Written Answers of 18 July 2003

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

  Carer's Allowance
  Mr. Siôn Simon
  To ask the Minister for Women what entitlements are available to women who act as carers who have been receiving Carer's Allowance, once they have become entitled to state pension. [126105]

  Ms Hewitt
  Women entitled to both Carer's Allowance and State Pension receive the latter because the social security overlapping benefits rules give precedence to payment of State Pension, which is a contributory benefit, over payment of a non-contributory benefit such as Carer's Allowance. If the weekly amount of State Pension paid is less than the weekly rate of Carer's Allowance, the amount by which the Carer's Allowance exceeds State Pension is also paid. In addition, such carers may also be entitled to the carer premium if they are in receipt of an income related benefit, to a State Second Pension, other social security benefits depending on their circumstances, and the Christmas Bonus and Winter Fuel Payments.

  Civil Service Pay
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Minister for Women when the pay reviews of civil service departments and agencies will be published; and if she will place a copy in the Library. [125737]

  Mr. Alexander
  I have been asked to reply.

  Departments and agencies are responsible for undertaking their own equal pay review and producing an action plan. It is for individual departments to determine whether they will place a copy in the Library.

  The Cabinet Office is considering the actions contained in departmental action plans and will be publishing a summary of the findings after the summer recess.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

  Attorney-General Reference Cases
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make a statement on her practice in appointing trial counsel in Attorney-General reference cases. [125995]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service instructs counsel on behalf of the Attorney-General in Attorney-General reference cases. These are cases that are referred to the Court of Appeal under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1972 and sections 35 and 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 either on a point of law or because they come within the 666W
  unduly lenient sentence provisions, under which the Attorney-General refers a case to the Court of Appeal to have the sentence reviewed on the grounds that it is unduly lenient.

  The Crown Prosecution Service usually instructs Senior Treasury Counsel or Junior Treasury Counsel to undertake this work. Treasury Counsel are very experienced counsel, used by the Crown for serious work. When instructing counsel, the Crown Prosecution Service considers the seniority of counsel, the specialist areas of work in which counsel practises and the ability of counsel to return work at the specified time. In deciding which counsel to instruct, the Crown Prosecution Service strives to promote consistency in the decision-making, process.

  In cases concerning potentially unduly lenient sentences it is considered to be of particular benefit to have new counsel to consider the facts. Consistency in these applications is maintained by restricting them to Treasury Counsel, who build up expertise in this field of work.

  Crown Prosecution Service
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many lawyers left the Crown Prosecution Service in 2002. [125782]

  The Solicitor-General
  During 2002, 83 lawyers (i.e. 3.56 per cent. of the average legal staff in post) ceased working for the Crown Prosecution Service. Of those, 27 were early retirements, 22 were resignations, eight were standard retirements, 11 were dismissals, nine were transfers to offer Government Departments, four were early severance and two were deaths.

  Within the same period, and as part of the Government's commitment in the White Paper, "Criminal Justice—The Way Ahead", 251 lawyers (i.e 10.76 per cent. of the average legal staff in post) joined the Service.

  Guantanamo Bay
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Solicitor-General what information the Attorney-General has(a) requested and (b) received from (i) the United States Secretary for Defense and (ii) the US Attorney General in respect of the legal rights and legal representation to be afforded to detainees held at camp X-ray in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba by the United States Administration. [126318]

  The Solicitor-General
  (a) The Attorney-General has raised the position of the UK nationals detained in Guantanamo Bay with the United States Department of Defense, which has responsibility for this matter, to express the Government's profound concern that if the UK detainees are to be tried they should have a fair trial with all proper safeguards, including legal representation, and to make plain the Government's opposition to the imposition of the death penalty.

  During a meeting with the then US Assistant Attorney General in September 2002, the Attorney-General raised the Government's concern about the position of the UK nationals detained in Guantanamo

  667W
  Bay. The Attorney-General has had no discussions about the Guantanamo Bay detainees with the US Attorney General.

  (b) The Department of Defense has responded to the Attorney-General that detainees in Guantanamo Bay are held as enemy combatants under the laws of armed conflict and as such are not entitled to legal representation. They explained that their view is that the procedures of the military commissions established to try individuals designated under the US President's Military Order of 13 November 2001 provide for detainees to have access to defence counsel if the individual has been charged with an offence. They have also stated that they believe that the military commissions constitute an impartial and regularly constituted court respecting generally recognised principles of regular judicial procedure.

  However, the Attorney-General continues to have serious concerns about these issues, and is in Washington on 21 and 22 July to discuss the matter further with senior members of the US Administration.

  Illegal Trading Prosecutions
  Mr. Watts
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many individuals have been successfully prosecuted for illegal trading in the last three years. [125208]

  The Solicitor-General
  The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) among others prosecute offences of companies that continue to trade while insolvent.

  The Serious Fraud Office has prosecuted one defendant in the last three years far an offence under section 458 of the Companies Act 1985.

  The CPS's centrally held records do not include offence-based information about the cases that it prosecutes. It is therefore not possible to say, without incurring disproportionate cost, how many individuals have been prosecuted for such offences over the last three years.

  The CPS is currently rolling out a new Compass Case Management System that will capture offence-based information from across the Service's 42 Areas.

  Incitement to Crime
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many(a) indictments and (b) convictions there have been in each of the last five years for the offence of incitement to commit a crime; and in what proportion of such (i) indictments and (ii) convictions incitement to commit a crime was the only charge. [126185]

  Paul Goggins
  I have been asked to reply.

  The information requested is not available centrally. The figures collected by the Home Office on persons proceeded against and convicted do not separately identify the offence of incitement to commit a crime.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many outsourced IT contracts have been signed by her Department in each year since 1997; how much each of 668W
  these contracts is worth; with whom they are signed; how many have been renegotiated; how many are still in place; and if she will make a statement. [126210]

  The Solicitor-General
  The information requested is as follows.

  Crown Prosecution Service

  The Compass contract was awarded to LogicaCMG (formerly Logica UK Limited) on 31 December 2001 under a Private Finance Initiative procurement to provide a fully managed IT service to the Crown Prosecution Service. The Compass contract is for 10 years with the option of extending it for a further 5 years. Over 10 years the cost is currently estimated to be £275 million. This is subject to change as user numbers change and/or additional facilities are required. There has been no renegotiation of the contract.

  Serious Fraud Office and Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers

  There is one material contract relating to "Outsourced IT contracts" for the provision of IT support services. This contract is with IBM and originated as a comprehensive, PFI outsourcing in 1998. It was re-negotiated at end 2000 as a fixed-price, support agreement, subject to an inflation-related annual increase. The value of the agreement is affected by privity of contract but it has been considered to offer sufficient value for money that it was subsequently extended to provide support for the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers. IBM charges the Serious Fraud Office for this extension and the Serious Fraud Office recharges to the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers. Prior to 1998 IT was supported in-house both at the Serious Fraud Office and the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers.

  HM Crown Prosecution Service

  Since its inception in October 2000, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate has relied on the Crown Prosecution Service for the provision of its IT services. However, it used separate one-off contracts with commercial suppliers for the initial design and continuous improvement of its website. In 2002 this contract work totalled £5,000.

  The design of the website is such that the majority of maintenance work can be conducted in-house. Any specific improvements, or work beyond the in-house capability would be subject to the awarding of separate contracts.

  HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate has budgeted for a maximum cost per annum of £5,000 for both this work and the hosting of the website.

  Treasury Solicitor's Department

  Since 1997, the Treasury Solicitor's Department has entered into no contracts where an external organisation delivers and operates IT service on the Department's behalf. The Department's in-house Information Services team provides the IT services for the Department, generally using commercially available software, supported by contractors where necessary.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Sayeed
  To ask the Solicitor-General when she expects to answer the question of 24 February from the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire on IT contracts in the Department above £50 million. [126904]

  The Solicitor-General
  No such question was asked.

  Written Ministerial Statements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Solicitor-General how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Law Officers' Departments since 29 October 2002. [126604]

  The Solicitor-General
  I have made six written ministerial statements since 29 October 2002 on behalf of the Law Officers' Departments.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

  National Land Information System
  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 19 May 2003,Official Report, column 653W, on the National Land Information System, what steps the Government have taken in the past 12 months to encourage local authorities to transfer their land and property information to electronic local land and property gazetteers to link into the National Land Information System. [126638]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is responsible for the Local e-Government programme, which is supporting the electronic enablement of the local authority services in England, including the development of an electronic National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG).

  The Government have encouraged the recording of land and property information, as a means of providing both an improved service to customers making land charge searches, and an improved, consistent database for the authority's own use. In particular, on 24 July 2002, the Lord Chancellor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford), the leader of the Welsh Assembly and the Chairman of the Local Government Association and the Welsh Local Government Association jointly wrote to all local authority Chief Executives in England and Wales, pointing out the benefits of the NLPG, and of the one-stop shop for land and property related information provided by the National Land Information Services (NLIS). The benefits include saving staff time otherwise wasted on maintaining duplicate address lists, and improved service delivery based on accurate, up to date address data. My hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper), the then Parliamentary Secretary for the Lord Chancellor's Department and my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Leslie), followed up the letter by hosting a reception on 8 October 2002 for local authorities which had committed to NLIS.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister also asked every authority in England to prepare and submit an implementing e-Government (IEG) statement in 2001 and 2002, in return for which they would receive £200,000 to help implement the e-Government plan set
  670W
  out in it. Authorities were asked to include some key data in their statements, including indicating whether they were committed to NLPG and NLIS. Following assessment of the IEGs submitted in 2002, Ministers of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister sought (with the agreement of the Local Government Association and other stakeholders) parliamentary approval for the use of £2.2 million from the Local e-Government programme funds to ensure that all local authorities were committed to supporting the NLPG by December 2003. Specifically, this will fund work to identify the barriers to implementation of the NLPG. Where implemented the NLPG will provide basis for electronic land and property information searches by NLIS and other compatible services. It will remain a decision for local authorities as to whether or not to link to NLIS.

  Affordable Housing
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he will take to enforce Regional Planning Guidance targets for affordable housing provision in the south-west. [126338]

  Keith Hill
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty),Official Report, column 1152W, on 13 June 2003, to a similar question, which made it clear that targets for affordable housing are set out in local development plans based on local assessments housing needs surveys undertaken by local planning authorities. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will continue fully to support policies and proposals by local authorities that are soundly based on such assessments. This process will also be aided by the more strategic and coherent approach to housing issues provided by the new South West Regional Housing Board established in February by the Deputy Prime Minister.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he will take to assist key workers in the south-west to meet their housing needs at a reasonable price. [126339]

  Keith Hill
  As at 30 June 2003, more than 160 key workers in the south-west region had been helped to purchase their own homes under the Starter Home Initiative. From 2004–05, funding for the provision of key worker housing will be integrated into the Housing Corporation's main affordable housing programme. Funding for new key worker housing schemes in the south-west will be informed by advice from the South West Regional Housing Board.

  On 29 May the South West Regional Housing Body published a draft document setting out priorities for public sector housing investment in the south-west region. It contained a proposal to allocate funding for key worker housing in the region as part of its overall housing strategy. Ministers will be considering this together with other regional housing strategies that are due to be submitted this month.

  Arson
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the schools in Herefordshire and Worcestershire that have been subject to arson attack since 1997. [126728]
  671W
  Phil Hope
  The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with(a) Hereford and Worcester fire brigade and (b) West Mercia police force regarding ways to tackle arson attacks on schools in the Herefordshire and Worcestershire area. [126729]

  Phil Hope
  The Deputy Prime Minister has not had recent discussions with the Hereford and Worcester fire brigade or the West Mercia police farce on this matter.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is awarding £50,000 this financial year, via the Arson Control Forum, to the West Mercia Local Arson Task Force. The task force includes members from the Hereford and Worcester fire brigade and West Mercia constabulary; its plans for reducing arson in schools this year include holding arson reduction and information sessions for governors and staff of schools perceived to be at highest risk of arson.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what the clear up rate of malicious fires was in each police force area, in each year since 1997; [125530]

  (2) what the arson detection rate was in each year since 1997. [125531]

  Ms Blears
  I have been asked to reply.

  The available information fro m police recorded crime data on detection rates for arson and all recorded crime in England and Wales for the years since 1997 are as follows:

  Percentage detection rates—England and Wales

  Arson

  All recorded crime

  19971

  16

  28

  1998–992

  10

  29

  1999–20003

  9

  25

  2000–01

  8

  24

  2001–024

  8

  23

  1 Calendar year, and years ending March thereafter

  2 There was a change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which may have affected defection rates.

  3 There was a change in the counting rules for detections on 1 April 1999, which will have had an effect on detection rates.

  4 Detection rates may have been affected by some police forces adopting the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard in advance of its national implementation on 1 April 2002.

  Corporate Governance
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the(a) press release released by the Audit Commission on the publication of the Corporate Governance inspection of Kingston upon Hull and (b) records of questions and answers at the accompanying press conference. [125664]

  Mr. Raynsford
  I will ask the Audit Commission to provide a copy of their press release to the Library of the House. The Audit Commission has informed this Office of the Deputy Prime Minister that in general, they do not record questions and answers raised in their press conferences—hence this cannot be made available for the Library of the House.

  Council Housing (North-East Lincolnshire)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with North-East Lincolnshire council about the adequacy of the provision he has made for repairs and renovations of council housing; what recommendations he has made to them about the benefits of a large scale voluntary transfer, broken down by housing association; and what proposals he has for visiting North-East Lincolnshire to commend the large scale voluntary transfer to council tenants. [126560]

  Keith Hill
  The Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber and the Community Housing Task Force have held a number of discussions with the council about their plans for delivering decent homes. The council has benefited from an increase in resources for housing investment from £2.221 million for 1997–98 to £6.563 million for 2003–04, including provision for major repairs allowance that was introduced in 2001–02. This demonstrates the Government's commitment to providing resources to tackle the backlog of council house renovation work and to modernise older stock to a standard of decency that tenants have a right to expect.

  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has no plans to visit North-East Lincolnshire and has made no recommendations to North-East Lincolnshire about large scale voluntary transfer in particular, although all authorities are required to have in place arrangements to ensure the delivery of the decent homes target by December 2010. Housing transfer is one of three options available to an authority where additional resources are required to meet this target.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been(a) claimed by and (b) paid to (i) North East Lincolnshire, (ii) North Lincolnshire, (iii) Hull and (iv) the East Riding in major repairs allowances for council housing in the last 12 months. [126418]

  Keith Hill
  The following major repairs allowances for 2002–03 have been claimed and included in the calculation of entitlement to housing revenue account subsidy:

  £

  North East Lincolnshire

  4,837,178

  North Lincolnshire

  5,685,966

  Kingston upon Hull

  16,181,820

  East Riding of Yorkshire

  6,240,493

  Council Tax
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list by each council tax valuation band the estimated number of households liable to pay council tax for 2003–04 in(a) England and (b) each of the English regions. [127211]

  Phil Hope
  The number of chargeable dwellings for 2003–04 for England, and for each Government Office region, broken down by council tax band, is in the table.
  673W

  Thousand

  Valuation band ranges (1991)

  Band A Under £40,000

  Band B £40,001 to £52,000

  Band C £52,001 to £68,000

  Band D £68,001 to £88,000

  Band E £88,001 to £120,000

  Band F £120,001 to £160,000

  Band G £160,001 to £320,000

  Band H Over £320,000

  Total all bands

  Ratio to Band D

  6/9

  7/9

  8/9

  1

  11/9

  13/9

  15/9

  2

  —

  England

  5,293

  4,012

  4,516

  3,151

  1,976

  1,044

  749

  114

  20,855

  North-east

  638

  154

  155

  80

  40

  18

  10

  1

  1,097

  North-west

  1,260

  549

  505

  283

  167

  82

  56

  5

  2,907

  Yorkshire and Humber

  956

  410

  344

  186

  119

  57

  34

  3

  2,107

  East midlands

  677

  396

  316

  184

  109

  52

  31

  3

  1,767

  West midlands

  697

  547

  420

  236

  149

  81

  49

  5

  2,185

  East of England

  322

  481

  605

  397

  241

  132

  90

  10

  2,278

  London

  102

  410

  813

  779

  470

  233

  190

  51

  3,048

  South-east

  280

  543

  861

  669

  453

  274

  221

  29

  3,329

  South-west

  361

  523

  496

  338

  229

  116

  69

  6

  2,138

  Source:

  CTB1 2003–04

  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list by each council tax valuation band the average council tax payable for 2003–04 in each of the English regions. [127578]

  £

  Valuation band ranges (1991)

  Band A Under £40,000

  Band B £40,001 to £52,000

  Band C £52,001 to £68,000

  Band D £68,001 to £88,000

  Band E £88,001 to £120,000

  Band F £120,001 to £160,000

  Band G £160,001 to £320,000

  Band H Over £320,000

  Ratio to Band D

  6/9

  7/9

  8/9

  1

  11/9

  13/9

  15/9

  2

  North East

  774

  903

  1,032

  1,161

  1,419

  1,677

  1,936

  2,323

  North West

  757

  883

  1,009

  1,135

  1,387

  1,639

  1,891

  2,270

  Yorkshire and the Humber

  714

  833

  952

  1,071

  1,309

  1,547

  1,785

  2,141

  East Midlands

  750

  875

  1,000

  1,125

  1,375

  1,625

  1,875

  2,250

  West Midlands

  729

  850

  972

  1,093

  1,336

  1,579

  1,822

  2,187

  East of England

  744

  867

  991

  1,115

  1,363

  1,611

  1,859

  2,231

  London

  705

  823

  940

  1,058

  1,293

  1,528

  1,763

  2,116

  South East

  732

  854

  976

  1,098

  1,342

  1,587

  1,831

  2,197

  South West

  742

  866

  990

  1,113

  1,361

  1,608

  1,855

  2,227

  England

  735

  857

  979

  1,102

  1,347

  1,591

  1,836

  2,204

  Fire-related Deaths
  Mr. O'Hara
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his current target is for the reduction of deaths from fire by 2004. [127230]

  Mr. Raynsford
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's target set, following the 2000 spending review, is to reduce the number of fire-related deaths in the home by 20 per cent. averaged over the five year period to 31 March 2004 compared with the average for the five-year period to 31 March 1999. The base line figure is 379, so the average in the five years ending 31 March 2004 would need to be no more than 303.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff the Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which the Department is responsible had in each year since 1997; and what the cost of those staff was in each of those years. [122299]

  Yvette Cooper
  Data on staffing levels in the civil service are collected from Departments and agencies twice-yearly, in April and October. Headline figures are published under National Statistics guidelines via a press notice. Those for October 2002 were published on 27 February 2003.
  674W
  Phil Hope
  The average council tax payable for 2003–04 and for each Government Office Region, broken down by council tax band, is shown in the following table:

  A copy of the press notice, accompanying media brief and supporting tables is available on the world wide web at www.civil-service.gov.uk/statistics. Copies of these documents are also available in the Libraries of the House.

  More detailed in formation on the civil service is published annually in "Civil Service Statistics", copies of which are laid in the Libraries of the House. The last edition, based on April 2001 data, was published in June 2002. The next edition, based on April 2002 data, is due to be published at the end of July 2003.

  Cabinet Office publishes information on non-departmental public bodies in its annual publication "Public Bodies". The information includes details of the number of staff employed by each NDPB at 31 March each year. "Public Bodies 2002" was published in January 2003. Copies of "Public Bodies" published each year since 1997 are available in the Libraries of the House.

  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was established in May 2002. Information on staff costs was published in the Office's annual report 2003, and in the annual report and accounts for each agency and executive non-departmental public body since 1997. Copies of these reports are available in the Libraries of the House.
  675W
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has for redeployment of members of his Department out of London and the south-east. [125393]

  Yvette Cooper
  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 the HM Treasury website at http://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.

  Disabled Facilities Grant
  Mr. Berry
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans his Department has to review the working of the disabled facilities grant test of resources in relation to adaptations for disabled children; and if he will make a statement. [126303]

  Keith Hill
  The means test for disabled facilities grant (DFG) is kept under continual review and updated annually. The means test is broadly based on the eligibility rules for housing benefit and compares weekly household income with a set of standardised expenditure allowances. In cases where a household contains a disabled child the DFG means test provides for a higher housing cost allowance, which has the effect of increasing the level of grant entitlement for that household.

  Environmentally Friendly Procurement
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent guidance he has given to local authorities on environmentally friendly procurement. [127780]

  Phil Hope
  Local authorities are responsible within the Law for making their own decisions on procurement. In doing so they will no doubt consider the case for environmentally friendly procurement, consistent with the European Union Procurement

  (£000)

  Region

  ERDF Spend 1 January 2001 to July 2003

  2003 Allocation

  End December 2003 target

  2004 Allocation

  End December 2004 target

  North West (Merseyside)

  15,970

  81,394

  84,590

  71,948

  82,929

  South West (Cornwall and Scilly Isles)

  12,973

  27,576

  27,820

  24,873

  27,453

  Yorkshire and Humber (South Yorkshire)

  16,591

  71,542

  74,387

  63,311

  72,965

  East of England

  5,704

  13,367

  21,954

  11,695

  13,691

  East Midlands

  11,710

  32,181

  52,512

  28,208

  32,916

  London

  11,660

  21,387

  31,385

  19,585

  21,153

  North East

  16,129

  54,465

  84,445

  48,891

  54,714

  North West

  48,168

  75,988

  133,287

  64,270

  79,739

  South East

  999

  3,360

  6,239

  2,771

  3,588

  South West

  5,938

  14,505

  23,056

  12,861

  14,711

  West Midlands

  23,426

  66,701

  121,788

  56,768

  69,695

  Yorkshire and Humber

  11,802

  42,065

  68,063

  36,852

  43,043

  Total

  181,069

  504,532

  729,526

  442,032

  516,595

  Note:

  All figures are in £000s. Allocations and targets (originally in Euros) are based on an average exchange rate since the beginning of the programmes (1 Euro =£0.628).
  676W
  Directives and domestic law, which includes the duty of Best Value. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister set out its views on Best Value and procurement in Circular 03/2003. This included the Government's definition of Best Value as "the optimum combination of whole life costs and benefits to meet the customer's requirement."

  This approach enables sustainability and quality to be taken into account when service delivery options are being considered.

  European Constitution
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 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. [124783]

  Yvette Cooper
  As part of the normal Whitehall process Ministers and officials have had regular correspondence with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss all aspects of the Convention, including legislative competence. In line with exceptions 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.

  European Regional Development Fund
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the(a) projected total spend and (b) total allocation of the European Regional Development Fund is for financial year 2003–04, broken down by region. [125846]

  Yvette Cooper
  European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is planned in calendar years rather than English financial years. Figures in the table below show details of allocations and targets for each region, both for this and the following calendar year. Spend so far for this year is also shown. Whilst spend is difficult to project (e.g. because of exchange rate fluctuations) regions are working to reach the targets shown.

  Fire Service College
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Fire Service College provides services to brigades in Scotland [127208]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Yes. The Fire Service College at Moreton in Marsh has unique facilities that are used to provide training for fire brigades across the UK and world-wide.

  Somali Community
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on local authority support for Somali community organisations; and what advice his Department gives to local authorities in respect of applications for funding. [127392]

  Mr. Raynsford
  Local authority support for Somali community organisations is a matter for individual local authorities. The local government finance system takes into account the costs local authorities face in educating children who need additional support in English or who come from low-achieving ethnic backgrounds. There is also a top-up to reflect the cost of translation services.

  Home Improvements (VAT)
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with(a) other Government Departments, (b) housing bodies and (c) other interested bodies on reducing VAT on home improvements for poor housing; and if he will make a statement. [126244]

  Keith Hill
  The Government will continue to consider the use of economic instruments to support regeneration and encourage brownfield development. Discussions with other Government Departments, housing bodies and other interested bodies touch on a wide variety of issues, including possible options for encouraging improvements to poor housing.

  Homelessness
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much it cost per week on average to house temporarily a homeless family in priority need in the last year for which figures are available; and what the total cost was of housing such families. [124694]

  Yvette Cooper
  Information annually reported to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by local authorities identifies expenditure incurred in respect of bed and breakfast, private sector leasing and all other forms of temporary accommodation used by homeless households. This includes associated costs, such as the provision of furniture, property maintenance/refurbishment, rent guarantees, nomination fees and administrative costs, chargeable to the general fund services revenue account, along with any specific capital charges. Latest available information is for 2001–02, when it is estimated that gross expenditure on homelessness in England amounted to some £436.0 million. Net total costs—after taking into account rents received directly from tenants, and housing benefit payments such as rent allowance—amounted to £190.75 million. In addition, net expenditure on homelessness funded from the housing 678W
  revenue account—for example where the local authority's own vacant stock is used on a temporary basis—was estimated at £21.6 million.

  The return does not seek corresponding information on average unit costs but, from estimates of household-days spent in temporary accommodation derived from quarterly statistical returns, it is estimated that the overall average gross cost per household during 2001–02, including HRA-funded expenditure, was some £156 per week. The average net cost per household, excluding housing benefit/rent allowances and rent payments met directly by tenants, was £73 per week.

  Housing Stock
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received on(a) improving poor housing stock and (b) tackling problems of empty homes through financial grants; and if he will make a statement. [126245]

  Keith Hill
  The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002, which took effect on 18 July 2002, gave local authorities new and wide ranging powers to provide financial assistance, including by way of grant, for these purposes. The Government consulted a wide range of stakeholders before introducing these new powers and there was overwhelming support for these changes.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what research he has commissioned to examine whether financial assistance would help to tackle poor housing stock and empty homes in the Pathfinder housing renewal areas; and if he will make a statement. [126246]

  Keith Hill
  Identification of the nine market renewal pathfinder areas and the policy approach on low demand and abandonment set out in "Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future" has been underpinned by a range of data available to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, in particular Housing Investment Programme data and other published evidence including regional and local level data published by CURS at the University of Birmingham on changing demand.

  A key remit of the pathfinders is to restructure the housing markets in areas so that they are returned to places where people want to live and stay. We are clear that this is not something that can be left to the market alone to resolve. That route offers a prospect of years of neglect that will endanger economic resurgence and cause untold suffering for the communities affected. Turning round these areas will require long-term commitment. We have already signalled the Government's commitment through the creation of a £500 million market renewal fund for investment in the pathfinder areas over the next three years. Tackling poor housing stock and empty homes will be a crucial part of the pathfinders work.

  Illegal Travellers
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent meetings he has had with(a) the police and (b) ministerial colleagues on the cost to local authorities

  679W
  of dealing with illegal travellers; what plans he has to assist local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [125974]

  Yvette Cooper
  Ministers in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have not recently met with the police or with other ministerial colleagues to specifically discuss costs to local authorities in removing illegal Gypsy and Traveller camps.

  However, in drafting the new joint guide on managing unauthorised camping, officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in conjunction with the Home Office, has met and consulted with various stakeholders including the Association of Chief Police Officers, and the Local Government Association. Costs to local authorities in removing illegal encampments were discussed among other issues.

  The new joint guide will be published and made available for use by local authorities and police services by the end of the summer.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much money each English local authority has spent in each of the last five years for which figures are available on(a) the results of flytipping and (b) the cost of the (i) administration involved in dealing with travellers and (ii) clearing up after they have moved on; and if he will make a statement. [125983]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  These data are not collected centrally so the information is not available in the format requested.

  The Environment Agency has estimated that the total cost of clearing fly tipping by all stakeholders is 100 million. ENCAMS (Environmental Campaigns) also recently completed a survey, where costs were assessed on a different basis. The results of this survey suggested an average spend on clearing fly tipping for each local authority in 2002 of 54,258. No estimates are available, however, to indicate the costs associated with clearing incidents caused by particular individuals or groups of individuals.

  A clause in the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill currently before Parliament will, if successful, require local authorities and the Agency to submit annual data returns to Defra on the amounts and type of illegally dumped waste they deal with. These measures are expected to come into effect in the summer of 2004 and will mean, for the first time, that national data on fly tipping levels will be available.

  Climate Change
  Miss Anne McIntosh
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the arrangements for regional co-ordination of the UK position in international climate change negotiations. [127861]

  Mr. Morley
  I have been asked to reply.

  International climate change negotiations are the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Secretary of State writes to the Devolved Administrations, ahead of each Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to set out the key issues for the negotiations. Officials from the Devolved
  680W
  Administrations have the opportunity to input to the preparations for these and other technical negotiations, and have been in the UK delegation attending them.

  Islington Borough Council
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what monitoring is being undertaken by his Department's representatives of the financial performance of the Islington borough council; and what assessment he has made of the accounting procedures at the council. [127395]

  Mr. Raynsford
  As part of the Government's engagement policy with poorly performing authorities a Government monitoring board has been set up to advise Ministers of Islington's progress against its agreed recovery plan, including targets and milestones on financial performance.

  However, the assessment of the council's performance is a matter for the auditor, not the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Although Islington received an unqualified audit opinion on the accounts for 2001–02, a number of improvement areas have been identified in the recovery plan, and the district auditor has drawn up an audit plan for 2003–04, which reflects the areas requiring improvement and the priorities in the recovery plan.

  Licensing Laws
  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to alter the rules governing planning use class orders following the changes to the licensing laws in the Licensing Act 2003; and if he will make a statement. [127146]

  Keith Hill
  I refer to the Written Statement made by my hon. Friend for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty), on 4 March 2003,Official Report, column 79WS, which stated that it is the Government's intention to change the Use Classes Order so as to put pubs and bars into a separate class. The effect of this change will be to require an application to be made for planning permission in respect of any proposal to change use of an existing building into a pub or bar.

  I expect to make a full statement on the outcome of our consultation on proposals for changes to the Use Classes Order early in the autumn session.

  Local Authorities (Borrowing)
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proposals he has for allowing councils to borrow on the security of(a) council housing stock, (b) rent income from council housing and (c) service charges on council housing; and whether he intends that such borrowing would have to be approved by (i) his Department and (ii) HM Treasury. [126585]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not consider it prudent for local authorities to borrow against the security of their capital assets, since the potential seizure of property by creditors would pose an unacceptable threat to the delivery of services. Similarly it is not proposed to allow authorities to sell future streams of revenue such as rents, in return for immediate one-off payments. The Local Government
  681W
  Bill will allow authorities to borrow without Government consent, provided that they can afford to service the debt from their own revenues, which could include housing income.

  Local Authority Housing
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on whether all local authority tenants will continue to have a choice about who their landlord is. [126167]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's policy is that tenants should be at the heart of decision making on the future of their homes. In delivering decent homes local authorities will need to fully engage with tenants on deciding what the best option is for all stakeholders.

  There are four options for local authorities to deliver the decent homes target: investment in the stock by the local authority using existing resources, PFI, setting up an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) or stock transfer. The first three of these leave the stock in local authority ownership.

  Ministerial Visits
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities he has visited since May 2002. [121812]

  Yvette Cooper
  My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister regularly visits local authority projects and meets local authority councillors and officers, since May 2002 the Deputy Prime Minister has visited Allerdale, Barking and Dagenham, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bradford, Brighton, Coventry, Dartford, Doncaster, Eden, Gateshead, Greenwich, Harlow, Harrogate, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston-upon-Hull, Lambeth, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Medway, Newcastle, North Lincolnshire, Salford, Sefton, Watford, Windsor and Maidenhead and York.

  Local Government Act
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many applications he has received from local authorities under sections 2 and 5 of the Local Government Act 2000; how many applications have been determined by his Department; and what mechanisms are in place for dealing with such applications outside arrangements made in the course of the negotiations of local public service agreements. [126914]

  Keith Hill
  Nine applications or expressions of interest have been received for action under section 5 of the Local Government Act 2000. Applications are assessed by the Department responsible for the relevant area of policy in conjunction with this Office. One application has so far been addressed through provision made in primary legislation. Others are subject to on-going discussions with the relevant local authorities.

  Large Scale Voluntary Transfers
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many local authorities have implemented large scale voluntary housing transfers (LSVTs) since 682W
  1997; how many have been rejected by tenants; how many have put up proposals for large scale voluntary transfers; and how many have not yet registered their interest. [126421]

  Keith Hill
  86 local authorities have completed 117 large scale voluntary transfers since 1 April 1997. During this period, tenants have not supported the transfer proposal in 23 ballots. There are 38 transfer schemes in progress. Housing transfer is one of three options available to authorities for meeting the decent home target where additional resources are required. By July 2005, all stock-owning authorities are required to have completed an investment option appraisal, with the full involvement of tenants, to decide on the best means of meeting the decent home target for their stock. These investment option appraisals must be signed off by the relevant Government Office for the Regions.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) how many applications for large scale voluntary transfers of council housing have been accepted by his Department; and what arrangements at what cost have been made in each case for write-off or reduction of overcharging housing debt; [126422]

  (2) how much he estimates will be provided in (a) this and (b) the next financial year (i) to write off overhanging housing debt for local authorities who privatise their housing stock and (ii) for council house repairs and renovations in those authorities in the same years. [126559]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has accepted 268 applications for large-scale voluntary transfer of council housing since 1988. When an authority transfers all its housing stock it is expected to use the receipt to meet any debt liability. Of the 173 transfers that have taken place to date, there have been 10 transfers where the receipt was insufficient and the office made an overhanging debt payment. The payments are tabled as follows:

  Financial year

  Local authority

  £ million

  1999–2000

  Burnley

  21.0

  2001–02

  Coventry

  111.7

  2001–02

  Calderdale

  64.6

  2001–02

  Blackburn with Darwen

  78.9

  2002–03

  St. Helens

  87.2

  2002–03

  Redcar and Cleveland

  25.4

  2002–03

  Knowsley

  126.1

  2002–03

  Carlisle

  18.0

  2002–03

  Bradford

  182.8

  2002–03

  Walsall

  108.7

  The projected overhanging debt payments have reduced to £24 million for 2003–04 and are estimated at £500 million for 2004–05. These are likely to change as details of transfer proposals are finalised. These payments reflect the liability the office would have had to meet as ongoing Housing Revenue Account (HRA) subsidy if these authorities retained their stock. In respect of the authorities liable to require overhanging debt payments over the two years concerned, the total estimated provision for the Major Repairs Allowances (MRA) within the Housing Revenue Account subsidy is £124.2 million in 2003–04 and £122.3 million in 2004–05.
  683W
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proposals he has for issuing to each tenant balloted in large scale voluntary housing transfers a statement of the benefits they will receive from a yes vote and the extra spending it will bring for repairs and improvements. [126423]

  Keith Hill
  None. Local authorities are required by section 106, and schedule 3A to, the Housing Act 1985 to serve notice of the details of the transfer proposal, including the identity of the new landlord and the likely consequences of the disposal for the tenant, to all secure and introductory tenants.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what sanctions are imposed on housing associations which do not fulfil promises made to tenants in large scale voluntary transfers of council housing; what redress is available to tenants in the event of such transfers; and how many complaints have been made to his Department about such purchases in the last five years. [126425]

  Keith Hill
  The Housing Corporation is responsible for regulating all Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), commonly known as housing associations. RSLs are required to adhere to the Housing Corporation's

  Price per dwelling, in large scale voluntary transfers since April 2001

  Authority

  Date of transfer

  Price per dwelling (£)1

  Derbyshire Dales

  4 March 2002

  7,616

  Chelmsford BC

  11 March 2002

  11,530

  East Hertfordshire DC (split transfer)

  18 March 2002

  11,937

  13,725

  Erewash BC

  25 March 2002

  6,460

  Reigate and Banstead BC

  25 March 2002

  13,212

  St. Edmundsbury

  24 June 2002

  7,489

  Vale Royal BC

  1 July 2002

  7,462

  St. Helen's MBC

  1 July 2002

  1,974

  Redcar and Cleveland BC

  15 July 2002

  5,180

  Knowsley MBC

  15 July 2002

  1,794

  LB Waltham Forest

  30 September 2002

  832

  LB Hackney cc sheltered stock

  14 October 2002

  -1,514

  LB Harrow

  14 October 2002

  -3,642

  Manchester cc Langley Estate

  18 November 2002

  -342

  County of Herefordshire C

  25 November 2002

  6,945

  Carlisle CC

  9 December 2002

  1,803

  Rushcliffe BC

  20 January 2003

  12,934

  Liverpool CC Eastern Fringe (south)

  23 January 2003

  1,800

  Liverpool CC Eastern Fringe (central)

  30 January 2003

  -1,378

  City of Bradford

  24 February 2003

  2,831

  Amber Valley BC

  24 February 2003

  5,077

  Crewe and Nantwich BC

  10 March 2003

  6,181

  Liverpool CC

  10 March 2003

  -728

  Oldham MBC Limeside (Hollins/The Avsnues)

  17 March 2003

  -1,577

  Walsall MBC (majority of stock)

  27 March 2003

  1,026

  Walsall MBC (tenant managed stock)

  27 March 2003

  -0.03

  Craven DC

  31 March 2003

  5,201

  Forest of Dean DC

  31 March 2003

  6,849

  North Hertfordshire DC

  31 March 2003

  3,128

  1 Negative value figures indicate a dowry payment from the local authority to the acquiring registered social landlord.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether consultants and tenants' friends employed on large scale voluntary transfer proposals for council housing are(a) approved, (b) nominated and (c) paid for by his Department; what steps he takes to ensure their impartiality; and whether any have recommended that the large scale voluntary transfer should not proceed. [126561]
  684W
  Regulatory Code and guidance which sets out minimum standards in the three areas of governance, financial viability and management of services to tenant. It also has a number of general and specific powers to take action is respect of housing associations.

  All housing associations registered with the Corporation must have procedures to deal with complaints from tenants fairly and effectively. Once tenants have been through this procedure, they can bring the matter to the attention of the Independent Housing Ombudsman. There is no formal procedure for complaints to be made to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister or investigated by it.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was paid to each local authority per council house that has opted for large scale voluntary transfer of its council stock in each of the last two years. [126558]

  Keith Hill
  To reflect the intended continued use of the properties for social housing the price paid to each local authority per council house accords with a Tenanted Market Value (TMV) rather than an open market value. Tabled are the price paid per dwelling in each large scale voluntary transfer since April 2001 in accordance with this valuation method.

  Keith Hill
  Both consultants and tenant advisers are employed and paid for by the local authority. Office of the Deputy Prime Minister guidance is that they should be chosen through a competitive process. The role of the tenant adviser is to offer impartial advice and support to the tenants and leaseholders about the proposals being draw up. This is set out in guidance on the recruitment
  685W
  and role of the tenant adviser issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

  The nature of any work being undertaken by a consultant will depend on the nature of the contract with the local authority. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister would not necessarily know where a consultant had advised an authority.

  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) whether publicity polling and consultancy fees for voluntary transfers of council housing stock can be financed out of the local housing revenue account;[126565]

  (2) what estimate he has made of the costs of publicity polling, publishing information, consultancy fees and preparation and polling processes for large scale voluntary transfer of council housing pools over the last 12 months; and how much of this has been paid for by (a) local authorities and (b) central Government. [126568]

  Keith Hill
  Expenditure incurred in carrying out the statutory consultation required under section 106A of the Housing Act 1985, including the cost of any ballot, is considered to be in connection with the management of dwellings held within the Housing Management Account and therefore must be charged to that account.

  No payment is made by central Government towards the cost of such consultation and figures for the total expenditure on this by local authorities are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Media Training
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the cost was to his Department of media and voice training for ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [123130]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. Expenditure on media skills training has been as follows:

  Ministers

  Officials (£)

  29 May 2002–31 March 2003

  nil

  9,165.00

  1 April 2003–30 June 2003

  nil

  3,053.62

  Mobile Telephone Masts
  Jim Dowd
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 10 July 2003,Official Report, column 998W, on mobile telephone masts, what action he plans to ensure greater adherence by network operators to the code of best practice on mobile phone network development. [126556]

  Keith Hill
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 10 July 2003,Official Report, column 998W. The Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Network Developments, which was produced jointly by representatives of central and. local government and the mobile phone industry, built on Government guidance and the operators' Ten Commitments. The Code has only been in operation since last November.
  686W
  On Tuesday 15 July 2003 Deloitte and Touche published their report of the Implementation Review of the Ten Commitments to Best Siting Practice for the UK Mobile Industry. A copy of the report is available in the Library of the House. The opinion of Deloitte & Touche is the evidence they have seen of the operators' processes and procedures during the review fairly reflects the operators' assertion that they have made demonstrable progress in implementing the Ten Commitments. However, given the relatively new nature of some of the Commitments at the time of the review some of the processes were not fully operational and there were some areas where implementation was not comprehensive or thorough. Deloitte and Touche made 46 recommendations for improving procedures and all the mobile network operators have accepted all the recommendations.

  The operators are committed to commissioning another review in a year's time and I will be asking them to extend the scope of that review to include observance of the Code. This will enable us to assess how effectively the Code has been put into operation since its introduction and whether any changes need to be made.

  Neighbourhood Renewal Fund
  Mr. Mark Field
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make it his policy(a) to take into account regional wage differentials in distributing the neighbourhood renewal fund and (b) to apply an area cost adjustment to the calculation. [124746]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Government's policy for determining eligibility for and distributing Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) resources is based on the Indices of Deprivation 2000 (ID2000). This applies to the £900 million of NRF resources that have been allocated, as part of Spending Review 2000 (SR2000), in 2001–02 to 2003–04, and to the additional £975 million of NRF resources provided for in Spending Review 2002 (SR2002) for 2004–05 and 2005–06.

  New Housing
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the Government's target is for new housing to be built on derelict urban land. [126765]

  Keith Hill
  The national target is that, by 2008, 60 per cent. of new housing should be provided on previously-developed land and through conversions of existing buildings. The definition of previously-developed land is provided in Planning Policy Guidance note 3: "Housing" and includes derelict urban land.

  Partnership Agreements
  Angela Eagle
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he plans to conclude a partnership agreement with the trade unions representing the staff in his Department. [117462]

  Yvette Cooper
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and its agencies enjoy a positive and productive relationship with the trade unions working in partnership together to address staffing issues and matters of mutual interest. Given this approach there
  687W
  are currently no plans to conclude a partnership agreement but this is kept under review.

  Planning Policy Guidance 13
  Linda Perham
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent representations he has received on the relationship between Planning Policy Guidance 13 and flexible working practices. [127857]

  Keith Hill
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received one MP's letter dated 19 June on behalf of a third party on this issue, and has not received any representations on this issue on behalf of anyone else.

  Project

  Investment (£)

  Period

  CCTV: Chorley Town Centre/Secured Car Parks

  120,223

  1999–2002

  Communities Against Drugs

  162,000

  2001–03

  Safer Communities Initiative

  28,766

  2002/03

  Partnership Development Fund

  91,596

  2001–03

  Small Retailers in Deprived Areas/Security for Small Retailers

  10,000

  2002/03

  Chorley Interchange

  2.6million

  Completed 2003

  Barnardo's Chorley Families Project

  119,903

  2002–04

  Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust Health Promotion unit

  50,100

  2002–04

  South Lancashire Arts Partnership: Chorley Rural Sports and Art Project

  61,600(estimated)

  2003/04

  Chorley Carers Project

  750

  2000–03

  Age Concern Lancashire

  1,000

  2000–03

  Chorley Disability Sports Forum

  200

  2000–03

  St. John Ambulance

  200

  2000–03

  Chorley Village Website

  400

  2000–03

  Creative Minds

  500

  2000–03

  Clayton Brook Community House

  1,500

  2000–03

  Service Improvement for People with Learning Disabilities

  250

  2000–03

  Croston Rural Action Group

  200

  2000–03

  Chorley/South Ribble Disability Forum

  500

  2000–03

  Eccleston Community Environment Trust

  375

  2000–03

  Chorley/South Ribble Mental Health Alliance

  570

  2000–03

  Chorley Environmental Forum: Green Vehicles Exhibition

  500

  2002

  Public Housing
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his policy is on public housing investment in(a) the south east and (b) the south-west; how many homes were built in the south-west in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement on the reasons underlying the trend. [126932]

  Keith Hill
  The policy of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on public housing investment is set out in "Sustainable Communities in the South East and Sustainable Communities in the South West", which made clear the actions that will be taken on a regional basis to deliver a step change in addressing the balance between supply and demand of housing.

  Funding for the provision of affordable housing in the south-west has increased to £81 million for 2003–04, compared to just under £62 million for 2002–03. The programme is expected to deliver around 2,000 new affordable homes for the region in 2003–04. Funding for the provision of affordable housing in the south-east has increased to £146 million, compared to just under £114 million for 2002–03. The programme is expected to deliver around 3,000 new affordable homes for the region in 2003–04.

  The table shows the supply of new dwellings built in the south-west in each of the last 10 years.

  Projects Assistance (Chorley)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which projects in Chorley have been assisted by the Government Office for the North West in the past three years; and what assistance was provided in each case. [126456]

  Yvette Cooper
  Government Office for the North West offers guidance and support for a range of initiatives in Chorley. This includes providing, or helping to secure, funding for the following projects in the borough:

  New homes built

  1992–93

  14,873

  1993–94

  15,171

  1994–95

  16,772

  1995–96

  16,884

  1996–97

  16,642

  1997–98

  19,003

  1998–99

  15,929

  1999–2000

  15,912

  2000–01

  14,979

  2001–02

  15,575

  2002–03

  15,943

  Source:

  Returns from local authorities and the National House Building Council to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

  To better understand the reasons underlying the low responsiveness of housing supply to demand pressures in the UK, the Chancellor and Deputy Prime Minister have asked Kate Barker to conduct a review of issues affecting housing supply in the UK. The review will deliver an interim report by autumn 2003.

  Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre
  Mr. Hammond
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the bar chart on page 2 of the annual report and accounts 2002–03 of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre gives a fair representation of the evolution of the centre's surplus on ordinary activities. [126234]
  689W
  Yvette Cooper
  The accounts of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre have been given an unqualified Opinion by the Comptroller and Auditor General in all the years represented. Therefore, the figures shown in the bar chart on page 2 in relation to surplus on ordinary activities can be considered audited and accurate.

  Tenancy Money
  Dr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place copies of the submissions to his consultation paper, "Tenancy Money: probity and protection" in the Library. [126758]

  Keith Hill
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend for Bethnal Green and Bow (Ms King) on 16 July 2003,Official Report, column 1362.

  Dr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list those persons and organisations who responded to the consultation paper "Tenancy Money: probity and protection", broken down by(a) landlords, (b) tenants and (c) others. [126759]

  Keith Hill
  The information requested is as follows:

  Landlords:

  John Allen

  Forebury Estates Ltd.

  M. Gora

  George Wilder & Yvonne Hawkins

  M. P. Davis

  Jan Kamburoff

  BR & J. Green Letting

  Rigby Properties

  Blaxhill Estates

  Kath & Nick Heirons

  R. F. Maycock

  G. Foers

  Exeter Property

  M. G. Beech

  John Pybus

  Malcolm Pither

  Paul & Heather Wiles

  Mrs. P. E. Cook

  + 8 anonymous

  Tenants:

  3 anonymous

  others:

  Flintshire County Council

  Ashton Wingate Ltd.

  Edward Taub & Co.

  Training for Professionals

  Forebury Estates Limited

  Thomas Winter Insurance

  The UK Association of Letting Agents Ltd.

  The Rent Service

  R. W. Goldie

  Jack Tennison

  Independent Housing Ombudsman Ltd.

  690W

  Lettings-landlords.co.uk

  Robert Jordan & Associates

  Cleeve Residential Lettings

  City of Bradford MDC

  Wirral Council

  Aabee Homes

  Bradford & Bingley Letting Agents

  Brighton & Hove Private Sector Housing Forum

  Gedling Borough Council

  Kensington & Chelsea Housing Advice Service

  University of Sheffield Union of Students

  LB Greenwich

  Lacors

  Dermot McKibbon

  LB Hammersmith & Fulham

  Southern Private Landlords Association

  Sefton MBC

  Housing Advice Service Kensington & Chelsea (HASKC)

  Exeter Housing Group

  Legal Action Group

  National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux

  Association of Residential Letting Agents

  Hanover Park Services plc t/a HomeLet

  Brighton & Hove Private Sector Housing Forum

  Brent Private Tenants' Rights Group

  Cardiff Bond Board

  Housing Needs & Strategy Unit, Burnley Borough Council

  Streetwise Property Rentals (Scotland)

  Association of Letting & Management Agents (ALMA)

  Department of Housing Services, Nottingham City Council

  The Law Society

  Braintree District Council

  Bury & Walkers acting for Leeds Property Association

  British Property Federation

  Association of Tenancy Relations Officers

  The Country Land and Business Association

  The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea

  Housing Law Practitioners Association

  Local Government Association

  National Union of Students

  The National Rent Deposit Forum (NRDF)

  Homelessness Strategy for Ipswich Borough Council

  Chartered Institute of Housing

  Dorset Residential Landlords Association

  National Federation of Residential Landlords

  Birmingham City Council

  The National Association of Estate Agents

  Shelter

  Countrywide Residential Lettings

  National Approved Letting Scheme

  Office of Fair Trading

  Celtic Properties

  The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

  North Staffordshire Landlords Association Limited

  Roger Barton

  The Letting Centre

  + 1 anonymous, 1 who asked to remain confidential

  691W
  Dr. Desmond Turner
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his written ministerial statement of 16 June 2003,Official Report, column 2WS, on what basis he calculated that the cost of a national tenancy deposit scheme would be £19 million per annum and the benefits equal to £20 million. [126812]

  Keith Hill
  The calculations for both these figures are to be found in Annex 1 of the consultation paper "Tenancy Money: probity and protection". They start from a figure derived from the Survey of English Housing (SEH), that there are 127,000 tenancies ending each year in which there is a dispute about the deposit. The total cost is found from multiplying this figure by the average cost of each adjudication in the pilot Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), £150. The benefit is found from multiplying the derived figure on deposit disputes by the average level of deposit (£510, SEH data) and by the average proportion of the total deposit an independent adjudicator would consider should be returned to the tenant (31 per cent. taken from data on disputes in the TDS).

  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of(a) the maximum annual adjudication costs and (b) the likely annual adjudication costs of a statutory rent deposit protection scheme. [127050]

  Keith Hill
  As my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty) mentioned in his statement of 16 June 2003,Official Report, column 2WS, it is estimated that adjudication costs of a statutory scheme would be £19 million. This is a best estimate based on survey findings of tenancy numbers and level of deposit, statistics on perceived prevalence of wrongful withholding of deposit moneys, and the adjudication cost per dispute in the pilot scheme.

  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimates he has made of the amount of interest that would be generated by holding all rent deposit money in a single custodial scheme. [127051]

  Keith Hill
  The consultation paper "Tenancy Money: probity and protection" provides an assessment in paragraph 35 of the Regulatory Impact Assessment at Annex 1. It noted that if £790 million (the amount estimated to be currently held in deposits) was held in a single custodial deposit scheme for a year, it would raise £31.6 million in interest (calculated at the Bank of England's then current base-rate).

  Mr. Pound
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many responses were received to the consultation on "Tenancy money: probity and protection"; how many responses were received from(a) individual landlords and agents and their representative bodies and (b) individual tenants and their representative bodies; of those respondents who were not individual landlords, agents and tenants or their representative bodies, what percentage of respondents were (i) in favour and (ii) not in favour of a statutory custodial scheme to protect tenants' deposits. [127052]

  Keith Hill
  Ninety-eight responses were received. Of these, 26 were from landlords and nine from landlord organisations; eight from letting agents and five from agent organisations; three from tenants and four from tenant organisations/representatives; 13 from local 692W
  authorities; 24 from other organisations (of which 16 were public or voluntary sector); two from other interested individuals; and four from respondents whose type was not known.

  Of the 43 respondents not in categories involved in letting or their representatives, 30 responded to the options concerning whether there should be Government intervention; and if so, of the three options which each included a statutory custodial scheme, which option they favoured. Two favoured no intervention; four favoured or appeared to favour a statutory scheme, but with no further details; favoured a custodial scheme as the sole option; two favoured a custodial scheme plus approved insured alternatives; five favoured a custodial scheme plus membership of an approved trade association or accreditation scheme that would provide insurance. There were four further options involving deposits (that did not involved a statutory custodial scheme), which respondents could indicate either instead of or in addition to the ones mentioned here.

  Waste Disposal Applications
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the refusal rate for waste disposal applications within the terms of county matters was for the last four quarters of the year. [126918]

  Keith Hill
  For 'County Matter' applications, the provisional numbers supplied to this Office for the four quarters ending 31 March 2003 show a total of 105 refused applications among the 1,154 decisions on waste applications. This is a refusal rate of 9 per cent. As there are relatively small numbers of 'County Matter' applications made and decided each quarter, refusal rates for individual quarters can be quite volatile. In 2002–03, the quarterly refusal rates ranged from 7 per cent. to 12 per cent.

CABINET OFFICE

  European Constitution
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 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. [124782]

  Mr. Alexander
  As part of the normal Whitehall process my officials have had regular contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss all aspects of the Convention, including legislative competences. My officials 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.

  Media Training
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the cost was to his Department of media and voice training for Ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [123118]

  Mr. Alexander
  No training in media or voice training has been provided for Ministers by my Department.

  Cabinet Office runs four programmes specifically for officials who deal with the media and make presentations. From 2001–02 to date, 12 officials have attended the programmes at a total cost of £3,450.

  Figures before 2001–02 are not available.

  Additionally, a one-off voice coaching workshop for seven CMPS officials who regularly give presentations was held on 17 June 2003 at a cost of £1,189.10.

  Ombudsmen
  Mr. Stringer
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made in restructuring and improving the various ombudsmen's services. [125229]

  Mr. Alexander
  The latest position is set out in the Government's response (Cm 5890) to the Public Administration Select Committee's recent report on Ombudsman issues (HC448), published on 22 July. I have sent a copy to my hon. Friend.

  Public Sector Leadership
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what measures he has put in place in the last two years to(a) track the career moves and (b) monitor the improvement of individual public sector leaders, as referred to in the Strategy Unit Report on Strengthening Leadership within the Public Sector; [126696]

  (2) what measures he has put in place within the last two years to gather data on (a) career progression and (b) wastage rates of public sector leaders, as referred to in the Strategy Unit Report on Strengthening Leadership within the Public Sector. [126697]

  Mr. Alexander
  A significant number of actions have been taken in the last two years to improve and measure public sector leadership.

  In the Civil Service, the Senior Appointments Selection Committee (SASC) takes a strategic overview of senior appointments, succession planning and leadership development. Over the last year, SASC (supported by the Cabinet Office) has shifted its annual succession planning round with the aim of providing a more strategic overview of talent in the SCS and those with potential for top posts. It includes individual Departments' assessment of their short- and long-term skills needs to meet priorities, an assessment of their current talent pools and what they are doing to develop individuals through career moves and broader development.

  The Cabinet Office also collects data on the Senior Civil Service workforce, which include information on progression rates through SCS Pay Bands and leavers. These data are used to inform SASC's succession planning overview.
  694W
  In the wider public services, priority has been given to strengthening leadership. For example, in the NHS through the NHS Leadership Centre, in Schools with the introduction of the Leadership Incentive Grant, and the Police with the establishment of the Central Police Training and Development Authority last year. There has also been a focus on monitoring leadership improvement through inspection, for example the Local Government Comprehensive Performance Assessment corporate reviews.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

  Fair Trade
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent proposals the Government have tabled in the EU to(a) promote fair trade between the EU and developing countries and (b) prevent unfair competition by EU companies and agriculture with developing countries. [125744]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Government are working through the EU and with all WTO members to ensure the Doha Trade Round negotiations provide a fairer framework for international trade. A better deal for developing countries is part of the Government's objectives at the WTO Ministerial in Cancun this September. The recent agreement on reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy enhances the prospects of success.

  Research and Development
  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on trends in Government spending on research and development. [126553]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I refer my right hon. Friend to the written ministerial statement I made on 16 July 2003,Official Report, column 46WS.

  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent assessment she has made of the impact of Government research and development spending on English regions. [126552]

  Jacqui Smith
  No such assessment has been made. However, Government research and development spending—both within higher education institutes and outside of higher education institutes—is tracked regionally through the ONS regional trend series. The most recent figures available—for 2000—were published last year (ONS, Regional Trends 37, Table 13.9).

  British Electricity Transmission and Trading Arrangements
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans there are for(a) her Department and (b) Ofgem to carry out an environmental appraisal of the British Electricity Transmission and Trading Arrangements. [126722]
  695W
  Mr. Timms
  A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been carried out on BETTA and is available on the DTI website http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/domestic_markets/electricity_trading/ria.pdf The RIA includes a section on the environmental impact of BETTA.

  British Energy
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the condition that British Energy was to complete the sale of Amergen by 30 June 2003 was included in the restructuring package submitted to the EU on 7 March 2003. [126654]

  Mr. Timms
  Full details of British Energy's restructuring plan were given to the European Commission in our submission on 7 March 2003. The submission is confidential between the Government and the Commission

  China (British Financial Services)
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received regarding the scale of the British financial services industry in China; and if she will make a statement. [126577]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  TPUK regularly receives requests from UK based financial services companies for support for their China market activities.

  My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I shall be leading a high-powered business delegation to Beijing and Shanghai from 20-22 July which will include several financial services companies. I shall be raising a number of trade-related issues with the Chinese leadership, including pressing the case for increased market access by British financial services providers to the Chinese domestic market in line with China's WTO commitments. I will also be seeking a relaxation of some of the administrative and technical hurdles that currently exist (for example the high capitalisation requirements for banks and insurance companies and the lengthy waiting period for second and subsequent branches).

  At the same time, I shall be encouraging members of the local Chinese business community I meet to take greater advantage of the expertise and experience the City of London is able to offer them in the field of international financial services.

  Clergy (Terms of Employment)
  Mr. Ben Chapman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the interim report of the McClean review of clergy terms of service in relation to section 23 of the Employment Relations Act 1999; when she expects to receive the final report; and if she will make a statement. [126831]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The Department is currently studying the interim report and I look forward to receiving the final report. I understand that the Working Group is looking to produce the final report towards the end of next year.

  Company Directors
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 10 July 2003,Official Report, columns 569-70W, on company directors, what procedures are in place for ensuring that company directors who have been disqualified (a) do not take part as directors and (b) are not involved in the management of companies during the disqualification period; and if she will list the number of directors who have been discovered to have been in breach of disqualification orders in each year since 1997. [126757]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  When a director is disqualified, that individual is advised of the provisions of section 13 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986, which states that it is an offence for a person to act in contravention of a Disqualification Order.

  The Insolvency Service operates the disqualified directors hotline for the receipt of complaints from members of the public concerning disqualified directors and bankrupts who may be acting in the management of a company in breach of their disqualification orders and undertakings or a bankruptcy order. Additional complaints are also received from the DTI's Companies Investigation Branch, Official Receivers and other Government Departments. Liquidators also have an obligation to report matters of a criminal nature, such as a contravention of section 13, to the Insolvency Service.

  Additionally, the sub poena section of Companies House checks new directors appointments against the list of disqualified directors and advises the Insolvency Service of any potential breaches.

  Section 11 and section 13 Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986

  Details of prosecutions of individuals for breach of section 11/13 CDDA in each year since 1997. The information is contained in Table D2 of the companies annual report published by the Department.

  The figures include only those offences prosecuted by this Department. There are likely to be section 11/13 offences prosecuted by other prosecuting authorities (for example, the CPS and the SFO). We have no information on the number of such cases.

  1 April to 31 March

  Prosecutions (number of offences)

  Convictions

  Acquittal/other disposal

  1997–98

  112

  86

  26

  1998–99

  169

  117

  52

  1999–2000

  109

  79

  30

  2000–01

  136

  119

  17

  2001–02

  174

  135

  39

  2002–03

  141

  118

  23

  Council of Ministers
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on (1) how many occasions since May 1997 the Department's vote in the Council of Ministers against a legislative proposal(a) was and (b) was not sufficient to achieve with other member states a blocking minority; [117208]
  697W
  (2) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department abstained in the Council of Ministers on a legislative proposal which was passed by qualified majority voting; [117223]

  (3) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department has been outvoted by qualified majority voting in the Council of Ministers; and if she will list the legislation by year; [117247]

  (4) on how many occasions since May 1997 the Department indicated dissent from a proposal in the Council of Ministers but did not register a vote or abstention. [117260]

  Ms Hewitt
  It is not possible to identify these occasions when a blocking minority has been assembled against a proposal in the Council of Ministers; it is agreement that triggers the recording of a vote. For the same reason it is not possible to identify these occasions when the UK indicated dissent without abstaining or voting against the proposal.

  It is good practice for the UK to work closely with the other member states and the Commission to influence and have our views taken into account prior to any vote at the Council of Ministers.

  Credit Card Industry
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if she will review the practice of differential charging structures for credit card cheque books as part of the review of the Consumer Credit. Act 1974; [116718]

  (2) if her Department will ban the issuing of unsolicited credit card cheque books as part of its review of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. [116719]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that my predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Miss Johnson) gave him on 5 June 2003,Official Report, columns 531-32W. However I should emphasise that I believe that the practice of sending unsolicited credit card cheques should be discouraged but that this issue should be addressed by the credit industry changing its codes of practice rather than by regulation.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for redeployment of members of her Department out of London and the South East. [125362]

  Ms Hewitt
  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 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.

  Deregulation
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the deregulation measures enacted since 1997. [126071]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government are committed to removing unnecessary regulatory burdens on business. This commitment is shown through the Regulatory Reform Action Plan, which includes over 250 reforms, with 25 of these being from the DTI. They include:the recently enacted Communications Act, which replaces five existing regulators with a single regulator;
  the Enterprise Act, involving insolvency reform, which will lead to significant improvements for business; and
  abolition of the 20 Partner Limit.

  We are also committed to ensuring new domestic employment legislation is introduced on just two dates a year.

  In addition, of the 300 recommendations to Government in the 25 major reports from the Better Regulation Taskforce, we have accepted in full or in part all but 10 recommendations. We continue to identify further areas for action.

  Economic Partnership Agreements
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the likely impact of economic partnership agreements signed between the European Union and southern African countries on the economies of African, Caribbean and Pacific states. [126258]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Department has not yet made an assessment of the likely impact of economic partnership agreements (EPAs) signed between the European Union (EU) and southern African countries on the economies of ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) states.

  Negotiations of EPAs began in September 2002. As part of these negotiations, each ACP state is required to decide with which regional organisation it wishes to enter into an EPA with the EU; many ACP states are still in the process of exploring the options available to them. Any assessment of the likely impact of EPAs signed between the EU and southern African countries on the economies of ACP states will need to consider the resulting geographical configurations.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the EU directives implemented by the Department since 8 June 2001. [126588]

  Jacqui Smith
  Between 8 June 2001 and April 2002, my Department implemented the following two EU Directives:

  Number

  Title/subject matter

  Directive 96/29

  Laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public concerning the dangers arising from ionising radiation.

  Directive 97/80

  On the burden of proof in cases of discrimination based on sex

  699W
  For those EU Directives implemented between April 2002 and April 2003, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 28 April 2003, Official Report, columns 178-79.

  Since April 2003, my Department implemented the following two EU Directives:

  Number

  Title/subject matter

  Directive 2000/34

  Amending Council Directive 93/104 concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time to cover sectors and activities excluded from that Directive.

  Directive 2000/78

  Establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation

  EU Regulations
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many regulations originating from the EU have been implemented by her Department over each of the last five years. [120817]

  Ms Hewitt
  Regulations are, in general, directly applicable in the member states, without the need for implementation in national law. Figures for those which fall within this Department's area of responsibility are not held centrally.

  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Europe on 30 June 2003, Official Report, columns 64-65 W which gives estimates for the total number of EC, ECSC and Eurotom Regulations.

  Euro
  Mr. Challen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment the Government have made of the impact on employment of membership of the single European currency, on each region, by Standard Industrial Classification. [125424]

  Mr. Boateng
  I have been asked to reply.

  I refer the hon. Member to "UK membership of the single currency: An assessment of the five economic tests" (Cm 5776) and the EMU study "EMU and business sectors", which were published on 9 June 2003.

  European Working Groups
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on progress with achieving transparency in respect of the European working groups for which the Department is responsible. [105733]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The Government have long been committed to greater openness in the EU Institutions. This was a key theme of the UK Presidencies in 1992 and 1998. Making it easier to gain access to non-sensitive documents is crucial to this. The Government welcomed Regulation 1049/2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents. As a result, more documents are released to the public, while genuinely sensitive documents are given the protection they need.
  700W
  Much of the Council's work takes place in preparatory bodies, including working groups. Accountability and transparency of Council business to Parliament are ensured by the scrutiny process, to which the Government are also firmly committed.

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

  Export Credits Guarantee Department
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 9 June 2003,Official Report, column 626W, regarding the three cases in which covenants and other conditions relating to environmental and social impacts were included, what (a) host country legislation and (b) international environmental standard requirements which the Export Credits Guarantee Department stipulated that the relevant projects, goods or services had to comply with to ensure cover was provided. [126087]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Taking each of the projects listed in the answer of 9 June 2003,Official Report, column 626W in turn:

  Nigeria LNG Plus

  All the participating Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) insisted that covenants were inserted which committed the project to comply with the environmental laws of Nigeria and the environmental guidelines and standards of the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank. In addition, a detailed Environmental and Social Management Plan agreed by ECGD, the participating EGAs and the African Development Bank committed the company to a range of project-specific standards and mitigation measures.

  Marlim Sul Oilfield, Brazil

  Covenants committed the company to implementing the standards and recommendations set out in the Environmental Impact Assessment and to compliance with Brazilian environmental laws (which we consider to be more stringent than those of the World Bank Group).

  Offshore exploration drilling, Brazil

  The covenants required the company to regularly provide evidence that it had obtained all relevant environmental permits from the Brazilian authorities, and to notify ECGD of any material environmental incidents.

  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 13 June 2003,Official Report, column 1103W, excepting host country legislation, whether there are international environmental standard requirements which the Export Credits Guarantee Department makes requisite for every application if it is to be awarded cover. [126088]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  ECGD has, since 2001, sought to ensure that all the civil, non-aerospace cases it supports comply with relevant World Bank Group environmental guidelines and policies.
  701W
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications deemed to have high potential impact the Export Credits Guarantee Department has(a) received and (b) refused cover for; and what the project type was of those applications (i) received and (ii) refused. [126110]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The information is as follows:

  (a) ECGD has received 12 applications relating to projects deemed to have high potential impacts. Of these, six are oil and gas projects, four involve power distribution or generation, one is a steel project and one is a bridge.

  (b) None of these applications has been refused cover. Two have been approved and both were in the oil and gas sector. The others are either still being assessed or have not progressed because the UK exporter did not win the contract.

  Vincent Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 25 June,Official Report, column 798W, on the Export Credit Guarantees Department, if she will list, for each country, the amounts (a) which relate to military and defence products, contracts or services and (b) which do not. [125930]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The amounts are detailed by country and split between defence and non-defence in the tables (which have been placed in the Library) by reference to ECGD's exposure as at 30 June 2003. Given the way ECGD's records are held it is not possible to split claims outstanding for recovery in respect of Account 1 (pre-1992 business) between defence and non-defence nor amounts in respect of moratorium interest accrued on claims paid.

  Flexible Working
  Caroline Flint
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the introduction of employment legislation covering working time and temporary workers is affecting the ability of the manufacturing industry to act flexibly. [116572]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The UK is in favour of legislation to provide minimum standards of employment protection, but is keen to maintain the flexibility our individual labour market requires, and which many individual workers prefer. Last year, we implemented new rights for employees on fixed-term contracts in a way that provides a high level of protection for these employees, without unnecessarily reducing employers' flexibility to use fixed-term contracts. We must allow workers choice as well as protection. The proposed Directive on temporary agency work is currently being considered by the European Council of Ministers. The Directive would not need to be implemented in the UK unless and until it is adopted. The Government are keenly aware of the potential impact on UK agencies and agency workers of a Directive that takes no account of conditions in the UK labour market. We are therefore pressing very hard for the UK's legitimate concerns to be recognised.

  Information Technology
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what major IT projects with a value in excess of £10,000 she authorised expenditure on in each of the last three financial years. [125719]

  Ms Hewitt
  My Department manages its major IT projects through the provision of centrally managed corporate projects aimed at benefiting the whole Department and through delegated arrangements for locally driven projects, where the overall costs and benefits may be quite small and specific to that work area. Records about all major IT projects with a value in excess of £10,000 are held centrally and a list of these for each of the last three financial years is as follows.

  Financial Year 2000–01

  Calipsoe—Personnel System

  OIELS—Export Licensing

  SIELS—Export Licensing

  Penserver—Pensions Administration System

  Remote Access to ELGAR

  Matrix—Electronic Records and Document Management System

  Senior Staff Management Service

  BTI Gateway/Ourplace Web Services

  Redundancy Payments—Case Handling System

  Secure GSI Network

  Quarterly Fuel Index/Domestic Fuels Enquiry System

  Financial Year 2001–02

  Licensing and Consents Unit—Application Support Service

  Hermes—Prosecution Case Management System

  IBIS—Company Investigation Case Handling System

  BTI CRM—Customer First

  Financial Year 2002–03

  Mentor—Departmental Accounts System

  Cameo Project—Insolvency Service Banking Project

  Local Intranet Service

  BTI Portal Web

  OMIS

  Database Promotional Schemes

  E. Purchasing

  Business Support Transformation Service

  Financial Year 2003–04

  DTI Joint Web Content Management Service

  Licensing and Consents Unit—Development Infrastructure.

  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much the Department spent on IT(a) software, (b) hardware, (c) maintenance and (d) licences in 2002–03. [124418]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Department of Trade and Industry spent £21.3 million on information technology in 2002–03. A full break down as requested is not available but this spend can be classified as follows:

  £ million

  Software/licences

  0.4

  Hardware

  0.9

  Maintenance

  3.8

  Services

  16.2

  Insolvency Act
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases of offences for(a) wrongful trading and (b) fraudulent trading under the Insolvency Act 1986 have been referred for prosecution by the Official Receiver in each year since 1997; and how many of these cases have resulted in successful prosecution in each year. [126657]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The information is as follows:

  (a) Wrongful trading is not a criminal offence.

  (b) Fraudulent trading under the Insolvency Act 1986 is not a criminal offence.

  Both (a) and (b) are civil matters dealt with by a court on the application of a liquidator seeking a civil liability on an individual. As they both provide civil remedies, Official Receivers do not refer such matters for prosecution.

  Official Receivers do report alleged Fraudulent Trading offences under the Companies Act 1985. The number of convictions in respect of such offence reported by Official Receivers since 1997 have been.

  Number

  1997

  25

  1998

  9

  1999

  11

  2000

  11

  2001

  30

  2002

  14

  The above figures are for the calendar year starting on 1 January 1997.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many outsourced IT contracts have been signed by her 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 she will make a statement. [126203]

  Ms Hewitt
  Only one outsourced IT contract has been signed by my Department since 1997 and this was in 1999 for the ELGAR PFI contract between DTI and a consortium known as UNITAS, (consisting of Fujitsu Services in conjunction with LogicaCMG).

  The overall value of this over the 15-year life cycle of the contract is estimated at £579 million for the provision of a large range of IT services across the Department.

  This contract is still in place, has 11 years still to run and has not been renegotiated to-date. Specific new services provided will have been negotiated during the first four years of the PFI deal but within the terms of the existing contract.

  Mobile Phones
  Mr. Watson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of UK mobile phone users are(a) contract pay customers and (b) pre-pay customers. [126894]
  704W
  Mr. Timms
  This is a matter for the Director General of Telecommunications, and I understand he will be writing to my hon. Friend setting out what information he collects in this regard.

  New Electricity Trading Arrangements
  John Thurso
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much energy production from(a) renewable sources, (b) wind and (c) combined heat and power has changed for each year since the introduction of New Electricity Trading Arrangements. [126719]

  Mr. Timms
  Electricity generation in the UK from these sources in 2000 (the year before NETA was introduced in England and Wales), 2001 (the year in which NETA was introduced) and 2002 are shown in the following table:

  GWh

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Electricity generation from all renewable sources1

  10,383

  10,077

  11,444

  of which generation from wind

  947

  967

  1,259

  Generation from CHP2

  26,539

  22,568

  24,236

  1 Includes generation from large-scale hydro stations and from biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.

  2 Detailed CHP statistics for 2002 are to be published on Thursday 31 July 2003 in the Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics,2003

  Post Office Card Account
  Mr. Hepburn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of benefit recipients in(a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK have (i) applied for and (ii) opened Post Office Card Accounts. [125729]

  Mr. Timms
  The information is not available in the format requested. National figures only are available.

  A report containing Department of Work and Pensions figures for the number of clients opting for a Post Office card account, broken down by client group up to 27 June 2003, is available in the Libraries of the House.

  I understand from Post Office Ltd. that by 4 July 2003, 20,000 Post Office card accounts had been opened. This figure is not broken down by category of benefit recipient. The number of Post Office card accounts should grow rapidly over the coming weeks and months as those people opting for a card account complete the application process.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the statement of 14 July 2003,Official Report, House of Lords, column 621, by the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Lord Sainsbury, on Post Office card account users, what the Government's current estimate is of the number of users; and if she will make a statement. [126907]

  Mr. Timms
  The migration to Direct Payment is at a very early stage and the figures are volatile, but, based on customer choices so far, the Government now expect the eventual number of Post Office card accounts to be in excess of our 3 million operating assumption. A
  705W
  report containing Department of Work and Pensions conversion figures up to 27 June 2003 is available in the Libraries of the House.

  Productivity
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps her Department is taking to improve productivity growth rates. [123329]

  Ms Hewitt
  The Government's approach to raising productivity centres on maintaining macroeconomic stability to allow firms and individuals to invest for the future, as well as implementing microeconomic reforms to remove the barriers which prevent markets from functioning efficiently. The Government are addressing historic microeconomic weaknesses in five areas that drive productivity growth—investment, innovation, skills, enterprise and competitive markets.

  Following the recent review of DTI structure and priorities, the Department has been reorganised in order to put productivity and competitiveness at the heart of our activities. The Department's mission, reflecting the Government's five drivers, is centred on the three objectives of world-class science and innovation, successful business and fair markets. In order to enhance the DTIs capacity to achieve these goals, we are currently working to develop a new strategy. This strategy will set out our longer-term direction; allow us to meet the expectations of our key stakeholders and guide the annual business planning process. The strategy will make the maximum use of the evidence base to inform both policy and delivery.

  The DTI has already initiated a number of measures which are intended to help drive up productivity. These include:
  publishing the first Manufacturing Strategy for thirty years and launching the Manufacturing Advisory Service;
  working in conjunction with the Department For Education and Skills, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Treasury to produce the recent Skills Strategy White Paper, which contains measures to improve the skills of Britain's work force;
  introducing the Enterprise Act 2002, which will make UK competition and insolvency regimes amongst the best in the world according to independent observers;
  increasing funding for science, engineering and technology from £8.46 billion in 2002–03 to £8.61 billion in 2004–05 in real terms. This includes £1 billion investment in the research infrastructure;
  levering in £330 million extra capital to small firms through the Regional Venture Capital Funds;
  announcing a review of innovation policy that will set out a strategy for improving innovation performance in the UK The findings of the review will be published later this year.

  Radiation
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had on a review of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation guidelines and the Trower report. [124956]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 10 July 2003]: I have been asked to reply.
  706W
  ICNIRP is an international body of independent scientific experts which publishes health and safety guidelines on exposure to ultraviolet, optical, electromagnetic and ultrasound radiation. There are no plans at present to review ICNIRP guidelines on electromagnetic radiation. No discussions have been held with the UK Government on this matter.

  In 2001, Mr. B Trower made available to the Police Federation a report he had written about the health and safety aspects of the TETRA mobile radio technology. The Home Secretary discussed the report with the Police Federation and provided a response based on expert advice from the National Radiological Protection Board's independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation.

  Redundancies
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many notified redundancies there have been in each year since 1997 among(a) 18 to 24, (b) 25 to 35, (c) 36 to 54 and (d) over 54-year-olds; what these figures represent as a percentage of the total work force, broken down by region; and if she will make a statement. [124539]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  The information about proposed redundancies notified to this Department does not identify the ages of the workers concerned.

  Regional Science Councils
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to create more regional science councils. [124118]

  Ms Hewitt
  Regional Science Councils or similar bodies are created by the regions themselves and not by central Government. However, the Government have consistently commended the board model of such councils. Most recently—as announced in the Budget statement in April—I have asked Sir Tom McKillop—in his capacity as Chair of the North West Science Council—to lead a network to ensure that best practice in promoting innovation and knowledge transfer is exchanged, and that models of Science and Industry Councils come into operation in every region as soon as practicable.

  Renewable Energy
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has for renewable energy schemes that will benefit the West Midlands. [126311]

  Mr. Timms
  With DTI support the Government Office for the West Midlands is working with local government and private sector partners to promote and
  707W
  support the development of renewable energy in the region. A number of renewable energy schemes are already under way. These include:
  Under the Large Scale Field Trial Scheme, the DTI has supported the installation of Solar PV stands at the National Indoor Athletics Training Centre at the Alexander Stadium. This will provide 107 KWP rating surplus energy into the grid.
  Other projects will follow under the Major PV Demonstration programme.
  Two schemes were successfully completed in the 1st Round of Clear Skies Community Funding grants; One for solar thermal panels on a new build for Housing Association at Craven Arms, Shropshire and the installation of a biomass boiler at the National Trust supplying estate offices in Bridworth, Shropshire.
  Three Waste incineration projects at Birmingham, Stoke and Coventry with total operating capacity of 60MW
  A 25MW operating capacity landfill gas project at Packington
  A sewage gas site at Minworth in Birmingham operated by Severn Trent Water
  Small scale hydro schemes at Oswestry and Tamworth

  In addition, DEFRA officials, are working with project developers setting up biomass heating and power generation projects in the West Midlands under the DTFs New Opportunities Funds Bio-Energy Capital grants Scheme.

  Research and Development
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much has been spent on research and development in current prices in each year since 1997–98; and what her plans are for each year until 2005–06. [125590]

  Ms Hewitt
  I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement I made on 16 July 2003,Official Report, column 46WS.

  The figures in Forward Look 2003 extend to 2004–05. Corresponding figures for 2005–06 are not yet available. However, plans for the Science Budget up to 2005–06 are set out in the DTI OST document 'Science Budget 2003–04 to 2005–06' a copy of which is in the Libraries of the House.

  Smoking
  Chris Grayling
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what her policy is on employers providing smoking breaks in smoke-free workplaces. [126837]

  Mr. Sutcliffe
  There is no statutory entitlement to receive smoking breaks in any workplace. However, the Working Time Regulations provide workers with a 20-minute in work rest break if they work for more than six hours at a stretch. Young workers are entitled a 30-minute in work rest break if they work for more than four and a half hours at a stretch. There are no plans to amend the Working Time Regulations to require employers to provide smoking breaks in smoke-free workplaces.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions between 31 March 708W
  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. [126672]

  Ms Hewitt
  Between 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003, Departmental special adviser have travelled abroad in an official capacity four times, on all occasions accompanying the Secretary of State. On three occasions to Brussels at an average cost of £463 per visit, and on one occasion to the USA at no cost to the Department.

  Date

  Place visited

  19-20 June 2002

  Brussels

  1 special adviser

  26 November 2002

  Brussels

  1 special adviser

  3 March 2003

  Brussels

  1 special adviser

  28 July 2002–1 August 2002

  USA

  1 special adviser

  All travel by the special advisers was undertaken in accordance with the guidance set out in the Ministerial code and the Civil Service management code.

  Tariff Barriers
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research she has commissioned on the costs of administering tariff barriers, broken down by(a) country and (b) major category of product. [125080]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  No independent research has been commissioned on this although officials will make assessments of the impact of particular proposals from time to time.

  Telecommunications Masts
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many planning applications have been made to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department. [124813]

  Ms Hewitt
  Since August 2001 when the current planning regulations on mobile telecommunications masts came into force there have been eight planning applications and six applications for prior approval to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department.

  Wind Farms
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what briefing was provided by her Department's Press Office to the media in advance of her announcement on 14 July on the expansion of offshore wind capacity. [126319]

  Ms Hewitt
  Invitations to a press briefing were issued to media representatives in advance of the announcement on the expansion of offshore wind capacity on 14 July. No other briefing material was released in advance of the announcement.

  Mr. Carmichael
  To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether wind farms built on unpopulated islands and islands with populations of less than 1,000 people are entitled to support under the offshore wind capital grants programme. [126779]
  709W
  Mr. Timms
  Wind farms built on islands would not be entitled to support under the offshore wind capital grants programme, as such wind farms are considered onshore rather than offshore.

  Onshore wind farms are not eligible for capital grants, since onshore wind is close to becoming commercially competitive. However, onshore wind farms (wherever situated) would be eligible for support under the Renewables Obligations.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

  EU Institutions (Visits)
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to his answer of 15 July 2003, ref 124996, how many visits were made by hon. Members to each venue. [126909]

  Mr. Hain
  The number of visits made by hon. Members to each location in 2002–03 were as follows:

  Location

  Visits

  Ankara

  3

  Athens

  5

  Berlin

  15

  Brussels

  85

  Bucharest

  4

  Budapest

  1

  Copenhagen

  2

  Dublin

  10

  Helsinki

  1

  Lisbon

  2

  Madrid

  14

  Nicosia

  5

  Paris

  15

  Prague

  9

  Riga

  1

  Rome

  10

  Draft Bill

  Pre-legislative scrutiny by

  Electricity (Trading and Transmission)

  Trade and Industry Committee

  Corruption

  Joint Committee on the draft Corruption Bill

  Housing

  Committee on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

  Public Audit (Wales)

  Welsh Affairs Committee (and the National Assembly for Wales)

  Civil Contingencies

  Joint Committee on the draft Civil Contingencies Bill

  Nuclear Sites and Radioactive Substances

  Trade and Industry Committee

  Mental Incapacity

  Joint Committee on the draft Mental Incapacity Bill

  Gender Recognition

  Joint Committee on Human Rights

  Gambling (part 1)

  Joint Committee on the draft Gambling Bill

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Leader of the House how many(a) special advisers, (b) press officers, (c) civil servants, (d) advisers to civil servants and (e) permanent staff were working for the Leader of the House in each year since 1996. [126470]

  Mr. Hain
  The information requested, where available, is as follows and includes staff working in both the Office of the Leader and Deputy Leader:710W

  Location

  Visits

  Sofia

  2

  Stockholm

  6

  Strasbourg

  14

  The Hague

  9

  Valetta

  1

  Vienna

  1

  Warsaw

  3

  Total visits made

  218

  Pre-legislative Scrutiny
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Leader of the House which departmental select committee chairmen he has met to discuss pre-legislation scrutiny by their committees. [126869]

  Mr. Hain
  I have not met any departmental select committee chairmen to discuss pre-legislative scrutiny by their committees and have no plans to do so.

  I have met the Chairman of the Liaison Committee to discuss pre-legislative scrutiny, among other matters, and I hope to meet the members of the Liaison Committee in the autumn. The Government seek to facilitate pre-legislative scrutiny as far as is possible and has placed great emphasis on producing more bills in draft. However, the way in which committees perform their core duties is a matter for Parliament, not Government.

  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Leader of the House pursuant to his answer of 15 July, ref 124976, if he will list the ways in which each of the Bills was scrutinised; and if he will make a statement. [126910]

  Mr. Hain
  The following information requested is as follows: nine draft bills were laid before Parliament this Session. The table indicates in each case the Committee which has undertaken, or will undertake, pre-legislative scrutiny.

  From

  Civil servants

  Special advisers

  Press officers

  May 1997

  6

  1

  —

  June 1997

  7

  1

  —

  March 1998

  8

  2

  —

  November 1999

  10

  2

  —

  August 2000

  11

  2

  1

  November 2002

  12

  2

  2

  The post of Deputy Leader of the House of Commons was created in July 1999.

