Written Answers of 17 July 2003

PRIME MINISTER

  Cabinet Committees
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 26 June 2003,Official Report, column 921W, on Cabinet Committees, when he will publish the full membership and terms of reference of Ministerial Committees of the Cabinet. [127305]

  The Prime Minister
  I have today published the full membership and terms of reference of Ministerial Committees of the Cabinet, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Prime Minister when he will answer the question of 24 February from the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire on IT contracts in his Department above £50 million. [126903]

  The Prime Minister
  I understand that the hon. Member tabled this question to a number of Departments. However, he did not table it to me.

  European Constitution
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his written answer of 16 June 2003,Official Report, column 63W, on the EU White Paper, what discussions he expects to occur prior to the next meeting of the European Council; who is expected to preside over its proceedings; and whether Her Majesty's Government will present a provisionally agreed European Constitution for ratification by Parliament. [126546]

  The Prime Minister
  The Convention on the Future of Europe presented parts I and II of its draft Constitutional Treaty to the European Council at Thessaloniki (19–20 June). The European Council agreed that the draft Treaty represents a good basis for starting negotiations at the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), which will be convened in October 2003. It will be conducted by representatives of the member states and the 10 acceding states. They will take final decisions on a Constitutional Treaty for the European Union by common accord. As with previous EU Treaties, Parliament will have the opportunity to debate it and pass the legislation required to give effect to it before it is ratified.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had with President Kirchner of Argentina at the progressive governance conference concerning sovereignty of the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement. [126272]
  444W
  The Prime Minister
  I did have discussions with President Kirchner on the Falkland Islands. However, the issue of sovereignty was not raised.

  Guantanamo Bay Prisoners
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will request from President George Bush the return of all British prisoners held in Guantanamo Bay to the United Kingdom for the due attention of prosecution and other criminal justice authorities. [126462]

  The Prime Minister
  The Government is making active representations to the US Government about the future of the UK detainees at Guantanamo Bay. These representations cover a range of options including the possible return of the detainees to the UK and the need for any trials of UK detainees to be fair and in accordance with international law.

  The Government has consistently urged the US Government to resolve the position of the detainees.

  House of Lords Appointments Commission
  Jim Knight
  To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to lay the first report of the House of Lords Appointments Commission for 2000 to 2003 before Parliament. [126762]

  The Prime Minister
  I have today received the first report of the House of Lords Appointments Commission. The report covers the commission's first term from May 2001 to May 2003. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  I am grateful to the commission for finding, in fulfilment of their remit, people of distinction whom it has recommended on merit.

  I shall be inviting the commission to recommend a small number of non-party-political peers, as well as reporting on the propriety of any party working peers who are recommended, while discussion on the reform of the House of Lords continues.

  Accordingly, after following the standard procedures set by the Commissioner for Public Appointments, I have reappointed the chairman and independent members of the commission for further terms of three years, subject to continued discussion on the reform of the House of Lords, not least following our initial response to the Joint Committee report. I am also placing in the Libraries of both Houses my letter to the chairman.

  Pursuant to my answers on 19 May 2003, Official Report, columns 536–37W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice), I would like to clarify that the House of Lords Appointments Commission does come within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments and appointments to the commission are made in accordance with her code of practice

  Iraq Dossier
  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Prime Minister whether the inclusion of(a) the information and (b) the illustration

  445W
  of UNSCOM's visits to the Iraqi presidential palaces in the September Dossier was at the instigation of the Security Services. [126468]

  The Prime Minister
  As we have made clear, the Chairman of the JIC was responsible for the production of the September 2002 dossier.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answers of 7 July 2003,Official Report, column 616W, on intelligence, what progress has been made since 7 July in identifying the sources in the security services responsible for leaks to the media in respect of the Iraq dossier. [126897]

  The Prime Minister
  I have nothing further to add to my previous answer to the hon. Member on 7 July 2003,Official Report, column 616W.

  Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had with the Governments of(a) New Zealand, (b) Antigua and Barbuda, (c) Bahamas, (d) Barbados, (e) Belize, (f) Dominica, (g) Grenada, (h) Jamaica, (i) St. Christopher and Nevis, (j) Saint Lucia, (k) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, (l) Trinidad and Tobago, (m) Kiribati, (n) Tuvalu, (o) Mauritius, (p) Anguilla, (q) Bermuda, (r) the British Virgin Islands, (s) Cayman Islands, (t) Falkland Islands, (u) Gibraltar, (v) Montserrat, (w) St. Helena, (x) the Turks and Caicos Islands, (y) the Isle of Man, (z) Jersey and (aa) Guernsey on his plans to change the legal responsibilities of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as a court of appeal. [126771]

  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Department for Constitutional Affairs (Mr. Leslie) gave to her today

  Ministerial Visits
  David Davis
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will list visits within the United Kingdom he has made since 1 April; what the cost was to public funds of each trip; whom he met; and what gifts were received [126988]

  The Prime Minister
  On visits, the information is not readily available in the format requested. I shall write to the hon. Member once this information is available, and will place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  On gifts, the Government are committed to publishing an annual list of gifts received by Ministers in an official capacity valued at more than £140. The first ever list was published on 14 March 2003, Official Report, column 482W. Details of gifts received during 2003–04 valued at more than £140 will be published at the end of the current financial year.

  Pay Review Bodies
  Liz Blackman
  To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on payment for Pay Review Body chairs and members. [127304]
  446W
  The Prime Minister
  The Government have decided to pay the chairmen and members of the Pay Review Bodies for the work they carry out. Payment will be made on a per diem basis at a rate of £350 for the chairmen and £300 for other members.

  Payment will begin in September.

  Plutonium
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Prime Minister what representations he has received and what meetings he has held this year on the future management of plutonium; and if he will make a statement. [126921]

  The Prime Minister
  As far as I am aware, I have received no representations on this issue.

  I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations, it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings, under exemptions 2 and 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions between 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisors travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost. [126659]

  The Prime Minister
  The information is not readily available in the format requested. I shall write to the hon. Member once this information is available, and will place copies of the letter in the Libraries of the House.

  Trade Justice
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Prime Minister how many representations calling for trade justice have been received by the Government this year; and how many of these were from the Orkney and Shetland constituency. [125431]

  The Prime Minister
  So far this year I have received over 40,000 representations about Trade Justice and Fair Trade.

  Between 1 January and 30 June this year, this Government has received over 150,000 representations from MPs, the general public, various charities and NGOs covering a wide range of world trade policy issues.

  The information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Iraq
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Prime Minister (1) what evidence he has received of attempts being made by the Iraqi military to deploy chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear weapons during the war; [126858]

  (2) what evidence of the products of weapons of mass destruction programmes have been found in Iraq. [126859]
  447W
  The Prime Minister
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan) at Prime Minister's Questions on 16 July 2003,Official Report, column 279.

WALES

  Health and Social Care
  Mr. Jon Owen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the need for primary legislation in order to implement the recommendations of the Review of Health and Social Care in Wales advised by Derek Wanless; and whether his Department has had discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government about implementing the four options proposed by the Review to solve the problem of bed-blocking. [126460]

  Mr. Touhig
  I have regular meetings with the Assembly Minister for Health, Jane Hutt AM, during which she updates me on health policy initiatives launched by her Administration.

  I am aware that the Assembly will be publishing a detailed response and action plan in the autumn and it is therefore premature to comment on implementing the recommendations of the Report before then. I welcome Jane Hutt's announcement of an additional £4 million to tackle the immediate problems in the review, namely delayed discharges and alternatives to hospital admission. This money will be channelled through the Local Health Boards where all health and social care interests are represented.

  Ministerial Travel
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Wale when he last used the London Underground in connection with his official duties. [124604]

  Mr. Hain
  On 25 March 2003.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Supasweet Onion
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will suppor the production and promotion of the Supasweet onion in Chicksands, Bedfordshire. [126294]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Defra has contributed to the development of the Supasweet onion by funding half the cost of a three-year collaborative research project worth £650,000. The production and promotion of the product is now being taken forward by industry partners and we wish them every success.

  Note:

  F. B. Parrish and Son of Chicksands is one of five growers or growers' organisations which helped fund the research project. The company is primarily known for its onion production and was the overall winner in the 2003 Grower of the Year Awards.

  New Covent Garden Markets Authority
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to secure a viable future for the New Covent Garden Markets Authority. [126295]

  Mr. Morley
  The Saphir Report identifies a future for New Covent Garden Market as a composite market providing a particular service to the central London catering trade. The Department is working closely with the Covent Garden Market Authority to identify ways of developing the Nine Elms site and the market business to provide for future needs. It remains the Government's objective to dispose of the market as a going concern—when this is achieved there will be no further need for the Authority and it will be wound up.

  Biofuel Crops
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage the use of crops for biofuels. [126298]

  Mr. Morley
  We have made available £29 million to support the planting of energy crops and the setting up of growers' producer groups. £3.5 million is being made available to develop supply chains for biomass, including energy crops, from harvest to energy end-user; £66 million is being allocated to develop markets for biomass, including energy crops, in heat, combined heat and power, and power generation. Officials are working closely with project developers and others to promote the potential of energy crops.

  Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
  Mr. Clifton-Brown
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on how she proposes to implement the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. [126299]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government intend to implement the WEEE Directive in a way that will maximise the environmental benefits for the UK but keep the costs to a minimum.

  The Directive was agreed in February 2003, and the Government now have until August 2004 to transpose the Directive into UK law. The first stage of consultation on the WEEE Directive has now concluded and the Government are in the process of analysing the responses. These will be fed into a further consultation paper, due to be issued later this year. A final consultation on the draft Regulations will be issued early next year.

  Thames Fisheries
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received on the effects of the Shell Haven oil refinery on fisheries in the Thames. [126300]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  None, but I am aware that concerns have been expressed by fishermen at a public inquiry examining proposals for the redevelopment of the site as the London Gateway port.

  Fallen Stock Scheme
  Angela Watkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the number of farmers who have signed up to the Fallen Stock Scheme. [126301]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  No decision has yet been made about whether such a scheme will proceed. However, around 30 per cent, of livestock farmers in England expressed an interest in joining a national scheme if one were to go ahead

  Beef
  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements she is making to pay interest on overdue payments of(a) beef special premium and (b) slaughter premium. [126265]

  £

  Scheme

  2001 payments issued

  2001 payments outstanding

  2002 payments issued

  2002 payments outstanding

  Beef special premium scheme

  111,084,363.74

  1,160,740.93

  102,502,560.57

  10,312,419.37

  Slaughter premium scheme

  41,933,323

  163,792

  41,268,488

  30,530,948

  2001 Payments

  The majority of outstanding payments for 2001 relate to claims with unresolved queries and discrepancies. Staff at the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) are working hard to resolve these queries and in many cases this has involved contacting claimants to obtain additional information.

  2002 Payments

  Claimants under the Beef Special Premium Scheme (BSPS) and Slaughter Premium Scheme (SPS) began receiving their advance payments shortly after the bovine payment window opened on 16 October 2002.

  Every effort is being made to make as many payments as possible by 31 July 2003.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received on reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. [126292]

  Margaret Beckett
  In the last month I, my ministerial colleagues and officials from my Department have attended a number of meetings and events at which CAP reform has been discussed with representatives from fanning, environmental, consumer and landowner organisations, as well as Ministers from other countries. We have also received correspondence and telephone calls from hon. Members and members of the public about CAP reform.

  Farming Practices
  Mrs. Anne Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she will take to encourage farmers to adopt more environmentally sustainable farming practices. [126296]
  450W
  Alun Michael
  The RPA very much regrets the delays in making bovine payments for 2002. The main reason was the introduction by the European Commission of revised rules for calculating aggregated penalties across the bovine schemes. This change has caused difficulties for member states and the Commission recognised this by accepting that payments could be made this year up to 31 July rather than 30 June.

  The RPA is making every effort to make as many payments as possibly by 31 July. The RPA will consider whether compensation payments for the delay may be appropriate for payments made after that date.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money is due in outstanding payments for(a) beef special premium and (b) slaughter premium for (i) 2001
  and (ii) 2002; and when she expects such payments to be made. [126266]

  Alun Michael
  The information is given in the table.

  Mr. Morley
  The Government are committed to encouraging more environmentally sustainable farming. I refer my hon. Friend to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, made on 26 June 2003, regarding the progress made in this area in the reform of the CAP. Our existing agri-environment schemes (ESA and CSS) have made a significant impact since first introduced, but we want to do more. In addition to reviewing the current schemes, we are currently piloting an 'Entry Level' Scheme that will be available to all farmers across the country from 2005.

  Farming Fraud
  Mr. Leigh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what further measures have been taken by the Rural Payments Agency to prevent fraud by farmers, following the Government reply to the recommendations made by the Committee of Public Accounts in its 51st Report of Session 2001–02. [126297]

  Alun Michael
  The Rural Payments Agency is introducing up to date, integrated computer systems to improve the control of CAP scheme administration. Key elements are a single business identifier and a Rural Land Register to ensure subsidy is only paid on eligible land and to registered customers entitled to receive it.

  Flood Risk
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people live in areas with a high risk of flooding. [125577]

  Mr. Morley
  There is no estimate for the number of people at high risk of flooding throughout the UK.
  451W
  The UK wide estimate, based on information currently available, is that there are about 2.1 million properties within flood plains. Of these approximately 1.8 million are in England and Wales and the majority of these are protected by flood defence structures.

  GM Crops
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of contamination by GM crops on surrounding plant life; what estimate she has made of the radius from sites that could be contaminated by GM crops; and if she will make a statement. [125957]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: Each application for consent for the release a GM crop into the environment must have a full and thorough risk assessment made of its potential impacts. This assessment is scrutinised by the Government's statutory Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) and is made on a case-by-case basis according to the characteristics of the particular crop. It includes a consideration of the likelihood and consequences if a GM crop were to spread through cross-pollination (with other crop plants or wild relatives) or through seed movement.

  ACRE have considered all the GM crops that have been grown in the UK and consent has only been granted where appropriate measures have been taken to avoid adverse effects on the surrounding environment. In the case of the crops in the farm-scale evaluations, the GM crops were kept separate from commercial crops. The separation distances were based on advice from the National Institute of Agricultural Botany published in August 2000 and are not intended to eliminate any cross pollination with equivalent crops at greater distance, but rather to limit it severely. ACRE advised that the actual occurrence of cross-pollination with other crop plants, or wild relatives in the case of oil seed rape, would present no undue risk to human health or the environment. The potential of such cross-pollination is one of the factors being examined in the Farm Scale Evaluation.

  Illegal Logging
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when and where the EU action plan on illegal logging will be discussed by the Council of Ministers. [126010]

  Mr. Morley
  This is a decision for the Presidency of the EU. At Environment Council on 13 June, the UK urged the Presidency to facilitate a full and early discussion of the Action Plan. Since that time, preliminary discussions by officials have been held in Brussels at the EU Working Group on Forestry on 9 July and at the EU Development Co-operation Working Group on 11 July.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the UK Government will press for new legislation to ban the import of illegally sourced timber as part of the EU action plan to tackle the illegal timber trade; and if she will make a statement. [126009]
  452W
  Mr. Morley
  The UK Government wishes to see an end to the import of illegally logged timber into the EU and does not rule out support for such legislation. Equally, the Government recognises the need to ensure that any new legislation is proportionate, enforceable and compatible with WTO regulations. Consequently, in addition to offering broad support to the Commission's recently published Action Plan to tackle illegal logging and its associated trade, the UK will press for the Commission to undertake an immediate assessment of the feasibility and impacts of additional legislative options, including a ban on illegally sourced timber.

  Private Sewers (Wales)
  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of the consultation on private sewers on owners in Wales. [126027]

  Mr. Hain
  I have been asked to reply.

  This is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from(a) the Welsh Assembly, (b) Welsh local authorities and (c) other Welsh organisations on the consultation on private sewers. [126028]

  Mr. Morley
  The public consultation paper seeking views on private sewers was published on 1 July this year jointly by the Department and the Welsh Assembly Government. The consultation period extends until 26 September. We ha ve not received any representations on the consultation on private sewers from Welsh local authorities or other Welsh organisations.

  Radioactive Water
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what quantities of radioactive water(a) have been removed and (b) remain to be moved from Sellafield building B30 as part of the post-operational clean-out (POCO) process; to where this water has been discharged; and whether the POCO activities at B30 have been reported as part of the UK submissions to the OSPAR Ministerial in Bremen in June. [124826]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 10 July 2003]: About 2,000 cubic metres of water a day are currently flushed through the B30 ponds. The water is treated at the SIXEP plant in Sellafield to remove particulate and principally radioactive caesium and strontium. The resulting low-level radioactive liquid waste is discharged to sea. These discharges were included in the Strategy for Radioactive Discharges 2001–2020, published in July 2002, which was the UK's national report to OSPAR.

  Rights of Way Mapping Process
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by how much the Rights of Way mapping process is over budget; and which other budgets are being used to fund it. [124896]
  453W
  Alun Michael
  The Countryside Agency expects to spend £14.23 million in the current financial year on implementing Part I of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, mainly on mapping open country and registered common land. This compares with an estimate of £11.93 million when the Corporate Plan was prepared. Estimates cannot be exact because the work is largely demand-driven, generated by comments and appeals on the maps.

  Over the past two years the Agency has been fully aware of the need to manage these pressures within its increasing budget which is over £98 million this year and I discuss these issues regularly with the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Chief Executive and members of the Agency's Board.

  Water Industry
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of water companies reported financial deficits in 2002. [125574]

  Mr. Morley
  The Director General of Water Services' published report, "Financial performance and expenditure of the water companies in England and Wales 2001–2002" (Table 4), shows that all companies reported operating profits for the year ended March 2002.

  Written Ministerial Statements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department since 29 October 2002. [126606]

  Alun Michael
  As at 16 July, 77 written ministerial statements have been made by the Department.

TREASURY

  Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the occurrence rale of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was in each of the last five years. [127018]

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

  Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. John Baron, dated 17 July 2003:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning what the occurrence rate of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was in each of the last five years. I am replying in his absence. (127018)
  The rates for newly diagnosed cases of acute lymphoblastic leukeamia1 for the most recent five years for which data are available for children aged under fifteen in England arc given in the table below.
  454W

  Rates of newly diagnosed cases of acute lymphoblastic leukeamia1 per 100,000 children aged under 15, England, 1995–99

  Under 15

  1995

  3.5

  1996

  3.4

  1997

  3.1

  1998

  3.6

  1999

  3.3

  1 For the years 1995 to 1999, International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), code C91.0.

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics, "Cancer statistics-registrations. England 1999". Series MBI no. 30. London: The Stationary Office, 2002.

  Available on the National Statistics website at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/Mbl_30/MBl_30pdf.

  Office for National Statistics, "Cancer statistics-registrations.

  England 1998". Series MBI no. 30. London: The Stationary Office, 2002

  Available on the National Statistics website at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/Mbl_30/MBl_29pdf.

  Office for National Statistics, "Cancer statistics-registrations. England 1995–97". Series MBI no. 30. London: The Stationary Office, 2002.

  Available on the National Statistics website at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/Mbl_30/MBl_ 28pdf.

  Tax Credit Helpline
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff are employed to man advisory hotlines for working families tax credit; how many are civil servants; and how many have received training in this area. [117641]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I said in my comments during the debate on the floor of the House on 10 April 2003,Official Report, column 503, that a further 700 staff would be added by 15 April 2003 to the 1,900 staff already deployed on the helpline. These were full-time equivalent figures for the Great Britain helpline. Since then the number has fluctuated, but the average between 14 April and the end of June 2003 was about 2,900. Some of the work was outsourced for a period, and all staff have received appropriate training.

  During the same period there was an average of about 3,900 telephone lines servicing the helpline.

  Mr. Alan Reid
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the script used by advisers at the tax credit helpline for responding to callers who have asked for their tax credits to be paid into a Post Office card account. [115676]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The script used by tax credit staff when dealing with people who have asked for their tax credits to be paid into a Post Office card account follows that placed in the Library by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers given by the then Under-Secretary for Work and Pensions, Malcolm Wicks, on 26 March and 11 April 2003 Official Report, columns 289W and 472W.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) telephone lines and (b) telephonists there are for the tax credit helpline; and if he will make a statement. [115910]
  455W
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what telephone hotlines and advice lines have been operated by his Department for people seeking advice about children's tax credits; what charges apply to each; and how many calls they have each taken. [123896]

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many calls have been made to the tax credit helpline in each month since it was first established; and how many of these calls have been answered; [125413]

  (2) how many calls have been made to the MPs' tax credit hotline in each month since it was first established; and how many of these calls have been answered. [125414]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Telephone help lines have been in operation since August 2002 for claimants for child and working tax credits living in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland. The advisers can answer both general inquiries and inquiries about specific claims. Calls to these lines are charged at local rates.

  The number of calls received and handled each month by the Great Britain helpline, rounded to the nearest thousand, appear in the following table:

  Calls to the GB child and working tax credit helpline received and handled August 2002 to June2003

  Thousand

  Received1

  Handled2

  August 2002

  28

  28

  September 2002

  179

  177

  October 2002

  324

  320

  November 2002

  394

  375

  December 2002

  268

  265

  January 2003

  852

  771

  February 2003

  1,168

  957

  March 2003

  2,487

  1,701

  April 2003

  2,509

  1,768

  May 2003

  2,000

  1,680

  June 2003

  957

  913

  Total to June 2003

  1,168

  8,956

  1 Where the caller selected an option from the call steering menu and was put in a queue to speak to an adviser.

  2 Where the caller spoke to an adviser.

  3 Totals may not equal the sum of individual months because of rounding

  The Northern Ireland helpline handled 328,000 calls up to June 2003.

  A response line is in operation giving general advice, but not answering inquiries about specific claims, Its had answered 2.7 million calls by the end of June 2003, including both those answered live by an operator and those answered by recorded voice. Calls to this line are free of charge. There are telephone hotlines for tax credits for Members of Parliament in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Calls to these lines are charged at national rate. For the weekly number of calls answered by these hotlines to the week starting 30 April, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale (Mr. Duncan) on 11 June 2003, Official Report, columns 859–60W. These hotlines answered 4,4000 calls in the four weeks starting 5 May 2003 and 5,000 during the five weeks starting 2 June 2003. In total, they answered 11,500 calls
  456W
  between 30 December 2002 and the week starting 30 June 2003. It is not known how many calls to these hotlines were not answered.

  In addition, the Inland Revenue website contains information on tax credits, and a facility for potential claimants to enter family circumstances to check for eligibility and the size of the award. There were over 7.2 million such checks made to the end of June 2003.

  Benefit Payments
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire of 9 July 2003,Official Report, column 871W, what the April outturn is against the Department for Work and Pensions' target that 85 per cent, of customers should have their benefit paid into their bank accounts by 2005. [125988]

  Mr. Boateng
  At the end of April 2003 around 43 per cent, of United Kingdom benefit customers were having their benefits paid directly into their bank accounts. From early May 2003 there has been a planned increase in activity to bolster the Direct Payment take up rate. A conversion exercise is under way where customers are being contacted and invited to concert to Direct Payment. This is being backed up with a national advertising campaign. Details of the number of invitations issued and responses issued are published in the House of Commons Library.

  Business Rates
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what extra amount Redcar and Cleveland would have received in(a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003 under the Treasury's preferred model for local authority retention of business rates. [125927]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government published a consultation document on the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive scheme on the 4 July. This invites responses by the 31 October. At this stage we are consulting on the principles and concepts that will guide the design of the scheme. During 2004 we will consult again on a specific proposal.

  The benefits to individual local authorities from the scheme will depend on the final design of the scheme and how well individual local authorities respond to the incentives from the scheme.

  Census 2001 (Sheffield)
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of Sheffield's 2001 Census information was lost; if he will make a statement on how this information was lost; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the methods used to estimate Sheffield's 2001 Census returns. [126125]

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

  Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Betts dated 17 July 2003:

  457W
  The National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales has been asked to reply lo your recent question regarding your concerns about how the 2001 Census was conducted in Sheffield. (126125)
  I can assure you that there were no Census forms lost in Sheffield. It seems likely that your reference to 'lost' information refers to problems with the Census Coverage Survey for Sheffield. This resulted in us not having information for 36 of the sampled postcodes and meant that we could not ise the Census Coverage Survey for Sheffield as we had originally intended.
  The Census Coverage Survey (CCS) was a key element in the One Number Census process. It was an independent survey conducted shortly after the Census to establish the coverage of the 2001 Census. The information obtained from the Census Coverage Survey was used to enable census population counts to be adjusted for under enumeration at the national, local and small area level. It was therefore important that the Census Coverage Survey was successful in capturing those persons missed in the Census.
  A quality assurance panel was set up to look at the results of the Census from around the country and also to provide advice as problems arose during the processing. After some consideration, the quality assurance panel felt that the sample for Sheffield from the Census Coverage Survey was not sufficient to make reliable estimates of underenumeration.
  However, the methodology for the Census included a contingency strategy that could be used for occasions when it was felt that the Census Coverage Survey had failed to find the people missed from the Census. This contingency strategy involved a method known as "borrowing strength". This strategy involves using the adjustments made for similar Local Authorities when compared with aggregate administrative data and applying these to the Authority for which the strategy is invoked. The method for selecting Local Authorities from which to borrow strength involved using the ONS classification of Local Authorities to identify the five most similar areas in terms of socio-economic and demographic characteristics. By applying the borrowing strength method, the population of Sheffield was increased by 6,100 over and above what would have been achieved had the borrowing strength method not been used. This accounts for approximately 1 per cent, of the total population estimate.
  A consultation exercise was undertaken with all Local Authorities in the winter of 2000/1 inviting each Authority to comment on the acceptability of the list of closest Authorities to their own for borrowing strength purposes. Sheffield was given the opportunity to comment at this stage, before the list was finalised and published.

  Private Finance Initiative
  Mr. Streeter
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the percentage of total central government expenditure was represented by PFI and PPP annual payments in the financial years(a) 1992–93, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 2002–03; [125498]

  (2) what the total central government expenditure was on PFI and PPP annual payments in the financial years, (a) 1992–93, (b) 1997–98 and (c) 2002–03. [125499]

  Mr. Boateng
  Estimated figures for PFI/PPP annual payments total £0.37 billion for 1997–98. These figures can be seen in the 1997–98 Financial Statement and Budget Report: Table 5.6—Estimated forward commitments from signed contracts.

  Estimated figures for 1997/98 represent 0.1 per cent, of Total Managed Expenditure (£323.6 billion).

  Estimated figures for PFI/PPP annual payments total £4.545 billion for 2002–03. These figures can be seen in the 2002–03 Financial Statement and Budget Report: Table C19—Estimated payments under PFI contracts.
  458W
  Estimated figures for 2002–03 represent 1.1 per cent, of Total Managed Expenditure (£421 billion—estimated outturn).

  Figures for 1992/93 were not compiled at that time.

  Chief Economic Adviser
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury's Chief Economic Adviser plays an executive role in the Inland Revenue's dealings with(a) individuals and (b) businesses. [126471]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Chief Economic Adviser to the Treasury has no executive role in the Inland Revenue's dealings with either group.

  Child Benefit
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated annual cost would be of changing the child benefit system to pay the higher rate of child benefit in respect of all children of a multiple birth when those children are the oldest in a family. [125858]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Child benefit is a universal system of support paid to all families who are responsible for a child, irrespective of their means. It is paid until a child reaches the age of 16, or 19 if they remain in full-time non-advanced education.

  The higher rate of child benefit is paid in respect of the eldest child family, by date or time of birth, until that child reaches 16, or 19 if appropriate.

  To provide an additional "higher rate" for each child of a multiple birth under the current tax and benefit system, where there are no other older children in a family, would cost an additional £15 million a year.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter dated 29 May from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan on insurance premium tax. [126776]

  John Healey
  I have done so.

  Customs and Excise
  Mrs. Lawrence
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many times in the past two years the Customs and Excise National Strike Force has undertaken operational duties in west Wales; [118546]

  (2) what seizures have been made by the Customs and Excise National Strike Force in west Wales in the last two years. [118532]

  John Healey
  Pursuant to his answers of 12 June 2003,Official Report, columns 980–81W, the National Strike Force was in fact deployed to Wales 10 times in the last two years, rather than the total of 16 times since it was established in January 2000, and these deployments included west Wales on four occasions.

  Deployments of the National Strike Force are rarely to any single location, and it is not possible to identify from older operational records the specific locations where seizures were made by the National Strike Force. Figures for seizures in west Wales alone are therefore

  459W
  not available; however, in the last two years in south Wales (including west Wales but excluding Cardiff airport) the National Strike Force seized 180,000 cigarettes but no criminal cash.

  Lembit Öpik
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions his Department has had with the(a) Home Office, (b) Secretary of State for Wales and (c) Welsh Assembly regarding removal of permanent front-line anti-smuggling customs officers from (i) Chester, (ii) Swansea and (iii) Pembroke ports; and if he will make a statement. [126320]

  John Healey
  Following the announcement of Customs and Excise's modernisation plans in March, I informed the Home Secretary and wrote to the First Minister of the National Assembly for Wales; Customs wrote to Dyfed-Powys police force and to South Wales police force. Customs officials have also discussed their plans with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales.

  EU Budget
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the UK's gross receipts from the EU Budget were in 2002. [126496]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Details of the United Kingdom's public sector receipts from the EC Budget in 2002 can be found in Table 3 (page 40) of the annual White Paper "European Community Finances" (Cm 5800, ISBN 0–10–158002–9) which was published on 30 April.

  Financial Services and Markets Act
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he intends to make his assessment of the effectiveness of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000; who will conduct that review; and when the review is expected to be completed. [126655]

  Mr. Boateng
  No decisions have yet been taken in this matter.

  Gift Aid
  Mr. Cameron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of revenue which would be lost if the Gift Aid declaration was replaced by allowing all personal donations to charities to be free of tax; and if he will make a statement. [124909]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Gift Aid scheme allows charities to reclaim basic rate tax paid on donations made to them. The donor must give a declaration that they have paid income or capital gains tax at least equal to the amount which the charity will reclaim. If the requirement for the donor to give a declaration and to have paid sufficient tax on the donation were removed and charities simply claimed the equivalent of basic rate tax on all personal donations, the additional cost to the Exchequer is estimated at about £1 billion.

  Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures he is taking to increase the transparency 460W
  of (a) World Bank and (b) IMF decisions about countries coming olf track with the heavily indebted poor countries initiative. [125815]

  John Healey
  The UK continues to be at the forefront of promoting transparency at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. We strongly support country-owned Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) and have continually supported the publication of country programme documents and HIPC documents. We have also supported the publication of specific information on the status of all HIPC country cases and PRSPs which is now regularly provided in the context of meetings of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) and Development Committee.

  Income Tax
  Mr. Gordon Prenitice
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that the Inland Revenue obtains accurate declarations from employees of that part of their taxable income derived from the sale of gifts from their employer given to them as an employment benefit. [126743]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Employees are taxable on the value of benefits or gifts they receive from their employer, regardless of whether they subsequently retain or sell them. Employers are obliged in law to report to the Inland Revenue the value of gifts and benefits they provide to employees, in order that these may be properly taxed.

  Inland Revenue
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what positions have been held since January 2000 by(a) Mr. Graham Dean, former Inland Revenue Officer in the International Division and (b) Mr. Robert Fudge, former Inland Revenue Officer in the Special Compliance Office. [124954]

  Dawn Primarolo
  It would be inappropriate to disclose information relating to members of the staff of the Inland Revenue. Exemption 8 (Public employment, public appointments and honours) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies. I have, however, written in the last few days to the hon. Member about the matter which is of concern to him.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many outsourced IT contracts have been signed by his Department in each year since 1997; how much each of these contracts is worth; with whom they are signed; how many have been renegotiated; how many are still in place; and if he will make a statement. [126200]

  John Healey
  The Treasury has not outsourced any IT contracts since 1997.

  The Inland Revenue (IR) has one outsourced contract which has been awarded since 1997. The NIRS2 contract was signed by the DSS in 1997 but subsequently transfered to the IR in 1999, following the transfer of the Contributions Agency. Over the lifetime

  461W
  of the contract its value has been £200 million. The contract is with Accenture. The contract has been renegotiated during the period, and is still in place.

  HM Customs and Excise has let two outsourced IT contracts since 1997. One contract was awarded to Fujitsu C and E Services Ltd., under the Private Finance Initiative in 1999 for 10 years. The contract is for the provision of an outsourced IT and telephony infrastructure. The advertised value of this contract was £500; million. This contract is currently being reviewed under the existing contract change provision, with Fujitsu C and E Services Ltd. The other outsourced IT contract let by Customs in 2000 is with Syntegra. This contract is for the provision of processing import and export freight, which facilitates the collection of duty revenues. The value of this contract is estimated as £53 millionover five years. This contract has not been renegotiated.

  IT Licences
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much he spent on IT licences in the last financial year. [125776]

  John Healey
  The following table gives the amount spent by the Chancellor's Departments and their agencies on IT licences during the 2002–03 financial year, with the exception of OGC Buying Solutions, for which the information requested is not available.

  Chancellor's Departments/Agencies

  £

  Debt Management Office

  500,000

  Government Actuary's Department

  88,595

  HM Customs & Excise

  4,037,419

  HM Treasury

  377,708

  Inland Revenue

  15,840,000

  National Savings

  93,000

  Office of Government Commerce

  145,485

  Office of National Statistics

  4,661,000

  Royal Mint

  178,560

  Valuation Office

  1,237,556

  IT Projects
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what major IT projects with a value in excess of £10,000 he authorised expenditure on in each of the last three financial years. [125720]

  John Healey
  The information is today being placed in the Library.

  Manufacturing Employment
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people were employed in the manufacturing sector in(a) 1979, (b) 1997 and (c) 2003; and what percentage of the workforce this represents in each case. [126862]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National statistician. I have asked him to reply.

  Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Lindsay Hoyle, dated 17 July 2003:
  462W
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question about how many people were employed in the manufacturing sector in (a) 1979, (b) 1997 and (c) 2003; and what percentage of the workforce this represents in each case. (126862)
  The table below shows the number of workforce jobs in the manufacturing sector in March for the specified years.

  UK workforce jobs by industry

  Thousand (seasonally adjusted)

  Manufacturing (Section D)

  Percentage of workforce

  1979

  7,104

  26.4

  1997

  4,456

  16.0

  2003

  3,781

  12.8

  These estimates are based on the results of regular sample surveys of employers which count the number of employee jobs, Data on self-employment are obtained from the Labour Force Survey.

  Redundancy Pay
  Rachel Squire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to review the tax threshold for redundancy pay; and if he will make a statement. [126274]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The Government keep the £30,000 tax exemption limit for redundancy payments under review along with all other aspects of the tax system.

  Special Shares
  Mr. Challen
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 9 July 2003,Official Report, column 867W, in which companies the Government holds special shares; what the value is of those special shares; and which departments are responsible for them. [125849]

  Mr. Boateng
  Responsibility for individual special shares lies with the relevant Secretary of State, as set out in the table. It is not possible to estimate the value of these shareholdings, which are not tradable.

  Company

  Secretary of State

  Rosyth Royal Dockyard Ltd.

  Defence

  Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd.

  Defence

  QinetiQ Holdings Ltd.

  Defence

  BAES (Marine) Ltd.

  Defence

  AWE plc

  Defence

  BAE Systems plc

  Trade and Industry

  Rolls Royce plc

  Trade and Industry

  British Energy plc

  Trade and Industry/Scotland

  UK Nirex Ltd.

  Trade and Industry

  Consignia Holdings plc

  Trade and Industry

  National Grid Transco plc

  Trade and Industry

  Scottish Power plc

  Scotland

  Scottish & Southern Energy plc

  Scotland

  Viridian Group plc

  Northern Ireland

  Phoenix Natural Gas Ltd.

  Northern Ireland

  Belfast International Airport Ltd.

  Northern Ireland

  British Airport Authority plc

  Transport

  National Air Traffic Services Ltd.

  Transport

  London and Continental Railways Ltd.

  Transport

  Eurostar Ltd.

  Transport

  Intercapita & Regional Rail Ltd.

  Transport

  Stena Line plc

  Transport

  CDC Group plc

  DfiD

  Partnerships UK Ltd.

  Treasury

  Troika Ltd.

  Treasury

  463W
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on his plans for disposing of the Government's golden shares. [125832]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Government hold special shares in 25 companies. Of these companies, HM Treasury is responsible for special shares in Troika Ltd. and Partnerships UK Ltd. Each Department responsible for individual special shares is examining the ECJ's judgments carefully, to ensure that its special shares comply with EC law and continue to be in the public interest. The outcome will depend on the detail of each individual special share.

  Strokes
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people died from(a) strokes and (b) stroke-related diseases in each year since 1997, broken down by age group. [126506]

  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. Paul Burstow dated July 2003:
  As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many people died from (a) strokes and (b) stroke-related diseases each year since 1997, broken down by age group. (126506)
  I refer you to the answer given in Hansard on 18th July 2001, column 213 to Linda Perham MP indicating that figures are to be found in the annual reference volumes 'Mortality Statistics: Cause DH2.' The latest publication in this series contains figures for stroke for 2001 and is available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/Dh2_28/DH2No28.pdf
  Causes of death in England and Wales were coded to the Ninth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) from 1979 to 2000. Cerebrovascular diseases, which includes stroke and related conditions, were coded to 430–438. In the Tenth Revision (ICD-10), introduced in 2001, the same conditions are coded to 160–169. However, the way in which the underlying cause of death is selected from the conditions written on the certificate changed in ICD-10. This led to an increase of approximately 13% in the number of deaths attributed to cerebrovascular diseases in men and 9% in women. Time trends should therefore be interpreted with caution. The effects of the change in classification has been described in detail in ONS publications.1,2
  1 Office for National Statistics. Results of the ICD-10 bridge-coding study, England and Wales,1999. Health Statistics Quarterly 14 (2002), 75–83.
  2 Rooney C, Griffiths C, Cook L. The implementation of ICD-10 for cause of death coding—some preliminary results from the bridge coding study. Health Statistics Quarterly 13 (2002), 31–41.

  Tax Credits
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many requests for(a) compensation, (b) back costs and (c) compensation for worry and distress due to mishandling of child and working tax credit applications have been received in each of the last six months; of that number how many have been paid; and how much the average award was. [126389]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to what I said during the debate in the House on 7 July 2003,Official Report, column 860.
  464W
  John Barrett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his answer of 10 June 2003,Official Report, column 746W, on child/working tax credit, whether the statistics on awards in August will be broken down by (a) local authority and (b) parliamentary constituency. [119731]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Following earlier statements on this subject, I can update: the House to say that statistics on child and working tax credit awards will be published on 10 September. This will include estimates for each local authority and parliamentary constituency.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the average claim for(a) the child tax credit and (b) the working tax credit is expected to be worth in the current financial year. [119920]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Statistics on average awards will be published after the end of the tax year, when awards have been finalised.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance has been given to officers on settlement of arrears in payment of working tax credits. [115804]

  Dawn Primarolo
  As soon as a claim has been processed and a decision made, any arrears payable are generally paid immediately in one lump sum. Where for any reason this does not happen automatically, claimants should contact the Inland Revenue.

  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the numbers of outstanding claims for(a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit; and how many of these were submitted before 4 April 2003. [116826]

  Dawn Primarolo
  There is a single application form for the two tax credits. As I said in the adjournment debate on 7 July, the Inland Revenue has now put in payment claims from more than 4.25 million families. There were also a further 186,000 claims where the further information was required or were being verified (sixty per cent, of which have arrived since 1 June 2003).

  I also stated before the Treasury Select Committee on 2 July 2003 that 130,000 claims had been rejected because the claimants were ineligible or because the necessary information had not been supplied despite requests to do so.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what penalties are enforceable against the provider of computer equipment to implement the change in the system of tax credits. [118315]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I have asked the Inland Revenue to open discussion with the IT contractor on the question of redress. The contract provides that the Inland Revenue can seek redress to recover additional business costs which are attributable to the failings of the IT services.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many claims for emergency interim payments relating to child tax credit applications have been made; and of that number how many have been paid; and what the(a) average and (b) total value of those payments is; [122696]
  465W
  (2) how many claims for emergency interim payments relating to tax credits have been made in each of the last 12 months; how many have been paid; and what the (a) average and (b) total value is of those payments. [123021]

  John Thurso
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how many claims for emergency interim payments relating to tax credits have been made in each of the last 12 months; how many have been paid; and what the(a) average and (b) total value is of those payments, broken down by region; [124527]

  (2) how many claims for emergency interim payments relating to child tax credit applications have been made; of that number how many have been paid; and what the (a) average and (b) total value of those payments is, broken down by region. [124528]

  Dawn Primarolo
  The number of individual same day interim payments made through local offices to claimants of child tax credit (CTC) and working tax credit (WTC) in each month is shown in the following table. Also shown is the number of automatic direct payments made centrally to these claimants in each month.

  2003

  Number of same day interim payments made through local offices

  Number of automatic direct payments made centrally (million)

  April

  25,000

  8.5

  May

  175,000

  9

  June

  75,000

  9.5

  Total to June

  275,000

  27

  The interim payments cover both CTC and WTC, where appropriate, so no separate figures are available for CTC.

  Very few similar payments were made for working families' and disabled person's tax credits from July 2002.

  No figures are available for the average or total value of these payments, or for the number of claims for such payments that have been refused.

  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inland Revenue will pay compensation for(a) bank charges and (b) mortgage penalty payments incurred as a result of the late or nonpayment of tax credits. [125195]

  Dawn Primarolo
  I refer the hon. Member to what I said during the debate in the House on 7 July 2003,Official Report, column 860.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer where a person is owed tax credit back-payments, what mechanism there is for paying it in one lump sum rather than in weekly instalments; and if he will make it his policy to ensure that all eligible claims are paid arrears in a lump sum. [125478]

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer over what period of time and at what intervals backdated child tax credit awards will be paid; and if he will make a statement. [126386]
  466W
  Dawn Primarolo
  As soon as a claim has been processed and a decision made, any arrears payable are generally paid immediately in one lump sum. Where for any reason this does not happen automatically, claimants should contact the Inland Revenue.

  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons in the Wansbeck constituency are in receipt of(a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit; and how many claims are waiting to be processed. [126724]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Statistics on awards of these tax credits will be published. For progress in processing claims, I refer my hon. Friend to my remarks during the debate on 7 July 2003,Official Report, column 859. Breakdowns by constituency of the figures that I gave are not available.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters to the Inland Revenue from right hon. and hon. Members about working families tax credit applications are awaiting a reply. [123368]

  Dawn Primarolo
  As at 30 June 2003 there were 35 letters from right hon. and hon. Members to the Inland Revenue about working families tax credit applications that were awaiting a reply.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide extra resources to help the Inland Revenue in responding to correspondence from right hon. and hon. Members about working families tax credit applications. [123369]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Extra resources are not required to help the Inland Revenue to respond to letters from right hon. and hon. Members about working families tax credit applications.

  Tax Revenues
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimates he has made of the extra revenue generated through taxation on those people who will work until the age of 70 in the next 10 years. [125145]

  Dawn Primarolo
  Total income tax paid by people aged 65–69 with employment and self-employment income is estimated to be £1.8 billion in 2003–04. The Government will monitor the changing working patterns of older people as part of its on-going work on pensions.

  VAT Rebates (Places of Worship)
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the cost was in 2002–03 of administering grants provided under the scheme providing rebates on VAT paid in respect of repairs to places of worship listed as being of architectural significance; and what the value of grants awarded in 2002–03 was; [126186]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact on listed buildings which are not places of worship but which are in need of repair of his policy of providing grants equal to VAT paid only in respect of places of worship. [126187]
  467W
  John Healey
  It is the Government's long-term objective to reduce the rate of VAT charged on repairs to listed places of worship from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent. However, as this change is not permitted under current EU rules, the Commission has agreed to look at UK proposals to amend the VAT rules when the reduced rate provisions are reviewed this year. The listed places of worship grant scheme has been introduced in the interim to award grants equivalent to the savings that would result from a reduced VAT rate.

  The total costs of the scheme are published on a routine basis in the annual report of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. That Department monitors the administration of the scheme to ensure value for money is given at all times, and monitors the impact of the scheme to ensure it is working effectively. There is no evidence that the scheme has had any impact on other listed properties.

  Written Ministerial Statements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department since 29 October 2002. [126607]

  John Healey
  Seventy-nine.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  Lay Magistrates (Northern Ireland)
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when he plans to proceed with the appointment of lay magistrates in Northern Ireland. [125549]

  Mr. Lammy
  It is intended to establish the new office of lay magistrate by September 2004. This will necessitate an extensive recruitment campaign with the post of lay magistrate being advertised later this year.

  Private Bailiffs
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) what regulations govern the capacity of a private bailiff forcibly to enter a domicile; and when they were last amended; [126949]

  (2) what legislation applies to the governance of bailiffs and private law enforcement agents; and what rights and privileges are afforded to bailiffs in the execution of their duties. [126951]

  Mr. Lammy
  In March of this year the Government published the White Paper "Effective Enforcement" (Cm 5744) in which it set out its conclusions on the law governing bailiffs, including rights of forcible entry.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans the Government have to introduce legislation on bailiffs. [126952]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Government will introduce legislation when Parliamentary time allows.
  468W
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent representations he has received regarding privately contracted bailiffs. [126953]

  Mr. Lammy
  Since April 2002, my Department has received 15 items of correspondence on the subject of bailiffs in the context of the Civil Enforcement Review. There has also been one Parliamentary Question on this issue in that time.

  In addition, the Department received 84 responses to the Green Paper "Towards Effective Enforcement", which was issued in July 2001. The Department published these responses to consultation in April 2002.

  The Department has also received 15 responses to the White Paper "Effective Enforcement", published in March 2003, on bailiff related issues. These responses are being analysed.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps are taken by his Department to(a) monitor and (b) enforce standards within the bailiff industry. [126954]

  Mr. Lammy
  Enforcement arrangements are fragmented, with some firms and individuals working outside of any recognised structures. This is not satisfactory and we are working with the industry to gather evidence of the number and nature of complaints to help guide the future regulation of enforcement agents.

  In May 2002 we published "National Standards for Enforcement Agents". The objective was to raise the standards of the enforcement profession nationally by building on and improving existing guidance and best practice. The standards are intended for the use of all enforcement agents, both public and private, the enforcement agencies that employ them and the major creditors who use their services. This is a step towards future legislation and regulation.

  A White Paper "Effective Enforcement" was issued in March 2003. It proposes a regulatory system, a single piece of law and fairer fee structure for all enforcement agents.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what licensing procedures there are for(a) bailiffs and (b) private law enforcement agents. [126955]

  Mr. Lammy
  There are currently no licensing procedures for bailiffs and private law enforcement agents. We set out the current structures in our Green Paper "Towards Effective Enforcement" issued in July 2001. This included:

  County court bailiffs

  Certificated bailiffs

  Private bailiffs

  Distrainors

  Sheriffs

  Civilian Enforcement Officers; and

  Approved Enforcement Agencies.

  469W
  The White Paper "Effective Enforcement" published in March 2003 proposes a regulation of all public and private sector enforcement services across all areas of warrant enforcement which will include a licensing procedure.

  Catherine Meyer
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to make representations to the Chief Justice of Germany concerning the case of Catherine Meyer. [125527]

  Mr. Lammy
  None.

  Constitutional Affairs Department
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will list his Department's responsibilities for Scotland. [122515]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) on 19 June 2003,Official Report, column 391W.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) where the Department of Constitutional Affairs will be housed; who will have responsibility within his Department for(a) constitutional matters, (b) Scottish matters, (c) Welsh matters and (d) matters relating to human rights; and when he intends to publish the list of ministerial responsibilities; [122702]

  (2) whether the (a) Scotland and (b) Wales Offices will be housed in the same building as the Department of Constitutional Affairs. [122747]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Stone (Mr. Cash) on 19 June 2003,Official Report, column 391W; and to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) on 1 July 2003, Official Report, column 255W, regarding housing of the Department.

  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the relationship between(a) Constitutional Affairs, (b) Scotland Office and (c) Wales Office will be with regard to staffing and personnel matters. [122748]

  Mr. Leslie
  Staffing matters are the responsibility of the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA). There are 49 civil servants currently in post in the Wales Office and a total of 115 in the Scotland Office, of which 33 are staff of the Advocate-General for Scotland. They are all on loan or secondment principally from the National Assembly for Wales and the Scottish Executive respectively. Staff will be offered the options of transferring to DCA, remaining on secondment or loan or returning to their parent department or organisation in due course. Line management arrangements for these staff will not be affected by the new arrangements and, whilst we would generally expect DCA personnel policies to apply to staff transferring to my Department, this will depend on individual terms of employment. I also hope that all staff working within the DCA may find it beneficial to work within a wider corporate headquarters environment.
  470W
  I expect that the Wales and Scotland Offices will continue to include a significant number of staff on secondment from the devolved administrations.

  Darmesh and Rashik Jamiet
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when the case of Darmesh (date of birth 27 February 1973) and Rashik (8 December 1977) Jamiet under Ref MP2777 was received in the Lord Chancellor's Department from the Appeal Processing Centre. [125526]

  Mr. Lammy
  This case has not yet been received by the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA). However, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate Appeals Processing Centre has advised us, that it was sent to the IAA on 11 July 2003.

  EU Regulations
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Parliamentary Under-secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs how many regulations originating from the EU have been implemented by the Department in each of the past five years. [120833]

  Mr. Lammy
  Regulations are, in general, directly applicable in the Member States, without the need for further incorporation into national law. However, some Regulations require UK measures to make them workable and enforceable.

  The number of regulations originating from the EU, in which the former Lord Chancellor's Department had the lead, which have come into force in the last five years is as follows:

  1998

  0

  1999

  0

  2000

  0

  2001

  2

  2002

  2

  Additionally, Council Regulation (EC) 1206/2001, which came partially into force on 1 July 2001, will come fully into force on 1 January 2004.

  Joint Guarantors
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, if he will take measures to ensure that no guarantor of a joint and several personal guarantee is able to default; and if he will make a statement. [124494]

  Mr. Lammy
  We have no plans to introduce such measures. There is existing case law regulating the relationship between creditors, debtors and their guarantors. The House of Lords has ruled that banks (or a creditor in the same position) should inquire into the status and competence of an individual as guarantor. This is particularly so when the individual is guaranteeing the debts of their spouse or partner. This case applied to a single guarantee, but the principle would extend to joint guarantees.

  Judicial Appointments Commission
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what limits will be placed on the members of the Judicial Appointments Commission in discussing individual cases with ministers. [126747]

  Mr. Leslie
  On 14 July 2003, the Government published a consultation paper entitled Constitutional Reform: A New Way of Appointing Judges. The paper seeks views on proposals for the establishment of the new Judicial Appointments Commission. Under the Government's preferred model, the Commission would take responsibility for the entire appointments process prior to the appointment itself. Ministers would not take any part in that process. Under this model, the Commission would generally put forward only one name to the Secretary of State for each appointment. The Secretary of State would either accept that recommendation and make the appointment (or pass the recommendation to the Prime Minister or The Queen as appropriate) or formally reject that recommendation and require another to be put forward. The preferred model is described in more detail in paragraphs 42–48 and 52 of the consultation paper (available in the Members' Library and on the internet at www.dca.gov.uk/consult/iacommission).

  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the decisions of the Judicial Appointments Commission and the Secretary of State in respect of judicial appointments will be subject to judicial review. [126749]

  Mr. Leslie
  The decisions of public authorities are generally susceptible to judicial review, applying the ordinary principles of public administrative law. It is for the courts to decide whether to admit an application in any particular case.

  Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what discussions he had with the governing authorities of(a) Anguilla, (b) Bermuda, (c) the British Virgin Islands, (d) Cayman Islands, (e) Falkland Islands, (f) Gibraltar, (g) Montserrat, (h) St. Helena, (i) the Turks and Caicos Islands, (j) the Isle of Man, (k) Jersey (l) Guernsey,(m) New Zealand, (n) Antigua and Barbuda, (o) Bahamas, (p) Barbados, (q) Belize, (r) Dominica, (s) Grenada, (t) Jamaica, (u) St. Christopher and Nevis, (v) Saint Lucia, (w) Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, (x) Trinidad and Tobago, (y) Kiribati, (z) Tuvalu and (aa) Mauritius on plans to change the legal responsibilities of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as a court of appeal. [126772]

  Mr. Leslie
  None. The Government are proposing no changes to the jurisdiction of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in relation to its status as a court of appeal for the jurisdictions listed in the question. In that capacity, it is acting as a court of appeal for independent jurisdictions. It does not belong to the UK alone. Instead of the Law Lords being appointed to the Judicial Committee, the members of the Supreme Court 472W
  would be so appointed. The right of other senior judges who are Privy Counsellors to sit on the Judicial Committee would remain untouched.

