through them.

  The Department's current plans for issuing personal invitation documents—PIDS—meet our intention that, subject to acceptance of the card account service, we can start to pay some people through the post office card account from April 2003.

  Accordingly, on current plans, the earliest date for PID issue will be 24 March 2003.

  The only personal invitation documents issued so far have been to around 1,000 customers taking part in the card account pilots that Post Office Ltd. are currently undertaking. Detailed questions on the pilot are matters which fall within the day-to-day responsibility of Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked the chief executive to reply directly to the hon. Member on this issue.

  Public Sector Workers (Retirement)
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the number of public sector workers who are obliged to retire at or before age 60; and if he will make a statement. [92554]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have been asked to reply.

  Retirement policy is a matter for individual public sector employers and detailed numerical information is not held centrally. Government policy as set out in last year's pensions green paper, "Simplicity, security and choice: Working and saving for retirement (Cm 5677)" is to encourage people to work up to the age of 65 and beyond if they wish. Public service employers are reviewing their retirement policies to take account of

  499W
  that. In local government, the normal pension age is already 65 for new entrants. Longer serving staff may have rights to an earlier normal pension age, between 60 and 65, depending on their length of service.

  As set out in the Green Paper, the Government proposes to increase the normal pension age from 60 to 65 for new entrants to pension schemes such the NHS, teachers and civil service. Some 75 per cent. of civil servants already have the option to retire at age 65 and the numbers able to serve beyond age 60 are expected to increase. NHS staff are generally encouraged to continue to work beyond age 60 and those retiring on age grounds typically leave well after age 60. In the state education sector, teachers can normally work until age 65 if they wish and they can work beyond 65 by mutual agreement between the individual and the employer.

  In the armed forces, police and fire services the great majority of people leave before age 60 and pensions for those retiring are payable well before 60. There are a few posts in these services where individuals may be retained beyond age 60. There are a few posts in these services where individuals may be retained beyond age 60.

  Statutory Instruments
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Statutory Instruments subject to negative procedure made by his Department(a) came into force and (b) were considered by a delegated legislation committee in each of the last three sessions. [88033]

  Maria Eagle
  The details requested are in the table.

  Session

  Number of negative statutory instruments that came into force

  Number considered by delegated legislation committee

  1999–2000 (Department of Social Security)

  68

  2

  2000–01 (Department of Social Security)

  44

  0

  2001–02 (Department for Work and Pensions)

  101

  4

  A further 14 instruments subject to the negative procedure came into force in the period between the end of the 1999–2000 session and the start of the 2000–01 session and a further three instruments subject to the negative procedure came into force in the period between the end of the 2000–01 session and the start of the 2001–02 session.

  Where a Statutory Instrument has more than one commencement date, the first date has been used.

  Welfare to Work
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what benefits and subsidies may be lost by the unemployed upon starting employment. [83173]
  500W
  Mr. Nicholas Brown
  We are taking a single approach to work and benefits to make work pay, make work possible and to support those who cannot work.

  The national minimum wage together with our reforms of the tax and benefit system are helping to ensure that work pays at all levels of the labour market, and particularly for people on low incomes. Building on the success of the working families tax credit and the disabled person's tax credit, we will introduce the working tax credit from April 2003, extending in-work support to workers without children or disabilities.

  We have also recently announced an improved package of financial measures to help people make the transition into work. From October 2004, we will be introducing a new job grant to help people moving into a job after at least six months on benefit. Single people and couples without children will receive £100. A higher rate grant of £250 will be paid to lone parents and to couples with children. This improved job grant will make a real difference in helping tide families over until their first wages are received.

  On starting full-time employment a person ceases to be entitled to jobseeker's allowance or income support. There are a number of other benefits and subsidies available to people claiming income-based jobseeker's allowance or income support. These may be affected by a person's increased income on starting work or the person may lose entitlement to them. They include: housing benefit, council tax benefit, certain social fund grants and loans, free NHS prescriptions, eye tests and dental treatment, free school meals, and milk tokens.

  Housing benefit and council tax benefit remain available to provide in-work support to help people meet their rent or council tax and are designed to guarantee that a person is better off in work than out of work. In addition, the NHS low income scheme ensures that working people on low incomes can continue to receive help towards the cost of most NHS services.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Aerospace Industry
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the(a) names and (b) employers of members of the (i) Aerospace Committee and (ii) Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team working groups. [91919]

  Alan Johnson
  The names of members of the Aerospace Committee and the Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team working groups and their respective employers have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Business Link
  Mr. Blunt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many businesses there are in(a) the north-east Region and (b) Surrey; and what estimates she has made of the total income of Business Links in (i) the north-east region and (ii) Surrey in 2002–03 [92834]
  501W
  Nigel Griffiths
  At the start of 2002, there was an estimated 41,865 VAT registered businesses in the North East of England, and 43,525 in Surrey County (Source: VAT registrations and deregistrations: Business Start-ups and closures, published by the SBS in October 2002).