  The Press Officers working for the Leader and Deputy Leader are employed by the Cabinet Office.
  711W
  All the civil servants working in the offices of the Leader and Deputy Leader have permanent status, though all except one are on loan from other Departments.

  Written Ministerial Statements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Leader of the House how many written ministerial statements have been made by his Office since 29 October 2002. [126603]

  Mr. Hain
  Two.

TRANSPORT

  Listed Buildings
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) Grade I, (b) Grade II* and (c) Grade II buildings have been identified for demolition as a result of his response to the 11 multi modal studies announced on 9 July; and where they are located. [126695]

  Mr. Jamieson
  There are no Grade I or Grade II* listed buildings identified for demolition due to road schemes that entered the Targeted Programme of Improvements on 9 July. The Grade II Burgess Hill Farmhouse and Barn are on the proposed route of the A21 dualling between Tonbridge and Pembury. No decision has been taken on whether to demolish or relocate these buildings.

  London Underground
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much London Underground Ltd. spent on(a) advertising and (b) public relations in each of the last six years. [126554]

  Mr. McNulty
  Due to organisational changes in 1999 (London Transport becoming part of Transport for London, and restructuring of London Underground to reflect "shadowing running" in anticipation of the Public Private Partnership), it is only possible to provide comparable figures over the last three years.

  Advertising & Customer Information (£ million)

  Public Relations (£ million)

  2002–03

  8.4

  1.3

  2001–02

  7.8

  1.6

  2000–01

  8.4

  1.1

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many prosecutions of London Underground Ltd. there were in each of the last six years for breaches of health and safety regulations. [126555]

  Mr. McNulty
  This information is freely available on Health and Safety Executive's Website, www.hse.gov.uk. The number of prosecutions against London Underground for health and safety breaches over the last six years is as follows:712W

  Number

  1996

  0

  1998

  0

  1999

  1

  2000

  0

  2001

  3

  2002

  0

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) at what frequency each London Underground station was cleaned on 14 July; [126557]

  (2) how often trains were cleaned on each London Underground line on average in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and how many trains ran on each line in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [126578]

  Mr. McNulty
  The information is not available in the format requested. LU has strict guidelines about station and train cleanliness and they form a key part of the PPP contracts. London Underground are working very closely with their Infraco partners to achieve improvements. The PPP contracts sets benchmarks for performance and Infracos have incentives to achieve these or suffer financial penalties for failure.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many London Underground(a) staff and (b) contractors were employed to clean (i) stations and (ii) trains on 14 July. [126626]

  Mr. McNulty
  Station and train cleanliness are a key element of the PPP contracts. Therefore, the responsibility for employing staff to clean trains and stations is the responsibility of each of LU's Infraco partners. The number of cleaners employed is a matter for them.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many London Underground train carriages were available for use on each underground line on 14 July. [126627]

  Mr. McNulty
  The number of train carriages available for service on each Underground line on 14 July, during the evening peak (18.00) was as follows:

  Line

  Carriages in service

  Bakerloo

  210

  Central

  520

  Victoria

  288

  Waterloo & City

  16

  Jubilee

  246

  Northern

  522

  Piccadilly

  360

  Metropolitan

  336

  Circle

  72

  Hammersmith & City

  84

  East London

  24

  District

  456

  Total LU

  3,134

  713W
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many miles of track London Underground was operating passenger services on 14 July broken down by line. [126629]

  Mr. McNulty
  The following table, shows miles of track by line. The figures exclude depots and sidings, but include National Rail tracks over which LU operates passenger services:

  Line

  Miles

  Bakerloo

  29.7

  Central

  91.3

  Victoria

  27.7

  Waterloo & City

  2.8

  Jubilee

  48.4

  Northern

  75.5

  Piccadilly

  68.0

  Metropolitan/Hammersmith & City

  106.6

  East London

  9.0

  District

  78.9

  Total

  538.0

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the average temperature during the summer period was on each of the London Underground lines in 2002; [126630]

  (2) what the maximum temperature reached was on each of the London Underground lines in the last 12 months. [126633]

  Mr. McNulty
  London Underground does not hold such data in the format requested.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many London Underground stations were covered by CCTV systems on 14 July. [126631]

  Mr. McNulty
  London Underground, for reasons of security, do not publicly disclose the number of stations with CCTV coverage. They can confirm that 96 per cent, of stations possess CCTV facilities. Under the PPP, improving security of customers and staff is a key priority and LU and their partners are committed to delivering these improvements.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much litter was collected on each underground line in the last 12 months. [126632]

  Mr. McNulty
  Data are not available in the format requested. However, LU estimates that approximately 15 tonnes of litter is removed from trains and stations every day.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the(a) lowest and (b) highest salary was for London Underground (i) station staff, (ii) drivers and (iii) board members on 14 July 2003. [126641]

  Mr. McNulty
  The information requested is set out in the following table:714W

  £

  Lowest Salary

  Highest Salary

  Station staff (From Customer Service Assistant to Station Supervisor)

  18,932

  34,044

  Train Operators (drivers)1

  31,274

  31,274

  London Underground Board Members

  98,291

  154,500

  1 Train operators are paid at a flat rate

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many London Underground stations were fully accessible to people with disabilities on 14 July. [126642]

  Mr. McNulty
  There were currently 39 stations served by London Underground on 14 July with step-free access to their platforms. Train Operating Companies manage nine of these stations.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the(a) lowest and (b) highest (i) single and (ii) return fares were on the London Underground on 14 July. [126643]

  Mr. McNulty
  Set ting of Underground fares has been an operational responsibility for Transport for London and the Mayor of London since the summer of 2000. The cheapest adult tickets on London Underground are (i) 1.00 single and (ii) 2.00 return. The most expensive adult tickets they sell are (i) £3.70 single and (ii) £7.40 return.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the(a) lowest priced and (b) highest priced (i) monthly and (ii) annual season ticket was on the London Underground on 14 July. [126644]

  Mr. McNulty
  Setting of Underground fares has been an operational responsibility for Transport for London and the Mayor of London since the summer of 2000. The cheapest adult season tickets on London Underground are (i) 35 monthly and (ii) 364 annual. The most expensive adult season tickets they sell are (i) £142.90 monthly and (ii) £1,488 annual. The cheapest monthly and annual season tickets cover only one Travelcard Zone (a choice of zones 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 but not 1). The most expensive monthly and annual season tickets cover all Zones (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6).

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the(a) earliest and (b) latest train running times were on each London Underground line on 14 July. [126645]

  Mr. McNulty
  The earliest and latest running times from Monday to Friday were as follows:

  Earliest train

  Latest train

  Bakerloo

  05.38

  00.50

  Central

  05.12

  01.09

  Circle

  05.12

  01.09

  District

  04.56

  01.28

  East London

  05.24

  01.13

  Hammersmith and City

  04.40

  00.59

  Jubilee

  05.12

  01.13

  Metropolitan

  05.22

  01.30

  Northern

  05.13

  01.12

  Piccadilly

  05.10

  01.16

  Victoria

  05.20

  01.02

  Waterloo and City

  06.15

  21.52

  715W
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average waiting time at London Underground ticket offices was in the four weeks before 14 July. [126646]

  Mr. McNulty
  According to London Underground's latest figures, (four weeks to 21 June) the average waiting time at ticket offices was 66.4 seconds. This is the lowest average waiting time attained for four years.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many acts of aggression against staff there were on each London Underground line in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [126647]

  Mr. McNulty
  Following a major programme aimed at improving staff protection, physical assaults fell by 4 per cent, in 2002–03, the first time in many years. The figures requested are provided as follows.

  Line

  Instances of aggression

  Bakerloo

  46

  Central

  123

  District Line

  189

  East London

  10

  Jubilee

  148

  Circle and Hammersmith

  14

  Metropolitan

  233

  Northern

  183

  Piccadilly

  163

  Victoria

  64

  Total

  1,173

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much revenue was raised through London Underground fares in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [126648]

  Mr. McNulty
  For 2002–03, total fares that London Underground earned for carrying passengers on its network was 1,108.5 million.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many London Underground employees there were on 14 July, broken down by(a) train drivers, (b) station staff, (c) HQ staff and (d) other categories of staff. [126649]

  Mr. McNulty
  The following data include permanent staff and those on fixed term contracts but exclude agency staff:

  Number

  Train operators (drivers)

  3,189

  Station staff

  6,164

  HQ staff (Central Directorates)

  1,668

  Other categories of staff1

  2,045

  Total

  13,066

  1 Personnel supporting train operators and station staff in the Trains and Stations Directorates.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) train cancellations and (b) delays of more than 10 minutes to London Underground train services there were on each line in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [126650]

  Mr. McNulty
  The following data cover July 2002–June 2003.
  716W

  Line

  Delays greater than 15 minutes

  Peak cancellations

  Bakerloo

  342

  926

  Central

  288

  9,435

  Victoria

  149

  572

  Waterloo and City

  79

  254

  Jubilee

  247

  600

  Northern

  259

  1,309

  Piccadilly

  409

  2,546

  Metropolitan

  554

  1,260

  Circle and Hammersmith

  289

  1,743

  East London

  90

  107

  District

  567

  1,421

  Total

  3,273

  20,173

  Notes

  1. Cancellation figures given are for M-F peaks (09:00 and 18:00 'snapshots').

  2. London Underground's key performance indicator for delays is based on 15 minutes

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the level of fare evasion was on the London Underground in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and how many people were prosecuted for fare evasion on each line during that period. [126651]

  Mr. McNulty
  In the 12 months to November 2002, 3.54 per cent, of passengers were unable to produce a ticket, or carried an incorrect ticket. Between 1 July 2002–1 July 2003, LU submitted 2,042 prosecutions for fare evasion. LU carries out regular ticket irregularity surveys, and not all instances of passengers using incorrect tickets are an attempt to avoid paying the correct fare.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average number of passengers carried at peak times on each London Underground line was during the last 12 months for which figures are available. [126652]

  Mr. McNulty
  The following figures show the average number of passengers travelling in peak times during a typical week in 2002:

  7am-10am

  4pm-7pm

  Bakerloo

  83,370

  91,470

  Central

  170,229

  184,227

  District

  178,250

  169,945

  East London

  10,737

  10,207

  Jubilee

  126,286

  125,316

  Hammersmith and City

  44,570

  395

  Metropolitan

  73,036

  67,385

  Northern

  202,105

  192,946

  Piccadilly

  134,526

  156,320

  Victoria

  149,728

  157,418

  Circle

  58,489

  63,843

  Waterloo and City

  17,806

  14,577

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

  Disabled Children (Family Support)
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many families with(a) severely disabled and (b) disabled children have

  717W
  received family support in each year since 1997, broken down by social services authority; and if he will make a statement; [124164]

  (2) what the net expenditure of each social services authority in England on family support services for (a) severely disabled and (b) disabled children was in each year since 1997; what the total was for all authorities in each of those years; what the percentage change in real terms was in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [124165]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

  Learning Disabilities (Support)
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many children with a learning disability received support from social services; what the net expenditure was of each social services authority in England on those children in each year since 1997–98; and what the total was for all authorities in those years; [126924]

  (2) what the net expenditure of each social services authority in England on disabled children was in each year since 1997–98; and what the percentage change was in each year since 1997–98. [126925]

  Margaret Hodge
  The only information available relates to a survey week in September/October 2001. The results are published in "CIN 2001 Local Authority tables: Results of a survey of activity and expenditure as reported by Local Authorities in England based on a survey in September/October 2001". The publication is available at http:// www.doh.gov.uk/cin/cin20011atables.htm.

  Table J shows the number of disabled children reported in the Children in Need (CIN) Census in the survey week who received a service during that week. The results are shown by local authority. The information cannot be broken down to distinguish those who have a learning disability from others.

  On expenditure on learning disabled children/ disabled children receiving social services during a census week in September/October 2001, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) on 21 July.

  Adult Learning Programmes
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the national indicative budget for non-qualification bearing adult learning programmes will be introduced. [126786]

  Alan Johnson
  The national indicative budget for nonqualification bearing adult learning programmes will be introduced from the 2004/05 academic year.

  Advice Partnerships/Helpline
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what arrangements he will make for(a) governance and (b) funding of the combined local advice partnerships and national advice helpline. [126801]
  718W
  Margaret Hodge
  The Learning & Skills Council and Ufi/learndirect will work together to integrate the learndirect national advice service with the work of the local information, advice and guidance partnerships. All funding for the Ufl/learndirect national advice service and local services will be channelled through the Learning and Skills Council, supporting consistent planning and monitoring of services nationally and locally.

  Centres of Vocational Excellence
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the development of centres of vocational excellence. [126782]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Government has established more than 250 Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) to date. We have met the manifesto commitment 8 months early and we are well on our way to meet our target of 400 CoVEs by March 2006.

  Chapter 6 of the skills strategy, "Realising our Potential" published by my Department on 9 July includes our plans for further development of the CoVE network.

  Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
  Tim Loughton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what mechanisms the Minister for Children will establish between the services transferred to the Department for Education and Skills, and the relevant services remaining in the Department of Health, to ensure the development of a comprehensive Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. [121240]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 23 June 2003]: The Department of Health will continue to have responsibility for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, and as before will continue to work in close co-operation with the Department for Education and Skills. I will be working closely with ministerial colleagues in the Department of Health to address the needs of children and young people who require co-ordinated support from health and social services, including those with mental health problems. In particular we will be collaborating closely in the development of the forthcoming Children's National service Framework, which will set out standards for delivery of health and social care services for children, and DfES and DH will continue to have joint responsibility for the development of policy on Children's Trusts.

  Child Law Reform
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the Minister for Children has responsibility for child law reform. [121822]

  Margaret Hodge
  I will keep under review the legislation relating to children and young people for which the Department for Education and Skills is responsible and I will work with Ministers from other Departments to ensure that their legislation contributes, wherever relevant, to the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

  Child Care
  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether he will make the initiative announced on 17 June on improving access to affordable and quality child care available to parents in Dudley North; and if he will make: a statement. [123426]

  Margaret Hodge
  We announced a number of initiatives on 17 June all of which will benefit parents in the Dudley North Constituency.

  Funding for the "childminder buddying scheme" will be available from April 2004.

  Childcare Partnership Managers are now available in each Jobcentre Plus district.

  Quality First is available for childminders who wish to develop their child care capabilities.

  Care to Learn is available for all teenage parents who wish to take part in publicly funded education or training.

  The foundation stage information packs will be available from EYDCPs after 18 July.

  New sure start guide to choosing child care is available from Daycare Trust on 0207 840 3350.

  These initiatives supplement others which are available throughout the country to support our aims of providing affordable, quality child care for all parents. They include the child care element of the new working tax credit, which builds on the success of the child care tax credit to support working parents by adding greater flexibility and an extension of the range of eligible child care; and the expansion of free, part-time early years education, which is available to all 4-years-olds and will be available to all 3-year-olds from April 2004. In addition, developments in out of school care including before and after school and during weekends and holidays are making a real difference for children and their families. While the focus of these clubs is care for the children outside the school day, the provision is also about positive play and learning experiences. We launched extended schools through the Education Act 2002, giving schools the powers to provide community facilities, including child care. Child care in schools provides safe, accessible child care for children attending the school and children in the wider community.

  These initiatives will help break the cycles of poverty and make sure that each child has an equal opportunity to succeed at school and in later life.

  Mr. Stevenson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many child care places have been created in(a) Stoke, South constituency and (b) Stoke-on-Trent Unitary Authority since 1997. [125623]

  Margaret Hodge
  Figures on new child care places created have been collected quarterly from local authorities since April 1999. Between April 1999 and March 2003, our latest information, Stoke-on-Trent Unitary Authority reported the creation of a total of 2,148 new child care places. This includes 454 new places with childminders. Figures for constituencies are available for group-based child care provision but not for childminders; between April 1999 and March 2003 Stoke-on-Trent Unitary Authority reported the creation of 490 new group-based child care places in Stoke, South constituency.

  Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Services
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many cases which are the responsibility of CAFCASS remain unallocated; how many of these are considered to be at high risk; and how many are in the Greater London area. [124919]

  Margaret Hodge
  Of 12,077 public law cases being dealt with by CAFCASS in May 2003, 511 cases were unallocated1 Of the 8,398 private law cases being dealt with in May 2003, 399 cases were unallocated2. 263 of these unallocated cases were in Greater London. Cases where there is an identified risk to children are given priority by the service, but data are not collected on the number of high risk cases it is involved in. Under the Children Act 1989, an Emergency Protection Order can be granted by a court, to safeguard children likely to suffer significant harm. These orders are granted within 24 hours of an application to the court.
  1 Unallocated seven days after a request from Court is received by CAFCASS.
  2 Unallocated less than 10 weeks before a CAFCASS report is filed at Court.

  City Academies
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills who the owners of the land and buildings in a church-run city academy are; and in cases where the land and buildings are not owned by the local education authority, under what circumstances ownership would revert to the local education authority. [126184]

  Mr. Miliband
  Sites for academies are usually provided by local education authorities, which transfer ownership to the academies themselves, on a leasehold or freehold basis. Where an academy is sponsored by a church, however, particularly if it replaces an existing church school, the site may be provided by a religious foundation.

  Our normal expectation is that the site and buildings of an academy will revert to whichever body provided the site initially, in the event they are no longer required for the purposes of the academy. Individual academy funding agreements will make specific provision for this. Where a local education authority has transferred the land or buildings to an academy trust the Secretary of State has powers to transfer the land back to the authority if the academy ceases to exist or moves to another site.

  Class Sizes
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average class size in secondary schools was in(a) Dorset and (b) Poole in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [126440]

  Mr. Miliband
  The available information is shown in the table.
  721W

  Maintained secondary schools1 average size of classes taught by one teacher2

  Position in January each year 1992 to 20035

  Secondary Schools

  Dorset LEA3

  Dorset LEA4

  Pode LEA4

  1992

  21.8

  6—

  6—

  1993

  21.4

  6—

  6—

  1994

  21.5

  6—

  6—

  1995

  21.8

  6—

  6—

  1996

  22.0

  6—

  6—

  1997

  21.8

  6—

  6—

  1998

  6—

  22.5

  20.5

  1999

  6—

  22.0

  20.8

  2000

  6—

  22.6

  21.4

  2001

  6—

  22.8

  20.9

  2002

  6—

  22.7

  20.2

  20035

  6—

  22.0

  20.9

  1 Includes middle schools as deemed.

  2 Classes as taught during a single selected period in each school on the day of the census in January.

  3 Before local government reorganisation Dorset LEA incorporated Pode LEA Bournemouth LEA and rest of Dorset.

  4 After local government reorganisation.

  5 provisional

  6 not available

  Source

  Annual Schools' Census

  Community Learning
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will set out arrangements for safeguarding funding for local and adult community learning. [126802]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  My Department and the LSC will agree an overall indicative budget to support non-qualification bearing programmes previously funded under Adult and Community Learning. Nationally this will be based on the broad proportion of LSC funds spent on this type of learning. The LSC will agree with each local LSC a minimum figure for such learning activities in order to maximize the civic, social and cultural gain in every part of England.

  Connexions
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which wards and programmes within Sefton have benefited from(a) Connexions, (b) Connexions Summer Plus, (c) Transforming Youth Work Development Fund and (d) Lifelong Learning Partnerships. [124517]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information is as follows:

  Connexions

  Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership (which covers the whole of Sefton) opened in September 2001. Connexions offers advice, guidance and access to personal development opportunities for all young people aged 13-19 years old (or up to 25 years old if the young person has a learning difficulty or disability). Since April 2002, significant help has been given on 29,500 occasions to young people in Sefton.

  Positive Activities for Young People (previously Connexions Summer Plus)

  Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) is a new programme for young people, which provides diversionary activities during school holidays. This
  722W
  programme is being delivered by Greater Merseyside Connexions. In Sefton, 210 full-time places will be provided under PAYP from mid July this year with activities focused or the southern end of the borough.

  In addition, a minimum of 60 young people will receive targeted support from key workers to ensure that they join and stay with the programme and return to education, training or employment after the holiday period.

  Activities will focus on providing young people with opportunities to help them fulfil their potential, as well as diverting them away from crime. The PAYP scheme will include sport, developing skills as DJs, arts, activities promoting the cultural diversity of the area, and outdoor adventure. These will be available throughout the school holiday periods at times appropriate to meet the needs of young people.

  Transforming Youth Work Development Fund

  The aim of the TYWDF is to raise the overall quality and quantity of youth work. Sefton has received £48,989 from TYWDF in 2003–04. (This amount adds to the budget provided by the local authority from its education resources).

  Sefton Youth Service has used some of this funding to help develop a project called 'Youth Only Zone', working with the police and Leisure services. This project focuses on tackling anti-social behaviour and street crime by young people. It gives youth workers and the police a number of options to offer young people through a range of activities provided in leisure centres. Last year, 500 young people became involved in 'Youth Only Zone' through the Youth Service. Sefton police have also reported a 20 per cent, reduction in calls about juvenile nuisance since the start of the project.

  Lifelong Learning Partnerships

  Lifelong Learning Partnerships bring together local learning providers (ranging from voluntary sector to Further Education/Higher Education Institutions) and others such as local government, Connexions Service, trade unions, employers and faith groups.

  The Partnerships have two core roles; to promote joint working between partners in support of lifelong learning and to maximise the contribution of learning to local regeneration.

  From April 2003, funding is routed through the LSC with Sefton Lifelong Learning Partnership receiving £74,512.

  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what has been the total money spent on the Connexions service in each year since it was established; and how many people under the age of 19
  have received advice from the service in each of those years. [123568]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 4 July 2003]: The amount spent on the Connexions service in each year since it was established is as follows:

  723W

  £ million

  2000–01

  12

  2001–02

  147

  2002–03

  377

  Note:

  These figures exclude the amount spent on funding careers services in those areas where Connexions had not yet been introduced.

  Information about the number of young people under the age of 19 receiving advice from Connexions is not collected in the exact format requested. However, the following table shows the number of occasions that young people received assistance in 2001–02 and interventions in 2002–03. Different definitions were used in these two years, reflecting the move away from counting all contacts with young people (referred to as "assistance given") to recording only significant contact on a one-to-one basis (referred to as "interventions").

  England

  April 2001-March 2002 "assistance given"1

  1,257,437

  April 2002-March 2003 "interventions"2

  3,082,926

  1 Data relates to 15 Connexions partnerships which were launched before March 2002.

  2 Data relates to 46 Connexions partnerships (including the 15 partnerships referred to above) which were operational at some during 2002–03.

  County Council Support Grants
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what additional support grant for Leicestershire county council would be required if it was funded at the average for English counties for(a) primary and (b) secondary pupils based on the (i) current financial year and (b) each financial year between 1996–97 to 2002–03; [125241]

  (2) how much funding has changed per pupil in real terms for (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in Leicestershire since 1996–97; [125242]

  (3) if he will make a statement on the level of education funding in Leicestershire; and if he will estimate the (a) percentage and (b) cost difference between Leicestershire and the top funded county outside London. [125243]

  Proportion of people of working age1 holding qualifications at NVQ level 4 or above2

  Male

  Female

  All

  95% confidence interval between3

  95% confidence interval between

  95% confidence interval between

  London

  32.0%

  30.9%-33.0%

  29.5%

  28.5%-30.6%

  30.8%

  30.1%-31.6%

  Sefton

  21.8%

  18.3%-25.4%

  22.5%

  18.8%-26.3%

  22.2%

  19.6%-24.7%

  Great Britain

  24.3%

  24.0%-24.5%

  23.1%

  22.8%-23.4%

  23.7%

  23.5%-23.9%

  1 Working age is defined as all males aged 16-64 and females aged 16-59.

  2 NVQ level 4 or above covers postgraduates, first degrees, HNDs and other undergraduate qualifications.

  3 The confidence interval figures show in the answer indicate the potential margin or error of the data for each area, given that the LFS is a sample survey and that estimated populations for each area are therefore subject to sampling variations.

  724W
  Mr. Miliband
  The Education Formula Spending (EPS) system, which distributes the bulk of the financial support for schools, sets out not to provide the same level of funding for all pupils but to allow for the extra costs of educating children with additional needs, those in rural areas with sparse populations and those in areas where it costs more to recruit and retain staff. Therefore there are differences in the levels of funding which authorities receive recognising the differences in circumstances. For that reason, Leicestershire receives £380 per pupil (10 per cent.) less in overall resources than the "top" funded county outside London but since 1997–98 (the last year for which comparable data are available) real terms funding in Leicestershire has increased by 620 (29 per cent.) for primary pupils and by 550 (19 per cent.) for secondary pupils. The following table sets out the other information requested in cash terms between 1997–98 and 2003–04. For 2004–05, we are working with representatives of schools and local education authorities to ensure that every school receives a reasonable per pupil settlement.

  Leicestershire (£)

  Shires (£)

  Difference (£)

  Grant needed (£ million)

  Primary aged pupils (3-10)

  1997–98

  1,910

  1,860

  -50

  —

  1998–99

  2,010

  2,010

  0

  —

  1999–2000

  2,180

  2,200

  20

  1.2

  2000–01

  2,380

  2,400

  30

  1.4

  2001–02

  2,560

  2,590

  30

  1.6

  2002–03

  2,670

  2,740

  70

  4.1

  2003–04

  2,860

  3,030

  170

  9.3

  Secondary aged pupils (11-15)

  1997–98

  2,540

  2,600

  60

  2

  1998–99

  2,660

  2,710

  40

  1.5

  1999–00

  2,810

  2,880

  60

  2.3

  2000–01

  3,060

  3,120

  60

  2.2

  2001–02

  3,260

  3,320

  60

  2.3

  2002–03

  3,420

  3,520

  100

  3.8

  2003–04

  3,520

  3,710

  190

  7.4

  Degree Qualifications
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of the(a) male and (b) female work force in (i) London and (ii) Sefton have degree-level qualifications. [124107]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The lastest available estimates from the Local Area Labour Force Survey 2001 are shown in the table.

  Department staff
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many staff the Department and each agency and non-departmental public body for which the Department is responsible had in each year since 1997; and what the cost of those staff was in each of those years. [122260]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Data on staffing levels in the Civil Service are collected from departments and agencies twice-yearly, in April and October. Headline figures are published under National Statistics guidelines via a press notice. Those for October 2002 were published on 27 February 2003.

  A copy of the press notice, accompanying media brief and supporting tables is available on the world wide web at www.civil-service.gov.uk/statistics. Copies of these documents are also placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  More detailed information on the Civil Service is published annually in Civil Service Statistics, copies of which are laid in the Libraries of both Houses. The last

  £ million

  NDPB

  1997/98

  1998/99

  1999/2000

  2000/01

  2001/02

  Adult Learning Inspectorate

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  8.00

  British Educational Communications and Technology Agency

  2.52

  2.42

  2.73

  3.11

  3.22

  Construction Industry Training Board1

  18.71

  19.98

  21.15

  23.21

  26.73

  Engineering Construction Industry Training Board1

  1.05

  1.04

  1.27

  1.29

  1.34

  Higher Education Funding Council

  5.06

  5.13

  6.05

  6.90

  7.80

  Investors in People UK Ltd.

  0.80

  0.88

  1.01

  1.09

  1.31

  Learning and Skills Council

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  135.00

  National College for School Leadership

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  2.22

  Qualifications and, Curriculum Authority

  n/a

  14.27

  15.08

  15.51

  19.09

  Student Loans Company

  5.62

  6.80

  9.35

  10.42

  12.20

  Sector Skills Development Agency

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Teacher Training Agency

  2.45

  2.84

  3.03

  3.63

  5.32

  1 financial year ends 31 December

  n/a—NDPB not in existence at that time.

  Disabled Students
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of university students were registered disabled for courses commencing in(a) autumn 2000, (b) autumn 2001 and (c) autumn 2002. [117381]

  Alan Johnson
  The available information is only collected for UK domiciled students and is based on the student's own assessment of whether he or she has a disability and so does not necessarily indicate that the student is registered disabled.

  The data for the last three available years are given in the table. Data for the academic year 2002/03 will be available from December 2003.
  726W
  edition, based on April 2001 data, was published in June 2002. The next edition, based on April 2002 data, is due to be published at the end of July 2003.

  Staffing costs for my Department for the years in question were as follows.

  £million

  1997/98

  100.43

  1998/99

  107.98

  1999/00

  116.81

  2000/01

  133.95

  2001/02

  124.12

  The figures exclude the staffing costs of Departmental staff employed in and paid by Government Offices, which are not held centrally.

  Cabinet Office publishes information on non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) in its annual publication Public Bodies. The information includes details of the number of staff employed by each NDPB at 31 March each year. Public Bodies 2002 was published in January 2003. Copies of Public Bodies published each year since 1997 are available in the Libraries of both Houses.

  Staffing costs of NDPBs for which my Department is responsible are listed in the following table:

  UK domiciled higher education students recorded as having a disability, from 1999/2000 to 2001/02

  Academic year

  1999/2000

  2000/01

  2001/02

  Numbers1

  With a disability

  73,168

  79,583

  89,291

  Without a disability

  1,431,303

  1,510,667

  1,575,847

  Unknown

  100,050

  53,615

  34,747

  Total known

  1,504,471

  1,590,250

  1,665,138

  Percentages

  With a disability

  5

  5

  5

  Without a disability

  95

  95

  95

  Total known

  100

  100

  100

  1 Includes postgraduates and undergraduates

  Source:

  Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

  E-learning
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will publish the consultation document on the national e-learning strategy. [126791]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The consultation document Towards a Unified e-Learning Strategy' was published on Tuesday 8 July 2003. Copies of the document are available in the House of Commons Library and can also be downloaded from the website www.dfes.gov.uk/elearningstrategy.

  E2E Programme
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on progress on the E2E programme. [126781]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  From 1 August 2003, Entry to Employment (E2E) will be nationally established across all 47 local Learning and Skills Council (LSC) areas. Operational and funding guidance has been produced for E2E and all local LSCs have now contracted with providers to deliver E2E.

  Skills Strategy
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the role of the National Employment Panel in implementing the skills strategy. [126794]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  21st Century Skills: Realising Our Potential sets out the National Employment Panel's role in implementing the Skills Strategy. The Panel will work with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education and Skills to consider how best to strengthen the links between placing people in jobs and supporting claimants in gaining skills for sustainable employment. The Panel will also review how best to help those on inactive benefits (some of whom have been out of the labour market for a long time) to develop their job-related skills and qualifications where this provides a route out of benefit dependency. The Panel will make recommendations by the end of 2003.

  The National Employment Panel will also continue to give advice to Ministers for Education and Skills and for Work and Pensions on issues concerning the interface between skills and employment policy. Where relevant, this advice will be considered by the Skills Alliance.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if he will make a statement on the role of the National Skills Strategy in implementing the European Employment Strategy; [126795]

  (2) if he will indicate how the proposals in the Skills Strategy (Cm 5810) take forward the European economic reform agenda agreed at Lisbon in 2000 in (a) domestic and (b) international context. [126800]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  In elaborating the Lisbon agenda, the European Council has set targets to raise the overall level of skills across the European Union. Member states contribute to the achievement of these targets through their own national strategies and policies. The Skills Strategy will contribute particularly by raising the skill levels and employability of adults in this country 728W
  through the new entitlement to free tuition for adults seeking their first level 2 qualification, increased support for higher level skills in areas of sectoral or regional priority and by helping adults gain ICT skills as a third basic skill alongside literacy and numeracy.

  Within the overall Lisbon agenda, the European Employment Strategy (EES) provides a framework for reaching key Lisbon employment rate targets. Under the EES, member states develop their national employment strategies and policies in the light of the shared priorities agreed at EU level. For the UK these include providing appropriate guidance in the context of initial training and lifelong learning, modernising the apprenticeship system, tackling poor basic skills and promoting better access to learning for adults, including through the promotion of e-learning. These are all being addressed in the Skills Strategy, which will therefore contribute to the EES by equipping workers in this country with the skills they need for lifetime employability and providing other member states with a model for how to develop the skills base demanded by the modern labour market.

  MR. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will establish a strategic communications group to develop a plan for skills. [126796]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  My Department will establish the Strategic Communications Group in the near future so that a communication and marketing plan for skills can be agreed by the end of this year, as set out in the Skills White Paper.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how he defines(a) low skills equilibrium and (b) high skills equilibrium as referred to in the Skills White Paper. [126797]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The low skills equilibrium theory is where, due to adaptation over a number of years to the poor availability of skills in the work force, UK companies often engage in producing more basic, less customised and less skill intensive products than their competitors overseas. This reduces the incentives for individuals and employers to acquire skills, thus becomes self-reinforcing. As we set out in the Underlying Evidence paper for the Skills Strategy that we published in March, it is a vicious circle of low skills, low wages and consumer demand for cheap products and services. The Skills Strategy White Paper makes no reference to a high skills equilibrium.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects to publish an Employer Guide to Good Training. [126798]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  We expect the Employer Guide to Good Training will be available in most local Learning and Skills Council areas by September 2004 and in all areas by December 2004.

  Entitlement Cards
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions his Department has had with the Home Office about the(a) possible introduction of an entitlement card scheme, (b) the use

  729W
  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. [126219]

  Margaret Hodge
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: My Department has been engaged with the Home Office consultation on the possible introduction of an entitlement card scheme. The current proposals for an entitlement card do not include any functions which relate directly to Department for Education and Skills business, so costs and funding have not been discussed in detail.

  Environmental Impact
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 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. [124720]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department for Education and Skills produces a Regulatory Impact Assessment where a proposed policy is likely to have an impact on business, charities and the voluntary sector. The Regulatory Impact Assessment includes an environmental impact appraisal where this is deemed appropriate. Since June 2001, none of the Department's Regulatory Impact Assessments have included an environmental assessment.

  The Department also has additional procedures in place to ensure environmental appraisal of policy. Examples of policy issues that have included appraisal of environmental impacts are: guidance to schools in England on energy and water; obtaining accreditation for environmental management of one of our headquarters sites to 'an international standard'; and, in the curriculum, the Growing Schools initiative.

  We have not published information on these appraisals.

  EU Committees
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU Tempus Committee, the number of times and the dates on which it has met since January 2002, the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, the decisions it has made since January 2002 and the means used to communicate these decisions to the House. [110494]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Tempus Committee membership consists of delegates drawn from the 15 European member states. Usually, two officials from the Department for Education and Skills attend the Committee.

  The Tempus Committee has met twice since January 2002, on 21 June 2002 and 21 February 2003.

  The role of the Tempus Committee is to oversee powers delegated to the European Commission by the Council of Ministers to implement the Tempus Programme. Such Committees are known as Cosmetology Committees. The Committee's business is largely concerned with the technical details of the
  730W
  programme operation, such as content of the Tempus Guide for Applicants. In common with other Cosmetology Committees, the Tempus Committee's decisions are not routinely deposited for scrutiny under established scrutiny procedures, unless they are politically significant.

  Together with member states, the Commission has been conducting a review to bring existing legislation on the conduct of Cosmetology Committees into line with Council Decision 1999/468/EC, to
  "simplify the requirements for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission".

  The Working Group on the Friends of Cosmetology is meeting later this month to discuss proposals for interim reform.

  As an obligation under this Decision, the Commission undertook to publish an annual report on the working of the Committees. The second report was deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 10 January 2003 ref 5060/03, COM(03)733.

  As part of the review process, the UK Government have encouraged the Commission to produce and maintain an electronic database of every Cosmetology Committee, its agendas and recent actions, to be accessible through its website.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the EU directives implemented by the Department since 8 June 2001. [126590]

  Alan Johnson
  Since 8 June 2001, the Department for Education and Skills has implemented the Directives listed as follows:

  Directive 2001/19/EC of 14 May 2001 amends Council Directives 89/48/EEC and 92/51/EEC on the general system for the recognition of professional qualifications and Council Directives 77/452/EEC, 77/453/EEC, 78/686/EEC, 78/687/EEC, 78/1026/EEC, 78/1027/EEC, 80/154/EEC, 80/155/EEC, 85/384/EEC, 85/432/EEC, 85/433/EEC and 93/16/EEC concerning the professions of nurse responsible for general care, dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, midwife, architect, pharmacist and doctor.

  Council Directive 89/48 EEC, as extended by the Agreement of the EEA signed at Oporto on 2 May 1992 and as adjusted by he protocol signed at Brussels on 17 March 1993, and as amended by the Agreement between the EC and its member states and the Swiss Confederation on the free movement of persons signed at Luxembourg on 21 June 1999, has been implemented in relation to teacher training and induction. Directive 89/48 EEC was inadvertently omitted from the reply of 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 112W, about European Union Directives.

  European Constitution
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 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. [124776]
  731W
  Alan Johnson
  As part of the normal Whitehall process, I and my 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 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.

  Fieldwork
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what recent representations he has received from the Field Studies Council about the inclusion of fieldwork in the GCSE and A-level curricula; and what response he has made; [125266]

  (2) what provision is made for field work within the curricula for (a) science GCSE and (b) biology A-level; and whether in each case that provision is optional. [125267]

  Margaret Hodge
  A number of letters have been received from members of the Field Studies Council in recent months, in particular following the publication of their joint report with the British Ecological Society 'Teaching biology outside the classroom: is it heading for extinction?' last November,.

  Correspondents have been reassured that there is no question of fieldwork being dropped from the curriculum and that its use as a method of teaching both GCSE science and A-level biology will continue to be encouraged by the Department. The choice of how best to deliver the curriculum, however, remains with each school.

  The Department's "Growing Schools" initiative continues to work with schools to develop and to disseminate best practice in the use of the outdoor classroom in many curriculum subjects, and in science and geography in particular. Tony Thomas, Chief Executive of the FSC, has recently agreed to join the Growing Schools advisory group.

  Free Nursery Places
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many free nursery places have been provided in Leicestershire for(a) 4-year-olds and (b) 3-year-olds in each year since 1999–2000. [125232]

  Academic year

  1996/97

  1997/98

  1998/99

  1999/2000

  2000/01

  Number withdrawn (000)

  391.3

  386.2

  377.2

  410.8

  327.1

  Number continuing/completed (000)

  2,144.3

  2,205.8

  2,037.1

  2,153.9

  1,864.4

  Per cent. withdrawn

  15.4

  14.9

  15.6

  16.0

  14.9

  Per cent. retained

  84.6

  85.1

  84.4

  84.0

  85.1

  Note.

  Students on programmes of less than 12 weeks are excluded from this table

  2000/01 figures only Include data from 358 colleges and 183 external institutions

  1999/2000 figures only include data from 389 colleges and 202 external institutions

  1998/99 figures only include data from 402 colleges and 206 external institutions

  1997/98 figures only include data from 416 colleges and 229 external institutions

  1996/97 figures only include data from 408 colleges and 260 external institutions

  Source:Individualised Student Record
  732W
  Margaret Hodge
  The available information is shown in the table.

  Number of free early education places1 that are fully funded taken up by three and four year olds—Leicestershire local education authority area 2000–02

  Position in January each year

  Number of

  3-year-olds

  4-year-olds

  2000

  90

  6,900

  2001

  770

  6,600

  2002

  3,340

  6,700

  1 A free early education places is defined as a part-time place at a maintained nursery school or primary school or a part-time equivalent place, i.e. five sessions (half days) a week, at a provider other than a maintained nursery or primary school.

  We have made the commitment that by April 2004, six months ahead of our original target, all 3-year-olds whose parents want one, will have access to a free, part-time early education place.

  The latest figures on early years provision in England were published by my Department in the Statistical First Release 15/2003 "Provision For Children Under Five Years Of Age In England—January 2003 (Provisional)", copies of which are available from the Library and my Department's website www.dfes.gov.uk/statistics.

  Foundation Skills
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in what stages and on what criteria the entitlement to free entry to foundation skills will be introduced in 2004–05. [126785]

  Margaret Hodge
  We shall be working with the Learning and Skills Council, other partners, and customers, to develop and implement the entitlement to foundation skills for employability in line with the timetable set out in the White Paper "21st Century Skills: Realising our Potential" (Cm 5810).

  Further Education
  Mr. Swire
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students failed to complete their courses in further education in England in each of the past five years. [125922]

  Alan Johnson
  The in year retention/withdrawal status of students enrolled on council funded further education provision in further education sector colleges and external institutions in the five years from 1996/97 to 2000/01 is shown in the following table. The numbers are based on incomplete returns from institutions.
  733W
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what action he is taking to ensure that engineering equipment available to students at further education colleges matches that used by employers;[126230]

  (2) what action he is taking to ensure that capital investment is being used to purchase up to date engineering equipment by further education colleges. [126231]

  Alan Johnson
  The Government recognised the need for increased levels of capital investment in the further education sector in its 'Success for AH' strategy to reform and improve standards in further education. Capital funding will increase by over 60 per cent. in real terms to over £400 million by 2005–06, compared with 2002–03. The Learning and Skills Council administers the capital programme for the post-16 sector. I have asked John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, to write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and to place a copy of his reply in the Library.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills over how many financial years he will phase in the new national framework for setting fees in further education. [126792]

  Alan Johnson
  We intend to phase in the new arrangements for fees in further education from the 2004/05 academic year, with a view to full implementation from the 2005/06 academic year. However, we and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) will consult sector representatives and others on the new arrangements and will take into account views expressed on the timing of implementation before finalising our plans.

  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which further education colleges will be able to claim compensation for losses due to the withdrawal of individual learning accounts; and if he will make a statement. [125915]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  As a result of a report by the Parliamentary Ombudsman on a complaint from a learning provider, the Department has decided, in line with Government Accounting guidance, to offer reimbursement to registered Individual Learning Account (ILA) learning providers, including further education colleges, in respect of those learners who properly applied to open accounts before 24 October 2001; were committed to purchase ILA eligible learning with a specific learning provider; and who had not been issued with account numbers by the time the system closed down at 6.30 pm on 23 November 2001, subject to the provision of appropriate evidence.

  All learning providers who were active in the period leading up to the closure of the programme have been invited to claim against these criteria.

  These learning providers have also been invited to make claims for payment in respect of learners, who had received their ILAs and had received learning, but that learning had not been recorded on the ILA Centre system before the scheme was closed.

  GCSE Mathematics
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage marks were required to pass 734W
  GCSE mathematics at each grade from A*- G in each year from 1985 to 2000; and if he will make a statement. [123952]

  Mr. Miliband
  The GCSE is not a pass/fail examination. The GCSE grading system is criteria-related and grade boundary ranges for each subject are established each year by awarding bodies, making reference to candidates' work from the previous year, grade descriptions, past papers and statistical data. Each boundary is set by individual awarding bodies using both professional judgment and key statistical evidence.

  Although QCA has access to detailed information on the grade boundaries set in all subjects at GCSE for each awarding body, further work will be required on these data to present them in the form requested. It will be lodged in the House of Commons Library in due course and will show the grade boundary marks from 1988, as this was the first year in which the GCSE was examined.

  Good Practice Frameworks
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what timescale he will introduce good practice frameworks for teaching and learning providers. [126790]

  Alan Johnson
  Within our 'Success for All' strategy, we set up the Standards Unit in January 2003 to improve teaching standards in priority curriculum areas by developing good practice frameworks and associated teacher training and support. The Unit has developed innovative materials in four curriculum areas (science, construction, business studies and entry to employment), which are being trialled with 28 providers in June and July 2003 and piloted with over 100 providers from September 2003. We will also start research and development work on four further curriculum areas (health and social care, maths, land-based studies and information and communication technologies) from September 2003. All the frameworks will be disseminated widely once they have been evaluated.

  Higher Education
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research he has assessed into the relative likelihood of students from disadvantaged backgrounds prematurely reducing their level of participation within higher education courses by dropping out of courses or by forgoing the opportunity to progress to more advanced courses; and if he will make a statement. [118146]

  Alan Johnson
  A number of research studies have explored the factors associated with students dropping out of higher education. Although the evidence is mixed, there is some evidence that those from lower social classes are more likely to drop out. The evidence also shows, however, that non-completion is a complex
  735W
  process that cannot normally be explained by any single factor. Significant factors (many of which are interrelated) include:

  incompatibility between the student and their course or institution;

  lack of preparation for higher education;

  lack of commitment to the course;

  level of prior attainment;

  financial hardship;

  poor academic progress;

  health or other personal reasons;

  age;

  gender; and

  whether or not the individual applied through clearing.

  Studies in this area include:

  (i) "Right Choice? A follow up to 'Making the Right Choice"" by Connor H, Pearson R, Pollard E, Tyers C, Willison R. Universities UK 2001, available from http://www.employment-studies.co.uk/pubs/report.php?id = 1427uuk

  (ii) "Effects of in-class variation and student rank on the probability of withdrawal: cross-section and time-series analysis for UK university students", by Arulampalam, W. Naylor, R.A. and Smith, J., presented at the Royal Economic Society Conference at the University of Warwick in March 2002. It can be downloaded from http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/ fac/economics/staff/faculty/naylor/publications/

  (iii) "Dropping Out: A study of early leavers from Higher Education" by Rhys Davies and Peter Elias, DfES Research Report 386 available from http://www dfes.qov.uk/research/

  (iv) "Higher Education: Student Retention" a report made by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to the House of Commons Education and Employment Committee, found at http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200001/cmselect/cmeduemp/124/12402.htm

  Applicants accepted through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND study from Shropshire local education authority by previous educational establishment

  Year of entry

  Acceptances

  1997

  11998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  percentage change, 1998 to 2002

  Numbers

  Maintained2

  440

  337

  363

  332

  365

  402

  19.3

  Independent

  217

  207

  208

  208

  171

  197

  -4.8

  Further education

  1,177

  746

  773

  774

  841

  761

  2.0

  Other

  158

  91

  92

  79

  100

  70

  -23.1

  Not known

  208

  140

  183

  220

  261

  260

  n/a

  Total

  2,200

  1,521

  1,619

  1,613

  1,738

  1,690

  11.1

  Percentage change each year

  Further education

  3n/a

  1n/a

  3.6

  0.2

  8.7

  -9.5

  n/a

  All establishments

  3n/a

  1n/a

  6.4

  -0.4

  7.7

  -2.8

  n/a

  1 In 1998, 'Shropshire' local education authority split into 'Shropshire' and 'The Wrekin'. As a result, there is a drop in numbers as some of the establishments took pupils who were residing in 'The Wrekin'. Hence, figures from 1997 and 1998 are not comparable.

  2 Maintained includes comprehensive, grammar, sixth form centre and other maintained.

  3 The percentage increase from 1996 to 1997 is not available.

  Source:

  UCAS.

  The number of applicants accepted through UCAS from Shropshire, from further education establishments to higher education, rose by 2.0 per cent. between 1998 and 2002. For all accepted applicants from Shropshire the figure was 11.1 per cent.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of students from(a) professional, (b) manual trades and (c) unskilled
  736W
  The Government are committed to raising the participation rates for people from less affluent backgrounds, and have introduced the Excellence Challenge, including the AimHigher campaign, which is targeted at raising attainment and aspirations among young people who traditionally would not consider going to university.

  HEFCE has allocated £265 million to higher education institutions in 2003–04 for widening access and improving retention. This figure recognises the additional costs of supporting students from non-traditional backgrounds and thereby increases the likelihood that they will complete their courses successfully.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what the percentage change in further education students taking up places in higher education was in each year since 1997 in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire; [119387]

  (2) how many further education students took up places in higher education in (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire in each year since 1997. [119388]

  Mr. Miliband
  The available information shows the previous educational establishments of applicants accepted through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) to full-time first degree and HND courses at UK higher education institutions. The figures for Shropshire are in the table. Corresponding information for Shrewsbury and Atcham constituency is not held centrally.

  backgrounds in (i) Shrewsbury and Atcham, (ii) Shropshire and (iii) England took up places at university in 2002. [119389]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The Department only holds participation rates broken down by social class at national level.
  737W
  The available information relates to the Age Participation Index (API) by social class. The API calculates the proportion of UK domiciled students who enter full-time HE by the age of 20 and is expressed as a percentage of the averaged 18-19 year old population.

  The most recent information, for 2001/02 is in the table.

  Age Participation Index (API) by the social class, 2001/02

  Percentage

  Social class

  2001

  I Professional

  79

  II Intermediate

  50

  IIIn Skilled non-manual

  33

  IIIm Skilled manual

  21

  IV Partly skilled

  18

  V Unskilled

  15

  I-IIIn

  50

  IIIm-V

  19

  Total

  35

  The Government are committed to raising the participation rates for people from less affluent backgrounds, and have introduced the AimHigher campaign, which is targeted at raising attainment and aspirations among young people who traditionally would not consider going to university.

  Huw Irranca-Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent(a) qualitative and (b) quantitive analysis has been made of the (i) barriers to entry to higher education and (ii) reasons for withdrawal from higher education before successful completion of a course of study in relation to the different socio-economic background of students. [121755]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Youth Cohort Study shows that around nine in 10 young people who achieve two or more A-levels by 18 progress to Higher Education by the time they are 21. Differences in participation rates between different social class groups largely reflect differences in prior attainment.

  Research published by the Department in 2001 ("Social Class and Higher Education: Issues Affecting Participation by Lower Social Class groups" Connor, H. et al DfEE Research Report No. 246) looked at the factors affecting participation in HE by different social class groups. It found that among those who were qualified to enter higher education but had decided against going the main reasons were because they wanted to start work, because they did not need a higher education qualification for their chosen career or because of the expected costs involved. Other research into the factors affecting participation by different social class groups includes:
  UCAS (2002) "Paving the Way. Project Report. Informing change in higher education and progression partnerships with the voice of the under-represented"
  NAO "Widening participation in higher education in England. Report by the comptroller and auditor general" HC 485 Session 2001–2002 18 January 2002.
  Forsyth, A. and Furlong, A. (2000) "Socioeconomic disadvantage and access to higher education" Joseph Rowntree Foundation
  Archer, L. (2001) "Social Class and Access to Higher Education. A Report on findings from the Social Class and Widening Participation to HE Project" University of North London. Occasional paper.
  738W
  A number of research studies have explored the factors associated with students dropping out of higher education. The evidence shows that non-completion is a complex process that cannot normally be explained by any single factor. The evidence is mixed, but there is some evidence that those from lower social classes are more likely to drop out but that this seems to be largely due to other factors linked to non-completion, including:

  levels of prior attainment;

  incompatibility between the student and their course or institution;

  lack of preparation for higher education;

  lack of commitment to the course;

  financial hardship; and

  poor academic progress.

  Research which explores the causes of non-completion includes:
  'Right Choice?' A follow up to 'Making the Right Choice' by Connor H, Pearson R, Pollard E, Tyers C, Willison R. Universities UK 2001
  'Effects of in-class variation and student rank on the probability of withdrawal: cross-section and time-series analysis for UK university students', by Arulampalam, W. Naylor, R.A. and Smith, J., presented at the Royal Economic Society Conference at the University of Warwick in March 2002.
  'Dropping Out: A study of early leavers from Higher Education' by Rhys Davies and Peter Elias, DIES Research Report 386
  'Higher Education: Student Retention' a report made by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to the House of Commons Education and Employment Committee.

  The Government are committed to raising the participation rates for people from less affluent backgrounds. By the end of the decade they want to move towards half of all 18-30 year olds participating in HE, but within that target they are committed to ensuring that all those who can benefit from HE will be willing and able to do so, regardless of their background. 'Aimhigher' is the brand name for a range of initiatives through which Government and their key partners aim to widen participation in HE. HEFCE has allocated £265 million to higher education institutions in 2003–04 for widening access and improving retention. This figure recognises the additional costs of supporting students from non-traditional backgrounds and thereby increases the likelihood that they will complete their courses successfully.

  Government have listened to those who say that people from poorer backgrounds need additional incentives and financial help to continue in full-time education. We will continue to provide a tuition fee remission grant and. from autumn 2004, full-time HE students with parents on the lowest incomes will be eligible for a new HE Grant of up to £1,000 a year for living costs. No student or parent will have to pay any up-front tuition fee—they can defer paying these until after they graduate. We are also raising the level of repayment from £10,000 to £15,000 to reduce the levels of repayment for all graduates.
  739W
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many 18-20 year olds entered higher education in each year since 1990 in(a) each local education authority and (b) England; [122980]

  (2) what proportion of 18-20 year olds entered higher education in each year since 1990 in (a) each local education authority and (b) England. [122981]

  Margaret Hodge
  The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

  Age Participation Index (API) by social class, 1991–2001

  Year of entry

  1991

  1992

  1993

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  I Professional

  55

  71

  73

  78

  80

  82

  79

  72

  73

  76

  79

  II Intermediate

  36

  39

  42

  45

  46

  47

  48

  45

  45

  48

  50

  IIIn Skilled non-manual

  22

  27

  29

  31

  31

  32

  31

  29

  30

  33

  33

  IIIm Skilled manual

  11

  15

  17

  18

  18

  18

  19

  18

  18

  19

  21

  IV Partly skilled

  12

  14

  16

  17

  17

  17

  18

  17

  17

  19

  18

  V Unskilled

  6

  9

  11

  11

  12

  13

  14

  13

  13

  14

  15

  I-IIIn

  35

  40

  43

  46

  47

  48

  48

  45

  45

  48

  50

  IIIm-V

  11

  14

  16

  17

  17

  18

  18

  17

  17

  18

  19

  Total

  23

  28

  30

  32

  32

  33

  33

  31

  32

  33

  35

  The Government are committed to raising the participation rates for people from less affluent backgrounds, and have introduced the AimHigher campaign, which is targeted at raising attainment and aspirations among young people who traditionally would not consider going to university.

  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of 18-year-olds applied for entry to higher education in each year since 1996 in(a) the UK, (b) each English Government office region and (c) each education authority in the North East Government office region. [125630]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  [holding answer 14 July 2003]: The available information is from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and covers those aged 18, applying for full-time first degree and HMD courses at UK Higher Education Institutions. The relevant details are shown in the table.

  Autumn 1996 entry

  17-year-old population in 1995

  18-year-old applicants

  Proportion (percentage)

  UK domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK

  UK

  667,593

  167,131

  25.0

  English domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK—by Government office region of domicile

  Government office region

  Eastern

  59,576

  15,821

  26.6

  East Midlands

  47,141

  11,369

  24.1

  Greater London

  72,655

  19,188

  26.4

  Merseyside

  16,776

  3,857

  23.0

  North East

  30,224

  6,610

  21.9

  North West

  63,006

  15,628

  24.8

  South East

  90,233

  25,811

  28.6

  South West

  53,741

  14,222

  26.5

  740W
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the higher education participation rate of 18-20 year olds, broken down according to family income quintiles and deciles was in each year since 1990. [122985]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department does not hold information broken down by family income. The available information relates to the Age Participation Index (API) by social class. The API calculates the proportion of UK domiciled students who enter full-time HE by the age of 20 and is expressed as a percentage of the averaged 18-19 year old population.

  The available information is in the table.

  Autumn 1996 entry

  17-year-old population in 1995

  18-year-old applicants

  Proportion (percentage)

  West Midlands

  61,470

  14,961

  24.3

  Yorkshire

  56,472

  12,753

  22.6

  England

  551,294

  140,220

  25.4

  North East domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK—by local education authority of domicile

  Region

  Cleveland1

  6,994

  1,571

  22.5

  Hartlepool1

  —

  —

  —

  Middlesbrough1

  —

  —

  —

  Redcar and Cleveland1

  —

  —

  —

  Stockton on Tees1

  —

  —

  —

  Durham1

  7,041

  1,436

  20.4

  Darlington1

  —

  —

  —

  Northumberland

  3,748

  998

  26.6

  Gateshead

  2,169

  306

  14.1

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  2,869

  760

  26.5

  North Tyneside

  2,134

  448

  21.0

  South Tyneside

  1,749

  320

  18.3

  Sunderland

  3,520

  747

  21.2

  Tyne and Wear unknown

  —

  24

  —

  England

  30,224

  6,610

  21.9

  Autumn 1997 entry

  17-year-old population in 1996

  18-year-old applicants

  Proportion (percentage)

  UK domiciled applicants, aged 18,applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK

  UK

  726,736

  182,035

  25.0

  English domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK—by Government office region of domicile

  Government office region

  Eastern

  65,022

  17,041

  26.2

  East Midlands

  51,262

  12,367

  24.1

  Greater London

  78,622

  20,895

  26.6

  Merseyside

  18,367

  4,381

  23.9

  741W

  Autumn 1997 entry

  17-year-old population in 1996

  18-year-old applicants

  Proportion (percentage)

  North East

  33,837

  7,147

  21.1

  North West

  68,617

  16,798

  24.5

  South East

  98,011

  27,988

  28.6

  South West

  58,368

  15,357

  26.3

  West Midlands

  67,230

  15,999

  23.8

  Yorkshire

  61,742

  14,397

  23.3

  England

  601,078

  152,370

  25.3

  North East domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK—by local education authority of domicile

  Region

  Cleveland1

  —

  —

  —

  Hartlepool1

  1,243

  213

  17.1

  Middlesbrough1

  2,079

  335

  16.1

  Redcar and Cleveland1

  1,888

  420

  22.2

  Stockton on Tees1

  2,526

  558

  22.1

  Durham1

  6,587

  1,470

  22.3

  Darlington1

  1,264

  244

  19.3

  Northumberland

  4,128

  1,234

  29.9

  Gateshead

  2,495

  278

  11.1

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3,209

  635

  19.8

  North Tyneside

  2,420

  607

  25.1

  South Tyneside

  2,026

  388

  19.1

  Sunderland

  3,971

  706

  17.8

  Tyne and Wear unknown

  —

  59

  —

  England

  33,837

  7,147

  21.1

  Autumn 1998 entry

  17-year-old population in 1997

  18-year-old applicants

  Proportion (percentage)

  UK domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK

  UK

  747,354

  184,470

  24.7

  English domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK—by Government office region of domicile

  Government office region

  Eastern

  66,445

  17,381

  26.2

  East Midlands

  53,264

  12,755

  23.9

  Greater London

  81,846

  21,607

  26.4

  Merseyside

  18,559

  4,380

  23.6

  North East

  34,545

  7,430

  21.5

  North West

  70,651

  17,492

  24.8

  South East

  101,303

  27,585

  27.2

  South West

  60,366

  15,416

  25.5

  West Midlands

  69,163

  16,669

  24.1

  Yorkshire

  63,559

  14,149

  22.3

  England

  619,702

  154,864

  25.0

  North East domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK—by local education authority of domicile

  Region

  Cleveland1

  —

  —

  —

  Hartlepool1

  1,216

  246

  20.2

  Middlesbrough1

  2,149

  373

  17.4

  Redcar and Cleveland1

  2,003

  395

  19.7

  Stockton on Tees1

  2,540

  593

  23.3

  Durham1

  6,631

  1,341

  20.2

  Darlington1

  1,318

  286

  21.7

  Northumberland

  4,336

  1,248

  28.8

  Gateshead

  2,547

  546

  21.4

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3,292

  717

  21.8

  North Tyneside

  2,559

  613

  24.0

  South Tyneside

  2,021

  371

  18.4

  Sunderland

  3,933

  701

  17.8

  Tyne and Wear unknown

  —

  —

  —

  England

  34,545

  7,430

  21.5

  742W

  Autumn 1999 entry

  17-year-old population in 1998

  18-year-old applicants

  Proportion (percentage)

  UK domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK

  UK

  741,836

  180,038

  24.3

  English domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK—by Government office region of first degree and HND courses domicile

  Government office region

  Eastern

  65,851

  16,584

  25.2

  East Midlands

  52,215

  12,304

  23.6

  Greater London

  82,099

  21,869

  26.6

  Merseyside

  18,247

  4,276

  23.4

  North East

  33,561

  7,230

  21.5

  North West

  69,506

  16,960

  24.4

  South East

  100,454

  27,423

  27.3

  South West

  59,447

  14,722

  24.8

  West Midlands

  67,969

  15,897

  23.4

  Yorkshire

  62,794

  13,873

  22.1

  England

  612,142

  151,138

  24.7

  North East domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK—by local education authority of domicile

  Region

  Cleveland1

  —

  —

  —

  Hartlepool1

  1,194

  213

  17.8

  Middlesbrough1

  2,083

  374

  18.0

  Redcar and Cleveland1

  1,919

  396

  20.6

  Stockton on Tees1

  2,551

  611

  24.0

  Durham1

  6,433

  1,411

  21.9

  Darlington1

  1,296

  277

  21.4

  Northumberland

  4,217

  1,119

  26.5

  Gateshead

  2,343

  450

  19.2

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3,212

  687

  21.4

  North Tyneside

  2,447

  631

  25.8

  South Tyneside

  2,022

  376

  18.6

  Sunderland

  3,844

  685

  17.8

  Tyne and Wear unknown

  —

  —

  England

  33,561

  7,230

  21.5

  Autumn 2000 entry

  17-year-old population in 1999

  18-year-old Applicants

  Proportion (Percentage)

  UK domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK

  UK

  727,022

  179,584

  24.7

  English domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND course UK—by Government office region of domicile

  Government office region

  Eastern

  64,185

  16,518

  25.7

  East Midlands

  50,605

  12,140

  24.0

  Greater London

  81,601

  22,222

  27.2

  Merseyside

  18,223

  4,329

  23.8

  North East

  33,143

  7,128

  21.5

  North West

  68,688

  16,990

  24.7

  South East

  97,596

  26,332

  27.0

  South West

  58,598

  14,953

  25.5

  West Midlands

  66,601

  16,079

  24.1

  Yorkshire

  61,719

  13,569

  22.0

  England

  600,957

  150,260

  25.0

  North East domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK—by local education authority of domicile

  Region

  Cleveland1

  —

  —

  —

  Hartlepool1

  1,201

  232

  19.3

  Middlesbrough1

  2,012

  392

  19.5

  Redcar and Cleveland1

  1,885

  362

  19.2

  Stockton on Tees1

  2,486

  616

  24.8

  Durham1

  6,345

  1,309

  20.6

  Darlington1

  1,267

  283

  22.3

  Northumberland

  4,134

  1,101

  26.6

  743W

  Autumn 2000 entry

  17-year-old population in 1999

  18-year-old applicants

  Proportion (percentage)

  Gateshead

  2,456

  484

  19.7

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3,226

  717

  22.2

  North Tyneside

  2,371

  568

  24.0

  South Tyneside

  1,973

  396

  20.1

  Sunderland

  3,786

  668

  17.6

  Tyne and Wear unknown

  —

  —

  —

  England

  33,143

  7,128

  21.5

  Autumn 2001 entry

  17-year-old population in 2000

  18-year-old applicants

  Proportion (percentage)

  UK domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK

  UK

  735,605

  185,553

  25.2

  English domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK—by Government office region of domicile

  Government office region

  Eastern

  64,408

  16,655

  25.9

  East Midlands

  51,619

  12,842

  24.9

  Greater London

  82,236

  23,059

  28.0

  Merseyside

  18,560

  4,641

  25.0

  North East

  33,550

  7,366

  22.0

  North West

  70,541

  17,524

  24.8

  South East

  98,611

  26,861

  27.2

  South West

  59,589

  15,053

  25.3

  West Midlands

  68,725

  16,953

  24.7

  Yorkshire

  63,098

  14,476

  22.9

  England

  610,937

  155,430

  25.4

  North East domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK—by local education authority of domicile

  Region

  Cleveland1

  —

  —

  —

  Hartlepool1

  1,226

  263

  21.5

  Middlesbrough1

  2,098

  456

  21.7

  Redcar and Cleveland1

  1,824

  411

  22.5

  Stockton on Tees1

  2,495

  604

  24.2

  Durham1

  6,540

  1,363

  20.8

  Darlington1

  1,255

  291

  23.2

  Northumberland

  4,094

  1,035

  25.3

  Gateshead

  2,541

  489

  19.2

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3,239

  888

  27.4

  North Tyneside

  2,374

  478

  20.1

  South Tyneside

  1,959

  383

  19.6

  Sunderland

  3,905

  705

  18.1

  Tyne and Wear unknown

  —

  —

  —

  England

  33,550

  7,366

  22.0

  Autumn 2002 entry

  17-year-old population in 2000

  18-year-old applicants

  Proportion (percentage)

  UK domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK

  UK

  737,343

  187,539

  25.4

  English domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND courses in the UK—by Government office region of domicile

  Government office region

  Eastern

  64,847

  17,099

  26.4

  East Midlands

  51,988

  12,873

  24.8

  Greater London

  83,668

  23,436

  28.0

  Merseyside

  18,350

  4,465

  24.3

  North East

  33,600

  7,611

  22.7

  North West

  70,695

  17,653

  25.0

  South East

  99,511

  27,239

  27.4

  South West

  60,035

  15,138

  25.2

  West Midlands

  67,817

  16,967

  25.0

  744W

  Autumn 2002 entry

  17-year-old population in 2001

  18-year-old applicants

  Proportion (percentage)

  Yorkshire

  63,062

  14,316

  22.7

  England

  613,573

  156,797

  25.6

  North East domiciled applicants, aged 18, applying through UCAS to full-time first degree and HND course in the UK—by local education authority of domicile

  Region

  Cleveland1

  Hartlepool1

  1,268

  261

  20.6

  Middlesbrough1

  2,055

  450

  21.9

  Redcar and Cleveland1

  1,949

  370

  19.0

  Stockton on Tees1

  2,552

  660

  25.9

  Durham1

  6,382

  1,388

  21.7

  Darlington1

  1,260

  319

  25.3

  Northumberland

  4,054

  1,102

  27.2

  Gateshead

  2,542

  504

  19.8

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  3,383

  950

  28.1

  North Tyneside

  2,334

  467

  20.0

  South Tyneside

  2,034

  408

  20.1

  Sunderland

  3,787

  732

  19.3

  Tyne and Wear unknown

  —

  —

  —

  England

  33,600

  7,611

  22.7

  1 There are discontinuities in the time series caused by local Government Reorganisation. Also, UCAS do not hold domicile breakdowns for all new authorities in the year that organisation took place and so some participation rates for new authorities are not shown until the following year

  Notes

  1. Participation rates have been calculated using the 17-year-old population from the previous year to reduce the distortion caused to LEA populations by the migration of students to their place of study. However, any migration, for whatever reason, at age 17 will affect the rates shown here, particularly between authorities that are geographically close, for example in the London area

  2. Accepted applicants with unknown English domiciles are excluded from the figures.

  3. Population figures relate to persons aged 17 as at 31 August in the year prior to entry, counts taken at the following 1 January; accepted applicants are aged 18 at 30 September in the year of entry.

  Source

  UCAS

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the progress that has been made towards achieving a 50 per cent.participation rate in higher education by 2010. [126814]

  Alan Johnson
  The Initial Entry Rate is the measure which we use to assess progress towards achieving the 50 per cent, participation rate in higher education.

  The outturn Initial Entry Rate figure for 2001–02 is 43.5per cent.. This updates our previous best estimate of around 43 per cent..

  A National Statistics Quality Review of the Initial Entry Rate, intended to improve the transparency and robustness of the measure, will be published shortly.

  Independent Schools
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils in receipt of assisted places to independent schools have been admitted to Russell Group Universities in each year since 1997. [118039]

  Alan Johnson
  The information is not held centrally. Figures published by the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) show the number of
  745W
  students accepted for entry to HE who came from independent schools, but do not indicate whether or not they had received an assisted place.

  Individual Learning Accounts
  Mr. Mahmood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether further education colleges will be able to claim compensation for losses due to the withdrawal of individual learning accounts. [125786]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  As a result of a report by the Parliamentary Ombudsman on a complaint from a learning provider, the Department has decided, in line with Government Accounting guidance, to offer reimbursement to registered Individual Learning Account (ILA) learning providers, including further education colleges, in respect of those learners who properly applied to open accounts before 24 October 2001; were committed to purchase ILA eligible learning with a specific learning provider; and who had not been issued with account numbers by the time the system closed down at 6.30 pm on 23 November 2001, subject to the provision of appropriate evidence.

  All learning providers who were active in the period leading up to the closure of the programme have been invited to claim against these criteria.

  These learning providers have also been invited to make claims for payment in respect of learners who had received their ILAs and had received learning, but that learning had not been recorded ILA Centre system before the scheme was closed.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received since November 2002 in connection with the reintroduction of a scheme for individual learning accounts(a) in favour and (b) opposed to its revival; what safeguards were suggested to prevent fraud and waste; what responses he has sent to those making representations; and if he will make a statement on reasons for not proceeding with a successor scheme. [126799]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Since November 2002 I have received 10 letters on the future of Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs), and replied to 6 Parliamentary Questions about ILAs. In addition, some of the 83 responses to our "Developing a National Skills Strategy and Delivery Plan: Progress Report" published on 26 March, including the responses from the CBI and TUC, covered ILA. Correspondents often supported some, but not all, characteristics of ILA, and a number of comments have been mutually contradictory. For example some wished to keep the wide range of providers in the original ILA scheme because they believed that that increased learner choice; others wished to restrict the range of providers to minimise wasteful competition between them and to protect quality. It is, therefore, not possible to categorise representations as simply in favour of, or opposed to, ILA; opinions are usually qualified. What is clear is that the principles of the ILA scheme are still widely supported.

  As to safeguards, many correspondents suggested that fraud and waste in ILA would be minimised if the assessment process for learning providers was more rigorous. I agree with this view.
  746W
  Those who have written to me specifically about the future of ILA have had full replies dealing with the points they raise. Their comments, those of hon. Members, and those of the respondents to the Progress Report, have been carefully considered in making our decision on the future of ILA.

  The reasons for not proceeding with a stand alone successor scheme are set out in paragraphs 4.31 and 4.32 of the White Paper "21st Century Skills: Realising Our Potential" (Cm5810) published on 9 July.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on recent developments in the winding-up of the scheme for individual learning accounts, with particular reference to(a) the number of learning providers whose account has not been cleared, (b) the number of fraud investigations (i) concluded, (ii) in process and (iii) still under consideration, (c) the overall losses in fraud and waste and (d) compensation payable to learning providers and students after closure of the scheme. [126805]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Since the closure of the Individual Learning Account programme on 23 November 2001, there remain 558 registered learning providers whose accounts have not been cleared as at 9 July 2003.

  The Department's Special Investigations Unit has investigated 159 learning provider organisations. 100 of these cases were passed to the police. Police have made 78 arrests, which have to date resulted in charges being brought against 31 individuals, 18 of whom are awaiting court appearances. To date, five learning provider cases are concluded, resulting in either successful prosecutions or recovery of funds. The precise extent of fraudulent activity will not be known until all investigations are complete.

  As a result of a report by the Parliamentary Ombudsman on a complaint from a learning provider, the Department has decided, in line with Government Accounting guidance, to offer reimbursement to registered learning providers in respect of those learners who properly applied to open accounts before 24 October 2001; were committed to purchase ILA eligible learning with a specific learning provider; and who had not been issued with account numbers by the time the system closed down at 6.30pm on 23 November 2001, subject to the provision of appropriate evidence. All learning providers who were active in the period leading up to the closure of the programme have been invited to claim against these criteria. Evidence received as a result is still in the early stages of assessment.

  The Department has additionally previously reimbursed £51,843 to a total of 498 learners whose accounts were used without their consent, and who subsequently incurred additional expenses in order to pursue their chosen course of learning.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 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. [126204]
  747W
  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The Department for Education and Skills has entered into two outsourced IT contracts since 1997.

  The first was with Xansa UK Plc (formerly FI Group) for the delivery of the applications development and support services to the Department and ran for a period of 5 years from 1 April 1997. Spend over the period of the contract was £41.5 million.

  The contract to deliver these services for a period of 5 years from 1 April 2002 was awarded to Cap Gemini Ernst & Young UK Plc following a re-competition. The level of spend over the period of this contract will largely be determined by demand. Spend in the first 12 months was £16 million.

  Learning Difficulties
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he takes to ensure that learning materials imported or downloaded from abroad for dissemination to persons with learning difficulties are compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. [125004]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  Local education authorities and schools are required under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to plan strategically to increase the accessibility of schools to disabled pupils and to produce accessibility strategies and plans. The planning duty includes access to the physical environment, to the curriculum and to written information in alternative formats. It is up to local education authorities and schools to decide how they fulfil those duties and which resources to use with pupils, including disabled pupils, whether or not those resources come from abroad. In June 2002 guidance entitled "Accessible Schools: Planning to increase access to schools for disabled pupils" was made available to local education authorities and schools on carrying out these duties.

  Leeds Study Support Centres
  Mr. Fabian Hamilton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total grant received by the Leeds Study Support Centres from his Department will be in the current financial year; and what the figure was in financial year(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2001–02. [123409]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department currently funds study support in all local education authorities and schools through the Standards Fund. From this source, Education Leeds received £838,127 in 2001–02; £814,636 in 2002–03; and £795,951 in 2003–04. In addition, through the Excellence in Cities strand of the Standards Fund programme, Leeds received extra funding for study support amounting to £1,207,439 in 2001–02; £1,215,141 in 2002–03; and £1,080,854 in 2003–04.

  There are also two Playing for Success study support centres in Leeds: at Leeds United Football Club, and at Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Football Club. Leeds United Football club received £100,000 grant prior to 2001/02. The Leeds United centre received recurrent grants from the Department of £100,000 in 2001–02; £90,000 in 2002–03; and has been allocated £80,000 in 2003–04. Leeds Rhinos received £100,000 in 2001–02,
  748W
  £100,000 in 2002–03; and has been allocated £200,000 in 2003–04 which includes a 100,000 capital grant. The Department also awarded grants of £9,400 and £10,000 to the Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos centres respectively, as part of a national quality development project in 2002–03.

  Leicestershire Schools
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what proportion of Leicestershire schools were in each of the bandings for socio-economic circumstances in 2002–03; [125222]

  (2) which schools in the Loughborough constituency were in each of the bandings for socio-economic circumstances in 2002–03. [125223]

  Margaret Hodge
  The percentages of maintained, mainstream schools in Leicestershire with KS1 and/or KS2 test results grouped according to the percentage of pupils "known to be eligible for free school meals (FSM)" as included within the national benchmarks information of the Department's 2002 Autumn Package of Pupil Performance Information are shown as follows:

  Percentages

  Band 1 (Up to and including 8%FSM)

  Band 2 (More than 8%and up to 20%FSM)

  Band 3 (More than 20%and up to 35%FSM)

  Band 4 (More than 35%and up to 50%FSM)

  Band 5 (More than 50%FSM)

  71

  24

  5

  1

  0

  1Figures do not add to 100 because of rounding.

  On the above definitional basis, schools in the Loughborough constituency within each of the FSM bands were:

  FSM band

  School name

  3

  Booth Wood Primary School

  1

  Burton-on-the Wolds Primary School

  4

  Cobden Primary School and Community Centre

  1

  Hall Orchard Church of England Primary School

  1

  Hathern Church of England Primary School

  1

  Highgate Community Primary School

  1

  Holywell Primary School

  1

  Loughborough Church of England Primary School

  1

  Mountfields Lodge School

  2

  Outwoods Edge Primary School

  3

  Redlands Community Primary School

  3

  Rendell Primary School

  2

  Robert Bakewell Primary School and Community Centre

  2

  Rosebery Primary School

  1

  Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Loughborough

  1

  Sant Winefride's Catholic Primary School, Shepshed

  3

  Shelthorpe Primary School Special Unit and Community Centre

  1

  Shepshed High School

  1

  St. Bartholomew CofE Primary School

  2

  St. Mary's Catholic Primary School

  2

  Stonebow Primary School

  2

  Thorpe Acre Junior School

  1

  Wymeswold Church of England Primary School

  Level 2/3 Qualifications
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what criteria will be applied for targeting support for level 3 qualifications(a) by sector and (b) by region. [126803]
  749W
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Support for intermediate skills at level 3 will be focussed on those in priority sectors and to meet specific regional skills needs. Criteria for targeting the level 3 support will be determined in consultation with the Sector Skills Development Agency, the Learning and Skills Council and the Regional Development Agencies.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is his policy to offer a renewed entitlement to free learning at level 2 to people whose previous skills have become obsolete. [126804]

  Mr. Miliband
  The entitlement to free provision for level 2 learning announced in the White Paper "21st Century Skills: Releasing Our Potential" is for those without a qualification at that level. Decisions about the use of public funds for learning in addition to the level 2 entitlement will take account of the needs of those without higher level technical and craft skills and people who are re-skilling for new careers or returning to the labour market. We will consider the question of issue of old or obsolete qualifications which will be examined as we implement the overall Skills Strategy.

  Young (under 21)

  Mature (over 21)

  Low risk

  A-levels or Highers with at least 17 points: degree or higher

  A-levels or Highers with at least 27 points: degree or higher

  Medium risk

  A-levels or Highers of 9 to 16 points; foundation courses; Baccalaureate

  A-levels or Highers with less than 27 points; HE below degree level; foundation courses; access courses

  High risk

  Less than 9 A-level points; access course; BTEC; GNVQ level 3; HE below degree level; none; others; unknown.

  BTEC; GNVQ level 3; Baccalaureate; none; others; unknown.

  Students who are categorised as low risk do not attract additional widening participation and improving retention funding. The approximate additional funding attracted by the other categories is as follows:

  Young (under 21)

  Mature (over 21)

  Medium risk

  250

  370

  High risk

  370

  620

  Medical Schools
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 8 July 2003,Official Report, column 677-78W, on medical schools, how many of the medical students referred to attracted additional funding because their pre-entry qualifications are lower than the equivalent of three Cs at A level in each year since 1997; and how many mature entrants there were in each year since 1997. [125673]

  Alan Johnson
  Details of the number of entrants to higher education, broken down by subject of study, entry qualification and age are available in annexes to the Higher Education Funding Council for England's (HEFCE) publication "Performance Indicators in Higher Education".

  Of the 2,900 medical students who attract additional funding from the improving retention pot for full-time students, some 480 do so because they are under 21 years of age and their points score is less than the equivalent of 3 Cs at A level.

  Media Training
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost was to his Department of media and voice training for ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [123121]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  We have no record of any Minister in this Department receiving media or voice training since 1997.

  We do not hold information centrally on any such training undertaken by officials and would only be able to collect it at a disproportionate cost.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Answer of 8 July 2003,Official Report, columns 677-68W, on medical schools, what additional funding is attracted by applicants for medical schools with the equivalent of (a) more and (b) less than 3 Cs at A level who attend the same medical schools. [125672]

  Alan Johnson
  The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) allocate funding for widening participation and improving retention by assigning students to one of six categories. There are two age categories (which relate to whether the student is under or over the age of 21), each of which is divided into three risk categories as follows:

  The number of entrants to medicine, dentistry or veterinary science are, shown in the table:

  Young entrants (under 21)

  Mature entrants (over 21)

  1997/98

  5,540

  1,250

  1998/99

  5,400

  920

  1999/2000

  5,720

  950

  2000/01

  5,900

  1,210

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his Answer of 8 July 2003,Official Report, columns 677-78W, on medical schools, what the (a) drop-out rate from medical schools and (b) drop-out rate from medical schools for students who attract additional funding because they have pre-entry qualifications lower than the equivalent of 3 Cs at A level were in each of the last five years. [125674]

  Alan Johnson
  In 1999/2000, the non-completion rate following year of entry for young students on medicine, dentistry or veterinary science courses was 2 per cent. This figure has remained broadly static since 1997/98. For students with the equivalent of less than 17 points at A level, the non-completion rate was 5 per cent. in 1999/2000.

  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many applications there were for each place at medical schools in the last year for which statistics are available; and what the average A level points score was of the successful candidates. [124170]
  751W
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  Figures available are from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and cover applications and acceptances for full-time entrants to first degree courses at UK institutions. Information covering entry in autumn 2002 is in the table.

  Applicants1 and acceptances to medical schools through UCAS by domicile, 2002 entry

  Applicants

  Acceptances

  Home

  9,498

  6,287

  EU

  666

  142

  Other overseas

  1,771

  530

  All domiciles

  11,935

  6,959

  1 In 2002, each applicant could make up to 6 applications of which up to four could be to medical schools.

  The figures show that there were 1.7 applicants for each medical school place.

  The UCAS tariff was introduced for 2002 entry and replaced the 'A' level points score. The tariff establishes agreed equivalences between different types of qualifications and reports achievement for entry to Higher Education in a numerical format. This allows comparisons between applicants with different types and volumes of achievement. In 2002 the average tariff score relating to solely A level qualifications, for UK domiciled accepted applicants with 2 or more A levels was 405.6 (where an A grade at 'A' level is equivalent to 120 points and lower points scores relate to other grades).

  Mental Health
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact of the draft Mental Health Bill on the services his Department provides for people with mental health needs. [126003]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  We work closely with the Department of Health on the development and implementation of policy on child and adolescent mental health services, in particular through the Children's National Service Framework. No formal assessment has been made of the impact of the draft Mental Health Bill on education services.

  Middle Schools
  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many middle school children there are in England and Wales; and what the basis is for his policy that middle schools cannot apply for specialist school status. [126750]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Department's figures show that there are 129,348 pupils in middle deemed secondary schools in England. There are no middle schools or specialist schools in Wales. Responsibility for schools in Wales has been devolved to the National Assembly for Wales.

  Middle deemed secondary schools are eligible to apply for specialist school status as part of a joint application. One or more middle deemed secondary
  752W
  schools can apply jointly to the programme with upper schools. From September 2003, three middle schools will be part of the programme.

  We are currently reviewing the position of middle schools in relation to making solo applications to the programme.

  Modern Apprenticeships
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when a dedicated website for vacancies for qualified modern apprentices will be introduced. [126788]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills over what time the age cap of 25 for entry to modern apprenticeships will be removed. [126789]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  From 1 August 2003, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) will fund those learners who start their Modern Apprenticeship before their 25th birthday for the full length of the entitlement regardless of their age at the finish. I have asked the LSC to consider how they will respond to those who will reach their 25th birthday between the Government's Skills Strategy announcement and the end of July 2003.

  As we said in our Skills Strategy, "21st Century Skills—Realising Our Potential", we are committed to ensuring that Modern Apprenticeships are available to those who wish to start over the age of 25. We are working with the LSC and key partners including the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) to develop a more flexible approach to Modern Apprenticeship design and funding, reflecting the different needs of adults.

  Modern Languages
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 2 April 2003,Official Report, column 730W, what estimate he has made of the number of pupils in maintained schools who will take GCSE (a) French, (b) Spanish and (c) German in each year between 2003 to 2010. [125326]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  We have made no estimate of the number of pupils who will take GCSE French, Spanish and German in future years. The number of pupils who have taken GCSEs in specific modern foreign languages this year will be available in the autumn.

  National Professional Qualification for Headship
  Mr. Webb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make it his policy that teachers enrolling in the National Professional Qualification for Headship in September 2003 will have their costs of supply cover and subsistence met in full regardless of the number of pupils at their school. [126967]

  Margaret Hodge
  Responsibility for the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) was passed to the National College for School Leadership
  753W
  (NCSL) in 2001, including responsibility for setting the level of financial support for candidates on the programme.

  Having consulted widely, the college has revised its charging policy for a range of its programmes, including NPQH, and has concluded that financial support for supply cover and travel and subsistence should be withdrawn from NPQH candidates from schools with 150 pupils or more from I September 2003. The college will continue to cover the cost of the course fees for all applicants on the NPQH programme.

  National Skills Strategy
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on his plans for taking forward the National Skills Strategy. [126487]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  At national level, we will build a new Skills Alliance to bring together key economic and delivery partners who will work with the Government to drive forward the Skills Strategy. The Alliance will comprise the key departments (Department for Education and Skills, Department of Trade and Industry, Department for Work and Pensions and the Treasury), the economic partners (the CBI, the TUC and Small Business Council) and the key delivery agencies. We will also invite the Regional Development Agency in each region, working with its partners, to put forward proposals for joint working at regional and local level. The Sector Skills Councils will be major contributors to the process.

  The Skills Alliance will ensure collaboration between key partners through the new regional structures, engage employers, trade unions and their representative organisations, advise the Government on the effectiveness of the Skills Strategy and report annually on progress.