  Law Society
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment he has made of the intervention of the Law Society in its role as regulator of(a) sole practitioner solicitors and (b) legal firms. [126241]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Law Society is responsible for the regulation of solicitors. Its Office for the Supervision of Solicitors has an Investigation and Enforcement Department, which deals with alleged fraud and serious misconduct which may lead to intervention in the firms concerned. The Government have made no assessment of the Society's interventions into sole practitioners or other solicitors' firms.

  Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement)
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders his Department(a) enforced overseas and (b) received notification of from overseas and enforced in the UK, in each of the last five years, broken down by state. [125667]

  Mr. Lammy
  England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland work under devolved powers to establish jurisdiction in the UK and deal with applications from abroad. The numbers for each are listed in the tables.

  Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  20031

  Incoming Applications from non-UK Jurisdictions to England and Wales

  Australia

  45

  8

  69

  42

  6

  22

  Austria

  5

  1

  1

  Barbados

  1

  Belgium

  4

  2

  5

  Brazil

  1

  Canada

  43

  15

  43

  45

  37

  20

  Cyprus

  1

  2

  2

  Czech Republic

  1

  2

  Denmark

  1

  1

  Estonia

  1

  Finland

  5

  7

  6

  5

  4

  France

  13

  1

  8

  5

  2

  Germany

  29

  1

  20

  18

  12

  12

  Gibraltar

  1

  1

  Guatemala

  1

  Guernsey

  1

  1

  Hong Kong

  2

  Hungary

  1

  India

  1

  1

  Ireland

  84

  6

  100

  47

  67

  44

  Isle of Man

  9

  14

  13

  14

  8

  Israel

  1

  Italy

  1

  1

  1

  Jamaica

  1

  5

  3

  1

  1

  Jersey

  2

  1

  1

  1

  Macedonia

  1

  Mexico

  1

  1

  Netherlands

  4

  1

  14

  11

  7

  8

  New Zealand

  3

  2

  4

  Norway

  37

  19

  42

  33

  22

  2

  Papua New Guinea

  1

  Poland

  14

  16

  18

  29

  37

  22

  Portugal

  5

  1

  5

  2

  Romania

  1

  Singapore

  1

  1

  1

  Slovakia

  1

  473W

  Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  20031

  Slovenia

  1

  South Africa

  36

  24

  68

  29

  43

  16

  Spain

  1

  Sweden

  15

  69

  58

  71

  63

  32

  Switzerland

  3

  4

  5

  1

  Turkey

  1

  1

  Uganda

  1

  United States

  73

  31

  118

  106

  113

  51

  Yugoslavia

  1

  3

  Zimbabwe

  1

  Outgoing Applications from England and Wales to non-UK Jurisdictions

  Australia

  11

  5

  18

  14

  16

  7

  Barbados

  1

  Belgium

  1

  Bermuda

  1

  Botswana

  1

  Brazil

  1

  1

  Canada

  5

  12

  4

  3

  4

  7

  Cayman Islands

  1

  Cyprus

  4

  1

  Denmark

  1

  France

  6

  1

  4

  4

  4

  7

  Germany

  10

  3

  11

  7

  5

  5

  Gibraltar

  1

  Greece

  1

  2

  1

  Guernsey

  1

  1

  3

  1

  Hong Kong

  4

  2

  Ireland

  5

  1

  9

  11

  14

  8

  Isle of Man

  2

  4

  3

  2

  Israel

  2

  Italy

  4

  2

  2

  1

  1

  Jersey

  2

  2

  1

  1

  Kenya

  1

  1

  Luxembourg

  1

  Malaysia

  1

  Malta

  1

  1

  1

  2

  Mauritius

  1

  Netherlands

  5

  9

  4

  New Zealand

  9

  2

  6

  4

  5

  6

  Nigeria

  1

  Philippines

  1

  1

  Poland

  1

  Portugal

  3

  1

  2

  1

  Seychelles

  1

  Sierra Leone

  1

  Singapore

  2

  2

  1

  South Africa

  4

  4

  6

  5

  2

  1

  Spain

  5

  7

  5

  5

  10

  Sweden

  6

  1

  Switzerland

  2

  1

  1

  4

  Trinidad and Tobago

  2

  1

  Turkey

  1

  United States

  23

  33

  32

  36

  30

  20

  Incoming Applications from non-UK Jurisdictions to Scotland

  Australia

  4

  8

  1

  2

  3

  5

  Austria

  1

  Barbados

  Bermuda

  1

  Brazil

  Canada

  4

  5

  5

  6

  4

  5

  Cyprus

  Denmark

  1

  1

  Finland

  1

  France

  Germany

  1

  7

  Gibraltar

  Hong Kong

  1

  India

  1

  Ireland

  2

  8

  7

  3

  2

  Isle of Man

  1

  1

  Italy

  Kenya

  Netherlands

  1

  1

  3

  3

  New Zealand

  1

  Norway

  5

  8

  6

  4

  4

  Philippines

  Poland

  3

  1

  Portugal

  1

  Singapore

  474W

  Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  20031

  South Africa

  4

  5

  2

  3

  2

  Spain

  Sweden

  3

  3

  4

  5

  2

  Switzerland

  1

  United States

  1

  3

  9

  3

  9

  3

  Outgoing Applications from Scotland to non-UK Jurisdictions

  Australia

  2

  6

  3

  0

  1

  1

  Austria

  Barbados

  1

  Bermuda

  Brazil

  1

  Canada

  3

  2

  1

  Cyprus

  1

  Denmark

  1

  1

  Finland

  France

  3

  1

  Germany

  3

  2

  1

  Gibraltar

  1

  Hong Kong

  1

  India

  Ireland

  2

  1

  1

  Isle of Man

  Italy

  1

  2

  Kenya

  1

  Netherlands

  2

  New Zealand

  2

  1

  Norway

  Philippines

  1

  Poland

  Portugal

  Singapore

  3

  South Africa

  1

  1

  Spain

  3

  Sweden

  1

  Switzerland

  2

  United States

  5

  4

  6

  4

  6

  7

  Incoming Applications from non-UK Jurisdictions to Northern Ireland

  Australia

  1

  1

  Canada

  1

  1

  2

  Cyprus

  1

  Finland

  1

  Germany

  1

  1

  1

  Ireland

  1

  6

  7

  3

  5

  3

  Isle of Man

  1

  2

  2

  2

  2

  1

  Netherlands

  1

  Norway

  1

  South Africa

  1

  Sweden

  1

  1

  1

  1

  1

  United States

  2

  1

  3

  2

  5

  Outgoing Applications from Northern Ireland to non-UK Jurisdictions

  Ireland

  1

  3

  Isle of Man

  1

  Netherlands

  1

  Sweden

  1

  1 2003 figures to June 30 only.

  Marianna Hildyard
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, when Marianna Hildyard was invited to become a QC. [152181]

  Mr. Leslie
  Marianna Hildyard applied for appointment as a QC in the 2002 Silk round and was appointed on 9 April 2002.

  National Land Information System
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to his answer of 19 May,Official Report, column 653 W, on the National Land Information System (NLIS), what steps the Government have taken to resolve vires and

  475W
  governance issues; when the review of governance and CGSG is expected to be completed; what sources outside government deliver relevant third party land and property information via NLIS; and what steps the Government have taken in the past four years to facilitate negotiations with sources outside Government for the delivery of relevant third party information. [126637]

  Mr. Lammy
  As stated in the answer of 19 May, the governance of NLIS is not a matter for government. National Land Information Service (NLIS) is a non-statutory service operated by private companies, the Government is not aware of any vires issues affecting NLIS. The review of the CGSG is expected to be completed by October 2003. In relation to the delivery of relevant third party land and property information, it is for the relevant NLIS companies (Local Government Information House and the NLIS hub provider) to enter into agreements with data providers on such terms and conditions as they consider appropriate. Central government is not directly involved. However, the NLIS website (www.nlis.org.uk) states that NLIS obtains land and property data from Land Registry, Coal Authority, Environment Agency, local authorities, Ordnance Survey and the National Land and Property Gazetteer. Further information can also be found on the websites of the individual channel providers.

  Overseas Electors
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how a UK citizen who lives abroad may register to vote as an overseas elector. [126767]

  Mr. Leslie
  A UK citizen living abroad should apply to the electoral registration officer (ERO) for the area in the UK in which (s)he was most recently registered if (s)he wishes to be included on the overseas electors' list. An application must include certain prescribed information and initially be witnessed by another UK citizen, and thereafter be renewed annually with the ERO. Once on the overseas electors' list, the elector is entitled to vote in any general or European parliamentary election that takes place in the UK for a period of 15 years from the time the elector was last included on a UK electoral register.

  Pension Data Protection
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to remove the data protection controls which restrict pension information being released to company administrators. [125209]

  Mr. Lammy
  Disclosures of personal information may be made consistently with the Data Protection Act 1998, provided that they comply with the Act's eight general principles of good information handling, or meet the terms of a "non-disclosure" exemption. The Act gives effect in UK law to the 1995 EC Data Protection Directive, which is binding on all member states of the European Union. I understand that my hon. Friend has recently written to the Department about this matter and that my noble Friend Lord Filkin, who has responsibility for this policy area, has written to him to clarify the nature of the particular problem to which he refers.

  Public Participation in Politics
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps the Government has taken to encourage public participation in politics. [125179]

  Mr. Leslie
  This Government introduced legislation to set up the independent Electoral Commission, which has a duty to educate and inform the public about the importance of participation in the democratic process.

  The Government has also introduced, from 2002, citizenship education into the national curriculum. The programme of study includes teaching pupils about the importance of voting and participation in the democratic process which is intended to give young people sufficient knowledge to engage with the political process.

  Solicitors (Regulation)
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to change the regulatory system used in relation to solicitors in the UK. [126242]

  Mr. Lammy
  We announced in July 2002 that we will undertake a review of the regulatory framework for legal services in England and Wales. Details of the independent review will be announced soon.

  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment he has made of the case for making the regulatory system used in relation to solicitors in the UK a fully independent body. [126243]

  Mr. Lammy
  I have made no such assessment. However, we are aware of concerns surrounding the regulation of legal services and will be announcing details soon of a review of the regulatory framework in England and Wales.

  Supreme Court
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs who will be responsible for the rules of procedure of the new Supreme Court. [126745]

  Mr. Leslie
  That is a matter we will wish to consider in consultation with the present Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, who will form the initial members of the new Court.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many planning applications have been made to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department. [124805]

  Mr. Lammy
  Since August 2001, when the current planning regulations; on mobile telecommunication masts came into force, there have been no planning applications and no applications for prior approval to site telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department.

  Written Ministerial Statements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department and its predecessors since 29 October 2002 [126614]

  Mr. Lammy
  25 written ministerial statements have been made by my Department and its predecessor since 29 October 2002.

DEFENCE

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on United Kingdom support for a national Afghan army. [125706]

  Mr. Ingram
  While the United States is the G8 lead nation for creating the Afghan National Army (ANA), since March 2003 the United Kingdom has provided assistance by training the ANA's Junior Non-Commissioned Officers. The UK has also contributed £5million to pay for ANA salaries. Finally, the UK trained and supported the First Battalion of the Afghan National Guard until it was merged into the wider ANA training programme in January 2003.

  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the United Kingdom Provincial Reconstruction Team in the Mazar-e-Sharif region of Afghanistan will liaise with Afghan military forces acting under direct authority of the Afghan Interim Administration. [125707]

  Mr. Ingram
  Two of the roles of the Provincial Reconstruction Team are to extend the capacity of the Afghan Transitional Authority and facilitate Security Sector Reform. The Team will therefore liaise as appropriate with units of the Afghan National Army that deploy within the Team's Area of Responsibility.

  Armed Forces (Health Care)
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of personnel not fit for employment and awaiting NHS treatment in(a) the Royal Navy, (b) the Army and (c) the RAF. [118800]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 12 June 2003]: The information requested is not available centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. As at January 2003, 18,338 Service personnel were medically downgraded. Some 40 per cent, of medically downgraded personnel are deployable on military operations although not at the front line, and most of the others are able to undertake some form of military duties. Only a small proportion were not employable in any capacity. The only information held centrally on the numbers of Service personnel awaiting medical treatment relates to those awaiting treatment at NHS Hospital Trusts which host the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and the Ministry of Defence Hospital Units. As of 31 March 2003, the latest date for which figures are available, 967 Service personnel were
  478W
  awaiting in-patient treatment, 1332 were awaiting day-case treatment and 3349 were awaiting out-patient appointments.

  Arms Sales
  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) arms, (b) armaments and (c) military equipment sold by the UK Government in the last three years, with their destination. [123416]

  Mr. Ingram
  Individual disposals of defence property requested amount to many hundreds of sites. I will write to the hon. Member once the information has been collated and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

  Details of the disposal of all surplus armaments and other military equipment as requested would consist of tens of thousands of individual transactions and could only be provided a disproportionate cost. Licences issued for surplus major equipment exported on a Governments-Government basis are listed in the Strategic Export Controls Annual Reports, which are available in the Vote office and on the FCO website at www.fco.gov.uk.

  Army (Drug Testing)
  Dr. Murrison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 25 June 2003,Official Report, column 876W, on drugs, what investigations he has conducted to determine why specific army units have yielded relatively large numbers of positive results on compulsory drugs testing; and what steps he has taken to address the drug problem in units scoring highly on CDT. [125726]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Army has vigorous education and training programmes aimed at deterring drug misuse, and steps taken include drugs awareness lectures and regular poster campaigns to promote awareness on the dangers and consequences of the misuse of drugs. Units with high positive rates are tested more frequently, and are also likely to be given a Drug Awareness Presentation by people with first hand experience of the consequences of drug misuse in relation to Army life.

  ASRAAM
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the Tornado F3 aircraft will not be fitted with Helmet Mounted Sight capability for ASRAAM. [125601]

  Mr. Ingram
  Fitting Helmet Mounted Sight (HMS) to Tornado F3 to operate the Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) could not be achieved before 2005. Carrying out the required integration work would disrupt the aircraft's operational availability until then. Tornado F3 is expected to retire from service by 2009. It would not, therefore, be cost-effective to fit HMS to Tornado F3 to operate ASRAAM.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his assessment is of the capability improvement of ASRAAM over the AIM9M and AIM9L Sidewinder missiles. [125602]
  479W
  Mr. Ingram
  The Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) provides a significant overall improvement in capability to that provided by AIM9 missiles. In particular, ASRAAM flies faster and further and is more agile than AIM9 missiles, enhancing the Royal Air Force's ability to engage enemy aircraft. ASRAAM also demonstrates greater counter-measures performance, greater lethality and better target acquisition than AIM9 missiles. These are all key factors in enabling our pilots to achieve air superiority, not only now, but also against all known emerging threats.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason Tornado F3 aircraft have not received an AMRAAM datalink upgrade as part of the Capability Sustainment programme. [125603]

  Mr. Ingram
  Tornado F3 aircraft are receiving a datalink upgrade as part of the ongoing AMRAAM Optimisation Programme. This programme remains on track to complete on schedule in 2004.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Jaguar GR3A has been wired for ASRAAM; and what plans he has for the Jaguar GR3A to be equipped with ASRAAM. [125604]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) is compatible with the wiring in Jaguar GR3A. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the then Under-Secretary of State for Defence on 7 March 2000,Official Report, column 653W to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch).

  Eurofighter Typhoon
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Typhoon will be capable of delivering(a) Storm Shadow, (b) Precision Guided bombs, (c) ALARM, (d) Brimstone, (e) unguided bombs and (f) cluster bombs in operations. [125614]

  Mr. Ingram
  When Typhoon becomes available for operational deployment in the second half of this decade it will be equipped primarily to carry out air defence sorties but will also have a limited ground attack capability. On current plans, Typhoon will be capable of delivering both ALARM and unguided bombs at that stage. Subsequent incremental operational enhancements will develop Typhoon into a truly multi-role weapon system. The content and timing of these enhancements are the subject of ongoing negotiations with industry and partner nations. Our aim, however, is for a fully enhanced multi-role Typhoon to become available for operations early in the next decade. We have no plans for cluster bombs to be fitted to Typhoon.

  Bowman System
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units will be equipped with the Bowman system when it first enters service; and when Bowman will be ready for operational deployment. [125619]

  Mr. Ingram
  12 Mechanised Brigade HQ and Signals Squadron, 1st Bn The Royal Anglian Regiment and 1st Bn The Coldstream Guards, are scheduled to be equipped with Bowman by the target In-Service Date of 30 March 2004. Following that date, they would be capable of engaging in operations other than war.
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  The remaining units of 12 Mechanised Brigade and its associated Divisional troops will be progressively equipped and trained to operate and support Bowman. 12 Mechanised Brigade will be ready for war fighting operational readiness when it has completed operational training and is declared as being at "High Readiness". Target date is June 2005.

  Challenger 2
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Territorial Army personnel have received training on Challenger 2 in the past two years; and if he will make a statement. [126141]

  Mr. Caplin
  A total of 330 Territorial Army personnel from The Royal Yeomanry, The Royal Wessex Yeomanry and The Royal Mercian and Lancastrian Yeomanry have been trained as gunners, loaders, and instructors on Challenger 2 in the past two years.

  Chocolate
  Rachel Squire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the reasons his Department(a) ended its order for chocolate with Duncans of Scotland and (b) placed the order with Nestlé; [126326]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Ministry of Defence ended its order for chocolate with Duncans of Scotland and placed the order instead with Nestlé UK Ltd. on grounds of quality and cost.

  Cluster Munitions
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of using cluster munitions in the war in(a) Iraq and (b) Afghanistan. [125088]

  Mr. Ingram
  No cluster munitions were used by United Kingdom forces in Afghanistan. The cost of munitions consumed in Iraq in 2002–03 is being calculated. Once it has been audited and approved by the National Audit Office I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Defence Contracts
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list category A projects awarded in the last three years where US companies and the UK subsidiaries of US companies were sub-contractors receiving contracts in excess of £100 million. [126115]

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

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value of defence and defence-related(a) imports from and (b) exports to the United States of America was in the last three years for which figures are available. [126113]

  Mr. Ingram
  The value of goods exported to individual countries is published in the Government's annual report on Strategic Export Controls. Copies of these reports, the
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  most recent covering 2002, are available from the Library of the House and via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website www.fco.gov.uk.

  The values of defence imports into the United Kingdom from the USA are as follows:

  Current prices (£ million)

  1999

  660

  2000

  838

  2001

  1,474

  Data for imports during 2002 is not yet available.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list category A projects and their approximate values awarded in the last three years to US companies and the UK subsidiaries of US companies. [126114]

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

  Defence Expenditure
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on(a) the front line and (b) procurement in current prices; in each year since 1999–2000; and what his plans are for each year until 2005–06. [125589]

  Mr. Ingram
  This information is published in The Government's Expenditure Plans 2003–04 to 2005–06. Tables two and three contain details of the Ministry of Defence's resource consumption and capital expenditure broken down into categories, which include Front Line and Procurement. These tables detail outturn for 1999–2000 to 2002–03 (estimated) and plans for 2003–04 to 2005–06 at outturn prices. These figures can be re-based to constant prices using the factors available from the HM Treasury website,

  A copy of The Government's Expenditure Plans 2003–04 to 2005–06 has been placed in the Library of the House.

  Defence Logistics Organisation
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the contracts(a) initiated and (b) changed by the Defence Logistics Organisation within (i) one week, (ii) two weeks and (iii) one month of the (A) deployment of troops and (B) commencement of hostilities for Operation Telic. [122045]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) places a large number of contracts on a daily basis in support of a wide spectrum of operational and non-operational requirements. The DLO does not maintain a central record of all contracts, and production of a list of contracts initiated or changed during the periods specified could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Urgent Operational Requirements placed by the Defence Logistics Organisation within(a) one week, (b) two weeks and (c) one month of the commencement of (i) Operation Telic and (ii) the hostilities in Afghanistan. [122046]
  482W
  Mr. Ingram
  No Urgent Operational Requirements were placed by the Defence Logistics Organisation over the periods of the operations stated.

  Drug Seizures
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what value of drugs has been confiscated in operations involving Royal Navy warships in each of the past two years. [126139]

  Mr. Ingram
  Royal Navy warships provide assistance to HM Customs and Excise and other anti-narcotics agencies resulting in the seizure of drugs worth some £40 million in 2001–02 and some £110 million in 2002–03. So far in 2003–04 drugs worth approximately £500 million have been seized.

  Drummore Harbour
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the accessibility of Drummore harbour to seacraft. [125735]

  Mr. Caplin
  The accessibility of Drummore Harbour is not a matter for the Ministry of Defence.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the EU Directives and Regulations which have been implemented by his Department since 17 April 2002. [106841]

  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many regulations originating from the EU have been implemented by his department over each of the last five years. [120854]

  Mr. Caplin
  EU Regulations are, in general, directly applicable in the member states, without the need for implementation in national law.

  I refer the hon. Members to the answer my right hon. Friend and the Foreign Secretary gave on 30 June 2003, Official Report, columns 64–65W, to the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink).

  Many regulations apply across many different Whitehall Departments. Information relating to implementation of regulations is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

  Galileo Project
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his letter D/S of S/GH 3295/03/Y, what progress has been made on interoperability with the United States in relation to the Galileo Project. [126269]

  Mr. Hoon
  Negotiations continue between the European Union and the United States on the interoperability of the Galileo satellite navigation system and the US Global Positioning System.

  Gulf War Illnesses
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his letter D/US of S/IC 3139/03/6, what the most recent results of his longitudinal studies into tracking Gulf War illnesses are. [126268]
  483W
  Mr. Caplin
  As part of our portfolio of research into the ill-health suffered by some United Kingdom veterans of the 1990–91 Gulf Conflict, we funded a long term study of the changing health over a three-year period of a cohort of veterans of that conflict. The study is complete and the results are to be published in a scientific journal following peer-review. In May, we announced plans for research into the physical and psychological health of those who deployed to the Middle East on Operation Telic on 7 May 2003,Official Report, columns 34–36WS. This includes initiating a longitudinal study of veterans, the results of which will be published in the peer reviewed scientific literature when available.

  Hermitage Site
  Mr. Rendel
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the future of the Ministry of Defence site at Hermitage, Berkshire. [126376]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Ministry of Defence is undertaking a study to examine the operational benefits of reducing the Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency (DGIA) estate from three principal sites to two. One of the Business Units of DGIA is the Geographic Engineer Group (GEG), which is located at Hermitage, near Newbury in Berkshire. Initially, the study will consider the operational benefits of moving the GEG from Hermitage to RAF Brampton, Cambridgeshire, where it would be co-located with another DGIA Business Unit, the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (JARIC). If it is concluded that there are operational benefits, the feasibility of undertaking co-location will be assessed in the second phase of the study. The study is expected to be completed by the end of February 2004.

  The MOD regularly conducts such studies, with a view to improving operational effectiveness and value for money. There will be full consultation with all people potentially affected by the outcome of the study. No decisions on a move have been made and options for the use of the Hermitage site, should the current occupants move, have not yet been considered.

  HMS Bulwark
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when HMS Bulwark will be operational. [125618]

  Mr. Ingram
  On the basis of current information, it is expected that HMS Bulwark will enter service with the Royal Navy towards the end of next year and be available for operational deployment in the spring of 2005. However, the programme for completion of HMS Bulwark is yet to be finalised with the contractor, BAE Systems. When dates are confirmed, I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House.

  Iraq
  Adam Price
  To ask the Prime Minister what the status is of the Iraqi prisoners handed over to the US army by British troops. [125247]

  Mr. Ingram
  As at 8 July, the United States was holding on behalf of the United Kingdom one prisoner of war and 23 internees captured by British Forces, who 484W
  are either suspected of committing criminal offences or are interned where necessary for imperative reasons of security in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which countries are providing troops for peacekeeping duties in Iraq. [124464]

  Mr. Hoon
  At least 18 states are expected to contribute military forces and personnel to work alongside United Kingdom and United States troops in the multi-national stabilisation force in Iraq. These states are Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway,Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Thailand and Ukraine. New Zealand will provide engineers for humanitarian and reconstruction tasks. Other nations are also expected to contribute.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what training was given to Army personnel deployed on Operation Telic in respect of use of the grenade launchers for SA80A2. [125593]

  Mr. Ingram
  A specialist training team was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq, to provide in-theatre training to selected battalions on the use of the SA80 Under-slung Grenade Launcher (UGL). Some units had already received training, relating to their previous deployment to Afghanistan.

  The main focus of the team was to train unit instructors and Senior Non-commissioned Officers, who then oversaw the training of other individuals within their units. This training was accompanied by training to unit armourers on holding and maintaining the UGL and its ammunition.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when orders were placed for additional desert clothing which was required for Operation Telic. [125595]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30 June 2003,Official Report, column 46W, to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock).

  Mr. Llwyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many servicemen and women were(a) killed and (b) injured in the conflict in Iraq. [118047]

  Mr. Ingram
  As of 10 July, 43 United Kingdom military personnel had died since the start of coalition military operations against Iraq. All were men. Thirty-four were killed in action or subsequently died of wounds received and nine died in non-battle accidents or from natural causes; 155 UK military personnel were injured in battle. We do not hold central records for those injured in other incidents.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of each of the friendly fire incidents involving British personnel in Iraq; what changes are planned to reduce future occurrences; and if he will make a statement. [125982]

  Mr. Ingram
  Thorough investigations are on-going into all such incidents. We will give close consideration to the reports and recommendations of these
  485W
  investigations, and where appropriate, will consider what can be done further to improve the safety of our forces on operations.

  Operation Telic
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when UORs for Operation Telic were first issued. [125567]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: The Ministry of Defence began to approve urgent operational requirements as part of contingency planning for possible operations in Iraq in mid-October 2002.

  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when all Army personnel based in(a) Iraq and (b) Kuwait for Operation Telic had been issued with full desert kit. [125963]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when underslung grenade launchers for Operation Telic were first issued; and to which battlegroups. [125964]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: Underslung Grenade Launchers were first issued in support of Operation Telic in early April 2003 to Battle Groups within 16 Air Assault Brigade which was part of one UK Armoured Division.

  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Camel water bottles were first issued for Operation Telic; and what percentage of Army personnel have been issued with them. [125965]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: Army personnel are all issued water bottles as standard issue kit. In addition, 10,000 Personal Hydration Systems (PHS) were initially ordered for Operation Telic. One of the manufacturers uses "Camelbak" as the trade name for its product. The first receipt of the PHS in theatre was in early February 2003. A further 15,800 PHS have since been ordered. The majority of these have been sent to theatre, although it is not possible to determine what percentage of Army Personnel have received a personal issue of this item of equipment.

  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the operational period for the biological and chemical attack detectors on Challenger 2 tanks in Operation Telic. [125966]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: I assume the hon. Member is referring to the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank NEC filtration system. I am, however, withholding this information under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many reservists served with(a) 1 Bn Black Watch, (b) 1 Bn Royal Irish Regiment, (c) 1 Bn The Duke of Wellington's Regiment and (d) 1 Bn Royal Regiment of Fusiliers during Operation Telic. [126099]
  486W
  Mr. Caplin
  As at 14 July 2003, the following number of reservists have served on Operation Telic with each of the battalions:

  Battalion (Bn)

  Number of reservists

  1 Bn Black Watch

  37

  1 Bn Royal Irish Regiment

  74

  1 Bn The Duke of Wellington's Regiment

  0

  1 Bn Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  35

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many sponsored reserves served on Operation Telic and with which units. [126100]

  Mr. Caplin
  As at 16 July, a total of 94 sponsored reserves (SRs) have served on Operation Telic. This figure is broken down as follows:64 served on the Strategic Service Ships MV Eddystone, MV Hurst Point and MV Hartland Point;
  26 served with the RAFs Mobile Meteorological Unit (some have completed more than one deployment); and
  4 SERCo SRs attached to 32 Sqn RAF provided engineering support for BAe 125 aircraft.

  The use of SRs for Op Telic depends on operational requirements and they will continue to be used in response to operational needs.

  Joint Strike Fighter
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Joint Strike Fighter aircraft will be allocated to the(a) Fleet Air Arm and (b) RAF if the current requirement stands at 150 aircraft; and which squadrons will operate the aircraft. [125598]

  Mr. Ingram
  We intend that a joint force, comprising personnel from both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, will operate the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). The way in which this force will be configured will be determined closer to JSF's planned in-Service date, which is 2012.

  Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control Programme
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make an initial gate announcement on the Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control programme. [125600]

  Mr. Ingram
  We are continuing to refine plans for the MASC programme. Further details will be released in due course.

  Medical Records
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to make service personnel medical records fully accessible to the service person concerned and his or her medical advisors; and if he will make a statement. [120004]

  Mr. Caplin
  Serving members of the Armed Forces and ex-Service personnel are entitled to access to their medical records in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998. If serving or former members of the Armed Forces want their medical records to be
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  made available to third parties, such as their civilian healthcare provider or solicitor, their explicit written consent to the release of their records is required.

  Medical Treatment (Charging Arrangements)
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the charging arrangement between his Department and(a) the Department of Health and (b) NHS acute trusts for the treatment of armed forces personnel. [117884]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 9 June 2003]: The Ministry of Defence has Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with the NHS Hospital Trusts which host the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine and the MOD Hospital Units (MDHUs). In accordance with each SLA, the host Trust pays MOD a proportion of the costs of military clinical personnel working within the Trust, and the MOD pays for the treatment of Service personnel by the Trust. The SLAs include financial incentives for the host Trust to meet waiting time targets set by my Department. A pilot scheme for fast-tracking orthopaedic cases is currently being run at MDHU Northallerton under the provisions of the SLA but at additional cost.

  Separate charging arrangements apply in respect of the Ministry of Defence's reimbursement of costs incurred by the Department of Health in support of Operation TELIC.

  Naval Air Defence
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his assessment is for the current requirements for naval anti-air warfare capabilities; and if he will make a statement. [125592]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Royal Navy's current anti-air warfare (AAW) capabilities are provided by the Seadart missile on the Type 42 Destroyers and the Seawolf missile on the Type 22 and Type 23 Frigates. We are currently considering a number of projects to maintain the capability of Seawolf. The Type 45 Destroyers are expected to begin replacing the Type 42s from 2007 and will be fitted with the Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS).

  Northern Ireland
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which infantry regiments have served in Northern Ireland in each of the past five years. [125616]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following Infantry Regiments have been committed to the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland to serve in Northern Ireland over the last five years. The list does not include those Infantry Battalions temporarily transferred from Land Command for the main marching season.
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  Infantry units under GOC (NI) command 1998–2003

  The 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards

  (June 1999 to December 1999, November 2001 to May 2002)

  The 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards

  (September 1999 to March 2000, May 2001 to May 2003)

  The 1st Battalion, Scots Guards

  (March 1998 to April 2000, June 2001 to November 2001)

  The 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards

  (May 2003-)

  The 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment)

  (March 1999 to September 1999, August 2000 to April 2002)

  The 2nd Battalion, The Princess of Wales Royal Regiment

  (November 1998 to May 1999, June 2002-)

  The 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  (April 1997 to May 1999, December 2001 to June 2002, March 2000 to September 2000)

  The 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers

  (April 2003-)

  The 1st Battalion, The King's Regiment

  (March 1999 to March 2001)

  The 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment

  (May 1999 to May 2001)

  The 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment

  (November 2000 to June 2001, June 2002 to December 2002)

  The 1st Battalion, The Devonshire and Dorset Regiment

  (September 2000 to March 2001, April 2002-)

  The 1st Battalion, The Light Infantry

  (June 2000 to December 2000)

  The 2nd Battalion, The Light Infantry

  (January 1997 to March 1999, December 1999 to June 2000)

  The 1st Battalion, The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire

  (November 1999 to May 2000, December 2001-)

  The 1st Battalion, The Green Howards (Alexandra Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment)

  (May 1999 to November 1999, April 2002-)

  The 1st Battalion, The Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment)

  (March 2001-)

  The 1st Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment

  (July 1996 to August 1998, June 1999 to December 1999, June 2002 to December 2002)

  The 1st Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers

  (August 1998 to August 2000, June 2001 to December 2001)

  489W

  The 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Wales

  (June 1998 to December 1998)

  The 1st Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers

  (September 2001 to March 2002)

  The 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment (27th (Inniskilling) 83rd and 87th and the Ulster Defence Regiment)

  (June 2001 to December 2001)

  The 1st Battalion, The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment

  (March 1998 to September 1998, April 2000 to April 2002, December 2002 to June 2003)

  The 1st Battalion, The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment

  (December 1999 to December 2001, April 2003-)

  The 1st Battalion, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment

  (August 1997 to December 1999, March 2001 to September 2001)

  The 1st Battalion, The Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's)

  (May 1998 to November 1998)

  The 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)

  (December 1998 to June 1999)

  The 1st Battalion, The Highlanders (Seaforth, Gordons and Camerons)

  (June 1998 to December 1998, June 2000 to December 2000)

  The 1st Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)

  (February 1997 to March 1999, March 2001-)

  The 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment

  (December 2000 to June 2001)

  The 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment

  (December 1998 to June 1999, December 2000 to June 2001, September 2002 to April 2003)

  The 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment

  (December 1999 to June 2000, December 2001 to June 2002)

  The 1st Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets

  (March 1999 to March 2001, May 2002 to November 2002)

  As well as the Infantry Regiments listed above there are also the three Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment permanently based in Northern Ireland.

  Procurement
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answers of 30 June 2003,Official Report, column 46W, on procurement, and 20 June 2003, Official Report, column 885W, on Type 23 frigates, which ships will be provided with the Sonar 2087 system; what plans he has for those which will not; and if he will make a statement. [125368]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 10 February 2003,Official Report, column 516W, 12 May 2003, Official Report, column 47W, and 13 May 2003, Official Report, column 159W, to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis).

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the savings have been achieved through(a) cancellation, (b) delay and (c) scaling back of procurement programmes in each year since 1997. [125612]
  490W
  Mr. Ingram
  I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Royal Irish Regiment
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people serve in the Royal Irish Regiment. [125905]

  Mr. Ingram
  As at 18 June 2003, there are 2,620 full-time personnel and 1,340 part-time personnel serving in the headquarters, depot, general service and home service battalions of The Royal Irish Regiment.

  RV Triton
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the trials programme of RV Triton. [126140]

  Mr. Ingram
  A comprehensive trials programme has now been completed in conjunction with the United States Government. These trials are an integral part of a research and development programme that also involves model experiments and computational analysis, and which is leading to the availability of design tools and design guidance for trimaran ships.

  Service Manning Requirement
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have taken place in each Service's manning requirement since April 1997. [125607]

  Mr. Ingram
  The trained requirements for the armed forces are as follows:

  All Services

  Naval service

  Army

  RAF

  1 April 1997

  205,720

  42,910

  106,360

  56,440

  1 April 1998

  201,940

  41,940

  105,770

  54,530

  1 April 1999

  199,240

  40,940

  105,270

  53,020

  1 April 2000

  198,160

  39,860

  106,400

  51,900

  1 April 2001

  198,460

  39,900

  106,970

  51,590

  1 April 2002

  196,150

  39,180

  106,970

  49,990

  1 April 2003

  195,130

  38,510

  106,980

  49,640

  1 June 2003

  194,860

  38,490

  106,730

  49,640

  Note:

  Due to founding methods, used totals may not always equal the sum of the parts.

  Services Training
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he will make a statement on progress in implementing the recommendations of the recent tri-service audit of initial training; [123942]

  (2) what the estimated cost will be for (a) his Department and (b) each of the three services to implement the recommendations of the recent tri-service audit of initial training; [123943]

  (3) when all the recommendations of the recent tri-service audit of initial training will be implemented; [123944]

  (4) what funding has been allocated to implement the findings of the tri-service audit of initial training. [123945]
  491W
  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written statement I made on 16 July 2003,Official Report, columns 35–36WS.

  Skynet 5
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when his Department expects to finalise the Skynet 5 contract with Paradigm; and if he will make a statement; [125570]

  (2) on what grounds his Department chose the joint bid for the Skynet 5 deal from BAE and EADS; whether the departure of BAE affected the bid; and if he will make a statement; [125508]

  (3) when the Government was first informed about BAE Systems' plan to hand its share of the Paradigm joint venture in Skynet 5 to the European Aeronautic Defence and Space group; how it was informed; how his Department was consulted about the transfer of Paradigm to EADS before the deal was made; and what the substance of such meetings was. [125507]

  Mr. Ingram
  The preferred bidder for Skynet 5 was selected because it offered the best value for money. The departure of BAES had no direct affect on the bid from Paradigm.

  Paradigm informed the Ministry of Defence of the restructuring of its shareholding in January this year. A series of meetings took place between industry representatives and senior MOD officials to ensure that there was no adverse affect to Skynet 5.

  The arrangements required to conclude the Skynet 5 deal are in the final stage. We expect to place the contract in the next few weeks.

  Smart Acquisition
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings have been achieved through the Smart Acquisition initiative; and what the largest single saving is that has been achieved. [125611]

  Mr. Ingram
  Smart Acquisition is an integral part of Ministry of Defence business and it is no longer possible to attribute savings directly to Smart Acquisition.

  Sonar 2087 Systems
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answers of 25 June 2003,Official Report, column 885W, and 30 June 2003, Official Report, column 46W, if he will name the ships to be fitted with the ordered Sonar 2087 systems; what his plans are for those which are not; and if he will make a statement. [124149]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 10 February 2003,Official Report, column 516W, 12 May 2003, Official Report, column 47W, and 13 May 2003, Official Report, column 159W, to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis). I have nothing further to add to those answers.

  Submarine Threat
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his assessment is of the threat to UK forces from hostile submarine forces; and if he will make a statement. [125591]

  Mr. Ingram
  The capability to operate submarines remains a weapon system of choice for many potentially hostile nations. The potential threat to United Kingdom forces ranges from strategic missile submarines, through the nuclear or conventional submarine threats in open ocean, to the threat from smaller coastal vessels or mini-subs in littoral waters. The submarine threat is kept under constant review and the UK maintains an Anti-Submarine Warfare capability for both offensive and defensive operations.

  Aircraft Armament
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the(a) Typhoon and (b) Joint Strike Fighter will be armed with a gun. [125613]

  Mr. Ingram
  We currently have no requirement for either Typhoon or Joint Strike Fighter to be armed with a gun.

  Violent Conflict
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's estimate is of the number of people affected by violent conflict in(a) 2003 and (b) 2002; and whether he expects to meet his Department's Public Service Agreement in respect of this point. [125610]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Public Service Agreement (PSA) covering this issue is; shared between Department for International Development, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence to reflect the Government's closely coordinated approach to improving the United Kingdom's contribution to reducing conflict overseas through the Conflict Prevention Pools for sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world. The information sources we use to derive the number of people affected by violent conflict (the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the Journal of Peace Research, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, UN High Commission for Refugees and the United States Committee for Refugees) report annually and cover the figures collated for the previous year. Therefore, we do not expect to have the details for last year before the end of 2003 and the figures for this year before the end of 2004. Overall assessment of progress; will be based on the data, but will also take account of factors beyond UK control, either in-country or within the wider international system.

  The UK is beginning to make an impact in meeting the PSA targets. Examples of important initiatives include our post-conflict reconstruction work in Afghanistan and the Balkans, our political support to the Middle East Peace Process, our direct assistance to Sierra Leone and our support to African-led peacekeeping missions in general. UK efforts through the Pools to reduce the risk of conflict also include programme and project activities further afield, such as in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. We will continue to evaluate progress and improve the effectiveness of the Pools over the coming years.

  Warships (NATO Commitment)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the UK commitment is to NATO forces in terms of(a) frigates and (b) destroyers. [126097]

  Mr. Ingram
  All of the Royal Navy destroyers and frigates are available to NATO for the full range of alliance missions and make a significant contribution to NATO's standing naval forces.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Arson Attacks
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what efforts are being made(a) by his Department and (b) by his Department in conjunction with other Departments to protect schools from arson attacks. [126050]

  Mr. Miliband
  My Department has produced the guide Fire Safety, which includes advice on how to reduce the risks of arson attacks. This complements our guidance on reducing crime in schools, such as the booklet Improving Security in Schools and the video Can You See What They See? A school security website has been established—www.dfes.gov.uk/schoolsecurity.

  Officials from my Department sit on the Arson in Schools Working Group, a group of experts representing the insurance industry, the fire and police services, local authorities and Government departments. One of its outputs has been the publication of the guide How to Combat Arson in Schools, which is available free and has been well received by schools.

  Disabled People
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to(a) encourage and (b) support more people with disabilities to enter (i) teaching and (ii) other employment in education; and what discussions he has had with Scottish counterparts on this issue. [125670]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Teacher Training Agency (TTA), acting on this Department's behalf, has implemented a number of measures to encourage more people with disabilities to enter teaching and support them throughout the process. Funding has been agreed with SKILL, the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, as a contribution towards updating their Into Teaching' publication which is due to be completed by 31 August 2003. The new TTA recruitment brochure will also highlight people with disabilities as a priority group that will be addressed in the content.

  The TTA is also leading the work on behalf of the Department to produce guidance to support Initial Teacher Training providers in meeting their legal responsibilities in accommodating and supporting trainees with disabilities.

  In the wider context of other employment in education, Disability Employment Advisers and other advisers in Jobcentre Plus offices are available to provide help and practical support to people with disabilities.
  494W
  In the wider context of other employment in education, Disability Employment Advisers and other advisers in Jobcentre Plus offices are available to provide help and practical support to people with disabilities.

  There have been no particular discussions on this subject with the Scottish Executive.

  Domestic Violence
  Ms. Keeble
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what services will be provided for children who are in families where there has been domestic violence. [125473]

  Margaret Hodge
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Linda Gilroy).

  European Credit Transfer System
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he has taken to ensure that English universities are prepared for the introduction of the European Credit Transfer System; and if he will make a statement. [124640]

  Alan Johnson
  We are keen to see widespread use of credit in England and effective systems for recognising credits across Europe. To this end, we have commissioned the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to work with key partners in Higher Education, to develop credit practice. Part of this work is to raise the awareness of institutions of the European Credit Transfer System and to encourage developments that both support students and promote compatibility between systems.

  Higher Education Funding
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much has been allocated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England to higher education institutions in their block grants to recognise the additional costs of recruiting and supporting students from disadvantaged or non-traditional backgrounds in each year since 1997; if he will express this as a proportion of the Higher Education Funding Council for England budget; and what projections there are for such support in future years, expressed both as(a) funding sums and (b) a proportion of the HEFCE budget. [125543]

  Alan Johnson
  The table shows the funding the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has allocated for widening participation measures since 1999/2000 and the percentage this is of the total HEFCE institutional allocation. No funds for widening participation were allocated as part of block grant in 1997/98 and 1998/99.

  Widening participation funding (£)

  Percentage of total HEFCE allocation

  1999/2000

  19,874,648

  0.5

  2000/01

  31,276,261

  0.8

  2001/02

  37,016,630

  0.9

  2002/03

  47,653,002

  1.1

  2003/04

  260,501,27

  3.5

  495W
  The definition of widening participation and the funding method for determining its allocation has changed over this period so figures are not directly comparable. Institutions also receive funds for widening participation through the Excellence Challenge and Aim Higher programmes, but as these go directly to institutions they are excluded from the table. Some special funding is also allocated separately to higher education institutions for widening participation projects. This is also excluded from the table. For 2004/05 and 2005/6, the HEFCE funding as set out in the grant letter and the White paper "The future of Higher Education" will be £6,757,000,000 and £7,295,000,000 respectively. The allocation for widening participation in each of these years will be announced in February/March 2004 and 2005. This will reflect the outcome of the review of the HEFCE funding method, on which the sector will be consulted.

  King's Ford Junior School
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will provide the hon. Member for Colchester with copies of the correspondence between himself and the Chair of Governors of King's Ford Junior School, Colchester(a) prior and (b) subsequent to his visit to Colchester. [125890]

  Mr. Miliband
  I am sending a copy of previous correspondence with officials to the hon. Member. There has been no correspondence with the Chair of Governors of King's Ford Junior School since the Secretary of State visited Colchester on 9 June.

  Ofsted
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many lay inspectors are working for OFSTED in each region. [126118]

  Mr. Miliband
  This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, David Bell, will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of his letter in the Library.

  Overseas Students
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many non-British European Union students there were on(a) undergraduate and (b) postgraduate courses in English universities in each of the last 10 years; and what assessment he has made of the likely trend of applications following EU enlargement in 2004. [124641]

  Alan Johnson
  The available information is in the table.

  Numbers of non-British European Union students on undergraduate and postgraduate courses in English HE Institutions and FE colleges

  Academic year

  Undergraduate

  Postgraduate

  1992/93

  20,564

  8,187

  1993/94

  25,187

  9,757

  1994/95

  32,630

  13,121

  1995/96

  42,903

  16,614

  1996/97

  49,535

  18,249

  1997/98

  55,689

  19,676

  1998/99

  57,932

  22.760

  1999/2000

  56,527

  24.369

  2000/01

  54,211

  26,316

  496W

  Numbers of non-British European Union students on undergraduate and postgraduate courses in English HE Institutions and FE colleges

  Academic year

  Undergraduate

  Postgraduate

  2001/02

  49,513

  25,631

  Projections of applicants to English institutions are not available centrally. The Department does, however, project the number of students, EU resident or otherwise, likely to attend English institutions.

  The number of non-British, EU resident students1 attending English institutions is projected to grow by 4 per cent, from 71,000 in 2003/04 to 74,000 in 2004/05 and then by a further 5 per cent, to 77,000 in 2005/06. These projections are based on a number of assumptions including our, estimates of the impact of EU enlargement and should be treated with caution. Detailed projections for later years are not available.
  1 On a headcount basis including full and part time students on undergraduate and postgraduate courses

  Overseas Teachers
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many overseas teachers have been working in English schools in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [125917]

  (2) how many overseas teachers working in English schools have not had (a) qualified teacher status in England and (b) the equivalent of qualified teacher status in their home country in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [125918]

  (3) how many overseas teachers working in English schools have been classified as instructors in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement, [125919]

  (4) how many overseas teachers working in English schools have been classified as occasional teachers in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [125920]

  Mr. Miliband
  Information on numbers of teachers with overseas qualifications is not available.

  School Funding
  Mrs. Gillan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much extra money his Department has provided to schools in(a) Chesham and Amersham and (b) Buckinghamshire to help ameliorate the effects of this year's school funding problems. [123914]

  Mr. Miliband
  The funding of schools in Chesham and Amersham is a matter for Buckinghamshire local education authority (LEA).

  My Department has made available additional grant of £28 million in 2003–04 to ensure for all LEAs an effective increase of 3.2 per cent, per pupil after taking into account the ending of a range of Standards Fund grants this year. As Buckinghamshire local education authority's per pupil increase after the ending of the Standards Fund grants was 3.3 per cent., it did not receive additional grant.
  497W
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how much funding was allocated to(a) Essex Local Education Authority and (b) other local education authorities for turbulence factors in respect of schools with a large number of children of military personnel in each of the last five years for which figures are available; [125894]

  (2) what his policy is on providing additional funds for the turbulence factors at schools with a large number of children of military personnel; [125895]

  (3) what plans he has to provide financial assistance for schools with a large number of children of military personnel. [125896]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Department for Education and Skills does not allocate any funding to any local education authority for the specific purposes of addressing turbulence for schools with large numbers of children of military personnel.

  We recognise that turbulence in pupil numbers can have an impact on school budgets and pupil attainment. A local military presence is one cause, influxes of asylum seekers are another. Local authorities are able to include factors in their funding formulae to provide additional funding to take account of high turnover of pupils during the year. Essex local education authority has such a factor.

  We believe further work on mobility should be done on the basis of data from the Pupil Level Annual School Census (PLASC) so that it is possible to consider in an informed way whether a mobility indicator might be included in the AEN part of the formula when the three-year formula freeze ends in 2006–07.

  Specialist Subjects
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what mechanisms are in place to ensure that specialist school subject designations correlate to pupil and parent demand; and if he will make a statement. [125708]

  Mr. Miliband
  We are encouraging Local Education Authorities (LEAs) to work in partnership with all secondary schools to develop a strategy that enables individual schools to establish a specialism that plays to their strengths but also contributes to achieving a balance of specialisms in their area.

  Many LEAs have drawn up plans with schools for a specialist system across the whole of their local area. The Government are encouraging this approach while recognising the final decision on the choice of specialist application lies with the individual school. LEAs adopting a more strategic approach include the Excellence in Cities authorities and the six Diversity Pathfinder LEAs.