  Projected total turnover (income) for the four Business Link Operators in the North East Region in 2002/03 is around £19.9 million.£6 million (30 per cent. of turnover) of this is in the form of a Core Services Grant from the SBS. Total turnover in the North East also includes £7 million (35 per cent. of turnover) of European funding.

  Projected total turnover for Business Link Surrey in 2002/03 is around 5.8 million. £3.45 million (59.5 per cent. of turnover) of this is in the form of a Core Services Grant from the SBS. Business Link Surrey do not access any European funding.

  Consumer Credit Act
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 16 January 2003,Official Report, column 79W, on the Consumer Credit Act 1974, which of the issues raised in the original question are covered by the consultations listed in her answer. [92716]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 22 January 2003]The question of how annual percentage rates are calculated as part of a consultation on the simplification of the regulations governing credit advertising. The consultation will then determine any reform of the statutory rules.

  In preparation for that, my Department is in regular discussion with the credit industry and consumer bodies on the scope for a common format for the calculation and advertising of APRs on credit cards, and the provision for other key information.

  Employment Rights (Information and Advice)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she is taking to improve information and advice for businesses on employment rights. [92030]

  Alan Johnson
  I firmly believe that there is a strong need for clear, straightforward and easily accessible information and guidance for businesses on employment rights.

  Businesses can obtain guidance on employment rights from a number of sources: I welcome Acas' planned expansion of their advisory work and the recent introduction of a national number for their helpline service. Information is also available on the Acas, DTI and Business Link websites. The Small Business Service (SBS) is developing a pack specifically for start up businesses to accompany its fact sheets and other services.

  Even with the variety and high quality of these services I am aware of the need for continuous improvement to ensure we meet the needs of business. As part of this process my department is working with Acas and SBS and an advisory group of user organisations to improve the way information and
  502W
  guidance on employment rights is made available to the different groups of users, including the e-delivery of information.

  Manufacturing Industry
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she is taking to promote and support UK manufacturing. [92031]

  Alan Johnson
  The Government's Manufacturing Strategy, published in May last year, identified seven key areas of activity for Government and industry that are crucial for manufacturing success. We are taking action in all of those areas to help British manufacturers cope with very difficult global conditions.

  For example, Regional Centres for Manufacturing Excellence were successfully launched in each of the nine English Regions and in Wales over the period April to November 2002 and are now proactively delivering the Manufacturing Advisory Service.

  Post Office Card Accounts
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to promote the use of the Post Office card prior to the introduction of direct payments of benefits in April. [92548]

  Mr. Timms
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon.Friend the Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire on 17 December 2002, column 738W.

  Redundancy Payments Scheme
  Mr. Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the reasons for the change in payments through the Redundancy Payments Scheme from 1999–2000 to 2002–03; and if she will make a statement. [91959]

  Alan Johnson
  The total amount paid out by the Redundancy Payments Service before any deductions for Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions in the financial year 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000 was £200.0 million. The corresponding figures for the financial years April 2000 to March 2001 and April 2001 to March 2002 were £229.7 millions and £278.7 million, respectively, an increase of just over 39 per cent. About three quarters of the increase is attributable to an increase in the numbers of claims over the period. The remainder is mainly due to successive increases in the statutory limits that apply to redundancy and other payments from the National Insurance Fund.

  Regional Assistance
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent on(a) regional selective assistance, (b) regional development grants, (c) regional innovation grants and (d) regional employment premiums for (i) Scotland, (ii) England, (iii) Wales in each year from 1974–75 to 2001–02, and what the estimated figures are for (A) 2002–03, (B) 2003–04, (C) 2004–05, and (D) 2005–06, (1) in cash terms, and (2) at constant 2001– [89824]