  Positive Activities for Young People Scheme
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many participants there have been in the Positive Activities for Young People scheme since it was established; how many(a) permanent and (b) temporary staff are employed in the scheme; and what assessment he has made of the scheme's impact on street crime. [126768]

  Margaret Hodge
  The new Positive Activities programme commenced on 1 May 2003. Information is currently being collected from each lead delivery agency to assess what provision there was over the Whitsun half term. Information for all areas is expected to be available by early August. The first quarterly report, reflecting the provision under PAYP so far, will be published in the autumn.

  The employment of staff to deliver PAYP is an issue for Lead Delivery Agents and local delivery partners. It is for them to decide how best to utilise the funding that is provided to them. In addition, £13.75 million has been allocated to Connexions Partnerships for key workers which will provide 435 full-time equivalent posts. These workers will provide targeted support to those young people on the scheme who are most at risk.

  Prison Education
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many education hours were cancelled in prisons in England and Wales in each of the last 12 months. [124920]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The following table shows on a month-by-month basis the reported number of hours not delivered against the total number of hours ordered between June 2002 and May 2003.

  Month

  Sum of ordered

  Sum of total not run

  June 2002

  95,576

  8,083

  July 2002

  131,691

  11,057

  August 2002

  104,636

  8,199

  September 2002

  116,052

  7,136

  October 2002

  131,860

  13,248

  November 2002

  119,880

  8,470

  December 2002

  94,517

  7,317

  January 2003

  131,213

  8,156

  February 2003

  115,905

  8,082

  March 2003

  134,156

  9,974

  April 2003

  115,217

  6,981

  May 2003

  112,797

  7,464

  Total

  1,403,500

  104,167

  Education hours may be lost for a range of reasons including operational difficulties in prisons, staff sickness and problems with recruiting teachers.

  Public Sector Apprentices
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when recruitment targets for public sector apprentices in Government Departments will be introduced. [126787]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  The target, recently agreed by Cabinet Office and Department for Education and Skills (DIES) Ministers, is that by the end of September 2004, the number of civil servants undertaking modern apprenticeships will be 28 per cent. of all staff aged under 25 not qualified to Level 2.

  Each Department is establishing its own arrangements for contributing towards the aggregated target.

  Public Service Agreements
  Mr. Damian Green
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the Minister for Children will change existing Department for Education and Skills Public Service Agreements. [121003]

  Margaret Hodge
  There are no plans to change any of the existing DfES Public Service Agreement targets following the changes announced on 13 June, which bring together in this department lead responsibility in Whitehall for policy on children and the family. Work is ongoing to map the various targets which the DfES will inherit from other Departments as a result of its new responsibilities. A full revised list of targets will be laid in the Library of the HOC in due course.

  Regional Employment and Skills Action
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on(a) the introduction and (b) the updating of Frameworks for Regional Employment and Skills Action. [126793]
  755W
  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Regional Development Agencies were asked to lead on creating Frameworks for Regional Employment and Skills Action in each region and to have them in place by October 2002. The Frameworks were initiated by this Department, the DTI and the Department of Work and Pensions and enable key partners and agencies to agree shared priorities and actions to address skills and employment issues at regional level. A Regional Employment and Skills Forum made up of all the key partners and agencies has been established in each region and is responsible for overseeing the production, implementation, monitoring and updating of each Framework.

  Research Funding
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how much money the Higher Education Funding Council fo r England will be allocating to recurrent funding for research in England; [125487]

  (2) what percentage of departments in England with 8,500 research active staff received a rating of 4 in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise; and how their funding will change from 2002–03 to 2003–04; [125483]

  (3) what funding was available for departments with a 4 rating in 2002–03; and what is available in 2003–04; [125489]

  (4) how many and what percentage of academics are working in 4-star rated research departments; and how many 4-star rated research departments there are in England; [125490]

  (5) what percentage of research active staff in England are in departments rated 1 to 4, excluding those due to receive capability funding; [125485]

  (6) what percentage of departments assessed in England in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise with 6,500 research active academic staff are at a level that will not receive recurrent funding in 2003–04; [125482]

  (7) which subjects had fewer than 20 per cent. of departments in England receive a 5 to 5* rating in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise; [125486]

  (8) what percentage of departments in research intensive Russell Group institutions in England had research rated 1 to 3a in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise. [125484]

  Alan Johnson
  In 2003/04, HEFCE is allocating a total of £1,042 million in recurrent research funding to English higher education institutions—an increase of 10.9 per cent. compared with 2002/03. The funding further increases in 2004/05 and 2005/06 by £107 million and £246 million respectively. In addition, HEFCE provided over £26 million through the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) this year to support universities in commercially exploiting their research. HEIF resources will be consolidated into a permanent stream of funding and increase by £80 million and £90 million in 2004/05 and 2005/06 respectively. HEFCE is also allocating £16 million in the next two years to establish 20 Knowledge Exchanges to help direct this activity within regional networks.
  756W
  HEFCE allocated research funding according to the quality and volume of research departments that were rated 4 and above in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) and an additional £20 million to departments that were rated 5* in both the last two RAE's. A further £20 million is also available as capability funding to departments that were rated 3a or 3b in seven specific subject areas, to provide extra support so the research base can improve to match that in the more established fields.

  In the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise, 23 per cent. of departments in England received a 4 rating. In line with our policy set out in the Higher Education White Paper, HEFCE has re-balanced the funding levels between ratings for 2003–04 to ensure better resourcing for, and improved quality of, the best research. This has meant a reduction in funding for 4 rated departments from £139 million in 2002–03 to £118 million in 2003–04.

  School Budgets
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the impact of(a) the increase in National Insurance contributions and (b) the new formula spending share, on school budgets in (i) Portsmouth and (ii) the rest of Hampshire; and if he will make a statement. [126182]

  Mr. Miliband
  The Department does not collect information on the distribution of teaching salaries by school or by local education authority. It is therefore not possible for us to calculate the additional cost of the increase in National Insurance contributions for each local education authority. However, nationally, the increase in additional resources provided for education of £2.7 billion more than match the pressures faced by schools and local education authorities.

  In introducing the new funding system in 2003–04, our aim has been to produce the best possible match between the distribution of funds and the differing circumstances and needs of local education authorities. The formula provides the same funding for all comparable pupils right across the country. So the new system consists of a basic amount per pupil—which is the same everywhere—with top-ups for pupils with additional educational needs (again the same per pupil everywhere), and for area costs for salaries, recruitment and retention. Authorities which have more deprived pupils and/or receive extra funding to take account of the high costs of recruiting and retaining staff in their area, receive a higher level of funding overall than those which have comparatively low levels of deprivation and/ or do not receive additional funding for area costs. But all authorities received an increase of at least 3.2 per cent. per pupil after taking account of the changes to teachers' pension contributions and the additional £28 million grant provided to authorities ensured a minimum effective increase per pupil of 3.2 per cent. per pupil taking account of changes to the Standards Fund. Local education authorities are responsible for deciding the amount of funding available for the Schools Budget.

  School Fires
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many fires in school buildings in each of the last three years have been attributed to(a) accidents and (b) arson. [123314]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department does not collect these figures.

  School Meals
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what plans he has to change the criteria for measuring school socio-economic position from the percentage of children receiving school meals; and if he will make a statement; [125225]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the effect on comparisons for schools socio-economic position of a drop in the number of children receiving free school meals; and if he will make a statement. [125226]

  Margaret Hodge
  The Department's Annual Schools' Census (ASC) collects information on the numbers of pupils 'known to be eligible for free school meals (FSM)' as a consequence of local authorities (and schools) legal duty to provide them. The ASC does not collect any other information on the socio-economic circumstances of individual pupils or, in aggregate, of schools.

  The Department is investigating whether information from other departments' datasets can be linked in ways which preserve necessary data confidentialities but provide measures additional to FSM that improve the appropriateness and robustness of socio-economic comparisons of schools.

  There has been a trend downward over the last few years in the numbers of children 'known to be eligible for FSM', due in part to increased employment. About 80 per cent. of children who are entitled to make a claim for a free meal do so, but the rate varies from school to school over time depending on pupil and parental preferences and economic circumstances. Direct, and fair, interpretations of FSM comparisons within and between schools are therefore complicated and complex.

  The Department's "Autumn Package of Pupil Performance Information" has shown since 1996 national attainment benchmarks for groups of schools with broadly similar levels of FSM. These are used by schools to gauge their recent relative performances and by OFSTED in discussions with schools during inspection. Schools compare their performances with those of schools in adjacent benchmark groups and bring to bear their detailed knowledge of pupils and their schools in those discussions.

  Schools (Funding)
  Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects to announce plans for future funding of schools education. [125110]
  758W
  Mr. Miliband
  [holding answer 14 July]My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, made a statement in the House on Thursday, 17 July, about the changes that will be made to the school funding system in 2004–05 and 2005–06.

  Special Measures
  Mr. Reed
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools were placed into special measures between 1996–97 and 2002–03 in each banding for socio-economic circumstances in the National Benchmark Tables. [125221]

  Margaret Hodge
  Information is shown in the following table:

  FSM Band1

  Number

  Primary schools2

  Up to and including 8% 113

  More than 8% up to 20%

  238

  More than 20% up to 35%

  233

  More than 35% up to 50%

  223

  more than 50%

  170

  Total

  978

  Secondary schools3

  Up to and including 5%

  2

  more than 5% up to 9%

  9

  More than 9% up to 13%

  5

  more than 13% up to 21 %

  27

  More than 21 % up to 35%

  68

  More than 35% up to 50%

  51

  more than 50%

  39

  Total

  201

  Notes:

  1. Schools are shown in the Free School Meal (FSM) band within the Autumn Package of Pupil Performance Information of the academic year in which they were placed in special measures, except for schools entering special measures in 2002–03 which have been placed in the band in which they were reported in the 2002 benchmark tables.

  2. Maintained, mainstream schools included in the KS1 and/or KS2 benchmark tables. One school—The Five Islands' CE Primary School, Isles of Scilly—was placed in special measures on 3 July 2003 and is an amalgamation of 4 previous schools, and has been excluded from the above table.

  3. Maintained, mainstream schools included in the KS3 and/or GCSE/GNVQ benchmark tables.

  Secondary and Post-secondary Education
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what targets the Government has set(a) institutions and (b) students regarding state secondary schools and post-secondary education; and what epresentations his office has received regarding compliance with and attainment of those targets. [126889]

  Margaret Hodge
  We set high level national targets which reflect our overall aim for both secondary and post-secondary education achievement. These provide a framework for targets to be determined for institutions and students by those working at the local level. All our national targets and progress against them can be found
  759W
  in the Departmental Annual Report, copies of which can be found in the House of Commons Library. The Department receives representations covering a wide range of different views on the purpose, importance, choice and definition of targets.

  Sex Education
  Mr. Key
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list(a) local education authorities and (b) schools where allegations of inappropriate sex education have been reported in each of the past two years. [124357]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  [holding answer 9 July 2003]: In the past two years, the Department has received letters expressing concerns over sex education in Leeds and Barking and Dagenham. In each case the correspondents were advised that headteachers and governors are responsible for making decisions about sex education in schools, in consultation with parents. In the first instance concerns should be raised with the schools. Governing bodies must ensure that teaching materials and programmes used for sex education are in accordance with the framework for Personal, Social and Health Education; and that inappropriate materials are kept out of the classroom. Consulting pupils and their families will help establish what is appropriate and acceptable to them. Where schools work within the SRE guidelines and consult effectively, parents should be reassured about the content of lessons.

  SMEs
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when tailored support for leadership and management development in small and medium enterprises will be available. [126784]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  The success of small and medium enterprises depends on excellent leadership and management. The Business Improvement Tool for Entrepreneurs and Investors in People management and leadership model help these businesses identify development goals. Our pilot Small Firms Development Account will provide specific funding support up to £1,000 for owner-managers of enterprises employing five to 49 people to develop leadership and management skills within their company. We are also developing a new offer to Managing Directors of firms employing 50 to 200 people to provide them with tailored support. A range of support will be available including mentors and coaches. We will announce further details of this offer in the autumn.

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Maintained schools

  15.4*

  16.1*

  16.4*

  16.7*

  16.9

  17.1

  17.4*

  —

  6th Form colleges

  14.8*

  15.3*

  16.0*

  16.4*

  16.9

  17.0

  17.9*

  —

  All schools

  16.9

  17.6

  17.9

  18.1

  18.2

  18.4

  18.9

  —

  All FE sector

  12.2

  12.5

  13.1

  10.4

  13.4

  13.8

  14.8

  —

  Total

  15.1

  15.7

  16.1

  16.0

  16.3

  16.7

  17.4

  —

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Maintained schools

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  235.8*

  263.3

  6th Form colleges

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  242.0*

  263.1

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 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. [126674]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  Between 31 March 2002 and 31 March 2003, Special Advisers in my Department travelled abroad on three occasions to Italy, Germany and France, at an average cost of £522.66 per trip. All travel by Special Advisers is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

  Specialist Schools
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what resources will be available for the proposed expansion of the specialist schools programme; and what projects he has planned for schools in Hampshire. [126183]

  Mr. Charles Clarke
  In November 2002 the Government lifted the cap on national funding for the specialist schools programme so that any school which meets the required standard can now be a specialist school. We are keen that all secondary schools that want to apply and meet the criteria will become specialist schools.

  Also in November, the Government announced the creation of the partnership fund, containing £2 million from the Government and £1 million from the private sector to be administered by the Specialist Schools Trust. The fund is designed specifically to help schools which have been unable to raise all of the required £50,000 sponsorship money, despite having made sustained efforts to do so.

  We would encourage Hampshire schools, as indeed we would all schools, to take advantage of these developments.

  Staff Costs
  Mr. Gibb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 2 July 2003,Official Report, columns 295–96W, on staff costs, what the average A/AS level score for pupils attending (a) sixth form colleges and (b) secondary school sixth forms in England in each year since 1995 was; and if he will make a statement on the statistical significance of divergences between the averages. [124220]

  Mr. Miliband
  The information requested is shown in the tables.
  761W

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  All schools

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  251.9

  280.9

  All FE sector

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  196.7

  210.6

  Total

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  232.5

  254.5

  Note:

  In 2002, the number of points assigned to each GCE/VCE A/AS qualification and VCE Double Award changed to reflect the UCAS tariff. Figures for 2001 are provided on both bases.

  An asterisk (*) in the table indicates that the differences between performance averages of maintained schools and Sixth Form Colleges are statistically significant at a 95 per cent. level. Differences between schools and colleges in their number and circumstance and differences within institutions in terms of student composition have not been taken into account in determining statistical significance.

  Student Debt
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the level of student debt was in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what projections he has made for each year up to 2010. [126815]

  Alan Johnson
  Borrowers are liable to repay their loans from the April following graduation or otherwise leaving their course. Students who started their course from the 1998/99 academic year will repay income contingent loans. Loans for those who started their course before 1998/99 are repayable on a mortgage style basis. The table shows estimates of average student loan debt at the point at which they entered repayment status for borrowers who became liable to repay their loans in financial years 2000–01 to 2002–03.

  New student support arrangements were introduced from academic year 1998/99. Most new students in that year (apart from specified exceptions) received support for maintenance expenditure through means-tested grants (about 25 per cent, of the support available) and non means-tested student loans (about 75 per cent, of the support). From 1999/2000, students who entered higher education after 1998/99 received support for maintenance expenditure through loans. About three quarters of the value of these loans is not subject to means-testing. The repayments on these loans are on an income contingent basis.

  Students who started their course up to 1997/98, and those who entered in 1998/99 under the existing arrangements, are eligible for mortgage style loans; the ratio of support for these students is roughly 50 per cent, means-tested grant and 50 per cent, non means-tested loan.

  The first cohort of students on a three-year degree course who entered higher education under the new student support arrangements became liable for repayment in April 2002. That, and earlier, cohorts includes a disproportionate number of students on shorter courses as well as those who have left higher education before completing their courses. Therefore the average level of debt will not be representative of the average debt experienced by those who complete their courses.

  Average student loan debt on entering repayment status1.2

  Financial year entered repayment status3

  Mortgage style loans4 (£)

  Income contingent loans5 (£)

  2000–01

  3,920

  2,340

  2001–02

  4,500

  3,530

  762W

  Average student loan debt on entering repayment status1.2

  Financial year entered repayment status3

  Mortgage style loans4 (£)

  Income contingent loans5 (£)

  2002–03

  5,160

  6,000

  1 Data rounded to nearest 10. Includes Interest.

  2 Excludes any repayments which may have been made before borrowers enter repayment status.

  3 Borrowers enter repayment status in the April following their graduation or otherwise leaving their course.

  4 Loans made to students who entered higher education up to 1997/98 or who entered in 1998/99 under existing arrangements. Includes loans repayable to the private sector following the sale of two portfolios of student loans.

  5 Loans, repayable on anincome contingent basis, available to students who entered higher education from academic year 1998/99. These loans were subject to a repayment holiday until April 2000. Includes hardship loans and the fixed rate loans (£500) to eligible part-time students.

  Source:

  Student Loans Company

  Data on debts for which there is no public subsidy, such as overdrafts and credit cards, and informal debts to family and friends, are not held centrally.

  Future student debt will depend on a range of factors, including the amount of loan students take out. After 2005/06, debt will be influenced by the borrowing behaviour of those students eligible for the HE grant. After 2006/07, student debt will also depend on the fee levels charged by universities to their full-time undergraduates, and the extent to which those students exercise the new option to defer those fees.

  Student Finance
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of students completed a gap year before entering higher education in each year since 1990 in(a) each local education authority and (b) England. [122979]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The available information comes from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and covers deferred entry for full-time accepted applicants to first degree and HND study in the UK. Figures are in the table. Students who defer their application to UCAS because they are taking a gap year are therefore excluded.
  763W

  Proportion of English domiciled accepted applicants deferring entry to full-time degree and HND courses, by LEA—Entry in autumn 1994 to autumn 2002

  Percentage

  Year of entry

  LEA

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Avon1

  7.8

  8.7

  10.1

  6.7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Barking

  2.8

  4.2

  3.8

  3.7

  3.4

  4.3

  4.8

  6.1

  5.5

  Barnet

  10.3

  11.4

  8.8

  11.1

  9.8

  10.7

  11.7

  12.4

  10.3

  Barnsley

  1.8

  1.5

  3.8

  2.5

  3.0

  3.9

  3.0

  4.1

  4.0

  Bath and NE Somerset1

  —

  —

  —

  12.6

  12.0

  12.5

  13.0

  19.3

  18.2

  Bedfordshire1

  4.9

  6.1

  5.6

  6.3

  8.5

  7.9

  9.4

  9.1

  9.2

  Berkshire1

  8.4

  8.9

  9.0

  8.9

  8.0

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Bexley

  2.4

  4.9

  4.7

  5.4

  5.8

  6.1

  5.4

  4.1

  5.6

  Birmingham

  4.0

  3.9

  5.1

  4.3

  5.4

  4.6

  5.3

  5.2

  6.0

  Blackburn with Darwen1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3.2

  4.1

  3.0

  4.0

  3.9

  Blackpool1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3.4

  3.8

  4.2

  4.1

  3.3

  Bolton

  2.1

  2.3

  3.8

  2.4

  2.8

  2.9

  3.8

  4.9

  5.2

  Bournemouth1

  —

  —

  —

  6.9

  9.2

  6.6

  10.2

  11.7

  9.1

  Bracknell Forest1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11.8

  9.1

  8.6

  9.7

  8.8

  Bradford

  3.4

  3.8

  4.7

  4.1

  4.1

  5.4

  5.3

  5.9

  5.6

  Brent

  3.9

  3.9

  3.9

  4.3

  4.1

  4.2

  4.2

  4.5

  4.6

  Brighton and Hove1

  —

  —

  —

  9.9

  8.0

  10.0

  10.2

  12.4

  14.0

  Bristol, City of1

  —

  —

  —

  10.8

  11.2

  12.7

  13.4

  15.4

  17.6

  Bromley

  6.8

  5.5

  8.3

  7.7

  8.8

  8.8

  10.4

  11.1

  10.6

  Buckinghamshire1

  8.0

  9.4

  10.2

  11.8

  11.6

  11.3

  12.9

  14.8

  13.9

  Bury

  3.6

  4.2

  4.1

  5.2

  4.6

  4.2

  5.4

  6.5

  6.4

  Calderdale

  2.2

  5.4

  5.5

  5.6

  5.5

  4.7

  5.1

  7.3

  6.3

  Cambridgeshire1

  9.4

  9.8

  11.1

  9.6

  12.5

  11.8

  12.9

  13.1

  14.1

  Camden

  9.9

  10.3

  10.3

  9.1

  8.4

  9.9

  8.7

  10.0

  9.6

  Cheshire1

  3.4

  5.0

  5.1

  5.6

  6.0

  5.5

  7.1

  7.8

  8.3

  City of London2

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  n/a

  Cleveland1

  2.8

  3.6

  3.5

  2.2

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Cornwall (inc. Isles of Scilly)

  6.3

  6.6

  7.3

  8.0

  8.8

  8.3

  9.3

  10.2

  10.7

  Coventry

  3.2

  2.9

  3.5

  4.2

  5.1

  5.1

  5.8

  5.0

  5.3

  Croydon

  5.6

  5.7

  7.3

  6.2

  6.5

  6.8

  6.8

  7.0

  7.1

  Cumbria

  5.5

  5.8

  7.8

  5.7

  6.7

  6.9

  8.7

  9.5

  9.4

  Darlington1

  —

  —

  —

  3.2

  4.6

  6.3

  4.4

  6.5

  5.7

  Derby1

  —

  —

  —

  4.5

  4.4

  5.1

  5.7

  6.6

  5.2

  Derbyshire1

  4.4

  4.1

  5.4

  5.2

  5.4

  6.2

  6.3

  7.6

  6.6

  Devon1

  7.9

  9.3

  9.8

  10.3

  12.2

  13.4

  13.7

  16.3

  15.9

  Doncaster

  2.0

  3.1

  2.2

  3.4

  3.4

  3.3

  4.4

  4.0

  3.3

  Dorset1

  6.4

  8.2

  8.8

  10.1

  10.9

  11.3

  11.8

  12.2

  12.9

  Dudley

  2.4

  3.1

  4.5

  2.8

  3.5

  4.7

  3.9

  5.4

  4.2

  Durham1

  3.1

  3.9

  3.3

  3.6

  4.1

  3.9

  4.8

  4.5

  4.7

  Ealing

  4.1

  4.8

  4.8

  4.2

  5.8

  6.0

  5.2

  6.0

  7.2

  East Riding of Yorkshire1

  —

  —

  —

  6.1

  5.2

  5.3

  5.2

  6.6

  5.6

  East Sussex1

  10.1

  9.3

  11.6

  10.2

  11.2

  11.3

  13.4

  16.1

  14.8

  Enfield

  3.8

  4.7

  5.0

  3.9

  5.0

  5.6

  4.9

  6.7

  6.4

  Essex1

  5.8

  7.0

  7.1

  6.8

  8.8

  8.6

  8.8

  10.9

  9.3

  Gateshead

  3.5

  2.0

  2.8

  2.5

  3.6

  2.1

  2.6

  3.8

  3.0

  Gloucestershire

  7.3

  9.1

  9.9

  8.1

  10.3

  11.3

  12.0

  12.5

  14.3

  Greenwich

  6.4

  7.1

  6.9

  7.0

  8.2

  7.0

  6.9

  7.3

  7.4

  Hackney

  3.8

  4.6

  5.4

  4.5

  6.0

  6.2

  6.5

  5.9

  7.1

  Halton1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5.4

  3.3

  2.6

  3.4

  3.9

  Hammersmith and Fulham

  8.0

  9.7

  8.5

  6.6

  7.7

  9.0

  9.9

  8.3

  9.9

  Hampshire1

  6.6

  7.1

  8.1

  8.1

  9.1

  10.1

  10.7

  12.1

  11.9

  Haringey

  5.2

  6.2

  6.7

  7.2

  7.5

  7.8

  6.9

  8.6

  10.0

  Harrow

  5.9

  6.1

  6.0

  5.6

  6.4

  6.4

  6.7

  7.9

  6.6

  Hartlepool1

  —

  —

  —

  2.6

  1.2

  3.2

  2.7

  3.8

  2.6

  Havering

  3.4

  4.7

  5.6

  5.6

  6.2

  7.9

  6.8

  8.2

  7.0

  Hereford and Worcester1

  7.3

  9.3

  9.7

  8.5

  8.7

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Herefordshire1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11.5

  12.3

  8.0

  12.2

  14.2

  Hertfordshire

  7.6

  7.6

  7.7

  9.2

  9.7

  9.7

  9.5

  10.5

  11.2

  Hillingdon

  4.0

  6.2

  4.4

  5.5

  6.3

  4.8

  4.9

  6.1

  6.5

  Hounslow

  4.0

  4.4

  4.8

  5.4

  6.2

  6.3

  5.3

  5.8

  4.7

  Humberside1

  4.4

  4.1

  4.9

  2.4

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Isle of Wight

  6.4

  7.5

  9.2

  7.2

  4.8

  7.0

  9.8

  10.6

  10.7

  Islington

  9.1

  7.7

  7.9

  8.1

  6.6

  8.3

  10.0

  9.1

  10.5

  Kensington and Chelsea

  9.4

  9.2

  9.2

  9.1

  8.5

  10.3

  11.6

  10.0

  12.5

  Kent1

  6.7

  7.9

  9.2

  8.3

  10.2

  10.5

  10.4

  12.0

  11.7

  Kingston

  8.7

  6.9

  9.0

  6.8

  8.1

  9.3

  10.4

  12.4

  111

  Kingston upon Hull, City of1

  —

  —

  —

  4.0

  3.4

  4.7

  5.1

  4.6

  4.4

  Kirklees

  3.5

  4.0

  3.6

  4.3

  4.0

  5.3

  5.1

  4.9

  5.1

  764W 765W

  Proportion of English domiciled accepted applicants deferring entry to full-time degree and HND courses, by LEA—Entry in autumn 1994 to amtumn 2002

  Percentage

  Year of entry

  LEA

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Knowsley

  0.5

  1.9

  3.3

  2.6

  3.5

  3.6

  3.4

  2.7

  3.0

  Lambeth

  5.1

  6.7

  6.2

  6.1

  6.6

  6.2

  7.0

  8.4

  7.7

  Lancashire1

  3.3

  3.2

  3.7

  3.4

  4.1

  4.1

  4.9

  4.6

  5.2

  Leeds

  4.2

  5.4

  6.8

  7.0

  6.3

  7.2

  7.3

  7.6

  7.8

  Leicester1

  —

  —

  —

  2.5

  3.2

  2.6

  3.8

  3.3

  3.8

  Leicestershire1

  4.2

  4.9

  5.1

  5.0

  6.6

  6.3

  7.1

  6.5

  7.2

  Lewisham

  6.1

  6.8

  7.7

  6.6

  7.0

  5.7

  8.3

  8.0

  7.0

  Lincolnshire

  4.9

  6.4

  7.1

  7.4

  7.0

  8.0

  7.7

  9.0

  7.6

  Liverpool

  2.7

  2.8

  3.5

  2.5

  3.2

  2.9

  3.3

  4.3

  3.9

  Luton1

  —

  —

  —

  3.6

  3.9

  3.3

  4.3

  4.1

  4.3

  Manchester

  3.8

  3.5

  4.2

  4.1

  4.1

  4.1

  4.4

  5.0

  5.5

  Medway1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5.2

  5.5

  5.8

  7.1

  6.4

  Merton

  6.8

  7.1

  7.5

  6.1

  9.6

  7.7

  8.9

  8.7

  11.4

  Middlesbrough1

  —

  —

  —

  3.1

  3.1

  3.9

  3.3

  3.3

  2.9

  Milton Keynes1

  —

  —

  —

  7.1

  8.0

  9.0

  10.9

  10.3

  10.1

  Newcastle upon Tyne

  6.0

  5.0

  4.4

  4.3

  4.3

  3.3

  5.3

  5.2

  6.0

  Newham

  1.6

  1.8

  2.7

  2.2

  3.1

  2.8

  3.6

  3.7

  4.1

  Norfolk

  7.0

  8.5

  9.6

  9.0

  10.5

  10.3

  10.6

  12.1

  12.2

  North Lincolnshire1

  —

  —

  —

  3.6

  3.6

  1.8

  4.7

  3.9

  4.4

  North East Lincolnshire1

  —

  —

  —

  4.2

  2.9

  2.9

  4.3

  3.9

  2.9

  North Somerset1

  —

  —

  —

  9.7

  9.5

  9.6

  13.0

  12.5

  16.8

  North Tyneside

  3.1

  3.7

  3.1

  3.1

  3.3

  3.9

  4.4

  3.9

  4.0

  North Yorkshire1

  6.7

  7.3

  9.0

  7.8

  7.2

  8.7

  8.9

  9.4

  10.3

  Northamptonshire

  5.2

  7.0

  6.4

  7.9

  7.8

  8.4

  9.1

  10.1

  10.5

  Northumberland

  4.6

  4.1

  5.4

  4.5

  4.0

  5.1

  5.6

  6.5

  6.8

  Nottingham1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4.0

  5.5

  7.6

  5.6

  6.0

  Nottinghamshire1

  5.0

  5.6

  5.3

  6.0

  6.4

  6.1

  7.2

  7.6

  8.2

  Oldham

  3.1

  3.3

  3.4

  3.0

  3.7

  4.0

  3.1

  4.8

  4.8

  Oxfordshire

  10.5

  12.8

  13.8

  12.8

  12.5

  13.1

  14.8

  16.1

  15.7

  Peterborough1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7.8

  6.9

  12.0

  6.6

  8.0

  Plymouth1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5.1

  6.9

  8.4

  8.2

  8.3

  Poole1

  —

  —

  —

  7.0

  9.7

  7.7

  11.0

  9.2

  7.9

  Portsmouth1

  —

  —

  —

  6.4

  5.7

  6.3

  7.5

  9.5

  7.1

  Reading1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  11.3

  10.5

  12.4

  10.7

  13.8

  Redbridge

  3.6

  4.1

  5.1

  4.8

  4.3

  4.4

  4.4

  4.4

  5.0

  Redcar and Cleveland1

  —

  —

  —

  2.0

  3.9

  2.2

  3.5

  2.2

  3.1

  Richmond

  13.2

  12.0

  12.9

  11.3

  12.2

  13.8

  14.4

  14.5

  14.8

  Rochdale

  2.3

  2.7

  4.3

  3.6

  4.0

  3.7

  3.1

  4.4

  3.6

  Rotherham

  1.6

  2.0

  3.5

  3.6

  3.8

  3.8

  3.5

  4.3

  5.1

  Rutland1

  —

  —

  —

  11.8

  12.3

  20.1

  16.8

  12.4

  14.6

  Salford

  3.4

  4.6

  3.5

  6.3

  4.0

  5.7

  7.2

  4.6

  5.7

  Sandwell

  1.4

  1.5

  2.6

  1.7

  2.5

  2.2

  2.4

  3.8

  3.1

  Sefton

  3.2

  3.0

  3.7

  2.5

  4.6

  4.4

  4.3

  5.5

  4.4

  Sheffield

  4.9

  5.0

  5.0

  5.7

  6.4

  7.0

  7.2

  8.1

  9.1

  Shropshire1

  5.6

  6.2

  6.7

  7.4

  7.9

  7.2

  9.1

  8.4

  10.7

  Slough1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  3.7

  3.3

  4.4

  4.6

  3.7

  Solihull

  5.1

  4.5

  6.4

  5.5

  6.5

  6.2

  7.3

  7.7

  6.7

  Somerset

  8.6

  8.5

  10.8

  10.4

  10.4

  11.2

  12.3

  14.4

  14.9

  South Gloucestershire1

  —

  —

  —

  8.5

  8.5

  9.6

  10.3

  10.2

  11.6

  South Tyneside

  2.0

  1.6

  2.8

  1.4

  1.9

  2.0

  3.0

  4.7

  1.2

  Southampton1

  —

  —

  —

  4.7

  6.1

  7.8

  7.3

  7.2

  9.8

  Southend on Sea1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  7.2

  8.0

  7.5

  9.9

  8.8

  South wark

  6.3

  5.8

  6.6

  5.7

  5.9

  7.4

  7.3

  6.8

  5.8

  St. Helens

  1.3

  1.8

  1.9

  1.9

  2.0

  2.7

  3.2

  2.9

  3.2

  Stafford shire1

  3.4

  3.2

  3.7

  4.4

  5.0

  4.4

  4.6

  5.7

  5.4

  Stockport

  3.7

  3.9

  4.6

  4.6

  4.6

  5.1

  6.4

  7.9

  6.9

  Stockton on Tees1

  —

  —

  —

  3.1

  2.0

  3.7

  4.2

  3.2

  4.7

  Stoke-on-Trent1

  —

  —

  —

  2.2

  2.5

  2.9

  2.9

  3.8

  2.2

  Suffolk

  8.8

  8.7

  11.4

  9.2

  10.5

  10.3

  11.2

  12.2

  12.6

  Sunderland

  2.2

  2.7

  1.4

  3.0

  1.9

  2.0

  2.8

  3.3

  2.9

  Surrey

  8.5

  10.2

  10.0

  10.3

  11.0

  9.9

  11.5

  12.8

  14.2

  Sutton

  5.1

  7.7

  6.3

  8.7

  5.4

  9.5

  6.7

  7.9

  8.5

  Swindon1

  —

  —

  —

  7.4

  8.0

  7.2

  9.6

  8.7

  7.6

  Tameside

  1.5

  2.1

  3.3

  2.4

  3.6

  3.5

  4.1

  4.5

  4.1

  Telford and the Wrekin1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  5.7

  5.5

  6.1

  5.2

  8.6

  Thurrock1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4.8

  9.0

  6.7

  8.0

  8.3

  Torbay1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9.2

  9.8

  8.6

  9.7

  11.7

  Tower Hamlets

  3.9

  3.5

  4.0

  2.8

  3.0

  3.5

  5.1

  2.3

  2.8

  766W 767W

  Proportion of English domiciled accepted applicants deferring entry to full-time degree and HND courses, by LEA—Entry in autumn 1994 to autumn 2002

  Percentage

  Year of entry

  LEA

  1994

  1995

  1996

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Trafford

  3.8

  5.6

  3.8

  4.4

  5.3

  5.0

  5.5

  7.4

  5.9

  Wakefield

  4.3

  2.5

  3.5

  4.9

  3.9

  4.6

  4.7

  3.9

  5.6

  Walsall

  4.0

  1.8

  3.0

  3.1

  3.5

  2.7

  2.8

  3.1

  3.7

  Waltham Forest

  3.1

  4.2

  3.6

  4.0

  3.6

  4.5

  5.3

  5.3

  4.5

  Wandsworth

  11.3

  7.4

  9.5

  8.5

  8.2

  9.9

  11.0

  11.9

  11.7

  Warrington1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  4.3

  4.9

  4.2

  7.0

  5.8

  Warwickshire

  5.7

  7.2

  6.9

  7.1

  7.7

  8.1

  8.3

  9.9

  10.0

  West Berkshire1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15.5

  14.6

  14.3

  16.6

  16.1

  West Sussex

  9.0

  10.4

  11.1

  9.7

  11.4

  12.1

  12.4

  13.6

  12.3

  Westminster

  7.6

  7.2

  6.3

  6.7

  6.0

  7.0

  6.0

  7.6

  8.7

  Wigan

  2.5

  2.2

  2.6

  3.5

  4.1

  3.9

  3.8

  3.7

  3.2

  Wiltshire1

  8.8

  10.9

  11.3

  12.9

  11.5

  13.0

  13.9

  15.9

  15.8

  Windsor and Maidenhead1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  15.2

  10.7

  10.0

  11.6

  13.5.

  Wirral

  3.0

  3.3

  3.3

  3.5

  3.6

  4.2

  5.3

  4.8

  6.2

  Wokingham1

  8.5

  11.0

  9.2

  11.8

  9.9

  Wolverhampton

  1.7

  2.3

  1.7

  2.7

  2.7

  3.0

  4.0

  3.8

  3.6

  Worcestershire1

  —

  —

  —

  —

  9.2

  7.6

  8.6

  9.8

  9.9

  York1

  —

  —

  —

  7.7

  7.7

  8.7

  10.3

  12.6

  12.0

  Total England

  5.7

  6.4

  6.9

  6.7

  7.2

  7.4

  8.0

  8.7

  8.8

  1There are discontinuities in the time series caused by Local Government Reorganisations. Also, UCAS do not hold domicile breakdowns for all new authorities in the year that reorganisation took place and so some participation rates for new authorities are not shown.

  2 The effect of year on year fluctuations on a small population mean that this method of calculating participation rates is unreliable for the City of London.

  Note

  Accepted applicants with unknown English domiciles are excluded from the figures.

  Source

  Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

  Student Loan Company
  Mr. Edwards
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what redress a student has who suffers hardship as a result of maladministration by the Student Loans Company Ltd; and if he will investigate the case of Mr. Lloyd Hughes, a constituent. [126368]

  Alan Johnson
  If a student has lodged a complaint through the Student Loans Company (SLC) complaints procedure and is not happy with the response he may request that the case be reviewed by the SLC Chief Executive. If the Chief Executive reviews the case and the student is still dissatisfied he may ask for the case to be investigated by the Independent Assessor. The SLC's complaints procedure is published in a leaflet and on its website.

  The Independent Assessor has, within his terms of reference, the power to recommend that the SLC, by way of compensation, awards a sum of up to £5,000, for any loss, expense or unreasonable degree of inconvenience suffered by the complainant.

  My officials are currently liaising with SLC regarding Mr. Hughes' case.

  Student Loans
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 3 July,Official Report, column 439–40W, what the value is of student loans where repayments have been made early in each year since the scheme began; and what the amount is as a percentage of the total amount repaid. [126081]
  768W
  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: The value of student loans in the UK where repayments have been made earlier than required since the beginning of the scheme, and the percentage this represents of the total amount repaid are shown in the table:

  Financial year

  Repaid earlier than required1, 2,(£ million)

  Repaid earlier than required as a percentage of all repayments1, 2, 4

  1990–91

  5—

  5—

  1991–92

  0.9

  75

  1992–93

  2.8

  47

  1993–94

  5.0

  35

  1994–95

  6.5

  24

  1995–96

  10.7

  21

  1996–97

  18.1

  21

  1997–983

  28.9

  22

  1998–993

  25.7

  19

  1999–20003, 6

  33.4

  26

  2000–012, 3, 6, 7

  43.2

  24

  2001–022, 3, 6, 7

  63.9

  24

  1 The table covers both mortgage style and income contingent loans. Early repayments of Income Contingent loans are made directly to the Student Loans Company whether or not the borrower is making repayments through the taxation system.

  2 There is a discontinuity in the time series due to a change in the Student Loans Company's business process in December 2000 early repayments include those which do not necessarily settle the account in full.

  3 Two portfolios ofstudent loans to the value of just over £2 billion have been sold to the private sector in March 1998 and March 1999. The figures in the table relate to the publicly owned debt only.

  769W
  4Repayments of income contingent loans through the tax system are reported at the time when Student Loans Company is notified of the repayments by Inland Revenue, which may be one of more years after the tax year they relate to.

  5 Not applicable

  6Discontinuity in time series

  7 Provisional.

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 3 July,Official Report, column 439–40W, what the total value is of student loans where repayment has been deferred in each year since the scheme began. [126082]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: The table shows the cumulative balance at the start of each financial year of mortgage style student loans in the UK and in public ownership where repayment has been deferred. There is no concept of deferment from those with income contingent loans who repay through the tax system—repayments are not collected from those earning below the threshold, i.e. £10,000 in financial year 2001–02.

  Financial year

  Balance in Deferment (£ million)

  1990–91

  3—

  1991–92

  4—

  1992–93

  4—

  1993–94

  4—

  1994–95

  40

  1995–96

  118

  1996–97

  247

  1997–98

  468

  1997–98

  468

  1998–99

  447

  1999–2000

  466

  2000–015

  672

  2001–025

  909

  1 The table shows the cumulative balance of loans in deferment at the start of each financial year; the balance is the amount of dererment and the sum not yet due for repayment but excluding any amount repaid. For loans deferred with arrears, the value of arrears has been excluded.

  2 Two portfolios of student loans to the value of just over £2 billion have been sold to the private sector in March 1998 and March 1999. The figures in the table relate to the public debt only.

  3 not applicable.

  4not available.

  5Provisional.

  Source

  Student Loans Company

  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 3 July 2003,Official Report, column 439–40W, what the total value is of loans where inability to repay has been cancelled in each year since the scheme began. [126083]

  Alan Johnson
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: The sable shows the total value of student loans in the UK and in public ownership which have been written off or cancelled in each financial year.

  Amount written off/cancelled1, 2, 3

  Financial year

  (£ million)

  1990–91

  4—

  1991–92

  5—

  1992–93

  0.1

  1993–94

  0.2

  1994–95

  0.3

  770W

  Amount written off/cancelled1, 2, 3

  Financial year

  (£ million)

  1995–96

  0.5

  1996–97

  0.9

  1997–98

  1.0

  1998–99 of which:

  0.9

  Income contingent loans

  6—

  1999–20007 of which:

  1.2

  Income contingent loans

  5—

  2000–018 of which:

  1.1

  Income contingent loans

  0.2

  2001–028 of which:

  1.4

  Income contingent loans

  0.4

  1 The table shows the value of loans cancelled or written off during each financial year.

  2 Two portfolios of student loans to the value of just over £2 billion have been sold to the private sector in March 1998 and March 1999. The figures in the table relate to the public debt only.

  3 A cancelled loan is one where the borrower no longer has any liability to repay as set out by legislation. A borrower's liability to repay shall be cancelled: on death of the borrower; after 25 years or when the borrower reaches the age of 50 (60 if the borrower was aged over 40 when he/she last borrowed), whichever is the earlier, provided the borrower is not in default; and if the borrower is in receipt of a disability related benefit and permanently unfit for work. A written off loan is one where the borrower remainsliable to repay but recovery is deemed unlikely by the loan administrator or not possible by legal judgment.

  4 Not applicable.

  5 Nil/negligible.

  6 Not available.

  7 Amounts written off in1999–2000 include some transactions

  8 Provisional.

  Students
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of students dropped out after(a) one year, (b) two years, (c) three years and (d) before the completion of their course in each university in the latest year for which figures are available. [118128]

  Alan Johnson
  The available information on the non-continuation of students beyond the first year in each university, and the projected course non-completion rate in each university is contained in "Performance Indicators in Higher Education in the UK" published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, a copy of which is available from the House Library. The latest edition, published in December 2002, gives figures for students starting full-time degree courses in the United Kingdom in 1999/2000. Table 3 shows rates of non-continuation after the first year of study and Table 5 gives drop out rates across the full course.

  No data are held covering those students who drop out of their course after two or three years.

  Nationally, the non-completion rate has remained broadly the same at 17–18 per cent, since 1991/92, a period of considerable expansion of student numbers.

  Figures published in 2002 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) show that the UK has one of the lowest non-completion rates among OECD countries.

  Sure Start
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what studies have been undertaken
  771W
  about the means and methods to sustain Sure Start projects deemed beneficial when the money under that programme is no longer available for such projects; what replacement programme for Sure Start is envisaged when that is (a) running down and (b) completed in an area; and if he will make a statement. [125545]

  Margaret Hodge
  A national evaluation of Sure Start local programmes (SSLPs) began in January 2001 and is due to run until July 2008. Each SSLP also undertakes its own local evaluation.

  Both levels of evaluation will provide information on the effectiveness of local programmes in the short, medium and long-term, identifying examples of good practice and factors associated with the longer-term sustainability of Sure Start local programmes.

  Each SSLP receives funding for up to 10 years and is expected to develop a strategy to maintain improved child outcomes as the additional financial contribution declines, including helping mainstream services to implement the lessons from Sure Start. Many SSLPs will form the basis of Children's Centres in their areas.

  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the latest departmental underspend was accounted for by the Sure Start programme. [125991]

  Mr. Miliband
  My department's expenditure outturn was published in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper on 16 July (command number 5884).

  The Department's resources are allocated on a 3 year basis by the Treasury. Departments are allowed to carry forward any unused funds from one year to the next to ensure the most effective use of funds and to recognise the fact that expenditure patterns on some activities, including on capital funding, can be difficult to predict.

  Mrs. Dean
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Sure Start schemes were completed in each year since 1999; what the annual spending on Sure Start programmes has been in each year since 1998; what plans he has for the expansion of the Sure Start programme; and if he will make a statement. [125992]

  Margaret Hodge
  Each Sure Start local programme (SSLP) receives funding for up to 10 years and is expected to develop a strategy to maintain improved child outcomes as the additional financial contribution declines, including helping mainstream services to implement the lessons from Sure Start. We will also build on programmes like Sure Start, Neighbourhood Nurseries and Early Excellence Centres to create a network of children's centres in disadvantaged areas providing good quality integrated childcare with early education, family and health services, and training and employment advice, for at least 650,000 children and their families.

  Table 1 provides information on the number of SSLPs and the date they were announced. Table 2 provides an annual breakdown of SSLPs spending since the inception of the programme in 1999–00 through to 2002–03.
  772W

  Table 1

  Date announced

  SSLPs

  19 January 1999

  59

  15 November 1999

  69

  13 July 2000

  65

  31 January 2000

  67

  17 July 2000

  179

  14 May 2000

  85

  Total SSLPs

  524

  Table 2

  Financial year

  SSLPs spend £ million

  1999–2000

  5

  2000–01

  56

  2001–02

  134

  2002–03

  216

  Total SSLPs spend

  411

  Teacher Redundancies
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer of 7 July 2003,Official Report, column 633W, on teacher redundancies, what the reasons were for the delay in answering the question; at what level information on redundancies is collected centrally; if he will place that information in the Library; and if he will make a statement. [125772]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  [holding answer 14 July 2003]The answer to the hon. Member's earlier question was being processed in the usual way and was answered at the earliest opportunity. Provisional statistics on teacher numbers and teacher vacancies at January 2003 were published in April in Statistical First Release 10/2003. In May this year, in response to concerns about the difficulties some schools are facing as a result of changes to the funding arrangements, my Department liaised with local education authorities (LEAs) to make a broad assessment of the extent to which schools were making changes in their teaching staff complements, including making teachers redundant, and the possible reasons for such changes, including falling rolls. This was based on the best information available to local education authorities (LEAs) at that time; many told us that definitive information was not available and that the situation was changing rapidly as schools finalised their budgets and their staffing. In addition they advised that a significant number of the redundancy notices were 'protective' and were likely to be withdrawn as the situation within schools and the LEA became clearer.

  Teacher Training Targets
  Mr. Willis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether his Department will use the 1996 curriculum and staffing survey data in the formulation of the 2004–05 initial teacher training targets to be announced in December. [126912]

  Mr. Miliband
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a similar question asked previously by the hon. Member, on 16July2003,OfficialReport, column 353W.

  Teachers' Pensions
  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to raise the age at which teachers may receive their pensions. [124431]

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what discussions he has had with the Department for Work and Pensions on raising the retirement age of teachers; [124480]

  (2) what assessment he has made of the impact on teachers of increasing the retirement age from 60 to 65. [124481]

  Margaret Hodge
  Following consultation on the Pensions Green Paper, which was published by the Department for Work and Pensions last December, raising the pension age for teachers and other public servants from 60 to 65 is one of the measures being taken forward. This reflects both increased life expectancy and the fact that many people want to work longer and build up their pensions.

  Details of how and when the changes might be introduced for new entrants to the Teachers Pension Scheme and the transitional arrangements for existing scheme members remain to be worked out. These will be considered alongside changes to improve scheme benefits, and there will be a wide-ranging review of the scheme involving full consultation with union and employer representatives. All of the issues associated with an increase in the pension age of members of the Teachers' Pension Scheme will be considered during the review. A change for new entrants is unlikely before 2006 and will be much later for existing staff.

  We have, nevertheless, given teachers five clear guarantees.
  Serving teachers who are currently aged 50 and over will not be affected by changes to the existing pension arrangements.
  Pension benefits earned before the new arrangements start will not be affected. Whatever changes are made will not affect pension benefits already earned from past service.
  Teachers will still be able to retire at, before or after 60 as they do now. At retirement, pension and lump sum benefits will take account of the number of years of service the teacher has worked before and after the changes were introduced.
  These changes will be talked through fully with teachers and their union representatives, as well as with employers. Unions will be part of this process and there will be a full consultation exercise before any changes are made to the Teachers' Pension Scheme.
  Opportunities to introduce other benefits and flexibilities into the Scheme will be fully explored, particularly those that aid the transition from work to retirement.

  We remain fully committed to the provision of a good quality pension scheme for teachers which is valued by the membership and which contributes effectively to the recruitment and retention of teachers.

  Telecommunication Masts
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many planning applications have been made to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department. [124815]
  774W
  Margaret Hodge
  Since August 2001, when the current planning regulations on mobile telecommunications masts came into force, there have been no planning applications and no applications for prior approval to site mobile telecommunications masts on land owned by the Department.

  Tomlinson Inquiry
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress he has made with regard to article 95 of the Tomlinson Inquiry. [126491]

  Mr. Miliband
  A Memorandum of Understanding between the Department and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) was published on QCA's website on 19 June. A copy was placed in the Library on 18 June.

  Training and Enterprise Council
  Paul Holmes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the training and enterprise councils published their final accounts; from where copies can be obtained; and if he will make a statement. [120017]

  Margaret Hodge
  My Department holds copies of the audited statutory accounts for all 72 TECs in England for their final financial year of operation which ended on 25 March 2001.

  Transferable Key Skills
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if assessment of key skills through vocational settings will be balanced by general testing of competencies in transferable key skills. [126783]

  Mr. Ivan Lewis
  Assessment of the key skills qualifications in Communication, Application of Number and Information Technology already combines a portfolio of evidence taken from the mainstream programme (whether vocational or academic) with a short external test.

  University Admissions
  Mr. Boswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students he estimates will defer entry to university in the academic years(a) 2004–05, (b) 2005–06 and (c) 2006–07; and what action he will take to smooth any variation in numbers taking up their courses in those years. [126780]

  Alan Johnson
  The Department does not have information to forecast the number of students that will defer entry to university in the academic years in question.

  We have set out our plans for funding and student numbers in the period up to 2005–06 in the HE White Paper and in the Secretary of State's Grant Letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England. We have no plans to intervene in the normal processes of application and admissions to universities.
  775W
  Mr. Clappison
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he has made an estimate of the number of pupils likely to attend overseas universities as a result of the impact of Office for Fair Access on UK university admissions. [118066]

  Alan Johnson
  The Department has made no such estimates.

  The Government are committed to increasing and widening participation in higher education, and the Office of Fair Access is one of the policies that supports that goal.

  University Research Ratings
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many 5 and 5* rated research departments there are in universities in Liverpool; [124214]

  Name of Unit of Assessment:

  Clinical Dentistry (2)

  Economics and Econometrics (2)

  Anatomy (1)

  Politics and International Studies (4)

  Pharmacy (1)

  Social Policy and Administration (3)

  Environmental Sciences (1)

  Sociology (4)

  Statistics and Operational Research (3)

  Russian, Slavonic and East European Languages (1)

  General Engineering (5)

  History of Art, Architecture and Design (1)

  Town and Country Planning (3)

  Philosophy (5)

  Geography (4)

  Education (6)

  University Students
  Helen Southworth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what evidence he has collated on the equity of participation by(a) women and (b) women from lower family income groups at each of the higher education providers. [117613]

  Alan Johnson
  The available information on all higher education enrolments by gender for 2001/02 is given in the table. The data for individual institutions is not benchmarked, i.e. it takes no account of prior

  Acceptances through UCAS to full-time undergraduate study split by social class and gender, for entry in autumn 2001

  Social class

  Number male

  Percentage male

  Number female

  Percentage female

  Total

  I: Professional

  19,648

  49.4

  20,100

  50.6

  39,748

  II: Intermediate

  55,468

  45.9

  65,363

  54.1

  120,831

  Inn: Skilled Non-Manual

  17,114

  44.1

  21,660

  55.9

  38,774

  IIIm: Skilled Manual

  23,167

  47.9

  25,245

  52.1

  48,412

  IV: Partly Skilled

  10,261

  44.4

  12,853

  55.6

  23,114

  V: Unskilled

  2,760

  49.3

  2,844

  50.7

  5,604

  Unknown

  24,719

  50.5

  24,270

  49.5

  48,989

  Total known

  128,418

  46.4

  148,065

  53.6

  276,483

  Total

  153,137

  47.1

  172,335

  52.9

  325,472

  source:

  Universities and colleges Admissions services (UCAS)

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students are being taught at universities in Liverpool; how many graduates were
  776W
  (2) how many full time academics in higher education institutions in the North West work in departments which face the removal or reduction of recurrent government funding for research; [125491]

  (3) which subjects and how many departments in that subject in the North West's higher education institutions face (a) the reduction and (b) removal of recurrent government funding for research in 2003–04. [125492]

  Alan Johnson
  The University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University have a combined total of 22 departments that received a 5 or a 5* rating in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise. 1,604 research active academic staff (full time equivalents) were included in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise by higher education institutions in the North West region in departments which have had their research grants reduced or discontinued in 2003–04. In the North West region of England as a whole, the following Units of Assessment are facing a reduction of removal of research grants between 2002–03 and 2003–04. The numbers of Departments affected within each subject unit are given in brackets.

  attainment or subject spread. Nor does it take account of any differences there may be in the rates of application.

  Figures with respect to earnings are not held centrally. The closest information available refers to social class by occupation and gender. The corresponding information for 2001/02 covering acceptances to full-time undergraduate study through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is given in the following table. UCAS does not cover part-time undergraduates or postgraduates.

  produced in each of the last five years; and what the drop out rate was as a percentage of total numbers admitted on an annual basis for the last five years. [124213]
  777W
  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The latest information on students and graduates is shown in the first table

  Information on completion and non-completion rates of HE students is published by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) in Performance Indicators in Higher Education'. The

  All students in Liverpool institutions1

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–2

  Liverpool John Moores University

  Enrolments

  20,425

  20,590

  20,130

  20,665

  21,565

  Graduates

  3,365

  3,490

  3,250

  3,580

  3,435

  The University of Liverpool

  Enrolments

  18,310

  19,600

  20,010

  22,450

  22,200

  Graduates

  2,790

  2,740

  2,780

  2,995

  3,220

  1Environment figures are based on a census count as at 1 December and cover all full-time and part-time home and overseas students on postgraduates courses. Graduates figures cover students completing full-time and part-time first degree courses

  Projected learning outcomes full-time student starting first degree courses

  Projected Outcomes1

  Students starting in

  Obtained degree

  Other qualifications2

  Obtained no qualification

  Liverpool John Moores University

  1996–97

  73

  7

  20

  1997–98

  75

  5

  20

  1998–99

  74

  7

  19

  1999–2000

  71

  7

  22

  University of Liverpool

  1996–97

  87

  5

  8

  1997–98

  84

  6

  10

  1998–99

  84

  6

  10

  1999–2000

  89

  4

  7

  1 The projected outcomes are calculated on the assumption that the progression paths of new entrants will be the same as those for students currently in the system.

  2 Includes students who obtain undergraduates qualifications other than a degree (e.g an HND).

  Written Ministerial Statements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department since 29 October 2002. [126608]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  28.

  Youth Unemployment
  Mr. Hendry
  To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many 16 to 18-year-olds are not in education, employment or training; what percentage of 16 to 18-year-olds this represents; and what the figures were for each of the past 10 years. [120528]

  Mr. Stephen Twigg
  The numbers and percentages of 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) for 1992 to 2001 (as at end of calendar year) are set out in the table. The figures for end 2001 are provisional.

  16 to 18-year-olds NEET in England

  Year end

  Number (Thousand)

  Percentage

  1992

  197

  11

  1993

  173

  10

  1994

  152

  9

  1995

  159

  9

  778W
  latest data available are shown in the second following table. Figures for students starting courses in 2000–01 will be published in December 2003.

  Figures published in 2002 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) show that the UK as a whole has one of the lowest non-completion rates among OECD countries.

  16 to 18-year-olds NEET in England

  Year end

  Number (Thousand)

  Percentage

  1996

  169

  10

  1997

  170

  9

  1998

  183

  10

  1999

  156

  9

  2000

  172

  9

  2001

  173

  9

  Note:

  The percentages do not include any revisions following the 2001 census

  These estimates are taken from the latest annual statistical first release, 'SFR 16/2002: Participation in Education, Training and Employment by 16–18 Year Olds in England: 2000 and 2001'.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

  Speeding
  John Barrett
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much money was raised from fines for speeding caught on speed cameras, in each year since 1997. [124073]

  Mr. Leslie
  The information available relates to England and Wales and only to those cameras covered by the special schemes introduced in April 2002, to facilitate investment in safety cameras. In 2003–03, the revenue from these cameras was £73 million.

  Revenues are initially collected by the magistrates courts, part of which is transferred to the Department for Transport to cover the assessed cost of operating the schemes. Of the £73 million, approximately £66 million was transferred to the Department for Transport for distribution to the various partnerships of the scheme in England and Wales and approximately £7 million was paid to the Consolidated Fund.

  Children (Paternal Access)
  Mr. Soley
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the powers of the courts to enforce paternal access to children following relationship breakdown; and if he will make a statement. [125801]
  779W
  Margaret Hodge
  I have been asked to reply.

  The courts already have powers under the Children Act 1998 to respond to any refusal to obey the court order for contact. The High Court and county court may impose a fixed prison sentence, not exceeding two years (two months in the magistrates court). A fine not exceeding £2,500 may also be imposed. The court may also change the residence of the child from one parent to the other. In considering any penalty, the courts take into account its likely impact on the child's welfare. The Government acknowledges that it is unsatisfactory for contact orders to be flouted with impunity and for children to be denied contact with one of their parents, when the court has found this to be in their interests.

  In response to the "Making Contact Work" report of the Children Act Sub-Committee (CASC) of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Board on Family Law, the Government have been reviewing current enforcement mechanisms. A final response to this report will be published later in the summer.

  Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
  Julie Morgan
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress has been made by CAFCASS in Wales in tackling the waiting list for guardian ad litem cases. [120956]

  Margaret Hodge
  Progress is being made by CAFCASS in managing and reducing the waiting list of public law cases dealt with by Guardians in Wales. CAFCASS has developed a protocol with local Social Services to avoid delays, including a system for prioritising waiting lists, continuing to recruit frontline staff and training of its officers to work on both public and private law cases which will increase the flexibility of its workforce. If workloads do not increase above current levels, the aim is that waiting lists will be cleared by March 2004.

  Departmental Costs
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost that will be incurred in departmental name changes consequent on the creation of the department; and what he estimates the total costs associated with the creation of his new Department will be. [123349]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department for Constitutional Affairs estimates that the costs that will be incurred in changing the Department's name are around £40,000. This covers e-mail and website changes, stationery and signage. It is too soon to give an accurate estimate of the total costs associated with the creation of the new Department.

  Departmental Policies
  Mr. Gordon Prentice
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what policies(a) initiated and (b) managed by his Department and its predecessor since 2001 have had an impact on Pendle; and if he will make a statement. [124092]
  780W
  Mr. Lammy
  The Department for Constitutional Affairs, and before it the Lord Chancellor's Department, is responsible for the administration of the courts and tribunals, for legal services, civil and family law and for a range of constitutional matters. We are improving the management and effectiveness of the services we provide and are responding to customer needs, including working closely with other agencies to ensure the effective delivery of justice, a fair and effective system of civil and administrative law, to protect the vulnerable, to increase consumer choice in legal services, to modernise the constitution and to ensure proper access to information by citizens.

  The East Lancashire with Blackburn Community Legal Service (CLS) Partnership, which includes the area covered by Pendle parliamentary constituency, has been set up to improve local access to good quality legal and advice services. In particular, funding from the second round of the Partnership Initiative Budget (£136,000) will allow Pendle Citizens Advice Bureau to develop a rural information service to communities across the Pendle area.

  EU Committees
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, if he will list(a) the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU committee on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, (b) the number of times, and the dates, on which it has met since January 2002, (c) the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, (d) the decisions it has made since January 2002 and (e) the means used to communicate the decisions to the House. [110312]

  Mr. Lammy
  This is the committee of representatives of EU member states' Governments that is established by Article 31 of the EC Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC). The UK representation is provided by an official from my Department. Since January 2002, the committee has met six times: on 8 February 2002, 6 and 7 June 2002, 12 December 2002, 21 February 2003, 15 and 16 May 2003 and 11 July 2003. The committee makes no decisions. Its function is to assist the European Commission in the decisions that the Commission takes relating to the adequacy of data protection in countries outside the EU. Since January 2002 the committee has given favourable opinions on draft Commission decisions that Argentina and Guernsey provide adequate data protection. The committee has also had preliminary discussions of other matters that could lead to Commission decisions, such as the Commission's current discussions with the United States' authorities about the disclosure of airline passenger information. The Commission keeps the committee informed about a wide range of matters relating to data protection. These have included: the activities of the working party of data protection supervisory authorities set up under Article 29 of the Directive; the appointment of the European Data Protection Supervisor; and the Commission's first report on the implementation of the Directive.
  781W
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many officials in the Lord Chancellor's Department serve on EU committees or working parties. [116088]

  Mr. Lammy
  Membership of EU Committees, Working Parties and Working Groups is not fixed, therefore, depending on the subject matter under consideration, the most appropriate policy officials attend meetings of EU Committees, Working Parties and Working Groups. Information on the overall number of policy officials who are required to attend EU Committees, Working Parties and Working Groups is not held.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs 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. [126207]

  Mr. Leslie
  The Department for Constitutional Affairs came into existence on 12 June 2003. Its predecessor, the Lord Chancellor's Department, had outsourced two IT contracts since 1997 and both are ongoing. The first with CSL who now trade as Liberata was let in December 1997, the second with ICL who now trade as Fujitsu Services was let in December 1998.

  The estimated value of the contract with Liberata is £205 million and has not been re-negotiated. This contract is for financial and accounting services and a supported desktop service and infrastructure.

  The estimated value of the contract with Fujitsu Services is £232 million and was re-negotiated in May 2000 and again in July 2002. This contract is designed to provide a modern national infrastructure to the magistrates courts service and a replacement case management system.

  Judges
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether he plans to amend the provisions relating to judges'(a) security of tenure, (b) salaries and pensions and (c) discipline. [126748]

  Mr. Leslie
  There are no plans to amend the security of tenure of Judges.

  Paragraph 99 of the consultation paper "Constitutional Reform: A New Way of Appointing Judges" published on 14 July explains that responsibility for Judicial pay and pensions will remain a matter for the Government but that there could be a role for the proposed Judicial Appointments Commission in giving evidence to the Review Body on Senior Salaries on the appropriate level of Judicial salaries.

  Options for the future arrangements for the discipline of judges are discussed in detail in paragraphs 100–108 of the consultation paper. A copy of this paper is in the Member's library, and can also be found on the internet at www.dca.gov.uk/consult/jacommission/.

  Queen's Counsel
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will abolish the QC system; and if he will make a statement. [120009]

  Mr. Leslie
  I refer my hon. Friend to the response given by my noble and learned Friend the Secretary of State and Lord Chancellor, the Lord Falconer of Thoroton, in response to a question from Earl Ferrers, on 16 June 2003,Official Report, House of Lords, column 522. I also refer my hon. Friend to the written answer given by my noble and learned Friend on 19 June 2003, column WA131 as to the timetable for consultation on this issue.

  Race Relations
  Angela Eagle
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress has been made in the Lord Chancellor's Department and non-departmental public bodies on implementing the requirements of the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000; and if he will publish the results of the monitoring required by the Act. [117472]

  Mr. Lammy
  The Department for Constitutional Affairs is fully committed to providing equality of opportunity and valuing diversity in everything it does. Our Race Equality Scheme was published by the Lord Chancellor's Department (as it then was) in May 2002 and sets out the action the Department will take to meet its statutory duties under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. The Scheme identifies the policies and functions of the Department that have a high relevance to meeting the general statutory duty and outlines the programme of action that is being undertaken in each case in order to meet that duty. Diversity awareness training has been provided for all permanent staff and we have incorporated diversity awareness into induction training for new staff. In accordance with the requirements of the Act we will publish a summary of the assessments, consultation exercises and monitoring we carry out and this will be included as part of the Equality and Diversity Annual Report. We will conduct a review of the Scheme in 2004 to assess which of our functions and policies are relevant to meeting the statutory duties and will publish a revised Scheme by 1 April 2005.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs 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. [126686]

  Mr. Leslie
  Between 31 March 2001 and 1 April 2003 the Special Adviser in my Department travelled abroad on one occasion, at cost of £374.00 per trip. Information for the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 2000 is already in the public domain. All travel by Special Advisers is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code, and the Civil Service Management Code.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

  Burundi
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions his Department has had with the Burundi transitional government regarding establishing a Burundian Protection Force to replace the South African troops [126402]

  Mr. Mullin
  The South African Government has committed troops to form the VIP protection force guarding returning exiled Hutu politicians. Under the agreement between the governments of South Africa and Burundi, the South African National Defence Force would provide training for their Burundian replacements. The implementation of this arrangement is a matter for the two governments.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions the Department has had with the Governments of(a) Senegal, (b) Nigeria and (c) Ghana, on the troops pledged to Burundi. [126403]

  Mr. Mullin
  We are in regular contact with the governments of Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana. Each would require a total ceasefire to be in place before committing troops to Burundi. An all-inclusive ceasefire has not yet been achieved. South Africa, Mozambique and Ethiopia have now committed approximately 3,000 troops to the African Union led African Mission in Burundi. We have provided £3.9 million to the Mozambican Government to help equip their contingent.

  Family Visit Visas
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to ensure that would-be sponsors of refused family visit visa applicants are aware of the benefits of an oral appeal. [120759]

  Mr. Mullin
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 25 June 2003,Official Report, column 813W.

  Madrid Initiative
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which UK Government officials attended the Canberra meeting on 11 July to discuss the Madrid initiative; what was(a) agreed and (b) discussed at the meeting; and when and where the next meeting will be held. [126465]

  Mr. Rammell
  [holding answer 17 July 2003]: The meeting to discuss the proliferation and security initiative took place in Brisbane on 9 and 10 July. The UK delegation to the meeting was led by the Director for International Security at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. He was supported by officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

  There was wide-ranging discussion about how to take forward the initiative following on from the first meeting held in Madrid in June. The chairman of the meeting
  784W
  issued a statement covering the discussions. This can be found on the Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) internet website at www.dfat.gov.au/globalissues.

  It is likely that the next meeting will be held in France in early September.

  Progressive Governance Conference
  Mr. Pickles
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Government Department will be financially responsible for the cost of the Progressive Governance Conference held between 11 and 14 July; and how much the event cost [126412]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Progressive Governance Conference from 11–13 July was organised and paid for by the think-tank Policy Network. No Government Department was involved.

  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office organised the Progressive Governance Summit on 13–14 July for the heads of state or government of 14 countries. The cost of organising the Summit is estimated at 130,000. Final figures will be available in due course.

  Ambassadors
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many ambassadors he has appointed since 1997; and if he will list them. [125522]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  Since May 1997, the following heads of mission have been appointed:

  Country

  Appointed

  Afghanistan

  Dr. Rosalind Marsden (Due October 2003)

  Ronald Nash LVO (May 2002)

  Albania

  Richard Jones (Due October 2003)

  Dr. David Landsman (July 2001)

  Dr. Peter January (March 1999)

  Stephen Nash (May 1998)

  Algeria

  Graham Hand (July 2002)

  Richard Edis, deceased (September 2001)

  William Sin ton (July 1999)

  Francois Gordon (November 1997)

  Angola

  John Thompson MBE (February 2002)

  Caroline Elms (September 1998)

  Antigua and Barbuda

  John White (August 2001)

  Gordon Baker (August 1998)

  Argentina

  Sir Robin Christopher KBE, CMG (December 2000)

  William Marsden (July 1997)

  Armenia

  Thorhilda Abbott- Watt (December 2002)

  Timothy Jones (November 1999)

  Australia

  Sir Alastair Goodlad KCMG (May 1999)

  Austria

  John Macgregor CVO (April 2003)

  Antony Ford (September 2000)

  Azerbaijan

  Dr. Lawrence Bristow (Due December 2003)

  Andrew Tucker (November 2000)

  Roger Thomas (July 1997)

  The Bahamas

  Roderick Gemmell QBE (March 2003)

  Peter Heigl (July 1999)

  Bahrain

  Robin Lamb (Due August 2003)

  Peter Ford (April 1999)

  Bangladesh

  David Carter CVO (January 2000)

  Barbados

  John White (August 2001)

  Belarus

  Brian Bennett (March 2003)

  Iain Kelly (April 1999)

  Belgium

  Gavin Hewitt (February 2001)

  Belize

  Philip Priestley (July 2001)

  Timothy David (April 1998)

  Bolivia

  William Sinton QBE (October 2001)

  Graham Minter (August 1998)

  785W

  Country

  Appointed

  Bosnia and Herzegovina

  Ian Cliff OBE (October 2001)

  Graham Hand (July 1998)

  Botswana

  David Merry CMG (August 2001)

  John Wilde (May 1998)

  Brazil

  Sir Roger Bone KCMG (May 1999)

  Brunei

  Andrew Caie (January 2002)

  Stuart Laing (July 1998)

  Bulgaria

  Ian Soutar (December 2001)

  Richard Stagg (July 1998)

  Burma

  Victoria Bowman (December 2002)

  John Jenkins (April 1999)

  Cambodia

  Stephen Bridges LVO (December 2000)

  Christopher Edgar (July 1997)

  Cameroon

  Richard Wildash LVO (June 2002)

  George Boon (February 1998)

  Canada

  David Reddaway CMG MBE (Due August 2003)

  Sir Andrew Burns (July 2000)

  Chile

  Richard Wilkinson CVO (Due August 2003)

  Greg Faulkner (April 2000)

  Dame Glynne Evans (June 1997)

  China

  Sir Christopher Hum KCMG (March 2001)

  Sir Anthony Galsworthy (May 1997)

  Colombia

  Thomas Duggin (August 2001)

  Jeremy Thorp (May 1998)

  Congo (Democratic Republic)

  James Atkinson (May 2000)

  Doug Scrafton (June 1998)

  Costa Rica

  Georgina Butler (March 2002)

  Peter Spicely (January 1999)

  Alan Green (September 1997)

  Cote d'lvoire

  Francois Gordon CMG (June 2001)

  Haydon Warren-Gash (October 1997)

  Croatia

  Colin Munro (August 1997)

  Nicholas Jarrold (November 2000)

  Cuba

  Paul Hare LVO (July 2001)

  David Ridgway (July 1998)

  Cyprus

  Lyn Parker (September 2001)

  Edward Clay (March 1999)

  Czech Republic

  Anne Pringle (November 2001)

  David Broucher (October 1997)

  Denmark

  Sir Nicholas Browne KBE CMG (Due August 2003)

  Philip Astley (June 1999)

  Dominica

  John White (August 2001)

  Gordon Baker (March 1998)

  Dominican Republic

  Andrew Ashcroft (July 2002)

  David Ward (September 1998)

  East Timor

  Hamish Daniel MBE (May 2,002)

  Ecuador

  Richard Lewington (June 2003)

  Ian Gerken (February 2000)

  John Forbes-Meyler (June 1997)

  Egypt

  Sir Derek Plumbly KCMG (Due September 2003)

  John Sawers (September 2001)

  Sir Graham Boyce (February 1999)

  El Salvador

  Patrick Morgan (July 1999)

  Eritrea

  Michael Murray (March 2002)

  Myles Wickstead (November 2000)

  Gordon Wetherell (September 1997)

  Estonia

  Nigel Haywood (Due November 2003)

  Sarah Squire (September 2000)

  Timothy Craddock (September 1997)

  Ethiopia

  Myles Wickstead (November 2000)

  Gordon Wetherell (November 1997)

  Fiji

  Charles Mochan (December 2002)

  Michael Price (October 2000)

  Michael Dibben (Decembr 1997)

  Finland

  Mathew Kirk (July 2002)

  Alyson Bailes (January 2001)

  Gavin Hewitt (September 1997)

  France

  Sir John Holmes KBE CVO CMG (October 2001)

  The Gambia

  Eric Jenkinson (December 2002)

  John Perrott (April 2000)

  Tony Millson (March 1998)

  Georgia

  Richard Jenkins (January 1998)

  Deborah Barnes Jones (April 2001)

  Germany

  Sir Peter Torry KCMG (May 2003)

  Sir Paul Lever (December 1997)

  Ghana

  Rod Pullen (October 2000)

  Greece

  Sir David Madden KCMG (December 1998)

  Grenada

  John White (August 2001)

  Gordon Baker (March 1998)

  786W

  Country

  Appointed

  Guatemala

  Richard Lavers (October 2001)

  Andrew Forbes (July 1998)

  Guinea

  David Jones (May 2000)

  Guyana

  Stephen Hiscock (August 2002)

  Edward Glover (November 1998)

  Holy See

  Kathryn Colvin (July 2002)

  Mark Pellew (January 1998)

  Honduras

  Kay Coombs (September 2002)

  David Osborne (July 1998)

  Hungary

  John Nichols (Due August 2003)

  Nigel Thorpe (April 1998)

  Iceland

  John Culver LVO (January 2001)

  India

  Michael Arthur (Due October 2003)

  Sir Rob Young (January 1999)

  Indonesia

  Richard Gozney CMG (August 2000)

  Iran

  Richard Dalton CMG (December 2002)

  Sir Nicholas Browne (May 1999)

  Ireland

  Stewart Eldon CMG QBE (April 2003)

  Sir Ivor Roberts (February 1999)

  Israel

  Simon McDonald (Due August 2003)

  Sherard Cowper-Coles CMG LVO (September 2001)

  Francis Cornish (September 1998)

  Italy

  Sir Ivor Roberts KCMG (May 2003)

  Sir John Shepherd (July 2000)

  Jamaica

  Peter Mathers (July 2002)

  Anthony Smith (March 1999)

  Japan

  Sir Stephen Gomersall KCMG (May 1999)

  Jordan

  Christopher Prentice (June 2002)

  Edward Chaplin (May 2000)

  Kazakhstan

  James Sharp (October 2002)

  Richard Lewington (February 1999)

  Kenya

  Edward Clay (December 2001)

  Jeffrey James (July 1997)

  Korea (North)

  David Slinn (November 2002)

  Korea (South)

  Warwick Morris (Due November 2003)

  Charles Humfrey (July 2000)

  Kuwait

  Christopher Wilton (August 2002)

  Richard Muir (December 1998)

  Latvia

  Andrew Tesoriere (March 2002)

  Stephen Nash (July 1999)

  Lebanon

  Richard Kinchen (December 2000)

  Lesotho

  Francis Martin (April 2002)

  Kaye Oliver (December 1998)

  Libya

  Anthony Layden (October 2002)

  Richard Dalton (November 1999)

  Lithuania

  Jeremy Hill (September 2001)

  Luxembourg

  Gordon Wetherell (September 2000)

  William Ehrman (September 1998)

  Macedonia

  George Edgar (September 2001)

  Madagascar

  Brian Donaldson (October 2002)

  Charles Mochan (July 1999)

  Malawi

  Norman Ling (September 2001)

  George Finlyason (May 1998)

  Malaysia

  Bruce Cleghorn (November 2001)

  Graham Fry (June 1998)

  Mali

  Alan Burner (August 2000)

  Graeme Loten (October 2001)

  Malta

  Vincent Fean (September 2002)

  Howard Pearce (June 1999)

  Mauritius

  David Snoxell (September 2000)

  James Daly (May 1997)

  Mexico

  Denise Holt CMG (June 2002)

  Adrian Thorpe (October 1998)

  Moldova

  Bernard Whiteside MBE (April 2002)

  Richard Ralph (August 1999)

  Mongolia

  Philip Rouse MBE (December 2001)

  Kay Coombs (July 1999)

  Morocco

  Haydon Warren-Gash (July 2002)

  Anthony Layden (March 1999)

  Mozambique

  Robert Dewar (August 2000)

  Namibia

  Alasdair MacDermott (April 2002)

  Brian Donaldson (January 1999)

  Nepal

  Keith Bloomneld (June 2002)

  Ronald Nash (March 1999)

  Netherlands

  Sir Colin Budd KCMG (April 2001)

  New Zealand

  Richard Fell (December 2001)

  Martin Williams OBE (April 1998)

  Nicaragua

  Timothy Brownbill (November 2002)

  Harry Wiles (September 2000)

  Roy Osborne (July 1997)

  Nigeria

  Philip Thomas (March 2001)

  Sir Graham Burton (May 1997)

  787W

  Country

  Appointed

  Norway

  Alison Leslie (September 2002)

  Sir Richard Dales (July 1998)

  Oman

  Stuart Laing (April 2002)

  Sir Ivan Callan (February 1999)

  Pakistan

  Mark Lyall Grant CMG (May 2003)

  Sir Hilary Synnott (October 2000)

  Sir David Dain (May 1997)

  Panama

  James Malcolm OBE (March 2002)

  Robert Davies (March 1999)

  Papua New Guinea

  David Gordon-Macleod (Due November 2003)

  Simon Scaddan (March 2000)

  CharlesDrace-Francis (December 1997)

  Paraguay

  Anthony Cantor (November 2001)

  Andrew George (October 1998)

  Peru

  Richard Ralph CMG CVO (May 2003)

  Roger Hart (June 1999)

  Philippines

  Paul Dimond (April 2002)

  Alan Collins (December 1998)

  Poland

  Charles Crawford CMG (Due November 2003)

  The hon. Sir Michael Pakenham (January 2001)

  John Macgregor (September 1998)

  Portugal

  Dame Glynne Evans DBE CMG (September 2001)

  Sir John Holmes (June 1999)

  Qatar

  David MacLennan (June 2002)

  David Wright (June1997)

  Romania

  Quinton Quayle (November 2002)

  Richard Ralph (August 1999)

  Russia

  Sir Roderic Lyne KBE CMG (January 2000)

  Rwanda

  Susan Hogwood MBE (July 2001)

  Graeme Loten (May 1998)

  Saudi Arabia

  Sherard Cowper-Coles CMG LVO (Due September 2003)

  Derek Plumbly (June 2000)

  Senegal

  Alan Burner (August 2000)

  Serbia and Montenegro (formerly Yugoslavia)

  David Gowan (Due September 2003)

  Charles Crawford CMG (January 2001)

  Brian Donnelly (November 1997)

  Seychelles

  Fraser Wilson (May 2002)

  John Yapp (November 1997)

  Sierra Leone

  Dr. John Mitchiner (Due August 2003)

  David Jones (May 2000)

  Peter Penfold (March 1997)

  Singapore

  Alan Collins CMG (December 2002)

  Sir Stephen Brown (March 2001)

  Alan Hunt (August 1997)

  Slovakia

  Roderic Todd (November 2001)

  David Lyscom (October 1998)

  Slovenia

  Hugh Mortimer LVO (January 2001)

  Solomon Islands

  Brian Baldwin (May 2001)

  Alan Waters (September 1998)

  South Africa

  Ann Grant (October 2001)

  Spain

  Stephen Wright CMG (May 2003)

  Peter Torry (September 1998)

  Country

  Appointed

  UK Mission to the UN (New York)

  Sir Emyr Jones Parry KCMG (Due July 2003)

  Sir Jeremy Greenstock (August 1998)

  UK Mission to the UN and other international organisations (Geneva)

  Nicholas Thorne CMG (Due Autumn 2003)

  Simon Fuller CMG (January 2000)

  Roderic Lyne (May 1997)

  UK Mission to the UN (Vienna)

  Peter Jenkins (August 2001)

  UK Permanent Representation to the Conference on Disarmament (Geneva)

  David Broucher (October 2001)

  Ian Soutar (August 1997)

  UK delegation to the OSCE (Vienna)

  Colin Munro (Due November 2003)

  John de Fonblanque (June 1999)

  UK delegation to NATO (Brussels)

  Peter Ricketts CMG (Due July 2003)

  Sir Emyr Jones Parry (September 2001)

  Sir David Manning (December 2000)

  UK delegation to the WEU (Brussels)

  Peter Gooderham (Due August 2003)

  David Richmond (March 2000)

  UK delegation to the OECD (Paris)

  David Lyscom (Due January 2004)

  Christopher Crabbie (June 1999)

  UK Permanent Representative to the EU (Brussels)

  John Grant CMG (Due August 2003)

  Sir Nigel Sheinwald KCMG (August 2000)

  788W

  Country

  Appointed

  Sri Lanka

  Stephen Evans QBE (July 2002)

  Linda Duffield (January 1999)

  Sudan

  William Patey (Sepember 2002)

  Richard Makepeace (July 1999)

  Swaziland

  David Reader (September 2001)

  Neil Hook (October 1999)

  Sweden

  Anthony Cary (Due August 2003)

  John Grant CMG (April 1999)

  Switzerland

  Simon Featherstone (Due March 2004)

  Basil Eastwood (August 2001)

  Syria

  Peter Ford (Due September 2003)

  Henry Hogger (June 2000)

  Tajikistan

  Michael Smith (May 2002)

  Christopher Ingham (February 1999)

  Tanzania

  Richard Clarke (August 2001)

  Bruce Dinwiddy (April 1998)

  Thailand

  David Fall (July 2003)

  Barney Smith (March 2000)

  Tonga

  Paul Nessling (January 2002)

  Brian Connelly (August 1998)

  Trinidad and Tobago

  Richard Harborne (July 1999)

  Tunisia

  Robin Kealy CMG (January 2002)

  Ivor Rawlinson (February 1999)

  Turkey

  Peter Westmacott CMG LVO (January 2002)

  Turkmenistan

  Paul Brummell (February 2002)

  Fraser Wilson (July 1998)

  Uganda

  Adam Wood (October 2002)

  Tom Vaughan (May 2000)

  Ukraine

  Robert Brinkley (August 2002)

  Roland Smith (May 1999)

  United Arab Emirates

  Richard Makepeace (March 2003)

  Patrick Nixon (November 1998)

  United States of America

  Sir David Manning KCMG (Summer 2003)

  Sir Christopher Meyers (October 1997)

  Uruguay

  John Everard (September 2001)

  Andrew Murray (May 1998)

  Uzbekistan

  Craig Murray (September 2002)

  Christopher Ingham (February 1999)

  Vanuatu

  Michael Hill (November 2000)

  Venezuela

  Donald Lamont (Due August 2003)

  Dr. Edgar Hughes (July 2000)

  Vietnam

  Robert Gordon CMG OBE (Due September 2003)

  Warwick Morris (June 2000)

  Yemen

  Frances Guy (March 2001)

  Victor Henderson (October 1997)

  Zambia

  Timothy David (May 2002)

  Thomas Nesbitt (January 1998)

  Zimbabwe

  Sir Brian Donnelly KBE CMG (June 2001)

  Peter Longworth (April 1998)

  And permanent Representative who have the personal rank of ambassador:
  789W

  Country

  Appointed

  UK delegation to the Council of Europe (Strasbourg)

  Stephen Howarth (March 2003)

  Andrew Carter (August 1997)

  Appointments
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the people appointed to ad hoc posts within his Department bearing the titles of advocate, tsar, adviser, champion and comparable titles since May 1997; what their job title is or was; what their role is or was; whether they were or are being paid; what the total cost of each such person was in each financial year, including expenses

  Name

  Area

  Comments

  Dates

  Sir Brian Fall

  South Caucasus

  Current

  Lord Hannay

  Cyprus

  Recently retired and not being replaced

  1996–2003

  Alan Goulty

  Sudan

  Accountable to the Foreign Secretary and the International Development Secretary

  Current

  John Sawers

  Iraq

  About to be replaced by Jeremy Greenstock

  Current

  Michael Ryder

  International drugs issues

  Role about to come to an end

  Current

  Tom Phillips

  Afghanistan

  UK Special Representative

  Current

  Ian Whitting

  Great Lakes

  Current

  Sir Jeffrey James

  Nepal

  Appointed by the Foreign Secretary and accountable to the Prime Minister

  Current

  Lord Levy is my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Special Envoy on the Middle East. He is unpaid; the FCO provides accommodation and, on occasions, logistic support.