  Youth Services
  Matthew Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much each local authority spent on youth services in each year since 2000–01. [125325]

  Mr. Miliband
  The available information is contained in the following table:
  498W

  Youth service expenditure since 2000–01

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Barking and Dagenham

  1,004,168

  951,453

  Barnet

  1,711,110

  1,563,723

  Barnsley

  1,848,124

  1,660,524

  Bath and North East Somerset

  1,388,823

  1,271,942

  Bedfordshire

  1,437,528

  1,743,509

  Bexley

  1,875,541

  1,685,156

  Birmingham

  4,601,895

  4,643,143

  Blackburn

  1,272,798

  1,342,920

  Blackpool

  791,990

  891,829

  Bolton

  1,572,393

  1,588,801

  Bournemouth

  1,406,147

  1,317,837

  Bracknell Forest

  970,383

  751,465

  Bradford

  4,240,381

  5,385,999

  Brent

  2,435,987

  2,276,403

  Brighton and Hove

  813,268

  811,565

  Bromley

  1,294,259

  1,303,124

  Buckinghamshire

  2,740,507

  2,460,200

  Bury

  1,416,707

  1,196,770

  Calderdale

  2,236,617

  2,423,087

  Cambridgeshire

  2,074,794

  2,056,987

  Camden

  3,655,059

  3,025,733

  Cheshire

  2,897,322

  3,184,263

  City of Bristol

  2,890,887

  2,950,182

  City of Kingston-upon-Hull

  2,624,304

  2,710,114

  Cornwall

  2,925,464

  3,299,592

  Coventry

  2,696,493

  3,094,050

  Croydon

  3,197,804

  3,246,130

  Cumbria

  1,552,584

  678,132

  Darlington

  453,050

  510,188

  Derby

  1,891,361

  1,890,379

  Derbyshire

  3,800,688

  4,347,357

  Devon

  2,741,698

  2,801,103

  Doncaster

  1,942,685

  2,150,565

  Dorset

  2,414,175

  2,662,039

  Dudley

  2,049,271

  1,756,525

  Durham

  2,157,733

  1,543,994

  Ealing

  1,850,835

  1,783,287

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  1,346,654

  1,580,381

  East Sussex

  1,962,009

  2,311,157

  Enfield

  1,062,935

  966,509

  Essex

  6,748,926

  6,567,980

  Gateshead

  1,205,334

  1,001,050

  Gloucestershire

  3,088,459

  3,136,081

  Greenwich

  2,810,581

  2,826,400

  Hackney

  0

  14,691

  Halton

  969,777

  1,049,166

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  1,558,078

  942,540

  Hampshire

  4,355,857

  4,538,385

  Haringey

  1,732,980

  1,953,319

  Harrow

  907,237

  869,559

  Hartlepool

  900,972

  1,003,576

  Havering

  1,560,814

  1,718,958

  Herefordshire

  909,417

  905,443

  Hertfordshire

  6,237,936

  6,303,750

  Hillingdon

  1,630,052

  1,667,618

  Hounslow

  896,713

  963,371

  Isle of Wight Council

  997,135

  1,120,183

  Islington

  4,226,725

  4,349,353

  Kensington and Chelsea

  4,166,640

  3,971,120

  Kent

  5,918,603

  5,117,151

  Kingston upon Thames

  736,108

  825,791

  Kirklees

  1,746,776

  1,929,071

  Knowsley

  105,922

  98,628

  Lambeth

  2,495,281

  3,471,813

  Lancashire

  7,520,246

  7,045,899

  Leeds

  8,445,009

  7,719,800

  Leicester

  2,131,502

  2,311,692

  Leicestershire

  3,745,260

  3,878,072

  Lewisham

  2,743,783

  2,947,715

  Lincolnshire

  2,571,578

  2,335,680

  Liverpool

  6,264,669

  6,057,000

  Luton

  1,299,964

  1,336,332

  Manchester

  3,438,625

  3,331,400

  Merton

  709,817

  646,882

  Middlesbrough

  1,234,314

  1,339,188

  Milton Keynes

  1,704,881

  1,811,902

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3,954,944

  2,962,865

  499W

  Youth service expenditure since 2000–01

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Newham

  1,922,135

  2,718,218

  Norfolk

  2,893,412

  2,914,054

  North East Lincolnshire

  1,185,796

  1,397,717

  North Lincolnshire

  1,157,216

  1,197,615

  North Somerset

  798,774

  877,540

  North Tyneside

  866,590

  849,253

  North Yorkshire

  1,604,374

  1,619,990

  Northamptonshire

  3,226,816

  4,033,887

  Northumberland

  1,548,555

  2,228,413

  Nottingham City

  3,505,811

  3,211,865

  Nottinghamshire

  5,812,259

  5,966,931

  Oldham

  1,529,279

  2,287,924

  Oxfordshire

  2,735,893

  2,750,677

  Peterborough

  1,100,072

  1,094,891

  Plymouth

  1,184,230

  1,281,571

  Poole

  864,089

  1,016,433

  Portsmouth

  0

  1,072,437

  Reading

  1,287,364

  1,589,441

  Redbridge

  1,903,828

  1,910,967

  Redcar and Cleveland

  1,330,912

  1,367,091

  Richmond upon Thames

  794,625

  665,184

  Rochdale

  1,426,181

  1,578,086

  Rochester and Gillingham

  1,241,847

  944,862

  Rotherham

  4,000,372

  3,908,697

  Rutland

  234,204

  228,495

  Salford

  1,700,511

  1,538,565

  Sandwell

  1,748,886

  1,745,341

  Sefton

  1,957,058

  1,643,118

  Sheffield

  4,582,827

  4,650,775

  Shropshire

  1,667,141

  1,718,668

  Slough

  1,018,177

  905,080

  Solihull

  730,374

  723,658

  Somerset

  3,368,864

  3,022,907

  South Gloucestershire

  1,138,615

  1,442,166

  South Tyneside

  1,662,195

  1,883,338

  Southampton

  932,178

  1,110,462

  Southend

  812,929

  927,968

  Southwark

  3,360,149

  3,158,763

  St. Helens

  1,235,685

  905,922

  Staffordshire

  6,077,732

  6,139,629

  Stockport

  1,829,561

  2,046,957

  Stockton-on-Tees

  1,220,601

  1,322,136

  Stoke on Trent

  1,848,684

  1,804,635

  Suffolk

  2,723,338

  2,375,006

  Sunderland

  1,657,684

  2,641,825

  Surrey

  6,866,364

  6,206,392

  Sutton

  1,225,428

  1,204,340

  Swindon

  1,249,685

  1,622,018

  Tameside

  2,524,578

  2,331,479

  TheWrekin

  1,291,391

  1,156,873

  Thurrock

  1,235,653

  1,077,862

  Torbay

  412,638

  435,969

  Tower Hamlets

  4,172,061

  4,039,740

  Trafford

  1,434,075

  1,514,899

  Wakefield

  1,956,117

  1,963,617

  Walsall

  1,361,374

  1,393,789

  Waltham Forest

  2,263,444

  1,840,419

  Wandsworth

  2,865,692

  2,790,230

  Warrington

  867,377

  918,272

  Warwickshire

  2,110,669

  2,559,567

  West Berkshire

  834,811

  968,020

  West Sussex

  4,013,460

  4,233,300

  Westminster

  1,737,223

  2,083,638

  Wigan

  1,524,468

  1,550,440

  Wiltshire

  2,069,299

  2,134,079

  Windsor and Maidenhead

  654,589

  910,624

  Wirral

  2,286,654

  2,343,046

  Wokingham

  160,809

  199,241

  Wolverhampton

  3,753,824

  3,683,860

  Worcestershire

  1,910,568

  2,219,056

  York

  1,142,190

  1,155,742

  Note:

  1. Youth Service figures shown are Net Current Expenditure (after recharges) and includes expenditure within schools and also that incurred centrally by LEAs.
  500W
  2. Youth Service figures, include provision at residential and non residential youth centres, including activity, outdoor and urban studies centres related to Youth Service provision Also

  development workers, advisers and youth leaders not based at youth centres.

  3. Real term figures have been used are adjusted to 2002–03 prices using the June 2003 GDP deflators.

  4. Nil returns were submitted by Hackney and Portsmouth for 2000–01.

CABINET OFFICE

  Civil Contingency Planning
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment the Office has made of the adequacy of current civil contingency planning; what plans there are to make changes; and if he will make a statement. [126816]

  Mr. Alexander
  Direct assessment of emergency planning at the local level is carried out through bodies such as the Audit Commission and the emergency services' inspectorates, as part of their wider assessment role.

  The draft Civil Contingencies Bill proposes that these bodies, and others such as the utility regulators, will continue to assess civil protection duties in the future, to a more rigorous standard, supported by appropriate regulations and guidance which will set out clear standards and expectations.

  At central Government level, the Government are formalising standards and guidelines against which departmental contingency planning activities can be monitored and audited, to ensure that Departments' planning and preparation is performed to the high standard expected by Parliament and the public.

  Ministerial Responsibilities
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when he will publish an updated "List of Ministerial Responsibilities". [126074]

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when the latest "List of Ministerial Responsibilities" will be published. [126124]

  Mr. Alexander
  I am today pleased to announce the publication of the "List of Ministerial Responsibilities". For the first time ever, it is being published in both paper and electronic form. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

  For the electronic version, the website can be accessed at: http://www.knowledgenetwork.gov.uk/elmr/ minister.nsf

  Private Office Costs
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the running costs of Ministers' private offices have been in his Department in each year since 1997. [123114]

  Mr. Alexander
  The running costs of Ministers' private offices, the Cabinet Office parliamentary branch and the ministerial correspondence and support team for each financial year from May 1997 to 2002–03 are set out in the table.
  501W

  Financial year

  Number of private offices

  Total net running costs (£)

  May 1997–98

  3

  1,173,014

  1998–99

  3

  1,368,862

  1999–2000

  4

  1,465,634

  2000–01

  4

  1,877,053

  2001–02

  6

  2,173,436

  2002–03

  3

  1,429,560

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

  Computer Security
  Mr. Arbuthnot
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission (1) whether the House of Commons Commission plans to comply with UK Security Standard BS7799, relating to computer security, by the end of 2003; [126584]

  (2) what (a) technical and (b) procedural security Counter-measures are in place to protect PDVN users' data and e-mails from unauthorised internal or external interception while users are working (i) on the Parliamentary Estate and (ii) remotely. [126586]

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  Security of Members' e-mails and data is important; measures are in place to ensure that users working remotely and on the Parliamentary Estate are protected. As a matter of policy, the Commission does not comment on the details of parliamentary security arrangements. However, I can say that there is a parliamentary IT security policy for information technology and systems and that work is in hand to ensure that this policy keeps pace with developments in current best practice. We have no plans at present to seek accreditation to BS7799, but the philosophy and best practice elements within the standard form an important part of our approach.

  All users of the network are subject to conventional password controls, which in turn, govern file rights and system permissions to prevent unauthorised access internally. For users on the Estate, the protection of corporate firewalls and anti-virus software prevents unauthorised external access. For remote users, the introduction of data encryption, personal firewalls and anti-virus software with the new Virtual Private Network (VPN) service hosted on known parliamentary-issued personal computers will minimise the risk of unauthorised access and interception. Members and their staff using equipment other than that provided or purchased centrally are responsible for their own arrangements.

  Timber
  Ms Walley
  To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what timbers are being used in the Houses of Parliament ticket office that is currently being constructed; which countries these were sourced from; and what evidence has been received to confirm that all the timber being used is from legal and sustainable sources. [126026]
  502W
  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  The softwood timber used in the construction of the new ticket office is mainly spruce and originates in either Bavaria or Finland. The contractor has confirmed that it has been harvested from sustainable sources and is covered by either the Pan-European Forest Certification scheme (PEFC) or the Forestry Stewardship Council certification (FSC), or both. Certificates are being provided; copies will be sent to the hon Member.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

  Armed Forces (Recruitment)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Minister for Women what plans she has for increasing the recruitment of women into the armed forces; and what discussions she has held with ministerial colleagues on the issue. [125979]

  Ms Hewitt
  From April 2002 to March 2003, 3,230 new women recruits joined the armed forces, an increase of 20 per cent, on the previous year. The Services' recruiting force actively encourage women to apply for the wide range of posts available to them.

  Domestic Violence
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Minister for Women pursuant to her answer of 25 March 2003,Official Report, column 143W, on domestic violence, if she will place in the Library copies of her correspondence with the Home Secretary regarding the collection of domestic violence statistics. [125686]

  Ms Hewitt
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: No. The correspondence relates to the analysis of policy options that are currently the subject of consultation following the publication of the "Safety and Justice" domestic violence consultation paper on 18 June 2003. It is therefore covered by Exemption 2 (Internal Advice and Discussion) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

ADVOCATE-GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND

  Staff Numbers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the AdvocateGeneral how many staff are employed by her Department. [106287]

  The Advocate-General for Scotland
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 3 April 2003,Official Report, column 780W.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Leader of the House when he expects to answer the question of 24 February 2003 from the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire on IT contracts in his Department above £50 million. [126902]
  503W
  Mr. Hain
  The question to which the hon. Member refers was not tabled to me as Leader of the House of Commons. I therefore regret that I am unable to answer his question.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  A400M
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) pursuant to her answer of 24 June 2003,Official Report, columns 677–78W, on A400M, if she will place in the Library the letter of intent to Rolls-Royce dated 4 May 2003; [126039]

  (2) whether she has agreed the size of the grant to be provided to Rolls-Royce; and under which scheme the support will be delivered. [126055]

  Jacqui Smith
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry wrote to Rolls-Royce on the 4 May 2003 regarding the engine selection for the A400M military transport aircraft. However, the content of this letter is commercially sensitive under Exemption 13—Third Party's Commercial Confidence's of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information and it cannot be placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Imports of goods from Burma, January to May 2003

  Product

  Amount (£000)

  Fish, (not marine mammals), crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic invertebrates and preparations thereof

  3,022

  Vegetables and fruit

  106

  Tobacco and tobacco manufactures

  1

  Cork and wood

  365

  Cork and wood manufactures (excluding furniture)

  996

  Textile yarn, fabrics, made-up articles, nes

  52

  Non-metallic mineral manufactures

  3

  Manufactures of metal nes

  2

  Power generating machinery and equipment

  915

  Transport equipment other than road vehicles

  7

  Furniture and parts thereof; bedding, mattresses, supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings

  521

  Articles of apparel and clothing accessories

  15,815

  Footwear

  14

  Miscellaneous manufactured article nes

  70

  Commodities and transactions not elsewhere classified

  43

  Total

  21,934

  Notes:

  nes = not elsewhere specified. Products are classified according to the Standard International Trade Classification (Revision 2)

  Business Support
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the future of Business Support. [126698]

  Ms Hewitt
  The DTI invests around £1 billion a year in supporting businesses—of that sum between £400 and £500 million is spent on business support schemes. Our aim is to use this money in a way that ensures the best possible return on that investment for the UK and makes a real difference to business performance.

  Excellent progress has been achieved in the radical restructuring of the DTI's business support to create products that promote enterprise and innovation and

  Asbestos
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the financial impact on the UK insurance and reinsurance industries of the United States Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2002; and if she will make a statement. [125830]

  Mr. Browne
  I have been asked to reply.

  We are aware of the United States Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2003 in the context of maintaining information on employers' liability and asbestos, but we have not undertaken a formal assessment of the Act. We will continue to keep abreast of developments in this area.

  Burma
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman), of 25 February 2003,Official Report, columns 393–94W, on Burma, if she will provide figures for 2003 to date. [126634]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  According to figures published by HM Customs and Excise, UK imports of goods from Burma for January to May 2003, the latest period for which data are available, were as follows:

  meet customer need for a streamlined range of products that are easy to access.

  As a result of the review we are reducing the number of schemes from over 100 to around 10. These new products are broader, more flexible and better targeted at the needs of our business customers than those they replace. We are carefully planning a transition from the old schemes to the new products.

  Four new products have already been launched and are being used by customers. The Small Firms Loan Guarantee builds on the success of its predecessor and the new scheme is expected to increase take-up by around 25 per cent. At the beginning of June three more products designed to help small businesses develop innovative products and processes were launched.
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  These are:
  Grant for Research and Development, building on and extending the SMART scheme;
  Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, based on the Teaching Company Scheme, and
  Grant for Investigating an Innovative Idea.

  We are currently working on the next tranche of new products for launch next April. That work includes drawing up detailed marketing plans and training staff to provide the best possible advice to businesses about accessing the products. We are also working closely with the Business Link network to ensure that they have everything they need to support the delivery of our new products and to act as a point of access for information about DTI business support.

  The new products support:

  1. Knowledge Networks

  2. Collaborative Research and Development

  3. Best Practice Networks

  4. Implementing Best Practice

  5. Regional Capital Investment.

  We are currently consulting on a sixth product to support small business investment companies.

  In the development of these products I have been advised by an expert Investment Committee that includes independent business members. In future the Committee will not only endorse the business cases for new products but also review the impact of existing products.

  The changes described above represent a major and forward-looking improvement in the provision of business support. However they are just one element of the reshaping of the DTI. In September I will publish a new Strategy for the Department that will tighten the focus on our key policies and set the scene for better services, more professionally delivered.

  This new Strategy and the Business Support Transformation are being informed by the current Innovation Review which I announced on 27 November 2002. I asked the Review Team to make proposals to boost the nation's innovation capability and the exploitation of our creative science and engineering base. Initial findings suggest three key areas for action: a stronger national focus on exploiting our world-class science base; building and strengthening regional innovation activity; and using other government activities—in particular public procurement—to stimulate innovation.

  I intend to publish the results of the Innovation Review this autumn.

  China
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value of British-owned manufacturing was in China in 2002. [126435]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The latest available UK outward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock for manufacturing in Mainland China from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is £938 million for the end of 2001.
  506W
  The equivalent FDI stock figure for Hong Kong (which is not included in the Mainland China stock) is £697 million for the end of 2001.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations she has received regarding British trade with China. [126580]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Trade Partners UK regularly receives requests for advice and information from companies about China.

  We also regularly receive ministerial and official Chinese trade delegations with whom we explore our bilateral trade relations. I will be heading a high-powered business delegation to Beijing and Shanghai from 20 to 22 July.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what tariffs or other import and export levies are enforced(a) by Britain on Chinese goods and (b) by China on British goods. [126436]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Under the Common Customs Tariff of the European Communities the range of import duties imposed on goods entering into the UK varies from 0 per cent. to 26 per cent. on non-agricultural products and up to 74.9 per cent. on agricultural products. There are also specific (non ad valorem) duties on some agricultural products. These rates apply to China except when it benefits under the Generalised System of Preferences. A list of the specific rates is available at the European Community's website www.europa.eu.int/comm/taxation_customs/databases/database.htm.

  The UK's implementation of the European Community's external trade policy includes trade defence measures taken against China. A complete listing of the European Community's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures against China is available from the European Community's website at www.europa.eu.int/comm/trade/policy/dumping/stats.htm.

  With regard to China's tariffs and levies on UK goods, China is a member of the World Trade Organisation and as such treats UK imports on a Most Favoured Nation (MFN) basis. Import duties levied on British goods vary from 0 per cent. to 32 per cent. and, exceptionally, up to 52.4 per cent. on crude oil and farm product based oils. Substantial tariff cuts are being made as part of China's WTO accession agreement. Average tariffs now stand at 11 per cent., down from 12.2 per cent. last year and 15.3 per cent. at the time of accession.

  China/Japan
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the volume of trade between the UK and(a) China and (b) Japan was in 2002, broken down by (i) imports and (ii) exports; and what percentage of total UK trade volumes trade with (A) China and (B) Japan accounted for in 2002. [126543]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Information on UK trade in goods with individual countries is not available in volume terms. The value of UK trade in goods with China and Japan in 2002, along with their share of total UK trade was as follows:
  507W

  Value of trade (£ billion)

  Share of total (Percentage)

  China

  Japan

  China

  Japan

  UK imports

  6.7

  8.2

  2.9

  3.5

  UK exports

  1.5

  3.6

  0.8

  1.9

  Source:

  Monthly Review of External Trade Statistics, Office for national Statistics

  Coal Investment Aid
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been received in respect of Coal Investment Aid; from which companies the applications were received; how many applications have been successful; and what aid was awarded in respect of each of the applications. [126726]

  Mr. Timms
  The deadline for applications for support under the first period of Coal Investment Aid is 31 July 2003. The details supplied at Section 9 of each application received, which includes the name of the applicant, a description of the project and the amount of money applied for, will be posted on the website— www.dti.uk/energy/coal/invest_aid—in early August. This information will be updated in due course to indicate which applications have been successful and what aid has been awarded. One application has been received to date.

  Consultation Documents
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the consultation documents issued by her Department in each of the last four years; what the cost was of producing each of these; how many documents were issued in each consultation; and how many responses were received in each consultation. [124565]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government recommends that policy development should be done in close consultation with stakeholders. Formal consultation documents are only one part of this process, which includes:

  Stakeholder meetings

  Listening events/public meetings

  Web forums

  Public surveys

  Focus groups

  Regional events

  Free-phone and freepost surveys and events

  Targeted leaflet campaigns

  Road shows and exhibitions.

  It is standard practice for Departments to evaluate the policy development process, including the use of consultation. The specific information requested is not collated on a central basis and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  However, consultation exercises run by the Department of Trade and Industry since the Code of Practice came into force in January 2001, have been published on the Department of Trade and Industry website.

  Consumer Credit Act
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects to publish the results of the recent consultation on the licensing regime under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. [126264]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  Reforming the licensing regime of the Consumer Credit Act is a key element of my review of that Act. I anticipate that I will be making an announcement very shortly on how I intend to reform the regulation of consumer credit including those aspects of the regulations that relate to the licensing regime.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Salmond
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the Minister with responsibility for competitiveness and e-commerce will reply to the letter dated 21 May from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan on the Competition Commission inquiry into veterinary-prescription only medicines. [126775]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  I responded to the letter dated 21 May from the hon. Member on 30 June 2003.

  Crossrail
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the impact on businesses in London and the south-east of(a) a decision not to go ahead with the Crossrail project and (b) the delays which have been experienced to that project; and if she will make a statement. [124735]

  Mr. McNulty
  I have been asked to reply.

  The business case proposals for the east-west Crossrail project, which have been submitted to the Department by Cross London Rail Links (CLRL), include an appraisal of the impact of a decision to go ahead against a wide range of criteria, including the economy. This is an extremely complex issue, which is the subject of continuing discussions between CLRL and the Government.

  We are not aware of any estimates of the impact of the delay caused by the failure to secure parliamentary approval for a private Bill, deposited in November 1991, which had sought powers to build an earlier version of the scheme.

  Energy Imports
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry where the gas delivered to the UK will come from in(a) 2005,(b) 2010 and (c) 2015; and what percentage of t he gas will be delivered from each location. [125578]

  Mr. Timms
  Future gas supplies to the UK will be a commercial matter for energy companies in the competitive marketplace.

  The most recent view of the future gas supply demand balance anticipates that the UK will again become a net gas importer (on an annual basis) after 2005. We have already depended on imported gas in some winter

  509W
  quarters. It is anticipated that the UK will remain self-sufficient until 2005, with our import dependency expected to rise to around 50 per cent. in 2010 and 80 per cent. in 2015.

  The UK already receives imports from Norway, and there are active treaty discussions with Norway that would facilitate further imports. A proposed gas inter connector from the Netherlands would enable gas from there to be supplied to the UK. In the longer term, British suppliers may contract for pipeline gas from Russia, from other former Soviet Union countries, from Middle Eastern suppliers such as Iran, and from elsewhere.

  The Energy White Paper noted that expansion of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market would contribute to diversity and security and would provide competition to piped gas. There are three active projects considering LNG imports to the UK. One aims to bring LNG from Qatar; the other two have not yet publicly committed to particular sources of gas. LNG imports could come from a variety of Atlantic Basin or Middle East sources. Some of the closest include Algeria, Egypt and Nigeria—countries all with significant LNG expansion plans.

  The Energy White Paper also sets out our strategy for encouraging the development of a competitive international market place, and for monitoring developments affecting the reliability of energy supplies.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what contingency plans she will put in place to ensure that energy is delivered to households in the UK in the event that future foreign gas supplies are interrupted. [125580]

  Mr. Timms
  The Government are committed to attracting diverse and reliable future sources of gas supply to the UK.

  In the event of gas shortage, Transco, the operators of the national gas transmission system, have well-established procedures. These procedures are designed to ensure that domestic supplies are taken off only as a last resort.

  These plans are tested regularly and, under the auspices of the Gas Industry Emergency Committee, they are reviewed continually to ensure that they take account of changes in the market and infrastructure.

  Copies of the plans are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Regulatory Impact Assessments
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the regulatory impact assessments her Department has carried out on measures to protect the environment since January 2002; and which of these have included an assessment of the economic benefits to environmental industries of the markets created by environmental protection measures. [125534]

  Ms Hewitt
  Seven such regulatory impact assessments have been carried out by the Department since January 2002. These related to the negotiation and implementation of the End of Life Vehicles Directive,510W
  the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, and the Restriction on the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. Each took account of the economic and environmental costs and benefits to all relevant sectors, including the environmental industries.

  Global Poverty
  Mr. Simon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is planned to help deliver the Doha Development Agenda and reduce global poverty at the forthcoming WTO meeting in Cancun, Mexico. [126104]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  It is important that the WTO Ministerial in Cancun makes progress on a range of issues across the Doha Development Agenda including—of most interest to developing countries—on agriculture; on an agreement on TRIPS and Public Health; and on a package of measures of Special and Differential Treatment.

  Trade has an important role to play in reducing poverty. As an example, studies have shown that halving protection in agriculture, industrial goods and services around the world could boost developing country incomes by around $150 billion a year—around three times the level of current aid payments. Substantial trade liberalisation could reduce the number of people living in poverty by over 300 million by 2015— a significant contribution to reaching the UN's Millennium Development Goals.

  International Atomic Energy Agency
  Alan Simpson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will place a copy of the UK's presentation to the IAEA Board of Governors meeting for June in the Library; and if she will ensure that it is posted on the departmental website. [124741]

  Nigel Griffiths
  I am placing in the Libraries of the House a copy of the statement made by the UK Governor to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the IAEA Board of Governors' meeting, on 18 June 2003 in response to the IAEA Director General's report to the Board on the implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in Iran. A copy of this statement is also available at http://www.fco.gov.uk/ Files/kfile/IAEA. pdf.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to require mobile telephone companies to cease the practice whereby individuals are permitted access to their services anonymously. [126895]

  Mr. Timms
  There are no plans to require mobile phone companies to change the arrangements they make with customers wishing to take out a pre-pay service.

  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many UK mobile users are registered with their networks with verifiable personal details. [126896]
  511W
  Mr. Timms
  This information is not available to the Department. It is a matter for the mobile phone companies.

  Mine Shafts
  David Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the progress made by the working group set up in her Department on mine shafts; and when the working group is expected to finalise its conclusions. [126379]

  Mr. Timms
  The Working Group has initiated and guided a range of measures aimed at ameliorating the impact of historic mineshafts, for example, work to establish the viability of non-invasive techniques for locating shafts in built environments and steps to encourage the reporting and treatment of shafts encountered in the course of building development. Other initiatives which will allow house owners and purchasers to take a more informed view on the significance of mineshafts will be launched later in the year. The Department will, in due course, consider when it would be sensible to wind the Group up and whether, at that time, to prepare a final report on its work.

  New Electricity Trading Arrangements
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she has taken to help intermittent suppliers adversely affected by New Electricity Trading Arrangements. [126720]

  Mr. Timms
  There have been a number of refinements to NETA since its implementation in March 2001 that should have helped intermittent generators. These include:Shorter gate closure, implemented in July 2002, has made it easier for all participants to manage their risks, particularly intermittent generators who should be better able to predict their output better one hour ahead of real time.
  Recent changes to the Balancing and Settlement Code and National Grid's charging methodology were implemented to help smaller generators (many of which are intermittent) by unbundling so-called embedded benefits further. Embedded benefits are those benefits which accrue through not having to use the high voltage electricity transmission grid. These changes allow smaller generators to be paid these benefits directly from National Grid, rather than have to negotiate with electricity suppliers during contract rounds, which enables smaller generators to receive more of the embedded benefits that they create.

  The Government have always been clear that they support Consolidation and changes which make it easier for larger suppliers to market power on behalf of smaller generators. This gives smaller generators an outlet for their supply, and larger generators have a wider portfolio of power.

  The way in which energy imbalance prices in the Balancing mechanism are calculated was changed in March 2003 to make them more cost-reflective. This revised the definitions of the System Buy Price and the System Sell Price and has changed the way that National Grid calculates them. Early indications are that it has significantly reduced the spread of imbalance prices, which should be of particular benefit to intermittent generators. The spread of imbalance prices, which was
  512W
  around 20/MWh at the time of the introduction of NETA, was reduced to 0.6/MWh during the week commencing 7 July 2003.

  Outside of NETA, there have also been further changes that have helped smaller generators. Last November the DTI and Ofgem launched a webportal, on the main Ofgem website, which contains comprehensive guidance for smaller generators to help them understand the market. The recent Energy White Paper further commAted to making the administration procedures for the Balancing and Settlement Code more accessible to smaller generators to help them participate more effectively in the market.

  In the Budget 2002 the Chancellor also announced the completion of the exemption of Good Quality CHP from the climate change levy, thus ensuring that Good Quality CHP used on site, sold direct and sold indirect will be exempt from the levy. The decision recognises the environmental benefits of all Good Quality CHP and has given the CHP sector, which has been hard hit recently by falling electricity prices and rising gas prices, a much needed boost. Finally, the Renewable Obligation was introduced in April 2002, which requires licensed suppliers to buy a specified proportion of their electricity from accredited renewable sources every year. Intermittent generators typically fall into this category and many o f them have benefited considerably.

  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the changes were in the export price of renewable energy generators(a) since the implementation of New Electricity Trading Arrangements and (b) in each year since 1997. [126721]

  Mr. Timms
  The export price of renewable electricity is subject to contract between generators and their customers. As such the export price is a matter of commercial confidence and the DTI does not have information on this.

  Ofgem's report "The Review of the First Year of NETA", published in July 2002 contains some information on the ex port price of electricity, including a section on smaller generators and a survey of export prices for renewable energy in the first year of NETA (2001–02). This report can be found at: http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/temp/ofgem/cache/cmsattach/1984_48neta_year_review.pdf

  Nuclear industry
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many nuclear stations there are; and how many will continue beyond 2020. [125586]

  Mr. Timms
  From the last published company information on expected station lifetimes, three of the UK's 19 stations are expected to operate beyond 2020, with six already closed. These are:

  Heysham 2–2023

  Torness—2023

  Sizewell B—2035.

  Post Office Card Account
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will set out the steps taken once an application for a Post Office Card Account has been received. [125835]

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

  Post Offices
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many post offices have fee-charging ATMs. [125270]

  Mr. Timms
  Decisions relating to ATMs are a commercial matter for Post Office Ltd. who tell me that of the 2,100 ATMs currently in stalled in post office branches, around 1,500 are fee charging.

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will arrange for the Chief Executive of Post Office Ltd. to meet the hon. Member for Leicester, East to discuss post office closures. [125274]

  Mr. Timms
  I shall forward my hon. Friend's request to the Chief Executive of Post Office Ltd.

  Print Cartridges
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will make a statement on the use of practices in the print cartridge manufacturing industry aimed at preventing the recycling of products; and what plans she has to regulate such practices; [126855]

  (2) what estimate her Department has made of the proportion of toner cartridges which are remanufactured in the UK; what assessment she has made of the benefit this represents (a) to the environment and (b) in terms of lower imports; and if she will make a statement; 126856]

  (3) what representations she has received from (a) printer cartridge manufacturers and importers and (b) printer cartridge re-manufacturers on the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive; and what response she has made to these; [126857]

  (4) what plans she has to require print cartridge manufacturers to remanufacture toner cartridges returned to them by consumers after use; [126929]

  (5) what her policy is on the use of prebate schemes by the print cartridge manufacturing industry intended to discourage consumers from passing on cartridges to a third party. [126930]

  Mr. Timms
  The Department has received over 50 letters from the printer cartridge refilling industry, following a recent press article about the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. They have written raising concerns that their operations might be put at risk if the WEEE Directive scope does not include these goods.

  We have made clear in our replies that we take these concerns seriously and we are keen to see the cartridge refilling sector flourish. Officials are due to meet
  514W
  representatives from the UK Cartridge Recyclers Association to discuss these matters. They will also be seeing the original cartridge manufacturers shortly. So far the Department have received no written representations from manufacturers of printer cartridges on these issues.

  Business estimates that, at the moment, around 30–40 per cent. of toner and inkjet cartridges are re-used or recycled. The Department has made no specific assessment of the environmental benefits of this activity or of its impact on imports.

  The refill industry has raised concerns related to existing technology applied to some of the goods currently sold, which prevents re-use. However, the WEEE Directive does not affect this.

  The European Commission has made clear that printer cartridges do not fall within the scope of the WEEE Directive, but considers that forthcoming EU legislation on eco-design may address the issues. The Government agrees with this assessment. In the meantime, if the spread of new technology in cartridges specifically to prevent their re-use beings to impinge significantly on the independent refill market, we would want to consider what additional action might be warranted. However the Department has no present plans to intervene in the market, either in relation to manufacturers' use of probate schemes or to force them to remanufacture their own cartridges returned by consumers.

  Any evidence of anti-competitive practices in the cartridge manufacturing industry would be a matter for the Office of Fair Trading.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much subsidy was paid by the Government to electricity generators as a result of their renewable energy policy(a) in total and (b) to generators using wood-fired power stations in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2002; what the payments are estimated to be in 2005; and if she will make a statement. [125112]

  Mr. Timms
  For 2001–02 and 2002–03, the Government paid the following amounts in support for research and development into renewable energy through the DTI's Renewable Energy Programme and through the Research Councils:

  £ million

  (a) All renewable DTI R&D programme

  (b) Biomass Research Councils

  DTI R&D programme

  Research Councils

  2001–02

  11.32

  8.30

  1.33

  0.73

  2002–03

  16.69

  19.00

  1.59

  10.79

  1 Estimates

  Estimates for 2005 are not available. The figures show payments to all recipients: figures for payments to electricity generators are not readily available.

  My Department and the New Opportunities Fund have set up a £66 million Bioenergy Capital Grants Programme. While grants from this programme have been announced, no payments relating to these have been made to date.
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  Other forms of support for renewable energy, such as the Renewable Obligation and the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation, are not subsidies paid by Government.

  Sellafield
  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects the remediation of Sellafield building B30 to commence. [124834]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 11 July 2003]: BNFL has advised me that remediation within building B30 at Sellafield has been in progress since the pond ceased operations early in the last decade. Work to prepare for the acceleration of these operations is in progress. The Health and Safety Executive has given BNFL the requirement to retrieve and treat 90 per cent. of the sludge in B30 by 2010.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what volume of dried radioactive waste sludge she expects to be removed from building B30 at Sellafield in the post-operation clean-out process. [124835]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 11 July 2003]: BNFL has advised me that, because the amount of de-watering which will be needed to facilitate removal and treatment of these sludges has not yet been established, this volume cannot yet be accurately determined. However, BNFL currently expects it to amount to several hundred cubic metres.

  Mr. Meacher
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the safety of the Magnox storage and decommissioning B30 facility at Sellafield. [124886]

  Mr. Timms
  [holding answer 10 July 2003]: The B30 pond contains many tonnes of Magnox fuel and sludge from corrosion of the Magnox fuel cladding and the fuel. These must be removed and converted into forms suitable for long-term passively safe storage and eventual disposal, while minimising radiation doses to the work force and risk to the public. This decommissioning poses significant technical challenges.

  I have been informed that as a result of the increased concern of the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) over the state of the plant and lack of progress in decommissioning, it served an Improvement Notice in July 2001 requiring BNFL to produce a decommissioning plan, programme and a project specification. NII further required BNFL to prepare a risk assessment of the failure of B30 structure and equipment. Following assessment of this report by NII, BNFL has now committed to a full structural analysis of the whole B30 facility, to be completed by June 2004. Additionally, Nil requires BNFL to retrieve and treat 90 per cent. of the sludge from B30 by 2010. NH will be continually monitoring the programme and the technical work.

  Copies of a report prepared by BNFL on the B30 facility were recently placed in the Libraries of the House.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what facility attachments and safeguards provisions apply to the B30 spent fuel and waste store at Sellafield; when Euratom safeguards inspectors last 516W
  visited the B30 plant; what discussions her Department has had with the (a) Euratom Safeguards Directorate and (b) European Commission authorities on B30; and if she will make a statement on the application of safeguards at B30. [126522]

  Mr. Timms
  The B30 store at Sellafield is subject to regular Euratom safeguards inspections, the last one being in March of this year. Particular Safeguards Provisions (PSP) have been prepared by the European Commission for this part of the Sellafield facility but have yet to enter into force. A facility attachment would only be negotiated in the event the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) decided to designate B30 for inspection under the UK's safeguards agreement with the IAEA and Euratom.

  The Department maintains close contact with both the European Commission's safeguards authorities and also BNFL across the range of issues that relate to safeguards arrangements at Sellafield. Definitive statements on such Euratom safeguards implementation as a whole are contained in recent reports on Euratom Safeguards operations as published by the European Commission. The Executive Summary to the most recent of these (on activities during 2001, published in October 2002) notes that
  'verification activities conducted by Commission inspection staff led to the conclusion that, apart from some discrepancies between evaluations carried out by operators and Commission inspectors, which are in the process of being solved, no diversion of nuclear material from its intended use was established'.
  This follows a similar conclusion, that the Commission
  'did not find any indication that nuclear material had been diverted from its intended peaceful use'
  in the corresponding report for 1999–2000.

  Solar Energy
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the implications of a shortage of silicon for the solar cells industry; and if, pursuant to the letter of 30 May from the hon. Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson), she will make a statement. [126267]

  Mr. Timms
  No assessment has been undertaken by the UK of the implications of a shortage of silicon for the solar cells industry, as the UK currently has no major silicon cell manufacturers. As my predecessor's letter of 30 May stated, multi-national cell manufacturers are monitoring the situation, and may build dedicated silicon production plants or diversify into non-silicon cell technologies if a prolonged shortage does arise.

  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assistance the Government has given to(a) households and (b) business in the installation of solar energy devices; and how many (i) households and (ii) businesses have installed solar energy devices in each year since 1997. [126658]

  Mr. Timms
  Government assistance for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems has been provided since 2000 through the Domestic (DFT) and Large-Scale Field Trials (LSFT), totalling £10 million. The DFT is supporting the installation of PV roofs on 30 projects throughout the UK, comprising some 500
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  homes in the social and private housing sectors. The LSFT is supporting 15 projects in public sector buildings, including universities, council offices and visitor centres. Since April 2002 grants have been provided through the £20 million first phase of the Major Photovoltaic Demonstration Programme (MDP). Under the MDP, grants totalling £10 million have so far been allocated to 300 individual householders and to 66 medium and large-scale projects with housing groups and on non-residential buildings, only a few of which are businesses.

  For solar water heating systems grants have been available since March 2003 under my Department's £10 million Clear Skies Programme and the £3.7 million Scottish Community Renewable Initiative. So far, grants have been awarded to 230 individual households and to 14 of the 22 successful community schemes in the first call for proposals, giving a total of around £300,000 in grants for solar water heating systems. The Clear Skies programme is not open to businesses.

  It is difficult to assemble accurate figures for the number of solar devices installed on an annual basis since 1997. However, an indication of the growth of the solar PV market in the UK shows the following trend:

  Figures are for cumulative capacity in Megawatts:

  1997: 0.6MW

  1998: 0.7MW

  1999: 1.1MW

  2000: 1.9MW

  2001: 2.7MW

  2002: 4.1MW

  For solar water heating it is estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 domestic systems are installed each year. Current cumulative figures for the UK are estimated to be around 50,000 homes.

  Trade Justice Movement
  Mr. Donaldson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what response she will make to the representations from the Trade Justice Movement on trade with poorer countries; and what plans she has to raise these issues at the next meeting of the World Trade Organisation. [125680]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  [holding answer 14 July 2003]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry wrote to all members of the House, on 16 June, in response to the Trade Justice Movement campaign setting out the Government's support for trade to be free and fair and, in particular, the need for the WTO to address the concerns of developing countries.

  My ministerial colleagues and I will continue to argue for an international trading system which benefits the world's poorest nations with WT0 members from both developed and developing countries. It is vital that we make progress on implementing the Doha Development Agenda before, during and after the mid-Round Ministerial Conference in Cancun this September.

  Wind Farms
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the development of wind power facilities in the United Kingdom. [126730]

  Mr. Timms
  I am encouraged by the number of new wind farm developments coming forward in the UK.

  There is no requirement on developers to inform the Department of when a project will commence construction or when the completion date for construction will be. The Department therefore has no details of how many wind farms are under construction or when they will be completed. The DTI only collects data for wind farm applications above 50 MW (1 MW for offshore applications). Proposals for wind farms in England and Wales with a capacity of 50 MW or below fall to be determined by the local planning authority under the normal planning regime. The Government have made a commitment in the Energy White Paper to improve our statistics gathering for all planning applications regarding renewable energy, and we are presently working on this.

  There is currently 995 MW of generation capacity in the application process and an additional 671 MW capacity has been given planning consent for wind farms in England and Wales, under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.

  Powers under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, as they apply to Scotland, have been devolved to the Scottish Executive. In Scotland there is currently 1,060 MW in the planning process and an additional 292 MW has received consent.

  In Northern Ireland wind farms with a capacity of 10 MW or above fall to be determined by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for Northern Ireland under Article 39 of the Northern Ireland Electricity Order 1992. There is currently 115 MW in the application process and 62 MW have received consent and are commissioned.

  The DTI announced on 14 July 2003 that it had asked the Crown Estate to invite applications for sites for offshore wind farm developments in three strategic areas around the coast—the Thames Estuary, the Greater Wash and the north-west (which covers the area of the Irish Sea from the north Wales coast to the Solway Firth). This invitation to developers is likely to lead to a significant increase in the number and capacity of offshore wind farms.

  World Trade Organisation
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received regarding accession by China to the World Trade Organisation; and if she will make a statement. [126576]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The People's Republic of China joined the World Trade Organisation on 11 December 2001.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to take steps in the next round of WTO negotiations to improve access to patented drugs in the developing countries. [126375]
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  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government consider it important to find a solution to the outstanding issue from Doha on TRIPS and public health at or before the forthcoming WTO Ministerial in Cancun in September. The issue centres on how countries with insufficient or no manufacturing capacity in the pharmaceutical sector can make effective use of the compulsory licensing provisions of the WTO TRIPS Agreement. We are therefore working with partners to secure a solution which will be acceptable to all participants.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to take steps in the next round of WTO negotiations to prevent subsidised EU products being dumped on developing countries. [126371]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  All WTO members are committed to negotiations aimed at reducing, with a view to phasing out, all forms of export subsidies and significantly reducing trade-distorting domestic support. I will be pushing for agreement on how to implement this and all other elements of the Doha mandate on agriculture at the next WTO Ministerial this September. As part of the WTO agriculture negotiations, the EU has already offered to reduce its trade distorting domestic support by 55 per cent. and export subsidies by 45 per cent. In addition it is pressing for proper controls on the use of food aid and export credits to prevent these being used as a form of export subsidy.

  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to take steps in the next round of WTO negotiations to protect sugar producers in developing countries from competition from subsidised sugar production in the EU. [126370]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  All WTO members are committed to negotiations aimed at reducing, with a view to phasing out, all forms of export subsidies. I will be pushing for agreement on how to implement this and all other elements of the Doha mandate on agriculture at the next WTO Ministerial this September. As part of the WTO agriculture negotiations, the EU has already offered to reduce its export subsidies by 45 per cent. In addition it is pressing for proper controls on the use of food aid and export credits to prevent these being used as a form of export subsidy.

  The UK will also continue to press for early and radical reform of the EU sugar regime in line with other recent CAP reforms.

WORK AND PENSIONS

  Ambition Construction Programme
  Mr. Edward Davey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the(a) annual budget and (b) total central Government funding was for the Ambition Construction Programme in each financial year since 2000–01. [126838]

  Mr. Browne
  Ambition: Construction began to operate in June 2002. It is not possible to provide figures for the annual budget for the programme because, in addition to central Government funding, the programme draws money from a range of other sources,520W
  including the Construction Industry Training Board, European Social Fund, Single Regeneration Budget and local employers in individual pilot locations.

  Central Government funding for 2002–03 was £1,516,890. For the period April to September 2003, £3,394,600 of central Government funding has been allocated to the programme. Funding for the remainder of the year will be allocated following the mid-year review of expenditure carried out by Jobcentre Plus.

  Benefit Entitlement (EU Citizens)
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what period has to elapse before EU citizens who remain in the UK under the habitual residency test can claim UK benefits. [126826]

  Mr. Pond
  EU citizens who are living in the United Kingdom are treated the same as United Kingdom citizens in respect of claims for income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit. However, the habitual residence test limits entitlement to these non-contributory benefits to people with genuine ties to the United Kingdom. There is no set timescale for satisfying the test and each case is considered on its own merits.

  Child Support
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many families are expected(a) to gain and (b) to lose from the child support reforms, broken down by (i) couple families and (ii) families headed by a lone parent [99052]

  Mr. Pond
  The information is not available in the format requested. Our latest available estimates are in the tables below. It is estimated that 82 per cent. of maintenance liabilities calculated under the new scheme will be phased in over (up to) five years.

  Earning non-resident parents (Per cent.)

  (i) Repartnered

  (ii) Single

  Total

  (a) Gain

  14

  45

  59

  (b) Lose

  18

  21

  39

  In addition, a further 60 per cent. of non-resident parents on Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance will have an increased liability for maintenance. of these, 9 per cent. have a new partner, and 91 per cent. do not.

  Earning non-resident parents (Per cent.)

  (i) Repartnered

  (ii) Single

  Total

  (a) Gain

  11

  44

  55

  (b) Lose

  8

  31

  39

  In addition, up to 90 per cent. of parents with care on benefit stand to gain by up to £10 a week through the introduction of the Child Maintenance Premium. Of these, 3 per cent. have a new partner and 97 per cent. do not.
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  Notes:

  1. Figures are taken from 5 per cent. samples of all 'live and assessed' cases of quarterly scans of the Child Support Agency Computer System August 2001 and so are subject to sampling variation.

  2. Figures are for Full Maintenance Assessments only.

  3. Information relating to the non-resident parent and parent with care's status as repartnered or single is held only at time of case take-on, so this information may be out of date.

  4. Totals may not sum exactly dues to rounding. There is also a small proportion of parents who will see no change in maintenance liability.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research has been commissioned on the financial impact on absent fat hers of the interaction between child support maintenance assessments and the new tax credits, with particular reference to(a) absent fathers who have new partners and (b) fathers who are registered as absent, but who look after their children for three nights per week. [126567]

  Mr. Pond
  No specific research has been commissioned on the interaction between new tax credits and child support. The introduction of new tax credits has been carefully reflected in the regulations governing child support. These are kept under regular review.

  Gas Fitters
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on the compulsory registration of gas fitters according to the Corgi Standard; and how many complaints his Department has received in the last year over the action of unregistered gas fitters. [123498]

  Mr. Browne
  For many years health and safety legislation has required anyone carrying out work on gas appliances to be competent and registered with the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI). This legislation is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Over the last year my Department has received one complaint about unregistered gas fitters.

  In addition, registered fitters and members of the public report fitters suspected of working illegally to CORGI. Where, on investigation, CORGI finds evidence of unregistered working, it will pass the information to HSE for further action. In the year 2002–03, CORGI reported details of 1,003 unregistered fitters to HSE. Complaints about unregistered fitters may also be made directly to HSE area offices, though HSE's current database does not enable these to be quantified separately from other gas-related complaints and reports.

  HSE's policy is to follow up all gas-related complaints and reports that it receives, including those about unregistered fitters, and where appropriate take enforcement action.

  Adult Education
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much funding his Department and its predecessors allocated to Work Based Learning for Adults in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [114473]
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  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the allocation to Work-based Learning for Adults was in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; and what the allocation will be in (i) 2003–04, (ii) 2004–05, (iii) 2005–06 and (iv) 2006–07. [116015]

  Mr. Browne
  Information on spend on the Work Based Learning for Adults (WBLA) programme is in the following table:

  Spend (£million)

  1997–98

  382

  1998–99

  264

  1999–2000

  264

  2000–01

  275

  2001–02

  168

  2002–03

  123

  sources:

  DfEE and ofsted Departmental Report and Main Estimates

  DfEE Appropriation Accounts

  Employment Service Annual Reports and Accounts

  From 2003–04 a separate budget is no longer allocated for WBLA. Spend figures for 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 will become available when Jobcentre Plus Annual Reports for each year are published.

  It is not yet possible to confirm the position for 2006–07 as this is subject to outcomes from the 2004 Spending Review.

  Attendance Allowance
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to award a severely disabled person attendance allowance for the six-month qualifying period once it has been established that the conditions of entitlement have been met. [126369]

  Maria Eagle
  No. Attendance allowance provides a contribution towards the extra costs faced by severely disabled people as a result of long-term disability. The six-month qualifying period helps to establish that the disability, and the resulting personal care or supervision needs which give entitlement to the benefit, are of a long term nature. However, special considerations apply to people who are terminally ill, and our arrangements recognise the particular difficulties faced by people who have only a short time to live. Such people are awarded attendance allowance automatically without having to complete a qualifying period. The arrangements ensure that claims are dealt with quickly and sensitively. We have no plans to extend this exception to attendance allowance claims generally.

  Benefit Costs
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost per claimant was of administering each of the major benefits in the last 12 months. [125409]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Information is not available in the format requested. In accordance with the requirements of Resource Accounting and Budgeting the Department now accounts for its administration and benefit expenditure by strategic objective, as set out in its Public
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  Service Agreements (PSA), and by individual requests for resources (RfRs), as set out in the Department's Estimates and Accounts.

  Benefit Errors
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have had(a) their state pension and (b) other benefits incorrectly deducted after a hospital stay lasting more than six weeks since 9 March. [126851]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information requested is not available.

  Benefit Fraud
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff are responsible for detection of benefit fraud, broken down by region; what change has been made in the level of such staff in the last six months, broken down by region; on what basis the decision was made to change staff levels; and if he will make a statement. [123041]

  Mr. Pond
  The overall aim of the Department's antifraud strategy is to have a benefit system which is secure from first claim to final payment. The implementation of this strategy means than an anti-fraud focus is integral to the work of all staff in the Department, as is dealing with the wider agenda of error and incorrectness in benefit payments.

  The information currently available suggests that around 5,000 staff are employed at any one time by the Department and its agencies in work to investigate suspicions of fraud. Information on changes made in the level of such staff in the last six months is not available

  Benefit/Pension Payments
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants in each benefit client group who have been sent direct payment invitation letters have opened(a) normal bank or building society accounts, (b) basic bank accounts and (c) Post Office Card Accounts. [123296]

  Mr. Pond
  Information is not available in the format requested.

  I refer the hon. Member for Northavon to the table of latest key figures on the progress of conversion to Direct Payment placed in the Commons Library on 7 July 2003.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claimants in each benefit client group have been sent direct payment invitation letters; and for each of those groups how many have(a) opted for payment via a normal bank account or building society account, (b) opted for payment via a basic bank account, (c) opted for payment via a post office card account, (d) responded indicating that they wish to continue using order books and (e) not responded. [123322]

  Mr. Pond
  I refer the hon. Member to the table of latest key figures on the progress of conversion to direct payment placed in the Library on 7 July 2003.
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  In addition to these figures 26,488 customers have indicated that they do not wish to be paid by direct payment. Of these, 20,509 are child benefit customers, 350 are Veteran Agency customers, 3,783 are pension customers, and 1,846 are Jobcentre Plus customers. Those customers who are paid by order book will for the meantime continue to be paid this way. However, order books will eventually be phased out and we will need to make payment by another method.

  So far, 821,713 customers have yet to respond. This consists of 503,456 child benefit customers, 11,360 Veterans Agency customers, 118,194 pension service customers, and 188,703 Jobcentre Plus customers.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many customers(a) will and (b) will not be paid by direct payment if the Department meets its public service agreement target to pay 85 per cent. of customers via bank accounts by 2005; and if he will make a statement; [124014]

  (2) what his target is for the (a) number and (b) proportion of customers receiving benefits by direct payment by 31 December 2005: [124016]

  (3) pursuant to his answer of 16 May 2003, Official Report, column 440W, and 20 May 2003, Official Report, column 753W, what method of payment his Department plans to use to pay the 15 per cent. of customers that may not be being paid by direct payment by the end of 2005, following the completion of the phasing out of order books by that date; and if he will make a statement. [124100]

  Mr. Pond
  The Department has a published Public Service Agreement that by 2005, 85 per cent. of customers will have their benefits paid by Direct Payment. Already 87 per cent. of all customers and 90 per cent. of pensioners have access to a bank account that can receive direct payment. We expect that more than 85 per cent. of customers will provide us with their bank account details or choose a Post Office card account. Everyone wi11 be able to access their money at the Post Office if they wish—just as they do now.

  We have always recognised that there will be a small group of people who we cannot pay directly into an account. We will develop an alternative method to pay this group, which can be accessed at Post Office branches.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) whether customers who have more than one carer or a number of irregular carers will be able to nominate more than one such person to collect their benefit from the Post Office, following the transfer to direct payment; and if he will make a statement; [124017]

  (2) pursuant to the statement made by the Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the hon. Member for Gravesham (Mr. Pond) of 9 July 2003, Official Report, column 310WH, whether it is his policy that all pensioners and benefit recipients with more than one carer should be able to use the exceptions service; and if he will make a statement. [125961]

  Mr. Pond
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: Customers will be supplied with information that clearly sets out their account options and will enable them to choose the account which best meets their needs and circumstances.

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  If they have more than one carer or a number of irregular carers customers may find that accounts that offer cheque books/building society passbooks provide more flexibility.

  We are currently looking to find the best way to meet the needs of people who have no regular carer or helper. Where people need help to collect their money they will, for the meantime, be allowed to keep their order book.

  We have always recognised that there will be a small group of people who we cannot pay directly into an account. We will develop an alternative method to pay this group, which can be accessed at Post Office branches.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have been contacted following a failure to respond to an invitation to transfer to direct payment; and of those, what proportion responded to this further contact. [124019]

  Mr. Pond
  Information is not available in the format requested.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Coventry have converted to direct payment of their benefits and pensions. [125354]

  Mr. Pond
  The following table shows the breakdown of claimants in Coventry that have converted to direct payment of their benefits and pensions in the past six months.

  Number of claimants

  January 2003-March 2003

  843

  April 2003-June 2003

  1,371

  Notes:

  1. The above figures are payload not caseload figures therefore, a claimant may be counted more than once if they are on several benefits.

  2. If a claimant is receiving one combined payment through the Income Support system for both MIG and RP they will only be shown on MIG and not on RP.

  3. Data is only available on a monthly basis, with parliamentary constituency from December 2002.

  4. Figures quoted are for Coventry North East, Coventry North West and Coventry South combined.

  Source:

  DWP Information Centre, Information and Analysis Directorate (100 per cent. data).

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 25 June 2003,Official Report, column 837W, on benefits, how many consolatory payments were made to customers for gross inconvenience or severe distress as a result of official errors; and what the (a) total and (b) average award was in each of the last 10 years. [126392]

  Mr. Pond
  The special payments scheme was revised in 1997 to introduce consolatory payments for inconvenience and distress. Information on payments made under the previous redress arrangements is not available.
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  The available information is in the tables.