  Regional grants 1990–91 to 2000–01

  Cash terms

  1990–91

  1991–92

  1992–93

  1993–94

  1994–95

  (a) Regional selective assistance

  Scotland

  66.8

  63.6

  59.2

  69

  77

  England

  88.9

  74.2

  71.1

  94.7

  113.1

  Wales

  30.2

  55.1

  58.7

  50.9

  57

  Total

  185.9

  192.9

  189

  214.6

  247.1

  (b) Regional development grants

  Scotland

  42.1

  12.2

  8.9

  2.7

  0.4

  England

  65.3

  33

  11.1

  2.9

  0.3

  Wales

  22.1

  14.8

  5.7

  4.7

  0

  Total

  129.5

  60

  25.7

  10.3

  0.7

  (c) Regional innovation grants

  Scotland

  1.2

  1.2

  1.5

  1.7

  1.4

  England

  2.3

  1.9

  2.1

  5.1

  8.7

  Wales

  0.5

  0.6

  0.5

  1.1

  1

  Total

  4

  3.7

  4.1

  7.9

  11.1

  Total

  319.4

  256.6

  218.8

  232.8

  258.9

  of which

  Scotland

  110.1

  77

  69.6

  73.4

  78.8

  England

  156.5

  109.1

  84.3

  102.7

  122.1

  Wales

  52.8

  70.5

  64.9

  56.7

  58

  Total

  319.4

  256.6

  218.8

  232.8

  258.9

  GDP Deflator (HM Treasury)

  72.956

  77.406

  79.91

  81.8

  82.972

  Constant 2001–02 prices

  Scotland

  150.9

  99.5

  87.1

  89.6

  95

  England

  214.5

  140.9

  105.5

  125.4

  147.2

  Wales

  72.4

  91.1

  81.2

  69.2

  69.9

  Total

  437.8

  331.5

  273.8

  284.3

  312.0

  Cash terms

  1995–96

  1995–96

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  (a) Regional selective assistance

  Scotland

  70.1

  72.3

  76.5

  74.2

  52

  69.8

  England

  112.7

  97.3

  115.2

  111.4

  88.7

  112.6

  Wales

  54.2

  47.8

  75.7

  79.9

  44.9

  37.2

  Total

  237

  217.4

  267.4

  265.5

  185.6

  219.6

  (b) Regional development grants

  Scotland

  0

  0.2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  England

  0.6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wales

  0

  0.1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  0.6

  0.3

  0

  0

  0

  0

  (c) Regional development grants

  Scotland

  2.3

  1.83

  0

  0

  0

  0

  England

  11

  0.8

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Wales

  1.4

  11

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  14.7

  13.6

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  252.3

  231.3

  267.4

  265.5

  185.6

  219.6

  of which:

  Scotland

  72.4

  74.3

  76.5

  74.2

  52

  69.8

  England

  124.3

  98.1

  115.2

  111.4

  88.7

  112.6

  Wales

  55.6

  58.9

  75.7

  79.9

  44.9

  37.2

  504W
  Alan Johnson
  The figures for expenditure on Regional Selective Assistance, Regional Development Grants and Regional Innovation Grants are published in the Annual Report of the Industrial Development Act 1982.

  The figures for the period 1990–91 to 2001–02 are summarised as follows and have been presented in cash terms and constant 2001–02 prices. Reference should be made to the Annual Reports for earlier information.
  505W

  Cash terms

  1995–96

  1995–96

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  Total

  252.3

  231.3

  267.4

  265.5

  185.6

  219.6

  GDP Deflator (HM Treasury)

  85.336

  88.042

  90.759

  93.253

  95.51

  97.689

  Constant 2001–02 prices

  Scotland

  84.8

  84.4

  84.3

  79.6

  54.4

  71.5

  England

  145.7

  111.4

  126.9

  119.5

  92.9

  115.3

  Wales

  65.2

  66.9

  83.4

  85.7

  47

  38.1

  Total

  295.7

  262.7

  294.6

  284.7

  194.3

  224.8

  The estimated annual figure for 2002/03 for Regional Selective Assistance in England is 115 million (£112 million at 2001/02 prices). Figures for future years will be published in the Department's Expenditure Plans Reports.

  Information for Scotland and Wales for future years can be obtained from The Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales respectively.

  No information is available in relation to Regional Employment Premiums.

  Small Business (Regulatory Burden)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she is taking to reduce the burden of regulation on small businesses. [92029]

  Nigel Griffiths
  Independent reports from the OECD, Anderson growth plus and others show the UK in general to be a less regulated than most International Competitors. Since January 2000, the Government has put in place a number of measures to further reduce the burden of regulation on small businesses. The SmallBusiness Service now scrutinises newly proposed regulations for their likely impact on SMEs and encourages reform and rationalisation of wxisting regulation. It works closely with DTI's Better Regulation Team to help Departments develop alternatives to regulation.

  Examples of measures taken include 485,000 businesses had their corporation tax bill cut or abolished through measures announced in Budget 2002, and 700,000 benefited from the flat rate VAT scheme. Overall around 9000,000 SMEs have benefited.

