Written Answers of 3 July 2003

TREASURY

  Cancer/Heart Disease
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the survival rates for(a) breast cancer, (b) lung cancer and (c) heart disease for each year since 1997 for (i) England and (ii) each region of England. [122790]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Dr. Evan Harris, dated 3 July 2003:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question concerning the survival rates for (a) breast cancer, (b) lung cancer and (c) heart disease for each year since 1997 for (i) England and (ii) each region of England.(122790)
  The latest available breast and lung cancer survival rates are for cases diagnosed in England in 1993 to 1995 and followed up to the end of 2000. At a national level, figures are routinely presented for men and women separately, while those at regional level are given for persons only, and are given in the table below.

  Five-year relative survival (per cent.), persons diagnosed in 1993–95 and followed up to 31 December 2000: breast and lung cancer, England and Regional Office area

  Percentage

  Breast1

  Lung

  England

  Men

  —

  5.46

  Women

  75.9

  5.48

  Northern and Yorkshire

  74.0

  4.4

  Trent

  74.0

  4.4

  West Midlands

  76.9

  4.8

  North and West

  74.8

  5.6

  Eastern

  78.6

  5.5

  London

  77.1

  6.1

  South East

  76.9

  5.5

  South and West

  75.0

  4.9

  1 Figures for breast cancer exclude the very small number of cases in men.

  Source:

  Report: Cancer survival in the health authorities of England, 1993–2000. Health Statistics Quarterly 13 (2002), 95–103. This is available on our website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/HSQl 3_v4.pdf. "Cancer survival: five year relative survival rates in England by Health Authority up to 2000"; at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Expodata/Spreadsheets/D5389.xls for breast (female), lung, colon and prostate cancer.

  There are no figures available on a nationally comparable basis for survival from heart disease in England.

  Average Wage
  Mr. Michael Foster
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the statistical reliability of the calculation of average wage levels using the(a) New Earnings survey and (b) Labour Force survey. [122518]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Michael Foster, dated 2 July 2003:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the statistical reliability of average earnings data from the New Earnings Survey and the Labour Force Survey.(122518)
  Earnings data from the New Earnings Survey (NES) and from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) are valuable in different circumstances. The NES data are available annually and are based on a larger sample than those from the LFS. The LFS data are available quarterly and for a wider range of population subgroups than from the NES. An article describing the background and uses of ONS average earnings data was published in the February 2003 edition of "Labour Market Trends", a copy of which can be found in the Library.
  Sampling errors have been calculated for both NES and LFS estimates and are available from the National Statistics website (www.statistics.gov.uk). Given the smaller sample size of the LFS, the sampling errors tend to be larger than the equivalent NES sampling errors.
  Following an extensive quality review of the NES last year the survey is currently undergoing a significant redevelopment to further improve the quality of the estimates. The action plan for implementing the results of this review are also on the National Statistics website (www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id = 280). This will reduce known biases in the existing survey which arise principally from the fact that the sample only includes employees who are on Pay As You Earn tax schemes, but also because of differential response rates by size of business and region.

  Child Benefit
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review(a) the procedures for transferring entitlement to child benefit to a surviving patient on the death of the parent with care and (b) the case of Mr. Roger Grey, a constituent. [121447]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Where a child benefit claimant dies and their partner wants to claim child benefit instead, he or she needs to make a new claim. They have up to three months to do this and not suffer a break in their right to payment. The Inland Revenue aims to do all it can, in such cases, to ensure claims are processed as quickly as possible and to maintain continuity of payment.

  I cannot comment on the specific case you mention but I can assure you that the Inland Revenue is continuing to look at how to improve the service provided to customers in this situation.

  Child Tax Credit
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what provision has been made by the Inland Revenue to deal with(a) changes in payments and (b) written and telephone queries in respect of child tax credit for term-time workers during the summer months. [122880]
  369W
  Dawn Primarolo
  A term-time worker who has responsibility for one or more children will be able to claim child tax credit, which is paid direct by the Inland Revenue. Child tax credit is not related to work status.

  Tax credit awards for 2003–04 are initially based on the family's current circumstances and their income for the 2001–02 tax year. They may be adjusted during the year for changes in income or circumstances. Final entitlement for the year will be based on circumstances during the year and the income for 2003–04, if that is lower than 2001–02 income or more than £,500 higher.

  Child Trust Funds
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to make the first payments into child trust funds. [122132]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: As stated in the Budget, entitlement to the child trust fund will be backdated to include children born from September 2002. We expect child trust fund accounts to be available by 2005.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to publish further details of his proposed child trust funds. [122133]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: Full proposals for the child trust fund will be published later in the summer.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Kaufman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 22 May 2003 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms J. Knowles. [122874]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Inland Revenue replied on behalf of the Chancellor on 20 June 2003. The Tax Credit Office aims to reply to 80 per cent. of complaints within 15 working days and will measure their performance and report against that aim in due course.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff(a) have been and (b) will be transferred from the Department for Work and Pensions to the Treasury as a result of the introductions of the various tax credits. [121219]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There have been no transfers of staff from the DWP to the Treasury (or Inland Revenue) as a direct result of the introduction of the child and working tax credits and none are planned. The Inland Revenue's Annual Report to 31 March 2000 (CM 5029) shows—at page 33—that the equivalent of around 3,700 full time staff were transferred from the Benefits Agency to the Inland Revenue when WFTC/DPTC were introduced in October 1999.

  Responsibility for administering the child and working tax credits rests with Inland Revenue. The DWP will continue to deliver a one-stop system of support for working age customers, including transacting their tax credits business.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people(a) in the UK, (b) in the UK workforce and (c) of working age are classified as having a disability; and what percentage of the total this figure represents in each case. [122644]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Jenkins, dated 2 July 2003:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about people with disabilities.(122644)
  The attached table gives information from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), for the three month period ending February 2003, for disabled people of working age in total and for those in employment. Comparable information is not available for people younger or older than the working age group.
  The definition of 'disabled' includes those who have a current disability covered by the Disability Discrimination Act, or a work-limiting disability, or both.

  Disabled people1 of working age2, United Kingdom

  Not seasonally adjusted

  December 2002 to February 2003

  Total (thousand)

  Disabled (thousand)

  Disabled as percentage of total

  All of working age

  37,152

  7,187

  19.3

  of which:

  In employment

  27,695

  3,517

  12.7

  1 People with a disability covered by the Disability Discrimination Act, or a work-limiting disability, or both.

  2 Men aged 16 to 64 and women aged 16 to 59.

  Note:

  These LFS estimates have not been interim-adjusted to reflect the 2001 Census results.

  Source:

  ONS Labour Force Survey.

  Equitable Life
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department has had discussions with the office of Lord Penrose since 8 March concerning his report into Equitable Life. [122361]

  Mr. Boateng
  Lord Penrose's Inquiry was established by and is supported by the Treasury. Therefore, Treasury officials discuss a range of issues with Lord Penrose's office on an on-going basis. However, the conduct of the Inquiry is entirely a matter for Lord Penrose.

  European Economic Convergence
  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the rise in the tax burden necessary to offset inflationary pressures which would otherwise result in(a) a half per cent. rise in inflation, (b) a one per cent. rise inflation, (c) a one and a half per cent. rise in inflation and (d) a two per cent. rise in inflation, assuming that a decision to implement a discretionary fiscal policy was taken, as described in the Treasury document Fiscal stabilisation and EMU, and assuming a neutral monetary policy. [121556]
  371W
  Mr. Boateng
  In the event that a discretionary fiscal policy response was needed within EMU, its likely size would depend on a number of factors, including the nature of the economic shock, the degree of wage and price flexibility within the UK, and which fiscal instrument was being used.

  Graduate Earnings
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the proportion of those earning over £100,000 a year who are graduates. [121770]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 26 June 2003]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Rendel, dated 3 July 2003:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the proportion of those earning over £100,000 a year who are graduates. (121770)
  The Labour Force Survey (LFS) provides estimates of the average weekly pay of employees, most recently for the three month period ending in February 2003; estimates are not available of self-employed earnings. Based on an approximate conversion of this information to an annual pay basis, it is estimated that among employees of working age earning more than £100,000 per year, 82% were qualified to degree level or higher.

  Housing Market
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the potential impact on the UK housing market of increased use of long-term fixed rate mortgages; and if he will make a statement. [123200]

  Mr. Boateng
  These issues will be considered as part of the Miles Review announced in Budget 2003.

  Mr. Stephen O'Brien
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions his Department has had with mortgage lenders regarding the market share of variable rate mortgages in the UK. [121551]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Chancellor has asked David Miles, Professor of Finance at Imperial College, to undertake a review of the UK's fixed rate mortgage market to establish why the share of fixed-rate mortgages, particularly long-term fixed rates, is so low compared to the United States and many other EU countries.

  The Review process will involve consultation with key stakeholders to establish views and inform the analysis.

  Professor Miles will deliver an interim report by autumn and a comprehensive report and recommendations to the Chancellor by Budget 2004.

  Income Tax
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost would be to the Exchequer if the 22 per cent. income tax rate bracket was increased to include individuals with yearly incomes of(a) £40,000, (b) £45,000, (c) £50,000, (d) £55,000 and (e) £60,000. [121662]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 June 2003]: The full year cost or yield of extending the basic rate limits in 2003–04 is given in the following table.
  372W

  Full year cost of increasing the Basic Rate Limit to include individuals with annual gross income of:

  £billion

  (a) 40,000

  2.5

  (b) 45,000

  4.5

  (c) 50,000

  6.0

  (d) 55,000

  7.2

  (e) 60,000

  8.3

  These estimates are based upon the 2000–01 Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with Budget 2003. They exclude any behavioural response to the tax change.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the revenue impact would be of increasing the higher income tax rate to 50 per cent. and extending the 22 per cent. income rate bracket to include yearly earnings of up to(a) £40,000, (b) £45,000 and (c) £50,000. [121664]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 26 June 2003]: The full year yield of extending the basic rate limits and increasing the higher income tax rate to 50 per cent. in 2003–04 is given in the following table.

  Increasing the higher income tax rate to 50 per cent. and Basic Rate Limit to include individuals with annual gross income of:

  Full year yield (£ billion)

  (a) 40,000

  8.2

  (b) 45,000

  5.2

  (c) 50,000

  2.8

  The estimates are based upon the 2000–01 Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with Budget 2003.

  They exclude any behavioural response to the tax change.

  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of tax payers who would be required to pay a top rate of income tax set for this financial year at(a) £100,000 and above and (b) £150,000 and above of taxable income. [122362]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information is given in the table.

  Number of higher rate taxpayers in 2003–04 with taxable incomes of

  Numbers in thousands

  (a) £1,00,000 and above

  327

  (b)£1,50,000 and above

  158

  These estimates are based upon the 2000–01 Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with the Budget 2003.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue that would be raised from income tax rates of(a) 1 per cent., (b) 5 per cent., (c) 9 per cent. and (d) 10 per cent. on gross incomes in excess of £1,000,000 a year. [122624]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: The full year revenue yield from making these changes in 2003–04 is set out in the table.

  373W

  Full year yield of raising the higher rate of income tax in 2003–04 on gross incomes in excess of £1,000,000

  £billion

  (a) by 1 per cent.

  0.1

  (b) by 5 per cent.

  0.3

  (c) by 9 per cent.

  0.6

  (d) by 10 per cent.

  0.7

  These estimates are based upon the 2000–01 Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with Budget 2003. They exclude any behavioural response to the tax change.

  Labour Statistics
  Mr. David Stewart
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees are aged(a) 16 and
  (b) 17. [122879]

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

  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Stewart, dated 3 July 2003:
  As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question about the numbers of employees aged 16 and 17. (122879)
  Estimates from the Labour Force Survey (LFS), for the three month period ending February 2003, show 255,000 employees aged 16 and 379,000 employees aged 17 in the United Kingdom.

  Public Appointments
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the appointees to the(a) Private Finance Task Force, (b) Financial Services Authority, (c) Financial Services Tribunal, (d) Board of Banking Supervision, (e) VAT and Duties Tribunal and (f) National Savings; and which of the appointees to each body are from ethnic minorities. [122991]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Financial Services Tribunal and the Board of Banking Supervision were disbanded following the enactment of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) and the Private Finance Task Force no longer exists. Of the remaining three bodies the current appointees are listed below. As information about which appointees are from ethnic minorities is personal, it can be disclosed only with their individual approval, which would entail disproportionate cost.

  (b) Financial Services Authority

  Sir Howard Davies, Chairman (to be replaced by Callum McCarthy on 22 September 2003)

  Stewart Boyd, Deputy Chairman,

  Moira Black, Non-executive director

  Tom de Swann, Non-executive director

  Michael Foot, Executive director

  Kyra Hazou, Non-executive director

  Deirdre Hutton, Non-executive director

  Sir Andrew Large, Non-executive director

  Gillian Nott, Non-executive director

  Christopher Rodrigues, Non-executive director

  374W

  Dr Shamit Saggar, Non-executive director

  Carol Sergeant, Executive director

  John Tiner, Executive director

  Steve Thieke, Non-executive director

  Clive Wilkinson, Non-executive director

  (e) VAT and Duties Tribunal

  Mrs. Ann Jennifer Adams (Bureaux de Change)

  Mrs. Edith Rachel Adams FCA ATII

  John B Adrain Esq FCA

  Riaz Ahmad Esq CA

  Mrs. Mary Christine Ainsworth

  Mrs. Caroline Susan de Albuquerque

  Dr. Norma Rhoda Ball AKC, FRGS

  Mrs. Charlotte M Barbour CA ATII

  Ray K Battersby Esq

  John E Bentley Esq

  Arthur Ernest Brown Esq

  John N Brown Esq CBE FCA ATII

  Gordon Burnison Esq QBE

  Mrs. Brenda May Burrell

  John Clark Esq FTII

  Roger Edmund Cockfield Esq

  lan Condie Esq

  Bernard J Coode Esq FFA

  Richard Dudley Corke Esq FCA

  Robert Laverock Hamilton Crawford Esq

  James D. Crerar Esq

  Mrs. Marilyn Crompton

  Sunil Kumar Das Esq

  Praful D Davda Esq

  John E Davison, Esq

  Mrs. Carol Jean Debell

  Mrs. Rayna Dean FCA

  Jon P M Denny Esq

  Ms Anne Diver

  Keith Stuart Dugdale Esq FCA

  Ms Helen M Dunn

  Mrs. Sheila Edmondson FCA

  Mohammed Farooq Esq

  Mrs. C Farquharson (Bureau de Change)

  Ms Helen Folorunso

  Mr. John Freeston FRIGS

  W. Ruthven Gemmell (Bureaux de Change)

  Miss Heather Gibson

  Cranstoun Bygott Harold Gill Esq

  Kenneth Sidney Goddard Esq MBE

  Miss Patricia Gordon

  Robert Geoffrey Grice Esq

  Frank Hazledine Esq

  Anthony Francis Hennessey Esq

  Mohammed Modashar Hossain Esq FCA FCIB

  375W

  Ms Claire Elizabeth Howell

  Michael James Esq

  Roy Leonard Jennings Esq FCA FTII

  Mrs. Roberta Scott Johnson

  Mrs. Penny Jonas

  Mrs. Heather Kelly

  John David Kippest Esq

  Mrs. Marjorie P Kostick FCA ATII

  John Michael Lapthorne Esq

  Miss Karen Bruce Lockhart

  Maurice McCloy Esq

  Mrs. Elizabeth Mavis MacLeod CIPM

  Alex McLoughlin Esq

  Mrs. Rosalind Jean Mackworth CBE

  Kenneth Charles Manterfield Esq FCA

  Tymothy R. Marsh

  George Miles Esq

  Mrs. Joanna M Neill ACA (Bureaux de Change)

  Miss Sandra Christine O'Neill (Bureaux de Change)

  Norman Henry Phillips Esq

  Mrs. Heidi Poon

  Mrs. Gilian Pratt

  Roland Presho Esq FCMA

  Kenneth W Pritchard Esq OBE

  Scott Alexander Rae Esq

  Miss Kathleen Ramm FCA

  Anthony John Ring Esq FCA FTII ATT

  Ms Carole A Roberts

  Mrs. Nancy Joan Roberts

  Albert Leonard Robinson Esq FHCIMA, FCFA

  John Gerald Robinson Esq

  Ms Rosalind Rudd

  Mrs. Shahwar Sadeque MBCS

  Mrs. Lynneth Mary Salisbury

  Peter John Seward Esq

  Michael Alan Sharp Esq FCA FHCIMA, FBHA

  Cyril Raymond Shaw Esq FCA

  Michael Maurice Silbert Esq FRICS

  Mrs. Janet M Smith

  Ramniklal Pranial Sodagar, Esq FCA, ATII

  Professor R G Spector MD PhD FRCP, FRCPath

  James Thomas Brian Strangward Esq

  Ranbir Singh Suri Esq JP

  Neil Francis Townsend Esq

  Maurice William Trace Esq

  Anthony Wreford Bothwell Voge Esq

  Mrs. Ruth Alison Watts Davies AHICMA

  Ian Ronald Welch Esq

  David Wenn Esq FRIGS

  Mrs. Angela West FCA

  Peter Whitehead Esq

  Mrs. Joan Whiteside QBE

  The hon. Mrs. Angela Widdows

  Leon Guy Wilkinson Esq FCIB

  Miss Diana M. Wilson

  Miss Sheila Wong Chong FRICS

  376W
  (f) National Savings and Investments

  Alan Cook, Chief Executive

  Judy Lowe, Non-Executive Director

  James Turner, Non-Executive Director

  Richard Wright, Non-Executive Director

  Maria Stafford, Non-Executive Director

  Savings
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to alter the tax treatment of tax exempt saving products. [121575]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government keep the tax regime under constant review to ensure that it continues to deliver its key objectives. The Government have recently consulted on radical proposals to simplify the taxation of pension savings. We are now considering responses to the consultation from around 380 organisations and individuals. There are no other current plans to alter the tax treatment of tax exempt savings products.

  Sixth VAT Directive
  Mr. David
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will support a revision of the Sixth VAT Directive which will allow a lower flat rate of VAT for construction work; [122810]

  (2) what plans he has to put forward proposals for changes to the Sixth VAT Directive. [122811]

  John Healey
  The Government will carefully consider representations for a reduced rate on all building work in the context of the upcoming European Commission review of the reduced rates provisions. The Government intend to take a full and active part in this review as with all other discussions on changes to EC VAT Law.

  Small Business (Tax Collection)
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to change the Inland Revenue policy on collection of receivables in arrears from small businesses upon implementation of the Enterprise Act 2002. [123343]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Inland Revenue policy will not change upon implementation of the Enterprise Act 2002. The Inland Revenue will continue to support viable businesses, which experience financial difficulties, with the aim of encouraging enterprise and promoting a 'rescue culture'.

  For a small business that goes into administration the Inland Revenue must act in accordance with insolvency law and will seek to recover no more and no less than it is legally entitled to, just as it would with any business.

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what powers he has to alter the rate of stamp duty without parliamentary approval. [121443]

  Dawn Primarolo
  None.

  Tax Codes
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action his Department takes to ensure that tax codes for those(a) 65 and over and (b) 75 and over are altered in the year in which taxpayers reach (i) 65 and (ii) 75 years; and if he will make a statement. [122695]

  Dawn Primarolo
  For taxpayers reaching pension age who do not complete a tax return, the Inland Revenue will either have their date of birth in their records or find out from the Department of Work and Pensions that they are about to become entitled to their state pension. In these cases, they send the new pensioner a short form to obtain details of their income so that they can give them the full range of allowances to which they are entitled.

  Once the Revenue has received details of the person's date of birth, they will use this information to give the higher allowance once the person reaches 75.

  If for any reason the individual does not get the allowances they are entitled to, they should get in contact with their Revenue office.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 14 April 2003,Official Report, column 536W, on tax credits, how many tax credit claimants are being paid by girocheque. [114411]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Inland Revenue makes arrangements to pay tax credits via giro cheque when suitable banking facilities are not available. When such facilities become available, and if direct payments are still due to be made, the arrangements are changed to make the payments direct into the recipients' accounts. Such changes are being made continually, and it is not possible to establish for which recipients we are currently expecting to pay their next payment via girocheque, except at disproportionate cost.

  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has(a) received from and (b) made to the Scottish Executive concerning recent problems with tax credit payments, broken down by (i) subject, (ii) date and (iii) responsible Scottish minister. [122511]

  Mr. Boateng
  None. Payments by the Scottish Executive are a devolved responsibility of the Executive.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individual appeals against working tax credit assessments are outstanding. [115805]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Award notices cover child tax credit and working tax credit together, if appropriate. At the end of May 2003, when about 3.7 million claims were already in payment, about 4,600 written appeals against tax credit decisions had been received but not yet settled. These cover disagreements about award notices that have been reported in writing, but exclude those that are effectively reporting changes in circumstances. They include both specific disagreements about elements of the award and more general observations on the level of award or the calculation method.
  378W
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of people who will(a) gain and (b) lose financially on the basis of their total income in the 2003–04 financial year as a result of the introduction of child tax credit. [119037]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer my hon. Friend to Chart 5.1 in the Economic and Fiscal Strategy Report (Budget 2003). It illustrates that a small number of families with children in the top 10 per cent. of the income scale will receive a smaller award of child tax credit than of the tax credits it has replaced. However, it also shows that even these families are on average around £5 a week better off due to the extra support this Government have given to families with children since 1997.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 14 April 2003,Official Report, column 542W, on tax credits, how many (a) tax credit application forms have been sent out and (b) completed application forms have been received, in each month since February. [121276]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 23 June 2003]:The cumulative monthly figures to the end of May 2003 are as follows.

  Child tax credit and working tax credit: claim forms issued and claims received— cumulative monthly figures

  Thousands

  Month1

  (a) Claim forms issued

  (b) Claims received2

  February 2003

  5,500

  3,200

  March 2003

  6,500

  3,9003

  April 2003

  7,000

  40004

  May 2003

  7,200

  4,2505

  1 Final Friday in month.

  2 Including received on-line.

  3 At 9 April 2003

  4 At 28 April 2003

  5 At 3 June 2003. Excludes claims assessed as being duplicates.

  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to(a) the tax credits figures in the third row of Table C8 of the 2003 Budget, HC 500, (b) the tax credits figures in the thirty-third row of Table C8 of the 2003 Budget, HC 500, (c) the social security benefits figures in the fifth row of Table C11 of the 2003 Budget, HC 500 and (d) the tax credits figures in the sixth row the Table C11 of the 2003 Budget, HC 500, if he will list of the types of tax credit, benefits payment and other components which comprise the quoted figures; for each type of tax credit, benefit payment and other component, whether, according to the accounting methods employed in the 2003 Budget, they are classified as negative tax revenues, Government spending or a combination of the two; and for each tax credit, benefit payment and other component, what amount the tax was refunded and Government spending was incurred in each year since 2001–02 to the latest year for which figures are projected. [121327]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The treatment of personal tax credits in Budget reports was explained in Box C2 on page 216 of Budget 2002 (HC592). The Government have adopted best international practice as set out in OECD guidelines for the purposes of calculating net taxes and social security contributions as included in Table C8 of Budget 2003. However there are some
  379W
  differences between the OECD guidelines and National Accounts basis used for calculation of other fiscal aggregates.

  (a) Row 3 of Table C8 (tax credits scoring as negative tax under OECD guidelines) includes:

  Children's Tax Credit;

  Working Families' Tax Credit (WFTC)—part;

  Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC)—part;

  Child Tax Credit—part;

  Working tax credit—part;

  Life assurance premium relief at source (LAPRAS)—part; and Enhanced company tax credits for research and development and contaminated land clearance that reduce corporation tax liability.

  (b) Row 33 of Table C8 (OECD negative tax but public expenditure in national accounts) includes parts of WFTC, DPTC and LAPRAS, and all reduced liability corporation tax credits for research and development and contaminated land clearance.

  (c) Row 5 of Table C11 (Social Security benefit expenditure) includes II social security benefits except child allowances in Income Support and Jobseekers' Allowance, and all child benefit and war pensions.

  (d) Row 6 of Table C 11 includes:
  Parts of Child Tax Credit, Working tax credit, WFTC, DPTC and Child allowances in Income Support and Jobseekers' Allowance, (paid as part of the Child Tax Credit from 2003–04 and included here to give consistent figures over the period of table);

  LAPRAS;

  Charities transitional relief; and

  Tax relief on contributions to personal and stakeholder pensions made by non-taxpayers.

  The following table shows the available figures on tax credits. More detailed information on outturn for individual tax credits available on www.inlandrevenue. gov.uk/stats. Details of social security benefit expenditure are available on www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure. htm.

  £ billion

  Category

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  (a) C8 row 3, negative tax (OECD)

  -2.3

  -3.4

  -4.5

  Of which:

  Personal tax credits1

  -2.2

  -3.1

  -3.9

  Corporation tax credits

  -0.1

  -0.2

  -0.5

  Other

  -0.1

  -0.1

  -0.1

  (b) C8 row 33, negative tax (OECD)

  but spending in National Accounts

  0.9

  1.1

  0.6

  Of which:

  Personal tax credits1

  0.7

  0.8

  0.0

  Corporation tax credits

  0.1

  0.2

  0.5

  Other

  0.1

  0.1

  0.1

  (d) C11 line 6, public expenditure

  8.7

  9.8

  11.7

  Of which:

  Personal tax credits1

  4.8

  5.6

  8.0

  IS/JSA child allowances

  3.6

  4.0

  3.5

  Other

  0.2

  0.2

  0.2

  1 Includes the relevant elements of WPTC, DPTC, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit and Children's Tax Credit.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people who were receiving working families tax credit in March 2003(a) received payments of child
  380W
  tax credit by the end of April 2003 and (b) had not received their child tax credit by the end of April 2003. [121970]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 3 July 2003]: Not all recipients of working families tax credit (WFTC) in March 2003 qualify for a child tax credit (CTC) award. Their circumstances or incomes may have changed since the beginning of their WFTC awards.

  Of former WFTC recipients who by 31 March had submitted claims for CTC, were eligible for CTC, and for whom no further information was required to process the claim, the vast majority were in award by the end of April 2003.

  It is not yet known how many recipients of WFTC at March 2003 have made later claims for CTC, or made claims which have required further information to process.

  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how applications for tax credits received after the 5 July deadline will be treated; and if he will make a statement. [122226]

  Dawn Primarolo
  This year, the Inland Revenue will treat tax credits claims received before midnight on the first full working day after the deadline as qualifying for full backdating. This is to make sure that claims received by different routes are treated alike and recognises that the deadline falls at the weekend. So claims the Inland Revenue receive by midnight on Monday 7 July will be backdated to 6 April 2003, where appropriate.

  People can, of course, still claim tax credits for 2003–04 after that date. Claims received after 7 July can still be backdated for up to three months. (People should therefore make their claims as soon as possible.)

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effects of administering the new tax credits on the processing by the Inland Revenue of income tax returns, with particular reference to the Inland Revenue at Bootle. [122691]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: The rate at which the Inland Revenue processes income tax returns varies throughout the year and from year to year. New tax credits work has had no material effect on the processing of income tax returns this year.

  Tax Rates
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what additional revenue would be generated if the top rate of tax were(a) 45 per cent., (b) 50 per cent. and (c) 60 per cent. for those with incomes over £100,000. [121995]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The full year yield of introducing an additional higher rate of tax in 2003–04 is given in table.

  Income tax yield in 2003–04

  £ billion

  (a) 45 per cent. on gross incomes over £100,000

  2.7

  (b) 50 per cent. on gross incomes over £100,000

  5.0

  (c) 60 per cent. on gross incomes over £100,000

  9.5

  381W
  These estimates are based upon the 2000–01 Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with Budget 2003. They exclude any behavioural response to the tax change.

  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional revenue would be generated if the top rate of tax were(a) 45 per cent., (b) 50 per cent. and (c) 60 per cent. for those with incomes over £100,000 and the threshold for paying higher rates were raised to (i) £35,000 and (ii) £40,000. [121996]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The full year revenue yield or loss from making these changes in 2003–04 is set out in the table.

  New basic rate limit (£ billion)

  The full year yield or loss (±) of increasing the basic rate limit and introducing an additional higher rate of tax in 2003–04

  (i)£35,000

  (ii)£40,000

  (a) 45 per cent. on gross incomes over £100,000

  0.3

  -1.7

  (b) 50 per cent. on gross incomes over £100,000

  2.6

  0.6

  (c) 60 per cent. on gross incomes over £100,000

  7.2

  5.2

  These estimates are based upon the 2000–01 Survey of Personal Incomes and are consistent with Budget 2003. They exclude any behavioural response to the tax change.

  Tax Rises
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the tax rises he has introduced since 1997. [123554]

  Dawn Primarolo
  All changes to taxation since 1997 are set out in the relevant Financial Statement and Budget Reports, which are available in the Library of the House.

  Taxes (Accruals Adjustments)
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will list the accruals adjustment on taxes for each year since 1996–97 or the earliest year for which data are available, whichever is the later, with reference to the accruals adjustments on taxes figures in Table C8 of the 2003 Budget, HC 500; [121324]

  (2) if he will list the reasons for the projected rise in accruals adjustments on taxes between 2002–03 and 2003–04, with reference to the accruals adjustments on taxes figures in Table C8 of the 2003 Budget, HC 500; and if he will make a statement; [121325]

  (3) with reference to the accruals adjustments on taxes figures in Table C8 of the 2003 Budget, HC 500, if he will list for each tax for which the accrued receipts (a) differed from the cash receipts in 2001–02, (b) are estimated to have differed from the cash receipts in 2002–03 and (c) or are projected to differ from the cash receipts in 2003–04, the difference between the cash receipts and the accrued receipts for (i) 2001–02, (ii) 2002–03 and (iii) 2003–04. [121326]
  382W
  Mr. Boateng
  The following table summarises the accruals adjustments on taxes and national insurance contributions from 1996–97, consistent with the figures given in Table C8 of Budget 2003 (HC 500).

  Accruals adjustments on taxes and national insurance contributions

  £billion

  Year

  Customs and Excise

  Income Tax

  Social security contributions

  Other taxes

  Total

  1996–97

  -0.1

  0.6

  0.3

  0.5

  1.3

  1997–98

  -0.4

  0.3

  0.6

  0.3

  0.9

  1998–99

  0.1

  0.6

  0.0

  0.6

  1.3

  1999–2000

  2.8

  1.1

  0.8

  -0.1

  4.7

  2000–01

  0.6

  0.9

  1.7

  0.5

  3.6

  2001–02

  0.9

  -0.1

  0.0

  -0.1

  0.6

  2002–03

  0.3

  0.2

  -0.7

  -0.1

  -0.3

  2003–04

  0.6

  1.3

  1.8

  -0.1

  3.6

  These accruals adjustments are defined as the difference between taxes accruing for the year and actual cash receipts in that year. They can vary considerably from year to year and from tax to tax reflecting changes to the timing of cash payments, changes to the tax system, behavioural changes by taxpayers and the rate of growth of the tax base. A combination of these factors explains the increase between 2002–03 and 2003–04. As explained in paragraph C85 of Budget 2003, this is partly because of the effect of the national insurance contributions measures announced in Budget 2002.

  Tied Financial Advisers
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) tied financial advisers operate in the United Kingdom and (b) tied financial advisers had confirmed that they have obtained professional indemnity insurance cover by 30 May. [122902]

  Mr. Boateng
  I am advised by the Financial Services Authority that figures are not available for the number of tied advisers in the UK.