  Ex gratia consolatory payments made in respect of benefits 1997–98 to 1999–2000

  Total payments made

  Total amount paid

  1997–98

  123

  29,525

  1998–99

  302

  80,544

  1999–2000

  693

  82,637

  Ex gratia consolatory payments made in respect of benefits 2000–01 to 2002–03

  Gross inconvenience

  Severe distress

  Total payments made

  Total amount paid

  Total payments made

  Total amount paid

  2000–01

  714

  64,474

  161

  23,983

  2001–02

  941

  84,946

  242

  26,748

  2002–03

  1,048

  89,069

  175

  18,870

  Notes:

  1. Consolatory payments were not recorded by category prior to 2000–01.

  2. Payments in 2000–01 and preceding years were made by the former Benefits Agency and War Pensions Agency.

  3. Payments in 2001–02 were made by the former Benefits Agency only following the transfer of War Pensions Agency (now the Veterans Agency) to the Ministry of Defence.

  4. Payments in 2002–03 were made by Jobcentre Plus, The Pension Service and Disability and Carers Service.

  5. Figures prior to 2002–03 do not include any payments for redress made by the former Employment Service.

  6. As some customers will have received consolatory payments for both the inconvenience caused and the distress suffered, information on the average payment made to an individual is not available.

  Mr. Alan Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance he has issued to his Department regarding making benefit and pension payments to clients who fail to open a bank or Post Office card account and whose current order books have expired. [126276]

  Mr. Pond
  Around 87 per cent. of customers already have bank accounts. And for those who do not, new easy to operate accounts, which are accessible at the Post Office, are widely available. Those customers who have yet to respond to their invitation and whose current order books have expired will, for the meantime, continue to be paid by this method, until order books are eventually phased out in 2005.

  We have always recognised that there will be a small group of people who we cannot pay directly into an account, and the Department is committed to developing an alternative method to pay this group.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which his Department cold-calls customers in connection with the transfer to direct payment; and in what circumstances his Department cold-calls customers to invite them to receive payment via bank accounts when they have already opted for a Post Office card account. [126811]

  Mr. Pond
  Initial contact with any customer is made either by letter, or in the case of some Jobcentre Plus customers, face-to-face as part of normal business.
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  There is no attempt to persuade customers away from the Post Office card account. Customers will be provided with information on all of their banking options. It is for the customer to decide on the best option to suit their needs.

  Benefit Take-up
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much extra grant per year would need to be paid from central Government to local authorities if take-up of all income-related benefits was to be 100 per cent. assuming that current take-up rates are at the mid-point in the range of estimates provided by the Government. [126564]

  Mr. Pond
  We estimate that a 100 per cent. take-up of income related benefits in 2003–04 would increase centrally funded housing benefit and council tax benefit expenditure by £1.7 billion. Subsidy for local authorities to administer housing benefit and council tax benefit claims is distributed by the Department using a caseload based formula on a definitive sum. Any changes in caseload, or type of caseload, may affect the amount allocated to individual authorities, but not the overall allocation.

  Notes:

  1. Estimates are consistent with Budget 2003 estimates of 2003–04 Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (HB and CTB) expenditure.

  2. The estimate of the increased funding is rounded to the nearest £100 million

  3. Current take-up rates are mid-point 2000–01 estimates from "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2000/2001", published by DWP.

  4. Centrally funded benefit expenditure is defined as all HB and CTB benefit expenditure not funded by local authorities.

  5. Estimates are based on the assumption that local authorities would contribute the same proportion of HB and CTB benefit expenditure as at present.

  Source:

  DWP Information and Analysis Directorate, Benefit Forecasting

  British Sign Language
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Government's recent discussions regarding the allocation of funding to support British Sign Language initiatives; and whether there was direct representation at these meetings by organisations from(a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland. [126109]

  Maria Eagle
  The British Sign Language working group we have established considered priorities for allocating the additional £1; million funding at its first meeting on 2 July. Their work is on-going and we will receive recommendations in due course. In selecting organisations to be represented on the group, we have identified key organisations of and for deaf people with remits across Great Britain. They will ensure that initiatives progressed reflect needs across Great Britain including Scottish and Welsh interests. The situation in Northern Ireland is being considered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
  528W
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what policies and procedures are being modified and what actions are being taken within his Department following the Government's decision to recognise British Sign Language as an official language. [126240]

  Maria Eagle
  The Department is chairing and supporting the BSL working group which was established following the statement on 18 March. We will use that forum, working with organisations of and for deaf people, to identify issues impacting on our capacity to perform as good practice service providers to sign language users and to develop strategies to improve access for deaf people who use BSL. We will then make appropriate modifications to policies and procedures.

  Carers
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people aged over 65 are receiving(a) carer's allowance and (b) the carer's premium in income support; and how many people aged over 65 have claimed (i) carer's allowance and (ii) the carer's premium in income support since April 2003. [126562]

  Maria Eagle
  Information is not available in the form requested The information that is available is in the table.

  Carer's allowance: number of claims made by people aged 65 and over in Great Britain in the period from 1 October 2002 to 28 February 2003; and the number of people aged 65 and over receiving the allowance at 28 February 2003

  Number

  Claims for carer's allowance 1 October 2002 to 28 February 2003

  21,705

  In receipt of carer's allowance at 28 February 2003

  6,630

  Notes:

  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.

  2. Claims figures refer to the number of people making a claim. Each person may have made more than one claim.

  Source:

  IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent, sample

  Awards of carer premium to claimants and partners aged 65 and over, and numbers of claimants and partners aged 65 and over in receipt of carer premium—Great Britain

  Thousands

  New awards of carer premium 1 November 2002 to February 2003

  4.2

  In receipt of carer premium as at:

  November 2002

  12.3

  February 2003

  17.1

  Notes:

  1. Based on a 5 per cent, sample of income support and carers allowance claimants, therefore subject to sampling variation.

  2. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred and expressed in thousands.

  3. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

  4. Based on any live income support benefit unit where a carer premium is in payment and either the claimant or partner are aged 65 and over and have entitlement to carer's allowance. Includes cases where CA is not actually paid due to overlapping benefit rules.

  5. In receipt figures include some cases who claimed carer's allowance and carer premium before the age of 65.

  529W
  6. New awards have been defined as people aged over 65 who were IS carer premium cases in February 2003 and were not IS carer premium cases in November 2002. Cases that were on IS in November and not getting carer premium but appear on the February 2003 scan with carer premium are included. However, figures exclude cases with an existing award of carer premium who reach 65.

  7. This will undercount the number of in flows as those cases flowing on then off again between the scan dates will not be captured.

  Source:

  IAD Information Centre, 5 per cent. sample.

  Child Support Agency
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether an allowance is made for child care costs, in relation to a child living with an absent parent with care or with the parent being assessed, in the Child Support Agency's formula for child maintenance. [126160]

  Mr. Pond
  In both the old and new child support schemes, no specific allowance is made for formal child care costs. In the old child support scheme, an allowance is made in the exempt income calculation for the nonresident parent's natural children who reside with them, and all the children who reside with them (including stepchildren) in the protected income calculation. In the new scheme, any children residing with the non-resident parent are taken into account before maintenance liability is calculated.

  Allowance is also made for those non-resident parents who share the care of their children. In the old child support scheme, maintenance liability reduces if care is shared for 104 or more nights in a year. In the new scheme, reductions apply if care is shared for 52 nights or more. For equal care, there are special rules.

  Vernon Coaker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the progress made by the CSA in introducing the new system of assessment. [117902]

  Mr. Pond
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon North, (Malcolm Wicks), gave to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 3 June 2003,Official Report, column 54W.

  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many liability orders were placed on members of the armed forces by the Child Support Agency in each month since July 2002. [123931]

  Mr. Pond
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend.

  Letter from Doug Smith to Diana Organ, dated July 2003:
  The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
  You ask how many liability orders were placed on members of the armed forces by the Child Support Agency in each month since July 2002.
  530W
  We have not placed any liability orders on members of the armed forces. We have however made deduction of earnings requests in respect of members of the armed forces.
  We do not have the information to provide a monthly breakdown. As at 28 February 2003 the Agency had made just under 3,000 deduction of earnings requests. I do not have the figures relating to periods after February 2003.

  Diana Organ
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the application of child support regulations to armed forces personnel. [123933]

  Mr. Pond
  Child support regulations are applied to civilians and armed forces personnel equally, other than the regulations concerning deductions from the pay of service personnel.

  Mr. Andrew Turner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much interest was earned from monies held by the Child Support Agency between receipt from parents without care and payment to parents with care in the last year for which figures are available. [124975]

  Mr. Pond
  The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.

  Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Andrew Turner, dated July 2003:
  The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in replying to your recent parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
  You ask how much interest was saved from monies held by the Child Support Agency between receipt from parents without care and payments to parents with care in the last year for which figures are available.
  Where an amount has been received from the non resident parent and has not been paid over to the parent with care within a 14 day period; any interest accrued during that time, in excess of £5, will be reimbursed to the parent with care. During the 2002–03 financial year this amounted to £20,803. I have no information on the interest relating to amounts paid over to the parent with care within the 14 days and the interest relating to amounts less than £5.

  Dr. Stoate
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will apply the new rules for Child Support Agency claims to pre-existing cases. [125163]

  Mr. Pond
  We have made it clear that we shall only make a decision on this once we are sure that the new scheme is working well.

  Consultation Documents
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the consultation documents issued by his Department in each of the last four years; what the cost was of producing each of these; how many documents were issued in each consultation; and how many responses were received in each consultation. [124571]

  Mr. Pond
  The Department for Work and Pensions came into being in June 2001. The following table gives the titles of consultation papers issued, dates of issue, number of copies issued, and written replies received. All consultation documents are also posted on the DWP internet site www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/index.asp. Formal Consultation documents are only part of the
  531W
  policy development process. Other additional activity employed by DWP includes seminars, public meetings, meetings with professional and other expert groups and

  Title of consultation

  Start date

  Number of documents issued

  Number of written responses

  Amending the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979

  23 July 2001

  70

  13

  Occupational Pension Scheme Winding-up Notices and Reports (etc) Regulations 2001

  1 August 2001

  57

  29

  Occupational and Personal Pension schemes (Disclosure of Information) Amendment Regulations 2001

  13 August 2001

  57

  17

  Occupational and Personal Pension schemes (contracting-out)-draft miscellaneous amending regulations

  3 May 2001

  160

  75

  Changes to Invalid Care Allowance

  23 July 2001

  445

  133

  The Minimum Funding Requirement: the next stage of reform. Consultation on the draft Occupational Pension schemes (Minimum Funding Requirements and Miscellaneous Amendments Regulations 2001

  18 September 2001

  740

  140

  Private Pensions simplification

  19 October 2001

  225

  119

  Bulk transfer of accrued Pension rights without member consent

  20 December 2001

  35

  19

  Revised code of practice on gathering of information as required in Social Security Fraud Act 2001

  8 April 2002

  100

  1

  Consultation on Three Recommendations in the Myners' report "Institutional Investment in the UK—a review"

  4h February 2001

  102

  21

  Member nominated trustees and directors

  12 February 2002

  72

  22

  Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA) quinquennial review

  10 May 2002

  100

  50

  Measuring Child Poverty

  18 April 2002

  2,000

  80

  The future of the residential allowance component of income support, minimum income guarantee, jobseeker's allowance

  22 May 2002

  90

  44

  Equality, Opportunity and Independence for all (Race Relations Amendment Act)

  30 May 2002

  400

  30

  Social Security Advisory Committee review

  16 January 2002

  33

  13

  Pathways to work—helping people into employment

  18 November 2002

  500

  137

  Simplicity, security and choice—helping people into retirement

  17 December 2002

  15,039

  800

  Replacing benefit periods

  20 December 2002

  100

  60

  The Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) (Amendment) Regulations 2003

  29 January 2003

  12

  16

  The Social Security (Earning Factor) Amendment Regulations 2003

  31 January 2003

  5

  0

  Contracted-out Rebates
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) with reference to Figure A3.1 on page 148 of the Pensions Green Paper (Cm 5677), what the assumed number of people receiving contracted-out rebates is in(a) 2001–02, (b) 2011–12, (c) 2021–22, (d) 2031–32, (e) 2041–42 and (f) 2051–52; [125411]

  (2) with reference to Figure A3.1 on page 148 of the Pensions Green Paper (Cm 5677), what the projected level of expenditure is (a) as a percentage of GDP and (b) in 2003 prices on contracted-out rebates in (i) 2001–02, (ii) 2011–12, (iii) 2021–22, (iv) 2031–32, (v) 2041–42 and (vi) 2051–52. [125412]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The available information is in Tables 1–3.

  Figure A3.1 on page 148 of Simplicity, Security and Choice (Cm 5677), shows projected future expenditure on state benefits to people over state pensions age, including state Second Pension. The tables set out assumptions on the levels of contracting-out over time which underpinned Figure A3.1.

  There have already been many changes to the contracting-out regime since the date of the last available data. The Green Paper therefore makes it clear that these assumptions should be interpreted with
  532W
  a web-based discussion forum. Costs of producing and printing documents is not collated centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  considerable care because of the uncertainties surrounding the assumptions used. Projecting over such a long period can be significantly affected by even minor changes in the assumptions used.

  Table 1: Assumed number of people receiving contracted-out rebates

  GB-billion

  Number

  2001–02

  13.0

  2011–12

  12.0

  2021–22

  10.7

  2031–32

  9.2

  2041–42

  8.9

  2051–52

  8.8

  Table 2: Assumed expenditure of providing contracted-out rebates

  GB-billion

  Number

  2001–02

  9.5

  2011–12

  11.4

  2021–22

  11.4

  2031–32

  10.4

  2041–12

  10.6

  2051–52

  11.6

  533W

  Table 3: Assumed expenditure as a percentage of GDP

  GB

  Percentage

  2001–02

  0.9

  2011–12

  0.9

  2021–22

  0.7

  2031–32

  0.5

  2041–12

  0.4

  2051–52

  0.3

  Note:

  (a) The figures shown in Table 1 were used as a basis for the Green Paper and are based only on the assumed number of people contracted out, and earning above the Lower Earnings Limit, and hence eligible for a rebate.

  (b) They show the average number of people contracted out at any point in the year, rather than the total number of people who have been contracted out some time during the year.

  (c) Figures are shown in constant 2002–03 price terms, except the figure for 2001–02 which has not been adjusted.

  (d) The projected rebate expenditure for 2011–12 reflects the sharp rise in the cost of rebates between the 2001–02 and 2002–03 tax years. This was due to the introduction of the State Second Pension which resulted in a large increase in the amount of rebates paid to Appropriate Personal Pensions.

  (e) The figures reflect the analysis of long term economic and demographic developments in the governments long term public finance report presented in November 2002.

  Source:

  Government Actuary's Department

  Correspondence
  David Winnick
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to ensure that the Department sends out acknowledgements to letters from hon. Members writing on behalf of constituents; and when the practice of sending acknowledgements ceased. [126461]

  Maria Eagle
  It has not been our practice to send acknowledgements automatically to all letters received by hon. Members. We do however aim to reply to correspondence within 20 working days and send interim replies where appropriate.

  Countryside Agency
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he last met the Chairman of the Countryside Agency to discuss rural proofing. [115576]

  Cost in future years of increasing the deferral rate

  Year

  Increase deferral rate (per cent.) to:

  2004

  2005

  2010

  2015

  2020

  2025

  2030

  Ultimate

  10.4

  2

  6

  40

  45

  45

  40

  30

  0

  20

  7

  26

  175

  275

  315

  320

  310

  165

  30

  13

  47

  315

  510

  595

  615

  605

  335

  40

  19

  68

  455

  750

  875

  915

  895

  505

  50

  25

  89

  595

  985

  1155

  1210

  1185

  675

  Notes:

  1. Costs include the effect of increasing the deferral rate to 10.4 per cent. in 2010, as detailed in 1995 Pensions Act

  2. Figures shown in million in 2003–04 price terms

  3. Figures for 2004 and 2005 rounded to nearest £1 million. Figures for 2010 and later rounded to nearest £5 million.
  534W
  Maria Eagle
  My right hon. Friend met Sir Ewen in February of this year.

  Customer Conversion Centre
  Mr. Alan Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what procedures are available to customers who wish to register complaints regarding his Department's Customer Conversion Centre. [126034]

  Mr. Pond
  Procedures are in place to ensure that customers wishing to register a complaint regarding the Customer Conversion Centre are able to do so. Complaints are recorded and dealt with by the appropriate responsible office in line with Departmental standards.

  The Department can receive complaints regarding the Customer Conversion Centre through a number of channels and the procedures in place depend on the method of approach taken by the customer.

  Complaints can be made directly over the telephone to call centre operatives, in writing to the call centre, the relevant business unit, or the Payment Modernisation Programme direct. Customers may also register complaints with their respective Member of Parliament or the relevant client group Chief Executive's office.

  Deferred Pensions
  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost of paying the basic state pension, deferred by five years, at(a) 110.4 per cent., (b) 120 per cent., (c) 130 per cent., (d) 140 per cent. and (e) 150 per cent. assuming the number of people choosing to defer their pension remains unchanged. [97663]

  Malcolm Wicks
  For every year a person defers drawing their State Pension, they are entitled to receive increases of 7½ percentage points.

  This rate is due to increase to 10.4 percentage points in 2010. In the 2002 Pensions Green Paper Simplicity, security and choice: Working and saving for retirement (Cm 5677) it was announced that the government was consulting on whether this increase should be brought forward.

  The following table shows the additional cost in selected years if we were to increase the deferral rate from 2004, assuming the number of people choosing to defer their State Pension remains unchanged.
  535W
  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost has been to the Exchequer of deferred sions, in(a) cash and (b) real terms, over the last 10 years. [97665]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The answer is not available in the format requested.

  Prior to 1999, the amount of inherited increments in payment was not recorded and so we cannot accurately estimate the total expenditure on increments before 1999. Such information as is available is shown in the following table.

  Cost of paying deferred State Pension

  £ million

  Year

  Cash

  Real

  2002

  450

  460

  2001

  450

  470

  2000

  450

  470

  1999

  450

  490

  Notes:

  (a) Cash terms refer to the annual cost of paying all forms of increments, based upon administrative data from 30th September of each year.

  (b) Real terms are calculated by taking the level of the Retail Price Index in September of each year and up rating to the level of the April 2003 Retail Price Index level.

  Results include both Great Britain and overseas cases.

  Figures rounded to nearest £10 million.

  Sir Archy Kirkwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have deferred their pension in each of the last five years by up to(a) one year, (b) two years, (c) three years, (d) four years and (e) five years. [97666]

  Malcolm Wicks
  It is not possible say how many people are deferring their State Pension at a single point in time because it is not necessary to inform the Department for Work and Pensions of an intention to defer. Administrative data only records people after they have finished their deferral and claimed State Pension.

  The duration of deferral for pensioners who are now in receipt of State Pension has been calculated based upon the amount of increments in payment, from which the duration of deferral is calculated.

  The following table shows the number of people aged five years over State Pension age who receive State Pension including increments, along with the duration of their deferral period.

  Number of people aged 5 years above the State Pension age that deferred their State Pension

  Deferral period

  Total

  Under 1 year

  10,000

  1 to 2 years

  9,000

  2 to 3 years

  4,000

  3 to 4 years

  3,000

  4 to 5 years

  4,000

  5 + years

  1,000

  All

  31,000

  536W
  Notes:

  1. Based upon administrative data from September 2002

  2. Numbers relate to men aged 70 and women aged 65

  3. Numbers exclude people in receipt of inherited increments only

  4. Numbers include recipients of a State Pension in Great Britain and overseas

  5. Numbers rounded to nearest 1,000

  6. People who have still not claimed their State Pension by the age of 65 (women) or 70 (men) are not included in the table above

  Ductile Iron Gas Mains
  Mr. Heyes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions who owns the medium pressure ductile iron gas mains within 30 metres of buildings reported to HSE in response to its October 2002 warning to gas transporters other than Transco; where these are located; what programme of remedial measures the HSE has agreed with the owners; and what deadline has been set by HSE for completion of this programme. [120477]

  Mr. Browne
  Transco notified HSE of 35 sites which might contain medium pressure ductile iron (MPDI) gas pipework. The sites were in public or private ownership and in many parts of the country. HSE inspectors wrote individually to each site requiring a response within an eight week deadline. A third of the sites reported that they had no MPDI pipework or had already removed it. No common timescale for action was set at the remaining sites but a remedial programme is being agreed for individual sites, based on the information in the returned proformas and risk assessment. Additionally a further 12 sites where MPDI pipework was suspected have Peen made known to HSE and the same approach for action is being applied.

  Getting clearance for the release under the Open Government Code of the list of organisations and sites that HSE is following up is a complex matter and cannot be accomplished within the timescale required. However, I will write to my hon. Friend with a summary of the results of HSE's work, when this is complete and place a copy of my letter in the Library.

  E-government
  Dr. Francis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list by project the consultancies his Department and its non-departmental bodies have used on e-Government projects since 1 January 2001. [122271]

  Maria Eagle
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare, (Brian Cotter) on 22 May 2003,Official Report, columns 920–21W.

  Two consultancies were mistakenly omitted from the table in my earlier answer. The complete list is as follows.
  537W

  Project

  Consultancy

  Activity

  E-Government Strategy

  BMRB

  Quantitative market research

  AIA Consultancy

  Qualitative market research

  Gov Connect (subcontracted by EDS)

  Strategic consultancy

  Interactive e-Services

  Ezgov (subcontracted by EDS)

  Development of electronic forms

  Accenture

  Project management

  Detica

  Security and authentication solutions

  Qinetiq

  Security and testing

  Sema

  Project management

  Digital Television (The Pension Service)

  DNA

  Design and development

  MORI

  Evaluation

  Worktrain

  Xansa

  Future strategy consulting

  Brahm

  Design

  Oakleigh Consulting

  Tendering strategy and project management

  Commissum Consulting

  Security review

  University of Warwick Institute for Employment Research/Adset

  Classification mapping

  University of Sheffield Computing Department

  Development of natural language processing

  Internet Job Bank

  KPMG

  Project audit

  Cap Gemini Ernst and Young

  Strategic review of internet job bank and worktrain

  Modernising Appeals

  PA Consulting

  General support

  BT Syntegra

  Development

  Disability.gov.uk

  Xansa

  Web re-design

  OPRA (Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority)

  Logica

  Strategic study on use of e-Government technologies

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of the Department's policies have been screened for their environmental impact since June 2001; how many environmental appraisals have been conducted, and on what policy issues; and what information has been published about these screenings and appraisals. [124719]

  Mr. Pond
  No environmental appraisals have been undertaken since June 2001. Guidance on how to conduct an initial environmental screening is available to the Department's officials and formal arrangements are being finalised for recording the results of these and any subsequent appraisals that are required. A round of formal training events on incorporating sustainable development into all decision-making is under way across the Department and its Executive Agencies. When any screenings or appraisals are undertaken in the future, the results will be published in the DWP Annual Sustainable Development Report.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the EU directives implemented by the Department since 8 June 2001. [126600]

  Mr. Pond
  Since 8 June 2001 the Department for Work and Pensions has implemented the following EU Directives:Directive 1997/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 July 1997 amending for the first time Directive 90/394/EEC on the protection of workers from risks relating to exposure to carcinogens at work (Sixth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)
  538W
  Directive 1998/24/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 April 1998 on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work (fourteenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive
  89/391/EEC)
  Council Directive 1998/49/EC of 29 June 1998 on safeguarding the supplementary pension rights of employed and self-employed persons moving within the Community
  Directive 1999/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 1999 amending for the second time Directive 90/394/EEC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens at work and extending it to include mutagens, vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), and hardwood dusts (VCM was previously the subject of a separate Directive). (Sixth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)
  Directive 1999/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 1999 concerning the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations
  Directive 1999/92/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1999 on minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres (15th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)
  Commission Directive 2000/39/EC of 8 June 2000 establishing a first list of indicative occupational exposure limit values in implementation of Council Directive 98/24/EC on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work
  Parts of Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation. DWP implemented the disability discrimination aspects of the Directive in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Amendment) Regulations
  Commission Directive 2001/58/EC of 27 July 2001 amending for the second time Directive 91/155/EEC defining and laying down the detailed arrangements for the system of specific information relating to dangerous preparations in implementation of Article 14 of European Parliament and

  539W
  Council Directive 1999/45/EC and relating to dangerous substances in implementation of Article 27 of Council Directive 67/548/EEC (safety data sheets)
  Commission Directive 2001/59/EC of 6 August 2001 adapting to technical progress for the 28th time Council Directive 67/548/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances
  Commission Directive 2001/60/EC of 7 August 2001 adapting to technical progress Directive 1999/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations

  European Constitution
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with(a) colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (b) counterparts in the European Union about the legislative competencies covered by the draft European Constitution. [124785]

  Mr. Pond
  As part of the normal Whitehall process, the Department has had regular correspondence with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss all aspects of the Convention, including legislative competences. We have also had regular contact with member and accession states to discuss issues arising in the Convention. In line with exemptions 1 and 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it is not the normal practice of Governments to disclose details about internal discussions, or information whose disclosure would harm the conduct of international relations or affairs.

  Fee-charging ATMs
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his Answer of 11 July 2003,Official Report, column 1036W, on fee-charging ATMs, what information is given by his Department to customers who change to direct payment about fee-charging ATMs; and if he will make a statement. [126906]

  Mr. Pond
  The letters and leaflets being issued to customers set out clearly their account options. It is for the customer to decide which account best meets their needs and circumstances. Customers who want to have their benefit or pension paid into a bank or building society account should discuss with their account provider the features of their chosen account.

  Customers have a number of options as to how they access their money free of charge. Including, at the Post Office, over the counter at many banks and building societies, many ATMs and via the cashback facilities offered by retailers.

  Fraud
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff were employed to detect and prosecute suspected fraud in each of the last six years; and what the cost was of their employment. [124498]

  Mr. Pond
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Hertfordshire North-East (Mr. Heald), by my hon. Friend the former 540W
  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Malcolm Wicks), on the 12 December 2002, Official Report, column 502W.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have committed benefit fraud on two or more separate occasions since 1 April 2002; and of that number how many have had their benefit reduced under the two strikes provision of the Social Security Act 2001. [124504]

  Mr. Pond
  The provision to sanction people convicted of two separate benefit fraud offences in a three-year period, known as the 'two-strikes provision', came into force on 1 April 2002. This provision cannot be applied retrospectively and only applies to people who have committed, and then been convicted for, two separate benefit offences after that date.

  To date, we have recorded five individuals who have committed and been convicted of benefit fraud on two or more occasions since 1 April 2002. In three of these cases a benefit sanction has been imposed. In the two other cases there is no current claim to a sanctionable benefit but these cases have been noted and a sanction will be imposed if they claim benefit in the next three years.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the level of fraud in(a) order books and (b) giros was in 2002–03, broken down by type of fraud; and if he will make a statement. [125265]

  Mr. Pond
  We estimate that total losses arising from the fraudulent encashment of order books and giro cheques during the year 2002–03 was £71.1 million.

  The £21.4 million for giro cheque losses arises from three main sources. £1.8 million was lost from counterfeiting, £2.6 million from manipulation/forgery and £17.0 million from duplicate encashment/repudiation. £49.7 million was lost through fraudulent encashment of order books. It is not possible to break this figure down by type of fraud.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many instances there were of income support fraud in Scotland, broken down by local authority, in each year since 1997; [124837]

  (2) what the estimated cost of job seeker's allowance fraud in Scotland was in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority; [1248348]

  (3) what the estimated cost of income support fraud in Scotland was in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority; [125320]

  (4) how many instances there were of jobseeker's allowance fraud in Scotland, broken down by local authority, in each year since 1997. [125321]

  Mr. Pond
  Information on the level of fraud in Scotland broken down by local authority is not available. However information on estimated level
  541W
  of fraud and error in income support and jobseeker's allowance in the whole of Scotland is in the following reports, copies of which are available in the Library:
  The Results of the Area Benefit Review from April 1998 to March 1999 and Measurements for the Public Service Agreement: Fraud and Error in Claims for Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance.
  The Results of the Area Benefit Review and the Quality Support Team from April 1999 to March 2000: Fraud and Error in Claims for Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance.
  The Results of the Area Benefit Review and the Quality Support Team from April 2000 to March 2001: Fraud and Error in Claims for Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance.
  Fraud and Error in Income Support and Jobseeker's Allowance from April 2001 to March 2002.

  Health and Safety Executive
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the funding for the Health and Safety Executive in(a) 2003–04 and (b) each of the last three years, broken down by region. [124525]

  Mr. Browne
  The table reflects the funding for the Health and Safety Executive in each year since 2000–01.

  Budget1 (£ million)

  2000–012

  181.3

  2001–023

  199.4

  2002–03

  210.4

  2003–04

  225.5

  1 The funding has been interpreted as the total amount voted by Parliament.

  2 The budget for 2000–01 was the last under the cash budget system.

  3 A proportion of increase in the funding was due to the introduction/implementation of Resource Accounting and Budgeting (RAB) in Government Departments. Under RAB, all Departments produce budgets and accounts on an accruals basis, which include costs for depreciation, cost of capital and provisions for liabilities.

  Note:

  The funding is not broken down by region.

  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many health and safety inspectors there are in(a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales, and how many there were in each year since 1998. [124526]

  Mr. Browne
  I refer the hon. Member to the written answer my right hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, East and Wallsend (Mr. Brown) gave on 7 March 2003,Official Report, column 1269W.

  Health and Safety Inspectors
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many health and safety inspectors are employed by his Department; and how many were employed in each of the last five years; [112712]

  (2) how many health and safety inspectors there are in England and Wales; and how many there were in (a) 2000, (b) 2001 and (c) 2002. [118555]

  Mr. Browne
  The Department for Work and Pensions does not employ Health and Safety Inspectors. However, since 2002 it has been responsible for sponsoring the Health and Safety Executive (HSE); the 542W
  number of Heath and Safety Inspectors employed by HSE in each of the last five years is given in the following table.

  Inspectors

  1 April 1998

  1,437

  1 April 1999

  1,497

  1 April 2000

  1,507

  1 April 2001

  1,534

  1 April 2002

  1,625

  1 April 2003

  1,651

  Housing Benefit
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on progress towards reform of the housing benefit system. [126587]

  Mr. Pond
  Our overall strategy for reforming housing benefit is to improve administration, promote choice and responsibility, enhance work incentives and reduce levels of fraud and error in the system.

  We are abolishing the need to automatically reclaim housing benefit after a set period, and in October we launched Rapid Reclaim for Housing Benefit. This has removed barriers to taking and declaring work by reducing concerns about the delays in reclaiming benefits if a job does not last.

  And in his most recent Budget statement, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer reaffirmed our commitment to reform housing benefit. He announced new measures to apply the 30-hour disregard in housing benefit and council tax benefit to those working between 16 and 29 hours per week; to change the hospital downrating rules so that there will be no reduction in benefit for those in hospital for up to 52 weeks; and to extend the housing benefit run-on to people receiving incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance.

  The Standard Local Housing Allowance is a further, radical step forward in the simplification of housing benefit, which we will test out in 10 pathfinder local authorities from October 2003.

  Incapacity Benefit
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the 200 wards with the highest percentage of adults claiming incapacity benefit in(a) the UK and (b) Wales. [126103]

  Maria Eagle
  The information has been placed in the library.

  Income Support
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was claimed in income support in Scotland in 2002–03, broken down by local authority area. [126849]

  Mr. Pond
  Income support gross benefit expenditure in Scotland for 2002–03 was £1,521,323,469.27. This figure is not available broken down by local authority area but is available by district and local office, and this information has placed in the Library.

  Information Leaflet
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason the Plain English Campaign's Crystal Mark does not apply to the section on collecting and using information on page 6 of the Information about Pension Credit leaflet, ref. PC1N 04/03. [126751]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The section in question derives from the requirements of the Fair Processing Code of the Data Protection Act 1998 and is common to a number of the Department's forms and leaflets. Minor changes to the original wording suggested by the Plain English Campaign were not considered to be consistent with its intended meaning.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many outsourced IT contracts have been signed by his Department in each year since 1997; how much each of these contracts is worth; with whom they are signed; how many have been renegotiated; how many are still in place; and if he will make a statement. [126196]

  Maria Eagle
  The question covers periods prior to the establishment of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in June 2001. This reply therefore relates to outsourced IT contracts signed by the former Employment Service and the former Department for Social Security, both of whom had made their own contractual arrangements prior to merging to form DWP. No further outsourced IT contracts have been signed since the formation of DWP.

  IT Partnership Agreement: On 1 August 1998, the Employment Service outsourced its IT work in a contract with Electronic Data Systems. In October 2000, the agreement was revised to reflect major new investment in IT and telephony to improve services for jobless people and employers in the Modernising Employment Service (MES) Project.

  Strategic Outsourcing Business Allocation (SOBA): On 1 September 2000, the Department of Social Security outsourced the provision of its IT design, development, delivery functions and operations to Electronic Data Systems, as prime contractor of the Affinity consortium.

  Both contracts are still in place.

  The value of these contracts is commercial in confidence and is not disclosed in line with paragraph 13, Part 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  The Department for Work and Pensions continuously seeks to ensure that both contracts meet the future needs of the Department.

  IT Expenditure
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much he spent on IT(a) maintenance, (b) licences, (c) software and (d) hardware in the last financial year. [125718]

  Mr. Browne
  In 2002–03, the Department spent £103 million on IT maintenance, although this figure does not include any local service agreements that may have 544W
  been negotiated outside the central contracts. £4 million was spent on software licences and £142 million was spent on hardware, mostly in connection with the provision of new desktop IT equipment in the Department. Software costs are often not separately identified from the hardware to which they relate.

  The above information does not include costs of licenses, software and hardware where these are provided via PFI/PPP service contracts. In these circumstances, the costs form part of the service charge and are not separately identified.

  Jobseeker's Allowance
  Adam Price
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is in cases of individuals claiming Jobseeker's Allowance refusing a job on grounds of conscientious objection; and if he will make a statement. [125239]

  Mr. Pond
  Individuals are sanctioned when they refuse to take up employment, unless they can show good cause for doing so. Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations specify that a person is considered to have good cause where, among other things, they have a sincerely held religious or conscientious objection to taking up the employment being offered.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions(1) how many fixed period sanctions have been applied in the income-related jobseeker's allowance in each year since the sanctions were first applied, broken down by whether claimants have without good cause (a) failed to carry out a reasonable jobseekers directive, (b) failed to apply far a compulsory training scheme or employment programme where this has been notified to them, (c) given up a place on, or failed to attend, a compulsory training scheme or employment programme, (d) neglected a reasonable opportunity of a place on a training scheme or employment programme and (e) lost a place on a compulsory training scheme or employment programme because of misconduct; if he will break down these figures according to whether (i) two and (ii) four weeks' sanction was applied; and if he will make a statement; [125912]

  (2) how many claimants sanctions have been taken since the introduction of the jobseekers allowance broken down by whether (a) they lost their job through misconduct, (b) left their job voluntarily without just cause, (c) failed to apply for or to accept a job notified by the Employment Service without just cause, (d) neglected a reasonable opportunity of a job without good cause and (e) suffered sanctions for other reasons, and by whether the claimants were (i) men and (i) women, and the age of the claimants, noting for each category the average length during which the sanction applied; and if he will make a statement. [125913]

  Mr. Pond
  Information on sanctions broken down by gender, age, length of sanction or type of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is not collected centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Information is only recorded on the number of sanctions imposed. It is not possible to say how many individuals have been sanctioned as an individual could be subject to more than one sanction.
  545W
  The available information on the number of sanctions imposed for the periods requested is published in the quarterly publications Labour Market Statistics Analysis of Adjudication Officers Decisions and, from the quarter ending 30 June 2002, the Labour Market Statistics Analysis of Sector Decision Making. Copies of these publications are available in the Library. Fixed period sanctions are listed at decision numbers 713 to 718, the New Deal sanctions decision numbers 713(E to V) to 717(E to V) are also fixed period sanctions.

  Lone Parents
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents have had income support reduced as a sanction for failure to attend a compulsory personal adviser meeting; and if he will make a statement. [124548]

  Mr. Browne
  We have introduced compulsory Work Focused Interviews for lone parents claiming income support to ensure that they are aware of the wide range of help they can access to move into work. We are giving lone parents more choices and more help than ever before to move off welfare and into work, in return for greater responsibility to consider the help that is on offer.

  Between May 2001 and April 2003 4,352 lone parents had their income support reduced as a sanction for failure to participate in a compulsory personal adviser meeting.

  In addition 1,800 lone parents making new or repeat claims have had their claim disallowed because good cause was not shown for non-participation in a compulsory personal adviser meeting.

  Media Training
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was to his Department of media and voice training for ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [123137]

  Maria Eagle
  The Department for Work and Pensions was formed on 8 June 2001 from parts of the former Department of Social Security, parts of the former Department for Education and Employment. Information on media training is not held centrally for the period of 1997 until June 2001.

  No media or voice training has been provided for Ministers, at a cost to the Department, since June 2001 to date.

  Costs for media training for Departmental Press Office Staff is as follows:

  £

  2001–02

  2002–03

  National Press Office

  20,230

  12,044

  Regional Press Offices

  24,283

  22,344

  Minimum Wage
  Mr. Davidson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what(a) financial and (b) other support is available to (i) an individual and (ii) a family where the
  546W
  sole earner receives the national minimum wage; and which benefits are available when the earner is working (A) part-time and (B) full-time. [115571]

  Mr. Pond
  Families with children are eligible for the Child Tax Credit whether or not they are in work and as long as family income does not exceed certain maxima. In addition, workers with children or a disability can claim Working Tax Credit if they work at least 16 hours a week, and workers over 25 can claim if they are working at least 30 hours a week where family income is below certain levels. All families with children are also entitled to Child Benefit.

  From October 2003, the Working Tax Credit guarantees a minimum income of £241 a week for a family with one child and one earner working full-time on the National Minimum Wage and £187 a week for a single earner couple without children or a disability, aged 25 or over and working full-time on the National Minimum Wage.

  Individuals and families where the sole earner works less than 16 hours per week and receives the national minimum wage may be entitled to receive Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Support, or Incapacity Benefit, in addition to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.

  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit may also be payable to people in full-time work on low income grounds.

  People who receive either Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and satisfy the relevant conditions of entitlement may also be entitled to free milk and vitamins, free school meals and payments to assist prison visits. They are also entitled to help with National Health Service charges, optical costs and travel costs to hospital for NHS treatment. Families on a low income may also be entitled to help with these costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme. Certain recipients of Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit are also eligible for help with these costs, and certain recipients of Child Tax Credit are eligible for free school meals.

  People receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit with a disability element and have an annual income of less than £13,896 may also be able to get assistance with the costs of visiting a close family member or partner who is being held in prison.

  Receipt of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance also gives people access to the Social Fund.

  A variety of local government schemes and benefits are also available to people onlow incomes. Details of these schemes are not collected centrally.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was to his Department of mobile phones supplied to Ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [123146]

  Maria Eagle
  The purchase cost of mobile telephone equipment is charged to an account code that includes the cost of all telecommunication equipment up to
  547W
  £2,000, e.g. faxes, dictaphones etc. Mobile phone purchase costs could not be separately identified without incurring disproportionate costs. However, the running costs for departmental mobile phones is separately identified and these details are as follows.

  Department of Social Security

  £000

  1997–98

  1,330

  1998–99

  1,213

  1999–2000

  1,447

  2000–01

  1,344

  Department for Work and Pensions

  £000

  2001–02

  3,223

  2002–03

  3,369

  The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001 and brought together the former Department of Social Security and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment.

  Telephone calls made using privately owned mobile phones, but subsequently reclaimed, are charged to an account code which also includes call charges relating to land lines. To separately identify mobile calls would mean investigating all expenses claim forms for the last six years. This exercise could not be completed without incurring disproportionate costs.

  National Insurance
  Mr. Lilley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate for each contributory benefit the extra annual expenditure which would result from abolition of the national insurance contribution requirement. [125118]

  Mr. Pond
  The available information is in the table.

  Estimated additional annual cost of contributory benefits if there was no contribution condition

  £ million

  Benefit

  Estimated annual cost

  Basic state pension

  4,100

  Incapacity benefit

  600

  Jobseeker's allowance

  200

  Bereavement benefits

  200

  Notes:

  1. The costs are net of income-related benefit offsets. They are rounded to the nearest £100 million and are given in 2003–04 prices.

  2. State pension costs are for the basic state pension only and do not include the state second pension, graduated retirement benefit (GRB) or state earnings related pension (SERPS). It is assumed that all those people of state pension age and above in 2003–04 receive the maximum rate payable of the basic state pension regardless of their underlying contribution record. This is £77.45 in 2003–04.

  3. For incapacity benefit (IB) and jobseeker's allowance (JSA), the costs cover payments which would be made to people who are currently claiming the benefits as credits only (for IB we have assumed SDA claimants would also become entitled to IB). In practice, there would also be costs generated from people who currently satisfy the medical or actively seeking work conditions for IB or JSA, but do not claim because they fail the contribution conditions.
  548W
  4. For bereavement benefits, the estimate is of the likely cost of paying a full basic (Dr age-related rate of widowed parent's allowance (WPA), widows pension (WP), widowed mother's allowance (WMA) and bereavement allowance (BA) to all those who currently receive those benefits. Due to the limitations of the data, the estimate is likely to be an upper limit to the costs of this change. No estimate is available of the numbers of people who would become newly entitled.

  5. The costs for all benefits exclude dependency increases.

  Sources:

  1. Costs for incapacity benefit and jobseeker's allowance are estimated from a 5 per cent. sample of benefit records taken in February 2003.

  2. Costs for bereavement benefit are estimated from a 5 per cent. sample of benefit records taken in September 2002.

  3. Costs for the basic state pension are based on estimates supplied by the Government Actuary's Department. Income-related benefit offsets are calculated using the Department for Work and Pensions Policy Simulation model.

  New Deal
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many sanctions have been applied to New Deal participants, broken down by programme, in each year since the programme began; how many sanctions have been applied to participants in Employment Zones since they began; how many sanctions there were on(a) each New Deal programme which uses sanctions and (b) Employment Zones, broken down by reason for the sanction; and if he will make a statement. [122469]

  Mr. Browne
  Within the New Deal programme, benefit sanctions are applied only within the New Deal for Young People (NDYP) and New Deal 25plus.

  Information on the numbers of sanctions applied to NDYP participants, broken down by reason for sanction, up to March 1999, is published in the 'Analysis of Adjudication Officers' Decisions'. Information from April 1999 onwards is published in 'Analysis of Sector Decision Making'. These are available in the Library.

  Separate information is not available for sanctions for New Deal 25plus participants. We are currently developing an IT enhancement to enable collection of accurate information on the sanctions imposed

  The information requested for Employment Zones has been placed in the Library.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what(a) proportion and (b) number of people have found employment as a result of the New Deal, broken down by programme, in each year since these schemes have been introduced; how many of these were in sustained employment (i) six months and (ii) 12 months after leaving New Deal; how many returned to jobseeker's allowance after (A) six months and (B) 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [124540]

  Mr. Browne
  The New Deal has been a success, helping nearly 900,000 people into work by the end of March 2003. In a dynamic labour market, it is inevitable that some people will experience unemployment after leaving the New Deal. However, those who do return to benefit will have added to their skills and experience, making it easier for them to find a job in the future.
  549W
  Information is not collected on jobs gained through the New Deal which were sustained for six months or 12 months, or on those returning to benefit following participation in NDLP, NDDP or New Deal 50 +.

  The available information has been placed in the Library.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of those who left the gateway of the New Deal for Young People without proceeding to any of the options were in full-time employment 12 months later; and if he will make a statement. [124541]

  Mr. Browne
  The information requested is not available.

  For the purposes of recording New Deal statistics, employment is classed as sustained if the individual has not returned to claim Job Seeker's Allowance within 13 weeks.

  Based on this definition, by the end of March 2003, of the people who had left the programme without proceeding to any of the NDYP options, 42 per cent. left to an unsubsidised job.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of New Deal leavers have entered sustained unsubsidised jobs since the programme began; and if he will make a statement. [124542]

  Mr. Browne
  For the purposes of New Deal statistics, employment is classed as sustained if the individual has not returned to claim Job Seeker's Allowance within 13 weeks.

  Information on New Deal leavers moving into sustained work is published in the 'New Deal for Young People and Long Term Unemployed People aged 25 plus Statistical First Release'. This is available in the Library. Equivalent figures are not available for the other New Deal programmes.

  New deal for young people—Percentage of each ethnic group moving into work1

  1998

  1999

  2000

  Ethnic group

  All jobs

  Sustained

  All jobs

  Sustained

  All jobs

  Sustained

  White

  58.1

  43.5

  59.1

  45.4

  57.5

  43.7

  Black—Caribbean

  46.3

  31.4

  46.3

  32.8

  45.0

  31.3

  Black—African

  38.8

  25.7

  39.1

  26.9

  38.1

  26.8

  Black—other

  45.9

  30.9

  46.4

  32.9

  45.5

  32.6

  Indian

  52.0

  41.2

  50.6

  40.4

  51.7

  42.2

  Pakistani

  45.2

  34.6

  44.7

  34.3

  44.2

  35.1

  Bangladeshi

  47.2

  37.1

  47.4

  39.3

  44.6

  37.0

  Chinese

  43.7

  36.0

  46.4

  38.8

  43.4

  36.1

  Mixed/other

  45.9

  34.1

  44.0

  33.3

  43.3

  33.1

  2001

  20022

  20032

  Ethnic group

  All jobs

  Sustained

  All jobs

  Sustained

  All jobs

  Sustained

  White

  54.0

  40.2

  45.5

  33.2

  15.6

  13.3

  Black—Caribbean

  37.7

  25.7

  29.3

  20.1

  8.5

  6.9

  Black—African

  35.9

  24.8

  24.6

  17.4

  6.1

  4.8

  Black—other

  37.2

  26.9

  31.7

  21.2

  6.0

  5.0

  Indian

  48.3

  39.1

  43.2

  35.2

  14.9

  13.0

  Pakistani

  39.0

  30.1

  32.4

  24.5

  8.7

  8.1

  550W
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what(a) number and (b) proportion of people who went on to New Deal have left for unknown destinations, broken down by (i) programme and (ii) ethnicity in each year since the programmes began; and if he will make a statement. [124543]

  Mr. Browne
  Information on destinations on leaving New Deal is available for New Deal for Young People, New Deal 25plus, and the New Deal for Lone Parents. Equivalent information is not available for the other New Deals.

  The available information has been placed in the Library.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many lone parents who have participated in the New Deal for Lone Parents have later returned to income support, broken down by(a) those who originally left the NDLP because they found work, (b) those who left the NDLP to return immediately to income support and (c) those who left the NDLP for other reasons; and if he will make a statement. [124544]

  Mr. Browne
  The New Deal for Lone Parents (NDLP) is delivering services tailored to meet the needs of individual lone parents and giving them the skills, support and confidence they need to move into work. By the end of March 2003, it had helped over 193,000 lone parents to find jobs.

  The information requested on the number of lone parents claiming income support after leaving NDLP is not available. However, the recent evaluation of the NDLP national programme found that over 87 per cent. of those lone parents moving into work through NDLP were still in work six months later.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of participants in the New Deal for Young People from non-white ethnic minorities found(a) jobs and (b) sustained jobs in each year since 1997, broken down by ethnic minority; and if he will make a statement. [124545]

  Mr. Browne
  The information is in the table:
  551W

  2001

  20022

  20032

  Ethnic group

  All jobs

  Sustained

  All jobs

  Sustained

  All jobs

  Sustained

  Bangladeshi

  40.5

  32.2

  35.9

  27.8

  9.4

  8.2

  Chinese

  45.0

  34.1

  35.9

  30.4

  8.4

  7.5

  Mixed/other

  38.9

  29.5

  30.7

  24.2

  10.6

  9.7

  Notes:

  1. On a review of statistics, we have found that previous figures published on the breakdown by ethnicity included some accounting errors. This has now been corrected and the figures in this table supersede all previous figures provided.

  2. Figures for these years will appear to be lower as a higher proportion of starters will still be on the programme.

  Source:

  DWP Statistical Services Information and Analysis Directorate

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of each quarterly cohort on the full-time education and training option in the New Deal for Young People left with the qualification for which they aimed in each quarter since its inception; and if he will make a statement. [124546]

  Mr. Browne
  Information on the achievement of qualifications by New Deal participants is not collected on a national basis.

  Information on qualifications held and subsequently achieved through New Deal is recorded and monitored by New Deal Personal Advisers on an individual basis at local level. However, information at national level could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average cost per place on each of the four options in the New Deal for Young People was in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [124547]

  Mr. Browne
  The New Deal for Young People (NDYP) has successfully helped over 420,000 young people into jobs, and represents value for money to the taxpayer. We are now building on the success of the programme by providing more help for those who face the greatest barriers to work, providing more individually-tailored support, and engaging further with employers to ensure their needs are met.

  Information about the cost per participant of each option in the NDYP is not collected. However, Jobcentre Plus are currently developing a unit cost model that will enable us to provide this information in future.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of persons leaving(a) the intensive gateway period, (b) the extended gateway and (c) each of the four options in the New Deal for Young People entered (i) unsubsidised and (ii) sustained jobs in each year since its inception; what proportion of persons left (A) first stage and (B) second stage of employment zones; and if he will make a statement. [124549]

  Mr. Browne
  For the purposes of recording New Deal for Young People statistics, employment is classed as sustained if the individual has not returned to claim Job Seeker's Allowance within 13 weeks. Employment can only be subsidised whilst an individual is participating in the programme, therefore all employment obtained on leaving the programme is unsubsidised.
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  In exceptional circumstances, New Deal for Young People (NDYP) participants can have their Gateway period extended. However, these cases are not recorded separately.

  Information on the percentages of NDYP participants entering unsubsidised, sustained jobs and the numbers of leavers from Employment Zones Steps one and two has been placed in the Library.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many participants on New Deal for Young People have been placed on training courses longer than a year in each year since the programme began; and if he will make a statement. [124550]

  Mr. Browne
  It is the policy of New Deal for Young People (NDYP) that nobody should be placed on an NDYP Full-Time Education and Training Course for longer than a year.

  Information on the length of courses taken up by young people on the New Deal Full-Time Education and Training Option is not held centrally and could be only obtained at disproportionate cost.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many participants have joined the New Deal for Young People(a) once, (b) twice, (c) three times and (d) more than three times; and if he will make a statement. [124552]

  Mr. Browne
  The information is in the table.

  New Deal for Young People (NDYP): Number of times participants have joined the programme

  Number of times on NDYP

  Number

  One

  582,330

  Two

  135,500

  Three

  29,290

  More than three

  3,480

  source:

  DWP Statistical Services Information and Analysis Directorate

  New Deal for Young People has been a success in helping more than 420,000 young people move into work and 79 per cent. of these have moved into jobs lasting 13 weeks or more. Although some young people will re-experience unemployment after leaving New Deal, the skills and experience they acquire after finding work through the programme will make it easier for them to find employment in the future.

  We have also introduced other measures to help people facing additional barriers to work, for example the StepUP pilots, which build on the New Deal for

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  Young People and New Deal 25 plus by providing transitional jobs for those who have not secured sustained employment through New Deal.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 26 June 2003,Official Report, column 962W, on the New Deal, on what basis the calculation of cost per job for New Deal programmes was made; and if he will make a statement. [125934]

  Mr. Browne
  The average cost of a young person moving into work through the New Deal for Young people was an approximate estimate made in 2000 based on the average spend per young person on the New Deal and the percentage of New Deal participants who had found a job. This was produced specifically in response to the Education and Employment Select Committee's report 'New Deal for Young People—Two Years On'.

  The cost per participant moving into work for the New Deal for Lone Parents was based on independent evaluation (DSS Report No. 108 'Evaluation of the New Deal for Lone Parents: Early Lessons from the Phase One Prototype—Synthesis Report'). A copy of this report is in the Library.

  Recently, new evaluation has been published showing that far from costing the taxpayer money the New Deal for Lone Parents actually saves money. Every lone parent moving into work equates to a saving to the exchequer of nearly £1,600. This evaluation was published in the DWP research report 'New Deal for Lone Parents: Second Synthesis Report of the National Evaluation'. A copy of this report is available in the Library.

  Ms Buck
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what criteria are used by New Deal for Lone Parents advisers to determine whether they will assist with the provision of child care; what the maximum amount is they are empowered to spend on child care per client; and what total annual budget was available on average per client under the NDLP in the last 12 months for discretionary expenditure. [105968]

  Mr. Browne
  New Deal for Lone Parents offers assistance with the costs of registered childcare paid while the lone parent attends interviews with their personal adviser, job interviews arranged by their adviser, or other agreed activity. The amount that can be paid for child care costs is up to £135 per week for one child, £200 per week for 2 or more children.