TRANSPORT

  Aviation Fuel (Dumping)
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many(a) incidents of dumping of aviation fuel there were and (b) tonnes of aviation fuel were dumped in UK airspace in the last year for which figures are available; [92264]

  (2) what regulations and guidelines there are on the amount of aviation fuel loaded onto aircraft at (a) UK airports and (b) military bases; and how this relates to the planned journey and flight time; [92261]

  (3) what regulations exist to control the dumping of aviation fuel into UK airspace; and whether the regulations differ for civil and military aircraft; [92262]
  506W
  (4) whether a pilot dumping aviation fuel is required to report the activity; and what records are maintained of incidents of the dumping of aviation fuel; [92263]

  (5) what offence the dumping of aircraft fuel into UK airspace constitutes. [92266]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Article 56(3)(b) of the Civil Aviation Air Navigation Order 2000 permits the jettisoning, in cases of emergency, of fuel from an aircraft over the UK. Other than in an emergency, jettisoning would constitute an offence liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to £2,500, as provided for in Article 122(5).

  As in any emergency, the pilot and the air traffic controller would normally report the circumstances under the Mandatory Occurrence Reporting Scheme. There were 19 such incidents in the UK in 2002. There were 1,666,000 air transport movements in the UK in 2001. Details of the amount of fuel jettisoned are not normally recorded as part of the Scheme, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  As regards fuel loaded onto an aircraft, Article 6 of the Order referred to effectively requires the operator to ensure that the pre-flight calculation of usable fuel for a flight covers taxying, trip (take-off to landing), contingency (normally 5 per cent. of trip fuel), diversion to alternative destination, final reserve fuel (30 minutes holding), additional fuel if required by the type of operation (e.g. extended range twin engined operation) and any extra at the commander's discretion.

  Questions about the regulations and procedures applicable to military aircraft are a matter for my right. hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence.

  Pensioners (Free Travel)
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with pensioner groups on the extension of free travel passes to all parts of the United Kingdom. [91335]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Minister of State for Transport (John Spellar) has met representatives from the National Pensioners' Convention, and my Department has received many letters from pensioners (including some groups) on this topic.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to make funds available for free travel for all pensioners. [91336]

  Mr. Jamieson
  From 1 June 2001 we 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. From 1 April 2003 travel concessions will
  507W
  also be extended to men aged between 60 and 65. Expenditure on concessionary travel schemes is covered by the contribution that the Government makes to local authorities through the annual grant settlement. We have no plans to make funds available for free travel for all pensioners.

  UK-registered Vessels (Terrorism)
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the threat of terrorist attack upon UK-registered vessels. [91236]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Secretary of State receives advice from the Security Service who have responsibility for preparing and disseminating assessments on the terrorist threat to UK vessels. This process is ongoing and is the basis for the development of measures which provide an appropriate response.

  Air Transport Consultation
  Mr. John Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to initiate a new round of public consultation before publishing the Government's White Paper on airports. [91871]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The consultation period, throughout the UK, is on-going and has been extended until we have consulted on Gatwick runway options. We intend to issue a revised South East consultation document next month. The consultation period will then run for four months after the date of publication of the new material. Those who have already responded to the consultation will be able to amend, add to, or replace their original response having considered the new material, if they wish to do so.

  Air Travel Organisers Licensing Regulations
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he intends to take to protect individual airline passengers who have bought accommodation from a listed supplier against scheduled airline failure. [91324]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government have no plans to take legislative action on this issue.

  Central Railway
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what relative weight the Government will give to representatives by(a) foreign governments and (b) elected representatives of UK communities in reaching its decision on whether or not to support the proposed Central Railway project; [92570]

  (2) when he expects to make an announcement on Government policy on the proposed Hybrid Bill to promote Central Railway. [92647]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We have received the Strategic Rail Authority's advice on this proposal, as well as a number of representations from other parties. We are giving the proposals due and careful consideration and will respond to Central Railway in due course.
  508W
  Mr. Wilkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the reports he has received on the Central Railway project from the Strategic Rail Authority. [92608]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State on 11 December 2002, Official Report, column 351W to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Mailing (Sir John Stanley).

  Coach Travel
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about help available to pensioners with long-distance coach travel. [92308]

  Mr. Jamieson
  We are committed to the early introduction of a scheme under which the operators of scheduled long-distance coach services would offer those aged over 60, and disabled people, concessionary half-fares in return for the services becoming eligible for Bus Service Operators Grants from my Department. We are currently pursuing clearance of this proposal under European Union State Aid rules, and are in discussion with coach operators on the details of the scheme's introduction. We aim to introduce the scheme as soon as possible in 2003–04.