  Tied advisers, that is to say advisers who can only advise on the products of marketing group associates of large banking or insurance firms, tend to be either appointed representatives of or employed by such firms. Typically those firms, which have substantial capital resources to meet the claims of consumers, do not have a requirement to carry professional indemnity insurance.

  Widow's Bereavement Allowance
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the Parliamentary Commission for Admissions' observations in Equality Under the Law, Command Paper HC122, paragraph 23, on the Inland Revenue's policy towards widowers who have sought the widow's bereavement allowance. [122380]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Gentleman to paragraph 65 of the Court of Appeal judgment in The Queen on the application of Adrian John Wilkinson and The Commissioners of Inland Revenue [2003] EWCA Civ 814, 18 June 2003, which can be found on the Court Service website at: www.courtservice.gov.uk

  Working Tax Credit
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to encourage the take-up of working tax credit. [121823]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Lady to my answer to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 10 February 2003,Official Report, column 604W, regarding child tax credit. Since that date further publicity has included television, press, radio and on-line advertising as well as direct mail.

  Richard Burden
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to check that information lines for related benefits listed in working tax credit award notices are operational; and what systems he has in place to correct inaccuracies. [121992]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Working tax credit award notices do not contain the details of information lines for related benefits attached to the new tax credits.

  However, the Inland Revenue has published a leaflet, "WT6? Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit? Other types of help you may be able to get" which explains how the tax credits can help families receive other benefits. The leaflet is available from Inland Revenue Offices and Enquiry Centres and on-line at the Inland Revenue website. The details in the leaflet are regularly reviewed.

CABINET OFFICE

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department's vote in the Council of Ministers against a legislative proposal(a) was sufficient and (b) was not sufficient to achieve with other member states a blocking minority. [117216]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Minister for the Cabinet Office has not voted in the Council of Ministers against a legislative proposal since May 1997. The Minister for the Cabinet Office does not attend meetings of the Council of Ministers, as the Department does not have the policy lead on any issues debated there.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department abstained in the Council of Ministers on a legislative proposal which was passed by qualified majority voting. [117234]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Department has not abstained in the Council of Ministers on a legislative proposal passed by qualified majority voting since May 1997. The Minister for the Cabinet Office does not attend meetings of the Council of Ministers, as the Department does not have the policy lead on any issues debated there.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department has been outvoted by qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers; and if he will list the legislation by year. [117252]
  384W
  Mr. Alexander
  The Department has not been outvoted by qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers since May 1997. The Minister for the Cabinet Office does not attend meetings of the Council of Ministers, as the Department does not have the policy lead on any issues debated there.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department indicated dissent from a proposal in the Council of Ministers but did not register a vote or abstention. [117263]

  Mr. Alexander
  The Department has not indicated dissent without registering a vote or abstention from a proposal in the Council of Ministers since May 1997. The Minister for the Cabinet Office does not attend meetings of the Council of Ministers, as the Department does not have the policy lead on any issues debated there.

TRANSPORT

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department's vote in the Council of Ministers against a legislative proposal(a) was sufficient and (b) was not sufficient to achieve with other member states a blocking minority. [117210]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Since March 1999,(a) none, and (b) on one occasion. Information for the earlier years is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department abstained in the Council of Ministers on a legislative proposal which was passed by qualified majority voting. [117228]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Since March 1999, twice. Information for the earlier years is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department has been outvoted by qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers; and if he will list the legislation by year. [117244]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Since March 1999, on three occasions. These were as follows:

  In 2001:

  Common Position adopted by the Council with a view to adoption of a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the organisation of working time for mobile workers performing road transport activities. (Written procedure completed 23 March 2001, UK abstaining.)

  In 2002:

  Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the reduction of the level of pollutant emissions from two and three-wheel motor vehicles and amending Directive 97/24/EC. (Fisheries Council, 11 June 2002, UK abstaining.)
  385W
  Common Position adopted by the Council with a view to adoption of a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 92/6/EEC on installation and use of speed limitation devices for certain categories of motor vehicles in the Community. (Environment Council, 25 June 2002, UK voting against.)

  Information for the earlier years is available only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department indicated dissent from a proposal in the Council of Ministers but did not register a vote or abstention. [117258]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Since March 1999, none. Information for the earlier years is only available at disproportionate cost.

  Cycling
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cyclists died on the road in(a) the UK and (b) Sefton in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2002. [122276]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The table below shows the numbers of fatalities suffered by cyclists on the road in the UK and Sefton in 2001 and in 2002:

  Year

  UK

  Sefton

  2001

  140

  0

  2002

  133

  1

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of changes in the(a) rate and (b) severity of cyclist casualties in areas where cycling with helmets is legally required. [122277]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department commissioned an independent review of the effectiveness of cycle helmets which was published in 2002. This report included an assessment of the evidence of the impact of bicycle helmet legislation on helmet wearing rates, injuries and levels of bicycling. The report concludes that bicycle helmet legislation has been associated with head injury reductions. A case study of Victoria in Australia found evidence that post legislation there was a marked decrease in casualty rates per head of population. Reductions in levels of cycling arid other road safety activities were recorded which may account for some of the casualty reductions.

  Results of this review are available on the Department for Transport website.

  EU Legislation
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many regulations originating from the EU have been implemented by his Department over each of the last five years. [120757]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 30 June 2003,Official Report, columns 64–65 W.

  Freight Companies
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason traffic commissioners are referring to public inquiry those freight companies who contract their transport manager function to Trans Consult Ltd. [122292]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Traffic Commissioners are independent of the Secretary of State and decisions to refer cases to public inquiry are for them.

  Graffiti
  Siobhain McDonagh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the statutory undertakers about graffiti on their street furniture or other property; and if he will make a statement. [118088]

  Mr. Jamieson
  My Department has not held any discussions with statutory undertakers about graffiti on their street furniture or other property. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for the Home Department (Ms Blears) on 1 July 2003,Official Report, columns 248W—49W].

  Green Car Fuels
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on the promotion of(a) bioethanol, (b) liquefied petroleum gas and (c) hydrogen as automotive fuels. [122337]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government supports the development and use of transport fuels which offer proven environmental benefits. We do this primarily by means of fuel duty incentives, and, as appropriate, grants to offset the additional cost of alternatively fuelled vehicles. Many alternatively fuelled vehicles also qualify for reduced rates of Vehicle Excise Duty and company car tax.

  The Chancellor of the Exchequer takes decisions on fuel duty levels and other transport tax issues on a Budget by Budget basis. In doing so, he takes account of a range of environmental, economic and social considerations, building on the principles set out in the HM Treasury publication "Tax and the environment: using economic instruments" (November 2002).

  Budget 2003 announced that a duty incentive of 20 pence per litre for bioethanol would be introduced from 1 January 2005. It also said that the Government was considering how best to give further support to bioethanol produced from ligno-cellulosic feedstocks, and would welcome views on how any such support might be structured.

  Budget 2003 also announced that the Government would consult on how best to ensure that future support for road fuel gases (including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)) continued to reflect environmental and other policy objectives. This consultation was launched on 18 June 2003, and copies of the consultation document have been placed in the House Library. In the light of this, decisions on future duty rates and other forms of support for LPG are due to be announced in the 2003 Pre-Budget Report.
  387W
  The Government has granted a duty exemption for hydrogen for the purposes of a Green Fuels Challenge pilot project, due to commence later this year. Subject to the outcome of this pilot project, the Government intends to exempt hydrogen from fuel duty for a limited period in the future to encourage further development and early take-up. The taxation of hydrogen as a road fuel raises some complex issues, however, and the Government intends to discuss these issues with stakeholders with a view to taking decisions on the fiscal framework for hydrogen in the future.

  Rail Freight
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the levels of freight carried by rail since 1997; what plans he has to increase it; and if he will make a statement. [123052]

  Mr. McNulty
  The amount of freight moved by rail has grown by 24 per cent. since 1997. The Strategic Rail Authority published in May 2003 its first "Freight Progress Report", explaining the achievements to date in increasing rail's share of freight traffic and the Authority's plans for achieving the growth envisaged by the Government's 10 Year Plan for Transport. Copies of the SRA report are available in the Library of the House.

  Road Haulage
  Mark Tami
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to ensure that foreign operators in the road haulage industry in the UK are abiding by the relevant rules and regulations. [122885]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) check foreign road haulage operators, using UK roads, in the same manner as they do domestic hauliers to ensure compliance with traffic and roadworthiness regulations. VOSA use intelligence data to target those operators, whether foreign or domestic, who consistently breach regulations. They also carry out occasional random checks. Those operators and drivers who are caught offending are treated to the same sanctions, whatever their country of origin.

  VOSA report all offences, committed by foreign operators and drivers, to the licensing authorities in the countries of origin of the offenders.

  Trunk Roads
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent by his Department and its predecessors in each of the last 20 years on trunk roads in the East of England, broken down by(a) year and (b) county; and how many miles of trunk road have existed in the East of England in each of the last 20 years. [121797]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The information cannot be provided as requested, as detailed records are not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, I am able to provide information regarding the length of trunk road in the East of England (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk). Records for the period 1983–1997 and for the 388W
  year 2001 are shown in the attached table; there are no detailed recorded statistics available for 1998–2000. Statistics for 2002 have not yet been published.

  Year

  Kilometres

  1983

  1,195.3

  1984

  1,188.5

  1985

  1,190.0

  1986

  1,167.9

  1987

  1,187.7

  1988

  1,195.4

  1989

  1,194.6

  1990

  1,237.9

  1991

  1,245.0

  1992

  1,245.3

  1993

  1,246.2

  1994

  1,246.2

  1995

  1,242.3

  1996

  1—

  1997

  1,272.6

  1998

  1—

  1999

  1—

  2000

  1—

  2001

  1,139.0

  Vehicle Excise Duty
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate how long it takes on average to(a) complete and (b) process the application form for the Vehicle Excise Duty Exemption Certificate; and whether his Department has a target for the number of applications to be processed. [121576]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Veterans Agency (VA) are responsible for issuing certificates of exemption from VED for disabled people. There are no figures available on the length of time it takes an individual to complete the application form for an exemption certificate. There are no targets for the issuing of exemption certificates by DWP while VA's target is two working days from the date of receipt of a valid application.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Baljit Kaur/Jaspal Singh
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to determine the application made by(a) Baljit Kaur (S1025374/3) and (b) Jaspal Singh (S1160262) for indefinite leave. [122997]

  Beverley Hughes
  Mrs. Baljit Kaur and Mr. Jaspal Singh were both granted indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom on 30 June 2003.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will respond to the letter of 6 May 2003 from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan, regarding Mr. R. Edgar of Peterhead, a constituent. [119584]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 17 June 2003]: I will be replying to the hon. Member shortly. I apologise for the delay.
  389W
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the hon. Member for Stretford and Urmston will respond to the letter of 25 March 2003 from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding a constituent, reference number: PO 6649/3. [119585]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  [holding answer 17 June 2003]: The letter from the hon. Member dated 25 March 2003 was received in the Home Office on 1 April 2003 and the reply was sent to his office at the House of Commons on 25 June 2003.

  Criminal Justice Bill
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultation was held with members of the judiciary before, amendments were tabled to the Criminal Justice Bill in relation to sentencing for murder. [121965]

  Paul Goggins
  The Home Office has taken care to ensure that consultation with the judiciary has been an important part of the development of the proposals in relation to sentencing for murder, although the Government's final conclusions differed from views expressed by the judiciary. Prior to the tabling of amendments this consultation included:A seminar with senior judicary and the Lord Chief Justice on 20 January 2003 providing an opportunity to comment on the developing proposals for sentencing in murder cases.
  An informal meeting between the Lord Chief Justice and Lord Falconer on 13 March.

  The development of the proposals for setting minimum terms for murder was also discussed during a meeting between the Lord Chief Justice and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 13 March.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1)(a) how many and (b) what percentage of registered bodies did not have their registration with the Criminal Records Bureau completed within the previous three week service standard in 2002–03; and how long an average it took to process applications from organisations which took longer than three weeks; [122480]

  (2) how many potential registered bodies are having their applications processed by the Criminal Records Bureau; and how many of these organisations have been waiting longer than three weeks. [122481]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: There are 4,742 registered bodies that did not have their registration with the Criminal Records Bureau completed within the previous three-week service standard in 2002–03, the percentage being 90.72 per cent.

  The average length of time to process applications from organisations which took longer than three weeks was 13 weeks. This includes time often required to seek further information from applicant organisations and for them to respond to such requests.

  There are 315 potential registered bodies having their applications processed by the Criminal Records Bureau and 191 have been waiting longer than three weeks.

  Deportations
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Chechens have been deported in the past six months; to which destinations they were sent; what arrangements were made to ensure their safe passage through Russia to Chechnya; and if he will make a statement. [122358]

  Beverley Hughes
  Information on the number of people of Chechen origin removed from the UK and on the destinations to which they were removed, is not available except by examination of individual case files which would incur disproportionate cost.

  There are no arrangements in place to ensure the safe passage to Chechnya of Chechens who are removed from the UK to the Russian Federation. Whether or not such an individual chooses to return to Chechnya following his removal to the Russian Federation is the decision of that individual.

  Drug Treatment
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of people who have completed a Drug Treatment and Testing Order are no longer taking drugs(a) one month, (b) three months and (c) six months after completion. [122122]

  Paul Goggins
  This information is not held centrally for the period since national roll-out of the order in October 2000. An evaluation of three pilot projects found that the average amount spent on drugs by offenders subject to Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTOs) fell from £400 per week in the four weeks before arrest to £25 per week in the first four to six weeks of the Order. These reductions were largely maintained over time, with 87 per cent. of those who had completed the Order by the end of the pilot phase reporting that, except for their use of cannabis, they were drug free.

  EU Constitution
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on those sections of the draft EU constitution relating to(a) internal border controls and (b) people-trafficking. [122709]

  Beverley Hughes
  Reference to an area without internal borders is made in the existing Treaty establishing the European Community and the draft EU Constitutional Treaty. The existing Treaty is subject to the UK and Ireland's "frontiers' protocol" which gives the UK the right under the Treaties to exercise at its frontiers with other member states such controls on persons seeking to enter the United Kingdom as it considers necessary. The Protocols will remain an integral part of the new Treaty. The Government's position on this issue has not changed: we will maintain controls at the UK's frontiers.

  As a consequence of this position on frontiers, the United Kingdom has not participated in certain measures relating to external borders. However, the UK has co-operated with European Union partners in tackling illegal immigration and people trafficking. These are international problems that require

  391W
  international solutions. The new Constitutional Treaty will continue to provide a legal base for the Union to take appropriate action in these areas.

  For further information about the Government's position on the articles in the draft Constitutional Treaty dealing with the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, as presented to the Convention by the Praesidium on 14 March, I refer the hon. Member to the Explanatory Memorandum deposited by my hon. Friend the Minister for Europe, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (Denis MacShane) on 2 June.

  Identity Cards
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate has been made of the costs of the introduction of identity cards to(a) the Government and (b) the individual holder of the card. [122360]

  Beverley Hughes
  The consultation paper on entitlement cards and identity fraud provided a section on indicative cost assumptions. During the consultation period we have benefited from observations and comments received which have been helpful in contributing to further assessments of costs and the overall response to the consultation exercise.

  There are a number of different ways in which a scheme could be devised. Further, more detailed, work is needed on contractual delivery arrangements as well as the level of benefits for different services and the charges needed to cover the costs.

  The precise type of scheme would ultimately be a matter for Parliament to decide.

  Immigration
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau in Croydon; how many applications where the applicant clearly falls under the immigration rules have been delayed beyond the expected minimum over the last year; and if he will make a statement. [121844]

  Beverley Hughes
  The performance of the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Bureau (INEB) has improved significantly in recent months. It is now answering between 24,000 and 25,000 calls a week compared to 17,000 a week at the beginning of this year. Callers now regularly get through to the Bureau in one or two attempts and average time in a queue has reduced from six minutes to two minutes. In a recent customer survey over 85 per cent. of those questioned described their experience of INEB as satisfactory or better.

  We normally aim to screen all postal applications within three weeks and decide at least 70 per cent. at that point. Because of the high number of applications in the latter part of 2002, it was taking up to 10 weeks on average at the end of last year and the earlier part of this one to take decisions on these cases. As a result of measures to improve this situation, the processing time for straightforward applications has reduced to four weeks on average and continued progress is being made towards our three-week target. At present where further
  392W
  inquiries are required, most cases are being decided within six months but because of the very high intake a small minority have taken up to 12 months to decide.

  Memorials
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 1 June 2003,Official Report, column 1053W, on memorials, if he will take advice from the National Association of Funeral Directors on the matters being considered by the working group on guidance to local authorities on memorial safety. [123444]

  Paul Goggins
  The National Association of Funeral Directors has recently accepted membership of the Burial and Cemeteries Advisory Group. As a member, the Association is welcome to comment on any of the work being undertaken by the Advisory Group, including that of the memorial safety sub-group.

  Mr. Rezart Elmarzi
  Bob Russell
  To Ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in support of the wish of Mr. Rezart Elmarzi, a constituent, to remain in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [122138]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]:I wrote to the hon. Member on 1 July 2003.

  Prison Incidents
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many serious incidents there have been in prisons in England and Wales in each of the last 12 months involving(a) riots, (b) peaceful protests, including sit-down protests, (c) assaults and (d) other disturbances. [118791]

  Paul Goggins
  The information requested is detailed in the table. The Prison Service's incident reporting system records the number of acts of concerted indiscipline rather than "riots". Similarly, acts of passive concerted indiscipline are recorded rather than the number of protests or sit down protests. In the course of the 12 months from June 2002 to May 2003, the number of assaults recorded was 11,462. The figures in the table are of those assaults which resulted in an injury to either staff or prisoners. The Prison Service does not have a category for "disturbances".

  Number of acts of concerted indiscipline

  Number of acts of passive indiscipline

  Number of assaults

  June 2002

  5

  2

  47

  July 2002

  6

  9

  59

  August 2002

  10

  16

  61

  September 2002

  1

  6

  67

  October 2002

  10

  11

  58

  November 2002

  3

  3

  56

  December 2002

  6

  5

  44

  January 2003

  6

  5

  50

  February 2003

  5

  5

  44

  March 2003

  6

  4

  66

  April 2003

  2

  9

  60

  May 2003

  2

  10

  90

  Total

  62

  85

  702

  Prisoner Transfers
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners serving sentences of imprisonment in England and Wales were transferred under(a) the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners and (b) the Commonwealth Scheme for the Transfer of Convicted Offenders in each year since 1997; [121952]

  (2) if he will set out the process by which a prisoner can apply for transfer under (a) the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners and (b) the Commonwealth Scheme for the Transfer of Convicted Offenders; [121953]

  (3) if he will list the countries with which the UK has bilateral prisoner transfer agreements. [121954]

  Paul Goggins
  The following table records how many prisoners serving sentences of imprisonment in England and Wales who were transferred under(a) the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners and (b) on the Commonwealth Scheme for the Transfer of Convicted Offenders in each year since 1997.

  Council of Europe Convention

  Commonwealth Scheme

  1997

  17

  —

  1998

  42

  —

  1999

  22

  —

  2000

  35

  —

  2001

  39

  —

  2002

  50

  —

  The process by which a prisoner can apply for transfer under the Council of Europe Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons and the Commonwealth Scheme for the Transfer of Convicted Offenders is the same. An application for transfer can only be made by either the sentencing state or the receiving state. The prisoner can initiate the process by a written indication to either state of his/her wish to transfer. In the case of a prisoner in England and Wales, this is made by completing a request/complaint form, which is freely available within prisons.

  Both the sentencing state and the receiving state will consider the request. If both states approve the transfer then the prisoner will be asked to give his formal consent. Once all three parties have given their consent, arrangements will be made for the transfer of the prisoner.

  The United Kingdom has bilateral prisoner transfer agreements with the following countries:

  Egypt

  Thailand

  The Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong

  Brazil

  Morocco

  Barbados

  Venezuela

  394W
  The following agreements have been concluded but are not yet in force:

  Cuba

  Guyana

  Suriname

  Peru

  Sri Lanka

  Dominican Republic

  Antigua and Barbuda

  Retired Police Officers
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the position of retired police officers who have their pension reduced to pay for an increased widows pension, where their wives pre-deceased them before or after retirement; and if he will make a statement. [115067]

  Mr. Bob Ainsworth
  In the period since 8 June 2001, hon. and right hon. Members have tabled one Early Day Motion, asked six questions and written 14 letters to Ministers on the general issue of widows' pensions. Five of these 14 letters were specifically concerned with officers whose pension has been reduced to pay for an increased widows' pension.

  We have sympathy for those who elected to have their pension reduced to pay for an increased widow's pension but whose wives pre-deceased them. However, such an election was an alternative option to paying increased pensions contributions while still serving. It would run counter to the principle of a contributory occupational pension scheme, in which benefits are guaranteed only in specified circumstances, to return contributions in any case where those circumstances did not apply.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  GM Crops
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which UK-based companies are involved in the development of genetically modified crops. [121749]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department does not have details of every UK-based company involved in the development of genetically modified crops. However, the following companies are members of the Agricultural Biotechnology Council, the industry body for companies involved in the development of agricultural biotechnology in the UK, including GM crops: Bayer CropScience, BASF, Dow Agrosciences, Dupont, Monsanto UK, and Syngenta.

  Further details of those companies granted consent to release GM crops for trial or research purposes under Part B of EC Directive 2001/18 are available on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/exper.htm

  Biotechnology
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department has spent in each year since 1995(a) as

  395W
  a Department and (b) through grants to external bodies on (i) the promotion of and (ii) research into biotechnology. [121653]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 25 June 2003]: In the years since 1995 my department has spent the following on biotechnology research:

  Financial year1

  2 Total R&D spend on Biotechnology (£ million)

  1995–96

  20.5

  1996–97

  23.2

  1997–98

  25.6

  1998–99

  29.3

  1999–2000

  25.3

  2000–01

  29.4

  2001–02

  29.7

  2002–03

  33.2

  2003–04

  26.23

  1 Defra was created during the 2001–02 FY. Figures for previous years cover old MAFF and DETR biotechnology research programmes

  2 Defined as research into the application of biological organisms, systems and processes to manufacturing and service industries. This covers genetic modification research, but goes much wider to include, among other techniques, fused cell techniques, protein engineering, fermentation and cell culture techniques, the production of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.

  3 Figures for the current year are provisional. A number of contracts may be in the process of being let and not yet included in year total.

  This money has all been spent through contracts with external bodies. No money has been spent by my department on the direct promotion of biotechnology.

  Emissions Trading Directive
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure the EU Emissions Trading Directive is implemented in such a way as to encourage energy efficiency downstream. [122218]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: The purpose of the EU Emissions Trading Directive is to encourage reductions in direct emissions of carbon dioxide from certain industrial sectors. The Government have introduced other policy measures to encourage energy efficiency downstream, such as the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC), which requires electricity and gas suppliers to achieve targets for the promotion of improvements in domestic energy efficiency.

  Also, direct participants in the UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme, and participants in Climate Change Agreements, have emissions reduction targets, that include indirect emissions of carbon dioxide from reducing electricity use on site.

  Endangered Species
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she has taken to ensure that the UK's international policies protect endangered species. [121904]

  Mr. Morley
  The UK Government have pressed for action to help protect endangered species in a number of international fora. For example, at last November's Conference of the Parties to the Convention on 396W
  International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Chile, I was able to persuade the delegates to list the basking shark on Appendix II. This will mean that the international trade in the fins and other parts of this vulnerable species will be more strictly regulated in future.

  Similar protection was also afforded to whale sharks, seahorses and big-leaf mahogany. The current high level of protection afforded to minke and bryde's whales was also maintained, despite efforts by Japan to downlist the species. Other successes included measures to conserve Asian big cats such as tigers and snow leopards and the development of strict measures for controlling any future trade in ivory stockpiles.

  Fly Tipping
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 24 February 2003,Official Report, column 88W, on fly-tipping, what has been the outcome of her consideration of possible changes to legislation; and if she will make a statement. [122776]

  Mr. Morley
  Proposals to help local authorities and the Environment Agency tackle the problem of fly tipping have been included in the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill, currently before Parliament.

  The Bill includes measures that if successful will mean that local authorities will have powers to stop, search and seize vehicles suspected of being used for fly tipping. They will be able to investigate incidents to help them track down and prosecute those responsible for dumping the waste. The Bill will also create statutory directions that will formalise the current fly tipping protocol which has been agreed between the Local Government Association and the Environment Agency.

  The Government are also considering a wide range of other measures, details of which will be published later in 2003 and brought forward at the next legislative opportunity.

  GM Debate Website
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many hits have been recorded by the GM debate website: www.gmnation.org.uk [122211]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: In the first 18 days of June 2003, 1,487,024 hits were recorded by the GM Nation website. The hon. Member may wish to note that this does not represent the number of people that have visited the website, as each individual is likely to be responsible for multiple hits as they move around the website.

  GM/Organic Produce
  Sir Robert Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many letters on the Government's policy on genetically modified food from(a) hon. Members, (b) private individuals and (c) organisations are waiting to be answered by the Department; how many have been waiting for more than 28 days; and if she will make a statement. [109540]
  397W
  Mr. Morley
  The Food Standards Agency is responsible for policy on genetically modified food. However, on GM issues for which this Department is responsible, the information is set out in the table as at 2 July 2003:

  Total awaiting reply

  Number awaiting reply for more than 28 days

  Member

  57

  0

  Private individuals and organisations

  145

  4

  A large number of letters from organisations and private individuals have been inspired by the recent announcement of the GM Public Debate.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department has spent in each year since 1995 on the promotion of(a) genetically-modified and (b) organic produce. [121654]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 25 June 2003]: No money has been spent by my Department on the promotion of genetically modified produce or on the promotion of organic produce. However, aid has been made available to farmers converting to organic farming (and from 5 June 2003 aid has been made available to existing organic farmers also). The Department also funds a programme of R&D on organic production. And advice for farmers considering organic farming is provided by the Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS) which is funded by Defra. Spending on these since financial year 1994–95 is detailed in the following table but data for spending on OCIS before financial year 1999–2000 are not readily available.

  Financial year

  Aid to organic farmers (£)

  R&D (£)

  OCIS (£)

  1994–95

  27,000

  1,058,000

  1—

  1995–95

  261,000

  931,000

  1—

  1996–97

  374,000

  1,116,000

  1—

  1997–98

  571,000

  908,000

  1—

  1998–99

  1,026,000

  1,491,000

  1—

  1999–2000

  12,469,000

  2,035,000

  788,000

  2000–01

  11,397,000

  2,207,000

  601,000

  2001–02

  10,910,000

  2,193,000

  327,000

  2002–03

  12,567,000

  1,791,000

  301,000

  1 Not readily available

  Hazardous Waste
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what timetable there is for producing voluntary agreements on household hazardous waste after June 2004. [121983]

  Mr. Morley
  Taking into account the composition of the waste stream, and in particular the low recycling rate and the toxicity of the waste product., we will be looking over the next 12 months at the scope for a voluntary producer responsibility agreement to increase the recycling of waste consumer batteries. We will also review the household waste stream to see what the most 398W
  hazardous elements are with a view to identifying other possible candidates for a voluntary producer responsibility agreement with industry.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department takes to ensure that gas emissions from landfill and hazardous waste sites do not pose any risk to public health. [122729]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: The Environment Agency regulates gaseous emissions from landfill and hazardous waste sites to minimise the damage to the environment and risk to human health. In particular, the Agency requires that appropriate measures are taken to control the accumulation and migration of landfill gas. Typically this will involve the active collection, treatment and combustion of landfill gas to minimise the potential impacts.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what statutory framework regulates the discharge of untreated hazardous liquid waste directly to sewage treatment plants for disposal; and if she will list the permitted chemical and biological components of such waste. [122756]

  Mr. Morley
  Sewerage undertakers have powers to control and reduce discharges of substances such as untreated hazardous liquid waste into sewers. If they consider the discharge constitutes trade effluent, their consent is required in accordance with the provisions of the Water Industry Act 1991. The consent may set conditions and require the elimination or diminution of any specified constituent of the trade effluent before it enters the sewer. Such a discharge without the undertaker's agreement is a criminal offence.

  Applications for any special category effluent have to be referred to the Environment Agency before consent can be given. Where the effluent is produced as part of a prescribed process, it will also require a permit from the Agency under the Environment Act 1995 and the Pollution, Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 (SI 2000/1973).

  Where a sewerage undertaker agrees to accept liquid waste delivered to a sewage works by road tanker, the reception, storage, and pre-treatment of the waste is additionally controlled by waste management law (a waste management licence or Pollution Prevention Control Permit depending upon the activities and their scale). The final effluent produced by the works and released back into the environment must meet the conditions or standards required in a Discharge Consent issued by the Environment Agency under the Water Resources Act 1991.

  No list of permitted chemical and biological components exists as such. Each case has to be assessed individually and will depend on the capabilities of the specific treatment works and the quality standards to be achieved in the receiving waters.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many litres of untreated hazardous liquid waste were sent directly to sewage treatment plants for disposal in each year since 1999. [122757]
  399W
  Mr. Morley
  The information requested is not held centrally. However, the Environment Agency is compiling the information and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the hazardous wastes which her Department and the Environment Agency have decided(a) can be adequately treated by dilution and (b) require additional treatment for disposal. [122764]

  Mr. Morley
  Dilution is not generally considered to be the best practicable environmental option for disposal of hazardous waste, although technically it would be possible to operate such a process subject to the conditions of an environmental licence or authorisation (permit) to ensure the protection of the environment and human health.

  Implementation of the Landfill Directive to meet the EU Waste Acceptance Criteria will require all wastes to be treated before they are landfilled. Dilution would not be an acceptable form of treatment.

  Hens
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much it would cost to introduce enriched cages for hens by 2012; and if she will make a statement on the implications for production costs of alternative production methods recently researched by her. [122648]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  A Regulatory Impact Assessment was carried out for the implementation of the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2002. Given an industry estimate of £14.86 per bird and assuming that 10.2 million laying hens would transfer from conventional cages to enriched cages, we believe that it would cost around £151.6 million net present value. Further economic assessments of production methods will be made in preparation for the 2005 Review of Directive 1999/74/EC.

  Horse Welfare
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on horse welfare in the United Kingdom; and what plans she has to improve horse welfare. [122204]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Department has begun a review of animal welfare legislation relating to captive, domestic and sporting animals. The intention is to update and consolidate the legislation into one Animal Welfare Act. The new legislation would be pro-active and would allow action to be taken before an animal suffers if it is not being given appropriate care. Areas for consideration under the new Bill include licensing of livery yards and a statutory code of practice on tethering. My Department has been in consultation with a number or interested parties about the review and we aim to have a public consultation on a draft Bill early next year.

  Household Waste
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress of plans for a study of the 400W
  potential of deposit refund schemes in the United Kingdom to promote (a) refuse and (b) waste minimisation. [121984]

  Mr. Morley
  We believe there may be environmental and commercial benefits in a deposit and return system for some bottles and other containers. A deposits system would involve the public directly in waste collection and this would help to change the culture of waste collection and recycling.

  We are currently investigating the deposit systems used in other European countries. Some of these countries have reported very high administrative costs, which could make these schemes a more expensive way of recycling products than other collection methods. Some countries have reported benefits from such systems, particularly in terms of higher recycling rates, but sometimes these occur in the countries which have high packaging waste recycling targets and it is not clear that deposit systems on their own would deliver high recycling rates in a cost-effective way.