  This assistance is available to all NDLP participants. NDLP personal advisers will consider whether the amount charged is reasonable, taking into account their knowledge of average charges in their local area.

  Additional help is available through the Adviser Discretion Fund. The fund can offer help with upfront costs of up to £300 which could go towards child care costs where the personal adviser determines this could help overcome obstacles to accepting a job offer. Help from this fund is available to NDLP participants who have not been working, and have not been in full time education, in the preceding six months. The maximum available per client per year from this Discretionary fund is £300.

  Operation Gangmaster
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the progress of Operation Gangmaster. [126734]

  Mr. Pond
  Operation Gangmaster began in 1998 and, following disruption caused by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, was re-launched in April 2002. Operation Gangmaster brings together representatives from a range of Government Departments and Agencies and, where appropriate, the police to tackle gangmasters operating illegal practices. This group operates in two ways.

  The first function is to gather and collate evidence on gangmasters operating in the informal economy. This intelligence enables us to ensure that specialist gangmaster compliance activity is better targeted and more effective.

  The second function of Operation Gangmaster is to organise specific operations, using appropriate compliance staff drawn from the relevant Departments and Agencies, to tackle particular gangmasters known to be involved in illegal practices. These operations are lead by the Department or Agency that has the major interest in the individual case.

  Operation Gangmaster does not replace the normal compliance activity taken by each Department or Agency. However, it does provide a co-ordinated approach to tackling gangmasters that may be involved in a range of illegal activity such as breaches of immigration or employment law; tax offences and benefit fraud.

  Each Department and Agency maintains their own statistics on results of operations. Over the last year Department for Work and Pensions officials have imposed sanctions on 138 people who were involved in benefit fraud, made 18,000 adjustments to benefit entitlements and identified overpayments of benefit in 235 cases.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 15 July 2003, ref 124888, if he will list the Government Departments and agencies in the Gangmaster Working Group. [126989]

  Mr. Pond
  Lord Grabiner recommended that Government Departments should work together in tackling informal economy issues. A Grabiner steering group (now called the Informal Economy Steering Group) was set up to promote Joint Working across Government on informal economy issues. Lower level working groups support the steering group in operational initiatives. One such initiative is Operation Gangmaster, which operates in nine regional forums. The following Departments are directly involved:

  The Department for Work and Pensions (lead Department/Agency for Operation Gangmaster and producers of all Operations).

  Her Majesty's Custom and Excise (Chair of the Working Group and Secretariat).

  Inland Revenue.

  National Asylum Support Service.

  Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

  United Kingdom Immigration Service.

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  Other Departments involved on an ad hoc basis include the following;

  Health and Safety Executive.

  Social Services.

  Uniform and Plain Clothes Police Officers including Special Branch etc

  Scottish Executive for Rural Affairs.

  Operational Intelligence Units
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases have been processed through the operational intelligence units in(a) Glasgow and (b) Edinburgh in each month since 1997; how many staff have been employed in their operational intelligence units in (i) Glasgow and (ii) Edinburgh in each month since 1997; and what the planned staffing levels are for each centre. [125480]

  Mr. Pond
  By the end of 2003–04 it is planned to transfer the work of the Edinburgh unit to the Glasgow site in order to improve co-ordination of the delivery of Operational Intelligence Unit services across Scotland. The Glasgow Operational Intelligence Unit will employ 49 staff.

  The information requested on past staffing and work levels is in the table:

  Glasgow1

  Edinburgh2

  Year/Month

  3Cases

  No.of Staff

  3Cases

  No.of Staff

  July to September 2001

  41,189

  3

  —

  —

  October

  384

  3

  41,379

  9

  November

  5241

  8

  9

  December

  349

  8

  9

  January 2002

  638

  10

  11

  February

  5—

  12

  10

  March

  5—

  17

  450

  10

  April

  799

  18

  456

  13

  May

  591

  19

  725

  13

  June

  594

  20

  559

  11

  July

  1,106

  22

  579

  10

  August

  1,642

  23

  498

  11

  September

  1,119

  23

  658

  11

  October

  792

  23

  796

  12

  November

  720

  23

  587

  13

  December

  825

  22

  565

  13

  January 2003

  1,039

  23

  763

  15

  February

  1,138

  26

  864

  16

  March

  1,271

  27

  897

  18

  April

  1,541

  26

  1,198

  21

  May

  1,395

  26

  1,091

  21

  June

  1,625

  25

  1,423

  21

  1 The Glasgow Operational Intelligence Unit began operating in July 2001.

  2 The Edinburgh Operational Intelligence Unit began operating in October 2001.

  3 Data requests and fraud referrals.

  4 These figures are not available broken down per month.

  5 Records were maintained clerically and are incomplete for these months.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to answer question number 114044, tabled by the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire for answer on Monday 19 May. [120325]

  Maria Eagle
  A reply was given to the hon. Member on 19 June. Further information was given in a subsequent reply on 15 July.
  556W
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether it is his policy that written answers from Ministers in his Department should be deposited in the Library on the day of answering before the rising of the House; and if he will make a statement. [126367]

  Maria Eagle
  Written answers are despatched in time for them to be delivered before the rising of the House on the day of answering. If the hon. Member is aware of any difficulties I will be pleased to look into the matter.

  Pendle
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what policies(a) initiated and (b) managed by his Department since 2001 had an impact on Pendle; and if he will make a statement. [124087]

  Maria Eagle
  Since 2001 this Department has introduced a range of reforms which are delivering opportunity and independence for all. Amongst the major reforms are the introduction of work focused interviews and the New Deal programmes that are helping people return to work and contribute to record levels of employment. To protect today's pensioners we introduced the Minimum Income Guarantee, which ensures a minimum level of income for all pensioners; and from October t his year, the Pension Credit which will also reward modest savings. In addition, the Winter Fuel Payment is payable to all pensioner households and will be increased by 100 from this winter for every household where someone is aged 80 or over. The Child Support reforms will increase the levels of child maintenance paid to parents, and along with the introduction of the Child Tax Credit, are helping to tackle child poverty. We have also introduced a range of policies that protect people from discrimination on the grounds of disability, help more people with disabilities to find employment, or support those who are unable to work.

  These policies impact upon the whole of Great Britain. The Departmental Report contains details of all areas of DWP's work. This can be accessed, via the internet at: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2003/dwpreport/index.asp Copies of the Departmental Report are available in the Library.

  To indicate the impact of some of the policies introduced, unemployment as a proportion of the working age population in Pendle has fallen since 1997 to 2.3 per cent. from 2.8 per cent., with over 20 per cent. fewer lone parents claiming income support. And more than 16,000 pensioners in Pendle will be entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment this year.

  Pension Credit
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place a copy of the pension credit application form in the Library. [116725]

  Malcolm Wicks
  A copy of the Pension Credit Application form is available in the Library. This application form is only for the period of advance applications (7 April to 5 October 2003) and will be replaced on the 6 October 2003. A copy of the new form will be placed in the Library when it is available. The supplementary forms also placed in the Library are used
  557W
  depending on the pensioners circumstances and have been created to reduce the complexity of the main application form for many pensioners.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the cost of postage for(a) writing to all those aged 60 and over to tell them about their possible entitlement to pension credit and (b) the return of the pension credit application form by freepost. [126387]

  Malcolm Wicks
  It is currently estimated that the postage costs of sending direct mail packs about Pension Credit will be in the region of £1.33 million to the end of May 2004 and that the postage costs of returning completed forms by freepost will be in the region of £0.67 million to the end of May 2004.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what payment options are available to people filling in the pension credit application form who tick the box in part 13B stating that they do not agree to having their money paid direct into any type of account. [126388]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The normal method of payment of Pension Credit will be by direct payment into an account. There are a number of types of account available. Customers who contact the Pension Credit application line are taken through a discussion which covers general aspects of current accounts, basic bank accounts and the Post Office card account to make them aware of the options open to them. Customers who indicate that they do not agree to their money being paid direct into an account can be paid by order book in the short term. It is explained to them that the Department is in the process of inviting all its customers to convert to direct payment and that order books and giro cheques will eventually be phased out by spring 2005. We have always recognised that there will be a small number of people who we cannot pay directly into an account. We will develop an alternative method of pay to this group, which can be accessed at Post Office branches.

  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb), of 10 July 2003, columns 979–80W, what proportion of pensioners are estimated to be affected by each of the significant changes that must be reported to the Pension Service by a Pension Credit recipient; and what proportion of pensioners are affected by one or more of them each year. [126623]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is not available in the format requested however it is estimated that, in one year, 0.2 per cent. of the Pension Credit caseload will report a marriage or divorce, 1.2 per cent. death of a partner, 10 per cent. will report admission to a care home and 11 per cent. admission to hospital.

  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his written statement of 14 July 2003,Official Report, columns 6–7WS, on the pension credit, how many of the pensioner households ready to be paid pension credit from October are (a) existing recipients of minimum income guarantee and (b) non-recipients of minimum income guarantee. [127040]
  558W
  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is not available at this stage in the advance application period in the form requested. We intend from November to publish monthly reports on the progress of Pension Credit take-on, which will include a more detailed breakdown.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps are being taken to minimise the potential for pension credit fraud in advance of its introduction. [124840]

  Mr. Pond
  The Pension Service has established a programme protection strategy which will help combat fraud in claims to pension credit.

  The strategy is aimed at maximising the opportunities provided, in the course of contacts with all customers, to support them in getting the claims correct at the outset, and in keeping those claims correct through the life of the claim. A programme of case management using scans based on data matching of internal and external data sources, together with regular case checks on areas of established risk, will limit the opportunities for fraud.

  Pension Service
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many hours of staff absence there have been among Pension Service employees each month in the last two years. [121497]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information is not available in the format requested. However, the average working days lost for the whole period April 2002 to March 2003 was 9.9.

  Pensioners
  Mr. Willetts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answers of 7 April 2003,Official Report, column 88W, and 2 July 2003, Official Report, column 346W, on pensioners, if he will break down the column headed income related benefit savings into (a) the guarantee element of the pension credit, (b) the savings element of the pension credit, (c) housing benefit and (d) council tax benefit. [125655]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The information requested is set out in the following table.

  A breakdown of income-related benefit savings

  £

  Pension credit guarantee

  Pension credit savings credit

  Housing benefit

  Council tax benefit

  Total

  2003–04

  90m

  60m

  20m

  10m

  180m

  2004–05

  240m

  150m

  60m

  40m

  500m

  2005–06

  400m

  200m

  90m

  60m

  800m

  2006–07

  500m

  300m

  120m

  80m

  1bn

  2007–08

  700m

  400m

  160m

  100m

  1.3bn

  2008–09

  800m

  500m

  200m

  120m

  1.6bn

  2009–10

  1bn

  600m

  240m

  150m

  2bn

  2010–11

  1.2bn

  700m

  280m

  170m

  2.3bn

  2011–12

  1.3bn

  800m

  320m

  200m

  2.7bn

  2012–13

  1.5bn

  900m

  370m

  230m

  3bn

  Notes:

  1. The figures are in 2002–03 price terms. The totals are rounded to the nearest £100 million, except 2003–04 which is rounded to the nearest £10 million. The totals may not sum due to rounding. Housing benefit and council tax benefit figures are rounded to the

  559W
  nearest £10 million. Pension Credit figures are rounded to the nearest £100 million, except in 2003–04 and 2004–05 which are rounded to the nearest £10 million.

  2. Income related benefit offsets are calculated using the DWP's Policy Simulation model for 2003–04. Calculations assume Pension Credit is in place for the full financial year 2003–04 and that the starting point of the savings credit increases to the new value of the basic State Pension.

  3. The income related benefit offsets are assumed to remain a constant proportion of the additional expenditure on the basic State Pension in future years as a result of introducing an earnings link in April 2003. The split between the guarantee credit and the savings credit is assumed to remain constant in future years.

  Pensions
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) pursuant to Working and Saving for Retirement: Action on Occupational Pensions, if his plans to ease the indexation requirements will apply to an individual's accrued rights prior to the implementation of his reforms; [121119]

  (2) pursuant to Working and Saving for Retirement: Action on Occupational Pensions, if it is his intention to allow firms to protect part of an individual's pension contribution at 5 per cent. and the rest at 2.5 per cent. [121120]

  Malcolm Wicks
  As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made clear in his statement to the House on 11 June 2003,Official Report, column 682, the proposals in the Action Plan for Occupational Pensions for relaxing the mandatory indexation requirements will not affect pensions in payment, nor the value of existing accrued rights. The value of 5 per cent. protection to the date the new mandatory minimum cap takes effect must be safeguarded.

  As he also made clear, the proposed changes to Section 67 of the Pensions Act will allow schemes significantly more scope to achieve simplification by restructuring benefits. Schemes should be able to translate accrued entitlement into rights of equivalent value provided they continue to meet the applicable legislative requirements, including those concerning annual increases in accrued rights.

  Subject to the indexation requirements, it will continue to be for schemes to determine the level to which an individual's pension in payment is protected from inflation. Some schemes choose—and will continue to choose—to protect members' pensions at a level above the legislative requirement.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to issue(a) a further response to the consultation on the Pensions Green Paper (Cm 5677) and (b) a White Paper on pensions; and if he will make statement. [126466]

  Malcolm Wicks
  The Government published its response to the Pensions Green Paper on 11 June 2003. The document, Simplicity, security and choice: Working and saving for retirement—Action on occupational pensions (Cm 5677), sets out the timetable of our reform programme, on which we will make further announcements in due course.

  Public Appointments
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the appointees to the(a) Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board, (b) Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, (c) Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority and (d) Social Security Advisory Committee and which of the appointees from each body are from ethnic minorities. [122993]

  Maria Eagle
  The information requested is in the table.

  Position

  Appointee

  Ethnic Minority Background Declared

  Disability Living Allowance

  Chair

  Mrs Anne Spaight

  —

  Member

  Mrs Simone Baker

  —

  Member

  Dr. David Cohen

  —

  Member

  Mrs Jean Cooper

  —

  Member

  Mrs Judith Holt

  —

  Member

  Ms Marilyn Howard

  —

  Member

  Dr. Lee Illis

  —

  Member

  Dr. John Keen

  —

  Member

  Dr. Ben Ko

  Yes

  Member

  Dr. Richard Lucas

  —

  Member

  Dr. Ian McGill

  —

  Member

  Dr. Audrey Oppenheim

  —

  Member

  Mrs Clare Poole

  —

  Member

  Professor David Scott

  —

  Member

  Miss Cynthia Smith

  —

  Member

  Mrs Marion Westacott

  —

  Member

  Mrs Christine Whitehead

  —

  Industrial Injuries Advisory Council

  Chair

  Professor Anthony Newman Taylor

  —

  Member

  Dr. Mark Britton

  —

  Member

  Dr. Ian Brown

  —

  Member

  Dr. Anne Cockcroft

  —

  Member

  Professor David Coggan

  —

  Member

  Mr. Gordon Ifill

  Yes

  Member

  Mrs Diana Kloss

  —

  Member

  Dr. Ian Lawson

  —

  Member

  Dr. Simon Levene

  —

  Member

  Dr. Keith Palmer

  —

  Member

  Mr. Mark Platt

  —

  Member

  Mr. Hugh Robertson

  —

  Member

  Dr. Lesley Rushton

  —

  Member

  Ms Jenny Thurston

  —

  Member

  Mr. Owen Tudor

  —

  Member

  Dr. Derek White

  —

  Member

  Dr. Lucille Wright

  —

  Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority

  Chair

  Mrs Harriet Maunsell OBE

  —

  Member

  Mr. David Adams OBE

  —

  Member

  Ms Wendy Beaver

  —

  Member

  Miss Belinda Benny

  —

  Member

  Mr. Hugh Brown

  —

  Member

  Mr. Duncan Campbell

  —

  Member

  Mr. Laurie Edmans

  —

  Member

  Mr. Mike Jones

  —

  Member

  Miss Myra Kinghorn

  —

  Member

  Mrs Mary MacLeod

  —

  Member

  Ms Joanne Segars

  —

  Social Security Advisory Committee

  Chair

  Sir Thomas Boyd-Carpenter KBE

  —

  Member

  Mr. Neil Barlow

  —

  Member

  Mrs Elisabeth Elias

  —

  Member

  Dr. Angus Erskine

  —

  Member

  Mr. Richard Excell OBE

  —

  Member

  Mrs Ros Gardner

  —

  Member

  Mrs Alison Garnham

  —

  Dr. Christine Kendrick

  —

  Member

  Dr. Piu-Ling

  —

  Member

  Professor Eithne McLaughlin FRSA

  —

  Member

  Mr. Laurie Naumann

  —

  Professor Anthony Ogus CBE

  —

  Member

  Professor Robert Walker

  —

  561W
  Notes:
  The table contains the names of chairs and members of the groups requested. The appointees noted as being from an ethnic background have given their consent for this information to be released.

  Seasonal Unemployment
  Mr. Sanders
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proposals he has for addressing seasonal unemployment fluctuations in seaside towns; and if he will make a statement. [124772]

  Mr. Browne
  In a dynamic economy, like the UK, jobs begin and end frequently and we cannot legislate to prevent change. Seaside towns suffer more seasonal fluctuation, but this can be reduced over time as broader employment bases are established. However, where there are job losses, the people affected need help and support to find a new job as quickly as possible—whatever part of the economy they work in.

  Jobcentre Plus is providing everyone of working age with advice and guidance on the full range of support available to help them move into work, including where this need is as a result of seasonal fluctuations. For those who need more help, we have introduced a wide range of programmes and initiatives designed to tackle the barriers that can prevent individuals from returning to work. We are making sure that people who become unemployed get back into employment as soon as possible.

  These policies have contributed to a reduction in unemployment across the country. For example, in Torbay, 2,277 people have been helped into work through the New Deals and the percentage of the working-age population in Torbay who were unemployed and claiming benefit has fallen from 5.8 per cent. in May 1997 to 2.9 per cent. in May 2003.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions between 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost. [126671]

  Maria Eagle
  Departmental special advisers travelled abroad on one occasion to Boston and Washington, USA at a cost of £4,900.00.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many staff in his Department were on long-term sick leave in each of the last five years; [109244]

  (2) how many staff in the Department have been on long-term sick leave in each of the last two years. [115866]

  Maria Eagle
  The information is not available in the format requested.

  The Department for Work and Pensions was created in June 2001 but statistics for the new Department as a whole have only been available since April 2002. Statistics for the former Department of Social Security are also not available.
  562W
  Such information is available as follows:
  Long-term sick leave is defined as absences lasting 28 working days and over.
  13,853 people out of 166,286 (8.3 per cent.) in the Department have taken one spell of long-term sickness absence between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003.
  A further 2,504 people in the Department have taken at least two spells of long-term sickness absence between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003.

  This is summarised below:

  Number of spells

  Number of people

  1

  13,853

  2

  2,154

  3

  303

  4

  35

  5

  9

  6

  3

  Standard Local Housing Allowance
  Mr. Coleman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what size of geographical area he will determine as appropriate in setting the standard local housing allowance to ensure that it properly reflects the local market; [118488]

  (2) what plans he has to ensure that tenants' views are taken into account in the level set in their locality for the standard local housing allowance. [118491]

  Malcolm Wicks
  Standard local housing allowances in the 10 Pathfinder authorities will be calculated across a Broad Rental Market Area. This will be based on the current concept of a locality, which is used to determine Local Reference Rents and Single Room Rents.

  As with localities, a Broad Rental Market Area will reflect a rent officer's judgment about the area in which someone could reasonably be expected to live while having access to amenities of a similar standard. Therefore, the area covered will depend on local conditions rather than pre-determined geographical size.

  The information on which rent officers' decisions are based is collected from a wide range of sources. Although they are under no duty to formally consult with anyone when setting localities and calculating Local Reference Rents (or Single Room Rents), rent officers welcome discussion and information from any interested party. They currently do this by holding regular meetings with local landlords' forums and tenants' groups. Similarly, although there will be no duty for rent officers to consult with tenants or other third parties when setting Broad Rental Market Areas and calculating Standard Local Housing Allowances, they will continue to welcome discussion.

  Tax Credits
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he and his Department have(a) made and (b) put into action to extend entitlement for application to budgeting and crisis loans to those in receipt of tax credits; and if he will make a statement. [126108]
  563W
  Mr. Pond
  Social fund budgeting loans target help on the neediest people in our society who qualify for income-related benefits.

  All families who move from income support or jobseeker's allowance to child tax credit only will be entitled to the maximum amount of child tax credit up to an annual household income of £13,230. These families can therefore gain considerably from the introduction of the child tax credit.

  Crisis loans will continue to be available to anyone in an emergency, or as a consequence of a disaster where there is no other means of preventing serious damage or serious risk to their health or safety or that of their family. There is no requirement for a crisis loan applicant to be receiving an income-related benefit, but any income or capital they have will be taken into account.

  Widowers
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what plans he has to meet representatives of widowers' groups to discuss issues affecting widowers' pensions; [117120]

  (2) what recent representations he has received on the granting of back-payments of widowers' pensions. [118777]

  Mr. Pond
  There are still a number of cases before both the European Court of Human Rights and the domestic courts involving widowers. The UK is defending on a number of aspects of these cases and their outcome will inevitably affect the Government's decisions in dealing with all the widowers affected. We cannot say when all the judgments are going to be available, nor can we speculate about the outcomes. In these circumstances it would not be appropriate to meet individuals or groups potentially affected by the litigation.

  We have received a number of representations about the April 2001 reform of support in bereavement and the action taken in the Courts by some individuals. We have replied to all these representations.

  Written Ministerial Statements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department since 29 October 2002. [126620]

  Maria Eagle
  We have issued 71 written ministerial statements.

CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

  BBC Charter
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had on renewal of the BBC's Charter. [125079]

  Tessa Jowell
  I am now considering the best way to conduct the Charter Review process. As I indicated in the House on 14 July, we intend to publish proposals on 564W
  the Charter Review process before Christmas. The process will be wide-ranging and thorough and will provide a number of opportunities for public debate.

  Departmental Expenditure
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was spent by her Department and agencies for which her Department is responsible in each of the last five years to promote(a) Northumberland and (b) the north-east as a tourist destination. [126450]

  Mr. Caborn
  The British Tourist Authority (BTA) was responsible for marketing Britain overseas as a tourist destination over the last five years. It did not allocate funds for individual regions (or sub-regions) of Britain, but promoted Britain as a whole in a way which maximised the impact of its campaigns in individual markets overseas. DCMS allocated the following amounts to the BTA in the last five years:

  Grant (£ million)

  1998–99

  35

  1999–2000

  36

  2000–01

  37

  2001–02

  35.5

  2002–03

  35.5

  In addition, £14.2 million was awarded in 2001–02. A further £20 million was allocated from the Reserve in 2002–03 to help tourism recover from the impact of the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak and the 11 September attacks and to drive forward a strategy.

  In 2001–02, DCM S allocated to the English Tourism Council (ETC) £3.8 million from the Reserve to assist the domestic recovery of tourism following FMD; over half that amount was passed to the 10 Regional Tourist Boards in England, including the Northumbria Tourist Board, whose activities cover Northumberland and the north-east, and much of it was used for promotional activities. Other central Government funding provided to the Northumbria Tourist Board in those years via the ETC was for the delivery of the national tourism strategy at regional level, and did not include money for marketing.

  Elite Athletes Funding Group
  Dr. Jack Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on completion of the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Elite Athletes Funding Group Report. [126332]

  Mr. Caborn
  The Elite Sports Funding Review made over 50 recommendations, the large majority of which are for the Sports Councils and National Governing Bodies of sport to take forward. The Review was discussed at the Sports Cabinet on 31 October 2001, chaired by the Secretary of State. The Cabinet brings together the Sports Ministers and Chairmen of the Sports Councils from each of the Devolved Administrations. At the Cabinet, the Sports Councils accepted and are now implementing the overwhelming majority of the recommendations.
  565W
  Following the recent Spending Review, a ring fenced allocation of £4.7 million for 2004–05 and 2005–06 has been provided to UK Sport to enable them to take forward some of the outstanding recommendations that involved an increase in expenditure. Some of the recommendations relate to the World Class Plans and cannot be implemented until the current 4-year Plans have been completed. DCMS will continue to work with UK Sport, the Devolved Administrations and Sport England to ensure that implementation of the recommendations is effective and continues to remain relevant to the changing environment of high performance sport.

  European Constitution
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with(a) colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (b) counterparts in the European Union about the legislative competencies covered by the draft European constitution. [124780]

  Mr. Caborn
  As part of the normal Whitehall process, DCMS Ministers and officials have had regular correspondence with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss all aspects of the Convention, including legislative competences. We have also had regular contact with Member and Accession Stares to discuss issues arising in the Convention. In line with exemptions 1 and 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it is not the normal practice of Governments to disclose details about internal discussions, or information whose disclosure would harm the conduct of international relations or affairs.

  Lottery Grants
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to make science and education new criteria for lottery grants. [126735]

  Estelle Morris
  I have no immediate plans to make changes. The New Opportunities Fund has responsibility for education funding from the Lottery and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts has responsibility for science.

  National Stadium
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what efforts are being made to ensure that all the timber being used in the construction of the new stadium at Wembley comes from legal and sustainable sources: and if she will make a statement. [126025]

  Mr. Caborn
  In my answer to my Hon. Friend's question on 26 February 2003,Official Report, columns 602–03, I explained that the National Football Stadium is a Football Association project which is being delivered by its wholly owned subsidiary company Wembley National Stadium Ltd. The Government's policy that its central Departments and agencies should actively seek to buy timber from legal and sustainable sources does not therefore apply to the building of the national stadium.

  Wembley National Stadium Ltd. have however agreed under the terms of Sport England's Lottery Funding agreement to have regard to obtaining
  566W
  materials from sustainable or renewable sources. Multiplex Construction (UK) who are building the stadium have environmental plans in place to honour this obligation which extends to sub-contractors. Multiplex have confirmed to Wembley National Stadium Ltd. that they will continue to monitor the source of timber products used throughout the duration of the project.

  OFCOM
  Mr. Bryant
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many members of staff at Of com earn more than £100,000 per annum. [126317]

  Estelle Morris
  Nine members of staff working within Ofcom currently fall in this category.

  Physical Exercise (Northumberland Schools)
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of school children in the Northumberland local education authority area receive a minimum of two hours physical exercise and school sport per week. [126452]

  Mr. Caborn
  This information is not currently held in the format requested and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on how many occasions between 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisors have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost. [126673]

  Mr. Caborn
  No departmental or non-departmental travel abroad was undertaken by any Special Advisors for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport between the periods of 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003.

  All travel undertaken by Special Advisers is undertaken fully in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

  Sports Funding
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the value of Sport England's Exchequer grant aid was to each national governing body in(a) 2000–01, (b) 2001–02, (c) 2002–03 and (d) 2003–04. [125220]

  Mr. Caborn
  The figures are shown in the following table.
  567W

  £

  Governing body grants

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  Angling—National Federation of Anglers

  45,625

  80,500

  40,000

  43,000

  Angling—National Federation of Sea Anglers

  30,000

  38,250

  47,500

  49,000

  Angling—Salmon and Trout Association

  25,000

  32,000

  40,000

  43,000

  Archery—Grand National Archery Society

  0

  0

  0

  15,000

  Association Football—Football Association

  132,000

  108,000

  0

  144,000

  Athletics—Amateur Athletics

  193,000

  293,000

  293,000

  315,000

  Badminton—Badminton Association

  280,000

  280,000

  280,000

  280,000

  Basketball—EBBA

  457,500

  473,334

  491,833

  450,000

  Boxing—Amateur Boxing Association

  49,333

  98,001

  46,107

  91,666

  Canoeing—British Canoe Union

  200,000

  200,000

  200,000

  200,000

  Cricket—England and Wales Cricket Board

  262,250

  284,500

  207,125

  179,000

  Cycling—British Cycling Federation

  270,000

  270,000

  202,500

  270,000

  Equestrian—British Equestrian Federation

  40,000

  40,000

  42,500

  50,000

  Fencing—British Fencing Association

  45,000

  50,000

  50,000

  50,000

  Fitness—Exercise Association

  28,000

  0

  0

  0

  Golf—Golf Foundation

  94,000

  92,000

  92,000

  92,000

  Gymnastics—British Amateur Gymnastics

  200,000

  200,999.8

  200,000

  200,000

  Hockey—English Hockey Foundation

  470,000

  450,000

  450,000

  450,000

  Ice Skating—National Ice Skating

  25,000

  16,750

  13,750

  15,000

  Judo—British Judo Association

  79,551

  121,000

  125,000

  125,000

  Karate—English Karate

  31,250

  16,250

  0

  35,000

  Lacrosse—English Lacrosse Association

  213,750

  151,250

  140,000

  140,000

  Mountaineering—British Mountaineering Council

  72,778

  65,000

  65,000

  65,000

  Movement and Dance—English Amateur Dance

  8,500

  8,500

  8,500

  8,500

  Movement and Dance—English Folk Dance and Song Society

  17,000

  17,000

  17,000

  17,000

  Movement and Dance—Health and Beauty Exercise

  15,000

  15,500

  15,500

  15,000

  Movement and Dance—Keep Fit Association

  37,333

  36,667

  36,000

  36,000

  Movement and Dance—Margaret Morris Movement

  10,000

  10,000

  10,000

  10,000

  Movement and Dance—CCPR

  27,913

  42,000

  41,870

  14,000

  Movement and Dance—Medau Society

  20,000

  20,000

  20,000

  20,000

  Netball—All England Netball Association

  447,500

  460,000

  443,375

  430,000

  Rowing—Amateur Rowing Association

  200,000

  250,000

  262,500

  262,500

  Rugby League—British Amateur Rugby League Association

  320,000

  320,000

  150,000

  130,000

  Rugby League Joint Policy Board

  0

  0

  190,000

  190,000

  Rugby Football—Rugby Football Union

  297,188

  225,312

  200,000

  200,000

  Rugby Football—RFU for Women

  131,666

  150,000

  141,333

  139,000

  Sailing—Royal Yachting Association

  100,000

  130,000

  130,000

  130,000

  Shooting—English Shooting Council

  7,000

  24,125

  4,875

  1,500

  Skiing—English Skiing Council

  50,000

  30,000

  50,000

  40,000

  Squash—Squash Rackets Association

  252,500

  242,500

  307,119.8

  240,000

  Swimming—Amateur Swimming Association

  330,000

  340,000

  340,000

  340,000

  Table Tennis—English Table Tennis Association

  450,000

  435,000

  435,000

  435,000

  Triathlon—British Triathlon Association

  30,000

  40,000

  75,000

  60,000

  Volleyball—English Volleyball Association

  208,000

  208,000

  208,000

  208,000

  Water Skiing—British Water Ski Federation

  35,000

  35,000

  38,000

  35,000

  Weightlifting—British Weightlifters Association

  40,000

  39,999

  40,001

  40,000

  Wrestling—British Wrestling Association

  10,000

  10,000

  10,000

  10,000

  Petanque—British Petanque Association

  3,750

  0

  5,000

  5,000

  Caving—National Caving Association

  5,000

  5,000

  5,000

  5,000

  Handball—British Handball Association

  7,000

  7,000

  7,000

  7,000

  Orienteering—British Orienteering Association

  82,500

  90,000

  90,000

  90,000

  Rounders—National Rounders Association

  23,500

  32,000

  32,000

  32,000

  Surfing—Surf Life Saving Association

  6,787

  4,612

  8,750

  7,000

  Real Tennis—Tennis and Rackets Association

  12,000

  12,000

  8,000

  8,000

  Tug-Of-War

  4,567

  6,583

  3,250

  3,000

  Softball—British Softball Association

  25,000

  25,000

  25,000

  25,000

  Yoga—British Wheel of Yoga

  7,084

  10,000

  10,000

  10,000

  Baseball—Baseball Federation

  16,000

  16,001

  15,000

  16,000

  British Roller Sports Federation

  —

  0

  0

  20,000

  English Ice Hockey Association

  —

  0

  0

  20,000

  Modern Pentathlon Association of Great Britain

  —

  0

  0

  5,000

  6,481,825

  6,658,634

  6,409,389

  6,566,166

  Tourism
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much her Department has allocated for the promotion of tourism in the UK in 2003–04. [126516]
  568W
  Mr. Caborn
  This Department has allocated over £54 million this year in order to promote tourism in Britain to both the overseas and domestic markets, as follows
  569W

  £ million

  2003–04

  VisitBritain grant-in-aid

  Overseas promotion

  35.5

  Domestic promotion

  10.4

  Transition funds for reform

  2.0

  Total

  47.9

  Other

  RDAs

  3.6

  London

  1.9

  EnglandNet (Invest to Save)

  1.2

  Tourism total

  54.6

  In addition, DCMS spends over £1 billion per year on, for example, the arts, royal parks and palaces, museums and galleries, much of which directly benefits tourism.

  Tourism (Northumberland)
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people were employed in the tourism industry in Northumberland in each of the last five years. [126725]

  Mr. Caborn
  The information requested is not available. Employment statistics for the tourism industry are available only for the whole of Great Britain and for England. The most recent data are for June 2002. These are shown in the following table with the figures for the previous four years.

  Employment in the tourism related industries1 in Great Britain and England

  As at June

  Number of jobs2 in Great Britain

  Number of jobs in England

  1998

  1,990,000

  1,560,000

  1999

  2,070,000

  1,780,000

  2000

  2,140,000

  1,830,000

  2001

  2,160,000

  1,820,000

  2002

  2,180,000

  1,830,000

  1 The tourism-related industries are short-stay accommodation, restaurants and cafes, bars and nightclubs, travel agencies and tour operators, libraries, museums and other cultural activities, sport and other recreation activities.

  2 Includes both employees and the self-employed.

  Source:

  DCMS analysis of National Statistics Sources.

  Written Ministerial Statements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department since 29 October 2002. [126619]

  Mr. Caborn
  As of 16 July 2003, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport had made 31 written ministerial statements since 29 October 2002.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Commission on Intellectual Property Rights
  Syd Rapson
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what steps are being taken to implement the recommendations of 570W
  the Commission on Intellectual Property Rights, on protecting (a) the material in (i) gene banks and (ii) farmers' fields from being directly patented and (b) the rights of farmers to follow traditional practices of reusing, exchanging and informally selling seeds in developing countries. [125901]

  Hilary Benn
  Access to material in gene banks and in farmers' fields, and the criteria under which patents may be obtained on such material, is governed by national legislation. Under TRIPS, plants as such may be excluded from patentability, as also may conventional plant breeding processes. Plant varieties may be covered by patents or other effective sui generis protection systems. The criteria for patentability applying in most countries would prevent the direct patenting of material in farmers' fields.

  The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, when it comes into effect, will establish a Multilateral System on Access and Benefit Sharing for a list of food and fodder plants. The ability to take out intellectual property rights on material in gene banks covered by the Treaty in the form received is specifically excluded.

  The UK has signed the International Treaty and hopes to ratify it, together with all other EU member states, before the end of this year. It will come into effect 90 days after the 40th ratification of, or accession to, the Treaty. In its response to the Commission report, published in May, the government urged all other countries that have not yet done so to sign and ratify the Treaty as soon as possible.

  The Government supports the right of developing countries to legislate to provide for the re-use, exchange and informal sale of seeds by farmers.

  Debt Relief
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how the Department will help ensure that the UK's beyond heavily indebted poor countries additional debt relief will be used to tackle poverty in indebted countries. [125816]

  Hilary Benn
  Before a country can qualify for debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative, it must produce an interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) at Decision Point— the first stage of the HIPC process—setting out what action it will take to develop a full PRSP. To reach Completion Point—the final stage when the relief becomes irrevocable—the full PRSP must be in place, and under implementation for at least one year. The PRSP sets out the policy action governments are taking to reduce poverty, and also provides a budgetary framework not only for spending the savings from debt relief but also for allocating all other aid and government revenue so that they have the greatest impact on poverty reduction.

  We believe strongly in the value of the PRSP process, which is leading to improved economic management and social reform. The UK Government goes further than is required under HIPC and provides 100 per cent, debt relief to countries when they qualify for HIPC relief. In addition, all payments received by HMG from HIPC countries will be held in trust and returned to

  571W
  countries when they qualify for HIPC relief, so that they can invest more resources in poverty reduction programmes. For the 26 countries that have qualified for HIPC so far, spending on education and health in these countries is set to rise by some US$4 billion each year. On average, their debts will be reduced by around two-thirds, and social expenditure will be nearly four times higher than spending on debt servicing. The UK is also aligning its bilateral development assistance programmes with the PRSPs.

  Departmental Costs
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the cost was to his Department for(a) ministerial cars and drivers, (b) taxis, (c) train travel, (d) the use of helicopters, (e) airline tickets and (f) chartered aeroplanes in each year since 1997. [123090]

  Hilary Benn
  All official travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules contained in DFID's staff handbook. All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the "Ministerial Code" and "Travel by Ministers", copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Information on the costs of categories (a) ministerial cars and drivers and (f) chartered planes, in respect of ministerial travel, is being provided centrally by the Cabinet Office in response to a parallel question. The detailed information requested for category (d) is not separately recorded and could be provided only at disproportionate cost but is likely to be small.

  For category (b) DFID currently has two taxi contracts, with a combined cost for 2002 of £108,211. We do not hold central records of taxi costs paid to other companies and claimed for by individual members of staff.

  For categories (c) and (e), for bookings made in the UK through DFID's HQ-based travel implant, the cost to DFID during the last three calndar years was:

  Cost of rail and airline bookings

  £

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Rail

  265,00

  308,000

  346,000

  Airlines

  7.900,000

  8,400,000

  9,800,000

  The figures for categories c) and e) do not include spending on travel by overseas offices, booked through an overseas travel agent:

  Kenya
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will list the educational projects in Kenya which have received funding from his Department(a) directly and (b) indirectly in 2002–03. [125550]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID provided direct funding for two education projects in Kenya in 2002–03; the Education for Empowerment project, and the Strengthening Primary Education project (Phase 3). DFID also provides funding for education through multilateral 572W
  channels, but information on this is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Montserrat
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development (1) what the average waiting time for hospital treatment is in Montserrat; [126065]

  (2) how many people there are on a hospital waiting list in Montserrat;[126068]

  (3) how many doctors there are per head of population in Montserrat. [126064]

  Hilary Benn
  The government of Montserrat are responsible for health matters on island. However, due to the recent volcanic events on Montserrat, it is not possible to provide an answer to the above questions in the time available. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the average class size is in Montserrat, broken down by age group. [126066]

  Hilary Benn
  The Government of Montserrat is responsible for education matters on the island. However, due to recent volcanic events on Montserrat, it is not possible to provide an answer to the above question in the time available. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

  Non-governmental Organisations
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what plans the Department has to facilitate the development of mutually beneficial partnerships between donors and non-governmental organisations working to assist people in developing nations. [125817]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID has significant involvement with a wide range of NGOs and other civil society organisations. In 2001–02, we entered into funding partnerships with over 130 UK based NGOs providing financial support of over £190 million. These partnerships involve working in a wide variety of ways, ranging from humanitarian assistance to Partnership Programme Agreements, which are strategic agreements that provide support for mutually agreed development objectives.

  There are regular meetings with British Overseas NGOs for Development (BOND), the umbrella membership organisation representing UK NGOs active in international development, and individual NGOs to discuss issues of policy and procedures.

  DFID officials are active participants at the EC Member States Working Group on NGO co-financing, that is considering how best to build mutually beneficial partnerships with NGOs. We also maintain relations with other donors, both centrally and through our various offices in the developing world.

  Private Office Costs
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what the running costs have been of Ministers' private offices in his Department in each year since 1997. [123113]

  Hilary Benn
  It is difficult to separate out completely DFID's expenditure on the running costs of Minister's Private Offices from that of Top Management Group as a whole. However, best estimates for DFID Ministers' Private Office running costs (including staff costs of the parliamentary and correspondence units) for 2001–02 are, £838,040 and 2002–03 are £1,156,445. Estimated costs for previous years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  World Trade Organisation
  Syd Rapson
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what steps will be taken at the next World Trade Organisation meeting on promoting the freedom of developing countries to choose the path of trade liberalisation best suited to its particular circumstances for achieving sustainable development and poverty reduction. [125899]

  Hilary Benn
  The Government are committed to delivering on our commitments to make the current round of WTO trade negotiations truly a "Development Round". With the European Commission, we are actively working to secure a substantial package of Special and Differential Treatment measures to ensure that any agreements negotiated take full account of the specific needs of individual countries, and are supported by targeted trade related capacity building. We will do all we can to ensure that, through the European Commission, the next WTO ministerial meeting in Cancun makes real progress with the so-called Doha Development Agenda.

  The UK Government are also providing a wide-ranging programme of Trade Related Capacity Building designed to help developing countries formulate and implement their own trade development strategies, stimulate trade, and help them participate in and benefit from the institutions, negotiations and processes that shape national trade policy and the rules and practices of international commerce.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  Council Housing (North-East Lincolnshire)
  Mr. Andrew Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the total cost of bringing all council housing in north-east Lincolnshire up to decent housing standards by 2010. [126420]

  Keith Hill
  It is for Local Authorities to determine the level of non-decent housing in their areas based on robust stock condition information. The 2002 Statistical Return from north-east Lincolnshire indicates that there are approximately 3,000 non-decent dwellings. The 2002 Statistical Return provided by the local authority estimated that it would cost £9 million to bring all these dwellings up to the decent homes standard.

  General Elections
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has held discussions with the Electoral Commission about the possibility of abandoning alphabetical listing of candidates on ballot papers(a) at future general elections and (b) in the London Mayoral and Assembly elections. [125421]

  Mr. Leslie
  I have been asked to reply.

  We have had no discussions with the Electoral Commission on changing the present procedure for listing candidates' names on ballot papers to be used at future general elections or the London Mayoral and Assembly elections. The Commission has recommended in its recently published 'Ballot Paper Design' that alternative listing systems should be tested through pilot schemes to assist them in determining the impact of the present arrangements. The Government are currently considering this recommendation along with all the other recommendations the Commission has recently made on reforming the electoral process.

  House Prices
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether in valuing dwellings for council tax purposes, it is his policy that district valuers should take into account changing values over time of house prices within a given locality; and if he will make a statement on the construction of time services and deflators for such purposes. [125645]

  Dawn Primarolo
  [holding answer 14 July 2003]I have been asked to reply.

  The current Council Tax bands contained within valuation lists are based upon property values as at 1 April 1991. The Listing Officers of the Valuation Office Agency, who are statutorily responsible for the lists, will use a range of evidence to support the bands ascribed to each property. However, the strongest evidence is property sales evidence which was available close to the valuation date. Other information, such as property indices, are utilised as a check mechanism but are often generalist in nature and must be used with care when dealing with an individual property, or an area, which may have changed character over the ensuing 10 or more years.

  The Local Government Bill currently before Parliament will provide for a council tax revaluation at least every 10 years. The first revaluation in England will have a valuation date of 1 April 2005 with the new lists coming into force on 1 April 2007. The Valuation Office Agency will undertake the revaluation.

  Housing
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of whether the decent homes target will be met by 2010. [126166]

  Keith Hill
  Since 1996 the number of non-decent homes in the social sector has been reduced by over 700,000. Forward plans from local authorities show that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is on track to meet targets of reducing, by a third, the number of non-decent social homes between April 2001 and April 2004. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also now on
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  track for all dwellings owned by local authorities and registered social landlords to meet the decent homes standard by 2010.

  The number of vulnerable private sector households in non-decent homes has been reduced by 400,000 since 1996.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities have not transferred their stock or set up an arm's length management organisation with PFI scheme. [126127]

  Keith Hill
  Tabled as follows are those local authorities by region that have not transferred all of their stock. Local authorities that have transferred some of their stock are marked with a (P). Those authorities that have been given places on the 2003 transfer programme are highlighted.

  Local authorities that have either set up an ALMO or are on the programme are also highlighted.

  The table also highlights the two local authorities that have signed a PFI contract to date, as well as marking those that are on the PFI pathfinder programme.

  Region

  LA name

  East of England

  Barbergh

  Basildon (P)

  Braintree

  Brentwood

  Broxbourne

  Cambridge

  Castle Point

  Colchester (Provisional allocation on the Round 2 ALMO programme but has yet to be granted section 27 consent)

  Dacorum

  Epping Forest

  Fenland

  Forest Health (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Great Yarmouth

  Harlow

  Ipswich

  Kings Lynn and West Norfolk

  Luton

  Mid Suffolk

  North Norfolk

  Norwich

  Peterborough (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Rochford

  South Bedfordshire

  South Cambridgeshire

  South Norfolk

  Southend-on-Sea

  St. Albans

  Stevenage

  Tendring

  Three Rivers

  Thurrock

  Uttlesford

  Watford

  Waveney

  Welwyn Hatfield

  East Midlands

  Ashfield (ALMO set up)

  Bassetlaw

  Blaby

  Bolsover

  Broxtowe

  Charnwood

  Chesterfield

  Corby

  Daventry

  Derby (ALMO set up)

  Gedling

  Harborough

  High Peak

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  Region

  LA name

  Hinckley and Bosworth

  Kettering

  Leicester

  Lincoln

  Mansfield

  Melton

  Newark and Sherwood

  North East Derbyshire (PFI pathfinder)

  North Kesteven

  North West Leicestershire

  Northampton

  Nottingham City

  Oadby and Wigston

  Rutland

  South Derbyshire

  South Holland

  South Kesteven

  South Northamptonshire

  Wellingborough

  London

  Barking and Dagenham (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Barnet

  Brent (ALMO)

  Camden (PFI pathfinder)

  City of London

  Croydon

  Ealing

  Enfield (P)

  Greenwich (P)

  Hackney (P) (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Hammersmith and Fulham (P)

  Haringey

  Harrow (P)

  Havering

  Hillingdon (ALMO—awaiting inspection)

  Hounslow (ALMO set up)

  Islington (P) (has signed a PFI contract) (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Kensington and Chelsea (ALMO set up)

  Kingston upon Thames (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Lambeth (P) (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Lewisham

  Merton (P)

  Newham (PFI pathfinder)

  Redbridge

  Southwark

  Sutton

  Tower Hamlets (P) (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Waltham Forest (ALMO awaiting inspection)

  Wandsworth

  Westminster (ALMO set up)

  North East

  Alnwick

  Berwick-upon-Tweed

  Blyth Valley (ALMO set up)

  Castle Morpeth

  Chester-le-Street

  Darlington

  Derwentside

  Durham

  Easington

  Gateshead

  Hartlepool (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Middlesbrough (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  North Tyneside

  Sedgefield

  South Tyneside

  Stockton-on-Tees (ALMO set up)

  Teesdale

  Wansbeck

  Wear Valley

  North West

  Barrow-in-Furness

  Blackpool

  Bolton (ALMO awaiting inspection)

  Chorley

  Copeland

  Ellesmere Port and Neston

  Halton

  577W

  Region

  LA name

  Hyndburn

  Lancaster

  Liverpool (P)

  Macclesfield

  Manchester (P) (has signed PFI contract) (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Oldham (ALMO set up)

  Pendle

  Preston (P)

  Ribble Valley

  Rochdale (ALMO set up)

  Rossendale

  Salford (ALMO awaiting inspection)

  Sefton

  South Lakeland

  Stockport

  Trafford (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Warrington

  West Lancashire

  Wigan (ALMO set up)

  Wirral (P) (2003 Transfer Programme)

  South East

  Adur

  Arun

  Ashford

  Aylesbury Vale

  Bracknell Forest

  Brighton and Hove

  Canterbury

  Cherwell (P)

  Crawley

  Dartford

  Dover

  Eastbourne

  Fareham

  Gosport

  Gravesham

  Guildford

  Lewes

  Maidstone

  Milton Keynes

  Mole Valley

  New Forest

  Oxford

  Portsmouth

  Reading (PFI pathfinder)

  Runnymede

  Shepway

  Slough

  Southampton

  Tandridge

  Thanet

  The Medway Towns

  Waverley

  Wealden

  Winchester

  Woking

  Wokingham

  Wycombe

  South West

  Bournemouth

  Bristol

  Caradon

  Carrick (ALMO awaiting inspection)

  Cheltenham (ALMO awaiting inspection)

  East Devon

  Exeter

  Gloucester

  Isles of Scilly

  Mid Devon

  North Cornwall

  North Somerset

  Plymouth

  Poole

  Purbeck (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Salisbury

  Sedgemoor

  South Gloucestershire

  Stroud (2003 Transfer Programme)

  Swindon

  Taunton Deane

  Teignbridge

  Torridge

  578W

  Region

  LA name

  West Midlands

  Birmingham (P)

  Bridgnorth

  Bromsgrove

  Cannock Chase

  Dudley

  North Shropshire

  North Warwickshire

  Nuneaton and Bedworth

  Oswestry

  Redditch

  Rugby

  Sandwell (PFI pathfinder)

  Solihull

  Stafford

  Stoke-on-Trent (P)

  Tamworth

  Walsall (P)

  Warwick

  Wolverhampton

  Worcester

  Yorkshire and Humber

  Barnsley (ALMO awaiting inspection)

  Doncaster

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  Harrogate

  Kingston upon Hull

  Kirklees (ALMO set up)

  Leeds (6 partial ALMOs set up) (PFI pathfinder)

  North East Lincolnshire (2003 Transfer Programme)

  North Lincolnshire

  Richmondshire

  Rotherham

  Scarborough

  Selby

  Sheffield

  Wakefield (2003 Transfer Programme)

  York

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his estimate is of the time required by a local housing authority from the initial consideration of options to(a) complete a stock transfer, (b) reach agreement on and sign a PFI contract and (c) prepare for and complete establishment of an arm's length management organisation. [126128]

  Keith Hill
  The length of time taken to implement an option will depend on the option chosen and the circumstances of each individual local authority. However the following timescales can be used as a rough guide for future schemes:Transfer—28 months from application to transfer
  PFI—the pathfinder schemes have taken up to three years from application to contract signature, we aim to reduce this timescale to 18 months using lessons learned from the pathfinders.
  ALMO—15 months from ALMO bid to being inspected and, if successful, securing additional funds.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to announce Government proposals on the way forward for housing capital finance following the recent consultation. [126130]

  Keith Hill
  The decisions reached on the issues consulted on in 'The Way Forward for Housing Capital Finance' are reflected in "Sustainable Communities: building for the future" and the Local Government Bill currently before Parliament. A letter went to all Chief Finance Officers in local housing authorities in England on 1 April setting out in detail the proposed
  579W
  arrangements for the proposals consulted on. This letter is available at www.odpm.gov.uk and in the Library of the House.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the scheme funding requirements to meet the decent homes standard as a result of the change from fitness standard to the health and safety rating system will be financed. [126132]

  Keith Hill
  It is too early to say what will be the financial impact of applying the housing health and safety rating system to the decent home standard when the fitness standard is abolished. The cost of rectifying health and safety hazards will vary, and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects many of them to be put right relatively quickly and cheaply. Guidance to authorities on the assessment of decency using the rating system will be issued.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the number of houses which will be brought up to the decent homes standard in each year up to 2010, broken down by the method of finance to be used. [126133]

  Keith Hill
  The following table shows the estimated year on year change in the numbers of non-decent social sector homes from the baseline date of April 2001 to the target date of December 2010. The extent to which these numbers will be made up of ALMO/PFI/transfer schemes will depend on the results of the option appraisal process that each local authority is currently undertaking. This process is due to be completed by July 2005. In broad terms we have estimated that transfers will tackle between 200,000 and 250,000, ALMOs will tackle between 300,000 and 350,000 and PFI will tackle between 15,000 and 30,000 non-decent homes.

  Remaining number of non-decent dwellings owned by local authorities and RSLs

  April 2001

  1,600,000

  2002

  1,450,000

  2003

  1,250,000

  2004

  1,100,000

  2005

  900,000

  2006

  700,000

  2007

  500,000

  2008

  400,000

  2009

  250,000

  2010

  100,000

  December 2010

  0

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what conclusions he has drawn from the National Audit Office report on the costs of the large scale voluntary transfer programme. [126163]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has concluded that the National Audit Office report Improving Social Housing Through Transfer confirms our belief that the benefits of transfer are clearly visible and worth the costs in ensuring tenants gain from faster renovation of, and improvement to their homes; greater tenant participation in decisions directly affecting their homes and surrounding area; and an increased sense of ownership and involvement in the local regeneration of the wider area.