  Arctic Convoys (Medals)
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 19 November 2002,Official Report, column 35W, whether the Russian Government have asked for the Defence of the Soviet Arctic Region Medal to be officially recognised since 19 November 2002. [126566]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Russian Government have not requested permission for the Defence of the Arctic Region medal (DSARM) to be officially recognised by the Government since 19 November 2002.

  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is aware that British veterans of the Second World War Arctic Convoys feel strongly about this issue and are keen to accept the Russian medal. We are sympathetic and keen to give a positive response should the Russian Government formally seek the Government's authority to award the DSARM to British citizens.

  Arms Exports
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to ensure that military equipment manufactured in the UK is not used by oppressive regimes or politically unstable countries. [126232]
  790W
  and benefits; what the expected cost of each such person is in 2003–04; to whom they are accountable; and if he will make a statement. [112464]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has two paid special advisers. All current paid special representatives are as listed. We are unable to provide historic records without incurring disproportionate costs. For the cost of the special advisers I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow) on 28 April 2003,Official Report, column 133W. I am withholding further remuneration details under exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Rammell
  The United Kingdom has one of the strictest and most transparent arms export licensing systems of any country. All export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria, taking account of the circumstances prevailing at the time and other announced Government policies. Our criteria clearly set out our commitment to take account of the risk that exports might be diverted within the buyer country, re-exported under undesirable conditions, used for internal repression or external aggression, or to abuse human rights.

  This Government continues to strengthen strategic export controls. The Export Control Act's secondary legislation is to be laid in October. It will introduce tough new controls on trafficking and brokering, the intangible transfer of military technology, and technical assistance. It is a significant step forward. It will ensure the UK cannot be used as a base for irresponsible trade in arms to undesirable destinations.

  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to ensure that military equipment manufactured in the UK is not being used in Aceh. [126229]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  I visited Indonesia on 3–4 June 2003, and raised the issue of British-supplied military equipment with President Megawati and senior members of the Indonesian government. I reminded them of the assurances that British built military equipment should not be used offensively or to violate
  791W
  human rights, and warned of the possible consequences for defence sales and defence relationships if there was a breach of the assurances.

  Our Embassy in Jakarta regularly raises the assurances with the Indonesian Government, including senior military contacts. Our Embassy receives information from as wide a range of sources as possible, as well as from the Government, to monitor the use of British-built equipment. These include international agencies, NGOs, other observers and the media.

  We have had no confirmed reports that British-built military equipment has been violating the assurances, but are monitoring the situation. We will follow up all credible allegations on the misuse of British-military equipment.

  BAE Systems (Contracts)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the BAE Systems contracts the Foreign Office are helping with. [126457]

  Mr. Rammell
  Our posts overseas are providing support to a number of companies, including BAE Systems, in line with their normal duties. This includes assistance with sales and marketing campaigns. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not, however, involved in any BAE Systems contracts at this time.

  British Consulate (San Francisco)
  Mrs. Dunwoody
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the grades were of the civil servants, and what the total cost was of, the visits of two groups of civil servants to San Francisco to inspect the British Consulate, broken down by(a) travel, (b) subsistence and (c) other costs; how many other properties they inspected; and what length of time was taken for the two visits.[121456]

  Mr. Rammell
  The first visit took place in March 2002 and the second in March 2003.

  The first comprised three D Band (Home Civil Service Principal equivalent) officers from different sections of our estate departments in Croydon. Two visited for five working days, and one for two, to inspect properties the Post had short-listed as potentially suitable as a new Residence. The cost of the three return flights was £11,986. Subsistence totalled £2,031. There would also have been some minor local expenditure on transport within San Francisco and photocopying.

  The second visit also comprised three people: one from the Senior Management Structure (SMS) of the FCO, one D Band officer and one external adviser. The combined cost of air fares was £11,612. The SMS officer and the Estate Adviser spent five days in San Francisco but the D Band officer remained for a further six days (including the weekend) for a detailed technical investigation of the property selected. Subsistence totalled £4,026. Sundry expenditure including telephone calls totalled approximately £55. Local transport was arranged and paid for by the Consulate-General and the total cost is not readily available.

  Burma
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ask(a) Standard Chartered Bank and (b) Cordiant Communications to withdraw from Burma. [125924]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The two biggest investors in Burma, BAT and Premier Oil, have been asked to withdraw their investment in Burma. I have made clear that our policy is not to encourage UK companies who trade or invest in Burma while the regime continues to suppress the basic human rights of its people. All British companies that inquire about the prospects either for trade with or investment in Burma are informed of this policy.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the value of imports of clothing from Burma was in the past two financial years. [125925]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  According to figures from HM Customs and Excise, the value of apparel and clothing accessories imported in to the UK from Burma in 2002 was approximately £50 million. In 2001 the value of such imports was approximately £52 million.

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place a proposal for an EU-wide ban on new investment in Burma on the agenda at the EU Foreign Ministers meeting on 21 July. [125929]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  We have long been at the forefront of EU action to maintain and increase targeted pressure on the Burmese regime. We are currently pursuing with EU colleagues what additional economic and diplomatic action is required to ensure that national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy becomes a reality in Burma. Burma is not currently on the agenda for the EU Foreign Ministers meeting on 21 July. However, Burma will be a key focus during discussions at the ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting on 23–24 July.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [126663]

  Mr. Straw
  Between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003, special advisers in my Department travelled abroad to the following places. The cost for each visit is included. All travel by special advisers is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code, and the Civil Service Management Code.

  Date

  Michael Williams

  18 April 2002

  Geneva

  Flight: RAF

  Accommodation: Nil

  Subsistence: £22.88

  Total: £22.88

  793W

  Date

  26–28 April 2002

  Kosovo

  Flight: £1,227.40

  Accommodation: £87.56

  Subsistence: £63.92

  Total: £1,378.88

  14–16 May 2002

  China

  Flight: £3,415.50

  Train: £233

  Accommodation: £183.24

  Subsistence £391.35

  Total: £4,223.09

  27–29 May 2002

  Berlin, Pakistan, India

  Flight: Charter

  Accommodation: £136.30

  Subsistence: £36.88

  Total: £173.18

  13–21 July 2002

  China, Japan, Hong Kong, India

  Flight: £2,464.40

  Accommodation: £470.57

  Subsistence: £228.51

  Total: £3,163.48

  10–16 September 2002

  New York

  Flight: £2,448.30

  Accommodation: £1,414.17

  Subsistence: £335.91

  Total: £4,198.38

  7–10 October 2002

  Paris, Cairo, Amman, Kuwait, Tehran

  Flight: Charter

  Accommodation: Official residences

  Subsistence: £59.81

  Total: £59.81

  5–6 November 2002

  Belgrade, Pristina, Sarajevo

  Flight: RAF

  Accommodation: £95.41

  Subsistence: £29.04

  Total: £124.45

  1–4 December 2002

  Tokyo

  Flight: £2,943.10

  Accommodation: £191.14

  Subsistence: £55.08

  Total: £3,189.32

  5–6 December 2002

  Copenhagen

  Flight: £637.10

  Accommodation: £81.67

  Subsistence: £103.67

  Total: £822.44

  7–11 January 2003

  Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia

  Flight: £4,844.70

  Accommodation: £82.95

  Subsistence: £94.33

  Total: £5,021.98

  10–11 March 2003

  Brussels

  Eurostar: £202.50

  Accommodation: £111.11

  Subsistence: £103.93

  Total: £417.54

  15 March 2003

  Belgrade

  Flight: RAF

  Accommodation: Nil

  Subsistence: Nil

  Total: Nil

  Ed Owen

  22–23 April 2002

  Valencia

  Flight: RAF

  Accommodation: £98.55

  Subsistence: £45.51

  Total: £144.06

  3 May 2002

  Gibraltar

  Flight: RAF

  Accommodation: Nil

  Subsistence: Nil

  Total: Nil

  7–8 May 2002

  Washington

  Flight: £2,771.70

  Accommodation: £147.42

  Subsistence: £53.15

  Total: £2,972.27

  27 May 2002

  Berlin

  Flight (Charter/Commercial): £348.60

  Accommodation: Nil

  Subsistence: Nil

  Total: £348.60

  794W

  Date

  29–30 August 2002

  Helsingborg

  Flight (RAF/Commercial): £371.44

  Accommodation: £97.49

  Subsistence: £45

  Total: £513.93

  14–15 October 2002

  Washington, Chicago

  Flight: £3,584

  Accommodation: £135.72

  Subsistence: £79.51

  Total: £3,799.23

  2–4 December 2002

  Bonn, Berlin, Ankara. Slovenia

  Flight: RAF

  Accommodation: Ambassador's

  Subsistence: £15.38

  Total: £15.38

  22–23 January 2003

  Washington

  Flight: £2,594.30

  Accommodation: £110.24

  Subsistence: £48.54

  Total: £2,753.08

  Cayman Islands
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department had with the Chief Justice regarding(a) the Attorney General of the Cayman Islands and (b) the Head of the Financial Reporting Unit in the Cayman Islands, prior to their resignations; and what actions have been taken since. [120274]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Governor of the Cayman Islands discussed a number of different issues with the Chief Justice and representatives of the Cayman Islands Government following the early ending of the Eurobank trial. The Financial Reporting Unit continues temporarily to operate under an Acting Head, and the Cayman Islands Solicitor General is Acting Attorney General pending the appointment of a successor.

  China
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Chinese authorities concerning(a) the repatriation of North Korean refugees in China, (b) the refusal by the Chinese Government to allow the UNHCR access to the North Koreans who have fled into China and (c) China's obligations under the 1951 UN Convention on the Treatment of Refugees. [126395]

  Mr. Rammell
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Ms Atherton) on 28 April 2003,Official Report, column 126W.

  Correspondence
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will respond to the letter of 9 October 2002 from the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle regarding arms export controls. [126956]

  Mr. Rammell
  A substantive reply was sent to the hon. Member on 14 July 2003 by my Noble Friend Baroness Symons, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, together with an apology for the long delay in responding.

  Democratic Republic of Congo
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the UN Security Council report alleging exploitation of natural resources from Congo by other countries involved in the current conflict. [126701]

  Mr. Mullin
  The UN Expert Panel on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of Congo made a first report in October 2002. The panel's mandate was extended with our support earlier this year. The Panel will present their interim report to the Security Council on 24 July. We are still assessing the interim report, which was recently published on the UN website.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to ensure that British-based industrial users of coltan from the Democratic Republic of Congo are not purchasing smuggled coltan. [126702]

  Mr. Rammell
  We recognise that the exploitation of natural resources contributes to the underlying economic causes of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the UK supported Resolution 1457 (2003) which reiterates the Security Council's commitment to take appropriate action to help put an end to the illegal exploitation of the resources of the DRC. We continue to uphold EU sanctions (an arms embargo and visa restrictions) and support related action in the UN. There are currently no restrictions on the import of coltan into the UK. However, in the case of undeclared imports of coltan into the UK, HM Customs have powers to seize the goods as with other illegal exports.

  The UK is exploring how to improve governance of natural resource extraction, including through the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative backed by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of(a) smuggling and (b) sale of coltan from Congo by armed forces from (i) Rwanda, (ii) Uganda and (iii) Burundi on the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. [126704]

  Mr. Rammell
  The UN Expert Panel report on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), published in October 2002, provides extensive details of the widespread exploitation of the DRC's natural resources, including coltan. The report states that elite networks linked to the governments/militaries of the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda are the main players in the smuggling and/or sale of coltan; Burundi's role is small in comparison. Such exploitation continues today, with the active co-operation of the various rebel groups operating in the eastern part of DRC. The human rights of many citizens of the DRC have already been severely eroded by many years of violent civil war and the ensuing chaos. The trade in coltan has played a part in this conflict.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) special advisers, (b) press officers, (c) civil servants, (d) advisers to civil servants and (e) permanent staff were working for his Department in each year since 1996. [126484]

  Mr. Rammell
  The answer to the hon. Member's question can be found in answers to previous Parliamentary Questions and in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Departmental Reports, as follows:

  (a) I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Mike O'Brien) gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil (David Laws) on 23 January 2003, Official Report, column 469W

  (b) I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Ben Bradshaw) to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Andrew Turner) on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 63W. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz) on 2 July 2003 Official Report, column 310W.

  (c) I refer the hon. Member to the 2003 Foreign and Commonwealth Office Departmental Report page 163.

  (d) The FCO does not employ advisers to civil servants.

  (e) See answer (c) above.

  Any additional information for years prior to those shown in the 2003 Departmental Report can be found in previous Departmental Reports; copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

  Entry Clearance Officers
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many entry clearance officers there are in(a) Islamabad, (b) New Delhi, (c) Mumbai and (d) Dhaka, Bangladesh. [125518]

  Mr. Rammell
  Listed are the authorised establishment for entry clearance in:

  (a) Islamabad: UK based—41.00, LE—64.60. Total 105.601

  (b) New Delhi: UK based—15.90, LE—46.00. Total 61.90

  (c) Mumbai: UK based—14.00, LE—28.05. Total 42.05

  (d) Dhaka: UK based—17.70, LE—44.00. Total 61.70

  1 Due to the earlier evacuation of staff from the High Commission in Islamabad the post is not yet fully staffed and three of the UK based positions are vacant. These vacant positions are included in the authorised establishment.

  European Council of Ministers
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many informal meetings of the European Council of Ministers took place(a) between 1 July 2002 and 31 December 2002 and (b) between 1 January 2003 and 30 June 2003; when these meetings took place; what topics were discussed at these meetings; and if he will make a statement. [126106]
  797W
  Mr. Rammell
  Seven informal meetings of the Council of Ministers took place between 1 July 2002 and 31 December 2002, on the following dates and covering the following topics:

  12–13 July on Employment and Social Policy;

  19–21 July on Environment issues;

  1 September on Foreign Affairs (Gymnich Informal Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs);

  6–8 September on Finance (informal ECOFIN Council);

  8–10 September on Agriculture and Fisheries;

  12–13 September on Justice and Home Affairs;

  18–19 October on the Internal Market, Consumer Affairs and Industry.

  Thirteen informal Council meetings took place between 1 January 2003 and 30 June 2003, on the following dates and subjects:

  24 January on Employment;

  22 February on Energy;

  14–15 February on Defence;

  28–29 March on Justice and Home Affairs;

  5 April on Education;

  11–13 April on Finance (informal ECOFIN Council);

  2–4 May on Foreign Affairs (Gymnich Informal Meeting Ministers for Foreign Affairs);

  5 May on Environment issues;

  12–13 May on Agriculture and Fisheries;

  16–17 May on Regional Policy;

  24 May on Culture:

  31 May-2 June on Merchant Marine;

  6 June on Public Administration.

  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many informal meetings of the European Council of Ministers took place between 1st January 2002 and 30th June 2002; when these meetings took place; what issues were discussed at each of these meetings; which members of the Scottish Executive were present at each meeting; and if he will make a statement. [126116]

  Mr. Rammell
  Eleven informal meetings of the Council of Ministers took place during the Spanish Council presidency in 2002, on the following dates and covering the following topics:

  25–26 January on Employment;

  9–10 February on Foreign Affairs (Gymnich Informal Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs);

  14–15 February on Justice and Home Affairs;

  22–23 February on Telecoms and the Information Society;

  23–24 March on Defence;

  13–14 April on Finance (ECOFIN);

  27–30 April on Agriculture and Fisheries;

  3–4 May on Tourism;

  24–26 May on Environment issues;

  31 May-1 June on Transport.

  No members of the Scottish Executive were present at the informal meetings of the Council of Ministers. Devolved administration Ministers do not normally attend informal Council meetings, but do attend formal ones.

  Gibraltar
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Government have to resume co-sovereignty negotiations on the future of Gibraltar; and if he will make a statement. [126827]

  Mr. Rammell
  Our aim remains to secure a better future for Gibraltar. We will continue our dialogue with Spain and Gibraltar to this end. No dates have been set for further meetings under the Brussels Process.

  Government Wine Cellar
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many bottles of(a) wine and (b) other alcoholic beverages there were in the Government wine cellar, managed by his Department, in each of the last 10 years; and what his estimate is of the value. [122847]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Government wine cellar contains a mix of fine wines, beverage wines and spirits and liqueurs. Stock levels vary but generally the cellar contains approximately 37,000 bottles, of which fewer than 700 are spirits or liqueurs. There has been no significant variation in the stock levels since 1993. It is not possible to give a break down of the ratio of wines to spirits, etc over the last 10 years without incurring disproportionate costs.

  Fine wines are bought young and then stored until ready for use, enabling aged wines of excellent value to be used by the Government for their hospitality needs. The value of the stock is subjective and bears no relation to the purchase costs. The current value of the stock is estimated to be in the region of £1.7 million.

  Hong Kong
  Mr. Spring
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government has made in respect of article 23 of the basic law of Hong Kong to the Government of the People's Republic of China. [123024]

  Mr. Rammell
  Article 23 of the Basic Law states that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) shall enact national security legislation "on its own". We have therefore made frequent representations to the SAR Government on this issue, including at Ministerial level.

  We have also discussed the issue with the Chinese Government. I did so with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui in January and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did so on 25 June with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. On 21 July, during his visit to China, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed Article 23 with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

  On 16 July I issued my fourth statement about Article 23, in which I welcomed the significant amendments to the legislation made by the SAR Government on 5 July. In particular I welcomed the decision to remove from the legislation the proposed new provisions regarding the proscription of Hong Kong organisations subordinate to organisations proscribed on the Mainland on national security grounds. This had been one of the main concerns of the

  799W
  people of Hong Kong and of the international community and we had repeatedly expressed our concern on this issue. I also welcomed the SAR Government's decision to delay passage of the legislation to allow more time for further discussion in Hong Kong.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent negotiations have taken place between his officials and Chinese representatives regarding the preservation of Hong Kong's special status; and if he will make a statement on the role of the UK in Hong Kong. [126396]

  Mr. Rammell
  Negotiations took place between the UK and China about Hong Kong's special status prior to the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty on 1 July 1997.

  Since then, there have been regular exchanges at Ministerial and official levels. During those, the situation in post-handover Hong Kong has frequently been discussed. Both sides agree on the importance of maintaining the principles of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong which provides Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy under the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle.

  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reports regularly to Parliament on the implementation of the Joint Declaration. The most recent such report was published on 16 July (Cm 5864). Our assessment continues to be that, generally, 'One Country, Two Systems' is working well in practice.

  We have a strong, forward-looking bilateral relationship with Hong Kong, a key partner for the UK in the Asia-Pacific region. Given Britain's role as a joint signatory of the Joint Declaration, we maintain a close interest in developments in Hong Kong.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Hong Kong. [126469]

  Mr. Rammell
  On 16 July we published our latest report to Parliament, which reported on a number of important developments in Hong Kong in the first half of the year (Cm 5864). Our overall assessment is that, generally, the "One Country, Two Systems" principle continues to work well in practice.

  On the same day, I issued my fourth press statement about the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government's moves to introduce national security legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law. In this statement I welcomed the significant amendments to the legislation made by the SAR Government on 5 July. I particularly welcomed the decision to remove from the legislation the proposed new provisions regarding the proscription of Hong Kong organisations subordinate to organisations proscribed on the mainland on national security grounds. This had been one of the main concerns of the people of Hong Kong and of the international community and we had repeatedly expressed our concern on this issue. I also welcomed the SAR Government's decision to delay passage of the legislation to allow more time for further discussion in Hong Kong.
  800W
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the Chinese Government's use of Article 23 legislation and the practice of Falun Gong in Hong Kong; what reports he has received on the extent of consultation by the Chinese Government with the people of Hong Kong on the use of Article 23; and what assessment he has made of the compatibility of the use of Article 23 in relation to the practice of Falun Gong and safeguards given to the people of Hong Kong when the territory was returned to China. [126508]

  Mr. Rammell
  Article 23 of the Basic Law (in effect Hong Kong's constitution) states:"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall enact laws on its own to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the Central People's Government (CPG) or theft of state secrets, to prohibit foreign political organisations or bodies from conducting political activities in the Region, and to prohibit political organisations or bodies of the Region from establishing ties with foreign political organisations or bodies."

  The Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government introduced draft legislation, to meet its obligations under Article 23, into the Legislative Council in Hong Kong in February. The legislation has not yet been passed.

  I have issued three press statements about the legislation since it was introduced into the Legislative Council, most recently on 16 July when I welcomed the significant changes to the legislation made by the SAR Government on 5 July. I particularly welcomed the decision to remove from the legislation the proposed new provisions regarding the proscription of Hong Kong organisations subordinate to organisations proscribed on the Mainland on national security grounds. This had been one of the main concerns of the people of Hong Kong and of the international community and we had repeatedly expressed our concern on this issue. I also welcomed the SAR Government's decision to delay passage of the legislation to allow more time for further discussion in Hong Kong.

  We shall continue to follow this issue closely.

  Iran
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the Iranian Government about the construction of nuclear weapons. [126709]

  Mr. MacShane
  Our concerns about Iran's nuclear programme are raised with them at every opportunity, most recently by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary during his visit to Iran in July 2003.

  We continue to urge Iran to meet in full its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Iran. [126710]

  Mr. Rammell
  We continue to have serious concerns about the human rights situation in Iran. There has been recent progress on some issues, such as in the establishment of equal rights for women to divorce and
  801W
  in the announcement by the Supreme Administrative Court of a suspension in stonings. However, systematic violation of human rights continues, including limits to freedom of expression.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with representatives of the Iranian opposition about human rights violations in that country. [126711]

  Mr. Rammell
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and Ministerial colleagues conduct discussions about Iran with a wide range of interlocutors. Information on the human rights situation in Iran is drawn from a range of different independent sources.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what human rights reforms have been introduced in Iran since 5 February. [126712]

  Mr. Rammell
  Neither my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary nor I are aware of specific human rights reforms introduced in Iran since 5 February. There has been progress in some areas during the last 12 months, such as in the establishment of equal rights for women to divorce and the announcement by the Supreme Administrative Court of a suspension on stoning. But systematic human rights violation continues to be a key issue of concern in our relationship with Iran.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with French Government ministers about their arrest of Iranian resistance members. [126713]

  Mr. Rammell
  None. Officials have discussed the matter with the French Embassy in London. The French Government have explained publicly that the police were acting on evidence that the group was about to launch a campaign of violence. Several key members were detained, including the co-leader Mary am Rajavi. We understand that most of them, including Ms Rajavi, have since been released on bail.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Iran's compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. [126714]

  Mr. Mullin
  We have for some time been concerned about Iran's nuclear weapons ambitions. We regularly urge Iran to comply fully with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and to sign and ratify the Additional Protocol to the IAEA Safeguards Agreement.

  Iraq
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what use was made of the advice of the Attorney General on the legal basis for post conflict reconstruction of Iraq in the negotiations on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483. [120813]

  Mr. Rammell
  I am withholding the information under exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. It is not the practice of the Government to comment on advice given by the Attorney General.
  802W
  Security Council Resolution 1483 acknowledges the continuing obligations of the occupying powers under applicable international law and clearly sets out the legal basis for the reconstruction of Iraq.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions on the future government of Iraq; and whether former Ba'ath Party officials will be involved in them. [124030]

  Mr. Rammell
  During his visit to Iraq my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the evolving political process with Iraqis, US Ambassador Paul Bremer and UN Special Representative Sergio Vieira de Mello. There was broad consensus towards our approach, supported by UNSCR 1483, of helping Iraqis form a representative transitional administration leading to elections and democratic government.

  On 16 May, the Coalition Provisional Authority issued an Order disestablishing the Ba'ath Party. This Order removes and bars all members of the Ba'ath Party at the rank of Senior Member and above from positions of authority in the future. All Ba'ath Party members suspected of criminal conduct will be investigated and, if necessary, detained.

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the membership of the interim Baghdad City Council, broken down by(a) sex, (b) political affiliation, (c) religious affiliation, (d) ethnic background, (e) profession and (f) age; what arrangements are in place to change the membership; and if he will make a statement. [124938]

  Mr. Rammell
  Membership of the 37 strong Baghdad City Council is diverse and comprises a range of ethnic, religious and professional backgrounds. Six members are women, one of whom was elected as deputy chair. There is also a wide age range. Members are elected through a bottom up process. Neighbourhood advisory councils select district advisory councils that in turn selects the city council. It is for Iraqis to determine future council membership. A list of the members is as follows. A more detailed list will be placed in the Library of the House.Dr. Khaled Basheer Mirza, 66 Council Chairperson. Karada district. Chaldean Christian. Serves on the Economy and Development Committee. Chairman of a university department.
  Ms. Siham Hattab Hamdan, 31 Council Vice Chairperson. 31. Thawra, Medinat Sadr district. Shia Arab. Serves on Committees on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Public Relations, and Women and Children. Lecturer in English Literature.
  Mr. Khaled Abdel Hussein Mohammed Khaily, 61 Rusafa, Hayy Idrissi, district. Faily Kurd. Member of the Health and Environment; Education, Youth and Sports; and Economy and Development committees. Retired Certified Public Accountant.
  Mr. Adnan Abdul Sahib Hassan, 52 Rusafa. Hayy Sheikh Omar district. Shia Arab. Member of the General Services. Women and Children, and Public Relations committees. Former reserve major in the Iraqi Army and customs agent.

  803W
  Mrs. Rasha Hani Hani, 29 Rusafa, Hayy Saadoun district. Sunni Arab. Member of the Economy and Development, Public Safety. Women and Children, and Education, Youth and Sports committees. Art teacher and actress.
  Mr. Abdul Sattar Abdul Jabbar Al Ruba'ei, 46 Karkh, Hayy Sheikh Maroof district. Shia Arab. Serves on the Education, Youth and Sports, and Public Safety committees. Secondary School Teacher.
  Ms. Shatha Hadi Mohammed Alobiadi, 34 Karkh, Hayy Al Salhiya district. Shia Arab. Member of the Women and Children, Economy and Development, and Public Relations committees. Previously worked in a bank
  Mr. Kareem Mohammed Amin Mehdi Al Jaaf, 61 Karkh, Hayy Salhiya district. Faily Kurd. Member of the Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Economy and Development; and Women and Children committees. Manager of an apartment tower.
  Mr. Sharhabel Shakir Rasheed, 44 Adhamiya, Hayy Adhamiya district. Sunni Arab. Serves on the Public Safety; Public Relations; and Economy and Development committees. Retired construction contractor.
  Mr. Omar Mohammed Amin Al Rahmani, 43 Adhamiya, Hayy Al Maghrib district. Sunni Arab. Member of the Economy and Development, and Public Relations committees. Interpreter.
  Dr. Riyadh Nassir Al Adhadh, 49 Adhamiya, Hayy Al Maghrib district. Sunni Arab. Chairman of the Administration Committee and also serves on the Health and Environment; and Education, Youth and Sports committees. Specialist in rheumatology and rehabilitation.
  Mr. Amer Ahmed Baqr Ahmed Al Hashimi, 53 Adhamiya, Hayy Tunis district. Sunni Arab. Member of the General Services and Public Relations committees. Retired Major General in the Iraqi Army.
  Sheikh Mohammed Baqer Al Suhail, 52 Kadhamiya, Hayy Kadhamiya district. Shia Arab. Chairman of the Economy and Development committee and also serves on the Public Relations committee.
  Mr. Basim Salih Mandy, 38 Kadhamiya, Hayy Hurriya district. Shia Arab. Currently, Mr. Member of the Economy and Development, Public Relations, and Public Safety committees. Self-employed as a business consultant.
  Mr. Muhammed Sadik Hassan, 53 Kadhamiya, Hayy Utaffiya district. Shia Arab. Member of the Education, Youth and Sports, Women and Children and Public Relations committees. Retired secondary school physics teacher.
  Mr. Saad Kheirabut Rashid, 28 Thawra, Medina! Al Sadr district. Shia Arab. Chairman of the Health and Environment committee and a member of the Public Relations, and Women and Children committees. He speaks English. Pharmacist.
  Mr. Umran Hayder AIL 27 Thawra, Medinat Al Sadr district. Faily Kurd. Serves on the Education, Youth and Sports, and Public Relations committees. Works in a currency exchange.
  Mr. Ahmed Hameed Yousif, 32 Thawra, Medinat Al Sadr district. Shia Arab. Member of the Health and Environment committee. Pharmacist.
  Mr. Khudhair Abbas Nassir, 40 Thawra, Medinat Al Sadr district. Shia Arab. Member of the Administration, Education, Youth and Sports, and Economy and Development committees. Works in a CD/Video shop
  Ms. Fatima Hassan Mohammed Al-Migdadi, 41 Thawra, Hayy Jamila district, Shia Arab. Member of the Legal Affairs and Human Rights, Public Relations, and Women and Children committees. English teacher
  Mr. Hassen Hashim Al-Rubeii, 39 Thawra, Hayy Jamila district. Shia Arab. Serves on the Administration, Economy and Development, and General Services committees. Contractor with a construction company.
  Sheikh Dari Khamis Al-Dari, 64 Mansour, Hayy Abu Ghuraib district. Sunni Arab. Serves on the Education. Youth and Sports committee.
  804W
  Dr. Saieb Siddiq Abdel Aziz Al Gailani, 46 Mansour, Hayy Yarmouk district. Sunni Arab. Member of the Council's Health and Environment committees. General Director of a medical centre.
  Eng. Ali Radhi Al Haidary, 46 Mansour, Hayy Adil district. Shia Arab. Member of the Administration, Education, Youth and Sports, and Public Relations committees. Director of a paint company.
  Dr. Majida Yousif Sail, 37 Mansour, Hayy Ghazeliya district. Sunni Arab. Member of the Women and Children committee. Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
  Eng. Ali Rashid Al-Zubaidy, 40 9 Nisan, Hayy Mashtal district. Shia Arab. Member of the Council's Public Relations Committee. Owner of automotive and heavy equipment spare parts shop.
  Dr. Hussein Abdel Kadhem Tahir Salman, 30 9 Nisan, Hayy Al-Amin. Shia Arab. Member of the Health and Environment, Public Relations, and Economy and Development committees. General Practitioner.
  Mr. Ali Mussad Kraidi, 42 9 Nisan, Hayy Al Obaidy district. Shia Arab, Chairman of the Public Relations committee and a member of the Economy and Development committee. Owner of an electrical equipment shop.
  Eng. Abdulghani Khudair Al-Hussainy. 42 9 Nisan. Hayy Baghdad Al Jedida district. Shia Arab. Chairman of the Public Services Committee (dealing with roads, buildings, sewers, electricity, etc.) and a member of Economy and Development committee. Unemployed.
  Mr. Yacoub Muhi Albu Khati, 36 Rashid district. Shia Arab. Serves on the City Council's Public Relations, and Public Safety committees. Retired Army non-commissioned officer.
  Mr. Majed Abd Al Amer Abed Al Mosawi., 40 Rashid. Hayy Al Hadar district. Shia Arab. Member of the City Council's General Services and Women and Children committees. Owns a curtain factory.
  Mr. Mohammed Zamil Saeed Al-Sa'adi, 32 Rashid, Hayy Al Saydiyah district. Shia Arab. Serves on the Legal and Human Rights, Economy and Development, and Women and Children committees. Attorney
  Dr. Nassreen Hayder Kader, 35 Rashid, Hayy Al Hadar district. Sunni Kurd. Serves on the Economy and Development, Public Relations, Women and Children, and Health and Environment committees. Chief of Laboratories at a health clinic
  Dr. Ali Hussain Faraj Daoud, 38 Rashid, Hayy Al-Furat district. Shia Arab. Former University Professor.
  Mr. Louay Hatem Sultan Al Erris, 51 Karada, Hayy Al-Jami'a district. Shia Arab. Serves on the General Services, Education, and Youth and Sports committees; Deputy chairman of the Administration committee. Aircraft engineer.
  Mr. Nashat Al-Husseini, 42 Karada, Hayy Zafraniya district. Shia Arab. Member of the Administration, General Services, Public Safety, Public Relations, and Economy and Development. Merchant.
  Sheikh Ayad Jafar Al-Ekabi Karada, Hayy Zafraniya district. Shia Arab. Chairman of the Education, Youth and Sports committee and has also volunteered to serve on the Council's Economy and Development committee. Imam of a mosque.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will name the members of the Iraq Survey Group and list the(a) nationality, (b) experience, (c) salary and (d) parent organisation of each; and if he will make statement. [125005]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 23 June 2003,Official Report, column 616W to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llew Smith) and to

  805W
  the answer I gave on 1 July 2003, Official Report, columns 197–98W to the my hon. Friend the Member for Hampstead and Highgate (Glenda Jackson).

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his oral answer of 8 July 2003,Official Report, column 888, (1) whether his Department had an input into the Joint Intelligence Committee's assessment of the 45 minute claim; and if he will make a statement; [125789]

  (2) whether his Department had an input into the claims that Iraq was seeking uranium from Niger; and if he will make a statement; [125790]

  (3) whether intelligence aspects in the Government's dossier on Iraq were not from a source (a) emanating from and (b) verified by his Department; and if he will make a statement. [125791]

  Mr. Rammell
  The issue of how intelligence information was handled, analysed and utilised in the preparation of the Government's dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction published in September 2002 is currently being addressed by the Intelligence and Security Committee of the House. Their report will be presented to the House in due course.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 7 July 2003,Official Report, column 579W, on Iraq, what measures the Government have taken to encourage all states to share information that they have with the IAEA. [125795]

  Mr. Rammell
  The UK played a key role in the drafting of UN Security Council Resolution 1441, which called on all states that had information relevant to the activities of the UN weapons inspectors to make that information available to them. In subsequent Security Council debates on the progress of inspections, we reiterated our support for UNSCR1441.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he was first informed of the attempts by Iraq to procure uranium from an African source; when this source was identified as being Niger; what documents he has examined that provide evidence of this procurement effort by Iraq; what efforts have been made to validate the information; and when the information and supporting documentation was made available to(a) the international Atomic Energy Agency and (b) UNMOVIC. [126059]

  Mr. Rammell
  The issue of the handling, analysis and utilisation of intelligence material in the preparation of the Government dossier on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction published in September 2002 is currently being addressed by the Security and Intelligence Committee of the House. Their report will be presented to the House in due course.

  The UK did not provide any documentation on Iraqi attempts to procure uranium from Africa to either the IAEA or to UNMOVIC.

  Mr. Barnes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is towards the inclusion of representatives of Iraqi political parties in meetings with the occupying authorities in Iraq, with particular reference to the Iraqi Communist Party; when 806W
  he or his representatives last met representatives of the Iraqi Communist Party; and what plans he has to meet such representatives in the future. [126086]

  Mr. Rammell
  In the run up to the formation of the Iraqi Governing Council on 13 July we sought to encourage the inclusion of a representative cross-section of Iraqi society through regular consultation with a variety of Iraqi leaders and groups.

  John Sawers, UK Special Representative to Iraq, and Ambassador Bremer met the leader of the Iraqi Communist Party in the week before the launch of the Governing Council. John Sawers had previously met him, as had members of the US governance team. Many other Iraqi political leaders had recommended the inclusion of the Communist Party in the Council. Mr. Hamid Majid Mousa is the Iraqi Communist Party's representative on the Council.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the United Kingdom representatives in Iraq have taken to ensure leaders of the former Ba'ath Party in Iraq are not given senior administrative or political positions. [126307]

  Mr. Rammell
  On 16 May, the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) issued an Order disestablishing the Ba'ath Party. This Order removes and bars all members of the Ba'ath Party at the rank of Senior Member and above from positions of authority in the future. All Ba'ath Party members suspected of criminal conduct will be investigated and, if necessary, detained. The fifth CPA Order established the de-Ba'athification Council, an Iraqi body reporting to the CPA to vet former members of the Ba'ath Party for future Government employment.

  The Coalition has. therefore, been very careful when re-staffing the Ministries, in consultation with the Governing Council, not to include senior Ba'thists: the CPA has a vigorous vetting procedure for senior positions.

  Joan Ruddock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will list the members of the Iraqi Governing Council, indicating(a) their ethnicity, (b) their faith and (c) organisations or political parties which they represent; and if he will identify which members of the council are women. [126636]

  Mr. Rammell
  [holding answer 17 July 2003]: The following information on the background of the members of the Governing Council was made public by the Coalition Provisional Authority on 13 July. I am withholding further details on each individual under exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information:

  Iraqi Governing Council Text Issued by Coalition

  Provisional Authority on 13 July

  Dr. Ebrahim Jafari Al Eshaiker

  Main Spokesman of the Islamic Da'wah Party. Born in Karbala', educated in Mosul University as a medical doctor.

  Dr. Ahmad Chalabi

  Head of the Iraqi National Congress (INC), a Professor of Mathematics and a businessman. Founder of the INC.
  807W
  Ahmad Shya'a al-Barak

  General Coordinator for the Human Rights Association of Babel. General Coordinator for the Bar Association in Babel. Graduate of the Law Faculty, Babel University. Graduate of the College Management and Economy, Baghdad University. One of the tribal leaders of Al Bu Sultan tribe in Babel.

  Dr. Ayad Allawi

  Secretary General of the Iraqi National Accord. PhD in medicine. Started to oppose the dictatorial regime in the early 1970s and was in the forefront of efforts to organise opposition both within Iraq and abroad.

  Dr. Jalal Talabani

  Jalal Talabani is Secretary General of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and a leading figure of the Iraqi democratic movement during the last 50 years.

  Hamid Majeed Mousa

  Secretary of the Iraqi Communist Party since 1993. Born in Babil province. An economist and petroleum researcher. Left Iraq in 1978 and returned in 1983 to continue his political activities against the dictatorial regime.

  Judge Dara Nor al Din

  A Judge who as a member of the Court of Appeal, held one of Saddam's edicts (confiscating land without proper compensation) unconstitutional. Was sentenced to two years in jail. Served eight months at Abu Ghraib before being released in the general amnesty last October.

  Dr. Raja Habib Khuzai

  Head of maternity hospital in Diwaniya. Studied and lived in the UK from the late 1960s until 1977 when 'she' returned to Iraq.

  Samir Shakir Mahmood Sumaidy

  From the Al-Sumaidy clan with documented lineage from the Prophet Mohammed through Mousa Al-Khadhum. Ancestral lands located near Haditha in the Al-Anbar region. Writer, designer and entrepreneur. A prominent figure in the opposition to the Saddam regime.

  Salahaddin Muhammad Bahaddin

  Elected as Secretary General of the Kurdistan Islamic Union in the first conference of the party in 1994, was re-elected in the second and third conferences and still holds the post. Born in Halabja. Has written several books in Kurdish and Arabic.

  Songul Chapouk

  From Kirkuk and from the Iraqi Turkoman Community. A trained Engineer and teacher. 'She' heads the Iraqi Women's Organisation (based in Kirkuk) which aims to bring together all the female communities of Iraq.

  Abdul Zahra Othman Mohammed

  Head of the Islamic Da'wah Movement (Harakat al Dawa al Islamiya) in Basra. Writer, thinker and political activist. Editor of numerous newspapers and magazines.

  Abdul Aziz al-Hakim

  Abdul Aziz al-Hakim is a religious and political leader and the current leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq. He is the brother of Muhammad Baqr al-Hakim. They both returned to Iraq after 20 years of exile and are both the sons of the late Ayatollah Sayyid Mohsin al-Hakim.
  808W
  Abdul Karim Al Muhammadawi

  Head of Iraqi Party of God in Al Amara. Member and Rotating Chairman of Interim Supervisory Council in Maysan Province. Dubbed "Prince of the Marshes" for leading the resistance movement against Saddam in the Southern Marshes for 17 years, for which he spent six years in prison.

  Dr. Adnan Pachachi

  President of the Iraqi Independent Democrats. Former Foreign Minister and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

  Dr. Akila Al Hashimi

  Diplomat. 'She' led Iraqi delegation to New York donors' conference. PhD in Modern Literature and Bachelors in Law. Working with UN programmes in Iraq since 1991 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  Ghazi Ajil Al-Yawar

  Born in Mosul. A civil engineer. Recently Vice President of Hicap Technology Co. Lyd., Riyadh. Married with 4 children.

  Dr. Mohsen Abdul Hameed

  Secretary General of the Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP). Born in the city of Kirkuk, Author of more the 30 books in the field of interpretation of the Holy Quran. Detained in 1996 on the charge of reorganising the IIP. Professor in the College of Education in Baghdad University.

  Dr. Seyyid Muhammed Bahr ul-Uloom

  Highly-respected Shi'a clergyman. Returned from London where he headed the Ahl al-Bayt charitable centre. Elected as the Shi'a member of a leadership triumverate by the Iraqi opposition after the Gulf Conflict.

  Mahmoud Othman

  Independent politician and long-term leader of the Kurdish National Struggle.

  Masood Barzani

  President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). He rose to this position from peshmerga. He was elected President in 1979 and re-elected in 1999.

  Mowaffak al-Rubaie

  Born in al-Shatra. Member of British Royal Doctors' College. Consultant in internal medicine and neurology. Author of the Declaration of the Shia of Iraq. Activist in human rights. Student of the martyr Imam Baaker al-Sadr.

  Naseir al-Chadirchi

  Leader of the National Democratic Party. Resident of Baghdad. Lawyers, businessman and farm owner.

  Judge Wael Abdulatif

  Born in Basra and practiced civil and criminal law before being disbarred and imprisoned by Saddam. Had been head judge at Nasiriya and now deputy head judge in Basra. Elected Governor of Basra on 4 July 2003 by the interim local council with the support of all the leading political and religious parties.

  Yonadam Kanna

  Secretary General of the Assyrian Democratic Movement. Active member of the Assyrian-Chaldean community. Former Minister of Public Works and Housing and Former Minister of Industry and Energy in Iraqi Kurdistan. Engineer since 1975. Activist against the dictatorial regime since 1979.
  809W
  The Governing Council includes 13 Shia; 11 Sunni; and one Christian. There are Shia, Sunni, Kurdish, Turkoman and Christian representatives. Three (12 per cent.) are women.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the outbreak of radiation sickness at the Al Tuwaitha nuclear facility in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [126854]

  Mr. Rammell
  We are aware of reports of people in the area of the Al Tuwaitha nuclear facility having looted drums and containers, emptied low-enriched uranium from them, and taken the containers off to use for water storage. The site has now been secured, and the radioactive material there sealed in concrete. There is minimal likelihood of further looting. Initial indications are that there is little or no immediate radiation sickness evident in the population, but there may be longer term health risks to people who have been exposed to radiation. A task force has been set up in Baghdad to take forward action on recovering radio-active material that has been taken from the site, and monitoring the long-term health of people at risk of exposure to radiation. The task force includes representatives from the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), Iraqi Ministry of Health and Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission, as well as the World Health Organisation.

  The action taken by Greenpeace to replace the contaminated barrels with clean ones is welcome.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his statement of 15 July 2003, on Iraq, what the source was of his statement that Saddam Hussein expelled UNSCOM inspectors at the end of 1998. [126905]

  Mr. MacShane
  Throughout 1998 Iraq maintained an increasingly obstructive attitude towards UNSCOM. Faced with mounting obstruction and harassment which made it impossible for them to carry out their mandate, UNSCOM had no alternative but to withdraw. They were thus effectively forced out of Iraq by Saddam Hussein's regime.

  Weapons of Mass Destruction
  Mr. Ancram
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made since the end of the conflict in Iraq in the search for weapons of mass destruction; and what quantities of weapons of mass destruction have been found. [126084]

  Mr. Straw
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: Coalition forces and specialist personnel of the Iraq Survey Group are actively pursuing sites, documentation and individuals connected with Iraq's weapons of mass destruction programmes. We are investing significant effort in the search. The process will be painstaking.

  There have been some successes: the discovery of mobile laboratories which bear a striking resemblance to those described in US Secretary of State Colin Powell's presentation to the UN Security Council in March 2003; and the recent recovery of a large quantity of documents relating to Iraq's nuclear programme together with parts of a gas centrifuge which had been hidden since 1991 by an Iraqi scientist formerly engaged
  810W
  on Iraq's nuclear programme. We anticipate that more scientists previously employed on Iraq's WMD programmes will start to come forward with evidence and equipment.

  Any finds clearly must be very carefully analysed and assessed. This process is continuing. When we have collated the evidence, it will be presented appropriately and properly.

  Glenda Jackson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has forwarded to the International Atomic Energy Agency the intelligence from an unnamed third country, regarding Iraq's supposed attempt to buy uranium from Niger. [126313]

  Mr. Rammell
  No. Under long-established agreements such intelligence may only be shared with others with the express permission of the originating agency. We have encouraged all states that have relevant information to pass it to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action was taken in response to information that Iraq had been trying to obtain uranium from an African source; when he was first informed that Mr. Joseph Wilson had been sent to Niger to investigate whether Iraq was seeking uranium yellowcake from Niger; when he asked for the Wilson Report from the US Central Intelligence Agency; what discussions on the allegations he has had with officials of the United States Government since February 2002; and if he will make a statement on the source of United Kingdom intelligence on Iraqi interests in uranium from Niger. [126443]

  Mr. Rammell
  The Government was not aware of Ambassador Wilson's visit to Niger until recent media reports. The Government of the United States did not brief us on the visit at the time, but has now given us a comprehensive account of his report. I cannot comment further as it is the longstanding practice of successive Governments not to comment on intelligence matters.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 3 July 2003,Official Report, column 456W, on Iraq, if he will make a statement on the UK Government's obligations under Article 10 of Security Council Resolution 1441 to pass to the International Atomic Energy Agency the information upon which it bases its assessment that Saddam Hussein's regime attempted to obtain uranium from Africa. [126582]

  Mr. Rammell
  The UK has encouraged all states that have relevant information to pass it to the UN weapons inspection teams. The information upon which the assessment was made that Saddam Hussein's regime had attempted to procure uranium from Africa came from the intelligence service of another Government. Under the terms of long-established agreements covering the sharing of intelligence information, no Government can pass on such information to anyone else without the express consent of its originator.

  Israel
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters in respect of
  811W
  (a) Israel's possession of nuclear weapons, (b) Israel's policy on signing the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty and (c) the imprisonment of Mordecai Vanunu he raised with (i) Prime Minister Sharon and (ii) members of his delegation during his visit to London in July. [126308]

  Mr. Rammell
  The priority for the visit was to discuss Road Map implementation and bilateral relations.

  We do however consistently urge Israel to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non nuclear weapons state, and to sign a full-scope safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), most recently during official-level talks in Tel Aviv on 5 March. Under the agreement with IAEA, Israel's nuclear facilities would be subject to regular inspection to detect and eliminate any diversion of nuclear materials for weapons production. The UK has consistently supported UN Resolutions calling for the establishment of a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction. That zone would include Israel.

  We have raised our humanitarian concerns about the conditions of Mr Vanunu's imprisonment with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Following his latest parole hearing the Israeli authorities decided against his early release. Our Embassy in Tel Aviv will continue to monitor his case.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [126199]

  Mr. Rammell
  Since 1997 two outsourced IT contracts have been signed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In March 1997 a 10-year PFI contract, valued at £2 million, was signed with BT Syntegra for an electronic archive system, known as Minerva. In May 2000 a 10-year PFI contract was signed with Global Crossing Telecommunications (UK) for the FCO Telecommunications Network (FTN). This contract is now valued at £237.6 million including bandwidth purchased for other Government Departments. Both PFI contracts are still in place and neither has been renegotiated.

  Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he had with the governing authorities of(a) Anguilla, (b) Bermuda, (c) the British Virgin Islands, (d) the Cayman Islands, (e) the Falkland Islands, (f) Gibraltar, (g) Montserrat, (h) St Helena, (i) the Turks and Caicos Islands, (j) the Isle of Man, (k) Jersey and (l) Guernsey on the Government's plans to change the legal responsibilities of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as a court of appeal. [126773]

  Mr. Rammell
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs on 17 July 2003,Official Report, column 471W.

  Media Training
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was to his Department of media and voice training for ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [123132]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has spent a total of £405,664 on media and voice training from April 1997 to end March 2003. The training was for officials only.

  The table as follows shows expenditure per annum.

  £

  Year

  Amount

  1997–98

  59,732

  1998–99

  59,732

  1999–2000

  15,705

  2000–01

  96,941

  2001–02

  101,523

  2002–03

  109,193

  Total

  405,664

  Guantanamo Bay
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on trials of(a) British citizens and (b) foreign nationals with an indefinite right of abode in the UK who are detained in Guantanamo Bay being held under the jurisdiction of (i) courts in the USA, (ii) courts in the UK and (iii) courts with an international jurisdiction. [126463]

  Mr. Rammell
  [holding answer 17 July 2003]: The Government's view is that if any of the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay are to be tried, the trial must be fair and accord with international law, wherever it may be conducted.

  The Government are not in a position to provide diplomatic assistance to non-British nationals wherever they may be detained abroad.

  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which other Government Departments he consulted about the establishment of military tribunals in Guantanamo Bay; and when. [126865]

  Mr. MacShane
  The Military Commissions concerned were established by the US President's Military Order of 13 November 2001, Detention, Treatment and Trial of Certain Non-US Citizens in the War Against Terrorism.

  The Government was not consulted on the Order.

  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received from consular authorities about the plans of the US authorities to charge UK prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay; and what the maximum penalties will be that such prisoners face. [123440]

  Mr. Mullin
  We are in regular contact with the United States authorities about the British detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, although our discussions are not with the consular authorities. Two of the British detainees have been designated as eligible for trial by
  813W
  Military Commissions, but have not yet been charged. The US announced on 18 July that they would not commence any Military Commission proceedings against British nationals pending discussions between US and UK legal experts. During his visit to the US on 21–22 July, the Attorney-General received assurances from the US Administration that the prosecution would not seek the death penalty in either of these two cases.

  We have been informed that the United States authorities have not yet made a decision to charge or release any of the other British nationals detained at Guantanamo Bay. We are pressing the United States authorities to move forward with the process of determining the detainees' future and shall continue to do so.

  Feroz Abbasi
  Geraint Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will request from the US Administration a statement of the evidence against Mr. Feroz Abbasi. [125496]

  Mr. Mullin
  It is not our practice to comment on evidence against any individual, which may or may not be used in criminal proceedings (Exemption 4a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies). Any evidence received would be passed to the prosecuting authorities as appropriate.

  Geraint Davies
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government has asked for the extradition of Mr. Feroz Abbasi. [125497]

  Mr. Mullin
  It is not the practice of the Government to comment on whether an extradition request may be made in any individual case. Exemption 4a of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies.

  Peter Bleach
  Sir Teddy Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in seeking the release of Mr. Peter Bleach from prison in India; and if he will make a statement. [126233]

  Mr. Mullin
  The Indian Deputy-Prime Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, visited the UK in June. He called on my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary during his visit. Mr. Bleach's case was raised at both meetings.

  Mr. Advani undertook to take a fresh look at Mr. Bleach's case when he returned to India. Our High Commissioner in New Delhi called on the Indian Home Secretary on 4 July 2003. The Indian Home Secretary told the High Commissioner that his Ministry were preparing and submitting papers on Mr. Bleach's case to Deputy-Prime Minister Advani's office. We continue to monitor developments and are in close contact with Mr. Bleach.

  Nicaragua
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Nicaragua. [126866]
  814W
  Mr. Rammell
  Since his election victory in 2001, President Bolanos' administration has been dominated by his attempts to wrest the power to govern from his allegedly corrupt predecessor, Arnoldo Aleman. In December 2002, the National Assembly voted to strip Aleman of his parliamentary immunity; he is currently under house arrest and could now face criminal prosecution. We have assured Nicaragua of our commitment to good governance, transparency, economic reform and exposing corruption and recognise the President's evident equal commitment to these objectives.

  North Korea
  Mrs. Mahon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further discussion between the UK and other countries regarding the possible interdiction of ships and planes from North Korea is planned to take place in Canberra in July; and what proposals the UK intends to bring to this meeting. [123678]

  Mr. Rammell
  The discussions, which were held in Brisbane on 9 and 10 July, concentrated on how best to take forward the Proliferation and Security Initiative and, in particular, on defining actions necessary for effective interdiction at sea and the modalities for sharing relevant information. The UK did not table any specific proposals.

  A Chairman's Statement was issued following the meeting. This can be found on the Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade internet website at www.dfat.gov.au/globalissues.

  The group plans to meet again in France at the beginning of September.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received regarding North Korean nuclear weapons programmes; and if he will make a statement on Government policy on nuclear weapons programmes in North Korea. [126579]

  Mr. MacShane
  We have been in close contact with allies about North Korea's nuclear programme. The UK will continue to work closely with our allies and partners to find a satisfactory solution to this issue.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the US Administration concerning North Korea's nuclear weapons programme. [126943]

  Mr. MacShane
  We remain seriously concerned about recent statements and actions by North Korea. We are maintaining close contact with the United States as well as with other allies and partners to work towards a satisfactory resolution of the issue.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received, and what latest assessment he has made of, North Korea's nuclear weapons programme; and if he will make a statement. [126944]
  815W
  Mr. MacShane
  We are maintaining close contact with allies and partners with a view to finding a satisfactory resolution to the North Korean nuclear issue. We remain seriously concerned about recent statements and actions by the North Korean Government.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received concerning the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel rods in North Korea. [126945]

  Mr. MacShane
  We and our allies are seriously concerned about the reports of North Korean reprocessing activities. We are maintaining close contact with our allies and partners to seek a satisfactory resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with(a) China and (b) South Korea concerning nuclear weapons programmes in North Korea. [126946]

  Mr. Rammell
  We remain in close contact with the governments of China, South Korea and other countries on North Korea's nuclear weapons programmes. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister visited Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing from 18 to 22 July, and held detailed talks on North Korea with his counterparts. North Korea must comply with its international obligations, and dismantle its nuclear weapons programmes in a visible, verifiable and irreversible way.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received on the potential proliferation of nuclear weapons to terrorist organisations from North Korea. [126947]

  Mr. MacShane
  We and our allies remain seriously concerned about the possible proliferation of nuclear weapons from a number of countries, including North Korea. A new multi-national initiative, the Proliferation and Security Initiative, has recently been launched to look at means by which we can counter this threat.

  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the North Korean Government concerning nuclear weapons programmes in North Korea. [126948]

  Mr. MacShane
  The principal recent discussions on this issue have been between North Korea, the United States and China. The UK has not been directly involved in any discussion of the issue in recent months.

  Pacific Islands
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which of his Department's Ministers have visited Pacific islands since October 2000; and which islands these were. [R] [126513]

  Mr. Rammell
  My hon. Friend the Member for Leeds, West (Mr. Battle), the then Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, visited Kiribati in October 2000 for the Pacific Islands Forum. My hon.816W
  Friend the Member for Hove (Mr. Caplin), the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office Whip attended the Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji on behalf of my hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. MacShane) in August 2002. I expect to visit the region for the Pacific Island Forum meeting in Auckland in August. Details of my itinerary will be announced in due course.

  Pakistan
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on bilateral relations between the UK and Pakistan. [126172]

  Mr. Mike O'Brien
  UK-Pakistan relations are warm and close. Our multifaceted relationship is bound together by our historic links and underpinned by the three-quarter of a million British citizens of Pakistani origin. We engage at all levels and President Musharraf's successful official visit to the UK in June 2003 has helped to further strengthen the bilateral relationship.

  Saudi Arabia
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens are imprisoned in Saudi Arabia; which individual has been imprisoned the longest; how long he has been in prison; and of what charge he has been convicted. [125415]

  Mr. Mullin
  Currently there are eight British citizens in prison in Saudi Arabia. Of these, the longest serving is Mohammed Chaudhry, who has been detained since June 1999 on charges of negligence.

  St. Helena
  Mr. MacDougall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken in response to the petition on securing democratic government in St Helena presented to the acting Governor of St Helena on 19 April. [126860]

  Mr. Rammell
  The petition, which was received in the FCO on 19 May, called for better governance on St. Helena and a more positive attitude towards inward investment. The petition was carefully considered by FCO Ministers, following which an FCO official wrote to a representative of the petitioners re-affirming the government's desire to work in partnership with the people of St Helena to help ensure a secure and successful future for the island, as outlined in the 1999 Overseas Territories White Paper. The letter made clear that an important aspect of this would be consideration of proposals for air access to the island.

  We recognise the importance of St Helena's continuing economic and political development. An FCO team visited St Helena in April/May to take forward discussions on the constitutional review. We will continue to engage with elected members in St. Helena with the aim of reaching agreement on the key principles necessary for the drafting of a new constitution.

  Uganda
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of(a) the state of civil society, (b) the extent of freedom of and participation in political expression and (c) the separation of state institutions and political party systems in Uganda; and if he will make a statement [126107]

  Mr. Mullin
  Civil society, though still fragile, continues to grow in stature and importance. Although multi-party politics is not yet established, President Museveni has indicated his intention to move in this direction. Freedom of expression across the political spectrum is tolerated and Uganda enjoys a free press. The Constitutional Review Commission, set up by the Ugandan Government, is now considering issues such as separation of state institutions and political party systems in preparation for Uganda's move to multi-party democracy.

  Visas
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the staffing of UK Visas is; and what it was in July 2001. [125994]

  Mr. Rammell
  The current Authorised Establishment for UK Visas Division in London is 82.80. The equivalent figure for March 2001 was 56 (the figure for July is not available).

  Written Ministerial Statements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department since 29 October 2002. [126617]

  Mr. Straw
  Seventy-three.

  Yemen
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met the Foreign Minister of Yemen; and if he will make a statement. [125520]

  Mr. Rammell
  My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary last met the Foreign Minister of Yemen in March 2002.

  Zimbabwe
  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Zimbabwean nationals normally covered by the travel sanctions imposed by the EU have been granted dispensations to 818W
  travel to the European Union since the imposing of sanctions; and on what grounds such dispensations were given. [121323]

  Mr. Mullin
  To the best of our knowledge, 13 Zimbabweans on the EU travel ban list have travelled to the EU since the targeted sanctions were imposed on 18 February 2002:Robert and Grace Mugabe, Stan Mudenge, Joseph Made, Elliot Manyika and George Charamba: Rome, to attend World Food Summit meetings: 10 to 13 June 2002.
  Augustine Chihuri, Police Commissioner: France, to attend meetings of the Interpol Executive Committee: 14–16 May, 18–20 June and 27 August 2002.
  Samuel Mumbengegwi, Trade and Industry Minister: Belgium, to attend EU-ACP trade talks: 22–29 September, 9–11 December 2002 and 12–16 May 2003 and to attend an ACP trade ministers meeting 31 July-1 August 2003.
  Christopher Kuruneri, Deputy Finance and Economic Development Minister and Paul Mangwana, Minister for Enterprises and Parastatals: Belgium, an EU-ACP conference: 25–28 November.
  Francis Nhema, Environment and Tourism Minister: France, UNESCO meeting: on 9–10 January 2003.
  Kembo Mohadi, Minister for Home Affairs: Vienna, UN Commission on narcotic drugs: 15–18 April 2003.
  Ms Sithembiso Nyoni, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development: Vienna, UNIDO youth employment summit: 6–9 April 2003.
  Paul Mangwana; Belgium. EU-ACP meeting: 7–10 July 2003.

  In all cases, the EU country concerned consulted EU partners before issuing visas. The EU's Common Position of February 2002. imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe, specifically allowed member states to grant exemptions where "travel is justified on the grounds of humanitarian need, including religious obligation, or on grounds of attending meetings of international bodies or conducting political dialogue that promotes democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe". This clause was made more explicit when the Common Position was rolled over in 2003, to state that a member state shall grant a visa when it is "bound by an obligation of international law". In all these cases, the EU country in question had a legal obligation to grant visas.

  In the case of the attendance of Robert and Grace Mugabe and Stan Mudenge at the France-Africa summit in Paris in February 2003, France argued for an exemption to be granted under article 3.3 of the Common Position, where travel is justified on the grounds of conducting political dialogue that promotes democracy, human rights and the rule of law. We did not want Robert Mugabe at the France-Africa summit in Paris. We made this clear to the French Government, at various levels as well as to other EU partners. The meeting took place two days after the EU sanctions on Zimbabwe were due to expire. Our priority then was to ensure a roll-over of those sanctions. The roll-over required a consensus among EU member states. This was achieved on 18 February 2003.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

  Agriculture
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost was of the British delegation's participation in the agriculture meetings in Paxos. [125643]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 14 July 2003]: No British delegation has attended agriculture meetings in Paxos within the last six months.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 19 June 2003,Official Report, column 358W, on agricultural shows, which (a) agricultural shows and (b) other rural events she has attended this year in her official capacity; and how many she plans to attend in the rest of the year. [124952]

  Alun Michael
  My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State visited a LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) demonstration event at Leverhulme Farms in Cheshire on 3 March. On 24 March she opened a project public services to the rural community at the village of Waters Upton in Shropshire and she attended the Royal Show at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire on 30 June.

  The Secretary of State also spoke at events important to rural and agricultural communities such as the Oxford Farming Conference in January, the Local Government Association's Rural Renewal Conference on 11 February and the annual conference of the National Farmers Union on 18 February.

  My right hon. Friend receives a considerable number of invitations to agricultural shows and rural events. These are considered carefully, but the pressures on her diary are intense, including many meetings that relate directly to the interests of rural communities as well as the other demands of her wide-ranging portfolio.

  I and my fellow Ministers at Defra undertake visits to a variety of agricultural shows and rural events. In doing so we seek to make them useful working visits in which we meet a range of organisations and individuals and hear about their work and experience rather than attendance just for the sake of it.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's policy is on the use of phosphates and nitrates in agriculture; and what action the Government is taking in regard to chemical run-off from farmland. [126727]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Government's policy on the use of phosphates and nitrates is that they should be applied in accordance with good nutrient management practice, and in compliance with legal requirements. This ensures that the necessary quantities of nutrients are available when required for uptake by the crop and that losses to the environment are minimised. Defra supports the Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme which trains and certifies people who advise farmers and growers on the appropriate use of fertilisers. Details on the optimum rate and timing for spreading phosphates and nitrates are contained within Defra booklet RB209 'Fertiliser Recommendations for Agricultural and Horticultural Crops'. Adoption of these recommendations helps to 820W
  reduce the risk of applying more nutrients than the crop needs and thereby minimises the risk of run off. There is evidence that farmers are following these recommendations. Application rates of nitrogen, phosphate and the other major nutrient, potash have been lower in the past decade than in the 1980s, despite an increase in crop production.

  The statutory Water Code (Defra PB0587) provides further essential guidance on the use and handling of fertilisers to minimise the risk of nutrient losses to water. Farmers operating in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones are obliged to implement Action Programme Measures, which are based largely on the Water Code.

  Defra is currently undertaking a review of the problem of diffuse pollution of water by agriculture, to identify the most cost effective way to achieve further reductions in pollution to comply with the Water Framework Directive and safeguard conservation sites.

  In collaboration with the EA and industry, Defray is developing a software tool to provide nutrient management decision support for farmers and advisers. The first version of the tool should be available next year, both as a module of existing farm management software packages and as a free stand-alone version.

  The Government encourages the use of manure as a valuable fertiliser thus helping to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers. One of the ways in which this is done is through the availability of the MANNER (Manure Nitrogen Evaluation Routine) Decision Support System which helps farmers accurately predict the fertiliser nitrogen value of organic manures on a field specific basis.

  Defra agri-environment schemes such as Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs), the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) fund management options which involve the reduction of input levels to grassland and arable farming systems. They also contain options such as buffer strips which benefit resource protection. ESAs and CSS are currently being reviewed in consultation with partners with a view to introducing a new scheme in 2005. It is proposed that resource protection should be an important objective of the new scheme.

  In addition, Defra is currently piloting a new Entry Level Scheme which aims to introduce simple yet effective environmental measures across a wide area of farmland. The pilot scheme includes options to prepare nutrient and manure management plans and other on-farm management which will deliver resource protection benefits. Following an assessment of the pilot scheme we intend to draw up proposals to roll it out across England in 2005.

  Animal By-Products Regulation
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to introduce secondary legislation to implement the European Animal By-Products Regulation. [114177]

  Margaret Beckett
  [holding answer 16 May 2003]: The regulation is directly applicable in the UK. The national implementing legislation which came into force on

  821W
  1 July does not repeat its provisions, but gives effect to the regulation by providing for offences, powers of entry, etc.

  Because of the elections in Scotland and Wales the consultation on their implementing legislation was delayed. As yet it is not known exactly when the statutory instruments will be in place in the devolved areas, although I am advised that the Scottish Executive are working to a timetable of 1 October. We are working closely with the industry to ensure effective implementation.

  Animal Welfare
  Mr. Robathan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received about animal welfare with respect to compulsory ear tags in livestock. [124524]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  We have recently consulted the pig. sheep and goat industry on proposed changes to the identification rules. The sheep and goat industry has expressed concern about the European Commission proposal to double tag lambs before 1 month of age. The pig industry has also expressed some concern about the proposal to implement the EU requirement to identify pigs before they leave the holding on which they were born with an ear tag or tattoo. We are considering the responses from industry.

  We take animal welfare issues very seriously when considering changes to livestock identification rules. It is important to use a suitable style and size of tag for the breed of animal and care needs to be taken on its application and to ensure that tags are applied by appropriately trained personnel in accordance with manufacturers instructions.

  Athens Treaty
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the treaty signed at Athens permitting application to the European membership of states there named, if he will place in the Library written statements and related charts and maps showing(a) the current sea areas of national and community waters and those that would become so in the event of accession of all relevant application states, (b) those areas lost to current national control and (c) the principal ports and coastal zones where fisheries are of economic or social importance. [126424]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I am not aware that any such charts or maps exist. A copy of the treaty signed in Athens was presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs by Command of Her Majesty on 30 April as Command Paper 5805. It has been placed in the Library of the House. I can confirm that all acceding countries accepted the fisheries acquis, Article 17 of which gives rules on access to waters. No areas were lost from UK control. No information on point(c) in relation to the acceding member states is to hand, and to assemble it would entail unjustifiable expense.

  Beef Imports
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much beef has been imported in each of the last three years from Australia. [126235]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The following table shows the UK imports of beef from Australia during the years 2000, 2001 and 2002.

  Thousand tonnes

  £ million

  2000

  5.8

  17.2

  2001

  5.7

  15.6

  2002

  5.5

  15.7

  Note:

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

  Source:

  HM Customs and Excise.

  Bovine TB
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle were slaughtered owing to bovine TB in each of the last 10 years; how many were subsequently found to be negative; and what the cost was to the Government of compensating farmers for the slaughter of cattle subsequently found to be negative in each year. [126335]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Information on compensation is held only for overall expenditure, not in the form requested. The remaining information requested is shown in the following table:

  Number of cattle slaughtered in GB under bovine TB control measures and compensation paid 1993–2002

  (a) Number of animals slaughtered under TB Control Measures (Reactors plus direct contacts)

  (b) Cases where TB was not confirmed

  (c) Total amount of compensation paid (£)

  1993

  2,455

  1,650

  2,081,436

  1994

  2,773

  1,600

  2,019,911

  1995

  2,896

  1,600

  1,988,820

  1996

  3,881

  2,270

  2,275,481

  1997

  3,760

  2,160

  2,386,029

  1998

  5,863

  3,420

  3,605,242

  1999

  6,772

  3,760

  5,770,983

  2000

  8,353

  4,480

  7,307,797

  2001

  6,258

  3,820

  7,074,125

  2002

  22,886

  15,980

  23,138,512

  Note

  1. Columns (a) & (c) are compiled from data published in the Chief Veterinary Officer's annual reports on Animal Health.

  2. Column (b) is compiled from data available from Defra's computer systems. Base data for 1993 and 1994 cannot be validated, and figures for all years cannot be reconciled with published data and have therefore been rounded. The figures show the number of cases where TB was not confirmed (rather than 'negative' cases). Post mortem examinations are less than 100% sensitive so failure to detect visible lesions or culture Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) from samples does not confirm the absence of infection or that the animal has not been exposed to M. bovis. The figures also include cases where culture results are still outstanding and where samples were not taken.

  3. In 2001, the TB testing and control programme was largely suspended due to the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. Since testing resumed in 2002, resources have been concentrated on herds with overdue TB tests that would have had a longer period in which to contract the disease. Also the proportion of

  823W
  high risk herds being tested post-FMD is greater than that prior to the outbreak. As a result, the numbers of TB reactors identified and slaughtered in 2001 and 2002 are not comparable with previous years.

  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had on the efficacy of skin tests for bovine TB; and what assessment she has made of the benefits of blood tests for bovine TB. [126336]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The single intradermal comparative cervical test (SICCT) is the only skin test currently used in Great Britain for the detection of TB in cattle. This test and the less specific single intradermal test (SIT) were, until recently, the only TB tests officially recognised by the European Union for use in cattle. The skin tests, along with the application of disease control principles, have achieved TB eradication in many countries.

  Last October, we begun a field evaluation of the gamma-interferon test, an in-vitro assay that measures the immune response to M. bovis of T-cells in cattle blood. This laboratory-based blood test was officially recognised by the EU in July 2002, but only for use as a supplement to the SICCT in TB affected herds. The test is considered more sensitive than the SICCT, but less specific, meaning that it results in a higher probability of false positives. For this reason, the gamma interferon test cannot be used as a screening test for TB for the time being.

  Diagnostic tests are never 100 per cent. accurate and there is often a trade-off between sensitivity and specificity. Although the gamma interferon test is not sufficiently specific to replace the SICCT, the use of the two tests in parallel has the potential to significantly increase the detection of infected cattle in herds where TB has been confirmed.

  I discussed the issue of TB diagnosis, particularly in relation to the progress of the gamma interferon trial, at a recent meeting with Professor Bourne, Chairman of the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB.

  Canada Geese
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many licences have been issued in respect of controlling Canada geese in each of the last five years. [126016]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 protects all wild birds and implements the EC Birds Directive in Great Britain Under article 9(3) of the directive we are required to send a report to the Commission on the implementation of Article 9, undertaken through section 16 of the 1981 Act.

  The figures for the last five years are as follows:

  Number

  1998

  74

  1999

  87

  2000

  90

  2001

  106

  2002

  157

  824W
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many licences in respect of controlling Canada geese have been issued to the British Airport Authority in the last five years. [126017]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  In the last five years the Department has issued a total of 58 licences specifically for air safety. This represents the total number of licences issued rather than those specifically issued to the British Airport Authority.

  Carbon Trading Scheme
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to ensure that the price of carbon purchase in the UK carbon trading scheme does not fall below a level at which the mechanisms of the scheme cease to operate effectively. [126917]

  Mr. Morley
  Defra, as scheme regulator, has no plans to intervene in UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) market activity. Like any market, the UK ETS allowance price is determined by actual supply and demand of allowances. Participants in the scheme are likely to trade based on profit maximisation decisions and so it is unlikely that prices would drop to a level at which market activity ceases. For a one year old voluntary scheme, there has been an encouraging amount of liquidity and stability in the fledgling market. First year results are published at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/trading/index. htm

  Cattle Passports
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle passports there are in the United Kingdom. [126236]

  Alun Michael
  On 1 July 2003 9,687,710 live animals were registered on the Cattle Tracing System (CTS) as having passports.

  Common Agricultural Policy
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of the recently agreed package of CAP reforms on(a) tenant farmers in England, (b) tenant farmers in the rest of the UK, (c) landlords of tenant farms, (d) family farms which do not employ non-family workers and (e) farmers as a whole. [126224]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: As a result of the CAP reform agreement reached on 26 June, we estimate that for UK farmers as a whole there will be an increase in incomes of up to £280 million, which represents 12 per cent. of total income from farming in 2002. Restructuring of businesses and greater efficiency encouraged by decoupling might give rise to further improvements. Overall, this is estimated to be worth £270 million, but is likely to be shared between producers, consumers and businesses in other sectors. A breakdown of these figures for the sectors listed by the hon. Member is not available.
  825W
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what(a) rules and (b) restrictions will apply to (i) tenant farmers and (ii) non-tenant farmers who seek to transfer to another holding their own single payment entitlements created under the recently agreed package of CAP reforms. [126226]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: In general, single payment entitlements will take the form of a designated amount per hectare for certain number of hectares and be allocated on the basis of farmers' average claims under the existing CAP direct aid schemes in the reference period 2000–02. The annual claim for payment against each entitlement will need to be accompanied by an eligible hectare, which may be on the holding that gave rise to the entitlement or on any other holding in the same member state. We expect "eligible hectare" to be defined as any agricultural area of the holding taken up by arable land and permanent pasture except areas under permanent crops, forests or used for non-agricultural purposes. Cross-compliance conditions will apply to those hectares and all other agricultural land on the holding. Those rules and restrictions will apply to tenants and non-tenants alike. A new management committee may establish additional detailed rules at EU level.

  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to(a) permit and (b) enable the implementation of the opportunity to buy and sell single payment entitlements as established under the recently agreed CAP reform package in respect of (i) tenant farmers, (ii) landlords of tenant farms, (iii) owner occupied farms and (iv) all farms. [126228]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: Farmers, whether tenants or owner occupiers, will be able to sell the single payment entitlements allocated to them once they have fulfilled the relevant conditions in claiming payment on at least 80 per cent. of those entitlements in one year. Sale may also be possible once entitlement holders have voluntarily given up to the national reserve all the entitlements that they have not claimed in the first year of operation of the single payment scheme. Landlords of tenant farmers will only be able to sell entitlements that they are either allocated to them in their own right as a result of claims for CAP direct aids during the scheme reference period or purchased by them once the scheme is introduced. All sales may take place with or without land and will only be permissible if they are to another farmer within the same member state. Member states may further restrict sales to farmers within the same region.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average price differential between Common Agricultural Policy prices and world market prices are for(a) wheat, (b) beef, (c) sheep meat, (d) oats and (e) sugar beet. [125754]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The OECD calculates the difference between EU prices under the Common Agricultural Policy and indicative world market prices. The latest published estimates are for 2001 and these show differentials as follows: common wheat, €4.1 per tonne; beef, €1,727.8 per tonne; sheep meat, €2,220 per tonne; oats, €28.6 per tonne; sugar beet €23.3 per tonne.
  826W
  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average tariff on agricultural produce from Africa into the EU was in the last year for which figures are available. [125755]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The detailed information on tariff revenues is not readily available to enable the calculation of the average tariff.

  A significant number of African countries are eligible for tariff concessions on exports to the European Union. Some of the least developed African countries qualify for the Everything But Arms (EBA) initiative. This arrangement grants duty-free access to imports of all products (except munitions) without any quantitative restrictions (with the exception of imports of bananas, rice and cane sugar which are being gradually liberalised). Thirty-three African countries qualify for the EBA preferential tariff rates.

  Other African countries qualify for preferential access under the terms of the Cotonou Agreement which provides African, Caribbean and Pacific countries with preferential access to EU markets for a wide range of agricultural commodities. Seventy-seven countries are signatories to the Cotonou Agreement and 48 of these are African Nations.

  In addition, the EU offers a number of tariff quotas, whereby a preferential rate of tariff is offered on a specified level of imports; and bilateral agreements, where bilateral preferences are offered between the EU and a third country.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps will be taken to improve access to EU markets for agricultural produce from the developing world under the current proposals for Common Agricultural Policy reform. [125756]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The proposals for Common Agricultural Policy reform were agreed on 26 June. They did not address market access for developing countries but agreement on them enables the EU to play a full part in negotiating new WTO arrangements on agriculture at the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Cancun in September. A better deal for developing countries is a key part of the Government's objectives for that meeting.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the three highest agricultural tariffs on imports into the EU were in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by(a) product and (b) percentage tariff. [125757]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Tariffs on imports to the EU can include both ad valorem and specific components. To compare the relative magnitude of tariffs it necessary to convert them into ad valorem equivalents (the tariff expressed as a proportion of the import price).

  The World Trade Organisation database provides estimates of the rate of duty on a range of individual tariff lines. The three highest calculated tariffs on

  827W
  agricultural products imported into the EU in 2000, identified from the WTO data, are shown in the following table. This average gives only an approximate

  Highest calculated rates of duty on agricultural imports into the EU (2000)

  Rate of duty

  Estimated duty rate

  CN code

  Description

  1/1–30/6

  1/7–31/12

  1/1–30/6

  1/7–31/12

  0402 21 99

  Milk and cream in solid forms, of a fat content by weight of more than 27 %, unsweetened, in immediate packings of more than 2.5kg

  177.1 €/100kg

  161.9 €/100kg

  127

  471

  0206 29 91

  Frozen edible bovine thick and thin skirt (excl. for manufacture of pharmaceutical products)

  14% + 332.6 €/100kg

  12.8% + 304.1 €/100kg

  220

  186

  0204 42 10

  Frozen sheep short forequarters

  14% + 98.7 €/100kg

  12.8 % + 90.2 €/100kg

  67

  294

  Source:

  WTO Integrated database.

  Mr. Redwood
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent proposals the UK has tabled in the EU to improve access for agricultural products from Africa into the EU. [125758]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Government was a leading proponent of the EU Everything But Arms agreement under which, the world's 48 least developed countries, many of which are African, are given unrestricted duty-free access to EU markets. We are also actively supporting the EU's current WTO proposal, which calls for all developed countries to adopt similar initiatives and to allow duty-free access for at least 50 per cent. of their total imports from developing countries.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Jenkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for redeployment of members of her Department out of London and the South East. [125357]

  Alun Michael
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury on 11 July 2003,Official Report, column 1021W.

  Drinking Water Inspectorate
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what comparative studies of the health impact of bottled and tap water the Drinking Water Inspectorate have conducted recently. [126551]

  Mr. Morley
  The Drinking Water Inspectorate has not commissioned any comparative studies on the health impact of bottled water and tap water.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the safe limits are used by the Drinking Water Inspectorate for(a) minerals and (b) other trace elements found in bottled waters. [126624]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999 (as amended) set safe limits for a wide range of minerals, including trace elements, in bottled waters.
  828W
  indication of the tariff rate and may be subject to substantial changes as the price of a commodity will vary from consignment to consignment.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of companies producing tap water are tested by the Drinking Water Inspectorate; what the frequency of testing is; how many companies producing tap water have failed these tests in each of the last six years; and what the safe limits are used by the Drinking Water Inspectorate for(a) minerals and (b) other trace elements found in tap water. [126625]

  Mr. Morley
  The role of the DWI is to audit all the statutory water companies in England and Wales. The companies are required to undertake sampling and analysis of public water supplies in accordance with the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 and subsequent amendments. These Regulations set out the frequency of monitoring, the locations where the samples have to be taken and the standards that have to be met. The regulatory standards incorporate those set out in the EC Directive on the quality of water intended for human consumption (80/778/EEC), which in turn are based on the World Health Organisation guideline values for drinking water quality. There are currently 26 water companies. In the last six years water companies have only experienced occasional failures of a standard. The level of compliance for all water companies rose from 99.75 per cent. in 1997 to 99.87% in 2002. The WHO guideline values for various constituents of drinking water, including certain minerals, represent the concentration of a constituent that does not result in any significant risk to consumers' health, usually over a lifetime of consumption.

  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of brands of bottled water are tested by the Drinking Water Inspectorate; what the frequency of testing is; and how many brands have failed these tests in each of the last six years. [126628]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I have been asked to reply.

  I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that local authorities enforce the Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water Regulations 1999 (as amended) which specify the frequency of testing for each of the three forms of bottled water. No central information is held on the results of these tests.
  829W
  A survey of bottled waters published by the Food Standards Agency in August 2002 showed that none of the 161 samples tested for antimony, arsenic, nickel or bromate contained these substances above the limits in the regulations.

  Emissions Targets
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress the UK has made in reducing carbon dioxide emissions under the Kyoto Protocol; and what assessment she has made of the impact of the proposed expansion of UK airports on meeting the targets. [126740]

  Mr. Morley
  The UK's target under the Kyoto Protocol is to reduce emissions in a basket of six greenhouse gases to 12.5 per cent. below the base year level by 2008–12.

  Data for emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases for 2001, submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in April 2003, show that emissions fell by 12.3 per cent. between the base year and 2001. Emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas fell by 5.3 per cent. between 1990 and 2001. Emissions of carbon dioxide for 2002 are provisionally estimated at 8 to 9 per cent. below the 1990 level. Total greenhouse gas emissions in 2002 are estimated to have been between 14–15 per cent. below the 1990 level, taking this provisional carbon dioxide estimate into account.

  A decision on whether any additional airport capacity should be provided, and if so how much, will be reached later this year and set out in the Air Transport White Paper. The environmental effects of aviation and the implications for the UK's international commitments, including those under the Kyoto Protocol, will be taken into account in reaching these decisions.

  Energy Consumption
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the "Sustainable Development Strategy—A Better Quality of Life" paper, with particular reference to the recommendations for reducing corporate energy consumption. [124388]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The 1999 strategy for sustainable development for the UK, "A better quality of life", sets out key UK Government actions to achieve sustainable development, including those to achieve more prudent use of energy by the business sector. They have been taken forward in the following ways.

  The Climate Change Levy was launched in April 2001 to help fund measures to promote energy efficiency in business and the public sector. As part of the CCL package a number of measures were introduced including:
  The EGA scheme offering tax incentives to firms investing in approved energy saving technologies.
  The Carbon Trust (CT) was launched "to take the lead on energy efficiency for business and the public sector, and to support the development of a low carbon economy", delivered through the trust's two main programmes: the Low Carbon Innovation Programme, and Action Energy (formerly the non-domestic part of the Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme) the UK's main energy efficiency information,
  830W
  advice and research programme for organisations in the public and private sectors. Since 1989, the EEBPP has helped many organisations save up to 20 per cent. of their energy bills, which equates to total UK energy savings of around £800 million a year.

  Envirowise (formerly the Environmental Technology Best Practice Programme) is the main programme promoting the resource efficiency message to business. Since it was established in 1994, the EETBP has helped UK business make resource efficiency savings of approximately £800 million.

  A review of "A better quality of life" has just started, to have a revised strategy in place by 2005. We intend to take a fresh look at how we achieve sustainable development in the UK, building on the current strategy to improve delivery.

  Energy Crops
  Mr. Kidney
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what effect the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy will have on the support given to the growing of energy crops, with particular reference to the use of set-aside land. [125422]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Under the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. which will come into effect on 1 January 2005, it will still be possible to grow energy crops on set-aside land and to receive payments under the new Single Payment Scheme. If energy crops are grown on non set-aside land payments under the new Single Payment Scheme plus the new €45 per hectare energy crops payment will be available. The energy crops payment is limited to an area of 1.5 million hectares for the EU as a whole and aid will be reduced if production exceeds that area.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 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. [124712]

  Mr. Morley
  The Integrated Policy Appraisal (IPA) tool is being piloted within Defra and allows policymakers to assess the environmental impacts of their policies. In addition, new guidance on Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), published by the Cabinet Office in January 2003, requires policy to be appraised for its anticipated environmental impacts, as well as social and economic ones; in order to deliver on the Government's commitment to sustainable development.

  Up to date figures for the number of IPAs and those RIAs which contain an assessment of environmental impacts, are not currently available. We are planning to collate this information over the summer and I will respond with the figure in the Autumn.

  All completed RIAs are published on the Defra website at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/ria/default.htm.

  EU Bio-waste Directive
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which stakeholders the Government have(a) consulted and (b) plan to consult on proposals for an EU Bio-waste Directive; and if she will make a statement. [125124]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government discussed the EU Working Document on Biological Treatment of Biowaste with interested parties when it was published in 2000. We will consult stakeholders formally when a draft Directive is produced, which is not expected until 2004.