  Coaches (Passenger Seat Belts)
  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the(a) desirability and (b) level of use of seat belts for passengers on coaches. [91761]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government have for many years encouraged the wide use of seat belts, as they can significantly reduce injuries in many types of accidents. Indeed, since 1 October 2001, seat belts have been required in all new minibuses, coaches and buses—apart from those specifically designed for urban use with standing passengers. However, no assessment has been made by observation of the use of seat belts by coach passengers.

  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from coach operators about the wearing of passenger seat belts; and if he will make a statement. [91762]

  Mr. Jamieson
  No such representations have been received from coach operators. However, the Confederation of Passenger Transport, which represents bus and coach operators, responded to an informal consultation by the Department in May 2001 for views on the proposals in the draft EU Directive on seat belt wearing.

  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to strengthen the regulations governing the use of seat belts for passengers in buses and coaches; and if he will make a statement [91765]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The terms of an EU Directive, presently under consideration, will require seat belts to be used in the rear of buses and coaches where they are provided. Seat belt wearing is already compulsory in the
  509W
  UK for the drivers and front seat passengers in all vehicles, and in the rear of mini-buses under 2.54 tonnes unladen weight (roughly 16 seats).

  Container Ports
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of likely container port capacity at existing container ports over the next (a) five years, (b) 10 years, and (c) 15 years. [91697]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Southampton Test (Dr. Whitehead) on 3 December 2002,Official Report, columns 661–62W. The paper, "Recent Developments at UK Container Ports", mentioned in that answer, explains why the Department has not made national forecasts on container capacity. Likely capacity depends partly on future decisions on planning applications for port developments.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 2 December from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. G. Sherriff. [92286]

  Mr. Spellar
  I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 11 December 2002.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham, Ref.83261. [92585]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have answered question ref. 83261 on 28 November 2002 and it was printed on 3 December 2002,Official Report, column 666W.

  Disability Discrimination Act
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 on the transport sector, with particular reference to the rail sector. [91757]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Before accessibility regulations were implemented for new trains, buses and coaches under the Disability Discrimination Act, we published full assessments of the costs to industry of compliance with the regulations. These assessments were made on the basis of extensive and detailed consultation with manufacturers and operators. Since implementation, we have continued to maintain a close dialogue with industry, as well as with disabled people, to ensure the regulations are working effectively.

  Heathrow
  Martin Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Heathrow (Runway Alternations) 6 am to 7 am trial will conclude. [92125]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 9 January 2003,Official Report, column 2W. It is not possible at this stage to forecast when the trial will conclude.

  Illegal Minicabs
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer given to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham on 7 January,Official Report, column 102W, on illegal minicabs what funding has been allocated to local enforcement authorities to publicise the undesirability of using unlicensed minicabs. [92586]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My answer on 7 January made clear that the enforcement of illegal minicabs is a matter for local enforcement authorities and the police. It is for them to decide whether they wish to spend any of their budget on publicising the undesirability of using unlicensed minicabs.

  Liquefied Petroleum Gas Vehicles
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with interested organisations on how to encourage more LPG fuelled vehicles. [92061]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department has regular discussions with organisations representing the LPG industry. The DfT have met with: vehicles manufacturers; fuel suppliers; the Energy Saving Trust, who manage the PowerShift programme, and the LP Gas Association.

  These discussions centre on how to bring high quality LPG vehicles to market, looking at what measures can help to remove market barriers and ensuring that there is a nation-wide LPG refuelling infrastructure.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to increase the number of LPG outlets in and around London. [92062]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There are now over 1,100 LPG refuelling outlets, giving good coverage across the UK, including the London area. The Government has supported the general development of the LPG market through fiscal measures including favourable duty rates, grants towards the premium cost of LPG vehicles and discounts for alternatively fuelled vehicles under the new Vehicle Excise Duty and company car tax regimes.

  In addition Planning Policy Guidance note 13, indicates that local authorities "should look favourably at proposals" to provide LPG and other alternative fuel infrastructure, "in order to deliver wider environmental objectives".

  London (Transport Access)
  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the proportion of the population of the United Kingdom living within an area which can access London SW1 by(a) public and (b) private transport by (i) 9.15 am and (ii) 11.30 am without starting their journey earlier than 6.00 am. [92642]

  Mr. Jamieson
  No such estimate has been made.

  London Underground
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many attributable delays of 15 minutes or more there were on each London underground line in each year since 2000. [91067]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This is an operational matter for London underground. However, they have provided the information in the table showing by line, for financial years since 2000–01, the number of attributable delays of at least fifteen minutes that were within London underground's control.

  London underground: Number of train delays of at least

  15 minutes by line

  Line

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–031

  Bakerloo

  249

  253

  205

  Central

  376

  378

  172

  District

  303

  431

  286

  Jubilee

  176

  227

  121

  East London

  93

  84

  64

  Northern

  136

  142

  116

  Piccadilly

  189

  248

  183

  Victoria

  68

  112

  77

  Metropolitan

  351

  444

  328

  Circle and Hammersmith

  239

  219

  157

  Waterloo and City

  20

  30

  40

  Total

  2,200

  2,568

  1,749

  1To 7 December 2002

  The increase in delays between 2000–01 and 2001–02 is primarily a consequence of problems with aging assets, especially signalling, including a major problem on the Metropolitan line during 2001. This emphasises the urgent need for the major investment and renewal which our tube modernisation plans will deliver.

  Marine Casualty Officers
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many marine casualty officers are employed to work within UK waters. [91768]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There are 10 marine casualty officers in the United Kingdom under the employment of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

  Motorway Services (M65)
  Janet Anderson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by whom the decision was made to name the services at junction 4 of the M65 motorway The Blackburn Services; and who was consulted before the decision was taken. [91934]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have asked the chief executive of the Highways Agency, Tim Matthews, to write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from T. Matthews to Ms Janet Anderson, dated 23 January 2003:
  I have been asked by David Jamieson to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the naming of the Motorway Services at Junction 4 of the M65 in Lancashire.
  The developer of this service area initiated the name "The Blackburn Services".
  The development was submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for planning approval. When considering planning applications, the Council is required to undertake
  512W
  consultations with a standard list of consultees, which in the case of a proposed motorway service area includes the Highways Agency. When consulted, our considered view was that the proposed facility was in the interests of road users, and we therefore made no objection to the proposal. Once these consultations, required by the planning process, are complete, there is no requirement to consult further.
  The Highways Agency would only have intervened in the naming of these services if we considered that road safety could have been compromised by the provision of misleading or confusing information on our road signs.
  If you would like any further information about this matter, you may wish to contact the Agency's Route Manager for this section of the M65, Roy Wood, at Sunley Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, Ml 4BE (Tel 0161 930 5686).

  Oil and Chemical Spills
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what specific funding is available to coastal local authorities for counter-pollution measures and clean-up operations for(a) oil, (b) diesel and (c) other spillages at sea; [91599]

  (2) what steps he has taken to train local authority staff and staff of other interested organisations, in the management, containment and clearance of oil, chemical and diesel spillages at sea. [91598]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [pursuant to his answer, 20 January 2003, Official Report, c. 36-37W]: In the last 24 months the MCA have trained over 150 people on the Oil Pollution, Contingency Planning and Response courses. The MCA will also run courses in Inverclyde, North East Scotland, North Devon, Humberside, the Isle of Wight and Dorset before April 2003.

  Paper Supplies
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport who the suppliers are of his Department's(a) paper and (b) paper products. [91909]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department's printing paper is supplied by Robert Home Paper Company, James McNaughton Paper Company, Premier Paper and Howard Smith Paper. Copier paper and other paper products are supplied by Banner Business Supplies Ltd.

  Pollutant Spillage Courses
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the local authorities that have taken up pollutant spillage courses offered by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. [91767]
  513W
  Mr. Jamieson
  In the last 15 months the MCA have trained over 80 local authority delegates on six Oil Pollution, Contingency Planning and Response courses. These delegates have come from the following councils:

  Denbighshire Council

  Colchester Borough Council

  Norfolk County Council

  Swale Borough Council

  Southampton City Council

  West Somerset District Council

  Exeter City Council

  Torbay Council

  North Devon District Council

  Carrick District Council

  Portsmouth City Council

  West Dorset District Council

  Poole Borough Council

  Bournemouth Borough Council

  Kent County Council

  South Gloucester Council

  Hampshire County Council

  Neath and Port Talbot County Borough Council

  Argyll and Bute Council

  Aberdeenshire Council

  Angus Council

  South Ayrshire Council

  Western Isles Council

  The City and County of Cardiff

  Vale of Glamorgan County

  East Lindsey District Council

  Lincolnshire County Council

  Copeland Borough Council

  Environment and Heritage Service

  Hartlepool Borough Council

  Waveney District Council

  Havant Borough Council

  New Forest District Council

  Teignbridge District Council

  North Somerset Council

  Sedgewick District Council

  Medway Council

  Dorset County Council

  Adur District Council

  The MCA have also run two day hands-on training courses for county, unitary and district councils in the following areas since the summer of 1999: Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Hampshire, West Sussex, Cumbria, Somerset, Argyll and Bute, Fife, Kent, Pembrokeshire, Cornwall, Essex, Teeside, Highland, Humberside, Tyneside, Gwynedd and South Wales. Before April 2003 courses will also be run in Inverclyde, North East Scotland, North Devon, Humberside, the Isle of Wight and Dorset. When organising these courses the host council will always invite their neighbours. For example the Fife Council course was attended by all the councils surrounding the Forth and Tay estuaries.

  Press Releases
  Mr. Laws
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each(a) year and (b) quarter from 1995–96 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [92455]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The information requested is as follows:

  (a) The number of press releases issued by each relevant Department excluding agencies, is set out in the table. Those on transport issues are included in overall totals for the former Departments of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) and Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR), as separate data is not held.

  Number of press releases issued

  Number

  Department of Transport

  1995–1996

  422

  1996–1997

  401

  April 1997–15 June 1997

  38

  Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (c)

  16 June 1997–1998

  817

  1998–1999

  1,217

  1999–2000

  1,153

  Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (c)/ Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (c)

  2000–2001

  768

  Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions

  2001–2002

  488

  April 2002–28 May 2002

  73

  Department for Transport

  29 May 2002–17 January 2003

  121

  (b) Quarterly information for Department for Transport, since its creation, is as follows:

  Press releases issued by the Department for Transport

  Quarter

  Number

  29 May to end of June 2002

  17

  July–September 2002

  57

  October–December 2002

  43

  1 January 2003–to date (17 January 2003)

  4

  Quarterly data for the former Departments is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Rail Services
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the request of the Western franchise to receive a subsidy from the Strategic Rail Authority to run services on the Swindon-Cheltenham line in place of Virgin Trains. [92070]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority has agreed that, from May 2003, Virgin Cross Country will no longer run services on this route, but First Great Western will provide an enhanced service.
  515W
  The Authority has also invited proposals from Wessex Trains to run services on the route. It is currently considering these.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will carry out an investigation into the ability of train operating companies to cease fulfilling timetabled services. [92071]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [holding answer 20 January 2003]The minimum level of services which train operators are required to provide is prescribed in franchise agreements, primarily through the Passenger Service Requirement.

  Martin Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what remedial action has been taken by train operating companies with passengers in excess of capacity as required by the terms of their franchise; how much funding is committed to this by Central Government; and how the money is distributed; [92128]

  (2) how much has been spent on reducing overcrowding on trains in each of the last five years by (a) South West Trains, (b) Silverlink, (c) South Central, (d) Thameslink and (e) Railtrack; and if he will make a statement. [92127]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Investment by train operating companies and Network Rail (formerly Railtrack) is made for a variety of reasons including tackling overcrowding. It is not possible to ascribe particular amounts to a single objective. Nor is there a single amount committed by Central Government.

  Where train operators breach their 'Passengers In Excess of Capacity' limit the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) can require an action plan to be produced. The SRA now publish information on these in the June edition of 'On Track'. This is placed in the Library of the House.

  Road Deaths
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 15 January 2003,Official Report, column 627W, on road deaths, whether his Department has specifically requested from the Netherlands (a) figures on accident reductions and (b) details of the effects on traffic flows and the behaviour of road users generally, where traffic lights have been removed. [92609]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department is in touch with the official responsible for the work in the Netherlands. Accident figures and the effects on traffic flows have been discussed in general terms and we have asked for any formal figures that may be available. It is important to note that a great deal of work has been done to change the appearance of the roads concerned and reduce vehicle speeds as part of influencing drivers' behaviour. More than just the removal of traffic signals is involved and this needs to be considered when looking at accident and traffic flow figures.

  Roadworks (London)
  Martin Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many reports of hazards to pedestrians have been(a) reported and (b) investigated by the
  516W
  Health and Safety Executive as a result of Transport for London road works in Wandsworth between 2001–02. [92126]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The information requested is not readily available. Reports to the Health and Safety Executive regarding hazards to pedestrians are normally recorded as complaints concerning the contractor actually doing the work, not the ultimate client. During the period 2001–02 HSE recorded a total of 18 complaints concerning public safety in the London borough of Wandsworth: in 14 of these it proved possible for HSE to carry out investigations. From a further search of available data there is no record of any of these complaints having concerned Transport for London roadwork's.

  Rolling Stock
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when all Mark 1 rolling stock will be removed from service. [92622]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Strategic Rail Authority is leading an industry wide Mark 1 Replacement Programme to ensure that all Mark 1 rolling stock is removed from the Network by 31 December 2004, as required in the 1999 Rail Safety Regulations. In the course of investigating this project, it has become clear that it may be necessary to provide for around 300 to 350 vehicles to operate on the network after December 2004, but the SRA expects these vehicles to be removed from the network in spring 2005.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many days were lost due to sickness absence in the Department in 2002. [90537]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department for Transport was established following machinery of Government changes in May 2002. The most recent 'Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service' published by the Cabinet Office and announced by Ministerial Statement on 19 December 2002 covered the calendar year 2001 for the predecessor Department, the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions and its executive agencies. Figures for 2002 will be announced in due course.