  We would therefore need to consider both the costs and benefits of a possible deposit scheme in the United Kingdom. In particular, we would have to examine how deposit systems could complement and add to other means of encouraging waste minimization and recycling, such as the packaging Regulations.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantities of(a) paper, (b) glass, (c) cans, (d) oil and (e) bottles are recycled through council-organised recycling schemes in (i) Redcar, (ii) the north-east and (iii) England. [122331]

  Mr. Morley
  The information requested is set out in the following table:

  Household waste recycling 2001–02

  tonnes

  Material

  Redcar and Cleveland UA

  North-east region

  England

  Paper and card

  467

  29,000

  959,000

  Glass

  359

  11,000

  428,000

  Cans

  267

  1,000

  26,000

  Oil

  15

  n/a

  n/a

  Source:

  Defra Municipal Waste Management Survey 2001–02

  We do not hold a figure for bottles. The glass figure will include glass bottles collected for recycling.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of household rubbish is recycled through council-organised recycling schemes in(a) Redcar, (b) the North East and (c) England. [122332]

  Mr. Morley
  The household waste recycling rate for 2001–02 was as follows:

  Percentage

  Household waste recycling rate 2001–02

  Redcar and Cleveland

  2

  North East Region

  5

  England

  12

  Source:

  Defra Municipal Waste Management Survey 2001–02

  Invasive Weeds
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what duties are placed on local authorities to assist with the safe disposal of invasive weeds; who is responsible for monitoring this process to ensure that all waste is safely disposed of to ensure that rhizomes cannot spread; and whether she plans to issue further guidance and assistance to local authorities to ensure these criteria are met. [117800]

  Mr. Morley
  Local authorities' responsibilities for the collection and disposal of waste are set out in sections 45, 48 and 51 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. These responsibilities relate to local authorities' functions as waste collection and waste disposal authorities.

  Section 34 of the 1990 Act imposes a duty of care on everyone with responsibility for waste—including waste collection and disposal authorities. It requires everyone subject to the duty to take all reasonable measures to prevent the escape of waste from their control and to ensure that it is disposed of by someone who is authorised to do so. My right hon. Friend the Secretary

  (1 October to 30 September)

  Order

  Number of prosecutions

  2001–02

  Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997

  53

  2000–01

  Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997

  29

  1999–2000

  Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997

  54

  1998–99

  Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997

  82

  1997–98

  Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1994

  45

  1996–97

  Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1994

  65

  1995–96

  Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1994

  91

  1994–95

  Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1994

  95

  1993–94

  Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1992

  46

  1992–93

  Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1992

  11

  1991–92

  Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973

  18

  Transit of Animals (Road and Rail) Order 1975 (as amended)

  189

  Welfare of Poultry (Transport) Order 1988 (as amended)

  5

  1990–91

  Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973

  18

  Transit of Animals (Road and Rail) Order 1975 (as amended)

  1121

  Welfare of Poultry (Transport) Order 1988 (as amended)

  7

  1989–90

  Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973

  61

  Transit of Animals (Road and Rail) Order 1975 (as amended)

  156

  Welfare of Poultry (Transport) Order 1988 (as amended)

  3

  1988–89

  Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973

  6

  Transit of Animals (Road and Rail) Order 1975 (as amended)

  157

  Welfare of Poultry (Transport) Order 1988 (as amended)

  4

  1987–88

  Transit of Animals (General) Order 1973

  12

  Transit of Animals (Road and Rail) Order 1975 (as amended)

  162

  1 This figure includes prosecutions which do not relate to the welfare of animals. Separate figures for the welfare of animals are not available.

  Notes:

  Prior to 1987–88 information on prosecution returns was not kept.

  Prosecution figures are not kept by type and country of origin of the vehicle.

  Information on convictions is not held centrally.

  Live Exports
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had with her European counterparts since April 2002 on removing European Union obstacles to the ban on live exports and their 402W
  of State has issued a Code of Practice under section 34(7) of the 1990 Act, providing practical guidance on how to discharge this duty of care.

  The provisions of the 1990 Act mentioned above apply to household, industrial and commercial waste—collectively defined as "controlled waste". Material containing Japanese knotweed is treated as controlled waste to help prevent its further spread.

  No specific obligation is placed on local authorities under these controls to dispose of invasive weeds more generally as waste.

  Live Animal Transport
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many prosecutions and convictions there have been regarding live animal transport by(a) type and (b) country of origin of the vehicle in each of the last 20 years. [122649]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The number of prosecutions under welfare in transport legislation are published in the annual "Return of Expenditure Incurred and Prosecutions taken under the Animal Health Act 1981, and Incidences of Disease in Imported Animals" which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  The number of prosecutions reported were:
  replacement by meat exports; and if she will make a statement. [121371]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 1 July 2003]: Judgments in the European Court of Justice have confirmed that a ban on the live export of animals would be illegal under the Treaty of Rome. Instead of seeking a ban, we have continued to press in the Agriculture Council for the European Commission to bring forward

  403W
  improved controls for the welfare of animals during transport. Commissioner David Byrne has now said that he expects to produce these long overdue proposals in July 2003. Most of our exports are of meat. We are supporting action to improve competitiveness in the red meat food chain with a view to strengthening meat supply chains both at home and in export markets.

  Methane
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate she has made of the quantity of methane which is being released annually by the northward retreat of permafrost and the consequent impact on climate change. [122666]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: Methane concentrations have increased by a factor of 2.5 since pre-industrial times and account for about 20 per cent. of the climate warming due to greenhouse gases. The increase in concentration is mostly due to increases in anthropogenic emissions (from sources such as landfills, energy production and biomass burning). We have no estimates for the current annual release rate from such areas but methane emissions from high-latitude permafrost areas are likely to have made a contribution to climate change due to greenhouse gases of less than 1 per cent.

  Modulation
  Mr. Laurence Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of the higher rates of modulation on larger farms; and if she will make a statement. [120539]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 20 June 2003]: The deal on CAP reform agreed by the Agriculture Council on 26 June 2003 represents a real shift in agricultural policy. It will provide a more sustainable basis for European agriculture and reflect the wider environmental and rural development objectives, which society seeks to achieve.

  The first €5,000 of every recipient's subsidy is exempt from modulation. However, this means that the effective modulation rate is higher on farms in receipt of higher levels of subsidy. However, this should be viewed in the context of the whole package of reforms. An assessment of the economic impact of the Commission's January proposals on the long-term perspective for sustainable agriculture is available on the Defra website (http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/reports/capreform.pdf), and an assessment of the impact of the outcome of the negotiations will be made available in future.

  OSPAR Ministerial Meeting
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from non-governmental organisations on the Ospar ministerial meeting in Bremen. [120788]

  Mr. Morley
  Defra officials discussed a range of issues on biodiversity with Wildlife and Countryside Link on 29 May 2003. Greenpeace also made representations in relation to radioactive substances.404W
  Non-governmental organisations also made representations directly to the Bremen meeting. In addition, I met both Wildlife and Countryside Link and Greenpeace in Bremen prior to the start of the meeting.

  Recycling
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will review the assistance the Government gives to charity shops in promoting the reuse of goods; and if she will make a statement. [121985]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government do not give assistance specifically for this purpose, although there are many ways in which we support the work of charities in general and in which we promote the reuse and recycling of materials. We are always willing to receive representations and ideas about specific measures that would benefit either or both of these causes.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to stop the export of recyclable materials from the UK to other countries for treatment; and if she will make a statement. [119699]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government have no plans at present to prevent the export of recyclable materials for treatment. Our priority is to increase the amount of waste that is reused or recycled; to achieve these aims may necessitate the export of recyclate. The Government have taken action to increase recycling markets in the UK by setting up the Waste and Resources Action Programme, which was set up to lead on recycling market development in the United Kingdom.

  Rights of Way
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many miles of footpaths are in use. [123404]

  Alun Michael
  In England and Wales it is estimated that there are 173,940 km of public rights of way that are footpaths. There are no figures held centrally to show how many miles of footpath are in use, and the information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost. However, the 1998 Day Visits Survey, which surveyed leisure day visits in both urban and rural areas, found that walking was a principal activity on approximately 930 million trips in England and Wales. The 2002 Leisure Day Visits Survey will be published in the autumn this year.

  Rural Payments Agency
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many payments to farmers were completed after the target date by the Rural Payments Agency in each month in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04 to date, broken down by type. [122843]

  Alun Michael
  Since the Rural Payments Agency was established on 16 October 2001 the number of payments made to farmers after the target date is as follows.
  405W

  2001–02 Scheme

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  F&V Withdrawal

  —

  2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  OTMS Deadweight

  —

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  OTMS Incineration

  1

  3

  13

  3

  —

  1

  OTMS Mincing

  4

  —

  —

  3

  —

  2

  Main AAPS Payments

  —

  —

  —

  —

  2114

  355

  SAPS

  —

  4

  —

  —

  2

  1

  BSPS

  49

  41

  —

  —

  1

  15

  ERDP Schemes are subject to rolling payment deadlines that are calculated from the date an individual claim is received by the Rural Development Service who administer the schemes on behalf of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). The exception being the Hill Farm allowance which is administered by RPA and has a target of 95 per cent. of payments to be made by the end of March.

  2002–03 Scheme

  April

  May

  June

  July

  August

  September

  OTMS Liveweight

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  OTMS Incineration

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  OTMS Mincing

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Main MRS Payments

  16

  20

  11

  25

  5

  11

  Non Food Set-Aside

  150

  20

  20

  10

  3

  5

  SAPS

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  BSPS

  5

  4

  —

  8

  —

  5,800

  SCPS

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1,982

  SPS

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5,565

  EPS

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  948

  2002–03 Scheme

  October

  November

  December

  January

  February

  March

  OTMS Liveweight

  —

  —

  —

  14

  —

  —

  OTMS Incineration

  —

  —

  4

  —

  —

  —

  OTMS Mincing

  3

  —

  —

  3

  —

  —

  Main MRS Payments

  —

  —

  —

  —

  341

  98

  Non Food Set-Aside

  1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  SAPS

  3

  5

  2

  2

  2

  BSPS

  4,396

  1,894

  954

  776

  791

  550

  SCPS

  2,109

  982

  319

  634

  883

  424

  SPS

  7,433

  3,026

  3,925

  1,832

  5,128

  3,663

  EPS

  488

  385

  117

  125

  222

  166

  ERDP Schemes are subject to rolling payment deadlines that are calculated from the date an individual claim is received by the Rural Development Service who administer the schemes on behalf of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). The exception being the Hill Farm Allowance which is administered by RPA and has a target of 95 per cent. of payments to be made by the end of March.

  2002 Scheme

  Total number of claims

  Claims processed after target date

  Countryside Stewardship Scheme

  19,790

  3,364

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas I-III

  7,458

  2,162

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas IV

  3,120

  62

  Farm Woodland Premium Scheme

  7,683

  230

  Organic Farming Scheme

  1,489

  148

  Processing and Marketing Grant

  61

  11

  406W

  2001 Scheme

  Total number of claims

  Claims processed after target date

  Countryside Stewardship Scheme

  9,359

  2,901

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas I-III

  8,336

  1,167

  Environmentally Sensitive Areas IV

  3,127

  187

  Farm Woodland Premium Scheme

  6,464

  3,813

  Organic Farming Scheme

  1,242

  322

  Energy Crops Scheme

  15

  2

  Processing and Marketing Grant

  17

  3

  Rural Enterprise Scheme

  229

  39

  Vocational Training Scheme

  70

  6

  2002 Scheme

  Total number of claims

  Claims processed after target date

  Rural Enterprise Scheme

  898

  197

  Vocational Training Scheme

  223

  22

  Hill Farm Allowance

  11,116

  222

  2003–04 Scheme

  April

  May

  June

  Main AAPS Payments

  17

  25

  —

  Non Food Set-Aside

  242

  33

  —

  SAPS

  15

  8

  46

  BSPS

  259

  193

  223

  SCPS

  107

  3

  —

  SPS

  3,083

  707

  422

  EPS

  47

  41

  23

  407W
  ERDP Schemes are subject to rolling payment deadlines that are calculated from the date an individual claim is received by the Rural Development Service who administer the schemes on behalf of the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). The exception being the Hill Farm Allowance which is administered by RPA and has a target of 95 per cent. of payments to be made by the end of March.

  2003 Scheme

  Total number of claims

  Claims processed after target date

  Organic Farming Scheme

  694

  146

  Rural Enterprise Scheme

  253

  38

  Vocational Training Scheme

  70

  4

  Mr. Hayes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what actions her Department is taking to deal with administrative problems across the border between England and Wales in processing payments by the Rural Payments Agency. [122520]

  Alun Michael
  The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) and National Assembly for Wales Agriculture and Rural Affairs Department (NAWARAD) are in regular communication in respect of subsidy claims which cover land and animals, in both England and Wales. The majority of such claims which have been validated have received at least interim payments.

  In addition, automated interfaces are being developed between England and Wales for the bovine schemes.

  Waste and Resources Action Programme
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has held in the last year with voluntary organisations on the Waste and Resources Action Programme; and if she will make a statement. [122232]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government holds frequent discussions with the voluntary sector on waste management issues and they took part in discussions with the Strategy Unit during their waste study. However we have had no recent discussions with them about the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

  WRAP was set up as an independent company by Government, to promote sustainable waste management by working to create stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products. As an independent company we look to WRAP to identify the issues it feels it needs to discuss with the voluntary sector and take action accordingly.

  We are aware that WRAP holds regular independent discussions with the voluntary sector and, in particular more recently, concerning their intended new work following the announcement of their extended role under the Waste Implementation Programme. WRAP has also recently established an electronic stakeholder dialogue which is open to voluntary organisations.

  Waste Incineration
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's assessment that the Waste Incineration Directive does not apply to on-farm drum incinerators and waste oil burners; whether her officials have discussed this interpretation with officials from the European Commission; and whether officials from the European Commission have expressed agreement in writing with this interpretation. [122753]

  Mr. Morley
  In draft Guidance on Directive 2000/76/ EC on the incineration of waste, published for consultation in February 2003, the Government expressed the view that the definition of "incineration plant" used in that Directive is not intended to encompass small units or appliances which would be incapable of complying with the requirements of the Directive under any circumstances.

  The Directive includes provisions in relation to residence time, temperature control, monitoring, and compliance with emission limit values, which only plants of a reasonable size and technical sophistication would be capable of meeting. Small, basic units do not easily fit either the description "technical unit" which is used in the Directive definition or the scope of the incineration site which is evidently envisaged by this definition.

  The Government consider that units which are not included within the scope of the Directive on this basis include on-farm drum incinerators and small space heaters or other waste oil burners (used for example on garage premises). However, operations of this type will continue to be controlled under the Waste Framework Directive (75/442/EEC as amended) which requires them to be subject to either a permit (Article 9) or the general rules of an exemption registered with the "competent authority" (Article 11). The objective of these controls is to ensure that waste is disposed of in ways which protect the environment and human health (Article 4).

  This means that, on the proposed repeal of the exclusion for agricultural waste in section 75(7)(c) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the waste management controls of Part II of the 1990 Act and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 will apply to on-farm drum incinerators. Small space heaters and other waste oil burners are prescribed for local authority regulation under Part I of the 1990 Act and the Pollution Prevention and Control (England and Wales) Regulations 2000.

  The draft Guidance on Directive 2000/76/EC was issued for a consultation period which closed on 16 May. Officials are currently considering consultation responses with a view to finalising the Guidance later this year, still in plenty of time for the Directive's coming into force for existing installations from 28 December 2005. A copy of the finalised Guidance will be sent to the relevant officials in the European Commission, thus providing them with an opportunity to comment.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the impact on the
  409W
  environment of excluding (a) on-farm drum incinerators and (b) waste oil burners from the Waste Incineration Directive. [122760]

  Mr. Morley
  UK estimates of emissions from a range of sources are contained in the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory and are published annually. Full NAEI data are available at the NAEI website www.naei.org.uk. However, the NAEI does not contain data at the level of detail requested and so no correspondingly detailed quantitative assessment of the environmental impact of these devices has been made.

  The Waste Incineration Directive includes provisions which can apply only plant of a reasonable size and thus with potential to cause significant pollution, whereas small units such as these do not easily fit either the description "technical unit" used in the Directive definition or the scope of the incineration site which is evidently envisaged by this definition. However, operations of this type will continue to be controlled under other legislation.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many tonnes of waste oil were sent for recycling in each year since 1999; [122761]

  (2) how many tonnes of waste oil were burned in waste oil burners in each year since 1999. [122762]

  Mr. Morley
  Virtually all waste lubricating oil collected in the UK is treated to meet a specification as a recovered fuel oil and is burnt as fuel in coal fired power stations and other large manufacturing units.

  The last years for which figures for combustion of oil have been collated are 1999 and 2000 during which approximately 380,000 tonnes and 360,000 tonnes respectively of waste lubricating oil were burnt as fuel. 4,000 tonnes of waste oil were recycled into base lubricating oil in 1999. There has been no recycling in subsequent years.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of the impact on the environment of(a) on-farm drum incinerators, (b) waste oil burners and (c) on-farm carcass incinerators. [122763]

  Mr. Morley
  UK estimates of emissions from a range of sources are contained in the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory and are published annually. Full NAEI data are available at the NAEI website www.naei.org.uk. There are no data at the level of(a) and (b). However, the Department commissioned an independent report to measure and review atmospheric emissions from small carcase incinerators, which was published in August 2002. This is available on the Defra website at http://www2.defra.gov.uk/research/project_data/Default.asp under Project Code WA0806.

  Waste Management
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 17 June 2003,Official Report, column 209W, if she will make a statement on the contents of the register used to provide the information in her answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, column 506W, and
  410W
  distinguish it from the data held as part of the Environment Agency Register of Waste Management Licences, which are kept under part 2 of the Environment Protection Act 1990. [121997]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency's Register of Waste Management Licences is a list of those who hold waste management licences.

  The information used in reply to the hon. Member's question of 17 March comes from a separate public register, which contain details of breaches to air emissions limit values. Copies of the breaches are sent to local authorities who also place them on public record.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the(a) impact and (b) timing of changes to UK legislation and the National Waste Strategy arising from changes in EU policy on municipal waste incinerators and waste recovery targets. [121999]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 1 July 2003]: Recent cases in the European Court of Justice in relation to the incineration and co-incineration of waste have sought to distinguish between waste recovery and waste disposal operations. I am aware that these recent judgments could have a significant impact on the ability of member states to meet certain recycling and recovery targets, most notably those in the packaging and packaging waste directive (94/62/EC).

  However, the European Commission is currently reviewing the lists of recovery and disposal operations in the waste framework directive (75/442/EEC as amended) and has begun work in this area with the adoption of the Communication "Towards a thematic strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste" (COM(2003)301) and by launching a study on issues relating to the lists in Annexes IIA and IIB of the Directive. The Government consider that it would be premature to implement any changes to UK legislation and the waste strategy whilst this review is ongoing.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what measures her Department takes to ensure that independent assessments undertaken on behalf of operators of landfill and hazardous waste sites to ascertain the possible risks to public health from activities conducted at the site in question are credible and independent; [122783]

  (2) what measures the Environment Agency takes to ensure that independent assessments undertaken of possible risks posed to public health from activity conducted at a landfill and hazardous waste site are credible and independent; [122784]

  (3) what measures her Department takes to ensure that when the licence of a landfill and hazardous waste site is being reviewed issues of public health are considered; [122785]

  (4) what measures her Department takes to ensure that companies employed by landfill and hazardous waste site operators to produce independent assessments when examining public health issues are impartial and best qualified to undertake the assessments. [122787]
  411W
  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 1 July 2003]: The objective of the Waste Framework Directive (75/442/EEC as amended by 91/156/EEC) is to ensure that waste is disposed of without endangering human health or harming the environment (Article 4). The Directive's controls include the need for a permit (licence) for the disposal of waste and are supplemented by the requirements of the Hazardous Waste Directive (91/689/EEC) and the Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC). The Environment Agency is prescribed as a "competent authority" for the purposes of each Directive.

  Paragraph 2 of Schedule 4 to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994 imposes a duty on the Agency to discharge its functions relating to the disposal of waste with regard to the objectives of Article 4 of the Waste Framework Directive. These functions include the issuing of licences for landfill sites and the review of those licences. The purpose of licences and their conditions is to ensure that waste is disposed of without endangering human health or harming the environment.

  Section 35(8) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires the Environment Agency to have regard to guidance issued to it by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, in the discharge of its licensing functions. The main guidance issued to the Agency under section 35(8) of the 1990 Act is set out in Waste Management Paper No.4 (ISBN 0–11–752727–0) and deals with issues such as the operator's management systems and quality assurance (paragraphs 4.21–4.25).

  Subject to these considerations, it rests with the Environment Agency, in fulfilment of its functions as a "competent authority" and having regard to the facts of each case, to reach decisions on the effectiveness and quality of monitoring assessments undertaken by or on behalf of licence holders.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list those industries for which the Government plans voluntary agreements to reduce waste and increase the use of recycled materials and the recyclability of products. [121981]

  Mr. Morley
  We will seek to apply voluntary producer responsibility agreements where they are the best option to deliver maximum environmental benefit. We believe the best approach is to assess which waste streams are particularly problematic and might therefore lend themselves most effectively to such agreements; to determine whether the development of such an agreement would be proportionate to the size of the problem; and what the financial and environmental costs and benefits of such agreements would be; and to establish whether the waste streams concerned are already the subject of other mechanisms, including regulations and the work of other organizations, such as WRAP.

  At present, we have a voluntary producer responsibility agreement in place with the newspaper publishers. We hope shortly to reach agreement with the producers of direct mail and promotions and are talking to the magazine publishers about a possible agreement. Other waste materials which might be suitable for future voluntary agreements with industry are batteries and farm plastics.
  412W
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list those stakeholders her Department(a) has held discussions with and (b) intends to hold discussions with on a voluntary agreement for the recycling of waste consumer batteries. [121982]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government have not yet held any meetings with stakeholders to discuss the development of a voluntary agreement for the recycling of consumer batteries. Key stakeholders have been identified as being producers and importers, other industry representatives, battery reprocessors, including recyclers, local authorities and other battery collectors. The stakeholders will shortly be invited to attend a preliminary meeting to discuss the scope for an agreement.

  Waste Oil Burners
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many waste oil burners in England(a) use and (b) do not use pollution abatement equipment. [122759]

  Mr. Morley
  The standards for small waste oil burners involve ensuring that the burners are designed to cater for waste oil and are maintained so that there is good combustion; that the content of the waste oil is within specified parameters; and that there is a chimney of a height sufficient to disperse and dilute the emissions. Given that these conditions are fulfilled, abatement equipment is not specified in the statutory guidance. The main other processes burning waste oil are in the minerals sector and power stations. We believe that the majority of the former achieve specified emission limits without the need for pollution abatement equipment. Power stations are fitted with abatement.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  Asbestos
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to her Answer, 9 June 2003,Official Report, column 609W, on asbestos, if she will list the buildings which have been identified as containing asbestos. [122954]

  Mr. Caborn
  Pursuant to the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 and amendments of 1992 and 1998 risk assessments were carried out by inspections of all reasonably accessible places in the Department's four buildings. No asbestos was found to be present in any of the buildings during those inspections. During the last 12 years each of the buildings has been subject to significant refurbishment and no asbestos was revealed.

  Gambling
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what measures are in place to ensure that on-line gambling operators are not used as a vehicle for the laundering of illegally obtained funds. [121633]

  Mr. Caborn
  Under the current legislation, online gaming is prohibited from being offered by companies based in Britain. However, betting operators are free to offer their services online, and this will continue under
  413W
  the Government's proposals to modernise the gambling laws. The planned Gambling Bill will permit online gaming, and all British based online gambling operators will be subject to regulation by the Gambling Commission which will include measures to prevent crime. In advance of the new legislation, a money laundering code of practice is being developed between the DCMS, law enforcement agencies and bookmakers to reinforce the present money laundering arrangements.

  Government Reshuffle
  Mr. Whittingdale
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how much was spent on printing departmental notepaper and publicity material showing(a) Lord McIntosh as Minister responsible for broadcasting, (b) the honourable Member for Sheffield Central as Minister responsible for sport and tourism and (c) the Right honourable Member for Birmingham, Yardley as Minister responsible for arts and film; [121186]

  (2) how much has been spent on reprinting departmental notepaper and publicity material following ministerial changes since 12th June; [121241]

  (3) how much was spent on providing departmental notepaper and publicity material showing Lord McIntosh as the Minister responsible for tourism, film and broadcasting. [121242]

  Mr. Caborn
  Nothing has been spent on reprinting departmental notepaper following the Ministerial changes on 12 June 2003. The only amount spent on publicity material following changes, is a combined cost of £384 on photographs for the two Ministers appointed to DCMS.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost was to her Department of mobile phones supplied to ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [123151]

  Mr. Caborn
  The cost to the Department of mobile phones supplied to ministers and officials was 25,500 in 2000–01, 21,000 in 2001–02, 29,000 in 2002–03 and

  £

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Lottery funding

  2,639,843

  2,183,013

  7,016,190

  2,729,162

  8,588,395

  Exchequer funding

  184,100

  257,967

  428,854

  375,312

  341,333

  Sports Funding
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent on sport-related activities by her Department and its predecessors in each of the last 20 years broken down by(a) central government, (b) Lottery and (c) other funding. [122832]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Exchequer funding for Sport, the Capital Modernisation Funding of Space for Sports and Arts, Lottery awards made through Sport England and UK Sport and awards from the New Opportunities Fund are shown in the following table.414W
  9,500 as of the start of July this year. It is not possible to provide figures prior to 2000 save at disproportionate cost.

  Regeneration (Sports)
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment her Department has made of the role of sport and sport-related activities in achieving regeneration; and if she will make a statement. [122834]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Government fully recognises the important role that sport can play in the regeneration of both urban and rural areas and in addressing a whole range of social issues such as better health, reduced crime and social inclusion. In particular the Policy Directions issued to Sport England in respect of the distribution of the Lottery Sports Fund require it, in deciding applications for funding, to have regard the scope for reducing economic and social deprivation, the need to promote access to sport for people from all sections of society and the need to further the objectives of sustainable development taking into account social and community progress and employment opportunities created by sports projects. Since 1995 Sport England has awarded over £1.5 billion of Lottery funding. Sport England has also introduced a number of other specific initiatives aimed at the regeneration of deprived areas, such as Sport Action Zones.

  In addition, our analysis of the costs and benefits of hosting the Olympic Games in London in 2012 has included an assessment of the regeneration benefits achieved by past host cities and also the significant regeneration benefits for Manchester as a result of staging the Commonwealth Games in 2002.

  Rugby Union
  Mark Tami
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial support was provided to the development of rugby union in each of the last five years. [122883]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information in respect to England is set out in the following table.

  £ million

  Year

  Exchequer

  Capital modernisaton fund-space for sport and arts

  Lottery awards

  New opportunities fund

  1983–84

  27.12

  1984–85

  28.60

  1985–86

  30.11

  1986–87

  37.35

  1987–88

  37.15

  1988–89

  38.41

  1989–90

  41.88

  1990–91

  44.86

  1991–92

  47.47

  1992–93

  50.40

  1993–94

  54.40

  415W

  £ million

  Year

  Exchequer

  Capital modernisaton fund-space for sport and arts

  Lottery awards

  New opportunities fund

  1994–95

  53.55

  1995–96

  53.95

  57.00

  1996–97

  51.89

  170.00

  1997–98

  50.13

  294.00

  1998–99

  49.36

  399.00

  1999–00

  51.59

  296.88

  2000–01

  52.57

  0.01

  242.35

  2001–02

  63.90

  0.58

  336.55

  2002–03

  112.12

  50.46

  288.56

  99.01

  Notes:

  1. The Exchequer figures up to 1991–92 cover the support for the Sports Council for Great Britain and the Football Licensing Authority;

  2. The Department of Heritage was formed in April 1992 and became the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in 1998–99.

  3. A Royal Charter set up the Sports Council of Great Britain in 1972. The Sports council had a remit covering British Sport as a whole but was mainly involved in English sports matters. There were separate autonomous councils for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales funded by their respective departments.

  4. The Football Licensing Authority was established under the Football Spectators Act 1989 and transferred from the Home Office during 1992–93.

  £

  1998–1999

  1999–2000

  2000–2001

  2001–2002

  2002–2003

  Lottery funding

  7,385,360

  2,631,804

  3,488,451

  9,291,574

  7,550,020

  Exchequer funding

  37,188

  None

  None

  None

  None

  The proportion of funding provided to youth development is not centrally recorded.

  Volunteering
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment her Department has made of the financial value of volunteering for sport-related activities. [122835]

  Mr. Caborn
  The UK has a network of 110,000 community amateur sports clubs run by 1.5 million volunteers. The financial value of the voluntary sector is difficult to estimate. The Leisure Industries Research Centre did, in 1996, make the following estimate
  416W
  5. On 1 January 1997 the Sports Council of Great Britain was superseded by the UK Sports Council and English Sports Council

  6. The figures for 2002–03 include final provision of £34 million in support of the Manchester Commonwealth Games.

  7. The figures in the table cover New Opportunities in PE and Sport (including awards to the Football Foundation and Space for Sports and Arts) and the Out of School Hours/School Sports Co-ordinators schemes.

  8. In addition there are other sport funding programmes that are funded through the New Opportunities Fund:

  a. £30 million for England administered by Sport England for the Playing Fields and Community Green Spaces scheme; and,

  b. £9 million to be delivered by Barnado's and Children's Play Council through the Better Play Grant

  The Exchequer and Capital Modernisation Funding figures shown for 2002–03 are final Supply Estimate provision. All other figures reflect actual outturn. The figures for 1983–84 to 1997–98 are recorded on a cash basis with the figures for 1998–99 onwards recorded on a resource basis.

  Tennis
  Mark Tami
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial support was provided to the development of tennis in each of the last five years; and what proportion was provided to youth development. [122884]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information in respect to England is set out in the following table.

  (reproduced in the December 2002 DCMS/Strategy Unit Report, "Game Plan: a strategy for delivering Government's sport and physical activity objectives"):

  Type of Sport Volunteer

  Volunteer hours (m) per year

  Value of volunteer hours at £3.81 per hour (£m)

  Governing Bodies/Sports Clubs in 94 sports

  165.5

  1,375

  International events hosted in UK

  0.3

  2

  Disabled Sport

  3.2

  26

  Schools

  2.6

  21

  Youth organisations

  11.6

  96

  Total

  183.2

  1,522

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Small Business Regulation
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the(a) level and (b) cost of regulations imposed on small businesses by her Department since 1997. [123231]

  Nigel Griffiths
  There is no established method of assessing the precise level or cost of imposing or removing regulations on SMES, either before 1997 or after. The latest 2002 figures indicate a reduction in new Statutory Instruments over 1996–97.

  Developing Countries (UK Trade Access)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what efforts her Department has made to expand access to developing countries for UK industry. [123232]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Our aim in the Doha Trade Round is to promote fair trade. Expanding access to the markets in developing countries can help them be more competitive. However developing countries also need the added benefit of special and differential measures to address particular difficulties in some developing countries.

  Community Pharmacies
  Ms Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the Office of Fair Trading's proposals for local pharmacies. [123233]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The Government made an interim response to the OFT's report on control of entry regulation for pharmacies on 26 March. In relation to England, the Government have said that they are still considering the report and its recommendation and will announce before the summer recess a balanced package of proposals, which we believe is the most effective means of promoting change to open up the market and improve quality and access without diminishing the crucial role that pharmacies play, especially in poorer and rural areas.