  EU Committees
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list(a) the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU committee on certificates of specific character for agricultural products and Foodstuffs, (b) the number of times, and the dates, on which it has met since January 2002, (c) the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, (d) the decisions it has made since January 2002 and (e) the means used to communicate the decisions to the House. [110302]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The EU committee on certificates of specific character for agricultural products and foodstuffs does not have a fixed membership, but consists of delegates drawn from each of the 15 European member states.

  The Committee has met only once since January 2002, on 22 July 2002, to discuss amendments to the current Commission regulation setting out the detailed rules for the administration of the scheme. These discussions are continuing.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU committee on geographical indications and protected designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs, the number of times and the dates on which it has met since January 2002, the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, the decisions it has made since January 2002 and the means used to communicate these decisions to the House. [110489]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The EU committee on geographical indications and protected designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs does not have a fixed membership, but consists of delegates drawn from each of the 15 European member states. Since 17 April 2003, delegates from the 10 EU accession states have also been invited to attend meetings.

  The Committee has met on the following dates since January 2002: 9 April 2002, 16 May 2002, 22 July 2002, 5 February 2003, and 4 June 2003. It discusses a range of issues relating to the operation of the scheme as well as particular applications such as whether or not feta cheese should be registered as a Protected Designation
  832W
  of Origin. The Committee also considered the implications of Judgments from the European Court of Justice relating to Parma Ham and Parmigiano Reggiano.

  Any legislative proposals are submitted to Parliament under established scrutiny procedures and are considered and reported on by the House of Lords European Union Committee, the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee and the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland. This happened in the case of the proposal to register feta cheese.

  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU Standing Veterinary Committee, the number of times and the dates on which it has met since January 2002, the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, the decisions it has made since January 2002 and the means used to communicate these decisions to the House. [110495]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH), which was known as the Standing Veterinary Committee prior to March 2002, has met 46 times between 1 January 2002 and 7 July 2003. The meetings are attended by veterinary and technical experts from all Member States, Norway, Iceland and, more recently, Accession States. The Chief Veterinary Officer is the official representative for the UK although a deputy usually attends in his place.

  The agendas cover a wide variety of animal and public health issues. The Committee can adopt secondary legislation in the form of Commission Decisions and Regulations. Most Decisions are adopted to address immediate but routine disease or contamination problems within the EU or in non EU countries and it is therefore not appropriate to communicate such decisions to the House. There have, however, been rare occasions since January 2002 where issues before the Committee have been subject to Parliamentary Scrutiny.

  Full reports of SVC and SCoFCAH meetings including details of the decisions can be viewed on the Commission website. The addresses are:

  www.europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/rc/svc/index en.html and www.europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/rc/scfcah/ahaw/index en.html

  EU Constitution
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effects of the proposed European Constitution upon the UK's environmental policy; and if she will make a statement. [126763]

  Mr. Morley
  The Convention's proposals would have no direct effect on the UK's environment policy, and would leave environmental policy at EU level largely unchanged. Environmental matters handled at EU level would generally continue to be subject to co-decision
  833W
  with the European Parliament and to Qualified Majority Voting within the Council of Ministers. The draft of the new treaty prepared by the Convention on Future of Europe for discussion at the Inter Governmental Conference this Autumn retains the key provisions of the current treaties that refer to the environment and to the need for environmental protection requirements to be taken into account in other Community policies with a view to promoting sustainable development.

  The UK is also opposed to the proposal to establish a Single Legislative Council. This would weaken the direct involvement of the Environment Ministers in policy formation as well as in negotiating environmental legislation.

  Directive number

  Directive name

  Policy area

  Date agreed

  Actual UK

  1991/338/EEC

  Amending for the 10th time Directive 76/769/EEC on then approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations

  Env

  18 June 1991

  28 April 2003

  1996/061/EC

  Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control

  Env

  24 September 1996

  6 March 2003

  1996/062/EC

  Ambient air quality assessment and management

  Env

  27 September 1996

  19 July 2002

  1997/049/EC

  Conversation of wild birds

  Env

  28 July 1997

  20 December 2001

  1997/078/EC

  Laying down the principles governing the organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries

  Agri

  18 September 1997

  6 December 2002

  1997/079/EC

  Organisation of veterinary checks on products entering the Community from third countries

  Agri

  18 December 1997

  6 December 2002

  1998/058/EC

  Protection of farmed animals

  Agri

  6 April 1998

  27 November 2001

  1998/083/EC

  Drinking Water Directive

  Env

  3 November 1998

  20 December 2002

  1998/095/EC

  Genetically modified plant varieties

  Agri

  14 December 1998

  25 February 2002

  1998/096/EC

  Unofficial field inspections

  Agri

  14 December 1998

  25 February 2002

  1999/008/EC

  Marketing of cereal seed

  Agri

  18 February 1999

  15 November 2001

  1999/022/EC

  Keeping of wild animals in zoos

  Env

  29 March 1999

  22 April 2003

  1999/030/EC

  Limit Values for sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen and lead in ambient air

  Env

  22 April 1999

  1 August 2002

  1999/032/EC

  Sulphur content of certain liquid fuels

  Env

  26 April 1999

  1 March 2002

  1999/051/EC

  Restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (tin, PCP and cadmium)

  Env

  26 May 1999

  10 April 2003

  1999/054/EC

  Marketing of cereal seed

  Env

  26 May 1999

  1 November 2001

  1999/071/EC

  Fixing of maximum levels of pesticide residues

  Agri

  14 July 1999

  25 February 2002

  1999/072/EC

  Protection against zoonoses

  Agri

  29 July 1999

  11 June 2001

  1999/074/EC

  Protection of laying hens

  Agri

  19 July 1999

  3 September 2002

  2000/015/EC

  Amending Council Directive 64/432/EC on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals and swine

  Agri

  8 May 2000

  6 September 2002

  2000/020/EC

  Animal health products affecting intra-Community trade in bovine animals

  Agri

  16 May 2000

  25 February 2002

  2000/024/EC

  Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues

  Agri

  28 April 2000

  28 February 2002

  2000/027/EC

  Control of fish diseases

  Agri

  2 May 2000

  28 February 2002

  2000/029/EC

  Protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants products and against their spread within the community

  Agri

  8 May 2000

  6 September 2002

  2000/037/EC

  Veterinary medicinal products

  Agri

  5 June 2000

  28 February 2002

  2000/042/EC

  Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues

  Agri

  22 June 2000

  28 February 2002

  2000/048/EC

  Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues

  Agri

  5 July 2000

  28 February 2002

  2000/049/EC

  Placing plant protection products on the market

  Agri

  26 July 2000

  17 August 2001

  2000/050/EC

  Placing plant protection products on the market

  Agri

  26 July 2000

  17 August 2001

  2000/057/EC

  Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues

  Agri

  22 September 2000

  28 February 2002

  2000/058/EC

  Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues

  Agri

  22 September 2000

  28 February 2002

  2000/080/EC

  Placing plant protection products on the market

  Agri

  4 December 2000

  25 February 2002

  2000/081/EC

  Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues

  Agri

  18 December 2000

  25 February 2002

  2000/082/EC

  Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues

  Agri

  20 December 2000

  25 February 2002

  2001/010/EC

  Scrapie

  Agri

  22 May 2001

  17 August 2001

  2001/018/EC

  Deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms

  Env

  12 March 2001

  14 March 2003

  2001/021/EC

  Placing plant protection products on the market

  Agri

  5 March 2001

  25 February 2002

  2001/028/EC

  Placing plant protection products on the market

  Agri

  20 April 2001

  25 February 2002

  2001/032/EC

  Recognising protected zones exposed to a particular plant health risks in the Community and repealing Directive

  Agri

  8 May 2001

  28 February 2002

  2001/033/EC

  Organisms harmful to plants

  Agri

  8 February 2001

  28 February 2002

  2001/035/EC

  Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues

  Agri

  11 May 2001

  25 February 2002

  2001/036/EC

  Placing plant protection products on the market

  Agri

  16 May 2001

  25 February 2002

  2001/039/EC

  Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues

  Agri

  23 May 2001

  25 February 2002

  EU Directives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the EU directives implemented by the Department since 8 June 2001. [126589]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs plays a leading role in the UK's EU policy on the environment, agriculture, fisheries, animal and plant health. Since 8 June 2001, this Department has led on the implementation of 76 directives. The following table shows the directives implemented during the period.

  Details of all directives implemented can be found on the Eur-Lex database available on the European Union's website.
  835W

  Directive number

  Directive name

  Policy area

  Date agreed

  Actual UK

  2001/047/EC

  Placing plant protection products on the market

  Agri

  25 June 2001

  25 February 2002

  2001/048/EC

  Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues

  Agri

  28 June 2001

  25 February 2002

  2001/049/EC

  Placing plant protection products on the market

  Agri

  28 June 2001

  25 February 2002

  2001/057/EC

  Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues

  Agri

  25 July 2001

  25 February 2002

  2001/064/EC

  Marketing of fodder plant seed and cereal seed

  Agri

  31 August 2001

  5 March 2003

  2001/081/EC

  National emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants

  Env

  23 October 2001

  10 January 2003

  2001/082/EC

  Community code relating to veterinary medicine products

  Agri

  6 November 2001

  31 March 2003

  2001/091/EC

  Restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (hexachloroethane)

  Env

  29 October 2001

  30 June 2003

  2001/099/EC

  Amending Annex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market to include glyphosate and thifensulfuron-methyl as active substances

  Agri

  20 November 2001

  22 October 2002

  2001/103/EC

  Amending Annex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market to include 2, 4 dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4-D) as an active substance

  Agri

  28 November 2001

  22 October 2002

  2001/109/EC

  Statistical surveys to be carried out by Member States to determine potential of certain species of fruit trees

  Agri

  16 January 2002

  15 May 2002

  2002/005/EC

  Amending Annex II to Council Directive 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables

  Agri

  30 January 2002

  1 September 2002

  2002/008/EC

  Minimum conditions for examining vegetables and agricultural residues

  Agri

  6 February 2002

  12 April 2002

  2002/018/EC

  Amending Annex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market to include isoproturon as an active substance

  Agri

  22 February 2002

  22 October 2002

  2002/023/EC

  Fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on cereals, foodstuffs of animal origin and certain products of plant origin, including fruit and vegetables respectively

  Agri

  26 February 2002

  19 September 2002

  2002/028/EC

  Protective measures against the introduction into the Community of organisms harmful to plants or plant products and against their spread within the community

  Agri

  19 March 2002

  24 September 2002

  2002/029/EC

  Amending Directive 2001/32/EC as regards certain protected zones exposed to particular plant health risks in the community

  Agri

  19 March 2002

  24 September 2002

  2002/031/EC

  Energy labelling of household air conditioners

  Env

  22 March 2002

  14 March 2003

  2002/033/EC

  Amending Directives 90/425/EEC and 92/118/EEC as regards health requirements for animal by-products

  Agri

  21 October 2002

  30 June 2003

  2002/037/EC

  Amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include ethofumesate as an active substance

  Agri

  3 May 2002

  6 March 2003

  2002/040/EC

  Commission Directive 2002/040/EC implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labelling of household electric ovens

  Env

  8 May 2002

  14 March 2003

  2002/042/EC

  Fixing maximum levels of pesticide residues

  Agri

  17 May 2002

  11 April 2003

  2002/048/EC

  Amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include iprovalicarb, prosulfuron and sulfosulfuron as active substances

  Agri

  30 May 2002

  6 March 2003

  2002/062/EC

  Adapting to technical progress for the ninth time Annex I to Council Directive 76/769/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States on marketing and use of (organostannic compounds)

  Env

  9 July 2002

  14 March 2003

  2002/063/EC

  Establishing community methods of sampling for the official control of pesticides residues in and on products of the plant and animal origin and repealing Directive 79/700/EEC

  Agri

  16 July 2002

  7 April 2003

  2002/064/EC

  Amending Council Directive 91/414/EECto include cinidon-ethyl, cyhalofop butyl, famoxadone, florasulam, metalaxyl-M and picolinafen as active substances

  Agri

  15 July 2002

  7 April 2003

  2002/066/EC

  Amending the Annexes to Directive 76/895/EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards the fixing of maximum levels for pesticides residues in and on fruit and vegetables

  Agri

  16 July 2002

  11 April 2003

  2002/071/EC

  Non Transposition of Directive 2002/71/EC: Fixing of maximum levels for pesticides residues (fromthion, dimethoate and oxydemetonmethyl)

  Agri

  19 August 2002

  11 April 2003

  2002/076/EC

  Incineration of waste

  Agri

  6 September 2002

  11 April 2003

  2002/079/EC

  Non Transposition of Commission Directive 2002/79/EC amending the Annexes to Council Directives 76/895/EEC, 86/362/ EEC, 86/363/EEC and 90/642/EEC as regards fixing of maximum levels for certain pesticides residues

  Agri

  2 October 2002

  15 April 2003

  2002/081/EC

  Amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include flumioxazine as an active substance (Plant Protection Products)

  Agri

  10 October 2002

  7 April 2003

  2002/097/EC

  Amending the annexes to council directives 86/362/EEC.86/363/ EEC and 90/642/EEC Fixing of maximum levels of pesticide in cereal and foodstuff in products of animal and plant origin

  Agri

  16 December 2002

  15 April 2003

  2002/100/EC

  Maximum residue levels in azoxystrobin

  Agri

  20 December 2002

  15 April 2003

  Fallen Stock
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress 836W
  has been made on the subscription system for fallen stock disposal; how much the system will cost the Department; and how many farmers have signed up for fallen stock. [125037]
  837W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Government is currently considering whether a national scheme for fallen stock is viable and will be making an announcement about this shortly.

  In response to the consultation exercise carried out in May, around 33,000 livestock farmers in England expressed interest in joining a subscription scheme, just over 30 per cent. of those who were consulted.

  If a scheme were to go ahead Defra has said that it would be prepared to contribute up to £5 million in the first year decreasing to zero by the end of the third year. This is in addition to the £30 million that the Government already pays for collecting and disposing of cattle for BSE testing purposes.

  Fertiliser
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what tonnage of fertiliser was used in agriculture in the United Kingdom during 2002. [126237]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Data on fertiliser usage are not collected on a UK basis. The annual British Survey of Fertiliser Practice provides information on fertiliser use on the major crops and grass grown in mainland Britain. Data for 2002 are currently undergoing analysis and will not be available until the autumn.

  Fisheries
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects(a) to complete and (b) to publish the Strategy Unit's report on the fishing industry. [126583]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Strategy Unit project on the UK fishing industry aims to be completed by the end of the year, when its final report will be published.

  A consultation paper has already been published on the unit's website www.strategy.gov.uk. This builds on, and follows, a series of face-to-face meetings with industry representatives across the UK.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many British fishermen have had their licences bought out under the aid scheme approved by the European Commission on 11 June; and what assistance the Government will give to fishermen and vessel owners whose licences are bought out. [126769]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  52 of the 68 salmon drift netsmen remaining in the North East coast salmon drift net fishery have accepted a voluntary compensation scheme to give up their drift net licences to reduce exploitation of this mixed stock. The scheme was open only to those who held a drift net licence to fish off the North East coast of England. The Government are contributing £1.25 million over the years 2003–04 with the remainder of the £3.4 million needed to fund this buy-out being raised by private interests.

  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what estimate she has made of the number of fishermen who will lose 838W
  their jobs due to new regulations introduced under the Restrictive Shellfish Licensing Scheme in (a) Wales and (b) the UK; [126822]

  (2) whether there is a provision to ease fishing regulations through the Restrictive Shellfish Licensing Scheme if waters are restocked; [126823]

  (3) whether compensation will be paid for the loss of fishermen's incomes arising from the Restrictive Shellfish Licensing Scheme; and whether there will be separate provision for Welsh fishermen. [126824]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  All fishermen with a fishing vessel licensed by one of the four Fisheries Departments in the UK, will be given an entitlement to fish for crabs, lobsters and crawfish under the Restrictive Shellfish Licensing Scheme subject to demonstrating that they have landed and sold more than 200kg of lobsters or crawfish, or 750kg of crabs in a 12 month rolling period between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2002. Those fishermen with a licensed fishing vessel who do not meet the criteria will nevertheless be entitled to catch 5 lobsters and 25 crabs per day. It is not expected that employment for fishermen in Wales or the UK will be at risk as a result of these arrangements.

  This Department has no plans to provide compensation for fishermen who do not qualify for the Scheme. By preventing excessive effort increases in the future which would threaten crab and lobster stocks, the Scheme should in fact help to maintain the employment of fishermen whose livelihood depends on them.

  The possibility of course exists to vary the requirements of the Scheme in future: the additional information we shall be obtaining on shellfishing activity as a result of the Scheme will enable us to consider, in consultation with interested parties, how this might be done.

  Hywel Williams
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the National Assembly for Wales on the Restrictive Shellfish Licensing Scheme and its effects on the local economy; and what representations she has received from Welsh fishermen. [126825]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Welsh Assembly Government has been fully involved in all stages of the development and implementation of the Restrictive Shellfish Licensing Scheme.

  Representations have been received from the North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee, South and West Wales Fishing Communities Ltd., and a number of Welsh fishermen. These relate to the eligibility criteria for the scheme and how this will impact, in particular, on those who fish on a seasonal basis for shellfish.

  Fuel Poverty
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of(a) whether there is a need to increase the budget for the warm front programme and (b) whether the fuel poverty reduction targets will be met. [126717]
  839W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  A budget of £156 million has been made available to tackle fuel poverty in the current financial year. This will enable continued delivery of energy efficiency measures to some of the most vulnerable members of society. It will also help us to achieve our PSA target of assisting 600,000 households between 2001 and 2004.

  Government's first Annual Report on Progress under the Fuel Poverty Strategy showed good progress in the reduction of the number of households in fuel poverty. We are committed to report annually. Future budgets for tackling fuel poverty will be considered as part of the normal process.

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Austin Mitchell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what the current state is of her farm trials of genetically modified organisms; and when she intends to report on these; [126415]

  (2) when the results of her field trials of genetically modified organisms will be published. [126570]

  Mr. Morley
  The GM crop farm-scale evaluation (FSE) trials for spring-sown maize, beet and oil seed rape have been completed. The results are currently being peer reviewed by the independent scientific journal 'The Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society'.

  We currently anticipate that the results will be published not before late September. However, as is always the case with such publications, this is entirely at the discretion of the journal and subject to their acceptance of the scientific papers. Winter oil seed rape results are due in 2004.

  On the day of publication the independent Scientific Steering Committee that has overseen the FSEs and the research team that has conducted the work will hold an afternoon meeting at which the results will be presented to the wider scientific community and members of the public, followed by a question and answer session.

  Copies of the scientific papers will be made available as will a short non-specialist summary of the results written by the research consortium and approved by the independent Scientific Steering Committee.

  This initial meeting will be followed by a second meeting hosted by the independent Scientific Steering Committee some weeks later, at which the public and wider scientific community will again have an opportunity to hear the results and ask questions.

  On publication of the results the scientific steering committee will publish its advice to ministers signifying the completion of the FSEs. The results will immediately be forwarded to the Government's statutory advisory body on the release of GMOs, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE), who will advise on the implications of the results for the possible commercial cultivation of the crops in question. Before ACRE formulate their advice they will hold an open meeting at which they will take evidence from experts and stakeholders.
  840W
  Further details of how copies of the final report can be obtained, and how stakeholders and the public can attend the events or submit evidence to ACRE, will be announced in due course, and will also be published on the farm scale evaluation website at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/fse.

  Global Environmental Policy
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with(a) US and (b) European colleagues on the progress of global environmental policy. [126731]

  Mr. Morley
  During 2003, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State had discussions with US and EU colleagues to take forward global environmental policy and international sustainable development in the following fora: the G8 Environment Ministers meeting in Paris in April; the High Level Ministerial Segment of the eleventh session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD11) in New York in April; the Kiev Environment for Europe Conference in May and the European Environment Councils in Brussels in March and June. She has also corresponded in writing and by telephone with US and EU colleagues on these issues. The WSSD highlighted the need for real change and action—this has remained her main focus.

  The positive outcome of the CAP reform negotiations at the European Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Luxembourg in June will also play an important role in reducing environmental degradation and pursuing sustainable development objectives.

  Other Defra Ministers have also discussed these issues with US and EU colleagues at, among others, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 22nd Governing Council in Nairobi, the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit in February and the 3rd World Water Forum in Kyoto in March.

  GM Crops
  Mr. Sarwar
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the consultation on genetically modified crops. [126117]

  Mr. Morley
  The public debate on GM issues ('GM Nation?') is being managed by an independent steering board at arm's length from Government. The public phase of the debate was launched on 3 June and was followed by six regional launch events. Further local meetings have been organised throughout the UK by organisations and individuals, and the public were also able to participate via the interactive debate website. As of 11 July, over 17,000 feedback questionnaires had been received. The Steering Board is due to submit its report to Government in September.

  The public debate is one strand of a wider GM dialogue announced by the Secretary of State last July, which also comprises a Science Review and a study by the Strategy Unit into the overall costs and benefits of GM crops. The Strategy Unit's report was published on 11 July; the report is available online at www.strategy.gov.uk and a copy has also been placed in the Library. The report of the science review was

  841W
  published on 21 July. Both the Strategy Unit and the Science Review panel have invited comments on their reports. The Food Standards Agency also published its report on "Consumers views on GM food" on 16 July, which represents the FSA's contribution to the public debate.

  Separately, we are expecting publication of the results of our Farm Scale Evaluation (FSE) crop trials this autumn, which will then be in the public domain, and people will be able to comment on them if they wish. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, which will provide independent advice to Government on the implications of the FSE results, has decided to hold a special meeting in public to take evidence on the results from experts and stakeholders.

  Before any GM crop can be cultivated in the EU, each member state has the opportunity to scrutinise the application for marketing consent for commercial cultivation. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis under EC Directive 2001/18 on the deliberate release of Genetically Modified Organisms into the environment. The directive provides for mandatory public consultation on each application.

  We will decide our policy on the commercial cultivation of GM crops based on an objective assessment of all the available information, including the reports of the three strands of the GM dialogue and the results of our Farm Scale Evaluation crop trials.

  Greenfield Sites
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the implications for the Government's direction that brownfield or derelict land assets be used as a priority before greenfield sites of the High Court judgement by Mr. Justice Sullivan on 8July on the case brought by Laing Homes over a site near High Wycombe. [126732]

  Alun Michael
  The judgment in R (Laing Homes Ltd.) v Buckinghamshire County Council & the Secretary of State for the Environment Food & Rural Affairs (third party) (2003) concluded that village green rights could not be established in the particular circumstances of that case, because the land to be registered had been used to cultivate, and harvest, an annual hay crop.

  The specific controls over development on village greens are separate from planning controls. Planning consent is required before land can be developed for housing. It remains Government policy that local planning authorities should provide sufficient housing land but give priority to re using previously-developed land within urban areas, bringing empty homes back into use and converting existing buildings, in preference to the development of greenfield sites.

  Hazardous Waste
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will list the methods of treatment and their capacity that will be available from 16 July 2004 to treat hazardous waste containing(a) high levels of mercury, (b) high levels of arsenic, (c) high levels of nickel and (d) isocyanates before landfill; [126878]
  842W
  (2) if she will list the methods of treatment, and their capacity, that will be available from 16 July 2004 to treat hazardous waste arising from the manufacture, formulation, supply and use of plastics and organic waste from paints and inks before landfill. [126883]

  Mr. Morley
  A range of possible treatment methods exist now and in the future to deal with hazardous waste. These range from high temperature incineration and solidification to landfill. Treatment standards for wastes with high levels of mercury, arsenic and nickel and containing isocyanate will form part of the waste acceptance criteria currently being developed and on which there will be a Government consultation shortly.

  Similarly, hazardous waste arising from the manufacture, formulation, supply and use of plastics and organic waste from paints and inks will be subject to the requirements of the waste acceptance criteria before landfill. The nature and properties of the wastes and the requirements to meet the waste acceptance criteria influence the most appropriate treatment technique.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the hazardous waste landfill capacity that will be required from 16 July 2004. [126879]

  Mr. Morley
  In 2001, some 2.3 million tonnes of special waste was consigned to landfill in England and Wales, which represents some 45 per cent. of total special waste consigned.

  Projections for future years are affected by a range of factors, including the likely increase in costs of treatment and disposal, and the impact of this change in costs on producers efforts to minimise waste. Changes to the hazardous waste list are likely to increase the amount of hazardous waste to be consigned. These and other factors are currently being investigated in support of work on possible scenarios for the hazardous waste forum, which is due to report in the autumn. The scenarios currently envisaged suggest a range for consignable hazardous waste of between 4.3 and 7.3 million tonnes per annum over the next five years. It is likely that the proportion of this waste being consigned to landfill will decrease markedly as costs of landfill disposal increase, and treatment requirements apply, making alternative treatments more economically attractive and in some cases necessary.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the permitted capacity is of landfill sites that will be classified as hazardous from 16 July 2004. [126880]

  Mr. Morley
  The information requested is not available centrally at the present time, but will be compiled by the Environment Agency from landfill permit applications received, and should be available in December.,

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the amount of hazardous waste produced in(a) 1999, (b) 2000, (c) 2001 and (d) 2002; and what projections her Department has made of hazardous waste produced in (i) 2003, (ii) 2004, (iii) 2005 and (iv) 2006. [126881]
  843W
  Mr. Morley
  Data collected by the Environment Agency on the amount of special waste consigned per annum show that for England and Wales, the following amounts were consigned:

  Million tonnes

  1999

  4.9

  2000

  5.3

  2001

  5.3

  Note:

  Data for 2002 is not yet available.

  Projections for future years are affected by a range of factors, including the likely increase in costs of treatment and disposal, and the impact of this change in costs on producers efforts to minimise waste. Changes to the hazardous waste list are likely to increase the amount of hazardous waste to be consigned. These and other factors are currently being investigated in support of work on possible scenarios for the hazardous waste forum, which is due to report in the autumn. The scenarios currently envisaged suggest a range for consignable hazardous waste of between 4.3 and 7.3 million tonnes per annum over the next five years.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to (1) what standards she will require hazardous waste arising from the manufacture, formulation, supply and use of plastics to be treated before landfill from 16 July 2004; and on what basis these standards have been set; [126872]

  (2) to what standards she will require organic based waste from paints and inks to be treated before landfill from July 2004; and on what basis these standards have been set; [126873]

  (3) to what standards she will require hazardous waste containing (a) high levels of mercury, (b) high levels of arsenic, (c) high levels of nickel and (d) icocynates to be treated before landfill from 16 July 2004; and on what basis these standards have been set. [126874]

  Mr. Morley
  Under the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002, waste can only be accepted at landfill if it does not result in unacceptable emissions to groundwater, surface water, or the surrounding environment, jeopardise environment protection measures, put at risk waste stabilisation measures at the landfill or endanger human health. As from July 2004, all hazardous waste as defined in the Regulations will require treatment prior to landfill. This requirement will extend to non-hazardous waste on a date yet to be specified.

  When the Council Decision on Waste Acceptance Criteria is implemented, for waste to be accepted in hazardous waste landfills, separate cells in non hazardous waste landfills or in inert waste landfills, it must meet the criteria set out in the Decision. These criteria include limit values for chemical and other contaminants and for organic content. These values were drawn up by an EU Commission scientific modelling group, chaired by a scientist from the Environment Agency.

  We will be consulting shortly on the implementing of the Council Decision on Waste Acceptance Criteria in England and Wales. Overall, the Government is
  844W
  committed to reducing the UK's reliance on landfill, which makes little practical use of waste and is a missed opportunity to recover value from waste.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what environmental assessment she has made of not requiring hazardous waste arising from the manufacture, formulation, supply and use of plastics to be treated before landfill from 16 July 2004; [126875]

  (2) what environmental assessment she has made of not requiring hazardous waste containing (a) high levels of mercury, (b) high levels of arsenic, (c) high levels of nickel and (d) icocynates to be treated before landfill from 16 July 2004. [126882]

  Mr. Morley
  Under the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002, that implemented the technical and regulatory components of the Landfill Directive, all hazardous waste as defined in the Regulations will require treatment prior to landfill from July 2004.

  The only exception is waste for which such treatment does not contribute to the objectives of the Directive by reducing the quantity or the hazards to human health or the environment.

  Overall, the Government is committed to reducing the UK's reliance on landfill, which makes little practical use of waste and is a missed opportunity to recover value from waste.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many tonnes of(a) municipal, (b) commercial, (c) industrial and (d) other waste was sent to exempt landfill sites in each year since 1997. [126876]

  Mr. Morley
  None; no general rules have been made under Article 11(1)(a) of the Waste Framework Directive which would enable a landfill site to operate under the terms of an exemption from waste management licensing. The derogation in the Landfill Directive for landfills serving islands and isolated settlements was not taken up for England because no existing sites met the criteria and any future site in these locations should meet the full requirements of the Directive.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many outsourced IT contracts have been signed by her 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 she will make a statement. [126197]

  Alun Michael
  Defra was established as a new Department in 2001. Since that time, one outsourced contract has been signed with LogicaCMG for the replacement and support of the Radioactive Incident Monitoring System (RIMNET 3) until 2012 to the value of £16.1 million.

  The information provided relates to the core Department only since its creation.

  Johannesburg Summit
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress her Department has made in meeting the outcomes of the Earth Summit in Johannesburg. [126360]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department leads on a number of the commitments made at last year's World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)—international biodiversity, chemicals management, marine issues, fisheries, agriculture, and sustainable consumption and production patterns. The full set of main commitments was set out in the Government's Memorandum to the Environmental Audit Committee in February 2003. copies of which are in the House Library. We will be presenting an overview of progress across Government to mark the anniversary of WSSD, In the meantime, a summary list of progress against the commitments on which Defra leads is attached to the paper on WSSD follow-up, tabled at the 14 July 2003 meeting of the Sustainable Development Task Force. This document is available at: http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/sd_strategy/taskforce/index.htm

  Landfill
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of landfill sites will be full by 2010; and what alternative methods of disposal will be used once waste landfill sites are filled. [125573]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government is committed to reducing the UK's reliance on landfill, which makes little practical use of waste and is a missed opportunity to recover value from waste. The landfilling of waste sits at the bottom of the waste hierarchy and in Waste Strategy 2000 and its subsequent response to the Strategy Unit Report "Waste Not Want Not" Government has set out a range of policies to promote the reduction, re-use, recycling and recovery of waste in order to divert it from landfill. The demand for landfill in 2010 and the availability of landfill sites to deal with that demand is therefore impossible to predict, although the impact of Government policies, including the targets in the proposed Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme should result in lower demand.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of which landfill sites in England are in need of remedial measures to combat the effects of pollution; how much this will cost; who will pay; what steps have been taken to prevent future problems of this kind; and if she will make a statement. [126169]

  Mr. Morley
  Until recently, landfill sites were licensed under the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. Under this system, the Environment Agency is obliged to ensure that, when issuing a waste management licence, the activities to which the licence relate do not cause pollution of the environment, harm to health or serious detriment to the amenities of the locality. The Agency is also obliged to modify the conditions of the licence if it appears that these impacts could be caused by the continuation of the landfill activities. If remedial measures are needed, it is for the licence holder to cover the cost of these, and the cost will 846W
  vary depending on the nature of the works needed. No national figures have been collated on the actual numbers of landfills where modifications specifically to tackle pollution have taken place.

  The Landfill Directive introduced stringent new standards for landfill sites to protect the environment. The Environment Agency has begun re-permitting all landfill sites under the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002. The programme is expected to be completed by March 2007. As part of this process, all operational sites needed to submit a Conditioning Plan to the Agency by July 2002 which gave an outline of the measures that need to be taken by each site to meet the new standards. These plans are available on the Agency's public register.

  The Government assessed the cost of meeting the Landfill Directive in a Regulatory Impact Assessment. We estimated that the Directive brought forward a number of requirements that will add between £2.20 and £4.40 per tonne to the mean cost of waste disposal, with costs ranging from £0 to £120 per tonne for specific waste streams. These costs will largely be passed back to the waste producers, reflecting the polluter pays principle, and will provide a further incentive to waste producers to reuse, recycling or otherwise minimise their waste production.

  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the remaining capacity of landfill sites in the UK. [126770]

  Mr. Morley
  This Department has not conducted an exercise to determine the remaining capacity of landfill sites. The information that is available on the number of landfill sites in England and Wales comes from the conditioning plan exercise carried out by the Environment Agency. The number of landfill sites that will remain operational after July 2002 and after 2004, broken down by classification (hazardous, nonhazardous and inert) and by region, is as follows:

  Region

  Non-hazardous

  Inert

  Hazardous (post 2002)

  Hazardous (post 2004)

  Anglian

  43

  60

  47

  9

  Midlands

  50

  74

  42

  4

  North East

  89

  58

  39

  11

  North West

  49

  37

  27

  8

  South West

  39

  46

  16

  1

  Southern

  30

  35

  13

  1

  Thames

  31

  49

  19

  0

  Wales

  23

  30

  15

  3

  Total

  311

  329

  218

  37

  Milk Quotas
  Andrew George
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what action her Department will take to ensure the implementation of the Thomsen ruling on non-producing milk quota holders in respect of(a) existing tenant farmers who are non-producing milk quota holders, (b) non-tenant farmers who are non-producing milk quota holders and (c) tenant farmers who are non-producing milk quota holders but who cannot sell because they are in dispute

  847W
  with their landlord over the apportionment of its value; and if she will make a statement on the effect of the ruling on each of the groups listed; [126227]

  (2) what assessment she has made, following the outcome of the Thomsen judgment, of cases where landlords refuse to give permission to their tenant farmers who seek to sell their non-producing milk quota; and what action her Department can take in such cases. [126225]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: As a result of the Thomsen European Court of Justice (ECJ) judgment, quota holders, irrespective of status, who are no longer in active milk production will, by 31 March 2004, have to sell their milk quota. resume production, or otherwise have their quota confiscated. Where quota is confiscated, under the current UK legislation the quota holder has six years in which to resume production and thus have the quota restored. The new European Council quotas regulation, which is still under negotiation, provides for this period to be reduced to two years. Currently, only the quota holder may apply for restoration of quota but we are considering amending UK legislation to allow anyone with an interest in the holding/quota to apply.

  Although representations have been made to the Department with regard to landlord/tenant issues in the light of the Thomsen judgment, it is not for Defra to intervene in cases where private tenancy agreements give rise to quota disputes between landlords and their tenants.

  Janet Hughes
  Mr. Lidington
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regard she had to the Lord Chancellor's guidelines in relation to ability to pay in taking the decision to pursue costs from Ms Janet Hughes. [125394]

  Margaret Beckett
  A person's ability to pay an order for costs is a factor which Defra takes into account in all cases. In Janet Hughes' case this was why Defra:

  (a) wrote to her on three occasions Wore taking enforcement action asking her to put forward payment proposals, which she refused to do;

  (b) has suspended enforcement action in order to try to reach an agreement which is acceptable to both parties;

  (c) has repeatedly stated in correspondence that it would like to resolve this matter by agreement, and that it is prepared to set payments at a realistic level.

  Non-native Species
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when her Department will(a) issue a response and (b) launch a public consultation in response to the Department's Review of Non-Native Species published in March on its recommendations for dealing with invasive non-native species; and if she will make a statement. [126250]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 12 June 2003,Official Report, column 1011W. The Department would expect the Government response to be available in September, with public consultation following shortly after.
  848W
  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to consult local, county and regional government and other non-statutory landowners on the recommendations of her Department's Review of Non-Native Species and the Government response to its recommendations for dealing with invasive non-native species, with particular reference to(a) their responsibility for habitats where invasive non-native weeds are growing and (b) their responsibilities in controlling these weeds; what discussions she had had with these bodies on the subject; and if she will make a statement. [126251]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Department will consult widely on the Government's response to the review's recommendations. A wide range of stakeholders were directly involved in the Department's review, including organisations such as the Local Government Association, the National Farmers Union and the Country and Land Business Association. The review made a number of key recommendations.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department is having on providing financial assistance to local government and non-statutory bodies with responsibilities for habitats where invasive non-native weeds are present to assist them in tackling and eradicating these weeds; and if she will make a statement. [126252]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him on 12 June 2003,Official Report, column 1011W.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under what circumstances a local authority may become involved with a control project to deal with invasive non-native plants; how a local authority may apply to be involved in such a project; what criteria she sets for such control projects; and if she will make a statement. [126253]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  Local authorities may embark on their own programmes of control of invasive non-native plants. For example, a consortium led by Cornwall county council is undertaking a four year project researching the biological control of Japanese knotweed. This Department was approached and agreed to join the consortium and assist with funding the research. Guidance on control and disposal is provided by English Nature and the Environment Agency.

  Mr. Pike
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from local, county and regional government, and non-statutory landowners regarding the(a) costs and (b) difficulties in controlling invasive non-native weeds on land under their custody; and if she will make a statement. [126254]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Department regularly receives representations, on the telephone and in writing, from officers of local and county authorities and from individual landowners relating to invasive non-native weeds. These cover a variety of issues. No central record is kept of telephone calls.

  Nuclear Waste
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list(a) the names, titles and grades of the officials who sit on the EU advisory committee on the transportation of radioactive waste (surveillance and control), (b) the number of times, and the dates, on which it has met since January 2002, (c) the agenda items it has considered since January 2002, (d) the decisions it has made since January 2002 and (e) the means used to communicate the decisions to the House. [110295]

  Mr. Morley
  I assume the hon. Member is referring to the advisory Committee established under Article 19 of European Council Directive 92/3/EURATOM on the supervision and control of shipments of radioactive waste between member states and into and out of the Community. This Committee does not have a fixed membership, but consists of delegates drawn from each of the 15 European member states. The Committee meets on an ad-hoc basis and has met once since January 2002, on 18 October 2002, to consider possible amendments to the Directive suggested by a European Commission working group on simpler legislation in the internal market. The Commission took note of the views of the Committee and is expected to bring forward further proposals in due course.

  Packaging Regulations
  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to include pallets within the terms of the packaging regulations. [126915]

  Mr. Morley
  Pallets are already covered by the terms of the packaging regulations.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the workings of the packaging regulations; and what measures she is planning to ensure that the price of packaging recovery notes does not fall below a level at which the mechanisms of the packaging regulations cease to operate effectively. [126916]

  Mr. Morley
  We will be publishing a consultation paper later this month seeking views on possible amendments to the packaging regulations. Targets for the recovery and recycling of packaging waste from 2004 to 2008 and a range of other measures designed to improve the system are considered in the consultation document. A number of these changes have been recommended by the Advisory Committee on Packaging who have reviewed a number of aspects of the packaging regulations. We believe that the changes proposed would ensure the continued viability of the present system of packaging recovery notes and would contribute to a more efficient and effective, system.

  Pesticides
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of a voluntary approach to pesticide reduction in agriculture. [126690]
  850W
  Alun Michael
  Provided that the Voluntary Initiative is fully implemented, the Government believes that it will be effective in reducing the environmental impact of pesticides. Progress with the Voluntary Initiative is kept under close scrutiny. In drawing up the planned national pesticides strategy, the Government will consider whether a policy of targeted use reduction might help achieve the overall aim of impact reduction.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she takes to ensure that the activities of the Pesticides Safety Directorate are consistent with the Food Standards Agency in relation to the pesticide reduction strategy. [126691]

  Alun Michael
  Both the Food Standards Agency and the Pesticides Safety Directorate are fully in support of the regulatory system for pesticides, which aims to ensure that pesticides do not pose unacceptable risks to people or to the environment when used according to statutory conditions. In addition, the Pesticides Safety Directorate has a policy to encourage practices that further reduce the risks that pesticide use poses to the environment. The Food Standards Agency has a policy of encouraging reductions in residue levels of food below statutory levels.

  Both bodies are aware of the need to work together to ensure that these complementary policies work well together in practice. They are working closely together on these and other issues.

  Poultry Meat
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what tonnage of poultry meat was imported in the last 12 months. [126238]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The following table shows UK imports of poultry meat and poultry meat products for all months in 2002 and 2003 for which data are available.

  Thousand tonnes

  Year/month

  Poultry carcase meat: fresh, chilled or frozen

  Poultry meat and offal preparations: prepared or preserved

  Poultry offal

  2002

  January

  24

  8

  0

  February

  25

  9

  0

  March

  26

  10

  0

  April

  25

  9

  0

  May

  28

  9

  0

  June

  24

  9

  0

  July

  26

  11

  0

  August

  26

  9

  0

  September

  29

  11

  0

  October

  28

  11

  0

  November

  26

  8

  0

  December

  28

  10

  0

  2002 total

  314

  113

  2

  2003

  January

  25

  11

  0

  February

  24

  11

  0

  March

  25

  10

  0

  April

  22

  9

  0

  2003 total

  96

  40

  1

  851W
  Notes:

  1. Data prepared by Statistics (Commodities and Food) Accounts and Trade, ESD, DEFRA.

  2. Data are provisional and subject to amendment.

  Source:

  HM Customs and Excise.

  Radioactivity
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Department's role in the monitoring of releases of radioactivity. [126359]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency, which is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, authorises releases of radioactivity to the environment from nuclear licensed sites and non-nuclear premises in England and Wales. Authorisations specify limits on the amounts of radioactivity that may be discharged. The Environment Agency requires nuclear site operators to carry out monitoring of their own discharges and of the environment in the vicinity of their sites, to demonstrate the effectiveness of these controls.

  The Environment Agency also commissions independent check sampling of authorised discharges and conducts a comprehensive programme to monitor radioactivity in the environment resulting from such discharges. Results have been published annually by the Environment Agency in its report "Radioactivity in the Environment", copies of which are Jn the Library. From 2003, the results will be published in "Radioactivity in Food and the Environment" (RIFE), which will be a joint publication between the Environment Agency, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Department of Environment, Northern Ireland and the Food Standards Agency.

  Defra co-ordinates the monitoring of radioactivity in air, rainwater and drinking water at locations throughout the UK and submits the results to the European Commission in compliance with Articles 35 and 36 of the Euratom Treaty. The results are included in "Radioactivity in the Environment" and will be included in RIFE from 2003. The Food Standards Agency carries out its own extensive programme of monitoring radioactivity, to ensure that discharges do not adversely affect food safety, and it submits data to the Commission on radioactivity in dairy milk and a typical mixed diet. The Food Standards Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency have jointly published their monitoring results annually in RIFE, copies of which are in the Library.

  Defra is also responsible for operation and maintenance of the Radioactive Incident Monitoring Network (RIMNET) which is designed to detect radioactivity released as a result of an accident outside the UK. RIMNET continuously monitors gamma radiation at 93 locations throughout the UK and raises an alert if pre-set levels are exceeded.

  The great majority of radioactivity in the environment arises from natural sources, such as the release of radon gas from the ground. Radon can accumulate in buildings and may contaminate private water supplies in some areas of the UK. Defra conducts an ongoing measurement programme of radon in homes
  852W
  and has carried out research in partnership with West Devon borough council into the levels of radon in drinking water from private boreholes and wells.

  Recycling
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the likelihood of achieving a household recycling rate of 25 per cent. by 2005. [125040]

  Mr. Morley
  The provisional estimates from the Department's "Municipal Waste Management Survey" for 2001–02 show that 12.4 per cent. of household waste in England was recycled or composted in that year. We are planning to meet our targets for 2005.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set(a) national and (b) local statutory targets for waste minimisation; and if she will make a statement. [125122]

  Mr. Morley
  The Strategy Unit in its Report, "Waste Not Want Not", recommended that Defra in conjunction with ODPM and others should develop proposals for alternative indicators that incorporate success in reducing waste volumes—for example, new combined minimisation and recycling targets for local authorities.

  In its response, published on 6 May 2003, it recognised that progress must be made towards reducing waste. However, before considering whether to set waste reduction targets for local authorities, the Government will consider what levers local authorities have for reducing waste and whether, in fact, a reduction target is an effective means of encouraging waste reduction.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will raise the national targets for recycling of household waste to(a) 35 per cent. by 2010 and (b) 45 per cent. by 2015; and if she will make a statement. [125123]

  Mr. Morley
  In Waste Strategy 2000 the Government set a target of recycling or composting at least 30 per cent. of household waste by 2010 and 33 per cent. by 2015. The Strategy Unit report, "Waste Not Want Not", published in November 2002, recommended higher national recycling targets of 35 per cent. by 2010 and 45 per cent. by 2015. We recognise that national recycling rates higher than the current targets are both possible and desirable. The Government response to the Strategy Unit report commits us to reviewing the national recycling targets in the light of progress made by local authorities in meeting their 2003–04 targets.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which materials will be included in the review of a ban on the landfilling of recyclable products due to be carried out in 2006. [125125]

  Mr. Morley
  There is currently no ban on landfilling of recyclable materials and no review of a ban is due to be carried out in 2006. However, the Strategy Unit's Report, "Waste Not, Want Not", recommended that Defra and DTI should review the case for a ban on the
  853W
  landfilling of recyclable products in 2006–07, and at the same time, consider the case for a similar ban on incinerating recyclable products.

  In their response to the Report, the Government said they would like to see increased utilisation of valuable resources which are currently wasted but many materials will only be recycled if there is demand for them. Developing sustainable markets for recyclable materials is, therefore, an important prerequisite to a ban—the Government do not want to create a new problem by requiring the long-term storage of recyclable materials for which markets have not been developed. The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) was created to help develop these markets and the Government will continue to support WRAP'S role in market development. It would be preferable to avoid bans until other, more flexible, options have been exhausted.

  However, the Government will review progress in market development and recycling rates in 2006–07, and reconsider the case for banning disposal of recyclable products or materials then. The Strategy Unit has specifically mentioned a ban on biodegradable material if the other instruments designed to meet Article 5 of the Landfill Directive are failing to make progress. The system of tradable landfill allowances being set up under the Waste and Emissions Trading Bill will progressively reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste being disposed of to landfill.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on Government waste minimisation programmes to(a) increase the number of households that practise composting, (b) promote reusable nappies, (c) promote a reduction of waste from supermarket purchased products and (d) create an innovation fund to develop innovative ways to deal with waste. [125129]

  Mr. Morley
  In accordance with the recommendations of the Strategy Unit, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) will be taking forward a number of waste minimisation activities as part of Defra's new Waste Implementation Programme (WIP). These include a targeted national home composting programme to promote best practice and partnership working among local authorities, the development of a re-useable nappy service with a programme of support for SMEs, a major retailer initiative working with the top five supermarket chains and a waste innovation fund to provide resources to support innovation by retailers and others in areas such as minimising material used in consumer products. The budget to deliver these measures is £8 million in 2003–04.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the objectives of the Recycling and Organics Technical Advisory Team are; who the members of the team are; how they were selected; and if she will make a statement. [125130]

  Mr. Morley
  In accordance with the recommendations of the Strategy Unit, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) will be taking 854W
  forward a kerbside recycling best practice programme. This programme will include the development of a Recycling and Organics Technical Advisory Team (ROTATE) whose objective will be to provide a national centre of excellence available as an advisory service to local authorities needing to implement and improve kerbside recycling, with some emphasis on organics collection systems and complementary support on Civic Amenity and bring site development.

  The ROTATE team will be made up of a combination of in-house staff at WRAP and specialist external advisors. Staff recruitment is currently under way for the ROTATE Team Manager, and specialist advisers will be appointed through a competitive process, drawing on a range of appropriate expertise from the United Kingdom and overseas.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what role the Government will have in setting measurable targets for increasing public awareness and participation in recycling and waste minimisation activities which the Waste Resources Action Programme is undertaking as part of the Waste Awareness Programme; and if she will make a statement. [125131]

  Mr. Morley
  Defra will work closely with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to define a number of output measures against which the progress of the education and awareness programme will be measured.

  There are two elements to target setting for the WRAP'S education arid awareness programme. First, the setting of targets related to the national awareness programme and second, targets for raised awareness and improved participation in kerbside schemes related to support for local authority programmes.

  A detailed review is being conducted by WRAP on target setting as part of an intensive first period of investigation and planning. WRAP will also call on a number of recent examples of good practice in communication campaigns that could assist in informing target setting, such as the work conducted by Rethink Rubbish in various local authorities across England.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on Government plans to promote the implementation of waste management technologies as an alternative to landfill. [125132]

  Mr. Morley
  In accordance with the recommendations of the Strategy Unit, Defra will be taking forward a new technologies workstream as a part of the new Waste Implementation Programme.

  This workstream will deliver a number of objectives to overcome barriers to the successful development and take-up of alternative waste management technologies which reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal in England.

  This workstream will consist of four programmes of activity: a Waste Research and Innovation Programme, for research and development into new technologies; a Demonstrator Programme to help establish new commercially viable waste treatment technologies; a

  855W
  Waste Technology Support Programme, a programme of impartial advice and support to local authorities and the waste management industry; and a Waste Technology Data Centre, to be managed by the Environment Agency.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much investment through PFI there has been in waste projects since the establishment of the Waste PFI Delivery Plan; and how much future investment in waste projects the Government estimate can be achieved through PFI projects. [125133]

  Mr. Morley
  The table sets out the level of funding that has been approved for waste PFI projects.

  Local authority

  Dateapproved at outline stage

  Daleapproved at final stage

  Amount of PFI credits (£)

  Central Berkshire

  August 2002

  n/a

  37

  Cornwall

  May 2003

  n/a

  25

  East Sussex, Brighton and Hove

  October 1999

  March 2003

  49

  ELWA

  October 2000

  January 2003

  47

  Gloucestershire

  January 2003

  n/a

  25,105

  Hereford and Worcester

  February 1998

  —

  57

  Isle of Wight

  n/a

  October 1997

  13

  Kirklees

  n/a

  March 1998

  33.9

  Leicester

  July 2000

  May 2003

  30,841

  South Gloucestershire

  August 1998

  July 1999

  33.3

  Surrey

  June 1998

  June 1999

  85.5

  West Berkshire

  May 2003

  n/a

  23.74

  West Sussex

  August 2002

  n/a

  25

  Spending Review 2002 allocated £355 million for waste PFI projects for the three years of that review period (£100 million in 2003–04, £125 million in 2004–05 and £130 million in 2005–06). The forthcoming Spending Review 2004 will include a view on the need for PFI resources in the three future years that are addressed by that review.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will allocate additional resources to waste policy; and if she will make a statement. [125134]

  Mr. Morley
  Additional resources have been allocated for additional staff to deliver the recommendations in the Strategy Unit report, "Waste Not Want Not" and for policy development.

  Defra has established a new 'Waste Implementation Programme' team to take forward the recommendations of the Strategy Unit. Consistent with the Strategy Unit's recommendations and the requirements of the Landfill Directive, the team's focus will be municipal waste.

  The Waste Implementation Programme will run a Sustainable Waste Management Programme for England comprising around £84 million in 2003–04 and £92 million for the years 2004–05 and 2005–06.

  Along with these new measures, the Government has confirmed that £1.5 million will be made available for administrative resource in Defra to implement waste delivery. Recruitment for additional posts is under way.
  856W
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding her Department has provided for the Waste Resources Action Programme in each year since its inception; and what its projected funding is. [125135]

  Mr. Morley
  Defra has provided the following funding (rounded to the nearest thousand) for each year of the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) since its inception:

  £000

  2001–02

  6,326,000

  2002–03

  10,473,000

  2003–04

  36,015,000

  Total

  52,814,000

  WRAP will also be receiving funding from Defra for its contribution to delivering some of the workstreams under the Waste Implementation Programme.

  The Department of Trade and Industry and the Devolved Administrations also fund WRAP.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who the members are of the steering board set up to provide leadership and advice to the sustainable waste delivery programme; and what the process was by which they were appointed. [125136]

  Mr. Morley
  In accordance with the recommendations of the Strategy Unit, Defra has established a Steering Group to drive delivery of Defra's Waste Implementation Programme.

  David Varney, chairman of mmO2, will chair the group, which will comprise the following independent members who were appointed on the basis of their expertise and interest in the key areas of the programme, and their skills and experience in delivery.

  Lynton Barker—Hedra;

  Vie Cocker—WRAP;

  Dan Corry—New Local Government Network;

  Fiona Driscoll—Prime Minister's Delivery Unit;

  Sir John Harman—Environment Agency;

  Maxine Holdsworth—National Consumer Council;

  Andy Moore—Community Recycling Network;

  David North—Tesco;

  David Riddle—Environmental Services Association;

  John Schultz—Stockport Council;

  Gordon Shields—Shields Environmental Plc;

  Bill Stow—Defra; and

  Cllr Kay Twitchen—Essex county council, currently chair of Local Government Association Waste Executive.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Government will introduce penalties for local authorities which fail to meet the Government's statutory targets for recycling. [125137]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government's statutory targets for recycling have been set under the Best Value regime. The Secretary of State has powers under section 15 of the Local Government Act 1999 to act where local authorities are failing to deliver best value. The way in which these powers
  857W
  would be used in support of Statutory Performance Standards for recycling and composting of household waste is set out in Annex A of "Guidance on Municipal Waste Management Strategies" (DETR March 2001), which can be found on Defra's website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/management/ guidance/mwms/10.htm or in the Library of the House. The protocol to which Annex A refers has been agreed with the Local Government Association setting out the principles under which these powers will be used, and has been revised recently.

  The Government have made it clear that they will work with local authorities to ensure that such failures are minimised, and that intervention will be the exception. The powers would be used predominantly to achieve improvements in service delivery, as opposed to tackling procedural failures. The nature and severity of the intervention will vary, and need to reflect several factors such as the amount by which the standard is missed, the steps a local authority had taken to achieve the standard, external factors such as problems with a market for a particular material, or unusual occurrences such as the recent fuel crisis and the likelihood of the local authority meeting the standard in the immediate future. If there was evidence to suggest that a local authority was not taking the right sort of steps in respect of its waste management duties generally, or its recycling standards in particular, then Ministers have made clear that they will take that very seriously.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much(a) household and (b) commercial waste was recycled in Shrewsbury and Atcham in each year since 1997. broken down by materials. [125626]

  Mr. Morley
  [holding answer 14 July 2003]: Figures in tonnes relating to household waste from the Municipal Waste Management Survey returns for Shrewsbury and Atcham since 1997 are as follows:

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Glass

  676

  870

  949

  996

  1,076

  Paper and Card

  2,001

  2,591

  2,499

  2,556

  2,649

  Cans (mixed)

  35

  39

  57

  72

  69

  Textiles

  25

  36

  38

  57

  60

  Scrap metal and white goods

  40

  19

  —

  65

  —

  Compostable waste

  —

  —

  —

  48

  50

  Books

  —

  —

  —

  6

  —

  Total

  2,777

  3,555

  3,543

  3,800

  3,904

  These data cover Shrewsbury and Atcham Waste Collection Authority. An unknown proportion of waste from households in the area would have been recycled at Civic Amenity sites. However, the Civic Amenity site data are provided by the Waste Disposal Authority (in this case Shropshire) and would cover all WCAs within its boundaries.

  No data are available on the proportion of commercial waste recycled within the area.

  Ritual Slaughter
  Mr. Dismore
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement about her policy on shechita and halal meat. [125938]
  858W
  Mr. Bradshaw
  The slaughter of animals without prior stunning to provide meat for Jews and Muslims is currently permitted in this country. The Farm Animal Welfare Council (the Government's independent advisory body on issues related to farm animal welfare) has recently issued a report on the welfare of red meat animals at slaughter. The report includes a recommendation that slaughter without prior stunning should be banned in this country. The report also contains a further 93 recommendations and we will be responding to the report after we have considered the recommendations and consulted interested parties. Whatever decision is reached on the recommendation to ban slaughter without prior stunning the import of shechita and halal meat will continue to be permitted.

  Rural Enterprise Scheme
  Mr. Steen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the members of the Rural Enterprise Scheme's South West Regional Appraisal Panel. [126152]

  Alun Michael
  The South West Regional Appraisal Panel comprises three members:

  David Sisson: Regional Manager, Rural Development Service (RDS), South West and Chairman,

  Malcolm Chalmers: Project Based Schemes Manager, RDS, for the South West

  Steve Bone: Senior Rural Development Adviser, Government Office South West.

  Sustainable Development
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what efforts are made to encourage schools to involve their pupils in the sustainable development of the community through(a) local agenda 21 and (b) other schemes. [126312]

  Mr. Morley
  The information is as follows:

  (a) The Local Government Act 2000 placed a duty on local authorities to prepare community strategies to promote the economic, social and environmental well being of their communities and contribute to sustainable development in the UK. We believe that sustainable development can most effectively become a mainstream issue for communities if local authorities build upon their partnership working and community engagement and subsume their LA21 strategies within their community strategies. We expect them to include children and young people in this process.

  (b) Education for Sustainable Development is a statutory part of Science, Geography, Design and Technology and Citizenship within the National Curriculum. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has provided on-line guidance for teachers.

  Sustainable Waste
  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the local authority support nerve centre and funding teams initiated to help local authorities deliver sustainable waste management will provide regular reports on their activities and progress. [125940]
  859W
  Mr. Morley
  Both the Defra local authority support and local authority funding workstreams will be required to provide regular reports to the Waste Implementation Steering Group via the Programme Director. In addition, progress will be reported to the Defra management board via the Senior Responsible Officer for the programme, also within Defra.

  Sue Doughty
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the appointment process for the local authority support nerve centre and funding teams initiated to help local authorities deliver sustainable waste management; and what the(a) names and (b) relevant experience are of those who have been appointed. [125953]

  Mr. Morley
  Both the local authority support and local authority funding teams are being appointed following a detailed skills assessment, in accordance normal recruitment procedures for Defra staff.

  Timber
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of the Government's policy on using sustainable timber in public building projects. [126741]

  Mr. Morley
  Departments report their performance on timber procurement in the annual Sustainable Development in Government reports that replaced the Greening Government reports. The report published last November shows a gradual improvement in performance. The report can be found at: http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/sdig/reports/ar2002/index.htm.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to establish a central point of expertise on timber to help implement Government timber procurement policy; and if she will make a statement. [126011]

  Mr. Morley
  The Government will create a central point of expertise on timber procurement (CPET) to help public sector buyers specify their requirements with more clarity and assess the credibility of supplier's claims for the sources of their timber. The CPET is planned to begin its work later this year.

  Toxic Waste
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether her Department receives notification of proposals for transferring ships which(a) might contain toxic materials and (b) have been used for the transfer of toxic materials from outside the UK to yards within the UK to be broken up; and what recent reports she has received on such proposals. [125802]

  Mr. Morley
  The competent authority in England and Wales for transboundary movements of waste, including waste ships, is the Environment Agency. As required under Council Regulation (EEC) No.259/931 any shipment of hazardous waste must be notified to the Environment Agency, and their consent to the shipment obtained before the waste shipment begins.
  860W
  If waste ships either contain or have been contaminated by hazardous waste, they would be subject to the highest levels of scrutiny and controls under the regulation above.

  The Environment Agency has informed my officials that they have received a notification from the United States regarding a possible transboundary movement of waste ships for recovery.
  1 Regulation (EEC) No.259/93 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Governments of(a) the Republic of Ireland, (b) Iceland and (c) the Faroes regarding proposals to bring ships formerly used for transfer of toxic substances uncrewed to the United Kingdom to be broken up. [125804]

  Mr. Morley
  I have had no discussions with the Republic of Ireland, Iceland or the Faroes regarding a proposal to import waste ships to the United Kingdom for recovery.

  The Environment Agency has received a notification regarding the import of waste ships from the US to the United Kingdom for the recovery of metals. Any such shipment would be subject to the comprehensive controls provided for by European and UK legislation1.

  Before giving consent to any proposed import of waste, the Environment Agency will have considered whether the proposed import is for genuine recovery. and that the recovery process will take place in properly authorised and appropriate facilities, including the treatment of hazardous residues. If any waste en-route between the US and UK were to transit the Republic of Ireland, Iceland or the Faroes, (such as by entry to a port) then the competent authorities concerned would also need to consent to the waste shipment.
  1 Regulation (EEC) No.259/93 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community. UK Management Plan for Exports and Imports of Waste.

  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements have been put in place for the disposal of toxic waste produced during the break up of ships brought from the United States to the UK to be broken up; and whether such waste products will be returned to the United States. [125805]

  Mr. Morley
  Hazardous residues from the recovery of any proposed import of waste would be landfilled or incinerated as appropriate. The disposal of residues is a matter of consideration for the Environment Agency in examining any proposal to import waste for recovery. Before the import can be approved, the Environment Agency as competent authority for the relevant waste shipments legislation1 will have to be satisfied that residues can be disposed of in an environmentally sound manner.

  UK and EC law does not allow the export of waste for disposal. Residues could be returned to the United States if they were subject to a recovery operation.

  861W
  1 Regulation (EEC) No. 259/93 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community, Article 14. United Kingdom Management Plan for Exports and Imports of Waste. P17

  Warm Front
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has commissioned into the effect that the Warm Front Team has had in combating fuel poverty; and if she will make a statement. [126168]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  The Department recognises the importance of assessing the effect of Warm Front in tackling fuel poverty. A recent NAO report on Warm Front and a policy review undertaken by Defra looked at the targeting and delivering of the scheme now and for the next phase post 2005. A number of independent studies are looking at the impact of Warm Front in combating fuel poverty. The Department will be considering the findings of these studies in the coming months and assessing what further work may be required.

  Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive
  Brian White
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what statutory responsibility will be placed on local authorities to implement the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. [126019]

  Mr. Morley
  The EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive does not place direct responsibilities on local authorities. The Government are preparing UK implementation of the directive and is discussing with local authorities how best to involve them in maximising use of the existing waste collection infrastructure so as to enable producers and retailers to meet their obligations under the directive.

  Waste Management
  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs how much hazardous waste was sent to landfills in(a) 1999, (b) 2000, (c) 2001 and (d) 2002; and what predictions have been made by (i) the Department and (ii) the Environment Agency on the quantities of hazardous waste that will be sent in (A) 2005, (B) 2006, (C) 2007, (D) 2008 and (E) 2009 to landfill sites that will be classified as hazardous from 16 July 2004. [124723]

  Mr. Morley
  The amount of hazardous wastes that have been disposed of in landfill in England and Wales for the years listed are as follows:

  Year of disposal

  Special waste tolandfill (thousand tonnes)

  1998–991

  2,342

  2000

  2,054

  2001

  2,332

  2002

  n/a

  1 Financial year

  Data for 2002 are not yet available.
  862W
  The amount of hazardous waste sent to landfill in future years is affected by a number of factors, and it is difficult to predict the relative impact of these factors with any accuracy. The factors include the clear likelihood that the number of hazardous waste landfills after July 2004 will reduce significantly as a result of requirements in the Landfill Directive. The directive requirements, including the ending of co-disposal in July 2004, the requirements of the waste acceptance criteria, and the need for pre-treatment before wastes are landfilled will also increase the cost of disposal of hazardous waste, which in turn is likely to provide a greater incentive for the reduction of the amount and hazardousness of waste at source. Set against these factors are the impacts of changes to the European hazardous waste list adopted in January 2002 which introduce a number of new waste streams as hazardous.

  The Government have established a Hazardous Waste Forum for all relevant stakeholders to discuss these issues and those relating to the provision of treatment capacity for hazardous waste. To that end, the forum has established two sub groups to urgently consider (i) the effects of changes in legislation on producers, the scope for further waste prevention and minimisation and the consequent effect on hazardous waste arisings, and, (ii) treatment options and capacity. A third sub-group will build on this work to produce an advisory document in the autumn.

  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what steps(a) her Department and (b) the Environment Agency have taken to establish that financial provision as required by Articles 8 and 10 of the Landfill Directive will be available for all landfill sites that receive a Planning and Pollution Control Permit; [124724]

  (2) what estimates (a) her Department and (b) the Environment Agency have made of the cost of implementing Articles 8 and 10 of the Landfill Directive; [124725]

  (3) what meetings she has had with representatives of the waste management industry to discuss Articles 8 and 10 of the Landfill Directive; [124726]

  (4) when her Department will implement Articles 8 and 10 of the Landfill Directive. [124727]

  Mr. Morley
  The technical and regulatory requirements of the Landfill Directive, including the provisions of Articles 8 and 10, were implemented by the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002. Ensuring that financial provision is available is a requirement on the landfill operator. The Environment Agency sets out a range of mechanisms that it considers to be adequate to meet the financial provisions requirement in its Waste Management Licensing Financial Provision Manual. Landfill operators due to be re-permitted under the terms of the Landfill Directive were informed of this position in November 2002.

  Discussions are taking place between the Government, the Environment Agency and the industry about how the requirement of Article 8 of the directive might best be satisfied given the various aims of the Landfill Directive and the particular need to ensure appropriate safeguards against insolvent operators are

  863W
  in place. We have not yet made an assessment of the costs as this is dependent on the outcome of these discussions.

  In the meantime, the Environment Agency did commission work on the long-term liability that landfills pose to England and Wales. Part of this work, carried out by AEA Netcen, calculated that the net present value of landfill liabilities (ie the closure and aftercare costs of completed landfills) up to 2020 would be between £3-£3.5 billion.

  Article 10 of the directive is concerned with passing on the full costs of landfill to waste producers. To meet this, the regulations place a requirement on the operator of a landfill. This makes it a condition of the permit issued for the landfill, that the charges the operator makes for the disposal of waste at the landfill covers a number of aspects. These include the setting up and operating of the landfill, the costs of the financial provision and the estimated cost for the closure and aftercare of the landfill for a period of at least 30 years from its closure. Passing the full cost to the waste producer upholds the `polluter pays' principle.

  Officials have met the industry at regular intervals to discuss these and other issues and will continue to do so. I met the Chief Executive of the Environment Services Association shortly after my appointment to this post. I understand my predecessor met representatives of the waste management industry on frequent occasions.

  Paddy Tipping
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what responsibilities her Department has allocated to the Waste Resources and Action Programme regarding private finance initiative for waste management contracts. [124729]

  Mr. Morley
  The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) have currently been allocated no specific responsibilities regarding private finance initiative for waste management contracts. They do, however, have a wide ranging interest in local authority procurement and how this takes account of markets for recycle and waste minimisation. As part of this, WRAP are jointly sponsoring a "toolkit" project that seeks to capture best procurement practices that have been used in past private finance initiative schemes for possible use in future schemes.

  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's forthcoming report into the environmental and health impacts of waste management methods; if she will list the(a) individuals, (b) agencies and (c) industry groups consulted as part of the compilation of the report; when the report will be published; and if she will make a statement. [126692]

  £ million

  Organisation

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  2003–04

  2004–05

  2005–06

  Defra

  0.19

  0.24

  0.16

  0.16

  0.18

  Defra—Waste Implementation Programme

  5

  5

  5

  Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)

  6.79

  Environment Agency

  1.24

  1.48

  1.23

  864W
  Mr. Morley
  The Review of the Health and Environmental Impacts of Waste Management is being conducted by a team led by Enviros, who carried out work of a similar nature for the Strategy Unit report "Waste not, Want not", and Professor Roy Harrison of Birmingham University. Full details of the methodology and sources consulted will be published as. part of the report.

  The output of the review is currently undergoing the first phase of peer review, which is being carried out by the Royal Society. The final report is due to be published in the autumn.

  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of recycling targets on(a) local authority waste strategies and (b) the collection of green waste. [126716]

  Mr. Morley
  No assessment has been made to date of the impact of the statutory recycling targets on either local authority waste strategies or the collection of green waste.

  Under DEFRA's Waste Implementation Programme a Local Authority Support Team has been set up to support local authorities. As part of its work, the Team is reviewing Municipal Waste Strategies, Waste Local Plans, Regional Waste Strategies arid emerging Spatial Strategies. It is intended that the Team will then give Local Authorities useful feedback on any elements within the waste strategies which might suggest that they will not reach their statutory recycling targets and on ways of addressing such problems.

  The number of households with a green waste collection rose from 1.6 million in 2000–01 to 3.1 million in 2001–02. The percentages of waste collection or unitary authorities collecting some green waste similarly rose from 17 per cent. in 2000–01 in 2002–03. We believe that the establishment of recycling targets will have been a contributing factor in bringing about this increase.

  Dr. Whitehead
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was given in grants by her Department for research and development relating to waste management in each year between 1998 and 2002; and how much is allocated for such research in each year from 2003 to 2005. [126877]

  Mr. Morley
  The Department funds research into waste directly, and indirectly through a number of bodies such as its NDPBs. Funding is shown in the following table.

  Defra's new Waste Implementation Programme team funding will be allocated to projects in accordance with a three year strategy, which will be drawn up following a review of existing research provision and the identification of future research requirements, supervised by a new Information Advisory Group chaired by Defra and including key non-Defra stakeholders.
  865W
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs by what percentage waste produced in the UK has changed in each of the last five years. [125572]

  Milliontonnes

  1997–98

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  Municipal waste arisings

  25.7

  26.3

  27.4

  28.1

  28.8

  Annual percentage increase

  4.6

  2.5

  4.1

  2.5

  2.6

  Household waste arisings

  23.3

  23.6

  24.7

  25.1

  25.6

  Annual percentage increase

  3.5

  1.1

  4.9

  1.6

  1.8

  Water
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research she has commissioned into the environmental impact of water use by consumers since 1997; what estimates have been made of future years; and if she will make a statement. [126181]

  Mr. Morley
  The Environment Agency has the duty to secure the proper use of water resources, ensuring that there is a balance between the needs of water consumers and the environment. As part of its research programme, the Environment Agency commissions applied research aimed at furthering the understanding of the complex link between water flows and levels and the ecology of rivers, lakes and wetlands.

  In 2001 the Agency published national and regional strategies, "Water Resources for the Future", which identified areas where abstraction is believed to be unsustainable.

  In 2001 the Environment Agency also published '`A scenario approach to demand forecasting" which considered how future water use could be influenced by different socio-economic futures.

  Each year water companies update their water resources management plans which project, for each area, how water companies will meet the water supply-demand balance taking into account environmental aspects.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the amount of water which leaked from water company pipes in each year since 1997; what measures she is taking to reduce the number of leaks; and if she will make a statement. [126362]

  Mr. Morley
  Reported leakage from water companies' pipes since 1997 (in megalitres/day) was as follows:

  1996–97: 3,295

  1997–98: 2,955

  1998–99: 2,618

  1999–2000: 2,431

  2000–01: 2,365

  2001–02: 2,527

  Since the Water Summit in 1997, Ofwat has set water companies annual leakage targets. This mechanism has achieved a significant reduction in leakage, both on the distribution network and customers' supply pipes. Most
  866W
  Mr. Morley
  Data are not available to estimate the percentage change in all waste produced on an annual basis. The Department's annual Municipal Waste. Management Survey for England shows the following increases for municipal and household waste.

  companies are now at, or close to their Economic Level of Leakage. This is the level at which it would cost more for a water company to further reduce its leakage than to use an alternative source of water. Water company leakage data are published annually by the Director General of Water Services in the "Security of supply, leakage and the efficient use of water" reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House. Companies' leakage performance for 2002–03 will be published at the end of this month.

  Wild Mink
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's policy is on dealing with wild mink in the countryside. [126766]

  Mr. Bradshaw
  American mink are an invasive nonnative species and were introduced into Great Britain for fur farming in 1929. Release of mink into the wild is prohibited under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Their population has continued to increase in range and numbers it is thought the rate of increase is declining.

  The responsibility for the control of feral mink rests with those people most likely to benefit from such control, that is, individual landowners and occupiers. It is entirely at their discretion as to whether they wish to take such action against mink on their land.

  However, predation by mink has been a factor in the decline of our native water vole population. The Government's Biodioversity Action Plan (BAP) for water vole encourages humane control of mink where they pose a threat to water vole populations.

  There are various initiatives under way, limited geographically and financially, including some mink trapping in river catchments, supported by combinations of the Environment Agency (the lead organisation for the water vole BAP), English Nature and the local Wildlife Trusts, and other conservation organisations. These aim for local suppression of mink numbers, for example to assist water vole populations, rather than eradication.

  Defra has no current plans for an eradication programme given the wide distribution of mink and the costs associated using current techniques for control.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  Afghanistan
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment the Government have made of the overall funds required by Afghanistan for(a) a programme for the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration of ex-combatants as referred to in the Department's parliamentary briefing paper on Afghanistan of July and (b) reconstruction in (i) the provincial regions and (ii) urban areas. [127039]

  Hilary Benn
  Japan is the lead nation on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR). In conjunction with the Afghan Transitional Administration and the International Community, Japan has set up the Afghanistan's New Beginnings Programme (ANBP) to implement demobilisation and reintegration programmes as part of security sector reforms. ANBP is a three-year programme estimated to cost $127 million, with an initial budget for the first year of $33 million.

  At the recent Tokyo Conference on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, more than $50 million was pledged by international donors. This is a good start. However, we must keep working on securing financing throughout the process. DFID, working closely with FCO and MOD, are also funding a Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration expert, who has been seconded to the UN in Kabul, to assist with Security Sector Reform.

  The Afghanistan Transitional Administration has produced an integrated development plan in the National Development Budget. This covers all reconstruction plans in the provincial regions and urban areas as put forward by the Afghanistan Transitional Administration. Donors have pledged nearly $1.7 billion dollars for 2003–04 for Afghanistan, nearly 90 per cent. of what the Afghanistan Transitional Administration has requested.

  AIDS
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assistance the Department provides to African nations in the fight against the AIDS epidemic. [126868]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID recognises that HIV/AIDS is a terrible human catastrophe and is one of the most important development challenges facing Africa. Over £190 million was committed to programmes focusing on HIV/AIDS and sexual health in sub-Saharan Africa last year, with intensive bilateral activities in Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Over £25 million has been committed to support the International Partnership Against AIDS in Africa (IPAA) initiative—a regional, Africa-led initiative aimed at building Governments' national responses to the AIDS crisis, with a focus on Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, and Ghana.

  At the global level, DFID has increased HIV/AIDS related expenditure from £38 million in 1997–98 to over £270 million in 2002–03. Considerable additional
  868W
  financial support continues to be provided through institutions such as WHO, UNAIDS, UNFPA, and NGOs and civil society organisations in an effort to combat this disease and support those already living with it. The Secretary of State recently announced an additional $80 million commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria bringing our total commitment to $280 million over the period 2001 to 2008.

  Baghdad Museum
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what aid the Department is giving towards the refurbishment of Baghdad Museum and its Sumerian collection. [118591]

  Hilary Benn
  The Department for International Development is not giving any assistance towards the refurbishment of Baghdad Museum. DFID's assistance to Iraq is concentrated on supporting the reconstruction efforts and humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people. DFID has committed just over £177 million to Iraq in 2003–04.

  Burundi
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent assessment the Department has made of the humanitarian situation in Burundi. [126397]

  Hilary Benn
  The DFID Country Representative returned to Bujumbura on 17 July to assess the situation. Recent fighting in the capital has left many civilians killed or injured, and many more have been displaced. The Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) medical centre (supported by DFID) treated 220 war wounded last week.

  The general humanitarian situation in the country remains poor, with very high levels of disease, high rates of malnutrition and, resulting from this, high levels of mortality. There are serious problems of access to some communities. Last financial year we provided about £1 million for humanitarian support. So far this financial year we have provided funding of £400,000 through MSF for medical support in Bujumbura Rural and nutrition programmes in Karuzi. We stand ready to make further responses to the humanitarian needs of those most vulnerable. Our humanitarian work focus on nutrition and health support, channelled through international relief organisations.

  The 2003 EC budget for humanitarian assistance to Burundi totals US$15 million (about £9.67 million), of which 19.38 per cent. is attributed to the UK.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what funds the Department placed with the Burundi Multidonor Debt Trust Fund in(a) 2000, (b) 2001, (c) 2002 and (d) 2003; how much of the pledges have been released; and what percentage of released funds have gone to the Africa Union Force. [126398]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID pledged an initial US$ 1 million to the World Bank Multidonor Debt Trust Fund (MDTF) at the Geneva Roundtable Meeting in December 2001. We agreed to make an additional
  869W
  contribution of US$1 million following the Geneva Donors Roundtable Meeting in November 2002. These funds were released in March 2003. We are encouraging other donors to contribute to the MDTF.

  The purpose of the MDTF is to help Burundi finance the servicing of its multilateral debt obligations, and so none of its funds will go to the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB). DFID has, however, contributed £3.9 million to AMIB from the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool, for equipment costs related to the Mozambican contingent.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what proportion of the Department's humanitarian aid pledged to Burundi has been delivered; and what discussions the Department has had with the European Union concerning its delivery of its commitment. [126399]

  Hilary Benn
  Last financial year we provided some £l million for humanitarian work in Burundi. All this has been utilised. For 2003–04 we have earmarked about £2 million for humanitarian work. In June 2003 we provided £400,000 through MSF for medical support in Bujumbura Rural and nutrition programmes in Karuzi covering the period 1 July to 31 December 2003. We are currently considering Appeals for 2003 from international relief organisations and stand ready to make further responses to humanitarian needs through them and proposals received from international NGOs.

  We are in close contact with the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) in Burundi through our DFID Country Representative, who meets regularly with other humanitarian donors to ensure a co-ordinated and effective response. We also participate in the European Community's Humanitarian Affairs Committee in Brussels.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent discussions the Department had with parties to the conflict in Burundi with respect to international humanitarian law; and what plans he has to bring to justice those guilty of human rights abuses in Burundi. [126400]

  Hilary Benn
  The UK both bilaterally and as part of the international community regularly raises human rights issues and international humanitarian obligations in relation to the Burundi conflict. The EU is deeply concerned about the ongoing violations of human rights and humanitarian law in Burundi and continues to call on all sides to cease the fighting.

  We are also funding the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) which is providing international humanitarian law training for the Burundian Army. We keep in close contact with the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the ICRC in Burundi regarding their work in this area.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what financial and technical assistance the Government is giving to the Burundi Government to help develop an effective system of justice; and who the leading donor is on these issues. [126404]
  870W
  Hilary Benn
  We have made it clear to the Burundi Government that we are ready to provide support on security sector reform, which could include support to the police should they require it. Belgium is the most active donor in the justice sector and is supporting a number of NGOs.

  The EC is also considering providing support to the justice sector.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent assessment the Department has made of sexual violence and targeted rape in Burundi in the last year; and what action his Department is taking. [126405]

  Hilary Benn
  We receive regular reports on the humanitarian and human rights situation in Burundi, including sexual violence, from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UN Office for Human Rights, the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) and NGOs such as Human Rights Watch. The UK is active—within the EU, UN and bilaterally—in pressing all the parties involved in the conflict to start fulfilling their humanitarian obligations to the people of Burundi. In terms of financial support, DFID has contributed £400,000 to ICRC's programme in Burundi which includes a project in support of women who are victims of violence.

  Chad/Cameroon Pipeline
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development when the World Bank will release periodical external audit reports for the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project. [126408]

  Hilary Benn
  Project arrangements provide for regular financial audits on the Chad-Cameroon pipeline project's accounts. We understand from the World Bank Group that financial audit reports are not made public. However, reports from the International Advisory Group (IAG) and the External Compliance and Monitoring Group (ECMG) who carry out regular external supervisions of the technical and environmental aspects of the project, and from the Inspection Panel who respond to requests from private individuals are available publicly on the World Bank website (in the case of the Inspection Panel reports, after discussion by the World Bank Executive Board). The latest reports are those issued by the IAG on 18 June, the ECMG on 22 April 2003 and the Inspection Panel on 2 May 2003.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what monitoring and supervision the project construction phase for the Chad/Cameroon pipeline project has had. [126409]

  Hilary Benn
  The Chad/Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline project is subject to various forms of monitoring and supervision. The World Bank Group are being advised by the External Compliance and Monitoring Group (ECMG) in monitoring implementation of the Environmental Management Plan, and by an International Advisory Group (IAG) to advise on broader implementation issues, including those that need to be addressed to achieve the project's developmental objectives. Both the ECMG and IAG
  871W
  make regular site visits. In addition, the Inspection Panel provides an independent forum for private citizens who believe that they have been negatively affected by the project. Reports from all these bodies are made public and can be found on the World Bank website. These third party reviews supplement the Bank's own monitoring and supervision of the project which includes site visits, internal reporting and continual discussions with the project sponsors.

  The above measures are in addition to on-going monitoring by the Consortium and by the Governments of Chad and Cameroon. The Consortium produce quarterly reports which are also available publicly,

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development when the World Bank will publish cost figures for the Chad/Cameroon Pipeline Project. [126410]

  Hilary Benn
  The estimated cost of the project which was reported in the original World Bank/International Finance Cooperation Project Appraisal Document (April 2000) was US$3.7 billion, the majority of which is being provided by the private sector. We are informed by the World Bank that this figure has not been revised upwards by the project sponsors.

  Child Trafficking
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what measures the Department is taking to tackle(a) illegal trafficking of children, (b) exploitation of children through child labour and (c) the commercial sexual exploitation of children. [126861]

  Hilary Benn
  The trafficking of children is part of a wide range of issues relating to the migration of poor people to better their lives, and to their vulnerability to national and international smugglers and traffickers. Trafficking is an international problem requiring coordinated action. DFID's aim is to work to eliminate the poverty and social injustice that can lead to such abuse. Through our programmes to promote sustainable development and end poverty, DFID is helping to reduce the circumstances that give rise to this appalling trade, and which make women and children especially vulnerable. With other Government Departments, we are supporting the efforts of Governments and international agencies to strengthen social protection and justice in line with international treaties.

  For example, in south-east Asia, we are supporting the International Labour Organisation's work to reduce the trafficking of women and girls, many of whom would enter the sex industry, in Laos, Thailand, China (Yunnan), Cambodia and Vietnam. It involves a number of activities to raise awareness and prevent the trade. In the Balkans, we recently supported the International Organisation for Migration in training the various agencies dealing with the victims of trafficking, including police, social workers and the legal profession, in order to create and disseminate models of good practice.

  The Government are also committed to helping to eliminate child labour, particularly the worst forms such as child slavery and all forms of abusive or exploitative work. Many programmes supported by DFID help end
  872W
  these practices and provide assistance to such children and their families through improving livelihood opportunities, and access to education, health, justice and protection, and through our support to the promotion of socially responsible business such as the Ethical Trading Initiative.

  Commodity Stabilisation Mechanisms
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment the Department has made of the role of commodity stabilisation mechanisms in future trading relations between the European Union and developing countries. [126259]

  Hilary Benn
  A number of commodity stabilisation mechanisms (including buffer stocks arrangements and export quotas) have been employed in the past, generally within the framework of International Commodity Agreements concluded between producer and consuming countries. In general, these mechanisms have not been successful and their practical limitations have been clearly demonstrated in practice.

  Consequently, the UK is not supportive of direct intervention in commodity markets through globally imposed or similarly orchestrated measures designed to maintain or stabilise commodity prices. Rather, the UK favours initiatives that are voluntary, transparent, financially self-sustaining and which minimise market distortions.

  DFID therefore does not intend to undertake any formal re-assessment of the potential role of commodity stabilisation mechanisms in future trading relations between the European Union and developing countries. Moreover, it is DFID's view that other institutions, such as the European Commission or the Common Fund for Commodities, might be better placed to conduct any such future assessment.

  Departmental Staff
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how many(a) special advisers, (b) press officers, (c) civil servants, (d) advisers to civil servants and (e) permanent staff were working for the Department in each year since 1996. [126478]

  Hilary Benn
  (a) DFID has employed two special advisers since 1997. We do not recognise the terrn advisers to civil servants; (b) The number of Press Officers is:

  Year

  Number of Press Officers

  1996–97

  6

  1997–98

  6

  1998

  4

  1999–2000

  3.3

  2000–01

  4.5

  2001–02

  4

  2002–03

  5

  (c) The number of Civil Servants (permanent staff) can be found in the annual publication Civil Service Statistics. Copies of the publication are laid in the

  873W
  Libraries of both Houses. The latest edition, based on April 2002 data, was published on 24 July 2003; these figures include press officers.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development 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. [124721]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID recognises the importance of environmental assessment in ensuring that environmental sustainability is integrated into development policy, planning, programmes and projects.

  In line with this, DFID has recently updated its environmental screening procedures to make them more efficient and effective in addressing:
  changing ways that aid is being delivered (such as by direct budget support and sector-wide approaches); and
  the need to better respond to the opportunities that environmental considerations provide for improving the prospects for achieving sustainable development, the Millennium Development Goals and poverty reduction, while also recognising the need to manage risks.

  The new procedures, and guidance on the screening process, are detailed in DFID's Environment Guide (2003). This has been revised and is available to the public on DFID's website.

  Where appropriate, screening will initiate a more comprehensive appraisal and, if necessary, a full environmental impact assessment in the case of projects or strategic environmental assessment in the case of policies, plans and programmes. Examples include:
  Environmental Appraisal of DFID Support to Rural Decentralisation in West Bengal;
  Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy; and
  Strategic Environmental Assessment to support Russia's World Trade Organisation negotiations/accession planning.

  Additionally, DFID is committed to the Sustainable Development in Government frameworks and targets, and progress on these is reported on our website.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will list the EU Directives implemented by the Department since 8 June 2001. [126592]

  Hilary Benn
  Since 8 June 2001, the Department for International Development has not been required to implement any development Directives. It would incur disproportionate cost to identify other EU Directives implemented within the Department since 8 June 2001.

  Foreign Direct Investment
  Malcolm Bruce
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what steps the Government plans to take to encourage the flow of 874W
  foreign direct investment to the poorest nations of the developing world; and what international mechanism the Government supports to facilitate this. [126239]

  Hilary Benn
  The Government believe that, alongside domestic private investment, more quality, productive foreign direct investment is essential for growth and poverty reduction in developing countries. DFID supports a wide range of international efforts directed at improving the overall investment climate for such investment. These include support for: Comprehensive Investment Climate Assessments by the World Bank Group and the Commonwealth Business Council, which help to identify investment obstacles in particular countries; research by the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and NGOs on the benefits and costs of foreign direct investment; and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) programme of technical assistance, which helps developing countries build their capacity to better understand, attract and regulate foreign investment. The Government also believe that an international investment agreement negotiated in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) could complement these and other initiatives aimed at facilitating foreign investment flows to developing countries.

  Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether the Government support the use of Government revenues rather than exports to assess the sustainability of heavily indebted poor country debts. [126260]

  Hilary Benn
  In 1999, the UK Government led the way in securing the revision of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) framework to ensure that it provides these countries with a permanent solution to their debt problem and frees up resources to tackle poverty. The merit of the new framework is that countries qualify for debt relief if their debts exceed either 150 per cent. of their annual export earnings or 250 per cent. of Government revenues, whichever gives the greater amount of debt relief. Relief is provided to bring each country's ratios down to these levels. The reduced debt sustainability ratios under this new framework have allowed more countries to benefit from the enhanced HIPC initiative, with deeper levels of debt relief.

  Iraq
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on(a) the content of basic humanitarian supplies destined for Iraq and (b) the progress of those supplies towards intended destinations in Iraq. [126492]

  Hilary Benn
  Basic items such as food and medicines are being supplied to Iraq through organisations such as the World Food Programme and the World Health Organisation. These agencies report that such items are being imported in sufficient quantities to meet Iraq's needs.

  Iraq's Public Distribution System for food aid was restarted on 1 June 2003. The World Food Programme reports that by the end of the month, rations had been

  875W
  provided to about 26 million people. Distribution of food and medical supplies within Iraq have been hampered in some areas by the security situation there. For example, while medical supplies are being delivered to main provincial warehouses, rapid and effective distribution to clinics has not always been possible.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what steps are being taken to improve the security of food storage facilities in Iraq. [126852]

  Hilary Benn
  Coalition forces are providing security for many key food storage facilities. Resources are also being provided to Iraqi Ministry of Trade (MOT) governorate offices to carry out emergency improvements to storage sites to make them more secure. This work will include the installation or repair of gates and perimeter fencing, and new or improved lighting. Coalition forces have also been training MOT guards, who will be armed. In Baghdad, plans are being made to provide the guards with mobile phones so that they have a direct link to local police stations.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how many people have been immunised as part of the national immunisation campaign in Iraq. [126853]

  Hilary Benn
  The aim of the national immunisation campaign is to vaccinate 4.2 million children under the age of five against preventable diseases. Before the conflict, 98 per cent, of children under the age of five in Iraq were vaccinated for polio, and 92 per cent, for measles. Routine immunisation of children was suspended from the start of military action on 20 March 2003. An estimated 210,000 children were born in Iraq between then and mid-June. To rectify the break in the immunisation programme a number of national immunisation days have been announced by the Ministry of Health. The first took place on 22 June. Further national immunisation days are due to be held over the coming weeks. UNICEF reports that sufficient vaccines are now available in Iraq for six to eight months of routine immunisation activities.

  The World Health Organisation is also contributing to the reactivation of Iraq's Expanded Programme of Immunisation by re-establishing the country's vital disease surveillance system.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development 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. [126206]

  Hilary Benn
  The Department for International Development has let only one such contract since 1997—to Metropolitan Telephone Service (MTS), part of the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), in respect of managed telephone services.

  The cost of the contract is as follows.
  876W

  £

  2000–01

  864,653

  2001–02

  649,236

  2002–03

  674,948

  2003–04

  140,269

  Total

  2,329,106

  The contract is still in place.

  Jamaica
  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what discussions the Department has had with the Government of Jamaica about the programme to eradicate screwworm in that country; and whether the Department has made a financial contribution to the programme.[126079]

  Hilary Benn
  There has been no discussion between the Department and the Government of Jamaica on the prospect of British support for the eradication of screwworm in Jamaica. The National Screwworm Eradication Programme in Jamaica is funded primarily by the US Department of Agriculture—who are attempting to establish a permanent sterile fly barrier zone in Central America and the Caribbean—and by the Jamaican Chamber of Commerce. DFID's support for Jamaica is focused on two key areas:(a) restoring security and social and economic inclusion and (b) improving services and opportunities for the poor.

  Kenya
  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how much was spent by the Department on health projects and programmes in Kenya in each year since 1997. [126493]

  Hilary Benn
  Spending on health projects and programmes in Kenya since 1997 is shown in the following table. In addition, DFID also provides funding for health through multilateral channels but information on this is not available centrally.

  Financial year

  Stg £

  1996–97

  4,493,943.00

  1997–98

  4,080,843.00

  1998–99

  9,642,880.00

  1999–2000

  7,192,730.00

  2000–01

  7,841,043.00

  2001–02

  9,052,965.00

  2002–03

  15,065,020.00

  Total

  57,369,424.00

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how many officials from(a) his Department and (b) other Government Departments are working in Kenya in connection with overseas aid programmes and projects. [126494]

  Hilary Benn
  There are currently 60 DFID officials working in Kenya; 21 UK appointed staff and 39 appointed in country. Of these 60 officials, four have a regional East Africa role, three are working in a project support office, three are resident in Kenya but working
  877W
  on the Sudan and Somalia conflict prevention programmes and six are Associate Professional Officers working on projects.

  Under the jointly funded Africa Conflict Pool (FCO/ MOD/DFID) there are also four British Army officers from the Ministry of Defence resident in Kenya and providing training on peace-keeping to the Kenya Army.

  Kyrgyzstan
  John Barrett
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact poor harvests in southern Kyrgyzstan will have on the nutrition of children in the country; and if he will make a statement. [126847]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID directly supports health reform, rural livelihoods, water and environment, social development and governance in Kyrgyzstan. Through our work with the European Commission we are providing support to the EU Food Security Programme in Kyrgyzstan. They have not made a specific assessment of the impact of poor harvests in southern Kyrgyzstan on children's nutrition. We have asked the EU Food Security Programme to make an assessment of the situation.

  Liberia
  John Barrett
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the measures his Department is taking to improve facilities for the treatment of cholera patients in Liberia. [126846]

  Hilary Benn
  We have allocated £1.5 million for humanitarian relief since the increase in violence several weeks ago in and around Monrovia. To date just under £1.2 million of this has been committed, to ICRC, Merlin and Save the Children (UK). All three agencies are using our funding in whole or in part for health services. We do not know precisely what proportion of these funds is assisting cholera victims.

  Although the security situation makes it difficult to be precise about case numbers and morbidity rates, estimates from sources on the ground suggest that there have been about 1,630 cases in the current cholera "season", including 15 deaths. Reports from Merlin say that in their areas of operation the situation has improved slightly. It is essential that access is given to national and international agencies to improve water supplies and sanitation.

  Millennium Development Goals
  Mr. Lazarowicz
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development whether the Government support the linking of levels of debt servicing by developing countries to the achievement of the millennium development goals. [126261]

  Hilary Benn
  The UK Government agree that heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) must receive the resources they need to finance their Poverty Reduction Strategies. In calculating their levels of debt sustainability, account should be taken of this. But debt 878W
  relief alone cannot deliver the resources needed to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Deeper debt relief to HIPC countries would not significantly increase the net amount of development finance available, as this would have to come mainly from the multilateral development institutions since most bilateral debt has already been written off. We therefore support debt relief which is deep enough to ensure debt sustainability, while recognising that additional donor resources are needed to enable HIPC countries to meet the MDGs.

  Ministerial Visits
  David Davis
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will list the(a) foreign and (b) UK visits made by the Secretary of State since 1 April; what the cost was to public funds of each trip; who she met; and what gifts were received. [126885]

  Hilary Benn
  The Government publish the overall costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits overseas by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500 on an annual basis. The list for the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 was published by the Prime Minister on 16 July 2003,Official Report, column 482W. The next list for the period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 will be published at the end of the financial year.

  In respect of gifts received, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 14 March 2003, Official Report, column 482W.

  In the UK, the Secretary of State, Baroness Amos visited DFID's Headquarters in East Kilbride, Scotland in May. The cost of flights and taxis totalled £394.90.

  Montserrat
  Jeff Ennis
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what suport the Department is providing to the inhabitants of Montserrat following the recent volcanic eruption; and what plans the Department has for future support. [126744]

  Hilary Benn
  We have set aside up to £1.5 million for immediate emergency relief purposes. This includes work to clear up the ashfall and to repair damaged infrastructure. We will continue to assist and, in consultation with the Montserratian authorities, to keep the situation under close review. Support totalling £45.6 million is already available for Montserrat over the three-year financial year period 2003–04 to 2005–06.

  Mozambique Summit
  John Barrett
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development if he will make a statement on the outcomes of the second African Summit in Mozambique. [126845]

  Hilary Benn
  The second summit of the African Union (AU) in Maputo in July focused on the internal mechanisms of the organisation. Mozambique took over the Presidency from South Africa and Joaquim Chissano, President of Mozambique, will Chair the AU
  879W
  for the next year. Alpha Oumar Konare, ex-President of Mali, was voted Chair of the AU Commission and Patrick Mazimhaka of Rwanda was elected Vice-Chair.

  The following Commissioners of the AU were elected: Peace and Security, Said Djinnit (Algeria); Political Affairs, Dolly Joiner (The Gambia); Infrastructure and Energy, Bernard Zoba (Congo Brazzaville); Social Affairs, Gawanas Bience Philomina (Namibia); Human Resources, Science and Technology, Saida Agrebi (Tunisia); Trade and Industry, Elisabeth Tankeu, (Cameroon); and Rural Economy and Agriculture, Rosebud Kurwijila, (Tanzania). The position of Commissioner for Economic Affairs is yet to be filled.

  The budget of the AU will increase from $31 million to $43 million in the next year and staffing is set to double to approximately 761 in the long term. The contributions of the richer countries of the AU will rise to 8.5 per cent., while the contributions from poorer countries will be 0.75 per cent, and those from the poorest will fall to 0.25 per cent.

  The Pan African Parliament and the Peace and Security Council each require 27 ratifications to be established. This was not achieved at the AU Summit. However, more countries did ratify: the Pan African Parliament now has 17 signatures and the Peace and Security Council 15 (although this number may have increased since the Summit). In the event of the Peace and Security Council receiving 27 ratifications before the next AU Summit, the Assembly mandated the Executive Council to elect the membership of the Peace and Security Council. No decision was taken on the location of the Pan African Parliament. The Assembly also adopted the Draft Protocol on the Court of Justice of the AU, which is now open to ratification by member states.

  The Assembly decided that the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) will be integrated into the AU in three years, or when the relevant institutions of the AU are in place, whichever comes first. The integration will be overseen by Alpha Oumar Konare, Chair of the AU Commission, and President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chair of the Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee of NEPAD.

  For more information on the outcomes of the Summit see www.au2003.qov.mz

  Poverty Reduction Strategies
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what plans the Department has to encourage the participation of civil society in poverty reduction strategies for heavily indebted poor countries. [126703]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID country teams encourage wide participation in PRSP consultation processes, including funding stakeholder workshops when appropriate. Support can be provided directly from country programmes, or indirectly by means of Partnership Programme Agreements where local civil society organisations (CSOs) are provided with support to enable them to help the consultation process.
  880W
  Examples of such activity include:
  funding academics to train journalists (Ethiopia)
  support to Actionaid to facilitate CSOs participating in the policy process (Kenya)
  support to an umbrella group of CSOs devoted to poverty reduction (Zambia)
  funding a think tank and associated civil society task forces working on policy implications of the government's reform programme (Bangladesh)
  project on the development of CSOs (Kyrgyz republic)
  co-funding with UNDP the national PRS civil society consultative process (Guyana)

  Rwandan National Electoral Commission
  John Barrett
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment he has made of the report of the Rwandan National Electoral Commission, with particular reference to the shortfall in funding for conducting the August presidential and September parliamentary elections. [126844]

  Hilary Benn
  We support the Government of Rwanda and the National Election Commission's plans for the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, They are important landmarks in the reconstruction of Rwanda.

  For some time DFID has been working with both the NEC and a group of donors, chaired by United Nations Development Programme, exploring ways to best support the NEC's ambitious strategic plan. A multi-donor basket fund is to be set up, and early indications are that the resources can be found to implement the plan. We will support this and hope to decide the nature of our contribution shortly.

  Single Hull Obsolete Tankers
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment the Department has made of the use of single hull obsolete tankers on the West African coast and their impact on the surrounding environment. [126411]

  Hilary Benn
  We have not made any such assessment.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development 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. [126685]

  Hilary Benn
  One Special Adviser travelled in an official capacity with the former Secretary of State to Angola in April 2002 and to Washington and New York in March 2003. The trips cost £4,022.40 and £4,509.70 respectively.

  Staff Costs
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development how many staff the Department and each agency and non-departmental
  881W
  public body for which the Department is responsible had in each year since 1997; and what the cost of those staff was in each of those years. [122262]

  Hilary Benn
  Data on staffing levels in the Civil Service are collected from departments and agencies twice-yearly, in April and October. Headline figures are published under National Statistics guidelines via a press notice. Those for October 2002 were published on 27 February 2003.

  A copy of the press notice is available on the World Wide Web at www.civil-service.gov.uk/statistics. Copies of these documents are also placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

  More detailed information on the Civil Service is published annually in "Civil Service Statistics", copies of which are laid in the Libraries of both Houses. The last edition, based on April 2001 data, is due to be published at the end of July 2003.

  DFID is not responsible for any agencies or for staff in non-departmental public bodies falling within its remit. DFID wholly owns CDC Group plc, but the company is completely autonomous and DFID has no role or responsibility for its staff matters.

  Staff costs information are published in DFID's (formerly ODA's) annual Departmental Reports.

  Sudan
  John Barrett
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what steps he is taking to increase food aid supplies in Southern Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [126848]

  Hilary Benn
  Urgent humanitarian needs remain in Sludan, including in south Sudan. High rates of malnutrition, epidemic levels of disease, and destitution caused by forced displacement make continued humanitarian assistance necessary. DFID continues to respond by funding humanitarian help. We have committed over £13 million so far in 2003, including a contribution of £2.5 million to the World Food Programme. We recognise that humanitarian needs are likely to increase in Sudan in the event of a peace agreement and are planning for this.

  John Barrett
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what assessment he has made of the health facilities available in the Abyei county of Sudan. [126850]

  Hilary Benn
  DFID has made no direct assessment of the health facilities in Abyei, nor committed funds for Abyei specifically. However, we have contributed £2,500,000 this year to the ICRC as part of their Sudan Appeal which will be directed towards health where there is the most need. We also provide core funding to UN health agencies (eg WHO and UNICEF) who are working in the area. We support emergency health assistance across Sudan and are monitoring the situation closely—should the conditions deteriorate in Abyei we would consider providing support.

  Uganda
  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development which programmes the Department funds to help with the reintegration and care of children who have escaped abduction in Northern Uganda. [126406]

  Hilary Benn
  Since 1988 the chief recruitment method of the Lord's Resistance Army has been the abduction and forced conscription of children. UNICEF Uganda estimate that 20,400 children have been abducted since 1990 and 6,000 of them are still unaccounted for. DFID supports the work of a number of indigenous civil society groups working for peace, including the religious and traditional leaders. We also support agencies working specifically with child ex-combatants and their communities.

  We have provided support to Save the Children Fund (Denmark), which includes help for the re-integration of child ex-combatants and a grant to help improve the conditions for the increasing number of unaccompanied children who are sleeping in town centres at night to avoid abduction. We also support the Uganda Red Cross (URC) via the British Red Cross, which is involved with the provision of relief items, assessment and family tracing and reunion.

  Over the last 12 months we have provided £2.5 million in emergency aid through the World Food Programme, UNICEF and the Uganda Red Cross Society and we are currently in the process of programming a further £1 million for urgent humanitarian needs.

  Mrs. Spelman
  To ask the Minister of State, Department for International Development what recent discussions the Department has had with the Government of Uganda in relation to disarmament and the collection of small firearms. [126407]

  Hilary Benn
  The Department for International Development has not had any recent discussions with the Government of Uganda on disarmament and small arms.

  Together with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence under the Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP), DFID funds two nongovernmental organisations, Saferworld and Safer Africa, which are assisting the Government of Uganda to develop a five-year National Action Plan to control the proliferation of small arms. This includes disarmament and gun collection activities.

  £460,000 has also been provided from the GCPP to the Nairobi Secretariat to assist states, including Uganda, to implement the commitments they made in March 2001, on signing the Nairobi Declaration. The Secretariat provides training and advice to National Focal Points set up in signatory countries to prevent the proliferation of weapons and ammunition. This support included participation by the Ugandan National Focal Point Coordinator at the recent United Nations Biennial Meeting of States on Small Arms and Light Weapons, held in New York on 7-11 July 2003.

TREASURY

  Cancer
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many new cases of(a) acute myelogenous leukaemia, (b) chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, (c) oesophageal cancer, (d) osteosarcoma, (e) pancreatic cancer, (f) retinoblastoma, (g) sarcoma, (h) stomach cancer, (i) thyroid cancer and (j) Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia have been recorded in each of the last five years. [127019]

  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. John Baron, dated 22 July 2003:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many new cases of (a) acute myelogenous leukaemia, (b) chronic lymphocyctic leukaemia, (cj oesophageal cancer, (d) osteosarcoma, (e) pancreatic cancer, (f) retinoblastoma, (g) sarcoma, (h) stomach cancer, (i) thyroid cancer and (j) Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia. I am replying on his behalf. (127019).

  The figures for persons are as follows:

  Registration of newly diagnosed cases of cancer: selected sites, England, 1999

  Site

  ICD-10 code1

  Number

  Actute myeloid leukaemia

  CP2.0

  1656

  Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

  C91.1

  1926

  Oesophageal cancer

  C15

  5893

  Osteosarcoma

  C40-C41

  421

  Pancreatic cancer

  C25

  5882

  Retina2

  C69.2

  32

  Sarcoma

  C47, C49

  1113

  Stomach cancer

  C16

  7875

  Thyroid cancer

  C73

  1053

  Waldenstom's macroglobulinaemia

  C88.0

  249

  1 International Classification Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10)

  2 There may be a small number of additional cases code to C69–9 'eye, unspecified'.

  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// wwwstatisticsgovuk/downloads/them helath/Mbi 30/MBI 30 pdf.

  The latest available cancer incidence figures are for registrations for newly diagnosed cases of cancer in 1999. These figures are published in Cancer statistics—registrations, England 19991, which includes additional breakdowns by age and sex. This is available on the National Statistics website at http// www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/them health/MBI 30 pdf.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the latest survival rate is for those suffering from(a) childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, (b) acute myelogenous leukaemia, (c) chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, (d) esophageal cancer, (e) osteosarcoma, (f) pancreatic cancer, (g) retinoblastoma, (h) sarcoma, (i) stomach cancer, (j) thyroid cancer and (k) Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia. [127020]

  John Healey
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
  884W
  Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. John Baron, dated 22 July 2003:
  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning what the latest survival rate is for those suffering from (a) childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, (b) acute myelogenous leukaemia, (c) chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, (d) oesophageal cancer, (e) osteosarcoma, (f) pancreatic cancer, (g) retinoblastoma, (h) sarcoma, (i) stomach cancer, (j) thyroid cancer and (k) Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia. I am replying on his behalf. (127020).
  The frequency with which cancer survival statistics are updated depends on how commonly the cancer occurs. Cancer survival rates are routinely estimated for eight major cancers, which account for almost 60 per cent, of all cancers. These include stomach and oesophageal cancer. The latest available survival rates for the eight cancers are for patients diagnosed in 1993–95 and followed up to the end of 2000. Five years relative survival rates by sex and age group for England are available on the National Statistics website at: http/Zwww.statistics.gov.uk/ statbase/Expodata/Spreadsheets/D4924.xls. The five year relative survival rates for stomach cancer were 11.1 per cent, and 11.8 per cent, for men and women respectively, and for oesophageal cancer were 6.7 per cent, and 7.7 per cent, respectively.
  The report Cancer survival in the health authorities of England 1993–2000 provides information about the methods used is available on the National Statistics website at: http:// www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme health/HSQ13 v4.pdf.
  Pancreatic cancer is one of the twenty most common cancers, which together account for almost 90 per cent, of all cancers. The latest available cancer survival figures for those sites not included in the eight mentioned above, are for patients diagnosed in 1991–93 and followed up tot eh end of 1998. Five year survival rates by sex and age group for England and Wales for these cancers are published in the report Cancer survival in England and Wales, 1991–1998 which is available on the National Statistics website at:http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme health/ HSQ6Book.pdf. The five year relative survival rates for pancreatic cancer were 2.4 per cent, and 2.1 per cent, for men and women respectively.
  The latest information on survival from the other requested cancer sites, with the exception of Waldenstrom s macroglobulinaemia, is summarised in Cancer Survival Trends in England and Wales, 1971–95: deprivation and NHS Region. This publication presents cancer survival trends in patients diagnosed between 1971 and 1990 and followed up for at least five years to the end of 1995; it is available in the House of Commons Library. The five year relative survival rates for adults (aged 15–99) were 8 per cent, for acute myeloid leukaemia, 51 per cent, for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, 51 per cent, for connective tissue (sarcoma) and 73 per cent, for thyroid cancer. For those cancers analysed for children (aged 0–14), the five year relative survival rates were:76 per cent, for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, 51 per cent, for osteosarcoma and 93 per cent, for retinoblastoma.
  Survival figures for Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia are not available.

  Lost Working Days
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of working days lost because of chronic pain in England in each year since 1997. [126352]

  John Healey
  The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
  885W
  Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Paul Burstow, dated 21 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.i, ii
  iOffice for National Statistics. Results of the ICD-10 bridge-coding study, England and Wales, 1999. Health Statistics Quarterly 14 (2002), 75-83.
  iiRooney 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.

  Chief Economic Adviser
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the responsibilities of the Treasury's Chief Economic Adviser. [126507]

  John Healey
  The Chief Economic Adviser to the Treasury advises on a broad range of the Treasury's macroeconomic and microeconomic policies. In addition he is the Chairman of the International Monetary and Financial Deputies Committee, the UK chair of the G20 Deputies and a member of the Treasury Management Board.

  Customs and Excise
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set up a review of the corporate governance guidelines of(a) HM Customs and Excise and (b) the Inland Revenue, with particular reference to the composition of their boards. [126485]

  John Healey
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare (Brian Cotter) on 2 July 2003,Official Report, column 270W.

  Coinage
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many £1 coins are in circulation. [126112]

  Mr. Boateng
  No reliable estimate of the number of coins in circulation is available.

  Consultation Documents
  John Barrett
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the consultation documents issued by his Department in each of the last four years; what the cost 886W
  was of producing each of these; how many documents were issued in each consultation; and how many responses were received in each consultation. [124577]

  John Healey
  The Government recommend that policy development should be done in close consultation with stakeholders. Formal consultation documents are only one part of a process, which includes meetings with stakeholders, consultation seminars, regional events and public meetings.

  The specific information requested is not collated on a central basis and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost. However, a list of consultations run by the Treasury is available on the department's website at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/Consultations_ and_Legislation.

  EDS/Accenture Computer Systems
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many(a) system failures, (b) faults and (c) downtime incidents there were on (i) the EDS supplied computer systems and (ii) the Accenture supplied computer systems in his Department and its agencies in each month since 1 April 2002. [125632]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 14 July 2003]: The Inland Revenue and Valuation Office Agency are the only Treasury Departments and agencies that have IT services provided by EDS or Accenture.

  The following table shows the extent of systems failures, faults and downtime incidents attributable to EDS against contractual performance measures from 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003.

  Month

  Number of systems failures

  Number of faults

  Number of downtime incidents

  April 2002

  0

  6

  13

  May 2002

  0

  4

  1

  June 2002

  0

  3

  10

  July 2002

  0

  2

  0

  August 2002

  0

  2

  0

  September 2002

  0

  3

  1

  October 2002

  0

  5

  0

  November 2002

  0

  4

  0

  December 2002

  0

  5

  0

  January 2003

  0

  6

  2

  February 2003

  0

  5

  4

  March 2003

  0

  6

  4

  Note:

  Overall average availability of the EDS systems has been 99.78 per cent, against an agreed average service level target of 98.7 per cent.

  For the period from 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2003 the NIRS2 service provided by Accenture was contracted to be available for a total of 5,082 hours. During that period there was a total of 17.7 hours of system unavailability. This equated to three incidents—classified as either service failure or downtime incidents attributable to Accenture—where the weekly service level target was not met. Overall average availability of the NIRS2 system has been 99.6 per cent, against an agreed service level target of 98 per cent. The two smaller systems supported by Accenture, Employers Index and

  887W
  Debt Management System, have achieved their respective service level targets for system availability since April 2002.

  EU Legislation
  Bob Spink
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many regulations originating from the EU have been implemented by the Treasury in each of the last five years. [120754]

  John Healey
  It would be disproportionately costly to identify which of the EC, ECSC and Euratom Regulations made in the last five years, the Treasury was responsible for, as the Department does not keep a central record of this information.

  EU Directives and Regulations are published in the Official Journal of the European Communities, which can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/

  Euro
  Mr. Cash
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the treatment of the membership of the euro under the draft Constitutional
  Treaty on the Future of Europe. [125714]

  Mr. Boateng
  The constitutional treaty produced by the European Convention confirms that "those member states which have not adopted the euro, and their central banks, shall retain their powers in monetary matters." (1–29.4). The constitutional treaty does not alter the terms of the UK's EMU protocol. The UK's EMU protocol will be re-adopted on the conclusion of the IGC.

  Financial Products (Mis-selling)
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints of mis-selling of(a) endowment policies and (b) other financial products by (i) tied agencies and (ii) independent financial advisers have been upheld by the Financial Ombudsman Service in (A) 2001, (B) 2002 and (C) 2003; what the total of fines levied for each category was by year; what average length of time it took to investigate each complaint; and what the longest period was a complaint has remained open. [126076]

  Mr. Boateng
  The Financial Ombudsman Service has advised the Treasury that the number of complaints upheld either wholly or in part were as follows.

  Mortgage Endowment Complaints

  Substantially upheld

  Upheld in part

  2002–03

  IFAs

  359

  110

  Tied Agents

  3,906

  854

  2001–02

  IFAs

  385

  95

  Tied Agents

  2,758

  690

  2000–011

  1 In 2000–01, the Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman Bureau (PIAOB) dealt with mortgage endowment and other investment product complaints. The PIAOB did not record statistics about case outcome that can be analysed in this way. However, across the range of investment related complaints Against both IFAs and tied agents, 46 per cent, of complaints were

  888W
  resolved by conciliation or mediation where both parties agreed voluntarily and of those cases that were resolved by adjudication or a final decision by an ombudsman, 22 per cent, were upheld in favour of the consumer.

  Other Investment Products1

  Substantially upheld

  Upheld in part

  2002–03

  IFAs

  411

  201

  Tied Agents

  3,109

  1,853

  2001–02

  IFAs

  170

  68

  Tied Agents

  1,142

  804

  2000–012

  1 Personal pension plans, whole-of-life/non mortgage linked endowments and other 'packaged' investment products.

  2 In 2000–01, the Personal Investment Authority Ombudsman Bureau (PIAOB) dealt with mortgage endowment and other investment product complaints. The PIAOB did not record statistics about case outcome that can be analysed in this way. However, across the range of investment related complaints against both IFAs and tied agents, 46 per cent. of complaints were resolved by conciliation or mediation where both parties agreed voluntarily and of those cases that were resolved by adjudication or a final decision by an ombudsman, 22 per cent. were upheld in favour of the consumer.

  Awards

  The Financial Ombudsman Service does not punish or fine firms—the regulator, the Financial Services Authority, takes any such action.

  In resolving disputes, the ombudsman service may make a 'money award' against a firm of such amount as it considers fair compensation for financial loss and or pain and suffering or damage to reputation or distress or inconvenience. Additionally or alternatively, the ombudsman service can 'direct' a firm to take such steps in relation to the complainant, as the ombudsman considers just and appropriate.

  The Financial Ombudsman Service does not record 'money award' data as any such figure would not include cases which have been settled by way of agreeing that an offer of redress that a firm has made is fair compensation nor would it include the equivalent monetary value of any 'direction' that the ombudsman service may give.

  Timeliness

  Each year, the ombudsman service sets timeliness targets for resolving complaints. In 2000–01, 73 per cent. of cases at the PIAOB were closed within six months; 19 per cent, took between six and 12 months and 8 percent, took over 12 months.

  In 2001–02, the Financial Ombudsman Service closed 73 per cent, of cases within six months and 96 per cent, of cases within 12 months.

  In 2001–02, the average time taken to resolve and close a case was just over five months.

  In 2002–03, the ombudsman service introduced a new three month target and reported that it resolved 44 per cent, of cases within this time and that it resolved 76 per cent, of cases within six months.

  The ombudsman service refined the measure for the average time taken and reported that it took just under four months to resolve a complaint by mediation or conciliation. And, where a detailed investigation was

  889W
  required to settle the dispute—involving a full ombudsman review and decision—the average time taken was eight and a half months.

  The oldest ombudsman case still open dates back to November 1997, and has remained open for 2,035 days.

  It is the ombudsman service's policy to report any case that remains open to its Board so that the Directors can satisfy themselves that there are valid reasons for a case to be more than a year old.

  Financial Services Authority
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the procedures for reviewing the Financial Services Authority's rule making(a) powers and (b) decisions. [126656]

  Mr. Boateng
  The main procedures for reviewing Financial Service Authority rules, as set out by the Financial Services and Markets Act (2000) (section 155), are the requirements for public consultation prior to the exercise of a rule-making power and completion of a cost-benefit analysis.

  The main mechanism for reviewing decisions made by the FSA is the right of an aggrieved party to refer decisions to the independent Financial Services and Markets Tribunal.

  Gangmasters
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to investigate fraudulent activities by gangmasters, with particular reference to loss of(a) income tax, (b) value added tax, (c) national insurance and (d) other revenues. [126733]

  Mr. Luff
  Inland Revenue and HM Customs & Excise are participators in a multi-agency initiative to tackle non-compliance and illegal activity by gangmasters. The other agencies involved are the Home Office, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

  During 2002–03 two Inland Revenue specialist units settled 46 gangmaster investigations resulting in additional tax and National Insurance liabilities in excess of £4.3 million being identified. HM Customs and Excise is also looking at the activities of labour providers, particularly agricultural gangmasters, bringing together specialists to deal with education, support and compliance. In the last 18 months Customs has identified £5.9 million in arrears from 14 investigations into fraudulent evasion of VAT.

  Iraq
  Mr. Cousins
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the size was of the bilateral debt owed by Iraq to the UK, which was reported to the(a) US Treasury and (b) the Paris Club; and what the value is of the frozen assets of the previous regime in Iraq under UK management. [122777]

  John Healey
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: As part of the exercise to establish the extent of Iraq's external debt, the Paris Club has been advised that unrecovered
  890W
  ECGD claims amount to some £625 million, plus an estimated interest accruing over the past 12 years of around £525 million.

  Until the recent lifting of sanctions under UN SCR 1483, a total of US $648 million was estimated to be frozen in the UK under the Iraq (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2000. Under the terms of the Iraq (United Nations Sanctions) Order 2003, only the assets of Saddam Hussein, his associates and certain entities of the former regime remain frozen. If such assets are located in UK financial institutions, they may be subject to prior claims. As a result it is not possible at this stage to estimate what amounts will eventually be held by UK financial institutions. However the terms of UNSCR 1483 require all remaining assets associated with Saddam's regime to be transferred to the Development Fund for Iraq.

  IT Systems
  Dr. Pugh
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Treasury spent on IT(a) software, (b) hardware, (c) maintenance and (d) licences in 2002–03. [124419]

  John Healey
  During the 2002–03 financial year, HM Treasury has incurred expenditure on information technology to the following values:

  £

  (a) Software

  444,431

  (b) Hardware

  4,072,438

  (c) Maintenance

  39,217

  (d) Licences

  377,708

  Post Office Card Accounts
  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make additional funds available to the Department for Work and Pensions to cover an increase in the number of Post Office Card Accounts opened above the Government's estimates; whether he plans that the cost of accounts above the estimate will be met from within the Department's existing expenditure plans; and if he will make a statement. [125334]

  Mr. Boateng
  Provision was made in the Department for Work and Pensions 2002 Spending Review settlement for additional funding to be made available if card account numbers exceed the planning assumption.

  Royal Protection
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from which departmental budget the costs of(a) the Yeomen of the Queen's Bodyguard and (b) the Gentlemen at Arms are paid; and what the budget was in each of the last 10 years. [124638]

  John Healey
  Until 31 March 2001 the cost of the Yeoman of The Queen's Bodyguard and the Gentlemen at Arms was met from the grant-in-aid for the Maintenance of the Occupied Royal Palaces in England, provided by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The 2000 Royal Trustees Report agreed that certain expenditure met from the Votes of Government Departments or from the Consolidated Fund should be
  891W
  met from the Civil List with effect from 1 April 2001. The costs of the Yeoman of The Queen's Bodyguard and the Gentlemen at Arms have been met from the Civil List since 1 April 2001. Her Majesty's Treasury also contributes towards the costs of ceremonial dress of the Captains of the Yeoman of the Queen's Bodyguard and the Gentlemen at Arms, who are also Government Whips.

  The information from 1992–93 onwards is as follows:

  £

  1992–93

  DCMS

  39,000

  1993–94

  DCMS

  55,000

  1994–95

  DCMS

  68,000

  1995–96

  DCMS

  56,000

  1996–97

  DCMS

  60,000

  1997–98

  DCMS

  74,000

  1998–99

  DCMS

  69,000

  1999–2000

  DCMS

  78,000

  2000–01

  DCMS

  83,000

  2001–02

  Civil List1

  61,000

  2002–03

  Civil List2

  73,000

  1 The Civil List accounts for expenditure on a calendar year and this figure therefore covers the period 1
  April to 31 December 2001.

  2 The Civil List figure covers the period 1 January to 31 December 2002.

  The Civil List costs include charges for Gentlemen Ushers.

  Stamp Duty
  Mr. Prisk
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the changes in the rate of Stamp Duty which would be necessary were the UK economy to operate under interest rates as set by the European Central Bank to offset the interest rate sensitivity of the UK housing market. [121442]

  John Healey
  The Government's policy is that entering EMU on the basis of sustainable and durable convergence is essential so that the UK can benefit from the substantial increases in cross-border trade, investment, competition and productivity that EMU could provide. Sustainable and durable convergence between the UK and euro area must be demonstrated to have been achieved to ensure we and others could live comfortably with euro interest rates on a permanent basis.

  As the Chancellor announced in his EMU statement on 9 June, the Government has put in place a reform agenda—right for the British economy, and the process of achieving sustainable and durable convergence and the flexibility necessary for Britain to succeed sustainably within the euro zone. The reforms include:
  step changes in the planning and supply of housing and in the market for long-term mortgages; and
  a fiscal stabilisation discussion paper considering the appropriate measures that could be taken to stabilise output volatility in the absence of domestic monetary policy were the UK to join EMU.

  The fiscal stabilisation discussion paper considers the option of extending the regulator power to additional taxes such as stamp duty, and notes that it might be possible to use stamp duty to reduce volatility in the housing market and to affect personal consumption, but
  892W
  that a potential drawback is that it may affect labour mobility. The paper did not estimate the change in the rate of stamp duty that would be necessary to do this, which would depend on the circumstances prevailing at the time.

  Tax Revenues
  Adam Price
  To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on the use of tax money that is identifiably sourced from particular taxes for particular areas of Government spending. [125249]

  Mr. Boateng
  In some cases, where the Government are raising revenue for a specific purpose, it is appropriate to reinforce the purpose of the tax measure by linking it to the spending which it finances. For example, the increase in national insurance contributions from April 2003 is financing a significant increase in resources for the Health Service.

DEFENCE

  Guardsmen Fisher and Wright
  Mr. Mallon
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether(a) Mark Wright and (b) James Fisher are serving with the Irish Guards regiment in Iraq. [125923]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Ministry of Defence does not comment on an individual soldier's postings. I am therefore withholding the information under Exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information (Privacy of an individual).

  Afghanistan (Campaign Medal)
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when a campaign medal will be issued for personnel who have served in operations in Afghanistan. [126142]

  Mr. Caplin
  The matter of a medal for campaign service in Afghanistan has been deliberated by the Ministry of Defence and a case submitted to the HD Committee. They will consider the case and pass their recommendation to The Queen for Her approval. An announcement will be made when a decision has been reached.

  Aircraft Carrier Programme
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the estimated cost of the aircraft carrier programme. [126807]

  Mr. Ingram
  Our estimate for the cost of the demonstration and manufacture contract is around £3 billion. These cost estimates will be further refined during the remainder of the Assessment Phase.

  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to use the Eurofighter Typhoon on the new aircraft carriers. [126808]

  Mr. Caplin
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for the Armed Forces gave on 20 May 2003 Official Report, column 678W.
  893W
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the(a) tactical and (b) strategic implications are of building two aircraft carriers each with a capability of carrying 20 aircraft instead of the 48
  originally specified; [126969]

  (2) what the implications would be for UK plans to acquire the future Joint Strike Fighter, if the specifications of the two projected fleet aircraft carriers are downgraded; [126974]

  (3) what changes he estimates to the in-service dates of (a) the first and (b) the second future fleet aircraft carrier, if the projected cost of the ships rises to £4 billion. [126977]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Ministry of Defence is not considering any proposals to build two Future Aircraft Carriers capable of carrying only 20 aircraft.

  The Future Aircraft Carrier programme is currently midway through its Assessment Phase. This phase is intended to reduce risk in emerging design solutions and balance the key parameters of performance, time and cost in order to best meet our developing capability requirements, both in terms of the ships themselves and in the aircraft they will operate. The current forecast cost estimate for the Demonstration and Manufacture (D&M) contract is around £3 billion. Our target In-Service Dates for the two carriers remain 2012 and 2015 respectively and these will be confirmed prior to the award of the D&M contract, currently planned for Spring 2004.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make it his policy to rule out the acquisition of smaller aircraft carriers than the two fleet aircraft carriers originally specified; [126970]

  (2) what plans he has to ensure that the two projected fleet aircraft carriers are built in accordance with their original specifications. [126981]

  Mr. Ingram
  In the Strategic Defence Review published in 1998, it was envisaged that the two new Future Aircraft Carriers would be in the order of 30,000-40,000 tonnes and be capable of carrying up to 50 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. The intention, as with any other new equipment project, has always been to refine the design during the assessment phase in order to best meet our developing capability requirements. The Carrier programme is currently midway through this assessment phase. The key specifications will be determined in capability terms prior to the award of the demonstration and manufacture contract, currently planned for Spring 2004.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he plans to rescind the awarding of the construction contract for the two fleet aircraft carriers to BAE Systems following that firm's altered estimate of the costs of the project; [126971]

  (2) whether he plans to bring the design and construction of the two projected fleet aircraft carriers under the control of a single company; [126976]

  (3) what mechanism he put in place to ensure that BAE Systems' construction project conformed to Thales' design project for the two fleet aircraft carriers. [126983]
  894W
  Mr. Ingram
  The Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) programme is currently in its assessment phase and we have not yet placed a contract for the construction of the vessels. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced on 30 January 2003, the best means of delivering the carrier programme is via an alliance approach involving BAe Systems as preferred prime contractor with responsibility for project and shipbuilding management, Thales UK as key supplier of the whole ship design, and the Ministry of Defence. That remains our view. Subject to reaching a satisfactory outcome to the final stage of the assessment phase and to contractual negotiations, we plan to reach the final investment decision for award of the Demonstration and Manufacture contract in spring 2004.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what adjustments he will make to the(a) overall defence budget and (b) proportion of the defence budget allocated to the Royal Navy following the altered estimate of the costs of the future fleet aircraft carrier project. [126972]

  Mr. Ingram
  The 2002 Spending Review set out defence spending plans for 2003–04 to 2005–06. Every year the Ministry of Defence re-examines its programme to ensure that it delivers the required military capability in the most cost-effective way. The equipment programme is constructed on a capability, not single Service, basis.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to maintain existing plans for(a) the construction of new and (b) the maintaining in service of existing Royal Navy warships of other classes, following the altered estimate of the costs of the future fleet aircraft carrier project. [126973]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) programme is currently midway through its assessment phase. This phase is being used to refine the design specifications in order to best meet our developing capability requirements. No decisions have yet been reached on the final costs of the project.

  Our plans for the construction of new, and the maintaining in service of existing, Royal Navy Warships of other classes are based on how to deliver capability requirements in the most cost effective manner across the full Defence programme. There is no direct linkage to the costs of the CVF project.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the accuracy of BAe Systems' revised estimate of the cost of the two future fleet aircraft carriers; [126975]

  (2) what explanation he has received from BAE
  Systems for the revision of the estimated cost of two fleet aircraft carriers. [126982]

  Mr. Ingram
  The CVF Programme is still in the Assessment Phase, which is intended to reduce risk in emerging design solutions and balance the key parameters of performance, time and cost. Our cost estimates will be further refined during the remainder of the Assessment Phase to take into account maturing design and price information from BAE Systems and Thales UK.
  895W
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the future viability in service of(a) HMS Ark Royal, (b) HMS Illustrious and (c) HMS Invincible. [126978]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Royal Navy Invincible Class carriers (CVS) are currently scheduled to remain in service until replaced by the newer, larger and more capable carriers (CVF) in the first half of the next decade.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to scrap additional Royal Navy ships to enable the budget for the two future fleet aircraft carriers to be increased. [126979]

  Mr. Ingram
  None.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the two projected fleet aircraft carriers in a future expeditionary strategy. [126980]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Future Aircraft Carriers, CVF, will have the primary role of providing the United Kingdom with a flexible expeditionary offensive air capability. It is intended that CVF will operate the STOVL variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, the Maritime Airborne Surveillance and Control (MASC) capability and other rotary wing aircraft from all three services in a variety of roles.

  With the increasing likelihood of future operations being conducted by forces far from home bases and without the guarantee of host nation support, CVF will form a major element of our Joint Rapid Reaction Forces. It will be able to operate world-wide and contribute to a full scope of military tasks, either as part of a national or multinational task force.

  It is planned that CVF will be available continuously at high readiness and be capable of rapid deployment over extended periods in order to maximise the potential to influence the early stages of a developing crisis.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what meetings he has had with French(a) ministers and (b) officials to discuss the CVF programme; whether the CVF contractors have been asked by his Department to prepare carrier designs smaller than 50,000 tonnes; and if he will make a statement. [125599]

  Mr. Ingram
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and the other Defence Ministers routinely meet with their French opposite numbers and the United Kingdom's Future Aircraft Carrier programme has frequently been discussed in that context. There is a high level steering group which helps to facilitate UK French co-operation and, in addition, there have been regular meetings on the subject both between project officials from the UK's Defence Procurement Agency and their equivalents in the DGA and on a navy-to-navy basis. These meetings have identified several areas for potential co-operation.

  The CVF project is currently in the Assessment Phase which is designed to balance performance, cost and time considerations and to maximise cost effectiveness and
  896W
  value for money for the capability required. Nothing will be fixed until the investment decision is taken next year and the award of the Demonstration and Manufacture contract in Spring 2004 as originally planned.

  Anti-personnel Mines
  Norman Lamb
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how far out to sea off Diego Garcia ammunition ships containing anti-personnel mines are anchored. [102348]

  Mr. Rammell
  I have been asked to reply.

  Ships carrying ammunition are sent to pre-positioned anchorages between two and three nautical miles from shore within the lagoon.

  Apples
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of apples consumed by the armed forces were grown in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the United States of America and (c) Chile in the last 12
  months for which figures are available. [126806]

  Mr. Caplin
  In the last 12 months 51 per cent, of the apples consumed by the armed forces were grown in the USA, 25 per cent, in the UK and 24 per cent, in Chile.

  Armed Forces (Health Care)
  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been paid to non-NHS health providers in(a) the UK, (b) Germany and (c) elsewhere for the treatment of (i) members of HM armed forces and (ii) their families in each of the past five years. [118799]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 12 June 2003]: Payments to private healthcare providers in the United Kingdom in respect of treatment of Service personnel totalled £0.769 million in 2000–01, £4.095 million in 2001–02 and £3.326 million in 2002–03 These costs relate to centrally run treatment initiatives and single Service schemes. No expenditure on private healthcare providers has been recorded centrally prior to 2000–01. Medical care for dependents of Service personnel in the UK is the responsibility of the NHS.

  Healthcare in Germany is provided by the British Forces Germany Health Service (BFGHS), a consortium comprising the Ministry of Defence, Guys and St Thomas' Healthcare Trust (GST) and the Soldiers' Sailors, and Airmen's Families Association (SSAFA). Secondary healthcare is mainly provided by 5 Designated German Provider (DGP) hospitals under contracts managed by GST on behalf of the BFGHS for all Service and MOD UK-based civil servants and their families. Total Payments to GST, SSAFA and to non-DGP hospitals in each of the last five years were as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1998–99

  34.180

  1999–2000

  35.945

  2000–01

  32.498

  2001–02

  32.498

  2002–03

  34.687

  897W
  The figures include the contract cost of primary and community care for Service and civilian personnel and entitled dependants. The figures exclude the cost of primary care for RAF personnel and their dependants prior to 2001–02 as this was provided separately by the RAF. It is not possible to identify separately costs incurred in respect of Service personnel and their dependents.

  Details of payments to non-NHS healthcare providers elsewhere in the world are only available in respect of Cyprus and Gibraltar. Figures are not available for other locations, as they would only be recorded at unit level and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Figures for Cyprus and Gibraltar are shown as follows:

  Year

  £ million

  1998–99

  0.348

  1999–2000

  0.494

  2000–01

  0.174

  2001–02

  0.119

  2002–03

  0.129

  The figures cover the cost of all treatment provided outside of the service hospitals at these locations, for Service personnel, MOD UK-based civil servants and their dependants, it is not possible to identify separately costs incurred in respect of Service personnel, their dependents and other entitled personnel.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces have undergone treatment on the NHS in each of the last five years to ensure that they are able to be fully deployed. [118801]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 12 June 2003]: Records are only maintained centrally of the numbers of Service personnel treated by NHS hospital trusts which host the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) and the MOD Hospital Units (MDHUs). Information on the numbers of Service personnel treated elsewhere in the NHS could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The table shows the number of Service patients treated in the NHS trusts which host the RCDM and MDHUs in the five years 1998–99 to 2002–03. The figures represent all treatment provided as it is not possible, without disproportionate cost, to identify separately treatment which enabled Service personnel to become fully deploy able.

  In-patient and day cases

  Out-patients

  1998–99

  5,759

  14,663

  1999–2000

  5,497

  12,183

  2000–01

  6,723

  15,019

  2001–02

  9,005

  21,372

  2002–03

  7,772

  19,076

  Notes:

  1. Out-patient figures for 1999–2000 exclude MDHU Derriford due to problems with the hospital trust's patient administration system.

  2. Figures include MDHU Northallerton from 1999–2000, the year it was established.

  898W

  3. Figures from 2000–01 include the Royal Surrey County Hospital, which provides oromaxillofacial treatment under a separate SLA with MOD on similar terms to the MDHU SLAs.

  4. Figures include the RCDM and MDHU Portsmouth from 2001–02, the year they were established.

  Mr. Hoban
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what measures he has taken to enable members of the armed forces to receive priority treatment in the NHS. [118802]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 12 June 2003]: Service personnel are entitled to the full use of NHS hospitals on the same basis as other United Kingdom citizens if appropriate military provision is not available. They will therefore benefit from the sustained investment through the NHS Plan which will reduce waiting times. Provision for accelerated diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation to return Service personnel back to fitness faster than would otherwise be the case is available through Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with NHS Trusts that host the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) in Birmingham and Ministry of Defence Hospital Units (MDHUs). These SLAs also include provision for fast-track out-patient appointments if Service personnel are needed for immediate operational deployment. In addition, in 2003–04, up to £8 million for accelerated diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation is available for use in the NHS or, as appropriate, with private healthcare providers. A pilot scheme for fast-tracking orthopaedic cases is currently being run at MDHU Northallerton. Finally, the joint MOD/ Department of Health Reception Arrangements for Military Patients (RAMP) ensure that in times of conflict casualties are returned to the UK and receive the care that they need in NHS hospitals.

  Challenger 2
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 3 June 2003 to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin),Official Report, column 32W, on armoured vehicles, and his answer of 3 June 2003 to the hon. Member for South-West Devon (Mr. Streeter), Official Report, column 40W, on Iraq, what the (a) operational, (b) logistic and (c) economic basis is for replacing the Challenger 2 tanks. [119491]

  Mr. Ingram
  The decision to reduce the number of Challenger tanks in Iraq to a single squadron, deployed with 19 Mechanised Brigade, was taken for purely operational reasons. The rest have been withdrawn since there is only a very limited security role for them following the end of the conflict with Saddam Hussein's regime.

  Cluster Munitions
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 3 June 2003, ref. 110261, whether he has received reports of civilian casualties in Iraq as a consequence of the dropping of cluster bombs that have yet to be verified. [117759]

  Mr. Hoon
  The preponderance of unexploded munitions littering Iraq following decades of conflicts means that it is difficult to deduce definitively what injuries may have been caused by particular kinds of ordnance. United Kingdom Field Hospitals have reported eight injuries which may possibly have been
  899W
  caused by cluster munitions. I am aware of the existence of further unsubstantiated reports in the media and from other sources.

  Deceased Service Personnel
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on procedures followed by his Department in notifying next of kin of deceased service personnel; what advice is given in respect to the speed with which next of kin must be informed of their bereavement; which personnel are involved; and what efforts are made to ensure that details are not released to the media in advance of the notification of the next of kin. [126102]

  Mr. Caplin
  There are well established procedures for the reporting of casualties and missing personnel. The overriding principle is to minimise distress to bereaved families and to ensure they received timely and accurate information. However, it does take time to establish the necessary details, particularly in operational circumstances. With plentiful sources of immediate communication and close media interest, inevitably there is a risk that families will learn of an incident before they are formally notified. The Ministry of Defence endeavours to minimise this risk. An officer is despatched to inform the family as soon as the relevant details have been established. Normally the officer would be from the relevant unit or parent establishment, but where a family lived a significant distance away, consideration would be given to using an officer from a closer unit (preferably, although not necessarily, of the same Service) or the civilian police. Service officers selected to notify families are senior and experienced; often the unit commander or deputy will conduct this important and difficult duty themselves.

  We do not publish the names of fatalities until we have confirmation that the next of kin, and in some cases the extended family network, have been informed.

  Defence Equipment
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Government-to-Government agreements governing the sale, supply and transfer of defence equipment were agreed between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2002; on what date each agreement was signed; and with which country each agreement was reached. [123158]

  Mr. Caplin
  The following government to government agreements governing the supply of defence equipment were agreed between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2002:

  Date

  Country

  12 February

  Czech Republic

  21 March

  Canada

  22 March

  Australia

  22 May

  Austria

  23 June

  Bangladesh

  24 July

  Jordan

  18 October

  Thailand

  900W
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether British Aerospace(a) sought and (b) obtained clearance from his Department for the payment of agency commission in connection with the sale of defence equipment to Qatar. [115148]

  Mr. Caplin
  There is no requirement for United Kingdom companies to seek permission of the Defence Export Services Organisation to make commission payments; commercial arrangements are a matter for the companies involved, which are required to operate within the law.

  Defence Projects (Israel)
  Dr. Tonge
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Israeli Government concerning the purchase of stinger missiles. [121678]

  Mr. Caplin
  My right hon. Friend has had no such discussions.

  Depleted Uranium
  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to evaluate whether depleted uranium dust arising from the use of depleted uranium munitions by Coalition forces in Iraq has been blown into urban areas of Iraq; and what assistance is being given to the current evaluation by the United Nations Environment Programme of the environmental impact of the invasion of Iraq. [111241]

  Mr. Caplin
  The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will assess depleted uranium (DU) levels in the environment as part of its post-conflict environmental survey of Iraq later this year.

  In support of the UNEP survey, the Ministry of Defence has provided UNEP with details of United Kingdom DU firing locations and has offered to provide advice on carrying out risk assessments on DU within urban areas and on long-term monitoring of DU in the environment, including water. In June 2003, MOD scientists completed a preliminary technical assessment of some Iraqi equipment and sites thought to have been struck by DU rounds. MOD officials presented their findings to UNEP on 10 July 2003. UNEP welcomed the MOD presentation and agreed that future surveys should be coordinated with MOD to avoid duplication and obtain maximum scientific benefit.

  The Department for International Development has, in principle, agreed to part-fund the UNEP assessment of post-conflict environmental issues in Iraq. In her 11 June letter to the Executive Director of UNEP, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, made clear that Government officials would continue to share information with UNEP's Post Conflict Assessment Unit and also indicated that UK civil servants seconded to the Coalition Provisional Authority, and our Armed Forces, could provide the UNEP assessment team with information and practical assistance on technical, operational and sustainable development issues. My right hon. Friend and UK Government officials have since met UNEP representatives to discuss their work programme.
  901W
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much depleted uranium, by weight, has been recovered in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [119451]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 19 June 2003]: No depleted uranium has been recovered in Iraq. Surface lying depleted uranium (DU) ammunition will be cleared from the battlefield along with dangerous remnants of war. Since DU strikes do not pose an immediate threat to health and safety we will not be undertaking any recovery of DU buried in the ground, except where required in small quantities for scientific purposes to support the Ministry of Defence corporate DU programme.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reporting was undertaken by Challenger 2 tank crews in respect of recording the firing of depleted uranium ammunition during the recent Gulf conflict; and whether similar measures were undertaken during the 1991 Gulf conflict. [119199]

  Mr. Ingram
  The tonnage of Depleted Uranium ammunition fired by Challenger 2 tanks in the recent Gulf conflict and of the location of the Challenger tanks when engagements took place has been recorded by the Ministry of Defence and this information has been made available to the UNEP. Similar measures were not undertaken during the 1991 Gulf War.

  Disease Prevention
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what action he has taken to prevent the spread of disease among troops in the Gulf; [123599]

  (2) what plans he has to improve prevention of the spread of disease among troops in battle. [123598]

  Mr. Caplin
  Preventing transmission of disease is an important element of force health protection for troops participating in military action, including those who deployed to the Gulf. We seek to achieve this through a combination of medical intelligence to identify threats from endemic diseases and potential biological warfare agents; appropriate medical countermeasures, such as vaccination and antimalarial drugs; and physical protection measures, such as insecticide impregnation of uniforms and use of mosquito nets and appropriate insect repellents. In addition, educating personnel in the use of good hygiene and sanitation practices and enforcement of appropriate Health and Safety regulations play an important part.

  Medical personnel deployed to the Gulf included infection control and environmental health specialists and Service personnel were given briefings on health issues covering prevalent diseases, hazards arising from potential environmental exposures, personal hygiene, sexual health, stress, and acclimatisation to living in arduous environments.

  The armed forces will continue to develop best practice to prevent the spread of disease among deployed troops, taking account of any lessons identified from current and future military operations.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [124716]

  Mr. Caplin
  Three environmental appraisals of policy work are currently under way. These are: RAF Strategic Review of RAF Brize Norton and RAF Lyneham, Defence Training Review and the Defence Estates Core Sites Strategy.

  To address the requirements for policy level environmental appraisal the Department is trialling an Integrated Policy Appraisal (IPA) tool in conjunction with other Government Departments. Work has commenced on two pilot appraisals: The New Chapter of the Strategic Defence Review and the UK Military Flying and Training System (UKMFTS).

  A number of environmental appraisals and more detailed assessments have been carried out on a programmes and projects brought about as a result of policy decisions arising from the Strategic Environmental Appraisal (SEA) of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) in July 2000. Appraisals and, when required, more detailed assessments are carried out for site re-organisation, training exercises and the deployment of specific equipment. This work is supported by the Ministry of Defence's Sustainability Appraisal Handbook (2002).

  Information regarding individual appraisals and assessments are not held centrally at present. However, when appraisal tools are more fully integrated into business processes, MOD will be able to report on numbers of appraisals carried out and also, depending on the subject area, results of the appraisal.

  European Constitution
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [124786]

  Mr. Caplin
  As part of the normal Whitehall process, I and my officials have had regular correspondence with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss all aspects of the Convention. 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.

  Fleet Air Arm
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Fleet Air Arm squadrons will equip with Harrier GR7/9; and how many aircraft will be allocated to each squadron. [126148]
  903W
  Mr. Caplin
  Two Front Line Fleet Air Arm squadrons will be equipped with the Harrier GR7/GR9 in 2006. Each squadron will comprise nine aircraft.

  Force Readiness
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what deployment times are denoted by his Department's scaling of (i) very high, (ii) high and (iii) medium states of readiness. [125606]

  Mr. Caplin
  The following table shows the deployment times for very high, high and medium states of readiness for United Kingdom forces:

  Readiness state

  1

  24-48 hrs

  Very high

  2

  3-5 days

  Very high

  3

  6-10 days

  Very high

  4

  11-20 days

  High

  5

  21-30 days

  High

  6

  31-60 days

  Medium

  7

  61-90 days

  Medium

  Gripen Jets
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the United States Government first made complaints of alleged corrupt practice by BAe Systems regarding the possible sale of Gripen jets and the decision by the Government of the Czech Republic to buy supersonic aircraft to his Department; and which United States administration department made this complaint. [123008]

  Mr. Caplin
  A number of individuals in the United States Administration have raised allegations against BAe Systems since the US industry decision in May 2001 not to continue participation in the Czech Republic's fighter aircraft competition. However, we have not been able to find, nor have we been given, any evidence whatsoever to substantiate the allegations and this has been made abundantly clear to the US Government.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many meetings have been held since 1 January 1999 between Ministers in his Department and the United States Administration in which allegations of corrupt practice by BAE Systems regarding the possible sale of Gripen jets and the decision by the Government of the Czech Republic to buy supersonic aircraft were discussed; when each of these meetings was held; where each of these meetings was held; and which United States Administration Departments attended each of these meetings. [123009]

  Mr. Caplin
  None.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his department first received allegations of corrupt practice by BAe Systems regarding the possible sale of Gripen jets and the decision by the government of the Czech Republic to buy supersonic aircraft. [123160]
  904W
  Mr. Caplin
  The Ministry of Defence has not received any substantiated allegations of corrupt practice by BAe Systems over the possible sale of Gripen jets to the Czech Republic.

  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department first received allegations of corrupt practice by BAe Systems regarding the supply of a package of Hawk and Gripen jets to the Government of South Africa. [123010]

  Mr. Caplin
  The Ministry of Defence has received no substantiated allegations of corrupt practice by BAe Systems regarding the supply of Hawk and Gripen aircraft to the Government of South Africa.

  Iraq
  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what port facilities under UK naval and military control are available for humanitarian assistance to be brought into Iraq. [112251]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are no port facilities now under United Kingdom military control. The local Iraqi council administers the very limited port facilities at Basra and Stevedore Services, a United States contractor, administers the single major facility at Umm Qasr.

  There is a small UK presence at Umm Qasr, to deal with UK military supplies that arrive by sea, but the forces there have no role in running the facility.

  Dr. Julian Lewis
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what quantities of supplies were transported from the UK to the Gulf(a) by sea and (b) by air for Operation Telic. [112253]

  Mr. Ingram
  In advance of the start of combat operations around 135,000 Linear Metres and 6,300 Transport Equivalent Units of supply were transported by sea to the Gulf. In addition, around 29,500 Air Load Equivalent Short Tonnes of supply were transported by air.

  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what inquiries his Department is pursuing following the tattooing of an Iraqi child with Nazi insignia following the Paras v. Locals football match in Baghdad. [119205]

  Mr. Ingram
  No allegations have been made concerning such an action or any other activity at the football match, therefore there is no basis for an investigation.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken by British forces in Iraq to secure known nuclear sites from looters and terrorist groups seeking to obtain nuclear materials and technology. [120793]

  Mr. Ingram
  There are no known nuclear sites in the United Kingdom's Area of Operations.

  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the six military police officers killed in Iraq(a) were armed and (b) had an armed escort. [122459]
  905W
  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communications the military policemen killed in Iraq on 24 June had with other UK forces during the time they were under siege; and if he will make a statement. [123348]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the written statement given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 2 July 2003,Official Report, columns 20-22W. There is still an on-going investigation into the incident and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage. Once the investigation is complete I will make public as many of its findings as possible, subject to operational and other security constraints.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Central Fife (Mr. MacDougall) of 30 June 2003,Official Report, column 41W, on Iraq, if he will (a) examine reports of Iraqi deaths from eyewitness correspondents embedded with the military in the invasion of Iraq, (b) request the Coalition provisional authority to make a survey of deaths reported in hospitals in Iraq, from 19 March to 1 May, arising from military conflict and (c) make the estimating of Iraqi military deaths part of the aim of interrogation of Iraqi military commanders in custody. [123762]

  Mr. Ingram
  We take our obligations under International Law and the Laws of Armed Conflict to avoid collateral damage and excessive military casualties very seriously. Any loss of life, particularly civilian, is deeply regrettable, but in a military operation the size of Operation Telic it is also unavoidable. Through very strict rules of engagement, the use of precision munitions and the tactical methods employed to liberate Iraq's major cities, we are satisfied that the coalition did everything possible to avoid unnecessary casualties. We do not, therefore, propose to undertake a formal review of Iraqi casualties sustained from 19 March to 1 May.

  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with United Nations representatives regarding the use of UN troops in Iraq; and what proposals he has to involve the UN in the maintenance of law and order in Iraq. [123837]

  Mr. Ingram
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 7 July 2003,Official Report, column 616W, to the hon. Member for Nottingham, North (Mr. Allen).

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether all UK Service personnel have access to air conditioned accommodation in current deployments in Iraq and Kuwait. [125596]

  Mr. Ingram
  Not all United Kingdom Service personnel currently deployed in Iraq and Kuwait have access to air conditioned accommodation, but all have access to air conditioned welfare facilities. Work is progressing to provide further air conditioning in accommodation areas throughout the area of operations.

  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of Iraqi munitions have been disposed of; and when the clearance will be completed. [125700]
  906W
  Mr. Ingram
  As of 27 July, the United Kingdom and Multi-National teams have destroyed 323,149 items of explosive ordnance, of which 211,550 were small arms ammunition. Non Government Organisations have recovered 180,353 items of explosive ordnance, of which 58,744 have so far been destroyed. The rest are in storage awaiting disposal. It is not possible to quantify the number of items cleared in terms of percentage. It is estimated that it will take between two and three years to completely clear the United Kingdom Area of Operations of explosive ordnance.

  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Iraqi children he estimates have been killed while dismantling Iraqi munitions in the last three months. [125701]

  Mr. Ingram
  There is no means of knowing how many Iraqi children have been killed while dismantling Iraq's munitions. Coalition forces have, however, made significant efforts to educate local populations about the dangers of unexploded munitions. The United Kingdom and other coalition Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams in the UK's area of responsibility have completed over 1,000 disposal tasks and destroyed over 100,000 individual munitions. The Theatre Mine Risk Education (MRE) plan has been developed with the support of UNICEF and the ICRC. A poster and leaflet campaign has been carried out; head teachers in Basrah have been briefed; and military teams are delivering Mine/UXO awareness training to primary and secondary schools daily, using material approved by the ICRC.

  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what resources for clearing Iraqi munitions are provided by(a) Her Majesty's Government and (b) NGOs. [125703]

  Mr. Ingram
  The United Kingdom Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Group has provided seven Royal Engineer EOD Teams, three Royal Air Force EOD Teams, two Royal Logistic Core Heavy Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD)/EOD Teams and 12 Royal Engineer echelon Troops equipped with heavy lift capability and four tonne vehicles who can operate with EOD teams for logistic disposal of larger EO caches. In addition, the Ammunition Inspectorate has provided two IEDD/EOD Teams.

  We work very closely with Non Government Organisation resources, the details of which are an issue for each Organisation to release.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people(a) captured and (b) still interned by British forces in Iraq are classified as enemy combatants; if he will list the other categories of people held by British forces and the number of persons in each category; whether any people captured were moved outside the country, and for what reasons; and what rights any person held in a category other than enemy combatant has. [125897]

  Mr. Ingram
  Those persons captured by British forces who had the status of enemy combatant were entitled to prisoner of war status and to be treated as such. As of 21 July 2003, the United States is holding one prisoner of war and 36 other persons captured by British forces,
  907W
  who are either suspected of committing criminal offences or are interned where necessary for imperative reasons of security in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention. No prisoners captured by British forces in Iraq and transferred to US custody have been transferred out of Iraq. The rights of persons detained who are not classified as enemy combatants are contained within the Fourth Geneva Convention.

  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what co-operation has taken place between the United Kingdom and the United States of America on investigations into deaths by friendly fire during the Iraq conflict. [115791]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 3 June 2003]: Both incidents of 'friendly fire' that occurred during operations against Iraq involving United States and United Kingdom forces are the subject of Boards of Inquiry, which have now convened. We are liaising closely with the US and a British Liaison Officer is in place on the US Board of Inquiry. We will be looking to ensure that both countries absorb any lessons identified.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of overall UK casualties during the Iraq war were caused by friendly fire. [127037]

  Mr. Ingram
  Fourteen percent of United Kingdom fatalities in Operation Telic were caused by friendly fire. The information in respect of all other casualties is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the types of vehicles occupied by British soldiers killed by friendly fire during the Iraq War; and to what extent they employed the combat identification equipment used by UK forces. [127038]

  Mr. Ingram
  Tornado GR4 aircraft, a Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank and a Scimitar CVR(T) armoured vehicle were subject to fatal friendly fire incidents in Operation Telic. All three vehicles were fitted with the correct combat identification equipment.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps were taken to secure(a) the Oil Ministry, (b) other ministries and (c) other official buildings in Iraq from looters and arsonists during the invasion and immediate post invasion period in Iraq. [126322]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Oil Ministry is located in Baghdad and has never fallen within the United Kingdom area of responsibility. Since the liberation of Iraq, UK Forces have been working to restore security through a number of different means including patrols, vehicle check points and static guarding. Certain sites within the UK area of responsibility are currently being guarded by UK Forces including key government buildings and public record offices. Overall, our approach is to reestablish local police and guard forces that will initially be trained and overseen by UK forces.

  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many weapons inspectors there are in Iraq. [126170]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 23 June 2003,Official Report, column 616W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llew Smith).
  908W
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which areas of Iraq have yet to be visited by weapons inspectors in their search for weapons of mass destruction; and if he will make a statement. [126176]

  Mr. Hoon
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 1 July 2003,Official Report, column 204W, to the Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Mr. Marsden).

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his United States counterpart in respect of the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. [126309]

  Mr. Hoon
  I am in frequent contact with the US Secretary of Defence. We discuss a range of Iraq-related issues, including WMD.

  Harry Cohen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use was made of British military(a) field hospitals and (b) medical resources to treat Iraqi civilians; and if he will make a statement. [121893]

  Mr. Caplin
  During operations in Iraq all wounded have been treated equally regardless of status or nationality. Between 19 March and 12 July 234 Iraqi civilians were treated in United Kingdom Field Hospitals, but we do not record centrally instances of local treatment by medical personnel in fielded forces.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when persons acting on behalf of the Government first entered Iraq this year without prior permission of the then Iraqi Government. [111362]

  Mr. Ingram
  Regular patrolling by United Kingdom RAF aircraft has been ongoing in Iraq since 1991 and was taking place on 2 January 2003. These patrols were being conducted without Iraqi permission. UK ground forces entered Iraq on 20 March 2003.

  Llew Smith
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his estimate is of the number of(a) Iraqi civilians and (b) Iraqi military personnel (i) killed and (ii) injured as a result of Operation Telic. [111364]

  Mr. Ingram
  Whilst the Ministry of Defence has accurate data relating to the number of United Kingdom service personnel that have been killed or injured during Operation Telic, we have no way of establishing with any certainty the number of Iraqi casualties.

  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which units did not receive their full complement of desert kit before the beginning of hostilities in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [111820]

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what delays there have been in issuing clothing and personal equipment to members of the armed forces serving in Operation Telic. [112029]

  Mr. Ingram
  By the beginning of hostilities on 19 March, 3 Commando Brigade had received all its requirement of personal desert equipment, 16 Air Assault Brigade had received 90 per cent., and 7th Armoured Brigade had received 50 per cent. Where necessary, allocation was prioritised according to greatest operational need. Details of individual unit allocations are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
  909W
  In the light of operations in Iraq, we will be reviewing our policy for the provision and distribution of desert clothing.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK staff were integrated with US Central Command in contingency planning for military operations in Iraq. [112031]

  Mr. Ingram
  During planning for military operations in Iraq the number of United Kingdom staff deployed to CENTCOM fluctuated regularly. On average about 30 personnel were deployed for planning purposes at any given time.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many prisoners held by British forces in the Gulf have been identified as(a) Fedayeen Saddam forces and (b) nationals from countries other than Iraq. [112079]

  Mr. Ingram
  British forces are currently detaining two people suspected of links with Fedayeen Saddam forces. They are the only two such people British forces have held during the conflict.

  A total of 28 prisoners of war from countries other than Iraq were captured by United Kingdom forces in Iraq, as shown in the table. All have subsequently been released from custody.

  Country

  Number

  Algerian

  2

  French

  2

  Jordanian

  10

  Sudanese

  2

  Syrian

  12

  Hugh Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the results of investigations into deaths by friendly fire during the Iraq conflict. [115793]

  Mr. Ingram
  Decisions will be taken as to what will be published from each investigation into deaths by 'friendly fire' once these investigations are complete. We will make public as many of the findings as possible, subject to operational and other security constraints.

  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the(a) role and (b) action of army logistics units in Iraq. [116664]

  Mr. Caplin
  Army logistic units in Iraq formed part of both the tri-service Joint Force Logistic Component and I (UK) Division which provided support to United Kingdom personnel in the Gulf. The role of logistic units in any operation is to ensure the sustainability and regeneration of combat power.

  The logistic unit's achievements include the development of theatre infrastructure and the successful provision of combat service support to deployed units during the war-fighting phase. Post conflict, the Joint Force Logistic Component has undertaken a number of successful projects including the building of a fresh water pipeline from Kuwait to Umm Qasr, the opening of the port of Umm Qasr, the establishment of the Umm Qasr to Basrah railway and the distribution of humanitarian aid and assistance.
  910W
  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of whether the looting in Iraq is primarily non-political criminal activity. [117046]

  Mr. Caplin
  The looting following the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime is judged to have been largely opportunistic criminal activity. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that there are small elements in Iraq who have been encouraging politically motivated crime.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the UN logistics report of 23 May regarding warehouse looting in Basra. [117051]

  Mr. Ingram
  The UN report quoted raised concerns about the looting of warehouses in Basra. Although United Kingdom forces have a presence at the Ministry of Trade warehouse in Basra, this is for administrative purposes and they are not responsible for security, which is a matter for local Iraqi security guards. UK forces do still conduct routine patrols in the area.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there is a need for increased British Army presence at the Iraqi Ministry of Trade warehouse in Basra which the British Army shares with the World Food Programme and the International Committee of the Red Cross. [117052]

  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what protection British forces have provided to the World Food Authority warehouses in Basra; and what future plans the Department have to provide such protection. [125705]

  Mr. Ingram
  United Kingdom forces do have a presence at the Ministry of Trade warehouse in Basra, however this is purely for administrative purposes and they are not responsible for local security which is a matter for the local Iraqi security guards. UK forces conduct routine patrols in the area and do not intend to increase their presence.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the army has done to improve customs checks at Iraqi borders since 22 May. [117053]

  Mr. Ingram
  The lead agency for customs and immigration policy, organisation and manning is the Office of the Coalition Provisional Authority.

  Within the UK Area of Responsibility, since 22 May 2003 twelve customs officers have been re-employed at the port authority at Umm Qasr. These officers served in Iraq customs prior to the conflict. Customs offices are currently located at Umm Qasr, Safwan and Basra. There are further customs officers at Basra who can be called forward to the port if additional support is required. The officers currently employed have received some refresher training from our Royal Military Police.

  More widely, coalition forces continue to provide a secure environment in which the civil agencies can operate.

  Mr. Gardiner
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what efforts the British Army has made to restore the water system in Iraq. [117061]
  911W
  Mr. Ingram
  The 521 Specialist Team Royal Engineer (Water Development), under the co-ordination of a civil infrastructure team, has been engaged in supplying and repairing equipment to allow the restoration of the Iraq water system. This has included the provision of essential water treatment chemicals, the supply and redistribution of generators, pumps and treatment works, provision of temporary water, co-ordination of pipe repairs, arranging fuel deliveries to cover shortfalls, and provision of security at some water treatment plants and to pipe repair teams.

  IT Contracts
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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. [126191]

  Mr. Ingram
  This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Furthermore, the value of an individual contract with a supplier is agreed in confidence and could be disclosed only with the prior agreement of all contractors involved. Figures are, however, available for the total number of contracts placed by the Defence Communications Services Agency since 2001 and the cumulative values of those contracts as well as the number of contract amendments (including extensions, additions to services provided etc.) to existing contracts made in the same period. The values are shown in the table:

  2001–02

  2002–03

  New contracts placed (number)

  2,079

  1,075

  Value (£ million)

  27.82

  50.61

  Contract amendments (number)

  291

  83

  Value (£ million)

  47.3

  119.37

  Judicial Committee of the Privy Council
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he had with(a) the Prime Minister and (b) military legal authorities on the Government's plans to change the legal responsibilities of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as a court of appeal for the Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri on Cyprus. [126774]

  Mr. Ingram
  No discussions have taken place. A consultation paper entitled "Constitutional Reform: A supreme Court for the United Kingdom" (Paper No 11/03) makes clear that the Government's current intention is that the Privy Council will be retained in its current form as regards its functions as a final court of appeal from certain colonies and overseas territories.

  Media Training
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was to his Department of media and voice training for ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [123120]
  912W
  Mr. Caplin
  A search of the available records indicates that no Ministers within the Ministry of Defence have undertaken either media or voice training during the years referred to in the question.

  Records are not kept centrally of the costs of training in media and voice training for MOD officials and this could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  Medical Care (Waiting Lists)
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the waiting list targets for the(a) Defence Secondary Care Agency and (b) Ministry of Defence Hospital Units; and what progress in meeting these targets has been achieved. [121368]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: The waiting time targets set by the Defence Secondary Care Agency (DSCA) for 2002–03 for first out-patient appointment and for in-patient and day-case treatment, and the achievement against them, first, by the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM), the MOD Hospital Units (MDHUs) and the Royal Surrey County-Hospital only and, second, by all DSCA units, are set out in the following table. The Royal Surrey County Hospital has been included because it provides oromaxillofacial treatment under similar arrangements to those at the MDHUs.

  Percentages

  Waiting time target

  45 per cent, of patients to be offered first out-patient appointment within four weeks of referral

  90 per cent, of patients to be offered first out-patient appointment within 13 weeks of referral

  Average waiting time achieved by all DSCA units

  53

  90

  Inpatient and Day case waiting time target and achievement.

  Percentages

  Waiting time target

  80 per cent, of patients to be offered a treatment date within 13 weeks of the decision to admit the patient

  Average waiting time achieved by RCDM, MDHUs and Royal Surrey County Hospital (for oromaxillofacial treatment only)

  77

  Average waiting time achieved by all DSCA units

  83

  Overall, the figures reflect small annual improvements in meeting waiting time targets.

  The DSCA was disbanded on 31 March 2003, when responsibility for secondary health care commissioning and performance management passed to the Defence Medical Services Department. The same in-patient and out-patient waiting time targets apply for 2003–04, but information on the first quarter's achievement is not yet available.

  Military Displays
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what major military displays and tattoos will be taking place this year involving HM forces in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [126138]
  913W
  Mr. Caplin
  The major military displays and tattoos in the United Kingdom which involve the armed forces for the year 2003 are in the following table. In addition

  Event

  Dates

  Location

  RNR Centenary Parade

  8 March

  Glasgow

  Battle of the Atlantic 60th Anniversary commemoration

  30 April to 6 May

  Liverpool

  RNR Centenary Parade

  17 May

  London

  International Festival of the Sea (IFOS)

  23-26 May

  Leith, Edinburgh

  Beating Retreat (Household Division)

  27-28 May

  London

  Queen's Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour)

  14 June

  London

  Royal International Air Tattoo1

  18-20 July

  RAF Fairford, Glocs

  Presentation of new Queen's Colour to the Fleet

  23 July

  Plymouth

  RAF Waddington At Home Day

  28-29 July

  RAF Waddington, Lines

  Edinburgh Military Tattoo

  1-23 August

  Edinburgh

  RAF Leuchars Battle of Britain At Home Day

  13 September

  RAF Leuchars, Fife

  Iraq memorial service

  10 October

  London

  Lord Mayor's Show

  8 November

  London

  Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance

  8 November

  London

  Remembrance Sunday ceremonies

  9 November

  London and across the country

  1 On 25 October 1999, the Secretary of State for Defence announced in Parliament events that were to replace the Royal Tournament—the Defence 2000 series—25 October 1999, Official Report, columns 696-97. The Defence 2003 exhibition, under the leadership of the Royal Air Force, which was scheduled to take place at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford from 18 to 20 July, has been postponed by 12 months because of recent operational pressures. The RIAT itself will, however, go ahead as planned, with significant participation by RAF aircraft.

  Missile Defence Memorandum of Understanding
  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment has been made of the potential value of contracts resulting from the missile defence memorandum of understanding signed on 12 June; which bodies have carried out analyses for the Department; and what values were estimated; [127047]

  (2) what contracts have been signed by UK-based companies or institutions under the missile defence memorandum of understanding signed on 12 June. [127049]

  Mr. Hoon
  The Framework Ballistic Missile Defence Memorandum of Understanding (BMD MoU) signed on 12 June 2003 sets out the overarching structure for government-to-government collaboration between the United Kingdom and the United States on missile defence. It establishes and defines a framework within which specific activities, to be set out in Annexes to this MoU, can beundertaken. This includes activities already under way under the pre-existingStrategic Defence Initiative MoU. The BMD MoU itself provides no authorityfor placing contracts and no assessments were undertaken of the potential value of contracts resulting from collaborative projects that are in progress now, or may be undertaken in the future.

  Jeremy Corbyn
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the companies involved in negotiations over the missile defence memorandum of understanding signed on 12 June; and at which point in the negotiation process each company was involved. [127048]

  Mr. Hoon
  No companies were involved in negotiations over the Ballistic Missile Defence Memorandum of Understanding signed on 12 June.

  Operation Telic
  Angus Robertson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when investigations into friendly fire incidents during Operation Telic will be completed; and if he will make a statement. [122154]
  914W
  to these there are numerous other Open Days, Family Days, and similar events across all three Services.

  Mr. Ingram
  Thorough investigations are continuing into all such incidents. In conducting our own investigations into incidents of fratricide during the conflict we will of course carefully consider all relevant information as part of our effort to lessen the chance of such incidents occurring in the future. It would be inappropriate to comment on the conduct of our inquiries until such time as the outcomes are known and the content has been properly assessed.

  Richard Younger-Ross
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the dates for ends of tours of duty in Operation Telic for(a) regular forces and (b) Reservists and Territorial Army serving in the same unit. [125967]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: On the completion of the combat phase of the campaign in Iraq, units which had a role in the stabilisation and rebuilding phase remained in theatre. Reservists serving with those units remained with them. Units which did not have a role in the stabilisation and reconstruction phase returned to the United Kingdom and, in the main, the reservists attached to them returned with their units; however, some reservists from these units with scarce and badly-needed skills were re-deployed to other units in theatre which had shortfalls.

  Regular members of two units, 33 and 34 field hospitals, returned to the UK shortly after the cessation of hostilities in order to take on another operational role and for a period of leave before re-deploying back to theatre. Reservists who were attached to 34 field hospital, and had skills required for the continuing operations, remained in theatre to complete up to six months' deployment.

  Reservists called out for the current operations in Iraq have been advised that their deployments will be for up to six months; the end of tour date for their units has not yet been decided but is unlikely to be more than six months after deployment. The expectation is that all reservists will return with their regular units.
  915W
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Royal Navy vessels were deployed in escorting duties during Operation Telic; and at which choke points and known threat areas they were stationed. [126098]

  Mr. Ingram
  Outside the Joint Operational Area HMS Westminster and HMS Cornwall provided escort duties in the Straits of Gibraltar on rotation with the vessels of other nations. The NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic and Standing Naval Force Mediterranean undertook escorting duties in the Eastern Mediterranean. Within the Joint Operational Area, force protection was provided by the host nation in the Suez canal and non United Kingdom coalition assets in the Straits of Hormuz and Bab Al Mandeb.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what political advisers were deployed on Operation Telic; to which commanders they were assigned; and when they were(a) sent to and (b) withdrawn from theatre. [126101]

  Mr. Ingram
  Political advisers are deployed with United Kingdom forces to support the Commanders' decision making process with policy and political advice. They are Ministry of Defence officials and are able to draw on the expertise both from within the Ministry of Defence and across Government when providing advice. Political advisers were provided to the majority of component commanders during Operation Telic.

  I am withholding details of the individuals under Exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent reports he has received from US authorities in respect of friendly fire incidents involving UK forces during Operation Telic; whether US investigations involving British forces are complete; and what assessment he has made of these reports. [126134]

  Mr. Ingram
  No such reports have yet been received. In conducting our own investigations into incidents of fratricide during the conflict we will of course carefully consider all relevant information as part of our effort to lessen the chance of such incidents occurring in the future. It would be inappropriate to comment on the conduct of our enquiries until such time as the outcomes are known and the content has been properly assessed.

  Pay 2000 Computer System
  Mr. Keetch
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) regular service personnel and (b) reservists have been affected by delays in payment of salaries, bounty and compensation; and if he will make a statement. [118285]

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 12 June 2003]: We are not aware of any disruption or delays to the payment of salaries and other payments to members of the Regular Armed Services or mobilised reserve from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines or Royal Air Force as a result of Operation Telic. In my answer to the hon Member on 14 July 2003 Official Report, column 65W, I did recognise that some problems with Army pay had occurred associated with Pay 2000.
  916W
  We are aware that difficulties over pay or allowances were experienced by a small number of Territorial Army personnel during their period of mobilisation. In most instances, these were the result of administrative delays in the processing and passing of key information to the Army Pay computer systems. Reports from units indicate that a small number of reservists had a short delay before payment of their Reservists' Hardship Allowance and Reservists' Standard Award because the paperwork had to be manually assessed and there were some instances of incomplete or missing paperwork.

  For entitled mobilised TA personnel we are not aware of a delay in the payment of any entitled annual bounty, but pay statements detailing bounty payments are sent to the TA unit rather than the unit on which the mobilised reservists serves. As such there may have been delays in notification of the payment but not in the payment itself.

  A lessons learned exercise is underway to ensure that where difficulties have occurred they are addressed in any future operations.

  Phoenix Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many flying hours were flown in total by Phoenix unmanned aerial vehicles in Iraq. [123549]

  Mr. Ingram
  To date 122 operational missions have been flown by Phoenix in support of Operation Telic, but the number of hours flown for these missions was not recorded centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.

  Pilot Training
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) RAF, (b) Fleet Air Arm and (c) Army personnel have completed training for (i) Fast Jet, (ii) rotary and (iii) multi-engine aircraft types in each of the past five years. [126143]

  Mr. Ingram
  The number of personnel who have completed training in each of the last five years is:

  RAF1

  Fast Jet (FJ)

  Rotary Wing (RW)

  Multi-engine (ME)

  1998–99

  55

  36

  53

  1999–2000

  53

  41

  63

  2000–01

  55

  44

  66

  2001–02

  76

  28

  42

  2002–03

  73

  42

  62

  1 These figures include all officer aircrew including pilots and weapon systems officers. They do not include non-commissioned aircrew, as these cannot be broken down by aircraft type.

  Fleet Air Arm2

  Fast Jet (FJ)

  Rotary Wing (RW)

  1998–99

  4

  46

  1999–2000

  4

  45

  2000–01

  3

  57

  2001–02

  9

  64

  2002–03

  7

  60

  2 These figures include all Royal Navy aircrew including pilots observers and aircrewmen.

  917W

  Army3

  Rotary Wing (RW)

  1998–99

  72

  1999–2000

  71

  2000–01

  59

  2001–02

  34

  2002–03

  46

  3 These figures include all personnel who passed the Joint Elementary Training System Army Pilot Course.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the requirement has been for trained pilots for all three services in each year since 1996–97; and how many trained pilots have entered the services in those years. [126145]

  Mr. Ingram
  The requirement for trained pilots for all three services and the numbers entering the Services since 1996–97 are as follows:

  Requirement1

  Gains to trained strength (GTS)2

  RAF

  1997–98

  133

  100

  1998–99

  133

  110

  1999–2000

  133

  135

  1900–01

  138

  133

  1901–02

  138

  121

  1902–03

  145

  159

  Royal Navy

  1997–98

  36

  24

  1998–99

  42

  29

  1999–2000

  42

  29

  2000–01

  42

  34

  2001–02

  46

  46

  2002–03

  44

  43

  Army3

  1999

  74

  72

  2000

  75

  71

  2001

  61

  59

  2002

  56

  434

  1 Requirement is defined as pilots completing a full course of training including operational Conversion Unit.

  2 GTS figures include newly trained pilots and transfers from other Services and countries.

  3 Figures before 1999 are not readily available due to changes in the Training programmeassociated with the formation of the Joint Helicopter Command.

  4 Training courses were affected by the Foot and Mouth epidemic

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strength of qualified flying instructors has been in each year since 1997–98. [126147]

  Mr. Ingram
  The following table details the strength of RAF qualified flying instructors:

  Strength

  1997

  828

  1998

  764

  1999

  705

  2000

  701

  2001

  660

  2002

  637

  2003

  626

  918W
  The following table gives the strength of Army qualified flying instructors.

  Strength

  1997

  3

  1998

  5

  1999

  5

  2000

  6

  2001

  8

  2002

  9

  2003

  8

  The Royal Navy currently has 167 flying instructors. Historical figures are not readily available.

  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been spent on(a) initial and (b) operational pilot training in each year since 1996–97. [126144]

  Mr. Caplin
  The table shows the cost of initial pilot training in each year since 1999–2000 on an outturn basis. Resource accounting was introduced in 1999–2000 and no comparative figures are available prior to this. It has not been possible to provide the costs of operational pilot training, as the information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

  £ million

  Financial year

  Phase 1

  Phase 2

  Total

  1999–2000

  3.074

  194.123

  197.197

  2000–01

  3.298

  196.656

  199.954

  2001–02

  3.219

  195.773

  198.992

  2002–03

  3.256

  226.306

  1229.562

  1 The effects of the Quinquennial Review on Tangible Assets have affected the costs of flying training in FY 2002–03.

  RAF Lyneham
  Mr. Gray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what(a) economic and (b) environmental impact studies were carried out into the effects of the closure of RAF Lyneham; and if he will publish them. [126363]

  Mr. Ingram
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: An environmental and sustainability appraisal was undertaken by the RAF in relation to the Strategic Review for RAF Lyneham, RAF Brize Norton and RAF St. Mawgan. In addition, the Ministry of Defence's Directorate of Economic Advice produced an assessment of the economic impact of a decision to close RAF Lyneham. A copy of these documents will be placed in the Library of the House. A regional impact assessment was carried out in relation to the Strategic Review which included an assessment of the socio-economic effects of the various options being considered by the Review. This information is being withheld under Exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

  Regulatory Bodies
  Mr. Yeo
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the(a) number of staff employed by and (b) budget of each regulatory body for which his Department is responsible in each year since 1997. [117781]

  Mr. Ingram
  The Ministry of Defence sets, monitors and enforces a large number of internal regulations. The Ministry of Defence is not responsible for any outward-facing regulatory bodies.

  Establishment

  Strength

  Deficit

  Establishment

  Strength

  Deficit

  1 R Anglian

  2 R Anglian

  Infantry

  585

  560

  25

  555

  515

  40

  Others1

  80

  60

  20

  60

  55

  5

  UKTAP2

  665

  620

  45

  615

  570

  45

  1 Personnel attached to the Royal Anglian Regiment

  2 United Kingdom Trained Adult Personnel

  Scottish Regiments
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Scottish regiments; what their authorised strength is; and how many vacancies there are. [126213]

  Establishment

  Strength

  Deficit

  Establishment

  Strength

  Deficit

  Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders

  1 Black Watch

  UKTAP1

  625

  575

  50

  745

  645

  100

  Whole Army Strength

  625

  575

  50

  745

  645

  100

  1 Highlanders

  1 Kings Own Scottish Borderers

  UKTAP1

  625

  520

  105

  665

  630

  35

  Gurkhas

  0

  110

  -110

  Total

  625

  630

  -5

  665

  630

  35

  1 Royal Highland Fusiliers

  1 Royal Scots

  UKTAP1

  620

  540

  80

  620

  525

  95

  Total

  620

  540

  80

  620

  525

  95

  Scots Guards

  F Coy Scots Guards

  UKTAP1

  625

  565

  60

  110

  115

  -5

  Total

  625

  565

  60

  110

  115

  -5

  1 UK Trained Adult Personnel—Includes personnel from other Corps attached to the Regiments.

  Secondments
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel from(a) 15 Squadron, (b) 16 Squadron, (c) 20 Squadron and (d) 56 Squadron have been seconded to other squadrons to take part in operations in the past five years. [126149]

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

  Suicide and Self-harm
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) suicides and (b) attempted suicides there were in military prisons in each year since 1990 by (i) members of the armed forces and (ii) members of the armed forces in custody awaiting trial; and how many serious self mutilations and injuries there were amongst members of the armed forces awaiting custodial sentences over the same period. [120512]

  Royal Anglian Regiment
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the authorised strength of each battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment is; and how many vacancies there are. [126212]

  Mr. Caplin
  The authorised strength (Establishment), actual strength and the deficit of each battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment is detailed in the table.

  Mr. Caplin
  Details of the Scottish regiments, their authorised strength (Establishment), actual strength and manning deficit, are given in the following table.

  Mr. Caplin
  [holding answer 25 June 2003]: Armed Forces personnel who are found guilty of criminal charges requiring imprisonment are detained within Her Majesty's Prisons. There are no separate "military prisons". However, detention facilities are available at guardrooms in units and establishments in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the world. When it is necessary to hold an individual in custody pending their trial or sentencing, they are usually held at a local detention facility. An average of around 1,000 personnel per year have been held at the Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC) in Colchester. The following table gives the number of attempted suicides, suicides, and incidents of self harm of members of the armed forces either in custody or awaiting a custodial sentence at the MCTC in Colchester. Information on members of the Armed Forces held in custody elsewhere is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
  921W

  Members of the armed forces in custody

  Members of the armed forces awaiting custodial sentence

  Year

  Attempted Suicide

  Suicide

  Attempted Suicide

  Suicide

  Self Harm

  2003

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2002

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  2001

  1

  0

  0

  0

  1

  2000

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1999

  2

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1998

  0

  0

  0

  1

  0

  1997

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1996

  1

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1995

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1994

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1993

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1992

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1991

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  1990

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Total

  6

  0

  0

  2

  1

  Training Group Defence Agency
  Mr. Jenkin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what efficiency savings have been achieved by the Training Group Defence Agency in each year since 1998–99. [126146]

  Mr. Caplin
  Efficiency targets for the Training Group Defence Agency (TGDA) were set as input targets for the years prior to Financial Year 2002–03. Achievement was £20.354 million in FY 1999–2000 and £6.441 million in Financial Year 2000–01.

  In Financial Year 2002–03 efficiency targets and measurements were presented to and approved by the PSX, which enabled the efficiency PSA to be expressed in output terms. The target for Financial Year 2002–03 was to reduce the average cost of a trainee to £180,560. This was achieved.

  Following the QQR and associated revaluations of assets, which would distort absolute figures, the definition of efficiency was reviewed and restated as a percentage reduction compared with the initial baseline set as the outturn from Financial Year 2000–01. This declared mat TGDA would achieve a 0.75 per cent, per annum reduction in the average cost of a recruit graduating from initial specialist training.

  In Financial Year 2002–03, TGDA met the 0.75 per cent, target and believe that they have achieved a slightly greater reduction that the target set. This will be validated once year end accounts are completed.

  War Graves
  Mr. Gerald Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the state of British war graves in South Africa; and if he will increase the MOD's contribution to the upkeep of the graves; [125942]

  (2) what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and (b) the Adjutant General's Office concerning funding for the upkeep of British Boer war graves in South Africa; [125943]

  (3) what recent discussions he has had with the South African government regarding funding for the maintenance of British war graves in South Africa; [125944]
  922W
  (4) further to his answers of 20 May 2003, Official Report, column 673W, and of 23 June 2003, Official Report, column 539W, on the Boer War, whether the contributions made by the Government to the South African Heritage Resources Agency have been suspended. [126060]

  Mr. Caplin
  I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 23 June 2003,Official Report, column 539W. The Adjutant-General, who is responsible for pre-1900 British war graves, earlier this year funded a study by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission into the costs of restoring and maintaining those graves in South Africa. This report is currently under consideration and consequently no discussions have yet taken place with the South African authorities.

  Any proposal to change the amount made in the annual donation to the South African Heritage Resource Agency from the present level of £15,000 will be considered in the context of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission report.

  This money is administered by our Defence Attache in Pretoria and allocated to specific projects before being passed to the relevant South African agency.

HEALTH

  Food Supplements
  Mr. Bellingham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expected cost to industry is of the Food Supplements Regulations (England) 2003; how many food supplements and nutrients are to be removed from sale as a result of the regulations; and what assessment her Department has made of British manufacturers' and retailers' representations on the regulations. [121909]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The United Kingdom has no choice but to implement the Food Supplements Directive in order to fulfil its obligations under the European Community treaty. The Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 take full advantage of all the flexibility available to member states in implementing the legislation, which has been welcomed by British manufacturers and retailers of food supplements.

  The costs to the British food supplements industry will result from mandatory new labelling requirements in the Directive, from reformulation of products where necessary, from dossier preparation where industry chooses to do this and from possible future loss of products from the market. The Government's assessment of the costs associated with implementing the Directive, including those due to removal of products from sale, are set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). Copies have been placed in the Library.

  The Food Standards Agency does not hold information about the numbers of food supplement products on the UK market. According to information provided by industry, Annex I of the Food Supplements Directive excludes from use six minerals that are currently used in products marketed in the UK and around 300 chemical forms of vitamins and minerals currently used in products on the UK market are not

  923W
  included in Annex II. However, these may continue to be used in food supplements after 1 August 2005 provided the criteria in Article 4(6) of the Directive are met.

  Many groups have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the Directive, and hence the implementing Regulations, on the UK market. The Government understand these concerns, many of which are also set out in the RIA. Given anxieties about the cost of dossier production and the timescale for dossier submission, the need for a meeting with European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to discuss requirements for dossier content has now been agreed, following representations from the Food Standards Agency. The EFSA and relevant parties will meet to discuss the potential for simplified dossiers. The European Commission supports this move.

  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications for(a) specialist manufacturers, (b) specialist retailers and (c) consumer choice of the requirement to remove from the market nutrients and nutrient sources which are not listed as acceptable for such use in the Schedules to the proposed Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003. [124161]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The United Kingdom has no choice but to implement the Food Supplements Directive in order to fulfil its obligations under the European Community treaty. The Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003 take full advantage of all the flexibility available to member states in implementing the legislation.

  The Government recognise that some products may be lost from the UK market from 1 August 2005 because of restrictions on nutrient sources which will apply from that date. However, it is not yet possible to fully assess the implications of the Directive for specialist manufacturers, retailers and for consumer choice since these will depend upon future developments on lists of permitted nutrients and nutrient sources and on maximum limits for vitamin and minerals in food supplements.

  Sheltered Housing
  Mr. Wray
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is given to old age pensioners moving from their house to a sheltered home; and what proposals he has to ensure that older people are able to remain in their own houses if they wish. [124053]

  Dr. Ladyman
  I am replying in respect of service provision in England.

  Provision of sheltered housing is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.

  Local "Better Care, Higher Standards" charters should provide comprehensive information for people with long-term care needs, including housing, as well as care options.

  As part of the Department of Health's Public Service Agreement, we are committed to improve the quality of life and independence of older people so that they can live at home wherever possible. We aim to increase the
  924W
  number of those supported intensively to live at home to 30 per cent, of the total being supported by social services at home or in residential care by March 2006.

  The Priorities and Planning Framework 2003–06 assumes an increase of 6,900 extra care housing places between 1997 and 2006.

  Disabled Access
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of GP surgeries located within the London borough of Hillingdon provide access for disabled patients. [126736]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is not held centrally. Information from Hillingdon Primary Care Trust is that out of 52 surgeries, 45 practices provide full disabled access for disabled patients.

  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists providing NHS treatment are located within the London borough of Hillingdon; and how many provide access for disabled patients. [126737]

  Mr. Hutton
  The total number of dentists within the Hillingdon Primary Care Trust is 100. This figure is rounded to the nearest 10 and includes general dental, community dental and hospital dental services. Information regarding access for disabled patients is not held centrally. Information from Hillingdon PCT is that out of 41 practices, 25 dentists' surgeries provide full access for disabled patients.

  Allergies
  Mr. Amess
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to hold a detailed analysis of the causes of the increase in allergies. [124223]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Department of Health is currently doing no analysis into the increase of different types of allergy. We are aware that allergic disease is one of the major causes of illness in the developed world and that incidence is on the increase. A range of research projects on the epidemiology of allergies, however, have recently been completed or are still on-going.

  The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was formed in 1991. Phase One measured the prevalence of childhood asthma, hayfever and atopic eczema for international comparisons. Phase Two began in 1998 and involves more intensive studies in a smaller number of countries. The Department of Health funded the UK contribution to Phase Two.

  The Food Standards Agency is currently funding a £0.5 million project which aims to establish how common food allergy is among children between birth and 15 years of age. King's College London is leading a £2.1 million EU-funded prospective study of the incidence and prognosis of allergy, allergic disease and low lung function in adults living in Europe.

  The University of Manchester is leading a £1.2 million EU-funded investigation of the prevalence, pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of sun allergy across Europe. Sun-provoked skin reactions are one of the commonest forms of allergy.
  925W
  A recent report from the Royal College of Physicians called 'Allergy the Unmet Need, A Blueprint for Better Patient Care' noted that allergies including asthma, rhinitis, eczema, food allergy and drug allergy are becoming increasingly common.

  Alzheimer's Disease
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of a possible link between obesity and Alzheimer's disease. [126840]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Department has not assessed the possible link between obesity and Alzheimer's disease.

  The key message of the Alzheimer's Society Alzheimer's Awareness Week was that there are steps that can be taken that might minimise the risk of developing dementia in later life. The Alzheimer's Society considers it helpful to reduce intake of salt and saturated fat and try to lower any high blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

  Anti-TNF Therapy
  Mrs. Helen Clark
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many primary care trusts made anti-TNF therapy available to patients in the last year for which figures are available; and what funding is available to primary care trusts to enable them to implement National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines on anti-TNF therapy. [126863]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Information on the number of primary care trusts (PCTs) making anti-TNF therapy available to patients is not collected centrally. Funding to meet the recommendations of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has been included in the allocations made to PCTs over the period 2003–04 to 2005–06.

  Antipsychotic Medication
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were issued in each of the last five years for(a) atypical, (b) traditional and (c) all antipsychotic medication in each region and health authority for age groups (i) 0 to 15 years, (ii) 16 to 59 years and (iii) 60 years and over. [126841]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Information on the numbers of prescription items for traditional and atypical antipsychotic drugs dispensed in the community broken down by broad age groups for years that the Department holds comparable data, has been placed in the Library.

  Ashworth Special Hospital
  Mr. George Howarth
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list each staff vacancy in Ashworth Special Hospital, indicating how long each post has been vacant. [123557]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The national health service survey is conducted in March each year. The most recent figures currently available are from the March 2002 926W
  survey and show vacancies which have remained unfilled for three months or over in Ashworth Special Hospital as follows:

  All consultants: 1

  Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff: 1

  Results from the NHS vacancy survey can be accessed over the internet at www.doh.gov.uk/public/vacancysurvey. htm

  Asylum Seekers
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implications of the recent media coverage linking asylum seekers with the spread of HIV. [125959]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: We do not comment on the implications of media coverage.

  The Department of Health keeps the issues of asylum seekers and HIV under constant review.

  Breast Cancer
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to amend the Government's policy on screening for breast cancer. [126994]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation evaluated the evidence on breast cancer screening and concluded that trials have provided sufficient evidence for the efficacy of mammography screening of women between 50 and 69 years, and that the reduction in mortality from breast cancer among women who chose to participate in screening programmes was estimated to be about 35 per cent.

  The Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer Screening monitors the effectiveness of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme and advises on how the screening programme should be amended.

  On the advice of the committee the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme is being extended to women aged up to 70 and to upgrade the programme by introducing two-view mammography at all screening rounds, this will be completed by 2004.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 10 July 2003 to the hon. Member for Cheadle (Mrs. Calton),Official Report, column 1001W, on breast cancer, what the baseline is against which his Department is measuring its progress on age discrimination; and what measurable changes have been achieved to date. [126341]

  Dr. Ladyman
  Figures published in the "National Service Framework for Older People: A Report of Progress and Future Challenges", in March 2003 showed that, between 2000 and 2002, breast cancer surgery for patients aged 85 and over rose by 13 per cent.

  Source:

  Hospitals Episode Statistics—Department of Health.

  Cancer Treatment
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the treatment of less common cancers in the NHS. [127017]
  927W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The NHS Plan set out the intention to make available authoritative guidance on all aspects of National Health Service Cancer Care. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) was therefore asked to build on the existing cancer service guidance programme, established following the publication of the Calman-Hine report in 1995, by commissioning a comprehensive package of guidance for cancer services covering all cancers.

  The guidance programme initially focused on the three commonest forms of cancer (breast, colorectal and lung cancer). Subsequent reports have focused on groups of cancer (gynaecological, upper gastrointestinal and urological) which taken together account for substantial numbers of cases, but which may individually be relatively uncommon.

  A report on haematological cancers is due to be published shortly. Guidance covering other rarer cancers, including sarcoma, head and neck, brain and central nervous system and skin cancers, along with child and adolescent cancers are also planned.

  In addition to the 'Improving Outcomes' series of guidance, NICE has appraised or are appraising, a number of chemotherapy drugs, including drugs for less common cancers such as gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer and glivec for gastro intestinal stromal tumours.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what drugs are being used and being tested in the treatment of(a) childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, (b) acute myelogenous leukemia, (c) chronic lymphocytic leukemia, (d) esophageal cancer, (e) osteosarcoma, (f) pancreatic cancer, (g) retinoblastoma, (h) sarcoma, (i) stomach cancer, (j) thyroid cancer and (k) Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia. [127021]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Information on drugs currently licensed for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, esophageal cancer, osteosarcoma, pancreatic cancer, sarcoma, stomach cancer, thyroid cancer and Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, has been placed in the Library.

  There are no drugs specifically licensed for the treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or of retinoblastoma, also a cancer of childhood. Decisions on the drugs used to treat these cancers will a matter for the individual clinicians and funding authorities concerned.

  The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulation Agency (MHRA) is the competent authority for medical devices and the licensing authority for pharmaceuticals and one of its key activities is the regulation of clinical trials. However, MHRA are not able to provide details regarding products in clinical trials as information is provided to MHRA in confidence and cannot be disclosed.

  Cardiology Services
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on routine follow-up tests for people who have suffered heart attacks and suspected heart attacks; and if he will make a statement. [126007]
  928W
  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Provision for cardiac rehabilitation is addressed in Standard 12 of the national service framework (NSF) for coronary heart disease. This states:"National Health Service trusts should put in place agreed protocols/systems of care so that, prior to leaving hospital, people admitted to hospital suffering from coronary heart disease have been invited to participate in a multidisciplinary programme of secondary prevention and cardiac rehabilitation. The aim of the programme will be to reduce their risk of subsequent cardiac problems and to promote their return to a full and normal life."

  Service models for the delivery of this standard are set out in the NSF.

  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce waiting times for cardiology appointments; and if he will make a statement. [126008]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Rapid access chest pain clinics (RACPCs), supported by clear referral criteria and protocols for investigation, can provide rapid diagnosis and assessment of people with suspected angina.

  There is now a RACPC in every acute trust in England, working to ensure that all patients are seen within two weeks of a general practitioner referral.

  For other cardiologist referrals, the Coronary Heart Disease Collaborative is working with local health services to support them in reducing waiting times.

  Care Standards
  Mr. Letwin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will review the effect of standard 31.7, within the National Minimum Standards of Care, on the ability of volunteers to assist with lifting the elderly. [125644]

  Dr. Ladyman
  [holding answer 14 July 2003]: I believe this question refers to standard 31.7 of the care homes for adults (18 to 65) standards, which says that volunteers should supplement and not replace paid staff and that volunteers should not undertake tasks which are the responsibility of paid staff. The equivalent standard in the care homes for older people standards is 36.5.

  The intention of these standards is to ensure that volunteers are not used to enable a care home to avoid employing suitably qualified, competent and experienced staff in numbers appropriate to meet the assessed needs of the residents. There is no intention in either standard to prevent volunteers assisting with lifting residents in the care home where this is appropriate and subject to the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 being taken into account.

  Chloramine
  Mr. Dalyell
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the letter of 1 July, ref PO 103 0668, what action he is taking to change guidelines at public swimming pools in relation to chloramine being a possible cause of asthma. [126270]

  Dr. Ladyman
  [holding answer 17 July 2003]: My letter of 1 July referred to a paper published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine on

  929W
  28 May which suggested that chloramine, a cleansing agent used in swimming pools, may be a cause of asthma.

  The Department of Health Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) plan to write to the journal raising a number of technical issues. A statement from COMEAP will also be prepared. These can be used to help the Health and Safety Executive judge whether there is any need to change guidelines to swimming pools at this stage.

  CJD
  Mr. Havard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish an update to the Department's interim report on the vCJD's Incidents Panel's consultation document, 'Management of Possible Exposure to CJD Through Medical Procedures'. [123377]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have endorsed the majority of the proposed advice set out in the CJD Incidents Panel Framework document, as revised following a public consultation. However, the CMOs have advised that the proposed establishment, without informed consent, of a database of patients possibly exposed to the CJD agent, required wider debate.

  The CMOs have informed the panel of their view and requested that the panel amend its framework document to indicate that this part of the document has not yet been agreed. The Department of Health will publish the framework document once the panel has responded to this request. Publication is anticipated during the autumn.

  All documents relating to the work of the CJD Incidents are published on the CJD Incidents Panel page of the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/cjd/incidentspanel.

  Consultants' Contract
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the Central Consultants and Specialists Committee of the British Medical Association to discuss the Government's proposals for a consultants' contract; and if he will make a statement. [125035]

  Mr. Hutton
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives of the British Medical Association on 17 July 2003 when it was announced that talks had successfully concluded with an agreed way forward on the new consultant contract.

  Donaldson Report
  Mr. Betts
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Donaldson report into clinical negligence will be published. [126126]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  I am pleased to confirm that on the 30 June 2003 we published Professor Sir Liam Donaldson's proposals for reform of the national health service clinical negligence system.

  In his report, entitled "Making Amends", the Chief Medical Officer proposes a NHS redress scheme which would offer redress for injuries. The scheme would
  930W
  provide people who were injured with an explanation of what went wrong, the necessary apologies, treatment for that injury and support for patients and their families, as well as some financial compensation in appropriate cases. He also proposes that families of neurologically impaired babies would be eligible for the NHS redress scheme if the impairment was birth related and fulfilled other eligibility criteria.

  The report is published for consultation and the consultation period will end on 17 October 2003. Following considerations of the issues raised and of the views of respondents on the specific questions asked, the Department of Health expects to set out the next steps to reform the clinical negligence system later this year or early in 2004.

  Eating Disorders
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children suffered from anorexia in each year since 1997. [125092]

  Dr. Ladyman
  This information is not collected centrally. A survey carried out by the Office for National Statistics in 1999 found that the prevalence of eating disorders (including anorexia nervosa) among all children aged five to 15 was 0.1 per cent, and the rate for girls aged five to 15, 0.2 per cent.

  Prescriptions
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements have been put in place for those doctors who were participating in the electronic transmission of prescriptions pilots to continue to be able to use the ETP system while the national model is under consideration. [127033]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  There are elements within the electronic transmission of prescriptions (ETP) systems that general practitioner practices that participated in the pilots could continue to use as part of the electronic prescribing process. This arrangement will likely to be subject to agreement between the practices and pilot consortia. It will not be possible however to transmit the prescription electronically using a GP's electronic signature as the temporary legislation to enable the ETP pilots to use electronic signatures was put in place for the pilots only. The Prescription Pricing Authority will continue to receive electronic prescriptions for payment processing until 30 September 2003 to ensure that patients who have signed up for the pilot do not experience difficulties in obtaining their prescriptions and that they are clear about the arrangements for receiving their medicines once ETP transmission has ceased. After 30 September 2003, participating GPs will revert to the manual process.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to introduce the national model for e-prescribing. [127034]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The National Programme for National Health Service Information Technology is considering a range of options for delivering a robust national model to deliver electronic transmission of prescriptions.
  931W
  The Government remains committed to achieving the targets outlined in Delivering 21st Century IT Support for the NHS of a national prescription service, 50 per cent, of which will be implemented by the end of 2005, with all of it fully implemented by 2006–07.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make an assessment of the findings of the electronic transmission of prescriptions pilots. [127035]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The pilots have been independently evaluated by the Sowerby Centre for Health Informatics Newcastle. The draft evaluation reports are currently being reviewed by the Department of Health and will be finalised shortly. Among the key findings of the evaluation is that electronic transmission of prescriptions is technically viable and could provide a range of benefits including improved patient choice and safety.

  Endometriosis
  Mr. Chaytor
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce measures to help women suffering from endometriosis. [121247]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 2 July 2003]: There are many measures already in place to help women who suffer from endometriosis. We are determined to improve the awareness of endometriosis and provide funding to the National Endometriosis Society, through the Section 64 general grants scheme towards their core activities. We are also providing £39,000 to the society to produce information leaflets. One leaflet is for women to encourage those with symptoms to discuss with their general practitioner and another is for GPs to highlight the symptoms so they can refer women for investigation and treatment.

  We support GPs, knowing more about endometriosis. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence released a guide to the National Health Service in 2001 on appropriate referral practice. The referral advice covers eleven common conditions and has been developed as an educational resource for local health communities to develop their own local service guidelines. The advice is structured to provide clinical criteria on which to assess the urgency of referral across the range of conditions. Although endometriosis is not one of the conditions included in the advice, this might help give us an effective way of offering referral guidance to GPs on endometriosis among the range of other common conditions. We also want to see gynaecologists undertaking continuing professional development so they are kept abreast of the latest knowledge and best practice.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that(a) specialist care is available for endometriosis and (b) patient counsellors are available in (i) gynaecology wards and (ii) general practices. [124187]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The Government take endometriosis seriously and recognise that it affects the lives of many women and their families.

  There are some specialist clinics that treat advanced cases of endometriosis, but these have been developed locally in response to need rather than being organised
  932W
  nationally. We would need better evidence of their effectiveness and cost effectiveness before considering a greater national role in establishing specialist centres.

  Departmental officials met the National Endometriosis Society, to discuss issues about centres of excellence. I understand that they are intending to continue working together to see whether further work might be appropriate.

  We do not have any plans to introduce patient counsellors on gynaecological wards and general practice. The NHS University (NHSU) recognises the importance of good communication. The NHSU Induction and Communications Skills programme will be available to all staff joining the national health service on a roll out programme from October 2003. In addition, an advanced communication skills strategy is being offered initially to people working in the field of oncology, which again will be rolled out to other disciplines over time.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide further funding to enable research into endometriosis to progress. [124188]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Phil Sawford) today.

  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to issue guidelines to health professionals to ensure early diagnosis of endometriosis. [124190]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  We recognise the importance of improving the awareness of endometriosis among health professionals, particularly general practitioners, with whom women with this condition will first come into contact. It is the role of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to produce clinical guidance rather than the Department of Health. NICE is undertaking a referral practice project on advice to general practitioners about referring common conditions, the results of which should give us an effective way of offering referral guidance to GPs on endometriosis and other common conditions.

  The Department of Health is funding the National Endometriosis Society to produce information for GPs that will highlight the symptoms of endometriosis and encourage GPs to refer women appropriately for investigation and treatment.

  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to promote and encourage research-into endometriosis; and what Government funding is available. [124259]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The main Government agency for research into the causes and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC), which receives its funding from the Department for Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology. In 2001–02 (the latest year for which a figure is available), the MRC spent £1.2 million on research on both endometriosis and the general physiology of the endometrium.
  933W
  The MRC always welcomes high quality applications from the scientific community for support into any aspect of biomedical research and these are judged in open competition with other demands on funding.

  The Department of Health funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the national health service. The Department also provides NHS support funding for research commissioned by the research councils and charities that takes place in the NHS. In the NHS, research priorities are identified through widespread consultation with those using, delivering and managing services. They take account of the burden of disease, potential benefits and departmental objectives, as well as the responsibilities and work of other research funders. As an outcome of these on-going processes, the Health Technology Assessment Programme recently published the report of a research project on the management of menorrhagia, which is sometimes associated with endometriosis. A research report on the diagnosis of endometrial abnormality is expected to be published in February 2004.

  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to promote awareness of endometriosis among medical practitioners. [124260]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave the hon. Member for Tatton (Mr. George Osborne) on 1 July 2003,Official Report, columns 228–29W.

  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the number of women in England and Wales who(a) suffer from endometriosis and (b) receive treatment for endometriosis. [124261]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  An estimated two million women in the United Kingdom suffer from endometriosis. Services to identify, advise and treat are widely available on the national health service. In 2001–02, there were 16,600 hospital episodes with a primary diagnosis of endometriosis. However, these are only the treatments that are recorded as procedures within a hospital setting and do not include all women with endometriosis.

  Phil Sawford
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when(a) he and (b) his predecessors last met representatives of the (i) National Endometriosis Society and (ii) Simply Holistic Endometriosis Trust. [124262]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  We acknowledge the role that voluntary organisations such as the National Endometriosis Society and the SHE Trust play in raising awareness of this condition and providing help and support to women. Officials at the Department of Health work closely with both the National Endometriosis Society and the SHE Trust.

  My hon. Friend the Member for Salford (Ms Blears) spoke at an awareness seminar organised by the All Party Parliamentary Group on endometriosis of which the National Endometriosis Society and the Simply Holistic Endometriosis (SHE) are members, in April of this year.
  934W
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to reduce the length of time before women with endometriosis are diagnosed. [125814]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Endometriosis is not always easy to diagnose. However, there are clear 'pointers' for it in cases of prolonged painful periods, painful penetrative sex and unexplained infertility. General practitioners should refer patients for early laparoscopy.

  We are making funds available to the National Endometriosis Society to produce information leaflets that might help to reduce the time it takes for women to get an accurate diagnosis. One of these leaflets will be specifically for GPs to highlight the symptoms and encourage them to refer women for investigation and treatment. The other leaflet will be aimed at women encouraging those with symptoms to discuss the matter with their GP.

  In addition, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is undertaking a referral practice project on advice to GPs about referring common conditions, the results might give us an effective way of offering referral guidance to GPs on endometriosis among a range of other common conditions.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [124714]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  At present, the Department of Health does not keep a central record of environmental screenings and appraisals. However, departmental guidance on environmental policy appraisal (including a screening tool) is available to all staff on the departmental intranet. In raising staff awareness of sustainable development, attention has been drawn to the importance of carrying out environmental policy appraisals. This has also been drawn to the attention of agencies and arm's length bodies.

  The Department has been one of the lead Departments in developing and piloting an integrated policy appraisal framework. This is a good practice tool designed to assess the impact—including environmental and health impacts—of policy proposals. The pilots are being evaluated centrally before decisions are taken on the framework's future role in policy making and joined up Government across Whitehall.

  The Department's NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency introduced an environmental appraisal procedure into its ISO 14001 certified environmental management system in June 2002. This is available on the Agency's website at: http://www.pasa.nhs.uk

  The Department's NHS Estates Agency has issued the NHS Environmental Assessment Tool (NEAT), which is bespoke software to be used by the national

  935W
  health service to identify environmental impacts within the existing operational estate and of new builds and refurbishment.

  Food Safety
  Gregory Barker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received regarding the importation of chicken and other poultry products from China. [126544]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  I am advised by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) that the importation of chicken, poultry meat products and certain other products of animal origin from China for human consumption is currently prohibited under European Union legislation. The FSA has not received recent representations on this matter.

  Food Supplements Directive
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the Food Supplements Directive on employment in the food supplement industry. [124901]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  It is not yet possible to assess the implications of the Directive for jobs in the food supplement industry. Any impact of the Directive upon jobs will depend upon future developments on lists of permitted vitamins and minerals and their sources and on maximum limits for vitamin and minerals in food supplements, and the nature of the future market for food supplements.

  The Government's assessment of the costs associated with implementing the Directive is set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment. Copies have been placed in the Library.

  Foundation Trusts
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the source book on good governance for foundation trusts, produced by the external reference group; and if he will make a statement. [125033]

  Mr. Hutton
  A source book is currently being developed to help NHS Foundation Trust applicants develop their governance arrangements. The first edition will be published shortly and will be supplemented, over time, to include learning from the experience of first-wave applicants. It has been put together by the Department of Health, drawing on a wide range of contributions from business, public and not for profit and mutual organisations.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional funds have been made available to each of the trusts applying for foundation status to contribute towards the cost of each of their applications. [126221]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: National health service trusts that have entered the preparatory stage for NHS foundation trust status have been given £100,000 to contribute to the costs of project managing for establishment as an NHS foundation trust. The Department of Health is also making available a wide
  936W
  ranging support package for applicants, which is designed to minimise the cost associated with the application.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the official risk assessment for the foundation hospital policy and for each applicant trust. [126222]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: Subject to legislation, copies of any application made to the Independent Regulator for authorisation as a national health service foundation trust will be publicly available. The application will contain information on, and analysis of, any risks associated with the application.

  Mr. Dobson
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the independent financial assessment of each trust applying for foundation status. [126223]

  Mr. Hutton
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: The process of independent financial assessment has not yet been undertaken.

  Free Prescriptions (Students)
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances full-time students are eligible for free prescriptions. [126778]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Full time students are entitled to free national health service prescriptions if they are aged under 19. Other full time students are entitled to free prescriptions if they hold a maternity or medical exemption certificate; are named on a Tax Credit NHS exemption certificate; or hold an NHS Low Income Scheme exemption certificate for full help.

  Patients who pay charges and need frequent prescriptions may benefit from purchasing a prescription prepayment certificate.

  General Medical Council
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met representatives of the General Medical Council. [127036]

  Mr. Hutton
  Since becoming Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend has not yet had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the General Medical Council.

  However, my right hon. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) met representatives of the CMC on 20 May 2003.

  GP Lists
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the average list size of GPs in England; what his Department sets as the(a) optimum and (b) maximum list size for a GP; and if he will make a statement. [126738]

  Mr. Hutton
  Data on the number of general practitioners and patients is published annually. The latest edition, "Statistics for General/Medical Practitioners in England: 1992–2002", is available at http://www.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0303.pdf
  937W
  These data show that on 30 September 2002 the average lists size was 1,838, or slightly more than half of the permitted maximum.

  For GPs providing general medical services, the maximum list size is normally 3,500 but a GP may have up to 2,000 additional patients if he or she employs another GP-qualified doctor as an assistant.

  The optimum list size will vary from practice to practice, reflecting local demographic and socio-economic factors, accessibility and patient choice among many other factors.

  The average list size continues to fall, and is 4 per cent, lower in 2002 than it was in 1992.

  Health Care Assistants
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the role of health care assistants in the NHS; whether he proposes to make changes to the role; and if he will make a statement. [126813]

  Mr. Hutton
  A wide range of jobs have the title of health care assistant. Traditionally, health care assistants have usually worked on hospital wards in support of nursing staff, or have supported community nurses. However, the role is increasingly being developed to provide support to all health and social care professions. Each post is designed locally to meet service needs, and is tailored to ensure the delivery of efficient, high quality care.

  "Agenda for Change", the new national health service pay system, will allow health care assistant staff to be fairly rewarded for what they actually do on the basis of equal pay for work of equal value, rather than being paid on the basis of current job title.

  Health Laboratories
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list(a) public health laboratories and (b) NHS trust laboratories which have refused to provide microbiology services for food, water and environmental testing; and if he will make a statement. [125012]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  We are aware of only one case where a former Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) laboratory in Nottingham could not accept samples of swimming pool water for microbiological testing. This has now been resolved.

  We are not aware of any other public health or national health service laboratories which have refused to provide microbiology services for food, water and environmental testing. The transition of this service from the PHLS to the Health Protection Agency has been managed from the outset on a 'business as usual' basis.

  Hearing Aids
  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the waiting times for hearing aids in each of the primary care trusts in Devon. [125428]
  938W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  [holding answer 14 July 2003]: The Department does not collect information on waiting times centrally for non consultant-led specialities such as audiology.

  Hospitalisations (Cold)
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many elderly people were hospitalised as a result of cold in each(a) primary care trust and (b) acute trust in each year since 1997. [126348]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested is not collated centrally by primary care trust. The information for each national health service trust has been placed in the Library.

  Hospital Star Ratings
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the financial implications are for the(a) South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, (b) Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Trust and (c) Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust of the decision to award them one star status. [126960]

  Dr. Ladyman
  There are no direct financial penalties for National Health Service organisations awarded one star for their performance in 2002–03, although one-off capital bonus payments are reserved for three star organisations. One star organisations may receive assistance from the Modernisation Agency in the form of specific programmes of tailored support to help improve performance.

  Human Tissue Act
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce legislation following the Government's review of the Human Tissue Act 1961. [127023]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The Government are committed to the introduction of new legislation on the retention and use of human organs and tissue following publication last year of the consultative report 'Human Bodies, Human Choices'. Legislation will be brought forward as soon as parliamentary time is available.

  Independent Complaints Advocacy Service
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the key stages were in the commissioning of the independent complaints advocacy service due to commence on 1 September; and what the(a) planned and (b) actual date for completion of each stage was. [125807]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Standard Department of Health Procurement Procedures for a Category B—Residual Service (OJEC/OJEU exempt) were used to ensure a robust process. The key stages were:

  1. the request for expressions of interest;

  2. issuing the invitations to tender;

  3. the evaluation of tenders and selection of preferred providers; and

  4. award of contracts.

  939W
  For each stage the planned (March 2003) and actual dates were:

  1. 23 and 28 March;

  2. 13 and 14 May;

  3. 18 and 30 June; and

  4. 7 July and 9 July.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 9 July 2003,Official Report, column 861W, how the feedback from the ICAS pilots was (a) collected and evaluated and (b) used to inform the ICAS system commissioned by the Department. [125818]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Feedback from the independent complaints advocacy service (ICAS) pilots has been collected in two ways. Statistical data were collected from the ICAS pilots on a quarterly basis and the information received from the second quarter provided information for tenderers of the new service on volumes of caseload broken down into levels of complexity of complaints. Qualitative analysis of regular ICAS pilots' reports and regional meetings of ICAS pilots informed the tender requirements by raising issues such as working to consistent national standards and the need for arrangements with specialist providers for complex casework. A final evaluation of the pilots is now under way and will build on feedback on issues such as relationships with national health service complaints and patient advocacy liaison services departments, as well as best ways for working with vulnerable groups. A final report will be published in October 2003 and will inform on-going service provision by the new ICAS providers as well as the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health with its role of monitoring the ICAS service.

  International Nurse Mobility
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action the Government will take to address the findings of the study International Nurse Mobility: Trends and Policy Implications on England's reliance on nurses from overseas; [127012]

  (2) if he will make a statement on the findings of the study International Nurse Mobility: Trends and Policy Implications published jointly by the World Health Organisation, the International Council of Nurses, and the Royal College of Nursing, UK on 28 June. [127013]

  Mr. Hutton
  As concluded in the study's findings, international recruitment is a short-term measure in helping alleviate the current workforce pressures in the national health service. Work continues in increasing the number of training places and encouraging healthcare professionals to return to the national health service through our "Improving Working Lives" initiatives and is proving to be successful.

  The Department of Health is actively discouraging the NHS from recruiting healthcare workers from developing countries. We are unable to stop the movement of individuals wanting to work in the NHS. The code of practice produced for NHS employers discourages the NHS from actively recruiting from overseas and recent Nursing and Midwifery Council figures have indicated a levelling out of entrants from developing countries.
  940W
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (l) what action he will take to address the point made in International Nurse Mobility: Trends and Policy Implications on England's development and retention of its own nurses; and if he will make a statement; [127014]

  (2) what efforts the Government is making to diminish England's reliance on nurses from overseas, with particular reference to developing countries. [127015]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Government are committed to developing nurses in England through their national nursing strategy, 'Making a Difference'. A comprehensive programme of national and local action has been taking place. This will expand the workforce, strengthen education and training, provide a modern career framework and decent pay, improve the working and employment conditions of nurses, and develop their leadership skills and equip and empower them to take on new, expanded and more satisfying roles.

  Accreditation to the Improving Working Lives (IWL) Standard is also creating well-managed, flexible working environments that support all staff and promotes their welfare and development, in and out of the work place. IWL sets a model of good human resource (HR) practice against which national health service employers and their staff can measure the organisation's HR management and against which all NHS employers are currently being kite-marked. It is also an integral part of the HR performance management process.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government has to make his Department's ethical guidelines in international nurse recruitment mandatory for all employers in(a) the NHS and (b) the independent sector. [127016]

  Mr. Hutton
  National health service employers involved in international recruitment are strongly commended to adhere to the code of practice.

  We are currently in the process of strengthening the code of practice in consultation with our solicitors.

  The Independent Healthcare Association has worked with the Department to produce a document "Guide for the Provision of Adaptation for Nurses in the in the Independent and National Health Service Sectors", which has been circulated across the public and private healthcare sectors.

  Learning Disability Services
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total net expenditure of(a) learning disability social services and (b) social services in England was in each year since 1997–98 at 2001–02 prices; and what the total net expenditure of learning disability services was as a percentage of the total social services budget in those years. [126926]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The table shows the net expenditure by councils in England on personal social services for adults aged under 65 with learning disabilities, and their total net expenditure on personal social services, in cash and at 2001–02 prices, for the period 1997–98 to 2001–02. The table also shows, for the same period, the total budget for personal social services and the
  941W
  percentage the net cash expenditure on services for adults under 65 with learning disabilities was of the total budget.

  £ million

  Cash terms

  England

  Personal social services net expenditure on adults under 65 with learning disabilities

  Total personal social services net expenditure

  Total personal social services budget

  Percentage of budget spent on services for adults over 65 with learning disabilities

  1997–98

  1,132

  8,454

  7,923

  14.3

  1998–99

  1,242

  9,059

  8,911

  13.9

  1999–2000

  1,365

  10,050

  9,645

  14.1

  2000–01

  1,465

  10,696

  10,254

  14.3

  2001–02

  1,585

  11,369

  11,048

  14.3

  £ million

  2001–02 prices1

  Personal social services net expenditure on adults under 65 with learning disabilities

  Total personal social services net expenditure

  1997–98

  1,249

  9,323

  1998–99

  1,333

  9,722

  1999–2000

  1,430

  10,532

  2000–01

  1,502

  10,959

  2001–02

  1,585

  11,369

  1 Figures at 2001–02 prices have been calculated using GDP deflators.

  Sources

  Expenditure, Form PSS EX1 (form RO3 prior to 2000–01)

  Budgets:

  ODPM RA forms

  Maternity Services
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many midwives who completed training in each year since 1999 subsequently took up a post in midwifery in the NHS; [126995]

  (2) how many midwives (a) were in training and (b) completed training in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [126996]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the number of midwives entering training each year since 1998–99 is shown in the table. Information on the number of midwives completing training and taking up posts in the national health service each year is not collected centrally.

  Since 1998–99 there has been an increase of 371, or 21 per cent., midwives entering training each year. In the same period, the number of midwives employed in the NHS has increased by 410 to 23,249.

  1998–99

  1999–2000

  2000–01

  2001–02

  2002–03

  Total

  1,751

  1,772

  1,887

  1,878

  2,122

  Diploma

  597

  620

  604

  525

  724

  Degree

  255

  395

  494

  621

  721

  Other

  899

  757

  789

  732

  677

  The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) publishes an annual statistical report which includes information about the number of midwives registering
  942W
  each year, a requirement for employment in the NHS. This data can be found on the NMC website at www.nmc-uk.org.uk.

  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the findings of the maternity and neonatal workforces group. [123475]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The report of the Maternity and Neonatal Workforce Group was published on the Department of Health website in January 2003. The report's findings have been fed into the work of the children's national service framework.

  Clinical Trials
  Mr. Godsiff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what impact the introduction of the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations in May 2004 will have on trials of new treatment regimes carried out by researchers in hospitals and universities; and if he will make a statement on how the directive will be implemented in the UK. [126828]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The draft regulations are to transpose into United Kingdom law, Directive 2001/20/EC on approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the member states relating to implementation of good clinical practice in the conduct of clinical trials on medicinal products for human use. Consultation on the draft regulations closed on 16 May 2003. The Medical Research Council's (MRC) response is available in full on its website. Its assessment reflected the main concerns expressed by the charitable and public sector.

  The Department of Health and the MRC have agreed jointly to lead a project to clarify the arrangements for publicly funded clinical trials involving medicines in the UK. It will draw up practical advice to enable publicly funded clinical trials involving medicines to comply with the law while making best use of existing good practice, minimising additional bureaucracy and making maximum use of public resources to avoid unnecessary expense.

  The project is about to start, under the chairmanship of Professor Kent Woods, Director of the national health service health technology assessment programme. It will draw extensively on expert advice from trialists and from the charitable and public sector.

  Member states are required to implement the Directive fully by 1 May 2004. I announced that the process of developing the regulations should be completed some time after Parliament reconvenes in October, with the aim of an update around that time.

  Ministerial Meetings
  Joyce Quin
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how often he met his counterparts in the devolved Administrations in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement. [126518]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Ministers in the Department of Health have regular meetings with Ministers from the devolved Administrations where various issues are discussed.

  MRI Scanning (Worcestershire)
  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of existing capacity for MRI scanning for NHS patients in the public and private sectors in Worcestershire; and if he will make a statement. [126961]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The Department of Health maintains a database to monitor the prevision of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners in the national health service, and the age of the machines installed. Allocation of MRI scanners has been made on the basis of improving access to MRI scanners across the NHS as a whole.

  The Department of Health is aware of the majority of private installations in England but this information is not continually monitored.

  Mr. Luff
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his plans to provide additional MRI scanning capacity in Worcestershire. [126962]

  Dr. Ladyman
  The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner at Worcester Royal Infirmary was installed in March 2002 and has been working full-time since 1 July 2003.

  Worcestershire Acute Hospitals National Health Service Trust is to install another MRI scanner at Kidderminster hospital as part of the diagnostic and treatment centre development which is due to be up and running before the end of this year. This will be funded as part of the NHS Cancer Plan commitment to provide 50 additional MRI scanners by 2004.

  MRSA
  Mr. Tony Lloyd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has commissioned into best practice in preventing MRSA, with particular reference to overseas examples. [116436]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  No research has been specifically commissioned with a focus on identifying best practice in preventing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

  However, a broad strategic programme of research has recently been commissioned aimed at improving our scientific understanding of antimicrobial resistance. Over £2.5 million worth of research has been commissioned during the past six months, following an open competitive call for research proposals, and following rigorous peer review.

  A number of these research projects will provide useful information relating to best practice in preventing MRSA. Those that relate most closely include the following:
  A project at the University of Leeds and Leeds General Infirmary entitled, 'What is the size and nature of the current
  944W
  need for single room isolation in hospital, and how does success or failure to isolate patients affect the control of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.'
  A project at Thames Valley University, London entitled, 'Collaborative research to reduce the incidence of hospital ward-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation/infection, using Statistical Process Control (SPC) feedback and structured diagnosis of the underlying causes of MRSA acquisition.'
  A project at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine entitled, 'Faster testing for MRS—Models to estimate the cost-effectiveness of faster testing of cases admitted for hip and knee replacement.'

  National Institute for Clinical Excellence
  Mr. Havard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions are taking place between his Department and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to create a new fast track process allowing interim guidance between class appraisals to be given for medical treatments that are licensed. [126372]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Officials have held preliminary discussions with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence about the possible development of interim guidance, but no decisions have yet been taken.

  Mr. Havard
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he plans to make more resources available for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to conduct more appraisals each year. [126373]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Funding for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has been set for the three financial years, 2003–04 to 2005–06. The funding includes provision for an additional appraisal committee to be established. This will enable more appraisals to be carried out.

  Needle Stick Injuries
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hours were spent by NHS staff in 2002–03(a) investigating accidents and (b) completing accident reports concerning needle stick injuries suffered by nurses and other health care staff. [127002]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health does not collect this data centrally but has advised all national health service trusts that all accidents including needle sticks should be reported and recorded.

  Health and Safety legislation and good management practice requires the causes of accidents to be properly investigated to inform risk assessments and reduce the possibility of such accidents happening again.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS was in 2002–03 of occupational sick pay, statutory sick pay and NHS injury benefits given to nurses and other health care staff who have suffered needle stick injury. [127003]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health does not collect information on sick pay or injury benefits centrally as these are matters for individual national health service employers. Information for individual NHS trusts should be available locally.
  945W
  The NHS Pensions Agency does collect data on Temporary Injury Benefit payable to staff injured during employment in the NHS. For injuries sustained before 1997 the annual costs of Personal Injury Benefit (PIB), funded centrally, are currently £38.7 million. Since 1997, PIB costs are re-charged to the NHS employer and these figures are not held centrally.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS was in 2002–03 of(a) counselling services and (b) loss of earnings litigation for nurses and other health care staff who suffered needle stick injury. [127004]

  Mr. Hutton
  All staff in the national health service have access to confidential counselling services and best practice is that staff are offered counselling after accidents and injuries. Referring employees to occupational health or infection control staff, who will carry out the necessary tests to ascertain whether there has been any transmission of a blood borne virus, is usually done during working hours, as is counselling. There is no centrally held data available on the exact cost of counselling services provided by NHS employing organisations.

  The Department of Health does not collect data on individual litigation cases. "The National Audit Office Report A Safer Place to Work—Improving the Management of Health and Safety Risks to Staff in NHS Trusts", estimated that compensation payments cost the NHS £1.5 million in 2001–02. The average compensation payment negotiated by UNISON with NHS employers for needlesticks injuries that do not result in the transmission of blood borne viruses is currently £2,000.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to the NHS was in 2002–03 of providing cover for nurses and other health care staff who have been forced to take time off for investigation, treatment and counselling as a result of blood-borne viruses contracted through needle stick injury. [127005]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on the cost of providing staff to cover for health care workers absent due to injury is not collected centrally by the Department of Health.

  In the majority of cases where there has been no transmission of a blood borne virus, the investigation, treatment and counselling associated with a needle stick injury will take place in working hours.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what emotional and psychological support is provided to nurses and other health care staff who are concerned about having been infected with a blood-borne virus contracted through needle stick injury. [127006]

  Mr. Hutton
  National health service staff who experience a needle stick injury which they believe may result in their being infected with a blood borne virus are referred to infection control staff who carry out the necessary tests and provide advice and counselling. If the health care worker concerned requests it, they will also be referred to a counselling service.
  946W
  NHS unions also provide advice and support to their members to assist them in coping with workplace injuries.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses a nd other health care staff who have become infected with a blood-borne virus as a result of needle stick injury have been forced to leave their employment as a result of this infection in the last five years. [127007]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on health care workers who have become infected with a blood borne virus is not collected centrally by the Department of Health, but should be available from individual national health service employers.

  Many health care workers infected with hepatitis B and health care workers infected with hepatitis C or HIV should not perform exposure prone procedures, those procedures in which injury to the health care worker could result in the worker's blood contaminating a patient's open tissue. However, being HIV or hepatitis C positive or carrying hepatitis B is not a bar to working in the NHS. Where modification of working practice is necessary, suitable alternative work or retraining opportunities are made available, in accordance with good general principles of occupational health and general management practice.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses and other health care staff have contracted(a) hepatitis B, (b) hepatitis C and (c) HIV as a result of needle stick injuries in each of the last five years. [127008]

  Mr. Hutton
  No complete data are available centrally on the number of health care workers who have contracted blood borne viruses as a result of needle stick injuries. However, the Health Protection Agency, formerly the Public Health Laboratory Service, runs enhanced surveillance whereby occupational health departments can report such incidents on a voluntary basis. The results in the last five years are shown in the table.

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Hepatitis B

  0

  0

  0

  0

  0

  Hepatitis C

  0

  0

  1

  1

  0

  HIV

  0

  1

  0

  0

  0

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses and other health care staff have sustained needle stick injuries in each of the last five years. [127009]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department of Health does not collect this data centrally but has advised all national health service trusts that it should be collected locally to enable them to assess the risks to staff and patients. Figures for needle stick injuries should be available from NHS trusts locally.

  The National Audit Office report 'A Safer Place to Work, improving the management of health and safety risks to staff in NHS Trusts' estimated that there were 23,000 needle stick injuries in England each year.

  NHS Dentistry
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practices in each primary care trust are accepting new patients for treatment on the NHS who are(a) elderly, (b) children, (c) unemployed and (d) disabled. [126323]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  The number of dental practices accepting new patients for National Health Service treatment who are elderly, unemployed and disabled is not held centrally.

  Children are exempt from dental charges and many unemployed, elderly and disabled people are eligible for full or partial remission of charges.

  Information on the number of general dental service (GDS) practices and personal dental service (PDS) pilots in each primary care trust (PCT) reported at 21 July 2003 on the www.nhs.uk website as accepting patients exempt from dental charges for registration and accepting children for registration has been placed in the Library.

  In addition, other practices, including PDS pilots, among them, dental access centres, will be providing NHS dental care to patients without registration.

  When a GDS or PDS dentist accepts a patient for registration they have an obligation to provide NHS dental treatment as required to secure and maintain the oral health of that patient.

  NHS Senior Management
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what measures he has put in place in the last two years to track the career moves of(a) chairmen, (b) chief executives, (c) directors and (d) senior management positions within the national health service; [126699]

  (2) what measures he has put in place in the last two years to gather data on (a) career progression and (b) wastage rates of (i) chairmen, (ii) chief executives, (iii) directors and (iv) senior management positions within the national health service. [126700]

  England as at 30 September each year

  Whole-time equivalents

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  Consultants in Ophthalmology

  556

  582

  606

  613

  661

  Consultants in medical Ophthalmology

  1

  4

  2

  6

  7

  Occupational therapists

  10,194

  10,792

  11,188

  11,816

  12,541

  Orthoptists/opticians1

  878

  890

  919

  1,013

  1,026

  Physiotherapists

  11,709

  12,047

  12,515

  12,992

  13,586

  Chiropodists

  2,750

  2,771

  2,847

  2,894

  2,916

  Dieticians

  1,961

  2,058

  2,129

  2,255

  2,377

  Art/music/drama therapists

  413

  416

  452

  453

  477

  1 This does not include private sector opticians who carry out NHS work for the General Ophthalmic Service

  Note

  Figures are rounded to the nearest whole number.

  Sources

  Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

  Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census
  948W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Since it was established in April 2001, the National Health Service Leadership Centre has drawn up development portfolios for chief executives, executive directors and clinical staff across the NHS. Most recently a development portfolio has been developed with the NHS Appointments Commission for chairs. These programmes are designed to provide focused development and have helped to track the careers of some senior staff in the NHS. More recently, the Leadership Centre has established a career development and succession planning scheme known as 'NHS Leaders'. This is intended to build and strengthen leadership across the NHS; to ensure that all senior leaders have personal development plans and are supported in their career development; to provide information to support appointments and succession planning; and to provide tailored development for newcomers to improve the performance of the NHS. A database of all senior leaders has also been compiled which will track the careers of these leaders.

  The NHS Appointments Commission has established a record keeping system for all chairs and non-executives which records their service to the NHS. This is particularly useful when encouraging non-executives to apply for chair positions. The Commission also records those individuals who resign from their board.

  NHS Staff
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole-time equivalent(a) occupational therapists, (b) ophthalmologists, (c) opticians, (d) physiotherapists, (e) chiropodists, (f) dieticians, (g) music therapists and (h) drama therapists worked in the NHS in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [127022]

  Mr. Hutton
  The information requested is shown in the table.

  Compared with 1998 there are now 20 per cent, more consultants in ophthalmology, 23 per cent, more occupational therapists, 17 per cent, more orthoptists and opticians, 16 per cent, more physiotherapists, 6 per cent, more chiropodists, 21 per cent, more dieticians and 15 per cent, more arts therapists.

  NHS Treatment Statistics
  Mr. Hurst
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people received treatment from the NHS in(a) England and (b) Essex in each year since 1980. [124873]

  Mr. Hutton
  Figures for general practitioner consultations, walk-in centre visits, accident and emergency attendances, hospital out-patient attendances, day case admissions and overnight hospital admissions have been placed in the Library. The national health service does not report to the Department of Health whether or not treatment was given, but only whether the consultation or admission took place, which is what is displayed in the figures.

  NICE Research
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's research into the use of(a) clopidogrel and (b) dipyridamole for the prevention of (i) occlusive vascular and (ii) arterosclerotic events. [127032]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is appraising the clinical and cost effectiveness of clopidogrel and modified-release dipyridamole for the prevention of occlusive vascular events. NICE expects to publish guidance in June 2004. Further details are available on NICE'S website at www.nice.org.uk

  North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust (Secondment)
  Helen Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the decision by North Cheshire Hospitals NHS trusts not to allow further secondments for support care workers to train as nurses. [125797]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: The secondment of staff onto nursing courses is a matter for individual national health service trusts. However, enabling healthcare assistants (HCAs) to train as nurses is an important part of our strategy to increase the NHS nursing workforce.

  At present, the North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust has temporarily suspended the secondment of HCA's for nurse training. The trust is currently reviewing the selection processes so as to include more staff and to identify permanent methods of funding.

  As soon as a solution is identified, the North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust will re-open the secondment provision.

  Obesity
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many stomach stapling operations there were in each region in each of the last five years; and how many of these were carried out on children. [126346]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database provides data on the number of surgical operations and procedures carried out in the national health service. Data on stomach stapling are collected under the code for partitioning of stomach. This code 950W
  includes a number of procedures, and no further breakdown is available to identify stomach stapling procedures separately.

  Operation Costs
  Mr. Allen
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what(a) hip replacement, (b) knee replacement, (c) cataract, (d) heart bypass and (e) varicose veins cost on average in 2002–03 (i) a private patient and (ii) the NHS; and what the difference was between the mid-private price and 60 per cent, of the NHS average cost. [125401]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department does not collect information on the average cost of treatments provided to private patients.

  The national average costs for treatments within the national health service for 2002–03 are not currently available.

  Overseas Patients
  Mr. Randall
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are in place within NHS hospitals to monitor whether patients from overseas are eligible for free treatment on the NHS. [126013]

  Mr. Hutton
  Entitlement to national health service hospital treatment is based on residence in the United Kingdom. People who are not normally resident in the UK are subject to the provisions of the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations, as amended, in 1991 (SI No. 438), 1994 (SI No. 1535), 2000 (SI No. 602), 2000 (SI No. 909).

  The regulations place a responsibility on NHS trusts to establish a patient's residence. All patients should be asked, as a routine part of the admissions procedure, about their residence in the UK. A more detailed interview follows if it appears that they may be liable to charges. The Department of Health issued guidance to the NHS on this in 1988. Updated guidance was issued on 27 July 2003.

  Mr. Tynan
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what entitlement overseas residents have to free NHS treatment, with particular reference to primary care. [125669]

  Mr. Hutton
  Overseas residents visiting the United Kingdom are eligible for free emergency or immediately necessary treatment from a primary care provider. For other primary medical care general practitioners or personal medical services, providers may accept such people as registered patients or as fee paying private patients. The Government expect general practice to exercise this discretion with sensitivity and due regard to the circumstances of each case. NHS walk-in centres routinely charge overseas visitors for use of the service.

  Pain Relief
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many(a) accident and emergency attendances and (b) GP attendances there were relating to pain in each region in each year since 1997; [126350]

  (2) if he will estimate the cost to the NHS of treating pain in England in the last 12 months; [126351]
  951W
  (3) if he will estimate the prevalence of chronic pain in England in each year since 1997; [126353]

  (4) what proportion of the population under 18 suffered from (a) chronic pain, (b) recurrent pain and (c) pain which has lasted more than a month in each year since 1997; [126354]

  (5) how many (a) finished consultant episodes and (b) hospital admissions there were relating to pain in each region in each year since 1997. [126438]

  Mr. Hutton
  Pain management is an important component of most patients' care, and is provided as part of overall treatment. The Department's Hospital Episode Statistics records information on diagnosis and procedures carried out in the national health service. It does not record information on the prevalence of pain in England, the cost to the NHS of treating pain, or the number of finished consultant episodes and hospital admissions relating to pain.

  Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 10 July 2003,Official Report, columns 1041–42W, on the Patient Advocacy and Liaison Service, if he will place in the Library the information collected by the recent mapping exercise. [126344]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  A list of trusts reporting that they have an active patient advice and liaison service (PALS) is available in the Library. The list, together with contact details for the trusts, is also available on the PALS website at: www.doh.gov.uk/patientadviceandliaisonservice/

  Patients Choice Initiative
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information will be available to patients to enable them to take part in the patients' choice initiative. [112157]

  Annual staffing costs (£)

  Staff employed

  Full-time managers involved in inspection

  Overall full-time staff involved in inspection

  Total number of staff involved in inspections

  Total pay costs of inspections (£)

  1999–00

  592,000

  111

  14

  13

  27

  230,756

  2000–01

  4,791,000

  248

  44

  42

  86

  1,482,077

  2001–02

  11,492,000

  330

  59

  62

  121

  5,897,395

  2002–03

  116,359,000

  334

  59

  69

  128

  7,444,475

  1 Pre audited figure

  The rising costs are due to a large staff increase to undertake clinical governance reviews. CHI has completed 297 clinical governance reviews across a range of NHS bodies.

  The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) was established in April 1999. It is a special health authority set up to give advice on best clinical practice to NHS clinicians, to those commissioning NHS services and to patients and carers. None of NICE'S work are involved in inspection work. The total staffing cost since 1999 is shown in the table.
  952W
  Mr. Hutton
  Good quality information and effective support will be needed to enable patients to make informed choices. The Department of Health is examining the information patients and clinicians will need to inform patients' choice over the hospital or other healthcare provider where they are treated, and how to provide this information effectively. The Department is also considering the lessons from the London and coronary heart disease choice pilots which have employed patient care advisors to support patients in making their choice, including providing information about the choice on offer.

  Information currently available to patients include the star ratings for all hospitals, waiting times for outpatient, day case and in-patient treatment and the information available on individual provider websites.

  Information for patients will improve in the future as choice is extended to include convenience with regard to location and transport access and relevant clinical performance measures. Information that is currently available from a variety of sources will be gathered together, made available through the single entry point of nhs.uk, and will be easily accessible during the patient booking process.

  Pay Costs
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to his answer of 28 April 2003,Official Report, columns 279–80W, on NHS inspection staff, what the total pay costs incurred by the (a) Commission for Health Improvement, (b) National Institute for Clinical Excellence, (c) National Care Standards Commission and (d) Social Services Inspectorate were in each year since 1997. [113388]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) came into being on 1 November 1999 and began to conduct a rolling programme of clinical governance reviews in 2001. An important aspect of this work is to complete a Clinical Governance Review of 500 national health service organisations by 2004. The total cost incurred in inspection work in each year since 1999 is shown in the table.

  Annual staffing costs (£)

  Staff employed

  Staff engaged in inspection work

  Total pay costs of inspections

  1999–00

  673,000

  17

  n/a

  n/a

  2000–01

  1,320,000

  32

  n/a

  n/a

  2001–02

  1,944,000

  40

  n/a

  n/a

  2002–03

  2,706,000

  59

  n/a

  n/a

  The increase in the staffing costs for NICE is due to an increase in the number of staff employed at NICE.
  953W
  The National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) became fully operational on 1 April 2002. The NCSC is responsible for registration and inspection of health and social care services in England. The total cost incurred in inspection work in the year 2002 is shown in the table.

  2002–03

  Annual staffing cost (£)

  69,118,000

  Staff employed (number)

  2,285

  Staff engaged in inspection work (number)

  1,350

  Total pay costs of inspections (£ million)

  49

  The annual staffing cost is due to the number of staff employed.

  The Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) is a division of the Department of Health. The structure and functions of both the Department and the SSI have changed over the period 1998–99 and 2002–03. The SSI inspects councils with social services responsibilities in England, and from this and other evidence, it assesses and reports on councils' performance, and where necessary makes recommendations for improvement.

  The total cost incurred in inspection work in each year since 1998 is shown in the table.

  Annual staffing costs (£)

  Staff employed

  Staff engaged in inspection work

  Total pay costs of inspections (£)

  1997–98

  5,000,000

  156

  92

  2,981,551

  1998–99

  5,000,000

  156

  91

  2,975,727

  1999–2000

  6,400,000

  156

  91

  3,588,457

  2000–01

  7,800,000

  198

  108

  4,443,699

  2001–02

  8,800,000

  229

  127

  4,621,494

  2002–03

  9,200,000

  236

  120

  n/a

  There are four reasons why costs have increased in this period:
  The increase in numbers of social services authorities took time to work its way through to additional inspection work
  Modernising Social Services led to an annual review of council performance
  There has been a move towards working alongside councils to improve their performance
  Joint Reviews with the Audit Commission have expanded, and these figures include the SSI costs of Joint Reviews

  There was an increase in the number of SSI regions from four to eight (coterminous with NHS regions) to nine (coterminous with Government Regional Offices).

  Learning Disabilities
  Mr. Todd
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received concerning rent convergence when applied to specialist housing for those with learning disabilities. [126062]

  Keith Hill
  I have been asked to reply.

  None.

  Private Office Costs
  Mr. Flight
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what have been the running costs of Ministers' private offices in his Department in each year since 1997. [123112]
  954W
  Ms Rosie Winterton
  Parliamentary demands on private offices have risen since 1997. The information requested is shown in the table.

  Private office expenditure (£)

  1997–98

  1,848,676

  1998–99

  2,143,894

  1999–2000

  2,652,686

  2000–01

  2,871,965

  2001–02

  2,876,430

  2002–03

  3,161,046

  Prostate Cancer
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he has made in implementing the NHS Prostate Cancer Programme of 2000. [126991]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Good progress has been made since the national health service prostate cancer programme was launched on 6 September 2000, setting out the Government's approach to improving prostate cancer services in England and Wales.

  As part of the prostate cancer risk management programme (PCRMP), evidence-based primary care resource packs were sent to all general practitioners in England from 23 September 2002 to aid them in counselling men who are worried about prostate cancer, ensuring the men make an informed choice about whether or not to have a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.

  Other elements of the PCRMP include ensuring that a systematic and standardised follow-up pathway is available for individuals whose test result is above the PSA threshold and action to improve the quality of laboratory testing of PSA samples. Primary care and laboratories were informed of the related recommendations from the scientific reference group, which supports the PCRMP in September 2002.

  By 2003–04 the Department of Health will be directly funding £4.2 million of research a year on prostate cancer. This is a twenty-fold increase compared with 1999–2000. Two National Cancer Research Institute prostate cancer research collaborative have been established in Newcastle and London. Funded research includes studies on various treatments for prostate cancer, improving the PSA test and ethnic differences in prostate cancer incidence. The National Cancer Research Institute considered prostate cancer as part of its Strategic Analysis in 2002, but made no specific recommendations.

  The Department is; funding a Section 64 grant to the Prostate Cancer Charity to increase availability of further information about prostate cancer. This is supporting the creation, review, provision and dissemination of a range of awareness material, supported by £135,000 over three years. 96.6 per cent, of patients with suspected urological cancers (including prostate) were seen for their first out-patient appointment within two weeks of their general practitioner deciding they should be urgently referred, and the hospital receiving the referral within 24 hours, in January to March 2003.
  955W
  The cancer services collaborative is modernising cancer care, including prostate cancer, by reducing unnecessary delays in the system for patients throughout the cancer journey.

  The number of consultant urologists grew from 382 in 2000 to 427 in 2001, and is set to grow to 504 in 2005.

  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Government has to introduce a public awareness campaign for prostate cancer. [126992]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Under the National Health Service Prostate Cancer Programme we have launched a number of initiatives to increase the public awareness of prostate cancer.

  The Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme was launched in July 2001 to educate the public, patients and professionals on the risks associated with individual testing for prostate cancer. To aid this evidence based primary care packs have been produced and have been distributed to all general practitioners in England.

  We are also providing funding to the Prostate Cancer Charity to increase the available amount of information about prostate cancer. This funding supports the creation, review, provision and dissemination of a range of awareness material on prostate cancer.

  We have also set up the Prostate Cancer Advisory Group to facilitate collaboration between the Department of Health, voluntary groups and patient and professional groups in all areas of prostate cancer, including awareness. The group met for the first time recently and decided that a sub-group would be formed to take forward the issue of public awareness.

  Queen Alexandra Hospital (Cosham)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the hon. Member for Portsmouth, North (Syd Rapson) relating to the funding of Queen Alexandra Hospital at Cosham. [126959]

  Ms Rosie Winterton
  My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health met my hon. Friend the Member for Portsmouth, North (Syd Rapson) on 7 July 2003 to discuss issues relating to the Queen Alexandra Hospital.

  Radiologists
  Mr. Baron
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many whole-time equivalent radiologists were working in the NHS in each of the last five years. [127000]

  Mr. Hutton
  The table shows the number of whole-time equivalent medical staff specialising in clinical radiology in the last five years.

  Hospital Public Health Medicine and Community Health services (HCHS): Medical staff with a specialty in clinical radiology

  Whole-time equivalents

  England as at 30 September

  1997

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  All clinical radiology staff

  1,895

  1,935

  2,028

  2,134

  2,256

  2,371

  of which:

  Consultants

  1,364

  1,387

  1,414

  1,460

  1,492

  1,582

  956W
  Note:

  Figures rounded to the nearest whole number.

  Source:

  Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

  The number of whole-time equivalent consultant radiologists increased by 16 per cent. between September 1997 and September 2002.

  Research Investment
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much and what proportion of public scientific research investment in the last five years went on research into(a) heart disease, (b) cancer and (c) stroke and stroke-related problems. [126530]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Funding for research in cancer, heart disease and stroke is provided from a number of different sources, including the Government, charities and industry. The Department of Health does not routinely collect information on all research expenditure.

  The main Government agency for research into the causes of and treatments for disease is the Medical Research Council (MRC) which receives its funding via the Department of Trade and Industry. The Department of Health funds research to support policy and the delivery of effective practice in the national health service. The Department also provides NHS support funding for research commissioned by the research councils and charities that takes place in the NHS.

  Management of much of the research supported by NHS research and development funding is devolved and expenditure at project level is not held centrally by the Department. The information is therefore not available in the format requested for all years.

  Available figures for Departmental and MRC estimated expenditure on cancer research are shown in the table:

  £ million

  Department of Health

  Medical Research Council

  2001–02

  not available

  75.0

  2000–01

  83.8

  70.0

  1999–2000

  77.4

  52.0

  1998–99

  75.4

  28.5

  1997–98

  53.0

  27.0

  It is important to note that scientific definitions have evolved over time and that the MRC has improved methods of capturing data and identifying spend. For these reasons, spend figures from one year to the next are not comparable.

  The MRC's estimated expenditure on stroke research for the last five years is shown in the table.

  £ million

  2001–02

  3.9

  2000–01

  3.4

  1999–2000

  4.0

  1998–99

  4.0

  1997–98

  3.3

  957W
  The MRC spent £12.3 million on heart disease research in 1998–99 and £10.5 million in 1999–2000. Figures for subsequent years are for circulatory disease research: £24.7 million in 2000–01 and £26.3 million in 2001–02.

  Estimated figures for departmental spend on cardiovascular disease and stroke research are £48.9 million in 1998–99, £49.1 million in 1999–2000 and £50.9 million in 2000–01.

  Annual figures for net Government spend on research and development are published in The Forward Look 2003, which is available on the Office of Science and Technology website (www.ost.gov.uk/research/forwardlook03/).

  Residential Care Homes
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of residential care homes(a) in East Sussex and (b) in England have been inspected by the National Care Standards Commission since 1 April 2002. [126689]

  Dr. Ladyman
  All care homes in East Sussex and in England have been inspected by the National Care Standards Commission since 1 April 2002.

  Smoking
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies he has received of the consequences for health of banning smoking in public places. [126090]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  [holding answer 16 July 2003]: The Department of Health is aware of a range of studies set out in the 1998 Report of the independent Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (ISBN 0–11–322124-X) and more recently in the key chapter entitled "Second Hand Smoke—Getting Serious About It" in the Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer, published in June 2003 (32189). Copies of the publications are available in the Library.

  Stroke Services
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards the target of 100 per cent.of general hospitals to have a specialist stroke unit by April 2004. [126525]

  Dr. Ladyman
  A monitoring exercise conducted at the end of 2002 suggested that 83 per cent. of hospitals had plans in place to have a specialist stroke service by 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. 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.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were treated for strokes(a) in each NHS trust and (b) in each strategic health authority in each year since 1997. [126526]
  958W
  Dr. Ladyman
  The information requested has been placed in the Library.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards the Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation, target for reducing strokes in those under 75 years. [126531]

  Dr. Ladyman
  There is no target in Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation specifically for reducing strokes.

  There is a target in Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation for reducing the rate of mortality from 'All Circulatory Diseases'. This includes stroke, also coronary heart disease and related diseases. The Our Healthier Nation target is "to reduce the death rate from all circulatory diseases in people under age 75 years by at least 40 per cent.by 2010".

  Progress in respect of the Our Healthier Nation mortality target for all circulatory diseases is monitored using a three year moving average of the age standardised mortality rate for people aged under 75 years.

  The most recent data show a fall of almost 19 per cent. in the rate since the baseline period of 1995 to 1997.

  All circulatory Diseases (ICD-10 100–199) Persons Agea Under75 years

  Death rate per 100,000 population in England (European age standardised, and adjusted for ICD-10)

  Years

  Three-year average mortality rate

  1995/6/71 (Baseline)

  141.5

  1996/7/81

  135.7

  1997/8/91

  128.7

  1998/9/20001

  122.0

  1999/2000/011

  114.8

  Milestone (2004/5/6)

  106. 1

  Farget (2009/10/11

  84.9

  Percentage change in rale since baseline

  —18.9

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics.

  1 Rates for years other than 1999 and 2001 calculated using numbers of deaths coded under ICD9. Adjusted to be on the same basis as ICD10. See note B below.

  Single year rates and numbers of deaths from stroke among people in England aged under 75 over the same time period are shown in the following table:

  Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke) (ICD-10–160–169) persons aged under 75

  Death rate per 100,000 population in England (European age standardised, and adjusted for ICD 10)

  Year

  Single year Mortality rate1

  Number of deaths

  19951

  26.5

  13,465

  19961

  26.3

  13,190

  19971

  25.0

  12,498

  19981

  24.4

  12,140

  1999

  23.2

  12M293

  20001

  21.2

  10,561

  2001

  20.6

  10,947

  Note:

  Change:1995 to 2001—17.9 per cent.

  Source:

  Office for National Statistics.

  1 Rates calculated using numbers of deaths coded under ICD9 adjusted to be on the same basis as ICD 10—see Note B below:
  959W
  Note B: 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 about 13 per cent. in the number of deaths attributed to cerebrovascular diseases in men and 9 per cent. in women. Time trends should therefore be interpreted with caution. The effects of the change in classification has been described in detail in ONS publicaions.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what monitoring arrangements are in place to ensure that(a) primary care trusts and (b) NHS trusts have reviewed arrangements to identify those at greatest risk of stroke; [126536]

  (2) what monitoring arrangements are in place to ensure that (a) primary care trusts and (b) NHS trusts have agreed local priorities to improve the rates of identification and effective intervention in stroke. [126537]

  Dr. Ladyman
  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 the National Health Service 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 for older people.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what progress has been made to ensure that by April 2004 every general practice, using protocols agreed with local specialist services, can identify and treat patients identified as being at risk of a stroke because of high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation or other risk factors. [126541]

  Dr. Ladyman
  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 the National Health Service for 2003–2006. It is now for strategic health authorities to plan, deliver and monitor progress locally on the other stroke milestones in the national service framework for older people. Therefore 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.

  Waiting Times
  Dr. Evan Harris
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of patients waited up to(a) four weeks, (b) 13 weeks and (c) 26 weeks for their first outpatient appointment for cardiology following GP referral; and how many patients were waiting for over 13 weeks at quarter end in (i) England and (ii) each NHS region in each quarter since Q1 1997. [121747]

  Mr. Hutton
  Information on waiting times for first consultant outpatient appointment for cardiology following a general practitioner written referral for each quarter since Q1, 1997 has been placed in the Library. Over this period the number of people waiting over 960W
  26 weeks for their first outpatient appointment in cardiology fell from 571 at end June 1997 to none at end March 2003.

  Walking
  Tom Brake
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the studies conducted by him into the health benefits of walking in the last six years. [126547]

  Miss Melanie Johnson
  Regular walking can help in the maintenance of a healthy weight as well as helping to prevent and manage heart disease.

  Many studies have been carried out on the health benefits of walking. The Department is presently undertaking a review of the evidence for the relationship between physical activity and health, which will be concerned with the full range of human activity from competitive sport and exercise to walking, cycling, dancing or activity as part of work. We hope to publish the results of the review at the end of the year to support enhanced public health efforts to promote regular physical activity.

  Further evidence of the benefits of regular physical activity, including walking, will emerge from the forthcoming local exercise action pilots (LEAP) that are being developed with Sport England and the Countryside Agency. The LEAP programme will test different evidence based community approaches to increasing access to, and the levels of physical activity, with a particular focus on hard to reach and at risk groups. Walking will be a feature of several of the LEAP pilots and will be included in the evaluation of the whole programme.

  Working Time Directive
  Mr. Norman
  To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the hospital trusts whose(a) maternity units and (b) accident and emergency departments are expected to be (i) merged and (ii) unable to provide continuous 24 hour cover following the implementation of the European Working Time Directive in August 2004. [126694]

  Mr. Hutton
  The Department does not accept that achieving Working Time Directive compliance by itself will lead to the closure of services. On 17 July strategic health authorities were asked to ensure that every hospital prepares a local action plan by the end of this year to achieve compliance and maintain local services. Those trusts facing the greatest challenges will have priority when postgraduate deans allocate 1,500 additional specialist registrar training places available this year. Maternity and accident and emergency services will be included in this process.

HOME DEPARTMENT

  Criminal Records Bureau
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of the increase in cost of Criminal Record Bureau checks on small and medium-sized care homes. [124842]
  961W
  Paul Goggins
  Responsibility for paying the fee for a criminal record Disclosure rests with the individual applicant, although it is open to the employer to reimburse the cost. I have placed in the Library a Regulatory Impact Assessment which assesses the impact of the fee increase across all sectors.

  Mr. Hawkins
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consultation took place with the Criminal Records Bureau's customers about the increase in fees for obtaining disclosure certificates [122482]

  (2) what assessment he has made of whether sufficient notice was given to registered bodies to assess the budgetary impact of the increase in fees for obtaining disclosure certificates from the Criminal Records Bureau; [122483]

  (3) whether an impact assessment for registered bodies was carried out prior to the announcement of increased fee levels for obtaining disclosure certificates from the Criminal Records Bureau; and whether such an assessment will be carried out in future. [122484]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 30 June 2003]: The Government made it clear when the original £12 fee was announced that it was our intention that the Criminal Records Bureau would be self-financing in the medium term. That remains our objective. However, in the short term, the costs of the CRB will continue to be met by a combination of fee receipts and contributions from the Home Office, the Department of Health and Department for Education and Skills. The CRB is expected to achieve full cost recovery from 2005–06.

  In view of the need to maintain an even as possible demand for the Disclosure service it was not possible to consult on the fee increase in advance of the announcement on 5 June.

  Responsibility for paying the fee rests primarily with the individual applicant, although it is open to the employer to reimburse the cost. Disclosures will continue to be issued to volunteers free of charge.

  A Regulatory Impact Assessment which assesses the impact of the fee increase for the voluntary and business sectors has been placed in the Library. In line with normal practice, a further assessment would be undertaken to accompany any future increase in fees that was above inflation.

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) paper based, (b) phone based and (c) e-based applications for (i) standard and (ii) enhanced Criminal Records Bureau checks were received in each month up until 1 July 2003. [123763]

  Paul Goggins
  The figures requested are summarised in the following table.

  The gross applications refer to the number received by the CRB and the net receipts refer to the number that are being processed on the system. The difference between these figures is the number of applications returned to customers for amendment.
  962W

  Month

  Phone based applications (Gross)

  Paper based applications (Gross)

  Total net applications received (Gross)

  Total net receipts

  March 2002

  1,384

  1,381

  2,765

  2,306

  April 2002

  10,337

  29,376

  39,713

  34,301

  May 2002

  17,505

  70,360

  87,865

  82,821

  June 2002

  17,312

  72,892

  90,204

  88,442

  July 2002

  39,600

  119,793

  159,393

  134,206

  August 2002

  31,220

  112,810

  144,030

  129,049

  September 2002

  37,729

  167,139

  204,868

  185,153

  October 2002

  40,345

  186,995

  227,340

  208,784

  November 2002

  36,795

  150,668

  187,463

  171,893

  December 2002

  31,778

  120,006

  151,784

  138,454

  January 2003

  32,372

  128,496

  160,868

  144,538

  February 2003

  35,509

  142,715

  178,224

  161,286

  March 2003

  39,064

  156,435

  195,499

  174,832

  April 2003

  32,616

  137,662

  170,278

  151,676

  May 2003

  34,353

  146,565

  180,918

  162,208

  June 2003

  41,532

  211,127

  252,659

  227,092

  Total

  479,451

  1,954,420

  2,433,871

  2,197,041

  At present the CRB has no e-based route for applications. Also, the CRB are unable to give a breakdown of Standard and Enhanced Disclosures for Telephone Disclosure Application Forms and Blank Disclosure Application Forms (paper based).