  The Department is committed to managing sick absence effectively and to meeting its Service Delivery Agreement (SDA) target reductions in sick absence by the end of 2003.

  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many working days were lost due to illness in his Department in 2002. [90973]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department for Transport was established following machinery of Government changes in May 2002. The most recent "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service", published by the Cabinet Office and announced by Ministerial Statement on 19 December 2002, covered the calendar year 2001 for the predecessor Department, the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, and its executive agencies. Figures for 2002 will be announced in due course.
  517W
  The Department is committed to managing sick absence effectively and to meeting its Service Delivery Agreement (SDA) target reductions in sick absence by the end of 2003.

  St. Pancras Cemeteries
  Mr. Gerrard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 8 January 2003,Official Report, column 22W, on St. Pancras cemeteries, how many representations he received; what issues were raised in the representations; what response he made to each of the representations; what contacts he had with the contractors responsible for the work as a result of the representations he received; when the work of removing the graves will be completed; how many graves will be removed from the cemetery as a result of the work; how old the graves are which are being removed; what information he has collated regarding surviving relatives of those buried in the graves; and what action he has taken to ensure that the removal of graves is being carried out in conformity with the relevant regulations. [91328]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Secretary of State has to date received nine written representations on this matter, which have raised concerns ranging from the retrieval and recording of archaeological information from the site to the method of working and removal of bodies. London & Continental Railways has continued to liaise closely with contractors and the ecclesiastical authorities, and the Secretary of State's advisers on the CTRL project have been closely involved as work has proceeded. The bulk of the exhumation work will be completed by the end of April. It is estimated that the remains of up to 8,000 bodies will be removed from the site, although not all of these are identifiable individuals. The cemetery closed in 1854 so all the burials pre-date that time. As the site had already been disturbed by 19th century railway construction, there is no identification on the surface of individual burials. Any information from the excavations is recorded by the specialist contractor carrying out the work, which is being done in accordance with legal requirements relevant to burial grounds from this period.

  Thames Estuary Airport
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions he has had with the Thames Estuary Airport Company regarding their proposals for a new airport; [91356]

  (2) whether (a) he and (b) his departmental officials have had discussions regarding a proposal for a new airport situated in the Thames estuary on a site northeast of the Isle of Sheppey; [91349]

  (3) if he will set out the timetable for public consultation on UK air transport. [91693]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The only contact between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport and the Thames Estuary Airport Company Limited (TEACO) has been to receive their written response to "The Future Development of Air Transport in the United Kingdom (South East)". This included proposals for a new airport on an artificial island in the Thames Estuary. Officials 518W
  have had a number of telephone conversations with representatives of TEACO, both before and after submission of their written response.

  The consultation period, throughout the UK, has been extended until we have consulted on Gatwick runway options. The consultation period will run for four months after the date of publication of the new material. Those who have already responded to the consultation will be able to amend, add to, or replace their response having considered the new material, if they wish to do so.

  Train Drivers (Sickness)
  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the sickness rates were for train drivers in(a) 1991, (b) 1996 and (c) 2001. [92096]

  Mr. Jamieson
  This information is not held centrally.

  Water Freight
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much freight was carried on water in the UK in(a) the year to May 1992, (b) the year to May 1997 and (c) the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [91759]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Statistics of freight traffic carried on UK waters are compiled on an annual basis only. Total waterborne freight traffic in years 1991, 1996 and 2001 (the latest available year), in terms of goods lifted (tonnage) and goods moved (tonne-kilometres), were as follows:

  Year

  Goods lifted (million tonnes)

  Goods moved(billion tonne-kilometres)

  1991

  144.2

  57.7

  1996

  142.1

  55.3

  2001

  131.7

  58.8

  Working Time Directive
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of the working time directive on services by(a) rail and (b) road. [91758]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department is consulting both sides of industry, on the likely impact of the adopted working time directive for mobile workers in the road transport sector (2002/15/EC). A regulatory impact assessment will be published later this year, alongside a consultation document on our proposals.

  Rail and road workers will be subject to the original Working Time Directive (93/104/EC), as amended by 2000/34/EC, by August 2003. The Department of Trade and Industry published a draft impact assessment on 31 October 2002, which covers all the sectors excluded from the original directive, including rail workers and non-mobile workers in the road transport sector. The draft RIA may be revised following comments received at the close of the public consultation on 31 January.

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