  Miners' Compensation
  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received in the past month about extending the miners' compensation scheme for those with chest diseases to those who worked as cokemen. [123234]

  Mr. Timms
  I am aware that the hon. Member has raised this issue with the Leader of the House. The Department has received no representations this month.

  David Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reasons have been given to former coal miners by IRISC for the denial of claims received from Moss Solicitors of Loughborough for compensation payments for(a) chronic obstructive
  418W
  pulmonary disorder and (b) vibration white finger for the period (i) April 2000 to April 2001, (ii) April 2001 to April 2002 and (iii) April 2002 to April 2003. [123215]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department's claim handlers, IRISC, are unable to provide detailed reasons in the format requested.

  I can advise that, under the terms of the British Coal Respiratory Disease Litigation, claims are denied where the respiratory specialist who assessed the claim is of the opinion that the claimant is not suffering from any compensatable disease, or he was not employed with British Coal after 1954 (1949 in Scotland), the date of liability.

  Claims for Vibration White Finger are denied where the claimants' employment records indicate that he was not employed in an occupation with British Coal whereby he would have been exposed to excessive vibration, or he was not employed with British Coal, after 1975, the accepted date of liability, or the full Medical Assessment Process (MAP) report determines that he is not suffering from VWF.

  This is in accordance with the High Court Judgments.

  Veterinary Medicines
  Ann Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the Competition Commission's report on the sale of veterinary medicines. [123237]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has accepted the Competition Commission's report and the recommendations and proposed remedies contained in it. The changes proposed by the Commission aim to increase competition in the supply of prescription-only veterinary medicines while ensuring that human and animal health continue to be protected.

  Paper-making Industry
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received from the paper-making industry about competition conditions within the European Union. [123238]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  No recent representations have been received.

  Civil Partnerships
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the intended timescale for legislation on civil partnerships. [123333]

  Ms Hewitt
  The consultation period on civil partnership registration will end on 30 September 2003. The Government will consider the next steps in the light of responses to the consultation paper. No decisions have yet been taken about legislation on civil partnership registration.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment her Department
  419W
  has made of the percentage of staff employed by the Department for Trade and Industry who (a) are able to cope with the demands of their jobs, (b) have a say about the way they do their work, (c) receive adequate information and support from their colleagues and superiors, (d) understand their role and responsibilities, (e) are not subject to unacceptable behaviour such as bullying and (f) are happy that they are involved in decision-making on changes. [121268]

  Ms Hewitt
  Data to answer these precise questions are not available. DTI however prides itself on a supportive and positive working environment. It has worked in partnership with its unions on more positive approaches to flexible working and long hours. It does not tolerate bullying. Our business plan, published in April, gives clarity on our objectives and everyone's personal objectives are related to this. All people in DTI are involved in decisions that affect them as far as possible.

  Employment Rights (Information and Consultation)
  Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce legislation on employee rights to information and consultation. [123236]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  We have had discussions with a wide range of groups and organisations, including the CBI and TUC, about how we implement the directive and will publish legislative proposals for consultation shortly.

  EUREKA Programme
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the annual UK contribution has been, at constant prices, to the EU EUREKA programme since its inception; and if she will make a statement. [122494]

  Ms Hewitt
  EUREKA is an independent programme to support industrially-led R and D. It includes 34 member countries in Europe and adjacent regions. The EU Commission is also a member.

  There is no central fund to support projects; each country provides support to its own participants at agreed rates. EUREKA can cover any industrially-relevant technology. It complements the EU Framework Programme and is implicated in the proposals for the European Research Area.

  The majority of projects fall within the policy responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). The following table details the annual spend on EUREKA projects by the DTI. Separate figures before 1992–93 are unavailable.

  EUREKA projects expenditure

  £ million

  Financial year

  Actual spend

  Spend at 2002–03 prices

  1985–1991/92

  26.90

  43.07

  1992–93

  29.31

  37.81

  1993–94

  20.57

  25.90

  1994–95

  21.41

  26.60

  1995–96

  14.48

  17.49

  420W

  EUREKA projects expenditure

  £ million

  Financial year

  Actual spend

  Spend at 2002–03 prices

  1996–97

  8.32

  9.74

  1997–98

  5.88

  6.68

  1998–99

  2.04

  2.26

  1999–2000

  1.99

  2.15

  2000–01

  2.32

  2.45

  2001–02

  1.90

  1.96

  2002–03

  2.74

  2.74

  Total

  37.86

  178.84

  The future of the EUREKA initiative in the UK will be covered in the imminent DTI Innovation Review.

  Export Licences (Colombia)
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the applications for export licences for(a) armaments and (b) dual use equipment made by United Kingdom companies for export to Colombia in each of the past three years; and how many licences were (i) granted and (ii) refused. [123448]

  Nigel Griffiths
  The details of all relevant export licence applications issued and refused are published by destination in the Government's Annual Reports on Strategic Export Controls. Copies of the 2000, 2001 and 2002 Annual Reports are available from the Libraries of the House.

  Grants
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the grants made by her Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which her Department is responsible to(a) the John Innes Institute, (b) the BioIndustry Association, (d) Diatech, and (e) Floranova in each year since 1997. [122296]

  Ms Hewitt
  Since the start of the financial year 1997–98, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has committed a total of £30.7 million in research grants to the John Innes Centre. This figure includes responsive mode, funding, initiative grants, equipment and research fellowships. In addition to these research grants, BBSRC also provides a core strategic grant on an annual basis to the John Innes Centre. Annual spend in the financial years 1997–98 to 2002–03 is shown in the following table.

  Spend on BBSRC grants to John Innes Centre 97/98 onwards, including responsive mode funding and Core Strategic Grant (CSG)

  £ million

  Research grants

  CSG

  Total

  1997–98

  2.4

  9.6

  12.0

  1998–99

  2.7

  9.8

  12.5

  1999–2000

  2.4

  9.5

  11.9

  2000–01

  3.2

  9.8

  13.0

  2001–02

  3.8

  10.0

  13.8

  2002–03

  4.4

  10.2

  14.6

  421W
  DTI has made the following payments to the BioIndustry Association in connection with a range of events and activities designed to promote the general capability of the biotechnology industrial sector.

  £ million

  1998

  0.22

  1999

  0.19

  2000

  0.17

  2001

  0.36

  2002

  0.36

  2003

  0.17

  No grants have been made to Diatech or Floranova.

  Insurance Contract Law
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether it is her policy to reform insurance contract law; and if she will make a statement. [122907]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government have no plans to reform insurance contract law at present.

  Net Metering Arrangements
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to encourage net metering arrangements, with particular reference to the removal of market distortions. [122216]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 36 June 2003]: The Government use the term "net metering" to describe commercial arrangements where a generator receives the same price for exported energy as he pays for imported energy. Offering net metering on this basis will result in a supplier incurring costs and, although at least one supplier has offered customers a limited net metering tariff, it is difficult to see how the economics of net metering could be sustained on a widespread basis.

  The Government are, however, anxious to ensure that small, locally connected, generators receive full and fair value for the energy they produce. To this end, changes to electricity market arrangements will be implemented this September which will allow energy exported by small distributed generation to be traded via the electricity settlement system for the first time. In addition, the Distributed Generation Co-ordinating Group, jointly established by the DTI and Ofgem to address barriers associated with the connection and operation of small-distributed generation, has initiated work to identify metering and settlement arrangements which will ensure that small generators are fairly recompensed for exported energy.

  Regeneration (Staffordshire)
  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many bids Advantage West Midland received from the North Staffordshire Partnership in respect of an Urban Regeneration Company for North Staffordshire; and what the outcome of each bid was. [122591]
  422W
  Jacqui Smith
  Advantage West Midlands has not received any formal proposals from any body operating in North Staffordshire with respect to an Urban Regeneration Company.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Objective Two and Three European funding Advantage West Midlands(a) has secured and (b) anticipates it will raise in 2003–04; and how much it plans to spend on projects in North Staffordshire. [122592]

  Jacqui Smith
  Advantage West Midlands is not directly responsible for Objective 2 investment in the sub-region. Government Office for the West Midlands administers these programmes on behalf of the region.(a) There are no Objective 3 offers to AWM. Objective 2 offers made to AWM are worth £86.84 million (ERDF and ESF combined). There are £15.85 million worth of bids currently under appraisal. (b) It is impossible to tell what level of ERDF and ESF AWM might secure in 2003–04 since this is dependent on the number of bidding rounds available and how many successful applications AWM achieve. Regarding spend in North Staffordshire, again this is impossible to say as the majority of the resources available to AWM are under an Action Plan which any of the sub regions can bid into.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Advantage West Midland estimated grant-in-aid spending will be in 2003–04; and how much will be spent on projects in North Staffordshire. [122593]

  Jacqui Smith
  Estimated grant-in-aid for 2003–04 is £260 million, £18 million of which is indicatively allocated to North Staffordshire through the existing SRB programmes and the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress Advantage West Midlands has made in setting up a company to manage the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone under the North Staffordshire Partnership Zone Implementation Plan. [122594]

  Jacqui Smith
  The corporate governance structure for the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone is developing in line with other Regeneration Zones across the region. The North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone has established a Shadow Board chaired by the private sector; has an interim manager and is about to recruit a permanent secretariat to deliver the programme over the next 10 years.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the causes are of the delay in Advantage West Midlands(a) determining and (b) approving a delivery vehicle for regeneration within the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone. [122595]

  Jacqui Smith
  Advantage West Midlands has not received a formal proposal for the establishment of an Urban Regeneration Company. However discussions are ongoing with stakeholders to determine the potential for such an arrangement.
  423W
  The corporate governance structure for the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone is developing in line with other Regeneration Zones across the region and the interim arrangements as described above are already in place.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which delivery vehicles for regeneration are being considered by Advantage West Midlands within the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone. [122596]

  Jacqui Smith
  Work has been commissioned by Advantage West Midlands, with agreement by local stakeholders, to scope the potential form and function of a special purpose vehicle to deliver physical investment in the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone. Local consultation is taking place initially to be followed up with detailed dialogue with ODPM during August/September. Early indications suggest that a radical solution is required more in line with the approach taken by Government in the Thames Gateway rather than the traditional Urban Regeneration Company adopted elsewhere in the region.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons Advantage West Midlands has not approved an Urban Regeneration Company for North Staffordshire. [122597]

  Jacqui Smith
  Advantage West Midlands has not received any formal proposals from any body operating in North Staffordshire with respect to an Urban Regeneration Company.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when bids were first received by Advantage West Midlands for an Urban Regeneration Company from(a) Sandwell, (b) North Staffordshire, (c) Walsall and (d) other districts, boroughs and subregions in the West Midlands. [122598]

  Jacqui Smith
  Formal submissions were received from Sandwell and Walsall in April 2001. Advantage West Midlands has not received any other formal proposals with respect to an Urban Regeneration Company.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what progress Advantage West Midlands has made in appointing a clerical assistant for the Secretariat of the company to manage the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone; [1122599]

  (2) what progress Advantage West Midlands has made in the establishment of a finance and monitoring officer by Stoke-on-Trent Partnership for the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone; [122600]

  (3) what progress Advantage West Midlands has made in the appointment of (a) a regeneration zone manager and (b) the four pillar managers for North Staffordshire under the North Staffordshire Partnership Zone Implementation Plan. [122601]

  Jacqui Smith
  Advantage West Midlands has allocated a secretariat budget for the Zone and to date, an Interim Regeneration Zone Manager has been put in place through the North Staffordshire Partnership, employed by Stoke on Trent City Council.
  424W
  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) which consultants have been used by(a) Advantage West Midlands and (b) the North Staffordshire Partnership to advise on regeneration in North Staffordshire; how much they were paid; and when; [122602]

  (2) what the role of KPMG is in advising Advantage West Midlands on regeneration in North Staffordshire; when the firm was appointed; and how much it will be paid. [122603]

  Jacqui Smith
  Advantage West Midlands commissioned KPMG in May 2003 to work with stakeholders and the day to day management responsibility for the consultancy contract with KPMG lies with Stoke on Trent city council. Details of the contractual arrangements are commercial in confidence.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reasons Advantage West Midlands did not notify local hon. Members of the meetings on 2 and 3 June to discuss the progress of regeneration in North Staffordshire; which priority projects were discussed at these meetings; and how these projects relate to the Zone Implementation Plan of the North Staffordshire Partnership. [122604]

  Jacqui Smith
  The arrangements for the Stakeholders event on 2 and 3 June were determined by local partners from the public sector. The objectives for the day were to discuss and review local regeneration activity that lies within the statutory responsibility of public sector bodies and the local strategic partnerships.

  Greater dialogue will now take place directly between Advantage West Midlands and local Members of Parliament in the next stage of discussions, which relate to national policy.

  A report outlining the key outcomes of the event will be available from AWM from 2 July.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry with which aspects of the North Staffordshire Partnership Zone Implementation Plan Advantage Waste Midlands plans to proceed. [122605]

  Jacqui Smith
  Advantage West Midlands has approved the Zone Implementation Plan for 2003–04. However this is currently being updated by the Regional Zone Partnership to reflect recent developments. Delivery of the Plan will be the responsibility of the Zone Partnership.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Advantage West Midlands has allocated to the West Midlands Region under(a) SRB4, (b) SRB5 and (c) SRB6; and how much is being applied under each single regeneration budget round to (i) Stoke-on-Trent, (ii) Newcastle-under-Lyme, (iii) Staffordshire Moorlands and (iv) Stafford. [122606]
  425W
  Jacqui Smith
  SRB allocations for 2003–4 are as follows:SRB 4 Total Allocation to the West Midlands is £8 million of which £1.87 million is allocated to Stoke SRB 4. There were no SRB 4 allocations to other areas in the sub-region.
  SRB 5 Total Allocation to the West Midlands was £19 million of which £4.4 million was allocated to Stoke SRB 5; £0.9 million was allocated to SRB 5 in North East Staffordshire.
  SRB 6 Total Allocation to the West Midlands was £24 million of which £4.8 million was allocated to Stoke SRB 6 and £1.3 million to SRB 6 in Stafford.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information Advantage West Midlands has received on the number of officials and staff Stoke-on-Trent city council employs on projects under(a) SRB4, (b) SRB5 and (c) SRB6. [122607]

  Jacqui Smith
  The delivery arrangements for the SRB programmes are detailed in the delivery plans for each of the schemes, which are available to the public through the local partnership.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information Advantage West Midlands has received on the number of projects under way or planned by Stoke-on-Trent city council under(a) SRB4, (b) SRB5 and (c) SRB6; and if she will list the (i) cost, (ii) start date and (iii) expected finish date of each project. [122608]

  Jacqui Smith
  Advantage West Midlands has signed off the Delivery Plans for the SRB 4, 5 and 6 for 2003–04.

  Advantage West Midlands does not have detailed lists of individual projects planned, as the SRB is a delegated programme. Information on these is available in the public domain from the partnership delivery plans.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the role is of Mr. Jim Beeston of Heartlands in advising Advantage West Midlands on regeneration in North Staffordshire; what advice he has provided; and when his advice will be finalised. [122609]

  Jacqui Smith
  Jim Beeston is now a Director of Invigour Consulting, who has been commissioned by Advantage West Midlands with agreement by local stakeholders to scope the potential form and function of a special purpose vehicle to deliver physical investment in the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone. Local consultation is taking place initially to be followed up with detailed dialogue with Office of the Deputy Prime Minister during August and September 2003. Invigour will report back to the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone and North Staffordshire Housing Market Renewal Board during July and August 2003.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the awards of grant in-aid under the skills development and rapid response category that have been made to North Staffordshire by Advantage West Midlands in the last three financial years; and the amount of each award. [122674]

  Jacqui Smith
  The Department of Work and Pensions is responsible for the administration of the Rapid Response Fund.
  426W
  Skills Development Funding to North Staffordshire over the last three financial years amounts to £6.83 million.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions Advantage West Midlands has had with RIBA over an urban design vision for Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. [122675]

  Jacqui Smith
  Advantage West Midlands is aware of on-going discussions taking place between local partners regarding an urban design vision for Stoke-on-Trent. Advantage West Midlands has not had any direct discussions with RIBA on this issue outside of general partnership meetings.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how Advantage West Midlands intends to incorporate the Housing Pathfinder programme in its most appropriate delivery vehicle for regeneration in North Staffordshire. [122676]

  Jacqui Smith
  Advantage West Midlands is working closely with the Housing Market Renewal Board to put in place joint delivery arrangements for regeneration in North Staffordshire. Several discussions have taken place at the Housing Market Renewal Board. However no decision has yet been made on firm delivery proposals.

  Advantage West Midlands is not responsible for the Housing Pathfinder Programme but it is its intention to integrate its activities fully with it where possible to maximize resources and avoid duplication.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what support Advantage West Midlands has given to the North Staffordshire Urban Design Forum. [122677]

  Jacqui Smith
  Advantage West Midlands has supported the development of the North Staffordshire Design Initiative through their Business Growth Fund. There has been no specific support for the Urban Design Forum to date, although proposals are being put forward through the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what submissions Advantage West Midlands has received(a) directly and (b) via the North Staffordshire Partnership in respect of (i) funding and (ii) other assistance for the (A) North Staffordshire Urban Design Forum, (B) an urban design vision for North Staffordshire and (C) a proposed new architecture centre for North Staffordshire. [122678]

  Jacqui Smith
  Both Advantage West Midlands and North Staffordshire Partnership have received the same proposal from the North Staffordshire Urban Design Forum. In practice, the proposal will be channelled through the North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone for consideration and possible support.

  The North Staffordshire Urban Design Forum proposal requests funding of £48,733 in 2002–03, £154,289 in 2003–04 and £179,834 in 2004–05, a total of £382,856 over this three-year period.
  427W
  The development of an Urban Design vision for North Staffordshire and an architecture centre are included as part of the urban design activities in the proposal.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions Advantage West Midlands has had with Stoke-on-Trent city council in respect of the future of Stoke's current partnerships with the St. Modwen property company in the context of the regeneration of North Staffordshire. [122679]

  Jacqui Smith
  Advantage West Midlands has had no specific discussions with Stoke-on-Trent city council in respect of the future of Stoke's current partnerships with the St. Modwen property company in the context of the regeneration of North Staffordshire.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much Advantage West Midlands has spent on the staffing and administration of the North Staffordshire Partnership in the last three years; and how much is anticipated in the current year. [122680]

  Jacqui Smith
  Advantage West Midlands has spent the following on the staffing and administration of the North Staffordshire Partnership.

  £

  2001–02

  33,190

  2002–03

  76,965

  Estimated contribution for 2003–04 is £135,000.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total amount of grants received by Advantage West Midlands in the region from the European Regional Development Fund in

  Grant-in-aid utilised by Advantage West Midlands

  £ million

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Totals

  AWM GiA utilised

  105

  110

  123

  205

  543

  Spend:

  Stoke-on-Trent

  11.198

  9.603

  14.109

  13.298

  48.208

  Stafford

  0.096

  0.013

  0.424

  1.003

  1.536

  Newcastle-under-Lyme

  2.16

  1.078

  3.257

  1.593

  8.088

  Staffs Moorlands

  0.212

  0.378

  1.573

  2.409

  4.572

  North Staffs Regeneration Zone

  0.018

  0.052

  0.379

  1.648

  2.097

  13.684

  11.124

  19.742

  19.951

  64.501

  Note:

  Figures are estimates only.

  Senior Departmental Posts
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many senior departmental posts were advertised in each year since June 1999; and how many of those were advertised in the Scottish press. [120662]

  Ms Hewitt
  The following DTI senior civil service posts have been advertised since June 1999:

  June 1999 to March 2000—6

  April 2000 to March 2001—7

  April 2001 to March 2002—9

  April 2002 to March 2003—11

  April 2003 to June 2003—4

  428W
  each financial year since the RDA's inception; and of that how much has been spent in each year in (a) Stoke-on-Trent, (b) Newcastle-under-Lyme, (c) Staffordshire Moorlands and (d) Stafford. [122681]

  Jacqui Smith
  The total amount of grant received by Advantage West Midlands from the European Regional Development Funds during each financial year since 1 April 1999 was:

  Financial period

  Amount of grant claimed and paid (£)

  1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000

  1,258,727

  1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001

  942,643

  1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002

  2,032,160

  1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003

  3,073,058

  1 April 2003 to 30 June 2003 (to date)

  259,002

  It is not possible to say how much European Regional Development grant has been spent in each year in (a) Stoke-on-Trent, (b) Newcastle-under-Lyme, (c) Staffordshire Moorlands and (d) Stafford, as the majority of the projects for which Advantage West Midlands received European Regional Development Fund grant were cross-regional projects and the grant expenditure claimed in respect of those projects was not broken down by sub-region.

  Paul Farrelly
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the total amount of grant-in-aid utilised by Advantage West Midlands in the region under the heading applied to income and expenditure in each financial year since its inception; and of that how much has been spent in each year in(a) Stoke-on-Trent, (b) Newcastle-under-Lyme, (c) Staffordshire Moorlands and (d) Stafford. [122682]

  Jacqui Smith
  Expenditure is as follows:

  All of these were advertised in the UK national press. But none was specifically advertised in the Scottish press.

  University Departments
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had on the effect on regional economies of Government proposals to create a number of departments in universities; and if she will make a statement. [123223]

  Jacqui Smith
  World-class research is central to improved productivity and quality of life. The last
  429W
  spending review provided substantial extra expenditure for research, including even more investment for the very best researchers wherever they are.

  The Department will continue to work closely with the Department for Education and Skills and Regional Development Agencies in ensuring the long-term success of all our universities, whether they have research intensive departments or not, for the benefit of both the national and regional economies.

  Working Time Directive
  Mark Tami
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance she is providing to the road haulage industry to ensure the implementation of the Working Time Directorate; and what discussions she has had with the Road Haulage Association on the implementation of the Directorate. [122886]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have been asked to reply.

  The Government have consulted both sides of the road transport industry (including the Road Haulage Association) on the transposition of the Horizontal Amending Directive (2000/15/EC) and the sector specific Road Transport Directive (2002/15/EC) into domestic legislation. The main impact of the Horizontal Amending Directive, which comes into force on 1 August 2003, will be on non-mobile workers in the road transport sector, and DTI will shortly publish a revised set of guidance notes on the new directive.

  The Road Transport Directive is more significant for mobile workers in the road haulage industry and needs to be implemented by 23 March 2005. We will shortly publish a consultation document on our proposals for implementing this directive.

  My officials are helping the industry to prepare for the introduction of these Directives by participating in seminars on the subject.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

  Work/Life Balance
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Minister for Women what measures have been put in place for women to achieve a better work-life balance. [123244]

  Ms Hewitt
  We are committed to giving women—and men—the chance to improve their work life balance. We have increased maternity pay and leave, introduced paid paternity leave, extended these rights to adoptive parents, and introduced a legal right for parents of children under six and disabled children under 18 to request to work flexibly.

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Minister for Women what measures are in place for women to achieve a better work-life balance. [123245]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling).

  Pensions (Payments Overseas)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Minister for Women what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary 430W
  of State for Work and Pensions on the ability of married women retiring to South Africa, Canada and Australia to claim the index-linked element of the state pension. [123246]

  Jacqui Smith
  My right hon. Friend the Minister for Women has had one discussion with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on issues relating to women and pensions this year. However they have not discussed the specific issue of indexation of pensions for women retiring to South Africa, Canada and Australia.

  Iraq
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Minister for Women what plans she has to visit Iraq. [123066]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 2 July 2003]: I intend to visit Iraq to support the involvement of Iraqi women in the democratic process, and support British businesses who can offer a great deal of expertise and experience in redevelopment work. I am taking advice on the appropriate time to do so.

SCOTLAND

  Holyrood Site
  Pete Wishart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what the cost was of acquiring and preparing the Holyrood site; and when and by whom this cost was incurred; [120145]

  (2) who originally suggested the Holyrood site as an option for the new Scottish Parliament building; and when that suggestion was made; [120146]

  (3) when the final decision was made to choose the Holyrood site as the place for the new Scottish Parliament building; [120147]

  (4) what the scheduled opening date for the Scottish Parliament building was immediately prior to the transfer of responsibilities to the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body; [120149]

  (5) whether the communications from Langdon's in respect of the Scottish Parliament building have been published; [121044]

  (6) what the estimate for the Scottish Parliament building was when the final site was chosen; and when this matter was considered prior to the transfer of responsibilities to the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body; [120148]

  (7) what representations were received by the Secretary of State for Scotland in advance of the Scottish parliamentary building project being transferred to the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body. [120278]

  Mr. Darling
  The First Minister has announced that he is establishing an investigation by Lord Fraser of Carmyllie and the Auditor General for Scotland, which intends to look at all aspects of the Holyrood project. I foresee no difficulty in Lord Fraser gaining access to all relevant Government papers. Indeed, I understand the Auditor General for Scotland saw Government papers connected with the Holyrood project before devolution when carrying out a previous inquiry.

  Air Transport Consultation
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he will take to represent Scottish national interest in the Air Transport consultation. [121149]

  Mr. Darling
  The UK Air Services consultation included a consultation on the issues for Scotland, which was jointly organised by the Department for Transport and the Scottish Executive.

  Responses to that consultation will be taken into account in determining the content of the forthcoming White Paper.

  EU Regulations
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many regulations originating from the EU have been implemented by his Department over each of the last five years. [120820]

  Mr. Darling
  No regulations originating from the EU have been implemented by my Department since its creation in 1999.

  Euro Roadshow
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the events he plans to attend as part of the Government's Euro roadshow. [121397]

  Mr. Darling
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, gave to the right hon. and learned Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Howard) on Friday 20 June 2003,Official Report, column 459W.

  Friends of Scotland Initiative
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) whether the Department was consulted on the implications for embassies abroad of the transfer of the Friends of Scotland initiative to the Scottish Executive; [121143]

  (2) what discussions he had with the Scottish Executive prior to transferring the Friends of Scotland initiative to the Scottish Executive. [121146]

  Mr. Darling
  I discussed with the First Minister the opportunity for further developing the Friends of Scotland project and building on its success in recruiting support for the promotion of Scotland overseas. We agreed that the time was now right for the Scottish Executive to take on the leadership of the project, alongside the Executive's other overseas promotion programmes and taking full account of the contribution which the United Kingdom's posts overseas can play.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total cost has been of Friends of Scotland. [121147]

  Mr. Darling
  The costs of the Friends of Scotland project to date, excluding staff costs and departmental overheads, amount to £326,000 (£123,000 in 2001–02; £187,000 in 2002–03 and £16,000 to 25 June).

  The hon. Member will be aware that this project has now been transferred to the Scottish Executive.

  Hallmarks
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations she has received on(a) the future of the Scottish hallmark and (b) its importance to Scottish industry; and if she will make a statement. [114326]

  Mr. Darling
  I am aware of the representations being made by the Incorporation of Goldsmiths of the City of Edinburgh about the future of Scotland's Assay Office and my hon. Friend's recent adjournment debate on this subject. The importance of a distinct Scottish Hallmark is indisputable, and my predecessor wrote to the Minister for Competition, Consumers and Markets to express her own concerns on this matter. I have also received a letter from a Member of Parliament on this subject.

  International Flights
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) when he last discussed the promotion of Scottish direct international flights with the Department for Transport; [121144]

  (2) what his policy is towards promotion of direct international flights from Scotland's airports. [121155]

  Mr. Darling
  I recognise the importance of developing new direct flight connections into Scotland and have discussed this with the Scottish Executive.

  Responsibility for furthering economic development lies with the Scottish Executive, which has recently established a Route Development Fund to support introduction of new routes.

  Job Dispersal
  Mr. Ian Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if she will list the public sector jobs which have been dispersed to Scotland in each of the last five years, broken down by Department or agency and from whence they came; [117318]

  (2) if she will list the central Government Departments and agencies with which she is in contact to pursue the possibility of job dispersal to Scotland from elsewhere in the United Kingdom. [117319]

  Mr. Darling
  There is no central register of the location of Government jobs. However, several Government Departments have a significant presence in Scotland, notably the Department for Work and Pensions who currently have 15,076 employees in Scotland, the Ministry of Defence (7,115), the Inland Revenue (8,500), the Department for International Development (515), and the Department for Trade and Industry (254).

  In his 2003 Budget statement, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that, as part of the preparations for the next Comprehensive Spending Review, he had asked Sir Michael Lyons to lead a study into the scope for relocating public service staff from London and the South East to other parts of the UK. The study is still at an early stage in collecting and evaluating information from Government Departments on their operations.

  Scotland Office Address
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his London office address is. [121477]

  Mr. Darling
  Dover House, Whitehall, SW1A 2AU.

  Sewel Motions
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of state for Scotland if he will list Sewel motions passed by the Scottish Parliament since May 1999 that apply to his Department's responsibilities and legislation he has sponsored. [120671]

  Mr. Darling
  42 Sewel motions have been passed by the Scottish Parliament since May 1999. The following full list outlines those Bills that have been the subject of more than one Sewel motion.

  Table of Sewel motions

  Number

  Bill

  Sewel motion approved

  1

  Food Standards

  23 June 1999

  2

  Financial Services and Markets

  23 June 1999

  3

  Electronic Communications

  23 June 1999

  4

  Limited Liability Partnerships

  23 June 1999

  5

  Sea Fishing Grants (Charges)

  8 December 1999

  6

  Representation of the People

  13 January 2000

  7

  Sexual Offences (Amendment)

  19 January 2000

  8

  Political Parties, Elections and Referendums (1)

  9 March 2000

  9

  Regulation of Investigatory Powers

  6 April 2000

  10

  Learning and Skills

  18 May 2000

  11

  Race Relations (Amendment)

  25 May 2000

  12

  Insolvency

  1 June 2000

  13

  Care Standards

  22 June 2000

  14

  Political Parties, Elections and Referendums (2)

  6 July 2000

  15

  Government Resources and Accounts

  6 July 2000

  16

  Criminal Justice and Courts Service

  5 October 2000

  17

  Health and Social Care Modernisation

  17 January 2001

  18

  Tobacco Advertising and Promotion

  17 January 2001

  19

  International Criminal Court

  18 January 2001

  20

  Outworking

  31 January 2001

  21

  Criminal Justice and Police

  7 February 2001

  22

  International Development

  8 March 2001

  23

  Culture and Recreation

  8 March 2001

  24

  Armed Forces

  29 March 2001

  25

  Adoption and Children (1)

  4 April 2001

  26

  Adoption and Children (2)

  24 October 2001

  27

  Proceeds of Crime

  24 October 2001

  28

  Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security

  15 November 2001

  29

  NHS Reform and Health Care Profession

  22 November 2001

  30

  Adoption and Children (3)

  30 January 2002

  31

  Police Reform

  30 January 2002

  32

  Enterprise

  17 April 2002

  33

  Private Hire Vehicles (Carriage of Guide Dogs etc.)

  19 June 2002

  34

  Police Reform (2)

  27 June 2002

  35

  Extradition

  21 November 2002

  36

  Waste and Emissions Trading

  28 November 2002

  37

  Criminal Justice

  5 December 2002

  38

  Crime (International Cooperation)

  5 December 2002

  39

  Local Government

  6 February 2003

  40

  Sexual Offences

  20 March 2003

  41

  Railways and Transport Safety

  20 March 2003

  42

  Fireworks

  26 June 2003

  Sunset Clauses
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make it his policy to include a sunset clause in all new legislation unless a specific case can be made to exclude a sunset clause. [120821]
  434W
  Mr. Darling
  The revised RIA guidance, "Better Policy Making: A Guide to Regulatory Impact Assessment", was published on 28 January. It advises policy officials to consider time limiting or sunsetting at an early stage of policy development and gives specific examples of where sunsetting may be appropriate.

  The Scotland Office supports the better regulation agenda and the use of sunsetting where appropriate.

  Trade Links
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the role of(a) the Secretary of State and (b) the Scottish Executive in developing trade links for Scottish business. [121145]

  Mr. Darling
  Trade Partners UK is the lead Government organisation for helping companies based in the UK (including those in Scotland) achieve their export potential. Responsibility for the development of trade links for Scottish business lies with Scottish Development International, which is jointly operated by the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Autistic Spectrum Disorders
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he plans to take to extend educational opportunities for sufferers of autistic spectrum disorders. [122222]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  My Department is doing a number of things to extend the educational opportunities for sufferers of autistic spectrum disorders. We are developing a Special Educational Needs Action Programme for publication in the autumn with the aim of helping all children with special educational needs to realise their potential. Among other initiatives it will promote effective approaches to teaching and learning for children with different types of need including autism.

  Work on improving opportunities for those with autistic spectrum disorders under the Action Programme will build on the principles set out in the guidance on making provision for children with the disorders which my Department published with the Department of Health last year.

  The Action Programme will also address obstacles that may be preventing young people with special educational needs continuing their education beyond 16. The Learning and Skills Council when carrying out its functions must have regard to the needs of people with learning difficulties, including those with autism, in part by enabling the provision of appropriate facilities for their education and training.

  Child Care Standards
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what arrangements are in place for monitoring standards in childcare centres. [123285]
  435W
  Margaret Hodge
  All childcare facilities that provide day care for children under eight exceeding two hours a day on premises which are not domestic premises are registered and inspected by Ofsted against the requirements of the national standards. The national standards for under eights day care and childminding represent a minimum quality baseline below which no provider may fall.

  Education Maintenance Allowance
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will make an announcement on the new Education Maintenance Allowance scheme. [122038]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We announced last July that we plan to make the Education Maintenance Allowance scheme available throughout England from September 2004 to those students who complete their compulsory education in the 2003/04 Academic Year. We will be making further details about the national scheme available soon.

  Further Education Colleges (Student Satisfaction)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the percentage of learners who are satisfied with their learning experience in college. [122287]

  Alan Johnson
  The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) carried out the first national survey of learner satisfaction and published the results in December 2002. These showed that 87 per cent. of learners were satisfied with their learning experience in college.

  Findings from the survey are being used to inform strategic national policy and the work of the local LSCs, colleges and other providers.

  Gross Earnings
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people have gross earnings of £2,000 per week or more; and what proportion of those with gross earnings of £2,000 per week or more have a Level 4 qualification or higher. [123069]

  Alan Johnson
  The Labour Force Survey estimates that the number of employees of working age in the UK with gross weekly earnings of £2,000 or more per week is 30,000. Three-quarters of these (76 per cent.) are qualified to Level 4 or above.

  Higher Education
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he plans to publish a draft Higher Education Bill for consultation. [119788]

  Alan Johnson
  We have no plans to publish a higher education bill in draft. There has already been substantial consultation on the main policy issues for which we intend to legislate. We will be responding to comments received during the consultation period on the White Paper alongside our response to the Select Committee.

  Mr. Win Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the costs in each of the last three years were of(a) targeted grants and (b) tuition
  436W
  fees waivers for (i) students in higher education from Wales and (ii) students from elsewhere in the UK attending higher education institutions in Wales; and what the related administrative costs were; [122471]

  (2) what the cost was in each of the last three years of means tested loans for (a) students in higher education from Wales and (b) students from elsewhere in the UK attending higher education institutions in Wales; and what the identifiable administrative costs were in each case. [122472]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 1 July 2003]: The information is as follows: (a) Expenditure on higher education students domiciled in Wales:

  £ million

  Financial year

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Income Contingent Repayment Loans (RAB cost)

  38.6

  48.8

  153.5

  Means tested contributions to tuition fees

  19.5

  23.7

  125.8

  Dependants Grants

  3.8

  5.2

  16.2

  HE Supplementary Grants

  1.9

  12.6

  23.4

  1 Provisional

  2 Estimated

  Sources:

  HE Supplementary Grants—DfES

  All other data—Student Loans Company.

  Loan costs are for income contingent loans only. These loans, of which approximately one quarter of the value is means tested, are repayable on an income contingent basis. Loans made under the previous mortgage style arrangement, which are not means tested, are excluded from the table.

  Expenditure on loans is shown in resource accounting and budgeting (RAB) terms, not cash terms.

  Dependants grants includes payments on Childcare Grant, Additional Dependants Grant, Travel, Books and Equipment Grant, Loan Parents Grant and Child Dependants Grant.

  HE supplementary grants include payments on Disabled Students Allowance, School Meals Grant, Care Leaver's Grant and Travel Grant.

  Expenditure on hardship and part-time loans is excluded from the table.

  (b) The cost for students from elsewhere in the UK attending higher education institutions in Wales could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  It is not possible to identify the administrative costs of payments under (a) or (b) above.

  Modern Language Courses
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 6 May 2003,Official Report, column 644W, on modern languages courses, which modern languages he is requiring all maintained secondary schools to continue to make available. [122049]

  Mr. Miliband
  Through our Green Paper "14–19: extending opportunities, raising standards" we consulted extensively on our proposals to create more choice and flexibility at Key Stage 4. The responses to
  437W
  the consultation endorsed our view that schools should no longer be required to teach modern foreign languages to all pupils but that schools should be required to ensure that any pupil wishing to study modern foreign languages should be able to do so. We propose that this entitlement should reflect the current situation in Key Stage 4, so that schools can meet the entitlement by providing access to courses that include the study of one or more of the official languages of the European Union.

  The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority are currently consulting on the detailed proposals for the implementation of curriculum changes at Key Stage 4.

  Overseas Students (Further Education Colleges)
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many overseas students are learning in UK further education colleges; and what target was set in 1999. [122284]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Latest figures for 2001/02 show there were 47,786 non-European Union international students and 13,100 European Union

  Numbers and proportions of vocational and academic awards at Level 3, 2001/02

  Vocational

  Academic

  Centre type

  Number

  Percentage

  Number

  Percentage

  School

  3,282

  2

  206,446

  64

  Further education college/tertiary college1

  92,258

  59

  53,311

  17

  Sixth form college

  2,638

  2

  61,078

  19

  Other2

  57,599

  37

  17

  0

  Total

  155,778

  —

  320,852

  —

  1 Includes adult education data.

  2 Institutes classified as 'other' include: university or other higher education center, private training provider, local government/central Government/NHS, employer, HM Prision/Youth Offenders Institution and armed forces.

  Source:

  NISVQ and Secondary School and College Performance Tables Database.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of people earning £800 or more per week have level 4 qualifications. [123357]

  Alan Johnson
  The Labour Force Survey estimates that two-thirds (67 per cent.) of employees of working age in the UK with gross weekly earnings of £800 or more have a level 4 qualification or above.

  Senior Departmental Posts
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many senior departmental posts were advertised in each year since 1999; and how many of those were advertised in the Scottish Press. [120665]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The number of Senior Civil Service posts advertised by my Department since June 1999 are as follows:

  Posts

  April 2002 to March 2003

  12

  April 2001 to March 2002

  6

  April 2000 to March 2001

  16

  June 1999 to March 2000

  8

  438W
  students in UK further education colleges. In 1999 a target was set to attract an extra 25,000 non-European Union international students to UK further education colleges by 2005 compared to the base year of 1996/97 (25,102).

  Qualification Levels
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of(a) vocational and (b) academic Level 3 qualifications were awarded in (i) colleges and (ii) schools in the last year for which figures are available. [122285]

  Alan Johnson
  The table shows the numbers and proportions of vocational and academic awards at Level 3, by centre type during the 2001/02 academic year. The data are taken from the National Information System for Vocational Qualifications (NISVQ)1 and the Secondary School and College Performance Tables Database. Awards coverage is for England only.

  1 NISVQ has full coverage of NVQs awarded plus VRQs from three of the largest awarding bodies and other VQs from seven of the largest awarding bodies.

  None of these were advertised in the Scottish Press, though where search consultants were used, they considered candidates across the UK.

  Sixth-Form Provision
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will estimate the likely impact of sixth form education provision by the exclusive means of sixth form colleges on standards of attainment in secondary schools at(a) Key Stage 4 and (b) GCSE level. [122229]

  Alan Johnson
  2002 results for non-selective maintained secondary schools at GCSE/GNVQ (KS4) are as follows:

  Percentage

  Gaining five or more A*-C grades

  Schools with sixth form

  51.0

  Schools without sixth form

  44.6

  However, when prior attainment is taken into account, there is little difference between schools with and without sixth form education provision.

  Student Finance
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact on university applications from students in the London borough of Havering of the introduction of tuition fees. [115343]

  18-year-old applicants to full-time and sandwich undergraduate courses in the UK

  Year of entry:

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Students from Havering

  Applicants

  579

  629

  563

  587

  577

  635

  503

  Population

  2,647

  2,948

  2,993

  2,823

  2,769

  2,758

  2,756

  Percentage applying

  21.9

  21.3

  18.8

  20.8

  20.8

  23.0

  18.3

  All students from the UK

  Applicants

  167,792

  182,723

  185,747

  181,782

  180,385

  186,364

  188,325

  Population

  667,593

  726,736

  747,354

  741,836

  727,022

  735,605

  737,343

  Percentage applying

  25.1

  25.1

  24.9

  24.5

  24.8

  25.3

  25.5

  Source:

  Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he last discussed with the Secretary of State for Scotland his plans to introduce top-up fees in England and Wales(a) before 12 June 2003 and (b) since 12 June 2003. [122295]

  Alan Johnson
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills has regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on this issue.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many individual students he estimates will receive the full £1,000 maintenance grant when it is introduced in 2005–06. [122561]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: I refer my hon. Friend to the response given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) on 6 February 2003, Official Report, column 357W.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his estimate is of the level of Government subsidy that will be required to service the Government's higher education proposals for 2005–06 onwards. [122562]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: The publicly planned expenditure for higher education in England in 2005–06 is set out in "The future of higher education" Cmd 5735. Assessments of the costs of meeting the Government's policies for higher education beyond 2005–06 will be made as part of the 2004 Spending Review, work on which will commence shortly.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the level of default on loans repayable to the student loans company was in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; and if he will express the amount as a percentage of the total amount repaid. [122563]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: The answer covers only mortgage style loans in public ownership because these are repayable to the Student Loans Company. Income contingent loans are collected
  440W
  Alan Johnson
  The latest available information, showing the proportion of 18-year-olds who applied for entry to HE, are shown in the table. The figures show that the fall in the proportion of students applying from Havering in 2002 was not reflected nationally.

  through the tax system. At the end of financial year 2001–02 the Student Loans Company had collected 85.5 per cent. of the amount recoverable since the scheme began. The amount recovered was £707 million against a recoverable amount of £827 million, leaving some £120 million overdue. The recoverable amount excludes early repayments, deferred repayment of loans and loans where liability to repay has been cancelled.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of total income-contingent student loans outstanding he expects to be repaid, taking into account(a) deaths, (b) defaults, (c) write-offs on account of age, (d) moves abroad and (e) deferments owing to inadequate income. [122818]

  Alan Johnson
  For reasons of commercial confidentiality information on the percentage resource cost of student loans, and by implication the amount expected to be repaid or written off, is exempt from publication.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if it is his policy that students who drop out of their courses should be required to pay a proportion of any approved top-up fee levied by their higher education institution. [122819]

  Alan Johnson
  The Government has no plans to prescribe the proportion of tuition fees to be paid by students who drop out of their courses when variable fees are introduced. At present, UUK and SCOP issue joint guidance covering the treatment of private contributions to fees when students withdraw from courses under the current system. Fees for such students are charged at the discretion of the institution concerned, taking account of the guidance, which states that these students should pay fees pro rata to their attendance.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average net present value is per £1,000 of existing student loan, taking into account deferments and the zero real interest rate. [122820]
  441W
  Alan Johnson
  For reasons of commercial confidentiality, information on the percentage resource cost of student loans, and by implication the net present value of £1,000 of loans issued, is exempt from publication.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of students are(a) eligible for education maintenance allowance and (b) claiming educational maintenance allowance, broken down by (a) private and (b) maintained sector status, in (A) each local education authority and (B) England. [122982]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The following table gives a breakdown, by local education authority, of the estimate of the number of students who are in further education and the percentage of those who are claiming Education Maintenance Allowance in the pilot schemes. The estimates of the number of students in further education are based on figures taken from the 1991 population census. Local education authorities do not collect information on how these figures are distributed between private and maintained sector status institutions.

  Local education authority

  Estimate of number of eligible students in Further Education

  Number of students who have received EMA

  Percentage of students who have received EMA

  Barking and Dagenham

  1,500

  952

  63.5

  Barnsley

  2,200

  1,479

  67.2

  Birmingham

  14,700

  10,277

  69.9

  Bolton

  3,600

  2,230

  61.9

  Bradford

  5,900

  4,850

  82.2

  Brent

  2,600

  1,813

  69.7

  Camden

  1,400

  1,252

  89.4

  Cornwall

  6,800

  5,677

  83.5

  Coventry

  4,400

  2,386

  54.2

  Doncaster

  3,500

  2,543

  72.7

  Ealing

  2,800

  1,649

  58.9

  Gateshead

  2,300

  1,835

  79.8

  Greenwich

  2,000

  1,366

  68.3

  Hackney

  2,000

  1,977

  98.9

  Halton

  1,400

  1,081

  77.2

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1,200

  829

  69.1

  Haringey

  2,000

  1,579

  78.9

  Hartlepool

  1,000

  816

  81.6

  Islington

  1,500

  1,309

  87.3

  Kingston upon Hull

  2,400

  1,922

  80.1

  Knowsley

  2,000

  1,913

  95.7

  Lambeth

  2,300

  1,737

  75.5

  Lancashire (East)

  5,100

  2,466

  48.4

  Leeds

  8,500

  4,857

  57.1

  Leicester

  4,400

  3,259

  74.1

  Lewisham

  2,200

  1,805

  82.0

  Lincolnshire (N.E.)

  2,200

  1,405

  63.9

  Liverpool

  6,200

  3,587

  57.9

  Luton

  2,700

  1,581

  58.6

  Manchester

  6,300

  4,456

  70.7

  Middlesbrough

  1,900

  1,578

  83.1

  Newham

  2,700

  2,589

  95.9

  North Tyneside

  2,500

  1,595

  63.8

  Northumberland

  4,200

  2,643

  62.9

  Nottingham

  3,300

  2,791

  84.6

  Oldham

  3,000

  2,624

  87.5

  Salford

  1,800

  1,127

  62.6

  Sandwell

  2,500

  2,041

  81.6

  Sheffield

  5,600

  3,716

  66.4

  Southampton

  2,500

  1,392

  55.7

  Southwark

  1,900

  1,467

  77.2

  South Tyneside

  2,000

  1,666

  83.3

  St. Helens

  2,200

  1,465

  66.6

  Stoke on Trent

  2,600

  2,607

  100.1

  Suffolk

  6,800

  2,617

  38.5

  Sunderland

  3,500

  2,260

  64.6

  Tameside

  2,800

  2,026

  72.4

  442W

  Local education authority

  Estimate of number of eligible students in Further Education

  Number of students who have received EMA

  Percentage of students who have received EMA

  Tower Hamlets

  2,200

  2,765

  125.7

  Wakefield

  4,300

  2,201

  51.2

  Walsall

  3,200

  2,649

  82.8

  Waltham Forest

  2,200

  1,577

  71.7

  Wandsworth

  1,700

  1,013

  59.6

  Wigan

  3,700

  2,546

  68.8

  Wirral

  4,100

  2,540

  61.9

  Wolverhampton

  3,200

  2,359

  73.7

  Worcestershire

  5,800

  3,040

  52.4

  England total

  189,300

  131,782

  169.6

  1 Average

  Notes:

  Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is currently paid to young people who reside in one of the pilot areas, irrespective of the location of the institution they attend. We only have estimated figures for the number of young people living in each local education authority (LEA) area who participate in further education. In some areas, particularly those where there has been rapid population movements, the estimates carry some degree of uncertainty; therefore there are some anomalies in the right hand column.

  Top-up Fees
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has carried out on the effect of top-up fees on(a) existing and (b) future veterinary students. [121862]

  Alan Johnson
  The proposals for variable deferred fees will not affect existing veterinary students—we plan from 2006/07 to allow higher education institutions to charge variable fees to new students, between £0 and £3,000 per year per course. It will be for institutions themselves to decide at what level to set their fees. Institutions will be able to raise their fees only if they have an access agreement approved by the Office for Fair Access. All students, including veterinary students, will be able to defer payment of their fee until after their graduation, if they choose to do so. Graduates will repay the loan at a zero real rate of interest, with repayments linked to earnings, once they are earning above the £15,000 repayment threshold.

  We do not control the supply or number of training places for veterinary students. The only disciplines for which we plan in this way are teachers, doctors and dentists.

  Training and Skills Councils
  Mr. Goodman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to whom complaints of maladministration against local training and skills councils should be addressed. [121905]

  Alan Johnson
  Complaints about the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) should be made to the Council's solicitor at the LSC National Office at Cheylesmore House, Quinton Road, Coventry, CV1 2WT.

  Tuition Fees
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of university students from England paid the full amount of tuition fees for the academic year 2002/03. [122008]
  443W
  Alan Johnson
  Student support data on the percentage of students making a contribution towards the cost of their tuition are collected from local education authorities (LEAs) in England and Wales through a voluntary retrospective survey.

  Provisional data for academic year 2001/02, the latest available, show that 41 per cent. of higher education students eligible to be assessed for student support in England and Wales were liable to pay the full contribution towards the cost of their tuition.

  Latest England only data are available for academic year 2000/01. Final, England only, data for academic year 2001/02 will be available later in the year. First provisional results for academic year 2002/03 will be published in the Department's Statistical First Release in the Spring of 2004.

  University Students
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the university population of students in 2010 will be on the assumption of 50 per cent. participation by those in the age group 18 to 30 years. [121018]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 24 June 2003]: For any given percentage of participation, the university population on a full-time equivalent basis will depend on a number of factors, such as:

  (i) the length of course studied—a higher proportion of students studying shorter courses (e.g. two year Foundation Degrees) would result in lower overall student numbers;

  (ii) the mix between full-time and part-time student numbers; and

  (iii) the participation rate of those groups of students not included in the initial entry rate measure—e.g. students over 30, European Union students and postgraduates

  In addition, in projecting forwards, account has also to be taken of the impact of demographic trends.

  Student numbers have been projected ahead for the 2002 spending review period, which covers the three years to 2005–06. The projected number of UK and EU domiciled students attending English universities from 2003–04 to 2005–06, as set out in the Secretary of State's Grant Letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England, is as follows:

  Fundable full-time equivalents (FTEs) in English1 institutions

  Financial year

  FTEs (Thousand)

  2003–04

  1,115

  2004–05

  1,134

  2005–06

  1,157

  1 DfES fundable higher education students on prescribed courses in institution of further and higher education.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many university students in England studied as(a) full-time and (b) part-time in each year from 1996–97 to 2002–03. [123067]

  Alan Johnson
  The latest available figures for undergraduate students are shown in the table. Comparable data for 2002/03 will be available in December.444W

  UK domiciled students on undergraduate courses in England1

  Academic year

  Full-time

  Part-time

  Total

  1996/97

  747,535

  461,987

  1,209,522

  1997/98

  762,027

  451,508

  1,213,535

  1998/99

  771,673

  458,830

  1,230,503

  1999/2000

  768,001

  465,797

  1,233,798

  2000/01

  774,353

  488,469

  1,262,822

  2001/02

  796,215

  499,777

  1,295,992

  1 Based on a census count of students as at 1 December. Covers all UK domiciled students on undergraduate courses in HE institutions, FE colleges and the Open University. Undergraduate courses include all first degree, HMD, HNC, and other sub- degree courses.

  Source:

  Higher Education Statistics Agency.

  Vocational Education and Training
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what percentage of provision of vocational education and training for young people was provided by colleges in the last 12 months for which figures are available; [122282]

  (2) how many 16 to 19-year olds studied for vocational qualifications in (a) further education, (b) sixth form colleges and (c) other schools in the last year for which figures are available. [122283]

  Alan Johnson
  The numbers and percentages of 16 to 18-year olds participating in vocational education and training, for end 2001 (provisional figures; as at end of calendar year), are set out in the table. The figures include people studying NVQs, VCE A levels, GNVQs and equivalents.

  Participation in Vocational Education and Training by 16–18 year olds in England, end 2001

  Numbers

  Percentage of population

  Full-time and part-time education

  534,500

  28.8

  All Schools

  72,100

  3.9

  Sixth Form Colleges1

  32,200

  1.7

  FE Colleges 1

  430,100

  23.2

  Work-based Learning (WBL)

  152,400

  8.2

  Total2

  650,500

  35.0

  1 Includes some students studying at Higher Education Institutions.

  2 Total of full- and part-time education and WBL (less overlap between WBL and full- and part-time education).

  Source:

  DfES Statistical First Release 16/2002

  These figures do not include students in Employer Funded Education and Training (EFT) and Other Education and Training (OET) that are non-college based, for whom no academic/vocational split available.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of vocational qualifications were awarded via colleges in the last year for which figures are available. [122286]

  Alan Johnson
  The table below shows the numbers and proportions of vocational awards1 by Centre Type during the 2001/02 academic year. The data are taken from the National Information System for Vocational Qualifications (NISVQ)2. Awards coverage is for England only.
  445W
  1 Vocational Awards include NVQs/SVQs, other VQs and VRQs.

  2 NISVQ has full coverage of NVQs awarded plus VRQs from three of the largest awarding bodies and other VQs from seven of the largest awarding bodies.

  Number and proportion of awards by Centre Type

  Centre Type

  Numbers

  Percentages

  School

  43,372

  6

  FE college/tertiary college3

  427,205

  59

  Sixth form college

  18,953

  3

  Other4

  236,809

  33

  Total

  726,339

  3 Includes Adult Education data.

  4 Institutes classified as 'other' include: University or other Higher Education centre, Private Training provider, Local government/Central Government/NHS, Employer, HM Prison/Youth Offenders Institution and Armed Forces.

  Source:

  NISVQ

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many vocational training places will be made available in Essex for young people and unemployed adults in each vocational craft. [122796]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Responsibility for the provision of vocational training for young people and for adult and community learning is the responsibility of the Learning and Skills Council. I have therefore asked John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and to place a copy of his reply in the Library.

  Responsibility for the provision of opportunities for unemployed adults lies with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. The table provided shows the number and type of training opportunities Jobcentre Plus' Essex District has contracted for between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2004. Decisions about the scale and nature of opportunities have been taken taking into account the requirements of employers, jobseekers and the labour market.

  Work-based learning for adult training places

  Total

  Self Employment

  50

  Basic Employment Training

  142

  Short Job Focused Training—Transport

  60

  Short Job Focused Training—Fork lift

  232

  Short Job Focused Training—Security

  30

  Short Job Focused Training—IT

  20

  Short Job Focused Training—Business Admin

  71

  Short Job Focused Training—Construction

  5

  Short Job Focused Training—Health Care and Public Services

  6

  Short Job Focused Training—Retail

  30

  Longer Occupational Training—Construction 13 wks

  101

  Longer Occupational Training—Engineering

  6

  Longer Occupational Training—Business Admin

  153

  Longer Occupational Training—Hospitality

  16

  Longer Occupational Training—IT

  95

  Longer Occupational Training—USING IT 13 wks

  59

  Longer Occupational Training—Business Admin 26 wks

  13

  Longer Occupational Training—Health Care and Public Services

  23

  Longer Occupational Training—Retail

  55

  Longer Occupational Training—LGV Class C licences

  12

  Longer Occupational Training—Driving Instructor Training

  18

  Total

  1,197

  446W
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the progress made on the training pilots for vocational craft skills. [122797]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The Employer Training Pilots were launched in six Learning and Skills Council (LSC) areas in September 2002. The pilots test the effects of offering employers a package of financial incentives to encourage them to allow their employees time off to train towards basic skills and level 2 qualifications. The training is free and delivered in a way that best suits the employer's business. Initial results suggested that the pilots were successfully engaging firms and individuals with little prior involvement in training, and they have therefore been extended until August 2004 and expanded to cover an additional six LSC areas.

  The new pilots, which will operate from summer 2003, will be located in Berkshire, East London, Kent, Leicester, Shropshire and South Yorkshire.

  The impact of the pilots is being evaluated on an ongoing basis and although the final evaluation will not be available until early 2005, early indications are positive. Employers like the free training provision, delivered flexibly in the workplace, and the services of the independent broker to help them identify and source the most suitable training.

  Figures provided by the LSC show that as at 31 May 2003, 2,318 employers and 11,665 employees had signed up to the pilots. Over 90 per cent. of employers signing up to the pilots are SMEs and 72 per cent. have less than 50 employees. Learner drop-out rates are also extremely low.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of people completing a vocational training course have obtained employment within three months in the last three years. [122798]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Information is only available for those leaving Government supported work based learning for young people (WBLYP), and for those in a job six (not three) months after leaving learning. The percentages of learners on Government supported work based learning for young people (WBLYP) who were in a job six months after leaving are shown in the following table. The information in the table relates to all leavers and is taken from a postal survey sent to each learner six months after leaving the programme. The latest year for which figures are available is 2000–01.

  Percentages of survey respondents who were in a job six months after leaving a period of government supported training by financial year and programme

  Financial year of leaving

  Advanced modern apprenticeships

  Foundation modern apprenticeships

  Other training

  Work-based learning for young people

  1998–99

  82

  n/a

  64

  69

  1999–2000

  84

  68

  62

  71

  2000–01

  86

  69

  61

  72

  Source:

  DfES Statistical First Release 14/2002

DEFENCE

  Afghanistan
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Afghan staff members have been engaged by the UK-led provincial reconstruction team in Mazar-e-Sharif; and how many of these are women. [123029]

  Mr. Ingram
  About 20 local staff, including one woman, have been engaged so far to support the UK-led Provincial Reconstruction Team that will shortly deploy to Mazar-e-Sharif.

  Colombia
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many United Kingdom service personnel are deployed in Colombia; and what the equivalent figure was in each of the past five years. [123449]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 11 June 2003,Official Report, column 910W.

  Defence Medical Services
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the status of the Defence Medical Services. [123596]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Defence Medical Services (DMS), comprise the Royal Naval Medical Service, the Army Medical Services and the Royal Air Force Medical Service. They are a vital component of the armed forces, providing essential medical support to Service personnel both on military operations and in peacetime. During 2002–03, DMS personnel have deployed successfully on operations to Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Northern Ireland.

  We are committed to the modernisation of the DMS to meet the challenges we expect to face in the future. The provision of an effective deployable medical operational capability in support of deployed forces in Iraq demonstrated that our medical personnel are among the very best in the world. We do not underestimate the continuing challenges facing us to make good the acknowledged manning shortfalls and to equip our doctors, dentists, nurses and other medical personnel with modern medical equipment, but we are committed to doing so.

  Executive Agencies
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work for the International Visits Control Office; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002. [119275]

  Mr. Caplin
  The International Visits Control Office is part of the Defence Procurement Agency, having transferred from the Directorate of Defence Security on 1 April 2003. It is currently based in London, but will transfer to Abbey Wood, Bristol by the end of 2003. It has no staff employed in Scotland. The office has a complement of nine staff, with annual personnel costs of approximately £177,000 compared to £189,000 for the previous year.
  448W
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work for the Defence Estates; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002. [119287]

  Mr. Caplin
  At 31 March 2003 Defence Estates employed 1,785 people, of which 112 were in Scotland. At 31 March 2002 it employed 1,539 people of which 107 were in Scotland. The Agency's expenditure on pay and allowances totalled £51 million in 2002–03 and £46 million in 2001–02.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people work for the Directorate of Standardisation; how many are employed in Scotland; what the personnel costs of the agency are; and how these figures compare to 2002. [119299]

  Mr. Caplin
  In 1999 the Directorate of Standardisation became the United Kingdom Defence Standardisation team and part of the Defence Procurement Agency's Procurement Development Group. The UK Defence Standardisation team has the equivalent of 38 people working full time of which 33 are employed in Scotland. The payroll costs for financial year 2003–04 will be £1.2 million. The figures for 2002–03 were 38, 32 and £1.1 million respectively.

  Health Care Funding
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures have been taken to ensure that healthcare funding in the armed forces does not fall in relation to that available under the NHS. [R] [121450]

  Mr. Caplin
  The provision of timely appropriate healthcare for service personnel remains a very high priority for the Defence Medical Services (DMS) which seek to provide at least as high standards of care as provided by the NHS, and work closely with the NHS to achieve this.

  Iraq
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what sources he draws on for compiling his estimates of the numbers of civilian casualties in Iraq during 2003. [114210]

  Mr. Ingram
  We have no means of ascertaining the numbers of military or civilian lives lost during decisive military operations in Iraq, and have therefore made no such estimates, although we made every effort to minimise civilian casualties.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are to create a fully armed Iraqi Army; who will control it; what role a British Army training team will have; and whether other countries have requested a team for the training of their military. [121090]

  Mr. Ingram
  Under the direction of Mr Walter Slocombe, the Director for Security Affairs, the Coalition Provisional Authority intends to lead on the creation of a New Iraqi Army. Its plans for the training of this force were formally announced on 23 June. Initial plans are to form a core Brigade of Light Infantry, although the final shape and size of the armed forces will be developed in consultation with emerging Iraqi authorities, who will be fully engaged in the
  449W
  development process. The early work will be conducted by the Coalition Military Advisory Training Team (CMATT) which has a UK military deputy. Training is due to commence on 15 July. It is anticipated that there will be a small United Kingdom element directly involved in the training and development processes of the New Iraqi armed forces. UK armed forces have significant experience in providing military assistance and advice to a number of countries around the world, including in the Middle East.

  Less-than-lethal Weapons
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what less-than-lethal weapons have gone missing from the(a) armed forces and (b) intelligence services in the last five years. [123036]

  Mr. Ingram
  The information requested will take some time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House. The Ministry of Defence cannot comment in respect of the intelligence services.

  RAF Church Fenton
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 4 June 2003,Official Report, column 452W, what guidance had been issued to his Department in respect of TUPE liabilities at RAF Church Fenton before the decision was made to transfer flying currently undertaken by the Joint Elementary Flying Training School to university air squadrons. [123092]

  Mr. Caplin
  No guidance was issued to the Department. The advice given by our own legal officers was that Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) would be unlikely to apply.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 4 June 2003,Official Report, column 452W, how many additional staff have been recruited within university air squadrons in order to provide ground base flying training. [123153]

  Mr. Caplin
  Ground branch training for University Air Squadron (UAS) students has, in the past, been provided by the flying instructional staff, with some help from visiting lecturers and branch mentors from nearby RAF stations undertaking such work as a secondary duty. Various studies into UAS training had pointed to the benefits of dedicated ground branch training instructors, in particular to increase the potential for attracting ground branch students. In 1997, such posts were established on each of the 15 UASs but funding was not available. As a result of a further review of the UASs, funding was agreed and the first ground branch training instructor arrived in April 2003; a total of seven are now in place. The overall establishment of ground branch training instructors has been reduced to 14, with a shared instructor for two co-located UASs. It is expected that all the posts will be filled by the end of 2004.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 4 June 2003,Official Report, column 452W, what representations have been received from the PROSPECT trade union in respect of the new arrangements for elementary flying training. [123154]
  450W
  Mr. Caplin
  Two meetings have been held with the PROSPECT Trade Union, at their request, to explain the new arrangements for Elementary Flying Training and consider whether Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) would apply to any current Babcock HCS staff when the new arrangements commence in July 2003.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 4 June 2003,Official Report, column 452W, what budget was set for elementary flying training by university air squadrons in (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04. [123091]

  Mr. Caplin
  The contract costs of providing Elementary Flying Training (EFT) to the University Air Squadrons (UASs) in 2001–02 and 2002–03, and the anticipated contract cost for 2003–04, are approximately £5.0 million, £5.5 million and £5.55 million respectively. This does not include fuel, manpower or the ownership of the sites where flying is undertaken. The UAS EFT share of the contract cost is approximately 49 per cent. of the total hours flown, as the contract also provides Air Experience Flying for Air Cadets and other non-EFT flying.

  Senior Departmental Posts
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many senior departmental posts were advertised in each year since June 1999; and how many of these were advertised in the Scottish press. [120661]

  Mr. Caplin
  The information requested is set out as follows and covers the financial years 1999–2000 through to 2002–03.

  Open competitions to Senior Civil Service posts

  1999–2000

  7

  2000–01

  6

  2001–02

  9

  2002–03

  9

  All of the competitions were advertised in the National United Kingdom press with none specifically advertised in the Scottish press.

  Service Manning
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 19 June 2003,Official Report, column 349W, on service manning, if he will list the trades within the critical manning groups of the Army including the (a) requirement, (b) shortfall and (c) percentage manned. [122116]

  Mr. Caplin
  The following table lists the latest available figures (as at 31 March 2003) for the key trades within the critical manning groups of the Army. The critical manning levels of each trade is calculated by the Arms and Service Directors against various evolving requirements, including commitments. Thus, trades considered to be at critical manning and the factors affecting them will change from time to time.
  451W

  Soldier arm/service and trade

  Liability

  Trained strength

  Shortfall

  Percentage manned

  Royal Corps of Signals

  Information systems operator

  277

  167

  110

  60.3

  Systems engineer technician

  567

  514

  53

  90.6

  Specialist operator

  325

  228

  124

  70.1

  Royal Logistic Corps

  Ammunition technician

  344

  268

  76

  77.9

  Chef

  2,621

  2,319

  302

  88.8

  Movement controller

  368

  331

  37

  89.9

  Petroleum operator

  257

  191

  66

  74.3

  Army Medical Services

  Royal Army veterinary corps dog trainer

  110

  89

  21

  80.9

  Anaesthetist

  32

  9

  23

  28.1

  Burns/plastic surgeon

  4

  2

  2

  50.0

  Radiologist

  6

  1

  5

  16.7

  Orthopaedic surgeon

  11

  8

  3

  72.7

  General surgeon

  16

  10

  6

  62.5

  General medical practitioner

  197

  100

  97

  50.8

  General duties registered nurse (officer)

  350

  284

  66

  81.1

  General duties registered nurse (soldier)

  325

  184

  141

  56.6

  Accident and emergency nurse (soldier)

  25

  5

  20

  20.0

  Intensive care nurse (soldier)

  19

  4

  15

  21.0

  Environmental health technician

  72

  61

  11

  84.7

  Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

  Vehicle mechanic

  4,124

  3,432

  692

  83.2

  Vehicle electrician

  562

  353

  209

  62.8

  Recovery mechanic

  587

  453

  134

  77.2

  Armourer

  681

  588

  93

  86.3

  Royal Engineers

  Explosive ordnance disposal

  548

  488

  60

  89.0

  Military works force

  359

  257

  102

  71.6

  Mechanical engineer fitter

  705

  512

  193

  72.6

  Mechanical engineer command, control and communications specialist

  836

  668

  168

  79.9

  Intelligence Corps

  Operator military intelligence (includes linguists)

  1,094

  1,013

  81

  92.6

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures are being taken to address manning shortfalls in the critical manning groups of the(a) Army, (b) RAF and (c) Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement. [122117]

  Mr. Caplin
  A range of positive measures are in hand across all three services to address critical manning shortfalls. These include both remunerative and nonremunerative measures, some targeted to specific shortfall groups and others across all the services. Recent Manning and Retention reviews for Submarine specialisms, Aircrew and Medical staff have introduced improved career patterns and financial incentives on entry (Golden Helios) and in return for commitment to specific periods of service. These proposals were endorsed by the Armed Forces Pay Review Body (AFPRB).

  Examples of some other further measures by individual service are detailed as follows:
  Naval Service—Promotion arrangements for RM Other Ranks and Chef and Warfare ratings have been reviewed to improve incentives, and the offer, where appropriate, of Second Open Engagements (beyond 22 years) has been well received. Artificers are currently the subject of a sustainability study.
  Army—Financial Retention Incentive (FRI) for the Royal SIGNALS.
  RAF—For Non-commissioned Aircrew (NCA), the implementation of the recommendations from the recent Airmen Aircrew Sustainability Study will introduce a revised NCA branch structure and address terms of conditions of service.

  Service Pension
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rate of service pension is paid to an Army major who retired at the age of 55 years after 34 years reckonable service on 1 April(a) 1975, (b) 1976, (c) 1977, (d) 1978 and (e) 1979. [123060]

  Mr. Caplin
  The rate of service pension paid to an Army Major who retired at the age of 55 years after 34 years reckonable service on 1 April in each of the years between 1975–79 inclusive are as follows:

  1£

  2£

  1975

  2,957

  18,362.14

  1976

  3,108

  14,890.96

  1977

  3,210

  13,800.43

  1978

  4,220

  15,869.90

  1979

  4,876

  16,511.84

  1 Amount of pension awarded on retirement (excludes any lump sum payable on retirement).

  2 Amount received currently after applying pension increases in line with the Retail Price Index.

  Suez Award
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether he plans to make awards of the Suez Medal Clasp in advance of Remembrance Sunday this year; and if he will make a statement; [123058]

  (2) when he will announce criteria for applicants for a Suez Medal Clasp. [123059]
  453W
  Mr. Caplin
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 23 June 2003,Official Report, column 616W, to the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. Russell) and the subsequent answer I gave on 30 June 2003, Official Report, column 38W, to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws). Only when Her Majesty The Queen has approved the medal and the qualifying criteria, and the medals with the new clasp have been minted can they be issued to applicants who fulfil the qualifying criteria. Some medals may be despatched before Remembrance Sunday, but it is estimated that it could take a further two years to distribute the majority of medals to eligible applicants.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what his timetable is for the issuing of the newly-awarded Suez Canal Zone medal to veterans; [123360]

  (2) he will make it his policy to issue to veterans the newly-awarded Suez Canal Zone medal prior to Remembrance Day 2003. [123361]

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that the medals for service in the Canal Zone, now awarded to Suez veterans, will be issued within six months. [123631]

  Mr. Caplin
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 23 June 2003,Official Report, column 616W, to the hon. Member for Colchester (Bob Russell) and the subsequent answer I gave on 30 June 2003, Official Report, column 38W, to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws). Some medals may be despatched before Remembrance Sunday, but it is estimated that up to 200,000 people could be eligible to receive the medal with its clasp. It would be impossible to issue all Suez Canal Zone medals this year, even if everyone who thought they might qualify for a medal applied immediately. It has been estimated that it could take a further two years to distribute the majority of medals to eligible applicants.

  United States Task Force 20
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether British forces are engaged with the United States Taskforce 20 in Iraq. [122281]

  Mr. Ingram
  British Forces are operating closely alongside United States forces, including Task Force 20, in Iraq.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Colombia
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have been held with United States officials concerning their contacts with paramilitary groups in Colombia; and if he will make a statement. [123447]

  Mr. Rammell
  We have regular discussions with the United States about Colombia in Washington and Bogota. Questions about US contacts with paramilitary groups is a matter for the US Government.

  Cyprus
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what outstanding matters remain for the Republic of Cyprus to address before it accedes to the EU; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123169]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Republic of Cyprus has concluded negotiations with the EU. The commission produces regular annual reports setting out what Cyprus needs to do before accession on 1 May 2004. Between reports, commission monitoring is ongoing and the commission reports its findings regularly to the council and answers member states' questions on the monitoring process. The commission will publish a final, Comprehensive Monitoring Report publicly available on the commission website, www.europa.eu.int/comm/ index–en.htm, on or soon after 5 November this year. Monitoring will continue until and beyond accession.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he plans to take to ensure settlers not entitled to Republic of Cyprus nationality resident in occupied Cyprus do not have access to the benefits of an EU national to which Turkish Cypriots will be entitled, when Cyprus joins the EU; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123185]

  Mr. MacShane
  In the absence of a settlement, the EU acquis will be suspended in the north of Cyprus when the Republic of Cyprus accedes to the EU. Those resident in the north of Cyprus who do not hold Republic of Cyprus passports will not be entitled to EU benefits. Turkish Cypriots with Republic of Cyprus passports will be entitled to EU benefits. However, the benefits available to Republic of Cyprus passport holders resident in the north of Cyprus will be limited by the suspension of the acquis in the north of Cyprus.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are in place to enable Turkish Cypriots resident in the occupied part of Cyprus to participate in elections for the European Parliament; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123186]

  Mr. MacShane
  None. In the absence of a settlement, the EU acquis will be suspended in the north of Cyprus.

  EU (Official Languages)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he has made to the EU concerning the adoption of Turkish as an official EU language; and if he will make a statement; [R] [123207]

  (2) whether Turkish will be an official language of the EU after Turkey accedes to the EU; and if he will make a statement. [R] [123208]

  Mr. MacShane
  The UK strongly supports Turkey's EU candidacy. Whether Turkish would become an official language of the EU after Turkey's accession would depend on the terms under which Turkey acceded.

  George Orwell
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many documents have been withheld from the file at the Public Record Office known as FO 1110/189 regarding a meeting between the Information Research Department of the Foreign Office and George Orwell; for what reason each of these documents has been withheld: and if he will release the documents to the Public Record Office. [123017]

  Mr. Straw
  One document has been withheld from FO 1110/189. It has been cleared for release and should be available at The National Archives in August. The document in question is the original of the list, published by the Guardian on 21 June, containing names of 38 alleged crypto-communists sent to the FCO by George Orwell in 1949. It was withheld from release in 1996 partly to respect the confidentiality under which it was given in 1949 and partly because a number of those named were still alive.

  Indonesia
  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he plans to take if British-built military equipment is being used to repress the people of Aceh. [122900]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I visited Indonesia from 3–4 June and raised the issue of the use of British-supplied military equipment with senior members of the Indonesian Government, including President Megawati. I reminded the Indonesian Government of their assurances that they would not use British built military equipment offensively or in violation of human rights, and warned them of the possible consequences for defence sales and our defence relationship if there was a breach of such assurances. I also took the opportunity to urge the Indonesian Government to ensure that its armed forces respect human rights and act in accordance with international law.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures Her Majesty's Government is taking to monitor the nature of the use of Scorpion tanks and other British-built military equipment in Aceh. [122910]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Our embassy in Jakarta receives information from as wide a range of sources as possible, as well as from the Government. These include international agencies, NGOs, other observers and the media.

  Ann Clwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the nature of the Indonesian Government's use of British-built Scorpion tanks in Aceh in recent weeks. [122911]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Indonesian Government announced on 23 June the deployment of 36 British-built Scorpion vehicles to Aceh to defend roads against attack by the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).
  456W
  Our embassy in Jakarta spoke to senior military contacts and reminded them of the assurances that British-built military equipment should not be used offensively or to violate human rights. We are actively monitoring compliance with these assurances, with care.

  Iraq
  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress with the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. [116956]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Coalition is investing considerable effort in the search for Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. Coalition forces are actively pursuing sites, documentation and personnel associated with Iraq's WMD programmes. The US, UK and Australia have deployed specialist personnel to carry out this task, and more will follow.

  The search process itself is painstaking and detailed; we want to establish the truth beyond doubt. Given Iraq's emphasis on concealment, it is hardly surprising that concrete evidence has not yet come to light. But the search is continuing and we remain confident that evidence of Iraq's secret WMD programmes will be uncovered.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken to ensure that(a) the United Nations is consulted with regard to the implementation of justice in Iraq and (b) the UN will continue to work in partnership with a new Iraqi administration. [118973]

  Mr. Rammell
  In accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1483 Coalition partners have established regular and close dialogue on a range of issues with UN Special Representative for Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, since he arrived in Iraq on 2 June. Since his arrival Vieira de Mello has participated in Coalition meetings with Iraqi groups and pursued his own contacts with Iraqis.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 10 June 2003,Official Report, column 793W, when the UK Government gave the IAEA the information upon which it based its assessment that Iraq sought to procure substantial quantities of uranium from Africa. [121588]

  Mr. MacShane
  The UK Government did not pass to the IAEA any information on Iraqi attempts to procure uranium.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in what ways Iraq failed to make a complete disclosure on its weapons of mass destruction capability in response to UN Security Council Resolution 1441. [122505]

  Mr. MacShane
  In his reports to the UN Security Council on 14 December 2002 and 9 January 2003, the Executive Chairman of UNMOVIC clearly stated that the declaration provided by Iraq in December 2002 failed to provide any satisfactory answers to the outstanding disarmament issues raised by the final report of UNSCOM's Executive Chairman produced in February 1999.

  Pakistan
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on recent attacks on Christians in Pakistan. [122557]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We are very concerned about the attacks on Christians in Pakistan. In the last 12 months, we have received reports of four attacks on Christian institutions, which have claimed 20 lives. The latest attack was on 25 December 2002. The EU made clear its concerns on this and other human rights issues to the Pakistan authorities on 7 February 2003 and again on 23 June 2003. We will continue to urge Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of such attacks to justice and to pursue laws and practices to protect Christians and other religious minorities against discrimination, intimidation and attacks.

  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Pakistan authorities on that Government's recent human rights record, with specific reference to employer treatment of domestic servants. [122558]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  With our EU partners, we regularly engage the Pakistan authorities on Human Right issues. On 7 February 2003 the EU delivered a comprehensive demarche underlining its concerns on a wide range of human rights-related issues, including on specific individual cases. These concerns were reiterated on 23 June 2003. We have not had cause to raise the issue of domestic servants with the Pakistan authorities as no concrete evidence of human rights violations in this area has been presented to us.

  Sudan
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on(a) the interception of the ship in Greek waters which was carrying explosives and (b) the response of the Government of Sudan. [122476]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Mr. Dawson) today (UIN 122706).

  Mr. Dawson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the reports of the discovery, by Greek authorities, of large amounts of explosives on a ship heading for Sudan. [122706]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: The Greek authorities intercepted a ship carrying explosives destined for Sudan on 22 June. The explosives were being imported by the Sudanese Integrated Chemicals and Development Company, a cement business with a legitimate use for explosives. On 24 June, the Tunisian Interior Minister stated that the Tunisian exporter was genuine and respectable and had produced industrial explosives for Tunisia and for export for over half a century. The ship is still being held in Greece. An investigation into the incident is being led by the Greek coastguard. Two Prosecutors have been appointed to the case.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Africa (Deforestation)
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what percentage of Africa he estimates was covered in forest in(a) 1975, (b) 1985, (c) 1995 and (d) 2002. [122665]

  Hilary Benn
  Pursuant to my reply to the hon. Member for Lewes on 30 June 2003,Official Report, column 23W, which stated that the loss of forest cover in Africa each year was 5.2 million hectares, I cited this as equivalent to the area of France. This was incorrect. This area of forest loss is about 1/10th of the size of France.

  Aid Project Funding
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what projects will receive less funding as a result of the cut in departmental funding for(a) Iraq, from 2002–03 to 2003–04, (b) Palestine, from 2003–04 to 2004–05 and (c) Ethiopia, from 2002–03 to 2003–04; and if she will make a statement. [122735]

  Hilary Benn
  We have no plans to reduce funding on any projects from our existing programmes in Iraq, Palestine or Ethiopia.

  (a) Iraq: because of the conflict, our original expenditure plans for 2003–04 have been increased by an additional £75 million of DFID's own resources and £120 million from the Treasury central reserve in response to humanitarian needs during and following the conflict. An additional £9 million was also spent in 2002–03.
  (b) Palestine: programme expenditure plans for 2004–05 in fact show an increase over those originally planned for earlier years. Transfers from other budgets across budget lines and calls on the contingency reserve, have enabled us to provide additional funding to meet the urgent needs in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

  (c) Ethiopia: due to the recent humanitarian situation, DFID expenditure in 2002–03 increased. This included substantial humanitarian assistance and a payment of £10 million for direct budget support. We have committed £19 million to Ethiopia in 2003–04. This includes both humanitarian and development assistance and could increase depending on the humanitarian situation. We envisage increasing our development support to Ethiopia over the coming years, as indicated in the 2003 DFID Departmental Report.

  EU Regulations
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how many regulations originating from the EU have been implemented by the Department over each of the last five years. [120836]

  Hilary Benn
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Macshane) on 30 June 2003,Official Report, columns 64–65W.

PRIME MINISTER

  Colombia
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has held with United Kingdom companies concerning their investment strategies in Colombia; and what their participation will be in the forthcoming London conference on Colombia. [123445]

  The Prime Minister
  The intergovernmental meeting in London on 10 July is being held to address the issue of international assistance to Colombia. In that context, other mechanisms are more appropriate for discussing UK investment strategies. I hope that a high-level delegation of business leaders will visit Colombia early next year to look at the issues of trade and investment.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Prime Minister what advice he has(a) sought and (b) received from human rights groups concerning Colombia in respect of the London meeting on aid and support to Colombia on 9 July; and if he will make a statement. [123446]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government has regular meetings with UK and Colombian NGOs to discuss the situation in Colombia, in particular with respect to human rights. The meeting on 9 July in London between the Colombian government and representatives of a range of organisations including for example NGOs and human rights groups, will allow concerns to be raised directly with the Colombian authorities and then to present them to the intergovernmental meeting on 10 July.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Allotments
  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proposals the Government has(a) to protect and (b) to enhance the (i) provision and (ii) standards of allotment sites. [123306]

  Keith Hill
  Allotments are protected under Section 8 of the Allotments Act 1925 which requires consent from my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister before a local authority can dispose of statutory allotments. Consent decisions for the disposal of statutory allotments are made against criteria aimed at ensuring that allotments that are needed are not disposed of. These criteria have been strengthened and clarified following public consultation in 2001.

  The provision of allotments is determined locally by allotment authorities. The Small Holdings and Allotments Act (1908) places a duty on local authorities to provide sufficient allotments, according to local demand. In addition Planning Policy Guidance note 17: Open Space, Sport and Recreation, indicates that local authorities should assess the existing and future needs of their communities for all open spaces of public value, including allotments. Local authorities should then plan to meet those identified needs.

  The Government have also published "Growing in the community: a good practice guide for the management of allotments", which was published in June 2001, and which provides comprehensive advice
  460W
  for local authorities on all aspects of allotment management. We have also published "Allotments: a plot holders' guide", which provides advice to current and potential allotment plot holders.

  Brownfield/Greenfield Sites
  Mr. Sheerman
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the implications of the reclassification of brownfield sites to greenfield sites are for the area's eligibility for European funding under Objective One regulations. [123167]

  Keith Hill
  South Yorkshire's eligibility for European Objective 1 funding is based on the economic prosperity of the area and that in 1999 South Yorkshire's GDP was below 75 per cent. of the European average. There are no qualifying factors based on land classification or a proportion of land being either greenfield or brownfield. In policy terms the Objective 1 Programme supports sustainable development and grant offers may be made to projects that meet the relevant criteria, including evidence that all the appropriate planning permissions are in place.

  Emissions
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps the Government are taking to meet its Kyoto Protocol obligations in relation to greenhouse gas emissions from domestic dwellings. [120715]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  Domestic buildings accounted for approximately 28 per cent. of total UK CO2 emissions in 2000. The Government therefore view the household sector as a key area for achieving emissions reductions.

  In the Energy White Paper "Our Energy Future— Creating a Low-Carbon Economy" published in February this year, the Government accepted the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution's recommendation that the UK should put itself on the path to cut CO2 emissions by some 60 per cent. by about 2050. In the White Paper the Government said that they expected energy efficiency to deliver around half of the total carbon savings needed by 2010. The household sector was identified as having the potential to deliver 3.5 million tones of carbon (MtC) beyond the measures already identified in the UK Climate Change Programme. Looking beyond the first Kyoto Protocol Commitment Period, the Government believe that energy efficiency can deliver a similar proportion of the emission reductions needed during the following decade. Around half of these energy efficiency savings could be made in the household sector.

  The White Paper has identified a number of key measures through which carbon emission reductions might be achieved in the household sector by 2010:

  Carbon emission reductions

  Measure

  MtC

  Raising boiler standards

  0.6

  Insulating cavity walls

  1.2

  Low energy light bulbs

  0.5

  Improved efficiency of household appliances

  0.4

  Insulation measures and community CHP

  1

  461W
  Note:

  The figures given for each measure are indicative rather than targets.

  The key policies to deliver these are set out in the Energy White Paper and include:

  The Energy Efficiency Commitment;

  Building Regulations and the implementation of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive;

  Improved energy performance standards for household appliances and other products;

  The Community Energy Programme;

  Programmes targeted on the fuel poor and social housing;

  Tax measures; and

  Advice and information, in particular through the work of the Energy Saving Trust.

  The Government have committed to publish within a year an implementation plan that sets out in further detail how it will deliver the energy efficiency strategy set out in the White Paper.

  Housing Revenue Account
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will take steps to prevent councils from using housing revenue account money to fund the administration of anti-social behaviour orders. [123286]

  Keith Hill
  The Government have no plans to prevent councils from using Housing Revenue Account (HRA) money to fund the administration of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).

  Local authorities use HRA money for the management and maintenance of council housing in accordance with guidance issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

  When local authority landlords use Anti-Social Behaviour Orders to tackle anti-social behaviour relating to local authority housing, then they are right to use HRA money to do so.

  Tackling anti-social tenants is a housing management function, and local authority landlords, because of their long-term commitment to their tenants and improving communities, are usually amongst the first agencies to know of problems. They must be responsive to the issues that local communities face and to ensure that properties do not become hard to let, as a result of crime and disorder problems. ASBOs have made an important contribution to reducing anti-social behaviour and enabling communities to get on with their daily lives.

  Regional Assemblies
  David Davis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria he will use in distributing funding for each side of the campaign in the regional assembly referendums; and what funding will be distributed to each side in each referendum. [123270]

  Phil Hope
  Section 108 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) provides that the Electoral Commission may designate permitted participants as organisations to whom assistance is available as representing those campaigning for the outcomes in question. It must designate organisations on each side or none.
  462W
  If it designates organisations, the Electoral Commission will be able to provide a grant of the same amount to each. The maximum grant under PPERA is £600,000 for each designated organisation. Each designated organisation will also be entitled to receive other assistance: mailing of a referendum address free to every household or elector; the use of public rooms free of charge for holding public meetings; and referendum campaign broadcasts.

  The Electoral Commission is considering what the level of grant should be for regional referendums.

  David Davis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) over what period each regional assembly referendum will be held; [123271]

  (2) what the timetable for each regional referendum will be; and if he will make a statement. [123274]

  Phil Hope
  The referendum period will be determined by an order under section five of the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003.

  The provisions of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) set a standard referendum period of 10 weeks. This consists of three separate stages: 28 days for permitted participants to apply to be designated as the "yes" or "no" campaign; 14 days for the Electoral Commission to determine applications; and 28 days for the poll.

  David Davis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will designate the referendum period for regional assemblies. [123272]

  Phil Hope
  The Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003 provides that my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister may make an order to cause a referendum to be held in a region at any time during the period of two years starting with the date on which the Boundary Committee is directed to carry out a local government review in that region. On 16 June 2003 he directed the Boundary Committee to conduct local government reviews in the north-east, the north-west and Yorkshire and the Humber regions. The Boundary Committee will report its recommendations by 25 May 2004.

  Then at least six weeks must elapse before the Order is laid. An order therefore cannot be laid before 3 July 2004.

  David Davis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether it is his policy to permit postal ballots in the regional assembly referendums; and if he will make a statement on the use of alternative voting methods in the referendums. [123273]

  Phil Hope
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not yet decided what the method of voting will be for the first regional referendums. The referendums may be held either by all-postal voting or by a traditional ballot, and using electronic counting of votes. The Government intend that the same method of voting should be used throughout a region and in all regions holding referendums on the same day. But over time, the method of voting may change.
  463W
  David Davis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what plans the Government has to limit announcements(a) during the regional assembly referendum period and (b) in the period immediately before the regional assembly referendum period; [123276]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the distribution of Government literature (a) during the regional assembly referendum period and (b) in the period immediately before the regional assembly referendum period. [123277]

  Phil Hope
  Regional assembly referendums are governed by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) and the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003.

  Section 125 of PPERA provides that in the final 28 days before the assembly referendum, the Government will not be able to publish material relating to issues in the referendum. These controls apply equally to local authorities and to any other publicly funded body.

  There are no statutory restrictions on publications or announcements before the 28 day period.

  David Davis
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the powers and responsibilities to be held by regional assemblies; and if he will make a statement. [123278]

  Phil Hope
  The Government's proposals on the functions of elected regional assemblies are principally set out in chapter 4 in the White Paper "Your Region, Your Choice" (Cm 5511) which was published in May 2002.

  The White Paper also said that we would build into policy development the new opportunities offered by the creation of elected regional assemblies. On this basis my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 30 June proposals for the future organisation of the fire service, set out in the White Paper "Our Fire and Rescue Service" (Cm 5808). These proposals include a more coherent regional approach to fire and rescue in accordance with the recommendations of the independent review of the fire service, the report of which was published in December 2002. As my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister said on 30 June 2003, Official Report, column 22, where directly elected regional assemblies are established, we envisage there being regional fire and rescue authorities that are democratically accountable to those assemblies.

  Waste Strategy
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the targets for his Department's waste minimisation strategy are. [121808]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Greening Operations Policy Statement requires that we recover or recycle at least 70 per cent. of its waste in 2003–04, while reducing paper use by 10 per cent. compared with the base year of 1999–2000.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  Departmental Ministers
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, on behalf of the Lord President of the Privy Council, if he will list the number of Ministers in his Department in each year since 1996. [120990]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Member for Paisley, South (Mr. Alexander) on 24 June 2003,Official Report, column 661W.

  Public Appointments
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list the appointees to(a) the Imperial College Govening Body, (b) the Court of UMIST, (c) the Court of University of Hull, (d) the Court of University of Sussex, (e) the Court of University of Ulster, (f) the Court of the University of Manchester, (g) the Council for the Professions Supplementary to Medicine, (h) the General Medical Council, (i) the Royal Council of Veterinary Surgeons, (j) the Registered Homes Tribunals Panel of Experts and (k) the Royal College of Court; and which of the appointees to each body are from ethnic minorities. [122994]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine no longer exists, and the Privy Council no longer makes appointments to the Registered Homes Tribunal Panel of Experts. Privy Council appointees for the other bodies mentioned are set out as follows:

  Imperial College

  Field Marshall Lord Vincent

  Trevor Phillips QBE

  Ms Charlotte L Chothia

  Balram Gidoomal

  Sir Alastair Motion

  Sir Peter Williams

  UMIST

  Denis Robson

  Miss Dawn Gibbins

  Geoffrey Galley

  Keith Beckett

  University of Hull

  Lord Haskins

  John Trebble

  Michael Hollingbery

  University of Sussex

  Mark Burrell

  Mrs Gail Rebuck

  Prof. Barry Supple

  University of Ulster

  The Lord Glentoran CBE

  Mrs Bernadette Grant

  University of Manchester

  Dame Valerie Strachan DCB

  Dr Inayat Khan Babar

  465W

  Clonel John Bradford Timmins QBE TD JP

  Ms Dawn Peters

  Anthony Nixon

  General Medical Council

  Kevin Baron MP

  The Very Reverend Graham Forbes

  Robert Nicholls

  Ruth Evans

  Dr Arun Midha

  Mrs Patricia Moberly

  David Bean

  Sir Michael Buckley

  Mrs Gillian Camm

  Stuart Heatherington

  Robin McLeod

  Dr Joan Martin

  Fiona Peel

  Ann Robinson

  Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

  James M Scudamore

  F Brian Jennings

  Mr Martyn Jones MP

  Mrs Barbara Saunders

  Royal College of Art

  Dr Kenneth Grange CBE

  The other information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Unpaid Fines
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what percentage of fines were unpaid in(a) Salisbury magistrates court and (b) Salisbury crown court in 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [122795]

  Mr. Leslie
  Magistrates' Courts Committees (MCCs) have a responsibility for the collection of a range of debts imposed by both the magistrates courts and the crown court. Debt collected includes not only fines but also fees, compensation, confiscation orders, legal aid contributions and some maintenance orders. It is not yet possible to separate out only fines from the total, so the figures provided here include all the elements above.

  Data are collected centrally at MCC level, rather than at court level. In addition, the Wiltshire MCC accounting system is unable to identify the percentage of fines unpaid in the Salisbury magistrates court. The payment rate for the Wiltshire MCC in 2002–03, calculated as the percentage of the total amount collected over the amount imposed, was 68 per cent. On that basis, the percentage of fines unpaid was 32 per cent.

  Information from the Wiltshire MCC indicated that the payment rate in 2002–03 for the South East Wiltshire Petty Session Area, which includes Salisbury and Devizes, was 48 per cent.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Autistic Children
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on respite provision for autistic children in Northern Ireland. [116368]

  Angela Smith
  There are no specific respite care services for children with autistic spectrum disorders. Respite services are provided for children with disabilities including residential provision, domiciliary care, host family and fostering services, holiday schemes and day care. The development of respite care services has been included in Priorities for Action 2003–04, and additional funding has been allocated for this purpose. In addition, health and social services boards have been asked to bring forward-costed proposals for enhancing autism services, particularly diagnostic and assessment services.

  Classroom Assistants
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many classroom assistants were employed in each Education and Library Board area in Northern Ireland in each year since 2000. [122643]

  Jane Kennedy
  The number of classroom assistants employed in each Education and Library Board area in Northern Ireland is as follows:

  2000

  2001

  2002

  BELB

  351

  452

  531

  NEELB

  833

  914

  1,185

  SEELB

  1,056

  1,220

  1,367

  SELB

  841

  907

  960

  WELB

  910

  948

  1,100

  Commissioners
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress in establishing the office of the Commissioner for Children and Young People. [122351]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  I am pleased to state, that on 26 June 2003 Mr. Nigel Williams was announced as the first Commissioner for Children and Young People for Northern Ireland. Mr. Williams is currently the Chief Executive of Childnet International, a registered charity set up in 1996 that specialises in protecting children from abuse on the Internet. He will take up post as Commissioner on 1 October 2003.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards establishing an older people's rights commissioner in Northern Ireland. [122352]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The Government are committed to the on-going promotion of the rights of older people in society. As a result of a consultation exercise on future issues to be addressed through the Promoting Social Inclusion (PSI) initiative of New Targeting Social Need (New TSN), the NI Executive's Programme for Government committed us to opening new channels of
  467W
  communication with organisations that represent older people to identify the developing needs of older people, and to consider how our services can best be provided in appropriate and accessible ways.