  Loaned Art Works
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many works of art from the Government art collection are on loan to each Minister in his Department. [121794]

  Yvette Cooper
  There are 86 paintings, prints and engravings on loan from the Government Art Collection to Ministers in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister at this time. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has 39 in his office and Admiralty House. My right hon. Friend the member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford) 0, my hon. Friend the member for Corby (Phil Hope) 18, my right hon. Friend the member for Streatham (Keith Hill) six, my right hon. Friend the Lord Rooker 12 and my office has 11.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether local authorities which under the Communities Plan do not use the options of stock transfer, Arm's Length Management Organisations or PFI, may receive increased investment in their housing stock above that in the Housing Investment Programme. [126164]

  Keith Hill
  The Sustainable Communities Plan made it clear that local authorities seeking additional investment in their housing stock are able to choose from three options: stock transfer, PFI and ALMOs.

  The plan also made it clear that authorities that do not pursue these options cannot expect increased investment above that provided for in the Housing Investment Programme.

  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effect of allocating only 70 per cent, of housing investment programme funding to local authorities as proposed in the Communities Plan; and what effect it will have on the decent homes target. [126165]

  Keith Hill
  Guidance issued to regional housing boards makes it clear that their allocation proposals should be consistent with the achievement of the decent homes target.

  Right to Buy
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister for what reasons local authorities in the South West region were not included on the Government's list of councils which can temporarily suspend the right to buy. [126340]

  Keith Hill
  There has been no suspension of the Right to Buy in any area. 41 local authority areas were included in the Housing (Right to Buy) (Limits on Discount) (Amendment) Order 2003—Statutory Instrument 2003 No. 498—which came into effect on 27 March 2003. The Order lowered the maximum Right to Buy discount available to tenants from £38,000 (£34,000 in one area) to £16,000 in these areas, which were judged to be under the greatest housing market pressure as evidenced by high levels of homelessness (reflecting high demand for social housing), and high local house prices (reflecting the demand for social housing), and high local house prices (reflecting the demand for private housing and affordability). The
  581W
  Land Registry lower quartile house price for the third quarter of 2002 was used, to indicate likely availability for first time buyers.

  The model was rerun subsequently to take into account local earnings information. The effect was marginal and insufficient to justify further changes.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not wish to reduce the discounts available to tenants unless there is clear evidence of housing pressure on this basis. This did not appear to be the case in any area in the South-West region. The position will be kept under review. In the meantime, the Home Ownership Task Force is looking at the whole range of programmes aimed at helping people into home ownership, including the Right to Buy. The Task Force is due to report this autumn.

  Vehicles for Sale
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will extend the Control of Roadside Sales Order to enable local authorities to remove vehicles for sale which are parked on the highway or adjacent greenswards; and if he will make a statement. [114654]

  Mr. Raynsford
  There are no plans to do so.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers are available to local authorities to remove vehicles for sale which are parked on the highway or adjacent greenswards. [114653]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Under an adoptive code contained in the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, distract councils have extensive and flexible powers to regulate street trading in areas within their jurisdiction. No street trading of any kind can lawfully take place in a prohibited street. Anyone convicted of unlawful street trading can be fined a maximum of £1,000. Officers of borough councils undertake enforcement of the law.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Afghanistan
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place since the Afghan conflict with the US Administration concerning the possible transfer of UK citizens held at Guantanamo Bay to UK custody; and if he will make a statement. [125505]

  Mr. Straw
  I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Mr. Campbell) today (UIN 125675).

  Paul Flynn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the result of the invasion of Afghanistan by the coalition on the change on the amount of land used for cultivation of opium poppies; and what he expects the change to be in the level of production in(a) the current year and (b) the next three years. [126467]

  Mr. Rammell
  The disruption of drug production and trafficking was not among the aims of the military campaign waged in Afghanistan. Any damage to the 582W
  drugs trade as a result of coalition activity would be incidental to the principal aims of the campaign and would not be covered in any battle assessments.

  The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. They are in the process of completing the 2003 survey. The final results will be available in the autumn. Although it appears that there has been significant displacement of cultivation within Afghanistan, our current expectation is that the total area under poppy cultivation will be broadly similar to that last year. In addition, however, this year's crop has suffered significant damage from moisture-related diseases that are likely to result in a lower opium yield. It is not clear what the size of the Afghan opium crop will be in subsequent years.

  Correspondence
  Mr. Alan Reid
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will reply to the letter, dated 28 May, from the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute regarding Julian Gilbey. [126275]

  Mr. Mullin
  The hon. Member's letter has been passed to my noble Friend Baroness Symons to reply as Minister responsible for consular matters. The reply was signed on 16 July.

  EU Constitutional Treaty
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the United Kingdom's opt-out from the Schengen agreement will be maintained in the proposed Constitutional Treaty for the European Union; and if he will make a statement. [126377]

  Mr. MacShane
  The draft constitution produced by the convention on the future of Europe makes clear that the protocols attached to the treaty will remain an integral part of it. These will include the protocol integrating the Schengen acquis, under which the U K has made a successful application for partial participation. The Government position on the protocols relating to our frontier controls in general and our opt-out from the Schengen Agreement in particular has not changed. We will maintain controls at the UK's frontiers.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the EU directives implemented by the Department since 8 June 2001. [126596]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office plays a coordinating role in the UK's EU policy. It is rarely directly responsible for implementing EC directives. I am not aware of any directives on which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has led on implementation since 8 June 2001.

  EU Foreign and Security Policy
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his oral statement of 9 July 2003,Official Report, column 1207, on the communitisation of foreign and security policy, if he intends them to become justiciable by the European

  583W
  Court of Justice and EU supreme court under the proposed EU constitution; and if he will make a statement. [126523]

  Mr. MacShane
  Under the draft constitution which emerged from the convention, the Common Foreign and Security Policy will not be justiciable by the ECJ, with one exception.

  Article III-278 provides that:
  "The Court of Justice shall not have jurisdiction with respect to Articles (1–39 and 1–40) and the provisions of (Chapter II of Title V of Part III) concerning the common foreign and security policy."
  Article III-17 would, however, give the ECJ jurisdiction in respect of actions brought by persons to challenge the legality of sanctions measures applying to them.

  Falkland Islands
  Mr. Alan Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with President Kirchner of Argentina at the progressive governance conference concerning sovereignty of the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement. [126273]

  Mr. Rammell
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did not meet President Kirchner during his visit.

  Brazil
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to propose that Brazil be given a permanent seat at the Security Council of the UN. [126742]

  Mr. Rammell
  The UK Government support an increase in both the permanent and non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council to ensure that it better reflects the modern world.

  We have proposed a model which would include an additional five permanent seats, including one for Latin America. We accept that Brazil is clearly the preeminent candidate for that seat when the Security Council is eventually enlarged and we would be very content with that result.

  It is primarily for those countries aspiring to permanent membership to make their own case, based on their contribution to international peace and security and the wider goals of the UN. We will continue to advocate our model of Security Council reform with the UN membership.

  Global Conflict Prevention
  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 12 May 2003,Official Report, column 77W, on global conflict prevention pool, what progress has been made in each of the five project areas designed to reduce the number of individuals whose lives are affected by violent conflict. [125676]
  584W
  Mr. Straw
  Monitoring and evaluation of Global Conflict Prevention fool (GCPP) activity is carried out on the basis of the strategies listed in my answer to the right hon. Member's question of 12 May 2003,Official Report, column 77W, and not by the project areas mentioned in that answer. Individual strategies contain a mixture of activity according to the needs of a particular conflict situation or underlying conflict issue.

  The Global Pool is beginning to make an impact in meeting the Government's Conflict Prevention Public Service Agreement Target through these strategies. As examples, the Balkans and Afghanistan strategies have helped to establish security and stability, to develop better ethnic relations, democratic and accountable government and to protect human rights through training, capacity building and other support for conflict resolution, establishing the rule of law and Security Sector reform. In Indonesia, the Global Pool has also supported security sector governance issues, human rights training for the Indonesian military, and has trained journalists on accurate and objective reporting of conflict. The strategy on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) aims to prevent the supply, demand and availability of SALW around the globe as a contribution to conflict prevention and supports the UN Programme of Action to combat the illicit trade in SALW. The strategy includes support to the UN Development Programme's global weapons reduction programme and UNDP's work on the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of former combatants.

  A report on the Global Pool setting out how it operates and describing its geographical and thematic strategies will be published later in the year.

  I will write to the right hon. and learned Member on this issue shortly.

  Guantanamo Bay
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conditions are applied to British detainees in Camp Delta receiving food parcels. [124669]

  Mr. Mullin
  None of the British detainees held at Guantanamo Bay receives food parcels.

  Mr. Menzies Campbell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many times the Government has asked for the return of British prisoners in Guantanamo Bay to Britain; when the most recent request on such matters was; what the US's response was in each case; and if he will make a statement. [125675]

  Mr. Straw
  We are pressing the US authorities to move forward with the process of determining the future of the British detainees at Guantanamo Bay. We have discussed, and are discussing, a range of options with the US, including the possibility of repatriation. I have discussed this matter on numerous occasions with US Secretary of State Colin Powell; most recently by telephone on Sunday 13 July.

  Iraq
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the sale of national assets in Iraq by the Coalition provisional administration. [124313]

  Mr. Rammell
  Since the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) took over the administration of Iraq, Iraqi oil has been sold by CPA through the Iraqi State Oil Marketing Organisation in accordance with the terms of paragraph 20 of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483. Under paragraphs 20 and 21 of this resolution, all revenues from sales of Iraqi oil are deposited into the Development Fund for Iraq, less 5 per cent, which is to be deposited into the Iraq Compensation Fund as established under UNSCR 687 of 1991. No other Iraqi assets have been sold by the CPA.

  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made with establishing the interim authority in Iraq. [125038]

  Mr. Rammell
  We welcome the formation by Iraqis of the Governing Council—the core of the Iraqi Interim Administration—on 13 July. This is a momentous step that means Iraqis will now play a central role running their country.

  The Governing Council is representative of Iraq society and includes a narrow Shia majority, Sunnis and Christians and three women. The Council will work to ensure views of all Iraqis are represented. It delivers a key part of UNSCR 1483.

  The Governing Council has real power and will be involved in all key decisions on Iraq's future. It will name the new Ministers in the interim administration, run the Ministries and set the budget for 2004. It will also be responsible for Iraq's representation abroad. Some of the Council's early tasks will be: launching the Constitutional process—written by Iraqis for Iraqis; rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure; restoring security and stability; revitalising the economy and provision of essential services.

  In all these activities the Coalition will provide support and advice.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials the Provisional Coalition Administration has in the British controlled sector of Iraq. [125615]

  Mr. Rammell
  The are currently over 60 officials working for the Coalition Provisional Authority in the British area of operations in Southeast Iraq. Plans are in hand to increase this number.

  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Department has received from the Russian government on the re-establishment of the electrical power system in Iraq. [125696]

  Mr. Rammell
  We have received no such representations from the Russian Government.

  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when Ministers were informed that the CIA had counselled the Security 586W
  and Intelligence Services against including material relating to the alleged procurement of uranium from three African countries in the intelligence dossier published in September 2002; when the CIA communicated the advice to the Security and Intelligence Service; and if he will make a statement. [126328]

  Mr. Straw
  I shall shortly be writing to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, in reply to his letter about this matter. A copy will be placed in the Library of the House.

  Andrew Mackinlay
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the head of MI6 met Mr. John Humphrys of the BBC since 1 May; who authorised each meeting; and for what purpose each meeting was held. [126464]

  Mr. Straw
  It is the longstanding practice of successive Governments not to comment on intelligence and security matters. The security and intelligence agencies are outside the scope of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Paragraph 6, Part I).

  IT Expenditure
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Foreign Office spent on IT(a) licences, (b) maintenance, (c) software and (d) hardware in the last financial year. [125777]

  Mr. Rammell
  During the 2002–03 financial year, the FCO spent the following on IT:

  £

  (a) Licences

  1,427,625

  (b) Maintenance

  12,037,671

  (c) Software

  6,538,386

  (d) Hardware

  24,561,014

  Total

  44,564,696

  Middle East
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with(a) the Israeli Government and (b) the Palestinian Authority regarding the involvement of religious leaders in the Middle East peace process. [124670]

  Mr. Rammell
  We encourage the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to engage with religious leaders on the Middle East peace process. We recognise the important role religious leaders can play in promoting peace in the region, and we have provided administrative, financial and moral support for continuing inter-faith dialogue stemming from the Alexandria Declaration. The Alexandria Declaration pledges religious leaders to work together to promote a peaceful settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

  Montserrat
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many police officers there are per head of population in Montserrat. [126067]
  587W
  Mr. Rammell
  There is one police officer for every 67 people. This is a little higher than the normal police/population ratio given the special need to police the volcano exclusion and daytime entry zones; and because the Montserratian police force carry out other non-core police duties such as port entry control.

  Nuclear Weapons (Monitoring)
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what international system of monitoring in which the United Kingdom participates relates to material which may be used for nuclear weapons; and if he will make a statement. [126581]

  Nigel Griffiths
  I have been asked to reply.

  The UK is a member of and participates fully in the activities of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is, inter alia, responsible for the international nuclear safeguards regime pursuant to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Civil nuclear material in the UK is subject to both the safeguards requirements of the Euratom Treaty and to the terms of the UK's safeguards agreement with Euratom and the IAEA.

  St. Helena
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when a Minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office last visited St. Helena; and who the Minister was. [126171]

  Mr. Rammell
  St. Helena has never had a visit by a Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister.

  United Nations Security Council
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the implications for the representation of British interests at the UN of the appointment of a single EU representative to the United Nations Security Council. [126000]

  Mr. MacShane
  The European Union is not a member state of the United Nations and therefore not eligible for election to the UN Security Council.

  Visa Applications
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will make available to Clare Anyango and her sponsor Michael Meadows, the explanatory statement of the reasons for the rejection of her application to the High Commission in Nairobi for a visa to study in the United Kingdom made on 17 June 2002. [125939]

  Mr. Mullin
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: I have written to the hon. Member regarding this matter.

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visa cases the Minister responsible for entry clearance has overturned since 2001. [125779]
  588W
  Mr. Mullin
  Since January 2001 the Minister responsible for entry clearance has overturned 26 refusal decisions.

  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many family visit visa applications were(a) allowed and (b) refused during the last 12 months at High Commission offices in (i) Bangladesh, (ii) India, (iii) Pakistan and (iv) Sri Lanka. [126174]

  Mr. Mullin
  The information is as follows:

  Family visitor applications issued

  Family visitor applications refused

  Dhaka

  2,348

  2,939

  i. Bangladesh

  Total

  2,348

  2,939

  New Delhi

  12,778

  9,774

  Mumbai

  13,296

  3,932

  Chennai

  5,716

  447

  Kolkutta

  2,459

  65

  ii. India

  Total

  34,249

  14,218

  Islamabad

  16,986

  3,011

  Karachi

  1,693

  321

  iii. Pakistan

  Total

  18,679

  3,332

  Colombo

  865

  711

  iv. Sri Lanka

  Total

  865

  711

  The table shows the number of family visitor visas issued and refused at our visa issuing posts in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka for the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003. The figures for April, May and June 2003 are still being collated. The figures given are the most up-to-date statistics available.

  Visa facilities (Pakistan)
  Mr. Mudie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when full visa facilities will be reintroduced in the Pakistan offices. [125284]

  Mr. Mullin
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is monitoring developments in Islamabad closely and is personally committed to restoring a full entry clearance operation as soon as practicable.

  He has authorised a number of steps that should increase the number of applications that Islamabad, which is handling applications for the whole of Pakistan, can accept.

  These include:
  rapidly increasing the number of Entry Clearance Officers in Islamabad;
  a reorganisation of part of the visa section to speed up the processing of applications;
  an increase in the categories that can apply to include those that have travelled to the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and to fiancés applying to settle in the UK from October;
  UK visas taking the primary responsibility for correspondence regarding visa cases in Islamabad with immediate effect.

  589W
  The Foreign Secretary will be writing to parliamentary colleagues to inform them of our plans imminently. He and I will, of course, continue to keep the situation under close review.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Asbestos
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to her answer of 16 June 2003,Official Report, column 117W, on control of asbestos, if she will list the buildings which have been identified as containing asbestos. [122926]

  The Solicitor-General
  [holding answer 4 July 2003]: The Crown Prosecution Service is unable to provide a list of buildings identified as having an asbestos presence. Although asbestos registers are located at each property, a central register of asbestos information is not in place. The Crown Prosecution Service is addressing this issue in compliance with Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002.

  The Treasury Solicitor's Department's premises, Queen Anne's Chambers, London SW1, and the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers' premises in Buckingham Gate, both contain small amounts of properly identified and managed asbestos.

  The buildings occupied by the Serious Fraud Office and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate do not contain asbestos.

  Director of Public Prosecutions
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Solicitor-General when a successor to Sir David Calvert-Smith as Director of Public Prosecutions will be announced. [125785]

  The Solicitor-General
  The process of appointment is currently under way and the Attorney-General expects to be in a position to announce an appointment within a matter of weeks.

  Sickness Absence
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many staff in the Department have been on long-term sic leave in each of the last two years. [115849]

  The Solicitor-General
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]The information is as follows:

  Crown Prosecution Service

  The number of staff in the Department who have had periods of long-term sick leave in each of the last two years are listed in the following table:

  Long-term sick leave

  Number

  2001

  886

  2002

  915

  590W
  Serious Fraud Office

  Number of staff absent due to long-term sick leave. In calculating the figure, 'long-term' was defined as a continuous spell of sick absence lasting four weeks or more.

  Long-term sick leave

  Number

  2001

  3

  2002

  8

  Treasury Solicitor's Department and Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and HM Crown Prosecution Service

  The number of staff taking long-term sick leave in the Treasury Solicitor's Department, Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers and HM Crown Prosecution Service Directorate (defined as one month or more) in the last two years was:

  Long-term sick leave

  Department

  Number

  2001

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  45

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  1

  HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate

  1

  Total

  47

  2002

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  41

  Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  5

  HM Crown Prosecution Service Directorate

  1

  Total

  47

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Animal Testing
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2003,Official Report, column 548W, on animal testing, what factors underlay the underspend in the budget available for the development and promotion of alternatives to animal use in (a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02. [125282]

  Caroline Flint
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 4 July 2003,Official Report, column 548W.

  The information in the previous answer relating to the spend in financial years 2000–01 to 2002–03 is shown in resource accounting terms. Resource accounting measures the actual value of goods and services received. Previously, the spend was measured in cash accounting terms—this measured the actual money leaving the Home Office's account.

  At the end of each of the first of the two years in question there was a certain amount of expenditure for which the goods and services had not been received (termed a "pre-payment"), which was not recorded in the figures provided in resource accounting terms, but would have been recorded in cash accounting terms. The figures, including these pre-payments, are as follows.
  591W

  £

  Financial year

  Budget

  Actual spend in resource terms

  Underspend

  Prepayments at end of year

  2000–01

  265,000

  170,203

  94,797

  108,718

  2001–02

  280,000

  173,906

  106,094

  1,12,038

  2002–03

  280,000

  272,104

  7,896

  6,797

  These prepayments affected the situation in 2000–01 and in 2001–02, but by the end of 2002–03 they were minimal, and the spend in resource terms for that year was only £7,896 below the budget. There are several reasons why the projects which constituted prepayments did not start early enough in the financial year to be counted in resource accounting terms. The start of a research project is often delayed. That might be, for example, because the principal researcher takes longer than predicted to identify research assistants. These delays in turn can mean that potential underspends are identified too late for additional projects to be identified, and the work started, before the end of the financial year.

  British Overseas Territories
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what responsibilities his Department undertakes in connection with British overseas territories. [123991]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: Under British nationality legislation my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is responsible for nationality issues in the British overseas territories. He delegates a proportion of his certain functions under the Act to the Governors of the territories. The Home Office nevertheless retains an interest in the proper administration of all aspects of the nationality legislation and, in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, provides instructions, guidance and training on nationality matters to Governors and their staff in the territories. Through the United Kingdom Passport Service my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is also responsible currently for the issue of British citizen passports for some of the territories.

  Carlile Report
  Mr. Blizzard
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the Carlile report. [125454]

  . Blunkett
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath), on 28 April 2003, Official Report, column 199W. The Government response, outlining progress on recommendations made in the Carlile report, is available in the Library.

  Contingency Planning
  . Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met(a) Cabinet colleagues, (b) the Security and Intelligence Co-ordinator and (c) the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee to discuss the UK's preparedness to cope with a terrorist attack; and if he will make a statement. [125031]
  592W
  Mr. Blunkett
  The Government keeps all aspects of the security of the UK under constant review and I am in regular contact with various elements of the intelligence community to assess the terrorist threat to the UK.

  The threat from terrorist attack remains real as it has done for some time. However the intelligence and law enforcement agencies of the UK are constantly reviewing procedures to be taken in the event of a terrorist attack and the Government has provided significant funding to continue the vital improvements they have been made in this area since the tragic events of September 11th.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training and instructions have been issued to(a) ambulance crews, (b) paramedics, (c) GPs, (d) accident and emergency staff, (e) fire services and (f) police forces about the identification of radioisotopes in the event of the release of a radiological bomb; and if he will make a statement. [125155]

  Mr. Blunkett
  With funding of £2.7 million from the Department of Health, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is currently delivering a wide ranging programme of training on CBRN which encompasses responding to the release of radioisotopes from a radiological devise.

  The radiological component is being delivered in conjunction with the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) which has significant experience of such training. NRPB are the body responsible for providing formal advice to Government on radiological protection issues and provided a significant input to the guidance to the NHS.

  The national health service (NHS) has long-standing plans for responding to incidents involving radioactivity and these have been well exercised. The NHS has practical experience of responding to accidental releases of radioactive material. This experience provides a basic platform for dealing with radiological contamination, however caused. Advice to NHS personnel on responding to incidents, such as radioactivity released from radiological bombs, is given in a detailed annex "Practical guidance on planning for incidents involving radioactivity" (www.doh.gov.uk/epcu/chp9/rad.htm) within the document "Planning for Major Incidents: the NHS Guidance" (1998). This guidance contains advice on the provision of facilities and equipment for monitoring for radioactivity for people who might have been contaminated. The document "Deliberate Release of Biological and Chemical Guidance" (2000) also gives generic advice on dealing with a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) incident (www.doh.gov.uk/epcu/cbr/intro.htm).

  On the Fire Service, the Fire Service has always had procedures and training to deal with radiation incidents. All firefighters receive training as part of their normal development. Enhanced by officers who attend the Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection course at the Fire Service College, and are mobilised to any radiation incident.

  On police force training and instructions, to date a total of approximately 3,800 police officers have been trained with 2,862 of these having been trained at the

  593W
  Police National CBRN Centre since August 2002. All of the police officers trained by the PNCBRNC (Police National CBRN Centre) have received training regarding a possible radiological incident.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what equipment has been issued to(a) ambulance crews, (b) paramedics, (c) GPs, (d) accident and emergency staff, (e) fire services and (f) police forces for the identification of radioisotopes in the event of the release of a radiological bomb; and if he will make a statement. [125156]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Initial detection of any chemical or radiological hazard at the scene of an incident normally falls to the fire service—although the police may also contribute and this is well understood amongst the emergency services. In conjunction with the police, the fire service will also decide the extent of the cordon required and provide advice to ambulance and other NHS staff attending. Expert advice is also quickly available from the Health Protection Agency and other agencies.

  Fire and Rescue services have detection (survey meters) and monitoring (Dosimeter) equipment to enable them to both detect a source and monitor the doses received by firefighters.

  It is not possible to give details publicly of police equipment which is used solely to respond to a CBRN terrorist incident for security reasons.

  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the optimum treatment time for radio isotope contamination in the event of a radiological bomb. [125157]

  Mr. Blunkett
  In the event of radioactive contamination following a radiological bomb the immediate danger is still from any injuries sustained. Therefore, the basic principle is that treatment of serious or life-threatening injuries must take priority over radiation monitoring or decontamination.

  Health risks from radioactive contamination are less immediate and there is therefore time to assess the level of contamination before decontamination and any further treatment.

  Corporate Manslaugher
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the regulatory impact assessment concerning the proposed new offence of corporate manslaughter has been completed; and if he will make a statement. [125049]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 11 July 2003]: The results of the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) are still being assessed but the preliminary vindications are that the costs of a change in the lawbwill not be large. As made clear in the RIA, no new burdens will be placed on companies in terms of the standards with which they will be legally required ton comply. That RIA results may need to be refined to reflect any changes to the original proposals.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which industries in the private sector were selected for the regulatory impact assessment for 594W
  the new offence of corporate manslaughter; on what basis such industries were selected; and if he will make a statement. [125050]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 11 July 2003]: The Regulatory Impact Assessment was based upon a survey (conducted in September 2002) of different sectors of private industry. These included the construction sector, the mining and quarrying sector, the transport sector, and others. We did not contact companies directly, but through their representative organisations.

  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is in relation to(a) Crown immunity and (b) who should conduct prosecution inquiries in relation to the proposed offence of corporate manslaughter; and if he will make a statement. [125051]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 11 July 2003]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on the 20 May that firm proposals for legislation on corporate killing will be published before the end of this year. The position of Crown bodies and the issue of who should investigate and prosecute, will be issues for consideration. No decisions have yet been made.

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial support is provided by Government to the Criminal Records Bureau; when the Bureau expects to become self-financing; and what impact he estimates self-financing may have on future fee levels for disclosure certificates. [122485]

  Paul Goggins
  In 2003–04 the Home Office, Department of Health and Department for Education and Skills are expected to contribute £18.8 million towards the £75 million cost of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB); the remainder will be met from fee income. Further funding by the three Departments will be provided in 2004–05. The CRB is expected to become self-funding from 2005–06. The fees for Disclosures are reviewed annually. Decisions on any fee increase for future years will be taken in the light of the then best estimates of the costs of the Disclosure service and the level of demand.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the timetable is for taking forward the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Criminal Records Bureau. [122486]

  Paul Goggins
  Work is progressing on implementing the Independent Review Team's 10 recommendations. As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary made clear in his written statement on 27 February 2003,Official Report, columns 32–36WS, a number of the recommendations are dependent on primary legislation while others are linked to the re-negotiation of the contract with Capita. Amendments to Part 5 of the Police Act 1997, under which the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) operates, have now been incorporated into the Criminal Justice Bill (recommendations 1,2,3,4 and 10). The contract renegotiations with Capita are ongoing and we expect to conclude them by late autumn (recommendations 1 and 7). The CRB is on course to pilot the electronic submission of applications by the

  595W
  end of the year (recommendation 3) and is currently piloting an electronic database to 'flag' the existence of local police intelligence (recommendation 5). We are considering the results of the consultation on the Review Team's proposal (recommendation 6) that applications for Basic Disclosures should be routed through a registered body. We expect to issue a consultation paper by the end of July on whether applicants for the most sensitive positions should be required to submit their fingerprints with their Disclosure application (recommendation 8). An announcement on establishing the CRB as a separate Agency will be made soon (recommendation 9).

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the revenue gained as a result of the proposed increase to disclosure fees for standard and enhanced disclosures by the Criminal Records Bureau. [122768]

  Paul Goggins
  The estimated revenue gained as a result of the increase in Criminal Records Bureau disclosure fees for the period 1 July 2003 to 31 March 2004 is £29.5 million. Total revenue from fees in 2003–04 is estimated to be £56.2 million, with the Home Office, Department of Health and Department for Education and Skills contributing the balance, of £18.8 million, towards the £75 million cost of the Bureau.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for redeployment of members of his Department out of London and the South East. [125390]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The scope for relocating Government activity is being considered by Sir Michael Lyons. His independent review was announced in the Chancellor's Budget statement on 9 April.

  Details of the review, including the consultation launched on 19 June, can be found on Her Majesty's Treasury website at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk. Sir Michael will report his findings on the scope for relocating Departments and other public sector bodies before the end of the year.

  DNA Database
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of those recorded on the national DNA database has a criminal conviction. [124972]

  Paul Goggins
  The proportion of individuals recorded on the National DNA database who have a criminal conviction is 95 per cent.

  Drugs
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many class A drug supply offenders there are for every 10,000 residents in(a) the UK, (b) the west midlands and (c) Coventry; [126048]

  (2) how many people were convicted of class A drug supply offences for every 10,000 residents in 2002 in (a) the UK, (b) the west midlands and (c) Coventry. [126049]
  596W
  Caroline Flint
  The number of Class A drug offenders is not known. We do have information on the number of offenders brought to justice in England and Wales, though not at constituency level. 630 offenders were brought to justice in the west midlands police force area for Class A drug supply offences in 2000, and 8,409 such offenders in England and Wales in the same period.

  Using current population estimates for 2000, 2.41 offenders per 10,000 residents in the west midlands police force area were brought to justice for Class A supply offences in that year. In England and Wales, 1.59 offenders per 10,000 residents were brought to justice.

  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of defendants sentenced to a drugs treatment and testing order re-offended during the currency of the order in each year since it was introduced. [122121]

  Paul Goggins
  It is too soon for validated information about re-offending since national roll-out of the order in October 2000. It is currently impossible to differentiate between offences committed prior to the commencement of the order and those committed after the order was made.

  A one-year reconviction study of offenders in the pilot areas will be published shortly and I will send the hon. Member a copy as soon as it is available.

  Mr. Best
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the number of offenders with drug problems who enter treatment. [125108]

  Caroline Flint
  The Government fully recognises the need to focus the Criminal Justice system towards drug misusing offenders and has set out measures to use the criminal justice system to engage drug-misusing offenders, driving them into treatment and out of crime.

  Those measures constitute the Criminal Justice Interventions Programme which aims to ensure that while individual Interventions such as Arrest Referral, Drug Testing, Drug Treatment and Testing Orders, are expanded, there is a step-change in interventions delivering an end-to-end system for drug misusing offenders. These measures will work in parallel with appropriate treatment interventions to establish an integrated care pathway.

  Government funding on treatment services for drug misusers will rise from £438 million to £503 million by 2003–04. The National Treatment Agency has several initiatives underway to increase the capacity of the treatment sector and reduce waiting times, and the updated Drug Strategy is currently on track to double capacity, by 2008, with 200,000 problem drug users to be treated each year.

  The Updated Drug Strategy, which provides for a wider programme of targeted interventions, includes making the Drug Treatment and Testing Order available to as many drug misusing offenders as possible within existing capacity levels and taking into account predicted growth within the treatment and Criminal Justice sectors.

  Holloway Prison
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many girls under 18 were held in custody in Holloway Prison in each of the last 12 months, broken down by age. [125662]

  Paul Goggins
  The number of girls aged under 18 who were held in custody in Holloway Prison in each of the last 12 months, broken down by age, is given in the table.

  16

  17

  June 2002

  3

  10

  July 2002

  2

  9

  August 2002

  1

  10

  September 2002

  0

  8

  October 2002

  0

  12

  November 2002

  0

  12

  December 2002

  1

  10

  January 2003

  2

  8

  February 2003

  0

  6

  March 2003

  0

  6

  April 2003

  0

  7

  May 2003

  0

  11

  IT Expenditure
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much he spent on IT(a) maintenance, (b) licences, (c) software and (d) hardware in the last financial year. [125716]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  The cost to the Home Department for the above in 2002–03 were:IT Hardware: £7,117,123.35
  IT Software: £1,617,224.63
  Maintenance: £120,179,217.54

  The figures include the Forensic Science Service (FSS) but do not include the Prison Service or Passport Agency who were unable to provide a breakdown of IT expenditure without disproportionate cost to the Department.

  The software figures include costs for software licences. The Maintenance figures cover a range of expenditure, namely:
  Bulk Printing; Business Projects; Data Entry Services; IT Other Running Costs; IT Services Sema; Siemens Costs; Sirius Costs; Small Business Projects; Standard Workstation Charges; VAT charges.

  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what major IT projects with a value in excess of £10,000 he authorised expenditure on in each of the last three financial years. [125725]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  Information for the Central Home Office projects in relation to IS/IT and Business Change can be found in the table which excludes the provision of desktop services. The table shows information on relevant IT projects for the Passport Agency.
  598W

  Project title

  Department

  Financial year

  Admin IT

  Passport Agency

  2002–03

  Passport Cards

  Passport Agency

  2020–03

  EPA-2

  Passport Agency

  2002–03

  Lost Stolen and Recovered

  Passport Agency

  2002–03

  FRS

  Passport Agency

  2002–03

  FCO Data Exchange Omni base

  Passport Agency

  2002–03

  Individual values have not been given to protect commercial confidentiality.

  Naturalisation Applications
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many naturalisation applications his Department is dealing with. [123972]

  Beverley Hughes
  As at 31 March 2003, 74,841 applications for all types of British nationality were under consideration by the Nationality Group in Liverpool.

  Operation Corolla
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what intelligence Operation Corolla of 13 November 2002 in Gwent, Dyfed-Powys and Gloucestershire was based. [125558]

  Caroline Flint
  The Welsh Police Forces have a good relationship with the public they serve and this operation came about as a result of community intelligence. Information was received from community members of increased drug activity by a group of criminals from outside of the Newport area—leading to this successful investigation. Early identification of organised crime groups, with the immediate response of disruption tactics, has proved successful and the Force will continue with this approach.

  Prisons
  Mir. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to build more prisons; what the cost of the construction programme is; and if he will make a statement. [124595]

  Paul Goggins
  Two prisons are being built at Ashford, Middlesex and Peterborough. The construction costs of the two prisons are £111.5 million but, as the prisons are being procured under the Private Finance Initiative, no costs will be incurred until the prisons open, scheduled for June 2004 and March 2005 respectively.

  Outline planning permission, subject to a legal agreement to give effect to certain planning conditions, has been obtained for two more prisons on land adjacent to Ashworth Special Hospital, Merseyside and adjacent to Her Majesty's Prison Belmarsh in southeast London.

  In addition, the Government have provided funds to increase capacity by 3,220 additional prison places at existing prisons, such as an extension to Birmingham prison. The total construction costs for these places will be £390 million.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the construction of new prisons at Ashford and Peterborough was ordered. [125216]
  599W
  Paul Goggins
  The contracts for new prisons at Ashford, Middlesex and at Peterborough were signed on 20 December 2002 and 14 February 2003 respectively. Contract signature authorised the contractor to commence construction which is now in progress at both sites.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost was in 2002–03 of imprisoning an offender for one year; and if he will make a statement. [124596]

  Paul Goggins
  The average cost per prisoner in 2002–03 was £36,268.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the provision of education courses in prisons; [124415]

  (2) what plans he has to contract out education courses in prisons. [124416]

  Paul Goggins
  Effective learning and skills programmes are key to the Government's rehabilitation agenda. It is important that provision available to prisoners reaches the same standards as we expect of providers in the community. Prisoners are working towards nationally recognised qualifications that are relevant to the needs of the labour market—from basic communication skills through to higher level vocational qualifications. We are looking to education and training provision in prisons to meet the national standards expected by Ofsted and the Adult Learning Inspectorate.

  The Prison Service is in the process of appointing new Heads of Learning and Skills across the prison estate who will help to develop and plan provision and drive up standards. The substantial rise in funding for education and training for prisoners over the next three years will enable us to increase the number and range of courses available. We have given early priority to expanding provision in establishments holding female prisoners and young offenders aged 18–21.

  Investment by the Youth Justice Board in learning and skills for the juvenile estate will provide high quality, individualised programmes for all learners together with support appropriate to young people with a diverse range of needs.

  Education courses in prisons are contracted out to a number of further education colleges and local authorities as well as one private provider. The Prison Service is working with the Offenders' Learning and Skills Unit, which has policy responsibility for prison education, to let new contracts for learning and skills services from September 2004.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the most overcrowded prison is; what the ratio of cells to prisoners is in that prison; and if he will make a statement. [124594]

  Paul Goggins
  The Prison Service defines overcrowding as when the number of prisoners held at the prison exceeds its un-crowded capacity, known as in use certified normal accommodation (CNA). Shrewsbury prison was the most overcrowded prison in England and Wales as at June 2003.
  600W
  At Shrewsbury prison, the in use CNA as at June 2003 was 183 but the number of prisoners held on 27 June 2003 was 344.

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the ratio of staff to prisoners was in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [124601]

  Paul Goggins
  The ratio of Prison Service staff to prisoners for each year since 1990 is shown in the following table:

  Ratio

  1990

  1:1.40

  1991

  1:1.41

  1992

  1:1.31

  1993

  1:1.17

  1994

  1:1.25

  1995

  1:1.26

  1996

  1:1.33

  1997

  1:1.45

  1998

  1:1.49

  1999

  1:1.40

  2000

  1:1.37

  2001

  1:1.36

  2002

  1:1.43

  2003

  1:1.44

  Prison Service recruitment has increased significantly in recent years, particularly among operational grades, in response to the rise in the prison population. In total, 6,217 new staff joined the Service during 2002–03 compared to 4,337 in the previous 12 months.

  During 2002–03, 2,096 new prison officers completed initial entry-level training compared to an average of 978 new officers in each of the previous four years. This is expected to increase to 2,200 new officers during the current financial year.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is taking to tackle the number of suicides in prisons. [124414]

  Paul Goggins
  All suicides are tragic events affecting families and staff deeply, and reducing prisoner self-inflicted deaths and managing self-harm remains a key priority for Ministers and the Prison Service. The general prison population contains a large number of prisoners with a combination of psychiatric disorders, alcohol and drug dependency, family background and relationship problems, histories of self-harm and previous abuse, all of which raise their risk of suicide. Good care and support from staff saves many lives but such instances go largely unreported. One hundred and forty-one prisoners were resuscitated following self-harm incidents in 2002 and 37 in the first five months of this year.

  The Prison Service is in the final year of a three-year strategy to develop policies and practices to reduce prisoner suicide and manage self-harm in prisons. Over the next few months the outcome of this will be reviewed taking into account pilot project evaluations and emerging research findings. The next steps will be agreed in consultation with partner agencies and organisations.
  601W
  As part of this close partnership with other agencies such as the Youth Justice Board and outside organisations such as Samaritans, there has been a particular focus on improvements at six pilot sites in areas such as improved reception, first night and induction areas and mental health in-reach support. The Prison Service is running a series of projects to develop improved suicide prevention and self-harm management policies, concentrating on pre-reception, reception and induction arrangements; inter-agency information exchange; prisoner care; detoxification; prisoner peer support, and learning from investigations into deaths in custody.

  Additionally, Samaritans are recruiting and training more prisoner peer supporters (known as Listeners) in high-risk establishments. One thousand one hundred and forty new Listeners were recruited between 1 October 2001 and 31 December 2002 with further recruitment and training continuing. Listeners are selected, trained and supported by Samaritans to offer confidential support to their fellow prisoners who may be at risk of suicide, otherwise in crisis, or simply in need of someone to talk to. The scheme's objectives are to assist in preventing suicide, reducing self-harm and to help alleviate the feelings of those in distress.

  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men over 65 and (b) women over 60 are held in prisons in England and Wales. [125501]

  Paul Goggins
  On 31 May 2003, there were 608 men over the age of 65 and 22 women over the age of 60 in prisons in England and Wales.

  Royal Security
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions on royal security at Buckingham Palace he has held with Palace authorities. [125987]

  Mr. Blunkett
  The protective security measures implemented at Royal sites are constantly under review and, as such, the Home Office is in regular contact with Palace authorities and the police over these measures. The hon. Member will also be aware of the review established following the incident at Windsor Castle last month. However, as the hon. Member will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment upon the details of these measures on the grounds of security.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many planning applications have been made to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department. [124812]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  No central records are kept on the number of planning applications to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department. However, since August 2001 when the current planning regulations on mobile telecommunications masts came into force there have been five applications to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Prison Service.

  Vignettes Programme
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reason was for the delay in the vignettes programme announcement; and if he will make a statement. [125528]

  Beverley Hughes
  Contract negotiations have proved to be more complex than originally foreseen. An announcement of the outcome will be made shortly.

  Work Permits
  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many out of country work permits have been granted in the first six months of 2003; and what(a) the primary occupations were for which such permits were issued and (b) the country of origin of recipients; [123779]

  (2) how many in-country work permits have been granted in the first six months of 2003; and what (a) the occupations were for which such permits were issued and (b) the country of origin of recipients. [123780]

  Beverley Hughes
  Figures for the second quarter will not be available until August 2003.

  Figures for the primary occupations for which most in-country and out-of-country work permit applications have been issued in the first three months of 2003, include the top five nationalities for each occupation.

  The total number of out-of-country work permits issued in the first three months of 2003 is 20,769.

  A copy of the tables will be placed in the Library.

  Young Offenders
  Chris Ruane
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young offenders were placed on Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programmes, broken down by region, 2002–03. [124556]

  Paul Goggins
  The number of young offenders placed on the scheme by region between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003 is set out in the table.

  Regions

  Number of young offenders placed on ISSP1 between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003

  East Midlands

  180

  East of England

  127

  London

  533

  North East

  369

  North West

  724

  South East

  192

  South West

  58

  West Midlands

  411

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  452

  Wales

  265

  1 Intensive Supervision and Surveillance.

SCOTLAND

  Civil Servants
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new entrants to the Civil Service
  603W
  were employed in his Department in each of the last five years; and how many in each year were aged 50 or over. [119819]

  Mrs. McGuire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 24 June 2003,Official Report, column 658W.

  Dover House
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the future of Dover House. [120174]

  Mrs. McGuire
  [holding answer 19 June 2003]: Dover House is the headquarters of the Scotland Office and the Office of the Advocate-General, which are now part of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what revised guidelines have been issued in respect of Scottish Executive use of Dover House. [121151]

  Mrs. McGuire
  None. The Scottish Executive continues to occupy accommodation in Dover House on the basis of an agreement with the Scotland Office.

  Energy Efficiency
  Mr. Roger Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what targets his Department has for improving energy efficiency; and how he intends to achieve these targets. [116647]

  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what targets he has for improving departmental energy efficiency; and how he intends to achieve these targets. [119643]

  Mrs. McGuire
  I refer the hon. Members to the answer given by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Defra, on 9 June 2003,Official Report, column 581W.

  European Constitution
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office about the legislative competencies covered by the draft European constitution. [124856]

  Mrs. McGuire
  As part of the normal Whitehall process, officials and I have had regular correspondence with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss all aspects of the Convention, including legislative competences. In line with Exemptions 1 and 2 of the "Code of Practice on Access to Government Information", it is not the normal practice of Governments to disclose details about internal discussions, or information whose disclosure would harm the conduct of international relations or affairs.

  Proceeds of Crime
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the total value of assets and illegal gains confiscated from criminals is in Scotland since the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 came into effect. [126509]
  604W
  Mrs. McGuire
  The criminal confiscation provisions in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 came into effect on 24 March 2003. Following from transitional arrangements, cases already being processed have been dealt with under the Proceeds of Crime (Scotland) Act 1995.

  In the period from 24 March to 30 June 2003, confiscation orders totalling £435,864 were imposed by the courts in Scotland under the 1995 Act. In respect of cases under investigation using the new powers, £793,000 is now under restraint, in anticipation of confiscation orders being made following conviction in a criminal court.

  Scotland Office
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Ministers there were in the Scottish Office and Scotland Office in each year since 1996. [120986]

  Mrs. McGuire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on 24 June 2003,Official Report, column 661W.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether ths Scotland Office is a Department of State. [121153]

  Mrs. McGuire
  No. The Scotland Office is a distinct entity within the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the salary bill was for special advisers in her Department in 2002–03; and what it is expected to be in 2003–04. [108506]

  Mrs. McGuire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on 28 April 2003,Official Report, column 45W.

  Staff Numbers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff are employed by his Department. [106288]

  Mrs. McGuire
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 3 April 2003,Official Report, column 780W.

  Sustainable Development
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when his departmental strategy for sustainable development will be published; and what steps are being taken to take forward the actions outlined. [119644]

  Mrs. McGuire
  The Scotland Office does not intend to publish a strategy for sustainable development.

  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what remit relating to sustainable development is(a) required and (b) undertaken by his Department's (i) executive agencies, (ii) advisory non-departmental bodies, (iii) executive non-departmental bodies, (iv) tribunals, (v) public corporations and (vi) other bodies. [119645]
  605W
  Mrs. McGuire
  The Scotland Office sponsors only one body, the Boundary Commission for Scotland, which has no remit relating to sustainable development.

  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment is made(a) of the environmental impact and (b) against sustainable development criteria of the (i) bids made for the different grants awarded by her Department and (ii) bids made for any contracts awarded by his Department; who makes such an assessment; and whether these assessments are published. [119646]

  Mrs. McGuire
  The Scotland Office has no provision for awarding grants. Contracts awarded by the Scotland Office are devised in accordance with Government guidelines.

  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which United Kingdom commitments arising from the World Summit on Sustainable Development(a) have been incorporated into the Department's existing delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements and (b) will be incorporated in its delivery plan for Service Delivery Agreements in advance of the 2004 Spending Review. [113882]

  Mrs. McGuire
  As stated in the Scotland Office Departmental Report 2003 (Cm 5927), it was decided in the 2002 Spending Review that the Scotland Office would no longer require a formal Service Delivery Agreement. The Scotland Office takes account of the United Kingdom's commitments arising from the World Summit on sustainable development.

  Timber
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his Department's procurement policy covers timber used on and in the construction of departmental building projects; and if he will make a statement. [119647]

  Mrs. McGuire
  The Scotland Office has not recently commissioned any major building project involving the use of timber. Its purchasing policy Collows Government guidelines and takes full account of environmental considerations.

TRANSPORT

  Bio fuels
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2003,Official Report, column 928W, on bio-fuels, when he will be consulting stakeholders on (a) indicative targets for the use of bio-fuels and (b) the most appropriate ways of meeting them. [126864]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government intend to consult on the level of indicative targets for both 2005 and 2010 and on the most appropriate ways of meeting them during the first half of next year.

  Buses
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the local institutions which 606W
  have (a) made bids, (b) received funding and (c) have bids under consideration under the Urban Bus Challenge. [126333]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Rural and Urban Bus Challenge schemes are annual competitions which have been held since 1998 and 2001 respectively. Local transport authorities are those bodies eligible to make bids. Typically around 50 authorities submit bids to each competition.

  In total over 300 awards have been made under the schemes. Lists of the authorities and projects that have been awarded funding are available in the Libraries of the House.

  No bids are currently under consideration. The closing dates for receipt of bids to this year's competitions are 26 September (Urban Bus Challenge) and 31 October (Rural Bus Challenge).

  Cycling
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with London borough authorities to encourage the creation of cycle lanes within their boroughs; and if he will make a statement. [125503]

  Mr. McNulty
  None. The promotion of cycling in London is a matter for the Mayor of London and Transport for London.

  Departmental Costs
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost was to his Department for(a) ministerial cars and drivers, (b) taxis, (c) train travel, (d) the use of helicopters, (e) airline tickets and (f) chartered aero planes in each year since 1997. [123084]

  Mr. McNulty
  The cost of ministerial cars and drivers for the Department will be addressed in a letter from Mr. Nick Matheson, the Chief Executive of the Government Car and Despatch Agency to the hon. Member.

  The Department for Transport came into existence on 29 May 2002 following machinery of Government changes. All travel by officials in the Department for Transport is undertaken in accordance with the rules contained in the departmental staff handbook. Ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Full detailed information for parts (b), (c), (d) and (e) could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for redeployment of members of his Department out of London and the south-east. [125389]

  Mr. McNulty
  The scope for relocating Government activity is being considered by Sir Michael Lyons. His independent review was announced in the Chancellor's Budget Statement on the 9 April.
  607W
  Details of the review, including the consultation launched on 19 June, can be found on the HM Treasury website at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk. Sir Michael will report his findings on the scope for relocating Departments and other public sector bodies before the end of the year.

  The Department was formed in May 2002. Some 75 per cent. of staff from the central Department and executive agencies are located away from London and the south-east. The most recent relocation activity has involved the Highways Agency that is in the process of relocating some 300 posts away from London to their regional office network by October 2003.

  East London Line
  Martin Linton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress on the East London Line Extensions. [126437]

  Dr. Howells
  We have told the SRA that we agree that they should take the East London Line Extensions project forward, on the basis that their business case confirms that the project offers value for money and that they have the resources to do so. The SRA are developing proposals for the project to be implemented by way of a privately financed special purpose vehicle. Following the conclusion of legal proceedings concerning the Bishops gate Goods yard, preparatory site clearance and demolition work is now under way.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the Departments' policies have been screened for their environmental impact since June 2001; how many environmental appraisals have been conducted, and on what policy issues; and what information has been published about these screenings and appraisals. [124713]

  Mr. McNulty
  All of the policies identified in the Department's 10-Year Plan for Transport, published in 2000, have been appraised using an approach that takes account of sustainable development objectives, and builds on our new approach to appraisal which takes full account of environmental impacts. An appraisal summary table is included in the background analysis to the plan. A similar approach will be adopted for the review of the 10-year plan.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the EU directives implemented by the Department since 8 June 2001. [126597]
  608W
  Mr. Jamieson
  Since 8 June 2001, the Department has implemented 29 Directives. These are listed as follows:2002/7—Amending 96/53/EC and laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic
  2001/85—Relating to special provisions for vehicles used for the carriage of passengers comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, and amending Directives 70/156/ EEC and 97/27/EC.
  2001/105—Amending Directive 94/57/EC on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations and for the relevant activities of maritime administrations.
  2002/41—Commission Directive adapting to technical progress 95/1/EC on the maximum design speed, maximum torque and maximum net engine power of two or three wheel motor vehicles.
  2002/80—Adapting to technical progress Council Directive 70/220/EEC relating to measures to be taken against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles.
  2002/24—Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the type approval of two or three wheeled motor vehicles and their trailers, amending Directive 70/156/ EEC and repealing Directive 78/548/EEC.
  2002/51—Reduction of the level of pollutant emissions from two and three wheeled motor vehicles and amending Directive 97/54/EC.
  2002/75—Amending Directive 96/98/EC on marine equipment.
  2001/11—Relating to roadworthiness tests for vehicles and their trailers.
  2002/35—Setting up a harmonised safety regime for fishing vessels of 24 meters in length or over.
  2002/78—Adapting to technical progress Directive 71/320/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to the braking devices of certain categories of motor vehicles and their trailers.
  2000/59—Port reception facilities for ship generated waste and cargo residues.
  2001/10—Approximation of the laws of the member states on measures to be taken against air pollution by emissions from motor vehicles.
  2002/25—Amending 98/18/EC on safety rules and standards for passenger ships.
  2001/43—Amending 92/23/EEC relating to tyres for motor vehicles and their trailers and their fitting.
  2001/116—Adapting to technical progress 70/156/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers.
  2001/92—Adapting to technical progress 92/22/EEC on safety glazing and glazing materials on motor vehicles and their trailers and 70/156/EC relating to the type approval of motor vehicles and their trailers.
  2001/63—Adapting to technical progress 97/68/EC on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to measures against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from internal combustion engines to be installed in non-road mobile machinery.
  1999/95—Concerning the enforcement of provisions in respect of seafarers hours of work on board ships calling at Community ports.
  2000/30—Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on technical roadside inspection of the roadworthiness of commercial vehicles circulating in the Community.
  2001/09—Adapting to technical progress 96/96/EC on the approximation of the laws of member states relating to roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles and their trailers.
  2001/01—Amending Directive 70/220/EEC concerning measures to be taken against air pollution by emissions from vehicles.

  609W
  2000/73—Adapting to technical progress Directive 93/92/EEC on the installation of lighting and light signalling devices on two and three wheeled motor vehicles.
  2000/74—Adapting to technical progress Directive 93/29/EEC concerning the identification of controls, tell-tales and indicators on two and three wheeled motor vehicles.
  2001/26—Amending Directive 95/50/EC on uniform procedures for checks on the transport of dangerous goods by road.
  2001/27—Relating to measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from compression-ignition engines for use in vehicles, and the emission of gaseous pollutants from positive-ignition engines fuelled with natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas for use in vehicles.
  2001/31—Adapting to technical progress Directive 70/387/EEC relating to the doors of motor vehicles and their trailers.
  1999/94—Relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and CO2 emissions in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars.
  1999/97—Amending 95/21/EC concerning the enforcement, in respect of shipping using community ports and sailing in the waters under the jurisdiction of the member states, of international standards for ship safety, pollution prevention and shipboard living and working conditions.