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultation was held with the voluntary sector in relation to the increase in fees for Criminal Records Bureau checks; what factors underlay the decision to make the increases; and if he will make a statement. [124790]

  Paul Goggins
  With regard to consultation with the voluntary sector I refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 8 July 2003,Official Report, column 721W. In respect of the factors underlying the fee increase, I refer the hon. Member to the written statement made by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 5 June 2003, Official Report, columns 27–29WS.

  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many disclosure applications were dealt with by the Criminal Records Bureau in the last 12 months; and what the average time taken was to process, an application. [126723]

  Paul Goggins
  During the last 12 months the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) has issued a total of 1,946,465 Disclosures broken down as follows:Standard Disclosures: 243,382
  Enhanced Disclosures: 1,703,083

  The average time taken to process a Disclosure during this period was between five and six weeks.

  The CRB current targets, published in our Corporate and Business Plan 2003 are to process 90 per cent, of Standard Disclosures within two weeks and 90 per cent. Enhanced Disclosures within four weeks. The CRB has been consistently achieving these service standards in recent weeks.

  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received from individuals and organisations about fees charged by the Criminal Records Bureau. [126920]
  963W
  Paul Goggins
  Since announcing the increase in Disclosure application fees charged by the Criminal Records Bureau on 5 June, we have received approximately 350 written representations primarily concerning the scale of the increase and the lack of consultation prior to the introduction of the new fees. The majority of these representations have been from organisations.

  Extradition Agreement
  Mr. Hoyle
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the extradition agreement between the USA and UK. [126867]

  Caroline Flint
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) on 16 June 2003.Official Report, column 28W.

  Absconding Prisoners
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 24 June 2003,Official Report, columns 736–38 on prisons, how many absconding prisoners committed a further offence, for which they were charged, during their absence from prison, in each year; what assessment he has made of the basis for selecting prisoners for transfer to Kirkham open prison; and how many prison officers were in post at each open prison in each year. [125794]

  Paul Goggins
  Offences committed by prisoners who are unlawfully at large, following their abscond from an open prison, and for which they were subsequently charged, is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  The categorisation procedures use an algorithm to indicate a provisional security category for each individual prisoner. This is then accepted or rejected following a consideration of the medical and mental health of the prisoner, and previous custodial experiences. This is a national system and is applied to all prisoners who are transferred to Kirkham. Additional local criteria means that prisoners with any history of sexual offences are excluded from Kirkham. A fundamental review of the categorisation of all prisoners is currently under way. This does include the procedures by which prisoners are considered as suitable for open conditions.

  The following table shows the n umber of uniformed prison discipline staff at each of the prisons referred to in the answer of 24 June 2003.

  January to December

  January to June

  Establishment

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Askham Grange

  29

  29

  29

  28

  29

  29

  Blantyre House

  34

  34

  34

  34

  36

  35

  Drake Hall

  63

  64

  64

  67

  81

  89

  East Sutton Park

  23

  23

  25

  25

  22

  24

  Ford

  62

  63

  64

  61

  61

  62

  Hatfield/Moorland

  320

  317

  311

  316

  322

  338

  Hewell Grange

  27

  27

  28

  29

  29

  29

  Hollesley Bay

  147

  137

  153

  155

  171

  167

  Kirkham

  85

  82

  86

  85

  86

  86

  Kirklevington

  42

  41

  37

  37

  38

  44

  Latchmere House

  38

  39

  40

  38

  40

  38

  Leyhill

  71

  70

  69

  66

  63

  68

  Morton Hall

  31

  30

  37

  68

  81

  109

  North Sea Camp

  32

  32

  32

  34

  36

  40

  Usk/Prescoed

  84

  83

  88

  88

  85

  89

  Grendon

  159

  164

  175

  172

  154

  153

  964W

  January to December

  January to June

  Establishment

  1998

  1999

  2000

  2001

  2002

  2003

  Standford Hill

  80

  84

  81

  81

  78

  91

  Sudbury

  68

  67

  68

  63

  63

  65

  Thorn Cross

  106

  106

  113

  115

  111

  106

  Wealstun

  147

  147

  148

  146

  147

  154

  Antisocial Behaviour Orders
  Ms Stuart
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the results of the pilot schemes for antisocial behaviour orders. [126503]

  Caroline Flint
  There were no pilot schemes for antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs). They were introduced across the whole of England and Wales under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 on 1 April 1999. In the period to 31 March 2003, the courts reported 1,112 ASBO's had been made.

  The West Midlands has seen the second highest number of ASBOs in the country with 120 between 1 April 999 and 31 March 2003.

  The Police Reform Act 2002 introduced interim orders, orders on conviction in criminal courts and orders in county court proceedings, enabled the British Transport Police and registered social landlords to apply for ASBOs and extended the area an ASBO can cover to any defined part or the whole of England and Wales.

  Communities are already experiencing the benefits as agencies on the ground use their new powers. Interim orders in particular are already widely in use across the country and orders have also been made to stop individuals from antisocial acts across the whole of England and Wales. Over a quarter of the 200 orders granted since the introduction of the Police Reform Act 2002 changes have been orders on conviction. Orders were introduced into the county court in April this year and we are aware that some have already been granted.

  The Anti-Social Behaviour Bill has been published and is going through the House. It refines ASBOs by:
  Allowing persons other than the defendant in proceedings in the county court whose anti-social behaviour is relevant to be joined to those proceedings for the purpose of seeking an order against them;
  Giving relevant authorities access to youth court hearings of ASBO breaches;
  Attaching parenting orders to parents of any child receiving an ASBO;
  Allowing local authorities to prosecute ASBO breaches;
  Ensuring the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) asks for orders on conviction; and
  Allowing Housing Action Trusts (HATs) to apply for ASBOs.

  Appointments
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the people appointed to ad hoc posts within his Department bearing the titles of advocate, tsar, adviser, champion and comparable titles since May 1997; what their job title is or was; what their role is or was; whether they were or are being paid; what the total cost of each such person was in each financial
  965W
  year, including expenses and benefits; what the expected cost of each such person is in 2003–04; to whom they are accountable; and if he will make a statement. [112466]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Details of numbers of Special Advisers and their salaries are published annually for the Government as a whole. This includes Special Advisers in the Home Office. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, Central (Geraint Davies) on 16 July 2003,Official Report, column 328W. All Home Office Special Advisers are accountable to me.

  Arson
  Matthew Taylor
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the detection rate for arson in England and Wales was in each year since 1997; and what the detection rate for all crime was in each year. [125743]

  Ms Blears
  The available information from police recorded crime data on detection rates for arson and all recorded crime in England and Wales for the years since 1997 are as follows:

  Percentage detection rates—England and Wales

  Arson

  All recorded crime

  19971

  16

  28

  1998–992

  10

  29

  1999–20003

  9

  25

  2000–01

  8

  24

  2001–024

  8

  23

  1 Calendar year, and years ending March thereafter.

  2 There was a change in counting rules for recorded crime on 1 April 1998, which may have affected detection rates.

  3 There was a change in the counting rules for detections on 1 April 1999, which will have had an effect on detection rates.

  4 Detection rates may have been affected by some police forces adopting the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard in advance of its national implementation on 1 April 2002.

  Asylum Centres
  Annabelle Ewing
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was to his Department of monitoring the contracts for each asylum centre in each of the last five years. [118611]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 11 June 2003]: I refer the hon. Member to the letter I wrote on 3 July 2003.

  Asylum Seekers
  Kate Hoey
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his officials at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will issue status papers granting indefinite leave to remain to a constituent of the hon. Member for Vauxhall (number: M616441) as indicated in a letter from his Minister of State, dated 17 March. [125678]
  966W
  Beverley Hughes
  I wrote to my hon. Friend on 18 July 2003.

  CCTV Cameras (Daedalus Site)
  Mr. Viggers
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the purpose was of the recent installation of CCTV cameras near to the Daedalus site at Lee-on-the-Solent. [126958]

  Beverley Hughes
  A traffic survey was commissioned as part of our on-going assessment of the suitability of a site at Her Majesty's Service Daedalus as an accommodation centre for asylum seekers. This survey involved the temporary deployment of mobile cameras during the week beginning 7 July 2003.

  Chief Constables
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Chief Constables he has met since 2001. [125524]

  Ms Blears
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I meet police officers of all ranks, including chief officers, as often as possible. These meetings are at a variety of formal and informal events, including visits to police forces, police association conferences and working groups.

  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to chief constables concerning (a) contact between hon. Members and their local chief constable and (b) answering correspondence from hon. Members. [125525]

  Ms Blears
  I have issued no guidance to chief officers on contact with hon. Members or on answering correspondence from them. These are matters for the chief officers themselves.

  I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle) on 9 April 2003, Official Report, column 281W.

  I would expect a chief officer to offer every courtesy to hon. Members on matters affecting his or her constituency.

  Cleveland Police
  Dr. Kumar
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional funding tied to which specific programmes has been allocated(a) to Cleveland constabulary and (b) in total to all UK forces in each year since 1997. [114306]

  Caroline Flint
  The table lists grants that have been allocated or awarded to Cleveland and to other police authorities in England and Wales, for which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has responsibility.

  In addition to the grants listed, Cleveland receive support towards the costs of the PFI firearms training facility operated jointly with Durham constabulary.
  967W

  Specific programme allocations for England and Wales police authorities

  £ million

  Year/Specific Programmes

  Cleveland

  Total forces

  1997–98

  Crime Fighting Fund

  —

  —

  Basic Command Unit

  —

  —

  Airwave digital radio service

  —

  —

  DNA Expansion

  —

  —

  Capital grant

  0.60

  104.17

  CSOs

  —

  —

  1998–99

  Crime Fighting Fund

  —

  —

  Basic Command Unit

  —

  —

  Airwave digital radio service

  —

  —

  DNA Expansion

  —

  —

  Capital grant

  0.60

  91.11

  CSOs

  —

  —

  1999–2000

  Crime Fighting Fund

  —

  —

  Basic Command Unit

  —

  —

  Airwave digital radio service

  —

  —

  DNA Expansion

  —

  —

  Capital grant

  0.59

  91.11

  CSOs

  —

  —

  2000–01

  Crime Fighting Fund

  0.28

  40.61

  Basic Command Unit

  —

  —

  Airwave digital radio service

  —

  —

  DNA Expansion

  0.35

  16.22

  Capital grant

  0.65

  91.11

  CSOs

  —

  —

  2001–02

  Crime Fighting Fund

  0.96

  138.90

  Basic Command Unit

  —

  —

  Airwave digital radio service

  0

  93.30

  DNA Expansion

  0.70

  45.66

  Capital grant

  0.85

  91.11

  CSOs

  —

  —

  2002–03

  Crime Fighting Fund

  1.82

  229.79

  Basic Command Unit

  —

  —

  Airwave digital radio service

  3.17

  104.47

  DNA Expansion

  0.64

  54.96

  Capital grant

  0.93

  107.11

  CSOs

  0.30

  19.00

  2003–04

  Crime Fighting Fund

  2.04

  263.52

  Basic Command Unit

  0.64

  49.98

  Airwave digital radio service

  0.56

  9618

  DNA Expansion

  0.70

  54.42

  Capital grant

  1.04

  117.11

  CSOs

  0.12

  41.00

  Notes:

  1 In addition, special grant of £1.9 million was paid to Cleveland Police Authority in 2001 to assist with the costs of the Operational Lancet inquiry.

  2 Police authorities also receive grant to support costs of borrowing against Supplementary Credit Approvals.

  3 Figures for 2003–04 are estimates of currently expected payments.

  Commissioner for Correctional Services
  Mr. McNamara
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the responsibilities are of the new Commissioner for Correctional Services. [125663]

  Paul Goggins
  Martin Narey became Commissioner for the Correctional Services on 10 March 2003. His role is to set the strategic direction for and manage the Directors General of the Prison and Probation Services and to ensure the effective, joint working of the Prison and Probation Services and the Youth Justice Board.

  Contingency Planning
  Dr. Gibson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the ability of the emergency services to treat casualties exposed to radioisotope contamination from the explosion of a radiological bomb within a medically appropriate time. [125158]

  Mr. Blunkett
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 17 July 2003,Official Report, column 592W.

  Correspondence
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the letter of 13 January 2003 from the hon. Member for Leicester, East to the Minister for State, Citizenship and Immigration, P1048812, concerning his constituent, Mrs. Patel. [122999]

  Beverley Hughes
  I wrote to my hon. Friend on 17 July 2003.

  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak, dated 23 January 2003, PO ref 2895/3 regarding Phillipa Eblele Nyakutsilwa. [125283]

  Beverley Hughes
  Due to an administrative error, my hon. Friend's letter was forwarded to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate, when it was a matter for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to deal with. It has now been sent to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for reply. I am sorry for the delay.

  Crime (Fraudulent Reports)
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the extent of fraudulent reporting of crimes to the police. [124992]

  Ms Blears
  Details of the extent of fraudulent reporting of crimes to the police are not collected centrally.

  Crime Statistics
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve the(a) accuracy and (b) presentation of crime statistics. [124791]

  Ms Blears
  The Home Office has always acknowledged the need to improve the accuracy and presentation of the recorded crime statistics. Two important reviews were published in July 2000 which dealt with both these points, and a range of other matters.

  The first was the "Review of Crime Statistics" (the 'Simmons Review'), which made a total of 66 recommendations. The report set out clearly some of the problems with the arrangements in place at that time and provided a blueprint for a system of crime statistics in England and Wales designed to overcome those problems and to provide a clearer and more reliable set of crime data. A group was established to oversee this review and to ensure that the recommendations were

  969W
  sound, and that group received cross-party support. The full review and the conclusions of this expert group, which asked only that the recommendation relating to establishing an index of crime not be implemented, are available on the Home Office website.

  The second report was a thematic inspection report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), entitled "On the Record". One of the conclusions of that report was that interpretation of the Home Office Counting Rules for recording crime by police forces was inconsistent and made it hard to establish the degree to which differences in crime rates were simply due to recording factors, or represented a real change in crime.

  As a result of both of these reports, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) developed the new National Crime Recording Standard. The Standard aims to promote a greater consistency between police forces in the recording of crime and to take a more victim oriented approach to crime recording.

  The National Crime Recording Standard was adopted nationally with effect from 1 April 2002. However, the work to establish standards for recording and greater consistency is on-going. In addition, a new audit regime has been introduced, overseen by the Police Standards Unit in the Home Office and carried out on their behalf by the Audit Commission. The audits are designed to ensure that forces are implementing the Standard and applying the Counting Rules correctly. In addition, Force Crime Registrars are encouraged to undertake their own internal audits, and guidance has been provided to ensure that any such auditing is robust.

  A further data source is the British Crime Survey (BCS). The BCS is considered to be the most reliable measure of personal and household crime in England and Wales and significant improvements have been made to the Survey recently. The Survey has increased its sample size from 20,000 interviews to 40,000 and it is now conducted on a rolling year basis. The BCS also includes those crimes that are not reported to or recorded by the police. While the BCS does not claim to count all crimes in England and Wales, it does provide a consistent measure of trends from one year to the next in those crimes of greatest concern to members of the public.

  With regard to the presentation of crime statistics, the Review of Crime Statistics recommended that the recorded crime statistics and the British Crime Survey should be considered together. They are complementary series that, taken together, provide a better picture of crime than can be obtained from either series alone. The publication of the data in this way ensures that the public has available the most comprehensive picture of crime in a single volume and at the same time.

  Figures from both sources were published together for the first time in July last year in "Crime and England and Wales 2001–02" (Home Office Statistical Bulletin 07/02). The second combined volume covering the period 2002–03 has been published and copies are available in the Library. We believe that this publication provides the best and most comprehensive presentation of the latest position on crime in England and Wales.
  970W
  Due to the introduction of the new National Crime Recording Standard, this publication makes necessary adjustments to the recorded crime figures in order to present a more accurate picture of the real trends in crime underlying the recording changes. The Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate has published a further report, entitled "National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS): An Analysis of the Impact on Recorded Crime" to explain how these adjustments have been derived, and the impact both nationally and in individual police forces.

  As police forces have now had a full year in which to implement the new standard, and as the research report shows that the impact of the new standard appears to be complete for our main target crimes, I am announcing that this is the last occasion on which we will make these adjustments to the recorded crime figures.

  The Home Office is committed to continually improving both the accuracy and presentation of the statistics on crime, and will continue to make necessary changes to those statistics in order to do so in future.

  Criminal Cases Review Commission
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases are awaiting review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. [124986]

  Paul Goggins
  At 31 March 2003, 282 cases were awaiting the commencement of a review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Further details are available from the Commission's 2002–03 Annual Report available from the Library.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the cases awaiting review by the Criminal Cases Review Commission were referred in each month during the period that the longest has been awaiting review. [125419]

  Paul Goggins
  A copy of the Criminal Cases Review Commission's 2002–03 Annual Report is available from the Library (and al so at: www.ccrc.gov.uk). This sets out that the Commission's case review process is divided into several discrete Stages. Stage 0 is for initial inquiries, Stage 1 to assess eligibility for a review, Stage 2 screen to expedite those cases that can be reviewed with only modest caseworker effort. Stage 2 involves those cases requiring resource intensive reviews. A few of these will proceed to Stage 3, which requires the formal appointment of an Investigating Officer. The main build up of cases awaiting review therefore occurs at Stage 2 and the Commission has provided an analysis of this. The table and graph indicates the length of time as at 30 June 2003 that in custody cases (to which the Commission gives priority) and at liberty cases have been awaiting the allocation of a caseworker prior to the start of a Stage 2 review. table and graph indicates t he length of time as at 30 June 2003 that in custody cases (to which the Commission gives priority) and at liberty cases have been awaiting the allocation of a caseworker prior to the start of a Stage 2 review. A table giving information on Stage 2 allocations will be placed in the Library.

  Criminal Records
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the introduction of(a) basic criminal records disclosure and (b) the Protection of Vulnerable Adults List. [126821]

  Paul Goggins
  The priority for the Criminal Records Bureau is to ensure that the demand for higher level disclosures is fully met; to this end we have announced proposals for the introduction of checks on care workers starting in October. The Basic Disclosure service will not be introduced until this objective has been achieved. Moreover, we are considering the Independent Review Team's proposal that applications for Basic Disclosures should be routed through Register Bodies. In the event that the Government decides to proceed, it would be necessary to amend Part 5 of the Police Act 1997 before the change could be implemented.

  We are working with the Department of Health to implement the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) list as soon as practicable.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from the care home sector on deferring increases in fees for Criminal Records Bureau checks. [124883]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 10 July 2003]: To date we have received some 100 written representations from the care home sector with regard to the increase in Criminal Records Bureau fees. These primarily expressed concern about the scale and timing of the increase. The Criminal Records Bureau has received a further 27 written representations on this matter from the care home sector.

  Mrs. Browning
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Criminal Records Checks have been outstanding for(a) three months, (b) six months and (c) more than 12 months. [124900]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 10 July 2003]: The number of outstanding valid Disclosure applications over three, six and 12 months old are as follows:

  Number

  3–6 months

  1,671

  6–12 months

  1,843

  Over 12 months

  120

  Total

  3,634

  The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) has undertaken several initiatives recently to reduce the number of aged applications in the system. These have included contacting applicants and the Registered Bodies who submitted the applications to encourage them to provide any outstanding information and seeking closer co-operation with the police forces to prioritise applications in their systems.

  The Bureau continues to improve its output and is already achieving its Business Plan target that the number of applications over six weeks old, will be reduced to no more than 5 per cent. of work in progress by September 2003. The Bureau is now achieving its published service standards of issuing 90 per cent. of Standard Disclosures within two weeks and 90 per cent. of Enhanced Disclosures within four weeks.
  972W
  Mr. Butterfill
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received from the voluntary and community sector about the increase in fees for Criminal Records Bureau checks; and if he will make a statement. [125121]

  Paul Goggins
  To date we have received a small number of representations from the voluntary and community sector, including from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, with regard to the increase in Criminal Records Bureau fees. These primarily expressed concern about the scale of the increase and the absence of consultation prior to the introduction of the new fees. Checks on volunteers continue to be free, saving the voluntary sector an estimated £10 million in 2003–04.

  Curfew Orders
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders sentenced to a curfew order or a community sentence with a curfew condition were unlawfully at large on the latest date for which figures are available, broken down by(a) category of offence, (b) contract region and (c) police force area; and what penalties have been imposed on each contractor as a result. [124917]

  Paul Goggins
  At 30 June 2003, 147 offenders sentenced to a curfew order or community sentences with a curfew condition were unlawfully at large. Comprehensive information for the category of offence is not centrally available. The figures for each contract region are Southern (58), Midlands and Wales (25), London and Eastern (29) and Northern (35). The figures broken down by police force area are Avon and Somerset (32), Devon and Cornwall (8), Dorset (1), Hampshire (7), Sussex (7), Thames Valley (2), Wiltshire (1), Derbyshire (1), Dyfed-Powys (1), Leicestershire (4), North Wales (1), Northamptonshire (1), Nottinghamshire (3), South Wales (4), Staffordshire (1), West Midlands (9), Cambridgeshire (1), Essex (1), Herefordshire (5), Metropolitan (12), Norfolk (9), Suffolk (1), Doncaster (1), Durham (1), Lancashire (1), Liverpool (2), Manchester (13), Newcastle (6), Sheffield (3) and Wakefield (8). The contractors are not subject to penalties in these cases.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many extra prisoners he expects to be released as a result of the changes to the Home Detention Curfew scheme due to come into effect on 14 July 2003. [124967]

  Paul Goggins
  Three changes to the Home Detention Curfew (HDC) scheme will come into force on 14 July 2003. Taken together, these measures are not expected to increase the number of prisoners released under the scheme. However, those released will be released for a longer period—so adding to the number on HDC at any one time.

  Dharmesh and Rashik Jamiet
  Keith Vaz
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the case of Dharmesh (date of birth 27 February 1973) and Rashik (8 December 1977) Jamiet was received in the Appeal Processing Centre at the Home Office. [125523]
  973W
  Beverley Hughes
  The appeal papers for Mr. Dharmesh Jamiet and Mr. Rashik Jamiet were received in the Appeals Processing Centre (APC) of the Home Office on 7 January 2003.

  Domestic Violence (Policemen)
  Sandra Gidley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many policemen found to have committed acts of domestic violence have been(a) suspended and (b) dismissed in England and Wales in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [125420]

  Ms Blears
  Information on domestic violence committed by policemen is not held centrally.

  Drug Treatment and Testing Orders
  Mr. Steinberg
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders have been subjected to a drug treatment and testing order in each year since it was introduced; and how many of these have re-offended during the period of the drug treatment and testing order. [124864]

  Paul Goggins
  The number of drug treatment and testing orders (DTTOs) commenced in each year since the order was rolled-out to courts in England and Wales in October 2000 is as follows:

  Number

  2000–01 (six months)

  1,256

  2001–02

  4,854

  2002–03

  6,140

  It is too soon for validated information about re-offending since roll-out. It is currently impossible to

  Number of defendants proceeded against for breach of community sentence and the number dismissed, for London Courts and England and Wales 20011

  Community Rehabilitation Order

  Supervision Order

  Community Punishment Order

  Attendance Centre Order

  Community Punishment and Rehabilitation Order

  Curfew Order

  Reparation Order

  Action Plan Order

  Drug Treatment and Testing Order

  England and Wales 2001

  Proceeded against

  13,487

  1,148

  16,268

  981

  7,027

  770

  176

  420

  736

  Dismissed

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Withdrawn

  7

  —

  3

  3

  1

  4

  7

  5

  3

  London Courts 2001

  Proceeded against

  1,167

  254

  1,306

  81

  650

  81

  28

  77

  64

  Dismissed

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  Withdrawn

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  —

  1 These data are on the principal offence basis.

  Source:

  Offending and Criminal Justice Group.

  IOS: 402–03.
  974W
  differentiate between offences committed prior to the commencement of the order and those committed after the order was made.

  Enforcement Uplift Project
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many additional cases he estimates will be brought to courts in London as a result of the enforcement uplift project; and how many of these cases he estimates will be dismissed. [124968]

  Paul Goggins
  London Probation Area's uplift project is intended to bring their performance on enforcement in lire with National Standards so as to ensure that offenders who fail to comply with the requirements of an order or licence are returned to court quickly.

  Latest sample monitoring (for the period April to May 2003) shows that London are meeting the enforcement standard in 53 per cent. of relevant cases compared with the national target of 90 per cent. The uplift therefore requires an improvement of 37 percentage points, or an increase of 59 per cent. in the number of cases currently enforced in order to meet the target. This would equate to approximately 250 additional cases per month.

  Rigorous enforcement leads to greater compliance, so the number of cases brought to court would reduce as levels of compliance increased.

  Based on statistics for London courts for the year 2001 (the latest for which data are available), we would estimate that few if any cases brought before the courts for breach of a community sentence would be dismissed. The 2001 figures for London and for England and Wales are given in the table.

  Entitlement Cards
  Mr. Denis Murphy
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations have been received on entitlement cards from(a) individuals and (b) organisations. [126449]

  Beverley Hughes
  The consultation period on entitlement cards and identity fraud formally ended on 31 January 2003. We received a total of 4,942 individual responses from companies/organisations and from individual members of the public, broken down as follows:

  Individuals: 4,766

  Organisations: 176

  A further 5,031 responses from individual members of the public were sent in via the STAND website.

  These responses have been counted in the same way as other inspired samples or surveys of opinion which by their nature cannot be representative of the population as a whole.

  We have been carefully analysing all the responses received and are in the process of preparing a detailed summary of the responses which will be publishing.

  Environmental Appraisals
  Mr. Horam
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [124711]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  No central records are kept of the number of policies for which environmental screenings are undertaken. However, advice on the need to screen policies for environmental impacts is contained on the Department's policy makers checklist and the ministerial website on the Department's Intranet site states that policy submissions should contain a section on environmental considerations.

  No environmental appraisals have been conducted on policy issues, although assessments of environmental impacts are undertaken on building developments as required by planning authorities.

  EU Directives
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the EU directives implemented by the Department since 8 June 2001. [126602]

  Ms Blears
  The Home Office has implemented three European Community Directives during the period specified:976W
  Directive 2000/43/EC of 29 June 2000 implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin was implemented in England, Wales and Scotland by SI 2003 1626.
  Council Directive 2001/51/EC of 28 June 2001 supplementing the provision of Article 26 of the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement was implemented on the basis of existing legislation. Notification to this effect was sent to the Commission on 16 January 2003.
  European Community Directive 2000–8 on the manufacture and placing on the market of certain substances used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances was implemented by SI 2001 No. 3683.

  European Constitution
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [124787]

  Caroline Flint
  As part of the normal Whitehall process, I and my 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 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.

  European Stress Awareness Day
  Miss McIntosh
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost was of providing European Stress Awareness Day activities for police forces; and how many police forces used Home Office funding for such activities. [125657]

  Ms Blears
  European Health and Safety Week in October 2002 was focused on psycho-social issues, including stress. The Health and Safety Executive, the sponsoring body, has not retained a complete record of organisations, including police forces, who participated in events supporting the Week's aims. However among forces in England and Wales that received regional or national awards for their activities, the total cost to those forces was estimated to be approximately £10,500. This figure does not include the personnel hours spent organising events, and the abstraction time of those police staff who participated.

  Some police forces report using a portion of the funds allocated to them in support of the Strategy for a Healthy Police. They will be required during 2003–04 to evaluate their use of these funds, following guidance issued by the Home Office, to determine whether their initiatives have had a significant impact on sickness absence rates.

  Extradition
  Mr. Syms
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of removing
  977W
  the requirement for a prima facie case for extradition requests from the United States of America, with regard to the new Extradition Treaty with the United States of America. [125032]

  Caroline Flint
  The new UK-USA bilateral Extradition Treaty will remove the requirement for the United States to provide prima facie evidence to accompany its extradition requests.

  The United Kingdom already misapplies the prima facie requirement for some 40 other countries—the signatories to the European Convention on Extradition—and we see no reason why this facility should not be available to an established democracy such as the USA.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for improving extradition procedures; and what his timetable is for changes. [126817]

  Caroline Flint
  The Extradition Bill, which will reform the United Kingdom's extradition law, is currently in Committee Stage in Another Place. We hope it will receive Royal Assent later this year.

  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the new extradition treaty signed with the US on 31 March 2003. [126908]

  Caroline Flint
  As at 17 July 2003, the Home Office had received 38 letters and e-mails either directly from members of the public or via Members of Parliament. There have also been a number of parliamentary questions on this topic in this House and Another Place.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been extradited from theUnited Kingdom to the United States in each of the last five years. [124970]

  Caroline Flint
  The information requested is as follows:

  Number of persons surrendered by UK to USA

  1998

  7

  1999

  7

  2000

  9

  2001

  8

  2002

  12

  Firearms
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearms and how much ammunition have been surrendered since January(a) in the West Midlands and (b) in England and Wales. [126439]

  Caroline Flint
  The information requested is not collected centrally. However, information on the number of guns handed in to the police during the amnesty in April is contained in the table.
  978W

  Handed in to the police 31 March 2003 to 30 April 2003

  Prohibited firearms1

  Non-prohibited guns2

  Total number of guns

  Total no of rounds of ammunition

  West Midlands

  179

  1,086

  1,265

  53,190

  England and Wales

  6,249

  34,258

  40,507

  895,274

  1 In the West Midlands this included one fully automatic weapon, 168 handguns, six prohibited rifles, one prohibited shotgun and three other prohibited firearms.

  2 In the West Midlands this included 38 non-prohibited rifles, 412 imitations, 475 air guns, 145 shot guns, and 16 other non-prohibited weapons.

  I placed full details of the weapons handed in to the police during the recent amnesty in the Library on 15 July 2003.

  Flight Attendants
  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 3 June 2003,Official Report, column 667W, on flight attendants, for what reasons flight attendants are not required to obtain a Criminal Records Bureau check; and what plans his Department has to require flight attendants to have such checks. [124027]

  Paul Goggins
  The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) issues Standard Disclosures in respect of positions falling within the Exceptions Order to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and in the case of Enhanced Disclosures those positions also falling within s 115 Police Act 1997. Flight attendants are not explicitly provided for in either of these two pieces of legislation. Nevertheless, depending upon the exact duties of individual flight attendants, they may on a case by case basis fall within the definition of a 'regulated position'. However, due to the nature of the organisations for which they work, there is no statutory obligation for them to be checked against the lists maintained by the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills of those individuals considered unsuitable to work with children. Therefore, there is no requirement in legislative terms for flight attendants to obtain a CRB Standard or Enhanced Disclosure.

  The CRB is not responsible for imposing and enforcing requirements for obtaining CRB Disclosures. This responsibility lies with the Government Department or licensing/regulatory authority that regulates or has a supervisory role over the industry sector concerned.

  Home Detention Curfew
  Dr. Cable
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the prisoners under home detention curfew(a) broke their curfew and (b) re-offended while under curfew for each month (i) in 2002 and (ii) to date in 2003; and if he will make a statement. [117686]

  Paul Goggins
  The number of prisoners subject to the home detention curfew scheme has increased significantly over the past year as a result of the decision to increase from 60 to 90 days the period of time prisoners serving a sentence of 12 months and over spend on the scheme and by encouraging governors to place more prisoners on the scheme where it is safe to do
  979W
  so. The following table shows the average number of prisoners on the scheme every month from January 2002 to April 2003.

  The table also shows the number of prisoners subject to the home detention curfew scheme, who:
  (i) have breached the conditions of their curfew, pursuant to section 38A(1)(a) of the Criminal Justice Act 1991, as reported to the Prison Service by the electronic monitoring contractors. (This refers to prisoners who have been absent from their curfew address, or have intentionally damaged their electronic personal identification device); or
  (ii) are reported to the Prison Service as having been cautioned, convicted or who are awaiting prosecution for an offence committed while they were subject to the home detention curfew scheme.

  The Home Detention Curfew scheme is designed to ensure a better transition for short-term offenders between custody and the community. The safety of the public is paramount at all times.

  Month

  Number of offenders on the Offenders on the HDC scheme (at the end of the last full week of each month)

  Breaches of Curfew reported to the Prison Service

  Offenders reported as having committed a further offence while subject to HDC

  2002

  January

  1,672

  54

  7

  February

  1,707

  47

  11

  March

  1,965

  58

  14

  April

  2,103

  64

  12

  May

  2,300

  88

  26

  June

  2,327

  123

  18

  July

  2,292

  127

  26

  August

  2,410

  127

  28

  September

  2,384

  119

  20

  October

  2,431

  125

  24

  November

  2,584

  125

  26

  December

  3,097

  156

  21

  2003

  January

  3,055

  155

  37

  February

  3,019

  142

  32

  March

  3,128

  163

  35

  April

  3,135

  179

  35

  Identity Card Scheme
  Mr. Wiggin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact on police man hours of the implementation of the proposed identity card scheme. [126739]

  Beverley Hughes
  The consultation paper on Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud discussed some potential efficiency savings for the police in being able to identify people quicker. An example would be recording details of people questioned and eliminated from inquiries if they were carrying a card at the time and gave their consent for it to check. The Government have ruled out a card scheme where it would be compulsory to carry a card and therefore there would be circumstances where efficiencies such as these could not be realised.

  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the Scottish Executive to discuss the introduction of identity cards. [126571]
  980W
  Beverley Hughes
  My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has maintained close contact with the First Minister dating from before the publication of the consultation paper on Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud. However, no formal meetings have been held.

  Home Office officials met officials in the Scottish Executive to discuss issues of particular relevance to the devolved Administration, prior to the publication of the consultation paper, and this contact has continued.

  Industrial Illness
  Mr. Weir
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with other European states involved in the pan-European PMR TETRA network roll-out on(a) standardising guidelines for public safety, (b) sharing reports relating to reported incidents of industrial illness through use of the system and (c) contractual changes in the roll-out programme; and if he will make a statement. [124957]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 10 July 2003]: No TETRA-specific discussions have been held with other European states on any of these topics.

  A numbers of European radio networks such as Airwave, the new radio system for the Police Service in Great Britain, are based on the TETRA technology. However, these networks are not interconnected and there is no pan-European TETRA network.

  Public safety guidelines on radio systems are not technology-specific. The EC recommends the use of International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) health and safety guidelines (Council Recommendation of 12 July 1999 on the limitation of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields, 0 Hz to 300 GHz). Network operators in the UK are required to comply with these guidelines. Independent checks of Airwave equipment have confirmed that it is fully compliant with ICNIRP guidelines.

  TETRA network operators and equipment manufacturers would need to implement any changes in health and safety regulations. Any contractual impact would depend on the nature of those changes.

  Inquests (Cleveland)
  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many days in(a) 2001, (b) 2002 and (c) up to the last day of June 2003 (i) the Coroner, (ii) the Deputy Coroner and (iii) the Assistant Deputy Coroner for Cleveland sat on inquests; and what the regional average numbers of sitting days are for sitting coroners. [126355]

  Paul Goggins
  The information requested in respect of the Teesside Coroner's District is as set out in the table. I understand that additional sitting days were scheduled but not used where the inquests were not then ready to proceed. Dates for the opening of inquests only are excluded.

  Data on the national and regional numbers of coroners' sitting days are not held centrally.
  981W

  Teesside coroner's district: sitting days

  2001

  2002

  2003 (to end June)

  Coroner

  83

  75

  40

  Deputy Coroner

  27

  27

  20

  Assistant Deputy Coroner

  0

  18

  10

  Vera Baird
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time has been between deaths and inquests in Cleveland; what assessment he has made of the reasons for delays; and what the average time was in the other coroners' areas in the north-east in the last 12 months. [126356]

  Paul Goggins
  Where inquests have been completed, the average time taken between the report of a death and the inquest in the Teesside coroner's district in 2002 was about 34 weeks. Calculated on the same basis, the average time in other north-east coroners' districts is about 21 weeks, and the average for England and Wales is about 19 weeks.

  The Teesside coroner has attributed delays in a temporary loss of available coroner officer support during the year. Some delays are also said to be due to difficulty in obtaining timely post mortem examination reports because of a local shortage of pathologists. The coroner has recently secured some additional pathologist resources.

  Junior Attendance Centres
  Mr. Peter Duncan
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many junior attendance centres have not been inspected within the last three years; [126574]

  (2) what plans he has to introduce a national inspectorate of junior attendance centres. [126675]

  Paul Goggins
  All Junior Attendance Centres have been inspected in the last three years and the programme is up to date. We have an Inspectorate of five people, and there are no current plans to change this.

  Juvenile Detentions
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juvenile detentions have been made in(a) the West Midlands and (b) Coventry over each of the past five years. [125356]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 15 July 2003]: The information requested is contained in the table.

  Statistics for 2002 will be available in the autumn.

  Number of persons aged 10–17 years sentenced to immediate custody1 for all offences in the West Midlands, 1997 to 2001

  West Midlands police force area

  Of which: Coventry

  1997

  636

  68

  1998

  646

  82

  1999

  701

  70

  2000

  710

  86

  2001

  811

  105

  1 Secure training order, detention and training order, young offender institution, detention under Sec 53 C&YPA 1933 and detention under sees 90–92 PCCA(S)A 2000.

  Kirkham and Wealston Prisons
  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the number of prisoners absconding from Kirkham and Wealston Prisons. [125561]

  Paul Goggins
  Significant efforts are being made across the prisons estate to reduce the number of absconds. This includes improvements to prisons' physical conditions, and the provision of better regimes with more purposeful activity.

  At Kirkham prison an Abscond Prevention Group is examining and introducing a range of measures including: improved fence patrols; the feasibility of infra-red cameras; improvements to the establishment's intelligence systems with additional staff being used in the sifting and collation of intelligence data; and improved communications with the police.

  At Wealstun, lighting and cameras covering the establishment's boundaries have been increased and staff are also working to ensure that reception procedures are strengthened, with induction interviews taking place prior to the prisoner's first night at the prison, in order to help prisoners settle in as quickly as is possible. Efforts are also being made to replace any old or sub-standard accommodation.

  London Probation Service
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the London Probation Service in making contact with victims in relation to their guidelines; and what recent discussions he has had with the service; [125369]

  (2) in what proportion of cases the (a) Victim Liaison Service and (b) London Probation Service made contact with the vict ms and families of victims on time in 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [125370]

  Paul Goggins
  National figures show that in the period April 2002-March 2003,82 per cent. of victims of offenders who had committed serious sexual or violent offences were contacted within the eight week target, compared with 63 per cent. for the previous year. In London, 46 per cent. of victims were contacted within the eight week target compared with 22 per cent. the previous year; London Probation Area's performance for the first quarter of this year has shown a significant improvement, rising to 72 per cent. for January to March 2003. Part of the reason for this improvement is the resolution of difficulties in the London Probation Area receiving victim contact information promptly.

  The national target is for 85 per cent. of cases to be dealt with within the eight week deadline. I myself have not held any recent discussions with London Probation Area.

  Mario Clarke
  Mr. Hancock
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in the identification of Mario Clarke's killer. [126366]
  983W
  Caroline Flint
  The Metropolitan police have said that their investigation of this murder is active and ongoing. Several lines of inquiry are being followed. At present the identity of Mario Clarke's killer is still unknown.

  Marsham Street Building
  Ms Walley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the inquiry into the timber used on the construction site at 2 Marsham Street has been completed; and if he will place a copy of the report from that inquiry in the Library. [126070]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Guildford (Sue Doughty) on 9 July 2003,Official Report, column 830W. Outstanding information on the purchase of plywood from Indonesia and Brazil remains to be provided by the developer. When the investigation into the Greenpeace allegations was announced it was stated that any lessons learnt would be brought to the attention of the Sub-Committee of Green Ministers. T have asked for the issues raised to be placed on the agenda at the next possible occasion.

  Metropolitan Police Recruitment
  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on police recruitment into the Metropolitan police. [125504]

  Ms Blears
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that since 1 April 2003 the Metropolitan police have recruited 765 officers against a recruitment target for the year of 3,440. Of the 765 recruited so far 21.5 per cent. were female and 11.6 per cent. were from visible Ethnic Minorities. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) currently has approximately 1,250 vacancies.

  About 5,500 applications are under consideration. Successful candidates from these applications will meet the MPS requirement for recruits to March 2004.

  Miscarriages of Justice
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the support available for families of victims of miscarriages of justice. [124512]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 8 July 2003]: Support from the Home Office is equally available to all prisoners' families and is not a ffected by any allegation that an individual is a victim of a miscarriage of justice.

  The Home Office no longer has responsibility for reviewing the convictions of prisoners. The Home Secretary's powers to consider alleged miscarriages of justice came to an end on 31 March 1997. These were replaced by new powers vested in an independent body, the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which has a main responsibility under the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 to review suspected miscarriages of justice, and to refer a conviction, verdict, finding or sentence to the appropriate court of appeal when the Commission considers that there is a real possibility that it would not be upheld. Any family member can apply to the Commission on behalf of someone believed to be a victim of a miscarriage of justice. (The Commission will
  984W
  not generally review a case until the normal appeal process is exhausted). We would carefully explain this to family members writing to the Home Office and redirect them to the Commission.

  The Home Office is funding the Royal Courts of Justice Citizens Advice Bureau's Miscarriages of Justice Project which supports prisoners, who have had their convictions referred back to the Court of Appeal by the Commission, in the period leading up to their release and for up to six months after. This service would extend to providing advice on Family/Relationship issues.

  An individual whose conviction is overturned may be eligible for statutory or ex gratia compensation for a wrongful conviction and can apply to the Home Office. Both schemes are concerned only with the suffering of the victim of the wrongful conviction, so neither makes provision for compensation for the suffering of any relative or other third party. However, in deciding the amount of any compensation award made to an individual, the assessor will take into account the costs of prison visits and of any family campaign to get the conviction quashed.

  Mobile Communications
  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of that part of the Stewart Report, referring to TETRA masts, which expressed concern of possible health effects from signal modulations at frequencies close to 16Hz. [126705]

  Caroline Flint
  The Stewart Report did not refer to Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) masts. It focused on mobile phones and only listed TETRA as one of the existing standards for mobile communications.

  There are no health concerns specific to TETRA masts. Operators must ensure that emissions from radio masts are below international health and safety guidelines in areas accessible to the public. Independent checks have confirmed that this is indeed the case for TETRA masts used for the new police radio communications system.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the National Radiological Protection Board Report of July 2001 and on the actions he is taking on its health recommendation. [126706]

  Caroline Flint
  Following the concerns raised in the Stewart report on "Mobile phones and health" about amplitude-modulated signals, we took expert advice from the National Radiological Protection Board's Independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR). Their report on "Possible health effects from Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA)" concludes that"current evidence suggests that it is unlikely that the special features from TETRA mobile terminals and repeaters pose a hazard to health".

  The AGNIR report also confirms that
  "it is notable that the signals from TETRA base stations are not pulsed".

  The AGNIR experts made recommendations for long-term research to address remaining areas of uncertainty. We have taken this forward with an

  985W
  extensive research programme. Results to date show that TETRA technology has no effect on calcium exchanges in cells—the main concern of the Stewart report. They also confirm that all Airwave equipment fully complies with international health and safety guidelines. We have recently announced a £5 million health monitoring study of police Airwave users. Regularly updated information on the Home Office research programme is available at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/tetra.html.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how mobile communications will be funded after the Government's initial commitment to the TETRA programme. [126707]

  Caroline Flint
  Airwave, the new radio communications system for the police service, is based on Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) technology. The Airwave framework arrangement under the Private Finance Initiative is in place until 2019. The Government initially committed £550 million of central funding to the Airwave programme, which is also funded locally by police authorities. Options for funding Airwave in the longer term are under review.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the findings of the audit of TETRA base stations carried out by the Radiocommunications Agency. [126708]

  Caroline Flint
  Airwave, the new radio communications system for the police service, is based on Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) technology. On the recommendation of independent experts, we asked the Radio-communications Agency to carry out audits of Airwave base stations, as they already do for mobile phones masts. 12 audits have now been completed. The results confirm that emission levels from Airwave base stations are hundreds of times less than international health and safety guidelines in areas accessible to the public. Results will shortly be available on the Radio-communications Agency website.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from chief constables and police authorities on the affordability of TETRA Communication. [126900]

  Caroline Flint
  We have not received any representations from Chief Constables and Police Authorities on the affordability of Airwave, the new radio communications system for the police service. £550 million have been made available from central funding for Airwave.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have reported ill effects from using the TETRA Communication system. [126901]

  Caroline Flint
  Fewer than 10 police officers have formally reported ill effects they attribute to the use of Airwave, the new radio communications system for the Police Service. No police officers have taken sick leave attributed to the use of Airwave.

  Mr. Caton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research has been undertaken on the biological effects on animals close to TETRA masts. [126911]
  986W
  Caroline Flint
  We are unaware of any research on the possible biological effects of Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) masts on animals close to the masts. Neither the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (who produced the Stewart Report on "Mobile Phones and Health") nor the National Radiological Protection Boards' Independent Advisory Group on non-Ionising Radiation (who produced a follow-up report on "Possible Health Effects from TETRA") have suggested that such research should be undertaken.

  Mugging/Robbery Victims
  Mrs. Calton
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2003,Official Report, column 647W, on robbery/ burglary victims, how many injuries were sustained in muggings and robberies in each year. [125796]

  Ms Blears
  Data on the number of injuries sustained in muggings and robberies in the specified years is not published. However, the British Crime Survey (BCS) is able to provide trend estimates of the number of incidents of mugging and robbery in England and Wales (Table A), additionally the BCS also collects information on the proportion of violent incidents involving injury (Table B). Violent incidents from the BCS can be classified into a violence typology comprising domestic, mugging, stranger and acquaintance incidents. Violent crime from the BCS can also be separated into robbery, wounding, common assault, and snatch theft. The information regarding injuries sustained for this latter breakdown is not published prior to 2001–02 BCS interviews. Mugging is a popular rather than a legal term, comprising robbery, attempted robbery and snatch theft from the person. The BCS does not cover incidents against those aged under 16, nor those not living in private households.

  Table A: Trends in BCS incidents of robbery and mugging, 1998 BCS, 2000 BCS and 2001–02 BCS interviews

  Thousand

  1997

  1999

  2001–02 BCS interviews

  Robbery

  339

  413

  362

  Mugging

  423

  472

  441

  Table B: Injuries sustained in muggings (1998 BCS, 2000 BCS and 2001–02 BCS interviews) and robbery (2001–02 BCS interviews)

  Percentage

  Mugging

  Robbery

  1998

  2000

  2001–02

  2001–02

  No physical injury

  57

  71

  70

  63

  Minor bruise/black eye

  24

  14

  15

  18

  Severe bruising

  14

  12

  17

  21

  Scratches

  7

  10

  6

  7

  Cuts

  12

  4

  11

  13

  Broken bones

  1

  1

  2

  2

  Notes:

  1. Results for muggings should be treated with caution due to the small number of incidents.

  2. More than one type of physical injury may have occurred.

  3. More than one response was allowed.

  Nadhmi Auchi
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 19 May 2003 to the Member for North Norfolk,Official Report, column 645W, if he will list those who made representations in this case, broken down by (a) hon. Members, (b) peers and (c) others. [117406]

  Caroline Flint
  I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 14 July 2003,Official Report, column 391W.

  Oakington Immigration Reception Centre
  Mr. Lansley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recommendations have been made by the Immigration Security advisers concerning security at the Oakington Immigration Reception Centre. [116100]

  Beverley Hughes
  [holding answer 5 June 2003]: The Immigration Service Operational Security advisers have recommended the perimeter security of the residential units be enhanced to ensure that detainees do not leave units without being observed.

  They further recommended that staff patrol the perimeter of the establishment, with clear instructions of their role to prevent escapes from the establishment.

  Both these recommendations have been accepted, and are in the process of being implemented.

  Official Spelling
  Bob Russell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that official(a) correspondence, (b) reports and (c) documentation from his office uses the English spelling of words where this differs from the US version. [118864]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  Great care is taken to ensure that all documentation produced by the Home Office, whether letters, reports, electronic communications or other material, is written clearly and correctly. However, the Department produces thousands of letters and publications a year and it is not practicable to ensure that the English spelling of words is used in every single item of correspondence.

  The Cabinet Office has issued guidance for departments on the handling of ministerial and other correspondence which emphasises that appropriate arrangements should be in place to ensure that the quality of all replies is high. It has also issued guidance on Plain Written English.

  Work is being undertaken in the Department to run Plain English workshops for staff which, will be reflected in future communications from the Department.

  Operation Antler
  Mr. David Atkinson
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the outcome of Operation Antler. [125654]

  Ms Blears
  Under Operation Antler, Wiltshire constabulary have investigated the issues surrounding the Service Volunteer Programme at Porton Down in 988W
  relation to experiments conducted into the use of chemical and biological agents during the period 1939 to 1989. The Crown Prosecution Service announced on 8 July 2003 that there should be no prosecution of any person for any criminal offences arising from evidence reviewed to date on allegations made about experiments carried out on human volunteers at Porton Down, Wiltshire from 1939 to 1989.

  As inquiries continue in one further case it would be inappropriate for me to make a statement on the outcome of Operation Antler at this stage.

  Overtime Payments
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on staff overtime in(a) the police service, (b) the Prison Service and (c) the Probation Service in the last five years for which figures are available. [124973]

  Ms Blears
  Figures for the amount spent on overtime in the police service are currently only available centrally for 2001–02 with a total UK spend of £400,392,000. This was made up of £319,620,000 for England and Wales, £26,097,000 for Scotland and £54,675,000 for Northern Ireland. Details of overtime payments for other years have not been aggregated.

  Figures for overtime paid in the prison service are only available for the year 2002–03 when £12,878,000 was spent.

  The figures for overtime paid by the National Probation Service are unavailable centrally, as the information is held on an individual basis by each of the 42 Probation Areas. An exercise to establish a central record is under way. I have asked for these overtime figures to be obtained for collation by officials in the National Probation Directorate. I will write to the hon. Member once I have this information.

  Parliamentary Questions
  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Pudsey, on 2 May 2003, ref 116897. [125788]

  Ms Blears
  I apologise for the delay in replying. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 15 July 2003,Official Report, column 278W.

  Parole
  Mrs. Curtis-Thomas
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners have been denied parole in each of the last five years on the sole basis that they deny their guilt; if he will make it his policy to end this practice where risk of re-offending is deemed minimal; and if he will make a statement; [121626]

  (2) how many prisoners have been offered a place on a sex offender's training programme and declined to participate in each of the past five years; and what effect this has on a prisoner's privileges. [121627]

  Paul Goggins
  Information on the number of prisoners applying for parole and who deny their guilt is not centrally recorded by the Prison Service and to
  989W
  provide it would be at disproportionate cost. Since January 2003, however, the Parole Board has begun to collate this data and the results are likely to be published in its future annual reports.

  There is no rule or policy which prevents a prisoner who denies his or her guilt from progressing through the system, or from being released on parole licence. Such prisoners may be granted parole if their risk is assessed as having been reduced to a level that is compatible with the protection of public safety.

  Peace Watch
  Lynne Jones
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost has been of the policing of the Peace Watch demonstration at Gate 10, RAF Fairford; what proportion of this cost was paid for from the Gloucestershire Constabulary budget; how many(a) demonstrators and (b) police were present on each day of the demonstration; and who authorised the notices warning of the authorisation of deadly force to be placed on fences at RAF Fairford. [124194]

  Ms Blears
  The Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Constabulary informs me that he is not able to identify separate costing for policing the Peace Watch demonstration at Gate 10. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has agreed to pay special grant towards the additional costs of policing operations at RAF Fairford.

  I understand that for the duration of the Peace Camp there were between 20 and 30 demonstrators. As a general rule there was a unit of one sergeant and six constables in the vicinity of the Peace Camp. Under US service regulations it is normal procedure to place warning notices in particularly sensitive areas within military establishments. Thousands of these notices are used by US military forces around the world to delineate sensitive areas. The reference to the authorisation of deadly force, placed on internal fences only, did not intend to imply that any blanket pre-authorisation had been given.

  Police
  Mrs. Brooke
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were per 100,000 population in Dorset constabulary in each year since 1992; and if he will make a statement. [126441]

  Ms Blears
  The information requested is set out in the table.

  Dorset police

  Year to 31 March

  Police officers per 100,000 population

  1992

  195.2

  1993

  196.0

  1994

  194.3

  1995

  191.4

  1996

  186.1

  1997

  188.3

  1998

  192.1

  1999

  186.0

  2000

  188.9

  2001

  195.5

  2002

  197.8

  990W
  Note:

  Population figures are provided by the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Comparisons for number of police officers to 100,000 population can be found in Home Office Statistical Bulletins, Police Strength for England and Wales, covering each year 1998 to 2002.

  By 31 December 2002 Dorset police had 1,402 officers, a record number. The latest figure for civilian staff was 741 at 31 March 2002.

  Mr. Heald
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reform police pensions in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [126414]

  Ms Blears
  As stated in the National Policing Plan, the Government are considering options for modernising police pensions to make them more flexible and affordable for future entrants.

  Mr. Truswell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received regarding the availability of training places for police officers; and if he will make a statement. [125396]

  Ms Blears
  I shall write to the hon. Member.

  Mr. Paice
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for the next three years the planned(a) net increase in the police force for England and Wales, (b) numbers of community support officers for forces in England and Wales and (c) expenditure on policing in England and Wales. [126325]

  Ms Blears
  [holding answer 17 July 2003]: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has set a target of 132,500 police officers in 2004. Police strength is already at record levels. The latest figures show that as at 31 December 2002 there were 132,268 police officers in England and Wales. The Crime Fighting Fund (CFF) provided the resources for forces to recruit 9,000 officers over and above their previous plans in the three years to March 2003. Funding for the continued employment of those officers has been provided in 2003–04. In addition, the CFF is providing funding to support the recruitment and training of a further 650 officers in 2003–04, funded at 75 per cent. of pay costs.

  We are on course to achieve our target number of 2,500 Community Support Officers (CSOs) by the end of this financial year (2003–04) and are aiming to have 4,000 CSOs in place nationwide by the end of 2005–06.

  The 2004–05 funding allocation is currently under consideration. The amounts in respect of years 2005–06 and 2006–07 will be dependent on the outcome of the SR 2004 Government Spending Review exercise.

  Prisons
  Mr. Paul Marsden
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional funding has been awarded to prisons to reduce the number of suicides in them since January. [124700]

  Paul Goggins
  The Prison Service's efforts to reduce the numbers of self-inflicted deaths in prisons are supported by a number of broader approaches for which money is allocated. These include addressing the effects of handling larger numbers and throughput of prisoners, the development of detoxification regimes,
  991W
  and considerable Department of Health resources allocated over the next few years to extend mental health in-reach support arrangements for prisoners.

  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. The programme includes a series of inter-related projects aimed mostly at improving relevant pre-custody practices; reception, first night and induction arrangements; inter-agency information exchange; prisoner care; detoxification; prisoner peer support; and strengthening investigations into deaths in custody. Investment of over £21 million for the three years from April 2001 focuses on physical improvements and trials at six sites (Birmingham, Eastwood Park, Feltham, Leeds, Wandsworth, Winchester) and on full-time suicide prevention coordinators in the prisons where the risks are highest.

  Tom Cox
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding is being provided in 2003–04 for each of the prisons within the Greater London area for the provision of education services for inmates. [123969]

  Paul Goggins
  Prison establishments in the London area have been allocated the following amounts:

  Establishment

  Amount (£)

  Belmarsh

  689,713

  Brixton

  405,788

  Feltham

  1,372,856

  Holloway

  869,780

  Latchmere House

  38,888

  Pentonville

  493,358

  Wandsworth

  531,412

  Wormwood Scrubs

  812,115

  These amounts are from the ring-fenced education budget managed by Offenders' Learning and Skills Unit (OLSU) and are for the funding of teaching and induction hours, delivery of library services and for the cost of materials.

  Additional funding may be allocated in year, either by OLSU, the establishment or from Emergency Accommodation funds, which are allocated by the Prison Service, in response to increases in the prison population.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers from Great Britain have been seconded to work in the prison service in Northern Ireland in each year since 2000. [124143]

  Paul Goggins
  The Prison Service of Northern Ireland have no record of any prison officer being seconded to them from the Prison Service of England and Wales since 2000.

  Prison Officers being seconded from the Scottish Prison Service is a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change has been in the prison population in England and Wales in each year since 1997. [124144]
  992W
  Paul Goggins
  The percentage change in the prison population in England and Wales in each year since 1997 is given in the following table.

  Date

  Population

  Percentage change

  30 June 1997

  61,467

  —

  30 June 1998

  65,727

  6.9

  30 June 1999

  64,529

  -1.8

  30 June 2000

  65,194

  1.0

  30 June 2001

  66,403

  1.9

  30 June 2002

  71,218

  7.3

  30 April 2003

  72,853

  2.3

  Mr. Dodds
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been transferred from prisons in Great Britain to prisons in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997. [124146]

  Paul Goggins
  The number of prisoners transferred from England and Wales to Northern Ireland is given in the table.

  The transfer of prisoners from Scotland to Northern Ireland is a matter for the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

  Number of prisoners transferred

  19971

  3

  1998

  22

  1999

  9

  2000

  16

  2001

  17

  2002

  10

  1 Since 1 October 1997 when the new trasfer provisions of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 came into force.

  Mr. Grieve
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many extra prison places became available in each year from 1992 to 2003; [125214]

  (2) how many extra prison places were ordered to be constructed in each year from 1992 to 2003; [125215]

  (3) how many (a) prison places and (b) prisons are (i) under construction and (ii) projected; where they are located; and when they will become available for use. [125217]

  Paul Goggins
  The number of prisons, prison places and their opening dates are shown in the following table (Table 1). Table 2 shows projected prison places.

  Table 1: Schemes under Construction

  Establishment

  Places

  Opening Date

  Birmingham

  1400

  April 2004

  Morton Hall

  80

  September 2002

  Highpoint South

  120

  October 2003

  Wealstun

  180

  March 2004

  Wymott

  180

  March 2004

  Blakenhurst

  180

  June 2004

  Swinfen Hall

  120

  June 2004

  Lindholme

  180

  June 2004

  Ranby

  180

  June 2004

  Littlehey

  40

  September 2003

  Stafford

  40

  September 2003

  Morton Hall (Intermittent Custody Centre)

  40

  September 2003

  Kirkham (Intermittent Custody Centre)

  40

  September 2003

  1 Approximate

  993W
  Two new prisons are to be built at Ashford (near Heathrow) and Peterborough, which together will provide 1,290 places by the end of 2004–05.

  Table 2: Places funded and to be provided

  Establishment1

  Places

  Opening Date

  Cell reclaims

  180

  December 2003

  Location

  120

  February 2005

  Location

  120

  February 2005

  Location

  120

  February 2005

  Location

  120

  April 2005

  Location

  120

  April 2005

  Location

  120

  April 2005

  Location

  400

  December 2005

  Location

  180

  August 2004

  Location

  120

  August 2004

  Location

  120

  August 2004

  1 At this stage it is not possible to give the location of the places shown in the table.

  The Prison Service receives funding to provide additional capacity: order dates for specific elements of the capacity package vary considerably and are not readily available. They could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

  Table 3 gives information on the number of additional places provided from 1995 onwards: this is the earliest date for which information is available. The data includes places both at new prisons and those provided at existing prisons by building Houseblocks, Ready to Use Units (RTUs) and Modular Temporary Units (MTU). It does not take into account any places taken out of use or prison places provided by subsequent overcrowding.

  Table 3: Additional places provided from 1995 onwards

  Number of places

  1995–96

  1,165

  1996–97

  1,857

  1997–98

  4,635

  1998–99

  1,697

  1999–2000

  2,071

  2000–01

  800

  2001–02

  1,103

  2002–03

  1,902

  Andrew Selous
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department to which prisons residents of the South West Bedfordshire constituency have been sent by the courts in the last year. [125819]

  Paul Goggins
  In the last year people appearing in court in Bedfordshire have been sent to the following prisons:Bedford, Brockhill, Bullingdon, Chelmsford, Eastwood Park, Elmley, Feltham, Glen Parva, Highpoint, Holloway, Huntercombe, Leicester, Lewes, Onley, Reading, Send, Stoke Heath, Styal, Woodhill and Wormwood Scrubs.

  Mr. Keith Bradley
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers were employed in each of the last 10 years. [126809]

  Paul Goggins
  The information requested is contained in the table and includes prison officers, senior officers, and principal officers.
  994W

  At 31 March

  Numbers of prison officers

  1994

  23,756

  1995

  24,237

  1996

  24,398

  1997

  23,058

  1998

  23,444

  1999

  23,875

  2000

  24,090

  2001

  23,777

  2002

  23,052

  2003

  23,582

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce overcrowding in prisons; and if he will make a statement. [124599]

  Paul Goggins
  We are committing significant funding to modernising and increasing the capacity of the prison estate. Funding has been provided for 2,820 additional prison places to be built at existing prisons. Two new prisons will also be opened at Ashford and Peterborough. Together with building programmes in progress, such as 400 additional places at Birmingham, the total useable capacity of the Prison Service estate will increase to around 78,700 by 2006.

  In addition, the Criminal Justice Bill outlines a range of new sentencing options, including: the introduction of two 'intermediate' sanctions—'Custody Minus' and 'Intermittent Custody' which will allow offenders to retain employment and family contact during the week while being held in custody at weekends. These are options for sentencers which avoid the unnecessary use of full-time custody.

  We have also recently extended the successful Home Detention Curfew (HOC) scheme to four and a half months. HDC, by enabling prisoners to be released early but while still being subject to restrictions placed on their liberty, facilitates a smoother and more effective integration back into society.

  The Government continue to keep under review the demand on prison places and the capacity of the Prison Service to accommodate those prisoners sent to it by the courts.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers joined and left the Prison Service in each year since 2000–01. [124962]

  Paul Goggins
  The information requested is contained in the following table and covers prison officers, senior officers and principal officers.

  Officers leaving

  Newly recruited officers

  Existing staff re-grading to prison officer

  2000–01

  961

  514

  184

  2001–02

  1,342

  363

  262

  2002–03

  1,344

  1,368

  728

  995W
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers have resigned from the Prison Service within(a) six months, (b) one year and (c) two years of starting their employment in each of the last five years. [124913]

  Dates

  Prison officers resigning within six months of recruitment

  Prison officers resigning between six and 12 months of recruitment

  Prison officers resigning between one and two years of recruitment

  Total officers resigning

  July 2000 to June 2001

  15

  22

  52

  372

  July 2001 to June 2002

  24

  15

  42

  443

  July 2002 to June 2003

  49

  37

  18

  575

  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost per annum of imprisoning one offender was in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by(a) cost of incarceration, (b) cost of policing and (c) cost of judicial system and sentencing; and if he will make a statement. [126927]

  Paul Goggins
  The average cost to the Prison Service per prisoner in 2002–03 was £36,268 per year.

  The police spent on average £830 responding to each recorded crime in 2002–03, although this varies significantly by the type of incident. Based on Police detection rates the cost per detection is approximately £3,500, however this includes some police activity on unsolved cases.

  The cost of processing an offender sentenced to custody through the Criminal Justice System is estimated at around £1,035 for 2000–01. This included costs of the courts, legal aid, the Crown Prosecution Service and some Probation Service costs.

  Mr. Jack
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the risk assessment procedures used to assess prisoners' suitability for transfer to(a) category D prisons and (b) Kirkham Open Prison. [125477]

  Paul Goggins
  The definition of a category D prison is one that holds "prisoners who can reasonably be trusted in open conditions". Sentenced prisoners may be assessed for category D conditions either on initial categorisation following sentencing or during their sentence following a review of their security category.

  The initial categorisation procedures use an algorithm to indicate a provisional security category for each individual prisoner. The algorithm takes account of: current offence(s), sentence length, previous offending, previous escapes or absconds and previous breaches of non-custodial disposals. An assessment is then made of this provisional category to determine whether it is appropriate. In the case of prisoners indicated for category D, this may typically include issues such as: current drug use; previous breaches of bail; the nature and circumstances of what may appear a fairly minor offence or vulnerability to bullying or coercion.

  Prisoners have their security category reviewed at regular intervals. Those serving 12 months to less than four years are reviewed at six monthly intervals; those serving a determinate sentence of four years or more are
  996W
  Paul Goggins
  The information relating to the last three years is contained in the table. Information concerning the length of service of staff who left prior to June 2000 is not available.

  reviewed annually. Prisoners may be reviewed more frequently than is warranted by their circumstances. The recategoristaion process places primacy on consideration of risk. The prisoner must be able to demonstrate a significant reduction in risk (to the public and/or of escape/abscond) to warrant recategorisation to conditions of lower security. Where category D is indicated as appropriate in terms of risk, consideration is then given to other issues that might suggest that the prisoner is otherwise unsuitable for open conditions. These might be issues of control, health care requirements or the need to complete educational or offending behaviour programmes. A fundamental review of categorisation is currently under way. Among other things, the review will be looking at the procedures for placing prisoners in conditions of low security.

  These procedures apply to all prisons in England and Wales. Kirkham accepts prisoners who have been categorised D either by the local prisons or the training prisons. The prison does not accept prisoners who are serving, or who have served, a sentence for sex offences. Other prisoners who may have special requirements or present particular problems are considered on an individual basis for return to the closed estate.

  I am arranging for a copy of the risk assessment form for a move to a prison of a lower security category and the assessment criteria for Kirkham prison to be placed in the Library.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) of 24 June 2003,Official Report, column 736W, on prisons, how many of those prisoners reported as having been recaptured by 17 June were recaptured (a) within a week, (b) within a month and (c) within six months; how many returned voluntarily; at what point following absconding a warrant for arrest is normally issued; and if he will make a statement. [124993]

  Paul Goggins
  The information requested is not collated centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The names and details of prisoners who have absconded are reported to the police as soon as possible after they event. The local police make inquiries in an attempt to find the absconder and ensure that police forces across the country are informed that the prisoner has absconded and is unlawfully at large. It is not necessary for a court to issue an arrest warrant.
  997W
  Mr. Oaten
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners(a) were given day release from prison and (b) absconded from day release in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [124600]

  Paul Goggins
  The following table shows(a) the total number of temporary release licences issued, (b) the numbers of prisoners released and (c) the total number of temporary release failures (which includes absconds, but which are not recorded separately) for each year since 1993. Prior to 1993 temporary release statistics were not published and no data for that period is available.

  Total number of licences issued

  Numbers of prisoners released

  Temporary release failures

  1993

  148,573

  26,633

  2,996

  1994

  164,521

  25,183

  2,182

  1995

  164,521

  15,499

  637

  1996

  181,660

  13,256

  448

  1997

  227,078

  13,466

  564

  1998

  255,886

  13,131

  484

  1999

  256,179

  11,656

  517

  2000

  256,837

  10,559

  318

  2001

  270,122

  10,082

  278

  Prisoners may be released on temporary licence for a number of purposes including compassionate reasons, training, employment and voluntary work, to re-establish family ties and help prisoners make the transition from prison to life in the community. On most occasions the licences recorded are for one day. For resettlement activities, however, the licence may cover up to five days away from the prison.

  Probation Service
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the National Probation Service will publish an annual report. [124963]

  Paul Goggins
  The National Probation Service for England and Wales (NPS) was established by the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 and came into existence on 1 April 2001. The NPS consists of 42 Local Probation Boards and a central administrative function provided by the National Probation Directorate (NPD).

  Although the NPS does not produce a single service-wide annual report, each of the 42 probation boards is required under the Act to submit after the end of each financial year ending 31 March an annual report to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on the discharge of its functions, including how it has performed against its key targets, and its audited accounts.

  The NPS publishes consolidated accounts of the local probation boards annually.

  The NFS also regularly publishes results on key performance and National Standards information, showing local probation board comparisons. These performance reports along with information for practitioners, sentencers, offenders and the general public are posted on the NPS website at
  998W
  www.probation.homeoffice.gov.uk. The most recent performance report (Number 8) gives up to date performance figures for the conclusion of year 2002–03.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of offenders completed Probation Service accredited programmes in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03. [124964]

  Paul Goggins
  In 2001–02 the percentage of offenders completing Probation Service accredited programmes, as a proportion of starts, was 37 per cent. This figure reached 48 per cent. in 2002–03. These are the national figures and are subject to variation from area to area.

  It should be noted that, due to the nature of accredited programmes, offenders who start a programme in a given year do not necessarily complete the programme in that year.

  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the number of staff employed by the National Probation Directorate. [124966]

  Paul Goggins
  The National Probation Service was started in 2001 and the National Probation Directorate is still developing as the Home Office Headquarters for the National Probation Service. There are plans to increase staffing levels by 70 by April 2005.

  Proceeds of Crime Act
  Mr. David Marshall
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total value of assets and illegal gains confiscated from criminals is since the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 came into effect. [126510]

  Caroline Flint
  The confiscation powers in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 are triggered by offences committed after the provisions were brought into force on 24 March 2003, so it will be a while before cases are dealt with by the Crown Court in numbers. To date, two confiscation orders with a value of £53,000 have been made against convicted offenders in England and Wales. The value of cash seizures made under the new provisions in the Act which came into effect on 30 December 2002, and which are not dependent upon a conviction, is £28.5 million. In addition, the Assets Recovery Agency has obtained freezing orders from the High Court in London and Belfast on five civil recovery cases with a total value of £5.9 million.

  Psychics
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the last five years the Metropolitan police have employed the services of a psychic in the course of a criminal investigation; and at what cost. [124985]

  Ms Blears
  The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the information requested is not held centrally. If a Senior Investigating Officer forms a professional opinion that the engagement of such a service may further a particular inquiry or provide support from a family liaison perspective, he or she is at liberty to make appropriate arrangements.

  Remand Prisoners
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have been on remand awaiting trial for(a) 24 to 30 months, (b) 30 to 36 months and (c) more than 36 months; of those, what the longest time spent on remand in prison awaiting trial is; and if he will make a statement. [124971]

  Paul Goggins
  I will write to the hon. Member.

  Royal Security
  Mr. Rosindell
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase security for members of the Royal family on public occasions. [125997]

  Mr. Blunkett
  As you will appreciate, it would not be appropriate for me to comment upon the detail of royal security on the grounds that to do so may compromise the safety of those for whom such measures have been implemented. However, I can assure you that royal security arrangements are under constant review.

  Sexual Offences
  Sir Paul Beresford
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has conducted

  Number of persons proceeded against at magistrates courts for certain sexual offences against persons under 16 England and Wales 1997–20011

  Offence

  1997

  1998

  1999

  20002

  2001

  Buggery by a male of a male under 16

  107

  124

  140

  105

  111

  Buggery by a male with a female under 16

  35

  19

  23

  28

  9

  Rape of a female aged under 16

  592

  698

  714

  659

  919

  Rape of a male aged under 16

  45

  49

  63

  68

  107

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 13

  40

  40

  32

  40

  53

  Unlawful sexual intercourse with girl under 16

  153

  171

  169

  167

  177

  Incest with a girl under 13

  14

  17

  12

  18

  14

  1 These data are on the principal offence basis.

  2 Staffordshire Police Force were only able to submit sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates courts for the year 2000. Altough sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table.

  Special Advisers
  Mr. Tyrie
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. [126664]

  Mr. Blunkett
  Between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2003, Special Advisers have accompanied myself abroad on five occasions1 at an average total cost of £3,8312 for all involved in the trip. The countries visited were Luxembourg, France and Denmark.

  In addition, one official visit was made by a Special Adviser to France in November 2002 at a total cost of £546.86.

  All travel by Special Advisers is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Civil Service Management Code.
  1000W
  on the number of individuals convicted of sexual offences against children who were themselves abused as juveniles; and if he will publish the results. [124126]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 7 July 2003]: The Home Office has not conducted any research on the number of individuals convicted of sexual offences against children who were themselves abused as juveniles.

  The most recently available Home Office statistics show that in 2001 there were 2,410 convictions for sexual offences against children where the age of the victim was identified by the offence. No information about the background of these offenders is collected.

  A review of the literature on sex offending against children (Grubin; 1998) commissioned by the Home Office summarises academic research on the association between being a victim and becoming an abuser. This is available at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htm.

  Jim Dobbin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been prosecuted for having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor in the last five years for which statistics are available. [124399]

  Paul Goggins
  The available information is contained in the table.

  Statistics for 2002 will be published in the autumn.

  1 Special Advisers also accompanied the Home Secretary to the USA during the period end March 2002/early April 2003. Costs for this trip fall with the current financial year.

  2 The average cost of all trips involved is high as an RAF flight booked for one trip fell through at the last moment and attendance was only possible through a more expensive last minute charter.

  Tagged Offenders
  Ross Cranston
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of tagged offenders who committed offences outside their curfew in each of the last three years; and what estimate he has made of the incidence of offenders removing their tags in order to commit unmonitored offences. [124844]

  Paul Goggins
  The data required to answer this question is not centrally available.

  Treason Felony Act
  Norman Baker
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to propose the repeal of section 3 of the Treason Felony Act 1848; and if he will make a statement. [126688]

  Paul Goggins
  We have no immediate plans to repeal section 3 of the Treason Felony Act 1848.

  Unsafe Convictions
  Mr. Dhanda
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what(a) housing provision, (b) benefits, (c) support and (d) financial support prior to compensation being paid is available to those released from custodial sentences after the conviction was found to be unsafe; and if he will make a statement. [124513]

  Paul Goggins
  [holding answer 8 July 2003]: The Home Office funded advice service for individuals released on appeal against conviction was launched in January this year. It is being piloted by Citizens Advice at the Royal Courts of Justice. Citizens' Advice is not in a position to provide direct financial support but are an advisory link into other services. Citizens Advice will assist clients by advising on compensation processes, facilitating and supporting clients to access appropriate benefits and housing services. It will provide support for other aspects of reintegration into the community such as assisting the client to look for education, training and employment opportunities.

  Written Ministerial Statements
  Mr. Bercow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many written ministerial statements have been made by the Department since 29 October 2002. [126622]

  Fiona Mactaggart
  Between 29 October 2002 and 17 July 2003 the Home Office made a total of 132 written ministerial statements.

  Wheel Clamping Companies
  Mr. Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many wheel clamping companies have been registered by the Security Industry Authority since it was established. [124843]

  Caroline Flint
  The Security Industry Authority (SIA) will begin to compile a public register of licence holders as soon as personal licensing begins.

  The SIA came into existence on 1 April 2003. It is expected that the SIA will pilot the first phase of licensing, of door supervisors, in spring 2004 in the Hampshire police area and thereafter rollout out the licensing of door supervisors across England and Wales from summer 2004. The timetable for the licensing of wheel dampers is currently under consideration. The SI A will also operate an approved company scheme.

  In preparation for the rollout of licensing, the SIA maintains a record of those people who have supplied their details on a voluntary basis. Up to 10 July, a total of 790 individuals from the wheel clamping sector have registered with the Authority. The SIA will contact them in due course to supply them with the information that they need to apply for a licence when the time comes.

  Women Prisoners
  Simon Hughes
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the(a) average daily number of women in prisons in England and (b) the total number of women received into prisons was in each of the last 12 months. [124990]

  Paul Goggins
  The number of women in prisons in England in each of the last 12 months is given in the table. The data represents month-end figures.

  Number of women in prisons

  April 2002

  4,370

  May 2002

  4,403

  June 2002

  4,394

  July 2002

  4,372

  August 2002

  4,362

  September 2002

  4,403

  October 2002

  4,427

  November 2002

  4,368

  December 2002

  4,077

  January 2003

  4,214

  February 2003

  4,349

  March 2003

  4,470

  The number of first receptions of women into Prison Service establishments in each of the last 12 months is given in the table.

  Total

  April 2002

  1,128

  May 2002

  1,249

  June 2002

  963

  July 2002

  1,150

  August 2002

  1,065

  September 2002

  1,018

  October 2002

  1,057

  November 2002

  970

  December 2002

  781

  January 2003

  1,051

  February 2003

  1,052

  March 2003

  1,173

  Young Offenders
  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many girls aged 15 have been placed in a young offenders institution since 1 October 2002; in which institutions they were held; and for how long. [124849]

  Paul Goggins
  Six girls aged 15 have been placed in a young offenders institution since 1 October 2002. Five were placed at New Hall and one at Brockhill. The details are as follows:

  (i) girl aged 15 and 2 months placed in New Hall on 21 November 2002, transferred to a local authority secure children's home on 22 November 2002;

  (ii) girl aged 15 and 7 months placed in New Hall on 22 November 2002, transferred to a local authority secure children's home on 2 December 2002;

  1003W

  (iii) girl aged 15 and 10 months placed in New Hall from 25 October 2002 to 24 December 2002;

  (iv) girl aged 15 and 10 months placed in Brockhill from 3 October 2002 to 31 December 2002

  (v) girl aged 15 and 11 months placed in New Hall from 7 November 2002 to 5 February 2003.

  (vi) girl aged 15 and 11 months placed in New Hall from 27 November 2002 to 26 January 2003.

  There are currently no 15-year-old girls in Prison Service accommodation, and around 16,16-year-olds. On 18 February the Youth Justice Board (YJB) announced its intention to remove all under 17-year-old girls from Prison Service accommodation during 2003.

  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been transferred from each secure training centre and local authority secure home to a young offenders institution to date in 2003. [124850]

  Paul Goggins
  The placement of offenders under 18 in secure accommodation is the responsibility of the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales. The Youth Justice Board confirms that the following transfers from secure training centres and local authority secure children's homes to young offender institutions have been made in 2003:

  Secure Training Centres

  Number

  Hassocksfield

  10

  Medway

  14

  Rainsbrook

  4

  Month/year

  Ashfield

  Huntercombe

  Warren Hill

  Werrington

  Wetherby

  January 2002

  33

  4

  8

  5

  3

  February 2002

  20

  4

  6

  3

  2

  March 2002

  16

  1

  13

  1

  1

  April 2002

  20

  3

  4

  10

  2

  May 2002

  24

  1

  7

  3

  2

  June 2002

  15

  4

  6

  5

  0

  July 2002

  15

  2

  3

  6

  5

  August 2002

  12

  2

  3

  6

  2

  September 2002

  6

  2

  2

  1

  1

  October 2002

  8

  2

  9

  5

  5

  November 2002

  14

  5

  3

  6

  1

  December 2002

  19

  4

  2

  13

  1

  January 2003

  11

  5

  3

  6

  4

  February 2003

  17

  4

  4

  9

  5

  March 2003

  20

  9

  3

  7

  5

  April 2003

  10

  8

  2

  4

  13

  May 2003

  13

  4

  3

  2

  7

  June 2003

  8

  3

  0

  4

  12

  Totals

  281

  67

  81

  96

  71

  The figures are as reported to Prison Service headquarters by establishments.

  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are in place for strip searching girls who are menstruating. [124852]

  Paul Goggins
  Strip searching of women prisoners is conducted in accordance with procedures outlined in the Security Manual. There is particular emphasis on ensuring that the dignity of the prisoner being strip
  1004W

  Local authority secure children's homes

  Number

  Aldine House

  1

  Atkinson

  2

  Aycliffe

  1

  Dales House

  1

  Eastmoor

  2

  Leverton

  1

  Sutton Place

  2

  Dr. Vis
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juveniles in each of the young offenders institutions were injured by other inmates in each month in(a) 2002 and (b) 2003. [124851]

  Paul Goggins
  Male juveniles are located in five establishments dedicated solely to juveniles and in nine other establishments that also hold young offenders. Female juveniles are held in seven establishments that also hold young offenders and, in some cases, adult female prisoners.

  The Prison Service's incident reporting system records data by establishment and the extraction of data relating purely to juveniles in respect of assaults occurring in the split function establishments cannot be provided except at disproportionate cost.

  The following table provides information on the number of assaults resulting in injury by juveniles on juveniles, in respect of the five establishments that hold male juveniles only. The term 'juvenile' covers prisoners who are over 18 but are serving a Detention Training Order having been under 18 at the commencement of the Order.

  searched is protected as far as is possible. To this end, male members of staff are not allowed in the general area where strip searching is undertaken. The prisoner is never totally naked and staff are required to be sensitive to the feelings of the prisoner.

  Where women or girls are menstruating and are using sanitary protection in the form of pads, the prisoner removes the pad from her underwear herself and places it in a specially provided sanitary bin. The search is conducted swiftly and fresh pads are available to the prisoner once the search is completed.
  1005W
  Mr. Jim Cunningham
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many juvenile offenders are detained in Coventry; and how many were detained in Coventry on 30 June in each of the last five years. [126047]

  Paul Goggins
  The number of juveniles detained at Stoke House, a Local Authority Secure Unit in Coventry, from 2000 to 2002 is given in the table. Information is not available for June 1999. Stoke House closed on 20 September 2002.

  As at 30 June

  Number of juveniles detained at Stoke House

  2000

  8

  2001

  11

  2002

  7

  Mr. Burstow
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recent meetings have been held between his Department and the Department of Health to examine issues surrounding ADD/ADHD in Young Offenders Institutions; [123765]
  1006W
  (2) what steps his Department has taken to assess the implications of behavioural difficulties of attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder of young people in Young Offenders Institutions. [123767]

  Paul Goggins
  Mental health care issues, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD) are regularly discussed by staff in both departments in order to carry out the commitments for mental health in the NHS Plan. The NHS Plan includes provision for prisoners and a total of £10 million is being invested in 2003–04 to improve mental health services for them. Mental Health needs assessments were carried in all prison establishments last autumn to better gauge that need. By 2004 some 94 prisons, including all male local prisons and the majority of women's local prisons and young offender institutions will have received funding for community mental health in-reach teams to provide more comprehensive services for prisoners with severe mental health problems.

  The Lord Chancellor
  The Lord Chancellor
  Civil and Criminal Justice: Ministerial Responsibility
  Civil and Criminal Justice: Ministerial Responsibility
  United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325
  United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325
  Indonesia
  Indonesia
  Congo: MONUC
  Congo: MONUC
  Hong Kong Legislative Council
  Hong Kong Legislative Council
  Guantanamo Bay: British Detainees
  Guantanamo Bay: British Detainees
  Iraq: Copper Exports
  Iraq: Copper Exports
  Iraq: Oil for Food Programme
  Iraq: Oil for Food Programme
  Iraq: Turkish Military Presence
  Iraq: Turkish Military Presence
  Gulf War: Missing Kuwaiti Nationals
  Gulf War: Missing Kuwaiti Nationals
  Middle East: Reconstruction of Palestinian Property and Infrastructure
  Middle East: Reconstruction of Palestinian Property and Infrastructure
  Passport Fees
  Passport Fees
  Human Rights Instruments: Interdepartmental Review
  Human Rights Instruments: Interdepartmental Review
  Speed Cameras
  Speed Cameras
  Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967: Issue of Certificate
  Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967: Issue of Certificate
  Iraq: Prisoners Captured by British Forces
  Iraq: Prisoners Captured by British Forces
  Defence Medical Services: Golden Hello
  Defence Medical Services: Golden Hello
  Procurement Compliance: Equality Outcomes
  Procurement Compliance: Equality Outcomes
  Economic Inactivity and Unemployment Rates
  Economic Inactivity and Unemployment Rates
  University Students
  University Students
  Russian GCSE and A-level
  Russian GCSE and A-level
  Biology Teachers
  Biology Teachers
  Science Teaching: Fieldwork
  Science Teaching: Fieldwork