  A PSI working group was established in October 2002 to assist in developing a strategy for older people. The working group is made up of representatives from NI Departments, the wider public sector, the voluntary sector and organisations representing older people such as; Help the Aged, Age Concern and the Age Sector Reference Group. The Northern Ireland Executive agreed the terms of reference and membership of the working group.

  The Working Group will consider factors which cause older people to be at risk of social exclusion, and develop a co-ordinated strategy through which relevant agencies will work together to tackle them.

  The working group held a conference on 28 March "Ageing in An Inclusive Society" to explore the issues affecting older people. Approximately 100 people attended for the statutory, community and voluntary sectors. The issues raised will inform the development of the strategy.

  The Working Group will develop a draft policy and strategy document for public consultation, setting out clearly defined recommendations as to what preventative and other measures are required, by whom, and within what timescales, and other mechanisms to be put in place to evaluate effectiveness and ensure progress. At this early stage it would not be appropriate to speculate on the likely nature of the recommendations.

  Firefighters
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many firefighters are unable to work as a result of violent attacks by members of the community in Northern Ireland. [115965]

  Angela Smith
  One member of the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade is currently unable to work as a result of being attacked.

  Language Rights
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what steps are being taken to incorporate the issue of equality for Irish speakers in the guidelines of the Equality Commission; [116907]

  (2) what the policy is of the Equality Commission on promoting (a) the use of the spoken Irish language in the workplace and (b) the use of written Irish in public through (i) signage and (ii) other measures; [116905]

  (3) what training has been given to (a) staff and (b) Commissioners at the Equality Commission on language rights, with particular reference to the rights of Irish speakers. [116906]

  Mr. Spellar
  I have asked the Chief Executive of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland to write to the hon. Member on these matters. Copies of the letters will be placed in the Library.

  Non-departmental Public Bodies
  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Government are taking to make non-departmental public bodies more representative of the community in Northern Ireland. [122233]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  Appointments to the NI Administration Boards of Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) are governed by the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland; Northern Ireland Office appointments are covered by the Commissioner's GB Code. The overriding principle is that selection must be based on merit, through the well informed choice of individuals who, through their abilities, experience and qualities match the needs of the body in question. The Commissioner's Code also requires Departments to ensure their processes for making appointments comply with the statutory duty under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act, to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity. The Commissioner's remit covers appointments to Executive NDPBs and HPSS bodies (and, in the case of the Northern Ireland Office, Advisory NDPBs), but all Departments routinely apply the principles of the Commissioner's Code to all appointments. The Central Appointments Unit in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister recently developed a Public Appointments Best Practice guide to assist Departments in the application of the Commissioner's Code. A copy of the guidance has been placed in the Library. The Northern Ireland Office follows Cabinet Office Best Practice Guidance which was introduced in July 2001.

  Other steps taken by Departments to ensure that Boards are representative include:
  advertising in the press and on the website, www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/publicappointments, and circulating to a wide range of individuals and groups a six-monthly list of forthcoming vacancies;
  varied use of media advertising (special interest magazines in addition to the local press) for appointments;
  providing information through leaflets, press articles and seminars;
  revising nomination forms to make them less off putting and to enable greater account to be taken of non traditional career patterns;
  reviewing person specifications to ensure specific groups are not inadvertently discriminated against; and
  visits to voluntary and community groups to raise awareness of opportunities.

  Mr. Gregory Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total expenditure out of the public purse was of each non-departmental public body in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years. [122502]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The information sought in the question is available in the "Public Bodies" publication produced annually by the Cabinet Office and made available through the Stationery Office and on the Cabinet Office website at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/agencies-publicbodies/. This publication provides information on the size, spend, funding and membership of public bodies in the UK and includes non-departmental public bodies attached to the
  469W
  Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Departments. The current edition of the publication, "Public Bodies 2002" is available in the House of Commons Library. An updated version for 2003 is currently being prepared and should be published by the Cabinet Office before the end of the year.

  Northern Ireland Police Board
  David Burnside
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost is of retaining the consultants Price WaterhouseCoopers by the Northern Ireland Police Board; and how many independent assessors have been appointed by PriceWaterhouseCoopers in their work for the Police Board in establishing District Police Partnerships. [123362]

  Jane Kennedy
  The sum to date paid to PriceWaterhouseCoopers for the recruitment exercise for District Policing Partnerships is £555,769.

  PriceWaterhouseCoopers appointed 18 independent observers to assist in the appointment of the independent members of District Policing Partnerships.

  Private Care Organisations
  Mrs. Iris Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to simplify the process of negotiating contracts and funding for private care organisations involved in rehabilitation and management of debilitating illness. [116373]

  Angela Smith
  It is the responsibility of the health and social services boards and trusts at operational level to negotiate and agree contracts for the provision of residential and domiciliary care by the independent sector. To assist in this process, the four Board Chief Executives have established a regional group to make recommendations on the appropriate fee levels for care in residential and nursing homes. Recommendations on residential and nursing home fees are based on the level of need across each of the programmes of care. In each of the last three years, the recommendations of the regional group have been endorsed by the Department and accepted as the agreed regional rates by the four boards. Rates for domiciliary care provision are currently negotiated at board and trust level with independent sector providers.

  Private Office Costs
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the running costs have been of Ministers' private offices in his Department in each year since 1997. [123109]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  This question was put to all Northern Ireland Departments; however, we are replying only in relation to the Northern Ireland Office.

  The Northern Ireland Office incurred the following running costs, in relation to Ministers' private offices:

  £

  Running costs

  2003–04

  1128,164

  2002–03

  1,610,821

  2001–02

  1,127,731

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  £

  Running costs

  2000–01

  1,155,931

  1999–2000

  1,270,185

  1998–99

  1,294,715

  1997–98

  974,242

  1 To end May 2003.

  Real IRA
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment has been undertaken of(a) the capacity of the Real IRA to manufacture bombs and (b) whether the Real IRA is receiving co-operation from the Provisional IRA. [122642]

  Jane Kennedy
  The bombs intercepted recently in Londonderry and the explosives find near Dundalk in the Republic of Ireland clearly demonstrates that dissidents have the capacity to manufacture bombs. While dissidents remain a threat to the peace process, the security forces on both sides of the border continue to disrupt, intercept or thwart their operations through good intelligence-led policing and covert operations. The Government's security advice is that PIRA remains on ceasefire and supports the peace process.

  Saville Inquiry
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the costs of the Saville Inquiry as of 30 June, broken down by legal fees paid to individual barristers acting for(a) the Ministry of Defence and (b) families of the victims. [123456]

  Mr. Spellar
  Up to end June 2003 the cash spend by the Northern Ireland Office on the Bloody Sunday Inquiry was a total of £89.2 million. Out of this amount £7.962 million has been spent on the payment of fees to counsel representing the families or the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association. These figures are set out in the table and include VAT, where that is paid, and in most cases, expenses as well as fees.

  The fees of Ministry of Defence counsel are a matter for my right hon. friend the Secretary of State for Defence.

  Payments

  Period covered

  made (£)

  From

  To

  Senior counsel representing the families1

  Lord Gifford

  553,062

  October 1998

  January 2003

  Arthur Harvey

  767,362

  July 1998

  January 2003

  Michael Lavery

  435,024

  November 2000

  December 2002

  B. J. MacDonald2

  513,755

  September 1998

  September 2002

  P. T. MacDonald3

  65,800

  April 1998

  June 1999

  Michael Mansfield

  457,261

  March 1999

  November 2002

  Elish McDermott

  105,309

  March 2000

  June 2001

  Seamus Treacy4

  600,492

  March 1998

  December 2002

  Eoin McGonigal

  82,446

  October 2000

  June 2002

  Senior counsel representing NICRA

  Sir Louis Blom-Cooper

  306,541

  December 2000

  October 2002

  Junior counsel representing the families5

  John Coyle

  272,473

  September 1999

  January 2003

  Fiona Doherty

  193,824

  October 2000

  October 2002

  Ciaran Harvey

  349,105

  December 2000

  December 2002

  Richard Harvey

  331,733

  October 2000

  August 2002

  Brian Kennedy

  546,694

  July 1999

  March 2003

  Philip Magee6

  83,175

  June 1998

  September 2000

  471W

  Payments

  Period covered

  made (£)

  From

  To

  Kieran Mallon

  658,899

  March 1999

  May 2003

  Brian McCartney

  640,261

  July 1998

  April 2003

  Karen Quinlivan

  179,147

  March 1999

  December 2001

  Patricia Smyth7

  328,719

  October 1998

  June 2002

  Mary McHugh

  123,972

  February 2002

  October 2002

  Michael Topolski8

  139,940

  November 2000

  June 2001

  Junior counsel representing NICRA

  Paddy O'Hanlon

  227,728

  November 2000

  October 2002

  1 In addition, the following senior counsel have represented/are representing some of the families but have yet to submit fee claims: Kevin Finnegan and Reg Weir.

  2 Left the case (as a junior) in September 2000 and rejoined the case (as a senior) July 2001.

  3 Left the case June 1999.

  4 Having started as a junior in March 1998, became a senior counsel in September 2000.

  5 In addition, the following junior counsel have represented/are representing some of the families but have yet to submit fee claims: Tom McCreanor and Declan Morgan.

  6 Left the case September 2000.

  7 Left the case June 2002.

  8 Left the case June 2001.

  Senior Citizens
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many senior citizens over the age of 65 in Northern Ireland have taken up the opportunity to hold concessionary travel passes, broken down by parliamentary constituency. [121083]

  Mr. Spellar
  The following table shows the take up of senior citizens Smartpasses by Northern Ireland parliamentary constituency as at October 2002. The total number of senior Smartpasses in circulation as of 23 June 2003 was 158,156. However, to disaggregate this figure by parliamentary constituency could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.

  Constituency

  Estimated number of Smartpasses

  Belfast East

  10,947

  Belfast North

  10,325

  Belfast South

  9,389

  Belfast West

  7,060

  East Antrim

  8,247

  East Londonderry

  6,741

  Fermanagh and South Tyrone

  6,014

  Foyle

  6,508

  Lagan Valley

  9,164

  Mid Ulster

  4,670

  Newry and Armagh

  6,912

  North Antrim

  7,811

  North Down

  10,263

  South Antrim

  8,011

  South Down

  7,684

  Strangford

  8,816

  Upper Bann

  8,738

  West Tyrone

  5,249

  Total

  142,549

  Targeted Benefits
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research has been commissioned 472W
  to ascertain the reasons for the variations in take-up of targeted benefits; and if he will make a statement on the findings. [122551]

  Mr. Spellar
  The Department for Social Development has commissioned no research to ascertain individuals' reasons for claiming or not claiming targeted benefits. It has, however, commissioned research to estimate the level of benefit take-up and to establish the extent to which there is variation in that level and to determine factors which appear to be contributing to such variations. The research commissioned was to estimate the take-up of income support and jobseeker's allowance (income based) in Northern Ireland, and the results of the research were published in May 2002.

  The findings of the research published in 2002 indicated that:
  the take-up of income support was estimated at 76 per cent. by caseload and 84 per cent. by spending; and
  the take-up of jobseeker's allowance (income based) was estimated at 75 per cent. by caseload and 79 per cent. by spending.

  In addition, the Social Security Agency has commissioned research to investigate the degree of variation in take-up of disability living allowance, both within Northern Ireland and between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. This work is in progress.

  Tourism
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to promote tourism in Northern Ireland through support for cultural traditions organised by the Loyal Orders. [122670]

  Mr. Pearson
  The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has mainstreamed cultural tourism as a key marketing and development opportunity for tourism in Northern Ireland. NITB seeks to facilitate the development of a visitor experience that is unique to Northern Ireland and that capitalises on the distinctive and diverse elements of Northern Ireland's cultural traditions and way of life. With specific reference to support for cultural traditions organised by the Loyal Orders, NITB is happy to consider applications seeking support for particular events that will showcase these in a manner which has potential to attract out of state visitors.

HEALTH

  Antidepressants
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions for antidepressant medicines were written in the NHS in England in 2002; and what the total cost of antidepressant medicines was to the NHS in that year. [123432]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  In 2002, 26.3 million prescription items of anti-depressant drugs were dispensed in the community in England, with a net ingredient cost of £380.9 million.

  Arthritis
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many working days were lost in(a) England, (b) South Sefton, (c) Southport and (d) Formby because of arthritis and related conditions in each year since 1999; how much he estimates the lost work days owing to arthritis cost the economy; and what action is being taken to reduce the number of work days lost because of arthritis. [122236]

  Dr. Ladyman
  We do not collect figures centrally covering lost working days for people with arthritis. We want to help people with arthritis to remain in, or return to, work wherever this is possible and appropriate for them. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists play a crucial part in the rehabilitation of people suffering from arthritis and related conditions and the focus will be to restore the person to their optimal function, including returning to work, where appropriate.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population in(a) England, (b) South Sefton, (c) Southport and (d) Formby he estimates will suffer from arthritis in (i) 2004, (ii) 2005 and (iii) 2006. [122237]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Currently, it is estimated that about eight million people in the United Kingdom have arthritis. This is approximately 14 per cent. of the population. We would expect that these figures would remain fairly constant over time.

  Separate figures on the incidence of arthritis for South Sefton, Southport and Formby are not available centrally.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government will introduce a national strategy for arthritis. [122238]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Government are aware that arthritis is a major cause of disability in the UK and that it has a significant impact not only on health and community services but also on the people who experience its painful symptoms. We are sympathetic to the needs of patients with arthritis and have helped make new generation drugs for arthritis treatment such as etanercept and infliximab available to national health service patients.

  There are currently no plans to introduce a formal national strategy for arthritis.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government will introduce arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions to be a priority for health and social care. [122239]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Priorities for health and social care are set out in Improvement, Expansion and Reform, the priorities and planning framework for 2003–06. Although arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are not identified specifically, people with these conditions stand to benefit from the improvement in access to specialist care for patients suffering from any form of orthopaedic condition. Maximum waiting times have fallen over the past few years and will continue to do so, so that, by the end of 2005, the maximum waiting time for a first outpatient appointment with a consultant will fall to three months and the maximum wait for inpatient 474W
  treatment will fall to six months. Also, the older peoples' national service framework set standards which will improve treatment and care for a range of older people, including those with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total cost of arthritis was to health and social services in England in 2002–03. [122242]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested is not collected centrally. Health authorities (HAs) and primary care trusts receive unified allocations to cover the costs of hospital and community health services, discretionary funding for general practice staff, premises and computers and primary care prescribing.

  The level of funding made available for the drugs, staffing and other costs of providing arthritis services are determined locally. It is for HAs, in partnership with primary care groups/trusts and other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to provide health services for their populations, including those with arthritis.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the two most common types of(a) arthritis and (b) musculoskeletal conditions are. [122243]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Information on the incidence of individual conditions is not collected centrally. Research evidence suggests that osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common forms of arthritis. Other than arthritis, the most common types of musculoskeletal conditions are traumatic damage to ligaments and tendons, manifested as sprains, backache and similar conditions.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the second most common cause of working days lost by(a) men and (b) women was in 2002–03. [122244]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The second most common cause of working days lost by both men and women was diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a national strategy for arthritis; and if he will make a statement. [122805]

  Dr. Ladyman
  I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Crosby (Mrs. Curtis-Thomas) today.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) rheumatologists and (b) multi-disciplinary specialists in arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are employed by NHS trusts which serve the Portsmouth South area. [122806]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The latest Department of Health medical and dental workforce census data (September 2002) confirms that five rheumatologists are employed by Portsmouth Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

  Information on the number of multi-disciplinary specialists in arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions is not collected centrally.

  Back Pain
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of back pain was to the NHS in the last year for which figures are available; what research is being conducted into the management of such pain; how many treatment centres are available in(a) England and (b) each Government Office region; what the average referral time is for patients diagnosed with back pain and related conditions; what plans there are to provide additional resources to tackle this condition; and if he will make a statement. [121643]

  Mr. Hutton
  Comprehensive information is not held centrally on the cost of back pain to the national health service or on referral times for patients diagnosed with back pain. At national level, the NHS research and development health technology assessment programme is currently supporting two research projects on the management of back pain covering, respectively, whether early imaging influences management and improves outcome in patients with low back pain, and the longer term clinical and economic benefits of offering acupuncture to patients with chronic low back pain. Treatment is available very widely. It is for primary care trusts to determine what level of resources to devote to the treatment of different conditions in their localities.

  The Government are currently exploring a number of ways to improve access to occupational health services and vocational rehabilitation for all workers, including those suffering from back pain, through NHS Plus and the Welfare to Work reforms. NHS Plus, launched in November 2001, is currently providing access to local occupational health services to small and medium sized businesses through 107 providers (NHS trusts) across the United Kingdom; while, the NHS "Back in Work" campaign aims to reduce the causes of back pain and the incidents that lead to back pain in the NHS. In addition, the new Job Retention and Rehabilitation pilots, launched on 1 April 2003, and the Incapacity Benefit reforms, announced in the Government's Green Paper in November 2002, "Pathways to Work", are offering work-focused interventions for those with health problems, including back pain, to help people return to work.

  Basildon Hospital
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had on the provision of a new cardiac centre at Basildon hospital; when the Essex Strategic Health Authority will consider the final plans; how many heart operations a year the centre will perform; what range of procedures and operations will be available at the unit; and when the unit will become available for use. [122340]

  Dr. Ladyman
  There has been continued long-term investment in the capital infrastructure to support further expansion of cardiac surgery and to reduce waiting times. 12 major capital developments schemes have so far been announced; four in March 2001 and eight in November 2001, at a total cost of over £300 million.
  476W
  The cardiac scheme in Basildon is one of a number of additional schemes, which have not yet been announced but where planning is proceeding and Department of Health officials are being kept informed of progress. The scheme will need to progress through the normal planning procedures including demonstrating local commissioner support to enable a final decision to be made.

  Botox
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what the regulatory status is of an ampoule of botox; and what the restrictions are on its(a) sale and (b) prescription; [123063]

  (2) what plans he has to ensure that administration of botox injections is regulated; [123064]

  (3) what medical qualifications are needed in order to administer botox injections. [123065]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 2 July 2003]: Botox is legally classified as a prescription only medicine. As such, it may be sold or supplied by a doctor direct to his/her patient or to a person responsible for the patient's care. Otherwise, it may only be sold or supplied against a doctor's prescription by or under the supervision of a pharmacist on registered pharmacy premises.

  The administration of Botox is regulated under the Medicines Act 1968. As a parenteral medicine, it may be self administered, administered by a doctor or a dentist, or administered by anyone in accordance with the directions of a doctor or a dentist. These directions must be specific to the patient.

  Parenteral medicines may also be administered by specified groups of health professional, such as nurses and ambulance paramedics, under a patient group direction.

  Cancer Plan
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new staff have been employed as a result of the Cancer Plan. [120612]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Additional funding was made available in the NHS Cancer Plan, rising to an extra £570 million a year by 2003–04. Some of this is being used to make substantial investment in staff, with a wide range of new appointments that are contributing to the delivery of cancer care.

  The table shows good progress in increasing the number of doctors working in cancer services. This increase means the national health service is on track to hit the target set out in the Cancer Plan of nearly 1,000 extra cancer consultants by 2006. The table also shows that we are making good progress with increasing the number of radiographers working in the NHS. The overall increase of 50,000 nurses working in the NHS will also enable the recruitment of additional cancer-site specific nurse specialists, chemotherapy nurses, district nurses, palliative care nurse specialists and additional nurses on wards caring for cancer patients.

  477W

  Hospital medical consultants within selected specialties relating to cancer

  Numbers (headcount)

  England

  1999

  Sept 2002

  Change

  All Cancer specialties, of which:

  3,362

  3,913

  551

  Clinical oncology

  305

  315

  10

  Clinical radiology

  1,507

  1,702

  195

  Haematology

  510

  588

  78

  Histopathology

  836

  968

  132

  Medical oncology

  110

  185

  75

  Palliative medicine

  94

  155

  61

  Radiographers, of which:

  Diagnostic

  10,839

  11,489

  650

  Therapeutic

  1,491

  1,542

  51

  Source:

  Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

  Care Homes
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial support is available to local authorities to

  Care home places in Essex, 1997–2001

  Total number of care home places1

  As at 31 March

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  Essex area2

  14,840

  14,960

  14,730

  14,200

  14,230

  Essex area excluding unitary councils3

  n/a

  n/a

  12,330

  11,650

  11,670

  1 Total includes places in residential LA staffed, independent and dual registered homes, and beds in general and mental nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics.

  2 Care home places in nursing homes in North and South Essex Health Authorities and residential homes in Essex Shire County and Southend and Thurrock Unitary Authorities. In 1997 and 1998 Southend and Thurrock Unitary authorities did not exist.

  3 Care home places in nursing homes in North and South Essex Health Authorities and residential homes in Essex Shire County.

  Source:

  RA Form A and RH(N) forms, Department of Health

  Commission for Social Care Inspection
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether a person working at the premises will have the right to refuse to be interviewed under Clause 86(1)(c)(i) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill. [122962]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The provision at clause 86(1)(c)(i) (first print) gives the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) power to interview in private any person working at premises which CSCI is inspecting. Clause 86(5) provides that it would be an offence to obstruct CSCI in the exercise of its functions, and this provision is intended to make clear (mirroring existing provision in the Care Standards Act) that a manager must not prevent any person who consents to being interviewed by CSCI being interviewed. In certain circumstances, which will be set out in detail in regulations to be made under clause 85 of the Bill, CSCI will be able to require prescribed persons to give explanations of prescribed matters to CSCI. Failure without reasonable excuse to do so in these circumstances would be a criminal offence.

  Community Health Councils
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the arrangements are for passing on community health council records to their successor bodies. [121238]
  478W
  enable them to create additional nursing and residential home beds for the elderly. [122108]

  Dr. Ladyman
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: Most of the financial resources available to local government are unhypothecated and each council must decide, in the light of its priorities and service needs, how much to spend on additional nursing and residential home beds for elderly people. On a like for like basis, funding to local government in England for the provision of personal social services increased by 6.2 per cent. (3.6 per cent. in real terms) in 2002–03 and by 9.1 per cent. (6.3 per cent. in real terms and excluding resource equalisation) in 2003–04.

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds were available in care homes in Essex in each of the last five years. [122888]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The latest available information on the number of care home places in Essex is shown in the table.

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 23 June 2003]: Work is underway involving the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health and other bodies to consider what information and knowledge should be transferred from community health councils to the new system of patient and public involvement and how best to do it.

  Cystic Fibrosis
  Ms Dari Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made in making screening services for cystic fibrosis available to all new mothers and pregnant women. [121733]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government have announced their intention to implement a new national programme for neonatal cystic fibrosis screening. The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) has commissioned a programme of work to plan for the national provision of cystic fibrosis screening using the Guthrie Bloodspot Card. The NSC is looking at screening protocols, costs, feasibility, timetables and links to other antenatal programmes.

  Dementia/Alzheimer's
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in(a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) England have (i) dementia and (ii) Alzheimer's disease. [122890]
  479W
  Dr. Ladyman
  There is no routine collection of information at national or local level about the number of people with dementia generally or Alzheimer's disease in particular. Research evidence about the prevalence of dementia suggests that about 5 per cent. of the total population aged 65 or over, rising to 20 per cent. of the population aged 80 and over, has dementia. Alzheimer's disease causes up to 60 per cent. of cases of dementia.

  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what support the Government are offering Alzheimer's awareness week. [122892]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Government are keen supporters of Alzheimer's Awareness Week. It is essential that awareness of the needs of people with dementia, and of their carers, is raised, to help ensure that those needs are met. The Government have produced an older people's national service framework that outlines the high priority we are giving to improving services for people with dementia.

  DNA (Insurance)
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what safeguards will be introduced on the use of individuals' DNA by(a) the insurance industry, (b) employers, (c) doctors and (d) others, with particular reference to the ownership of newly identified genes. [122305]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The recent White Paper, "Our Inheritance, our future—realising the potential of genetics in the NHS", sets out the stringent safeguards that the Government have already introduced on the use and ownership of individuals' DNA. These safeguards include a moratorium to 2006 on the use by insurers of any predicative genetic test results. With regards to further safeguards that will be introduced, the Government have made two commitments. These are:To introduce legislation making it an offence to tests a person's DNA without their knowledge or consent, except as part of their medical treatment where consent is impossible to obtain, and use by the police and courts; and
  To consider the evidence for unfair discrimination against people on the basis of their genetic characteristics and the appropriate means of addressing any concerns in this area.

  Draft Food Supplements (England) Regulations
  Brian Cotter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what account was taken by the Food Standards Agency of submissions regarding the draft Food Supplements (England) Regulations; and how many submissions were received from consumer groups on these Regulations. [122824]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Food Standards Agency (FSA) formally consulted on the draft Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 from 23 October 2002 to 15 January 2003. A summary of responses received is on the FSA's website at: www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/ pdfs/draftfoodsapps03.PDF with all comments clearly attributed. Responses from Foodaware and Consumers for Health Choice are included. In amending the draft Regulations, the FSA carefully considered all responses received.

  Drug Treatment Regimes
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many visits have been made to France by Department of Health(a) officials and (b) Ministers to look at drug treatment regimes in the last five years. [121232]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  We are not aware of any visits to France in the last five years by Department of Health Ministers or officials to look specifically at drug treatment regimes.

  However, there is an exchange of information with the rest of Europe, on drugs and drug treatment, via the United Kingdom focal point. The UK focal point is one element of a European network of drugs information centres. The network is co-ordinated by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, a specialised agency for the European Union.

  Fluoridation
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what areas of the UK receive water supplies which are fluoridated, broken down by(a) water authority and (b) the date fluoridation commenced. [121425]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information currently available to the Department indicates that water fluoridation schemes are operated by Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, Severn Trent and United Utilities. The schemes were introduced progressively between 1964 and 1985.

  There are no water fluoridation schemes in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has collated on the safety of fluoride in the human body. [121426]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  A review by the University of York found that the evidence showed that fluoridating water helps to reduce tooth decay with no evidence of adverse effects on general health. The report did, however, identify the need for more good quality research and the Department of Health asked the Medical Research Council (MRC) to suggest where it might be possible to strengthen the evidence base.

  In its report, the MRC stated that available evidence does not suggest a link between water fluoridation and either cancer in general or any specific cancer type, including osteosarcoma or primary bone cancer, but recommended monitoring data collected on the incidence of cancer so that any aberrant trends in populations receiving fluoridated water could be investigated.

  Other claims have been made for an association between fluoride ingestion and deficiencies in the immune system, reproductive and developmental (birth) defects, and effects on the kidney and gastrointestinal tract. The MRC considered the evidence for any significant health effects to be weak and did not recommend any specific research, although it recommended keeping research in these areas under review.
  481W
  Mr. Crausby
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to each health authority in order to implement the fluoridation of public drinking water. [121459]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Individual strategic health authorities would make arrangements with water companies to fluoridate their water, provided their populations were in favour. Costs would be determined by the size of the population covered and the structure of the local water distribution system. Initial conversion costs for a water treatment works might be around £250,000 with running costs, including that of the fluoride, about 40 pence per head of population per year.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research he has evaluated on the effectiveness of the use of fluoridation of water in reducing caries; [120803]

  (2) what discussions he has had with the Medical Research Council on the impact of water fluoridation on human health. [120802]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  All water supplies contain some fluoride and it was from observing different patterns of dental decay in areas of differing levels of naturally fluoridated water that the benefits of fluoride were first observed. The Government commissioned an up-to-date review of the evidence of the relationship between fluoride and health from the national health service Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York. Its report, "A Systematic Review of Water Fluoridation", published in September 2000, concluded that water fluoridation increased the number of children with no tooth decay by 15 per cent. The University of York report did, however, identify the need for more good quality research and the Department commissioned the Medical Research Council (MRC) to advise on how the evidence base might be strengthened. The MRC published its report in September 2002. The Chief Medical Officer and Chief Dental Officer are examining the MRCs research recommendations and will report on the implications for Government policy in the autumn.

  Food Contaminants Regulations
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons lettuce and spinach are excluded from the Contaminants in Food (England) Regulations 2003/1478. [122841]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Lettuce and spinach are excluded from the English Regulations because of a derogation allowed by European Community law. This derogation allows United Kingdom farmers a transitional period during which to alter their farming practices to reduce the levels of nitrate in spinach and lettuce. The transitional period, which also applies in Ireland, Finland, Denmark and the Netherlands, is necessary due to the different climatic conditions that occur in Northern Europe. Cloudy weather during the growing period leads to lettuce and spinach having high nitrate concentrations and on occasion exceeding the maximum permitted levels set by legislation.
  482W
  The derogation is conditional on growers abiding by a code of practice and on levels of nitrate measured not representing a risk to public health. Codes of practice for farming of spinach and lettuce were published in 1999. These outline farming practices that, if followed, should reduce the concentrations of nitrate observed in lettuce and spinach. The Food Standards Agency undertakes statutory monitoring of nitrate levels in lettuce and spinach and submits the data to the EC on a yearly basis.

  Food Labelling
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her policy is on food labelling with respect to caffeine. [120151]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government are in favour of clear labelling of caffeine when it is used in foods. They therefore supported new European Union rules, which will require caffeine to be declared in ingredient lists when used as a flavouring: current legislation requires only the declaration "flavouring". The new rules will also require drinks containing caffeine in excess of 150 milligrams per litre to carry the declaration, "High caffeine content", together with the amount of caffeine expressed in milligrams per 100 millilitres. This will alert consumers to the presence of unexpectedly high levels of caffeine. The new rules will not apply to drinks based on tea or coffee.

  Food Supplements
  Sir Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health which food supplements which are safe will be removed from the market in 2005. [121254]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Food supplements, like other foods, are not subject to prior approval before marketing unless they are genetically modified or are "novel". Therefore, the Food Standards Agency does not hold detailed safety information about food supplement products on the UK market. These products are, however, required to comply with food law, including the Food Safety Act 1990.

  According to information provided by industry, Annex I and Annex II of the Food Supplements Directive presently omit six minerals and many chemical sources of vitamins and minerals currently used in food supplements on the UK market. The provisions of The Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 come into force on 1 August 2005; however, the regulations take advantage of the derogation in Article 4 of the directive which enables member states to allow, subject to certain criteria being met, the continued sale of products containing vitamin and mineral sources not yet on the permitted lists up until 1 January 2010.

  Foundation Hospitals
  Sir Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in the appointment of the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Hospitals. [R] [121869]

  Mr. Hutton
  The advert for the post of Independent Regulator was advertised on 14 May 2003. Candidates were asked to respond by 3 June 2003. The recruitment
  483W
  process is on-going and I expect to announce the appointment later this year. The appointment process is in line with best practice in the public sector and includes independent assessment.

  Sir Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation he proposes to make of the first wave of NHS foundation trusts prior to deciding whether(a) to support the creation of more such trusts and (b) to expand foundation trusts beyond the hospital sector. [R] [121870]

  Mr. Hutton
  All national health service trusts will have the opportunity to apply for NHS foundation trust status within the next five years. It has also already been agreed that the NHS foundation trust model will be extended to NHS mental health trusts.

  The experience gained from the first wave NHS foundation trusts will be applied as implementation progresses and in exploring whether this model could be adapted for other NHS organisations.

  The process for establishing NHS foundation trusts will be kept under capital review.

  Genetically Modified Food
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned, (b) undertaken itself, (c) reviewed, (d) completed, (e) published or received and (f) ensured the appropriate peer review of in respect of the impact of genetically modified foods consumed by humans upon their health, in the last five years. [122491]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Food Standards Agency (FSA) funds two extensive research programmes, which underpin the safety assessment of genetically modified foods. This research is undertaken by independent research scientists. The work is peer reviewed before the reports of the research are made publicly available through the FSA's library. Details of the research programme are published in the FSA's research and surveys programmes annual report and are available on the FSA web site at www.food.gov/ukscience/research/ researchannualreports/.

  Health and Social Care Bill
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will put in place safeguards to ensure that vital equipment is not removed without prior agreement under clause 63(1)(b) of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Bill. [121178]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  We expect that the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI) will normally obtain any information or other material, such as medical equipment, it may need by agreement. The power to remove equipment may be necessary where inspectors suspect, for example, that tampering of either data or equipment has taken place or that patient safety is being put at risk. It is right in such circumstances that CHAI is able to remove such equipment for examination without having to negotiate first for its release.

  Health Insurance Cards
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the introduction of the common European health insurance card from June 2004. [116467]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]: As part of the action plan for improving geographical mobility by 2005, the Barcelona European Council agreed to create a European health insurance card. In February 2003 the European Commission published a communication document COM(2003)13, which is available in the Library.

  This card is intended to replace the current paper forms needed to obtain health treatment during temporary stays in another member state of the European Union. The initial stage will replace the emergency health care form E111.

  Existing national cards may be adapted to conform to a European standard or member states which so wish may introduce a completely new card.

  The United Kingdom is generally supportive of the proposal to replace E111 if it simplifies bureaucracy for patients and administrations. Detailed consideration has been given to the practicalities of production of a UK card. It is likely that the UK will wish to take advantage of the transitional period of up to the end of 2005 proposed by the European Commission before card issue to the UK public begins.

  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the implications are for(a) British NHS patients and (b) European patients using the NHS of the introduction of the common European health insurance card from June 2004. [116468]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]: The intention of the card is to simplify procedures, but not to change existing rights and obligations. The European Commission's proposal for a health insurance card is intended primarily for the benefit of citizens. It is hoped to eliminate as many formalities as possible in providing documentation showing entitlement to care in other member states. A European Union wide standard health card should facilitate temporary stays abroad for United Kingdom visitors, both outwards and incoming.

  Heathrow
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what occasions in the past 12 months his officials have met those from the Department of Transport to discuss the implications for public health of a third runway at Heathrow. [122169]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  No meetings to discuss, specifically, the possible impacts on health of a third runway at Heathrow have been held. Discussion between officials is on how the health impacts of any airport development should be handled by the Department for Transport following its present consultation on the future development of air transport. Department of Health officials are involved in an integrated policy appraisal of the proposed expansion.
  485W
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of implications for public health of the construction of terminal five at Heathrow, with particular reference to levels of air pollution. [122170]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department of Health has made no assessment on the possible impacts on health of construction of a fifth terminal at Heathrow airport. All impacts, including health were fully considered in the planning inquiry, to which local primary care trusts gave evidence.

  Hospital Food
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 9 June 2003,Official Report, column 687W, on hospital food, what methods his Department will use to monitor the effectiveness of phase II of the Better Hospital Food Programme. [121595]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Standards of service provision will be monitored through patient environment action team inspections.

  Hospital Acquired Infections
  Mr. Peter Robinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of hospital acquired infections have been reported in the last 12 months for which records are available, broken down by hospital. [121087]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  National data on hospital infections are limited. This is one reason why we are developing a new national mandatory surveillance system for health care associated infection. This started with reporting of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream infections (bacteraemias), in April 2001. All acute trusts in England now collect this information and results for the first year of this scheme (April 2001 to March 2002) were published by individual trust in the Communicable Disease Report Weekly on 20 June 2002. They are available at www.phls.co.uk/publications/cdr/PDFfiles/2002/cdr2502.pdf. Results by individual trust for the second year will be published shortly.

  The Health Protection Agency has a number of voluntary reporting systems for a range of other pathogenic organisms but these do not provide data by trust.

  Human Organ Sales
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with other European Union member states on the sale of human organs within the European Union. [118928]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Department of Health, together with the Home Office, is negotiating a draft European Union Framework Decision on the prevention and control of trafficking in human organs and tissues.

  In addition, the Department has been working with the 45 member states of the Council of Europe, which includes the member states of the EU, to develop a recommendation on steps to be taken to minimise the risk of organ trafficking throughout the area.

  Insulin Pump Therapy
  Mr. Stewart
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to his answer of 19 June 2003,Official Report, column 431W, on insulin pump therapy, what research he has undertaken into the medical advantages of the provision of insulin pump therapy for type I diabetics; [122921]

  (2) pursuant to his answer of 19 June 2003, Official Report, column 431W, on insulin pump therapy, if he will make insulin pumps and infusion kits free of charge for diabetics who require them for medical reasons; [122922]

  (3) pursuant to his answer of 19 June 2003, Official Report, column 431W, on insulin pump therapy, if he will list the health authorities which provide insulin pump therapy at no cost; [122923]

  (4) if he will compile statistics on (a) the numbers of type I diabetics who require insulin pump therapy and (b) the costs of providing this service free of charge. [122924]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Guidance on current best practice in clinical care is provided by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE issued its guidance, which takes account of all existing research, on insulin pump therapy in February 2003. Insulin pump therapy is recommended as one option for people with type 1 diabetes, provided that multiple dose insulin therapy, including insulin glargine, has failed and those receiving the treatment are willing and able to use the therapy effectively. Once NICE guidance is published, health professionals are expected to take it fully into account when exercising their clinical judgement. As national health service staff are trained, by February 2004, new users—where clinically indicated—will receive insulin pumps from the NHS.Information on those health authorities that currently provide insulin pump therapy at no cost is not collected centrally.

  London Mayor
  Mr. Mark Field
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times he and his predecessors met the Mayor of London in official meetings at the Department in each of the past three years. [122141]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The then Secretary of State for Health, my right hon. Friend, the Member for Darlington (Mr Milburn), had a meeting with the Mayor of London on 20 September 2001.

  Maternity Services
  Sir Nicholas Winterton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on prescribing by midwives. [121867]

  Mr. Hutton
  Registered midwives are able to train to prescribe from the nurse practitioners' extended formulary.

  There are also provisions under medicines legislation which allow registered midwives to sell or supply and to administer a range of medicines in the course of their professional practice.

  Mental Health
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to develop mental health treatment and support services for vulnerable groups, with particular reference to(a) women, (b) children and (c) members of minority ethnic communities; and if he will make a statement on the funding and nature of schemes (i) in operation and (ii) being developed. [121639]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Development of mental health services, as set out in the national service framework for mental health (MHNSF) and the NHS Plan is aimed at improving services for everyone including vulnerable groups.

  In addition, guidance is being developed for services on meeting the particular needs of women and black and minority ethnic groups. This will support the MHNSF and NHS Plan implementation and services obligations under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act.

  The NHS Plan provided over £300 million investment by 2003–04 to support implementation of the targets and standards set. Commissioners and services locally are developing a number of schemes and initiatives to ensure that within this the needs of vulnerable groups, such as women and people from black and minority ethnic groups, are met. The Department does not keep records centrally on these initiatives.

  The National Institute for Mental Health in England has been established to support services in implementing the MHNSF, NHS Plan priorities and guidance for women and black and minority ethnic groups through its equalities and black and minority ethnic mental health programmes.

  The Government's strategy for the development of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), initiated in 1999–2000, is ongoing with the aim of improving the overall quality and accessibility of local services for children and young people with mental health problems. In the four years ending 31 March 2003, we invested £105 million in CAMHS developments across the national health service and local authorities, which resulted in significant increases in staffing, new or expanded services and better joint working between the main providing agencies.

  Our objectives for the further development of CAMHS, set out in the Department's Priorities and Planning Framework 2003–06 "Improvement, Expansion and Reform", include year-on-year increases of at least 10 per cent. across the service, according to agreed local priorities, leading to a comprehensive service in all areas by 2006. These developments will be underpinned by additional central investment of some £250 million over the three years and by guidance contained in the new children's national service framework (NSF). The recently published Emerging Findings from the NSF include a chapter on the mental health and psychological well-being of children and the content of a comprehensive CAMHS.

  Mixed-sex Wards
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many mixed-sex wards in NHS hospitals there were 488W
  in each of the last three years; what plans he has to eliminate mixed-sex wards; and what timetable he has established to achieve this goal. [120687]

  Mr. Hutton
  I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement I made on 14 January 2003,Official Report, column 24WS.

  Information on the number of mixed-sex wards is not available.

  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from women about mixed-sex wards. [123243]

  Mr. Hutton
  Since the beginning of January the Department of Health has received 18 written representations mentioning mixed-sex wards, including three parliamentary questions from right hon. and hon. Members. 12 of these have been from women.

  Mobile Phone Masts
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to set up further studies into the health effects of mobile telephone masts; [122023]

  (2) what programme of research he has commissioned into the effects upon health of mobile telephone masts; and what budgetary provision he has made for such research. [122024]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The public health implications of mobile phone technologies in general were comprehensively assessed by the independent expert group on mobile phones (IEGMP) in May 2000— www.iegmp.orq.uk. In respect of base stations, the IEGMP concluded that:"The balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living, near to base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines."

  Measurements undertaken by the National Radiological Protection Board and the Radiocommunications Agency have confirmed that public exposures are very much lower than the international guidelines and are published on the web sites www.nrpb.org and www.radio.gov.uk respectively.

  The LINK Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) Programme was established under an independent programme management committee (PMC), following the publication of the IEGMP report. The programme has a research budget of £7.36 million and is jointly funded by Government and industry.

  MTHR research studies already under way are mainly concerned with the use of mobile phone handsets. In response to more recent public concerns about possible health risks from exposure to emissions from base stations, the PMC has commissioned researchers at Imperial College to undertake an epidemiological study investigating the incidence of childhood leukaemias and other cancers around base stations. Applications for further research into the effects of radiofrequency emissions from mobile phone base stations are currently being considered. Further information about this study and the programme as a whole can be found on the MTHR web site at www.mthr.orq.uk.
  489W

  Multiple Sclerosis
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of multiple sclerosis patients receive the drugs that they request in the last year for which figures are available. [122456]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  We do not hold the information requested. However, the risk-sharing scheme is making disease-modifying drugs more widely available. Consultant neurologists, in consultation with patients, have a choice of treatments within the scheme taking into account expected benefit and potential side effects. The products included in the scheme are Avonex, Betaferon, Copaxone and Rebif.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the availability of hydrotherapy treatment for MS sufferers; and if he will make a statement. [122800]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Hydrotherapy is a form of physiotherapy conducted in a heated pool. Supervised by state-registered physiotherapists with specific training in hydrotherapy, patients undertake specifically designed exercises that can help to strengthen muscles, mobilise joints, relieve pain and promote relaxation.

  We do not hold information centrally on the availability of these therapies. It is the role of strategic health authorities, in partnership with primary care trusts, to decide what services to provide for their populations, including those with multiple sclerosis. They are best placed to understand local health needs and commission services to meet them.

  Mutuality
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what models of mutuality in health the Government are investigating; and what expertise he has sought from abroad with regard to this mode of delivery. [116447]

  Mr. Hutton
  We have established an external reference group to provide advice on how national health service foundation trusts might learn from the experience of mutual and co-operative sectors. The membership covers a range of organisations from the not-for-profit sector. We have also explored the experience in other countries such as Spain, Denmark and Sweden relevant to the development of NHS foundation trusts.

  Nanoparticles in Drugs
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has made an assessment of the need to regulate the toxicity of nanoparticles used in drugs. [117006]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department considers that the toxicity of nanoparticles used in drugs is already adequately regulated and assessed during the marketing authorisation assessment process of the individual products. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), on behalf of the Licensing Authority, grants marketing authorisations for medicinal products, provided that satisfactory quality, safety and efficacy data have been submitted for the medicinal product for use in the proposed indication and that the risk benefit is deemed favourable. Part of 490W
  the assessment process involves ensuring that the toxicity of the final drug product has been adequately investigated and tested in the clinical trials submitted in support of the application. Appropriate trials will need to be conducted with the particle size of the drug in the final product that is intended for marketing. The drug manufacturer will also have to satisfy the MHRA that it can consistently produce the product from batch to batch, including particle size.

  Neurological Nurses
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many specialist neurological nurses there were in each NHS region for(a) TIA, (b) epilepsy, (c) multiple sclerosis, (d) movement disorder, (e) head injury, (f) Parkinson's and (g) Alzheimer's in (i) 1997–98 and (ii) the most recent year for which figures are available. [121621]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not collected centrally. The non-medical workforce census collects information annually on the number of nurses employed in the national health service as at 30 September each year, but can not distinguish those who are specialist neurological nurses.

  Neurologists
  Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to tackle the shortage of qualified neurologists; and what targets he has set to reduce waiting times in neurology. [121464]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 26 June 2003]: There have been significant increases in neurologist numbers in recent years and there are more planned. The overall expansion in consultant numbers set out in the NHS Plan should have positive implications for neurology recruitment.

  As at 31 March 2002, there were 372 consultants in neurology, which means that since September 1997, numbers increased by 34 per cent. We are working towards increasing these numbers further.

  The long-term conditions care group workforce team covers the national service frameworks (NSFs) for diabetes, renal and long-term conditions, including neurological conditions. It brings together, in relevant workforce groups, key stakeholders, including patients, to lead on strategies for building a flexible workforce to deliver the NSFs. It is the first time that workforce planning has been carried out in this manner. This approach will support the development of the workforce and enable the national health service to grow the right number of workers, with the right skills, in the right place at the right time. Membership of the long-term conditions workforce group includes representatives of the Neurological Alliance and the North West Clinical Neuroscience Partnership.

  Targets were set to reduce out-patients waits to 21 weeks by April 2003 and there are further targets to reduce waits to 16 weeks by 1 April 2004. People with neurological conditions stand to benefit from these reductions in waiting times.

  NHS Recruitment
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent by the NHS on advertising employment opportunities in each of the last five years. [122401]

  Mr. Hutton
  The last time that national information on national health service recruitment advertising costs was collected was in 1998, when expenditure was estimated to be £30 million. However, this is likely to have risen over the last five years in line with the major expansion of staff numbers in the NHS.

  The Department of Health is currently commissioning a national electronic recruitment service for the NHS. It will link with NHS Careers to provide a web-based service advertising posts, providing information about careers, jobs and NHS employers, and an electronic application process, supported by a call centre service to provide flexible, interactive access to information and job and training opportunities. The new service will enable the NHS to reduce its recruitment and advertising costs.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of applications per job advertisement in the NHS was in each of the last five years. [122402]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health does not hold this information centrally, although it may be available from individual national health service employing organisations.

  NHS Services (Gloucestershire)
  Mr. Nigel Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the use of(a) temporary nurses and (b) locum doctors in the NHS in Gloucestershire. [121875]

  Dr. Ladyman
  A range of initiatives is under way to get better value for temporary staff in the national health service. Along with the roll-out of NHS Professionals, the aim is to reduce agency costs and to improve the quality of staff through agency framework

  NHS Hospital and Community Health Service Nursing, midwifery
  and health visiting staff by Ethnic group (excluding agency and learners)

  England as at September 2001

  Percentage

  Old Ethnic Codes

  New Ethnic Codes

  All groups

  White

  Black

  Asian

  Other

  White

  Mixed

  Asian or Asian British

  Black or Black British

  Other

  Total ethnic minority groups

  All nursing, midwifery and

  100.0

  51.9

  1.8

  0.7

  1.3

  39.9

  0.5

  1.3

  1.8

  0.8

  8.2

  Qualified staff

  100.0

  53.2

  2.0

  0.8

  1.5

  37.9

  0.4

  1.4

  1.8

  1.0

  8.9

  Nurse Consultant

  100.0

  44.6

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  53.8

  1.6

  0.0

  0.0

  0.0

  1.6

  Nurse manager

  100.0

  52.7

  1.3

  0.3

  0.5

  42.7

  0.3

  0.7

  0.8

  0.7

  4.7

  Registered sick children's nurse

  100.0

  56.9

  2.0

  0.7

  0.9

  36.6

  0.4

  0.6

  1.3

  0.6

  6.5

  Registered midwife

  100.0

  58.1

  2.7

  0.8

  0.7

  33.1

  0.7

  0.6

  2.6

  0.7

  8.8

  Health vistor

  100.0

  54.7

  2.3

  1.0

  0.8

  38.6

  0.2

  0.6

  1.4

  0.5

  6.7

  District nurse

  100.0

  54.2

  0.9

  0.7

  0.6

  41.7

  0.2

  0.4

  1.1

  0.4

  4.1

  Other first level registration

  100.0

  52.4

  1.9

  0.8

  1.7

  38.3

  0.4

  1.5

  1.8

  1.1

  9.3

  Other second level registration

  100.0

  54.3

  2.4

  1.0

  1.7

  33.7

  0.6

  2.9

  2.5

  1.0

  12.0

  Unqualified staff

  100.0

  48.4

  1.4

  0.5

  0.6

  45.7

  0.5

  0.7

  1.7

  0.4

  5.9

  Notes:

  Figures should be treated with caution as they are based upon the 68 of HCHS organisations that reported valid ethnic codes for 90 or more of non-medical staff, and further exclude staff whose ethnicity is not recorded. Percentages were calculated from numbers of staff expressed as headcount. Sum of parts may not equal totals due to rounding.

  Source:

  Department of Health 2001 non-medical workforce census.
  492W
  agreements. Agency framework agreements fix the cost of agency staff, which can only increase in line with the recommendations of the pay review body.

  NHS trusts are using the National Medical Locum Agency contract, with the contract value in the first quarter being £15 million. This is expected to show an average saving of 6 per cent. per trust on medical locum expenditure per annum.

  The aim is to roll-out agency agreements and NHS Professionals to cover all aspects of the temporary healthcare labour market. This means covering not just nurses and doctors, but also the allied health professions and other healthcare professionals.

  Medical locums are already covered by a national agency framework agreement, and a NHS Professionals service for doctors is being developed.

  By ensuring that all temporary staffing demand is handled through NHS Professionals, the savings and outcomes from the agency project will be maximised. The new NHS Professionals special health authority will enable better strategic management of the healthcare temporary staffing labour market and ensure that all NHS trusts are using NHS Professionals by April 2005.

  Avon Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority has advised that trusts in Gloucestershire are working towards using NHS Professionals by the target date of April 2005 and are using, or working towards using, the National Medical Locum Agency contract.

  NHS Staff
  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the proportion of nurses employed by the NHS who are from the black and ethnic minority community; and if he will list the percentage for each nursing grade. [121312]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  As at September 2001, an estimated 8.9 per cent. of the qualified nursing workforce whose ethnicity is recorded were from a black or ethnic minority background.

  NHS Treatment (Age of Consent)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the age of consent is far agreeing to NHS treatment. [122387]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  People aged 16 or 17 are entitled to consent to their own medical treatment and any ancillary procedures involved in that treatment, such as an anaesthetic. As for adults, consent will be valid only if it is given voluntarily by an appropriately informed patient capable of consenting to the particular intervention.

  For children under 16, following the case of Gillick, the courts have held that children who have sufficient understanding and intelligence to enable them to understand fully what is involved in a proposed intervention will also have the capacity to consent to that intervention.

  Detailed guidance on the law on consent in England was set out in the Department's "Reference Guide to Consent for Examination and Treatment", published in March 2001. The Department has also made available information leaflets for health professionals and for patients on consent in relation to children and young people. These and other related documents are available on the Departments' website at www.doh.gov.uk/ consent.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will answer the questions from the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham, ref 116459 tabled on 22 May, refs(a) 114052, (b) 114085, (c) 114056, (d) 114033, (e) 114001, (f) 114048, (g) 114060, (h) 114003, (i) 114019, (j) 114002, (k) 114050, (l) 114065, (m) 114164, (n) 114084, (o) 114012, (p) 114062, (q) 114054, (r) 114058, (s) 114002, (t) 114049, (u) 114063, (v) 114163, (w) 114055, (x) 114059, (y) 114051, (z) 110461, (aa) 114053, (bb) 114090, (cc) 114057, (dd) 114061, (ee) 114053, (ff) 114090, (gg) 114057 tabled on 13 May, and refs (i) 116467 and (ii) 116468 tabled on 3 June. [123460]

  Mr. Hutton
  The table shows the dates on which the hon. Member's questions were answered.

  UIN

  Date reply sent

  Official Report, column

  114001

  30 June

  149–53W

  114002

  30 June

  149–53W

  114003

  30 June

  149–53W

  114012

  30 June

  149–53W

  114019

  30 June

  149–53W

  114033

  30 June

  149–53W

  114048

  30 June

  149–53W

  114049

  30 June

  149–53W

  114050

  30 June

  153W

  114051

  30 June

  153W

  114052

  30 June

  153W

  114053

  30 June

  153W

  114054

  30 June

  153W

  114055

  30 June

  154W

  114056

  30 June

  154W

  114057

  30 June

  154W

  114058

  30 June

  154W

  114059

  30 June

  155W

  114060

  30 June

  155W

  114061

  30 June

  155W

  494W

  UIN

  Date reply sent

  Official Report, column

  114062

  30 June

  155W

  114063

  30 June

  155W

  114065

  30 June

  149–53W

  114084

  30 June

  149–53W

  114085

  30 June

  149–53W

  114090

  30 June

  149–53W

  114163

  30 June

  156W

  114164

  30 June

  156W

  116459

  30 June

  149W

  116467

  3 July

  —

  116468

  3 July

  —

  Paroxetine
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have(a) self-harmed and (b) committed suicide whilst taking prescribed paroxetine in each year since 1997. [122390]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) and Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) receive reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) submitted by doctors, dentists, pharmacists and coroners via the Yellow Card Scheme by doctors and there is a legal requirement for companies to report suspected ADRs to their drugs.

  The number of reports received via the Yellow Card Scheme does not directly equate to the number of people who suffer adverse reactions to drugs for a number of reasons including an unknown level of under reporting. It is important to note that the reporting of a reaction does not necessarily mean it was caused by the drug and may relate to other factors such as the patient's underlying illness or other medicines taken concurrently.

  A total of 196 reports of 'suspected' ADRs have been received through this scheme in association with paroxetine in children aged 18 years or under, including three reports of deliberate self-harm, all occurring in 1999 and two reports of suicide (accomplished)—one each occurring in 2002 and 2003.

  Physical Activity
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to develop partnerships with sports bodies at(a) national and (b) local level to promote physical activity. [119429]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department of Health recognises the important contribution sport and leisure activities can make to a healthy, active lifestyle. Therefore we are already working in partnership with a range of sports bodies at both a national and local level.

  The Department of Health and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport are jointly leading the Sport and Physical Activity Board (SPAB), which will meet for the first time in July 2003. Sports organisations, such as national governing bodies of sport, will be encouraged to contribute to the work of SPAB, whose aim will be to increase participation through a co-ordinated, strategic approach to the planning and delivery of sport and physical activity at a national and regional level.
  495W
  The Department of Health is hosting a two-year physical activity secondment post from Sport England. The aim of this post is to develop stronger links between sport and health.

  Nine Regional Sports Boards (RSBs) established by Sport England provide the mechanism for sport and health to link more effectively. Their membership includes a range of health professionals, including the Regional Director for Public Health.

  The Department is working in partnership with Sport England and the Countryside Agency to fund the local exercise action pilots (LEAP) programme. The threeyear programme will test out a range of community approaches to increasing access to and levels of physical activity in nine primary care trust (PCT) led pilots across England. Sports development and leisure services are contributing to the pilots through their local strategic partnerships. Two of the pilots are based in sport action zones and the majority of the PCTs are working closely with sports bodies to deliver health-related outcomes.

  In the context of the national service framework for coronary heart disease, PCTs and individual general practitioner practices are working with sport and leisure services to implement local policies for promoting physical activity, for example, through the delivery of exercise referral schemes, free swimming initiatives and weight management programmes.

  Physical Disability
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the most common cause of physical disability is in(a) England, (b) South Sefton, (c) Southport and (d) Formby. [122235]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The most common cause of physical disability in England is diseases of the musculoskeletal system, particularly arthritis and rheumatism. Such information is not available for South Sefton, Southport and Formby, but there is no evidence to suggest that they vary from England as a whole.

  Prisons
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in developing the prison health development network between primary care trusts and prisons. [123303]

  Dr. Ladyman
  1 July 2003 marked the launch of the Prison Health Development Network with an event in London attended by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Home Department (Mr. Goggins) and Sir Nigel Crisp, National Health Service Chief Executive and Department of Health Permanent Secretary.

  The launch event follows the Home Office announcement on 25 September 2002 that funding responsibility for health care within the Prison Service would become part of the NHS. The front line commissioning responsibility for individual prisons will have transferred to their local primary care trust (PCT) by 1 April 2006.
  496W
  The aim of the Prison Health Development Network is to support prisons and PCTs and develop their partnership roles. The network will provide invaluable lessons as the gradual transfer of responsibility takes place.

  Work on the network has been divided into two separate phases:
  Firstly, a diagnostic stage that will involve the PCTs and prisons identifying the potential problem areas for their organisations and highlighting areas of interest that they will be involved in;
  The second phase, which will start in September, will focus on helping PCTs and prisons develop practical solutions to the issues identified and share the experience and good practice with others. It is expected that those prisons and PCTs in the network that have made sufficient progress and are ready will 'go live' from April 2004.

  Private Health Care
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent undertakings have been given to the Government of South Africa about the recruitment of health staff; how many South African health care companies have been asked to tender for private contracts for the provision of care to NHS patients; and what restrictions the British Government intend to impose on the South African staff working for such companies. [121457]

  Mr. Hutton
  A code of practice for national health service employers recruiting from overseas was published in 2001 and sets out standards for international recruitment, including the need to protect the needs of developing countries such as South Africa and to only work with those countries which have formal agreements in place with the Department of Health to recruit healthcare professionals.

  The Department's agreement with the South African Health Ministry on the recruitment of overseas clinical teams is on the basis that only private sector providers will be considered. The agreement is on the assumption that clinicians cone to the United Kingdom for a maximum of six weeks per year on a rotational basis; this is designed to aid to the long-term retention of staff in the South African healthcare system.

  A total of 14 South African companies have been asked to tender for contracts to provide overseas clinical teams in the UK. Contracts have been awarded to South African companies at Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust, North West London Hospitals NHS Trust and Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust.

  In addition, two South African healthcare companies are included in the list of qualifying bidders preparing tenders for independent sector diagnosis and treatment centres contracts and we have assurances from both companies that, if selected, they will abide by the NHS code of practice for international recruitment.

  Public-Private Initiative
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the budget for the PPI system will be announced. [120655]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information about the three year allocation from the spending review for the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in
  497W
  Health was put on the Department of Health's website in December at www.doh.gov.uk/allocations. A copy of the information, which is contained in the 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 primary care trust Revenue Resource Limits Exposition Book, is available in the Library.

  Much of the work to support and deliver patient and public involvement is undertaken and funded locally, for example, patient advice and liaison services, the requirement on the national health service to involve and consult the public and scrutiny of health by local authorities.

  Smoking
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on under-age smoking. [120163]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department of Health commissions annual surveys on smoking among secondary school children. The 1998 White Paper, "Smoking Kills", set a target to reduce smoking among 11 to 15-year-olds from 13 per cent. in 1996 to 9 per cent. by 2010, with a fall to 11 per cent. by 2005. Progress towards this target is monitored by a series of surveys of schoolchildren carried out on behalf of the Department of Health, originally by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys and since 2000 by the National Centre for Social Research and National Foundation for Educational Research.

  Data on the prevalence of regular smoking from these reports are shown in the table. Smoking prevalence has remained unchanged since 2000 at ten per cent. and we are on course to meet our target for reducing smoking among this age group.

  Prevalence of regular cigarette smoking among secondary school pupils aged 11 to 15, by gender—England, 1996 to 2002

  Percentage

  Boys

  Girls

  All pupils

  1996

  11

  15

  13

  1998

  9

  12

  11

  1999

  8

  10

  9

  2000

  9

  12

  10

  2001

  8

  11

  10

  2002

  9

  11

  10

  Note:

  Regular smokers are those who smoke at least one cigarette a week, on average

  Source:

  The Department of Health Statistical Press Notice, "Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2002: Provisional Results"—http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/spnmar03- smoking.htm

  Social Services (Older People)
  Mr. Bill O'Brien
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has set a date for the payment of 498W
  grant to local authorities for improving social services for older people, as set out in his letter of 22 May to local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [122873]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Subject to parliamentary approval, the delayed discharges grant will be paid in one instalment to local authorities before 31 July 2003.

  St George's Hospital, Tooting
  Mr. Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect on St. George's Hospital, Tooting of being granted foundation status. [117162]

  Mr. Hutton
  In line with the principle of earned autonomy, for the first wave of national health service foundation trusts, only acute and specialist NHS trusts, which have attained three stars in the NHS Performance Ratings, were eligible to apply.

  St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust has two stars which means that it is therefore not eligible to apply for NHS foundation trust status at present. However, with mechanisms, including the recently announced improvement programme, in place to raise the performance of all NHS trusts, it is expected that all NHS trusts will have the opportunity to apply for NHS Foundation trust status within the next five years.

  Working Time Directive
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of(a) the impact on junior hospital doctors in North Yorkshire of the Working Time Directive, (b) the impact on local hospitals of the implementation of the Working Time Directive and (c) the change in the number of junior doctors the NHS will require in North Yorkshire. [121753]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Working Times Directive (WTD) implementation is only part of the much wider issue of delivering better care for patients and improving the working lives of national health service staff. Its impact cannot be assessed in isolation from other factors. It will require both more staff and staff working differently.

  Information about plans to implement the WTD across North Yorkshire is not collated. The resources needed to meet WTD targets are included in the local delivery plans agreed between NHS trusts and strategic health authorities.

  In addition, £46 million has been allocated to the NHS over the next three financial years to support compliance.

  From September 1997 to March 2002, there has been an increase of over 5,000 junior doctors and career grade doctors working in the NHS. This increase in the number of doctors, together with changes to working practices, will help both meet the WTD targets and deliver targets set out in the NHS Plan.

  Department for Constitutional Affairs
  Department for Constitutional Affairs
  The Lord Chancellor: Sitting Time on the Woolsack, Session 2001–02
  The Lord Chancellor: Sitting Time on the Woolsack, Session 2001–02
  Iraq: Military List Equipment Exports
  Iraq: Military List Equipment Exports
  Sexual Offences Legislation: Sado-masochistic Activity
  Sexual Offences Legislation: Sado-masochistic Activity
  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Counter-terrorism, Security and Resilience
  Counter-terrorism, Security and Resilience
  Disposal Services Agency: Key Targets 2003–04
  Disposal Services Agency: Key Targets 2003–04
  Deaths by Suicide: Students
  Deaths by Suicide: Students
  EC Communications Directives: Implementation
  EC Communications Directives: Implementation
  National Lottery
  National Lottery
  Zoos: North-West England
  Zoos: North-West England
  Sea Defences
  Sea Defences
  Food Supplements
  Food Supplements
  Prescriptions: Electronic Transmission Pilots
  Prescriptions: Electronic Transmission Pilots
  Carers
  Carers
  Care Direct
  Care Direct