  European Constitution
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with(a) colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (b) counterparts in the European Union about the legislative competencies covered by the draft European constitution. [124778]

  Mr. Jamieson
  As part of the normal Whitehall process, my Department has had regular correspondence with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss all aspects of the Convention, including legislative competences. We have also had regular contact with member and accession states to discuss issues arising in the Convention. In line with exemptions 1 and 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it is not the normal practice of Governments to disclose details about internal discussions, or information whose disclosure would harm the conduct of international relations or affairs.

  Helicopter Safety
  Mr. Doran
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the manufacturers provided a report on the on-deck pitch/heave and roll certification of a Super Puma helicopter which rolled over on the West Navion on 10 November 2001; what plans he has to publish the report; and what proposals he has to amend helideck movement criteria. [126524]

  Mr. McNulty
  The manufacturers of the Super Puma have not yet provided the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) with any report on the on-deck pitch/heave and roll limits for the super puma helicopter. I am also still awaiting publication of the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) report into the West Navion Super Puma accident which occurred on 10 November 2001. We are however aware that this specific accident resulted from a ship control malfunction that caused a rapid and unanticipated change to the ship's position and heading.
  610W
  Extensive research by the CAA into operations to moving decks has been undertaken and remains on-going. It is expected that this research will provide the basis for any proposal for changes to helideck movement criteria. There are no plans to require amendment to the current criteria until the research is completed.

  Hybrid Vehicles
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to expand the scheme of assistance to purchasers of electric-petrol hybrid vehicles to include those private and business motorists leasing vehicles through direct arrangements with the manufacturers. [126919]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Government recognise that hybrid vehicles can provide useful environmental benefits over conventionally powered vehicles and that hybrid technology may provide a bridge between internal combustion engines and fuel cells.

  The Government support the take-up of hybrid vehicles with Power Shift purchase grants of £1,000. All leasing companies, including leasing companies associated with manufacturers, are eligible for Power Shift grants, which reduce the cost of the vehicle owned by the leasing company and put the leasing company in a position to provide lower priced vehicle leasing to motorists.

  Information Technology
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what major IT projects with a value in excess of £10,000 he authorised expenditure on in each of the last three financial years. [125721]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Department was formed on 29 May 2002. The information is as follows:

  Central Department (DfT)

  Electronic Service Delivery of Abnormal Loads

  DfT Electronic Systems for Highways

  Next Generation Website

  Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee

  E-Community

  Vax Migration Project Phases 2a-2b

  DfT/ODPM Intranet Strategic IT Enhancement

  Windows XP Migration

  Personnel Improving Services and Modernisation

  BS7799

  Data Communications Service

  ETHOS End-to-End Performance Monitoring

  GSI Upgrade

  PC Replacement

  Remote Access Upgrade

  Single Sign On Implementation

  DSA

  DSA Intranet

  DVLA

  Electronic Vehicle Re-Licensing

  Electronic Point of Sale Replacement

  Abandoned Vehicles—Links to Local Authorities

  e-Procurement

  611W

  Highways Agency

  Human Resources Management Information System

  EDRM

  Marine and Coastguard Agency

  EDRM

  Equipment Refresh

  Forms

  Web Enhancement

  The word "authorised" has been interpreted to mean projects with an approved business case.

  Note:

  In some areas of the Department the thresholds for major IT projects are significantly higher than £10,000. Projects below this threshold will have been locally funded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many outsourced IT contracts have been signed by his Department in each year since 1997; how much each of these contracts is worth; with whom they are signed; how many have been renegotiated; how many are still in place; and if he will make a statement. [126195]

  Mr. McNulty
  Since 1997, the Department for Transport has signed nine outsourced IT contracts, with a total value of £637 million. These contracts were let with:

  Amey IT Services

  Capita Business Services Ltd.

  Compaq (2)

  EDS Ltd.

  IBM/Fujitsu

  LogicaCMG

  SchlumbergerSema

  Siemens Business Services

  Two of these contracts have been renegotiated; seven are still in place.

  London Underground
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 2 July 2003,Official Report, column 270W, on underground (masks), how many drivers on the London Underground have asthma; what research has been undertaken on the effect of tunnel dust on those drivers who suffer from asthma; and if he will make a statement. [125376]

  Mr. McNulty
  This is an operational matter for London Underground.

  Marine Environment
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what environmental safeguards have been put in place to protect the marine environment from damage due to incidents involving un-crewed ships being transported from the United States to the UK to be broken up; what notification he has received of proposals to bring ships to the UK for this purpose; and what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on this issue. [125803]
  612W
  Mr. Jamieson
  The UK has had no notification of this proposal but is aware of articles in the press. Officials in the Department for Transport and the Scottish Executive have considered the implications but understand, however, that commercial arrangements for this towage have yet to be confirmed.

  If such proposals mature there are conditions that the UK will insist upon to mitigate risks of operations. The passage of such ships under tow would be the object of a risk assessment, with particular regard to the towing vessel suitability and capacity, the type of towage gear and the dimensions and nature of the object to be towed.

  In that event the MCA would insist that international requirements were adhered to. They would include interim conditional load line certification and towage certification, linked to classification society and insurance requirements. All would be a clear requirement on the operator before the tow was allowed into the UK Pollution Control Zone (UKPCZ).

  Such an assessment would include likely risk of significant pollution. Ships or tows with significant risk would not be allowed in a UKPCZ and the UK has powers to restrict or ban such movements, through intervention.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the devolved administrations about concessionary travel schemes; [126517]

  (2) how often he met his counterparts in the devolved administrations in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [126519]

  Mr. McNulty
  Ministers meet their counterparts from time to time to discuss a range of issues.

  Ministerial Travel
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions(a) he and (b) each of his ministerial colleagues has used (i) the railways and (ii) a ministerial car in association with official ministerial duties since their appointment. [126819]

  Mr. McNulty
  Arrangements for official travel are made in line with guidance set out in Chapter 7 of the Ministerial Code and the accompanying guidance document travel by Ministers, using the most efficient and cost-effective mode of transport, and bearing in mind security considerations.

  An initial check of the diaries show that Ministers have used (i) the railways 34 times and (ii) ministerial cars 13 times in association with ministerial duties outside London in the period since being appointed.

  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when(a) he and (b) each of his ministerial colleagues next plan to use the railways in association with official ministerial duties. [126820]

  Mr. McNulty
  Ministers travel by rail on a regular basis in the course of their official duties and will continue to do so.

  Mobile Phone Masts
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many planning applications have been made to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department. [124807]

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

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost was to his Department of mobile phones supplied to Ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [123143]

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

  Motorway Accidents
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 9 July 2003,Official Report, column 805W, on motorway accidents, how many of these accidents resulted in the death of a driver or passenger. [126931]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The numbers of accidents on UK motorways during the hours of darkness which resulted in the death of a driver or passenger in each year since 1997 are shown as follows:

  Number

  1997

  69

  1998

  69

  1999

  76

  2000

  64

  2001

  71

  2002

  72

  Network Rail
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of(a) the revenues and (b) the losses of Network Rail stem from the least used 10 per cent. of the railway network. [125763]

  Dr. Howells
  The revenues and costs of Network Rail are computed on a network-wide basis under a "single till" mechanism. However, as required by the rail regulator, Network Rail's business plan sets out elements of projected expenditure by route. Furthermore, as part of his current interim review of access charges the regulator has requested from Network Rail certain information on a disaggregated basis, with a view to developing greater local accountability and efficient allocation of resources.

  Night Flights
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment hay been made by the Department of the economic cost of removing the ban on night flights at Heathrow airport, in terms of the 614W
  effect on property values on the flight path; what conclusions have been drawn; and if he will make a statement; [125820]

  (2) what estimate the Department has made of the economic cost each year of continuing the ban on night flights at Heathrow imposed in 2001 in terms of its impact on the airline industry. [125821]

  Mr. McNulty
  There is no ban on night flights at Heathrow but, since 1962, various restrictions have been imposed on night flying, in recognition of the disturbance to some people from aircraft noise at night. The restrictions are reviewed from time to time. Details of the present restrictions are given in the consultation paper "Night Flying Restrictions at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted" which sets out our proposal to extend those restrictions until October 2005. The consultation closed on 11 July.

  Overseas Trips
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what overseas trips were made by(a) himself, (b) his ministerial team and (c) departmental staff in each month since 1 October 2002, specifying in each case (i) the participating Ministers, (ii) the destination of the trip, (iii) the purpose of the trip and (iv) the cost of the trip. [117529]

  Mr. McNulty
  The detailed information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  All travel booked by civil servants is in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code.

  The Government publishes an annual report of ministerial travel overseas. All travel is conducted in line with the requirements of the ministerial code.

  US Warships (Disposal)
  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of towing former US naval ships through the Pentland Firth. [125688]

  Mr. Jamieson
  No application has been received to enter the UK Pollution Control Zone which includes the Pentland Firth. UK agreement to a "passage plan" for the proposed tow is required in advance, and such agreement would depend on satisfactory conclusions following a risk assessment, including that of impact on the local environment.

  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on proposals to tow former US naval ships through the Pentland Firth en route to Teesside. [125689]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Proposals for such towage require prior UK agreement to enter the UK Pollution Control Zone.

  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the UK Administration will exercise its power to prevent the towing of former US naval ships thought to contain toxic chemicals through the Pentland Firth under article 19(2)(h) of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. [125690]
  615W
  Mr. Jamieson
  Article 19(2)(h) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), refers to acts of "willful and serious pollution" contrary to UNCLOS. It does not limit proposals for commercial towage, for which separate prior UK agreement is required to enter the UK Pollution Control Zone.

  Property Prices (Heathrow Flight Path)
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will conduct a review into the economic impact of Heathrow Airport on property prices for residential houses on the flight path; and if he will make a statement. [125824]

  Mr. McNulty
  House prices around Heathrow vary and are affected by many factors, as elsewhere. Both the economic benefits of the airport and the environmental disbenefits will affect property prices in a wider area than under the flight paths. There is already extensive worldwide literature on the effect of aircraft noise on house prices although the literature largely concerns day time noise and it is difficult to isolate aircraft noise (or any other single factor) as a discrete influence on house prices.

  Ragwort
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what contractual arrangements there are for the clearing of ragwort from highway land along(a) the A21, (b) the A259 and (c) other trunk roads in the Bexhill and Battle constituency; and what the cost has been in (i) the last financial year and (ii) this financial year to date. [126957]

  Mr. Jamieson
  I have asked the Highways Agency to write to the hon. Member

  Letter from Richard Bennett to Mr. Gregory Barker, dated 17 July 2003:
  I have been asked by David Jamieson to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the clearance of ragwort along the A21, the A259 and other trunk roads in your constituency.
  The clearance of ragwort on the trunk road network is carried out by the Highways Agency's Managing Agent Contractor as pan of their routine maintenance responsibilities. They carry out daily routine inspections of the network 10 identify general defects on the network including the presence of ragwort. Areas affected by ragwort are sprayed using herbicide during the main growing season and where appropriate cutting or weeding by hand of affected areas is also carried out, usually three times a year. Priority is given to the control of ragwort on highway land which is adjacent to or near agricultural or grazing land.
  The only trunk roads in the Bexhill and Battle areas are the A21 and A259. All other roads in the area are local roads for which East Sussex County Council is responsible as the local highway authority. The removal of ragwort alongside these roads is a matter for the local highway authority to consider
  Ragwort is a growing problem on the truck road network and we have recently issued a press release which sets out how we intend to combat the problem. I enclose a copy of the press release for your information. You will see from the press release we spend in the region of one million annually to control ragwort
  The managing agent for this area changed on 1st June and we have not been able to identify the cost of clearing ragwort on the specific routes you identify. However, expenditure so far this year for the area covered by the contractor (Kent, Surrey, West and East Sussex) is estimated at around £30,000
  I hope this is helpful
  616W
  News release

  Pretty But Poisonous: Highways Agency Tackles Ragwort

  Ragwort's bright yellow flowers are a colourful sight on roadside verges, but the plant has a more sinister side.
  Livestock in Britain are at risk of poisoning from common ragwort, so the Highways Agency is working to reduce ragwort growth on the verges of England's motorways and major trunk roads and to prevent the plant from spreading its seed.
  Ragwort grows through two distinct stages—the rosette stage from germination to the end of May and the stem-flower stage from June onwards. The rosette stage is the early stage of growth where the ragwort is less noticeable but still poisonous with a dense rosette of leaves close to the ground.
  The Highways Agency is using a two-step attack to deal with both stages of growth. The rosettes are being sprayed with an herbicide during May and June, and later, contractors will return to hand pull the older, more mature plants to prevent their seeds being dispersed.
  The Highways Agency's environmental policy advisor Tony Sangwine said:
  "Ragwort is a difficult plant to combat as it is almost impossible to eradicate, at best it can be controlled. The seeds are very robust and can lie dormant in the soil for up to 20 years and so Ragwort grows unexpectedly in many different places. They can be carried for miles in the wind, and so as part of our work to control the problem, we encourage landowners to remove Ragwort from their land to try and prevent reinvasion.
  The Highways Agency takes this perennial problem very seriously as Common Ragwort can pose a serious threat to equines and livestock, and there is no specific treatment once an animal shows symptoms of poisoning."
  The Highways Agency spends in the region of £1 million each year to help control the spread of Ragwort along the 5,841 miles of trunk roads and motorways it operates in England, and supports the British Horse Society's (BHS) annual 'Ragwort Action Week' campaign.

  Notes to Editors

  1. The Highways Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport, which manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State. It works closely with other transport operators and with local authorities to integrate the trunk road network with the rest of England's roads and other forms of transport. More information is available at www.highways.gov.uk
  2. Sections of the following route verges will be timetabled for treatment: A27, A249, M20, M23
  3. Common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea L.) is one of the five injurious weeds specified in the Weeds Act 1959. Landowners have a duty of care to prevent it spreading.
  4. Ragwort is normally a biennial (rosette—spring 1st year; flowering—July/August 2nd year). The rosette stage is the early stage of growth where the ragwort is at its most poisonous and has a dense rosette of leaves close to the ground. In the stem-flower stage, the plant grows between 30cm and 100cm high with clustered bright yellow flowers.
  5. Each plant can produce up to 150,000 seeds with a 70% germination rate. Ragworts seeds can be domant in the soil for up to 20 years.
  6. Equines and bovines are more susceptible to ragwort poisoning than other livestock. Little can be done for the animal once the symptoms appear. Young animals are more susceptible than mature animals.
  7. Ragwort acts as a cumulative poison, eventually destroying the liver. A small intake of ragwort over a long period can be just as damaging as a large intake on a single occasion.
  Issued by Highways Agency's South East Press and PR Office.

  617W
  Media enquiries to:
  Melese Glazer on 01306 878 110 melese.glazer@highways.gsi.gov.uk
  or
  Cosima Duggal on 01306 878 42442 cosima.duggal@highways.gsi.gov.uk

  Rail Freight
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 1 July 2003,Official Report, column 190W, on freight grants, how much the Track Access Grants with a Scottish element awarded by (a) his Department and (b) the Strategic Rail Authority were at (i) current prices and (ii) outturn prices for each year since 1996. [125660]

  Mr. McNulty
  The value of Track Access Grants (TAGs) with a Scottish element awarded by either the Department or the Strategic Rail Authority and their value at 2002–03 prices is listed in the table.

  £

  Value of

  TAGs

  TAGs at 2002–03

  1996–97

  355,000

  415,730

  1997–98

  386,954

  440,760

  1998–99

  1,177,560

  1,302,639

  1999–2000

  579,708

  626,496

  2000–01

  —

  —

  2001–02

  1,722,240

  1,775,798

  2002–03

  2,466,176

  2,466,176

  Rail Services
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role signallers play in minimising delays to fast long distance trains. [126832]

  Dr. Howells
  Network Rail advises that its signallers are responsible for regulating all trains regardless of type, speed or destination to minimise delays where possible.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures will be put in place to prevent train operating companies adopting train crew relief strategies which will stand trains at strategic points along the railway. [126833]

  Dr. Howells
  This is an operational matter for the train operating companies, having regard to their contractual commitments such as the maximum journey time for services specified in their passenger service requirement, the "rules of the plan" which are agreed with Network Rail and which specify station dwell times, and safety rules.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the European rail traffic management system level 2 will be installed on the UK high speed lines; and for what reasons ERTMS level 1 could not be installed on UK high speed lines with a view to future migration to level 2. [126834]

  Dr. Howells
  The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has identified the Cambrian coast as an ERTMS Level 2 test site. Further work is required before a robust timetable for fitting to high- speed lines can be developed.
  618W
  The SRA advises that implementation of ERTMS Level 1, followed by subsequent migration to Level 2, would reduce network capacity and track worker safety as a result of increased trackside infrastructure and the costs would far outweigh the benefits. The industry recommendation therefore was to focus development and implementation on ERTMS Level 2. This was supported by the work of the Health and Safety Executive that led to the Health and Safety Commission's recommendation which the Secretary of State accepted in February 2003.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the introduction of the train protection and warning system has affected line capacity in congested areas of the network. [126835]

  Dr. Howells
  Network Rail advises that the train protection and warning system (TPWS) has no effect on line capacity.

  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to improve the reliability of the train protection and warning system, with reference to(a) delays to trains running into terminal stations and (b) drivers needing to apply power between the TPWS and the buffer stops. [126836]

  Dr. Howells
  Network Rail advises that the train protection and warning system (TPWS) has a good record of reliability. TPWS at buffer stops is set to intervene only if trains exceed l0mph. Network Rail is working with the train operators and their drivers to ensure that all trains are controlled to below this trigger point and to enter terminal stations at this low speed. Network Rail works with the train operators to assist drivers in controlling their train speeds into termini.

  Rail Travel
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the average length of(a) journey and (b) time taken for train passengers to travel to and from the rail station. [125749]

  Dr. Howells
  The information requested is not available.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many passengers on average travelled on each diesel multiple unit train journey in the last year for which figures are available. [125750]

  Dr. Howells
  This information is not held centrally.

  Railway Stations
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what station improvements are planned which are funded under(a) the Rail Passenger Partnership, (b) the Incremental Output Statements and (c) the Modern Facilities at Stations Scheme. [125687]

  Mr. McNulty
  Under the Strategic Rail Authority's Rail Passenger Partnership Scheme, there are a total of 30 schemes that have been approved for RPP funding, that include station improvements. Under the Strategic Rail Authority's Incremental Output Statement (IOS), Modern Facilities at Stations Scheme (MFAS), there are a further 68 stations that are under consideration by the authority.

  Road Repairs (Deaths and Injuries)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people working on road repairs and improvements over each of the last three years have been(a) injured and (b) killed working on (i) motorways, (ii) other trunk roads and (iii) all other roads. [120672]

  Mr. Jamieson
  [pursuant to the answer of 4 July 2003,Official Report, c. 502 W]: The available information on numbers of people injured and killed while working on road repairs and improvements on motorways and other trunk roads in England over the last three years, as reported to the Highways Agency by its contractors, is shown in the table. Information for other roads is not available.

  Reported casualities on motorways and other trunk roads in England: 2002–02

  Year/severity

  Motorway and trunk roads

  Motorway

  Trunk

  2000

  Fatal

  4

  1

  3

  Injured

  55

  n/a

  n/a

  All

  59

  —

  —

  2001

  Fatal

  3

  2

  1

  Injured

  73

  n/a

  n/a

  All

  76

  —

  —

  2002

  Fatal

  5

  1

  4

  Injured

  105

  n/a

  n/a

  All

  110

  —

  —

  Note:

  n/a = not available

  Source:

  Highways Agent

  Road Schemes
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which statutory bodies will be involved in evaluating the potential environmental impacts of(a) route improvements to the A21 between Kippings Cross and Robertsbridge and (b) the building of the A259 Bexhill-Hastings link road. [126426]

  Mr. Jamieson
  In designing and evaluating potential road schemes, the Highways Agency works closely with the four statutory environmental bodies: the Environment Agency, English Nature, English Heritage and the Countryside Agency. The Local Transport Plan guidance places a similar requirement on local authorities bringing forward bids for major road and public transport schemes.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations he has received concerning the(a) projected cost and (b) timeframe of building an A259 Bexhill-Hastings link road; [126428]

  (2) what representations he has received (a) in favour and (b) against the building of the A259 Bexhill-Hastings link road. [126427]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Secretary of State has received a number of representations from individuals and bodies about this scheme. Among those in favour are the South East of England Regional Assembly, the South East of
  620W
  England Development Agency, East Sussex county council and some business organisations in the area. The four statutory environmental bodies are among those that have expressed concern over the proposal. The representation from the regional assembly asked that all study recommendations should be progressed quickly. The Secretary of State has asked East Sussex county council to progress the scheme in close liaison with the statutory environmental bodies.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received concerning the A21 from(a) Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst and (b) Flimwell to Robertsbridge. [126429]

  Mr. Jamieson
  By the closing date (24 March 2003) of the public consultation on these two improvements a total of 905 completed questionnaires and 341 letters had been received. As the questionnaire related to both schemes it is not possible to give figures for the split between the two schemes, however, 327 of the letters related to the Flimwell to Robertsbridge section with 14 related to the Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst section. After the closing date a further 31 letters were received, 24 related to Flimwell to Robertsbridge and seven to the Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst. In addition, a 1,540 signature petition and 159 responses from a questionnaire organised by Hurst Green parish council were also received. Responses were also received from all the local authorities along the route and from statutory and non-statutory environmental bodies.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the expected start date is for road improvements on the A21 from(a) Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst and (b) Flimwell to Robertsbridge. [126432]

  Mr. Jamieson
  These schemes are not yet in the Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI). A public consultation exercise was held recently and a report is expected from the Highways Agency in the autumn. We will make an announcement on these improvements following consideration of the report. If it is decided that either of these schemes should enter the TPI the announcement will include likely start dates.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on progress made by(a) East Sussex county council and (b) statutory environmental bodies in developing the A259 Bexhill-Hastings link road scheme, with particular reference to environmental considerations; [126433]

  (2) what discussions the Department has held with (a) East Sussex county council and (b) statutory environmental bodies on environmental considerations in developing the A259 Bexhill-Hastings link road scheme. [126434]

  Mr. Jamieson
  On the 9 July 2003, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport invited East Sussex county council to develop proposals for Bexhill to Hastings Link Road, working closely with the statutory environmental bodies during the process.

  My officials will be discussing details with East Sussex county council in the near future on how to take this work forward.
  621W
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list new road construction schemes in East Sussex which have been allocated for design, build, finance and operate funding; and what the estimated cost of construction is at current prices. [126444]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There are currently no new road construction schemes in East Sussex which have been allocated for design build finance and operate funding.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the annual expenditure of his Department on public local inquiries in East Sussex was in each of the last 10 years; on what dates each inquiry was held; and what the cost was in each year. [126445]

  Mr. Jamieson
  One public local inquiry into road schemes has been held in East Sussex in the last 10 years. This inquiry was into three separate draft proposals on the A259 between Pevensey and Guestling Thorn including bypasses of Bexhill and Hastings and was held between October 1995 and July 1996. The estimated cost was in the region of £1 million.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what improvements are planned for the A259 over the next three years. [126446]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The section of the A259 between Brenzett and Folkestone will be detrunked in September this year, with responsibility for the identification and implementation of any future improvements being transferred to Kent county council. The remaining sections of the A259 trunk road, east of Hastings to Brenzett and west of Hastings to Pevensey, will remain the responsibility of the Highways Agency. A route management strategy is being prepared for these sections of the route, which will identify future local improvements. Improvements in future years will be dependent on the availability of funding.

  There are seven improvement schemes programmed for the current financial year. These are:

  Safety Schemes
  Barnhorn Gateway, Bexhill—Provision of right turn facility, cycleways and gateway signing
  Winchelsea Signs Review

  Accessibility Schemes
  Bexhill—Provision of controlled crossing as part of Safer Routes to School initiative
  Bexhill Bus Stops—Increase in kerb heights to facilitate disabled access
  De la Warr Road/King Offa Way Junction, Bexhill— Improvements to signals to aid right-turn and pedestrian movements

  Road Renewal Schemes
  Ferry Hill Landslip Remediation, Winchelsea
  Strand Bridge to Harbour Road, Winchelsea to Rye

  In addition to the above works, a number of studies of potential improvements to safety, the environment and integration are also being carried out.

  Roads (Hampshire)
  Mr. Chidgey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money his Department allocated to Hampshire county council for the maintenance of(a) principal roads and (b) minor roads in Hampshire
  622W
  in (i) 2003, (ii) 2002, (iii) 2001 and (iv) 2000; and what steps he has taken to monitor expenditure by the council in each case. [126378]

  Mr. Jamieson
  As part of the Local Transport Plan (LTP) process, we have allocated the following funds to Hampshire county council for the capital maintenance of principal roads, bridges and non-principal roads. It is for the Council to decide how best to allocate these resources between different maintenance priorities. The Council also receives revenue funding from the Government, although the amount for road maintenance is not identified separately. Use of these resources is monitored through the Annual Progress Report which all local highway authorities are required to submit to my Department.

  Allocation (£ million)

  2000–01

  4.388

  2001–021

  14.921

  2002–03

  10.524

  2003–04

  13.156

  1 Includes £5.051 allocated in August 2001 for emergency repairs to flood damaged roads.

  Severn Bridges
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what tolls are payable when using the Severn Bridges on emergency calls by(a) the Severn Area Rescue Association, (b) HM Coastguards vehicles, (c) Police vehicles, (d) ambulances and (e) Fire Service vehicles. [126393]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Vehicles being used in the discharge of the functions of a fire authority, vehicles being used for police purposes and ambulances are exempt from toll charges for using the Severn Bridges under the Severn Bridges Act 1992.

  Arrangements are also in place to exempt vehicles belonging to the Severn Area Rescue Association and HM Coastguard from toll charges when using the Bridges for emergency purposes.

  South Coast Multi-modal Study
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the projected cost of each recommendation contained in the South Coast multi modal study is; and what funding has been allocated to taking forward each recommendation. [126430]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The total estimated cost of the recommendations made by the South Coast multi modal study was £1.1 billion. This sum consists of:Improvements to the trunk road network totalling £594 million, designed to reduce congestion bottlenecks and improve safety black spots;
  Rail improvements totalling £109 million;
  £26 million for bus measures;
  £99 million for urban interventions and other local transport measures;
  £283 million for light rail transit investment.

  In response to these recommendations, the Secretary of State has asked the Highways Agency to take forward a number of road schemes, the costs for which will come from the resources allocated within the 10-year plan.
  623W
  Local authorities are asked to work up a number of schemes and measures for submission via the local transport plan bid process. Where required, provision of funding will depend on the performance of schemes against appraisal criteria. On the rail side a significant programme of rail improvements is being taken forward which will support the objectives of the study. The SRA has also been asked to examine the scope for delivering the study's rail objectives as it develops its future programmes.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which recommendations contained in the South Coast multi modal study(a) have been approved, (b) have not been approved and (c) are still awaiting a final decision. [126431]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Our response to the South Coast multi-modal study, which was sent to MPs within the south-east as part of an announcement package, set out in detail where we have asked for further work to be undertaken by the respective delivery agencies. This includes where we have asked for schemes to be taken forward, where we have asked for schemes to be considered further or where to look at alternatives. Implementation of all schemes included in the announcement are subject to the successful completion of all necessary consultation and statutory procedures. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions between 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003(a) departmental and (b) non-departmental special advisers have travelled abroad in an official capacity; what places were visited; and how much each visit cost. [126666]

  Mr. McNulty
  The Department was formed on 29 May 2002. Between that date and 31 March 2003, a departmental special adviser accompanied the Secretary of State to Strasbourg at a cost of £675.31. All travel by special advisers is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Ministerial Code and Civil Service Management Code.

  Speed Cameras (M25)
  Mr. Don Foster
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what percentage of speed cameras on the M25 are covered with not in use signs, broken down by junction. [126684]

  Mr. Jamieson
  Speed cameras have been installed on the M25 in Essex in preparation for major roadworks starting this month. They are covered until the roadworks commence.

  Speed Humps
  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the impact of speed humps on the(a) environment,(b) suspension systems of motor vehicles and (c) response times of emergency vehicles; and if he will make a statement. [126514]
  624W
  Mr. Jamieson
  The Traffic Management and Air Quality (TRAMAQ) research programme is looking at the impact of traffic management techniques, including road humps, on vehicle emissions and air quality. Further information on this programme is available on the Department's website [http:www.dft.gov.ul/stellent/groups/dft_roads/documents/page/dft_roads_508003.hcsp#TopOfPage].

  My Department has a current research project looking into the impact of road humps on vehicles and their occupants. As part of this project the suspension of vehicles will be examined after repeated runs over a range of road humps. The results of this project will be available towards the end of this year.

  The Department has not specifically assessed the impact of road humps on response times for emergency vehicles. However, local authorities are required to consult the emergency services prior to installing road humps to ensure minimal delay to their vehicles.

  Mr. Greg Knight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidelines he has issued to local authorities in respect of the size, height and positioning of speed humps on roads; and whether he plans changes thereto. [126515]

  Mr. Jamieson
  "The highways (Road Humps) Regulations 1999" cover the dimensions and positioning of road humps. In addition, my Department has issued guidelines on the construction of road humps in the form of the Traffic Advisory Leaflet series; a full list of these is available in TAL 5/01 "Traffic Calming Bibliography" There are no current plans to alter either the regulations or guidance.

  Strategic Rail Plan
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what revisions have been made to the 10-year strategic rail plan since January. [125510]

  Mr. McNulty
  None. The next version of the Strategic Rail Authority's strategic plan will be published in January 2004.

  Transport Investment (Yorkshire)
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his statement of 9 July, on investment in transport, what projects he intends to announce for(a) North Yorkshire and (b) Vale of York. [125656]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Secretary of State's statement of 9 July concerned the Government's response to a number of multi-modal studies, none of which covered North Yorkshire and the Vale of York. However, new projects for the upgrading of the A1 between Dishforth and Barton and for the dualling of the A66 in North Yorkshire were announced on 25 June 2002 and 22 August 2002 respectively in response to safety studies undertaken on these routes.

  Vehicle and Operator Services Agency
  Mark Tami
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the operating costs of the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency were in each of the last
  625W
  five years; and how many staff it employed in each year. [125542]

  Mr. Jamieson
  The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency was formed on 1 April 2003 following a merger

  2002–03

  2001–02

  2000–01

  1999–2000

  1998–99

  Vehicle Inspectorate

  Operating costs £000

  100,803

  87,929

  74,614

  64,924

  58,474

  Staff numbers (average)

  2,201

  2,036

  1,902

  1,808

  1,726

  Traffic Area Network

  Operating costs £000

  15,451

  15,504

  12,070

  11,666

  10,572

  Staff numbers (average)

  313

  316

  325

  317

  304

  Walking Strategy
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what progress he has made against the targets set in the 1997 walking strategy; [126548]

  (2) what recent research he has conducted into the average annual distance walked by a UK (a) adult and (b) child in each of the last six years; [126549]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the walking-related spending in the 10-year transport plan for each year of the plan; and what walking-related spending was allocated in the last six years of local transport plans. [126550]

  Dr. Howells
  My Department has no walking targets, but the National Travel Survey shows that the average distance walked in Great Britain each year by adults (16 years and over) and children (under 16 years) for the last six periods for which data are available is as follows:

  Miles per person per year

  Adults (16 + )

  Children (under 16)

  1994–96

  197

  208

  1995–97

  193

  200

  1996–98

  191

  201

  1997–99

  189

  198

  1998–2000

  190

  200

  1999–2001

  186

  200

  The National Travel Survey excludes walks of less than 50 yards and those that are away from the public highway unless both the surface is paved or tarred and there is unrestricted access.

  The Government are providing very generous transport investment funds to local authorities—amounting to £19 billion over the 10-year plan period. However, we do not ring-fence funds specifically for walking schemes. The Government believe local authorities should be able take an integrated approach, using investment funds in the way that best suits local circumstances. Our approach to funding reflects this. Decisions about walking-related spending are therefore for local authorities. The Government require local authorities to plan better facilities for walkers, and report what they have delivered. We take this information into account in our decisions on overall funding allocations.
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  between the Vehicle Inspectorate Executive Agency and the Traffic Area Network division of the Department for Transport. Details of operating costs and staff numbers for the former organisations over the last five years are shown in the table.

  West Coast Main Line
  Mir. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional charges Network Rail will make to express train operators for each express train path, following the upgrade of the west coast main line. [125753]

  Dr. Howells
  The rail regulator is currently conducting an interim review of Network Rail's track access charges payable by franchised passenger operators. As part of this he is considering the costs that Network Rail will incur and the scope for efficiency savings both in relation to the west coast route modernisation and the rest of the work that Network Rail has to undertake.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many extra passengers he estimates will be carried each day on the west coast mainline following the upgrade of the route. [125760]

  Dr. Howells
  The Strategic Rail Authority's plan for the west coast main line upgrade, published in June, envisages an increase in passengers of between 15 per cent, and 25 per cent, between London and Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow.

  Written Ministerial Statements
  Mir. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department since 29 October 2002. [126616]

  Mr. McNulty
  In the period 29 October 2002 to 15 July 2003, the Department for Transport has made 47 written ministerial statements.

NORTHERN IRELAND

  Hare Coursing
  Mr. Pickthall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what rules govern the import of live hares for coursing from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland; and what assessment he has made of compliance with the rules in 2002. [123749]

  Mr. Pearson
  Hares are rabies susceptible animals, and as such, are covered by the Rabies (Importation of Dogs, Cats and Other Mammals) Order (Northern Ireland) 1977.
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  Under normal circumstances, there are no import restrictions on hares coming from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland.

  However, there are two exceptions.

  The first exception is the import of a hare from the Republic of Ireland which has previously been brought to the Republic of Ireland from a country other than GB, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Northern Ireland and has not been detained and isolated in quarantine for a period of at least six months before entering Northern Ireland. The second exception is where my Department has reason to believe that there is an outbreak of rabies in the Republic of Ireland.

  In both cases, the importation of a hare is prohibited, except under and in accordance with, the conditions of a licence granted by the Department. The conditions would include the immediate detention and isolation in quarantine for a period of six months.

  Neither of the exceptions arose during 2002.

  Mental Health Review
  Mr. McGrady
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Mental Health Review will be(a) completed and (b) published; and if he will make a statement. [124695]

  Angela Smith
  In October 2002, DHSSPS initiated a wide-ranging independent review of the law, policy and service provision affecting people with a mental health problem or a learning disability. The review will involve a comprehensive evaluation of the Mental Health (NI) Order 1986, which includes provision for those with a learning disability. It will take into account recent policy and other developments here and in the European Union, and address how best to provide services to people with a mental health problem or a learning disability in accordance with the statutory equality obligations of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, with the Human Rights Act 1998, and to promote their social inclusion. The review will also address how to promote positive mental health in society.

  The Mental Health and Learning Disability Review is therefore expected to take until mid-2005 to complete. It may be possible, however, to publish some of the recommendations during 2004.

  North-South Bodies
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list(a) the names of those serving on each of the north-south bodies set up under the Belfast Agreement, (b) the terms and conditions of their appointments and (c) the rates of pay and allowances for each person. [123805]

  Mr. Paul Murphy
  The names and details of the terms of office of those currently serving on the Boards of the Trade and Business Development Body, the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission and the North/South Language Body, together with the Advisory Board of the Food Safety Promotion Board, were placed in the Library on 7 April 2003. The rates 628W
  of remuneration payable to Chairpersons, Vice-Chairpersons and Board Members are detailed in the following table. Travelling expenses are reimbursed for attendance at meetings.

  Rates of remuneration

  £

  Euro

  Chairperson

  6,400

  10,157.90

  Vice-chairperson

  5,200

  8,253.30

  Member

  4,000

  6,348.69

  Note:

  £ = €1.587

  Post-primary Education
  Mr. Beggs
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last met representatives from the(a) Primary Principals Association of Northern Ireland and (b) Grammar School Principals; and what plans he has to meet each group in the future. [125536]

  Jane Kennedy
  The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and his Ministers have not met with representatives from the Primary Principals Association of Northern Ireland or with Grammar School Principals.

  However, officials from the Department of Education last met with representatives from the Primary Principals Association of Northern Ireland on 25 March 2003. Although there is no officially recognized grouping of Grammar School Principals, the Minister and officials meet regularly with individual principals from grammar schools and with organisations, which include principals of grammar schools such as the Secondary Heads Association.

  There are no plans at present for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to meet with representatives from the Primary Principals Association of Northern Ireland or with Grammar School Principals.

  Recycling
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures have been taken to introduce a doorstep recycling service for every household in Northern Ireland. [125548]

  Angela Smith
  The Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy, published by the Department of the Environment in March 2000, provides a framework for developing waste management practices to increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. A key element of the Strategy is the preparation of Waste Management Plans by district councils, as required by Article 23 of the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.

  Waste Management Plans covering all of Northern Ireland are now in place, and are currently being implemented. The plans were adopted following extensive public consultation throughout each district council area; they set out the full range of activities and facilities to be put in place to provide a recycling service to the people of Northern Ireland, taking account of the needs and circumstances of individual district councils.
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  The activities and facilities to be put in place include a mix of kerbside collection for individual households and home composting schemes, and the development of new and enhanced civic amenity sites and recycling centres. The plans are geared towards achieving the primary target set out in the Waste Management Strategy of recovering 25 per cent, of household waste by 2005.

  Smoking
  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to ban smoking in public places in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [125946]

  Angela Smith
  A Five-Year Tobacco Action Plan for Northern Ireland was published on 8 July 2003. The Plan does not propose an outright, ban on smoking in public places; rather it stresses the importance of building on changes in public attitudes towards tobacco use, if the overall aim of creating a tobacco-free society is to be met. With this in mind, the Plan includes a series of actions designed to promote the provision of smoke-free premises and facilities.

  A copy of the Plan has been placed in the House Library.

  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many responses he has received to the Five-Year Tobacco Action Plan consultation document; and if he will make a statement on the responses received. [126075]

  Angela Smith
  Ninety-three responses were received. Overall there was broad support for the content of the Plan. A summary of the responses is available on the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's website at: www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/publications/2003/tobaccoplanresponses.pdf

  Lady Hermon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to accelerate the introduction of the tobacco strategy for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [126078]

  Angela Smith
  The Five-Year Tobacco Action Plan contains 24 separate action points, complete with details of the key organisations responsible for their implementation. Each action point incorporates a target date and an Implementation Group will be established shortly to take forward the actions within the specified timescales.

HEALTH

  Notifiable Diseases
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research he has commissioned into the effectiveness of legislation covering notifiable diseases; what plans he has to propose changes to this legislation; and if he will make a statement. [124792]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  We announced in "Getting Ahead of the Curve", the strategy for health protection published by the Chief Medical Officer in January 2002, that we intend to carry out a review of the infectious disease law.

  Old People's Homes
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many state-run old people's homes there are in England; what funding they receive; and what contributions pensioners are expected to make. [124054]

  Dr. Ladyman
  At 31 March 2001 there were 1,190 council-run homes for older people in England. This figure includes council-run homes for older mentally ill people.

  Councils do not receive direct funding for care homes that they run themselves. Councils are given a financial provision for the social services they provide or commission through the Formula Spending Share (FSS) and grants. Generally, it is for councils to decide how much of that provision to spend on care homes.

  The National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992 sets out how residents' contributions to their cost of their care should be determined. The Regulations apply to adults of all ages. Councils will need to establish in each case what income, savings and capital should be taken into account. Residents with assets in excess on £19,500 should fund their own care costs. Where residents has assets between £19,500 and £12,000 councils provide increasing support until the lower capital limit is reached, at which point councils provide full support. With regard to residents' income, all or most of it is taken into account although each resident should be left with at least a personal expenses allowance of £17.50.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress is being made by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in appraising the drug Memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease; and if he will make a statement. [124980]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The anticipated publication date of guidance by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is May 2005. Details of the anticipated publication date of all NICE guidance can be found on the NICE web site at: www.nice.org.uk

  In the meantime, guidance issued in August 1999 to all National Health Service bodies asked them to continue with local arrangements for the managed introduction of new technologies where guidance from NICE is not available at the time the technology first became available. These arrangements should involve an assessment of all the relevant factors including the available evidence on the clinical effectiveness of the treatment.

  Bush Meat
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the organisms which are known to exist in imported bushmeat; and what the consequences are of infection in humans. [125188]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Like any raw meat, there is a risk that raw bushmeat may be contaminated with food poisoning micro-organisms, such as E. coli 0157, Campylobacter and Salmonella. Other contaminants of bushmeat: could include parasites, viruses and the bacteria that can cause anthrax, tuberculosis and
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  brucellosis. Although these organisms have the potential to cause human infection, United Kingdom public health bodies involved in the investigation of outbreaks of infectious intestinal disease have not traced any outbreaks of human disease in the UK to the illegal importation of meat. Where local authorities identify bushmeat that has been illegally imported, it must be destroyed.

  Cancer Patient Survey
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to repeat the national cancer patient survey which was published in 2002; and what the planned timetable is. [126159]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The responsibility for carrying out future patient surveys now rests with the Commission for Health Improvement (CHI). CHI is looking at a number of factors before deciding when the next cancer patient survey will take place. Further analysis is also being carried out on the last cancer survey data to identify variations within and between trusts on various cancer types. Results of this, along with the analysis commissioned by the Department of Health, will be used to inform plans for a future survey.

  Cancer Treatment
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on improving information given to patients following diagnosis of cancer with respect to(a) prognosis, (b) probability of the cancer spreading, (c) treatment options and (d) the genetic implications for other family members. [125027]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Cancer Plan, published in September 2000, acknowledged the importance of ensuring patients have access to appropriate information at each stage of the care pathway and made a commitment to improving the content and availability of patient information.

  Since the publication of the Cancer Plan, we have set up the Coalition for Cancer Information as a result of a recommendation from the Cancer Information Advisory Group. The Coalition, which includes members from key voluntary sector and national health service organisations, is now working to ensure that high quality information is delivered to patients and carers which is appropriate to their particular needs and will enable them to make informed decisions at: each stage.

  In addition, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently preparing guidance for the NHS on supportive and palliative care. The draft guidance includes a chapter on information and recommends that all provider organisations should have a range of different information materials which is accessible and free at the point of delivery and that patients should be offered help to understand the materials they are given. The draft guidance is now out for consultation and can be found on the NICE website at www.nice.orq.uk. The final guidance is expected to be published early next year.

  Cardiology Services
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times have been in each of the last six years for cardiology appointments; and if he will make a statement. [126006]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The average waiting times for cardiology appointments in each of the last six years is shown in the table.

  Average waiting times (weeks)

  1997–98

  6.77

  1998–99

  7.43

  1999–2000

  7.95

  2000–01

  8.15

  2001–02

  6.83

  2002–03

  6.34

  At Quarter 4 of 2002–03, 81 per cent, of patients were seen within two weeks of referral by their general practitioner or other clinician.

  Chemicals
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on human health of textile and leather finishing treatments; what advice has been given to the public relating to their use; and if he will make a statement. [119084]

  Mr. Browne
  I have been asked to reply

  No assessment has been made for such treatments.

  In the case of finishing treatments used in workplaces, there are duties placed on employers to carry out assessments of any hazardous substances that may be present in such treatments and to put in place appropriate workplace control measures. HSE has issued a series of information sheets on controlling the hazards from dyes and chemicals in textiles finishing, which includes guidance on the particular risks to employees from reactive dyes and spotting solvents. Copies have been placed in the Library and are available at www.hse.gov.uk/textiles/dvestuffs.htm

  Some of the chemicals that may be used in such treatments have been assessed, or are currently undergoing assessment under the EU Existing Substances Regulation (ESR) or within the OECD Existing Chemicals programme. Risk assessment that have been agreed by all EU member states have been placed in the Library and are made publicly available on the internet, via the website of the European Chemicals Bureau (ECB) at http://ecb.jrc.it/existing-chemicals/

  Child Obesity
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the relationship between rates of obesity in children and levels of physical activity. [122389]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The effective prevention and management of obesity requires an integrated, cross-government approach, working with a range of partners on programmes to improve diet and increase physical activity levels.
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  In the five years between 1996 and 2001, the proportion of obese children aged six to 15 years rose by 3.5 per cent. Over the same period physical activity levels have fallen due to a combination of factors and four in ten boys and six in 10 girls are not meeting the recommended hour a day of physical activity for children.

  Lower levels of activity in daily life are likely to have contributed to the rise in obesity. Physical activity levels in developed countries appear to have fallen due to a combination of factors—including greater use of cars for short journeys, lower sports participation, and greater access to television and computers and other sedentary activities.

  To ensure that there is a co-ordinated and strategic approach to the planning and delivery of sport and physical activity across a diverse range of sectors—such as transport, countryside management and town planning—a sport and physical activity board (SPAB) has been established. The Board is to be jointly led by the Department of Health and Department of Culture, Media and Sport.

  Another key project in our programme of work are the local exercise action pilots (LEAP) which we jointly fund with Sport England and the Countryside Agency. LEAP will test the effectiveness of primary care trust led interventions to increase access and levels of physical activity in communities based in Neighbourhood Renewal Areas. Activities range from walking, cycling and swimming, to clinical-based programmes that are focusing on diabetes and weight management.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken in Shrewsbury and Atcham to reduce obesity in children in Shrewsbury and Atcham. [126639]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Government are committed to tackling the rising trend in childhood obesity. The prevention and management of obesity are at the heart of many of the Government's priority areas, as highlighted in the NHS Plan and national service frameworks (NSF) particularly those outlining action on coronary heart disease and diabetes. The forth coming NSF for children will address the health and social care needs of all children and will include the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity. A two pronged approach is being taken, addressing both overweight and obesity prevention and management at national, regional and local level.

  Shropshire County Primary Care Trust is involved in a number of initiatives. These include:
  A Family Food Project to promote healthy lifestyles and healthy eating among children;
  The Healthy School Initiative which promotes healthy eating and physical activity in schools;
  The Free Fruit Scheme which involves 82 per cent, of eligible schools; and
  A Walking Bus Pilot Project at Westbury school which is encouraging children to walk to school.

  Clinical Devices (Bacteraemia)
  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the classes of clinical device which are most closely linked with bacteraemia. [126002]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Voluntary surveillance data1 show that almost two-thirds of bacteraemias of known origin were associated with an intravascular device or device-related infections, such as a catheter associated urinary tract infection.

  Central intravenous catheters were the commonest associated source of hospital acquired bacteraemia.

  1 Public Health Laboratory Service. Nosocomial Infection National Surveillance Service.
  Surveillance of hospital acquired bacteraemia in English hospitals. 1997–2002.

  Laura Moffatt
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of catheter associated urinary tract infection in each of the last three years. [126005]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Data on the cost to the national health service of catheter associated urinary tract infections are not collected centrally.

  However, a research study1 carried out in one hospital in the 1990s estimated that the cost of a hospital acquired urinary tract infection was, on average, equivalent to an additional £1,327 per patient during the stay in hospital.

  1 R. Plowman, N. Graves, M. Griffin, J. A. Roberts, A. V. Swan, B. Cookson, L. Taylor. The socio-economic burden of hospital acquired infection. Public Health Laboratory Service 1999.

  Clinical Instruments
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold an inquiry into the use of single use instruments for tonsillectomies. [126490]

  Mr. Hutton
  In March 2002, the Department of Health and the British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists—Head and Neck Surgeons (BAO-HNS) carried out a comprehensive review of tonsil and adenoid surgery across the country. This followed advice from the Department that, in the interest of the safety of patients, surgeons should not use single use instruments for tonsil and adenoid surgery. The review found that many National Health Service trusts did not collect the data at the time of the operation and that therefore much of it was unreliable.

  To get better information the Department is providing £250,000 to fund the Royal College of Surgeons and the BAO-HNS to carry out a national audit of tonsil and adenoid surgery. As this audit is ongoing, I do not believe that an inquiry is required, but I will keep this under consideration.

  Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 10 July,Official Report, column 1002W, on the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, what the non staff costs

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  are in (a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05; and what the value of contract for supporting patients forum is for eachprimary care trust. [126324]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health's (CPPIH) budget was discussed at its board meeting on 29 May. The board paper is available at its website at www.cppih.org. It includes a breakdown of staff and non-staff costs for 2003–04. Information relating to the budget breakdown for 2004–05 is not yet available.

  Contracts for supporting patients' forums have not yet been awarded—more information about individual local network providers will be available from the CPPIH in September.

  Consultation Documents
  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the consultation documents issued by his Department in each of the last four years; what the cost was of producing each of these; how many documents were issued in each consultation; and how many responses were received in each consultation. [124569]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Government recommends that policy development should be done in close consultation with stakeholders. Formal consultation documents are one part only of this process, which includes:

  Stakeholder meetings

  Listening events/public meetings

  Web forums

  Public surveys

  Focus groups

  Regional events

  Free-phone and freepost surveys and events

  Targeted leaflet campaigns

  Road shows and exhibitions

  It is standard practice for departments to evaluate the policy development process, including the use of consultation. The specific information requested is not collated on a central basis and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  However, a list of consultation exercises run by the Department of Health since May 2001 is available at www.doh.gov.uk/consultations/.

  Contraception Pill
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many women have taken an emergency contraception pill in the last year. [124105]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Based on results from the Office of National Statistics Omnibus Survey in 2001–02, it is estimated that approximately 900,000 women in England used hormonal emergency contraception at least once in the previous year.

  Delayed Discharges
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what cushion funding is included in the delayed discharge grant for each local authority for 2003–04. [126839]
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  Dr. Ladyman
  All local authorities have been allocated their full share of the £50 million Delayed Discharges Grant. 10 local authorities have received top-up funding totalling £0.8 million in addition to their allocations under the Delayed Discharges Grant 2003–04, so that the total grant is £50.8 million. This means that all local authorities should receive more in grant than they are liable to pay in reimbursement charges, if the level of delayed discharges reduces from the situation recorded in March 2003.

  The extra councils and their individual top-up allocations are shown in the table.

  Top-up allocations

  £ million

  Local authority

  Extra funding

  Hampshire

  0.280

  Surrey

  0.119

  Reading

  0.102

  Darlington

  0.096

  Brighton and Hove

  0.089

  Bracknell Forest

  0.048

  Lambeth

  0.031

  Hillingdon

  0.022

  West Berkshire

  0.011

  Sutton

  0.001

  Total

  0.800

  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on delayed discharges. [126489]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The latest figures on delayed discharge (March 2003), which are available in the Library, show that there were approximately 3,000 patients aged over 75 years experiencing delayed discharge from hospital on any one day in March 2003, compared with 5,673 over 75s in September 2001. This figure has almost halved since the Government made extra funding available to councils to tackle delayed discharges.

  Departmental Policies (Pendle)
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what policies(a) initiated and (b) managed by his Department since 2001 have had an impact on Pendle; and if he will make a statement. [124095]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Detailed information on the impact of the Department's policies nationally is set out in the Department of Health Annual reports. A copy of the most recent report "The Government's Expenditure Plans, Departmental Report 2003, Department of Health" is available in the Library and on the Department of Health's website at www.doh.gov.uk/dohreport/report2003/Chaptl.pdf

  My hon. Friend's constituency falls within the geographical area covered by Burnley Health Care National Health Service Trust and the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust (PCT).

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT general allocations on behalf of its resident population since 2001 is set out in the table. Prior to the establishment of the PCT in April 2002, Pendle was encompassed within the East Lancashire Health Authority.
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  Allocations since 2001 covering Pendle

  Health Authority/Primary Care Trust

  Year

  Unified allocations (£000)

  Cash increase (£000)

  Cash increase (percentage)

  Real terms increase (£000)

  Real terms increase (percentage)

  East Lancashire HA

  2001–02

  416,738

  34,521

  9.03

  24,357

  6.37

  East Lancashire HA

  2002–03

  461,132

  40,678

  9.74

  29,496

  7.06

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT

  2003–04

  241,264

  20,080

  9.08

  14,771

  6.68

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT

  2004–05

  264,963

  23,699

  9.82

  16,857

  7.14

  Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT

  2005–06

  289,574

  24,611

  9.29

  16,744

  6.62

  A snapshot of how the Department's policies have impacted on Pendle can be seen as follows. This is by no means a comprehensive list.
  £445,000 for the modernisation of facilities for accident and emergency (A&E) patients and a telemedicine link.

  This was awarded to Burnley General Hospital as part of the national A&E Modernisation programme. The modernisation work (completed in June 2000) has helped to improve patient flow., improve paediatric services and increase privacy and dignity, and the telemedicine link has reduced waiting times through speedier first line treatment.
  Additional repetitive investment £800,000 in mental health services, which exceeds earmarked resources.

  The investment is to support additional consultant psychiatrists, low secure provision, additional prescribing of atypical anti-psychotic drugs and complex packages of care in the independent sector, whilst ensuring the implementation of the national service framework (NSF) for mental health.
  Development of a waiting, booking and choice initiative.

  The Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT is developing a scheme that will enable advance access in primary care, allowing patients to gain access to primary care professionals on the same day.
  The Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT is a second wave local investment finance trust (LIFT) pilot site.

  It is envisaged that over the next three years development will be under way to provide new primary care facilities that are fit to deliver health and social care in innovative ways that meet the needs of the local community.
  Implementation of the NSF for older people.

  The milestones for improved services for strokes, falls and intermediate care are expected to be met by April 2004
  Total investment in excess of £1.1 million for cancer treatment equipment based at Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust

  The trust received a computed tomography (CT) scanner in October 2001 and they have also been awarded an mirror resonance imaging (MRI) scanner from the New Opportunities Fund Coronary Heart Disease programme, which is expected to be delivered in the very near future.

  Current waiting list information for Burnley Health Care NHS Trust is shown in the tables.
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  Waiting times for first consultant out-patient appointment: Burnley Health Care NHS Trust

  GP written referrals

  Quarter—Q4 2002–03

  Patients seen

  Total

  9,894

  Percentage seen within 13 weeks

  70

  Patients still waiting

  More than 13 weeks

  876

  More than 26 weeks

  0

  Source:

  Department of Health form QM08

  Patients waiting for elective admission: Burnley Health Care NHS Trust

  Month end—May 2003

  Total waiting list

  4,595

  Patients waiting over nine months

  392

  Patients waiting over 12 months

  0

  Source:

  Department of Health form KH07

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for redeployment of members of his Department out of London and the South East. [125388]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The scope for relocating Government activity is being considered by Sir Michael Lyons. His independent review was announced by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the Budget Statement on 9 April.

  Details of the review, including the consultation launched on 19 June, can be found on the Her Majesty's Treasury's website at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk.

  Sir Michael will report his findings on the scope for relocating Departments and other public sector bodies before the end of the year.

  Drug Treatment
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were referred by their GP for drug addiction treatment in the last two years. [121839]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  24,605 patients were recorded as being referred for drug treatment by general practitioners or psychiatrists in the last two years, to 31 March 2001, for which figures are available. However the actual number may be higher because over the same period the source of referral was not recorded in a further 19,223 cases.

  Jane Griffiths
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the waiting time targets for(a) in-patient detoxification, (b) community prescribing by specialist,

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  (c) community prescribing by GP, (d) structured counselling, (e) structured day care and (f) residential rehabilitation have been met. [124076]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The National Treatment Agency (NTA)'s April 2003 target of four or six weeks wait, depending on the type of treatment, has been achieved in most areas of the country and for most types of treatment. We are also on target to achieve the April 2004 target of a two or three week wait, again depending on the kind of treatment. However, average waits for in-patient detoxification and residential rehabilitation are both exceeding the national target by one week. Areas which exceed these averages are being targeted by the NTA.

  Drug Reactions
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the nurse reporting figures for adverse drug reactions were for each month since the scheme started, broken down by those under the(a) e-yellow card and (b) paper based yellow card scheme. [124563]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to medicines are collated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the Committee on Safetyof Medicines (CSM) through the spontaneous reporting scheme, the Yellow Card Scheme.

  The table shows the number of suspected adverse drug reaction reports which the CSM/MHRA have received each month from nurses since the scheme was launched on 31 October 2002, broken down by:
  electronic Yellow Cards received via the MHRA/CSM internet website
  paper based reports.
  The table shows figures related to the number of reports received. Some reports may contain more than one suspected ADR.

  Month Received

  Total Nurse Reports

  Electronic Yellow Cards

  Paper Based Yellow Cards

  Oct 2002

  5

  0

  5

  Nov 2002

  240

  3

  237

  Dec 2002

  81

  1

  80

  Jan 2003

  54

  2

  52

  Feb 2003

  267

  0

  267

  Mar 2003

  223

  8

  215

  Apr 2003

  113

  2

  111

  May 2003

  102

  6

  96

  Jun 2003

  118

  4

  114

  Total

  1,203

  26

  1,177

  Eating Disorders
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the maximum travelling distance is for patients with anorexia to travel to specialist health care services. [125097]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on Wednesday 16 July. Information is not collected centrally about the travelling distances that may be involved when patients are referred for treatment for this severe condition. However, Professor Louis Appleby, national director for mental health, is 640W
  leading a new programme of work to review provision of specialised services in a number fof areas. Specialised services for people with anorexia are being considered first. Alongside the guideline being developed by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, this will be of great benefit to those with responsibility for developing services for this severe condition.

  Entitlement Card Scheme
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with the Home Office about the(a) possible introduction of an entitlement card scheme, (b) the use to which such a card would be put on the matters for which he is responsible and (c) the costs and funding of the scheme; and if he will make a statement. [124941]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer Friday 11 July]: There have been discussions between the Department of Health and the Home Office about a number of issues since the publication of the Government's consultation paper on entitlement cards and identity fraud. These have included circumstances where National Health Service staff need to check the identity of patients, strategies for reducing fraud, the current use of the NHS number for NHS purposes, the importance of protecting confidentiality of health information and various technical issues.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the EU directives implemented by the Department since 8 J une 2001. [126598]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health has led on the implementation of nine Directives and two Regulations since 8 June 2001. The Food Standards Agency (FSA), which deals with issues of food safety, has led with the implementation of 11 Directives since 8 June 2001. The number of Regulations, which FSA are responsible for, and have direct effect in UK law is 19. A full list of these have been placed in the Library.

  EU Medical Research
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what level of priority is given to rheumatoid arthritis under EU Framework Programme 6; [125261]

  (2) if he will list the funding areas for medical research under EU Framework Programme 6, and those proposed for Framework Programme 7; [125262]

  (3) what levels of funding are allocated for research into (a) autoimmune diseases and (b) rheumatoid arthritis under EU Framework Programme 6; and what sums are expected under Framework Programme 7; [125263]

  (4) if he will make it his policy to press for (a) autoimmune disease to be a specific funding area under EU Framework Programme 7, and (b) rheumatoid arthritis to be included as one of the key autoimmune disease. [125264]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The broad priority areas for medical research funded under Framework Programme 6 are described in Specific Programme 1: "Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area" (2002–06).
  641W
  This document is available on the website of the Community Research & Development Information Service at www.cordis.lu. Also available are the work programmes for the first two calls for proposals issued under Thematic Priority 1 (Life Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for Health) within Specific Programme 1. Chronic inflammation and autoimmunity are identified as important areas in these work programmes and a number of related topics are listed. The budgets allocated to each work programme are not broken down to the level of individual topics.

  The European Commission is not expected to announce its proposals for Framework Programme 7 (FP7) until 2005. The Government plans to carry out a public consultation on the United Kingdom policy lines for FP7 by early 2004. The Department of Health will seek to ensure that the content of FP7 reflects the research priorities and clinical needs of the UK.

  European Constitution
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with(a) colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (b) counterparts in the European Union about the legislative competencies covered by the draft European constitution. [124779]

  Mr. Hutton
  Department of Health officials and I have had regular correspondence and meetings with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss all aspects of the Convention on the Future of Europe, including legislative competencies We have also been in regular contact with colleagues in member and accession states. Contact is expected to be maintained throughout the forthcoming Inter-Governmental Conference, expected to begin in October, to ensure that the United Kingdom's key objectives are met.

  Fluoridation
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to make fluoridation of the water supply compulsory. [125641]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 14 July 2003]: The Government has no plans to make fluoridation of the water supply compulsory. No water supply will be fluoridated unless the population that it serves is in favour. Amendments to the Water Bill, agreed on 9 July in Another Place, provide for regulations to be made on the local consultations that strategic health authorities will be required to undertake before making any arrangements with a water undertaker to have their water fluoridated.

  Fraudulent Prescriptions
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evaluation has been carried out into the success of financial rewards for the identification of fraudulent prescriptions. [126092]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: The Pharmacy Reward Scheme was introduced in 1999 to reward community pharmacists who detected the attempted fraudulent use of prescription forms. The scheme was revised in February 2003, to provide an
  642W
  increased reward and a simplified claim process. It is expected that there will be an evaluation of the revised scheme in 2004.

  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost to the NHS of fraudulent prescriptions was in each of the last five years in(a) the UK, (b) the West Midlands and (c) Coventry. [126093]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: The National Health Service Counter Fraud and Security Management Service has an on-going programme of highly accurate risk measurement exercises designed to reveal levels of losses and, through repeated exercises, reduction in such losses. The National Audit Office has audited this process and is satisfied to its accuracy. Phase one of these exercises, examining patient fraud losses, included pharmaceutical patient fraud. The table shows these results.

  Pharmaceutical patient fraud

  £ million

  Year data selected

  Fraud losses

  1998–99

  117

  1999–2000

  69

  A statistically valid sample of those prescriptions prescribed during March 2003 has been taken for a further measurement exercise to be completed. Further fraud reductions are anticipated and the figures will be produced later this year.

  Pharmacies in the West Midlands and Coventry may have been routinely included in the measurement programme but figures were not categorised into specific cities or regions.

  There was no accurate measurement of pharmaceutical patient fraud prior to the commencement of these exercises in 1998–99.

  Point of dispensing checks were introduced in all community pharmacies on 1 April 1999 to help deter this type of fraud. The check requires pharmacists to ask patients who are claiming free prescriptions if they have evidence to support their claim to exemption from prescription charges.

  General Practitioners
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GPs with Special Interests are working in(a) the UK and (b) South Sefton Primary Care Trust; and how many he estimates will be working in the UK by 2004. [124343]

  Mr. Hutton
  The latest published data show that, in March 2002, there were around 650 general practitioners with a special interest in England, including two in the South Sefton Primary Care Trust.figures for march 2003 will be available shortly.

  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to recruit more general practitioners in the London Borough of Havering; and if he will make a statement on GP numbers in the Borough. [122201]
  643W
  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of general medical practitioners in Havering Primary Care Trust is shown in the table.

  General medical practitioners in Havering Primary Care Trust

  All practitioners1

  2001

  122

  2002

  124

  1 All practitioners include UPEs, restricted principals, GP registrars, assistants, salaried doctors (Para 52 SFA), PMS others and GP retainers.

  We are committed to increasing the general practitioner (GP) workforce and have introduced a range of measures to improve GP recruitment and retention. These include financial incentives to new and returning GPs and older GPs who delay their retirement from the national health service, a GP returners campaign and the newly launched Flexible Career Scheme which will help to create additional part-time and flexible posts within general practice.

  Havering PCT is working to make Havering a more attractive proposition for GPs to work in. Some of the areas being progressed are the development of specialists GPs and a means of retaining registrars after they qualify. Havering PCT is also fully engaged in the international recruitment campaign for GPs.

  Health and Safety
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health and safety regime in NHS buildings; what plans he has to change the system; and if he will make a statement. [126357]

  Mr. Hutton
  The health and safety of national health service premises is a matter for individual NHS trusts. The Department of Health will be issuing a NHS Occupational Health and Safety Strategy for England in the autumn this year in response to the National Audit Office report, "A Safer Place to Work: Improving the management of health and safety risks to staff in NHS trusts".

  Health Protection Agency
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health in which areas service level agreements are not yet signed to ensure that the central Health Protection Agency is receiving the information it needs to perform its role in public health; and if he will make a statement. [125011]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is continuing to receive the information it needs to perform its public health role and its public health services are continuing on a "business as usual" basis. The HPA is actively involved in discussions with national health service trusts to finalise Service Level Agreements as a basis for the future needs and development of public health services. There has been no change in the national level of laboratory reporting to the HPA's Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre since the establishment of the HPA.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on coverage of food, water, environmental and microbiology testing for the purposes of public health since the establishment 644W
  of the Health Protection Agency and the consequent transfer of responsibilities; and if he will make a statement. [125013]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  We are not aware of any representations to this Department on the coverage of food, water or environmental microbiology testing for the purposes of public health since the establishment of the Health Protection Agency (HPA). These services are commissioned by the HPA or provided by its own laboratories on the same basis as previously organised by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS). The transition from the PHLS to the HPA has been implemented on a 'business as usual' basis.

  Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System
  Mr. Drew
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on ending of the Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System; and what discussions he has had with the Department of Trade and Industry on this matter. [122478]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: The decision to end the Home Accident Surveillance System is a matter for the Department for Trade and Industry.

  However the decision took into account work by the Department of Health on how to improve the local surveillance of accidental injury.

  Hospital-acquired Infections
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Belfast, East of 3 July,Official Report, column 1425W, on hospital infections, (1) how many cases were reported in each year since 1996, broken down by (a) trust and (b) pathogenic organism; [124887]

  (2) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Belfast, East of 3 July, Official Report, column 485W, on hospital infections, when a mandatory surveillance scheme for each health care associated infection will be introduced; and in each case whether it will be collected and published, broken down by Trust. [124899]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 10 July 2003]: Data on hospital infections by trust are only available for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) blood stream infections. Information from 1996 is not available, as this first phase of the mandatory surveillance system for healthcare associated infection started in2001. 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.

  As hospital acquired infections are caused by a variety of micro-organisms and range from the trivial to serious there will not be mandatory reporting for all infections. The national mandatory surveillance scheme was developed on the basis of expert advice and will concentrate on those infections that cause significant serious morbidity such as blood stream infections.
  645W
  The second phase of the mandatory scheme will be introduced this September, when trusts will have to report blood stream infections due to glycopeptide resistant enterococci and serious untoward incidents associated with infection. Reporting of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea will be the third phase and this is scheduled to begin next year.

  John Austin
  To ask the Secreta ry of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of the architecture, physical construction and design of hospitals on preventing the spread of micro-organisms between wards and within wards; and if he will make a statement; [124903]

  (2) what research he has recently assessed on the effects of the architecture, physical construction and design of hospitals in preventing the spread of microorganisms between wards and within wards; and if this research has been published. [124904]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Many factors influence infection control. Current standards already require prevention and control of infection to be considered when planning engineering and building works. The Chief Medical Officer is spearheading a new Government drive to tackle healthcare associated infections; especially those acquired in hospitals. A long-term strategy to prevent and reduce infections in the National Health Service will be published in the autumn.

  NHS Estates has funded a number of studies in this area. Those which have been completed are available from the NHS Estates website at www.nhsestates. gov.uk.

  Mr. Paul Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) nosocomial deaths and (b) cases of necrotising fasciitis there were in the NHS in (i) England and (ii) each NHS region in each year since 1997. [125018]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  These data are not collected centrally

  Hospitals (Portsmouth)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to assess the(a) capital and (b) revenue requirements of hospitals within Portsmouth; and if he will make a statement; [125975]

  (2) what decisions have been taken within the last 12 months to make extra (a) capital and (b) revenue money available to hospitals within Portsmouth; if he will list the (i) projects and (ii) sums of money involved and (iii) start dates; and if he will make a statement. [125976]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The main capital allocations to the national health service were announced on 8 January 2003. Since that date, an additional £240,000 has been allocated to Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust to fund reductions in waiting times for traditionally long-wait specialities. Information on the project timeline is not collected centrally.

  We allocate revenue funding to primary care trusts (PCTs) on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. A weighted capitation formula is used to
  646W
  determine each primary care trust's target share of available resources, to enable them to commission similar levels of health services for populations in similar need.

  It is for PCTs, in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their revenue funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to help ensure that Queen Alexandra hospital, Portsmouth, is able to achieve the status of three-star foundation level within the next four years; and if he will make a statement. [125977]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The National Health Service Performance Ratings announced on 16 July 2003 reflect a significant improvement in performance made by Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, of which Queen Alexandra hospital is a part. The trust has improved from a zero-star rating to two-stars.

  We are committed to raising performance right across the NHS, bringing all NHS trusts up to the standard of the best, and have therefore put in place an NHS Hospital Improvement Programme to ensure that every NHS hospital improves its performance and is able to become a NHS foundation trust. For 2003–04, the Government have made £1 billion of discretionary funding available to strategic health authorities to support performance improvement.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many outsourced IT contracts have been signed by his Department in each year since 1997; how much each of these contracts is worth; with whom they are signed; how many have been renegotiated; how many are still in place; and if he will make a statement. [126193]

  Mr. Hutton
  All contracts are signed on behalf of the Secretary of State for Health. Contracts signed since 1997 mainly for use within the Department of Health are:

  Information Management Services (IMS2); and

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES).

  The Infrastructure Management Services contract (IMS2) covers support of the Department of Health's information technology infrastructure, desktop computers, telecommunications and video conferencing facilities and procurement of IT hardware and software. The contract is with the Computer Sciences Corporation. The contract was signed in June 2002 for a period of seven years, and is worth £70 million over the life of the contract.

  The Hospital Episode Statistics contract (HES) covers data input, data management, tabulation and extract functions for the hospital episode data collection system. The contract is with Hays Redfern, and was signed in December 2001 for a period of five years. The contract is worth £7 million over the life of the contract.

  No renegotiations have taken place, as both contracts have been in existence for less than two years.

  Measles and Mumps Vaccines
  Mr. Hunter
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the quantity of single(a) measles and (b) mumps vaccines imported by GPs and private healthcare providers in the last year. [120237]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  During the year ending March 2003, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) received notifications to import an average of approximately 10,000 doses of measles vaccine per month and approximately 8,000 doses of mumps vaccine per month. Each notification is an intention to import only and does not necessarily reflect the number of doses actually imported. A survey by the MHRA has indicated that only 34 per cent. and 21 per cent. (for measles vaccine and mumps vaccine respectively) of the doses notified were followed through to importation. It is not known how many of these doses were actually given.

  The figures are provided following further examination of the MHRA database of import notifications. This has revealed a serious inaccuracy in the reply provided to the hon. Member on 4 December 2002, Official Report, columns 903–04W.

  The answer stated that the average number of notifications per month received by the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) to import all brands of single mumps vaccine during 2002 was 3,014 doses. The answer at that time should have stated that the average number of doses notified per month to the MCA to import all brands of single mumps vaccine was 8,141 doses (for the 10 months ending October 2002).

  This discrepancy stems from the method of estimating the number of doses from the number of notifications of intentions to import unlicensed vaccines. Differences between the pack sizes of products, which had previously been assumed to have been the same as the number of doses, were the cause of these discrepancies. After extensive manual examination of records, these figures have now been corrected and systems have been put in place to prevent their recurrence. I apologise to the hon. Member for this inadvertent error.

  Medical Assessment Units
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about(a) overcrowding, (b) inadequate facilities and (c) mixed sex accommodation and toilet facilities in medical assessment units; and if he will make a statement. [126188]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I have received no representations on any of these matters relating to medical assessment units.

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average length of stay in medical assessment units in the NHS in(a) England, (b) each region and (c) each strategic health authority has been in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [126157]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information on length of stay in medical assessment units (MAUs) is not collected centrally.
  648W
  MAUs have a variety of models of care and therefore it is not appropriate to specify a length of stay. Those which have the role of only initial investigation may have lengths of stay of a few hours. Others may aim to keep patients for up to 48 hours, with the aim of discharging as many patients as possible, up to 40 per cent. in some units, directly to home from the MAU.

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance is available to the NHS on the provision of senior staff to supervise medical assessment units; what monitoring is undertaken by his Department to ensure that this guidance is adhered to; and if he will make a statement. [126190]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Guidance on the staffing and running of emergency assessment units has recently been issued to the national health service by the Department. The Society of Acute Medicine was consulted, along with other professional bodies, in formulating this guidance. A copy of this can be found on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/emergencycare/emergencyassmentchecklist

  The new system of devolved responsibility in the NHS means that strategic health authorities are now responsible for monitoring the performance of the NHS trusts that it manages. This includes ensuring that department issued guidance, such as that for emergency assessment units is adhered to.

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the(a) average and (b) maximum waiting times for admission to medical assessment units in (i) England and (ii) each strategic health authority in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [126189]

  Ms. Rosie Winterton
  This information is not collected centrally.

  National Care Standards Commission
  Mr. Gummer
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the budget of the National Care Standards Commission was spent on the inspection of independent boarding schools belonging to the(a) Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools and (b) Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference in the last year for which figures are available; and what regulations he has set on the regularity of inspections of (i) HMC and IAPS schools and (ii) other private boarding schools. [125176]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Expenditure by the National Care Standards Commission on the inspection of independent boarding schools belonging to the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS) or the Headmasters and Headmistresses Conference (HHC) is not available as this is not currently separately identifiable from other budgetary information.

  The frequency of inspections of boarding schools is set out in the National Care Standards Commission (Inspection of Schools and Colleges) Directions 2002. These set out the inspection requirements for boarding schools or colleges as a minimum of one inspection in every period of thirty-six months commencing on

  649W
  1 April 2002. No distinction is made about frequency of inspection between those schools who are members of IAPS or HMC or those who are not.

  National Fruit Scheme
  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the maintained nursery schools in(a) London and (b) the West Midlands so

  LEA maintained nurseries excluded from the National School Fruit Scheme

  Schools participating in the National School Fruit Scheme

  West Midlands

  London

  West Midlands

  London

  Total number

  75

  86

  1,744

  1,557

  Proportion located in most deprived 5 per cent. of wards (%)

  24

  17

  12

  7

  Proportion located in most deprived 10 per cen. of wards (%)

  40

  27

  20

  13

  Proportion located in most deprived 25 per cent. of wards (%)

  83

  51

  40

  30

  Note:

  Deprivation is measured according to the Index of Multiple Deprivation.

  NHS Patient Rights
  Nick Harvey
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what rights an NHS patient has to know the professional qualifications of an NHS employee responsible for his care; how a patient can exercise such rights; and if he will make a statement. [125569]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: Patients need to be able to be confident that every person treating them is qualified to do so. This is a requirement of the regulatory bodies, such as the General Medical Council, with whom clinicians have to be registered. If a patient wants specific details, the Code of Practice on Openness in the National Health Service makes it possible for them to receive details of a hospital clinician's qualifications, whilst general practitioners must publish their qualifications in their practice leaflet.

  Nosocomial Infections
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the risk of nosocomial infections in medical assessment units; and what guidance has been given to the NHS on this issue. [126156]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  No specific guidance on medical assessment units has been issued, but we have set standards to ensure there is a managed environment which minimises the risk of infection to patients, staff and visitors. Analyses of hospital performance in infection control standards has recently shown an improvement and this contributed to the improved star ratings this year.

  However, more needs to be done and we are continuing to work to improve infection control in hospitals. The Chief Medical Officer is leading a new initiative to produce a longer term strategy to reduce healthcare associated infections.

  Obesity
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 4 July 2003 to the hon.650W
  far excluded from the National School Fruit scheme are located in the most deprived (i) 5 per cent., (ii) 10 per cent. and (iii) 25 per cent. of wards according to the Index of Local Deprivation; and what proportion of primary schools so far included in the scheme are located in the most deprived (A) 5 per cent., (B) 10 per cent. and (C) 25 per cent. of wards. [119996]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The figures requested are shown in the table.

  Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Mr. Marsden), Official Report, columns 529–30W, on childhood obesity, how many prescription items of orlistat were dispensed in the community in England in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many children received the drug in each of those years. [126345]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The table shows the total number of prescription items of Orlistat that were dispensed in the community in England from 1998 to 2002. In 2002, out of the 541,400 items dispensed in the community in England an estimated 3,000 prescription items, or 0.5 per cent., of the total, of Orlistat were for children. It is estimated that slightly less than 3,000 items of Orlistat were dispensed to children in 2001.

  Comparable data for items dispensed to children is not available for earlier years. There is no information available on the number of children who received Orlistat.

  Total number of prescription items of Orlistat that were dispensed in the community in England

  Thousand

  1998

  17.9

  1999

  127.8

  2000

  156.3

  2001

  416.0

  2002

  541.4

  Source:

  Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) data from the PPA.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many finished consultant episodes relating to obesity there were in each region in each year since 1997. [126347]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Information on the number of finished consultant episodes by region in national health service hospitals for the five years since 1997, where obesity is the primary diagnosis, is shown in the table.
  651W

  Region

  1997–1998

  1998–1999

  1999–2000

  2000–2001

  2001–2002

  Northern and Yorkshire

  237

  287

  352

  379

  377

  Trent

  117

  144

  147

  151

  95

  Anglia and Oxford (Eastern)

  40

  64

  35

  46

  51

  North Thames (London

  136

  141

  221

  287

  229

  South Thames (South East)

  68

  86

  83

  54

  88

  South West

  77

  115

  53

  58

  75

  West Midlands

  43

  91

  51

  57

  58

  North West

  92

  146

  144

  171

  175

  Total

  810

  1,074

  1,086

  1,203

  1,148

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health, England.

  Older People
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 10 July 2003,Official Report, columns 1013–14W, on older people, if he will place in the Library a copy of the information collated through strategic health authorities concerning the national service framework. [126636]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The reports provided to strategic health authorities (SHAs) by local national health service bodies and councils giving information on the implementation of the single assessment process for older people have been analysed, and issues addressed, at the SHA level. Individual reports were made available to the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) where appropriate. A number of overview reports compiled by SHAs on the localities reporting to them have been copied to the Department of Health for information. Intelligence from these overview reports, allied to discussion with SHA and SSI officials, has helped the Department understand where progress has been made and the challenges lie. As a result a brief working summary of key issues was tabled at the implementation conferences held by the Department in January and February 2003. There are no plans to publish this summary more widely. The Department plans to publish a more formal report on the single assessment process, based on issues arising from the overview reports from 2002, the equivalent reports from 2003 and other intelligence later this year.

  In March 2003, the Department published a report of progress on all aspects of the national service framework for older people, including the single assessment process. The report was titled "National Service Framework for Older People—a report of progress and future challenges, 2003". A copy is available in the Library.

  Overseas Medical Treatment
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the standard waiting period is before being able to use NHS funds to seek medical treatment abroad. [123603]

  Mr. Hutton
  The time a patient waits for treatment under the national health service, whether provided at home or abroad, depends on number of factors including their clinical need and local circumstances. Policy on waiting times in England is set out in the NHS Plan.

  Overseas Patients
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what income the NHS has received from payments from overseas patients that are not eligible for free treatment for each of the years since 1997. [126012]

  Mr. Hutton
  National health service trust accounts do not identify separately income generated from treatment of chargeable overseas visitors.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of overseas patients who have received free medical treatment for which they have not been eligible in each of the last five years. [126015]

  Mr. Hutton
  The national health service is first and foremost for the benefit of people who live in the United Kingdom.

  A person who is not ordinarily resident in the UK, but who requires NHS hospital treatment, is subject to the provisions of the provisions of the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989, as amended.

  NHS trusts will take all reasonable measures to recover charges made to overseas visitors. Overseas visitors debt that is unrecoverable is written off and recorded in trust annual accounts. The overseas visitors bad debt written off for the last five years is shown in the table.

  Amount written off (£)

  1997–98

  1.1 million

  1998–99

  854,000

  1999–2000

  1.2 million

  2000–01

  1.8 million

  2001–02

  1.3 million

  Pain Relief
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) whole time equivalent posts and (b) vacancies for (i) consultants, (ii) specialist registrars, (iii) senior house officers, (iv) nurses and (v) professions allied to medicines, specialising in pain relief there were in each year since 1997. [126349]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information is not available on the number of posts or vacancies for staff specialising in pain relief. Pain relief is a sub-specialty of anaesthetics. Information on whole-time equivalent staff in post for consultants, registrars and senior house officers in
  653W
  anaesthetics is shown in the table. Information on the number of whole-time equivalent posts in national health service trusts is not collected centrally.

  Information on vacancies lasting three months or more is collected in the NHS vacancy survey which has been collected in March each year since 1999. Information specifically for the anaesthetics (inc. intensive care) specialty has only been collected since 2000. There is no comparable information on nurses or allied health professionals.

  Between 1997 and 2002, the number of whole-time equivalent consultants working in anaesthetics (inc. intensive care) have increased by 40 per cent., registrars by 10 per cent., and senior house officers by 14 per cent.

  Hospital medical staff within the anaesthetics (inc. intensive care) specialty—England at 30 September 2002

  Whole time equivalents

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Consultant

  2,658.7

  2,840.4

  3,052.7

  3,172.9

  3,361.4

  3,712.2

  Registrar Group

  1,547.4

  1,583.7

  1,578.3

  1,605.8

  1,636.8

  1,706.1

  Senior House Officer

  1,307.4

  1,267.7

  1,230.5

  1,282.8

  1,369.2

  1,488.7

  Source:

  Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey—Vacancies in NHS trusts for consultants in anaesthetics (inc. intensive care) three month vacancy rates1,2 and numbers3 for total of each group

  Numbers

  Rates (percentage)

  2001

  60

  1.7

  2002

  80

  2.2

  1 Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March each year which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalents).

  2 Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post from the medical and dental workforce census, (whole time equivalent).

  3 Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10

  Notes:

  1. Percentages rounded to one decimal place.

  2. England totals include staff from Special Health Authorities.

  Source:

  Department of Health Vacancies Survey 2001.

  Papilloma Virus
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the results of the three human papilloma virus implementation pilots now being undertaken; and what progress is being made in the HPV primary screening trial being undertaken in Manchester. [123247]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The pilot of human papilloma virus (HPV) testing for women with mild or borderline cervical screening test results, along with liquid based cytology, began in April 2001 at three sites: Bristol, Newcastle, and Norfolk and Norwich. The independent evaluation report of the HPV arm of the pilot is due to be sent to the Department of Health at the end of September 2003, and will then undergo a peer review process. Implications of the report for the National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme will be discussed by the United Kingdom National Screening Committee, who originally commissioned the pilot. Publication is expected in early 2004.
  654W
  The ARTISTIC trial (A randomised trial of human papilloma virus testing in primary cervical screening), which is led by Professor Henry Kitchener at Manchester University, is broadly on target to complete patient recruitment by the end of 2003. The main results will not be known until 2007–08, as it will take two years to reach the necessary number of patients and each patient then needs to be followed up for three years in order to evaluate the sensitivity and accuracy of the test.

  Pathology Laboratories
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his plans are for the future inspection of pathology laboratories. [123753]

  Mr. Hutton
  Currently, registration for accreditation of pathology laboratories in the United Kingdom is voluntary, except for cervical cytology laboratories. To improve clinical governance, raise quality standards and improve openness and transparency for patients, we believe that the current voluntary system for laboratory accreditation is no longer acceptable. We have, therefore, decided that all National Health Service pathology laboratories in England should enrol with an appropriate accreditation scheme. Further information will be contained in theDepartment of Health document on modernising pathology services, which will be published shortly.

  Patient Advice and Liaison Service
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 10 July 2003,Official Report, columns 1041–12W, on the Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service, what the methodology was for the recent mapping exercise. [126342]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Department of Health undertook a survey of all national health service trusts and primary care trusts to ascertain the provision of patient advice and liaison services (PALS) in England. The survey included a question on whether each NHS trust had a PALS. The survey was carried out through the strategic health authorities and a listing of the trusts reporting that they have an active PALS can be found on the Department's website at http://www.doh.gov.uk/patientadviceandliaisonservices/.

  Plastic Surgery
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the records which he holds of the number of plastic surgery procedures broken down by category carried out in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [125738]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department is committed to improving patient access to plastic surgery, and the quality of care they receive. For these reasons the Modernisation Agency has established the 'Action on Plastic Surgery' programme. This will develop good practice and spread it throughout the national health service.

  We have also increased the number of consultant plastic surgeons. At September 2002, there were 203 plastic surgeons, which is an increase of 31 per cent. since 1997. The Department is also supporting further expansion by increasing training places.
  655W
  Figures for Finished Consultant Episodes broken down by a number of plastic surgical procedures carried out in the NHS for years 1992–93 to 2000–01, have been placed in the Library. Figures have been adjusted for coverage and missing/invalid clinical data. Comparable data prior to 1992–93 are not available, and data for 2001–02 are not yet available.

  Professions Allied to Medicine
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) occupational therapists, (b) speech and

  1996–97

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Occupational therapists

  958

  1,107

  1,135

  1,173

  1,385

  1,563

  1,692

  Speech and language therapists1

  74

  75

  455

  457

  558

  553

  597

  Physiotherapists

  1,093

  1,204

  1,344

  1,346

  1,473

  1,780

  2,157

  1 Prior to 1998–99, funding for speech and language therapist training was funded by DfES.

  Information on the number of students completing training is not collected centrally. The Health Professions Council holds information on the numbers of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists on their register, a prerequisite for employment in the United Kingdom. This information can be found at http://www.hpc-uk.orq/aboutus/facts_figures_cpsm_reqistrants.htm.

  Prostate Cancer
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of links between high-dose zinc supplements and prostate cancer in men. [126091]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: The Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals recently considered the safety of zinc, along with other vitamins and minerals. It found no evidence of an association between zinc and prostate cancer.

  Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the efficacy of using glycyrrhizin in treating severe acute respiratory syndrome. [122391]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  As the United Kingdom has no active cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), it is not feasible for the UK to undertake an assessment of the efficacy of glycyrrhizin in treating SARS.

  Sexual Health
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has developed a model to assess the impact of waiting times on sexual health outcomes; and if he will make a statement. [122740]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department of Health, the Scottish Executive and the National Assembly for Wales are funding the Medical Research Council (MRC) to develop a programme of research to contribute to the evidence base for the Sexual Health and HIV Strategy. Through this programme we are 656W
  language therapists and (c) physiotherapists (i) began and (ii) finished training in each year since 1997. [126532]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and physiotherapists entering training each year since 1997 is shown in the table.

  Since 1996–97, the number of training places for occupational therapists have been increased by 77 per cent., physiotherapists have increased by 97 per cent., and, since 1998–99, the number of speech and language therapist training places have been increased by 31 per cent.

  supporting research being undertaken by a team from University College London to explore the effects of delayed access to treatment on the transmission dynamics of gonorrhoea, chlamydia and non-specific urethritis. A model will be developed which will quantify the impact of delayed access to services, failed partner notification, and flow to primary care on transmission dynamics. This research, funded by the MRC, will provide us with better evidence of effective interventions to reduce transmission of infection through improved access to services.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the outcome was of the audit of genito-urinary medicine waiting times; and if he will make a statement. [122741]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  An audit undertaken by professional bodies in 2002 shows that the median time to first appointment in genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics was 12 days for men and 14 days for women. Accurate data on GUM waiting times is not currently collected centrally and we are therefore funding the Health Protection Agency to roll-out the collection of patient specific data. This is in conjunction with the development of a minimum data set for GUM, which will enable an accurate calculation of waiting times to be made for both individual patients and primary care trusts.

  We are also working with representatives of professional bodies to develop a service review process for GUM. This will involve a multi-disciplinary team visiting each clinic to review data, staffing and working practices including auditing waiting times.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether additional resources are being invested to improve genito-urinary medicine services in the current financial year; and if he will make a statement. [122742]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department of Health has invested a further £8 million in genito-urinary medicine services this year to reduce waiting times and improve capacity. This funding is recurring and is additional to the £5 million we invested last year. Allocations have been made to clinics based on their workload. In addition, we have a further £2 million to
  657W
  invest in around 20 development schemes to pump-prime the establishment of new services or further develop those already in existence. We will be shortly seeking bids from primary care trusts that meet specific criteria.

  Sporting Injuries (Children)
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were admitted to the Royal Shrewsbury hospital last year with sporting injuries, broken down by sporting type. [126640]

  Dr. Ladyman
  This information is not collected centrally.

  Stroke Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of stroke patients were under 18 in each year since 1997. [126527]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Finished Consultant Episodes: Count of in year admissions for primary diagnosis stroke (160–164 ICD 10) by age in NHS hospitals in England 1997–98 to 2001–02

  Year

  Under 18

  18 and over

  All ages

  Percentage of under 18

  1997–98

  346

  84,650

  84,996

  0.41

  1998–99

  342

  87,986

  88,328

  0.39

  1999–2000

  340

  86,742

  87,082

  0.39

  2000–01

  311

  82,400

  82,711

  0.38

  2001–02

  297

  83,347

  83,644

  0.36

  Notes:

  1. Figures in this table have not yet been adjusted for shortfalls in data.

  2. The primary diagnosis is the first of seven diagnosis fields in the HES data set, and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.

  3. An FCE is defined as a period of patient care under one consultant in one health care provider.

  4. The figures do not represent the number of patients, as one person may have several episodes within the year.

  Source:

  Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what proportion of stroke patients were treated in a specialist unit in each strategic health authority, in each year since 1997; [126528]

  (2) how many stroke patients did not receive a swallowing assessment within 24 hours of admission to hospital within the last year; and if he will make a statement; [126534]

  (3) what the (a) average and (b) maximum waiting times for stroke assessment after arrival at hospital were in each region in each year since 1997; [126535]

  (4) how many and what percentage of general hospitals have had a specialist stroke unit in each year since 1997. [126542]

  Dr. Ladyman
  We do not collect routinely information on stroke services at the level of detail requested in these questions. The most comprehensive source of information is the National Sentinel Stroke Audit, carried out by the Royal College of Physicians. The audit was commissioned by the national health 658W
  service in 1998 and was last updated in 2002. The results can be found at http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/pubs/ strokeaudit0l–02.pdf. The audit contains information covering discharge arrangements, and clinical assessments including swallowing assessments. The 2002 audit shows that 73 per cent. of trusts who participated had a stroke unit, compared to 56 per cent. three years earlier. In addition, 83 per cent. of patients receive brain imaging (—the highest ever level. The audit shows that 80 per cent., of trusts that participated have a consultant physician with specialist knowledge of stroke who is formally recognised as having principal responsibility for stroke services. While it is recognised that some services need to increase their capacity, the audit notes that very significant improvements have already been made.

  Our major vehicle for further improving standards for stroke services is through the older people's national service framework (NSF), which sets specific milestones for improvement by 2004 of stroke services in primary care trusts, specialist services and general hospitals that care for people suffering from a stroke. Our document, "Improvement, Expansion and Reform", which sets for the national health service a Priorities and Planning Framework for 2003–06, makes clear that implementation of the older people's NSF is a top priority and that the 2004 milestone around specialist stroke services is a key target.

  We monitor progress against the key milestones in the NSF. From the information gathered so far we know that 83 per cent., of the hospitals which have replied now have plans to have a specialist stroke service in place by April 2004.

  Implementation of the NSF for older people is leading to real improvements in stroke services and making a difference to people's lives. The development of better services and improved standards in stroke care requires the right balance between national standards, provided by the NSF, national clinical guidelines and local control. It will be important to ensure that stroke care services are co-ordinated and fully integrated within a full range of other relevant local services.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many stroke physicians there are in hospital trusts; and if he will make a statement. [126529]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department does not collect data on stroke physicians; a number of specialties are linked with the treatment of patients with strokes.

  The main specialties are geriatric medicine, neurology and rehabilitation medicine but it is not possible to say how many of the physicians within these specialties specialise in the treatment of strokes.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the cost of strokes to the NHS in each of the last five years. [126533]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested is not collected centrally. Health authorities 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.
  659W
  The level of funding made available for the drugs, staffing and other costs of providing stroke services are determined locally. It is for health authorities 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 stroke.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what monitoring is in place to ensure that NHS trusts have reviewed hospital services for stroke using the clinical audit methodology developed by the Royal College of Physicians; [126538]

  (2) what monitoring is in place to ensure that NHS trusts have agreed local priorities for action required to establish an integrated stroke service which is regularly audited with a continuing cycle of improvement; [126539]

  (3) whether every hospital which cares for older people with stroke has established clinical audit systems to ensure delivery of the Royal College of Physicians clinical guidelines for stroke care. [126540]

  Dr. Ladyman
  In 2001, the Third National Sentinel Audit of Stroke, carried out by the Clinical Effectiveness and Evaluation Unit of the Royal College of Physicians and led by the Intercollegiate Working Party for Stroke, gave a detailed picture of the way hospitals provide care for stroke patients. The results of this study were published July 2002.

  In the 2001 audit, 98 per cent. of eligible acute trusts submitted clinical data, demonstrating delivery of the clinical guidelines. The next National Sentinel Audit of Stroke is expected to take place in April 2004.

  The Department of Health will be monitoring formally the overall stroke milestone in April 2004 as this is included as one of the key targets in "Improvement, Expansion and Reform", the priorities and planning framework for 2003–06. It is now for strategic health authorities to plan, deliver and monitor progress locally on the other stroke milestones in the national service framework.

  Progress on this key target will be monitored through the 2003–04 local delivery plan reporting mechanism and information will be available later in the year.

  Sunbeds
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the operation of tanning salons following health education authority guidelines which recommend that nobody under the age of 16 should be allowed to use a sunbed; [120086]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the potential risks to children under the age of 16 of skin cancer from using sunbeds; and if he will make a statement; [120087]

  (3) what plans he has to ensure that sunbed salons are regulated to stop children from using salons in a harmful manner; and if he will make a statement. [120088]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government acknowledge the risks to young people of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in all of its forms. On sunbeds specifically, the Health and Safety Executive has 660W
  published guidance for operators and customers of solaria. The advice far people under 16-years-old is that they should not use sunbeds.

  There is no conclusive direct evidence that sunbed exposure causes skin cancer from either of the recent reports on the effects of UVR from the National Radiological Protection Board's and from the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection.

  However, by far the greatest source of UVR exposure is from the sun. That is why we have taken measures to ensure that parents are encouraged to protect their children. We have, with key stakeholders, developed the SunSmart campaign, run by Cancer Research UK. The campaign was launched in March and funded by the United Kingdom Health Departments. Campaign leaflets and posters have been sent to all general practitioner surgeries, secondary schools and health promotion units. Officials will discuss with Cancer Research UK the possibility of developing a new element to their campaign warning young people of the dangers of using sunbeds.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many planning applications have been made to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department. [124808]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Since 2001, when the current planning regulations on mobile telecommunications masts came into force, there have been no planning applications or applications for prior approval to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department.

  Toothpaste
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of toothpaste sold in the UK contained fluoride in the last 12 months. [125194]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Department does not collect this information.

  Tranquillisers/Anti-depressants
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations the UK has made to the European Medicines Evaluation Agency's review of anti-depressant drugs; [125636]

  (2) what steps the UK's representatives to the European Medicines Evaluation Agency's review of anti-depressants have taken to represent the views of pharmaceutical companies; [125637]

  (3) what his policy is on representatives of drug companies sitting o a public bodies which determine and review the safety of drugs for prescription to the public; [125638]

  (4) what representations he has received on the UK members of the European Medicines Evaluation Agency; and whether he was consulted on their appointment. [125639]
  661W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  On 12 June 2003, the United Kingdom referred the risks and benefits of the antidepressant Seroxat (paroxetine) to the European scientific committee, the Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products (CPMP) for a Europe-wide evaluation. There are two UK representatives to the CPMP, who are appointed by Ministers, chosen by reason of their role and experience in the evaluation of medicinal products to represent the UK Licensing Authority.

  The Medicines Act 1968 requires one of its advisory bodies, the Medicines Commission, to have at least one member with "wide and recent experience of, and shown capacity in" the pharmaceutical industry. There are currently two serving member; of the Medicines Commission who are employees of pharmaceutical companies. Advisory bodies do not make determinations on drug safety issues but rather advise the Licensing Authority which may, or may not, accept their advice.

  All members of the Medicines Act Advisory committees are required to follow a code of practice relating to declarations of interests in the pharmaceutical industry. The code is rigorously followed at each meeting to ensure the integrity of the advice given to the Licensing Authority by those committees.

  Tuberculosis
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of(a) tuberculosis and (b) drug resistant tuberculosis there have been in England in each year since 1997; and how many deaths resulted. [124799]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Notifications of tuberculosis (TB) and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) are made to the Health Protection Agency.

  The total numbers of TB and MDR TB cases and deaths are shown in the table.

  Number of cases

  MDR (%)

  Isoniazid resistant (%)

  Deaths1

  1997

  5,664

  1.4

  5.6

  385

  1998

  5,915

  1.4

  6.3

  392

  1999

  5,938

  0.8

  6.1

  383

  2000

  6,379

  1.1

  6.5

  370

  2001

  6,571

  N/A

  N/A

  375

  2002

  26,627

  N/A

  N/A

  N/A

  1 England and Wales figure (ONS data).

  2 Provisional figure.

  Waiting Lists/Times
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he has taken with respect to the discovery in March that chief executives of some hospitals had altered waiting list figures. [123601]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department asked the Audit Commission to carry out a series of spot checks to further improve data quality and to reassure the public that published waiting times statistics remain robust.

  The Department asked all trusts subject to spot checks to report back on the auditor's findings and to confirm that action had been taken to address those
  662W
  findings. In the three trusts identified by the Audit Commission as deliberately misreporting prompt action was taken. This action involved commissioning independent external reviews and taking appropriate disciplinary action taken, which is still ongoing.

  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 9 April 2003,Official Report, column 334W, on waiting times, whether anyone waited for more than 24 months for cancer treatment. [118301]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The figures for people waiting over 24 months for heart operations, hip replacements and cancer treatment, which appeared on 9 April 2003,Official Report, column 334W, were incorrectly printed. The Official Report has been notified of the error, which will be corrected in the Bound Volume.

  The correct figures are shown in the table

  Waiting more than 24 months

  Heart operations

  0

  Hip replacements

  9

  Cancer treatment (Neoplasms)

  8

  Social Care
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the update of the Wanless report announced in the Budget will include a full examination of the long-term trends in social care, as recommended by the original Wanless report. [109238]

  Dr. John Reid
  The update of the Wanless report announced in the Budget will not include a full examination of long-term trends in social care.

  Welfare Food Scheme
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made of the impact of the changes to the Welfare Food Scheme on(a) disadvantaged parents and (b) other client groups. [126177]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The proposed changes to the Welfare Food Scheme were consulted upon in October 2002. The consultation exercise included specific focus groups with beneficiaries of the scheme.

  A summary report on the outcome of the consultation, which demonstrated strong support for reforming the scheme, was published in March 2003. Both documents are available in the Library.

  Working Time Directive
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the implementation of the working time directive on junior hospital doctors. [124430]

  Mr. Hutton
  Implementation of the European Working Time Directive (WTD) requires the hours of work of doctors in training to reduce to 58 hours from August 2004 and to 48 hours by 2009 or 2012 with an extension. While the number of doctors on an individual rota on call will generally have to increase to implement the 2004 requirements, the intention of the
  663W
  Department's guidance—HSC 2003/001 Protecting Staff, Delivering Services—Implementing the European Working Time Directive for Doctors in Training is that Trusts should find ways to reduce the number of resident rotas. It is important to change working practices so that additional staff are used in a way, which not only delivers WTD compliance but also the extra service activity to meet NHS Plan targets. For instance, other staff will need to take on some of the work traditionally undertaken by doctors in training.
  664W
  Using this approach, trusts can plan to meet the WTD within the substantial expansion in staff numbers currently being implemented.

  Written Ministerial Statements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department since 29 October 2002. [126618]

  Ms. Rosie Winterton
  The Department of Health made 51 written ministerial statements between 29 October 2002 and 15 July 2003.

  PEACE I Funding
  PEACE I Funding
  Departments of State: Faith Advisers/Units
  Departments of State: Faith Advisers/Units
  Departments of State: Diversity
  Departments of State: Diversity
  House of Lords Appointments Commission: 2000–03 Report
  House of Lords Appointments Commission: 2000–03 Report
  Northern Ireland: Smoking
  Northern Ireland: Smoking
  Acts of Parliament since 1997: Prohibited Activities
  Acts of Parliament since 1997: Prohibited Activities
  Iraq: Dossier
  Iraq: Dossier
  Ministerial Committees of the Cabinet
  Ministerial Committees of the Cabinet
  Crown Prosecution Service: Annual Report 2002–03
  Crown Prosecution Service: Annual Report 2002–03
  Panel Counsel Review Group
  Panel Counsel Review Group
  Africa: Small Arms Control
  Africa: Small Arms Control
  Zimbabwe
  Zimbabwe
  Burma
  Burma
  Guantanamo Bay: British Detainees
  Guantanamo Bay: British Detainees
  British Nationals in Foreign Prisons: FCO Policy
  British Nationals in Foreign Prisons: FCO Policy
  US Alien Tort Statute: British Companies
  US Alien Tort Statute: British Companies
  Cayman Islands: Appointment of Attorney-General
  Cayman Islands: Appointment of Attorney-General
  Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong
  Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong
  Iraq: Prisoners Captured by British Forces
  Iraq: Prisoners Captured by British Forces
  Iraq: Action to Incapacitate Weapons
  Iraq: Action to Incapacitate Weapons
  Iraq: Refrigerated Containers
  Iraq: Refrigerated Containers
  Challenger 2 Tanks
  Challenger 2 Tanks
  Army Personnel Centre: Key Targets
  Army Personnel Centre: Key Targets
  Training Group Defence Agency: Key Targets
  Training Group Defence Agency: Key Targets
  Army Training and Recruitment Agency: Key Targets
  Army Training and Recruitment Agency: Key Targets
  Service Children's Education: Targets
  Service Children's Education: Targets
  Military Low Flying: Annual Report
  Military Low Flying: Annual Report
  Afghanistan: National Army
  Afghanistan: National Army
  Armed Forces Pay: X Factor
  Armed Forces Pay: X Factor
  Service Personnel: Return from the Gulf
  Service Personnel: Return from the Gulf
  Military Vehicles: Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle and Future Command and Liaison Vehicle
  Military Vehicles: Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle and Future Command and Liaison Vehicle
  Ministry of Defence: Disposals Process
  Ministry of Defence: Disposals Process
  Racial Discrimination: UK and EC Legislation
  Racial Discrimination: UK and EC Legislation
  Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000: Public Bodies Compliance
  Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000: Public Bodies Compliance
  Biometric Identification
  Biometric Identification
  Temporary Protection: EU Directive
  Temporary Protection: EU Directive
  Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002: Coercive Information Powers
  Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002: Coercive Information Powers
  Criminal Justice System Public Service Agreement
  Criminal Justice System Public Service Agreement
  UK Passport Service: Annual Report and Accounts 2002–03
  UK Passport Service: Annual Report and Accounts 2002–03
  Forensic Science Service: Review
  Forensic Science Service: Review
  Scientific Procedures on Living Animals: 2002 Statistics
  Scientific Procedures on Living Animals: 2002 Statistics
  Asylum Support Adjudicators
  Asylum Support Adjudicators
  Assets Recovery Agency: Annual Report 2002–03
  Assets Recovery Agency: Annual Report 2002–03
  Voluntary and Community Sector: Government Relations Compact
  Voluntary and Community Sector: Government Relations Compact
  Housing: Local Authority Subsidy
  Housing: Local Authority Subsidy
  CAFCASS: Annual Report and Accounts 2002–03
  CAFCASS: Annual Report and Accounts 2002–03
  Magistrates' Courts: Annual Report 2002–03
  Magistrates' Courts: Annual Report 2002–03
  Biofuels
  Biofuels
  Motorways: Congestion and Sensitive Lorry Miles
  Motorways: Congestion and Sensitive Lorry Miles
  Car Insurance
  Car Insurance
  Scottish Peerage Claims: Ministerial Responsibility
  Scottish Peerage Claims: Ministerial Responsibility
  Post-16 Full-time Students
  Post-16 Full-time Students
  Government Economic Services: Salary Costs
  Government Economic Services: Salary Costs
  European Capital of Culture 2008
  European Capital of Culture 2008
  Council for Science and Technology: Quinquennial Review
  Council for Science and Technology: Quinquennial Review
  NHS Foundation Trusts: Model Constitution
  NHS Foundation Trusts: Model Constitution
  Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities: Supporting Staff
  Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities: Supporting Staff
  Disabled Living Foundation: Self-assessment Project
  Disabled Living Foundation: Self-assessment Project
  Fluoridation
  Fluoridation
  Commission for Health Improvement: Annual Report 2002–03
  Commission for Health Improvement: Annual Report 2002–03
  NHS Pensions Agency: Annual Report 2002–03
  NHS Pensions Agency: Annual Report 2002–03
  NHS Pensions Agency: Quinquennial Review
  NHS Pensions Agency: Quinquennial Review
  Health Select Committee Fifth Report: Government Response
  Health Select Committee Fifth Report: Government Response
  Independent Complaints Advocacy Service
  Independent Complaints Advocacy Service
  Dairy Industry
  Dairy Industry
  Plywood
  Plywood
  Wooden Flooring: Home-grown Timber
  Wooden Flooring: Home-grown Timber
  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty